BoneMan’s Daughters

Reviewed by Symon: 8 out of 10.

A Texas serial killer called BoneMan is on the loose, choosing young girls as his prey, His signature: myriad broken bones that torture and kill – but never puncture. Military intelligence officer Ryan Evans is married to his work; so much so that his wife and daughter have written him out of their lives. Sent to Fallujah and captured by insurgents, he is asked to kill children not unlike his own. The method: a meticulous, excruciating death by broken bones that his captor has forced him to learn.

This would have to be the most anticipated book I have read. Thanks to fellow flannel friend Jon Dylan (who bought it while on hol in the US) I was able to read it before it’s release here in NZ.

Returning home after the ordeal, a new crisis awaits. A serial killer is on the loose, and his method of killing is the same. Ryan becomes a prime suspect, which isn’t even the worst of his problems: Ryan’s daughter is BoneMan’s latest desire.

Did the book live up to the anticipation? Close but… no. I’ll begin with the negatives.

• The book starts off well enough with a heart-pounding scene reminiscent of the feelings conjured by Dekker’s opening in Saint. Disappointingly the excitement stops abruptly and unfortunately remains in ‘PARK’ for approximately half the book. Not the Dekker writing I know and love.
• Very fortunately, the last half of the book is worth the slow meander through the first-half but once again the story comes to an abrupt end. I was left with an “is that it?” feeling.
• Dekker has begun to use some language which I question. I usually enjoy his pushing-the-envelope-of-Christian-fiction stance but I don’t think God’s name is a gray area.

Now to the story and redeeming qualities…

• Dekker is a genius. I really don’t know how he manages to conjure up such amazing stories with such amazing spiritual parallels at least twice a year. The only air-tight explanation in three words: gift from God. The story behind this story (the Father’s love) and how the two entwine is really quite incredible.
• BoneMan’s Daughters makes you really (and I mean really) appreciate your children. The video clip below makes you understand why the protagonist’s anguish seems so real.
• The story’s twists are very unpredictable (in the second half anyway), and at times I wondered just how far Dekker was going to take certain situations. I have never, and will never see any of the infamous ‘Saw’ movies, but scenes in this book reminded me of the trailers.

Not one of my favourite Dekker novels but original, fresh, and well worth the read, although not recommended for anyone under 16, anyone who is sensitive or squeamish (Kristy), or anyone who isn’t too fond of Dekker’s writing (Les).

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Related Reviews

• Breach of Promise by Rachel Kate on March 25, 2009
• Showdown by Stephen on January 10, 2009
• Sinner by Symon on January 7, 2009
• Saint by Stephen on February 12, 2009
• Across the China Sky by Rachel Kate on July 21, 2009
• The Martyr’s Song by Symon on December 10, 2009
• Adam by Symon on January 22, 2009