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Gideon Oliver #16
Skull Duggery
No one solves crimes like Skeleton Detective Gideon Oliver.
Gideon and his wife are on vacation in Mexico when a local police chief requests his assistance on a case. A mummified corpse was discovered in the desert and the coroner believed the victim was shot. But Gideon's examination reveals the victim was stabbed with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Then Gideon is asked to examine the skeleton of a murder victim found a year earlier-only to discover another error. The coroner misidentified the remains as belonging to a twelve to fifteen-year-old girl, when in fact the remains were that of a young woman of twenty.
Gideon knows these two "mistakenly" identified bodies aren't a coincidence. But finding the connection between them will prove more dangerous than he could possibly imagine- and place him into the crosshairs of the killer he's hunting.
Gideon and his wife are on vacation in Mexico when a local police chief requests his assistance on a case. A mummified corpse was discovered in the desert and the coroner believed the victim was shot. But Gideon's examination reveals the victim was stabbed with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Then Gideon is asked to examine the skeleton of a murder victim found a year earlier-only to discover another error. The coroner misidentified the remains as belonging to a twelve to fifteen-year-old girl, when in fact the remains were that of a young woman of twenty.
Gideon knows these two "mistakenly" identified bodies aren't a coincidence. But finding the connection between them will prove more dangerous than he could possibly imagine- and place him into the crosshairs of the killer he's hunting.
281 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2009
86 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Elkins
56 books339 followersAaron J. Elkins, AKA Aaron Elkins (born Brooklyn July 24, 1935) is an American mystery writer. He is best known for his series of novels featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver—the 'skeleton detective'. The fourth Oliver book, Old Bones, received the 1988 Edgar Award for Best Novel. As Oliver is a world-renowned authority, he travels around the world and each book is set in a different and often exotic locale.
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Japanese: アーロン エルキンズ
Series:
* Lee Ofsted (with Charlotte Elkins)
Series contributed to:
* Malice Domestic
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Japanese: アーロン エルキンズ
Series:
* Lee Ofsted (with Charlotte Elkins)
Series contributed to:
* Malice Domestic
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
October 30, 2020
This 16th in the Gideon Oliver series is set in Mexico where relatives have asked Julie to come and lend some help at a horse ranch. Gideon's life will be at threat as this complex family history story comes to a critical point of revelation unexpected by all but one when Gideon does his analytical thing over skeletons that held a secret history.
This makes it 18 books for me, so it closes up the series I really enjoyed reading.
Loan from Friend (Thank You!)
This makes it 18 books for me, so it closes up the series I really enjoyed reading.
Loan from Friend (Thank You!)
January 1, 2010
Aaron Elkins is one of my all time favorite authors. Nothing complicated with his work, just plain, well plotted murder mysteries which leave you feeling good about having taken the time to read his book(s).
Another benefit to reading Elkins is that he consistently moves around the world with his books and gives the reader an excellent basic feel for wherever the story takes place (in this case Gibralter).
IOn the end, these are all easy reads which you should use to temper your brain after a more difficult book. You won't be sorry.
Another benefit to reading Elkins is that he consistently moves around the world with his books and gives the reader an excellent basic feel for wherever the story takes place (in this case Gibralter).
IOn the end, these are all easy reads which you should use to temper your brain after a more difficult book. You won't be sorry.
September 2, 2022
I don't often give mysteries five stars, especially if they are part of a series but one should always be prepared to make an exception and Aaron Elkins deserves it in this case. Not only did he write a nifty mystery with an ending I totally didn't see coming, he absolutely nailed the setting. I have visited Oaxaca and Teotitlán del Valle in the past and plan to do so again soon and his descriptions of the area are spot on. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
February 9, 2014
When the Olivers head down to Mexico on vacation, trouble and mystery come along as well. Visiting the family hacienda at which Julie worked in her teen years, Gideon and Julie agree to take things easy and enjoy the company of family. However, when a mummified body turns up, the authorities seek the assistance of The Skeleton Detective to shed some light on the mystery. Lo and behold, it’s murder and Gideon is more than eager to help crack open the case. One body leads to two and a full-on mystery leads to troubles within the hacienda. How do these bodies tie together and how could the local ME be so wrong in his official determination all those years ago? Gideon must get to the bottom of this.. but beware of someone lurking in the shadows to silence him forever.
