Evil Bones

Temperance Brennan #24

by Kathy Reichs

New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with a twisty, unputdownable thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, who finds herself enmeshed in a series of grisly animal killings that turn into something far more sinister.

Of all the creatures in the world, only humans have the capacity for evil ...

Small animals – a rat, a rabbit, a squirrel – have been turning up throughout Charlotte, North Carolina, mutilated and displayed in the same bizarre manner. But one day, as Tempe is relaxing at home alongside her aimless, moody great-niece Tory, she’s diverted by a disturbing call. Now, it seems, the perp is upping the ante. This find is larger. Could the remains be human?

Tempe visits the scene and discovers that the victim is a dog. Someone’s pet. As someone who has always found animal cruelty deeply abhorrent, Tempe vows to help apprehend the person responsible for the killings, and due to Tory’s especially layered knowledge of animal behaviour, the young woman turns out to be a valuable ally in the hunt for answers. Oddly, Tempe discovers that semi-retired homicide detective Erskine ‘Skinny’ Slidell is equally outraged and committed. Needing a better understanding of possible motives, Tempe and Skinny seek input from a forensic psychologist. The doctor has no definitive answer but offers several possibilities, warning that the escalating pattern of aggression suggests even more macabre discoveries – and that the perp’s focus may soon shift to humans.

And then it happens. A woman is found disfigured and posed in a manner that mimics the earlier killings.

As Tempe and Slidell follow the horrifying clues to a shocking conclusion, they’re forced to confront an increasingly terrifying ‘What is pure evil?’
 

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2025

About the author

Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A professor of anthropology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Reichs is a native of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. at Northwestern. She now divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best First Novel (1998): Deja Dead

Reviews

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our favorite Forensic Anthropologist Tempe Brennan is back! She’s now working in North Carolina when her (not so) favorite, semi-retired Detective ‘Skinny’ Slidell asks for her help. Apparently, dead rodents are being bedazzled and pinned to trees. Ya, that’s something you don’t see everyday!💁🏻‍♀️

And it’s not long before our perp is escalating this twisted behavior. Small animals, then hunting pets…of course, you know what comes next!? That’s right…humans!😱

This book grabbed me right away and I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery behind the killings. I was also fond of the time spent with Tempe on the personal side, with her family and love interest.

In typical Kathy Reichs’ style, each chapter ends with a mini cliffhanger that makes the one more chapter phenomenon an absolute truth!

I’ve been reading this series for years, in fact this is book 24!
Kathy Reichs’ always alternates her storyline locations between Montreal and North Carolina. For years I’ve been saying that the books located in Canada are my favorite! But I have to admit, this latest which takes place south of the border was equally compelling as the Canadian based storylines!

Can this be read as a stand-alone? Yes, absolutely! But if you enjoy series books this would be a great one to go back and see how it all started!

✍️ Kathy Reichs
📄 288 pages
🗓️ November 18 2025
📈 4/5🌟
👉 Mystery Thriller, Crime, book 24 of the Temperance Brennan series

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner

[Linda Galella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.


It’s been a few years since I’ve read a Temperance Brennan book and unfortunately, EVIL BONES is not the title to convince me the series is worth diving back into.

A few things are missing from this novel: much of the forensic science, (a few animal autopsies don’t fill the void), RYAN - he’s mostly on the phone, Tempe’s common sense - too many examples to list! The biggest thing missing from this episode is a plausible ending. Anyone who says they figured this one out is not telling the truth. My best guess is that author, Kathy Reichs, reached around 300 pages of text and couldn’t remember who the antagonist was. You won’t believe who it is either.

Here are a few things you’ll find in abundance: a side kick with deplorable manners and disgusting language, family troubles that were the most interesting part of the story but mostly ignored by Tempe, red herrings galore, dead animals in horrific circumstances and dangling sub plots that either needed development or to be eliminated by an editor.

So, what’s left? A wandering story about a deranged perp who’s killing animals in an extremely artistic manner. Tempe and her cohorts believe the clues indicate escalation to humans is imminent. Brennan family women are experiencing growing pains and communication difficulties that, of course, have implications in this twisted crimystery. Adulting is not Tempe’s forte. Actually, not much is her bailiwick in this tale of EVIL BONES📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle, with thanks

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

And just like that... I have now completed all twenty-four titles in the Temperance Brennan series.

