Product Description
Investigating the death of a hermit whose twenty-year secret gunshot wound resulted in a fatal aneurysm, Gunther leaves rustic Brattleboro for Chicago, where he unearths the skeleton of a murder victim with an artificial knee joint. Reprint. NYT. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

My Favorite in the series
I have read almost all the Mayor books in this series and this is by far and away my favorite -- which is saying a lot. I've read several of the Gunther books more than once, but this one? Many times indeed. I like the story idea, the characters are familiar and remain fresh, the change of locale is stimulating, and the plot is absorbing. I think it's a great read and I heartily recommend it.

If a hermit dies in the forest, should anyone care
Called to the Hospital because of an unexplained death Lt.Joe Gunther, has a mystery on his hand (but not the one he thinks) as to how this man who lived in a cabin deep in the woods, alone for twenty years, died from a gunshot that had take twenty years to kill him.

As Joe begins to dig into the man's life (literally); he uncovers a skeleton buried in the hermit's garden.The body is also twenty years (placing all these occurances around 1970) in the ground and has a prostetic knee joint.Joe figures if he follows the knee he'll get a name for the body and maybe figure out how it ended up in the rural Vermont vegetable garden.While investigating the cabin Joe also finds hundreds of thousands of dollars and some automatic weapons, also from around 1970.

So Joe goes off to Chicago (where the knee was sold) to solve one mystery and create eight to ten more; which bring him back to Vermont in the end and almost get him and friends killed.It's all handled deftly and doesn't have a slow spot anywhere.

Disappointing
Archer Mayor is a great author, but this is not a great book. The end is rushed and the solution a jumble. What Mayor does amazingly well is put the reader realistically in a locale. His Chicago descriptions are spot-on. A must-read only if you're an ardent Gunther fan.

Big Improvement
I read the first Joe Gunther book and thought it was great.So I read the second and found it OK.I read the third and was very disappointed, I don't think I even finished it.I gave up on Archer Mayor and thought he was a one-hit-wonder.

Recently I read a review of his latest book and it was very favorable, so I thought I would give Mr. Mayor and Joe Gunther another try.

I'm glad I did because Skeleton's Knee is a great mystery.Good plotting and characterization, great writing.Mayor really makes you feel like you are there, especially with his location descriptions.

I'm glad I gave Mayor another try and am anxious to jump into book #5.

One of his best
All of Mayor's mysteries are well researched, andconvey a strong sense of place. He reaches below the picturesque veneer of contemporary New England to reveal its scandals and crimes, beauty and ugliness. His characters are multidimensional, believable and sympathetic even in their weaknesses. Other reviewers have thumbnailed the plot of this one; it is simply one of the most interesting novels I have ever read. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Geronimo Stilton: Valley of the Giant Skeletons
My child loves all of these 'Geronimo Stilton' books. He found them in the school's library and now I am buying the rest of the series from Amazon, as we are living in South Africa and we couldn't find them in the books shops. I think they are very educational and I enjoy reading them.

Geronimo Stilton Vally Of The Gaint Skeleton
Even though i read many book this month, my favorite one was Geronimo Stilton Vally Of The Giant Skeleton. Geronimo is at his office late and the lights turn off and trap his cousin comes and scares him.So Trap shows him a treaure map. So Geronimo goes to Traps house. Trap call Bejamin and Thea and sys to come.So they pack up and there of to Gobi Deseret. They make it and Bondi Borat comes out and is going to help him. SO if you want to knoiow what happens next get this book.

the valley.
The following review is by isabella (6 yr old).
"tuslaarai tuslaarai thats mongolian for help and holey cheese did i need some i was lost in the gobi desert, looking for a hidden treasure. so far, all i had found were sandstorms, camels, and... giant dinosaur bones rat munching rattlesnakes how do i get myself into these situations.... this one is very good book. i liked it alot."

Parental comment:Another in a very well written long lived series of childrens adventure books.Keeps her reading and reading. And thats alright with me.

Fun Story, Lots of Good Information, and Worthy Lessons
Like many of the best Geronimo Stilton stories, Valley of the Giant Skeletons combines child-encouraging examples with fun adventures to interesting places with lots of entertaining examples of Geronimo being glad that he overcomes his fears. As the story opens, Geronimo is stuck for an adventure story to write another book. Cousin Trap talks Geronimo into paying $20,000 to take Trap, his sister Thea, and his favorite nephew Benjamin with him to Mongolia to explore Great-Great-Great-Uncle Wally Stilton's treasure map.

Naturally, Geronimo first has to get over his fear of flying. His focus soon shifts to the gorgeous blond rodent sitting next to him who seems most interested in Geronimo. But not everyone is who she or he seems in this story. Watch out, Geronimo! (Fans of the series will note some similarities between this part of the story and a sequence early in Four Mice Deep in the Jungle).

Geronimo has promised to keep the purpose of the trip and the treasure map secret, but his traveling companion soon knows all the details.

Before the book's end, you'll know that it can be dangerous to get lost in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.

Children who like dinosaurs will find enough to please them in this book. I learned about a type of dinosaur that was new to me, a Tarbosaurus.

The book's ending is a particularly apt one, encouraging children to place credit where credit it due.

I thought that this was one of the very best books in the series. I hope your family will enjoy it as much as I have.

Another enjoyable Geronimo Stilton adventure
Trap brings Geronimo a fascinating old map of Mongolia's Gobi Desert, filled with creepy names such as Bones Lake and Mystery Mountains. Trap found the ancient treasure map in the trunk of Wandering Wally, their ancestor. When the cousins look in the trunk, they come across equipment Wally used on his many adventures, plus his diary, which is crammed with daring tales. In fact, Uncle Wally was searching for the treasure spot marked on the Mongolian treasure map when he died. Geronimo feels that, by searching for the treasure, they will honor Uncle Wally's memory (but Trap says he's in it for the money).

Thea and Benjamin join Trap and Geronimo on their trip. During the plane rides, Geronimo is a bit distracted by a beautiful blonde mouse who appears to be headed in the same direction. Soon, Geronimo finds out that she is Karina von Fossilsnout, a museum director. He can't help but confide in her about their search. But when Geronimo calls his friend Petunia, she informs him that Dr. von Fossilsnout hates to travel. The next day, Dr. von Fossilsnout is nowhere to be found. Can this ominous turn of events spell disaster for their treasure hunt?

VALLEY OF THE GIANT SKELETONS is another enjoyable Geronimo Stilton adventure, with the series' trademark humor and fur-raising situations (like being lost in the desert without a guide, food, water or car! Yikes!). In addition, the book is packed with fascinating facts about the Orient Express, Mongolia and dinosaurs. And, as always, Geronimo revels in meeting new friends and being with his family. ... Read more

Product Description
Brianna "Bree" O'Brien neverretumed from Skeleton Canyon. Someone brutally murdered the pretty, popular teenager who hadsfolen away undercover of darkness to rendezwus with herboyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. Perhaps youthful rage, jealousy and savage passion costyoung Bree herlife. Ormaybe she stumbled onto something too dangerous to know.

Sheriff Joanna Brady of Cochise County knows only too well the pain of losing a loved one to violence. But she is disturbed by the O'Briens' blind insistence that Ignacio is responsible for their daughter's slaying. Joanna senses there are words not being spoken, and dark mysteries locked behind.doors of the sprawling O'Brien family compound. But it is the strange disappearance of a good friend that is pulling Sheriff Brady ever closer to the lethalnest of lies, greed and secrets hiding in a desolate corner of the Arizona desert--where the next blood that feeds the parched, cracked earth could be her own.Amazon.com Review
Although J.A. Jance and Tony Hillerman (Coyote Waits, The Fallen Man) are inmany ways poles apart as mystery writers, they are united on at least twofronts: their appreciation of the hypnotically arid beauty of the AmericanSouthwest; and their sense that this landscape is peculiarly capable ofengendering horrific violence. In Skeleton Canyon Jance writes:"Overhead, the stars shone like glittering diamonds against a velvet sky.The starlight was so bright that the mountains, rocks, and trees around heremerged from the gloom. Sitting there in the half-lit dark of SkeletonCanyon, it was easy for Brianna to sense time falling away from her.Thisrugged, almost empty corner of the Arizona desert had changed so littlethat even now an occasional jaguar, roaming north from the mountains ofMexico, had been spotted by a solitary rancher. And if the wild canyons ofthe Peloncillos still played host to an assortment of wildlife, it wasn'tso far off to imagine that human outlaws still ranged that same habitat aswell."

Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon, where she had waitedunder cover of darkness to rendezvous, à la Juliet and Romeo, withher boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. In investigating Brianna's murder, SheriffJoanna Brady must confront both the blatant racism of the O'Brienfamily--horrified to discover that their daughter could have been involvedwith a Mexican boy--and the family's dark past. There are skeletons incanyons, and skeletons as well locked behind the doors of the sprawlingO'Brien compound.Home is where the heart is--but home is also host to alethal nest of lies, greed, and secrets. --Kelly Flynn ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Just about perfect
I bought this for a dollar at a thrift shop to stash away for a rainy day.For its genre, it is just about perfect.The characters are interesting and believable, there's no dull section in the middle, and the ending is exciting and the solution makes sense.It's long enough for some character development but not so long as to be tedious.Just about perfect.

5th book delivers heartwrenching loss of romantic love
The 5th Sheriff Brady mystery was quite a twist.Nacio and Bree's love was heartwarming, and there's redemption of a sort in the end for Bree's father.Very well done. A little all over the place with interwoven threads - I re-read a few passages that got me a bit lost.But good and satisfying overall.

Sweethearts until Death
SKELETON CANYON, number five in the Joanna Brady series by J.A. Jance continues to broaden the scope of a favorite lady sheriff. Just the right mix of family and workplace conflict to keep readers on their toes.
Secret lovers agree to met in one of the many deserted canyons of Arizona, but death awaits the lovely Brianna O'Brian. Her Mexican-American lover stand accused by Brianna's father, but why would he kill his love.
The beautiful southwest scenery is vividly portrayed by this native writer who grew-up in Bisbee, AZ. The story and the ugliness is a stark transparency over the buff colors of the landscape. Fans are not disappointed, Joanna's family is there to both support and confuse her. They will keep readers coming back.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old Mexico

Skeleton Canyon
I really like the Joanna Brady series.They always have twists and turns.This one is no exception.Great story!!
Liz C

Skeletons in the Canyon and in the Closet!
This is another great book in the Joanna Brady series by J.A. Jance. This time she throws a little romance into the mix of things as Brianna O'Brien is found murdered and her Hispanic boyfriend is the main suspect for some, while others don't believe he could kill. This teenage girl had many secrets and her boyfriend was only one of them. While investigating this crime, everyone's favorite female sheriff, Joanna Brady, uncovers more than she bargained for and has a difficult time in dealing with some of it.

Again, we see some of the cast of support characters return, but others are mentioned in passing, so we know they will be back in future tomes. We're given a little glimpse of what's in store for Joanna Brady with her daughter growing up quickly and her mother's new relationship that seems to have transposed some of the former anger and has made her almost approachable.

I find it interesting that Jance not only tells a wonderful story, but throws in a moral issue as well. She deals with the topic of racism in this book and does so in a very civilized way showing the prejudices of some and the extremes they will go to continue that narrow-mindedness. However, she also gives us hope for the future. She shows us that no matter what the odds some will not follow in their parents' beliefs and will, instead, have friends based on things other than the color of skin or social standing.

And along with the story line and moral issue, you can always rely on Jance to paint a mental picture of the Arizona desert at it's best. Having lived in Arizona, I can remember the millions of stars in the sky that Jance describes in detail. I can remember the rugged beauty of the various wilderness areas that are similar to those portrayed. No one gives a better mental image of these things than Jance does. Having read all of the books in this series, I feel like I've actually been to Bisbee, Arizona. I'm sure if I ever do get the chance to visit that town; I'll see things as I've seen them before in my mind while reading these novels.

After reading the first book in the Joanna Brady series, I didn't think Jance would be able to keep up with the standard she set. I was very mistaken. She has not only achieved that level of excellence but has surpassed it and continues to set new standards with each new book she writes.

I highly recommend not only SKELETON CANYON, but any and all books in this series. They're wonderful, exciting and highly addicting! I do suggest that you read them in order to get the background on the characters - it's not mandatory, but will make for a more enjoyable read and will let your imagination run wild with possible scenarios for the future!
... Read more

Product Description
With bright, new illustrations, this easy-to-understand introduction to the skeletal system is now formatted for more experienced beginning readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Without Bones, You'd Flop Around Like Spaghetti
And so this nice little book starts, but since you do have bones and they're stiff, not like the rest of your body, you don't flop around. You can stand tall, because you have over 200 bones in your body, long bones, short bones, flat bones and curved bones. Little bones and big bones too. There are bones in your head, bones in your toes and bones everywhere in between. This and more your child will learn as you read aloud to him from this book and Mr. Bjorkman's excellent illustrations will help keep your child's eye glued to the page as you read. This is just simply a delightful book to have around if you have a beginning reader in your house.

Fun & Fascinating
A Book About Your Skeleton is the perfect addition to any elementary student's book collection or a teacher's classroom library.The information is factual but presented in an entertaining style with cartoon-like illustrations.Kids will want to read it again and again...and they won't realize they're actually learning as they are reading. ... Read more

Product Description
In this book, Heyman provides a thorough and intuitive understanding of masonry structures such as arch bridges, Greek temples, and Gothic cathedrals. Although the approach is firmly scientific, the author does not use complex mathematics. He introduces the basis of masonry analysis in the first two chapters, after which he considers individual structures--including piers, pinnacles, towers, vaults and domes--in more detail. This lucid and informative text will be of particular interest to structural engineers, practicing architects and others involved in the renovation and care of old stone buildings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

technical but phenominal
Finally a book that is not dumbed down excessively. The book is highly technical for an average non engineering type to read, but it's about as simple as it can truly be given its goal, which is structural analysis. If you are interested in a book talking about beautiful masonry, and the inspirations and motivations of the builders, this is NOT your book. It is a engineering look at the state of many of these structures and how the designers accounted for stresses due to wind loadings, foundation settling, and the tensile, shear, and compressive forces inherent in building by using geometric rules handed down since Vitruvius. Heymen also explains while building using geometry works for stone and how all of the above stresses and forces were contained within the masonry ensuring its long term stability. He also explains how modern engineers are working to ensure these structures continue to stand. If you are an engineering student interested in history and historical buildings this book is a must have.

Excellent Reference
The book explains the design of massive masonry structures in simple, yet highly accurate, terms.It presents knowledge for the design of masonry structures that is even invaluable to practicing engineers.

For Layman AND Engineer Alike
Jacques Heyman's text is without doubt one of the most interesting books I've read in the last couple of years. I became interested in gothic architecture after seeing for the first time in person a gothic structure, the St. Eustache church in the Les Halles area of Paris. It was 2001, and this first sight of such a building forced me to hearken back to my undergraduate engineering mechanics classes from a decade earlier.The stunning magnificence of my "find" in central Paris that day eventually drove me to more fully explore the structural operation of this style of architecture which lay behind the dramatic visual appearance of "gothic."

I began my little quest by identifying, and then visiting, the principal gothic structures in France (with the help of such great books as Stan Parry's introduction to gothic architecture). I then attempted to identify the key architectural elements common in all these structures. Finally, I researched the historical development of the style all the way from Suger's St. Denis basilica to the emergence of the Renaissance. But all this research left me with some unanswered questions. How do simple forms, such as the pointed arch, the flying buttress, and the barrel vault, actually operate? Why would such forms remain standing up, even when, in some cases, surrounding parts of the building had been destroyed in times of war, or perhaps by stone-robbing to build other structures (for example, structures at Ourscamp, Soissons, and Caen)? For that matter, why even use features such as the flying buttress, when other, simpler forms would suffice?

The Stone Skeleton thoroughly answers these questions, not from an aesthetic or historical view, but from an engineering view, where geometry, stereometry, thrusts, force vectors, the pull of gravity, and the physical properties of concrete and stone are the principal actors of interest. Although it is true that the book does investigate the subject through the lens of engineering (this is the books forte, and why it is such an invaluable addition to the subject), and the volume occupies itself at length with the examination of forces present in concrete and stone structures, most anyone with a moderate mathematical background and the patience to re-read a paragraph until the concepts become clear can profit from this text. In my mind, it is a missing link in the immense genre of gothic architecture texts.

I picture this text to have two related, but nevertheless discrete, audiences. The first is the one described above, the person who is interested in gothic architecture as an historical and aesthetic art phenomenon, and wishes to develop a greater understanding of the structural factors behind such structures. With a little work and patience, the text more than fulfils this need. But the second audience is the actual engineering student or in-practice engineer who wishes to develop a more sophisticated knowledge of the mechanics of concrete and stone structures. In this sense, I could easily see this work used as the textbook for an entire undergraduate or master's level course, or perhaps as a text for a directed independent study, where the end result is a comprehensive understanding of the mechanics of stone structures and the actual operation of the architectural devices present in gothic structures (barrel vaults, groin vaults, domes, arches, pointed arches, piers, flying buttresses, pinnacles, and so on).

