It's hard to believe that we’ve been experiencing Body Farm novels for a decade now. Yes, the very same Body Farm that Patricia Cornwell titled one of her Kay Scarpetta books after --- a fact that is referred to in THE BREAKING POINT. Jefferson Bass, the literary name of tag team authors Jon Jefferson and Dr. Bill Bass, are at the top of their game in this outstanding and emotionally gripping novel. The series predates “Bones” and “CSI,” and includes both real and fictional elements to tell a great story.

The protagonist in the series is Dr. Bill Brockton, the famed forensics expert who personally oversees the Body Farm and frequently shares his expertise with every level of law enforcement. The case in THE BREAKING POINT that Brockton is called upon to assist with turns out to be the most daunting of his professional career. The FBI needs him to help identify the charred remains of a fiery plane crash in the low-lying mountains outside of San Diego.

"What is most enjoyable about THE BREAKING POINT and this entire series is how human the characters are. The forensic terminology is spot on, but you never feel like you are being talked over or down to."

What makes this accident particularly interesting is that the pilot was allegedly billionaire philanthropist Richard Janus. Ironically, Brockton and his wife have been donating to Janus' charity for years. Janus is described as a maverick humanitarian well-known for using his fleet of planes for daring airlifts of aid to international disaster sites. There is not much for Brockton to work with outside of some teeth and a nerve-stimulating device that had been implanted in the spine of Janus. They also find the remains of another individual who appeared to be a Mexican immigrant killed by the crash in the act of illegally crossing the border.

The teeth are positively identified as belonging to Janus, and the bad news is broken to his wife. However, nothing turns out to be as it appears, and things will backfire on Brockton in a big way. A local FOX reporter breaks the story that the teeth found at the site had been previously extracted, meaning that things may have been set up to look like Janus was a victim of the crash when he actually may still be alive. It is also revealed that the FBI was investigating Janus for alleged dealings with an infamous Mexican drug cartel leader.

As Brockton is facing a major blow to his professional credibility, things in his life begin spinning wildly out of control. He receives a death threat, in the form of a box containing the finger of a child, sent by the serial killer who terrorized and nearly murdered his family a few years earlier. A law enforcement colleague of his nearly loses his life when he goes to the prison to confront the killer as a favor to Brockton, only to have his neck slashed by a razor blade.

But the worst blow to Brockton is the news that his wife of 30 years, Kathleen, is given a death sentence when she is diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of cancer to which she quickly succumbs. Brockton is literally pushed to his breaking point --- emotionally, physically and professionally --- with no sign of things turning around. He compares his situation to the biblical tale of Job, who suffers an endless stream of unbelievable tragedies because he refuses to renounce God.

The reader will be right there with Brockton, heart in mouth, as he struggles to overcome his personal tragedies and try to right his life. The first step is to return to San Diego and give another go at the Janus case --- which wrapped up a little too easily for his liking. What is most enjoyable about THE BREAKING POINT and this entire series is how human the characters are. The forensic terminology is spot on, but you never feel like you are being talked over or down to. Brockton is a truly three-dimensional character so well written that it’s impossible not to root for him and feel every bump and bruise right along with him in this hugely rewarding novel.