Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs

I'm a big fan of Kathy Reichs'  'Bones' series. The books that is - not the television series. I watched it once, but it just didn't mesh with the image I had created in my head for Temp Brennan.

In the 13th book in the series, Spider Bones, Temp is called in to identify a body found in a plastic bag in a lake in Quebec. She does, but the prints come back to a American reported killed during the Vietnam war 40 years ago. She then heads off to Hawaii and the JPAC unit - dedicated to finding and bringing home all Americans that have gone missing in action or who were prisoners of war - to follow up.

As always, Reichs' writing is realistic and has the unmistakable ring of authenticity. And so it should - she herself is a forensic anthropologist with numerous credentials and accolades. Her writing style is effortless and the plot moves along quickly. Lots of foreshadowing kept me turning pages. However, the plot is fairly convoluted and multiple names are bandied about, so I did have to go back a few times to make sure I was keeping up with the numerous twists and turns. I think I've seen  one element of the final solution used as a element in another forensic novel, but can't think of which one. (And I don't want to mention what it is and provide a spoiler!)

A personal element is continued with a sub plot involving former lover Ryan and his daughter. Not my favourite of this series, but a really good read. And I still prefer her over another female author who pens a similar series.

Read an excerpt of Spider Bones.

8 comments:

bermudaonion said...

We must be soulmates! I love the books and tried the TV show once and thought, "she's not Tempe," and never watched it again.

Jenn's Bookshelves said...

I still watch the show, I just don't associate "Bones" with Tempe in the show. I'm attending a panel next Monday that Reichs is a part of. I'm thrilled beyond belief.

Luanne said...

Ohh Jenn - Lucky you!

Kathy - yep, couldn't get past it!

Wanda said...

I've watched "Bones" on and off for awhile and like the series but then, I haven't read any of the books (yet).

christa @ mental foodie said...

That's so funny - I watched the TV show first, before reading her books, and enjoy the TV show more because Tempe in the books isn't the same as the one on TV! :) I guess first impression really makes a difference.

I couldn't finish 206...

Is the other author "P.C.", main protagonist "K.S."?

Luanne said...

Christa - Yes!

christa @ mental foodie said...

I really liked P.C.'s earlier work... they really got me interested in forensic science... but the latest ones were so disappointing... I kept reading them and hope they'd get better...

Another similar one you might like is Tess Gerristsen. She has a series too (and a TV show just started I think?). The latest one was just okay... the earlier books in the series were enjoyable.

Luanne said...

I'm going to give the new one Port Mortuary a try when it comes out and see how it is. I do lie Tess Gerritsen as well but haven't read her latest. Again I don't know if I'd like the show - is it Angie Harmon. Another one to try is Jefferson Bass - it's a duo and the one fellow really started the actual Body Farm.