It's been a while since I read a Temp Brennan novel, but despite the fact that things have changed for Tempe, I found it ridiculously easy to pick things up. There was a time, a few years ago, when I read this series and no sooner finished one than I was looking out for the next one - I've no idea why that stopped - probably found another author to get addicted to. However, I'm pleased i reacquainted myself with Brennan and her entourage.
I was intrigued when I found out early on that Tempe had an aneurysm that was causing some brain distrubances and was even more intrigued when I later found out that the author herself had/is going through the same thing as Brennan. I think it was brave of Reich's to include this and not only that, but it was really authentic and I think was a great way of evolving Tempe as a character. The hallucinations, uncertainty as well as Tempe's job uncertainty made for an edgy read.


The Charlotte weather plays an important part in this novel and becomes almost a character in its own right. I could almost feel thestiffling sun, smell the sweat and see the heat haze rising from the ground.

In this one, Tempe isn't the anthropologist studying the bones that have been found which again made for a slightly different format for the novel. I have to say I did miss Brennan's anthroplogical assessments and the whole 'putting the identity or life of the diceased together from the bones' thing.


There was a substantial amount of fact dumping which I personally find a tad distracting and so I skimmed a lot of that, however I enjoyed Tempe's interactions with Detective Slidell and especially her unspoken asides to his abrupt behaviours. That made me laugh. We see the delectable Ryan make a return and as always that heats things up. Tempe's mother also plays a key role and I love the dynamics between those two as well. Who doesn't want an over-sexed, computer literate mother who explores the dark web?

I really tried hard to like this book but couldn't get into it at all.

It's full or short meaningless sentences, which takes away the flow from reading.

Its gritty, but not in a good way.

Sorry, but this was not the best book in the series.

It is a while since I have read any books in this series and I don't remember Temperance Brennan being so discontent with her lot. Obviously there have been changes in her personal and professional life and her health has interrupted her work. I found this a little slow to start and then it picked up and became more engaging. Some of the descriptions of accessing the dark web were a little complex and hard to follow. I obviously need to go back and fill in the gaps.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Kathy Reichs/Simon and Schuster for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

When this showed up on Netgalley I knew I had to have this book, and I am so happy that I was accepted to review the latest in a long line of Temperance Brennan novels. I have been a massive fan of Kathy Reichs for as long as I have remembered and have read every single book in this series.

I also listened to the audiobook alongside the ARC I received which I greatly enjoyed. The narrator had a way of fleshing out these much-loved characters and bringing them off the page and into my imagination.

Here, Dr Temperance Brennan works hard as she tries to uncover the truth behind the "faceless" corpse at the local morgue whilst battling against her new fame-hungry boss, crazy conspiracists and the ever-present omen of death within her skull.

I did miss Brennan's usual trips to Montreal and the multiple cases she usually helps to solve by using her amazing, intuitive skills in forensic anthropology. Reichs' current novel felt a bit like a mixture of chess and one of those complicated wooden puzzles all rolled into one. I still would have liked Brennan to have figured out what the victim was trying to tell her at the beginning of the story. It was touched on but never looked into other than as clues into the identity of the deceased.

Overall, this was a great crime novel that really stands out with a feisty heroine, just like its author who continues to power on and kick ass in all that she does.

This wasnt the normal tempe books and its focus on her profession was very small. It was an extremely slow building story that made me bored honestly. I wanted more from this i will still read the next Brennan book. This one felt more investigation than her actual job. She is given text with gross photos. this book also doenst have much of the love interest so that made me have a sad. i think i was just too bored to love this portion of the series.

My thoughts

I have enjoyed this series over a number of years and, after a bit of a break, Dr Temperance Brennan is back with us in this the 19th book.

There is a new Chief in charge, an old adversary, and Tempe has been sidelined. She is in Charlotte, N.C. somewhat at a loss. Tempe has come through neurosurgery and is suffering migraines and possible hallucinations. So when she receives some photos of a body, working under the radar, she begins to investigate but things may not always be as they seem for Tempe.

Written from Tempe’s point of view we get quite an insight into her thoughts and reactions regarding what is happening as a result of the neurosurgery. That she sometimes cannot tell if something is true or imagined (hallucinations) leaves you, the reader, also wondering what is real or unreal. So we have to rely more on other factors.

Still Tempe believes that the body that has been found was of a man who she may have seen (or was it an hallucination?) near her home one night. As she continues to looks into the case it also transpires that he may have tried contacting her too! Who is this man found partially eaten by wild pigs?

