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Temperance Brennan #9
Break No Bones
To some, the dead are a commodity. For Tempe Brennan, they hold the key to cracking a horrific crime ring.
Among the ancient remains in a Native American burial ground, Tempe discovers a fresh skeleton — and what began as an ordinary teaching stint at an archeology field school in Charleston, South Carolina, fast becomes a heated investigationinto an alarming pattern of homicides. The clues hidden in the bones lead to a street clinic where a monstrous discovery awaits, and Tempe — whose personal life is in upheaval, with two men competing for her — can’t afford any distractions as she pieces together a shattering and terrifying puzzle.
Among the ancient remains in a Native American burial ground, Tempe discovers a fresh skeleton — and what began as an ordinary teaching stint at an archeology field school in Charleston, South Carolina, fast becomes a heated investigationinto an alarming pattern of homicides. The clues hidden in the bones lead to a street clinic where a monstrous discovery awaits, and Tempe — whose personal life is in upheaval, with two men competing for her — can’t afford any distractions as she pieces together a shattering and terrifying puzzle.
339 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2006
838 people are currently reading
14338 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Reichs
152 books17.4k followersKathy 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
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best First Novel (1998): Deja Dead
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,245 reviews
October 8, 2017
❝Friends ask how I can bear to do the work that I do. It is simple. I am committed to demolishing the maniacs before they demolish more innocents. ❞
Tempe is back, this time battling a possible serial killer on Dewees Island, SC. An unlikely place for multiple homicides, but the bodies keep turning up. But she's also battling a crisis of the heart because she's shacking up with two handsome men - her ex-husband, Pete, and her current lover, Andrew Ryan. Hashtag: Awkward!
What I Liked
-As usual, Reichs' writing is taut and descriptive. The story moves at a nice pace and the characters are all well-represented.
-The story is engaging - even with all it's moving parts. There was a LOT going on with this story, but Reichs kept me interested and clear along the way.
What I Didn't Like
-There were certain depictions in this book that I didn't care for, but I won't harp on them here.
-I didn't like that Tempe keeps questioning her relationship with Ryan. She's a very smart person, but in that one area, she seems incapable of analyzing available evidence.
-The thousand-and-one references to Boyd the chow were distracting and a little superfluous - and I'm a dog lover. I kept wondering how he was going to play into the action since he was mentioned so much.
What I Wanted More Of
-I wanted lots more of Pete vs. Ryan!!! Their interactions were classic cockfights and I enjoyed every minute!
-At the risk of not adding a spoiler here, I'll just say that I wanted a better ending.
4 stars because, although it wasn't my favorite Temperance Brennan novel, it was still solid and entertaining.
Tempe is back, this time battling a possible serial killer on Dewees Island, SC. An unlikely place for multiple homicides, but the bodies keep turning up. But she's also battling a crisis of the heart because she's shacking up with two handsome men - her ex-husband, Pete, and her current lover, Andrew Ryan. Hashtag: Awkward!
What I Liked
-As usual, Reichs' writing is taut and descriptive. The story moves at a nice pace and the characters are all well-represented.
-The story is engaging - even with all it's moving parts. There was a LOT going on with this story, but Reichs kept me interested and clear along the way.
What I Didn't Like
-There were certain depictions in this book that I didn't care for, but I won't harp on them here.
-I didn't like that Tempe keeps questioning her relationship with Ryan. She's a very smart person, but in that one area, she seems incapable of analyzing available evidence.
-The thousand-and-one references to Boyd the chow were distracting and a little superfluous - and I'm a dog lover. I kept wondering how he was going to play into the action since he was mentioned so much.
What I Wanted More Of
-I wanted lots more of Pete vs. Ryan!!! Their interactions were classic cockfights and I enjoyed every minute!
-At the risk of not adding a spoiler here, I'll just say that I wanted a better ending.
4 stars because, although it wasn't my favorite Temperance Brennan novel, it was still solid and entertaining.
October 6, 2022
Hey! Who left this fresh corpse here?
