A bit of time travel, as we switch between the 1300s and today in Avignon France, the city of the other pope, and of inquisitors and fanatics then and now. Lovelady is there excavating and researching old bones showing marks of crucifiction. Are they 2000 years old or merely 700 years old? Brockton flies to assist and together they are one step ahead of the manipulators and scoundrels. A whodunnit 700 years old, with modern forensics technique as a very important "character" in pursuit of the truth found in the bones. A thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing and somewhat scientific read!
I always enjoy the Body Farm Novels by Jefferson Bass. This book is no exception. I've grown very fond of the recurring characters and I enjoy learning interesting history or science facts while working my way through the mystery. The writers have a very comfortable feel to their writing. In this book, the main characters travel to France to investigate ancient bones found in a religious chamber and eventually get involved with the shroud of Turin. This particular version of the book also contains a nice little bonus prequel novella as well. Another great Jefferson Bass book!
Not my favorite in the series but I did read it from cover to cover.
Dr Bill Brockton is dropping off the body of a murdered DEA agent at the Body Farm when he is summoned to Avignon, France by a message that his graduate assistant has been hospitalized with a ruptured appendix. He becomes involved in examining a skeleton of a man who was crucified. I found the science and the history portrayed in the book interesting. A couple of the minor characters were almost caricatures, and I found the interspersed English and French to be somewhat annoying, e.g., "Non, non, okay, oui." The real flaw, however, was the over-the-top melodramatic ending. It's a good mystery that simply falls apart at the end.
