Island of Bones

a big thumbs up

This is the second book I have read by this author..It's definitely a must read! Louis Kincaid reminds me of James Patterson's character, Alex Cross..When you read the description on the back of a P.J.Parrish book, you think " this sounds really good", but after reading the book it's way better than how you thought could even be. All of the characters are richly detailed and so are the story lines, they keep you reading to find out more. When you think you have figured it out, think again! Parrish is defintely a new author on my favorites list.. Check this book out, and also Unquiet Graves..You won't be disappointed!!

While there is plenty of mystery, page-turning suspense and all the thriller aspects---more than anything, P.J. Parrish's "Island of Bones" is a marvelously intriguing tale peopled with powerfully motivated characters.A hurricane deposits a baby's scull at PI, Louis Kincaid's beach bungalow. Days later, a woman's body washes up nearby. Are these two related to the disappearances of seven young women from the area over a thirty-five year period?Ft. Myers Police Chief Al Horton feels Louis can be useful on the high profile case by "baby-sitting" his Chief of Detectives (Mel Landeta), who appears to be a serious burnout case.Louis's client fears her father (librarian Frank Woods) is somehow involved with the missing women. Newspaper clippings she finds in his possession and his flight appear to confirm her worries. Is he a serial killer, where are the bodies and where is Frank?Adroitly plotted, richly textured, a strong sense of place and smartly written, "Island of Bones" seizes the reader and keeps you immersed.The ending is a shocker as the past melds into the present. The journey is irresistible, compelling and rings true.Louis is a resourceful, self-reliant, persuasive lead character. As he doggedly follows the trail and clues, he learns not everyone is what they appear to be and surprising allegiances are formed."This place is built on skeletons, young man. Millions of humans, millions of sea animals, dead and gone. Florida is just one long island of bones."

This book hooks you from the first page and doesn't let you go until the very last word. Just when I thought I was ahead of Louis Kincaid in figuring out what was going on, I found out that both he and I were way off. There are no cheats in this story--the intricate and unexpected plot twists will make you feel like you're on a roller coaster, and you won't want the ride to end. I literally had to make myself put the book down occasionally so I wouldn't get to the end too soon--I wanted to savor the experience as long as I could. Island of Bones is the best mystery/thriller I've read in a very long while, perhaps the best I've ever read. Although each book in the Louis Kincaid series can stand alone (reading them in order is helpful), this is the best yet from the writing team of P.J. Parrish. I look forward to reading much more from them in years to come.

I was totally spellbound and frequently found myself racing to turn the page. The style, the mood, the setting and the extremely well-drawn characters are top rate. I swear I could smell the Gulf Coast of Florida's swamps and wanted to wipe my brow from the humidity coming right off the page. The dialogue snaps, the family secrets were fascinating and unfolded in a way that made me want to know even more. But most of all, the writing is excellent and the characters stay with you for days after. The ending is superb. Don't miss this!

I have had the pleasure of reading this book before it was available and I was blown away. From page one this book grabs you and will not let you go until the final page. The opening scene of a young woman fleeing an unknown but utterly terrifying pursuer gave me chills. I actually felt her fear and when she was shot, heard the bullet, saw her stumble and felt the rain as it dripped off her lifeless body. It just gets better from there. I actually hated the new boy on the block, Mel Landata, when he was introduced to Louis. What a pompous, self-involved idiot! Definitely hoped he would meet a very messy end. Boy was I wrong! After finding out what makes Mel tick, he became one of my favorites. Perfectly suited to be a close friend of Louis. The perilous journey to discover who the victim was brings to light numerous similiar incidents of young women who disappear -- where they are found and their ultimate condition is both a shock and a surprise. The plotting and character development is superb. The red herrings and subterfuge so convincingly laid out you don't see the trap until it's sprang. Nobody is who you think they are -- the real evil is hidden from sight until the final and explosive end. If I could give this book more then 5 stars I would. I can not recommend this book more highly nor state with more passion my belief it is a MUST for any fan of mystery/suspense novels. Keep them coming PJ! Journeys with Kincaid are always an exciting ride.