In her capacity as a university instructor, Temperance Brennan is supervising an archaeological field school group in the ruins of a Native American burial ground on a small island off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. But when they discover an articulated skeleton with fresh bones, remaining soft tissue and hair, clearly in a place where it simply doesn’t belong, her old friend Emma Rousseau, the local coroner, persuades her to stay on and help with the investigation. More bodies lead Brennan, her ex-husband Pete Marino, and her on-again, off-again current lover Andrew Ryan onto the trail of what appears to be a serial killer ring trafficking in human organs.
As usual, the forensic science and the medical interludes are informative, educational, and even entertaining while avoiding the trap of being intrusive or pedantic. On the other hand, the thriller part of the thriller never really came close to thrilling. It didn’t fall so low as pedestrian and there are few readers who would say that they weren’t entertained for a few hours. But BREAK NO BONES was definitely less than gripping or memorable. And, also as usual, Temperance Brennan (like her contemporary forensic heroine, Kay Scarpetta) stumbles through her personal relationships with what what is clearly a total lack of any idea as to what she wants or where she is headed. As a man, my heart goes out to Andrew Ryan and Pete Marino.
Paul Weiss
In her capacity as a university instructor, Temperance Brennan is supervising an archaeological field school group in the ruins of a Native American burial ground on a small island off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. But when they discover an articulated skeleton with fresh bones, remaining soft tissue and hair, clearly in a place where it simply doesn’t belong, her old friend Emma Rousseau, the local coroner, persuades her to stay on and help with the investigation. More bodies lead Brennan, her ex-husband Pete Marino, and her on-again, off-again current lover Andrew Ryan onto the trail of what appears to be a serial killer ring trafficking in human organs.
As usual, the forensic science and the medical interludes are informative, educational, and even entertaining while avoiding the trap of being intrusive or pedantic. On the other hand, the thriller part of the thriller never really came close to thrilling. It didn’t fall so low as pedestrian and there are few readers who would say that they weren’t entertained for a few hours. But BREAK NO BONES was definitely less than gripping or memorable. And, also as usual, Temperance Brennan (like her contemporary forensic heroine, Kay Scarpetta) stumbles through her personal relationships with what what is clearly a total lack of any idea as to what she wants or where she is headed. As a man, my heart goes out to Andrew Ryan and Pete Marino.
Paul Weiss
November 26, 2007
I don't know if maybe I'm getting over this style, maybe too much Law and Order watching, but this was a little boring for me.
Yeah, it had all the classic KR stuff...bones, mystery, more bones, more mystery.
But it was so predictable! I think that's the main reason I was bored with it. Tempe's in trouble again, but now she has Ryan AND Pete to help her out, which is just annoying as hell. And throw in some 'colleague' never mentioned before, and there you go, another KRs book.
I hate when authors introduce a new character as a 'long-time friend' or 'long-time colleague' and yet, they've never mentioned them before, in any of the other books.
So there's my review. I might be looking for a new science-mystery author soon. :)
Yeah, it had all the classic KR stuff...bones, mystery, more bones, more mystery.
But it was so predictable! I think that's the main reason I was bored with it. Tempe's in trouble again, but now she has Ryan AND Pete to help her out, which is just annoying as hell. And throw in some 'colleague' never mentioned before, and there you go, another KRs book.
I hate when authors introduce a new character as a 'long-time friend' or 'long-time colleague' and yet, they've never mentioned them before, in any of the other books.
So there's my review. I might be looking for a new science-mystery author soon. :)
August 14, 2023
Boring with a capital B - this did not work for me which is a real shame as other titles I've enjoyed but not this one unfortunately.
One star.
One star.
April 9, 2018
4,25 stars - Nederlandse hardcover - genoten van deze ! Wel een maand over gedaan omdat ik hem in bed las en steeds in slaap viel. Je wordt regelmatig op het verkeerde been gezet zonder de rode draad te verliezen. 🌺🌸🦋
July 15, 2024
A decent instalment in the series but not a favourite - the actual investigation and discovery in this one was really good, but there was a lot of background stuff I didn’t enjoy. A lot of these books suffer from being over-descriptive and this one isn't an exception.
This book focussed on Brennan’s personal life a little too much for my liking and I found myself skimming some of those pages. I find Ryan on of the love interests annoying and needy. I find Brennan’s ex husband is even more unbearable honestly. Brennan is such a strong character yet she’s stuck between two men who really aren’t good enough for her honestly.
