Carved in Bone                                               Publication date: February, 2006

On the campus of the University of Tennessee lies a patch of ground unlike any in the world. The "Body Farm" is a place where human corpses are left to the elements and every manner of decay is fully explored -- for the sake of science and the cause of justice. The scientist who created the Body Farm -- the very real Dr. William Bass -- has broken cold cases and revolutionized forensics, and now, in this heart-stopping novel, he spins an astonishing tale inspired by his own experiences.

A woman's corpse lies hidden in a cave in the mountains of East Tennessee. Undiscovered for years, her body has been transformed by the cave's chemistry into a near-perfect mummy -- one that discloses an explosive secret to renowned anthropologist Bill Brockton. Dr. Brockton has spent his career surrounded by death and decay at the Body Farm, but even he is baffled by this case unfolding in a unique environment where nothing is quite what it seems.

The surreal setting is Cooke County, a remote mountain community that's clannish, insular, and distrustful of outsiders. The heartbreaking discovery of the young woman's corpse reopens old wounds and rekindles feuds dating back decades. The county's powerful sheriff and his inept deputy threaten to derail Brockton's investigation altogether. So does Brockton's other nemesis: his lingering guilt over the death of his wife.

USA Today
“A unique corpse, solid science, quirky humor and a lovable protagonist.”

The Barnes & Noble Review
"The gazillions of forensic science aficionados out there -- fans of CSI, NCIS, Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, et al -- will be coming out of the woodwork for this debut novel. "

Houston Chronicle
“A superb mystery—well-plotted, filled with memorable characters, based on accurate forensic science.”

Katherine Ramsland (Associate Professor; Forensic Psychology)
"Move over, Kathy Reichs [of "Bones"]. The Sherlock Holmes for bones has arrived."

Harper Collins
"Carved in Bone is a richly atmospheric, superbly suspenseful, and magnificently rendered trip into the world of forensic science, the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, and the dark passageways of the human psyche. Full of vivid characters and startling twists and turns, this thrilling novel heralds the debut of a major new voice in crime fiction -- and an unforgettable work from the hand of a scientific legend."