by Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #19
Genres: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
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, working mostly outside the system. That’s because Tempe’s new boss holds a fierce grudge against her and is determined to keep her out of the case. Tempe bulls forward anyway, even as she begins questioning her instincts. But the clues she discovers are disturbing and confusing. Was the faceless man a spy? A trafficker? A target for assassination by the government? And why was he carrying the name of a child missing for almost a decade?
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...
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is the nineteenth novel in the Temperance Brennan mystery series. A media hungry medical examiner, an unusual death, and Temperance’s insatiable curiosity bring danger.
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.
I felt the threads, suspects and story were tightly woven and plausible. Fans of crime thrillers and mysteries will enjoy this case.
Mysterious texts soon have Brennan investigating a murder off-books in A Conspiracy of Bones Kathy Reichs. #TemperanceBrennan #MurderMystery Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Carla Johnson-Hicks
I used to fanatically read this series as they came out, but am a couple behind now. Thanks for reminding me about these new ones. It sounds like a great addition to the series. I read the books before I started watching the TV series, so was not happy about some of the changes, but still watched the first few seasons and enjoyed it.
Olivia-Savannah Roach
So is the tv series Bones inspired by this book series? Because I didn’t know that D: Sorry that you didn’t particularly care about the romance in this one. But it sounds like other elements of the book were good instead.
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
This sounds so good! I enjoy shows with crime, forensics, and a mystery. Too bad the romance felt like a closed door, but I can see how it would be difficult to connect without reading the books in order. I’m glad you enjoyed this one Kim 🙂
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’ve read every book in the series but this one. It’s always a little weird because it is so different than the tv series in so many aspects. So I only skimmed because I’ll read this at some point.
Sophia Rose
I love that she works in the medical examiner’s office and you could follow along putting the clues together, too. I should try her books.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I’ve read a few books in this series and enjoyed them to varying degrees. I do like the sound of that even if the romantic connection wasn’t there. I’ll have to look for this one.
Lorna
I used to read these but stopped at book 8 maybe? Not sure. I remember not really liking the last one I read and I haven’t gone back. It’s good to see that you are enjoying this series. I liked all of the ones I read prior to the one I didn’t like so she is solid writer in my opinion.
sherry fundin
i still watch bones reruns on cable. 🙂
Mary Kirkland
I used to watch the tv series Bones so this sounds interesting.
Melliane
oh I think I only tried one book or 2 in this series
Ailyn Koay
i am guessing that her recovery from a brain surgery is not making things hard for her? I mean, perhaps it was all in the her head?