Series
Genres
Publication
New York : Delacorte Press, 2007.
Description
"I took the skull from its evidence bag and gently set it on the stainless steel table. 'Tell me who you are. . . .' " With this silent plea, forensic expert Dr. David Hunter ignites a harrowing murder investigation on a windswept Scottish island, and a tale of menace, sexuality, and revenge unravels--along with the chilling message that a killer has... Dr. David Hunter should be in London with the woman he loves and a past he can't quite shake off. Instead, as a favor to a beleaguered cop, Hunter travels to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides to inspect a baffling set of remains. A forensic anthropologist, he has seen bodies destroyed by all forms of violence, but even he is surprised at what he finds: human remains burned beyond recognition--all within the confines of an otherwise undamaged, unoccupied cottage. Local police want to rule the death accidental. But Hunter's examination of the victim's charred skull tells him that this woman, no doubt a stranger to the close-knit island of Runa, was murdered by someone nearby. Within days, two more people are dead by fire. Hunter's job is to coax the dead into telling their stories--but now that he's beginning to hear them, he is staggered by the truth. Working with only the barest of clues, he peels back the layers of mysteries past and present, exposing the tangle of secrets at the heart of this strange community--from the deceptions of a wealthy couple to the bitterness of an ex-cop and the secrets of a lonely single mother--as a tale of rage and perversion comes full circle...then explodes in a series of violent acts and shocking twists.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member emhromp2
I read this book without wasting time breathing, going to the toilet, sleeping or eating. I had to finish it! The story is about a anthropologist who is asked to go to an island to determine the cause of death of a body that was found in a shed. He arrives at the island, there is a big storm and he
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can't get off the island anymore. There is only one small village on the island and of course no one is willing to help the hero. Very well written, with an ending to expect another book, hurrah! Show Less
LibraryThing member SandyLee
David Hunter is a forensic anthropologist whose expertise is requested in Scotland when a woman's body is found burned by what appears to be spontaneous human combustion. On closer examination, Hunter determines otherwise. But with a storm brewing on this remote island and no means of
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communication, the killer does everything he can to protect his secrets and wait until it is safe to leave the island. An interesting read although there were more supposed accidents and bodies than in Jessica Fletcher's Cabot Cove. Show Less
LibraryThing member kraaivrouw
Another great read by Simon Beckett!
This time the mystery is on an island in the Hebrides. It's one of those closed environment murder mysteries where the killer is among us, we can't get away, the killer can't get away, & people are dying all around us. Throw in a storm that cuts everyone off from
Once again Beckett proves that he can write well & that he has a really good (& somewhat twisted) imagination. The twists & turns in this are lovely & unexpected & the whodunit really does stay a whodunit which makes it a true page-turner.
This time the mystery is on an island in the Hebrides. It's one of those closed environment murder mysteries where the killer is among us, we can't get away, the killer can't get away, & people are dying all around us. Throw in a storm that cuts everyone off from
Show More
communication & various horrible deaths & you've got a chilling read.Once again Beckett proves that he can write well & that he has a really good (& somewhat twisted) imagination. The twists & turns in this are lovely & unexpected & the whodunit really does stay a whodunit which makes it a true page-turner.
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LibraryThing member mazda502001
Great powerful crime thriller. Good twists and gory ending.
Back Cover Blurb:
On the remote Hebridean island of Runa, a grisly discovery awaits the arrival of forensic anthropologist Dr David Hunter.
A body - almost totally incinerated but for the feet and a single hand - has been found. The local
Then an Atlantic storm descends, severing all power and contact with the mainland. And as the storm rages, the killing begins in earnest.....
Back Cover Blurb:
On the remote Hebridean island of Runa, a grisly discovery awaits the arrival of forensic anthropologist Dr David Hunter.
A body - almost totally incinerated but for the feet and a single hand - has been found. The local
Show More
police are quick to record an accidental death but Hunter's instincts say otherwise: he's convinced it's murder. In fact Runa is far from the peaceful community it first appears - and a burned corpse is only one of its dark secrets.Then an Atlantic storm descends, severing all power and contact with the mainland. And as the storm rages, the killing begins in earnest.....
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LibraryThing member Ronnyreader
Amazing read!!!
Keeps twisting to the very last page.
Mystery in a closed community.
Hope to read a lot more books by this gifted writer
Keeps twisting to the very last page.
Mystery in a closed community.
