#BlogTour The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs

 It’s a great pleasure to review another book and take part in the Blogtour The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs.

About the Author

Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead was a number one bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel. The Bone Code is Kathy’s twentieth entry in her series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Kathy was also a producer of the hit Fox TV series, Bones, which is based on her work and her novels.

Dr. Reichs is one of very few forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. She served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of both the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, and as a member of the National Police Services Advisory Council in Canada. 

Follow @KathyReichs, Visit kathyreichs.com

About the book

A storm has hit South Carolina, dredging up crimes of the past. En route to Isle of Palms, a barrier island off the South Carolina coast,  forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan receives a call from the Charleston coroner. During the storm, a medical waste container has washed up on the beach. Inside are two decomposed bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting and bound with electrical wire. Chillingly, Tempe recognises many details as identical to those of an unsolved case she handled in Quebec fifteen years earlier. With a growing sense of foreboding, she flies to Montreal to gather evidence and convince her boss Pierre LaManch to reopen the cold case. She also seeks the advice—and comfort—of her longtime beau Andrew Ryan.

Meanwhile, a storm of a different type gathers force in South Carolina. The citizens of Charleston are struck by capnocytophaga, a bacterium that, at its worst, can eat human flesh. Thousands panic and test themselves for a rare genetic mutation that may have rendered them vulnerable.

Shockingly, Tempe eventually deduces not only that the victims in both grisly murder cases are related, but that the murders and the disease outbreak also have a common cause . . .

Review

Reading a book in the Temperance Brennan series is a bit like revisiting an old friend,  one who is rather good at solving the mysteries of bones and telling the stories of silent victims.

In the aftermath of a dangerous storm Tempe is called in by the Charleston coroner to give her opinion on the remains of what later appears to be two young girls. What really concerns her is the fact it is the exact copy of an unsolved crime she was involved in over a decade ago. It sets her inner alarm bells off.

Whilst she delves deeper into the past to solve her present case in the hopes of giving names to the previous victims, Tempe is also drawn into a more modern medical issue. In times of the current pandemic the sub-plot, which echoes the current panic, misinformation, fear and realistic threat, is absolutely the perfect storm.

I know I have said this before, but I think it’s worth repeating – I do enjoy the way I always leave a story by Reichs with a lot more knowledge. She always adds something worth knowing to her excellent crime stories. It’s a learning experience and a great read. 

It’s also a testament to her storytelling skills that a series of this longevity, this is book twenty in the series, is still going strong and able to draw in both new readers and readers who have been reading the series since the beginning.

Buy The Bone Code at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Simon and Schuster Uk – Hardback | Publishing 29th April 2021. Buy at Amazon com. At Waterstones.

Two Nights by Kathy Reichs

It doesn’t matter how experienced, famous or acclaimed an author is, it is always difficult to change genres or start a new series. Not difficult in a writing sense, but rather living up to the expectations of their readers or fans.

When you have a long running successful series, that’s without counting the legions of fans who watch the tv show based on the Temperance Brennan character, readers are eager to see or read about their favourite character on a regular basis. They are perhaps a little less eager to embrace an entirely new venture or main character.

I really enjoyed this new venture and can’t wait to read more about Sunday and Gus.

Kudos to Reichs for creating a main character with an airport carousel full of baggage. Sunday isn’t your standard candy floss and fluffy unicorn type of character. She has a past full of abuse, aggression and manipulation. On top of that she is a veteran suffering from PTSD.

Her whole life revolves around safety measures and paranoia. She is abrupt, short-tempered and doesn’t give two hoots about being politically correct or adhering to any kind of rules.

When she is hired by a grande dame of society she cares less about the money and more about the young girl in the midst of a dangerous group. This is actually where the story gets an added twist. The reader gets short glimpses of a young girl being held captive and abused. It is fair to say that everything is not exactly as it seems.

Two Nights, nice play on the names by the way, is an invigorating new series with a bolshy leading lady. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Sunday or her elusive brother. It has plenty of potential and it deals with some hard-hitting issues. I think Reichs should take a few more walks on the wild side and spread her literary tentacles into a few other ventures.

