Carved in Bone by Jefferson Bass
Body Farm 1
1 out of 5. DNF
Dr. Brockton is a forensic anthropologist who teaches as well as works at the University of Tennessee's Anthropology Research Facility, more commonly known as the Body Farm, a place where rates of decomposition are studied under various conditions.
Brockton is requested by Sheriff Tom Kitchings of the isolated Cooke County. A body has been found and, since the county doesn't have a morgue much less a medical examiner, they could use his expertise in regards to both identification and cause of death. Secrets abound, both in the community and in Brockton's personal life.
I'm not a big fan of first person narration as, with just a few exceptions, I've always found most authors don't do it well, plus it is very limiting. That applies to this book. Sadly that isn't the only problem.
It became painfully obvious that "Jefferson Bass" is actually two authors, even if I hadn't known that before purchasing the book. Author Jon Jefferson partnered with Dr. William Bass, the man who started the Body Farm. Unfortunately their writing didn't mesh. Instead we have the fictional mystery frequently interrupted by lectures on science. Jarring to say the least.
Adding awkward attempts at humor, stereotypical characterization of Southern communities and their inhabitants, plodding narrative, and a lack of appropriate pacing during the more emotionally charged scenes all led me to giving up after I had reached about 40% into the book. So much wasted potential.
