I have read several of the books featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan so it was no surprise to me that I enjoyed this one too. The last few books have seemed a little darker which usually appeals to me but I wouldn't say it was one of my favourites. If you are a fan of the series, I would still recommend reading it, but if you are new to the character, I would personally go back to read some of the earlier novels.

I remember reading my first Temperance Brennan book when I was pregnant - my “baby” is now 23 so that’s a long time to follow a series. This one is very good - twisty plot, tension, thrills. Highly recommended.

Having been a huge fan of the series Bones, I have dipped in and out of the Temperance Brennan series and I always enjoy the books when I do.

Things are not going well for Tempe, as she has previously clashed with her new boss who is now trying to keep her away from the department. Trying to solve a crime without the comfort and familiarity of her department means Temperance has a whole new set of challenges. 

Another great addition to the series, which I continue to enjoy and plan on going back to read all of some day soon!

Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist working between Montreal and North Carolina.  Temperance (Tempe) Brennan, her protagonist in this book, and in the previous eighteen books in the series, shares the same profession and geographical distribution, although the author is careful to point out that the books are not autobiographical.  For some reason (possibly because I was into Scarpetta), I don’t seem to have read any of the previous eighteen.  That shouldn’t be a problem, of course, if the required backstory is conveyed clearly but I found it a bit of a struggle to get into.  There are quite a few characters who seemed to have been given a small role each because the fans expect it.  Tempe’s actions and motivations seemed a bit muddled to begin with although eventually a semblance of coherence emerged.  This may be an attempt to dramatise her mental health following an operation on a brain aneurysm. Here we have fiction replicating life in that the writer had also gone through this trauma just before writing this book. 
In this story, she is freelance as consultant rather than as part of the M.E.’s office when she receives photographs of a faceless corpse from an anonymous source.  In due course the corpse turns up and, believing that the new M.E., Dr Heavner, is both venal and incompetent,  she manages to acquire, illegally, forensic information which leads her into the role of Private Investigator.  The plot is long and intricate and impossible to explain adequately without spoilers, featuring possible spies, mysterious clinics, abduction to name but a few.  A major player is the internet, especially a trip into the Dark Web.  
Overall, I was disappointed in this book but it will work well for those who have previously invested in the heroine.  I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.  I also offer them an apology for lateness because I wrote this review months ago but then Covid19 got in my way.

I read the first few Temperance Brennan novels when they first came out and really enjoyed them, then my interest waned as I lured to read other, newer, crime procedurals. When I saw this available on NetGalley I thought it might be time to give the series another try. I was right to dive back in. 

The best part of Reich’s novels is that they are so well researched and the forensic detail is fascinating. That hasn’t changed, but Tempe has and so has her position. This is a Tempe who isn’t necessarily at the top of her game - after surgery for an aneurysm, she is struggling with headaches, hallucinations and lack of sleep, This illness has left Tempe doubting herself and her abilities, the last place I imagined her to be. Her boss, Dr Larabee, has passed away leaving Tempe grieving but also leaving an opening for a new Chief Medical Examiner. Margo Heavener is the new head of Tempe’s department, known as Dr Morgue, she likes to court the media and this attitude has meant a clash with Tempe in the past. Margo is no fan of Tempe, and the feeling is mutual. Tempe sees her as unethical, fame hungry, lacking in integrity. Whereas Tempe is more focused on the person she is working on rather than pushing her own agenda. This is the first time I have seen her out of her depth and blocked from doing the work she loves. 

However, when a faceless corpse is discovered. Tempe finds her interest piqued again. Sent to her via a mystery text, Tempe can’t count on her boss to support her investigation, so has to work outside the rules that normally govern her work, She needs to rely on illegal photos, and must investigate behind Margo Heavener’s back. The body is faceless because it has been eaten by wild hogs, There are none of the usual clues, such as a wallet, items in the pockets or even labelled clothing. Tempe doesn’t even know this is a murder, it could be a suicide, but she keeps investigating,  Helped by retired cop Skinny Slidell, she works out his identity but little else. She could be working so hard, just to unmask someone criminal, even a sex offender, but as usual she works with all the usual professionalism and respect. I also enjoyed the way Reich’s strips Tempe of all the cutting edge technology she would normally use. She has to become inventive and at a time when she can’t always trust whats in front of her eyes. This is a great twist on the usual Brennan story, it brings a new urgency and tension to the series and deepens the mystery. I’ll be looking out for No 20 in the series.

This one unfortunately wasn't one of my favourites. I originally got into Kathy Reichs books because of the Bones tv series and this definitely strays away from that mostly in a good way. This book follows Temperance 
Brennan after brain surgery after an aneurysm so this book is a little slower some of the others in the series. I haven't read all 19 books in this series and tend to go for the ones that sound the most intriguing to me at the tome. Usually I find the story and characters are easy to pick up even if you haven't read the others but this one was a little trickier based on the situation.
When reading these books I always worry I'll feel stupid when the medical stuff is brought up but I find its always explained well and easily.
For me the plot was a bit unbelievable. There were some elements I just couldn't see past and they took me out of the story for a bit. But I did enjoy most of the action and was glad the pace picked up throughout the book. 

There's a reason Reichs books are so popular and that shes managed to get to book 19 in a series and still hold a lot of intrigue and interest.
3/5 Stars

Maybe I have too firm an idea of what Brennan is like from watching the TV series of Bones, that I found it difficult to reconcile with the portrayal of her in this book. I've only read one other book in this series and I didn't find Temperance so taxing in the earlier novel.

The story felt a bit stalling at times rather than a 'can't put it down page turner '. Wasn't quite the suspenseful murder mystery I was expecting.

I guess if you're already a fan and have read most of the series, this will be a must read but not sure this particular book would encourage me to read the rest of the series.

Tempe’s life seems to be in disarray. Health problems, an impossible new boss and then some gruesome pictures are sent to her phone. Who is the faceless man & why is Dr. Heavner so determined to exclude her. There unfolds a story of conspiracy, missing children and too many people who are determined to keep their lives secret. Can Brennan, with Skinny’s help, get justice for the victims.
A fascinating look at the underworld os conspiracy theorists, the depths of the Deep Web and the lengths people will go to win ‘at all costs’.

I've read every single book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed most of them. The last book felt a little different and this new one goes further down this newer darker direction. I'm sorry to say that this is the first Bones book that I have failed to finish. Gratuitously gruesome this is a dark and disturbing story and I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. Sorry.

A fabulous read- love books by this author and this one did not disappoint would thoroughly recommend

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’s sweltering in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Temperance Brennan, still recovering from neurosurgery following an aneurysm, is battling nightmares, migraines, and what she thinks might be hallucinations when she receives a series of mysterious text messages, each containing a new picture of a corpse that is missing its face and hands. Immediately, she’s anxious to know who the dead man is, and why the images were sent to her.
An identified corpse soon turns up, only partly answering her questions.
To win answers to the others, including the man’s identity, she must go rogue. With help from a number of law enforcement associates including her Montreal beau Andrew Ryan and the always-ready-with-a-smart-quip, ex-homicide investigator Skinny Slidell, and utilizing new cutting-edge forensic methods, Tempe draws closer to the astonishing truth.
But the more she uncovers, the darker and more twisted the picture becomes ...

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.  This is my own honest voluntary review.

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.