In the latest title in the series, Tempe is in Charlotte, North Carolina, when she is pulled into an investigation that first seems like a person is killing animals, but soon the victims are human. With the help of Skinny Sliddell and Andrew Ryan( always a phone call away), Tempe is hell bent on helping find the killer. But can she keep her great niece, Ruthie, out of trouble?

There's always something great about reading a series with well-established characters because the focus is always on the investigation. It's been a while since Tempe has been in Montreal, and I do miss those storylines, but at least Tempe and Ryan keep the flame alive despite the distance between them. I found the storyline involving Tempe, her daughter, Katy and her great-niece, Ruthie, really entertaining. It has been nice that the family dynamics of the Brennan crew still make a presence in the books.

Can't wait to see where book 25 will take us!


Publication Date 18/11/25
Goodreads Review 01/12/25

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many years ago, this series had taken the place of Scarpetta in my heart, and Tempe, and all her adventures had regularly filled my summers. Currently, however, Reichs has written a really bad novel, not so much because of the plot, but rather because of how it is written. Characters who are in one place at the end of a chapter suddenly disappear, confusion about the days, people who enter and exit the scene without any role. In this latest volume then, the ending is so out of the blue that I couldn't even believe that all the premises had led to NOTHING, and suddendly, a culprit who had nothing to do with the story appears. Very disappointing.

Tanti anni fa, questa serie aveva preso nel mio cuore il posto di quella della Scarpetta e Tempe con tutte le sue avventure aveva riempito regolarmente le mie estati. Attualmente peró la Reichs ha scritto un romanzo proprio brutto, non tanto per la trama, quanto piuttosto per com'è scritto. Personaggi che alla fine di un capitolo sono in un posto e all'improvviso non ci sono piú, confusione nei giorni, personaggi che entrano ed escono di scena privi di qualsiasi ruolo. In questo ultimo volume poi, la fine casca talmente dal cielo che io non ci potevo nemmeno credere che tutte le premesse avessero portato a NIENTE e out of the blue esce fuori un colpevole che non c'entrava nulla. Molto deludente.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this book zero stars I would! Such a waste of 8 hours of my life! This use to be a tightly written thriller series with and its devolved into a comedic parody. Spoilers Ahead!


Tempe makes every dumb mistake, she knows she is being stalked but goes out at night in a neighborhood that’s she said was poorly lit to find her cat? Of course leading to her subsequent abduction. Her niece is missing for three days, and she contributes it to her being a teenager? Her daughter is out of contact for several days and she’s completely unconcerned? All this after she learns that someone broke into her home, videotaped it and placed the evidence in a corpse she identified? This was similar to every horror movie where the MC ignores the running car and goes into the cellar hanging with knives! Then the conclusion had nothing to do with any of the characters introduced throughout the book and was just a random individual, introduced during the last chapter. Worse book of the year for me!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always intrigued to see what Kathy Reichs has in store for Temperance 'Tempe' Brennan, I reached for the latest novel in the series. Charlotte, North Carolina may appear calm most of the time, but when a number of animals are found mutilated and displayed in a similar manner, the authorities are called in to assess. This means Forensic Anthropologst, Tempe Brennan will have to check the scenes and determine what steps to take next. She is truly shocked to see the displays and wonders if there is a darker and more sadistic situation taking place. When a dog is found, Tempe can no longer ignore what’s going on, vowing that she will find the killer and ensure they are taken into custody. Working with a semi-retired detective, Tempe and Erskine ‘Skinny’ Slidell work the case as best they can, speaking to professionals who might have something to add to the case investigation. Whoever it is, aggression seems almost guaranteed and there is little time to waste. When things turn to humans, Tempe and Slidell know that true evil lurks somewhere in the shadows. Kathy Reichs delivers a chilling addition to the series for all to enjoy!