Tempe doesn’t go completely rogue in as much as she gets Detective Slidell involved. She has friends who are willing to help even if it means losing a lot if they are found out. And her, now ‘live-in’, beau (as the blurb describes him) Andrew Ryan comes back to Charlotte for a bit from the case he is working in Montreal.

The case is quite complicated and has it’s dangers. Tempe doesn’t always, much to Slidell’s annoyance, do as she is asked which leads her into some perilous encounters. Like the fire at her home where luckily a neighbour acted before it consumed the whole house still much of the evidence she had collected is lost -was it really an accidental fire? Slidell isn’t too sure.

Tempe believes that her investigation is connected to an old case of Slidell’s a missing child case that remains unsolved. It’s a bit of a bug bear for Slidell. As she unearths what has been and perhaps still is happening Tempe goes missing. When she returns she has little recollection of what happened but is even more determined to solve the mystery of how as well as why this man lost his life and what the connection is to missing children.

Tempe and Slidell, with the help of friends and some amazing technology, work tirelessly to resolve the case. What we find out in the end is both appalling and tragic.

It was good to have Tempe back. She’s a little different now but given what she’s been through – her old boss murdered, her mothers cancer diagnosis and her own cerebral aneurysm – that’s not too much of a surprise. We now have another, more vulnerable Tempe to crusade for the dead and, perhaps, that’s not a bad thing. Things happen in life that can deliver a massive curve ball to our expectations, our hopes and dreams. So seeing our treasured fictional characters going through something similar makes them feel all the more real allowing us to empathise more with them and their situation.

This is a twisty, engaging and compelling read which I certainly enjoyed.


I have read all the Temperance Brennan series but A Conspiracy of Bones is the first of them I have reviewed. I did review Two Nights by Kathy Reichs.

Thanks
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster via NetGalley for eBook to read at review. No payment has been received, all thoughts are my own.

It was so good that there is another book in this series, can't believe it is so long since I read about Tempe Brennan. So good that Ryan is back in her life. I found the book very interesting and the story was well written. Plenty of interesting details and a good twist at the end. Hope she writes more about Tempe but more like the original books.

Kathy Reichs back to her brilliant best. We've all been missing Tempe. As usual this is a hard book to put down. The main plot is stand-alone,but because it is one of a series about this heroine, new readers will find there are references that may seem unnecessary to the story. Reichs never ignores the new or long-time-past reader, she gives context without boring the faithful, but you will get more depth to the background if you go back and read the rest of the series in order.

Temperance was back and in spades. This time the office politics pulled her apart along with a anonymous corpse which piqued her curiosity.

My first book in this series, I was quite happily comforted by the brilliant doc. The book worked well as a standalone as I found myself cheering Tempe's determination even when stressed by events in the office.

The characters were interesting, my eyes were stuck to Temperance and her intelligence. Winding subplots with twists made this a thrilling read.

Temperance is once again investigating a body though this time in a more unofficial capacity. Whilst also dealing with her own health concerns. Can she and Slidell figure out what is going on and just how far or how dark this may get.

I'm a huge Kathy Reichs fan so was really looking forward to reading this. It was a good read but a slower one than some of her others. I must admit I prefer others more but this was still a good read. The plot is slow and steady but builds to a dramatic and dark climax. I love the little moments between Ryan and Temperance too. I wanted more but this fits with the relationship they have always had and it works. These are always well written and so detailed. I always enjoy the descriptive details of how her mind works and the aneurysm was sensitively handled as well. Another good read in the series and I hope for more.

This is #19 in the Temperance Brennan series, it can be read as a stand-alone but I would say you should also read more in this excellent series.

Tempe is recovering from surgery for an aneurysm, she has headaches, nightmares and hallucinations.

When she is sent anonymous pictures, to her phone, of a maimed corpse, predated by feral pigs (I’ll just leave that image with you for a minute), Tempe needs to know who the victim is, who sent the pictures and why.

As Temperance is persona non grata with her new ‘boss’, she decides to do her own investigation, taking samples and detail as of the body without the relevant authority. With the help of the brusque Slidell they begin the investigation. What they find is horrific, but I won’t say much more of the plot for fear of spoiling it.

I am a fan of Kathy Reichs’ books and this is a favourite. Tempe is a bit vulnerable, doubting herself and struggling to know what is real at times. But her determination and incredible knowledge it put to work to find the truth. She will not give in.

A masterpiece of plotting, the twists and revelations make this a must read thriller. I loved every dark minute.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to Read this for free. This is my honest, unbiased review.

