Eight stars
There is a patch of ground in Tennessee dedicated to the science of death, where human remains lie exposed to be studied for their secrets. The real-life scientist who founded the “Body Farm” has broken cold cases and revolutionized forensics . . . and now he spins an astonishing tale inspired by his own experiences.
Jefferson Bass is blessed with the ability to write novels that explores numerous areas within the medical field and keep things interesting enough to have readers understand the process. Those who enjoy forensics, especially the world of anthropology, are sure to enjoy the fifth book in the series. Bass is able to always keep the material fresh (pardon the pun) and new, while still stringing the story along and pulling on past cases and story arcs. After a recent case left a colleague in need of prosthetics, Dr. Brockton finds himself exploring the dark underbelly of the illegal sale of bodies to facilitate new medical breakthroughs. Bass does a formidable job at presenting and exploring the topics related to this and leaves the reader with a captivating reading experience.
Popular anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton has been surrounded by death for much of his academic life, especially after creating the Body Farm on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. One of his recent cases led a colleague to suffer horrible injuries after being exposed to significant amounts of radiation. The amputation of an arm and some fingers leaves the pathologist in need of new means to complete his daily work.
When the chance to receive live prosthetics becomes a likely net step, Dr. Bill Brockton encourages his colleague to take the plunge. This piques Brockton’s interest in the topic and he finds himself travelling down a rabbit hole to learn all about regenerative tissue and body parts. Being the foremost expert in forensic anthropology has Brockton interacting with many people, some of whom wonder about his Body Farm, where people donate their cadavers for medical advancement. When someone seeks to use his constant influx of bodies to serve their own good, under the guise of medical advancements, Dr. Brockton is leery and approaches those within the law enforcement community.
Soon, Dr. Brockton is on his was to Las Vegas to begin a sting operation into trying to help crack open a crime ring that has been procuring and selling bodies to companies happy to look the other way. Bodies yield large sums for their various organs, limbs, and other sundry aspects to the human temple. In a race to undercover the truth, while staying out of the crosshairs of the dark criminal element, Dr. Brockton will have to put his trust in those who are supporting him, while many rely on his discoveries to help them in their future medical adventures. Jefferson Bass weaves a complex, yet entertaining, story that is sure to impress the series fan!
There is a great sense of education and entertainment in each of the novels I have read. Jefferson Bass has a great deal of knowledge to share and does so with ease, while keeping the reader in the front seat to all the action. A strong narrative guides the reader throughout the story and provides educational side bars. Strong characters, many of whom return from book to book, provide great flavouring and development, while one-offs make their mark as well.
The books are set close enough that the loose thread placed in the closing pages of the previous novel remains fresh in the reader’s mind and within the deeper storyline of the overall plot. Bass has moved away from the traditional forensic anthropology cases, where the reader spend the books trying to track the killer and discover more about the victim. Nuclear radiation was ingenious and now the world of prosthetics and transplant surgery ties so perfectly into this book that it is as though the entire series has been mapped out and tied together before being written.
The plot developments are recurring and keep the reader on their toes throughout the reading experience. Twists appear with ease and there is never a moment when things are too stagnant, ensuring there will be a great deal of entertainment for the curious reader. With many issues in the medical field coming to pass throughout the series, the reader is able to see more than forensic cases where the body will tell everything. I cannot wait to see what is to come and how Bass will keep thing on point throughout the rest of the series.
Kudos Mr. Bass, for a great reading experience.
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