#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs “roars back with a Temperance Brennan mystery unlike any that have come before” (Booklist, starred review) in which the forensic anthropologist must use all her skills to discover the identity of a faceless corpse and its connection to a decade-old missing child case. It’s sweltering in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Temperance Brennan, still … 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 pushes 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-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…
“Edgy…eerie…irresistible” (Sandra Brown), A Conspiracy of Bones “was created by a master of the genre who knocks it out of the park” (David Baldacci).
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First, let me say I love Kathy Reichs and Temperance Brennan! It’s been a while since I’ve read any in this series but I never forgot about it. When I got the chance to read and review this book I immediately jumped on it. This book focuses more on Temperance’s personal life than her professional. So if this is your first book in the series you need to go back and read an earlier book. While I loved it because I love finding out more about all of the characters, if you came in hoping for a forensic thriller then you’re probably disappointed. That’s not to say you won’t enjoy the book but it’s not a typical Reichs/Brennan story. I enjoyed learning more about Temperance’s health issues and relationship issues. The forensic story was good too just not up to her usual mystery. All in all, a really good read. Thanks Ms. Reichs! and I hope you are feeling better.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is the nineteenth in the series featuring Temperance Brennan. I am embarrassed to say this is the first I’ve read. In my defense, there are soooo many books. I quite enjoyed this book, which is basically a police procedural, although leads are a retired cop and an anthropologic coroner who is who is currently on hiatus (not her choice). Of course, there’s an unidentified body, male, whose tags have all been cut from his clothing, and sadly, wild hogs have ravaged his body. No ID, no keys, no nothin’. The current coroner has been known to cut corners and do things for publicity. The odd thing is, someone texted Tempe autopsy photos anonymously. The more they investigate; the more people and crimes seem to be involved.
This was written differently and took me a while to adjust. Short sentences, phrases. Pretty much the way people think, I guess. After reading into the book, the style changed as conversations started to happen and there were more than just quick facts and thoughts. It would be interesting to hear the audiobook. I hope she has a good reader. Tempe is middle aged with a grown daughter who is in the military and a boyfriend/partner with whom she lives, in several cities. He is a retired cop starting his on PI business and she works on contract, this is a practical arrangement. Tempe is very Type-A and doesn’t seem to sleep a lot. She’s brilliant and impulsive and gets herself into hot water more often than a professional should. I found her to be extremely interesting and the plot in this book well done and very complex and, probably, realistic. There were crazy, conspiracy theory people, child pornographers, plenty of shysters, and some pretty nice, innocent people. It gives one a new perspective on these professionals. It was an excellent read and earlier books are definitely added to my to-be-read list. I heartily recommend a Conspiracy of Bones.
I received a free ARC of A Conspiracy of Bones from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #aconspiracyofbones
Tempe isn’t sure what is real. She sees someone skulking around her place. Is it an hallucination or were they really there? Someone sends her pictures of a dead body but no one seems to know who sent them or who the man is. Her new boss has no intention of giving Tempe any job. So, she will find out herself who the man is. As she and Skinny look for clues, Tempe isn’t sure if she is losing her mind or not. Good story.
To start with, I have to say that I’m a HUGE fan of this author, who I haven’t read in a few years! I don’t know why, exactly….but when I got the opportunity to read THIS one I jumped at the chance! Let me just say that I forgot how AMAZING Ms. Reichs writing is! Her intricate details, layering the breadcrumbs that lead you to what you THINK is the conclusion to the mystery (WRONG!!!)? I LOVE that about her writing and A Conspiracy of Bones is a PRIME example of Ms. Reichs at her VERY BEST!!!
This 19th (!!!) book in the Temperance Brennan series is full of Kathy Reichs’ signature sinister twists and turns, full of suspense, heart-stopping drama and angst and the chilling conclusion that makes this book a MUST READ for anyone who loves this genre! I need to make some time to go back and read the other books in this series and catch up now that my appetite has been whetted by ANOTHER INCREDIBLE book from a MASTER STORYTELLER!!!!
I love Kathy Reichs book from the Viral series. It as really been a while since i haven’t read a Temperance book, probably because back then I was watching Bones and it was confusing me. Now that the show as been over for a couple of years, I really enjoyed reading this book and sure will be reading more in that serie. So thanks for Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to have an arc of this book. It’s really well written. Kathy Reichs is really a great author.
Brennan have now a new boss and is still recovering from neurosurgery following an aneurysm. She’s having migraines, nightmares and she think she might suffer from hallucinations or is she? She doesn’t know whats real or whats not. A lot of twist and turn while she’s trying to solve a murder even though her new boss doesn’t want her to work on the case. The more she uncovers it will become more and more darker.
serial-killer, series, forensics, suspense, thriller
I think that everyone is somewhat familiar with Dr Temperance Brennan after over 20 years of books and the spinoff TV series of a number of years. Obviously I’ve missed a few of the books, because the murder of her boss and the stenting of a cerebral aneurysm in her own brain were total news to me!
About reviewing the book. Hard for me to do because it has a lot about serial killer and child abduction/torture/murder. The story is well written and always has a spate of snarkiness just when the awfulness is getting to me. Lots of interesting learning opportunities as well: the darkweb/tor, conspiracy obsessives, and changes in DNA recovery. The secondary thread is the unwise behaviors and animosity from the new boss as well as backstory regarding Temperance’s mother and some other characters from earlier books. Bottom line is that the material is something that I find distressing but the writing remains on target.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Scribner via NetGalley. Thank you!
It has been many years since I have read a book by Kathy Reichs and I am so glad I decided to read a Conspiracy of Bones.
As usual, Temperance Brennan is a woman who delves into the mysteries and intricacies of the human psyche using scientific methods and good old common sense.
This story grasped me from the first word to the final conclusion. Along with Tempe, I too felt anger and disgust in the ongoing plight of the missing children. She gently and painstakingly touched this subject, leaving me feeling acutely aware of how deep and prevalent this issue is.
Revealing Dr. Brennan’s health issue throughout the book, and havoc they were playing with this character, only to be revealed in her final notes of this book just how close to home this ailment is in her life.
I believe I will have to go back and reread the books I have missed in the previous years. Kathy Reichs has ignited a fire in me for more.
This is the 19th book in the Temperance books I was a bit on the wall with this one. It was a child cold case and for some reason just couldn’t get into this one as much as her other books. It was a good story and I enjoyed it but was slower to get invested in the storyline and characters. Will wait faithfully for the next one though and maybe try re reading this one again later .
Welcome back Temperance Brennan; you were missed !
A Conspiracy of Bones finds Tempe not only facing personal issues but also professional challenges as well !
The book has it all: mystery, murder, fake news, conspiracy theory and lots of red herrings to keep the light on and the pages turning !!
A Conspiracy of Bones is a gripping tale that you don’t want to miss !!
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the opportunity to meet up with Temperance Brennan again !!
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 completing 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.