Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Berkley (2013), Edition: Reprint, 496 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:From one of the world�??s number top selling crime writers comes the extraordinary twentieth Kay Scarpetta novel. A woman has vanished while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, over two thousand miles away in Boston. She has no idea why. But as events unfold with alarming speed, Scarpetta begins to suspect that the paleontologist�??s disappearance is connected to a series of crimes much closer to home: a gruesome murder, inexplicable tortures, and trace evidence from the last living creatures of the dinosaur age. When she turns to those around her, Scarpetta finds that the danger and suspicion have penetrated even her closest circles. Her niece Lucy speaks in riddles. Her lead investigator, Pete Marino, and FBI forensic psychologist and husband, Benton Wesley, have secrets of their own. Feeling alone and betrayed, Scarpetta is tempted by someone from her past as she tracks a killer both cunning and… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member cookiemo
I'm not sure why I keep buying her books. I feel that they no longer are as gripping as they used to be. This one seems to wander round and about for some time and it is only toward the end that it really grips you. Why is it called 'The Bone Bed'? This is only a small part of the story, or perhaps
I must admit I was surprised at who the guilty person was though.
A pleasant read but no where near as exciting as they used to be.
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I was missing something. I must admit I was surprised at who the guilty person was though.
A pleasant read but no where near as exciting as they used to be.
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LibraryThing member KarenHerndon
First I've read of this author and will definitely read more of her books.
Good mystery- kept me guessing all the way to the end which is seldom for me.
Liked her writing style, characters and her layering of false info to keep they mystery going.
Good mystery- kept me guessing all the way to the end which is seldom for me.
Liked her writing style, characters and her layering of false info to keep they mystery going.
LibraryThing member beckyhaase
It has been a while since I read a Scarpetta novel so it took
me several chapters to get up to speed on the characters. This was a bit more convoluted than I remember. The red herring was enough to fool me. I was rooting for the wrong "bad guy" for most of the book. I'm still not sure I know who the
me several chapters to get up to speed on the characters. This was a bit more convoluted than I remember. The red herring was enough to fool me. I was rooting for the wrong "bad guy" for most of the book. I'm still not sure I know who the
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bad guy was - do I remember him at all???? A good, mystery. Show Less
LibraryThing member Suzanne_Mitchell
Book Description
Release date: September 3, 2013 | Series: A Scarpetta Novel (Book 20)
A woman has vanished while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, over two thousand miles
But as events unfold with alarming speed, Scarpetta begins to suspect that the paleontologist’s disappearance is connected to a series of crimes much closer to home: a gruesome murder, inexplicable tortures, and trace evidence from the last living creatures of the dinosaur age.
When she turns to those around her, Scarpetta finds that the danger and suspicion have penetrated even her closest circles. Her niece Lucy speaks in riddles. Her lead investigator, Pete Marino, and FBI forensic psychologist and husband, Benton Wesley, have secrets of their own. Feeling alone and betrayed, Scarpetta is tempted by someone from her past as she tracks a killer both cunning and cruel.
Release date: September 3, 2013 | Series: A Scarpetta Novel (Book 20)
A woman has vanished while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, over two thousand miles
Show More
away in Boston. She has no idea why.But as events unfold with alarming speed, Scarpetta begins to suspect that the paleontologist’s disappearance is connected to a series of crimes much closer to home: a gruesome murder, inexplicable tortures, and trace evidence from the last living creatures of the dinosaur age.
When she turns to those around her, Scarpetta finds that the danger and suspicion have penetrated even her closest circles. Her niece Lucy speaks in riddles. Her lead investigator, Pete Marino, and FBI forensic psychologist and husband, Benton Wesley, have secrets of their own. Feeling alone and betrayed, Scarpetta is tempted by someone from her past as she tracks a killer both cunning and cruel.
