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laurapk's review against another edition
1.0
The opening chapter made me hope this novel was a return to form for the Temperance Brennan series. There was more introspection and beautiful writing in the opening chapter (e.g. "The tiny pond was a dark void, woolly where the water met the bank."
Unfortunately, the rest of the novel went downhill fast. And the writing quality dropped ("Before this is done, the case will be wrapped tighter than a mummy's dick.") There were three major stories that didn't glue well together--and the second half of the novel started to exasperate me as a reader. Approaching conspiracy theories in writing is difficult. Two-dimensional portrayals of the people who fall for them doesn't serve much and frankly I'm tired of those diatribes. I abhor Alex Jones and others like him as well, but fiction involving them often feels unsatisfying and ...well as off-centered as those conspiracy theories we're mocking.
Except no, it didn't make sense. Tempe had NO LOGICAL REASON for linking Nick Body to child abductions, it was just a jump, the same ilogical jump that conspiracy theorists do themselves. Also, Tempe broke every rule under the sun. And then we're supposed to be mad at the judges for not signing on a warrant where evidence was obtained by illegal entry on private property? After evidence was stored on a private phone, never backed up? A rookie PI would do better.
There were other major gaps in logic in the story as well. Tempe's computer is infected with a malware after she visits a conspiracy theory site. So the result is that...the virus allows her to download exactly the code she needs to view the illicit child pornography? So were the bad guys trying to kick her out and damage her computer, or thought she was a potential customer? Nothing made sense. Let's not even mention the way HIIPA is seen as just an inconvenience, and a treating physician decides to reveal some, but not all, confidential information. Seriously, are we supposed to cheer as laws designed to protect citizen's privacy are being broken, because the investigators suspect someone did something wrong? Is Tempe actually a villain? Because that makes more sense.
There was an acute lack of likable characters in this novel, and the mystery was thin and one gigantic conspiracy theory itself. While I appreciated that Tempe wasn't knocked in the head unconscious (because of course someone did knock her in the head, again) and the ending wasn't a classical "Tempe is now a prisoner", the ending was very lackluster. Her relationship with Andrew Ryan is so toxic I want to reach out to the male character and tell him to RUN. She promises to herself she'll try better (again), but this story is getting old. Also, I'm sorry, Slidel is in my opinion a disgusting character. I don't care how good he's supposed to be at his job, the way he talks is so old and rotten that I feel like taking a shower every time I read his lines.
I don't know what to say. I bought the other two remaining novels in the series and now I'm worried I won't be able to even finish them.
PS: Oh, did I mention the question Tempe asks herself? There were so many of them I wondered if those were needed to pad the word count. I skipped over them at one point and missed nothing
Unfortunately, the rest of the novel went downhill fast. And the writing quality dropped ("Before this is done, the case will be wrapped tighter than a mummy's dick.") There were three major stories that didn't glue well together--and the second half of the novel started to exasperate me as a reader. Approaching conspiracy theories in writing is difficult. Two-dimensional portrayals of the people who fall for them doesn't serve much and frankly I'm tired of those diatribes. I abhor Alex Jones and others like him as well, but fiction involving them often feels unsatisfying and ...well as off-centered as those conspiracy theories we're mocking.
Spoiler
Conspiracy theorists are the ones actually kidnapping children and selling child-pornography? Sure, why not.Except no, it didn't make sense. Tempe had NO LOGICAL REASON for linking Nick Body to child abductions, it was just a jump, the same ilogical jump that conspiracy theorists do themselves. Also, Tempe broke every rule under the sun. And then we're supposed to be mad at the judges for not signing on a warrant where evidence was obtained by illegal entry on private property? After evidence was stored on a private phone, never backed up? A rookie PI would do better.
There were other major gaps in logic in the story as well. Tempe's computer is infected with a malware after she visits a conspiracy theory site. So the result is that...the virus allows her to download exactly the code she needs to view the illicit child pornography? So were the bad guys trying to kick her out and damage her computer, or thought she was a potential customer? Nothing made sense. Let's not even mention the way HIIPA is seen as just an inconvenience, and a treating physician decides to reveal some, but not all, confidential information. Seriously, are we supposed to cheer as laws designed to protect citizen's privacy are being broken, because the investigators suspect someone did something wrong? Is Tempe actually a villain? Because that makes more sense.
There was an acute lack of likable characters in this novel, and the mystery was thin and one gigantic conspiracy theory itself. While I appreciated that Tempe wasn't knocked in the head unconscious (because of course someone did knock her in the head, again) and the ending wasn't a classical "Tempe is now a prisoner", the ending was very lackluster. Her relationship with Andrew Ryan is so toxic I want to reach out to the male character and tell him to RUN. She promises to herself she'll try better (again), but this story is getting old. Also, I'm sorry, Slidel is in my opinion a disgusting character. I don't care how good he's supposed to be at his job, the way he talks is so old and rotten that I feel like taking a shower every time I read his lines.
I don't know what to say. I bought the other two remaining novels in the series and now I'm worried I won't be able to even finish them.
PS: Oh, did I mention the question Tempe asks herself? There were so many of them I wondered if those were needed to pad the word count. I skipped over them at one point and missed nothing
jules_writes's review against another edition
4.0
I must make more of an effort to catch up with some of the books I'm missing from this series!
It was a great read.
The full review can be found here - https://onemoreword.uk/2020/03/26/blogtour-a-conspiracy-of-bones-by-kathy-reichs-aconspiracyofbones-gifted-providedforreview-temperancebrennan-bones-kathyreichs-simonschusteruk-annecater/
It was a great read.
The full review can be found here - https://onemoreword.uk/2020/03/26/blogtour-a-conspiracy-of-bones-by-kathy-reichs-aconspiracyofbones-gifted-providedforreview-temperancebrennan-bones-kathyreichs-simonschusteruk-annecater/
mtromm38's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful hit from Kathy Reichs. I had no idea how the book was going to finally end. Can’t wait for Tempe’s next adventure.
micht15's review against another edition
3.0
Tempe Brennan doing her best to solve a mysterious death. 3.5 stars
lolo007's review against another edition
4.0
So good! Knocked this off in a day. I love this series and I have missed it so much. Kathy Reichs's witty dialogue and suspenseful action is on point, and, as always, I learnt about things. Temperance Brennan is one of the best characters out there, more please!
dogearedandfurry's review against another edition
3.0
I can’t say this one quite grabbed me. I found the plot a little hard to follow and keep track of, and Tempe seemed all over the place with the brain thing. When she got on a question jag (asking dozens of questions to herself), my brain would switch off.
cheried's review against another edition
4.0
So nice to have Tempe back. It's been too long, but I understand the reason for the delay. Hopefully the next book with have some more Ryan in it. I love their banter. Skinny was a good substitute in this one. Their bickering was on point as always. I won't say anything about the story line because I don't want to let any spoilers slip. If you like the Bones series, you'll enjoy this one too.
sg1987's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
fourfootedbeasts's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5