Scan barcode
A review by tessa_talks_books
Cold, Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs
5.0
What's it about (in a nutshell):
Cold Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs is the latest case that Temperance Brennan must solve with the help of her colleagues in law enforcement. A human eyeball is sent to Tempe's home, which starts this fast-paced thrill ride of what looks like copycat killings from her previous cases. Who is trying to get her attention and why?
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love the cover. It's like you are looking through an ice-coated window. The "O" in the second "cold" is red while all the other letters are black, and a woman is walking towards it. I can't even begin to speculate as to why a red "O," but the cover is mysterious and very cold looking. The blurb clarifies the cold imagery by explaining that the book is set in the winter. It talks about a story based on revenge, which, as we know, is a dish best served cold.
Actual Reading Experience:
The story is in first-person narration from Tempe's point of view. She is sarcastic and snarky, so her thoughts are always fun to know. I am delighted this narration approach is utilized. It also helps keep the pace quick, as Tempe never slows down.
The mystery is okay. There are no jaw-dropping twists or turns, but it is a solid mystery with just the correct number of clues versus red herrings. The thrills are consistently intense as the body count starts stacking up and a child goes missing. The suspense never lets up from the time the eyeball in the box is opened until the conclusion.
I enjoyed the setting. Making this all happen during a blizzard was both a good aspect and a bad aspect for me. It added to the intensity and urgency, but it was also tough to believe since I live right outside of Charlotte, NC. I've lived here for over 20 years and the most snow we've ever gotten in that time is between 4 and 6 inches. If it had been set in a nasty ice storm, that would have been more believable and equally as intense because the ice storms here wipe out power for many days and make all surfaces very slick. I know the author lives part-time in Charlotte, so this choice was a bit of a head-scratcher for me.
Lastly, I enjoyed Katy's story. Katy is Tempe's daughter and has recently decided to leave the armed forces after serving numerous tours in Afghanistan. She potentially has PTSD and must figure out what to do with the rest of her life. I felt that depicting a recently honorably discharged soldier was very authentic, and the possible mental health issues were handled respectfully and empathetically.
Characters:
The characters are interesting, with intriguing back stories and distinct personalities. Sometimes they are borderline stereotypical, but I was okay with that. This is the 21st installment of the series, so I would expect many layers and facets for even the support characters.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you love a high level of suspense and thrills mixed with a good solid mystery, you should pick up this installment of Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan series, which can be read as a standalone.
Cold Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs is the latest case that Temperance Brennan must solve with the help of her colleagues in law enforcement. A human eyeball is sent to Tempe's home, which starts this fast-paced thrill ride of what looks like copycat killings from her previous cases. Who is trying to get her attention and why?
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love the cover. It's like you are looking through an ice-coated window. The "O" in the second "cold" is red while all the other letters are black, and a woman is walking towards it. I can't even begin to speculate as to why a red "O," but the cover is mysterious and very cold looking. The blurb clarifies the cold imagery by explaining that the book is set in the winter. It talks about a story based on revenge, which, as we know, is a dish best served cold.
Actual Reading Experience:
The story is in first-person narration from Tempe's point of view. She is sarcastic and snarky, so her thoughts are always fun to know. I am delighted this narration approach is utilized. It also helps keep the pace quick, as Tempe never slows down.
The mystery is okay. There are no jaw-dropping twists or turns, but it is a solid mystery with just the correct number of clues versus red herrings. The thrills are consistently intense as the body count starts stacking up and a child goes missing. The suspense never lets up from the time the eyeball in the box is opened until the conclusion.
I enjoyed the setting. Making this all happen during a blizzard was both a good aspect and a bad aspect for me. It added to the intensity and urgency, but it was also tough to believe since I live right outside of Charlotte, NC. I've lived here for over 20 years and the most snow we've ever gotten in that time is between 4 and 6 inches. If it had been set in a nasty ice storm, that would have been more believable and equally as intense because the ice storms here wipe out power for many days and make all surfaces very slick. I know the author lives part-time in Charlotte, so this choice was a bit of a head-scratcher for me.
Lastly, I enjoyed Katy's story. Katy is Tempe's daughter and has recently decided to leave the armed forces after serving numerous tours in Afghanistan. She potentially has PTSD and must figure out what to do with the rest of her life. I felt that depicting a recently honorably discharged soldier was very authentic, and the possible mental health issues were handled respectfully and empathetically.
Characters:
The characters are interesting, with intriguing back stories and distinct personalities. Sometimes they are borderline stereotypical, but I was okay with that. This is the 21st installment of the series, so I would expect many layers and facets for even the support characters.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you love a high level of suspense and thrills mixed with a good solid mystery, you should pick up this installment of Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan series, which can be read as a standalone.