User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Kathy Reich writes a great addition to her forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan series, set in Charlotte, North Carolina, that has her facing a challenging set of circumstances whilst grieving the loss of her boss, Dr Larabee, the Chief Medical Examiner. The appointment of the self aggrandising Margo 'Dr Morgue' Heavner is a disaster for Tempe, they have clashed before and Heavner's hatred ensures that Tempe is no longer wanted in the department. Tempe has good reasons to be unhappy, Heavner seeks fame and the media spotlight, is unethical and lacking integrity, with no qualms about endangering justice in the interviews she gives. Additionally, Tempe is all over the place, thanks to the consequences of her aneurysm, which has her questioning her abilities and experiencing migraine induced hallucinations, unable to know what is real, leaving her struggling to sleep, frustrated and paranoid.
Tempe receives mystery texts that show photographs of a faceless corpse that rouses her curiosity but she has to go rogue to investigate, relying on leaks, illicitly taken photographs and smuggling out evidence. The victim has been eaten by feral hogs, leaving him faceless and difficult to identify, missing hands, clothes with no labels, making it difficult to discern whether he was murdered or had committed suicide. Tempe is aided by retired detective, Erskine 'Skinny' Slidell, now working cold cases at the Charlotte-Mecklenberg PD that has the two of them identifying the man eventually but faced with little information on him. Who is he? Is he a spy, a child abductor, or a paedophile or worse? Tempe finds herself coming across and delving into the rabbit hole that is the elusive Nick Body, a provocateur spewing countless conspiracy theories with millions of followers, having to reconstruct case notes after the loss of her laptop and mobile phone, as she pulls at numerous threads where so little makes sense.
One of the reasons that this is such a good series is that Kathy Reich herself is an accomplished forensic anthropologist herself, so invests Tempe with an authenticity and professional knowledge that draws on cutting edge developments in the field and real life cases. Here, Reich strips Tempe of all that she normally relies on, her professional abilities, her memories, shut out of her job and normal resources, along with the loss of all her records, photographs and evidence. Tempe is in a place where she is unable to discern reality from illusion, mirroring the territory of the conspiracy theorists peddling their fake news and bombarding their suspect views on a people unable to separate fact from fiction. This is a fabulous addition to a wonderful series. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster UK for an ARC.
Rating: really liked it
Temperance Brennan is a Forensic Anthropologist. A very busy one at that! Splitting her time between Charlotte South Carolina and Quebec. This latest read takes her to S. Carolina where her current position with the medical examiner is in peril. There’s a new head of the department Dr. Heavner- someone Tempe is quite familiar with. She and her new boss previously had a very public falling out. Now Dr. Heavner is holding a grudge, excluding Tempe from any cases that come across her desk (or should I say stainless-steel table.)
But Tempe can’t stay away! When the latest body comes across the coroners’ cold slab for identification, Tempe leaps in to solve the mystery. Who is this man...as well as all the circumstances behind this horrific death? She can’t possibly know it will lead her into some of the deepest- darkest corners of the Web.
Tempes’ long time interest Ryan makes only a small appearance in this book. Hopefully, if her next book returns over the border, Ryan can take a larger role once again. I do enjoy the installments that take place in Quebec a bit more. Just an added dose of flavor!
I have been reading this series for years, and Kathy Reichs hasn't lost a step. This latest installment is as good as ever! While this is book nineteen of the series and could stand on its own, I suggest starting at the beginning! You will really grow to love Tempe!
Thank you to Scribner via both NetGalley and Edelweiss for an ARC to read and review.
Rating: really liked it
I've been waiting a long time for this book, and I'm pleased to say I wasn't disappointed. In this book Tempe is on the outer with her new boss, and not being asked to consult on cases. So when she gets sent pictures of a corpse from an anonymous source she immediately is on the case, much to her bosses ire.
The body has been found in the woods, partially eaten by feral hogs, making ID difficult. As Tempe and Slidell start to investigate they are drawn into a world of conspiracies, missing children and underground bunkers. Who is the dead man? Is he a spy? Or something else? And who was the man loitering outside Tempe's house? Tempe is her usual dog with a bone self, and will not give up until she has answers, no matter where she ends up to get them. And end up in peril she does, again, in true Tempe fashion.
I really enjoyed this book, I love the ongoing characters, the banter, and the plot's continue to excite the reader. Kathy Reichs is the master of the cliffhanger chapter endings, making you read "just one chapter more" long into the night. The plot in this one did get slightly convoluted at points, but it was a mild irritation. All in all another great read, and I can't wait to see what Tempe gets herself into next.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is a 2020 Scribner publication.
Following surgery for an aneurysm, Tempe is experiencing migraines and strange dreams, and is possibly seeing things that aren’t really there.