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LibraryThing member Tish.Delanoy
Truly enjoyed this one! As usual, you didn't disappoint
LibraryThing member buffalogr
I liked the book. It was interesting and kept me in it as I listened while driving I-10. Scarpetta is becoming more human with attendant foibles. The technical expertise throughout the book is amazing and indicated much author research. Sometimes, the detail is excruciating. Also, I think it's a
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bit unbelievable that Scarpetta and hubby don't share case secrets, even after sex...that complicated solving the crime. The bad guy wasn't even introduced until about an hour to go. This is not the first time Cornwell has done this to me, so next time I'll just float around for the first 7/8 of the book and not try to guess whodunit. Show Less
LibraryThing member maryreinert
Kay Scarpetta as forensic examiner becomes involved with the deaths of three similar women; all "of a certain age", educated, and without any obvious reason why they should be killed. Set in the harbor of Boston where they pull one unknown woman from the deeps, things get complicated when the
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woman's body is tangled with a rare turtle. Typical Scarpetta crime novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member cindyb29
Story OK but don't like Cornwell's writing style since she changed it to first person. Very name- and label-conscious; too impressed with the wealthy. Won't read her again. Also, most of the book centered on a 2-day period, and the end seemed too rushed and over too quick.
LibraryThing member jepeters333
When a famous paleontologist vanishes from an excavation site in Alberta, Kay Scarpetta receives a disturbing message that makes her believe that the disappearance may become her next case. But things quickly begin to change, leaving Scarpetta wondering who she can trust and fearing that this time
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she is really on her own. Show Less
LibraryThing member JalenV
My late mother didn't have many Kay Scarpetta novels, but the ones she had sent me to our library to eagerly check out more. Blow Fly ended that interest. Still, when The Bone Bed showed up among the library's newer audio mysteries, I decided to give it a chance.
I see that quite a few changes have
I see that quite a few changes have
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come to Scarpetta's life since the book I didn't bother to finish. I did finish this one, but that had more to do with the victims than Scarpetta, who was getting on my nerves. Got to feel smug because I'd latched onto a clue that pointed me in the right direction. The narration was adequate. Show Less
LibraryThing member MaureenCean
My updates covered most of my thoughts as I went through the book, until the last bit. There were a number of elements in this work that did not seem to flow into one another that well. The change in Lucy's relationship status - though perhaps that bodes well for her next entry, just announced to
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be titled Dust I believe I saw. Benton's relationship with a co-worker, the dinosaur dig, things just seemed kind of disparate and then all wrapped up with the serial killer coming in from left field....I know I'll probably read the next one...I won't buy it, and I'll hope for something more satisfying. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
When Patricia Cornwell first started writing, I loved her books featuring forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta. But, slowly but surely the love affair ended and I stopped following this series. Well, recently I needed something to listen to, so I decided, what the heck, I'll give her another shot. So
Scarpetta is now the medical examiner for the state of Massachusetts. Her niece Lucy, a talented tech wizard and investigator Pete Marino also work with/for her. Kay's husband Benton, an FBI profiler, also often works with Kay.
Scarpetta receives an email which documents a crime committed against an American paleontologist working in Alberta and now missing. Lucy finds evidence that the clip may be connected to a murder on U.S. soil. So, a good premise and I was intrigued.
But....although I enjoy personal story lines in addition to the main plot, I quickly grew tired of listening to what seemed to be the same old, same old. Benton and Kay are having relationship problems, Lucy is being secretive, Kay's staff are betraying her, Marino is in trouble again. Sound familiar? Cornwell fills out the story with endless detail - which refrigerator is the parmigiana in - number one or two? "I check my oversized titanium watch on its rubber strap and reach for my coffee—black, no sweetener—as distant footsteps sound in the corridor of my bullet-shaped building on the eastern border of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s campus. It isn’t light out yet this third Monday of October." First lines of chapter one.
The reader was Kate Reading. I have to admit she's not one of my favourite narrators. I find her habit of dwelling on final consonants and drawing out words slightly annoying. But her tone does seem to fit the character of Kay, who seems to see herself as somewhat superior and whom I find supercilious.
