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Temperance Brennan #20
The Bone Code
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with her twentieth gripping novel featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, whose examinations, fifteen years apart, of unidentified bodies washed up from the sea may be connected to a deadly new pestilence.
A storm has hit South Carolina, dredging up crimes of the past.
On the way to Isle of Palms, a barrier island off the South Carolina coast, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan receives a call from the Charleston coroner. During the storm, a medical waste container has washed up on the beach. Inside are two decomposed bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting and bound with electrical wire. Chillingly, Tempe recognizes many details as identical to those of an unsolved case she handled in Quebec fifteen years earlier. With a growing sense of foreboding, she flies to Montreal to gather evidence and convince her boss Pierre LaManch to reopen the cold case. She also seeks the advice—and comfort—of her longtime beau Andrew Ryan.
Meanwhile, a storm of a different type gathers force in South Carolina. The citizens of Charleston are struck by a bacterium that, at its worst, can eat human flesh. Thousands panic and test themselves for a rare genetic mutation that may have rendered them vulnerable.
Shockingly, Tempe eventually discovers that not only are the victims in both grisly murder cases related, but that the murders and the disease outbreak also have a common cause…
A storm has hit South Carolina, dredging up crimes of the past.
On the way to Isle of Palms, a barrier island off the South Carolina coast, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan receives a call from the Charleston coroner. During the storm, a medical waste container has washed up on the beach. Inside are two decomposed bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting and bound with electrical wire. Chillingly, Tempe recognizes many details as identical to those of an unsolved case she handled in Quebec fifteen years earlier. With a growing sense of foreboding, she flies to Montreal to gather evidence and convince her boss Pierre LaManch to reopen the cold case. She also seeks the advice—and comfort—of her longtime beau Andrew Ryan.
Meanwhile, a storm of a different type gathers force in South Carolina. The citizens of Charleston are struck by a bacterium that, at its worst, can eat human flesh. Thousands panic and test themselves for a rare genetic mutation that may have rendered them vulnerable.
Shockingly, Tempe eventually discovers that not only are the victims in both grisly murder cases related, but that the murders and the disease outbreak also have a common cause…
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 6, 2021
1762 people are currently reading
17117 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Reichs
155 books17.2k followersKathy 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 professor of anthropology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Reichs is a native of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. at Northwestern. She now divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best First Novel (1998): Deja Dead
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best First Novel (1998): Deja Dead
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,508 reviews
December 27, 2023
For fans of Rizzoli & Isles comes The Bone Code. Dr. Brennan is a forensic anthropologist who is using science and detective work to solve crimes. Two corpses are discovered in a container which sparks Dr. Brennan's recollection of an earlier case involving similar circumstances. Are these cases related? Who are the victims and what lead to their deaths?
This is my first read by Reichs, and I was not disappointed. The author really does understand good story telling and how to turn up the drama and intrigue which made for an enjoyable read. This book definitely satisfied the armchair detective in me. The plot is really involved though so I was a bit lost at times.
Overall, a very solid read and I am looking forward to reading future books by Kathy Reichs.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
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This is my first read by Reichs, and I was not disappointed. The author really does understand good story telling and how to turn up the drama and intrigue which made for an enjoyable read. This book definitely satisfied the armchair detective in me. The plot is really involved though so I was a bit lost at times.
Overall, a very solid read and I am looking forward to reading future books by Kathy Reichs.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
August 5, 2021
The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs is a 2021 Scribner publication.
After a South Carolina hurricane washed up a medical waste container bearing two bodies- Tempe is immediately reminded of a similar case she worked in Quebec.
She and Ryan team up again to discover who the two women were in the container, and the possible connection between the old cases and this new discovery.
This 20th installment in the series is set a little way into the future, where Covid-19 has been contained- although it is still very much in everyone's consciousness. (Don't worry, this story is not about Covid- it is only mentioned in passing a couple of times.)
As a new virus begins to circulate in the Charleston area, though, it looks as though history may be about to repeat itself.
DNA has become an obsession with us- as we rely on it more and more to tell us about health predispositions, use it to solve decade's old crimes, finding long-lost relatives, and so on.
Therefore, it only seems fitting that a series that deals so heavily in forensics would eventually explore the darker side of these advancements, examining the possible dangers of so much knowledge.
At the same time, I found myself cringing a little, because while the story is certainly timely, I have to say, the timing might not have been the best considering our current climate- where tinfoil hats have replaced good old-fashioned common sense.
Despite those concerns, I was happy to play along with Tempe and her hunky fiancé Ryan. I love their banter, and the well -timed humor- and I enjoyed the ironical nature of the story.
The mystery is interesting, and well-paced, perhaps a bit too detailed with the science sometimes- and poor old Birdie the cat really got a workout in this story.
At the end of the day, though, despite the unusual circumstances, and the timely topics, it always seems to boil down to the usual catalyst when it comes to the evil that dwells in the hearts of humanity.
Overall, this installment is thought-provoking, but was a little too 'mad scientist' for me sometimes. It’s a solid mystery, though, and I hope to see another installment in the series soon.
3.5 stars
After a South Carolina hurricane washed up a medical waste container bearing two bodies- Tempe is immediately reminded of a similar case she worked in Quebec.
She and Ryan team up again to discover who the two women were in the container, and the possible connection between the old cases and this new discovery.
This 20th installment in the series is set a little way into the future, where Covid-19 has been contained- although it is still very much in everyone's consciousness. (Don't worry, this story is not about Covid- it is only mentioned in passing a couple of times.)
As a new virus begins to circulate in the Charleston area, though, it looks as though history may be about to repeat itself.
DNA has become an obsession with us- as we rely on it more and more to tell us about health predispositions, use it to solve decade's old crimes, finding long-lost relatives, and so on.
Therefore, it only seems fitting that a series that deals so heavily in forensics would eventually explore the darker side of these advancements, examining the possible dangers of so much knowledge.
At the same time, I found myself cringing a little, because while the story is certainly timely, I have to say, the timing might not have been the best considering our current climate- where tinfoil hats have replaced good old-fashioned common sense.
Despite those concerns, I was happy to play along with Tempe and her hunky fiancé Ryan. I love their banter, and the well -timed humor- and I enjoyed the ironical nature of the story.
The mystery is interesting, and well-paced, perhaps a bit too detailed with the science sometimes- and poor old Birdie the cat really got a workout in this story.
At the end of the day, though, despite the unusual circumstances, and the timely topics, it always seems to boil down to the usual catalyst when it comes to the evil that dwells in the hearts of humanity.
Overall, this installment is thought-provoking, but was a little too 'mad scientist' for me sometimes. It’s a solid mystery, though, and I hope to see another installment in the series soon.
3.5 stars
August 8, 2021
I’ve been reading and enjoying this series for years. And though this is book 20 of the Temperance Brennan series, it remains one of my favorites.
Tempe Brennan is a forensic anthropologist who splits her time between Montreal and South Carolina. And this book takes us back and forth between the two…several times!
A mysterious barrel washes ashore in S. Carolina with two bodies stuffed in it. After Tempe is informed of the contents, she instantly recalls a strikingly similar scene in Montreal fifteen years ago. A case that was never solved. Is it conceivable these two cases are related? What are the odds it’s simply coincidental? (After all these reads, haven’t we all quit believing in coincidences?!)
I just love Tempe. She’s a strong, confident woman in both her professional life, and as a devoted, loving partner with Ryan, the man who has stolen her heart over the years. Recently retired from the Montreal homicide division, Ryan is branching out on his own as an investigator.
The storylines, though a bit gruesome at times held my attention throughout. Tempe’s personal life makes an equally strong showing as she works to solve the many cases that come across her desks on both sides of the border.
I believe all fans of this series will enjoy this latest addition. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I do recommend starting at the beginning of the series.
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC to read and review.
Tempe Brennan is a forensic anthropologist who splits her time between Montreal and South Carolina. And this book takes us back and forth between the two…several times!
A mysterious barrel washes ashore in S. Carolina with two bodies stuffed in it. After Tempe is informed of the contents, she instantly recalls a strikingly similar scene in Montreal fifteen years ago. A case that was never solved. Is it conceivable these two cases are related? What are the odds it’s simply coincidental? (After all these reads, haven’t we all quit believing in coincidences?!)
I just love Tempe. She’s a strong, confident woman in both her professional life, and as a devoted, loving partner with Ryan, the man who has stolen her heart over the years. Recently retired from the Montreal homicide division, Ryan is branching out on his own as an investigator.
The storylines, though a bit gruesome at times held my attention throughout. Tempe’s personal life makes an equally strong showing as she works to solve the many cases that come across her desks on both sides of the border.
I believe all fans of this series will enjoy this latest addition. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I do recommend starting at the beginning of the series.
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC to read and review.
July 15, 2021
I'm a longtime fan of Kathy Reichs and of the Tempe Brennan series. I’ve read all of the books and greatly enjoyed them. So, it is with regret that I say this book is a complete and utter mess.
The A story is pretty standard Tempe fare. Four young women are murdered, their bodies sealed inside two containers and tossed in the water. The catch is two of them died in Canada 15 years ago, and two were just discovered. The unsolved past case haunts Tempe, and she enlists Ryan to help her connect the cases and catch the killer. So far, so good.
