Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy & Reality - There is plenty of both
Review: The story line of this book was too weak and far-fetched to enthrall me, as it should have. With several of the main characters having names such as Jupiter, Andromeda, Pluto, and Venus it was hard to believe. OK, these people belonged to a powerful, evil, cult, which required them to forget their pasts and isolate themselves from the real world. One way to do this was to adopt astrological names. Even so, when the leader of the cult was formerly a top scientist in the USA and renowned around the world for his advances in scientific research, it was hard to accept the circumstances, which lead him to set up this loony group. Apparently vanishing from the face of the earth for 15 years, but actually dropping out of society, and living in a home for the insane with his wife's financial aid gave him that opportunity. He emerges with a new name and a group of devoted followers living in a Fort Knox like building and compound. But it would appear that not all of his followers are that devoted. The story opens with his death under mysterious circumstances. Appearing on the surface to be an everyday suicide after imbibing a bottle of vodka and swallowing a few tablets, there is a strong suspicion that foul play was involved. Now the story line developed around our hero, Lieutenant Peter Decker, ("Loo"), provided a firm grounding with reality throughout the long book. He tries his hardest to cope with days on end at work, without sleep, under the glare of the media and the pressure from his police and political bosses, whilst maintaining a loving marriage. This struggle, of trying to be normal and sane and responsible for his headstrong adolescent kids was more than realistic. A mixed marriage to a strictly Jewish widow coming with a ready-made family of teens is reality itself. So, as the plot develops, the suicide/murder leads into a series of worsening events. The cult members not only won't co-operate with police investigations, they actively hamper them. The murders and violence escalate. However, for me, it was too fantasy like to be plausible and the tension that was clearly supposed to be developing just didn't happen. If you enjoy science fiction and fantasy this book is for you, but in my judgement two stars is the best I can offer.
Rating: 
Summary: Way too sick and twisted
Review: I usually like Faye Kellerman's books and am fan of mysteries. This book is just too twisted. It's awful. She introduces child abuse of recurring characters that supposedly happened several books ago and has nothing to do with the plot of this book; total dismemberment of a body; graphic description of cutting the heads off chickens; mass murder of infants and toddlers; pedophelia; and mass suicide by explosion. Plus, there is no mystery - we find out who the bad guys are early on. This is a disgusting attempt at some sort of twisted, action-adventure type book. Not what I expected after some of her other work. What a poor job. I can't see Parker or Grafton sinking this low and this book certainly doesn't belong on the same shelves as Chandler, Hammett or MacDonald. Save your money and time.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but not a series best
Review: I enjoyed this novel and found some ideas intriguing, such as the religious cult based on modern physics. When it comes to religions, I see that some reviewers have objected to Mrs. Kellerman's practice of critisising aspects of the practises of other religions than Judaism. While I, in fact, find it useful to have one's opinions challenged, I sometimes wondered about this when reading this novel. While there have been abusive cults, of course, religions usually have something that attracts people to it in the first place. I found myself wondering why anyone would have joined this set-up in the first place, and that is a bit of a flaw.
Rating: 
Summary: confusing but good
Review: I have always enjoyed the Decker/Lazarus novels and this one was okay. I like the macho family man cop. But this novel got heavy into physics which was over my head. I will still continue being a faithful reader though.
Rating:
Summary: I HAD JUST ABOUT WRITTEN FAYE OFF WHEN...
Review: I read Jupiter's Bones in 1 day! I throughly enjoyed this offering from Faye Kellerman even though I had given up on Stalker just days before. Peter Decker is a great cop that gets the job done but along side his career is his family as an instant dad when he married a woman with 2 sons. Families don't get mentioned much in suspense novels unless the families have been hacked to death by the serial killer in the book, or about to be! But, this one, Faye introduces the reader to the Jewish faith (which I know nothing about but loved reading about it) without being condesending or too informative. Jupiters Bones is about a scientist-turned-cult-leader who is found dead at his cult, but was he murdered? And if so, why? And who by? Of course, this is a classic 'whodunnit' but it is very entertaining and cleverly written, with the reader trying to figure out who out the silly named characters could of killed old Jupiter. I enjoyed Jupiters Bones and I am glad that I gave this Kellerman another chance after 'Stalker'. This is not quite in the realm of Michael Connelly or James Patterson, but it still is a good book. My only complaint - why why why do any cult books always have to end the same???
Rating: 
Summary: Much better
Review: I had written off Faye Kellerman as an author due to the number of historical errors in Quality of Mercy; however, someone at work loaned me Jupiter's Bones. I was pleasantly surprised and, quite frankly, enjoyed the book. As an author of works set in the modern era, Kellerman is in her genre. The book's characters also teach about Orthodox Judaism without being didactic.
Rating:
Summary: Great Story line
Review: Faye Kellerman put together a good mix of mystery and cult. I really believe that Decker's relationship with his stepsons came full circle. It really makes you wonder what really goes on in these various cults.
Rating:
Summary: Jupiter's Bones
Review: Once again, this writer's strength is her insight into Orthodox life -- not in her dialogue, narrative or believable characters. And does she ever need an editor! Her story lines are undercut by such typos as 'naval' for 'navel.' As with her other books, she would do well to listen to how people -- especially married couples and working partners -- really talk to each other.
Rating:
Summary: Jupiter's Bones Belongs On Jupiter!!
Review: I did not like book at all! I was so bored the entire time. There was so much unnecessary Jewish talk that it got confusing. I did not care for the main character's attitude when it came to many of the problems that arose. For example, Peter Decker finds out that his 16 year old stepson his sleeping around and having sex with his girlfriend and doing other bad things and all Mr. Decker says is "well, I hope that you use protection." GIVE ME A BREAK! There were so many crazy people in this book with their strange church rituals that it drove me crazy. Then you find out who the killer is after only 180 pages. Faye Kellerman is not my kind of writer, while on the other hand, her husband, Jonathan Kellerman is fascinating! Trust me I have read thousands of mystery novels and this one is not worth it!
Rating:
Summary: an entertaining novel
Review: I enjoy Faye Kellerman's books because of originality. A man who goes a little nuts and begins a cult, the detective who comes to the scene of the crime, the daughter of the nutty man who is nutty herself. Most of the books are written so subtly that the nuances - are like real life. it is what i most appreciate about the writing. There is no struggling, even if shifting scenarios or subject matter to figure out "where am i now and how the heck did i get here". The story of the cult seemed initially farfetched, then i began to see a point, about being taught only one thing and one way and how narrow the focus on the world can be, as well as suspicious. I am not sure if this was intentional or not, but it was an interesting thought. the book was enjoyable and as always when reading the kellerman novels (by Jonathan too) do not feel cheated.
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