The Devil's Bones by Jefferson Bass is the third in his series involving forensic scientist Dr. Bill Brockton. The author has Dr. Brockton tell his story in a first-person descriptive manner; readers will feel like they are watching a movie in their mind rather than reading a book.

In this novel, as Dr. Brockton is trying to determine whether a death is accidental or a homicide, he is told his own life is in danger. Though Bill is scared, he continues on with his work trying not to think about the threat against him, but when someone close to him is hurt, his fear turns anger. The author uses a late night storm to amplify fear, not only in the character but the readers too. "Another flash split the darkness, and for a blinding moment I thought I saw a man silhouetted against the lashing rain and shuddering hedge." It was perfectly placed in the story and got the momentum going for the final chapters.

I was fascinated to find out that Jefferson Bass is an alias for two people, Dr. Bill Bass, the founder of the University of Tennessee's "Body Farm," an Anthropology Research Facility (a place where donated corpses are used for scientific study, and walking the grounds, one would come across bodies in various states of decomposition), and journalist Jon Jefferson. This writing team combines bone chilling real-life forensic knowledge into this great work of fiction.

I haven't read the two previous novels in this series, but I hope to rectify that soon. Devil's Bones is on an equal footing with my favorite novels by Patricia Cornwell. The author weaves the lives of his characters with very compelling cases, the people and situations feel very real. You come to care about what happens to Bill Brockton and his friends. With actual medical knowledge being used in the story, readers aren't just entertained, they are also being educated. There are diagrams of the skull and skeleton at the end of the book; as the story progresses and different bones are mentioned, its easy to see the exact bone or area on the body that is being discussed.

Readers will be captivated and unable to put the book down. The edge of your seat mystery, and at times terror, will leave you feeling like you are experiencing everything along with the characters. This book really delivers everything a fan of mystery and suspense seeks, and well placed lighter moments combine to make for a very entertaining read.