In anticipation of the March 27, 2012 paperback release of The Bone Yard, Mr. Bones is giving away signed copies of the novel. To make this fun instead of dangerous, I'm suggesting that we all set aside our six-shooters and draw from a different sort of holster, the holster of memory.
The rules of the showdown are simple. This is your chance to become the storyteller at the side of our virtual campfire. What do I mean? In the COMMENTS section of this blog entry, I want you to let loose and draw from your holster of memory. Tell us a story.
Here are examples of what will qualify you as an entrant to the giveaway contest: 1.) Share your favorite book in the Body Farm series and explain why. 2.) Tell us about an encounter with Jefferson Bass, whether at a signing or somewhere else. 3.) Post a photo of yourself with Jefferson Bass, or of you holding a Body Farm novel, on our Facebook page so we can proudly display it. 4.) Get creative and surprise us: fan fiction, anyone? 5.) Tell us anything you'd want to tell us if we were standing before you in a dusty Wild West street at high noon. . . and you were down to your last bullet.
Do we have an understanding? Don't forget to sign your comment with your name so that your name is entered into the contest! Then -- write an e-mail (with your name) to JeffersonBassBookGiveaway@hotmail.com to let us know that you should WIN!
By sundown on Sunday (3/25/2012), the winner'll be the last one standing. Now: turn on your heel and walk fifteen paces. Ready? Set. . . Draw!
How about a family anecdote? My mom and I love to read mysteries. Mom introduced me to the Body Farm books- and the Body Farm itself! During the eighties, Mom,(as an Intensive Care Nurse) worked the 3-11 shift at UT Medical Center. I asked her if it bothered her to walk out to her car late at night, parked down by the fence between the Medical Center and The Body Farm, and she said no- she was more worried about the living, not the dead. She didn't mind parking her car there because that was very rare that anyone ever messed with any of the cars parked in that area of the parking lot. She was just fascinated by the research going on there.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Knoxville, she was the first to discover the Body Farm Books. Last year, I returned the favor by taking my mom, (along with my daughter) to Killer Nashville (Mystery Literary Convention) where Dr. Bass gave a very interesting talk, complete with bones! We are three generations of Body Farm Fans.
Great story! I love the line "she was more worried about the living, not the dead"!
DeleteMy favorite book -so far- has definetely been The Bone Thief. This novel hit a little close to home to me, as my grandmother was a victim (if you can say that) of having her body "harvested" after death for black market parts.
ReplyDeleteAll of the Jefferson Bass books are great reads, though, and I am always on the edge anxiously awaiting the next new novel.
Vanessa Jones
So sorry about your grandmother's body being desecrated, Vanessa. We try, in every book, to shed some light on an issue or problem, and that's one that few people are aware of.
DeleteI don't think that I can pick a favorite Body Farm Book! I appreciate how each story is unique, you stay true to scientific principles, and your characters feel like old friends.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your books since Death's Acre was published. In fact, I worked for Barnes and Noble for many years and I made Death's Acre my staff pick. I hand-sold so many copies of the books that the model (number we always keep on hand) was raised to 4!
I had an opportunity to meet "Jefferson Bass" at a book signing in Scottsdale, AZ at the Poisoned Pen. I majored in Physical Anthro and my professor, Dr. Laura Fulginiti, told us that Jon Jefferson and Dr. Bill Bass were going to be signing books that night. I immediately ran home, grabbed my copy of the Carved in Bone, and drove out to Scottsdale. The signing was one of the highlights of my college career!
Thanks for everything you guys do...keep writing great books!
Jen Duncan
Thanks, Jen! Are you in/near Phoenix still? I'll be back at the Poisoned Pen again on May 9, and Dr. Bass will get join us by Skype. Hope to see you there; bring Dr. Fulginiti, plus a zillion of her students! - Jon
DeleteJon, I am actually in Austin now. Are you guys headed out to Texas at all? I would love to round up a group of Jefferson Bass groupies!
