Icy Clutches

Gideon Oliver is an osteoarchaeologist with a sideline in forensic anthropology; hence his nickname of ‘the skeleton detective’. He is frequently called in to consult on skeletal remains. Visiting Alaska with his second wife who is a National Park Ranger on a training course, he is asked to look at some skeletal remains that have been discovered at the snout of a glacier.

Some 30 years ago, 3 members of a student group had been killed when a glacier collapsed following an earthquake; some very partial remains had been discovered a few years later, but it proved impossible to ascertain who they belonged to. The new remains indicate that a murder had been committed, rather the accidental death originally assumed. The story details the show more investigation; first, ascertaining which of the missing students was murdered, secondly, ascertaining who was the murderer. Along the way, a further murder is committed, and after some twists, the murderer is brought to justice.

I do like this series; they’re entertaining reads with enough to keep me interested. The books can be read in virtually any order, although the first 2 need to be read first (Oliver meets his second wife in book 2). Mostly set in the US, they also go elsewhere - at least 3 are set in Europe, another is set in Tahiti, and another 2 in Mexico.

Recommended. show less

"Anthropology professor Gideon Oliver thought that accompanying his wife, Julie, to a forest rangers' conference in Alaska's scenic Glacier Bay would make for a restful vacation. Realistic enough, however, to know that vacations aren't always restful, Gideon did think he was far enough away from civilization to avoid university politics and the hefty egos that go along with them.

"But he hadn't counted on the presence of M. Audley Tremaine, TV's most popular science personality. The unctuous Tremaine has just completed his memoirs of a geologic expedition of thirty years earlier, when three people were killed in an avalanche -- and Tremaine himself barely escaped with his life. Now he and the other survivors -- as well as their late show more colleagues' heirs -- have gathered to review the manuscript and memorialize the victims.

"When human bones turn up at the avalanche site and the FBI quickly need expert analysis, everyone agrees how fortunate it is that famed skeleton detective Gideon Oliver is on the scene. Everyone, that is, except for the person who wants ancient history to stay that way. Everyone but the person who thinks that murder is the best way to cover up the past."
~~front flap

This one was off to a slow start, and I was beginning to get worried. The previous books had been page turners from page 1, but not this one. The book never did reach those dizzying heights, but it was good nevertheless, with his wife Julie and FBI agent John Lau joining the fun. As always, the interplay between Gideon and Julie is lovely (she's a great character!) and between Gideon and John is greatly entertaining.

The author obviously has been to this local, given the absolutely delicious descriptions of the scenery and weather. Makes me wish I could visit myself someday. show less

I like Gideon Oliver. In this book, he and his wife go to Alaska as she is participating in a conference for search and rescue. Gideon is on his own and bored. At the same location, is a meeting with a well known celebrity scientist (Tremaine) is holding court with the survivors and family members of those members who died during an expedition in Alaska who were killed in an avalanche. Tremaine was the leader of the group and survived although he was badly hurt. Fast forward 30 years and the glacier has been kicking out bones that may belong to the three young expedition members who died. Gideon is called in to try to identify the bones. Then Tremaine is killed and Gideon along with FBI Agent John Lau solves the murder and figures out show more what happened 30 years ago. I like the combination of mystery, history and science. show less

OK entry in this usually better series. Set in Alaska so at least we learn some things about glaciers

I came across the book randomly, have not read the others in the series. It was great. I will definitely look out for the other books in this series. Gideon Oliver is an anthropology professor who consults for the FBI. In this novel he examines the bones newly discovered after a 30 year old expedition met with an avalanche killing three of the four person team, or so everyone thought. A quick read.

Nice one. I remembered what he'd missed, so this time through I caught all the foreshadowing as it happened. The story was still fun though.

A pleasant little mystery.