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206 Bones (Temperance Brennan #12)

by Kathy Reichs

3.76 · rating details · 4,689 ratings · 582 reviews

New York Times #1 bestselling author Kathy Reichs is back with her twelfth novel featuring America's favorite forensic anthropologist, Tempe Brennan.

Hardcover, 308 pages

Published August 25th 2009 by Scribner (first published January 1st 2009)

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Best Books of 2009

173rd out of 1,146 books — 6,049 voters

A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

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rag and bones - and skellies and skulls

7th out of 65 books — 14 voters

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Community Reviews

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Aug 26, 2011

David Campton rated it

Shelves: detective-fiction

It's been a while since I've read one of Dr. Reich's Tempe Brennan thrillers, and while her books are better by far than the TV version 'Bones', and Patricia Cornwell's increasingly grim Scarpetta novels, I quickly remembered why I stopped reading them. I had identified the key villain one third of the way in (3 pages after their introduction), was tired of the 'romantic' backstory way before that, and finished up frustrated with her moralising about board-certified forensics in the final chapte...more

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Sep 17, 2010

Jlaurenmc rated it

206 Bones is the latest book in the Tempe Brennan mystery series by Kathy Reichs. In the novel, Tempe revisits her old stomping grounds of Chicago, with Canadian detective Andrew Ryan in tow. Ostensibly in town to deliver a local body found in Montreal and to discuss the case with the Chicago coroner's office, the two also end up making a holiday visit to Tempe's ex-husband's family. Tempe is actually invited, as she is every year, but Ryan somehow makes his way into the fold and into the family...more206 Bones is the latest book in the Tempe Brennan mystery series by Kathy Reichs. In the novel, Tempe revisits her old stomping grounds of Chicago, with Canadian detective Andrew Ryan in tow. Ostensibly in town to deliver a local body found in Montreal and to discuss the case with the Chicago coroner's office, the two also end up making a holiday visit to Tempe's ex-husband's family. Tempe is actually invited, as she is every year, but Ryan somehow makes his way into the fold and into the family's hearts -- much to Tempe's chagrin. Then the two are pulled back to Montreal with a new twist in the case.

I have to admit when I read that they were returning to Montreal rather than continuing their sojourn in Chicago, I was disappointed. Reichs had done well with setting the scene in Chicago, from explanations of the El to the multi-layered streets lining the Chicago River. I felt that the movement back to the oft-visited setting of Montreal was a way of returning to the safety of the known, rather than forging through a new experience. But I soon forgot about my disappointment, as the plot pulled me forward.

For the first time in many books, Reichs didn't focus on one specific topic (biker wars, DMORT's body recovery process, etc.), but rather just told a story involving Tempe. And Tempe was truly the star of this novel -- not her relationships (although, of course, there is continuance of the ongoing Ryan romance), not her family members (even though in-laws are present for some) -- just Tempe. Interspersed with the forward action was also a new element to the series: scenes of a missing Tempe. As she struggles to free herself from wrist and ankle constraints, and then to figure out where she is, Reichs throws readers bits and pieces of a captive Tempe. These are mixed into the regular action of the novel, so that in reading the background occurrences, suspense builds for the reader.

In 206 Bones, Tempe works on the Chicago case, examines other elderly missing women, seeks answers for a family missing since the 1960s, and deals with divisiveness within the pathology department. Meanwhile, readers attempt to figure out beforehand who has captured Tempe and is holding her within a black, unidentified space.

My only gripe with the book is in its final pages. Reichs attempts at that point to bring in a lesson, alluded to in very small ways throughout the book. Tempe and Ryan are discussing recent events, and Tempe goes into a stilted speech about credentials and licensing for forensic anthropologists. A valid point, but one perhaps better left to government hearings or professional conferences. Rather than talking like Tempe, the protagonist's words seemed lifted from a speech script Reichs might have written for herself in a professional setting. Still, two pages of awkward conversation a good book do not ruin. 206 Bones is yet another excellent entry in the Tempe Brennan series. Now I have no books to go until the new novel is released in August!(less)