While the locales might be somewhat repetitive, Elkins uses the return of previous characters to keep the reader highly enthralled in the tale. With his successful story writing techniques, Elkins uses the narrative (and dialogue) to both entertain and educate. Dr. Gideon Oliver is a wonderfully refreshing academic-type, complete with his eccentric nature and strong-mindedness. While some of the teachable moments seem forced, “So, Gideon, what is a coma?” the majority of the learning the reader will undertake can be seen as useful and academic, complete with Latin and technical phraseology.
Kudos, Dr. Elkins for another great novel!
While the locales might be somewhat repetitive, Elkins uses the return of previous characters to keep the reader highly enthralled in the tale. With his successful story writing techniques, Elkins uses the narrative (and dialogue) to both entertain and educate. Dr. Gideon Oliver is a wonderfully refreshing academic-type, complete with his eccentric nature and strong-mindedness. While some of the teachable moments seem forced, “So, Gideon, what is a coma?” the majority of the learning the reader will undertake can be seen as useful and academic, complete with Latin and technical phraseology.
Kudos, Dr. Elkins for another great novel!
February 4, 2016
The "Skeleton Detective", who is really creation-anthropology professor Gideon Oliver, goes to Mexico with his wife, Julie, for a little vacation at her family's expat relatives. What was to be spent reading, eating and visiting old ruins turns into mystery solving. Not just one possible murder but three!
When the village police chief finds out that Gideon is an expert on bones, he is quick to ask for help in determining if the mummified corpse found outside the village is a victim of foul play or natural causes. Hoping for the latter, the chief is unhappy to find he does have a murder on his hands. A murder that raises questions on a previous death, a disappearance and their ties to Julie's family.
How all these scenarios tie up is intriguing. Along the way, the "Skeleton Detective" explains how he is able to "read" the bones and the body of the deceased and bring to life what may very well have been the cause of death. The fact that he is involved in forensic cases for law enforcement along with his academic life adds to the knowledge.
The plot moves along with a good number of clues and hints, but I was still not ready for the end result. I will keep my eye out for further books by Aaron Elkins and his Skeleton Detective.
A Goodread for me!
When the village police chief finds out that Gideon is an expert on bones, he is quick to ask for help in determining if the mummified corpse found outside the village is a victim of foul play or natural causes. Hoping for the latter, the chief is unhappy to find he does have a murder on his hands. A murder that raises questions on a previous death, a disappearance and their ties to Julie's family.
How all these scenarios tie up is intriguing. Along the way, the "Skeleton Detective" explains how he is able to "read" the bones and the body of the deceased and bring to life what may very well have been the cause of death. The fact that he is involved in forensic cases for law enforcement along with his academic life adds to the knowledge.
The plot moves along with a good number of clues and hints, but I was still not ready for the end result. I will keep my eye out for further books by Aaron Elkins and his Skeleton Detective.
A Goodread for me!
June 25, 2013
This was my first book by this author. I enjoyed it immensely. Anytime I can learn something new, it's a good read. The setting in Mexico made it all the more interesting. He didn't take us to some known location, but instead took us to a province that would be unknown to the average American and immersed us in the unique culture. If you're looking for a classic mystery style that presents you with a series of clues and invites you to solve the crime, this is a good one. I thought I had it figured out but he caught me and threw in a nice twist.
January 11, 2010
Poorly written and full of cliches, painfully predictable plot, paper thin characters, pretentious 'local color'--The first couple chapters were so awful I almost gave up, but I had to see if I could figure out why this guy has had so many books published. I've finished the book and still have no idea.
November 21, 2009
This was a fluff read. The idea for this plot was rather inventive but I think the author spent too much time on description - of people, of places, of procedure, and not enough time on the mystery. The book felt rather two-dimensional and wooden.
September 18, 2010
2.5 stars. Interesting read. I like forensics and archeology stuff, but as far as a "mystery" wasnt very suspenseful and no real surprises.
October 4, 2013
surprising ending, very enjoyable read.
May 7, 2019
"Gideon accompanies his wife, Julie, to the charming little Mexican village of Teotitlan del Valle in the state of Oaxaca, where Julie's expatriate relatives, the Gallaghers. operate a dude ranch resort. Up to his ears in forensic work at home, Gideon can use a break, and he looks forward to a week of leisure and touring. Teotitlan is an out-of-the-way weavers village, peaceful and virtually crime- and drug-free. What could go wrong?
"Plenty.
Before their first day in Mexico is over, a request from the village police chief has Gideon examining a mummified corpse that was found in the nearby desert a few days earlier. He quickly determines that the local coroner's findings are wrong on almost every count; what had seemed to be the 'ordinary' murder of a wandering drifter was actually anything but.