I will be continuing with this series as I still own a good few of these and they are always and quick easy read for me.
This book focussed on Brennan’s personal life a little too much for my liking and I found myself skimming some of those pages. I find Ryan on of the love interests annoying and needy. I find Brennan’s ex husband is even more unbearable honestly. Brennan is such a strong character yet she’s stuck between two men who really aren’t good enough for her honestly.
I will be continuing with this series as I still own a good few of these and they are always and quick easy read for me.
November 18, 2018
meh.
This was definitely not my favorite out of the series. WHY? Well, it definitely didn't hold my attention, like at all. Also, I just didn't care one bit about what was happening. Whether it was Ryan or Pete related. It was just meh all around. I hated that little "love triangle" because it was just so freaking boring to deal with. Then on top of all that nonsense, everything was very predictable.
Temperance is always in trouble. She's also always annoying or upset with Ryan. It's just frustrating to read or to listen to right now. I feel like I need a little break from this series again because I don't want to end up being annoyed as fuck with everyone. I want my ship back together but like a lot less annoying. I want Temperance to stop getting into sticky situations because that's annoying as well.
I just want to be happy after a book and this book was just not that.
This was definitely not my favorite out of the series. WHY? Well, it definitely didn't hold my attention, like at all. Also, I just didn't care one bit about what was happening. Whether it was Ryan or Pete related. It was just meh all around. I hated that little "love triangle" because it was just so freaking boring to deal with. Then on top of all that nonsense, everything was very predictable.
Temperance is always in trouble. She's also always annoying or upset with Ryan. It's just frustrating to read or to listen to right now. I feel like I need a little break from this series again because I don't want to end up being annoyed as fuck with everyone. I want my ship back together but like a lot less annoying. I want Temperance to stop getting into sticky situations because that's annoying as well.
I just want to be happy after a book and this book was just not that.
June 24, 2010
I had avoided Kathy Reichs' books for a while, finding her plots somewhat repetitive and was getting bored with how (to me) unnecessarily complicated Temperance's personal relationships were and yet they were just going in the same circles. So I picked this one up, not sure what to expect. I'm glad I did. Yes, her relationships are still complicated, but I liked the direction this book took them in. Reich's writing can be almost formulaic (she always ends her chapters on a cliffhanger note...an effective if obvious technique). All that being said, this was an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
July 19, 2024
An easy entertaining, informative read. Temperance on a school anthropological dig with students uncovers a fresh body. Her friend Emma the local coroner in Charlotte asks her help in identification of the body. This leads to an investigation of missing people who are homeless or druggies. The bodies keep piling up and Tempe with the local sheriff Gullet investigate. Her friend Emma is unwell so she becomes the go to for Gullet.
Ryan her current boyfriend and her soon to be ex husband are all staying in the same beach house along with Birdie the cat and Boyd the dog.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The investigation leads to a medical clinical for the poor and Tempe uncovers the mystery which is harvesting body organs. Marshall the doctor is a nasty piece of work and tries to kill Tempe but is saved by the other suspect Daniels a nurse at the clinic. An interesting story with everything tied together nicely.
Ryan her current boyfriend and her soon to be ex husband are all staying in the same beach house along with Birdie the cat and Boyd the dog.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The investigation leads to a medical clinical for the poor and Tempe uncovers the mystery which is harvesting body organs. Marshall the doctor is a nasty piece of work and tries to kill Tempe but is saved by the other suspect Daniels a nurse at the clinic. An interesting story with everything tied together nicely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2011
I found out that this series is the inspiration for the TV show Bones so I thought that it might be a fun read. I am not a huge Bones fanatic, but I do find it entertaining every now and then. The book, to be honest, bored me. What I like about the Bones TV show is that Dr. Brennan has this antisocial way about her - she doesn't really know how to interact with living people, and yet she still has empathy and she does care. That's the most endearing part about that character. In the book she's just a regular type of typical character. I don't usually say this, but I like the show better than the book. I didn't finish it so maybe I'm judging prematurely, but I was just too bored to continue. I decided about a year ago that if I'm not enjoying a book there is just no reason to keep reading it. I don't have to write a paper on it and reading is supposed to be fun. Maybe I'll go back to it eventually, but right now it's just not doing anything for me.
