The Calling of the Grave

Forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter joins a team searching for victims' remains on Dartmoor, working to locate bodies buried by convicted killer Jerome Monk. The investigation takes place before the tragic loss of Hunter's wife and daughter, offering insight into his earlier career and personal life. Eight years after Monk's initial capture and imprisonment, he escapes from Dartmoor Prison and begins targeting the original investigation team members. Hunter must return to the atmospheric and dangerous terrain of Dartmoor, where the original case began. This fourth installment in Simon Beckett's Dr. David Hunter series combines forensic detail with the stark landscape of Dartmoor. The narrative alternates between past and present, connecting two timelines of the same case. The novel explores themes of justice, revenge, and the lasting impact of violent crimes on both survivors and investigators. Through Hunter's experience, the story examines how past decisions can resurface with devastating consequences.

Readers found this fourth David Hunter novel slower-paced than previous books in the series, with more focus on personal relationships and past events rather than forensics. Readers appreciated: - The complex plot twists near the end - Authentic details about forensic procedures - Character development showing Hunter's emotional side - The atmospheric Dartmoor setting Common criticisms: - Too much backstory and relationship drama - Less forensic science content than other books in the series - Pacing issues in the first half - Some found the ending predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) Multiple readers noted they missed the detailed forensic elements that drew them to earlier books. As one Amazon reviewer stated: "The forensics took a backseat to relationship drama this time around. Not what I expected from a David Hunter novel."

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Still Life With Crows by Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston FBI Special Agent Pendergast investigates ritualistic murders in a Kansas town where the victims' bodies are arranged in grotesque displays.

The Chemistry of Death by Simon Beckett A forensic anthropologist in rural England becomes entangled in a murder investigation when decomposed bodies start appearing in the countryside.

Bones of Betrayal by Jefferson Bass A forensic anthropologist examines a frozen corpse containing deadly radioactive material tied to Cold War secrets.

Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan unravels a complex case involving misidentified remains and Vietnam War casualties.

🔍 Dartmoor, the setting of the novel, is one of Britain's oldest National Parks, established in 1951, and is known for its treacherous bogs that have claimed numerous lives throughout history. 🔬 The author Simon Beckett was inspired to write forensic thrillers after visiting the Body Farm in Tennessee, where scientists study human decomposition in various conditions. ⚖️ The character of Jerome Monk is partly inspired by real-life serial killers who have led authorities to victim burial sites, such as Fred West and Jeffrey Dahmer. 📚 This book is the fourth installment in the David Hunter series but serves as a prequel, showing events that occurred before the first book, "The Chemistry of Death." 🌫️ The fog and mist of Dartmoor have been featured in numerous classic works of literature, most famously in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles."