Title: Forgotten Bones
Author: Vivian Barz
First published August 1, 2019
302 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781542041645 (ISBN10: 1542041643)
Rating: 4.04
Overview
In Vivian Barz’s gripping mystery novel, Forgotten Bones, a terrible crime sets off a chain of events that blurs the lines between reality and the impossible. When a young boy’s grave is discovered in a small town, local police quickly point the finger at a nearby convicted felon.
But Officer Susan Marlan is not satisfied with the simple explanation and begins her own investigation. Meanwhile, college professor Eric Evans is experiencing vivid hallucinations of a young boy in overalls, which he believes are symptoms of his schizophrenia.
However, as more bodies are found, Eric’s visions start to resemble details of the murder case. Despite pushback from her superiors, Susan enlists Eric’s help in unraveling the case.
Together, they embark on an unorthodox approach to the investigation, uncovering unsettling evidence that challenges everything they thought they knew. With Eric’s hallucinations escalating and the body count rising, will they be able to separate fact from fiction and catch the perpetrator before it’s too late?
About the Author
Vivian Barz spent her childhood on a farm in a quaint Northern California village with fewer than three thousand inhabitants. Surrounded by fresh air and open spaces, her imagination was free to run wild, and she started writing mysteries from a young age.
She never stopped writing and went on to study English and film at the University of California, Irvine. Today, she lives on the West Coast and is constantly working on her next novel.
Editoral Review
Forgotten Bones, written by Vivian Barz and published on August 1, 2019, is a thrilling mystery novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Barz is a talented writer who is well-versed in the genre of mystery and suspense, making this book a must-read for lovers of these types of stories.
Set against the backdrop of the small town of Gideon in California, the book follows the story of a forensic reconstructionist named Elise who has just moved to the town. When she discovers a decades-old skeleton in a well, she becomes embroiled in a murder case that has been left unsolved for years.
As Elise sets out to solve the case, she encounters many twists and turns that test her skills as a forensic expert, but also her own personal beliefs. Barz has created a cast of compelling and complex characters that come to life on the page.
Elise is a strong and determined protagonist who readers will root for from the very beginning, and the supporting characters are all well-developed and add depth to the story. The setting of Gideon is atmospheric and vividly described, creating a sense of place that is essential to the story.
One of the standout features of Forgotten Bones is the way Barz intertwines the present-day narrative with flashbacks to the 1950s. These flashbacks provide a historical context to the story, but they also explore issues that are relevant to today’s society, making the book both timely and thought-provoking.
Barz’s writing is superb, with a talent for creating suspenseful scenes and pacing the story to keep readers engaged. The plot is well-constructed with plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
The themes of justice, forgiveness, and family are expertly woven throughout the story, giving it an emotional depth that elevates it beyond a typical mystery novel. However, one flaw of the book is that it can be predictable at times, and some readers may find themselves anticipating the twists before they happen.
Additionally, some of the secondary characters could have been developed more fully. Overall, Forgotten Bones is a highly enjoyable and well-crafted mystery novel that will appeal to readers of all ages.
Fans of suspenseful and atmospheric stories will not be disappointed with this book, and it is highly recommended for anyone looking for a riveting and engaging read. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