June 13, 2024
"إنني مزاجية، أعترف بذلك.
أفقد أعصابي بين حين وآخر وأبالغ برد فعلي، أعترف بهذا أيضاً.
أكره هذه النوبات، وأمتعض من الذين يقدرون على الضغط على ذلك الزر في رأسي"
أفقد أعصابي بين حين وآخر وأبالغ برد فعلي، أعترف بهذا أيضاً.
أكره هذه النوبات، وأمتعض من الذين يقدرون على الضغط على ذلك الزر في رأسي"
October 14, 2025
classic tempe mystery with science and some drama scattered in (mayhaps too much drama…)
July 1, 2025
English version below
******************
In diesem Band geht es um einen spannenden Kriminalfall mit vielen Morden.
Die Protagonistin hat jedoch länger als die Leserin gebraucht, um auf die Idee zu kommen was dahinterstecken könnte.
Was mich bei dieser Krimireihe zunehmend aufregt, sind gar nicht mal die emotionalen Krämpfe der Protagonistin, obwohl es die nicht wirklich bräuchte, sondern, dass sie sich als Ermittlerin betätigt, wo sie nichts damit zu tun hat. Die Frau ist Anthropologin. In diesem Berufszweig verhört man keine Verdächtigen, durchsucht keine Wohnungen und macht sich schon gar nicht alleine, ohne jemanden zu informieren, auf zur Mörderjagd. Und genau das verleidet mir die Geschichten, so dass ich nur 2,5 Sterne vergeben kann.
__________________
This volume is about an exciting criminal case with many murders.
However, it took the protagonist longer than the reader to realise what might be behind it.
What I find increasingly irritating about this crime series is not even the protagonist's emotional spasms, although they are definitely not required, but the fact that she acts as an investigator when she has nothing to do with it. The woman is an anthropologist. In this profession, you don't interrogate suspects, you don't search people's homes and you certainly don't set off alone on a murder hunt without informing anyone. And that's exactly what spoils the stories for me, so I can only award 2.5 stars.
******************
In diesem Band geht es um einen spannenden Kriminalfall mit vielen Morden.
Die Protagonistin hat jedoch länger als die Leserin gebraucht, um auf die Idee zu kommen was dahinterstecken könnte.
Was mich bei dieser Krimireihe zunehmend aufregt, sind gar nicht mal die emotionalen Krämpfe der Protagonistin, obwohl es die nicht wirklich bräuchte, sondern, dass sie sich als Ermittlerin betätigt, wo sie nichts damit zu tun hat. Die Frau ist Anthropologin. In diesem Berufszweig verhört man keine Verdächtigen, durchsucht keine Wohnungen und macht sich schon gar nicht alleine, ohne jemanden zu informieren, auf zur Mörderjagd. Und genau das verleidet mir die Geschichten, so dass ich nur 2,5 Sterne vergeben kann.
__________________
This volume is about an exciting criminal case with many murders.
However, it took the protagonist longer than the reader to realise what might be behind it.
What I find increasingly irritating about this crime series is not even the protagonist's emotional spasms, although they are definitely not required, but the fact that she acts as an investigator when she has nothing to do with it. The woman is an anthropologist. In this profession, you don't interrogate suspects, you don't search people's homes and you certainly don't set off alone on a murder hunt without informing anyone. And that's exactly what spoils the stories for me, so I can only award 2.5 stars.
March 6, 2020
~3.5~
A standard Bones book that ticks all the boxes. It's always a comfort reading these books with familiar characters following familiar plot set ups. When I want to relax with an easy read, I know I can pick one of these up. Plus as an archaeologist I love the actual archaeology behind her forensics work.
I liked the new setting this book was in as well and her descriptions made the NC coast seem like a really magical place- aside from all the murder.
That was the good, now for the bad. I'm used to the fact that these stories will generally have the same type of plot- Brennan will be called out on something that ends up being way bigger than she thought. She'll butt heads with local PD who find her annoying at best, hysterical at worst.