The B story is about a virus spreading unchecked throughout some Southern cities. This is set in a post-COVID world, although COVID is barely mentioned. People get this virus from dogs and we eventually find out they get sick because their DNA has been tampered with via a flu VACCINE. They die terrible, gruesome deaths, and there is no cure.
What? Let me say that again. WHAT? Unless everyone involved in the production of this book really believes that there is a microchip in the COVID vaccine and is trying to warn off people from getting the shots, there is no reason to use this storyline. It is actually irresponsible to put this out there when so many people are on the fence about getting the vaccine. And don't come at me about 'it's fiction.' So is the whole microchip thing, and millions of people believe in that.
This is a case where the writer, editors, and publisher need to learn to read the room. People do not want to read about another unknown virus killing people and whipping up violence among a divided public. They do not want to hear that the virus was caused by a flu vaccine tampered with to make a company billions of dollars. Talk about tone deaf.
Secondly, after we find out that the men who killed the young women Tempe is investigating actually caused this virus intentionally in order to profit from it, we get no resolution to the situation. Nothing about what this revelation would do to the public, how the virus would be contained or anything. The guy is caught, mystery solved and five days later our heroes are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner without a thought to all those still suffering and dying. The refrigerator trucks housing the overflow of bodies are still lined up but pass the cranberry sauce.
The next problem is the character of Tonia Vislosky. She’s a big Black woman with attitude and a fast temper. One minute she’s gruff, rude, and dismissive. The next minute she’s open to Tempe and empathetic about lost little girls. The personality switch happens during several scenes all throughout the book. There are hints a plenty that she’s gay and from the wrong side of the tracks, but there is no development of her character. She starts out uneven and confusing and ends that way.
As a bonus there is a conversation between her and Tempe that is leading me to do something I have never done in a book review; suggest a line edit. About halfway through the book when Tempe asks Vislosky if she played basketball and Vislosky queries if Tempe is asking because Vislosky is black, Tempe thinks to herself: “Jesus. What was her problem?” That lines needs to go. That thought about ‘what was her problem,’ was absolutely not in Tempe’s voice or character. I don’t know where it came from, but that is not Tempe. That sounds very much like someone who has a big problem with the anti-racism sentiment in the U.S. right now. Not a good look for author or publisher.
Then Tempe says, “I don’t know a single black person named Vislosky.” Going on to talk about Black names, especially at that point, is also about as tone deaf as you can get. Why not throw in the joke about, “I guess you don’t have to worry about getting a tan,” while you’re at it because it’s just as bad. Vislosky very much comes across as the token Black character written by someone who doesn’t know any Black people and so resorts to stereotypes and tropes. Another look that is not going to age well.
The C storyline, about the death masks, was mildly interesting but ultimately disappointing. We meet this sweet old lady once, her story floats throughout, and then we get a lukewarm ending about her grannie’s corpse having been an unwilling model for American mannequins. We either need a lot more about that story or cut it completely.
In sum, this whole book reads like a greedy attempt to jump on the sensationalism of an international pandemic, and it is not a good look for anyone involved. Regardless of whether it was written pre-COVID or not, this is not the time or the place to have Tempe dealing with a virulent virus, especially as a backstory that gets no conclusion. Semi-partnering with a Black female cop who is badly written isn’t good at any time.
This book should be pulled from production and completely re-worked. I know that won’t happen, but it should. Tempe Brennan and her fans deserve better.
I received this ARC from #Netgalley.
The A story is pretty standard Tempe fare. Four young women are murdered, their bodies sealed inside two containers and tossed in the water. The catch is two of them died in Canada 15 years ago, and two were just discovered. The unsolved past case haunts Tempe, and she enlists Ryan to help her connect the cases and catch the killer. So far, so good.
The B story is about a virus spreading unchecked throughout some Southern cities. This is set in a post-COVID world, although COVID is barely mentioned. People get this virus from dogs and we eventually find out they get sick because their DNA has been tampered with via a flu VACCINE. They die terrible, gruesome deaths, and there is no cure.
What? Let me say that again. WHAT? Unless everyone involved in the production of this book really believes that there is a microchip in the COVID vaccine and is trying to warn off people from getting the shots, there is no reason to use this storyline. It is actually irresponsible to put this out there when so many people are on the fence about getting the vaccine. And don't come at me about 'it's fiction.' So is the whole microchip thing, and millions of people believe in that.
This is a case where the writer, editors, and publisher need to learn to read the room. People do not want to read about another unknown virus killing people and whipping up violence among a divided public. They do not want to hear that the virus was caused by a flu vaccine tampered with to make a company billions of dollars. Talk about tone deaf.
Secondly, after we find out that the men who killed the young women Tempe is investigating actually caused this virus intentionally in order to profit from it, we get no resolution to the situation. Nothing about what this revelation would do to the public, how the virus would be contained or anything. The guy is caught, mystery solved and five days later our heroes are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner without a thought to all those still suffering and dying. The refrigerator trucks housing the overflow of bodies are still lined up but pass the cranberry sauce.
The next problem is the character of Tonia Vislosky. She’s a big Black woman with attitude and a fast temper. One minute she’s gruff, rude, and dismissive. The next minute she’s open to Tempe and empathetic about lost little girls. The personality switch happens during several scenes all throughout the book. There are hints a plenty that she’s gay and from the wrong side of the tracks, but there is no development of her character. She starts out uneven and confusing and ends that way.
As a bonus there is a conversation between her and Tempe that is leading me to do something I have never done in a book review; suggest a line edit. About halfway through the book when Tempe asks Vislosky if she played basketball and Vislosky queries if Tempe is asking because Vislosky is black, Tempe thinks to herself: “Jesus. What was her problem?” That lines needs to go. That thought about ‘what was her problem,’ was absolutely not in Tempe’s voice or character. I don’t know where it came from, but that is not Tempe. That sounds very much like someone who has a big problem with the anti-racism sentiment in the U.S. right now. Not a good look for author or publisher.
Then Tempe says, “I don’t know a single black person named Vislosky.” Going on to talk about Black names, especially at that point, is also about as tone deaf as you can get. Why not throw in the joke about, “I guess you don’t have to worry about getting a tan,” while you’re at it because it’s just as bad. Vislosky very much comes across as the token Black character written by someone who doesn’t know any Black people and so resorts to stereotypes and tropes. Another look that is not going to age well.
The C storyline, about the death masks, was mildly interesting but ultimately disappointing. We meet this sweet old lady once, her story floats throughout, and then we get a lukewarm ending about her grannie’s corpse having been an unwilling model for American mannequins. We either need a lot more about that story or cut it completely.
In sum, this whole book reads like a greedy attempt to jump on the sensationalism of an international pandemic, and it is not a good look for anyone involved. Regardless of whether it was written pre-COVID or not, this is not the time or the place to have Tempe dealing with a virulent virus, especially as a backstory that gets no conclusion. Semi-partnering with a Black female cop who is badly written isn’t good at any time.
This book should be pulled from production and completely re-worked. I know that won’t happen, but it should. Tempe Brennan and her fans deserve better.
I received this ARC from #Netgalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2024
How many of you are a fan of Bones?
I know, it has been a long time since the television series has been off air – or at least new episodes have been made, but her books are still being written.
This is her latest, and it doesn’t disappoint.
In the midst of a storm a medical waste container that tosses a shore brings on a new case which is similar to one Temperance Brennan was unable to solve fifteen years earlier.
Will she be able to find justice for the past case, as well as this new one that she is faced with now? Could these two cases be linked even though they are fifteen years a part?
There is so much to appreciate in this page turning novel that will keep readers on alert.
I know, it has been a long time since the television series has been off air – or at least new episodes have been made, but her books are still being written.
This is her latest, and it doesn’t disappoint.
In the midst of a storm a medical waste container that tosses a shore brings on a new case which is similar to one Temperance Brennan was unable to solve fifteen years earlier.
Will she be able to find justice for the past case, as well as this new one that she is faced with now? Could these two cases be linked even though they are fifteen years a part?
There is so much to appreciate in this page turning novel that will keep readers on alert.
April 16, 2021
When a container washed ashore and was found to have two decomposed bodies inside, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan was called. What Tempe found chilled her as she could see the similarities between these current bodies and a case from fifteen years prior that was never solved. Tempe was determined to dig her deepest, open the cold case and find some answers. But would everything go to plan?
Tempe and Birdie (her cat) flew to Montreal to follow the cold case – with the approval of her boss Pierre LaManch – and to have Andrew Ryan help her out. Ryan was a police detective, since retired and now a Private Investigator. He could help Tempe open a few doors. Ryan and Tempe had known each other for a long time; absence always makes the heart grow fonder. The deeper they dug, the more they found and just when they thought they could go no further, there was another light at the end of the tunnel. But was it possible to find all the answers?
The Bone Code is the 20th in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs and once again, she hasn’t missed a beat. While there was a 5 year gap between #18 and #19, the one year between the last and this one means she’s back! I thoroughly enjoy the back and forth between Tempe and Ryan – they bounce off each other well. But it makes me sad for the author when reviewers say ‘this is their first Reichs’ and rate it low. This is the 20th – you need the back story! Just my opinion of course but I rarely see high ratings from this type of thing. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Tempe, Ryan and Birdie once again. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Tempe and Birdie (her cat) flew to Montreal to follow the cold case – with the approval of her boss Pierre LaManch – and to have Andrew Ryan help her out. Ryan was a police detective, since retired and now a Private Investigator. He could help Tempe open a few doors. Ryan and Tempe had known each other for a long time; absence always makes the heart grow fonder. The deeper they dug, the more they found and just when they thought they could go no further, there was another light at the end of the tunnel. But was it possible to find all the answers?