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Apr 18, 2010

Heather rated it

I love me some David Boreanaz. Way before there was Team Edward, there was Angel, the tortured vampire with a soul from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. What does David Boreanaz have to do with a Kathy Reichs novel, you ask? Nothing-except that he now plays a characters on Bones, a television show VERY loosely based on Kathy Reichs character Temperance Brennan. I give you this background on DB as an explanation for my love of said show, despite the fact that the only things that the show and Kathy ...moreI love me some David Boreanaz. Way before there was Team Edward, there was Angel, the tortured vampire with a soul from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. What does David Boreanaz have to do with a Kathy Reichs novel, you ask? Nothing-except that he now plays a characters on Bones, a television show VERY loosely based on Kathy Reichs character Temperance Brennan. I give you this background on DB as an explanation for my love of said show, despite the fact that the only things that the show and Kathy Reich's actual books have in common is the name of the main character and her profession. If you want the REAL Temperance Brennan, you have to read the books.

Like her latest book, 206 Bones. There's a lot going on in this one, even though it is one of her shorter books. There is a sabotage plot, a serial murderer, and a 40 year old missing person's case. The best part-Andrew Ryan, the hot Quebecois police officer, is back. He's done with the mother of the child he just found about about, and he is ready to get back to business with Tempe. Question is, is she ready for him? (I for one am rooting for them to get back together-hot guys that speak French are quite a catch!)

As usual, the story is fast paced, and there is lots of really interesting forensic anthropological goodness. The title of the book, of course, refers to the number of bones in the human body. One thing of interest for Chicago-dwellers is that the setting for the first part of the book is Elmhurst. Tempe, who's originally from Illinois, comes back to visit her former in-laws, and while here she gets sucked into a missing persons case. I so enjoyed reading that part of the book-the body is found at the Thornton Quarry, just below the bridge that take Interstates 294 and 80 over the large hole in the ground where my daughter thought the Flintstones lived when she was little. This is, oh, about five minutes from my house. I drive over that bridge so often it doesn't even trigger my bridge phobia. Every step of their time in Chicago was recognizable to me...I love it when an author takes the time to get the details right.

I have to admit, I've felt let down by the last couple Reichs books. It seemed like she was phoning it in, and I thought that maybe concentrating on the show was taking away from her writing. But this book gives me hope that we are going to get out of the doldrums and get back to the fascinating exploration of forensic anthropology that is a Temperance Brennan novel.(less)

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Dec 28, 2009

Lain rated it

I love Kathy Reichs, but despite the dramatic beginning (forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan finds herself trapped, bound hand and foot, in what seems to be a crypt), this book was lacking in warmth and emotion.

Reichs hits all the points -- setting up a potentially career-ending threat of mishandling an autopsy -- and there are enemies galore. Ryan and her new beau make appearances, as does daughter Katy and ex Peter (and his extended Latvian clan). But while she might get a "...more

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Dec 08, 2009

Mazola1 rated it

206 Bones is a dandy murder mystery thriller. The latest in a series which features forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, it's fast paced and suspenseful. The plot is well crafted, with twists and turns, but not so complicated as to be confusing. Reich skillfully blends forensics and science into the plot. The scientific facts and jargon never seem to be thrown in for effect, thus avoiding a common pitfall of novels with scientists as protagonists. What did seem out of place was the plea a...more

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Oct 05, 2009

Christy rated it

Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is called to North Carolina, where she is accused of mishandling an autopsy. Brennan is determined to find out who is behind the accusation through an incriminating phone call, but the man who received the call dies shortly after he relays this. Brennan returns to Montreal and, with her former lover Lt. Andrew Ryan, begins investigating the deaths of several older women that may be connected, although she and Ryan are having a hard time finding the one ...more

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Oct 03, 2009

Heather rated it

I've been reading Kathy Reich's books for about seven years now, ever since I discovered the first three or four in our library. Every year since then I've kept an eye out for the next book in her Temperance Brennan series, because I enjoy reading them so much. Although I'm a serial reader - once I begin a series I generally want to read every one in order, without reading anything else in between - I like that these books can each stand on their own. Although they incorporate many of the sam...moreI've been reading Kathy Reich's books for about seven years now, ever since I discovered the first three or four in our library. Every year since then I've kept an eye out for the next book in her Temperance Brennan series, because I enjoy reading them so much. Although I'm a serial reader - once I begin a series I generally want to read every one in order, without reading anything else in between - I like that these books can each stand on their own. Although they incorporate many of the same characters and she makes references to previous cases in her subsequent books, one does not need knowledge of the previous books to get invested in each new one. I love when an author can do that for his/her readers.

