Title: 206 Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #12
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Anthropology, Crime, Science, Strong women
Dates read: 10th July – 14th August 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Perhaps that, too, was contributing to my newfound serenity.

When Dr. Temperance Brennan is accused of mishandling the autopsy of a missing heiress, a routine case swiftly turns sinister. But before Tempe can get to the one man with the information she needs, he turns up dead.

In Montreal, three elderly women are found murdered, their bodies brutally discarded. Even though the clues don’t add up, Tempe is certain of a link between their deaths and that of the heiress.

Has Tempe made grave errors, or is she being sabotaged by an unseen enemy? What is frighteningly clear is that more than just Tempe’s career is at stake. Her life is also at risk.

This probably wasn’t my favourite Temperance Brennan novel thus far. I had to keep stopping and starting. And I really didn’t get swept away in trying to figure out the culprit from the very beginning like I usually do. Not to say that it wasn’t still a fantastic novel. It just wasn’t quite as amazing as some of the other books in this series. It felt a little like a connector story – at least that’s what I found.

Although I wasn’t immediately swept away by 206 Bones, I did like that this took a bit of a departure from the style of the other novels in the series. For starters, it begins with Tempe being trapped. And then proceeds to flash between two time frames. Not necessarily a format and tactic that I love all the time in a novel. But it did work really well for this story line. After all, instead of trying to figure out who the murderer was, you spend a lot of time wondering who attacked Tempe. It added an extra, unexpected layer of mystery to the storyline.

I did love the fact that you pretty much know part of the ending of the story before you actually know the beginning. That, partnered with the main crime was quite intriguing. After all, I haven’t yet read a series or crime novel that focuses on the murders of elderly women. Which I feel like there should probably be more – they’re a fairly vulnerable group of people.

Although I liked the murder story and the overall rebuilding (I think) of Ryan and Tempe’s relationship. I seriously love that all throughout, you know that someone is out to get Tempe and you are constantly wondering who it is. Why. And just what is going to send them over the edge and driving an individual to commit such a crime.

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Title: Devil Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #11
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Anthropology, Crime, Science, Strong women
Dates read: 26th May – 2nd June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “She is one proud young lady.”

An underground chamber is exposed in a seedy, dilapidated house. In the dark cellar, a ritualistic display is revealed: a human skull rests on a cauldron, surrounded by slain chickens and bizarre figurines.

Called to the scene is forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan. She determines that the skull is that of a young, black female. But how and when did she die? Just as Tempe is closing in on answers, another body is discovered: a headless corpse carved with Satanic symbols.

As local vigilantes begin a witch-hunt, Tempe struggles to contain her emotions. But the eventual truth proves more shocking than even she could have imagined.

This is probably the least spine-tingling Temperance Brennan book that I’ve read in a while. Which isn’t a bad thing. It’s nice to have a change of pace and not finish one of these novels with goose bumps up my arms and the need to check in every nook and cranny for a predator… it’s refreshing and definitely something I somewhat appreciate. It was nice to finish a crime novel in which you had to find out who the culprit was, and had a few moments of heart-racing action, but not as much as the other stories.

One of the aspects of Reichs’ writing that I always enjoy is the way in which she is able to take an honest and open approach to a number of different belief systems and lifestyles. In the case of this story, it was one near and dear to my heart – that of Wicca and some other beliefs which aren’t really considered main stream. It was nice to read such an open view, one that neither encouraged nor discouraged the belief. It was informative and open, a great way to explain some belief systems which are often demonised.

My one big issue with this novel – there were SO many questions left unanswered. Not about the crime… that was all tied up neatly as they so often are. But there were so many unanswered questions about some of the personal aspects of Tempe’s life throughout the story. Mysteries that I’m pretty sure I didn’t get the answers too. Although, it maybe just be the fact that I didn’t notice the hints and such…. I’m going to just have to read the next book to see if I missed something, or the questions are answered then. And, annoyingly, since I don’t like giving away spoilers in reviews, I can’t bitch and moan anymore than that (my partner DID get an earful though).