She'll figure out everything on her own then go off alone and do something stupid where she'll inevitably be attacked by the killer. Only to be saved at the last minute by some man.
I'm fine with that.
But what I'm not okay with is how the author approaches people of color or those she deems less intelligent. In this book in particular, the only people of color were depicted as rude morons and/or criminals. Not OK Kathy.
And just because someone doesn't have a PhD after their name doesn't mean they're idiots with nothing to offer.
I hope these are tropes she drops in the rest of the books in the series.
A standard Bones book that ticks all the boxes. It's always a comfort reading these books with familiar characters following familiar plot set ups. When I want to relax with an easy read, I know I can pick one of these up. Plus as an archaeologist I love the actual archaeology behind her forensics work.
I liked the new setting this book was in as well and her descriptions made the NC coast seem like a really magical place- aside from all the murder.
That was the good, now for the bad. I'm used to the fact that these stories will generally have the same type of plot- Brennan will be called out on something that ends up being way bigger than she thought. She'll butt heads with local PD who find her annoying at best, hysterical at worst.
She'll figure out everything on her own then go off alone and do something stupid where she'll inevitably be attacked by the killer. Only to be saved at the last minute by some man.
I'm fine with that.
But what I'm not okay with is how the author approaches people of color or those she deems less intelligent. In this book in particular, the only people of color were depicted as rude morons and/or criminals. Not OK Kathy.
And just because someone doesn't have a PhD after their name doesn't mean they're idiots with nothing to offer.
I hope these are tropes she drops in the rest of the books in the series.
December 12, 2017
اثناء انشغال عالمة الانثروبولوجيا تمبرينس برينان في رحلة ميدانية مع صف من طلاب الاثار تتعثر بجثة مجهولة الهوية ثم تتوالى الاحداث ويتزايد عدد الجثث المجهولة وتثابر برينان على ايجاد الحقيقة لتكتشف اشياء يشيب لها الولدان .
رواية مشوقة وممتعة خاصة لمحبي الروايات البوليسية وهي اول قراءاتي لكاثي ريكس عالمة الانثروبولوجيا التي تشاركنا ذكرياتها مع الجريمة والقضايا التي اسهمت فيها اثناء عملها من خلال سلسلة روايات تمبرنس برينان وهي السلسلة التي اقتبس منها المسلسل التلفزيوني الشهير
" bones "
رواية مشوقة وممتعة خاصة لمحبي الروايات البوليسية وهي اول قراءاتي لكاثي ريكس عالمة الانثروبولوجيا التي تشاركنا ذكرياتها مع الجريمة والقضايا التي اسهمت فيها اثناء عملها من خلال سلسلة روايات تمبرنس برينان وهي السلسلة التي اقتبس منها المسلسل التلفزيوني الشهير
" bones "
December 17, 2016
Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs.
This could have been just another mystery using a familiar set of circumstances but it was so much more. Tempe is filling in for a colleague during an archaeological dig. The site ia an American Indian burial ground in Charleston. Not too much exciting for the students or Tempe and then something among the old bones catches Tempe's eye. A fresh skeleton is unearthed.
A chain of events/murders soon follows and this story takes off. Packed with non-stop excitement, clues and red herrings. Loved it.
This could have been just another mystery using a familiar set of circumstances but it was so much more. Tempe is filling in for a colleague during an archaeological dig. The site ia an American Indian burial ground in Charleston. Not too much exciting for the students or Tempe and then something among the old bones catches Tempe's eye. A fresh skeleton is unearthed.
A chain of events/murders soon follows and this story takes off. Packed with non-stop excitement, clues and red herrings. Loved it.
February 21, 2023
So I've been wanting to read these books for awhile now. I absolutely love the TV show Bones and wanted to see where the material came from. Honestly, I should have just stuck with the show. Yes, I know I started right in the middle of the series, but from what I gather, they are case by case books with little carryover from Brennan's personal life. And I feel like I was able to put together any backstory that was needed.
