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What's Bred in the Bone: The 1st Novel in the XK9 "Bones" Trilogy
XK9 Rex is a dog who thinks too much—and it could get him killed.
He and his Packmates were bio-engineered and cyber-enhanced to be the most advanced forensic tools available to law enforcement. Transplanted to a habitat space station in the Human Diaspora and separated from his Packmates, Rex has only his human partner Charlie to depend on. Then Rex’s rookie mistake during a catastrophic explosion on the space dock sends Charlie to the ICU.
Now Rex is truly all alone. Without Charlie, he’s sidelined. Written off by the humans. But his keen senses picked up a vital clue on the space dock that the investigation needs know. He must get the humans to listen somehow!
Rex doesn’t realize that larger forces are at work. The XK9s are more than just forensic tools, and they’re more than their new owners, the Orangeboro Police Department, ever bargained for. When Rex accidentally unmasks a disturbing secret, he blows open an international conspiracy that could destabilize the entire System—and places himself, his Pack, and all XK9s everywhere in mortal peril.
He and his Packmates were bio-engineered and cyber-enhanced to be the most advanced forensic tools available to law enforcement. Transplanted to a habitat space station in the Human Diaspora and separated from his Packmates, Rex has only his human partner Charlie to depend on. Then Rex’s rookie mistake during a catastrophic explosion on the space dock sends Charlie to the ICU.
Now Rex is truly all alone. Without Charlie, he’s sidelined. Written off by the humans. But his keen senses picked up a vital clue on the space dock that the investigation needs know. He must get the humans to listen somehow!
Rex doesn’t realize that larger forces are at work. The XK9s are more than just forensic tools, and they’re more than their new owners, the Orangeboro Police Department, ever bargained for. When Rex accidentally unmasks a disturbing secret, he blows open an international conspiracy that could destabilize the entire System—and places himself, his Pack, and all XK9s everywhere in mortal peril.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2019
37 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Jan S. Gephardt
4 books21 followersJan S. Gephardt (pronouns: she/her) is a science fiction novelist, fantasy artist, and publisher from Kansas City. Her “XK9s Saga” books feature a pack of uplifted police dogs who live far in the future inside a habitat space station in a different star’s planetary system.
She and sister G. S. Norwood co-founded Weird Sisters Publishing LLC in 2019. Jan is the Chief Cat-Herder and Art Director for Weird Sisters, which means she is in charge of book production, illustration commissions, and all marketing.
See more about Jan's writing and artwork on her websites and social media profiles!
https://jansgephardt.com/
https://weirdsisterspublishing.com/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jan-S.-...
https://www.facebook.com/JanSGephardt...
https://www.instagram.com/jangephardt/
https://bsky.app/profile/artdog.bsky....
https://www.facebook.com/JanSGephardt...
https://www.facebook.com/WeirdSisters...
She and sister G. S. Norwood co-founded Weird Sisters Publishing LLC in 2019. Jan is the Chief Cat-Herder and Art Director for Weird Sisters, which means she is in charge of book production, illustration commissions, and all marketing.
See more about Jan's writing and artwork on her websites and social media profiles!
https://jansgephardt.com/
https://weirdsisterspublishing.com/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jan-S.-...
https://www.facebook.com/JanSGephardt...
https://www.instagram.com/jangephardt/
https://bsky.app/profile/artdog.bsky....
https://www.facebook.com/JanSGephardt...
https://www.facebook.com/WeirdSisters...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 27, 2020
Some authors write very quickly. Robert Lewis Stevenson rewrote his manuscript for the novella Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in three to six days. Others spend a life time writing and revising one novel -- A Confederacy of Dunces comes to mind. Jan Gephardt falls within these two extremes. I had the privileged of speaking online with Ms. Gephardt while writing this review.
She shared she began sharing stories before she could write. She dictated them to her mother who transcribed them. In the 1980's she came close to having her work published. Life intervened. She
followed other muses, among them learning the art form of paper sculpture. Retired from a career in education, she has returned to writing. Together with G. S. Norwood they founded Weird SistersLLC, an indie publisher. What's Bred in the Bone is the first book of a planned trilogy.