I remember at some point in my gothic investigations I came up with a nagging question: why is the lower side of a flying buttress curved? Why not just lay a straight, diagonal beam from the outer wall of the building to the outer buttress pier? Was the curve added for aesthetics? Or was there some important design principle at play? Eager to find the answer and certain that this little fact would be easily discovered, I turned to my mini-library of gothic, only to be repeatedly disappointed (often, tantalizingly so, with texts that ALMOST addressed the question). The answer finally came in Heyman's text, along with many such similar questions. If you, too, are interested in such questions, this book is for you.

a wonderfully technical work
this work covers quite thouroughly the mathematics and mechanics of arches.It spends particular time on construction in the Gothic cathedrals including the barrel vault, cross vault, dome, and flying butress.It is beautifully illustrated and it presents the basic concepts as well as giving a quite extenisive theoretical analysis.A good book for anyone familiar with masonry and an essential for anyone involved in repairing and maintaining Cathedrals and other large stone structures.

Not for the layman
There's no doubting this is an authoratative book. It's based on an article that first appeared in a professional journal, and I feel that is its real audience. I found myself in trouble shortly after the introduction, despite a couple of mechanics courses in graduate school. You may have better luck, but I think only practicing structural engineers will be able to enjoy this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Wondering at their weird new band teacher, the Bailey School kids are surprised when he comments that the classroom skeleton, Claude, can play music better than they can, and when everyone wonders who is playing the tuba, Eddie vows to find the truth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

8 year old grandson loved it!!!
Bought this for my 8 year old granson with other items - took the book upstairs to his room and read it in 2 days - he loved it

Skeletons Don't Play Tubas
When the four kids meet their band class teacher. They think he is an evil skeleton. The kids must save the school before the evil skeleton attacks. You Know what Mr. Belgrave's skeleton is?. It's name is Claude. They are also surprised to see their band teacher carrying a big box over the cemetery. Liza got scared because Claude almost tapped her foot. Is this for real?

While Book 10[Witches Don't Do Backflips] was their new gym coach. Liza, Melody, Howie and Eddie were glad. But one thinks the new coach is a witch because she says weird languages and like a spell. I Also like Zombies Don't Play Soccer because the new coach is Coach Graves. Suddenly, An old lady appears and she says that if she[Coach Graves] will not go she will turn her into a zombie. But Coach Graves disagreed so she turned her a zombie. Now that the coach is a zombie she cannot help the Team of the four kids. But when the game started something surprising really happened. But you must find out.

A REALLY GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved it,it's funny and scary and I like the drawing of the cover!!! My favorite character is Melody because she is smart and comes up with a lot of great ideas!!!!.I LOVE IT!!!!
My other favorites are "Hercules Does'nt Pull Teeth" and "Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots"!!!

Skeleton'sDon'tPlay Tubas or Do They?
Skeletons Don't Play Tubas Debbie Daddy and Marcia Jones

Wouldn't it be scary to have a skeleton sitting behind you that you thought was alive? You will find out that there are a lot of scary items that will make you scream.

This book is about four kids that try and save their school from an evil skeleton, At least they think it's evil, read this book and find out what happens.

I really like this book because of the action and the musical sounds. My favorite character is Liza. She comes up with a lot of great ideas that Eddie doesn't like.

I think the author wrote this book to teach kids that caring about their school is the right thing to do especialy when there is a toy skeleton involved.

Oom-pah, oom-pah!!
Strange adults and odd happenings are becoming commonplace in and around Bailey Elementary.But could the new band teacher, Mr. Belgrave, REALLY be teaching his skeleton to play the tuba??

The Bailey Kids are back in this 11th installment of their adventures.After first glimpsing a very tall, extremely skinny bald man carrying a long box through the cemetery, the Bailey kids are a bit surprised to find out that he's their new band teacher!More surprised to learn that he's got a skeleton named Claude in his classroom!Is this isn't creepy enough, the low, howling sound of the tuba is heard now and then, but no one-including Mr. Belgrave-knows how to play it!Could it be his skeleton??Other weird occurances happen as well, Liza is almost certain she saw Claude the skeleton tap his foot in time to the music!Is she seeing things, or is the skeleton ALIVE?

This series goes back and forth between the just plain fun to the downright creepy.While "Leprachauns Don't Play Basketball" was a fun holidayish romp, "Skeletons Don't..." was outright spooky.While it isn't necessary to begin with book #1 and work your way through all of the books, you may find that it's an addictive, fun series and an easy read. ... Read more

Product Description
The star crime-solving pair of Dr. Jake Rosen, world-famous pathologist, and top litigator Manny Manfreda, return in a gripping new thriller.
 
New York City is on high alert for a serial killer—a strange kind of thief who stalks his victims for the purpose of extracting a vial of blood, earning him the tabloid nickname “the Vampire.” As the attacks escalate to torture and then to murder, Jake and Manny begin to suspect there is a connection between the killer’s seemingly random victims. But how do they link it to a case that Manny’s been working for a kid whose high school prank-gone-wrong has earned him the moniker the Preppy Terrorist?  They soon discover that their case is a tragic tale of corruption interlaced with cover-ups, conspiracies, death squads, and dictators who committed crimes that to this day go unpunished.Amazon.com Review
Book Description
Forensic expert Dr. Michael Baden of the HBO series Autopsy and trial attorney and legal commentator Linda Kenney Baden bring us a chilling new thriller featuring their crack crime-fighting duo: Dr. Jake Rosen, world-famous pathologist, deputy chief medical examiner, and devoted scientist; and top litigator Manny Manfreda, who is as lovely (and accessorized) as she is gutsy.

The case begins with New York City on high alert for a most bizarre serial killer—a strange kind of thief who stalks his victims for the purpose of extracting a vial of blood, earning him the tabloid nickname the Vampire. As the attacks become more and more vicious and escalate to torture and then to murder, Jake and Manny begin to suspect there is a connection between the killer’s seemingly random victims. But what is the link between the Vampire and a case that Manny’s been working for a kid whose high school prank-gone-wrong has earned him the moniker the Preppy Terrorist and an FBI electronic ankle bracelet? Jake’s careful forensic examinations, Manny’s courtroom tenaciousness, and an unusual clue suggesting that a high-ranking politician has risen from the grave take the pair from the bowels of the morgue to the world of international intrigue. At the heart of this story is a tragic tale of corruption interlaced with cover-ups, conspiracies, death squads, and dictators who committed crimes that to this day go unpunished.

A fast-paced, boldly imagined work from an exuberant new team in suspense.

A Q&A with Michael Baden and Linda Kenney Baden

Question: Where did the idea for the Vampire come from?

Answer: Many times in today’s world the hysteria surrounding a crime creates fear, headlines, and sleepless nights. What better nightmare could there be than strangers having their blood sucked from them as they engage in everyday, normal activities? Since we are big fans of 1930s horror movies, including Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, we thought it fitting that there be a tug-o-war between fact and fiction.

Q: What sparked your interest in the Dirty War?

A: Between 1976 and 1983, the Argentine government attempted to eradicate all dissident voices from the country. They did this through a campaign that included savaging families and kidnapping children. These children were called “los Desaparecidos” (the disappeared). Investigations into what happened to these children were triggered by grandmothers crying out for forensic science to solve both the whereabouts and the identity of the missing children. Michael was consulted in the “los Desaparecidos” cases. Subsequent international outrage and releases of secret government documents revealed that the parents of these children had been killed and the babies placed with generals and other high ex-Peron officials and raised as their own. DNA was very helpful in matching grandparents with the kidnapped grandchildren who assumed incorrectly that their parents were their biological parents.

Q: Are any aspects of the Vampire’s crimes inspired by your real-life work?

A: Yes. Michael has had cases where the perpetrator drank the blood of the victim. In fact, several memorable cases involved the killing of a loved one by another loved one, as well as dismemberment of the body and the killer collecting and drinking the blood of the victim. It has been opined by some who study the criminal mind that this ritual may even have a religious significance—drinking the blood of God.

Q: In Skeleton Justice, the authorities are distracted from seeing what is actually happening by a fixation on terrorism and Islamic fundamentalists. Have you seen this happen as you’ve investigated and tried cases?