The Bone Code is the 20th in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs and once again, she hasn’t missed a beat. While there was a 5 year gap between #18 and #19, the one year between the last and this one means she’s back! I thoroughly enjoy the back and forth between Tempe and Ryan – they bounce off each other well. But it makes me sad for the author when reviewers say ‘this is their first Reichs’ and rate it low. This is the 20th – you need the back story! Just my opinion of course but I rarely see high ratings from this type of thing. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Tempe, Ryan and Birdie once again. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2021
It has been interesting reading how authors have incorporated Covid into their book plots. This is the third mystery/thriller in a row I have read that does just that, all with the Covid crisis being used by unscrupulous people who have something to gain. The way of the world, greed ever present.
Had a hard time at times with this story. Although the premise was good, and I still enjoy Tempe and Ryaan, I found myself bogged down by all the details. Genetics, not my forte and the technical explanations were quite detailed. Too detailed, as I felt myself often forgetting where I was with the main storyline. Then again, my concentration level seems to be suffering lately, so I'll leave it at that.
Had a hard time at times with this story. Although the premise was good, and I still enjoy Tempe and Ryaan, I found myself bogged down by all the details. Genetics, not my forte and the technical explanations were quite detailed. Too detailed, as I felt myself often forgetting where I was with the main storyline. Then again, my concentration level seems to be suffering lately, so I'll leave it at that.
June 5, 2021
I have long been a fan of Kathy Reichs novels, particularly her forensic anthropology series featuring Temperance Brennan. The stories not only entertain and keep the reader on the edge of their seat, but are full of educational moments and peppered with humour to keep things moving along. This was another winner by Reichs, with her cross-border protagonist working magic with bones and unsolved cases. While Dr. Temperance (Tempe) Brennan is preparing for a hurricane in North Carolina, she is visited by a patient woman with a curious mission, to help uncover a death mask that might have been made of her great-aunt many years ago. Brennan is intrigued, but also wary of the heightened winds. She decides to head to South Carolina to see a friend for a few days and is pulled into a mysterious case when the local coroner enlists her assistance with a medical bin that has two unidentified bodies within. While Brennan helps, she is chilled by the memory of a similar case she worked in Montreal. Might they be related? Crossing into Canada, Brennan works the angles of the cold case and tries to find a link, all while being helped by her lover, retired homicide detective Andrew Ryan. Things take many a twists and Brennen will have to work both cases at the same time to find an answer. Reichs uses all her abilities to really bring this story to life and keep the reader hooked until the final page turn.
There’s nothing like the thrill of a hurricane, said no one. Dr. Temperance Brennan is prepping for one and rushing around her office to get things in order, while meteorologists are calling for evacuations. That does not seem to stop some woman from seeking Brennan’s assistance, even if it means waiting all day. Brennan agrees to meet the woman, who shared a twisted tale about her twin sister and how multiples run in her family. It would seem that the woman’s great-aunt was also a twin but disappeared long ago. Now, there is only a death mask of her and yet nothing to go along with a photo of it. Intrigued, Brennan agrees to look into it, but is also leery of the advancing storm.
After surviving the gale force winds, Brennan agrees to visit a friend in South Carolina, particularly with this new mystery of the death mask. On her way there, Brennan is contacted by a local coroner, with a case consultation request. It would seem that a medical bin has washed up after the hurricane, with two decomposing and unidentified bodies within. While Brennan goes to help, she is eerily familiar with the details, as she was part of a case like this in Montreal. Unknown bodies, presumably a teenage girl... could the two be connected, even though they were years apart?
Brennan begins working the angles, which will require her to head north to her second home in Montreal. There, she tries to dig up the case file and draw parallels to the Carolina case. While the detective in Charleston is keen to solve the case she is not one to take any guff, causing Brennan to grit her teeth with some regularity. Luckily, Montreal brings Brennan closer to her lover and former colleague, Andrew Ryan. They are able to make some headway and soon discover that the victim may have arrived in Canada from elsewhere long ago.
While unravelling the story on the old Montreal victim, Brennan uses some newer DNA testing to identify the Charleston victim, a teenage runaway with a sordid past of her own. However, there is much to uncover while trying to trace the story from her last day at home until she ended up in a medical bin. Brennan is determined to not only put a face the the victims, but also find the killer (or killers) who could do such a thing. It won’t be easy, and there is still that nagging death mask query that has Brennan pulled in many directions.
I have long been a fan of Kathy Reichs and her work (including loving Bones, the television spin-off of the books), which has never left me feeling cheated in the world of forensic anthropology. Reichs uses her own life experiences and turns them into wonderful books, helping readers better understand the ins and outs of forensics, medicine, and how victims can go from unknown to identified. While the book series has been long, Reichs has been able to keep it fresh, working two primary setting ands pushing her protagonist out into other parts of both countries when it suits the story. Kathy Reichs is a master of the genre and I hope many others will find (or continue with) this series to see how intense things can get.
Dr. Tempe Brennan is nothing if not a busy woman. As series fans will know, she never rests on her laurels and always has something going on to keep her busy. When she is not using forensics, she’s trying to keep her life in order, finding humour whenever possible. She’s come to really connect with colleagues and friends in both the US and Canada, which adds depth to her character and allows the reader added entertainment throughout. I’m always eager to eye what else one can learn about Brennan in these novels, as Reichs adds tidbits in each piece.
While there is always a strong core of secondary characters, Reichs is sure to add some new faces to keep things interesting. The reader will find many of those here, some who are meant to be loved while others are best left at arm’s length. Reichs uses her great style to breathe life into each individual and uses them as needed to advance the cases or backstories of others, which appears to work well here. It’s nice to have some of those familiar faces, including Andrew Ryan, though old storylines are sometimes best used to pass the time, rather than plan centre stage.
The story was strong and held my attention throughout. Reichs uses COVID-19 as a passing subplot, hinting that it has passed, so there is no mention of pandemic protocols or masked limitations, though something new has popped up in South Carolina (read the book to learn more). The plot works well and, in usual Brennan fashion, ties unknown remains into a quest to offer a victim their own identity. In a story that spans a few months, Reichs adds some ‘realism’ to the story, ensuring it does not seem that a week is long enough to crack open the case with ease. This paced approach and mid-length chapters keep the story moving along at a relatable pace, with twists and turns throughout to keep things exciting. With strong medical and forensic topics throughout, Reichs educates her readers as they are highly entertained, adding humour where needed to keep things from getting too somber. I have come to love the series and cannot get enough of these books. I cannot wait to see what’s next, as Tempe Brennan has not lost any steam, in my humble Canadian opinion.
Kudos, Madam Reichs, for another winning novel. This series is one that always gets me excited and reader for new discoveries. I hope many others will find it, if they have not already!
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A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
There’s nothing like the thrill of a hurricane, said no one. Dr. Temperance Brennan is prepping for one and rushing around her office to get things in order, while meteorologists are calling for evacuations. That does not seem to stop some woman from seeking Brennan’s assistance, even if it means waiting all day. Brennan agrees to meet the woman, who shared a twisted tale about her twin sister and how multiples run in her family. It would seem that the woman’s great-aunt was also a twin but disappeared long ago. Now, there is only a death mask of her and yet nothing to go along with a photo of it. Intrigued, Brennan agrees to look into it, but is also leery of the advancing storm.
After surviving the gale force winds, Brennan agrees to visit a friend in South Carolina, particularly with this new mystery of the death mask. On her way there, Brennan is contacted by a local coroner, with a case consultation request. It would seem that a medical bin has washed up after the hurricane, with two decomposing and unidentified bodies within. While Brennan goes to help, she is eerily familiar with the details, as she was part of a case like this in Montreal. Unknown bodies, presumably a teenage girl... could the two be connected, even though they were years apart?
Brennan begins working the angles, which will require her to head north to her second home in Montreal. There, she tries to dig up the case file and draw parallels to the Carolina case. While the detective in Charleston is keen to solve the case she is not one to take any guff, causing Brennan to grit her teeth with some regularity. Luckily, Montreal brings Brennan closer to her lover and former colleague, Andrew Ryan. They are able to make some headway and soon discover that the victim may have arrived in Canada from elsewhere long ago.
While unravelling the story on the old Montreal victim, Brennan uses some newer DNA testing to identify the Charleston victim, a teenage runaway with a sordid past of her own. However, there is much to uncover while trying to trace the story from her last day at home until she ended up in a medical bin. Brennan is determined to not only put a face the the victims, but also find the killer (or killers) who could do such a thing. It won’t be easy, and there is still that nagging death mask query that has Brennan pulled in many directions.
I have long been a fan of Kathy Reichs and her work (including loving Bones, the television spin-off of the books), which has never left me feeling cheated in the world of forensic anthropology. Reichs uses her own life experiences and turns them into wonderful books, helping readers better understand the ins and outs of forensics, medicine, and how victims can go from unknown to identified. While the book series has been long, Reichs has been able to keep it fresh, working two primary setting ands pushing her protagonist out into other parts of both countries when it suits the story. Kathy Reichs is a master of the genre and I hope many others will find (or continue with) this series to see how intense things can get.
