Love this series, and liked this book, but I didn't think it was as good as the other books in the series. It meandered a bit, the MC had a TSTL moment, and the whole thing felt rushed. Good, but not great.

Between 3.5 and 4 stars. I like this series because it's a quick, simple and enjoyable read. This book was no exception, with a more intricate plot than the previous books. Not much more character development, although there's a glimpse into Penny's background that explains a few things. A little too much inner dialogue, too. But the plot made up for it, and it kept me guessing until the end.

A great first in a new series, I really enjoyed it. Interesting hair-raising plot, fast paced and very suspenseful, it kept me up late reading it because I just couldn't put it down. This would be a great Halloween read.

Set in a small Midwestern town, the main character, Jess, was likeable - cute, feisty, funny and a little dreamy. She definitely had rose-colored glasses on when she imagined what it's like to live in a small town and she spends entirely too much time biting her lip. By the end of the book, I was picturing her with a bloody stump where her mouth used to be.

IMHO, Beckett sounds all well and good but I can see him friend zoned as soon as someone sexy comes to town. Poor Beckett.

Overall, a fun, enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Spoiler

The ending was a little anti-climactic for me - Jess spends the entire time being commanded to FIND HIM - which apparently meant the dog tags? And this apparently appeased the ghost, because the house is no longer haunted? I didn't get that part. But still a great book.

Don't Or Diner A bland and generic story, deserving a bland and generic review.  Someone died, hunky cop, MC damsel in distress who is suspected of the murder even though she's only been in town for an hour.  Could've been a cute story, but I just didn't connect with the characters or the plot. 

Artisan Breads I don't know why, but reading this made me think the author is one of those overly fussy foodies.

No rating, because DNF. Tried 3 times to get into this, never got beyond the 4th chapter. In the words of Simon Cowell, "I'm sorry, but it's a no."

Cause Of Death Interesting book filled with details about cases the author, noted forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht, was asked to review in the course of his life, including the assassinations of JFK and Bobby Kennedy, Elvis, and other high profile murder investigations.  Although the subject matter can be a little dry, the facts were presented in an easy to read and straightforward manner.  Although there was a slight hint of "I was right, they were wrong" sentiment, I would hesitate to call it arrogance.  More frustration at his sound scientific findings disregarded because of politics or ineptitude.
 
The first quarter of the book was taken up by the Kennedys, from JFK's assassination to the killing of Bobby Kennedy to Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick.  I confess that I've never bought into all the hype surrounding the assassinations of JFK and Bobby, but the questions raised in the book about the findings certainly makes it difficult to deny a government cover up.  As for Teddy, he deserved all he got, in my opinion.
 
The rest of the book was high profile cases, such as Elvis Presley's death and whether it was suicide, an overdose or a heart attack, to the case of Jean Harris, who was convicted of murdering Scarsdale Diet doctor Herman Tarnower, to Claus Von Buelow who was accused of trying to kill his wife by injecting her with insulin.  Again, Wecht's findings were neatly laid out, rational and fascinating.  I had little knowledge of the cases before I read the book, so I don't know how it stacks up against other sources, but his arguments were certainly believable.
 
Overall, a great book that looked behind the scenes of forensics at some of the most sensational crimes of the late 20th century. 

This book has been buried in my wish list forever, and facing a lack of books to read I was in the mood to read, I finally bought it. And overall, it was a great, fast paced read but I had a couple of problems with plot holes and TSTL moments.

Leigh Abbot, a Massachusetts state trooper, is assigned to investigate a bone found in a beaver dam. (No word on if the person who found it said DAM IT! which is a shame.) Enlisting the help of a forensic anthropologist, the gushingly described hunky and well built Matt Lowell (eye roll) who happens to be a former Marine battlefield medic, Leigh uncovers a burial ground for a serial killer. Stalked and taunted, Leigh has to find the man responsible before she becomes the next victim.

This was a great plot, with a quick pace and a lot of twists and turns. But, it was also a little predictable and there was a giant plot hole that a M1 Abrams could've driven through and still had room for a 747.

When Leigh and Matt find the first grave, they post an officer overnight to keep the scene secure until they can go back the next morning. So, the next morning they go back and startle the murderer in the act of burying his latest victim, who was able to dig a grave unnoticed because the officer posted to guard the island apparently never existed. And was never mentioned again. HUGE plot hole that bothered me through the whole book.

Which, of course, the plot hole had to be there because otherwise the case would've been solved before they got to the murder room.

Spoiler

Which was on the property of the house the murderer lived in. So, after sending the SWAT team home, Leigh and hunky Dr. Matt enter the scene of the murders, but not before Leigh declares it has to be done "by the book" so she must go in first. You know, instead of calling for back up or putting on latex gloves or a crime scene suit. You know. By the book.

And, of course, there has to be the obligatory sexual tension between Matt & Leigh, and, of course, Matt has to have a painful secret that only Leigh can fix. And, of course, they end up making out. All a bit predictable.


Still, this was a likeable book and I had a hard time putting it down until I finished it. A good start to the series, and other than the plot holes, a solid story.

4 1/2 Stars

I have to admit, I am totally hooked on this series.  I really like Merry, and I love the location.  This book is the best of the series by far, there wasn't really anything I didn't like about it.
 
Merry Wynter gets sucked into hosting The Legion Of Horrible Ladies in her castle for six months when friend Pish's little old auntie, Lush (wtf is with the names in this family) comes to stay and brings her friends, including a mean and vicious old lady named Cleta.  Someone finishes off Cleta in the bathroom and Merry sets out to figure out who did it with the help of hunky sheriff Virgil.
 
This one had a really good plot, a classic locked door mystery, lots of suspects with motives & opportunity.  I felt like it rambled a little bit, though.  Like this could've been wrapped up a lot sooner than it was.  I wasn't bored, just a little...disinterested after awhile, particularly in the first third of the book, Cleta's antics got annoying after awhile.
 
  Also, some of the names - Pish, Lush, Cleta, Lauda - were just a tad bit over the top.  Lauda I kept reading as Latuda (which is a medication for bi-polar depression) and Cleta I kept reading as Cletus.  And seriously, Pish? All I can think of is Sean Connery having to go the bathroom.  "Excushe me, I have to take a pish..."   It distracts me from the story.  Maybe it's just me, and I realize that authors have to protect themselves from accidentally using the name of an actual person in a story, but when there are names I think are stupid in a story, it kind of turns me off.
 
But that's pretty much the only criticisms I have of this book.  Like I said, I'm completely hooked on this series and can't wait for the next to come out.

I love the Body Farm series and was curious to read more about Bill Bass's real life experiences. Happily this book didn't disappoint. The cases and resolutions were interesting and the photos helped to punctuate the cases. Very enjoyable book!