After receiving a text message with the image of a dead man, with no face or hands, she is intent on discovering the who the man is…
But- her new boss despises Tempe and has frozen her out of the investigation, which leaves her no other choice but to go rogue… with the help of Skinny Slidell.
While Tempe is not actually working in the lab- the forensics she in an expert is still featured prominently. I think I liked having her out ‘in the field’ working the case like a detective would. She and Slidell made a really good team.
The mystery is very engrossing, but the subject matter is quite very dark and quite disturbing, as is the use of the Dark web- unfortunately, though, it was all too realistic.
Slidell provides a bit of much needed comic relief on occasion- but one does, like Tempe, need to know how to take him. His having referred to the internet cloud storage as the 'fog' or 'the mist' made me laugh out loud.
Overall, an interesting addition to the series. Looking forward to the reading Reich’s newest release!
4 stars
Rating: really liked it
Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist, must work diligently and utilize all of her skills to identify a "faceless" corpse and its connection to a missing child's case from a decade ago. Brennan had been recovering from neurosurgery following an aneurysm, and is still coping with headaches and nightmares, when she receives a text messages - each with pictures of a corpse missing its hands and face.
Intrigued, she is ready to solve the case and must do so rogue. Soon, an identified case shows up and she becomes even more intrigued....
This one was a struggle for me. I found it hard to get into and very slow in the beginning. I don't know if it was me or the book. I have been reading a few books which grabbed me from page one and this one, failed to do so, it had a slower build for me, and I found myself putting this book down, looking for other books to read. Plus, I have not read too many books in this series to perhaps long-time readers of this series will enjoy the book more than I did. The book did pick up, but for me it also dragged in spots and failed to wow me. Maybe I was expecting too much of an aha moment, or more explanations for sections which didn't seem to get them, plus the inner dialogue wasn't working for me.
Slow to start; however, it did become more enjoyable as the book progressed, but not one I will remember in months to come. My guess is, this is not the book to pick up if you have not read any previous books in the series - she is recovering from surgery and not at her best - plus, I think more background on the characters is needed prior to reading this one.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: really liked it
3.5 stars
This is a series I’ve dipped in & out of over the years & it’s been a while. But one thing obviously hasn’t changed. Tempe still has a gift for getting in over her head.
This instalment finds her on shaky ground, personally & professionally. She recently had brain surgery & is ready to return to work as a consultant for the medical examiner’s office. Unfortunately there’s a new ME in town & they have some history. Tempe’s made it known she views Dr. Margot Heavner as a glory seeking publicity hound. So it’s no surprise when Heavner lets Tempe know her services are no longer required.
But when a faceless corpse ends up in the morgue, it’s clear someone wants her involved. Tempe receives anonymous photos of the body. And that’s just the beginning. Cryptic texts, weird messages on the dark web, missing kids, night time prowlers…..hmmm. Only one thing to do really. ID the body & figure out how he got so dead. And if she shows up Heavner in the process, well that’s just a bonus.
Tempe begins her own investigation & ropes in a couple of accomplices including Skinny Slidell, a grouchy PI with an interest in the case. They may bicker like siblings but a grudging mutual respect means he has her back.
Initially there are a lot of separate threads to the story. Strange things are happening & it feels like Tempe is being lured down a dark rabbit hole. But because of her fragile state, we’re not even sure how much of it is real. Turns out neither is she. Personal issues, stress & too much time on her hands result in erratic behaviour & questionable decisions. And long hours spent with conspiracy theorists on the dark web certainly doesn’t help.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I’d kept up with the series. My bad. At times I felt like I was missing some crucial background info that would have helped me understand her character better. We spend a lot of time in Tempe’s head as she grapples with doubt & paranoia. She veers from endless speculation about the case to actions based on rash decisions that put her in danger. The result is a slower pace read that is almost more of a character study until the case eventually takes centre stage in the second half.
When an author gets to book #19 in a series, you know they’re doing something right & I really believe this will appeal to faithful fans. The mystery behind the body in the morgue is clever & intricate but I think you’ll get more out of the story as a whole if you’ve been following along.
Rating: really liked it
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is nineteenth in the Temperance Brennan series but it is a definite departure from the usual. Having been a fan of this series, I was disappointed in this book. Tempe Brennan is a forensic anthropologist in Charlotte, North Carolina and also the subject of the popular tv series “Bones”. Tempe has received photos of a faceless and printless corpse from an anonymous source. Who could this victim be and who sent her the photos? Someone had previously been spotted close to Tempe’s home and she believes this body may be him. At this point, this mystery becomes unrealistic, when the forensic anthropologist starts doing the work of a police detective instead of being a scientist. The investigation is confusing and all over the place and our hero is getting into too much trouble. As sometimes happens, an author writes a series past the point of having fresh material. Kathy Reichs is a talented writer and hopefully this is an exception. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is only my opinion.