Dr. Tempe Brennan is nothing if not a busy woman. As series fans will know, she never rests on her laurels and always has something going on to keep her busy. When she is not using forensics, she’s trying to keep her life in order, finding humour whenever possible. She’s come to really connect with colleagues and friends in both the US and Canada, which adds depth to her character and allows the reader added entertainment throughout. I’m always eager to eye what else one can learn about Brennan in these novels, as Reichs adds tidbits in each piece.
While there is always a strong core of secondary characters, Reichs is sure to add some new faces to keep things interesting. The reader will find many of those here, some who are meant to be loved while others are best left at arm’s length. Reichs uses her great style to breathe life into each individual and uses them as needed to advance the cases or backstories of others, which appears to work well here. It’s nice to have some of those familiar faces, including Andrew Ryan, though old storylines are sometimes best used to pass the time, rather than plan centre stage.
The story was strong and held my attention throughout. Reichs uses COVID-19 as a passing subplot, hinting that it has passed, so there is no mention of pandemic protocols or masked limitations, though something new has popped up in South Carolina (read the book to learn more). The plot works well and, in usual Brennan fashion, ties unknown remains into a quest to offer a victim their own identity. In a story that spans a few months, Reichs adds some ‘realism’ to the story, ensuring it does not seem that a week is long enough to crack open the case with ease. This paced approach and mid-length chapters keep the story moving along at a relatable pace, with twists and turns throughout to keep things exciting. With strong medical and forensic topics throughout, Reichs educates her readers as they are highly entertained, adding humour where needed to keep things from getting too somber. I have come to love the series and cannot get enough of these books. I cannot wait to see what’s next, as Tempe Brennan has not lost any steam, in my humble Canadian opinion.
Kudos, Madam Reichs, for another winning novel. This series is one that always gets me excited and reader for new discoveries. I hope many others will find it, if they have not already!
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A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
April 26, 2021
⭐️3.5 Stars⭐️
The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs is set in a post COVID world. A storm hits the South Carolina coast and a medical waste container washes up on the beach containing two decomposed bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting. The bodies are of a woman and child! Could this be identical to a cold case fifteen years earlier in Quebec?
This is forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan’s latest forensic investigation and it puts her on a dangerous trail to murderous villains. Meanwhile there’s a major outbreak involving some sort of organism that can cause illness and death in humans that’s spread from pets mainly dogs called capnocytophaga.
I found the science involving molecular genetics and genome editing were extremely interesting, the story has a huge scientific theme. I loved the characters of Temperance (Tempe), Ryan and Detective Tonia Vislosky and of course Birdie the cat!
I think if there was less geographical info on locations throughout the book I’d have enjoyed the story more as I found the references a little tedious.
A great medium paced crime mystery for those who love forensic science especially. I believe this is book number 20 in the series, wow that’s such an achievement!!
Publication Date: April 21st 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for an advanced copy to read.
The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs is set in a post COVID world. A storm hits the South Carolina coast and a medical waste container washes up on the beach containing two decomposed bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting. The bodies are of a woman and child! Could this be identical to a cold case fifteen years earlier in Quebec?
This is forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan’s latest forensic investigation and it puts her on a dangerous trail to murderous villains. Meanwhile there’s a major outbreak involving some sort of organism that can cause illness and death in humans that’s spread from pets mainly dogs called capnocytophaga.
I found the science involving molecular genetics and genome editing were extremely interesting, the story has a huge scientific theme. I loved the characters of Temperance (Tempe), Ryan and Detective Tonia Vislosky and of course Birdie the cat!
I think if there was less geographical info on locations throughout the book I’d have enjoyed the story more as I found the references a little tedious.
A great medium paced crime mystery for those who love forensic science especially. I believe this is book number 20 in the series, wow that’s such an achievement!!
Publication Date: April 21st 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for an advanced copy to read.
October 2, 2022
Fast paced thriller regarding separate but similar multiple murders that occurred 15 years apart from each other. MO is identical but one set of victims were killed in Canada and the other set of victims killed in the U.S.
Kathy Reichs does a fabulous job with story arc, flow, and character development; she throws in humor along the way which makes for a terrific read.
Kathy Reichs does a fabulous job with story arc, flow, and character development; she throws in humor along the way which makes for a terrific read.
July 7, 2021
I usually really like this series, but I was very disappointed in the use of an anti-vaccine plot device, featuring characters who spiked vaccines with CRISPR (as a molecular biologist I can tell you it just doesn't work that way) to cause mutation and disease in people. In a time when vaccine hesitancy, conspiracy theories, and scientific misinformation abound, this plot line is at best tone deaf and at worst dangerous.
July 23, 2021
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I really enjoyed this book! This is the twentieth installment in the Temperance Brennan series but it could work as a stand-alone. I binged this series years ago but missed picking up any of the newer installments until this one and I had no problem jumping back into the series. I love books that have medical or scientific elements so this is a series that has always appealed to me. I really had a great time with this story.
There is plenty of excitement in this book. Tempe is in the middle of a hurricane as the book opens. A container holding two bodies wash onshore during the storm and Tempe is called in to look at the remains. This case resembles a case that she dealt with in Montreal several years earlier that remains unsolved. Tempe finds herself drawn to the case and is determined to help solve this mystery. Unfortunately, things will get dangerous before the case can draw to a conclusion.
I was very intrigued by this mystery. I liked that it had a lot of layers and I enjoyed watching each piece fall into place. I wasn’t sure how things would work out until everything was revealed within the story. I found the DNA elements of the puzzle to be very interesting and I liked what it added to the mystery. I thought that this book had the right balance of exciting scenes and more thoughtful research that come together to solve the case.
I would recommend this book to others. I really like the way that Tempe works to determine what happened to the victims of these crimes. I definitely plan to read more of this series soon.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from Scribner Books.
I really enjoyed this book! This is the twentieth installment in the Temperance Brennan series but it could work as a stand-alone. I binged this series years ago but missed picking up any of the newer installments until this one and I had no problem jumping back into the series. I love books that have medical or scientific elements so this is a series that has always appealed to me. I really had a great time with this story.
There is plenty of excitement in this book. Tempe is in the middle of a hurricane as the book opens. A container holding two bodies wash onshore during the storm and Tempe is called in to look at the remains. This case resembles a case that she dealt with in Montreal several years earlier that remains unsolved. Tempe finds herself drawn to the case and is determined to help solve this mystery. Unfortunately, things will get dangerous before the case can draw to a conclusion.
I was very intrigued by this mystery. I liked that it had a lot of layers and I enjoyed watching each piece fall into place. I wasn’t sure how things would work out until everything was revealed within the story. I found the DNA elements of the puzzle to be very interesting and I liked what it added to the mystery. I thought that this book had the right balance of exciting scenes and more thoughtful research that come together to solve the case.
I would recommend this book to others. I really like the way that Tempe works to determine what happened to the victims of these crimes. I definitely plan to read more of this series soon.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from Scribner Books.
May 6, 2021
I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via Kaleidoscopic book tours and the publishers.
The Bone Code is book 20 in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs and begins during a hurricane storm in which Temperance gets a stranger visiting her at her workplace and then further disturbing news of a shipping container being washed ashore during the storm containing two bodies.
The bodies are that of two young girls and are very close in similarities to a previous cold case Temperance was involved in years before. Temperance turns to her boyfriend Andrew Ryan to help her try to crack both cases, and flies out to Montreal to try and put all four victims to rest and bring their murderer to justice.
Temperance has never gotten the first cold case out of her mind and the new bodies bring it all rushing back to haunt her. The bodies are exhumed for DNA analysis and a link is found after much digging and investigating with the help of a small, drawn together team.
Another strange even is happening too in this novel - an outbreak of capno cases has spiked in dogs and human owners and the public are going crazy about it! The story is post covid19 and people are still scared of any kind of outbreak. The case is puzzling and may have ties to the case she is working.
This is the first book by Kathy Reichs I have read and I loved it even without having read the previous books in the series. I really want to go to the beginning and read them all from start to finish now!
The Bone Code is book 20 in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs and begins during a hurricane storm in which Temperance gets a stranger visiting her at her workplace and then further disturbing news of a shipping container being washed ashore during the storm containing two bodies.
The bodies are that of two young girls and are very close in similarities to a previous cold case Temperance was involved in years before. Temperance turns to her boyfriend Andrew Ryan to help her try to crack both cases, and flies out to Montreal to try and put all four victims to rest and bring their murderer to justice.
Temperance has never gotten the first cold case out of her mind and the new bodies bring it all rushing back to haunt her. The bodies are exhumed for DNA analysis and a link is found after much digging and investigating with the help of a small, drawn together team.
Another strange even is happening too in this novel - an outbreak of capno cases has spiked in dogs and human owners and the public are going crazy about it! The story is post covid19 and people are still scared of any kind of outbreak. The case is puzzling and may have ties to the case she is working.
This is the first book by Kathy Reichs I have read and I loved it even without having read the previous books in the series. I really want to go to the beginning and read them all from start to finish now!
July 6, 2021
Good addition to the series.
A hurricane hits South Carolina and washes up a storage container holding two bodies wrapped in plastic. When Tempe sees the contents, it immediately reminds her of an almost identical case from Quebec many years before. Are the two sets of bodies connected to each other, and more importantly, who are the people inside?