DeleteI don't think we're currently scheduled to visit Austin anytime soon; wish we were -- what a great city!
DeleteAs a UTK graduate and a former East Tennessean, I still cannot believe I haven't had the opportunity to meet Dr. Bass and Mr. Jefferson. I hope to one day have that honor. I still remember taking my Cultural Anthropology final "under" the stadium and hoping to see him. The exhibit at McClung Museum a few years ago was excellent, by the way.
ReplyDeleteI have two favorite books: Death's Acre and Bones of Betrayal. I appreciate Death's Acre for the fascinating look into Dr. Bass's actual cases and his honest commentary. Bones of Betrayal is a favorite because I have family from Oak Ridge and spent a lot of time visiting and living there. As I read the book, I could picture all of the landmarks in my head. Brilliant use of the Alexander Inn! I've always been curious to have a glimpse inside. Many memories stirred by reading the book and I was glued to the pages.
Thank you for your wonderful and engaging books. Those of us who love a good mystery and are fascinated with forensic anthropology couldn't ask for better reading!
Marla Atkins
Atlanta, GA
Thanks, Marla! We'll be doing a couple of events in the Atlanta area in May. We'll be at one of our favorite indie bookstores, Foxtale Books (in Woodstock), the evening of Thursday, May 10, and -- I THINK -- a lunchtime event on Friday, May 11 (details TBD). Stay tuned for more details; hope to see you in May! Thanks, Jon
DeleteP.S. I lived in Oak Ridge for years; I adored the Alexander Inn, and it's been heartbreaking to see that historic landmark -- which played host to Manhattan Project leaders like Robert Oppenheimer and General Groves -- crumble beyond saving.
I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in a class at the NCCAT-North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee, NC. that was led by Dr. Bass. I have several photos that were taken during the class that I will share with you on the facebook site.
ReplyDeleteI have read his book Death's Acre and all of the released paperbacks of the Jefferson Bass books. I would never be able to decide which is my favorite book. I make sure I have several hours of uninterrupted time before I begin one of the novels because I know that I will lose track of time. Never interrupt me when I am reading a book by Jefferson Bass. Bring on the books....more more more....
It is hard for me to choose my favorite one, they are all equally good and always look forward to the next book. I love the books, i respect the job you guys do in helping crimes getting solved. I even want to donate my body when i pass but i am canadian. I have first been introduced by the body farm by the well known and amazinauthor and woman, patricia cornwell. Learned from her website the books sbe was suggesting and bought my first jefferson bass book and couldnt put it down. Have been hooked ever since
ReplyDeleteTina Bates
Montreal, Canada
While on a business trip with a co-worker, I was readng "Carved in Bone". I told her about the collaboration between Dr. Bass and Jon Jefferson to write fiction novels based on true events. Being an E. TN girl, she knew about Dr. Bass and the Body Farm. I told her I would lend her the book when I finished upon the condition she return it to me since it was signed by Dr B and Jon. She was reluctant, but I insisted. A few months later, her house was completely destroyed by fire and she was so upset that she had not returned the book. I told her I wasn't worried or upset about the book, she had lost almost everything and I could replace the book, she needed to concentrate on replacing the important things. I bought a new book with the intention of getting it signed. As the years past, we worked at different places, but always kept in touch. Last summer, she and I became co-workers again, and for my birthday she handed me a gift bag and said her husband and daughters thought it was a 'tacky' gift but she was giving it to me anyway. When I opened the bag, there was the book that we both thought had been destroyed by the fire! It had minor smoke damage, but was otherwise intact. It turns out that she had put the book in an old oak bookcase with doors for safe keeping and the bookcase was one of few things they were able to salvage. Because oak burns slowly, the things inside the bookcase were not destroyed by the fire. It was one of the best birthday gifts I ever received! Now I say the title of the book is "Carved in Bone and Saved from Fire"!
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Phyllis -- and it makes you the contest winner! Congratulations, pardner ... and thanks for sharing!
DeleteJon