Hope to read a lot more books by this gifted writer
LibraryThing member maneekuhi
"Written in Bone" has more twists than most roller coasters. This second book in the Dr. David Hunter series is a lot more interesting and faster paced than the first. But you can't help but notice that there seem to be a fair number of pages left just as the case has wrapped up, and everyone is
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preparing to go home. Then, another twist, one that I thought was totally unnecessary and only dragged the book out. Now I was just anxious for the &*%$@# thing to end. Then it happens, the FINAL twist, perhaps the gretaest one I have ever read. I am restraining myself from rushing out and getting series book #3 Show Less
LibraryThing member Amsa1959
It really has all of my favorite ingredients for a good crime novel. A remote and isolated island, storms and bad weather, mysterious deaths and dark secrets. His best yet.
LibraryThing member edwardsgt
Unusual thriller set on fictional remote Hebridean island of Runa, where forensic anthropologist, David Hunter has been asked to investigate some bones to see if there is a suspicious death involved. His arrival precipitates several grisly deaths as the island is cut off by violent storms and he
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races to try to find out who the victim was and why they were killed. A fast paced plot which keeps you wanting to keep turning the pages, to find out who did it and why. Keeps the surprises coming up to the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member CSailin
This was the first book I read that had such, oh, how to say....gorey details in it.
It was well written, and lots of forensic information.
Good plot, Beckett is a good writer.
It was well written, and lots of forensic information.
Good plot, Beckett is a good writer.
LibraryThing member lonepalm
Forensic heaven...with a scenic setting.: "Given the right temperature, everything burns. Wood. Clothing. People.
At 250º Celsius, flesh will ignite. Skin blackens and splits. The subcutaneous fat starts to liquefy, like grease in a hot pan. Fuelled by it, the body starts to burn. Arms and legs
But bone is, quite literally, a different matter."
Beckett certainly knows how to draw the reader in from the first page.
He never reduces himself to writing gore, instead he fascinates us with fact.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting. Beckett's descriptions of the remote island and the weather conditions conjur up a wonderfully realistic image and an ideal setting for a thriller.
Throw in some red herrings and a couple of twists and he's cracked it again. Not only that but we get an excellent cliff hanger too!!
Recommended!!
At 250º Celsius, flesh will ignite. Skin blackens and splits. The subcutaneous fat starts to liquefy, like grease in a hot pan. Fuelled by it, the body starts to burn. Arms and legs
Show More
catch first, acting as kindling to the greater mass of the torso. Tendons and muscle fibres contract, causing the burning limbs to move in an obscene parody of life. Last to go are the organs. Cocooned in moistness, they often remain even after the rest of the soft tissue has been consumed. But bone is, quite literally, a different matter."
Beckett certainly knows how to draw the reader in from the first page.
He never reduces himself to writing gore, instead he fascinates us with fact.
I enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting. Beckett's descriptions of the remote island and the weather conditions conjur up a wonderfully realistic image and an ideal setting for a thriller.
Throw in some red herrings and a couple of twists and he's cracked it again. Not only that but we get an excellent cliff hanger too!!
Recommended!!
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LibraryThing member jan.fleming
“I took the skull from its evidence bag and gently set it on the stainless steel table. ‘Tell me who you are. . . .’ ” With this silent plea, forensic expert Dr. David Hunter ignites a harrowing murder investigation on a windswept Scottish island, and a tale of menace, sexuality, and
Dr. David Hunter should be in London with the woman he loves and a past he can’t quite shake off. Instead, as a favor to a beleaguered cop, Hunter travels to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides to inspect a baffling set of remains. A forensic anthropologist, he has seen bodies destroyed by all forms of violence, but even he is surprised at what he finds: human remains burned beyond recognition—all within the confines of an otherwise undamaged, unoccupied cottage. Local police want to rule the death accidental. But Hunter’s examination of the victim’s charred skull tells him that this woman, no doubt a stranger to the close-knit island of Runa, was murdered by someone nearby.
Within days, two more people are dead by fire. Hunter’s job is to coax the dead into telling their stories—but now that he’s beginning to hear them, he is staggered by the truth. Working with only the barest of clues, he peels back the layers of mysteries past and present, exposing the tangle of secrets at the heart of this strange community—from the deceptions of a wealthy couple to the bitterness of an ex-cop and the secrets of a lonely single mother—as a tale of rage and perversion comes full circle…then explodes in a series of violent acts and shocking twists.
Didn't enjoy it as much as the first book but was an entertaining read. Great descriptions of the island and the weather but a little too contrived for me.
