Review: Cut to the Bone: A Body Farm Novel by Jefferson Bass

• Series: Body Farm Novel
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (September 24, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0062262300
• Source: Publisher

It’s the summer of 1992.  Dr. Bill Brockton is the head of the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Department.  After having his credibility tested while on the stand, Brockton is desperate to find a gauge for estimating a victim’s time of death. Therefore, he and his young assistant embark upon the most unusual of research projects: creating an outdoor “lab” facility that will allow them to study insect growth and maturity on corpses of the deceased.

Brockton’s hopes of revolutionizing forensics are thwarted when he is called in to help the police investigate a brutal killing. Its resemblance to a case he worked years ago is uncanny. When another murder with similarities to those in his past takes place, Brockton realizes that this brutal serial killer is trying to gain his attention.  Clearly he did something to infuriate this heartless killer.  Brockton must not only help identify this killer but simultaneously protect his loved ones from his potential wrath.

I was thrilled beyond belief when I learned that this dynamic writing duo was releasing the prequel to one of my all-time favorite forensic thriller series.  I have always been fascinated with the real-life “Body Farm” Dr. Bass created in 1980, so learning about the creation of the fictionalized version really had my attention. What I really appreciated about this novel was learning more about the young Dr. Brockton and his motives for his course of study.

If you (gasp!) haven’t started this series yet, this prequel is the perfect impetus to get you started! The writers have skill at relaying just enough forensic details to intrigue the reader without bogging them down with complex and technical terminology.  If you are a fan of any of the crime scene television series like CSI or Bones, I guarantee you will be a fan of this truly outstanding series!  Highly, highly recommended.