A: This type of fixation is “racial profiling.” Linda has been involved in the lead case in the United States concerning racial profiling and has tried numerous cases involving discrimination. We both find that once the police fix upon a suspect, it can affect an impartial investigation. Obviously, there are over 230 wrongfully convicted people in this country, as demonstrated by the Innocence Project. The people convicted in those cases are victims as much as the actual victims of the crimes. Many times this mindset has resulted in the real criminals going free. Unfortunately, this narrow focus in investigating cases has been around for a long time. In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens pointed out that “The Constables, and the Bow Street men from London—for, this happened in the days of the extinct red-waistcoated police—were about the house for a week or two, and did pretty much what I have heard and read of like authorities doing in other such cases. They took up several obviously wrong people, and they ran their heads very hard against wrong ideas, and persisted in trying to fit the circumstances to the ideas, instead of trying to extract ideas from the circumstances.”

Q: The press plays an interesting role in the book, advancing theories before real conclusions are reached, inciting some public fear, and complicating matters for Manny and Jake (and the suspects). Do you feel the press can interfere in these ways when it comes to actual cases, as they do in Skeleton Justice?

A: “The press, Watson, is the most valuable institution if you know how to use it.” So said Sherlock Holmes. However, the press now needs to use legal cases for their benefit also. In George Clooney’s 2005 film about Edward R. Murrow, Good Night and Good Luck, the hero will risk his own popularity, future and livelihood for principles, ethics and truth. Today the media’s job involves obtaining Nielsen ratings in the TV world and selling newspapers in the print world. We believe that traditional reporting has become, in many instances, exploitative. In this country, the media many times will use the emotional value of a potentially high profile case early on—often assisted by leaks from police and district attorneys—before conclusions are reached, thereby not only polluting the jury pool and vilifying those who disagree, but often leading to the trumping of science by emotions. Since both of us do commentary on TV, we try to be as objective as possible and relay to the viewer the undisputed facts and the actual science.

Q: What’s next for Manny and Jake?

A: Manny and Jake will return in Dead Storage. As with Remains Silent and Skeleton Justice, one of the backdrops to the case they will work on will be a historical wrong. In this way, we hope future generations, through Manny and Jake, will not forget past injustices. Without giving away too much, there will be some interesting surprises about who Manny and Jake really are in the next book.

Q: You have a large collection of crime memorabilia—including the original “alienists” notes concerning Richard Loeb, of Leopold and Loeb, as well documents related to presidential (or other) assassinations and the only death warrant Bill Clinton signed off on as Governor of Arkansas. Any new additions that excite you?

A: Fittingly enough, we now own a first edition of Dracula by Bram Stoker, along with an original French lithograph of a bat skeleton. We have also added several Presidential warrants for pardons.

(Photo © Clay Patrick McBride)

... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

a good read
This is a good mystery book.A husband and wife team are writing about a man and woman team(?) whoc just happen to have their backgrounds (forensics and legal).

This is the second novel they have written. It is a good novel and is interesting and a good read.

Mystery readers will enjoy this book.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

Vivid Thriller
America may have a recent vampire obsession, bringing novel after novel on the topic to bookshop shelves, but with Skeleton Justice readers are given a fresh take on an overdone genre.Authors Dr Michael Biden and Linda Kenney Biden weave together a complicated story of a serial killer proud to be coined "The Vampire" by numerous New York City newspapers.At a time when over played media stories cloud our reality the idea of a serial killer using news agencies to his advantage is something we realize to be all too true.

The main characters of the story are a work obsessed scientist and medical examiner and his love interest and partner for late night investigation, a sexy litigator fighting to prove her ability in the court room.The partnership proves to be a great one, filled with intelligence and a strong sexual chemistry.The characters are so well written that at times you feel you know these people, you feel for them and turn the page frantically to discover what happens to them next.I found myself fighting for them, cheering them on and almost wanting to help them through the battle.

The suspense in this thriller is very real, I never saw what was coming and I was truly surprised at every twist and turn.At certain points I felt the story became a little too complicated, even Manny, one of the main characters tells her investigative partner, "I don't get it Jake..." and"your making me more confused," (Rosen 211).I felt her pain, I too was confused but honestly I didn't care.The many strands in this web come together and even without understanding the exact point that connects it all, you still enjoy the tale.The characters are vivid, the story is intriguing and it all comes together for a thrilling surprise.

Ugh! Terribly story line terribly written!
I picked up Skeleton Justice after reading the book cover which made it sound like a pretty interesting thriller. But it was pretty terrible right from the start. From one-dimensional typecast characters, to poorly thought out story lines, this is a a poor read. Luckily, however, its a quick 315 pages, so I didn't waste much time with this one. All the characters - from the police to the lawyers, to the suspects and even to the Vampire itself are so one dimensional and typecast. The dialogue is a struggle to get through as are a number of poorly written and out of place pop culture references that I think the authors put in there just to keep the book "with it" or relevant or whatever. Regardless, it doesn't work. There is much better stuff out there than this trash. If you want to ready trashy thrillers, there are books out there with far more interesting storylines than someone who sucks blood out of people, a potential terrorist plot, all with potential ties to Argentina. UGH!

Terrible!
This book is full of tired old cliches, corny/tacky jokes and a pathetically weak plot.The resolution is not suspenseful, rather, it takes a turn towards the illogical and ultimately ends up at the ridiculous.All the while, it enlightens, not at all, the intricacies of pathology or law.Don't waste your time or money.

super forensic-legal thriller
New York City deputy chief medical examiner Dr. Jake Rosen and his girlfriend lawyer Philomena "Manny" Manfreda are very busy working difficult complex cases.Jake and the police investigate the assaults of "the Vampire," who has knocked out five people with ether before siphoning blood from the unconscious victims.Manny is defending one of the two "Preppy Terrorists"; private-school students charged with setting a bomb in a mailbox that severely injured a federal judge.

Jake realizes the Vampire knows what he is doing medically though with a European flavor until one of the attacked dies.Manny rejects Jake's advice to not handle the Preppy Terrorist case, as she feels her client is unfairly being held responsible because his partner is an ambassador's son so immunity has surfaced.Neither expected their seemingly exclusive cases to merge over an allegedly dead politician.

The fun in the second forensic-legal thriller (see REMAINS SILENT) is the relationship between the lead couple who bring love, obstinacy and professionalism into the mix.The story line is fast-paced as the two subplots start off their separate ways, but consolidate into an over the top conspiracy cover-up thriller.Fans will enjoy the tale though ironically readers will anticipate the merging of the plots while considering the underlying conclusion that vicious murdering rulers rarely are punished.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Product Description
Searching for a human slave to take the place of his skeleton friend, Hob Goblin visits a town on Halloween. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Halloween friendship fun worth tracking down!
Hob Goblin wakes up one evening, looks over his hideous face in the cracked mirror, finds himself an altogether handsome fellow, and gets ready for his day... er, night.Looking for his shoes, he finds an old bag of Snail Crunchies left over from his roommate, Bones Jones the skeleton."Untidy creatures!" Hob says to himself, and grumbles that old Bones doesn’t do anything around the house.

Indeed, Bones Jones is in the habit of sitting around spraying himself with furniture polish—- Whooosh-fissssh—- and polishing his fine bones to a glossy sheen.He’s also in the habit of not doing anything because, as he says, in life he was the King of England."In your former life you were a horse thief!" says Hob, pointing an accusing finger.One of those pointless arguments ensues—- "King!", yells Bones, "horse thief!" yells Hob, "King!", "horse thief!!", "KING!!", etc etc etc—- and Bones decides that he’s not going to stand around and be insulted by the likes of Hob Goblin, and off he goes!

Hob decides that living with a talkative, big-headed skeleton is not for the likes of him and decides to go off to the big city to seek out a slave that WILL do something around the house and not have grand ideas about being the King of England!!Casting a spell on a branch of ragwort so it grows to tremendous size, Hob and his frog, Mud, fly off to the big city full of people to capture a slave in Hob’s black bag.

The first house has a large sign on it that says Happy Halloween, and the house has cutouts of pumpkins, witches and ghosts on it.Hob isn’t sure what that is all about, but he IS sure that Mr. Happy Halloween who lives in the house will probably make a fine cleaning staff who will be better than that good-for-nothing Bones Jones!!

Of course, this begins a series of funny misunderstandings as person after person thinks that Hob is someone dressed up in a REALLY grand Halloween costume, and instead of him bagging a potential slave, people keep tossing wrapped pieces of candy and goodies into his black bag.As Hob is misunderstood, laughed at and even entered into a costume party competition, he begins to see that living with a skeleton isn’t so bad after all; even one who is fond of furniture polish and boasts of being royalty.

In the end, of course, Hob asks Bones Jones to forgive him and they have a fine feast on the candy that Hob has collected.

