The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen is one of the selected Group Reads for May/ June 2013. Enjoy.

I read this book a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I wouldn't really consider it one of the Rizzoli and Isles books because it doesn't involve the rest of the crew, but it's still a good story. I always thought I wanted to live in a time long ago, like the 1800s where most of this book takes place. However, after reading this book, I have changed my mind. It's no wonder so many people died of disease.

I'd certainly never want to be hospitalized during childbirth back then! YUCK!

(view spoiler)[ The pointless and tragic death of Norris struck me in the same way as the death of McDermott in Anita Shreve's Sea Glass, Dave in Dennis Lehane's Mystic River, Tom in Nicholas Evans's The Horse Whisperer, Jeffrey Tolliver from Karin Slaughter's "Grant County" series, etc...I could go on and on. I realize all too well that good, decent people are sometimes killed in real life, and that often their deaths don't make a whole lot of sense. When I read or listen to a book, though, I want escapism from such tragedies, and if such a death occurs in a book it had, by God, better be for "the greater good", or I'll either stop reading that author's books or, if I choose to give the author another chance, I'll start reading their books without allowing myself to get too caught up in the story or the characters involved because I'll be waiting for the anvil to drop. This, at least for me, ruins the whole point of reading a fictional story. I realize I'm in the minority, here, but as I said, it is my own personal preference. (hide spoiler)]

Jeanie wrote: "I'd certainly never want to be hospitalized during childbirth back then! YUCK!

[spoilers removed]"

I agree. I thought my husband would vomit while reading about that!

I read this year ago and i like it even though it wasnt about the Rizzoli & Iseles books. still very good book. thank god i wasnt alive durning that time

I read the Bone Garden many years ago also. Though many of the procedures then were probably state of the art, I have to agree we've come a long way. But it was still a page turner. Another good one in a gruesome way, is Harvest. Definitely worth reading. Because the author is also a physician, her books are written in a knowledgeable, clinical, but detached way that let's you know she knows what she is writing about without losing the ability to create the story. Tess Gerritsen is one of my favorite authors.

Iris wrote: "I read the Bone Garden many years ago also. Though many of the procedures then were probably state of the art, I have to agree we've come a long way. But it was still a page turner. Another good..."

She's one of my favorites, also. I, too, loved Harvest. I believe stuff like that is happening right now.

Just started...Love it so far.

I realy enjoyed this but so far haven't read any Rizzoli and Isles. Do they have to be read in order?

Jane wrote: "I realy enjoyed this but so far haven't read any Rizzoli and Isles. Do they have to be read in order?"

I think it's always best to read a series on order, but any of the books in this series you could read without having read the rest. Each one is about something completely different, except for the first two. The Bone Garden doesn't really have anything to do with the rest of the series. I'd call it a stand-alone.

I don't mind historical mysteries, but when I sit down to read a Tess Gerritsen novel, I have my mind set on a certain set of characters in a modern day setting. That is where this novel went south for me. Maura made a guest appearance and then the rest of the novel was really about life in the 1800's when the world was a less kind place, health-wise.

This is the first Tess Gerritsen novel I have read, although I've heard of Rizzoli and Isles. I like the writing and the way the plot alternates between the 2 time periods. During some of the horrid medical description, I was praying for a switch to the modern day!

Carol wrote: "This is the first Tess Gerritsen novel I have read, although I've heard of Rizzoli and Isles. I like the writing and the way the plot alternates between the 2 time periods. During some of the hor..."

Being in the medical field, I do not mind the details. However, the modern day detective work was a faster read.

I just finished this book and i loved it it was a awesome book

I finished this book last month - I enjoyed it! Lots of character descriptions and mystery.

I actually enjoyed this book a lot. It's one of my favorites I like to re-read every once in a while. I also really liked HARVEST and GRAVITY. They're my all-time favorites from Tess. What I liked so much about THE BONE GARDEN is the back and forth between two time periods - so much so that it prompted me to write a book that alternates between present day and 1905. The only reason I mention this is because as I read through the comments for THE BONE GARDEN, there seems to be a common consensus among readers and that is that readers either like a dual time period story or they don't because they find the switching back and forth to be distracting.