This book seemed much more straightforward to me than most of her previous books. There was much more science and investigating, and far fewer personal details. A new reader to Reich's books might not understand that her working relationship with the lead male is far deeper and much more convoluted than she lets on in this book. A new reader might not understand her work situation, which is a combination of living and working between her homes in Charlotte, NC and Quebec. I'm not sure if her choice to pull back from these aspects of Tempe's life are in response to reader feedback (more science, less personal drama?) or because she had a specific agenda in writing this novel.

In the epilogue, Reichs quotes her characters' final statements in response to the situation detailed within this novel. Mainly, that being trained within one aspect of forensics does not make one an expert in all areas. Or (in my own words) that watching every episode of CSI, NCIS, and the other acronymed TV shows does not make one any more of a crime scene expert than the actors playing them. I very much felt that with the writing of this book, Reichs was trying to make a point to that end... and I think she succeeded.

But for me, this novel fell short of her other others. Though it took Tempe almost the entirety of the book to "realize" the situation at hand, I picked up on it and predicted its outcome very early on. I missed the deeper interaction between the characters I've gotten to know, and I missed feeling her inner turmoil along with her. Although I very much enjoyed reading this book, I hope that in future ones she'll return to the more deeply layered and multifaceted aspects of Tempe. (less)

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Sep 28, 2009

Nicola rated it

Shelves: arc, own

Reason for Reading: I read every new Kathy Reichs book.

Comments: Tempe wakes up to realize that she is tied up and trapped within a small brick structure within complete darkness. Chapters alternate between her present situation and some relative distant past and a case she's been working where the skeletal remains of an elderly woman are recovered and linked to 2 other violent deaths of elderly women and 1 current missing persons case that fits the same descriptors. Tempe is also e...moreReason for Reading: I read every new Kathy Reichs book.

Comments: Tempe wakes up to realize that she is tied up and trapped within a small brick structure within complete darkness. Chapters alternate between her present situation and some relative distant past and a case she's been working where the skeletal remains of an elderly woman are recovered and linked to 2 other violent deaths of elderly women and 1 current missing persons case that fits the same descriptors. Tempe is also experiencing difficulties at work in the Quebec office with a new staff member added to the crew and each other person in a gloomy mood; then she receives a nasty note and confirms someone has tried to discredit her recently. Tempe works this second personal case to get the guy who's after her reputation behind the scenes while working on the 'grannies' case.

This was a great entry in the series. I spent my holiday Monday basically doing nothing but reading the book and read it in a day. (Well I read a bit the night before in bed, too) A very exciting, compelling read. The elderly woman case was a good one and different but I did find that the book lacked Reichs' usual flare for the gruesome details. I absolutely loved the switching back to a trapped Tempe, her memory is all hazy and she can't remember the immediate past, so the reader also has no idea how she ended up this way. These bits where she mentally tries to survive and talk herself into physically surviving and trying to escape were really my favourite parts of the book.

While the mystery centres around the main case of the elderly women there are also a few side stories and mysteries going on as well. And while the main case proves to be a solid mystery, one of the other mysteries that ran the whole book was rather transparent and very easy to figure out from the beginning. I was quite surprised with that. Reichs usually holds up very solid mysteries. I wish she had advanced Brennan's personal life a little further in this book but instead she kept the Tempe/Ryan relationship pretty much business only and briefly let us see into where her thoughts were with anything further, we are fully aware of where Ryan stands on the issue. The book does end on a note that lets the reader know which direction the relationship will certainly go in the next book, though.

On a final note, fans will devour this one and not be disappointed. It's a solid, all-nighter read and will keep us waiting for the next book. (less)

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Sep 26, 2009

Nadine added it

Shelves: mystery

Kathy Reichs used to be my favorite author, and I don't know if she's gotten into a rut, or if I'm just no longer enamored with her style, but either way, this book didn't do it for me. It was too self-aware, too precious, too bogged down in details. I used to enjoy the technical/medical details that Reichs includes, but this time I found myself skimming entire paragraphs. I was also annoyed w/ the excessively complicated plot line - as in past books, many seemingly unrelated deaths turn out ...more

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Aug 21, 2009

Tammy rated it

In 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs, Temperance Brennan, is handcuffed and buried in some place underground. She does not remember how she got there, she is injured, and terrified, but attempts to save herself. Then Ms. Reichs shows us the series of events that led up to the abduction.

