Switcheroo (A Gideon Oliver Mystery)
By: Aaron Elkins
Rating: 4 of 5
This is a series that I have read out of order over the years. I missed a few of the more recent books and so the personal life of forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver has advanced and changed a bit since the last book I read. However, I read the book for the mystery and Mr. Elkins ability to write a great and cerebral murder mystery has not changed at all. It is arguable that Mr. Elkins started the genre of forensic anthropology murder mysteries with his Gideon Oliver books.
In this story, Gideon and his wife as well as his buddy John are all on the European continent for various reasons. Gideon is invited to the Channel Islands to do cold work on a case that is more than 50 years old and accepts. Things never work out as planned but, instead, Gideon will “boldly go where the facts lead” which, in the end, surprised me a bit. I had figured out a few of the other little mysteries ahead of the characters but did not figure out the whodunnit.
I didn’t know much about the history of the Channel Islands and, because of this book, I did some research and learned quite a bit out their history. It is an interesting background to learn about in the midst of reading this book. I always enjoy a book that entertains me and prompts me to educate myself further.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher.