Although at times these books tend to go off on tangents pontificating about certain subjects (in this case, vaccine development and death masks) the overall storylines are always creative and exciting and this one is no exception. There are some intriguing mysteries to solve and Tempe acts less like a rogue detective in this installment than she usually does (there are a couple of times she goes off on her own, but for the most part she stays in her lane).
It's entirely possible to jump in and read these books as standalones because each one is self-contained, but you do miss out on character interactions and relationship developments.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
A hurricane hits South Carolina and washes up a storage container holding two bodies wrapped in plastic. When Tempe sees the contents, it immediately reminds her of an almost identical case from Quebec many years before. Are the two sets of bodies connected to each other, and more importantly, who are the people inside?
Although at times these books tend to go off on tangents pontificating about certain subjects (in this case, vaccine development and death masks) the overall storylines are always creative and exciting and this one is no exception. There are some intriguing mysteries to solve and Tempe acts less like a rogue detective in this installment than she usually does (there are a couple of times she goes off on her own, but for the most part she stays in her lane).
It's entirely possible to jump in and read these books as standalones because each one is self-contained, but you do miss out on character interactions and relationship developments.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 27, 2021
The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs is delivered on an outstanding platform that is sure to snag readers for her other books. I had not read any of her books but was happy to know this was the 20th in this series and can be read out of order. The setting is the Isle of Palms beach in South Carolina where a Forensic Investigator Temperance "Bones" along side her long time beau Andrew open up a cold case that took place over 15 years earlier.
The scene begins when a canister washing upon shore with two bodies inside bound wrapped in plastic. When the familiarity of the case floods her memories of the previous case she takes it on in hopes of solving both.
Then a flesh eating bacteria, which can be found in the mouths of cats, dogs and humans attacks the people of Charleston. This disease Capnocytophaga can cause disturbing symptoms such as meningitis and septicemia. A very in depth research was needed to write this book, so kudos to this author who obviously knows her stuff.
This was an edge of the seat thriller that may lull some with the facts and information especially after the Covid pandemic, but hang on for a gripping climax. All of these terrifying events become connected with astonishing evidence.
Thank you NetGalley for this thriller ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
The scene begins when a canister washing upon shore with two bodies inside bound wrapped in plastic. When the familiarity of the case floods her memories of the previous case she takes it on in hopes of solving both.
Then a flesh eating bacteria, which can be found in the mouths of cats, dogs and humans attacks the people of Charleston. This disease Capnocytophaga can cause disturbing symptoms such as meningitis and septicemia. A very in depth research was needed to write this book, so kudos to this author who obviously knows her stuff.
This was an edge of the seat thriller that may lull some with the facts and information especially after the Covid pandemic, but hang on for a gripping climax. All of these terrifying events become connected with astonishing evidence.
Thank you NetGalley for this thriller ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
July 26, 2021
What a terribly irresponsible book to publish right now. Did anyone think about this, like, at all? Was your target audience a certain corner of the internet populated by war hungry conspiracy theorists? Or you'd just prefer it if people keep dying from poor popular decisions?
If I can set the story aside, if, I found the formulaic writing more annoying than usual. I guess I hoped the author would learn some things over the years, but instead she's relying on old formats more than ever. It's not charming.
If I can set the story aside, if, I found the formulaic writing more annoying than usual. I guess I hoped the author would learn some things over the years, but instead she's relying on old formats more than ever. It's not charming.
June 11, 2021
The 20th in the series, and I never tire of reading about the adventures of the amazing Temperance Brennan! In this one bodies are found in Charleston, SC with eerie similarities to a case Tempe had 15 years ago in Quebec. Could these murders be related? Seems a reach since they are geographically distanced as well as the lengthy time lapse. But the similarities nag at Tempe and she starts investigating and turning over clues.
Another thing, a mysterious disease begins infecting people in the South Carolina area. It seems to be transmitted by dogs. A genetic test can identify people with a rare gene mutation that makes them susceptable. Tempe finds clues that this disease and the murders could possibly be related.
This, as ususal, was an absorbing invetigation for Tempe. I did find the genetic descriptions challenging to follow, so parts of the book were pretty technical. The story was complex and kept me guessing, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next Temperance Brennan adventure.
Thanks to Scribner and Netgalley for an advance copy.
Another thing, a mysterious disease begins infecting people in the South Carolina area. It seems to be transmitted by dogs. A genetic test can identify people with a rare gene mutation that makes them susceptable. Tempe finds clues that this disease and the murders could possibly be related.
This, as ususal, was an absorbing invetigation for Tempe. I did find the genetic descriptions challenging to follow, so parts of the book were pretty technical. The story was complex and kept me guessing, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next Temperance Brennan adventure.
Thanks to Scribner and Netgalley for an advance copy.
September 13, 2021
The Bone Code is the twentieth book in the Temperance Brennan series. Temperance is a forensic anthropologist who has worked on a variety of cases. While this could be read as a standalone novel, I recommend reading some of the earlier books first.
In The Bone Code, Temperance gets involved with a case in Charleston that reminds her of a cold case she worked years earlier in Quebec. Meanwhile, a virus outbreak in Charleston is causing panic. Temperance works to connect the two cases and uncover more than just a murderer.
This is a series that I’ve enjoyed over the years. There are a few books in this series that I haven’t read, but I plan to go back and read them soon. Temperance is intelligent and driven in her work. She makes for a strong and interesting protagonist.
The Bone Code is sure to be enjoyed by fans of this series. For readers unfamiliar with Temperance, I recommend checking out this series if you like crime fiction.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In The Bone Code, Temperance gets involved with a case in Charleston that reminds her of a cold case she worked years earlier in Quebec. Meanwhile, a virus outbreak in Charleston is causing panic. Temperance works to connect the two cases and uncover more than just a murderer.
This is a series that I’ve enjoyed over the years. There are a few books in this series that I haven’t read, but I plan to go back and read them soon. Temperance is intelligent and driven in her work. She makes for a strong and interesting protagonist.
The Bone Code is sure to be enjoyed by fans of this series. For readers unfamiliar with Temperance, I recommend checking out this series if you like crime fiction.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2021
If you like this series, you will like this installment. This is the second book I have read in this series and I have decided it isn't the series for me. In this case, it isn't the storyline which I find interesting, but the writing style. There seems to be too much description of superfluous things such as what one is wearing or eating and I didn't like all of the quebecismes unnecessarily thrown in.
April 26, 2021
I've been a fan of this series it seems like forever - this is the 20th book, and I doubt I've missed more than a couple. They're always a treat to read, and this one is no exception. Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is off to meet a friend who lives on the Isle of Palms off the coast of South Carolina amid a Category 3 storm that's threatening evacuation. A call from the coroner in Charleston tells her some kind of container has washed up on the beach. It seems the container's filled with two dead bodies - wrapped up in plastic sheeting and secured with electrical wire. Uh, oh, Tempe says to herself - that's too close for comfort to a case she handled in Quebec, where she regularly serves as a consultant in Montreal.
Concerned, she snags a flight to Montreal, hoping she can convince her supervisor there to reopen that old case. But she's also eager to touch base with her love buddy, Andrew Ryan, who's retired from the police and now puts his investigative skills to work as a private eye.
Just as she's prepping to head out, though, she's visited by an elderly lady who shows Tempe some photos and asks for help identifying a suspected ancestor. A little bit of research unearths a connection to so-called "death masks," but Tempe has little time to deal with it and hands off the task to the friend with whom she's staying on the island (there's a bit more mention of this story thread and it's kind of interesting, but it never seemed very important to the rest of the book).
As if dead bodies and a potentially deadly hurricane weren't enough, Charleston is facing terror of a different sort: not long after the threat of COVID-19 has faded, a new virus is on the horizon and spreading quickly. Tagged as "capnocytophaga," it appears to be transmitted to humans by way of dog bites. This outbreak, too, threads its way throughout the story, but the really good part lies in whether, and how, there's a connection between the four bodies found in containers 15 years apart. That investigation, with Tempe's charge aided and abetted by Andrew, gets the lion's share of pages (as it should) and puts both of their lives in danger more than once.
Throughout it all, the author's humor shines through (sometimes in the form of banter between Tempe and Andrew). And oh, did I mention how much I love Andrew? Not only is he extremely competent and oozes French charm when he wants to, this guy drinks Moosehead. That makes him un homme apres mon propre coeur (a man after my own heart, if my Googled translation is correct).
I must say, though, that while I love the medical stuff - one of the main reasons I'm attracted to this series - this one was a little too technical in spots for me to fully "get." But hear this: at no point did I want to put it down. In large part, chalk that up to the author's game of ending chapters with cliffhangers (some more precarious than others). Yeah, I tried to ignore that when dinner or bedtime came, but more often than not, she won.
All in all, excellent once again. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
Concerned, she snags a flight to Montreal, hoping she can convince her supervisor there to reopen that old case. But she's also eager to touch base with her love buddy, Andrew Ryan, who's retired from the police and now puts his investigative skills to work as a private eye.
Just as she's prepping to head out, though, she's visited by an elderly lady who shows Tempe some photos and asks for help identifying a suspected ancestor. A little bit of research unearths a connection to so-called "death masks," but Tempe has little time to deal with it and hands off the task to the friend with whom she's staying on the island (there's a bit more mention of this story thread and it's kind of interesting, but it never seemed very important to the rest of the book).
