Order of Jefferson Bass Books

Jefferson Bass Synopses: Carved in Bone is the first book in the Body Farm series from Jefferson Bass. Nestled within the University of Tennessee’s campus is a place like no other on Earth – the “Body Farm.” Here, human corpses are left to the elements, a macabre tableau where decay unfolds in the name of science and justice. The visionary behind this morbid experiment has shattered cold cases and revolutionized forensic science. Now, drawing inspiration from his own experiences, he weaves a gripping narrative in this riveting novel.

In the remote mountains of East Tennessee, a woman’s remains lie concealed within a cave, untouched for three decades. The cave’s unique chemistry has preserved her body as a near-perfect mummy, unveiling a startling secret that anthropologist Bill Brockton is destined to unravel. Brockton has spent his career surrounded by death and decomposition at the Body Farm, but the mysteries of this case, set within an otherworldly environment, confound even his seasoned expertise.

Cooke County, the surreal backdrop for this tale, is a secluded mountain enclave marked by insularity, deep-seated feuds, and an unwelcoming attitude towards outsiders. The discovery of the young woman’s body reopens old wounds and stirs up animosities spanning generations. The county’s formidable and obstructive sheriff, along with his bumbling deputy, stand as formidable obstacles to Brockton’s investigation. These challenges, however, are only the beginning.

Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass is book 2 in the Body Farm series. Dr. Bill Brockton, renowned for establishing the illustrious Body Farm, finds himself immersed in a troubling and complex case. The lifeless body of a young man is discovered, bearing signs of brutal violence, in the vicinity of Chattanooga. It falls to the astute Dr. Brockton to meticulously assemble the fragments of this intricate forensic puzzle. His involvement is at the behest of Jess Carter, a rising star among the state’s medical examiners.

Just as they are poised to unravel the enigma, events take a nightmarish turn. Dr. Brockton recreates the death scene in Chattanooga at the Body Farm, only to encounter a spine-chilling alteration: an additional corpse is surreptitiously introduced to the tableau. This audacious move confounds authorities, casts doubt on Brockton’s credibility, and thrusts his distinguished career and very life into jeopardy. The once-admired professor swiftly becomes a pariah, facing mounting accusations that he himself committed this heinous act.