The Prayer of the Bone

by Paul Bryers

Book Overview

There seemed to be no other conclusion to draw: injuries to the young woman's face appeared to be consistent only with a mauling by a bear. So why did Calhoun stay on the case as if it were a manhunt?... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582340226
• ISBN13: 9781582340227
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Excellent NewEngland Historical & Cultural Mystery!

PRAYER OF THE BONE is a really fine, well done book with a lot more thoughtfulness than your average mystery. When the body of an anthropologist is found near the remote Maine coast, we're off to find the killer. Along the way, there are nice detours through local colonial and Indian history going back to the early 1600's,vanished old settlements and very old bones, some interesting locals, all in today's world of casinos and longtime family grudges. The writing here is near perfect, as we glide through this tale. My only complaint is that I figured out the killer early in the book, and the resolution did seem a little far fetched, but that's a minor comment in a most excellent mystery, far above most in this crowded field.

The Prayer of the Bone-Almost, but not quite!

The Prayer of the Bone has a similar feel to "Snow Falling on Cedars" and also to Tony Hillerman's books. It captures your interest and maintains it, but, regretably, fails on delivering the total suspense that it merely suggests instead. The potential for a truly outstanding book are all here. I wish that someone would have proofread this and given some comments for improving a brilliant idea and very interesting possibilities. The characterizations tend to be somewhat weak at times or become entangled in a plot that perhaps was a little too overly intricate on a superficial level and not truly used to engender a real sense of dread and terror. The historical information while essential and fascinating, tended to be handled too much like a lecture. There are other ways that it could have been presented. Calhoun never fully emerged as a substantial character and the musings of all the characters sometimes seemed in the wrong place at the wrong moment! Don't misinterpret- I really enjoyed this book and read it non stop- but it could have been a top entry in the class that "Snow Falling on Cedars" occupies. Close to the feel of Hillerman's books, it lacks a depth of knowledge about the Native spirit. Occasionally, a real "Britishism" sneaks in which is jarring when not thought by the English character! BUT, It is certainly worth the read! Actually, it would be one of my top choices in books I would like to rewrite!