Buy Two Nights at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Follow @KathyReichs

Read The Swamp Bones, Bones Never Lie,  Bones in her Pocket or Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Read Exposure, Swipe or Code by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.

Exposure by Brendan Reichs and Kathy Reichs

Although the name Kathy Reichs might conjure up images of bones, dead bodies and crime. This YA series by this mother and son writing team has nothing to do with any of those things. Virals is an entertaining young adult sci-fi infused fantasy.

Tory is a complex character in the sense that she appears to be a strong and independent, and yet when it comes to Whitney she is usually a bit of a sheep. Says one thing and does another. There is a small light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to her blossoming relationship with Ben though.

One of the positive aspects to this fourth book in the Virals series, is that Reichs doesn’t just concentrate on Tory this time. The reader gets to know the other characters a lot better.

We see them experience their powers in an entirely different way this time. Instead of the possibly life-enhancing mysterious often stagnant abilities, the powers take on a more menacing aspect. It’s one thing knowing they are there, but it is quite another to know they might not be able to control them.

I like the way Reichs filters all the information, which means there is always something new to bring to the table. Regardless of whether it is about their powers, their status in society or the secrets each character keeps hidden.

Kudos to the authors for the big plot reveal at the end. It puts an entirely different slant on everything.

Buy Exposure at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read The Bone Collection, The Swamp Bones, Bones Never Lie, Bones of the Lost , Bones in her Pocket or Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Read Swipe or Code by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.

Read Two Nights by Kathy Reichs.

The Bone Collection by Kathy Reichs

One of things I enjoy most about stories written by Reichs is the way she combines fiction with fact. I feel as if I always come away knowing just a little bit more, especially with the short stories. Reichs often uses the shorter format to highlight, educate and inform her readers.

The Bone Collection is, as the title implies, a collection of four short stories. It includes Bones in her Pocket (15.5), The Swamp Bones (16.5), Bones on Ice (17.5) and First Bones (0.5). The numbers represent the reading order in the Temperance Brennan series.

I had read all but First Bones before, however I read the stories again, because they are always fascinating.

First Bones is actually a prequel to the very first Brennan story. It explains how she discovers her true calling and real passion. Crime calls her name softly and entices her towards the all consuming darkness of mysteries and murder.

Bones in her Pocket brings mystery to what should be a simple identification. Why are the remains of a young woman found with the skeletal remains of a small animal. This amateur killer has made the kind of mistakes an experienced killer wouldn’t have made.

The Swamp Bones is an excellent example of how Reichs incorporates important environmental issues into her stories, both short and full-length ones. Burmese Pythons play a pivotal part in this novella.

Bones on Ice is about the body of a young woman who died during a climb up Mount Everest. Reichs discovers that all is not what it seems with this case. She also gives readers an insight into just how dangerous the climb is and how many people have died during said climb. Their bodies lie unclaimed as a testament to how lethal Mount Everest can be.

Not everyone can turn a novella into a tiny novel or give readers the feeling that they have just read the equivalent of one on a smaller scale. It is something Reichs does very well.

Buy The Bone Collection at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read The Swamp Bones, Bones Never Lie,  Bones in her Pocket or Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Read Exposure, Swipe or Code by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.

Read Two Nights by Kathy Reichs.

Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs

Is it just me or has Tempe received a new lease on life? She seems so rejuvenated, full of energy and a lot like her younger self. She is a breath of fresh air and impulsiveness in this book.

Things also come to a head with Tempe and Ryan. If you read the last book, Bones Never Lie, you will remember just how difficult runaway Ryan was. Instead of seeking solace and comfort, he just up and left for the hills.

Huge kudos to Reichs for making a point of mentioning public domain books and materials. Just how much literature and art is the property of the public domain, hence owned by all of us, is still not known by many people. Literally a treasure trove of classics and academia to be read.

