Bokuru

By Jon C. Hall

This book was inspired by the tenacious efforts of the handful of professional field archaeologists over the last few decades in the inhospitable barrens of Africa. Their discoveries of the ancient fossil records have advanced our knowledge back millions of years. Bokuru is an archaeological mystery based in a remote region of East Africa. The story is seen through James Henderson, a young Chicago attorney, who is retained to go to Africa to investigate the mysterious death of Dr. Richard Bronston. The world famous archaeologist died at his remote excavation site. Dr. Bronston's daughter, Nancy, an executive officer at the Chicago museum, is responsible for Jim's selection to act as detective in spite of his lack of directly related experience. Neither Nancy, nor the museum staff believe Dr. Bronston committed suicide as stated on the death certificate sent from Africa. Is Jim's limited experience as an amateur archaeologist and trial preparation attorney sufficient to solve the puzzle? The museum has sponsored Dr. Bronston's excavation work and holds a million dollar life insurance policy to cover their funding. The policy excludes coverage if his death is suicide. On the way to the airport Jim learns that the cause of Dr. Bronston's death is not their only concern. Dr. Bronston told no one what he found at his excavation. The museum must decide whether Nancy Bronston should complete her father's field work, or close the field camp. Jim's assignment is suddenly expanded. He must learn what was found along the ancient bank of the Bokuru River, at the location the natives call the place of the ancient past. Jim flies to Africa where Nancy Bronston has preceded him to attend her father's funeral. He begins his African adventure unprepared for the twists and turns he will face on a journey into both modern and ancient death as well as the origins of mankind. The story ends with a surprise endin

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1418441902
• ISBN13: 9781418441906
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

enough twists, turns, surprises for the most die-hard mystery fan

When a prominent archeologist's mysterious death is quickly ruled a suicide, trial attorney and amateur archeologist Jim Henderson is hired to go to Africa and investigate. What seems to be a museum simply trying to make sure it can collect on a life insurance policy soon turns into a dangerous mystery involving missing relics, native legends, and hints at the very origins of humanity. Jon C. Hall's novel Bokuru is a well developed and researched thriller surrounding an African archeological dig. The author's attention to detail is evident from the opening paragraph: "Out on the broad African savannah, vultures pecked noisily at the remains of an abandoned kill that lay on the top of the bank of a small stream. To the south, a distant rumbling grew louder as a giant cloud of dust loomed ever closer, slowing blotting out the horizon. The vultures gave a last stab at the carcass, and then rose seeking escape on a thermal updraft." There are plenty of twists, turns, innuendos, dead ends, and surprises to keep the most die-hard mystery fan happy. The more Henderson delves into the mystery of Dr. Bronston's death and the truth behind his excavation dig discoveries, the more the reader gets pulled into a plot that grows more and more complex without growing convoluted. The one flaw in the work is in the dialogue. Though the dialogue itself is believable, the individual characters sometimes run together. With the exception of Henderson, the true voices of the various characters never really develop. This is a particular distraction with Nancy Bronston, Dr. Bronston's daughter and an executive at the museum that sponsored her father's dig. We first meet Nancy at the cemetery at her father's funeral. Her emotions seem stiff and too businesslike considering the circumstances, and I never really felt much for the character. There are also occasions in the dialogue where the author seems to more be making political points instead of moving the story forward. Fortunately, the tale itself is strong enough to keep the reader reading. Published posthumously, this would have been the author's debut novel. It is, indeed, a strong debut, and one to be proud of. Hall's sister Barbara, who worked with her brother on researching the book and served as his editor, is to be commended for insuring that readers have the opportunity to read her brother's work.