As if dead bodies and a potentially deadly hurricane weren't enough, Charleston is facing terror of a different sort: not long after the threat of COVID-19 has faded, a new virus is on the horizon and spreading quickly. Tagged as "capnocytophaga," it appears to be transmitted to humans by way of dog bites. This outbreak, too, threads its way throughout the story, but the really good part lies in whether, and how, there's a connection between the four bodies found in containers 15 years apart. That investigation, with Tempe's charge aided and abetted by Andrew, gets the lion's share of pages (as it should) and puts both of their lives in danger more than once.
Throughout it all, the author's humor shines through (sometimes in the form of banter between Tempe and Andrew). And oh, did I mention how much I love Andrew? Not only is he extremely competent and oozes French charm when he wants to, this guy drinks Moosehead. That makes him un homme apres mon propre coeur (a man after my own heart, if my Googled translation is correct).
I must say, though, that while I love the medical stuff - one of the main reasons I'm attracted to this series - this one was a little too technical in spots for me to fully "get." But hear this: at no point did I want to put it down. In large part, chalk that up to the author's game of ending chapters with cliffhangers (some more precarious than others). Yeah, I tried to ignore that when dinner or bedtime came, but more often than not, she won.
All in all, excellent once again. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
April 13, 2021
Hurricanes and viruses and bodies, oh my! We’re not in Kansas anymore, Birdie! Well, they never were, at least not in The Bone Code, which is the 20th installment of the Temperence Brennan “Bones” series by Kathy Reichs. After several just so-so novels, this one really held my interest. As usual, Tempe, a forensic anthropologist, gallivants between Charlotte, N.C. and Montreal – for work and pleasure, as she is now cohabitating with now- retired former Quebec homicide detective Andrew Ryan. And Birdie. Birdie the cat.
Besides the usual deaths – accidental and unknown causes – that cross her path every day, Tempe juggles two major mysteries this time around. First, as the storm threatens, an elderly woman approaches Dr. Brennan with a puzzle. She presents pictures, wondering if Tempe can help identify a woman whom she believes to be an ancestor. Later, when her friend Anne calls for help cleaning up storm damage, Temp gladly passes off this research to her, which leads to an interesting, but tedious, inquiry into death masks. More crucial, however, are the two decomposed bodies that wash ashore off the coast of South Carolina in a medical waste container. Wait! There’s more! Something tickling the back of Tempe’s brain reminds her of an unsolved case in Quebec some 15 years earlier. Whom does she call? No other than her go-to guy – Andrew Ryan! Oui, bien sûr. Yes, of course.
Finally, Charleston is also experiencing an outbreak of a virus spread by dog bites, which has the people in the entire area up in arms either pro – or con – when it comes to how to deal with man’s best friend.
What I loved about this book was that it grabbed me right from the start with the tumultuous weather event and it got wilder and crazier from there. Those who have read previous Temperence Brennan novels know that she can be sarcastic at times, witty at other times. However, she is very good at what she does, even though she is usually up to her lovely neck in trouble. This time is no exception. Once she gets hold of something she does not let go. She’s not afraid to reach out to others when looking for answers either.
Ms. Reichs has penned a colorful array of characters, particularly Detectived Tonia Vislosky with the Charleston PD. Vislosky is tall, quiet – make that taciturn, and extremely competent. Despite their awkward alliance on the case of the two murdered girls, Vislosky and Brennan manage to work well together.
Ryan is, well, he’s Ryan. Now a private investigator, he still has many contacts in the police world, and he makes great use of them. He’s smooth, suave, still good looking. And he’s always there for Tempe. Their interactions made me chuckle at times – lots of one-liners and inside jokes.
The bad guys weren’t hard to figure out, but understanding what they were up to was a challenge. There’s a lot going on here with a ton of scientific language. When I read one of my all-time favorite sayings, " Better living through chemistry, " I figured I could handle it. This is the Covid era, and we don’t entirely escape it. We get exposed to information about vaccines, viruses, and all kinds of genetic research, some of it understandable for non-scientifically predisposed lay brains, and some of it not so much. But that didn’t lessen my enjoyment too much. These dudes were up to something really, really bad. And Tempe’s a brainiac, so researching scientific stuff is what she does, right ?
If that part slows the pace a little, don’t worry ; things get really hopping at the end ! ‘Nuf said about that. I’ll just add that at least there’s a possibility of yet another Temperence Brennan novel.
Thanks to Kathy Reichs for advocating for abused and missing children and women in this book. And thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
4 stars
Besides the usual deaths – accidental and unknown causes – that cross her path every day, Tempe juggles two major mysteries this time around. First, as the storm threatens, an elderly woman approaches Dr. Brennan with a puzzle. She presents pictures, wondering if Tempe can help identify a woman whom she believes to be an ancestor. Later, when her friend Anne calls for help cleaning up storm damage, Temp gladly passes off this research to her, which leads to an interesting, but tedious, inquiry into death masks. More crucial, however, are the two decomposed bodies that wash ashore off the coast of South Carolina in a medical waste container. Wait! There’s more! Something tickling the back of Tempe’s brain reminds her of an unsolved case in Quebec some 15 years earlier. Whom does she call? No other than her go-to guy – Andrew Ryan! Oui, bien sûr. Yes, of course.
Finally, Charleston is also experiencing an outbreak of a virus spread by dog bites, which has the people in the entire area up in arms either pro – or con – when it comes to how to deal with man’s best friend.
What I loved about this book was that it grabbed me right from the start with the tumultuous weather event and it got wilder and crazier from there. Those who have read previous Temperence Brennan novels know that she can be sarcastic at times, witty at other times. However, she is very good at what she does, even though she is usually up to her lovely neck in trouble. This time is no exception. Once she gets hold of something she does not let go. She’s not afraid to reach out to others when looking for answers either.
Ms. Reichs has penned a colorful array of characters, particularly Detectived Tonia Vislosky with the Charleston PD. Vislosky is tall, quiet – make that taciturn, and extremely competent. Despite their awkward alliance on the case of the two murdered girls, Vislosky and Brennan manage to work well together.
Ryan is, well, he’s Ryan. Now a private investigator, he still has many contacts in the police world, and he makes great use of them. He’s smooth, suave, still good looking. And he’s always there for Tempe. Their interactions made me chuckle at times – lots of one-liners and inside jokes.
The bad guys weren’t hard to figure out, but understanding what they were up to was a challenge. There’s a lot going on here with a ton of scientific language. When I read one of my all-time favorite sayings, " Better living through chemistry, " I figured I could handle it. This is the Covid era, and we don’t entirely escape it. We get exposed to information about vaccines, viruses, and all kinds of genetic research, some of it understandable for non-scientifically predisposed lay brains, and some of it not so much. But that didn’t lessen my enjoyment too much. These dudes were up to something really, really bad. And Tempe’s a brainiac, so researching scientific stuff is what she does, right ?
If that part slows the pace a little, don’t worry ; things get really hopping at the end ! ‘Nuf said about that. I’ll just add that at least there’s a possibility of yet another Temperence Brennan novel.
Thanks to Kathy Reichs for advocating for abused and missing children and women in this book. And thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
4 stars
September 12, 2021
The Bone Code is book #20 in Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan series. Even though the book follows one case that Tempe is working on, and the book in theory works as a stand alone, I still felt like I was late to the party. Not knowing any of Temperance's backstory made it hard to connect with her as a person.
Temperance is called to do a forensic analysis of bones of two people found washed ashore in a hazardous waste container. The more she worked on the bones the more a similar case fifteen years ago came to mind. Tempe is convinced they are linked and what ensues is a details and lengthy investigation.
I liked Tempe's empathy for the victims, this was more than just a job to her. The story is set post Covid and people are in a panic over a new disease that is coming from family pets.
Reichs gives her readers a complex plot with detailed forensics and a large cast of characters. Small pieces of information are pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle to finally reveal the bigger picture.
Advances in DNA collection, forensics and pathology are shown between the present case the the cold case of fifteen years prior. Societies penchant for having their DNA anylised and stored is also a major factor in this mystery.
The Bone Code is narrated in a relaxed style and is well paced with each chapter ended on a little cliff hanger. Reichs delivers a very compelling mystery that builds as the story progresses.
I found the technical explanations of forensics and genetics and the constant use of initialism and acronyms quite confusing and caused me to lose focus.
The Bone Code would be a great read for those interested in forensics and science and followers of the TV series, Bones.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Temperance is called to do a forensic analysis of bones of two people found washed ashore in a hazardous waste container. The more she worked on the bones the more a similar case fifteen years ago came to mind. Tempe is convinced they are linked and what ensues is a details and lengthy investigation.
I liked Tempe's empathy for the victims, this was more than just a job to her. The story is set post Covid and people are in a panic over a new disease that is coming from family pets.
Reichs gives her readers a complex plot with detailed forensics and a large cast of characters. Small pieces of information are pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle to finally reveal the bigger picture.
Advances in DNA collection, forensics and pathology are shown between the present case the the cold case of fifteen years prior. Societies penchant for having their DNA anylised and stored is also a major factor in this mystery.
The Bone Code is narrated in a relaxed style and is well paced with each chapter ended on a little cliff hanger. Reichs delivers a very compelling mystery that builds as the story progresses.
I found the technical explanations of forensics and genetics and the constant use of initialism and acronyms quite confusing and caused me to lose focus.
The Bone Code would be a great read for those interested in forensics and science and followers of the TV series, Bones.