Rating: really liked it
A CONSPIRACY OF BONES by Kathy Reichs is the nineteenth book in the series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Temperance is facing a lot of personal and professional challenges in this book. She has a new boss that she has had professional conflicts with in the past and on top of that she has been recovering from neurosurgery and is still experiencing severe headaches. The novel is largely set in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. One day she receives text messages containing pictures of a corpse missing its face and hands. Due to her relationship with her new boss, Temperance works the case on the sly.
This novel was much more introspective than most in the series and almost like a private detective working the case alongside the police. While it seemed a little slower paced in the beginning, it had enough action, red herrings and twists to keep my interest and it picked up speed as the book progressed.
The characters are compelling and you can definitely root for Temperance as she works to find answers. Her goals are clear and believable. The supporting characters are well-rounded and enhance the story. The stakes were high and the tension built up to the conclusion.
Overall, the plot was intriguing and contemporary. The prose was well-written and engrossing. The story is gripping and well worth reading. I recommend it and the entire series. However, I believe readers will have the best reading experience if they start at the beginning of the series.
Thanks to Scribner and Kathy Reichs for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Rating: really liked it
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kathy Reichs, and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.After a long wait, Kathy Reichs is back from her hiatus with a new and exciting novel in the Temperance Brennan series. Fans will be happy to have the forensic anthropologist back, whose grit and gumption are even more heightened. After suffering a brain aneurysm that required surgical intervention, Temperance is on the mend and trying to find her feet. She is still contracted to work both in Montreal and Charlotte, but has not been working much. At home in Charlotte, Temperance has horrible dreams and witnesses a mysterious man along her property, but there is no one there when she makes her way outside. A week later, an odd text message arrives, with photos of a body, without head or limbs. Trying to get herself on the case, her new boss shuns her and demands that she stay away. They have a history, one in which Temperance has no doubt has led her her being ostracized. Deciding to do a little rogue work, Temperance works alongside an old colleague and discovers some odd pieces of evidence, including cryptic writing on some paper that includes her phone number. The case takes an odd twist as Temperance seeks to find out who the body was in those text photos, and where the body might have been found. Working as best she can, Temperance finds herself delving down into the dark web to find answers that may help. Her explorations lead to many conspiracy theories, as well as a few twists that could tie into a few missing children from years ago. Armed with her determination and pieces of the puzzle slowing coming together, Temperance uses her deductive reasoning to determine that there are some bad people on the loose, seeking to silence her before the aneurysm can do the same. A great new thriller in this captivating series, sure to impress readers as they find themselves in the middle of this intense novel. Recommended to those who love Reichs’ forensic anthropology stories, as well as the reader who wants something a little more mentally challenging in their mysteries.
I have been following Kathy Reichs through the Temperance Brennan series since the debut novel. While the books differ greatly from their television show spin-off, Reichs is able to present forensic anthropology in such a way that it is both entertaining and informative. As Reichs as readily admitted, she sometimes mirrors Brennan in her own experiences, which left me to wonder if the recent aneurysm development for the protagonist might explain why the delayed release of this book by two years might also be related to a similar medical issue. Brennan works through this medical hurdle effectively, showing off her rebellious side with increased intensity. Still sharp when it comes to solving mysteries, Brennan uses what tools she can to make sense of the situation before her. With little mention of others, save some minor updates for other familial characters, the focus is on Brennan and some of her stumbling blocks. Others help to complement her desire to overcome limitations, while also show that no brain aneurysm can stop her. In a story that sees Brennan working from the outside of the goldfish bowl, the reader is able to see how her field work and reliance on others help uncover one of the more disturbing cases of her career. I hope that there are other stories in the Temperance Brennan series before tying things off, as I have come to really enjoy all she has done and overcome in the years, especially when she makes her way to Canada!
Kudos, Madam Reichs, for a great return. I can only hope that you have some ideas to keep your fans from going stir-crazy.
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A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Rating: really liked it
Bones is back! I’m a huge fan and loved this almost Hitchcockian addition to the series.
Rating: really liked it
A better end than story throughout. The subject matter may have something to do about that. 4 of 10 stars
Rating: really liked it
I've been a Temperance Brennan fan since the first book was published. In fact, if I'm working in forensics nowadays is in part because of her books, so it pains me to say that "A conspiracy of bones" didn't grabbed me as her previous stories. I still think it's a good book, but the main plotline didn't catch my attention as I would have like. Besides, I've always prefered Brennan's cases in Quebec.