Another belting read from Kathy Reichs. and a great installment in the Tempe Brennan series. The story is complex and tense and not for the faint-hearted. Recommended reading.

Always a massive Kathy Reichs fan, this new books didn’t disappoint me at all.

Tempe is back after surgery on her aneurism. She is working on a case with a faceless body, and they have her cell phone number! Soon she gets messages with more pieces of the puzzle to name the victim!

Another brilliant read! Never lets us down.

A Conspiracy of Bones is the nineteenth instalment in the forensic anthropologist Doctor Temperance Brennan series, set in Charlotte, North Carolina, yet despite so many books, it doesn't show any signs of losing steam or petering out as of now. It also isn't necessary to have read any of the previous instalments in order to enjoy this one as plenty of background is provided. When Tempe is sent a number of anonymous text messages with photographs of a badly mutilated corpse attached to them she becomes hellbent on discovering the identity of both the victim and the killer and save what remains of her work life in the process. What piqued her interest the most was that all the usual identifying features have been removed to hamper identification; the face and hands are gone. Of course, the new boss wouldn't be on board with her investigating this as she has been sidelined so she must work off the books in secret. Luckily, she can rely on her supportive colleagues to help her out.

This is a captivating read that has you hooked from the very beginning and keeps you flipping the pages furiously. There are many interesting reveals throughout, plenty of exciting action and developments, and as someone who often subscribes to conspiracy theories, I found this aspect of the story fascinating. Tempe is a great character and protagonist and I really feel for her as she is struggling with both her health and work life. Kathy Reichs is actually a forensic anthropologist herself and uses her extensive knowledge to inform the plot and make it as authentic and true to life as possible; it sets this series apart from the rest of the genre and makes for riveting reading. The cast of characters is so beautifully developed and you really care about them but especially the intriguing Tempe and the mounting friction between her and new boss Margo ’Dr Morgue’ Heavner which adds an extra level of tension to the narrative. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for an ARC.

This, the 19th Tempe Brennan offering from Kathy Reichs is different from what we have come to expect. That’s not to say worse or better, just different. The acerbic wit in the form of character descriptors is there in abundance, as is the first class writing, plot and character development. Not to mention the forensic detail, every one of the 19 are all about the detail.

The difference comes through in Tempe’s character herself, her two main ‘givens’ are removed, (her mind and her job) a bit like the old saying ‘pulling the rug out from underneath someone’s feet’. So, we find Temp still reeling from the death of her boss and friend of many years and working with a new Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Margot Heavner (Dr Morgue), however the two have ‘previous’ and working together quickly becomes untenable. (There goes the job). Alongside this Tempe is recovering from brain surgery and is still suffering with debilitating migraines, which could also be resulting in delusions. So, what is real and what is not, yep, there goes the steel trap mind that we have come to count-on. And that doesn’t even touch on the plot, suffice it to say, there is a faceless corpse (part eaten by feral hogs no less) and a dark web rabbit hole leading to child disappearances, underground bunkers and conspiracy theories. All of which Tempe Brennan picks her way through with Slidell (Skinny) by her side.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I liked that Kathy Reichs has shaken things up a bit, I am hoping we will see more of Andrew Ryan in the next instalment- he has taken a bit of a backseat in the last couple of books as Tempe re-evaluates, and I for one miss their tag team efforts.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kathy Reichs is one of my favourite authors. I've read all of her Temperance Brennan books, so I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy of the latest one in the series, A Conspiracy of Bones.

As the title suggests, this story is all about conspiracy theories! Temperance's old boss and mentor has recently died and she doesn't get on with his replacement, Margot. After a very public falling-out, Tempe finds herself sidelined but can't resist doing an investigation of her own when she disagrees with the findings of Margot's latest case - a faceless corpse found in the woods. Tempe is convinced that the victim was a believer in conspiracy theories, but who is he really? And which was the theory that got him killed?

Tempe has recently recovered from an aneurysm and is suffering from blackouts and migraines, which adds to the eerie tension - including a super-spooky bit where she may or may not have been abducted. Tempe is helped by former detective Erskine 'Skinny' Slidell, now working as a private investigator, "a combination of bluster and paunch and bad polyester". I loved his sarcastic comebacks when Tempe tries to tell him how to do his job.

The only thing that stopped this book getting a five-star rating was that sometimes I found it hard to get my head around all the different conspiracy theories. There were a lot of explanations when I'd rather Tempe had been out there chasing down bad guys. I did enjoy the author's notes at the end of the novel, explaining how she had been inspired to write this story.