This is a first for me author and so I was not 100% sure of what to expect, because I like the TV series Bones, which I frankly love, but I know that some things don't translate well from book to screen. I t...moreIn 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs, Temperance Brennan, is handcuffed and buried in some place underground. She does not remember how she got there, she is injured, and terrified, but attempts to save herself. Then Ms. Reichs shows us the series of events that led up to the abduction.

This is a first for me author and so I was not 100% sure of what to expect, because I like the TV series Bones, which I frankly love, but I know that some things don't translate well from book to screen. I think what surprised me the most about this was the one thing that irritated me the most -- the French (language that is). I do not speak the language, do not understand the language, and don't read it. Without the translations I would have been at sea in a heavy fog without knowing where in the heck I was going. I understand that most of the book takes place in Quebec Canada, and that French and English are both spoken there, but I could have really done without so much of the language.

For those that may not know whom I'm talking about - Temperance Brennan is a renowned forensic anthropologist who seems to divide her time between labs in Quebec Canada and helping others -- and being with family in North Carolina. Her friend and romantic interest appears to be the good looking Lieutenant/detective Andrew Ryan, who works for the Surete du Quebec, but there is also mention of another gentleman in North Carolina that she seems to care for. The two (Ryan and Tempe) seem to have an on again off again romance that is currently off, although they have remained good friends, and Ryan seems to want to restart the romance. There are several very unusual things going on in this book -- again not being familiar with Ms. Reich's work I'm not sure if this is usual or just the tone of this book. The mysteries, include the deaths of three or four elderly females. As a favor to a friend, Temperance also tries to learn what happened to a young man who disappeared years ago. Temp also has to tolerate a newcomer or two in her lab in Canada, and things there aren't what they seem either.

When Temperance talks bones, I listened, due in a large part I'm sure to Ms. Reich herself being such a well known and respected anthropologist. Ms. Reich's talents however do not all lie in just that one field as she also shows the harshness of a Montreal winter, with heavy snows, bad roads and lousy temps, and the fluidity of a well written mystery or would that be mysteries? Another thing that surprised me was that the weather seemed to mirror Temperance's mood/attitude for the most part, again I'm not sure if this is a common occurrence or just the way things went for this book. She is ticked that an ambitious newcomer named Marie-Andréa Briel is challenging her knowledge and apparently succeeding in making her look bad.

Otherwise, I kind of enjoyed the book almost as much as I like the TV series. When Temperance spoke I listened, the book has a faint romance going on between Temperance and the detective Ryan, but the book is mainly a mystery, and it was written well enough that someone that doesn't usually read mysteries enjoyed herself.

Would I buy the book in hardback, I'm afraid not, in paperback if I didn't have something else to read, maybe? That is the main reason I'm only giving this a 3 star, simply because while I enjoyed the book, it just didn't make me want to run out and find more by this author right away.
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Nov 12, 2011

Connie rated it

206 BONES by Kathy Reichs is 384 pages in paperback form. This is #12 in A Temperance Brennan Novel.

Brief Description:

There are 206 bones in the human body. And one shattering secret hidden among them....

Cold and alone, bound hands to feet, Tempe Brennan regains consciousness locked in a dark cell--or is she buried alive in a tomb?--and begins to reconstruct the twisted chain of events that led her to this terrifying place. Tempe and Lieutenant Ryan had recently acc...more206 BONES by Kathy Reichs is 384 pages in paperback form. This is #12 in A Temperance Brennan Novel.

Brief Description:

There are 206 bones in the human body. And one shattering secret hidden among them....

Cold and alone, bound hands to feet, Tempe Brennan regains consciousness locked in a dark cell--or is she buried alive in a tomb?--and begins to reconstruct the twisted chain of events that led her to this terrifying place. Tempe and Lieutenant Ryan had recently accompanied the remains of a missing heiress from Montreal to the Chicago morgue, and suddenly Tempe is accused of mishandling the autopsy. After an incriminating phone call and another shocking death, Tempe's unseen enemy closes in -- even as the corpse of a second, and then a third, elderly woman turns up in the woods of Montreal. Who wants Tempe dead, or at least out of the way, and why? Who would resort to sabotage to destroy the secrets hidden in the bones? Only Tempe can uncover the truth--if she can escape the deadly fate someone has destined for her.