"Hob Goblin and the Skeleton" is a fine Halloween story, ....The text is fun to read and flows well.There is ample opportunity for the reader to use funny voices for Hob, Bones and the other characters in the book.The illustrations are detailed pencil drawings and Bones Jones is beautifully drawn with enough detail that you can count his vertebrae and fingerbones (skeletons are difficult to draw because of all the details and shading but Ms. Coville has done a masterful job).

The art teacher at the school I teach at was looking through the book and plans to use it in her art lessons to show examples of characture and movement.She also plans to use the book to show that one does not need a million different crayons or pots of paint to make beautiful pictures—- a common pencil can create wonders.

While I generally like ANY story dealing with Halloween, I am especially fond of the message of this book.Many times children will, in a fit of pique, tell their closest friends that they don’t like them because they did or didn’t do some particular thing, or because some little habit of theirs (like forever spraying yourself with furniture polish!) makes the other crazy.Living with people’s little idiosyncrasies is part of life and living with your fellow humans.While the grass may always look greener on the other side, many times it really isn’t, and this story is a prime example of that.Highly recommended!! ... Read more

Product Description
In this seminal study of human bone forms, Dr. Mees reveals the skeleton as an articulate work of art. But who is the artist? Using a blend of phenomenological observations and artistic intuition, the author carefully explores the anatomical facts of the human skeleton, with the beauty of many bones are impressively described and illustrated through numerous parallel photographs and illustrations.

Dr. Mees discovers numerous intriguing correspondences of form, especially between bones of the lower body and those of the skull. Interpreting the gestural language hidden within the skeleton from the background of Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science, the author reaches startling conclusions concerning those correspondences—conclusions that support the reality of reincarnation and the concept of a body of formative forces, or what some call the human "etheric body."

The book also contributes a discussion of polarity and intensification—the essential laws of metamorphosis, as discovered by Goethe and revealed in his writings. Mees clarifies the various types of metamorphosis as characterized by the living realms of plant, animal, and human, and this, in turn, sheds new light on the creationist vs. evolutionary controversy, as well as several other contemporary spiritual dilemmas. ... Read more

Product Description
Meticulously detailed, full-color renderings of the skeletons of eighteen animals, accompanied by an informative text, answer questions about animal anatomy, characteristics, and adaptations to the environment. ... Read more

Product Description
When writer and ex-deb Bennis Hannaford discovers the body of super-heiress Kayla Anson in the family garage, her visit to Litchfield County, Connecticut, is reluctantly extended. Bennis's hostess, Margaret Anson, presents an icy version of the grieving mother, cut out of her late husband's will-until now. And when Gregor Demarkian, ex-FBI man and Bennis's lover, arrives from Philadelphia to consult with local police, a media blitz storms in as more suspects crawl out of the woods. Kayla may have been too blindingly rich for her wild, private school chum; her older, socially ambitious entrepreneur boyfriend; and a divorced, downsized bookkeeper selling her furniture to survive. As Gregor maps out distances, locations, and motives, Halloween descends on the dark, silent hills. From a skeleton sprawled on the cemetery caretakers' porch to more deadly mischief and mayhem, the countryside is brimming with secrets. And a killer is about to strike again...AUTHORBIO: JANE HADDAM is the author of numerous articles and books, including sixteen previous mysteries featuring Gregor Demarkian.She lives with her two sons in Litchfield County, Connecticut. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

An OK Read
The storyline to this book is good, however, too many characters and the ending wasn't the greatest.

I'd rather they were in Philadelphia...
Gregor and Bennis are bacK, and so is Jane Haddam's deft prose. No one fleshes out characters better than she - the twins in this novel are prime examples. They're so real they hurt. Story good, writing good - but I really prefer Gregor when he is in his element, on Cavanaugh St. with Tibor and George and Donna and the Ararat Restaurant. As an urban ethnic, I love that part of the books - the custom and ritual and general insanity that we eths bring to everyday life in the city.

Not one of her better mysteries...
I usually enjoy Haddam's mysteries, so this one was not as satisfactory as usual. I enjoy her protagonists, Demarkian and Bennis. I also enjoy the view into the life of both the Armenian neighborhood in which Gregor and Bennis live, as well as the sarcastic analysis of those who are so class conscious. This book is just loaded with tidbits about Americans whose main purpose in life is to accumulate wealth and show off that wealth. This side story is probably the best thing about this book. I had no problem figuring out who the murderer was pretty much from the beginning. Haddam loads her story with plenty of possible suspects, but unfortunately most of the characters are not well-fleshed out. I actually thought the epilogue was written much better then the rest of the book, having to do with the reason why Bennis had to rush to the hospital. The dialogue between Gregor and Bennis, as well as those who live in their neighborhoods is more realistic and developed then the dialogue in the rest of the book. Again, it is difficult for any writer to maintain interest in characters after fifteen books.Karen Sadler, University of Pittsburgh

She's writing with one hand tied behind her back
I've always thought Jane Haddam was one of the best mystery series writers, and have been impressed with how she has kept the quality high through so many installments.

In this one, though, she seeems to be trying to write a novel for which her series is not the appropriate vessel.As a result, it's one of her least successful outings.

On a bright note, her social satire on the inhabitants of Lichfield County, CT, is among her best and most pungent.

On the down side, the mystery (as another reader has pointed out) is pretty obvious, and her red herrings seem half hearted.

The real problem is that she wants to turn Gregor and Bennis into tragic star-crossed lovers or, alternatively, into poster children for the American Lung Association. The problem is that she cannot transcend how she has used those characters in the past.

As much as I have enjoyed reading about Gregor and Bennis, they remain two-and-a-quarter dimensional props to carry the mystery plot along.They can't bear the additional emotional weight she wants to pile on them here. It's like watching a semi-talented college theatrical troupe try to put on King Lear.

I suspect that Haddam probably could write a well-rounded novel about the sorts of people and issues she was dealing with here. (Every one of her novels proves that she can populate a fictional community with interesting and varigated character types.)But the Gregor Demarkian novels inhibit her amibitions.She can't be Ruth Rendell (let alone Anita Brookner ) while trying to continue to be Jill Churchill at the same time.

Great!
I don't know how anyone can say this book is bad.This is the best Haddam I've read yet--and that's saying a lot. ... Read more

Product Description
The Three Investigators are assisted by a Greek youth as they search for clues to a mysterious thief on an island once inhabited by pirates. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Pirate treasure and a ghostly merry-go-round
Jupiter, Pete, and Bob fly east to help Pete's dad with a movie project he's working on.The production company wants to film an exciting chase scene on a roller coaster at an old abandoned amusement park on Skeleton Island, but things keep breaking or going missing.So, the boys are called in to do a little snooping around and maybe find out who's causing the problems.It'll give them the chance to practice their scuba diving, too, and maybe even look for some of that famed pirate treasure the locals claim lies in the nearby waters.

Quite exciting at times, but not one of my `most favorite' from this old favorite series I loved as a kid.Still, a good mystery with lots of clues to follow as the story progresses, and my son and I recently enjoyed it.As with a few others in the beginning of the series, a young foreign boy who faces local persecution figures prominently in their adventures as a sub-plot.But I thought this one was a little easier to figure out than some others have been (... or perhaps I'm just remembering from all the times I read it as a kid?).Still, a highly recommended series for kids who like a good mystery (try to find the Alfred Hitchcock versions over the Hector Sebastian ones if you can).

Get you kids to read these books... They'll love them.
If you're looking for a series to make your kids think without knowing that they are... this one is for them.Very well written series that will increase their vocabulary in leaps and bounds while thoroughly entertaining them and keeping them on the edge of their seats the whole time.

good mystery book
It was a very good book and it is refreshing that it can be read by all ages.

Treasure!
This book is the sixth in the Three Investigator series."The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure" precedes this book, and "The Mystery of the Fiery Eye" follows.As we learned in previous books, the Three Investigators are Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews.Jupiter is the intelligent, sometimes inadvertently arrogant member of the group.Pete Crenshaw is typically the muscle of the group.Pete is usually quite fearless.Bob Andrews, who began the series with a broken leg, works at the library and handles records and research for the group.Bob's cast is off now but his leg is still weak.

The three boys travel to Skeleton Island and discover that the island is home to a ghost.The ghost rides the merry-go-round at an abandoned amusement park.The amusement park is to be the site of a film, but the ghostly happenings on the island are frightening local workers away and impeding the progress of the movie.In addition, the island was also supposedly the location where a pirate abandoned his treasure.Local treasure hunters have a habit of trespassing on the island to search for the treasure whenever someone finds a gold doubloon on or near the island.As if these mysteries were not enough, crooks may have hidden their loot near the island.