Kathy Reichs has never failed to impress me with her writing or protagonist’s adventures. The story combines a police procedural with something using detailed anthropology to set the scene, as with many of the other books in the collection. It was a great thriller that captivates the reader from the opening pages, as only Reichs can. The narrative develops with a story that keeps the reader in the middle of the action until the final pages and never leaves the reader without something to consider. Momentum builds one chapter at a time, full of information to keep the reader guessing. I have loved all that Kathy Reichs has written and taught with her novels over the last numbers of years.

Characters are a great part of Reichs’ writing, none more so than Tempe Brennan. She has well surpassed backstory and development, but her day to day activities prove entertaining and highly educational. Many supporting characters help complement the protagonist with their own struggles and successes, including a visiting niece who adds something to the larger story. This keeps the reader connected with larger themes on offer. All characters flavour the larger story and keep the reader eager to learn more as things advance at Reichs’ pace.

The plot points provide intensity, particularly as it relates to events regarding the murder and graphic depictions. Reichs weaves the story together with a number of surprises that ensure the reader is never quite sure what’s coming next. They are plentiful and needed to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. There has been much that’s happened to Brennan throughout the series and one can wonder when next she will venture north to see how the anthropology situation is in Montreal.

Kudos, Madam Reichs, for another thrilling novel that keeps the series edgy!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Monnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, actually.

As I write this, I’m not sure how I feel except, well, deflated. This series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan has long been one of my favorites (and for the record, I don’t think I ever missed an episode of the related “Bones” TV series). So naturally, I was delighted to see Tempe front and center in this, the 24th installment. Also back are all the blood, gore, bones, nasty smells and even nastier villains I’ve come to know and love.

Glaringly missing for the most part is Tempe’s main squeeze, French-Canadian detective Andrew Ryan, but I can live with that (though if they ever break up, he’s welcome to come visit me). I can live with the couple of teenage brats who are staying with Tempe (her daughter is tolerable, but the other one I’d boot out my door before the sun went down). Though mostly weirdos, I enjoyed the other characters who are woven into the texture of the plot and give me plenty of whodunit possibilities to wrap my speculations around.

And it stayed all right with Tempe’s world right up to the ending. The best way I can describe that experience is this: I’m about to gleefully bite into a warm, sugared doughnut, my taste buds anticipating which of several flavors of ooey-gooey jelly will be hidden inside. I take that bite, and surprise: It’s sauerkraut. Where in blazes did that come from, and how in the world does fermented cabbage relate to a doughnut?

All that noted, though, the book as a whole is – as was expected – pretty much a treat to read. It begins as some small, horribly mutilated animals are discovered in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area where Tempe lives and works. She’s upset by what she sees, as is irascible detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell, who is semi-retired but with whom she’s worked before. Together, they vow to find the culprit and bring him (or her) to justice. As the corpses pile up, though, another, more terrifying thought occurs to them both: the killer appears to be escalating. Does that mean a human could be next?

As readers will expect, the worst happens; a female body really does turn up, mutilated in much the same fashion as the animals. That’s followed by the similarly treated corpse of a male, and then another. Clues begin to pile up as to where the victims are coming from, giving Tempe and Skinny some trails to follow that lead them to a handful of prime suspects. As their investigation progresses and gets closer to a resolution, their nosing around puts the lives of a couple of notable characters in danger and me close to the edge of my seat till I ran smack-dab into that thoroughly disappointing end.

Despite that, though, I’m already up for the next installment (though hopefully with more appearances by Tempe’s hunky significant other). Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to get eyes on this one by way of a pre-release copy.

[Shanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a messy, randomly put together book without a complex plot that just gets solved all into a perfectly tied bow at the end. Very disappointing for the series and just plain, boringly, pathetic honestly.

[Leslie Basney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Formulaic. After a zillion years in the biz Tempe can’t connect the dots…she knows she’s being followed and thinks she was stung by a bee, not injected by the kidnappers. Local police sidekick is foul. Icing on the cake..the last chapter has to explain who dunnit bc it’s so outside of the storyline.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan encounters pure evil when someone begins freakishly decorating and tacking up small dead animals in Charlotte, North Carolina. After the most recent display includes a dog, Temperance correctly anticipates that the culprit will start using human victims. Putting herself in danger, she works with detective “Skinny” Slidell to stop this horrifying criminal before there are more casualties.