Tempe is drawn into the case of a young missing girl, except according to her parents she isn’t missing, she is merely gone. An amateur sleuth has drawn her attention to a possible connection to the girl and the bones of an unidentified body.

Reichs has also given due attention to so-called websleuths. The groups of people, who dedicate their time to solving cold cases and matching unidentified bodies with names of victims. Whole blogs, websites and forums are dedicated to this particular past-time.

An understandable obsession, but unfortunately it can be a very competitive one. Some of these websleuths are more interested in recognition and fame, a subject Reichs also hits upon in this story, and the ones who inadvertently cause harm to real cases.

Speaking in Bones features a revitalised Tempe, a softer Ryan and a bunch of crazy religious zealots. Oh, and bones, many bones. Once again a great read by Reichs.

Buy Speaking in Bones at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Try this short story Swamp Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Read The Bone Collection, The Swamp Bones, Bones Never Lie,  Bones in her Pocket or Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Read Exposure, Swipe or Code by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.

Read Two Nights by Kathy Reichs.

Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs

Brennan is taken back to an old case in Bones Never Lie. Anique Pomerleau is back and on top of that really bad news she is linked to the recent murders of young girls.

Has she started another killing spree? Has she found another partner in crime to help her lure innocent victims to their deaths? Where has she been hiding all these years and just how many more girls has she tortured and killed.

Brennan starts looking for the only other person with real insight into the Pomerleau case, Ryan. Unfortunately he has dropped off the grid since the death of someone very close to him, and it doesn’t look as if he is very interested in helping anyone solve any crimes.

The trail leads them round in a circle and then to an unexpected body find, which shocks and throws both Brennan and Ryan for a loop. The conclusion they end up drawing from their findings is upsetting, dramatic and just downright scary.

Reichs approaches an interesting topic in this story. The more or less always untold story of the victims after the fact and the aftermath of being held captive, tortured and raped. What it does to their state of mind and how it can cause a multitude of unexpected psychological, physical and psychosomatic problems.

Once again Reichs delivers a solid Brennan story, which may leave you with a niggle and food for thought.

Buy Bones Never Lie at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read The Bone Collection, The Swamp Bones,  Bones in her Pocket or Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Read Exposure, Swipe or Code by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.

Read Two Nights by Kathy Reichs.

Swamp Bones by Kathy Reichs

Swamp Bones is a straight to digital Temperance Brennan short story by Kathy Reichs.

The occasional interim novellas are a great way to whet the appetite for the release of future novels. In that respect the Brennan books by Kathy Reichs are no exception.

Swamp Bones is a quick delectable morsel of the crime series. For a novella length story it manages to pack quite a punch and a lot of interesting facts at the same time.

For instance the plague of Burmese pythons in Florida. The Burmese python has adapted to its new habitat and is thriving. It is responsible for the declining numbers of native mammals in the Everglades. They are an endangered species in their natural habitat, because of the decline in their numbers due to poaching.

Of course that makes the large number of them in the Everglades even more ironic. They have to be culled to keep the number local species in Florida from becoming extinct, and yet it is illegal to capture or kill them to use their skins.

People really should think twice about buying exotic pets, which  then outgrow the owners capabilities and houses, really quickly. They in turn think letting those pets free in the wild, and I say wild with the complete irony it deserves, is doing the animals a favour.

The crime is discovered by accident by Tempe Brennan, just a right person at the right moment in time kind of thing. Human bones where there aren’t supposed to be any at all. Not much, just a smidgen of bone and Tempe is wading through swamps to find the rest that should be attached to the smidgen. You sort of need a least a bit of a body to be able to find a cause of death.

It is an invigorating and witty read. Just enough to keep a reader going till the release of the next full length novel.

Buy Swamp Bones at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

At the end of this book readers get  a chance to read the first few chapters of the upcoming new Kathy Reichs novel Bones Never Lie.

Read The Bone Collection,  Bones Never Lie,  Bones in her Pocket or Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Read Exposure, Swipe or Code by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.

Read Two Nights by Kathy Reichs.