*I received a copy from the publisher
September 20, 2021
This was my first Kathy Reichs book, read more out of curiosity to discover how a crime genre author can span the bestseller lists for 25 years when the techniques of investigation and the enabling technology have changed considerably over that period. While her sleuth, Temperence (Tempe) Brennan hasn’t aged much over that time span, Reichs has managed to keep herself current, even delving into the world of vaccines and mRNA for this, her 20th, novel in the Tempe series.
The plot is simple, two bodies of women are found washed up in a container in Charleston, South Carolina, a copy-cat killing of two other females fifteen years ago in Montreal, Quebec which is still unsolved. Approaching the crimes as a forensic anthropologist, Tempe recreates possible scenarios until we get down to an anti-vaxxer’s dream conspiracy. Given Reichs’ dual locations in South Carolina and Quebec, Tempe herself flits between the new case and the cold one, and has two able-bodied assistants—boyfriend Ryan in Quebec and tough cop Voslowsky in South Carolina—to help her out when she is in the other location.
That Reichs writes her books two years before they are published, and that this book is set in Oct 2021 and was published earlier this year, she obviously missed the entire Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 in the first draft, for this plot hovers around another epidemic: captocytophaga or capno, transmitted by cats and dogs to humans. The subsequent Covid pandemic had to be obviously filled into the manuscripts in subsequent drafts for veracity, and the pandemic, I’m sure, gives a boost to the mRNA connection in the plot, although how the Covid scenario actually played out in 2021 is not that accurately depicted. The book also must have found an instant audience with anti-vaxxers who saw the possibilities for Big Pharma to manipulate us lab rats by saying, “See, even Kathy Reichs is writing about it.”
And yet the book poses interesting questions and shows how a twisted and selfish person with access to knowledge and opportunity can wreak havoc on society. In that sense this book is timely, and is a compulsive read.
However, fast-paced plot notwithstanding, I was put off by the casual and hurried writing, as if Reichs was contractually on a timer to finish this book while mRNA was fresh on everyone’s mind. The fragmented sentences or predicate-only sentences, the contrivances, the information conveniently provided when needed, the constant conjecturing and summing up, the blatant punchlines at the end of every chapter to get us into the next one—all got to me after awhile and I wondered whether best-selling authors were at least obligated to write good English, given that so many were reading their books.
I learned a lot about DNA and forensic reconstruction, but I’m not sure I will be reading another Reichs novel.
The plot is simple, two bodies of women are found washed up in a container in Charleston, South Carolina, a copy-cat killing of two other females fifteen years ago in Montreal, Quebec which is still unsolved. Approaching the crimes as a forensic anthropologist, Tempe recreates possible scenarios until we get down to an anti-vaxxer’s dream conspiracy. Given Reichs’ dual locations in South Carolina and Quebec, Tempe herself flits between the new case and the cold one, and has two able-bodied assistants—boyfriend Ryan in Quebec and tough cop Voslowsky in South Carolina—to help her out when she is in the other location.
That Reichs writes her books two years before they are published, and that this book is set in Oct 2021 and was published earlier this year, she obviously missed the entire Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 in the first draft, for this plot hovers around another epidemic: captocytophaga or capno, transmitted by cats and dogs to humans. The subsequent Covid pandemic had to be obviously filled into the manuscripts in subsequent drafts for veracity, and the pandemic, I’m sure, gives a boost to the mRNA connection in the plot, although how the Covid scenario actually played out in 2021 is not that accurately depicted. The book also must have found an instant audience with anti-vaxxers who saw the possibilities for Big Pharma to manipulate us lab rats by saying, “See, even Kathy Reichs is writing about it.”
And yet the book poses interesting questions and shows how a twisted and selfish person with access to knowledge and opportunity can wreak havoc on society. In that sense this book is timely, and is a compulsive read.
However, fast-paced plot notwithstanding, I was put off by the casual and hurried writing, as if Reichs was contractually on a timer to finish this book while mRNA was fresh on everyone’s mind. The fragmented sentences or predicate-only sentences, the contrivances, the information conveniently provided when needed, the constant conjecturing and summing up, the blatant punchlines at the end of every chapter to get us into the next one—all got to me after awhile and I wondered whether best-selling authors were at least obligated to write good English, given that so many were reading their books.
I learned a lot about DNA and forensic reconstruction, but I’m not sure I will be reading another Reichs novel.
July 16, 2021
This is the scariest book I have ever read. Why? Read the review to find out.
“The Bone Code” is the twentieth novel in the series that inspired the popular TV series “Bones.” New readers will be quickly immersed in the story, and any information needed from previous books is part of the current narrative. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist, a specialist in DNA, human genomics and the wonder and power of the double-helix molecule. We have all met her; she is the person sitting next to us on a plane with a discontented cat under her seat.
The story is told in Brennan’s first person narrative so readers learn what she learns when she learns it. Her narration has three distinct styles; she talks to herself with quick, abrupt, no nonsense observations. Her professional demeanor is meticulous, focused, and detailed with pleasant comradery and a touch of humor. She also has a casual side, easy going with friendly banter about everything from cold weather to children and life in general. Of course, there is also Andrew Ryan with whom she shares joys, sorrows, challenges, and a home.
Chapters are identified by date to assist readers because nothing is as fast as it is on TV. The real drama begins when Brennan gets a call that dredges up a long ago unsolved case, two unidentified bodies in Montreal. Now there are two more victims, now four unidentified bodies, and many unanswered questions. The cases are far apart in geography and time, but so similar in other ways that they have to be connected. Her old case that was as cold as the arctic is suddenly red hot, thanks to a journalist who just shows up at a location because there were not any other big stories that day. The investigation is detailed, organized and professional, but the case is like a fragmented mirror in a fun-house; one scene cartwheels crazily into the next. In the end, the old adage works – just follow the money. Suddenly the pieces start to fall into place; everything “fits like an Armani suit.”
“The Bone Code” takes readers down an unexpected road “big pharma” and flu vaccines. I received a review copy of “The Bone Code” from Kathy Reichs and Scribner. It is one of the most frightening I have ever read because the COVID19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine.
“The Bone Code” is the twentieth novel in the series that inspired the popular TV series “Bones.” New readers will be quickly immersed in the story, and any information needed from previous books is part of the current narrative. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist, a specialist in DNA, human genomics and the wonder and power of the double-helix molecule. We have all met her; she is the person sitting next to us on a plane with a discontented cat under her seat.
The story is told in Brennan’s first person narrative so readers learn what she learns when she learns it. Her narration has three distinct styles; she talks to herself with quick, abrupt, no nonsense observations. Her professional demeanor is meticulous, focused, and detailed with pleasant comradery and a touch of humor. She also has a casual side, easy going with friendly banter about everything from cold weather to children and life in general. Of course, there is also Andrew Ryan with whom she shares joys, sorrows, challenges, and a home.
Chapters are identified by date to assist readers because nothing is as fast as it is on TV. The real drama begins when Brennan gets a call that dredges up a long ago unsolved case, two unidentified bodies in Montreal. Now there are two more victims, now four unidentified bodies, and many unanswered questions. The cases are far apart in geography and time, but so similar in other ways that they have to be connected. Her old case that was as cold as the arctic is suddenly red hot, thanks to a journalist who just shows up at a location because there were not any other big stories that day. The investigation is detailed, organized and professional, but the case is like a fragmented mirror in a fun-house; one scene cartwheels crazily into the next. In the end, the old adage works – just follow the money. Suddenly the pieces start to fall into place; everything “fits like an Armani suit.”
“The Bone Code” takes readers down an unexpected road “big pharma” and flu vaccines. I received a review copy of “The Bone Code” from Kathy Reichs and Scribner. It is one of the most frightening I have ever read because the COVID19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine.
June 30, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
The Temperance Brennan series is one of those series I started reading back when I was a teen and it was first published and one of the few I still keep reading every year. All these long time running series (this is the 20th installment) run the risk of becoming repetitive, but Tempe is still as fresh as in her first case.
I’ve always preferred her Canadian cases so I liked how this time she kept jumping around between Montreal and South Carolina. Two bodies have washed up inside a container during a storm in Charleston and Tempe soon finds similarities with one of her old cases in Canada. Add a weird epidemic (familiar much?) and you have all the ingredients for Tempe to be involved in another baffling (and quite terrifying) case.
The mystery was really interesting and managed to hold my attention throughout, but it was a bit overcomplicated at times and it required too many coincidences that would never happen IRL. As usual I loved all the forensic analysis she performs and the morgue talk (why will that be?! 🤔).
The plot moved at a nice pace and the short chapters and the little cliffhangers at the end of most of them made it nearly impossible to stop reading. Tempe is as headstrong and sarcastic as ever, her relationship with Ryan is in a good place and the new characters make a fantastic addition, special mention to Detective Tonia Vislosky.
The resolution left not loose ends and will require all your senses while reading as it heavily relies on some scientific info.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Scribner for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Temperance Brennan series is one of those series I started reading back when I was a teen and it was first published and one of the few I still keep reading every year. All these long time running series (this is the 20th installment) run the risk of becoming repetitive, but Tempe is still as fresh as in her first case.
I’ve always preferred her Canadian cases so I liked how this time she kept jumping around between Montreal and South Carolina. Two bodies have washed up inside a container during a storm in Charleston and Tempe soon finds similarities with one of her old cases in Canada. Add a weird epidemic (familiar much?) and you have all the ingredients for Tempe to be involved in another baffling (and quite terrifying) case.