This is the 24th installment in Kathy Reichs’ Temperance Brennan series. While I’ve read most, if not all, of them, I believe this book could stand alone as Reichs does provide background information on recurring characters.

Reading another “Bones” novel is like visiting with an old friend.  A highly intelligent one who is prone to placing herself in perilous situations.

Be forewarned that there are grisly, sometimes graphically descriptive and disturbing passages in this narrative, as well as animal cruelty.

I enjoy  Reichs’ writing. It is intelligent, and she has a knack for using words effectively. Tempe’s witty observations infuse the story with a dark sense of humor. I always gain new insights from the “Bones” novels, whether it’s in the realm of forensic pathology or related to the plot. Reichs is a master at building suspense at the end of each chapter with tantalizing teasers that compel the reader to eagerly turn the page.

This is a fast-paced, engrossing read. While it does conclude abruptly, all the necessary explanations are provided in the final chapter.


Thanks to #NetGalley and @ScribnerBooks for the DRC.

[Ashley Wiker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one lost me. I felt there were too many times where I read about something a character did and it made no sense as to what someone would actually do in that situation.

Examples:

Temperance is kidnapped then walks out of it a few hours later. No one knows who kidnapped her but her boyfriend ends up leaving her right away because someone wants him to work up in Canada. So he just leaves her there alone.

Temperance clearly gets injected with something or tazered at one point and she just writes it off like “maybe I just fell” even though she has a shockwave of pain and lung spasms.

Ruthie goes “missing” after Tempe has been kidnapped and returned home and Tempe even thinks to herself “well I was just kidnapped and we can’t find Ruthie. Could she maybe be kidnapped too?” Then she just goes to bed.

Ruthie going “missing” didn’t even have anything to do with the story.

The killer reveal at the end was entirely random and didn’t even really tie back into the main story.

The end was quickly wrapped up with a generic conversation between Tempe and Ryan just explaining what happened to each other.

I wasn’t a fan of this one. A lot of parts didn’t make sense or didn’t seem realistic and then ending was disappointing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Pattyh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Evil Bones. This my first time reading this series and this author.
This is a series that follows a forensic investigation led by the lead investigator Temperance Brennan.
Temperance is enjoying her well needed vacation when she is pulled into recent animal killings. This series of animal victims seems to be getting worse.
She soon becomes more involved in the investigation and she has is sure human victims will be next.
Convinced the killer could be someone she knows, she begins to dig deeper but her own safety is at risk.
Warning -if you don’t like to read books about animals being harmed this book is not for you.
Good book and does well as a standalone.
3,5 stars

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting set up, but disappointing play out. I don't mind red herrings, and that when you are worried about something every facet of your life lends itself to worry, but the real issues weren't really resolved. The escalation was ridiculously rapid for the killer. The reasons for the crime were incredibly weak.
I love this character, I love this series, but this was a disappointment.

[Amy Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone in Charlotte is mutilating animals and displaying them in a disturbing manner. The animals are getting larger, and forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan and sort-of retired detective Slidell are concerned that the perpetrator may be working his or her way up to humans. In a subplot, Tempe's daughter Katy has taken in a moody teen relative for the summer; said teen has befriended some older college students who may or may not be bad news.

This series gets more uneven the longer it goes, and this newest title is no exception. Tempe's beau Ryan barely makes an appearance, and there's maybe too much of Slidell. While bizarre and upsetting, the animal-related crimes come across as fluff compared to the types of crimes Tempe is usually involved with, and the lines of investigation are so far off base that when the culprit is revealed I was more confused than anything else. The ending was incredibly abrupt, to the point that I thought I'd accidentally skipped a few chapters.

While Tempe has always been a risk taker and it's understandable that she'd be more so for the sake of the story line, her lack of caution/concern in this title was stretching the suspension of disbelief beyond my comprehension. Someone has been in her house without her knowing it, makes a video of her home's interior, and saves it to a flash drive that's found at the scene of a homicide, but she still insists on going it alone, even after her loved ones are threatened and unreachable. The woman is drugged, kidnapped, and held captive, but at the hospital no forensic evidence search is carried out, no talk of running blood tests to see what she was injected with, and she goes home like everything is fine. I don't believe that for a minute.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy.