The book opens without preamble. We are plunged into a police patrol with a K9 partner. This is no 21st century canine. This is Rex Dieter-Nell, a bio-engineered and cyber enhanced canine designed to be the most advanced forensic tool for law enforcement. We are now in space; on a habitat station the size of today's New York City. We are several centuries in the future.
Gephardt, an animal lover, who has fostered rescue dogs, seems to be able to understand a canine's thinking. Her portrayal of Rex, who like humans is still motivated by instincts as well as his over riding intelligence is thoroughly credible. His narrow focus when 'on the hunt' causes the first crisis. Entering an environment where he is not trained, and his partner is not qualified, Rex misjudges causing Charlie to be severely injured. Rex is distraught. Left without the support of his pack, nor allowed access to his partner, not even allowed to remain in the hospital he is in howling despair. With his world crashing around him, will he recover?
The well plotted novel follows this journey as Rex finds that PTSD and innate human prejudice are not the only things that threaten him in this life and death adventure. Like all good trilogies, What's bred in the Bone does not tie up all the loose ends. I eagerly await Book 2 which should be released in the Fall of 2020. In the mean time, What's Bred in the Bone is not just worth a read, it is great for a reread.
Highly recommended.
Full disclosure: I received the ARC from Weird Sisters LLC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you for this opportunity.
She shared she began sharing stories before she could write. She dictated them to her mother who transcribed them. In the 1980's she came close to having her work published. Life intervened. She
followed other muses, among them learning the art form of paper sculpture. Retired from a career in education, she has returned to writing. Together with G. S. Norwood they founded Weird SistersLLC, an indie publisher. What's Bred in the Bone is the first book of a planned trilogy.
The book opens without preamble. We are plunged into a police patrol with a K9 partner. This is no 21st century canine. This is Rex Dieter-Nell, a bio-engineered and cyber enhanced canine designed to be the most advanced forensic tool for law enforcement. We are now in space; on a habitat station the size of today's New York City. We are several centuries in the future.
Gephardt, an animal lover, who has fostered rescue dogs, seems to be able to understand a canine's thinking. Her portrayal of Rex, who like humans is still motivated by instincts as well as his over riding intelligence is thoroughly credible. His narrow focus when 'on the hunt' causes the first crisis. Entering an environment where he is not trained, and his partner is not qualified, Rex misjudges causing Charlie to be severely injured. Rex is distraught. Left without the support of his pack, nor allowed access to his partner, not even allowed to remain in the hospital he is in howling despair. With his world crashing around him, will he recover?
The well plotted novel follows this journey as Rex finds that PTSD and innate human prejudice are not the only things that threaten him in this life and death adventure. Like all good trilogies, What's bred in the Bone does not tie up all the loose ends. I eagerly await Book 2 which should be released in the Fall of 2020. In the mean time, What's Bred in the Bone is not just worth a read, it is great for a reread.
Highly recommended.
Full disclosure: I received the ARC from Weird Sisters LLC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you for this opportunity.
October 3, 2019
4.5 Fun introduction to a new mystery and space mash up
This book is not only suitable for all ages capable of reading it, but people of many tastes: dog lovers, those who wonder about growing sentiences, space opera fans who have been waiting for a 4 legged hero, police procedural readers, and mystery readers who are interested in world building. Many things are left open at the end of this book, so I hope the author is writing fast. This book really is fun, but it also has just enough philosophic underpinnings to intrigue too. More soon please!
This book is not only suitable for all ages capable of reading it, but people of many tastes: dog lovers, those who wonder about growing sentiences, space opera fans who have been waiting for a 4 legged hero, police procedural readers, and mystery readers who are interested in world building. Many things are left open at the end of this book, so I hope the author is writing fast. This book really is fun, but it also has just enough philosophic underpinnings to intrigue too. More soon please!
May 21, 2020
I came across “What’s Bred in Bone” by accident on Amazon and couldn’t resist – not with that cover and an XK9 named Rex – which happens to be the name of my German Shepherd. I can’t recall the last time I read a novel with such enjoyment. There is humor, action, keen insight into the canine mind, emphasis on the human-dog bond… a great mix of ingredients. To imagine the book as “talking police dogs in space” would be to do it a grave injustice. It is so much more than that. It is science fiction, police procedural, and canine-human psychology rolled up into one.