As with most of the stories in this series, this book was enjoyable to read.However, this book is weaker than most of the previous books in this series.The mystery was relatively mundane and the threats to the boys were frequently accidental rather than intentional.I always recommend starting with the first book in this series, "The Secret of Terror Castle," and I make that recommendation even stronger in the case of this book.You will gain a much better impression of the Three Investigators by starting at the beginning rather than with this book.

Quite a few children's mystery book series have become classics.Most people are familiar with Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Tom Swift.Even the Boxcar Children are relatively well-known.However, Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators are well-written books that offer an intelligent, interesting and more contemporary alternative to many of the earlier classic series.Many people recall the earlier series well, but the Three Investigators series, which Robert Arthur wrote and debuted in 1964, has, for now, largely been overshadowed by the other series and generally forgotten.Fortunately, all of these books are available either from Amazon or from other internet sources.

Enjoy!

One of THE BEST books i've ever read!!!
This book is a suspencefull mystery that you'll want to read for hours!!
I loved this book and you will too!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Arlo Wells and Dallas Holt are two ex-cowpunchers who've hit a patch of bad luck--until a dying friend tells them of a lost gold mine. They jump at the chance to get the fortune. But Arlo and Dallas aren't the only ones who know about the mine--and their streak of bad luck is about to turn into a fight for survival...

"If you likeLouis L' Amour you'll love Ralph Compton."--Quanah Tribune Chief

Praise for the Sundown Riders:

"Thrilling."--Huntsville Times

* The Sundown Riders series includes:Devil's Canyon (5/98) & Whiskey River (1/99)
* Also by Ralph Compton: The Tremayne series, including-- Train To Durango (9/98), Six Guns And Double Eagles (1/98), Border Empire (7/97) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

I gave this to my dad to read and I had to apologize because it was that bad
I bought this book for my dad to read and he brought it back to me and I read it and I had to apologize - this is, without a doubt, the worst Western I have ever read.

What makes it so bad?

When I read a Western, I expect a certain amount of realism. I am not talking about the picky, picky details like the amount of gunpowder grains in a bullet. These are the things I am talking about:

-The book is set in 1857. They constantly refer to the sheriff of Gila County. There was no Gila County in 1857 - it was not formed until the year 1881.

-They refer to the town of Globe. It was a mining town formed in 1878 (as Globe City).

-Uncle Henry (Hoss) has a cabin on Saguaro Lake. Saguaro Lake was not formed until a hydroelectric dam was installed in 1930.

-Characters camp along creekbeds in the mountains during massive thunderstorms. I am not a mountain climber but I do know that you avoid creekbeds due to flash floods.

-The Spanglish (English/Spanish combination used by the Spanish-speaking characters speaking broken English) is pathetic. The Spanish thrown in reads like the individual words were looked up in a pocket dictionary (no one at the publishing house knows a single person that speaks Spanish?). No verb conjugation. Incorrect adjective placement and usage, use of the English "apostrophe s". Plus, I can understand the need for Spanglish when the Mexican characters are speaking English, but why wouldn't they speak to one another in regular Spanish - and Compton could skip the Spanglish all together for those parts?

-The worst feature of the book is its total disregard for time and distance when riding on horseback. The sheriff in Phoenix is constantly popping over to Tortilla Flats. An internet map search tells me that it is more than an hour by car. That would be a long trip on a horse in the desert. But, that's okay, Bowdre, one of the bad guys, takes a 35 mile mule trip one afternoon on his way back from a 12 mile morning walk to the store. Dallas and Arlo (the good guys) are forever traveling around the Superstition Mountains - from one side to the other with no problem and quite quickly, despite the fact that these mountains cover approximately 250 square miles.All of these distances would be believable if the book was set in 1957 and everyone had Jeeps, but with horses? Laughable.

Throw in the repetitive nature of the book and you can why I had to apologize. The main "good guy and girl" characters only have four conversations (1) We loved Uncle Hoss, wasn't he great - too bad he's dead; 2) We love each other and we fully intend to get physical in our relationship, but not quite yet; 3) We hate Gary Davis (the bad guy); 4) Is the gold worth all of this?They have these converstation over and over and over and over.

The bad guys just fight and argue and then one of them shoots another - that is unless their horses and food get stolen (it happens over and over) and they make a 12 mile march to town (in the desert!) and ride back in the same day. Oh - and twice they get stuck in lightning storms that blast dozens of lightning bolts all around them.

Where did everyone get the cash to buy horse after horse and supplies to feed a whole camp full of men? They literally bought every horse and mule in the area for this fiasco.

Please, read anything else by Louis L'amour or Elmer Kelton.

Bad Luck is the Only Luck
For Arlo Wells and Dallas Holt if they did not have bad luck they would not have any luck at all.They are ex-cowpunchers looking for the goose who layed the golden egg.They deliver a wagon load of whiskey to the owner of a saloon, but he dies before he pays them, so they take over the saloon for payment, but it burns down after a bar brawl.
An old friend sends them half a map to a gold mine bonanza and asks them to share it with his nieces. However the girls miserable stepfather has the other half of the map and the girls and he doesn't want to share.The bad luck just continues all the way to the end.

Skeleton Lode
I thought the book had a very good tale. At verious spots in this book one might think that they have it figgured out,all of the sudden another twist pops up, and you are off again.The two mex guides keep you guessing where and when they will pop up, and with who.You have a laid back sheriff, helpfull town folk, many bad guys, good guys ect...What I thought was the clincher was DAVIS, who would of thought he would come out of the caves? more or less the way he did. Then the ending, wow.I have read all but three of the books listed on this site, and I think this one was by far the best.Not to say I did not like the others, I still do. ... Read more

Product Description

There is a small village in France that is well known for pate de foie gras . . .and bones. Boasting the largest concentration of prehistoric fossils in Europe, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac is the home of the prestigious Institut de Prehistoire -- where eminent scientists study and squabble ...and perhaps, on occasion, commit murder.

Professor Gideon Oliver knows bones. That's why the mild-mannered sometime-investigator is the forensic specialist the Chief Inspector in Les Eyzies calls when a local dog emerges from a nearby cave carrying parts of a human skeleton -- and a not-all-that-long-ago-interred one at that. But murder piles on murder -- and surprise upon electrifying surprise -- following Gideon's arrival, as his search for answers leads him quickly, into the darkest corners of the scientific community ... and sets him on a shocking trail of death, greed, and deception nearly forty thousand years in the making.

Aaron Elkins is the author of a number of Gideon Oliver mysteries, including the Edgar Award-winning Old Bones. It is a tribute to his skill that the dusty fragments of bone at the heart of this latest outing will capture his readers' interest, and that the ramifications of a scientific dispute seem the perfect motive for murder. Skeleton Dance carries as well all the touches that have made his previous novels successful: a genial protagonist who wavers between sharp-eyed precision and absent-minded obliviousness; an assortment of well-drawn minor characters (though their foibles may be sketched a bit too broadly, as Elkins stretches for a touch of humor); and a cozy evocation of local atmosphere. If the music of Skeleton Dance is a tune we've heard before, and the steps are a trifle well-worn, it doesn't really matter; Elkins is such a skilled partner that we'll find ourselves tapping our feet and turning the pages in easy rhythm. --Kelly Flynn ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Good, but not the best Gideon Oliver novel by A.E.
A fine author. I just felt this one fell a little flat for me personally.I enjoyed some of Julie's revelations toward the solution. And as always, I enjoyed Professor Oliver's inspection of the bones and time spent along those lines.Joly was fun. But this one wasn't my favorite.The institute characters were dull and annoying. I think I liked Twenty Blue Devils better for teaching me about the coffee farming business, and that one, IMHO, had a more interesting, and satisfying, ending.I just finished GOOD BLOOD (#9?) and LOVED that one. For a good mystery, I also enjoy authors Elizabeth Peters, Anne Perry, David Lindsey, and Nancy Atherton.

I give it an F-
My daughter had a really primitive computer game called 'Oregon Trail' where you would click on a person and that person would give you information. That is this book in a nutshell. Nothing much happens here except talking and talking and talking and talking and talking, and even then, not to real characters, but to a cardboard drawing so two-dimensional that his or her mouth doesn't even move.

