Kathy Sullivan's case is different, however, right from the start. A professor at the local college, Kathy asks Ben to help her find a missing friend. Scott Grady, a grad student in paleontology, hasn't been seen since missing a lunch appointment with Kathy a month ago, and Kathy is worried.

After someone tries to run Kathy off the road, Ben is worried as well. As he questions the handful of people who knew Scott, it becomes more and more obvious that Scott must have been the victim of foul play. A dedicated student on his way to great accomplishments, Scott would never have walked away from his dreams.

Spending time with Kathy Sullivan shows Ben that finding her is one of the best things that ever happened to him. It also looks as if both of them will be in danger until they discover what happened to Scott – and why.

Bones is a solid mystery, well paced, with a logical bent to it. The academic background and details about "dinosaur hunting" added a great deal of interest, and Ben and Kathy are likeable characters. The small cast of characters rather limits our choices for possible villains, but nevertheless I wasn't sure until the end. Quietly enjoyable rather than wildly exciting, but well done.

--Jeri Wright