The Bone Thief

A Body Farm Novel

By: Jefferson Bass

Narrated by: Dan Woren

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Jefferson Bass delivers an authentic and knuckle-biting thriller in which forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton must confront a crime of unimaginable proportions on his own doorstep.

Dr. Bill Brockton has been called in on a seemingly routine case, to exhume a body and obtain a bone sample for a DNA paternity test. But when the coffin is opened, Brockton and his colleagues, including his graduate assistant Miranda Lovelady, are stunned to see that the corpse has been horribly violated. Brockton’s initial shock gives way to astonishment as he uncovers a flourishing and lucrative black market in body parts. At the center of this ghoulish empire is a daring and prosperous grave robber. Soon Brockton finds himself drawn into the dangerous enterprise when the FBI recruits him to bring down the postmortem chop shop—using corpses from the Body Farm as bait in an undercover sting operation.

As Brockton struggles to play the unscrupulous role the FBI asks of him, his friend and colleague, medical examiner Eddie Garcia, faces a devastating injury that could end his career. Exposed to a near-lethal dose of radioactivity, Dr. Garcia has lost most of his right hand and his entire left hand. Out of options, he embarks on a desperate quest: both of his ravaged hands will be severed at the wrist and replaced with those from a cadaver. But unless suitable ones are found soon, the opportunity will be lost.

As Brockton delves deep into the clandestine trade, he is faced with an agonizing choice: Is he willing to risk an FBI investigation—and his own principles—to help his friend? Will he be able to live with himself if he crosses that line? Will he be able to live with himself if he doesn’t? And as the criminal case and the medical crisis converge, a pair of simpler questions arise: Will Dr. Garcia survive—and will Brockton?

Flesh and bone: listen to another Body Farm Novel.

©2010 Jefferson Bass, LLC (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“Fans of forensic fiction will want to add this author to their list of favorites." ( Booklist)

Loose ends at the end

Since this book appears to be part of a series I guess that's why we never learned what happened with Brockton's paternity issues. Looks like I'll never know because this installment wasn't good enough to make me want to continue. Oh, the story and characters were adequate even though it wasn't too difficult to figure out where things were going. The author provided a large clue about two-thirds of the way through. I was also a tad bored with Brockton's descriptive crawling on the steep creek bank. It seemed to me the author was trying to fill up pages. This is one of those books that you are not sorry you listened to but won't be motivated to listen to another one in the series. Worth $4.95 but not a credit.

The Bone Thief

Excellent listen. Didn't want to stop listening and didn't want it to end. I want more Jefferson Bass ( but unabridged only please)!

nothing too interruptive

This is a pleasant book filled with a lot of information thinly disguised as a plot, a kind of Ask Mr. Science ambiance. The happy scientist is a nice guy, not merely straitlaced but utterly naive as well. The narrator seems apt for this protagonist. If you like your tales tame, this is a good one.

Good book, learned alot.

What did you love best about The Bone Thief?

The bone thief is a fiction book, but can relate to in life with it taken at Univ. TN. Very informative about the forensic side. Enjoyed it.

Definitely not recommended

There was nothing about this story that stood out and made me want to continue to listen. Usually I am looking for a little time throughout my day to listen to a chapter of whatever book I am currently listening to. With this book, I had to make myself go back. I kept hoping it would get better, but it just slogged along at a slow, rather boring pace. The mystery here really wasn't, the narrator wasn't good, and throughout I felt like I was being lectured to. While some may enjoy this, when I finally got to the end I was glad it was FINALLY over.

Great Read

If you could sum up The Bone Thief in three words, what would they be?

Surprising
Exciting
Excellent

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr. Bill Brockton
I liked the way the author made him real when dealing with emotions and I loved his seemingly extensive knowledge of so many things.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Dr Brockton found someone had locked him out of the gate and his subsequent actions.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and surprised me.

Any additional comments?

I hadn't read any of Jefferson Bass before this experience, but now I plan to begin with the first in this series.
I really like his style, it has me wanting more from him.

love this book, wish audible had entire series

I love this book, wish audible had the entire series. The story line was good without being too dark and narrator was excellent.

Great forensic mystery!

I had a very , very long drive over a too short weekend, and I wanted to find a book that would keep me interested and awake. I'd found "The Bone Thief" by 'Jefferson Bass', and it was even more than I hoped for.

'Jefferson Bass' is the writing partnership of Jon Jefferson, a science writer and Dr. William Bass, the forensic anthropologist who founded the University of Tennessee'a 'Body Farm'. The Body Farm studies donated bodies to learn about decomposition to help solve crime. I've been reading non-fiction books mentioning Bill Bas and his work for years (like Mary Roach's Corpse), and fiction too (Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan series).

I expected some serious forensic anthropology in "The Bone Thief", and it was there. What was unexpected and fascinating was the through discussion of transplants and body donations. A great deal of the discussion was true, as the afterward explained

The story started out strong, but the mystery and solution was pretty formulaic, so that was disappointing.

The narration was good, and Dan Foren did a good job distinguishing the characters. I liked the southern accent he used for the main character, Dr. Bill Brockton.

This forensic mystery was good company for the long drive.

love Dr. Bass

If you have never read his books you are missing a wonderful series. Yoou feel you are there In person watching as unfolds right in front of you.I love Mr.Jefferson and Dr. Bass's books.

Very good book

Where does The Bone Thief rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

Up there with Koontz

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, it had a lot of detail and a very good story line. Things keep happening.

What about Dan Woren???s performance did you like?

Very good reader, good voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, very much so. I listen to them at work, I hated to go to break and couldn't wait til the next day to listen to more.

Any additional comments?

If you like a mystery you'll like this book.