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revenge unravels—along with the chilling message that a killer has…Dr. David Hunter should be in London with the woman he loves and a past he can’t quite shake off. Instead, as a favor to a beleaguered cop, Hunter travels to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides to inspect a baffling set of remains. A forensic anthropologist, he has seen bodies destroyed by all forms of violence, but even he is surprised at what he finds: human remains burned beyond recognition—all within the confines of an otherwise undamaged, unoccupied cottage. Local police want to rule the death accidental. But Hunter’s examination of the victim’s charred skull tells him that this woman, no doubt a stranger to the close-knit island of Runa, was murdered by someone nearby.
Within days, two more people are dead by fire. Hunter’s job is to coax the dead into telling their stories—but now that he’s beginning to hear them, he is staggered by the truth. Working with only the barest of clues, he peels back the layers of mysteries past and present, exposing the tangle of secrets at the heart of this strange community—from the deceptions of a wealthy couple to the bitterness of an ex-cop and the secrets of a lonely single mother—as a tale of rage and perversion comes full circle…then explodes in a series of violent acts and shocking twists.
Didn't enjoy it as much as the first book but was an entertaining read. Great descriptions of the island and the weather but a little too contrived for me.
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LibraryThing member MarciaWeber
I read the books, they are great.
LibraryThing member quiBee
Set 18 months after the first book, David Hunter has returned to his work as a forensic anthropologist and is sent to investigate a suspicious death on a remote Scottish island. They become completely cut off by bad weather, as other murders occur.
An interesting story with classic misdirection.
A
An interesting story with classic misdirection.
A
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bit less enjoyable than the first book, perhaps because of the nature of the resolution of the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter should be at home with the woman he loves. Instead, as a favor to an overworked police officer, he is heading to the remote Hebridean island of Runa. Hunter has witnessed death in many forms, but even he is shocked by what he finds: a body almost totally
When David finds himself cut off from the outside world, he's forced for the first time to truly rely on his survival instincts. From getting lost on the windswept plains just below the chilly peak of Bodach Runa to almost burning to death in the town's local medical center, the author does a fantastic job of bringing David Hunter to life, connecting his calm professionalism and analytically theories.
This was a great mystery and second in the series following The Chemistry of Death. I am never able to quickly guess the murderer or motive in this series because the clues are so artfully placed. I'm definitely planning to read the entire series.
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incinerated except for the feet and a single hand, untouched by fire. The local police are quick to call it an accidental death, but Hunter's instincts say otherwise. Convinced that there's a killer on the island, he soon realizes that Runa is far from the peaceful community it seems.When David finds himself cut off from the outside world, he's forced for the first time to truly rely on his survival instincts. From getting lost on the windswept plains just below the chilly peak of Bodach Runa to almost burning to death in the town's local medical center, the author does a fantastic job of bringing David Hunter to life, connecting his calm professionalism and analytically theories.
This was a great mystery and second in the series following The Chemistry of Death. I am never able to quickly guess the murderer or motive in this series because the clues are so artfully placed. I'm definitely planning to read the entire series.
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LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
4.5 Stars. An excellent read with plenty of twists and kept me trying to work out who the murderer was. Recommend to others.
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter should be at home with the woman he loves. Instead, as a favor to an overworked police officer, he is heading to the remote Hebridean island of Runa. Hunter has witnessed death in many forms, but even he is shocked by what he finds: a body almost totally
When David finds himself cut off from the outside world, he's forced for the first time to truly rely on his survival instincts. From getting lost on the windswept plains just below the chilly peak of Bodach Runa to almost burning to death in the town's local medical center, the author does a fantastic job of bringing David Hunter to life, connecting his calm professionalism and analytical theories.
This was a great mystery and second in the series following The Chemistry of Death. I am never able to quickly guess the murderer or motive in this series because the clues are so artfully placed. I'm definitely planning to read the entire series.
Show More
incinerated except for the feet and a single hand, untouched by fire. The local police are quick to call it an accidental death, but Hunter's instincts say otherwise. Convinced that there's a killer on the island, he soon realizes that Runa is far from the peaceful community it seems.When David finds himself cut off from the outside world, he's forced for the first time to truly rely on his survival instincts. From getting lost on the windswept plains just below the chilly peak of Bodach Runa to almost burning to death in the town's local medical center, the author does a fantastic job of bringing David Hunter to life, connecting his calm professionalism and analytical theories.
This was a great mystery and second in the series following The Chemistry of Death. I am never able to quickly guess the murderer or motive in this series because the clues are so artfully placed. I'm definitely planning to read the entire series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TanyaRead
Not nice people at all, nasty plot, totally unbelievable ending. It was a waste of time to read it.
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Language
ISBN
144812669X / 9781448126699