Body Farm Novels: Carved in Bone

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On the University of Tennessee campus lies a unique site known as the "Body Farm," where human corpses are exposed to the elements to study decay for scientific and justice purposes. The scientist behind this groundbreaking facility has transformed forensic science and solved cold cases. In this gripping novel, he draws from his experiences to tell the story of a woman's corpse hidden in a cave in East Tennessee for thirty years. The cave's chemistry has mummified her body, revealing an explosive secret to renowned anthropologist Bill Brockton. While Brockton has spent his career at the Body Farm, this case presents new challenges in a remote, insular community that is suspicious of outsiders. The discovery of the young woman's remains stirs up old wounds and long-standing feuds, complicating Brockton's investigation. He faces obstacles from the county's uncooperative sheriff, his own guilt over his wife's death, and a furious medical examiner he confronts in court. This novel offers a richly atmospheric, suspenseful journey into forensic science, set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains and the complexities of the human psyche. With vivid characters and unexpected twists, it marks the debut of a significant new voice in crime fiction and a remarkable work from a scientific legend.