I loved this book from the first chapter. It was very fast paced and was very interesting. Forensics has always been something that I am interested in. When Temperance is in the black box and it is dark, I suffered her claustrophobia right along with her. I don't like small places and if it is dark, that makes it even worse. This was very difficult to read, but that is because it is so real for me.

I normally listen to these books because I don't speak French and I hate not being able to pronounce a word when I am reading, but that is just me. It is part of the book, because she is bilingual and does work in Quebec for most of this book. Ms. Reichs did something else in the book that I have not seen too many times, when something was said she would tell you what voice it was said in, like surly, puzzled and so forth. At first I found this distracting and then I thought it was very good to know.

I was also glad to see that Dr. Brennan and Ryan are talking again and the kidding back and forth was present in this book. Claudell even made an appearance. I like Claudell and wish he were in more of the books. Claudell was normal with his surliness.

I had figured out some of what was happening, but the ending was a little different than I had expected. Still, that made for a very good book in my opinion.

I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to read the next one to see where Dr. Brennan and Ryan go next.

BUY NOW: Conniesbookshelf.com Paperback $2.75

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Aug 02, 2011

Michael rated it

· review of another edition

The only commonality between these books and the TV Series is the name of the main character and the author. If you think you are going to read stories based on characters from the TV Show, think again. You won't be disappointed in the novel, though, just do not get into it wondering when Zac or Sweets or Hodgins is going to show up. They won't. Neither will Booth.

That being said, though, Reich's novels, of which I have read a few, are interesting reads. Reich's delves into the forensic ant...more

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Oct 21, 2009

Richard Lollar rated it

Recommends it for: People who like Quebec

Recommended to Richard by: I have read all her other books.

We should all be sure our Medical Examiners are Board Certified. This is made clear in the dedication; throughout the story where Ms. Reichs makes clear that non-certified people are screw ups; in the closing pages where she has her Hero, Tempe make an impassioned plea for certified help; and, finally, in case you didn't get it in an afterword explaining how untrained people are not good for the profession.

All that may be, but I have run into lots of people in other professions who a...more

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Sep 20, 2009

J.R. rated it

Shelves: mysteries

While a fast and mostly pleasant read, this is not one of Reich’s better books.

The opening where forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan finds herself bound and trapped in an underground crypt immediately caught my attention with creepy reminders of Poe’s Premature Burial. The story then flashes forward to reveal how her predicament came about.

Tempe and Detective Andrew Ryan of the Surete de Quebec have accompanied the remains of a missing heiress to Chicago where she is ac...more

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Apr 04, 2011

Vanessa rated it

I have always enjoyed these books by Reichs. This book, however, was not quite as exciting and enjoyable. First off, Dr. Temperance Brennan in the books is not really like the Dr. Brennan on Bones. She is more serious and more of an introvert in the books. In this particular book, she was even more distant and cool than usual though. This sometimes made it harder to get through the story.

The story is somewhat interesting as you are going back and forth through time in parts - relatin...more

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Feb 11, 2011

Aoife rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: crime

*sighs* this book barely made the third star.
I was already really annoyed by the beginning: Tempe wakes up, is imprisoned in a dark place but has no idea how she got there. Slowly she begins to remember...
a) massive clichee
b) Tempe is Alone With The Psycho at the end of every single novel but survived it the past eleven times...I never doubted that she'd make it also the 12th time.
And as if that wasn't enough the next chapters don't really get better at first. I really really...more

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Sep 10, 2010

Kristina rated it

Shelves: hated-em, fiction, brain-candy

I've been reading Kathy R. since the very first Temperence Brennan book and either her plots and writing have gotten shittier over the years or I've gotten more critical. Probably a combination of both. This is absolutely the last Kathy Reichs book I will ever read. She's just horrible. I'm immediately irritated because Tempe is being held in an underground tomb and she is described as being hogtied. Now, I know what that means, but I googled it just in case because Tempe is then described as mo...more

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Jul 08, 2010

Betty rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: abuse, anthropology, arson, canadian, crime, fiction, forensic, murder-mystery, series, suspense-thriller

Is Tempe Brennan losing her mind? Or is there something more sinister going on? Is she really responsible for things disappearing and the anthropological mistakes she is making? In this novel, someone is trying to discredit and possibly oust Tempe, and is doing a moderately good job of it in the beginning but that soon escalates. Kathy Reichs has a writing style that builds the tension throughout, and drives you on to discover what you will find at the end. No disappointment there!