Tempe’s alcoholic history really comes to life in this story too. Which I think may be a bit of the cause of this not being such a spine-tingling story – it is intense and great. But, most of the really heart-pumping action (for me) came from dealing with those emotional issues that are rife throughout. Not the criminal.

Normally I can see the villain coming in a crime novel like this. But I really didn’t pick up on who it was AT ALL. I love when I’m surprised. And I’d be interested to see if years down the track on a reread I can pick up the hints that I’m sure are peppered throughout or not…

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Title: Bones to Ashes
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #10
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Anthropology, Crime, Science, Strong women
Dates read: 11th March – 6th April 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Contact with acid or some other caustic chemical?

Dr Temperance Brennan takes on a case that uncovers horrors she could never have predicted.

It is the skeleton of a young girl, no more than fourteen years old – and forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is struggling to control her emotions.

The coroner is being evasive, insisting the bones are ancient and of no interest. But this doesn’t feel right, and Tempe is convinced that someone is hiding something.

Working on instinct, Tempe takes matters into her own hands. But what started in the lab quickly becomes her most harrowing, and personal, case yet.

I haven’t picked up Reichs for a little while, and now I’m getting back into her writing. And… wow. There is just something so unforgettable about her works that makes you cringe, and continuously want more. And Bones to Ashes was no exception. Plus, you finally get to find out a little bit more about what happened to her little brother Kevin, and so many other parts of her past that you just didn’t know you needed!

One of my favourite things about Reichs’ writing is that it is so well researched and you always learn something new when you turn that final page. In the case of Bones to Ashes, it was learning about leprosy that really intrigued me and swept me away. A disease that I have heard bits and pieces about, but never really known any crucial details about. So, as Temperance researches and discovers, I got to learn alongside her. And I was completely fascinated!

As the story progresses, Ryan and Tempe’s relationship disintegrate… even though it’s kind of sad, you don’t really get punched in the heart as much as you would expect. Probably because there is still the hint of something between them and they continue to feature heavily in each other’s lives. Something that would normally really bother me as a plot line was dealt with so maturely and realistically that it felt like a part of life, after all, relationships do disintegrate. There is not always a happily ever after. And it sucks. Completely.

This is a fantastic read. Not as fast-paced as the last few Temperance Brennan books, but, somehow far more intense because of the slow-build. Plus, it deals with the sex trade, which is something that always makes me incredibly uncomfortable and squeamish. Combine that with childhood memories and a relationship on its way out… this is definitely one of my favourite Temperance Brennan books thus far.

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Title: Break No Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #9
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Anthropology, Crime, Science, Strong women
Dates read: 31st January – 6th March 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: In one fragment, I was sitting in a circle at an AA meeting.

Dr Temperance Brennan and her students are working on a site of prehistoric graves on an island near Charleston, South Carolina, when a decomposing body is uncovered in a shallow grave off a lonely beach.

The bones are fresh and the remains are still topped by wisps of hair – it’s a recent burial, and a case Tempe must take.

She determines that the deceased is a middle-aged white male – but who was he? And why was he buried in a clandestine grave?

Before long, another body is discovered – and Tempe finds herself drawn deeper into a shocking investigation which will challenge her entire view of humanity.

It’s been a while since I picked up a Temperance Brennan book. And I had honestly forgotten how damn amazing the writing in these are. Not just the great science behind the criminal investigation (which, lets face it, that alone would have me intrigued). But also the touching storyline, the intriguing mystery and the intense reveal at the end. There is a reason that I started reading crime novels after I picked up my first Kathy Reichs novel.

One thing that always makes me laugh a little at the Temperance Brennan stories is that Tempe ALWAYS manages to get herself into some kind of trouble. There is always a moment that she is in danger because she just can’t let the mystery lie. She has to discover the truth. Alright, laugh may not be the right word… I’ve jumped out of my skin a few times when she’s attacked, I did in this story! But it’s an intriguing story tactic – one that not only ups the stakes, but, since you suspect something bad is going to happen to her at some point, you also spend most of the story with your heart in your throat…

This Temperance Brennan story deals a little more with Tempe’s relationship to ex-husband (or estranged, whatever), Pete. Although he’s made many appearances in past novels, he is actually present throughout the majority of this one. Which is quite interesting. That dynamic between two people who have ended their relationship, but still have close ties to one another. And it goes beyond the fact that they share a child together. I loved this insight into not only Brennan’s relationships, but also a relationship dynamic that I have never experienced or witnessed up close. Yet more insight into a world that I am not intimately familiar with.