What I especially liked is that to my mind Rex and the Pack talk just like dogs would talk had they the ability. They understand humans, but are still affected by instinct. The relationship between Charlie and Rex was well done indeed, and I really took to Rex.
I also appreciated that it was very dog friendly… abuse of dogs was rightly depicted as despicable. Hopefully abusive training techniques won’t be used in the future, but author Gephardt is right to take the opportunity to point out how damaging such techniques are. Dogs deserve much better.
I have only a few quibbles. Some phrases and tags struck me as being used too frequently, which I find a little annoying. It would have been helpful if the XK9s had been described individually and earlier, not en masse near the end. There are a few instances of coarse speech. I'd give it 4.5 stars, but rounded up.
Otherwise, with a nice mix of characters, both human and XK9, an interesting plot, and various subplots and conflicts, it is a book I heartily enjoyed. It ends openly, and so I can’t wait for the next volume to appear.
What I especially liked is that to my mind Rex and the Pack talk just like dogs would talk had they the ability. They understand humans, but are still affected by instinct. The relationship between Charlie and Rex was well done indeed, and I really took to Rex.
I also appreciated that it was very dog friendly… abuse of dogs was rightly depicted as despicable. Hopefully abusive training techniques won’t be used in the future, but author Gephardt is right to take the opportunity to point out how damaging such techniques are. Dogs deserve much better.
I have only a few quibbles. Some phrases and tags struck me as being used too frequently, which I find a little annoying. It would have been helpful if the XK9s had been described individually and earlier, not en masse near the end. There are a few instances of coarse speech. I'd give it 4.5 stars, but rounded up.
Otherwise, with a nice mix of characters, both human and XK9, an interesting plot, and various subplots and conflicts, it is a book I heartily enjoyed. It ends openly, and so I can’t wait for the next volume to appear.
January 2, 2022
Detailed look at sentience
What makes a sentient being? I have been owned by both cats and dogs for many years, and, like many others of us in that situation, we frequently are glad that we do not understand everything that is being meowed and whined at us. Never, however, do we consider our companions as unthinking. There is much to this story to make for unpleasant reading, but there is almost more that shares the triumph of spirit.
What makes a sentient being? I have been owned by both cats and dogs for many years, and, like many others of us in that situation, we frequently are glad that we do not understand everything that is being meowed and whined at us. Never, however, do we consider our companions as unthinking. There is much to this story to make for unpleasant reading, but there is almost more that shares the triumph of spirit.
January 23, 2022
Page Turner!
I bought this because the cover looked like a Belgian and the description kind of sounded similar. It certainly raised a lot of questions in my mind as well as entertained.
I bought this because the cover looked like a Belgian and the description kind of sounded similar. It certainly raised a lot of questions in my mind as well as entertained.
March 22, 2022
Recommend for any animal lover or techie
Space, police 7, AIs recognized as sapient, enhanced memories helping solve murders and alien species, and romance. Pretty much hits a bunch of categories. Very enjoyable.
Space, police 7, AIs recognized as sapient, enhanced memories helping solve murders and alien species, and romance. Pretty much hits a bunch of categories. Very enjoyable.
February 23, 2020
This is a futuristic SF, mostly narrated by a pair of dogs who are part of a pack that’s been modified to be super cops. The dog point of view is charming. We get a lot smelling not only clues, but also emotions. There’s also a nice streak of humor as the dogs perceive and misperceive things about the people around them. Sometimes pacing was sacrificed to time spent with the dog’s anxieties and hopes, but for the right, dog-loving reader, this will be a fun read.
June 1, 2019
It’s easy to think of Jan S. Gephardt’s debut novel, “What’s Bred in the Bone,” as ‘talking police dogs in space,’ but Gephardt’s story—like all good science fiction—goes much deeper. XK9 Rex and his packmates are bred and bio-engineered to be the ultimate in policing technology, with the brawn for crowd control, the speed and instincts for pursuit, and the nose to process scent evidence in minute amounts—plus the brains and the vocal simulators to explain what they know to the human police officers they partner with. Purchasing and equipping Rex’s pack of ten XK9s is a big investment for the Orangeboro Police Department on Rana Space Station. But as Rex and his packmates begin to untangle a catastrophic dock breach, a new problem becomes obvious to all the humans who work closely with the XK9s. Now they have to decide if they want to follow the evidence and obey the law, or protect their investment and preserve long-established diplomatic and trading relationships.
