Book excerpt: With cutting-edge forensic technology, a stunning setting, and a deepening relationship between Alexa and D.I. Bruce Horn, The Bone Riddle will delight science geeks, armchair travelers, and procedural buffs who like a little romance with their body count. Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand: On a cliff overlooking the ocean and one of the largest gannet bird colonies in the world, American CEO Harlan Quinn has built his "Plan B"—a lavish estate, complete with an underground doomsday bunker. Cleaning staff finds a body in the house. It appears the victim died of natural causes but advanced facial decomposition leaves him unidentifiable. Forensic odontologist Alexa Glock is called in to identify the body via dental records. Teeth never lie. But something odd in the deceased's mouth sets Alexa and the team on a new track—to find the murderer. As they work to narrow the suspect field, a second homicide—and a stolen cache of weapons from a locked room in the bunker—means they're deathly close to the truth. "Johnson expertly balances her lead's personal and professional lives and maintains nerve-shredding suspense throughout." — Publishers Weekly