Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

Devil Bones (Temperance Brennan, #11)

by Kathy Reichs

An underground chamber is exposed in a seedy, dilapidated house. In the dark cellar, a ritualistic display is revealed: a human skull rests on a cauldron, surrounded by slain chickens and bizarre figurines. Called to the scene is forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan. Bone architecture suggests that the skull is that of a young, black female. But how and when did she die? Just as Tempe is closing in on answers, another body is discovered, a headless corpse carved with Satanic symbols. As local vigilantes begin a witch-hunt, Tempe struggles to contain her emotions. But the eventual truth proves more shocking than even she could have imagined.

Reviewed by empressbrooke on

3 of 5 stars

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The books in Kathy Reichs' Bones series are either really, really good or merely decent, and this newest installment fell into the latter category. I think my level of enjoyment depends on how interested I am in the murder mystery.

I was annoyed with the level of "catch up" Reichs did - I can understand wanting a new reader to be able to pick up any Bones book and understand the players, but by the 11th book in the series, I really don't need to spend pages on what Tempe's job is, who her co-workers are, a detailed chronology of her dating life, etc. I've spent a lot of time with you, Kathy and Tempe. Just hit me with the story.

I was also disappointed that a pivotal conversation between Tempe and Andrew Ryan was reduced to Tempe relating it after the fact in a few sentences. After spending 10 books being invested in the on-again, off-again relationship, it was so odd that Reichs didn't flesh it out and let us in on it.

The introduction of a new potential date for Tempe also confirmed what I thought all along - Reichs can't (won't?) write more than one type of love interest. I'd always thought Pete and Ryan were identical, characterized mainly by their witty, combative personalities. Now Charlie, a man Tempe knows from their high school days, tries to date her, and lo and behold, he's exactly the same as the other two!

I've resigned myself to the fact that these books are rather formulaic, and that they'll always end with Tempe in mortal danger, which leads to her missing out on how the police put the final pieces together - the final chapter is always an after-the-fact recounting of the final clues, which always makes the ending feel rushed. I've also stopped gritting my teeth at the melodramatic, foreshadowy chapter endings and Tempe's habit of getting preachy when discussing a topic that clearly matters to the author. Because really, despite all these flaws, Tempe Brennan is a good protagonist to spend time with, and Reichs always has an entertaining mystery thanks to her day job as a forensic anthropologist.

I'm exasperated I already finished the new book in one sitting, but at least the new season of Bones starts in three days.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 31 August, 2008: Finished reading
  • 31 August, 2008: Reviewed