So what was my issue? Honestly, a lot. First off, the book lacked any sort of emotion. How am I supposed to care about these people when I'm given nothing? The book was just factual. Brennan did this, Brennan felt this. It read almost as an instruction manual or a textbook. My next issue was Brennan herself. Ok this is probably my fault, but I was expecting to see a little of tv Brennan in book Brennan and there was zilch. This Brennan is a mess - recovering alcoholic, not wanting to cut off ties with her cheating ex husband but wants to keep stringing along this new guy. I was honestly over anything that had to do with her personally and just wanted to focus on the case. And anytime we got to see her work, it felt like an instructor teaching a class which really felt out of place in a novel. Instead, we should have felt like we were being brought into her world and it was natural. Even Brennan felt lost in the science.
Which brings me to the case. The mystery. Wow, what a convoluted mess. This book was like 5 cases that somehow all connected and we were supposed to be wowed when it was solved? I wasn't. I just felt disappointed. Disapointed because of how lack luster this "thriller" was. I don't know how they got the TV show from this series, but I am glad that they did.
So what was my issue? Honestly, a lot. First off, the book lacked any sort of emotion. How am I supposed to care about these people when I'm given nothing? The book was just factual. Brennan did this, Brennan felt this. It read almost as an instruction manual or a textbook. My next issue was Brennan herself. Ok this is probably my fault, but I was expecting to see a little of tv Brennan in book Brennan and there was zilch. This Brennan is a mess - recovering alcoholic, not wanting to cut off ties with her cheating ex husband but wants to keep stringing along this new guy. I was honestly over anything that had to do with her personally and just wanted to focus on the case. And anytime we got to see her work, it felt like an instructor teaching a class which really felt out of place in a novel. Instead, we should have felt like we were being brought into her world and it was natural. Even Brennan felt lost in the science.
Which brings me to the case. The mystery. Wow, what a convoluted mess. This book was like 5 cases that somehow all connected and we were supposed to be wowed when it was solved? I wasn't. I just felt disappointed. Disapointed because of how lack luster this "thriller" was. I don't know how they got the TV show from this series, but I am glad that they did.
November 29, 2018
Well, it’s never a good idea to watch The movie or TV series before reading the book... I got my hands on this book, and was very excited about it, because I just loved watching Dr. Brennan on TV. So, I ended up feeling a bit disappointed with the book... although it’s an entertaining read, I found it to be quite monotonous, and the twist at the end .. not worth it.
October 18, 2014
Tempe is again examining skeletons in Charleston for a the coroner who is a friend. Emma is ill and can't handle the job. The first body was found at a archeology dig; it is a fresh body. The next body was found hanging from a tree in a forest glade. The last body is in a barrel floating in the ocean. Temple's link the bodies together. Pete arrives to stay in the same home as Tempe is staying. He is looking for a missing girl and a PI. The different plots are nicely brought together to form one story.
November 29, 2019
Okay I accidentally skipped #8 whoops.
I love these little murder mysteries, while they're not the same as the tv show, I still really enjoy them. In Break No Bones, Tempy is investigating suspicious murders that might be linked to a medical center for homeless/poor people.
There's quite a lot going on in her life between Ryan, Pete and Emma. I loved seeing Emma again even if it took me a while to remember her. I really enjoy seeing Ryan and Tempy together. I love that in every book they end up working a case together. Pete added an interesting element to this story. While he's been in other books, it felt like he had a much bigger role in this story and I loved seeing more of him.
I love these little murder mysteries, while they're not the same as the tv show, I still really enjoy them. In Break No Bones, Tempy is investigating suspicious murders that might be linked to a medical center for homeless/poor people.
There's quite a lot going on in her life between Ryan, Pete and Emma. I loved seeing Emma again even if it took me a while to remember her. I really enjoy seeing Ryan and Tempy together. I love that in every book they end up working a case together. Pete added an interesting element to this story. While he's been in other books, it felt like he had a much bigger role in this story and I loved seeing more of him.
February 2, 2009
Dr Temperance Brennans work brings her and her archaeological students to an ancient Native American burial ground near Charleston. While there they uncover a decomposing body in a shallow grave.
Why was this body buried in a clandestine grave? And what does the unusual hairline fracture and condition of the sixth vertebrae signify? What began as a simple project turns into a heated homicide investigation when three more bodies are found. While investigating, Tempe crosses paths with her estranged husband a lawyer on business in Charleston. Matters become more complicated after her boyfriend arrives from Montreal, she is forced to put all distractions aside in order to solve the crimes.