"Then his old friend Javier Marmolejo, now a colonel with the Federal Preventive Police, asks from Gideon's help in the cold-case investigation of the killing of a child, dead some thirty years, whose skeletal remains had been discovered in an abandoned mine not far from Teotitlan. Once again, Gideon's expert analysis turns things topsy-turvey; nothing is as the police had believed. Then, a cursory look at the skull of a Zapotec princess, 1,000 years old, in a local museum of curiosities produces similarly perplexing results. The 'she' is a 'he', the age of the skull is closer to thirty years than to a thousand, and the cause of death is ... murder.
"To top it all off, before Gideon's vacation is over, an inexplicable attack in the deserted, windswept archaeological ruins of Yagul will bring him frighteningly close to becoming one more murder statistic himself.
"Most upsetting, these seemingly disparate events all point in disturbing ways to the Gallaghers. What Gideon and Marmolejo ultimately discover is more surprising, more unexpected and more bizarre than anything that the Skeleton Detective could have possibly imagined."
~~front flap
There actually is a Yagul archaeological site in Oaxaca! "Yagul is an archaeological site and former city-state associated with the Zapotec civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.The site was declared one of the country's four Natural Monuments on 13 October 1998. The site is also known locally as Pueblo Viejo (Old Village) and was occupied at the time of the Spanish Conquest." Even more intriguing: "On the mesa across from the Mesoamerican ruin of Yagul are caves and rocks marked with images and handprints put there in between 8,000 and 3,000 BC." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLAx9... I wish I understood Spanish!)
As usual, this was an exciting book, with an intricate plot and interesting characters. Tony Gallagher, described by Julie as "very heavy, cocky, loud, overbearing, self-centered, pretty nasty sometimes -- but unfailingly entertaining." Flavio Sandoval: adverse to trouble by disposition and by constitution. If ever there was a man not cut out to be a police chief, it was Flavio Sandoval. Small, soft-bodied, and sharp-featured (some might say rodent-faced, fretful, easily intimidated and prone to nervous stomach upsets. And of course Gideon's old friend Javier Marmolejo (Curses!), the astute, short, good-humored policeman.
And so the quest to solve three murders (totally unrelated, of Interconnected Monkey Business?) begins.
"Plenty.
Before their first day in Mexico is over, a request from the village police chief has Gideon examining a mummified corpse that was found in the nearby desert a few days earlier. He quickly determines that the local coroner's findings are wrong on almost every count; what had seemed to be the 'ordinary' murder of a wandering drifter was actually anything but.
"Then his old friend Javier Marmolejo, now a colonel with the Federal Preventive Police, asks from Gideon's help in the cold-case investigation of the killing of a child, dead some thirty years, whose skeletal remains had been discovered in an abandoned mine not far from Teotitlan. Once again, Gideon's expert analysis turns things topsy-turvey; nothing is as the police had believed. Then, a cursory look at the skull of a Zapotec princess, 1,000 years old, in a local museum of curiosities produces similarly perplexing results. The 'she' is a 'he', the age of the skull is closer to thirty years than to a thousand, and the cause of death is ... murder.
"To top it all off, before Gideon's vacation is over, an inexplicable attack in the deserted, windswept archaeological ruins of Yagul will bring him frighteningly close to becoming one more murder statistic himself.
"Most upsetting, these seemingly disparate events all point in disturbing ways to the Gallaghers. What Gideon and Marmolejo ultimately discover is more surprising, more unexpected and more bizarre than anything that the Skeleton Detective could have possibly imagined."
~~front flap
There actually is a Yagul archaeological site in Oaxaca! "Yagul is an archaeological site and former city-state associated with the Zapotec civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.The site was declared one of the country's four Natural Monuments on 13 October 1998. The site is also known locally as Pueblo Viejo (Old Village) and was occupied at the time of the Spanish Conquest." Even more intriguing: "On the mesa across from the Mesoamerican ruin of Yagul are caves and rocks marked with images and handprints put there in between 8,000 and 3,000 BC." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLAx9... I wish I understood Spanish!)
As usual, this was an exciting book, with an intricate plot and interesting characters. Tony Gallagher, described by Julie as "very heavy, cocky, loud, overbearing, self-centered, pretty nasty sometimes -- but unfailingly entertaining." Flavio Sandoval: adverse to trouble by disposition and by constitution. If ever there was a man not cut out to be a police chief, it was Flavio Sandoval. Small, soft-bodied, and sharp-featured (some might say rodent-faced, fretful, easily intimidated and prone to nervous stomach upsets. And of course Gideon's old friend Javier Marmolejo (Curses!), the astute, short, good-humored policeman.