[As You Wish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another nail-biter! This time there were a few misdirections that had me pointing fingers at the wrong suspect, and the right suspect, but then the wrong suspect again. I love that. Thank you for writing such good books. And thanks for featuring Boykin spaniels, may that never happen to a real dog, though.

[Ray Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Devilishly Intriguing Novel

The novel opens with Bella Abato needing to make a quick trip to the grocery store to buy eggs for the angel food cake she promised for the church bake sale. A storm comes up unexpectedly. She is driving slowly while praying for a safe trip. Her cataract-clouded vision is making driving difficult. She eventually pulls off to the side of the road wide enough. When her front tire goes off the asphalt, the car jerks to the right. She overcompensates to the left and hits the gas. Her car bolts across the road and hits an oak tree. When she wakes up, she starts to scream. The EMTs listen in disbelief as Abato describes the horror she’s spotted in the branches above. As the object has a skull, Temperance Brennan is called to collect it.

The main storyline consists of two main threads. The first is the investigation of a case that starts with ever-escalating animal cruelty. The investigation was assigned to retired detective Slidell, who helps with overload cases. Brennan seeks help from a veterinarian as the bones found come from animals. As there are disturbing signs of escalation, she consults with a psychology professor friend. What she learns is shared with Slidel, who takes it to focus the investigation in the wrong direction. The killer then escalates by using human victims. The second thread has Brennan helping her daughter host Brennan’s niece on a high school senior visit to the local university. I first thought this thread was an extensive B-storyline, but it also is a main storyline thread. As the storyline proceeds, there are indications that Brennan’s niece may be a target of the killer. Then, Brennan believes that her daughter may be a target. Finally, events occur that make her wonder if she is a target. With the escalation of the victims and of the threats to her and her family, my attention was locked in until the end. To ensure my attention did not wane, there was a tsumani-level twist that changed my entire understanding of the novel. Lastly, as usual for this series, Brennan is the sole voice narrating the chapters.

There are three B-storyline threads. The first is the continuing relationship between Brennan and Ryan. This thread is minor and illustrates another aspect of Brennan’s personal life that is under stress. The second thread is the relationship between Brennan and Slidell. She has worked with him before, but I do not remember it being with him alone to such an extent in this novel. How she handles this close working relationship with someone who ruffles her feathers provides more insight into her character. The last thread is the dual-purpose thread mentioned before. For background on Brennan’s nature, more information on her relationship with her daughter, sister, and a new character, her niece. I have read all 23 previous novels, so I am pretty familiar with Brennan’s background and character in almost every situation possible. For new readers, an early chapter introduces most of the characters, providing the newer readers with a background and relationships of most of the characters. Her actions and thoughts portray her character to the readers. As for the pace, it was quick but still comfortable to read and understand what was happening.

There is really only one aspect of this novel that can cause some readers to stop reading. That is the use of vulgar and rude language. The major culprit is Slidel, as he does have a penchant for colorful language. For me, it was not discouragingly excessive. For the other aspects, there are no intimate scenes. There is violence, but until the end, most of it is described after the fact, as portrayed in necropsy and autopsy reports. There is violence at the end that is portrayed as it occurs, but it should not raise any issues for most readers. I did find the use of the dictionary and Internet access on my ereader very helpful to look up many of the medical terms and follow the geography of the action. There is some French in the novel that comes mainly from Ryan. Translation was not needed or provided in the text, as they were simple to understand from the context.

The only issue I had was minor, as it kept out irrelevant material. Brennan kept saying that she had a large backlog on which she needed to work. But if Slidel asks if she wants to accompany him to interview a person, she would drop everything and go with him. What I liked was that Brennan’s language is very entertaining. The story kept my attention as the tension was high until the end. I finished this novel in half the time it usually takes me. Except for the Brennan and Ryan thread that spans across all the novels, there were no loose ends of the threads specific to this novel.