S...moreIs Tempe Brennan losing her mind? Or is there something more sinister going on? Is she really responsible for things disappearing and the anthropological mistakes she is making? In this novel, someone is trying to discredit and possibly oust Tempe, and is doing a moderately good job of it in the beginning but that soon escalates. Kathy Reichs has a writing style that builds the tension throughout, and drives you on to discover what you will find at the end. No disappointment there!

She is accused of mishandling an autopsy by an unknown tipster. With the body exhumation she just attended she counted and bagged 206 bones, in other words all bones accounted for. But strangely when she comes to complete reconstruction of the body, and looks for the most accurate marker she knew could give a positive ID, she finds she is now down to 203 bones. Tempe is then accused of mishandling evidence; she requests that she be allowed back to the site to see if they really had been left behind, but is turned down. When the newest member of the team is allowed to recheck the exhumation site, she remarkably 'discovers' the bones. Missed diagnoses are brought to light by the oh-so-helpful young Dr. Briel, who has insinuated herself into almost everyone's work. Tempe must find out how she could have made an error worthy of a warning that "someone's out to get you". She is also beginning to doubt herself.

Cases are suddenly piling up of suspected murders of elderly women, but each died in a different manner, in a different location, and over a period of years. Is there a link or not? Throw in a few old bones dredged from a lake just to bring a little more excitement into the mix and you have a number of mysteries to gnaw on. ID'ing most will be an almost fruitless job, but Tempe is sure she is up to the task. Teaming up with her detective partner Ryan, they both link up with colleagues and associates in Chicago and other areas over the elderly deaths trying to find a common denominator other than that they are all elderly, but when they arrive in Chicago, Tempe finds herself already in hot water. With all the red herrings, sidetracks, and downright dirty tricks in this book, you just know you are going to enjoy going along for the ride. Who of the many possibilities is out to get Tempe, and just how far will he or she go?

In the version of "206 Bones" I'm reviewing, there is an essay with facts and explanations of some of the things Temperance talks about which I found to be very interesting as well. I appreciated learning (in an aside), a bit more about the 1990 "Oka Crisis" that we in the west didn't hear about on the news at the time. The interaction with Tempe's family and Ryan were pure entertainment. Another great forensic mystery by a person who knows what she's talking about, Kathy Reichs.(less)

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Oct 15, 2009

Brooke rated it

Shelves: 2009, mystery

With her 12th Bones book, Kathy Reichs decided to mix it up a little bit. Instead of saving Tempe's inevitable abduction for the very end, she opens the book with it and then takes us back to the beginning of the case so we could see how Tempe ended up in peril.

Nice try, Reichs, but the real way to mix it up would be to stop having your heroine get kidnapped at all. Its ridiculousness is right up there with how many times Chloe and Lois have each been knocked out on Smallville. I'd m...more

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Jul 17, 2010

Joan rated it

· review of another edition

This is not actually the version that I'm listening to, but it seems that the Recorded Books edition isn't a choice.

I've watched Bones on TV and thought it might be interesting to see if the books sited by the TV show were similar. At least this one (#12) is not. But, that is OK. The plot kept my interest, but wasn't so complicated that I couldn't pick it up and put it down - as audio books in the car must tolerate. The characters (with the exception of Temperance) are complet...more

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Jan 08, 2012

Karen Brooks rated it

I had Kathy Reichs' 206 Bones sitting on my Kindle for ages before, being on holidays, and enjoying fast-paced books and doing a bit of a catch-up, I decided to read it. It's been a while since I indulged in a Reichs and, frankly, it may be again. It's not that I didn't enjoy this story about Tempe Brennan and her fraught relationship with Ryan as she tries to solve various murders (mainly two cold cases), I did. But how many times can Tempe have people wanting to sabotage her career - or worse...more