The culprit, the motive and the activities of the “bad guy” in this story were seriously creepy. Somehow, the reasons behind the killers’ killing were enough to bring up goosebumps, even after I had guessed it before the great reveal. There was just something spine-tingling about it, probably because it is a more likely motive than just the run of the mill serial killer…

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Title: Cross Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves:Anthropology, Science, Crime, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow Books
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: At the airport bookstore, only a few million copies of the year’s blockbuster bestseller barred my way.

A full week after death, a barely recognisable body is discovered in a closet. ‘Death by self-inflicted funshot wound to the head’ is the initial assessment, but the victim’s relatives are adamant that this was not suicide.

Extreme heat has accelerated decomposition, and Dr Temperance Brennan’s forensic expertise is required. Even for her, it is virtually impossible to determine the trajectory of the bullet.

But just as Tempe is attempting to make sense of the evidence, she receives a photograph of a skeleton from an unknown source. Could this hold the answer to the victim’s death?

It’s difficult to write and read about Christianity. It is such a sensitive topic, and one that I tend to steer clear of at all times. However, Reichs manages to use discussions surrounding Jesus and Christianity beautifully. She doesn’t talk about the different aspects of faith, but rather touches upon the different groups who are heavily entrenched within this discussion. And I actually loved it.

Entwining a murder mystery with a theological mystery which impacts upon a large proportion of the world’s viewpoint seemed a little risky. Even the beginning of this novel starts with a foreword by Kathy Reichs that outlines some of the theological debates surrounding Masada, Jesus Christ and the many, many, many arguments which surround such a complex issue.

I found that Cross Bones went a little slower than the other Temperance Brennan stories so far. Most of the novels in this series so far, I have to read when I have someone else home with me. I tend to get swept away by it and also get really freaked out by what the main character is going through. However, because there was more of a focus on the social and political terrors of this story, than the physical ones that are normally faced. I liked that fact. Although, it did mean that I took longer to read this novel, because I didn’t need to watch the culprit getting caught to sleep at night.

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Title: Monday Mourning
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves:Anthropology, Science, Crime, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow Books
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Grabbing a lab coat from my office, I headed to the morgue.

Three skeletons are discovered in a Montreal basement.

The building is old, and the homicide detective in charge dismisses the reamins as historic. Not his case. Not his concern.

Forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan is not so sure. Something about the bones of these three young women suggests a different message: murder.

Soon she finds herself drawn ever deeper into a web of evil from which there may be no escape. Three women have disappeared, never to return. Will Tempe be next?

Mondays suck. And I love that this was highlighted not only in Reichs’ title for this novel, but also in the fact that every important moment in this story came on a Monday. Each revelation and spinning of the spider’s web happens on that horrible day, and ultimately, the climax and kind of horrible ending (in the best sense possible) also occurs on a Monday. Like I said, Mondays suck.

From the first discovery, it was obvious that this story was going to be kind of horrible. Three skeletons of young girls found in a basement – it doesn’t take much to realise that this is going to go places that you don’t necessarily want to go. The fact that it then leads to the villain of the story eventually escaping (and being an unexpected one at that)… well, when I finished this tale, I had goosebumps. I actually made sure that I didn’t read this story unless I knew my partner was going to be home for dark. The young women being the victims just hit a little too close to home.

As always, I love the level of science and detail that Reichs manages to bring to her work. By using expose to explain the science behind each discovery, you not only get swept away by the story, but you learn a lot. Good science is hard to come by in literature (at least in my experience), so having a series that not only manages to get my blood pumping, but also brings to life an area of my life that I love is the perfect way to spend a few spine-chilling nights curled up under a blanket.

Image source: Penguin Books Australia