The mystery was really interesting and managed to hold my attention throughout, but it was a bit overcomplicated at times and it required too many coincidences that would never happen IRL. As usual I loved all the forensic analysis she performs and the morgue talk (why will that be?! 🤔).
The plot moved at a nice pace and the short chapters and the little cliffhangers at the end of most of them made it nearly impossible to stop reading. Tempe is as headstrong and sarcastic as ever, her relationship with Ryan is in a good place and the new characters make a fantastic addition, special mention to Detective Tonia Vislosky.
The resolution left not loose ends and will require all your senses while reading as it heavily relies on some scientific info.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Scribner for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2021
This book deserves 4 stars for plot and pacing. But I was very disturbed that the author and publisher thought this was a good time to bring out a book that might discourage people from being vaccinated against COVID. There are people out there who believe that their DNA will be changed if they get vaccinated; why would a scientist want to add to their feeling of unease?
April 14, 2021
The Bone Code is the twentieth book in the Temperance Brennan series by American author, Kathy Reichs. When a hurricane washes up a plastic biohazard barrel on the shore in Charleston, Temperance Brennan is called on to examine the remains of two bodies contained within. Naked, killed by a bullet through the head, teeth and fingers removed, wrapped in blue plastic sheeting and secured with red electrical wire, all elements that resonate with Tempe: she can’t forget a virtually identical case in Quebec, fifteen years earlier, never solved.
Tempe has also been asked to research the case of a missing nineteenth-century twin: when Polly Beecroft’s twin sister passed on, she left behind a mystery in the form of a death mask. The image of the woman in the mask is identical to the Beecroft twins, and to their grandmother, Susanne Bouvier and her missing twin, Sybil. Could the mask offer a clue to Sybil’s fate? While Tempe heads to Montreal to re-examine that unsolved case, her best friend Anne Turnip delves into death masks.
This instalment sees Tempe (and the Birdcat) frequently commuting between Quebec and south Carolina, being frustrated at the slow pace of DNA processing, learning more than she wants to about genetic testing, involved in a targeted hit-and-run with Ryan, and researching popular acronyms in order to decipher a teen diary. As well as death masks, their modern equivalent, facial approximation imaging, features, and a nasty zoonotic virus outbreak brings out the worst in the South Carolina population.
The delicious Andrew Ryan makes plenty of appearances to be a sounding board and to offer encouragement, ideas, clever banter and neck rubs. His police contacts prove a major advantage as they revisit a cold case with new technology, and gradually uncover a great deal more about these murders, the motive for which turns out to be truly diabolical.
Reichs does make an art form of ending many chapters with a short teaser/cliff-hanger sentence, which can be a little irritating, but is probably forgivable for a plot that keeps the reader enthralled. This is another excellent procedural that features autopsies and exhumations and all the fascinating tidbits that go with them, demonstrating the wealth of information that bones yield to the right interrogator. An engrossing and highly topical read.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Simon & Schuster Australia.
Tempe has also been asked to research the case of a missing nineteenth-century twin: when Polly Beecroft’s twin sister passed on, she left behind a mystery in the form of a death mask. The image of the woman in the mask is identical to the Beecroft twins, and to their grandmother, Susanne Bouvier and her missing twin, Sybil. Could the mask offer a clue to Sybil’s fate? While Tempe heads to Montreal to re-examine that unsolved case, her best friend Anne Turnip delves into death masks.
This instalment sees Tempe (and the Birdcat) frequently commuting between Quebec and south Carolina, being frustrated at the slow pace of DNA processing, learning more than she wants to about genetic testing, involved in a targeted hit-and-run with Ryan, and researching popular acronyms in order to decipher a teen diary. As well as death masks, their modern equivalent, facial approximation imaging, features, and a nasty zoonotic virus outbreak brings out the worst in the South Carolina population.
The delicious Andrew Ryan makes plenty of appearances to be a sounding board and to offer encouragement, ideas, clever banter and neck rubs. His police contacts prove a major advantage as they revisit a cold case with new technology, and gradually uncover a great deal more about these murders, the motive for which turns out to be truly diabolical.
Reichs does make an art form of ending many chapters with a short teaser/cliff-hanger sentence, which can be a little irritating, but is probably forgivable for a plot that keeps the reader enthralled. This is another excellent procedural that features autopsies and exhumations and all the fascinating tidbits that go with them, demonstrating the wealth of information that bones yield to the right interrogator. An engrossing and highly topical read.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Simon & Schuster Australia.
July 11, 2021
This is my last Temperance Brennan book. I started reading them after watching Bones (side note, never finished that either). The first handful were pretty good, if dated in tone and language, but I could overlook that in favor of plot and the assumption that the outdated stuff would be corrected over time. A lot did get better, but Reichs continues to refer to geographical areas as "hoods", define her characters in terms of weight/skin color/socioeconomic class/job which she often uses to indicate their (lack of) intelligence, and more. Here is a sampling: "Back in the day, Le Repos was under government contract to provide plots for those making the poor decision to die penniless or nameless." (Because of course everyone has options to do otherwise.) Describing the DNA tech: "In her late twenties, tall and willowy, Willoughby carried herself like a woman who knew she was beautiful. She wasn't, due largely to her taste in makeup." (We learn that it's colorful and often paired with a dash of flashy hair color. How does this not make her beautiful exactly?) Of the detective's choice in Waze voice "...some dude who sounded like a ballet student in London. No telling taste." WTAF?
What's more, now she's shamelessly promoting her own TV show. (No its not meta that Temperance watches a TV show about herself, especially when she complains constantly about the inaccuracies of TV crime shows.)
Even if I could get past all that, which I can't, the plots have gotten stale. Is Temperance still a forensic anthropologist or is she now a self-funded sleuth who solves mysteries and gets into life-threatening scrapes only to saved in the nick of time by one of her many supporting characters (i.e., actual law enforcement)? And this middle-age sexy-time crap with Ryan is just gross. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
What's more, now she's shamelessly promoting her own TV show. (No its not meta that Temperance watches a TV show about herself, especially when she complains constantly about the inaccuracies of TV crime shows.)
Even if I could get past all that, which I can't, the plots have gotten stale. Is Temperance still a forensic anthropologist or is she now a self-funded sleuth who solves mysteries and gets into life-threatening scrapes only to saved in the nick of time by one of her many supporting characters (i.e., actual law enforcement)? And this middle-age sexy-time crap with Ryan is just gross. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
June 2, 2021
Another in the "Bones" series by Kathy Reichs (the 20th). I have never watched the television series. I tried it once for a few minutes, but the actress just didn't fit my "picture" of Tempe Brennan, so I was turned off to it......Anyway, my thoughts....
Reading another Kathy Reichs Temperance Brennan “Bones” novels is like visiting with an old friend. A very intelligent friend who is sometimes not so smart when placing herself in dangerous situations. I always gleam some new information from her novels, whether it be in the area of forensic anthropology or, in this book, genetics
It’s difficult to put down one of Ms. Reichs' novels as her foreshadowing of events at the ends of chapters keeps the intrigue going and prods the reader to go on for “just one more chapter"
I enjoy Reichs’ writing. She has a clever way with words and a good sense of humor comes through. While this can be read as a standalone, I think you will not enjoy it as much without knowing backstories and histories that have been developed in past novels. Can’t wait for #21!
Reading another Kathy Reichs Temperance Brennan “Bones” novels is like visiting with an old friend. A very intelligent friend who is sometimes not so smart when placing herself in dangerous situations. I always gleam some new information from her novels, whether it be in the area of forensic anthropology or, in this book, genetics
It’s difficult to put down one of Ms. Reichs' novels as her foreshadowing of events at the ends of chapters keeps the intrigue going and prods the reader to go on for “just one more chapter"
I enjoy Reichs’ writing. She has a clever way with words and a good sense of humor comes through. While this can be read as a standalone, I think you will not enjoy it as much without knowing backstories and histories that have been developed in past novels. Can’t wait for #21!
February 22, 2021
So, a quick starting note on this one: If you’re tired of all things COVID and are just looking for an escape, there are COVID references in this book. The book takes place post-pandemic and it’s used primarily as an explanation for people’s reactions to the bacterium mentioned in the book description.
To be honest, the bacterium in question and the resounding ‘panic’…isn’t very interesting.
What is interesting is our crime. I wanted to know about our victims – why they were killed and who they were – and thoroughly enjoyed Tempe’s investigation. This book brings us a new character who is interesting, but who doesn’t get any real character development until close to the end of the book.
The pace of the book is fair. I never lost interest, but it wasn’t a book that I simply couldn’t put down.
Enjoyed the book, didn’t love it, but it won’t sway me away from the series. Will definitely read the next one.
*ARC provided via Net Galley
To be honest, the bacterium in question and the resounding ‘panic’…isn’t very interesting.
What is interesting is our crime. I wanted to know about our victims – why they were killed and who they were – and thoroughly enjoyed Tempe’s investigation. This book brings us a new character who is interesting, but who doesn’t get any real character development until close to the end of the book.
The pace of the book is fair. I never lost interest, but it wasn’t a book that I simply couldn’t put down.
Enjoyed the book, didn’t love it, but it won’t sway me away from the series. Will definitely read the next one.
*ARC provided via Net Galley
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