I highly recommend reading this novel. Kathy Reichs is one of my most-read authors. I have thoroughly enjoyed each novel, and I am now greatly anticipating the next novel. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received the free, pre-publication e-book version of this novel from Scribner through NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Scribner, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

[Candace Sewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy this series, it’s like a combo of police procedural and psychological thriller all in one. Even though the TV series Bones is loosely based on this, the books are much different.

As per the usual for books like this, the plot centers around a depraved person committing atrocious crimes. This book does have animal cruelty. The killer escalates from defacing animal corpses to human with a quickness. With plenty of suspects, you won’t guess the perp until they’re found out (this is honestly one of my cons for this book, I do feel like someone out there should be able to figure out whodunnit, but it’s nearly impossible in this book). Tempe gets harassed and other unfortunate instances befall her, but all is well in the end. I’m very thankful a certain fluffy feline pulls through just fine too.

The cast of characters is the same from many of her previous books; this one is set in NC, so the cast from NC of course makes an appearance here. Ryan isn’t a main character in this book, but he is featured. We do see a few new faces, and we get an inking into their personalities, but character development isn’t really crazy in this book since the main characters are long established.

The writing is easy to digest, and the tone is as procedural as it should be in these kinds of books. It’s on the shorter side, which makes for a fairly quick read.

This book is enjoyable if you like the rest of her books, but is nothing crazy special or anything like that. Not much for a wow factor as our characters have certainly been through it all before. There’s a level of uncertainty that I appreciate considering the content, but this is just a quick and easy read (other than the animal cruelty, but it isn’t descriptive in the act, just the result). 3.5⭐️

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: animal cruelty, animal death

Kathy Reichs delivers another classic Temperance Brennan mystery, balancing forensic detail with psychological unease. Evil Bones opens with a series of gruesome animal displays that evolve into a full-blown homicide investigation, pulling Tempe into one of her most morally uncomfortable cases yet.

While the science and pacing are familiar territory, one scene in particular stands out, and not in a good way. I normally wouldn’t mention something like this but I think it’s important for those that might feel sensitive about it to have a solid warning. The conversation where a character casually admits to shooting a fourteen-month-old dog for being “untrainable” was deeply unsettling. The follow-up debate around whether that anger was “justified” felt tone-deaf. There’s no moral grey area there: it’s cruelty, full stop. It made the scene hard to stomach and left a sour taste that lingered long after.

Outside of that, the book still offers Reichs’ signature blend of sharp forensics, dark humour, and brisk plotting. Tempe’s evolving dynamic with her niece Ruthie (part “cool aunt,” part exasperated guardian) adds heart and vulnerability. And again, Reichs sneaks in one of those sly Bones TV show nods that long-time readers will catch instantly. It’s such a fun meta moment like a fun easter egg and inside joke.

Ultimately, Evil Bones is an engaging but uneven entry in the series. It’s tense, smart, and full of Reichs’ forensic expertise, but it also stumbles on its own ethical tightrope. Long-time fans will still find plenty to enjoy, but some moments (especially involving animals) may leave readers more disturbed than intrigued.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest book featuring medical examiner Temperence Brennan is different, with the first victims that she and Detective Slidell deal with being animals. Then follow human bodies and the mystery and investigation takes off and flies all the way to the end. Honestly, I was a little put off by the animal remains. The descriptions were grisly but also far out in some kind of weird way of displaying them. The clues are plentiful but not so obvious that I could guess the villain, and there are plenty of twists. There is a secondary plot involving Tempe’s niece who is interested in helping her follow the clues. I love a good Tempe Brennan whodunit, but this one was more than a little bizarre in many ways. Ryan, her lover, is mostly absent. Slidell, her detective sidekick, is surly and reluctant to investigate and then when he decides to get involved, he mostly contributes salty language and not much good advice or solutions to finding the perpetrator. I would have never guessed the ending, and I thought it ended suddenly. I was ready to follow more clues and have a more thorough explanation of who this person is and their motives, but that didn’t happen, so I was a little disappointed with that. Of course, there is the usual danger that follows Tempe whenever she is involved in following the clues, and I enjoyed the escalating tension there. I have read all of the Tempe novels and I have to say this isn’t my favorite, but it does rate up there with the author’s usual style of writing a police procedural with some psychological elements involved. I think my favorite character in this one was Adina, Tempe’s mentor whose humor led me to chuckle and made the heavy topics in the novel more palatable. This is the twenty fourth book in the series, but it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil Bones is the 24th book in the Temperance Brennan series from Dr. Kathy Reichs.