Tempe fans will love A Conspiracy of Bones but if you've not read the series before, you'll find it makes more sense if you've read some of the author's earlier books. If you are familiar with this series, make sure you read the novella First Bones from her anthology The Bone Collection or, like me, you'll spend the first few chapters wondering when and how her boss died!


Thank you to Kathy Reichs and Simon and Schuster UK for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘A Conspiracy of Bones’ by Kathy Reichs in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 19th in Reichs’ highly regarded crime series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance (Tempe) Brennan. I have read all of the previous books in the series, apart from No 18. That was published in 2015 so there’s been a bit of a wait for fans of the series. As with most long running series enough background is provided to allow them to be read on their own.

In this novel Brennan is faced with the appointment of a new ME in her North Carolina district, one who has a grudge against her and so is freezing her out of investigations. The case in the spotlight is a faceless corpse, partially eaten by feral pigs and with no identification. Even though not officially consulting on the case, Tempe still uses her skills to uncover his identity, his connection to an unsolved missing child case, and why the dead man had her phone number.

She is assisted in this task by her long time associate, Erskine ‘Skinny’ Slidell, who has recently retired from his role as a homicide detective to work as a PI. Add to this Tempe has had a recent health scare and a change in her living circumstances. Her lovely cat, Bird, is still doing delightful feline cameos.

Kathy Reichs is herself a forensic anthropologist and always weaves in aspects of real life cases into her plots. She also ensures that they are accurate in terms of the forensic details. In addition, Reichs also has suffered the same life-changing medical issue as her fictional counterpart and so writes about it in a very immediate fashion.

So an intelligent, intricately plotted novel with a brilliant, very relatable lead character. It’s wonderful to have Tempe Brennan back.

Certainly I recommend both this novel and the series as a whole.

Kathy Reichs returns with another mystery for Temperance Brennan to investigate. Still recovering after the tragic murder of her boss, and her own surgery following the discovery of a brain aneurism, Tempe received a series of text messages containing photographs of a faceless corpse. The new boss, Dr Margot Heavner, has a serious grudge against her and refuses to give Tempe access to the investigation.
So Tempe must carry out her own off the books investigation, especially when she discovers Heavner is making mistakes with the corpse. Partnering up with Skinny Slidell, ex cop working with police on cold cases, friend, and fierce protector of Tempe, she wonders why the corpse had her phone number on him, whether he is connected to a cold case of a child disappearance, how the dark web factors on the investigation, why there is a real estate demand for former underground military installations, and whether her headaches are giving her hallucinations or worse.
I have read each Brennan book at least twice and feel familiar with Temperance Brennan, her beau Ryan, and Skinny Slidell. A Conspiracy Of Bones is possibly Kathy Reichs' best book and I look forward to reading it again.

This book has been a long time coming and I really enjoyed it.
Reading about Temperance Brennan is like catching up with an old friend and I was glad to see her cat Birdie is still around too.
Recovering at home from surgery for an aneurysm, Temperance is suffering from migraines and just can’t sleep.
One night she looks out of the window and catches sight of movement in the trees. She goes to investigate and there’s a man in a trench coat.
A week later, Temperance receives images of a faceless corpse but has no idea who sent them.
Her new boss doesn’t want her to be involved in the case so she starts her own investigation with Slidell.
I missed some of the lab centred scenes but with her new boss not letting her anywhere near it, it couldn’t be helped.
This is a multi layered investigation and one that had me hooked throughout the book.
It was great to read a new Temperance Brennan book again after all this time.
Highly recommended series.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Tempe Brennan is back and but this time Tempe is on the outside of the investigation.

The case that Tempe is investigating has many different elements and aspects. Which keeps the story interesting and gave elements of danger as Tempe is investigating on her own. There are times when I was annoyed with Tempe and her actions. She is a little reckless, but I kind of understand. When something happens in your life that shakes you to your core you can do some crazy things.

I have watched some programs regarding preppers, meaning when Tempe went down the darknet rabbit hold and found out about missile silos being converted to homes. I could picture it very clearly and it made the story more real as people are converting them as we speak.

Although Slidell helps Tempe with certain aspects of the case she is a lone wolf. It's a shame we don't have more Ryan as I do enjoy the banter.

One of the reasons I enjoy this series is that we have the science that backs up the investigation. But it is written in a way that is understandable and interesting, without making you feel stupid. I also like that Tempe gets technological support from her octogenarian mother.

My Rating for A Conspiracy of Bones is 4 out of 5.



Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for supplying me an E-ARC of A Conspiracy of Bones for a fair and honest review.