Without Mercy: A Body Farm Forensic Thriller – When a Serial Killer Escapes for Deadly Vengeance (Body Farm Novel)

Dr Bass and Mr Jefferson, together have created yet another excellent novel. Having read all previous "Body Farm Novels" this one was on par. The subject in line with current times in the USA and suspenseful from page one! The depths that hate goes to in the USA is horrible - the country that loves to hate for various reasons since its founding. How far these hate groups, supremest groups, separatist groups etc will go and how evil their methods. Thank you Dr Bass and Mr Jefferson for sharing this novel and exposing the horrors done by haters in the USA. I always appreciate the forensic details presented and find several characters familiar enough to shed a tear when they "die" This is an excellent story

I have read most of this series, although not always in the order of their publication, and enjoyed every one. "Enjoyed" may be a strange term about books that contain so much mayhem and horror but so much information about how horrific crimes are investigated. I had not known until the afterword of this novel that this is likely the last one so thanks to these authors for many excellent reads

Good news -- the latest novel of the Body Farm series, "Without Mercy," lives up to the high standards of its predecessors. The series, co-authored by Dr. Bill Bass and writer Jon Jefferson, recount the exploits of the (mostly) fictional head of the University of Tennessee anthropology department, forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton. Neither novel serialization nor co-authorship guarantees a good read. Co-authorship sometimes attenuates the best qualities of each writer; novels with recurring characters can tend toward repetition and short-cuts for expediency and profit. The Body Farm novels do not greatly suffer these qualitative drawbacks, but some repetition is inevitable. As the tenth book in the series, the familiarity of context does arise, but the narrative soon rises above this. Favorite aphorisms are repeated: Occam’s Razor; “shoot your way in and back out” (crime photos); the fascination with “don’t care to”; and boogie man Nick Satterfield is back. There is more overly-fanciful prose than usual: “the truck was like a four-wheel version of Charon’s boat, ferrying the dead across the river Styx…” describes Br. Brockton’s pick-up truck. We again hear about the archived boxes of Arikara Indian skeletons, as the prosaic Brockton asserts, “I could almost believe I heard the whispering spirits of the vast tribe of Arikara dead.” Fortunately, this seemingly pointless observation later develops into a deeper immersion into the complexity of ethnicity and history in a geographical region steeped in conflict, blood and hatred that has yet to find resolution. Beyond minor shortcomings, the book, like the others, is masterfully plotted and constructed, easing the reader into the vehicle of Brockton’s world and strapping you in before accelerating to gravity-escaping velocity. For an entertaining read, there is some thoughtful material here. As usual, Bass’s science and Jefferson’s literary skill combine for satisfying results. You can read up on Dr. Bass and the Anthropology Research Center (UT Body Farm in Knoxville), but suffice it to say he is the real life precursor to the Cornwell and Reichs books. The science and procedural aspects of the story are meticulously researched (who knew what a “lead smear” was?). "Without Mercy” takes us through the interplay of academic anthropology; collaboration and friction between the FBI, TBI, local law enforcement and collegial relationships; the odd configuration of Brockton's offices underneath Neyland Stadium on the Tennessee River; the delight of growing older and incipient obsolescence; loneliness; Knoxville's favorite suicide spot; and a disturbing explication of the moral insanity of organized racial hatred. Though recommended, you have to wonder if this is the final book of the series. As the good doctor remarks, “I had so many ghosts floating around in my head by now; every new case seemed to remind me of an old case, or two or three or five old cases…”

I have actually Bern rereading this series from The first book.Jefferson Bass certainly knows how to keep a story going. Love this series, and hope for more! Characters are so true to life, and the "bad guys" are too!

Each work by Dr. Bass and Jeff David are a can't put down book. Dr. Bass's writing is as if you were sitting and talking to him--very personal. He is a writer of feeling, intelligence, humor, and one who shares his vast knowledge of his profession. Having had him as my professor at the University of Tennessee, he teaches as he writes. He captures his students attention in each lecture and involves them in a way that makes them want to be there. Can't wait for the next one.

Hate Crime & Serial Killers. Who they take & their twisted reasons. This is book is just that and so much more. Gives a great example of a hate crime and possibly why. Or the excuse there as. Couldn't put this book down, the characters are friends, family & coworkers... of yours. You feel it in every page. You become to know, go through this tragedy with them. If you have never read a Jefferson Bass book your missing out. This partnership is Golden

Science balanced perfectly with action. Trust me there are ugly things that must be said in this story. Tough to read and tough to write.

I have read all of the series and I hope it does not stop at the last one. I have enjoyed every book and hope to read some more of Dr Bill Brockton and his adventures. They have been funny and some were sad but very captivating. They can be very in-depth but I would recommend them to anyone.

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Very pleased to read another new Body Farm book, really enjoyed this but IMO a little bit too much science, and I say this as someone who did work years ago in the medical profession. Like others I also agree a little less of the political stuff but I suppose it adds to the overall story. A great read again.

I thoroughly enjoy the Jefferson Bass books - this is number 8 for me. It's also in my opinion, one of his best yet (yes, I know there are actually two authors). It has the usual edge-of-your-seat suspense and well-drawn, likable characters, but this one is also very realistic, i.e. "without mercy."

One of the best authors out there. Love these books, an awesome story to follow through out but I guess can be read as stand alone books but they leave you wanting more.

really enjoyed this book and the others written by this author would recomend