It's been a while since I read the last installment in the series, so I didn't remember much about Tempe's actual situation. After the death of her boss and a health scare, now she's at odds with her new boss. When a faceless corpse is found she's not ask to consult on, but that doesn't stop her. One of the things I liked the least was that she doesn't do much forensic work at all, but police one. Also, Ryan is a pretty secondary character this time, so that was a bit disappointing.
The plot was a pretty convoluted one, mixing conspiracy theories, child kidnappings...and, in my opinion, was a bit far fetched at points, although at the end most of it ties altogether.
Good follow up to the series but not the best one by far, so I hope to see Tempe truly back to form pretty soon.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
Temperance Brennan takes us on a robust and non-stop ride.
SUMMARY
Recovering at home from surgery for an aneurysm, Temperance Brennan is suffering from migraines and nightmares and just can’t sleep. At midnight, she glances out the window and catches a flicker of movement in the trees. It’s a silhouette of a man in a trench coat. Why was there a man on her property? A week later, Tempe receives four images of of a faceless mangled corpse. But who sent the pictures and why? To discovered the corpse’s identity she must work outside the system. Tempe new boss is determine to keep her out of the case and has banned her from the medical examiner’s office. Regardless, Tempe pushes forward with her own investigation of the faceless man in the pictures. Was he a spy? A trafficker? Who killed him and why? The more she uncovers the darker the picture becomes.
REVIEW
A CONSPIRACY OF BONES intricately combines a perilous medical condition, a midnight stalker, a grotesquely unidentifiable dead body, an untenable work situation and a plethora of missing children with fake news, the dark web and arson. This is my first book by Kathy Reichs...are they all this involved? I enjoyed the story but felt a little left out.. It’s like I just met a new group of friends and know nothing about their backstory, their relationships or their personalities. Perhaps this book, while very good is not the best one to start the series with. I’m sure readers of Kathy Reich will love #19 (I had loved the Bone television series back in the day, but recognize few similarities)
I did love the strength of Tempe’s character. I knew what she was made of when, without hesitation she was willing to go out in the middle of the night to chase down a man wearing a trench coat. Or was it really a hallucination? I found it delightfully humorous and ironic that Tempe’s mother knows so much more about technology and the dark web than Tempe did! Go mom!
KATHY REICHS is an accomplished forensic anthropologist. In Charlotte NC. She writes what she knows and her writing is well planned and robust. You best be ready when you pick this one up, because it’s a nonstop ride. Thanks to Netgalley and Scribner for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Scribner
Published March 17, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
Rating: really liked it
Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan was suffering from the heat and cloying humidity in Charlotte, North Carolina after the unexpected diagnosis of an aneurysm and surgery. She suffered severe migraines and nightmares, but insisted she was “fine” to anyone who asked. Tempe also didn’t get along with her new boss, Dr Heavner, and was blocked out of anything that came into the morgue. But when a body was brought in, badly mutilated, then Tempe received anonymous pictures on her phone, she connected with Detective Slidell in the search to find an identity.
But there was much more to the death of this unknown male. Missing children, child trafficking, murder, drugs – it was all there. And as Tempe went off on her own (silly girl!) she found snippets of information while endangering her life. Ryan was working a PI job, so he and Tempe were only connected by phone. And Slidell was burning candles both ends.. Would they get the answers they were desperate for?
A Conspiracy of Bones is the 19th in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs and the first published since 2015. So I was a little rusty with a 5 year break between #18 and this one. I remember Tempe as being courageous (foolish?) and tenacious – she hasn’t changed. I found
A Conspiracy of Bones a little slow to get into and Tempe’s continual paranoia and self-doubt was wearing, but the tension and action ramped up in the second half. Not Ms Reichs’ best but still an enjoyable read. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
This is the 19th Temperance Brennan book in the series, and while I haven't read every single one, I've read a great many. This one is really good.
Tempe Brennan is recovering from Neurosurgery and fighting headaches and possible hallucinations. The new Chief Medical Examiner is very self-promoting and doesn't like Temperance, so she isn't consulting with her as the old Chief did before he died. In fact, she doesn't want her help or advice at all. A faceless man shows up at the morgue and Tempe received some photos by a mysterious text. The identity of the corpse is unknown and Tempe's curiosity is piqued, but she has to find roundabout ways to get information about the body and what the autopsy shows. Tempe enlists help from Erskine 'Skinny' Slidell as well as from her boyfriend in Montreal, Andrew Ryan. Then there's a link to a 10-year-old cold case involving a child. Lots of investigating to do and Tempe's in the thick of it.
I enjoy reading this series and I also enjoyed the television series 'Bones' that was based on Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan books. The characters are memorable and the investigations are always interesting. I hope to see even more books in this series in the future.
Thanks to Kathy Reichs and Scribner through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book!