Drawing on deep research into canine behavior, animal cognition, and sustainable environmental design, Gephardt gives us a world full of honor, intrigue, and betrayal, peopled with a cast of believable characters—both human and XK9—we care about, and enjoy spending time with, and filled with problems that are definitely worth talking about.
Drawing on deep research into canine behavior, animal cognition, and sustainable environmental design, Gephardt gives us a world full of honor, intrigue, and betrayal, peopled with a cast of believable characters—both human and XK9—we care about, and enjoy spending time with, and filled with problems that are definitely worth talking about.
September 18, 2022
If you like dogs and sci fi...
I'm a little bit newer reader of science fiction, but I've been a dog lover all my life. I found this to be a fun read with a big world and a lot of characters. We are given enough of the world and the characters to orient ourselves but not enough to overwhelm.
The first question I usually ask before reading a dog book is whether this is about to be a tear jerker where the dog dies some tragic death. This book is safe for animal lovers. There are mentions of dogs that have passed on but there is nothing immediate and upsetting.
I'll be trying the next in the series soon.
I'm a little bit newer reader of science fiction, but I've been a dog lover all my life. I found this to be a fun read with a big world and a lot of characters. We are given enough of the world and the characters to orient ourselves but not enough to overwhelm.
The first question I usually ask before reading a dog book is whether this is about to be a tear jerker where the dog dies some tragic death. This book is safe for animal lovers. There are mentions of dogs that have passed on but there is nothing immediate and upsetting.
I'll be trying the next in the series soon.
April 9, 2025
This is a delightful book and is the first full length novel featuring the Orangeboro pack. The pack are ten, bio-engineered dogs with sapient intelligence and vocalisation skills that are now part of the Orangeboro police department in Rana Space Station and their human partners, Orangeboro police officers. The pack are wonderful and it is quickly apparent that these dogs are not just highly trained animals, they are sapient beings and therefore should not be traded, sold or bought. This brings the Orangeboro Police department, the Orangeboro county and the creators of the dogs into direct conflict. The story involves political shenanigans, drama, police procedurals, humour and intrigue. The story is told by both the dogs and their human partners.
December 13, 2022
I want an XK9! Great stories and the best characters. The author has dogs, there can be no doubt. Any dog lover will LOVE these books. [edit]
December 4, 2019
I honestly don't know where to start with this review. Rex and his team are policed dogs who were once a pack, but are now split up between their human handlers. These canines are able to communicate with their handlers through a psychic mind link and with each other and non-handlers through a intercom. During an investigation, Rex's handler is harmed and hospitalized and several of his pack have been assigned to find out what happened. Rex desperately wants to help so he dives right in knowing his actions may lead to trouble. However, will what he uncover actually help or harm him and his pack?
There were so many things to love about this book. Not being a huge reader of science fiction, I was a tad hesitant but since there were dogs throughout I figured it was a good chance to take. I am really glad I did. The author, who did a canine guest post earlier this week, truly has a handle on dogs and their abilities/emotions. While reading the book, I was captivated by the bond between the animals and their handlers. I was also somewhat upset. The person who trained the pack was very abusive and at times, Rex is so fearful of repercussion of his actions that it's hard for him to function. He doesn't trust a lot of humans but desperately wants to. Add in the fact that he is not allowed to see his mate Shady, but only talk to her via com, and there are some really sad times. However, Rex's joy when humans show him compassion and believe that he has a lot of offer society and mankind it very infectious.
But besides from all the animal goodness, there is a good mystery going on. I think this can best be described as a police procedural in space - and with dogs. There's plenty of action and intrigue to keep the reader's attention. It's just told from the dogs' point of views. I will note that there were a few typos and grammar mistakes that weren't caught in editing and while it did bug me, it didn't damper my enjoyment and it shouldn't keep anyone from grabbing the book.
I want to thank the author and her publicist for reaching out to me and providing this book for honest review. I enjoyed every minute of it and at over 400 pages, there was a lot to enjoy. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy. Bring it on!