The ending and the 'culprit' were such a letdown. And confirmed why I will be saying goodbye again to Patricia Cornwell. If you're so inclined - read an excerpt of The Bone Bed.
(The title The Bone Bed refers to the dinosaur bone deposits in Alberta, Canada. Although they are featured in the opening scene, they truly didn't have a lot to do with the story. It almost felt like Cornwell was copying Kathy Reich's penchant for using the word bone in many of her titles that also feature a forensic pathologist.)
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I picked up her latest book - The Bone Bed.Scarpetta is now the medical examiner for the state of Massachusetts. Her niece Lucy, a talented tech wizard and investigator Pete Marino also work with/for her. Kay's husband Benton, an FBI profiler, also often works with Kay.
Scarpetta receives an email which documents a crime committed against an American paleontologist working in Alberta and now missing. Lucy finds evidence that the clip may be connected to a murder on U.S. soil. So, a good premise and I was intrigued.
But....although I enjoy personal story lines in addition to the main plot, I quickly grew tired of listening to what seemed to be the same old, same old. Benton and Kay are having relationship problems, Lucy is being secretive, Kay's staff are betraying her, Marino is in trouble again. Sound familiar? Cornwell fills out the story with endless detail - which refrigerator is the parmigiana in - number one or two? "I check my oversized titanium watch on its rubber strap and reach for my coffee—black, no sweetener—as distant footsteps sound in the corridor of my bullet-shaped building on the eastern border of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s campus. It isn’t light out yet this third Monday of October." First lines of chapter one.
The reader was Kate Reading. I have to admit she's not one of my favourite narrators. I find her habit of dwelling on final consonants and drawing out words slightly annoying. But her tone does seem to fit the character of Kay, who seems to see herself as somewhat superior and whom I find supercilious.
The ending and the 'culprit' were such a letdown. And confirmed why I will be saying goodbye again to Patricia Cornwell. If you're so inclined - read an excerpt of The Bone Bed.
(The title The Bone Bed refers to the dinosaur bone deposits in Alberta, Canada. Although they are featured in the opening scene, they truly didn't have a lot to do with the story. It almost felt like Cornwell was copying Kathy Reich's penchant for using the word bone in many of her titles that also feature a forensic pathologist.)
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LibraryThing member Deankut
Scarpetta strikes again! While I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, I would advise the reader not to try and guess Whodunnit. This is a real life accounting of crime, where even sometimes the professionals are stumped. I highly recommend this novel, as well as all Patricia Cornwell novels. It is
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refreshing to read a book entrenched in reality. Show Less
LibraryThing member delphimo
Maybe I am tired of Kay Scarpetta, but I did not find this book as exciting as the previous books in this series. Also, I am unsure about the killer in this book. It was like the character came from nowhere. I also found the characters to be weak and uninteresting. This was the first disappointment
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of a Patricia Cornwell novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member JenniferRobb
I've read other books in this series--just not necessarily in the series order. I did find it took me a bit to re-settle into the characters to know who was who and who did what. Something different in that there were not many suspects identified during the investigation. That cut down on me being
Despite the title the bone bed (a dinosaur paleontology dig in Canada) doesn't factor overly prominently into the story, though it does seem to be the factor that ties several seemingly unrelated things together.
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able to guess who the killer was during the story.Despite the title the bone bed (a dinosaur paleontology dig in Canada) doesn't factor overly prominently into the story, though it does seem to be the factor that ties several seemingly unrelated things together.
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LibraryThing member over.the.edge
Not sure why I couldn't get into this. I tried 3 times. I enjoyed other books by this author, but....this one I had to bail on. But still love Patricia Cornwell.
LibraryThing member Ameise1
Exciting from the beginning, I realize that I have neglected [[Patricia Cornwell]] 's books.