How about this for some terrible writing: Gideon has been chasing a killer, well, talking to a bunch of really cliche people about a killer who uses an AIR RIFLE for the last way-too many-pages, when another character he clicked on told him that the guy who disappeared didn't enjoy anything so much as anthropolgy, flying, and shooting his AIR RIFLE. Thanks! says Gideon and then walks away (walking away constitutes heart-stopping action in this blah-blah-blah 'mystery'). Then of course he freezes in his steps. AIR RIFLE! Better click on that character again. So the picture of the anthropologist's face duly vomits up loads of information about the make and model of the AIR RIFLE, where it is manufactured and what kind of ammunition it needs. Sure, all of the anthropologists I know are munitions experts. That's when I took this stupid book and gave it the fling against the wall. Give me my life back that I wasted on this book! I want it back. When I was younger I would have wiped my bottom with this book as well, because toilet paper it must be, it certainly is NOT reading material.

I'm home sick and I'd rather examine my sputum than read another sentence of this stupid book. It's just terrible. How do books like this one get published? I just don't get it.

Basic read
Basic story with average characters.Decent book without anything to write in depth about.

I was disappointed with the lack of humor that was supposed to be in the story.I also dislike it when authors wrap a mystery with information that was not shared in the process of the book.While I was able to surmise most of the story line while reading, there was simply too much stuff to fill in the gaps at the end that wasn't in the book.

This review is based on the book and the audiobook with George Guidall narrating for Recorded Books.

Roll Them Bones
SKELETON DANCE is the tenth Gideon Oliver mystery Aaron Elkins has written. I've read all ten. I guess that makes me a fan. This one finds Gideon and Julie in the south of France on a trip that was intended to be part vacation and part research excursion for a book Gideon plans to write. It seems a dog has turned up some not-so-old human bones from a prehistoric site in the area. Police Inspector Joly asks Gideon to examine the bones for clues.

Like all the other books in this series, Elkins manages to make the examination of a few bones fascinating. There is always some unique bit of information to be gleaned by the trained eye. On the other hand, these aren't the most intriguing mysteries ever. Sometimes the "surprising" developments aren't all that surprising. The clues are clever and the writing is witty, though. Gideon and Julie are familiar, easy-to-like characters and Elkins infuses the stories with a wry sense of humor. The result is a story that keeps the reader entertained and wanting to see what happens next. Even if it only confirms what you thought.

I always hesitate to give a Gideon Oliver mystery five stars. These stories aren't really on a par with a classic creation like Sherlock Holmes. Of the light mysteries currently being written, however, these are among my favorites. I look forward to each one and always enjoy them. Inevitably, though, I have enjoyed some more than others. In my opinion, SKELETON DANCE is one of the better ones.

Nice Steady Elkins
I have read "Loot" by Aaron Elkins and found that art can be a great center for a mystery novel. I was a little skeptical that Elkins series revolving around an archaeology would be as good. I am glad I gave it a shot. Gideon Oliver the main character in this series is a wonderful character that any mystery fan can get into.

The story starts when a local dog starts bring home human bones from a cave in France. However these bones are no remains of any old Cro-magnon. These are much to new. Oliver is brought in to determine the age of the bones, and slowly uncovers a scandal in the local institute of archaeology. At the institute is a group of possible suspects of the unknown victim in the cave. Oliver along with detective Joly must put all the pieces together to solve this tricky murder.

This novel remains me of Agatha Christie, with it's uniquue locatons and list of suspects. Elkins has a great ability to weace a great story along with not the most enthralling topics. However he makes it work and should be on everyones too read list. ... Read more

Product Description
A cryptic note from their father leads the Hardy boys to the Caribbean where they must solve the mystery, but only if they can successfully evade the henchmen who are trailing them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Jonathan's review
The Ghost at Skeleton Rock written by Franklin dixon is a very interesting book. In this book Frank and Joe Hardy investigate smuglers that leads them to islands in the Caribbean. The investigation starts when their friend Chet goes to buy a ventriloquist dummy. Frank and Joe find diamonds in the eyes which lead them to several suspects. They track them to Tropicale and find out even more about them. All the while the smuglers are tryin to catch them. The main characters are Frank, Joe, and Fenton Hardy and also Chet Morton. The Hardys are detectives from Bayport and Chet is their friend. Frank, Joe, and Chet are in high school. This story takes place in Bayport, and in the Caribbean. This is a mystery/adventure that will make you not want to put it down. It is very fast paced which is good for young boys that really dont like to read that much will like it. It is pretty similar to the other Hardy books because of the adventure and mystery. It is different because they are mainly by themselves and they have to deal with natives of the island. The style is third person point of view which is good because it keeps u wondering whats going to happennext. I really liked this book and I didnt want to put it down. I read this book everytime I had the chance. Most of the time during class which I got in trouble for. I would encourage anyone who loves adventure books to read this one.

Literature Project Review
Hello my name is Aaron Fitzgerald and I am writing this review for my Literature class at school. This book number 37 in a great series is about 2 boys named Frank(16) and Joe(17) Hardy who solve mysteries. Together with the help of friends and family together solve international crimes. They have been on many perilous journies around the world together in search of mystery and danger. If you really enjoy a good mystery/danger book with plenty of action then read on to find out more about the book.

In the beginning of the book Frank and Joe recieve a message from their father(also a detective)that reads 'Find Hugo purple turban'. So they found a man named Hugo who had an assistant that wore a puple turban. Unfortunately the Hardy boys got tied up by Hugo and his assistant(Abdul)and they criminals escaped. Later when they went to buy a ventriloquist dummy it had a puple turban. Later after investigating the dummy they found uncut diamonds in the eyes. Ill stop there so you wll have to read the book to find out the rest so i wont spoil the ending.

I would reccomend this book to anyone likes books filled with action, mystery, and danger. Even if you dont after reading a coulple of Hardy Boy books you will. That is what happened to me. I love these books and now and have a collection of about 20-30 books. I really encourage all to read this book. You wont regret it.

A.F.

A Huge Ghost!
In quite a few books in this series Chet Morton's hobbies either are important to solving the mystery, or they lead to a mystery.Such is the case in this story.Chet is learning to become a ventriloquist, and he has saved enough money to purchase a dummy.However, it appears that dummies are very popular and Chet has a difficult time buying one.In a shop that has a dummy to sell, two men take a dummy that Chet is about to purchase at gunpoint!Fortunately, the proprietor has another dummy in stock.

Chet's dummy is damaged by accident, and suddenly the mystery becomes more complex when the boys discover raw diamonds in the dummy's glass eyes.The mystery continues to increase in complexity and danger when an extra suitcase containing a bomb appears on the Hardys' new plane.The boys also learn that the gang includes a member who looks a lot like Joe Hardy.The resemblance between the criminal and Joe will cause Frank and Joe difficulties throughout this mystery.

The mystery leads to Puerto Rico, where the boys encounter the criminals time and again, and yet seem to have difficulties learning what the criminals are up to, only that there is something sinister and complicated going on.Eventually the boys travel to a remote island where the natives are clearly restless, and where the huge ghost of skeleton rock lives.Soon after the story reaches its climax and the Hardys, Chet Morton and Tony Prito solve all the mysteries, including one involving a group of revolutionaries.

I thought the most intriguing part of this story occurred early on, when Frank and Joe Hardy and Chet Morton were trying to figure out what was going on with the dummy and the diamonds.After everyone went to Puerto Rico the story seemed to get a little weaker.The story also dates itself because the story describes Carib Indians that appear to be living a very archaic life.Given the size of the island and its location, it seems unlikely that the Indians were indeed Carib and it seems unlikely that they would still exist in the same condition today.

I find myself conflicted about this Hardy Boys mystery.The story had good portions, but there were also portions that left me wondering what the author was thinking.I happened to be reading another book about Puerto Rico at about the same time, "The Happy Hollisters at Lizard Cove," and I noticed the same lack of attention to detail.While I am prepared to forgive a few errors, this time the author appeared lazy and that decreased my reading pleasure.However, I am determined to read all the Hardy Boys books, regardless of their quality.If I had the ability, I think I would have given this story three and a half stars.

The publisher recommends the Hardy Boys series for ages 9 to 12 because the series is relatively tame for the previous target audience of ages 10 to 14.This particular book is a good fit for the new age range.Though the Hardy Boys series contains archaic information, as reading material for an increasingly younger audience they are good.Once a child has reached age 12 or so the stories may be of less interest, but given the combination of mystery and action, these books remain good safe choices for parents who want to know what their children are reading.

GreatBook
This book was really good because there was a lot of action and unexpected things happened.

Skeleton rock
This book was a fantastic read. Iwould recomend it to everyone of all ages. my favorite character was joe. I also liked hugo and his turban. I cant wait to read the next book. ... Read more

Product Description
Purple Sage, Texas, is experiencing a natural disaster, with floodwaters rushing through the streets and torrential downpours continuing with no end in sight. This calls for a dinner party! The governor's in town to assess the damage, and Jolie Wyatt, mystery novelist and amateur sleuth, is hosting an after-hour reception in his honor. Only problem is, the historic home that's to be the site of the extravaganza is under six feet of water.

