Burnt Bones

Burnt Bones, the seventh entry into bestselling author Michael Slade's superb Special X series, is a little bit different and a whole lot of fun. A new villain has set his sights on Robert DeClercq, the head of Special X, and now the cop must match wits with the crazy before his maniacal machinations can come to fruition and endanger us all. Burnt Bones is a thrill ride where every turn threatens to throw you from the car and leaves you breathlessly asking: "how does Slade keep doing it?" the answer is: He is just that good! Michael Slade has, again, delivered an unstoppable work of fiction that begs to be read and read again! Burnt Bones will leap from the pages and keep you coming back for more.

This entry into the Special X universe is without a doubt my favorite, a book that features not only the introduction of a great villain, but a fun story that is hard to put down. Memorable characters and page-turning suspense are just the tip of the iceberg with Burnt Bones; in true Michael Slade fashion, history weaves with modern day psychos to tell a creepy tale of obsession and desire - and provide the reader with an exciting rollercoaster of a conclusion at the same time. While not the most forensics-oriented book of the series (remember that Michael Slade and his band of fictional Canadian Mounties were doing the crime scene thing long before CSI or its television clones came along), it is certainly the most fun. So grab a cup of tea and a comfortable chair, and enjoy the fun of Burnt Bones.

This book is great. The whole list of Michael Slade novels mark a singular departure from the formulaic constructs of police proceedurals and thrillers. Slade provides a depth of information and background in this and all his novels well beyond anything else in the genre. Not only would I reccomend Burnt Bones but all the Slade novels. "Delicate Flowers" need not apply. This is really intense stuff.

I don't understand buying books by an author knowing it is gonna be rich in historical background. The readers who say it's bogged down apparently haven't read his other books...they are all like this. This one is great becuse of the historical teachings of Roman, Druidism, Stonehenge and Celtic myths and legends. To be able to tie that aincient history into what is going on in the present is a talent most can't pull off...but Slade does. It's got gore but more importantly the characters are real, the situations are realistic and the conclusion reached, while not 100% completed, makes sense. Slade's Special X series is one of the best out there. I mean, you ever hear of the new science called geoprofiling? I hadn't but now will be looking to study up on it. If yu like serial killer books with an intelligent twist, Slade is for you. I recommend reading all the other Slade books first to understand, more fully, the history of the Specail X division and its players. You can, however, read this book asd a stand alone and not miss anything too integral. A great novel and I look forward to the next one.

Classic Slade. The only problem with Slade is he can't write fast enough. I liked the combination of crime, history, RCMP stuff, and of course the twisted horror/suspense/mystery tale Slade writes. Not for the faint of heart.