First, Scarpetta realizes that she has a message on her mobile phone from someone with dangerous thoughts. Shortly thereafter, she is sent to a crime scene in the harbor bay. She is filmed by unknown. Too
First, Scarpetta realizes that she has a message on her mobile phone from someone with dangerous thoughts. Shortly thereafter, she is sent to a crime scene in the harbor bay. She is filmed by unknown. Too
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late, she comes to a court hearing and the footage is shown there. Identifying the dead from the bay is difficult. Scarpetta discovers that there are even more deaths. It turns out that this must be a serial killer. Who is behind it? Scarpetta puts herself in danger. Show Less
LibraryThing member decaturmamaof2
So this book improved for me after a "meh" beginning. Not the best Scarpetta, but entertaining.
LibraryThing member Andy_DiMartino
Ok, that's more like it. Not as dark and gloomy as her last 2 books were. Pace picked up quite a bit and I flew thru this one like it was a Prey novel. Keep it up Patricia
LibraryThing member Brumby18
another fun bit of bus reading, but no real substance - characters and plot too convoluted for me to really appreciate them and it. tied up OK at the end but took a while - not a page turner.
LibraryThing member lrobe190
My review: Almost too much detail, too many threads without relevance to main plot; ending was a let-down.
LibraryThing member Chris.Wolak
Kay Scarpetta is back. We were book buddies for a long time, but I didn't see her for a while. Then a few years ago we caught up again in my car via audiobooks and have been seeing each other annually for the last few years.
I know, I know, some of you out there have quit reading this series,
The Bone Bed is the 20th Kay Scarpetta novel, which means this cast of characters has been together for a long, long time. Some of the old patterns are repeated: Marino gets into trouble, Lucy is secretive, and Scarpetta deals with a disloyal insider. I was okay with Marino's trouble and with Lucy's aloofness, but the disloyal insider stick seemed a little forced this time around. I really like what's going on with Lucy's character in this book (animal rights activism and a blast from the past) and hope these lines are developed in future novels. Benton and Kay are a bit shaky even with the hot morning sex, but we all know sex doesn't necessarily imply a happy relationship. I'm sure we'll see more of their strain in future books. Benton is probably the least interesting character at this point in the series. I've never trusted him since that fake death/Bobby Ewing phase. I no longer get what Scarpetta sees in him.
All of the action takes place over two days in Boston. Unfortunately, there's no archaeological action up in Canada, but Scarpetta suits up and jumps in the Boston Harbor to pull in a body that's been set adrift in a rather diabolical manner. There's a long court room scene that didn't seem all that realistic (would a judge allow an attorney such free reign?) and the final action scene doesn't seem all that suspenseful (we all know Scarpetta won't be murdered, right?), but all-in-all, this is a well-paced thriller where the feelings of anxiety are almost palpable, but not crippling to the characters. Scarpetta is getting back to being more of the confident, yet sensitive woman she was in early novels--more action, less paranoia. I hope that trend continues.
I'm not sure how appealing The Bone Bed will be to readers who are unfamiliar with the series, but I'm one of those hopelessly habitual readers who almost always has to start reading a series with the first book.
Now begins the long wait until next year....
I know, I know, some of you out there have quit reading this series,
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thinking it went down the toilet. I admit it was hard going for a while, but as I've said the last two years, I believe Cornwell is getting back on track. Her plots are always intense, but I read this series for the characters. I'm always curious about what's going on in their lives and what new twists Cornwell will turn.The Bone Bed is the 20th Kay Scarpetta novel, which means this cast of characters has been together for a long, long time. Some of the old patterns are repeated: Marino gets into trouble, Lucy is secretive, and Scarpetta deals with a disloyal insider. I was okay with Marino's trouble and with Lucy's aloofness, but the disloyal insider stick seemed a little forced this time around. I really like what's going on with Lucy's character in this book (animal rights activism and a blast from the past) and hope these lines are developed in future novels. Benton and Kay are a bit shaky even with the hot morning sex, but we all know sex doesn't necessarily imply a happy relationship. I'm sure we'll see more of their strain in future books. Benton is probably the least interesting character at this point in the series. I've never trusted him since that fake death/Bobby Ewing phase. I no longer get what Scarpetta sees in him.