Not to worry--Jolie has it under control. She moves the party next door, making the best of the resulting logistical and personal problems, since the new hostess is the younger second wife of the ex of one of Jolie's best friends. Despite the distractions, the governor's visit is running smoothly until a dead body turns up in a rain-drenched ditch.

The investigation takes the whole town by storm, forcing Jolie to step in and find out what really happened on that dark and rainy night in Texas. Skeletons in Purple Sage is a tangled web full of small-town politics and complex personal relationships tinted with the Texas charm that has made Barbara Burnett Smith's cozy Jolie Wyatt mysteries a big hit.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A danagerous, fascinating visit to Purple Sage, Texas
With Skeletons in Purple Sage, Barbara Burnett Smith has
created a very appealing heroine in Jolie Wyatt, a
realistic and interesting family and a whole town of
characters, good and bad.
A disasterous flood has brought the Governor to town
to asses the damage and Jolie has been picked to host
a reception - difficult to do when the site is under
six feet of water.
The next available location is logical but difficult,
since the hostess is the new wife of Jolie's good friend's
Ex.After that, the discovery of the body of the town's
beloved doctor in a ditch just piles on the trouble.
Jolie wants to find out who took her doctor's life, why
the local fundamentalist church is shunning the doctor's
funeral and why her Mother always liked her sister best.
I strongly recomment this book for its character development
and the exciting plot.

Best Purple Sage Book yet!
Austin, TX writer Barbara Burnett Smith has done it again--Jolie Wyatt, everywoman and perfect amateur detective, is up to her ears in flood waters and murder in the latest Purple Sage mystery.Things start innocently enough when Jolie and best friend Diane arrange a tribute dinner for a couple of old friends from their past.But thanks to the monsoons, before the night is out, one of honored guests has had the humiliating experience of being hosted in her former home by the husband who left her and his new trophy wife--and the other Guest of Honor is dead.

Then the sheriff announces that the death may be a suicide--and Jolie's on the warpath.Dr. Bill did NOT kill himself--and she's going to prove it.Complicating her mission are a host of suspects who may have believed they had ample reason to hate Dr. Bill, the arrival of Jolie's estranged mother, and Jolie's own fluctuating temper and emotions--is it sheer frustration from multiple directions, PMS--or even humble pie, as Jolie discovers friends who are foes, foes who might become friends, black is white, Truth may be relative and...well, the waters run very deep.

This Purple Sage contains the things we've always loved about Smith's books--the great small-town politics and tangled personal relationships--and takes them in unexpected directions.If you enjoyed the other Purple Sages, don't miss this one.And if you haven't tried them yet, what are you waiting for?And yes--I think you can start with this one, if St. Martin's STILL hasn't reprinted the others!

Strong Purple Sage gang reunion
Purple Sage is a small Texas town founded by nine religious fundamentalist families and even today their influence can be felt.Jolie Wyatt, a newcomer to the town and married to native-born Matt, is hosting a party in honor of retiring Dr. Bill Marchak and Beverly Kendall, who has returned after a three year absence to take care of her ailing father.

The only problem is that most of Purple Sage is flooding and the house where the reception is supposed to take place is underwater. They are forced to hold the party at the home of Beverly's ex-husband Tom who divorced her to marry Leigh.A gracious Beverly insures no one feels uncomfortable.Later that night, Dr. Bill's body is found tightly wedged in a drawn wrenched ditch.Nobody knows the cause of death but rumors abound.Shortly thereafter, Leigh disappears.Julie finds the body believing that the same person murdered both people.

The protagonist, trying to achieve justice for the dead, almost finds herself becoming the third victim of a demented killer. Her bravery and unwavering quest for the truth as well as her loyalty to friends and family are only some of the reasons the heroine is easy to like. Sad to say, the killer's identity is totally believable and raises some interesting legal and social issues. After a two-year absence, it is good to see the Purple Sage gang reunited again.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Product Description
Take a page from Ms. Frizzle's book. Better yet, read her class notes and learn all about skeletons.No bones about it - this is your chance to get the facts from Ms. Frizzle's class! ... Read more

Product Description
Beautiful, detailed paintings of human beings and fourteen other animals--including chimpanzees, giraffes, and whales--turn into glowing skeletons when youngsters read this fact-packed work in the dark. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Glow in the Dark adds fun to discovering how bones work
Fun way for kids to discover the skeletal framework of humans and also creatures ranging from chimpanzees to ostriches to king cobras. Very young ones love to just turn the pages and say the names of the creatures and then turn the lights on and off to see the actual skeleton.

Each page also allows the reader to learn latin term for the creature, the geographical areas they are mainly found in, and a brief description of how its particular skeletal type allows it to be unique among earth's creations. ... Read more

Product Description
Jack o' lantern
Jack o' light.
Jack o' darkness.
Jack o' night.

A spirited collection of Halloween poems
guaranteed to tickle the funny bone

Thrillsome, shocking, bewitching-Halloween! It's the only night of the year where a being can truly be . . . itself! But Halloween's not just for goblins. Read along and see for yourself as bats, witches, daring adventurers, even ordinary kids (especially ordinary kids!) are excited to come out for tricks or treats.

Spooky-fun poems and winning hand-beaded illustrations perfectly capture the fun of this much-loved holiday.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Love this book!Cute, with spectacularly creative illustrations.
I'm a beader, and saw an ad for this book in a magazine many years ago.I saved it, wanting to pick it up sometime.I found it a few months ago, tucked in some old papers, and decided to see if it was still around.It was, and I was so happy to be able to get a copy.

The poems are cute--my 3-year-old likes me to read them to her.And the illustrations are so cleverly done, beautifully rendered, and inspiring, I bought the second book these two collaborated on!It's about dogs, and just as cute and fun.

As a creative individual, I appreciate the artistry of others, and this book is no exception!As a kid's book, it is perfect for Halloween.As beading inspiration for Halloween junkies, it is gold.

Can't stop giving them away for gifts!
I am an adult but love this Halloween book.It is written for children but I enjoy it and have given a copy of ths book to numerous friends (who have grandchildren) as well as to some of my favorite children.It has interested me that boys who are not readers by nature, seem to enjoy this book very much. Girls also adore the book but always seem easier to interest in reading than boys. Have a look!Don't pass up this book!!!

Perfect Halloween book for Preschool through Grade 2
Of all the halloween books we checked out of the library last year (and that was a LOT), this one was my 5-year-old's favorite, and mine, too!It has all of the Halloween necessities -- skeletons, witches, pumpkins, etc. -- but wasn't too scary for a young child.The poems are delightful, and the book is a great way to introduce young children to various forms of poetry, both rhythmic and more free-form.The book includes a wide variety of poems, but thankfully, it's still just the right length for a bedtime read.Lastly, the pictures really make this book stand out from all the rest -- the beading work is amazing.This book will delight children and adults alike!

Loses that poetic rhythm
I was hoping this would be a good coffee table book to have out during the Halloween season when hosting adult parties.Alas, it was not meant for the over 10 years of age set.Of the twenty poems presented in the book and the one on the back cover, only five held any interest for me.The others failed to have a poetic rhythm that I could follow.I do believe that children between 3 and 10 would enjoy the poems more than any adult I know as they describe the Halloween experience very well.They just don't work as poetic structure for me.Most of the poems begin with a good cadence but lose that rhythm toward the middle to the end of the poem.

The best part of the whole book was the illustrations; all of which are beading done on canvas.They are colorful and realistic.Ms. Dismukes should stop illustrating books and begin a career as a pattern maker for beading.Any and all of these illustrations would make wonderful beading kits that would sell at such stores as Joann's or Michaels.I hope to see Ms. Dismukes make the change from illustrating books to craft kit maker as her talents are wasted in not sharing her work with the craft industry.

A Halloween Treat with No Cavities!
A great alternative to giving the same old candy year after year- this book is a treat for young minds!The poems are imaginative and fun, and in the case of the poem, "Skeleton", informative.I purchased two of the books for my nephews and niece as a Halloween treat. I always like to read the books myself before giving them away and I couldn't wait to take a peek at this one. The beaded illustrations are colorful, whimsical and beautifully done. I especially loved the art and poem on "Dinner Dilemma", "House for Sale!", "A Broomstick's Life", and "What Should I Be?". If you are looking for a "Spooktacular" book that adults and children will have fun reading, choose this one along with "From the Doghouse: Poems to Chew On", by the same author, and you won't be disappointed. ... Read more