Edgar Award-winning series: On a trip to Glacier Bay, Alaska, the Skeleton Detective pursues a cold-hearted killer who buries evidence in an avalanche. Gideon Oliver expects to be amicably bored when he takes on the role of “accompanying spouse” at a lodge in the magnificent wild country of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where his forest ranger wife, Julie, is attending a conference. But it turns out to … But it turns out to be exactly his cup of tea. There is another group at the lodge: six scientists on a memorial journey to the site of a thirty‑year‑old glacial avalanche that killed three of their colleagues. Their leader is TV’s most popular science personality, the unctuous M. Audley Tremaine, who is the sole survivor of the fatal avalanche. But he does not survive long and is soon found hanged in his room. If that is not upsetting enough, shocked hikers discover human bones emerging from the foot of the glacier–are they the shattered remains of the three who died, finally seeing daylight after their two‑mile, three‑decade journey within the glacial flow?
When the FBI seeks expert help, everyone agrees how fortunate it is that Dr. Oliver, the famed Skeleton Detective, is on the scene. Everybody, that is, but the person who wants ancient history to stay that way–and who believes that murder is the surest way to keep the past buried.
Icy Clutches is the 6th book in the Gideon Oliver Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
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interesting about forensics and Alaska icebergs
The plot is interesting and realistic. Really enjoyed the forensics.
This mystery is an enjoyable read. It was easy to read with interesting characters.
fairly unlikely but worth a read
Enjoyed the writing. I appreciated the detailed descriptions of characters and setting. Engaging and entertaining. I’m going to read the rest of the series.
Gideon goes with his wife while she trains. Then, bones are found and he is asked to help sleuth out what happened on the mountain, after a tragedy happened. This is a great read you can’t put down. I love this series!
Loved learning about this part of Alaska I had not seen, and learning more about the mysteries that are glaciers
I really enjoy this entire series
Reading Aaron Elkins is a lot like listening to your grandfather. Pleasant, comfortable, not terribly exciting, and you always end up learning something. The setting of Icy Clutches made it a tad more interesting than his usual fare, but this is still his usual fare. And that’s fine.
Can’t go wrong with any book in this series! All are interesting & entertaining.
Improbable tale. However great descriptions of Glacier Bay and envirions.
I had trouble putting it down. It’s a good read.
It was one of those books I just couldn’t get into.
Up to the author’s standard and well worth reading.
great mystery, good charters, enjoyable to read
I love all these books – they are interesting and informative – and a good mystery!
Parts of the book show a heavy-handed omniscient narrator. The ending is not really a denouement.
Fast read that takes place in an interesting area in Alaska. I liked that it was set in a glacial area.
I love all his books.
I have read and reread all of the books in this series many times in paperback. So glad I downloaded the Kindle edition and Revisited a favorite series. I enjoy forensic anthropology and the series does not disappoint. The dialogue of the characters is always delightful and whimsical.
Any of Aaron Elkins’ books that feature Gideon Oliver are always a great read.