Ms Reichs has her own style of writing, short and choppy sentences. The plot is good but seems a little far fetched and stretching reality, some descriptions implausible in my view. For example sharing a girlfriend's house with her estranged husband and her boyfriend at the same time ??????. This novel is a decent enough thriller, but it lacks style and passion. If you are a fan you will never the less rejoice seeing our heroine once again up to her armpits in muddy water, foul stenches and dead bodies. Not her best book but if you are interested in forensic thrillers you may enjoy this one.
Why was this body buried in a clandestine grave? And what does the unusual hairline fracture and condition of the sixth vertebrae signify? What began as a simple project turns into a heated homicide investigation when three more bodies are found. While investigating, Tempe crosses paths with her estranged husband a lawyer on business in Charleston. Matters become more complicated after her boyfriend arrives from Montreal, she is forced to put all distractions aside in order to solve the crimes.
Ms Reichs has her own style of writing, short and choppy sentences. The plot is good but seems a little far fetched and stretching reality, some descriptions implausible in my view. For example sharing a girlfriend's house with her estranged husband and her boyfriend at the same time ??????. This novel is a decent enough thriller, but it lacks style and passion. If you are a fan you will never the less rejoice seeing our heroine once again up to her armpits in muddy water, foul stenches and dead bodies. Not her best book but if you are interested in forensic thrillers you may enjoy this one.
April 25, 2008
Another awesome book in the series!
I adore Tempe. I love her attitude, her personality. She's not without flaws, just like any human being, and I love reading about her - her feelings, her emotions. The novel is smooth with her thought process, and it wouldn't be the same without it.
Reading about her troubles between Pete and Ryan, it feels natural and completely real. Anyone in her situation would be questioning herself. I love how Reichs brings Tempe to life, like an everyday person that you could bump into on the street, no matter where you go.
Again, unbelievable details in both crime scenes and crime solving. I can get over how much you're brought right into the story and you're stuck there until the end. And knowing (or reading her Author's Note) that she writes from experience is pretty close to both frightening and wonderment at the same time. The way she describes everything, you could swear that you're working the case step-by-step with Tempe. And I love it!
I can't wait for the next one!
I adore Tempe. I love her attitude, her personality. She's not without flaws, just like any human being, and I love reading about her - her feelings, her emotions. The novel is smooth with her thought process, and it wouldn't be the same without it.
Reading about her troubles between Pete and Ryan, it feels natural and completely real. Anyone in her situation would be questioning herself. I love how Reichs brings Tempe to life, like an everyday person that you could bump into on the street, no matter where you go.
Again, unbelievable details in both crime scenes and crime solving. I can get over how much you're brought right into the story and you're stuck there until the end. And knowing (or reading her Author's Note) that she writes from experience is pretty close to both frightening and wonderment at the same time. The way she describes everything, you could swear that you're working the case step-by-step with Tempe. And I love it!
I can't wait for the next one!
February 18, 2011
My lastest audio book in the car was Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs. The main character was the inspiration for the Fox tv show Bones. I love the show, so I was prepared to love the books.
I hate the book. The only thing it has in common with the show is the character name and field of occupation.
The book has a lot of extraneous, rambling information that contributes nothing to the story. It starts out very slow, and doesn't get into the story very quickly. I listened to several chapters while trying to decide if I was going to bother listening to the rest.
I did listen to the whole story. It did have a bit of a twist at the end, but most of it was predictable and boring. It could have been cut in half, and the story would probably have improved.
If you are a fan of the show, I would suggest you avoid the books completely. They are very disappointing and have nothing in common with the show.
I hate the book. The only thing it has in common with the show is the character name and field of occupation.
The book has a lot of extraneous, rambling information that contributes nothing to the story. It starts out very slow, and doesn't get into the story very quickly. I listened to several chapters while trying to decide if I was going to bother listening to the rest.
I did listen to the whole story. It did have a bit of a twist at the end, but most of it was predictable and boring. It could have been cut in half, and the story would probably have improved.
If you are a fan of the show, I would suggest you avoid the books completely. They are very disappointing and have nothing in common with the show.
May 6, 2009
Requires great suspension of disbelief to swallow the idea of Tempe (a forensic anthropologist from Charlotte), Ryan (her detective boyfriend from Quebec), and Pete (her estranged husband, a lawyer) solving murders in Charleston. Hello, jurisdiction?
And a shoutout to my librarian friends - you might find it annoying that Tempe searches in vain for a journal article online, and then suddenly her hindbrain reminds her where to find it (conveniently, in a book in her living room). A woman with a PhD can't use a database? Gah.
Criticism aside, this is a good example of the series. Fun, quick, some red herrings to keep it from being *too* easy for the reader to solve.
And a shoutout to my librarian friends - you might find it annoying that Tempe searches in vain for a journal article online, and then suddenly her hindbrain reminds her where to find it (conveniently, in a book in her living room). A woman with a PhD can't use a database? Gah.
Criticism aside, this is a good example of the series. Fun, quick, some red herrings to keep it from being *too* easy for the reader to solve.
August 13, 2016
Kathy Reichs books are either easy to read or hard to follow as they can be very heavy on the forensic science. This one was not over the top in that area and I found the story easy to follow and very enjoyable. I particularly liked the banter between Pete and Ryan (Tempes ex and current love interest). Although nothing like the popular tv series "Bones" which is based on these books, they are still great books to read, professionally written and with great characters. I would happily recommend "Break No Bones".
December 14, 2014
I would say that so far this is my favourite one
Tempe is showing a bit more emotion in her love life particularly
I can see why she loved Pete however I really like Ryan
The story itself was great, the villain in this book was extremely smart, making sure from the beginning to cover their tracks so it was even more satisfactory when they were captured
Tempe is showing a bit more emotion in her love life particularly
I can see why she loved Pete however I really like Ryan
The story itself was great, the villain in this book was extremely smart, making sure from the beginning to cover their tracks so it was even more satisfactory when they were captured
April 16, 2021
Number 9 in the Temperance Brennan series is much better than number 8 was, so I'm pleased to see this return to form.
Tempe is in South Carolina, and teaching a class at a dig. And oh no! A skeleton! Quelle surprise! (Although, just saying what a surprise! would be more accurate, because she's not in Quebec this time.) Anyway, she's staying at a friend's beach house, but then her ex-husband shows up because he has business in Charleston, but then her current boyfriend Ryan also shows up and also there are more bodies in various states of decay. Also, Tempe's friend is the coroner, but also she's sick, so Tempe is helping her out.
This was fine! I did not see where it was going right away, and the murders/motives were suitably creepy and gruesome. This is solid Kathy Reichs and if you like that kind of thing, you probably already know whether or not you want to pick this up.
Tempe is in South Carolina, and teaching a class at a dig. And oh no! A skeleton! Quelle surprise! (Although, just saying what a surprise! would be more accurate, because she's not in Quebec this time.) Anyway, she's staying at a friend's beach house, but then her ex-husband shows up because he has business in Charleston, but then her current boyfriend Ryan also shows up and also there are more bodies in various states of decay. Also, Tempe's friend is the coroner, but also she's sick, so Tempe is helping her out.
This was fine! I did not see where it was going right away, and the murders/motives were suitably creepy and gruesome. This is solid Kathy Reichs and if you like that kind of thing, you probably already know whether or not you want to pick this up.
January 5, 2021
اثناء تنقيب طلبة قسم العلوم الانسانية وجد الطلاب واستاذتهم د . تمبرنس برينان هيكل عظمي مدفون بطريقة غير شرعية
مع التحقيق تم اكتشاف جثة ثانية وثالثة في برميل في البحر
مع الاستعانة بخبرات د. برينان يتم اكتشاف الفاعل
مع التحقيق تم اكتشاف جثة ثانية وثالثة في برميل في البحر
مع الاستعانة بخبرات د. برينان يتم اكتشاف الفاعل
August 11, 2022
Spent several days on this one, I think only the mid-part and ending grabbed me. I did enjoy the investigation, though there is quite a bit of drama. I think I'll have to give this 3 stars, and now take a break from the series (Scribd is limiting me for the rest of the month anyway).
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