"Someone has been displaying the bones of small creatures in a macabre way around Charlotte. Tempe is called to a scene with larger bones that turns out to be a dog. When a woman is found the same way, Tempe and the detective she's working with realize their perp is escalating. They face the terrifying question - 'What is pure evil?'"

If yyou haven't read this series, you may have seen the TV series, Bones, based on these books. This is more of a What is Tempe doing? than a procedural. Tempe and the detective - Skinny - keep following leads until they can find the perp. There are a lot of red herrings in this book - a lot. You never get comfortable with who you think the killer might be. Reichs hides the killer in plain sight. You don't know who it is until the end. The reveal is almost anticlimatic. I would have liked to see more time spent with the bad guy. More detail about what made him. Kind of felt thrown in at the in.

Fans of Dr. Brennan should enjoy this one.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another perplexing and intriguing book in this series! I enjoy this series so much because we get a lot of "slice of life" with Tempe and her family and relationship which is so lovely and easy to read about. She is a fascinating character with an interesting and always evolving job. I love how she is making it all work. I was completely baffled by the mystery; I had almost no idea where to turn or who to suspect and it was truly amazing how Tempe was able to put it all together. I was absolutely shocked by the reveal and ending. This was a medium pace read between the drama of the investigation and the homelife scenes and I so enjoyed it!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and I really love this narrator. She perfectly personifies the irreverent, smart, and savvy character that is Temperance!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy and free ALC; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Someone Youmayknow · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s with great sadness I give this book one star.
As a great fan of the “Bones” series I looked forward to this new book.
Sadly it seems like it was written by several different people and tacked together.
Of course it has the obligatory mystery and Temperance Brennan gets tied up in a cave as usual but this time it was a throw away. The cave is never explained.
As usual Dr Brennan works with Detective Skinny and there’s an implied girlfriend but that never comes to any explanation.
Bones’ love interest Ryan makes a late appearance but his character now seems like a shell.
There are so many red herrings I could smell them.
Each different path the reader is sent down leads nowhere. When the final bad guy is caught I can’t even tell you “whodunnit “.

If you normally enjoy this series don’t bother with this one. If you like confusing unhinged mysteries with no depth then have at it.

[Bob Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Scribner, for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is Kathy Reich's 24th book featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. This story finds Brennan back in NC. She finds herself in a reluctant alliance with semi-retired detective "Skinny" Slidell. What starts with the discovery of mutilated bodies of small animals quickly evolves to family pets and, ultimately, human beings.

The main storyline intertwines with members of the Brennan family with Brennan thinking that her niece, daughter and ultimately herself could become the next victim. It is fast paced and, typical of other books in the series, each chapter ends with a mini cliffhanger to keep the reader engrossed.

There is high level of violence and profanity but nothing that should keep the reader from enjoying the story.

If one is a fan of the Temperance Brennan stories, one should find this one enjoyable. A solid 4 stars.

[Les Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor! Cannot believe this by Kathy. I’ve really enjoyed all her other books. Having said that you may enjoy it.

[Mary Elizabeth Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This newest book in the Temperance Brennan series has everything I have always loved about the book series and the TV series. Well done Kathy Reichs! I continue to remain a happy, intruiged and loyal fan of this awesome series! 💙😎

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may not be her best Temperance Brennan book, but I enjoyed it. The plot was especially gruesome and may bother some readers. The forensic details are always fascinating and as one of the few accredited forensic anthropologists, her details are spot on. There were a number of red herrings and the solution seemed almost solved too neatly. However, it was a good read, the characters are interesting, and it’s enjoyable

[Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

What even was this? The ending of this book was the most pathetic thing ever!!!