And so the quest to solve three murders (totally unrelated, of Interconnected Monkey Business?) begins.
August 20, 2018
Well, I had not paid a visit to Gideon Oliver in a few years, so glad we spent some time together! Still the same quirky bone-obsessed forensic master, and boy does he get involved in some strange stories, but as always, this one has charm, style, a good bit of the magician’s spell-casting, and a solution that ties everything up in a pretty bow! I will admit that even a dullard such as I eventually twigged out “who dun it,” but by then I didn’t care, I was so enjoying the telling that I was bound to read on as quick as I could, and sorry to turn those last pages...Elkins really knows how to catch your attention and keep your interest!
June 23, 2023
3.75 stars. I thought I was starting at the beginning of a series when I picked up this book and only discovered my mistake when I plugged it into goodreads. Nevertheless, I don’t think it impacted my enjoyment. The characters were well written and the mystery was well thought out. A bit over technical in places— like the author was showing off rather than contributing to the narrative—but still a refreshing cerebral read.
June 13, 2022
Lovely! I thought he is signalling the murderer from miles away, but the twists just kept coming.
January 28, 2022
Gideon Oliver, aka the skeleton detective, a forensic anthropologist, is on holiday with his wife in Oaxaca, Mexico. It is a working vacation for Julie as she is helping her relatives with their hacienda. It soon becomes a working holiday for Gideon, too, as there is no shortage of mummified remains and skeletons in the vicinity. Three to be exact. He loves this stuff and it soon takes up his entire focus.
Of course the earlier examiners’ reports are all wrong and it requires Gideon to see the true picture. Of course he discovers that all the deceased were murdered and, despite the years separating them, are connected. Of course his findings put his life in danger. But the forensic science seems to be apt and that’s a pretty good plus.
Of course the earlier examiners’ reports are all wrong and it requires Gideon to see the true picture. Of course he discovers that all the deceased were murdered and, despite the years separating them, are connected. Of course his findings put his life in danger. But the forensic science seems to be apt and that’s a pretty good plus.
April 26, 2013
Although this is #16 in the Gideon Oliver series, it is only the second book of this series I have read. I started with "Dying on the Vine", set in a part of Italy I love, which I really enjoyed, and picked up this book based on its Mexican setting. One thing I really love about Aaron Elkins' books is his exquisite detailing of local cuisine - his writing make me hungry! Was he a food critic at one point? I'll have to investigate. "Skull Duggery" is no exception here, with the superb local cuisine given as much loving description as the bones so beloved by the protagonist, Gideon Oliver. Mind you, this series is not going to be for everyone. Students of archaeology and forensic science will love the detailed descriptions of skeletons (and in this book, mummification) and methods of murder, but others might find the detail to be overwhelming. The level of detail appeals to me, along with the intricate plot with its wonderful twists. The only criticism I have is that sometimes character development goes by the wayside in favor of those detailed descriptions of the skeletons.
January 15, 2011
Actually a 3.5 and perhaps more. I missed my stop on BART because I was so engrosssed in this book. Some of the plot was predictable, but it moved swiftly. Elkins is adept with the English language (and some Spanish as well). A delight to learn new, fun words - like flump (n. the sound or action of a heavy fall; v. fall or sit down heavily). Since I had read Curses and characters from curses popped up here, it was satisfying. Finally, and most shockingly, I learned a new legal fact: Mexico has a statute of limitations to prosecute a murder of 14 years (the US has none). See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/.... This statute is as a much a character as any other character in the book, because it tweaks the story. Fun.
March 21, 2015
I found this to be a fairly light and engaging mystery. I liked the setting (Oaxaca, Mexico) because it's one that I'm not familiar with but would like to learn more about. And the protagonist, Gideon Oliver, is an unusual mystery solver as mystery solvers go. He's a professor of physical anthropology and because of his expertise in bones, he often finds himself assisting police in their investigations. While I tend to enjoy descriptive novels, this one was a little too much sometimes. Chapter 6 springs to mind; for 22 pages, the author goes over every minute detail of Gideon's examination of a mummy. Interesting, but lengthy. Still, the mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing until the end.
October 22, 2009
This book reminded me of just how much I like Elkins' Gideon Oliver series. I haven't read any for a few years and was delighted to find this new one. I especially enjoy the sense of place that Elkins brings to his books (Oaxaco, Mexico in this one)--not to mention his wry humor and interesting forensics and anthropology. In this mystery Gideon, on vacation at a family-owned hacienda/dude ranch, is asked to examine some mummified remains that turn out to be only a few months old. That investigation leads to some 30-year-old bones found in an abandoned mine. Eventually all are tied together in a surprising way. Needless to say, the "Skeleton Detective" enjoyed his vacation.
