Rating: 
Summary: Nothing gripping about it
Review: I was attracted to this novel because of the great reviews it received and because it was suggested in one review that the book "attains the level of a Thomas Harris". I found the book superficial in its character development (espcially that of the serial killer, which I would consider essential for a book about a serial killer!), weak in its plot (not much really happens), and thorougly uninteresting. The only reason I stayed with it and read it to its ending was that I kept expecting it to get better, which it didn't. As far as this genre is concerned, Jan Burke misses the mark completely. I think I'll stick to writers of the caliber of a Thomas Harris.
Rating: 
Summary: I'M SHOCKED. GOOD WRITING JAN!
Review: "Bones" was my second novel that I have read by Jan Burke. The first one was called "Liar." I absolutely hated "Liar!" It was so slow. The main character, Irene Kelly, was a sap to read about. The mystery was just sooo ridiculous and I had to put it down after page 200. "Bones" is much, much different. It is a fascinating novel of suspense and Irene Kelly has turned into a Dr. Temperance Brennan (Kathy Reichs) or Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) character. The whole beginning of "Bones" kept the readers on the edge of their seat on the wild ride with a serial killer through the Sierra Nevadas and into the city of Las Piernas. The climax and ending were both exhilirating and suspenseful! If you were like me and did not any of Jan Burke's older novels, then try "Bones" and "Flight" because that is where Jan Burke shines.
Rating: 
Summary: Bones
Review: Bones is a gripping noval, Jan Burke takes you though the horrorifing mind of Nick Parrish and the sheer terror that Irene Kelly goes through in the mountains of Nevada. Armed with only a dog and knife, you will follow Irene as she tries to escape.
Rating:
Summary: Life's Never Dull With Irene Around
Review: A fast-paced start to this novel takes us into the Sierras searching for corpses using a cadaver dog and anthropologists. We learn a great deal about techniques used in searching for bodies, a skill I'm not expecting to need, but interesting nonetheless. Following a daring escape by the serial killer responsible for those corpses, the story goes into simmer-mode. Tension builds as the killer begins to let Irene know that she's in his sights. The big questions are, when will the killer strike, and how?If you've followed Irene Kelly up to this point, I'm sure you'll enjoy reading her latest adventure. If you're meeting her for the first time, hold on tight because life with Irene is anything but boring.
Rating:
Summary: Great Escape Page turner
Review: I'm a fan of serial killer books, but have lately grown weary of the mostly formulaic and overly grizly books in this area. This one is different, with compelling story, no dwelling on grizly details, unusual locations and engaging characters. Ms. Burke's writing style is very easy to read, and she has an unerring ear for dialogue. I found no false notes in this book, but I also don't demand "fine" literature in these kinds of books --just a few hours of engrossing story. I couldn't diagree more with those who have given this just one star. I highly recommend it if your expectations are in line with what is delivered. This was my first experience with this author but I'm now going to search out more of her work.
Rating:
Summary: Even the dogs were boring
Review: I bought this (fortunately in paperback) because the reviews indicated the author had finally broken out of her narrow genre. I dropped it after 100 pages, partly because I kept falling asleep, partly because the writing was wooden and so were the characters. Even the dogs were boring. This won an Edgar over River of Darkness and In a Dry Season? Who votes?
Rating: 
Summary: Winner of the Edgar Award?
Review: Excellent plotting and convincing forensic data can't offset the wooden characters, lumbering pace, worn literary cliches and unremarkable writing I found in this Edgar Award Winner. I was so disappointed I may never take the Edgar Awards seriously again. As a great fan of Dennis Lehane, Lisa Scottoline, Patrricia Cornwell and other fine suspense writers, I think there are many competing titles on the market that are far, far better. Try Lehane's MYSTIC RIVER and see what I mean.
Rating:
Summary: Boring Bones 2
Review: I have to agree with the "Boring Bones" review. What a silly book. How it could earn an Edgar Award is beyond comprehension. The start was interesting but it soon became so unplausible that I had to force myself to finish. In a word.........insipid. JC
Rating:
Summary: Irene's Back and Better than Ever.....
Review: Julia Sayre went missing four years ago. She went to the mall to buy a slip and was never seen nor heard from again. Irene Kelly, crime reporter for the Las Piernas Express wrote the original missing person stories and has kept in touch with the family, over the years, especially with Julia's teenage daughter, Gillian. Now there finally seems to be a break in the case. Nicholas Parrish, a sadistic serial murderer claims to know where the body of Julia Sayre is buried and will lead police there if the death penalty for his crimes is taken off the table. The D.A. makes the deal and a large contingent of police, forensic specials and other needed personnel, including one representative from the press, Irene, hike into the Sierras with a heavily guarded Parrish to find the body. But once isolated in the mountains, everything that can go wrong, does and Parrish escapes, leaving a trail of murder, mayhem and carnage in his wake. Now, with Parrish at large, Irene is looking over her shoulder knowing that she may be his next victim...... Jan Burke has done it again, written a terrific mystery/thriller that grabs you from page one, puts you on the edge of your seat and keeps your heart pounding to the very last page of the book. Her writing is crisp and smart. The plot, tight and compelling is plausible, realistic and full of vivid and riveting scenes. And, her characters are so well drawn, they come alive on the page. Bones, is the latest addition to a great series that just gets better and better. If you're new to Ms Burke's, Irene Kelly and gang, start at the beginning with Goodnight Irene and read them all. If you're already a fan, you definitely won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Boring Bones
Review: If ever a mystery deserved not to win a coveted Edgar award, Bones is it.I can't imagine what the judges were thinking. After a good start, Burke runs out of steam and ideas well before she's half-way through this mystery. The final 200 pages or so are sloppy, padded, and meander endlessly, crying out for a good editor - do publishers even spend money on them these days? Bones is also marred by numerous wildly improbable events. For example, a reporter who know that she's being stalked by a deranged serial killer/mass murderer, accepts an assignment to work the midnight shift at her newspaper with hardly a word of protest by her or her police Lt. husband. Well, Duh! The serial killer/mass murder, who has killed police officers and also kidnapped and killed victims in a number of states, seems to only have a couple of cops in one city looking for him - there's absolutely no indication of F.B.I. involvement, a nation-wide manhunt, etc. Several obvious potential victims of the revenge seeking serial killer have no police protection or police stakeouts of their homes.Duh once again! Finally, you know you're in trouble when the most well-developed and interesting character in the book is a dog.
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