‘Breaking Point’ probes life, mysteries

With 'The Breaking Point,” Jefferson Bass - the pseudonym for the writing duo of Jon Jefferson and Dr. Bill Bass - has penned a satisfying mystery that also richly explores the triumphs and tragedies of its hero's life. This is the ninth book in the 'Body Farm” series (the first I have read), which stars Dr. Bill Brockton, a character fashioned after Bass.

Bass and his imaginary counterpart are both forensic anthropologists who head - in the real and fictional world, respectively - the University of Tennessee's Anthropology Research Facility, known colloquially as the Body Farm.

In 'The Breaking Point,” Brockton is pummeled by crisis after crisis, both professional and personal, until he approaches the desperation suggested by the title.

Jefferson Bass does a convincing job digging the deep hole from which Brockton must emerge. The narrative rings true because the protagonist's life doesn't simply put itself on hold so that he can have an adventure. Rather, all the randomness and surprises of real life are vividly portrayed.

Brockton's character - affable, fallible, proud, intelligent - is part of what makes this work so well. He doesn't always attend to the most important priority, isn't always brave enough to fully face a situation, and is often muddling through - just like a regular person rather than a larger-than-life figure.

His humanness is an excellent contrast to the forensic science that is central to the story. Jefferson Bass doesn't skimp on detail, but also doesn't allow the science to bog the story down. What mostly shines through is Brockton's delight at the ways in which science can be employed to solve mysteries.

The measure I often use to decide if a series mystery is successful is whether or not it makes me want to read earlier entries in the series. 'The Breaking Point” certainly does.