Great setting... ( )

I received a Reader's Digest version of this work. I liked it a lot. There is the bumbling, brilliant anthropologist with the reputation, his friend, and the usual assortment of extras. The initial murder is superb and was almost repeated later but that led to the unraveling of the whole mystery. Elkins also has added some delightful humor. I think I will seek out more of his work. ( )

Members of the du Rocher family have been "summoned" to a meeting at which it's oldest member Guillame intends to make an important announcement. But before they can all get together he is dead, accidentally drowned on the flats of Mont St. Michel, caught by the galloping tide. Guillame's nephew claims to have been in his confidence, and to know what the meeting was about, but he is an unlovely character, and at least one other has a different idea about why they have been brought together.

Then the discovery of a skeleton in the cellar of the chateau, one that has apparently been there for over 40 years, calls for the involvement of the police and a bones expert, an American who is lecturing at a forensic science conference.

This is the first in this series that I have read, and it certainly won't be the last - there are plenty to choose from.

This is a many stranded plot, lots of red herrings, with engaging and interesting characters. ( )

Gideon Oliver is lecturing on forensic anthropology at a law enforcement convention in France when he is called in by one of the participants to look at some bones recently found in the cellar of the Du Rocher home. Gideon has been there before since he's acquainted with one of the Du Rocher relatives who is also a college professor in California.

Gideon finds himself in the middle of a mystery and a family squabble for the inheritance of the recently deceased Du Rocher who found himself caught by the tides at Mont St. Michel. Events and divisions hark back to the Occupation and questions about loyalty.

History suggests that the bones belong to a German officer murdered by members of the Resistance including some Du Rochers. But Gideon isn't convinced. He has quite a different theory. More questions arise when another member of the family - a much hated one - is murdered by drinking wine laced with cyanide.

This story was written in 1987 but felt even older to me. I think it was that the plot centered on events that happened during World War II and that many of the current family were involved in those events. Also the family rivalry and sniping at one another felt old-fashioned to me. This is the fourth in the series of eighteen books and the first that I have read which means that this was my introduction to Gideon. I found him to be an interesting character and would like to read more books in the series to learn more about him.

I chose the audiobook version since it was an Audible Daily Deal and sounded interesting. I enjoyed Joel Richard's narration. The pacing was excellent and the characters were vocally distinct. ( )

History, France, Forensic Anthropology All In One Masterpiece
June 29, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Aaron Elkins delivers another stellar whodunit with twists and fascinating history and science all blended into one great read. I couldn’t put it down! It got to be 4:30 am and I finally had to put it down to sleep because I kept dropping it on my face. So I finished it AS SOON as I woke up.
Great writing, fascinating plots, lovable characters, all are here, folks. Read this book! You will not be sorry. ( )