The Bone Garden (2007) by Tess Gerritsen is a historical dual timeline mystery. And the novel begins in present day Weston, MA when we are introduced to Julia Hamill. Julia is recently divorced and somewhat lost as to how to proceed with her life. She has bought an old home that she is repairing and while trying to plant a garden she uncovers the skeletal remains of a woman buried on her property a very long time ago. The woman was murdered but her remains date back to the early 19th century and so the police close the case. But Julia maybe as a way to escape from her current anxieties decides to investigate.
We then go back to Weston, MA 1830 (where most of the book will take place) and we meet Norris Marshall a medical student. Norris is conscientious and very smart. He attends Boston Medical College. But to be able to afford medical school like many other young men of that time he works as a "resurectionist", someone who steals dead bodies which are sold on a black market to medical schools.
And then a nurse is found brutally murdered and within a few days another nurse and then a doctor is murdered in the same gruesome way. The newspapers are calling the killer The West End Reaper and before long Norris is the prime suspect. But Norris is innocent and a young seamstress Rose Connolly knows this because she was there the night both she and Norris caught a shadowy glimpse of the killer fleeing the scene of the crime. Norris and Rose must work together to find out who the killer is because both of their lives are at stake.
The Bone Garden also includes a real life historical figure, Oliver Wendall Holmes, Sr. who would later go on to great acclaim after discovering a medical breakthrough that would save many lives. He is also the father of Oliver Wendall Holmes Jr who would later become a Supreme Court Justice.
But mainly this novel is about the fictional Norris Marshall and Rose Connolly. They meet under less than ideal circumstances but Gerritsen creates a real chemistry between Norris and Rose. And though the book is long, 500 pages, I read it in 4 days and enjoyed it a great deal. One thing to keep in mind the book is graphic in describing autopsies. But if you don't mind some blood and guts I heartily recommend The Bone Garden.
I'm always curious why an author feels a need for a present-day timeline like Julia's when the majority of the book takes place in the past. Why not just set the whole thing there?
ReplyDeleteI agree and in The Bone Garden the 1830 part of the novel is the much stronger part. I was not that interested in the present day timeline.
DeleteDespite the blood and guts, this sounds good. I do like dual timeline stories, and I like stuff set in New England, and medical-based stories are always fascinating. I just requested another Gerritsen from the library, so I will probably get this one next. 500 pages--that's almost a short book! Just kidding :)
ReplyDeleteIt's my first time reading Tess Gerritsen and it was a good experience. And 1830 Massachusetts wax an exciting time. Reading up on Oliver Wendall Holmes Sr I found that he was a friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
DeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteWow 4 days is quick for 500 pages! Nice going Kathy. Norris is a dead body stealer ? Huh what a different protagonist. No wonder he needs to find the real killer quickly. I like that Oliver Wendall Holmes Sr. is included. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteNorris is more involved in the transporting of the dead bodies which he hates to do and doesn't do that often. But it's not a heroic occupation for sure. But despite this Norris is a good character and concerned about his patients. Oliver Wendall Holmes was a remarkable man who saved many lives by campaigning for the idea that doctors in hospitals need to wash their hands before going on to examine the next patient.
DeleteI have enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles series, I have read about 5 of that series. I remember seeing reviews of The Bone Garden when it came out, but I never read it. It sounds interesting, and I will see if I can find a copy. I agree, I don't see a reason that this one should have a dual timeline, but it probably would be good anyway.
ReplyDeleteI would like to check out Rizzoli and Isles. I watched a few episodes of the TV series. I almost didn't read The Bone Garden because PW gave it a so/so review but I liked it. It is graphic though when it comes to the autopsies.But it's a very romantic novel and Norris and Rose have real chemistry.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say that autopsies in print don't usually bother me, and they probably happen a good bit in the Rizzoli and Isles series too. Since Maura Isles is a medical examiner. But it has been a while since I read that series; I need to get back to it.
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