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Jul 11, 2010

Trish rated it

Shelves: audio-books

I like the series Bones on TV for its quirky characters. I (silly me) assumed the series by Kathy Reichs would be somewhat similar to the series so I decided to try one of her books. Other than the lead character having the same name - Temperance Brennan, and the fact she is an forensic anthropologist - there is NOTHING else similar to the series. With that being said, the book was okay. Other than there was some dialogue in French - some translated, some not - the story was easy to follow. ...more

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Feb 13, 2010

Wanda rated it

Blech! I think Reichs may be losing it. I have been a past fan of hers for many years and have read everything she wrote but I think she may be resting on her laurels. Temperence Brennan has turned into a misanthropic curmudgeon who is pretty unlikeable. This story was disjointed with subplots plopped in willy nilly. Unrealistically Tempe stays with Pete's extended family -- her ex in laws with whom she has a wonderful relationship. How realistic is that? Could be, but unlikely. She goes on and ...more

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Oct 22, 2009

Oceana2602 rated it

Shelves: 2009, crime, english, women-writers

And yet another Tempe Brennan novel. Wait, what was this one about again?
Oh, right. Tempe is framed for not having done her job properly. Of course, the set-up involves a bit more than just professional jealousy - murder, mayhem, graves and bones... the usual.

Oh, Mrs. Reichs - you know I've read all your Tempe-novels, and I'll continue to do so. But, remember the times when you actually created interesting new characters, and when the relationship between Tempe and Ryan wasn't ...more

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May 28, 2010

Vickie rated it

Shelves: listened-to, booksthatmakemegowow

I have loved this series from the very start, even though some of the forensic schtuff 'got into the weeds' in the beginning and I had to do some skimming...yes, I admit it....but the story and characters have always been superbly strong and wonderfully written, so I didn't give up on the books even when I kept asking, "What was that middle part again?".
Reichs has eased up on the uber-in the weeds speak, but still imparts the action in the morgue or forensic anthropology lab and...more

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Aug 08, 2011

Kimberly rated it

I used to love reading these novels of Reichs but not so much anymore. I find myself skipping whole paragraphs that are put in to fill up space. Example: 2 1/2 pages about a Monastery that has nothing to do with the story. She seems to write more now with a "I am so smart so I must tell you everything I know in a talk down to you" attitude. And there seems to me to have more detail then the average person needs/wants..... Finally done with this book. The problem with Reich's books are ...more

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Jul 29, 2011

Nancy added it

I must say that I always enjoy reading Kathy Reichs books and I have quite a few that I have not read. This one left me a little dissatisfied as I figured out who the bad guy was right in the beginning when the character was introduced. The basic nature of the person sort of gave it away. This was also Reich's way to make commentary on people who claim to be experts at something and really are not. I hope that Temperance will let Ryan back into her life but I am not holding out much hope for...more

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Jun 12, 2010

Judy rated it

I think that I may be finished with this series. In this 12th Temperance Brennan book, Reichs offers up much the same in terms of plot--old bones are found, Tempe draws conclusions from bones, gets herself into trouble, ends up being kidnapped, etc., etc., etc. I listened to this as an audio book which allowed me to interact in a vocal way. While, again, I was fascinated by Reichs' presentation of forensic anthropology, Tempe seemed not as quick as usual in drawing conclusions about the peopl...more

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Sep 06, 2009

Sarah rated it

Shelves: fiction, series

At 20 pages in, I was already annoyed by the author's habit of taking paragraphs of description, slapping quotation marks around it, and calling it dialogue. And yet, I carried on to the bitter end. Which I saw coming a mile away.

This isn't one of Tempe's greatest hits. The crimes are unremarkable (for the genre, anyway) and the twists are... less than twisty. Plus the Brennan-Ryan romance is back in its tedious "will they (again) or won't they (again)" mode.

My ...more

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Oct 22, 2009

Kathleen Kelly rated it

Shelves: finished

From Amazon.com
The infamous love of King Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn undertook a rocky journey from innocent courtier to powerful Queen of England. A meticulous researcher, Margaret Campbell Barnes immerses readers in this intrigue and in the lush, glittery world of the Tudor Court. The beauty and charms of Anne Boleyn bewitched the most powerful man in the world, King Henry VIII, but her resourcefulness and cleverness were not enough to stop the malice of h...more

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About Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A ...more

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Bones to Ashes (Temperance Brennan, #10)

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206 Bones (Temperance Brennan #12)

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