January 24, 2014
I'm just never disappointed when I read Elkins' Gideon Oliver mysteries. He writes smartly - excellent vocabulary, good background info on the locale(s) and a nicely woven plot. EVERY time.
This particular story took place in the Oaxaca area of Mexico. Julie and Gideon readily agreed to help out Julie's cousin take care of the Hacienda Encantada while her cousin was away for a week. What could go wrong? Quite a lot. With a lot of twists and turns, good information (yes, thank goodness Gideon is a pedant!) and enjoyment it's another great mystery by Elkins.
This particular story took place in the Oaxaca area of Mexico. Julie and Gideon readily agreed to help out Julie's cousin take care of the Hacienda Encantada while her cousin was away for a week. What could go wrong? Quite a lot. With a lot of twists and turns, good information (yes, thank goodness Gideon is a pedant!) and enjoyment it's another great mystery by Elkins.
May 15, 2016
The writing style of Aaron Elkins is delightful, and even though 'Skull Duggery' is the 16th book in the Gideon Oliver series there was no need to have read previous books. Gideon's character who is enmeshed in his chosen profession still manages to bring anthropology alive for the lay mans understanding. There were enough twists and turns to the story to keep you guessing, even after you thought you'd worked it out. An enjoyable read. I'll make a point of looking at previous books in this series.
November 2, 2009
Another great series for us science geeks. I love learning all the different ways our bones reflect who we are and the lives we have lived, whether the Skeleton Detective is investigating an ancient mummy or a fresh corpse. The husband and wife team is sweet, and the exotic locales attractive. This one takes us to Oaxaca, Mexico for a week-long "vacation" but you know Gideon will find a skeleton in no time at all! Thanks, Mr. Elkins, for another great read!
January 31, 2010
Yet another of Elkin's delightful Gideon Oliver(professor of forensic anthropology)series. As usual, well plotted, straight forward and starring some skeletons who guide Gideon in solving the crime. Elkins always makes the science fascinating and fun. I'll admit that I haven't read the whole series but I have read a number of them and have never been disappointed.
March 23, 2013
I love forensics and I liked this book. I think Gideon is slightly long winded but despite that the book moves swiftly and the characters are clearly defined and when it came to the solution of the crime I understood who was who and what they stood to lose or gain, I have never read Elkins before but I will again.
May 19, 2024
I love books that are well-written, intelligent, and manage to teach me something along the way. This 16th book in the Gideon Oliver series achieves all of that along with a complex mystery that I was proud to have figured out before Gideon!
July 27, 2010
YUM! It's been too long since I had a fix of Gideon and Julie. This one was very satisfying. I think a bit better in the plot twists than the last few. Finished it in one day. :)
January 6, 2013
Just started reading books by Elkins. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very original, and Gideon is a great protagonist. Will definitely read the rest.
May 9, 2013
I haven't read this series in a long time. I loved this one. The setting in Oaxaca was interesting and the "mystery" was entertaining. Great bedtime reading!
August 27, 2012
Of course I am an armchair anthropologist, so I love all of the
Gideon Oliver mysteries.
Gideon Oliver mysteries.
June 23, 2018
3.5, I found it a pleasant enough read, but I don’t know about the believability of some of the mystery solving clues. I did think it was a clever enough solution, but there wasn’t a ton of drama or suspense to it, it felt more like an anthropologist travel log than a mystery in need of solving, but maybe that’s to be expected when the main character looks at bones which probably are almost always cold case related more than really recent/urgent issues.
I enjoyed the characters well enough and considering I was coming into the series in the 16th volume I didn’t feel too confused after the first few chapters. I wouldn’t mind being forced to read more of the series for book club, but I’m not sure I feel a lot of need to look into it myself. I think if a person is a fan of shows like Bones this might be a wonderful mystery series for them. I found this easy and interesting reading, but not really exciting. It seems like a good beach reading, but binge reading trying to catch up on the series which probably had another 10 books written since this one would probably leave me annoyed.
I enjoyed the characters well enough and considering I was coming into the series in the 16th volume I didn’t feel too confused after the first few chapters. I wouldn’t mind being forced to read more of the series for book club, but I’m not sure I feel a lot of need to look into it myself. I think if a person is a fan of shows like Bones this might be a wonderful mystery series for them. I found this easy and interesting reading, but not really exciting. It seems like a good beach reading, but binge reading trying to catch up on the series which probably had another 10 books written since this one would probably leave me annoyed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews