The Bone Yard

Bass, Jefferson. The Bone Yard. New York: Harper Collins, 2011.

I'll admit it: I like forensic fiction, especially any fiction that involves bones and nerdy scientists, etc. etc. It's hard to find clean, G-rated fiction in this particular genre, though.  I have been pleasantly surprised with Jefferson Bass's novels, though.  They are interesting and mysterious and full of all kinds of scientific information and historical information, but without any unnecessary violence or sexual scenes.

This particular novel follows Dr. Brockton as he travels to Florida to consult on the case of a skull that a dog brought home to its owner.  This skull is soon followed by a second skull, then a femur.  The case leads Dr. Brockton to the North Florida Boys' Reformatory, a juvenile detention center that burned down over forty years ago.

I enjoyed following Dr. Brockton as he studied this case and discovered the answers.  I was interested to discover that much of this story was based on a true case of a Florida boys' home where kids were, unfortunately, abused and mistreated.  As we are rapidly approaching Child Abuse Awareness Month, I think this is an appropriate book for this time of year.  If you like crime fiction or forensic stories or the TV show Bones, this book might just be for you.