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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Good one. My first by this author but a good mystery to occupy the mind during self-isolation.
We haven’t heard from Temperance Brennan (or Kathy Reichs) in a while...and the newest novel in her long-running series explains why. Tempe had been waylaid since her last outing by a brain aneurysm (and true to life, so had the author.)
Tempe finds herself at odds with the new Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina, Dr. Heavner, the replacement for her boss and friend, Tim Larabee, who has passed. Fair warning - I hadn’t read the novella where this occurs, so I was a little lost (not to mention there has been 5 years since the last book, so I thought maybe I just didn’t remember!)
Her involvement kicks off with text messages of a newly found body from an unknown number. Heavner, who has a history of using the press to advance her career, is managing this body and wants to keep Tempe out of it. Tempe, as we know her to be, can’t leave well enough alone. Especially given Heavner’s propensity to be featured on tabloid TV with host Nick Body.
Body is a right-wing loony who peddles conspiracy theories - a literary equivalent to that slime, Tucker Carlson. Body has history with Tempe as well, having capitalized on Jahaan Cole’s disappearance - a case Tempe had worked on.
With the help of series regular Skinny Slidell (and an occasional call or visit from beau, Andrew Ryan) and some new forensics colleagues (squints, if you will) - Tempe finds herself involved in a case with twists and turns involving a wellness retreat, conspiracy theories and underground doomsday apartments.
There is something comforting about returning to a series, but also predictable. Tempe acts irrationally most of the time, always gets attacked by a criminal or two on a crime scene she shouldn’t be at, and always ends the chapter on a cliffhanger because ALL THE PIECES FALL INTO PLACE. That plot contrivance is a bit annoying, but it’s how Reichs has always propelled her stories. Tempe’s narration and quick clips and phrases way of speaking can also be a bit jarring (even annoying?). It’s nothing new, but it does detract a bit from the overall story...and the series.
There’s nothing spectacularly new about this newest entry - it is a crime procedural after all. But, it’s good to have Tempe back and follow the trail and put the pieces together with her as she gets the bad guys.
Tempe finds herself at odds with the new Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina, Dr. Heavner, the replacement for her boss and friend, Tim Larabee, who has passed. Fair warning - I hadn’t read the novella where this occurs, so I was a little lost (not to mention there has been 5 years since the last book, so I thought maybe I just didn’t remember!)
Her involvement kicks off with text messages of a newly found body from an unknown number. Heavner, who has a history of using the press to advance her career, is managing this body and wants to keep Tempe out of it. Tempe, as we know her to be, can’t leave well enough alone. Especially given Heavner’s propensity to be featured on tabloid TV with host Nick Body.
Body is a right-wing loony who peddles conspiracy theories - a literary equivalent to that slime, Tucker Carlson. Body has history with Tempe as well, having capitalized on Jahaan Cole’s disappearance - a case Tempe had worked on.
With the help of series regular Skinny Slidell (and an occasional call or visit from beau, Andrew Ryan) and some new forensics colleagues (squints, if you will) - Tempe finds herself involved in a case with twists and turns involving a wellness retreat, conspiracy theories and underground doomsday apartments.
There is something comforting about returning to a series, but also predictable. Tempe acts irrationally most of the time, always gets attacked by a criminal or two on a crime scene she shouldn’t be at, and always ends the chapter on a cliffhanger because ALL THE PIECES FALL INTO PLACE. That plot contrivance is a bit annoying, but it’s how Reichs has always propelled her stories. Tempe’s narration and quick clips and phrases way of speaking can also be a bit jarring (even annoying?). It’s nothing new, but it does detract a bit from the overall story...and the series.
There’s nothing spectacularly new about this newest entry - it is a crime procedural after all. But, it’s good to have Tempe back and follow the trail and put the pieces together with her as she gets the bad guys.
Tempe’s complete lack of impulse control in this one was rather infuriating and at times it felt too much like a catalogue of apps. The mystery, however, did keep the pages turning.
Disclaimer: My own fault.
I found this at the thrift store and thought it sounded good, but I had no idea it was a series lol. the Internet claimed I could read it as a stand alone mystery but it def doesn’t feel that way, so I’m calling it quits.
This is book 19 so I’ll pass on backtracking.
I found this at the thrift store and thought it sounded good, but I had no idea it was a series lol. the Internet claimed I could read it as a stand alone mystery but it def doesn’t feel that way, so I’m calling it quits.
This is book 19 so I’ll pass on backtracking.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
Just disappointing. The storyline is fine, but this could’ve been a short novella rather than 300+ pages. NYT says it was strong on plot with plenty of twists and I agree, if “strong on plot” means half-baked characters, rushed concepts (while simultaneously having overly drawn out themes), random side-plots, and predictable “twists.” Finally, the writing style and editing needs serious work (e.g., while I understand Brennan’s need to explain nuances and technicalities to the reader, her definitions feel out of place as if they exist solely to prove that Brennan is as intelligent as she thinks she is).
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The story was interesting but seemed to drag on longer than completely necessary. It felt very, her against the world with almost last minute connections thrown together.
Didn't hate it, but don't know if I would read any other books by her.
Didn't hate it, but don't know if I would read any other books by her.
I loved the television show Bones and have read a few of Kathy Reichs novels. While some details are different, Brennan’s personality and the cases give a feeling of familarity. I have not read the books in order and easily enjoyed this case and characters. Reich did an excellent job of connecting characters and bringing me up to speed without making it feel like information dumps.
The tale takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Temperance is home recovering from neurosurgery. She receives a series of unidentified text messages containing pictures of a corpse. She learns the body is at the medical examiners, and despite not being assigned the case, investigates. Her off the book snooping soon places her in danger. The body may be tied to cold cases involving young children.
The romance was closed door, and I didn’t really feel the connection. This may be because of not having read all the books in order.
This was an interesting case, as was the tension between Brennan and the new medical examiner. Brennan is like a dog with a bone, and even at her own risk she pushes to connect dots and make connections. Moments were nail-biting as we gathered clues and found ourselves in dangerous situations. I loved piecing together the clues and chasing down leads. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The tale takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Temperance is home recovering from neurosurgery. She receives a series of unidentified text messages containing pictures of a corpse. She learns the body is at the medical examiners, and despite not being assigned the case, investigates. Her off the book snooping soon places her in danger. The body may be tied to cold cases involving young children.
The romance was closed door, and I didn’t really feel the connection. This may be because of not having read all the books in order.
This was an interesting case, as was the tension between Brennan and the new medical examiner. Brennan is like a dog with a bone, and even at her own risk she pushes to connect dots and make connections. Moments were nail-biting as we gathered clues and found ourselves in dangerous situations. I loved piecing together the clues and chasing down leads. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Hard Storyline.
Hard storyline. A good book but a slow read for me. I always find books with kids in a hard read specially when bad things happen to kids.
I used to read Temperance Brennan books really quickly when I was younger but I find them harder now. Still this book is a good read.
Hard storyline. A good book but a slow read for me. I always find books with kids in a hard read specially when bad things happen to kids.
I used to read Temperance Brennan books really quickly when I was younger but I find them harder now. Still this book is a good read.
