From the back cover: Some secrets just won’t stay buried. When strange bones surface on a U.S. senator’s property, the FBI enlists forensic entomologist Nick Polchak to investigate the forgotten graveyard. Polchak’s orders are simple: figure out the mess.
But Polchak, known as the “Bug Man” because of his knowledge of insects and their interaction with the dead senses darker secrets buried beneath the soil. Secrets that could derail the senator’s presidential bid. Secrets buried in the history of a quaint Virginia town. Secrets someone is willing to kill to protect. With the help of a mysterious local woman named Alena and her uncanny cadaver dogs. Polchak sets out to dig up the truth. But with a desperate killer hot on his trail, he’ll be lucky to wind up anything less than dead.
My review: Again Downs has a winner. Nick Polchak is such an endearing character – brilliant, yet sarcastic and funny. This book was a real page-turner. I could hardly put it down. I think because we are in the midst of a presidential campaign and one of the characters in the story was a presidential candidate, the story was timely and brought to mind how what you perceive to be true may not be true at all. Alena, her amazing dogs and her unconventional lifestyle truly endeared herself to me. Downs does a great job developing characters – many times they are people you “know” or would like to know. The mystery keeps you guessing right up until the end. Nick’s life is constantly in danger and he is willing to take risk after risk in pursuit of truth. There are some twists and unexpected surprises along the way and right up until the end, which of course, make me anxious for the next installment of The Bug Man. This book is clean yet contains all the elements of suspense and mystery that I love. Keep the books coming, Mr. Downs!
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January 8th, 2009 at 7:43 am
What the heck?? Where have I been? It sounds like I’ve been missing a terrific author. I’m going to have to check this guy’s books out. Thanks for the heads up!
January 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I’m with Kelly, I’ve not heard of Tim Downs, but I’ll have to keep an eye out for him now, it sounds like a fun book!
January 9th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Tim Downs is a terrific writer and to get the full benefit of this wonderful novel, a reader really should go back to the books which precede this one, albeit this one does stand alone. (In order: Shoofly Pie, Chop Shop, First . . . the Dead [my least favorite], and then this one.)
I loved this novel. One of 2008′s best. Also, for one of Tim’s other best books: Plague Maker.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Thanks Nicole. I have Plague Maker and haven’t read it yet.