Devil Bones: A Novel (Temperance Brennan Novels)

I have read all of Kathy Reichs novels and can find pleasure in reading one of her books. They are not always a light read but they are still on the entertainment level. I did find the religion angle a new twist to her previous books. Her relationship is not what we all tune into her books for although it is a story line that you can follow in the backgound of all her books.

This book and the entire series has a good plot line, but Tempe could definitely use a few courses in diplomacy and anger management. How hard is it to follow your bosses order not to talk to the press, then Tempe goes head to head with a politician on TV. If you don't like your heroes making a fool of themselves in the extreme (and I don't) this book will drive you nuts. To be truthful I had to skip entire paragraphs because her actions were so stupid

Temperance Brennan, Forensic Anthropologist, is in the middle of her own personal "perfect storm." Human bones were found in a cauldron under a house that was being restored. This lead to harangues to the media by Mecklenburg County Commissioner Boyce Lingo that Satan and his followers are invading the area and god-fearing citizens aren't safe - and people like Dr. Brennan aren't doing their jobs. This is compounded when a headless corpse has been found at a nearby lake close by a Wiccan worship site, and in the process of investigation, Charlotte police detective Rinaldi is murdered.

All of this leads to Temperance being driven by her sense of right and justice to speak out when she's been ordered by her boss not to - ultimately leading to her suspension. And finally, there's the dilemma caused her relationship with Montreal Detective Ryan. Is it over or just on hiatus while he works things out with an ex. This is compounded when an old friend, lawyer Charlie Hunt, moved to town and wants to start a relationship.

Reichs does a wonderful job of using her own background as a forensic anthropologist to add color and depth to the storyline. At times I found perhaps too much information for my taste, but the story becomes more compelling with each chapter.

Throughout the book there are plausible culprits, innocent civilians who complicate things unwittingly, and a variety of more sinister characters with a variety of axes to grind. Only near the end can you tell which person belongs in which category.

Well done.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

The content of this book is great-I am a fan of Kathy Reichs.
The actual book arrived promptly and in very good shape. I use Amazon quite a bit as I am an avid recycler.

I've read most in this series but had a hard time getting into this book. As a result, when the killer was finally revealed, I'd already forgotten what part that character had played in the book. I also didn't care enough to go back and find out. Perhaps the balance of gory technical details and romance was overweighted in the technical? I'm not sure. I'll look forward to her next one anyway and hope it will be better.