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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fast-paced with very involved characterization., 27 Feb 2006
Jonathan Nasaw’s psychological thriller ‘27 Bones’ is the third novel to involve the FBI agent and authority on serial killers, E. L. Pender (the other two being ‘The Girls He Adored’ and ‘Fear Itself’).The novel is situated on the island of Saint Luke, which is a fictional composite of three U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. From the very beginning of the novel, the reader is informed who the killers are and their particular motivation for their dreadful atrocities. Drawing similar comparisons to the real life serial killers Fred and Rose West, Nasaw’s murdering couple, the Epp’s, take part in some very unusual sexual practices. Nasaw’s characterization of these killers is superb, showing the motivation and reasons for their actions from their own viewpoint. As the novel progresses, the situation becomes more complex as a forth party to the murders (the Epps already have a helper named Benny) joins in on the bloody action to further his financial success. With the community and the police all thinking the murders are performed by a lone killer, dubbed the “Machete Man”, ex-agent Pender has to use all of his skills and knowledge to the limit to identify and catch the real killers. The novel is fast-paced, with plenty of involved characterization throughout that creates an interesting and sometimes disturbing read. The sexual side to the psychotic killers can at times be seen as shocking, but this is very necessary for the development and understanding of the characters. Nasaw’s uses layers of intertwining subplots that build up the structure for the tale from very early on in the story. With the tension building towards the dramatic conclusion, the small twists in the plot and unexpected turns of event help keep the tale alive and exciting for the reader till the very end.
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