[Janine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used to enjoy the temperance Brennan series, however the last few in the series have begun to feel more and more pedantic, as if Reichs audience has suddenly lost most of their brain cells and she feels the need to fill space in her books by over explaining (literally every acronym is subsequently spelled out, even if they are part of the common vernacular??) details rather than focusing on the science that drew me in as a reader.

there was also a lot of animal cruelty in this one. as well as unnecessary "red herrings" that didn't feel as urgent as they were seemingly supposed to. overall, a sub par experience from someone whom I used to say was my favourite author. the books have lost substance, and the resolution felt very contrived and rushed instead of something that was explored in the novel.

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hard to describe the absolute dreck this book was. She’s gone beyond phoning it in. Makes me sad for the series I used to enjoy.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, let’s get this out of the way: Evil Bones is like that slightly disappointing episode of your favorite show where the main character wanders off into a weird side quest, and you’re left clutching your popcorn wondering if you accidentally tuned into the wrong channel. Kathy Reichs has been delivering these Temperance Brennan mysteries like clockwork for years, and while Evil Bones has its moments, it’s definitely one of those “meh, could’ve been better” entries in the series.

So here’s the setup: our girl Tempe is enjoying a Charlotte summer when small dead animals, rats, rabbits, squirrels, start popping up like grotesque art installations nailed to trees. Cue the creepshow vibes. Naturally, Tempe gets pulled into this mess when the bodies escalate from “adorable woodland critters” to “poor pooch” and then actual humans. Tempe teams up with the semi-retired, ever-smelly detective Skinny Slidell (who is basically the book’s version of “that guy at the party who won’t stop telling you about his fishing trips”) to chase down the monster behind it all.

Here’s the kicker though: the plot meanders like it’s lost at a gas station, stopping to pick up random red herrings that fizzle out faster than your enthusiasm for kale smoothies. There’s a subplot with Tempe’s moody great-niece Ruthie, who apparently has been handed the “teenage rebel” role without much care for nuance or actual consequence, rolling around with a sketchy crew of grad students like it’s a bad Netflix teen drama. Meanwhile, Tempe’s usual partner-in-crime-fighting, Ryan, barely shows up, basically a cameo appearance via phone call and a few blink-and-you-miss-them scenes. Miss you, Ryan. Please come back.

Now, the forensic science, which is usually the star of the show, is a little on the back burner here. The early animal autopsies feel like a drag compared to the usual juicy human bone dissection Tempe fans crave. And Tempe’s usual razor-sharp instincts? Well, she spends a lot of time acting like she’s in a trance, wandering around with little regard for personal safety despite being stalked, drugged, kidnapped, and all-around traumatized. You’d think after twenty-something books she’d have learned to install better locks or maybe just not go into dark alleys alone but nope, still the same reckless gremlin we love.

The pacing feels uneven too. The climax and resolution sprint by like a kid running late for dinner, wrapping up so neatly and quickly that you’re left scratching your head, wondering if you accidentally skipped a chapter or two. The big reveal? Let’s just say it doesn’t exactly knock your socks off, more like a “Wait, that’s it?” moment, and all those loose threads from earlier subplots are shoved into a corner and told to “stay put.”

But let’s not toss the whole thing out with the bathwater. Reichs still knows how to craft a tense, sometimes gruesome mystery with enough forensic tidbits to keep science nerds interested. And while Tempe’s usually ironclad family dynamics take a bit of a backseat, there’s still some warmth in the interactions with her daughter Katy and niece Ruthie, even if Ruthie is basically a walking teenage cliché. The Charlotte setting is hot and sticky enough to make you sweat along, which amps up the mood in the right way.

At the end of the day, Evil Bones is like that comfort meal you order when you’re craving something familiar but end up realizing you’re missing the secret sauce. It’s not terrible, but it’s not exactly the five-star feast some of the other Brennan books have been. If you’re deep in the series, you’ll want to read it just to keep up with the gang. But if you’re hopping on for the first time, maybe start elsewhere.

So yeah, I’m handing out a solid 3.5 stars here. Enough twists to keep you turning the pages, but not enough punch to really slam the door on your way out. And I still want more Ryan, fewer smelly detectives, and a Tempe who remembers she’s supposed to be smarter than the average bear.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspicious of Every Single Squirrel in Charlotte

Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the ARC. Not the wildest ride, but a solid trip with Tempe and definitely worth the read.