All of the action takes place over two days in Boston. Unfortunately, there's no archaeological action up in Canada, but Scarpetta suits up and jumps in the Boston Harbor to pull in a body that's been set adrift in a rather diabolical manner. There's a long court room scene that didn't seem all that realistic (would a judge allow an attorney such free reign?) and the final action scene doesn't seem all that suspenseful (we all know Scarpetta won't be murdered, right?), but all-in-all, this is a well-paced thriller where the feelings of anxiety are almost palpable, but not crippling to the characters. Scarpetta is getting back to being more of the confident, yet sensitive woman she was in early novels--more action, less paranoia. I hope that trend continues.
I'm not sure how appealing The Bone Bed will be to readers who are unfamiliar with the series, but I'm one of those hopelessly habitual readers who almost always has to start reading a series with the first book.
Now begins the long wait until next year....
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LibraryThing member kwskultety
Ah, where to begin? Same old crap about no one talking to Scarpetta, she feels betrayed, Marino is pretty much absent in this entire book, the dysfunctionality persists, Luci's home life is convoluted and murky, Scarpetta laments how no one is forthright to her, the first part of the story about
I think Cornwell's talent is taking a new direction, and I sure miss the old days when her books were about solving murders, not pages and pages of characters being obtuse, looooong drawn out forensic stuff that is actually boring, and the characters speaking in non sequiter. I also found the discussion of Twitter convoluted and bizarre, as I kept trying to make sense of what they were saying, thinking it was germane to the plot...but it wasn't. Actually, nothing in this book is germane to anything else.
Read it if you must.
The best part for me, actually, was her Greyhound Sock and her newly adopted cat, a Scottish Fold. Cornwell has managed to get my favorite animals into her stories, if nothing else.
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the "bone bed" is seemingly forgotten for the next few hundred pages in favor of a story about a body found in the ocean...there is WAY too much ado made about a trial...and then the last 20 pages seems like the old Scarpetta, with lots of action, lots LESS talking and nebulous stuff...and then slam, bang, it ends just like that. I had to go back a few pages to see exactly what character she was talking about during the ending...I was like "what did I miss?"I think Cornwell's talent is taking a new direction, and I sure miss the old days when her books were about solving murders, not pages and pages of characters being obtuse, looooong drawn out forensic stuff that is actually boring, and the characters speaking in non sequiter. I also found the discussion of Twitter convoluted and bizarre, as I kept trying to make sense of what they were saying, thinking it was germane to the plot...but it wasn't. Actually, nothing in this book is germane to anything else.
Read it if you must.
The best part for me, actually, was her Greyhound Sock and her newly adopted cat, a Scottish Fold. Cornwell has managed to get my favorite animals into her stories, if nothing else.
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LibraryThing member LeslieHurd
Once again Scarpetta is on the trail of a serial killer, though it takes awhile for the deaths to be linked. The cover blurb refers to secrets being kept by those closest to Scarpetta, her husband, niece, and chief investigator, but not much is made of said secrets in the book itself. There's
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slightly less whining in Bone Bed than in the previous "Red Mist," but there's not much else to recommend it. She spends a good time referring to characters who really have little to do with the plot, the "secrets" are irrelevant, and while the identity of the killer surprised me, I barely recognized his existence in the book prior to the great reveal. I think this series has come to the end of the line. And having been completely unimpressed with her other series, I don't imagine I'll be reading another Cornwell anytime soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member lschiff
I hd minimal expectations and was still disapppintes, especially by the ending.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012
Physical description
7.5 inches
ISBN
0425261360 / 9780425261361