There were so many things to love about this book. Not being a huge reader of science fiction, I was a tad hesitant but since there were dogs throughout I figured it was a good chance to take. I am really glad I did. The author, who did a canine guest post earlier this week, truly has a handle on dogs and their abilities/emotions. While reading the book, I was captivated by the bond between the animals and their handlers. I was also somewhat upset. The person who trained the pack was very abusive and at times, Rex is so fearful of repercussion of his actions that it's hard for him to function. He doesn't trust a lot of humans but desperately wants to. Add in the fact that he is not allowed to see his mate Shady, but only talk to her via com, and there are some really sad times. However, Rex's joy when humans show him compassion and believe that he has a lot of offer society and mankind it very infectious.
But besides from all the animal goodness, there is a good mystery going on. I think this can best be described as a police procedural in space - and with dogs. There's plenty of action and intrigue to keep the reader's attention. It's just told from the dogs' point of views. I will note that there were a few typos and grammar mistakes that weren't caught in editing and while it did bug me, it didn't damper my enjoyment and it shouldn't keep anyone from grabbing the book.
I want to thank the author and her publicist for reaching out to me and providing this book for honest review. I enjoyed every minute of it and at over 400 pages, there was a lot to enjoy. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy. Bring it on!
October 21, 2019
Bred In The Bone is not only fantastic Science Fiction, but includes a fascinating mystery and police investigation.
It reminds me of the quality of Lois McMaster Bujold- but with alien species, and sapient species that arose from technology.
Even though I am more a "cat person" than "dog person", I fell in love with the XK9's right away! What an amazing exploration of what it is to be "sapient" and how creating a new sapient species accidentally can affect society and inter-relationships.
Many of the issues in the plot are so very relevant to today's world, and all in an exuberant, exciting and sometimes humorous narrative.
I can hardly wait for the next book!!!
It reminds me of the quality of Lois McMaster Bujold- but with alien species, and sapient species that arose from technology.
Even though I am more a "cat person" than "dog person", I fell in love with the XK9's right away! What an amazing exploration of what it is to be "sapient" and how creating a new sapient species accidentally can affect society and inter-relationships.
Many of the issues in the plot are so very relevant to today's world, and all in an exuberant, exciting and sometimes humorous narrative.
I can hardly wait for the next book!!!
September 8, 2021
Every dog has it's day
Canines are far smarter than we credit them for, every owner would love their dog to speak. This is a cleverly crafted story, certainly not a shaggy dog one. Much more to it than, "Me good dog, throw ball, I like ball."
Canines are far smarter than we credit them for, every owner would love their dog to speak. This is a cleverly crafted story, certainly not a shaggy dog one. Much more to it than, "Me good dog, throw ball, I like ball."
November 19, 2019
Not bad
This is a pretty good book, not overly complicated, but with a complete world to live in. I think all dog people will see their best friend in the characters in this book.
This is a pretty good book, not overly complicated, but with a complete world to live in. I think all dog people will see their best friend in the characters in this book.
April 26, 2022
Ultimately this wasn't a book that I clicked with, but there were elements that I liked. A K9 focused science fiction book just isn't something you see a lot of. It's clear that the author loves animals and she treats the characters with respect, acknowledging their thoughts and feelings whilst showing the various ways that humans react to something that doesn't conform to their expectations. There was a good bit of action as well, but for some reason the actual pace of the book felt slow. This may be due to writing style. Overall, I appreciate what the author was going for and can definitely see it being a great read for others.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from a publicist.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from a publicist.
September 15, 2025
2.5 Stars
This book felt like it was written for middle school level. Not because of the subject matter but because of the writing. It also dragged in places making it difficult to get through. There were several times I thought the story was picking up and something exciting was about to happen but it would get resolved within a chapter or two.
I do want to know what happens next so I might read the next book.
This book felt like it was written for middle school level. Not because of the subject matter but because of the writing. It also dragged in places making it difficult to get through. There were several times I thought the story was picking up and something exciting was about to happen but it would get resolved within a chapter or two.
I do want to know what happens next so I might read the next book.
December 7, 2024
A slightly better than average self-published book. On a large space station, a district has hired police dogs and then finds out they're sentient. Both police investigation procedurals and politics are covered. The dogs are a bit too human, but the author never quite loses the presentation of them as intelligent dogs. I'll read the next.
November 24, 2024
Entertaining
Good story of figurative (and literal!) underdogs trying to do their challenging jobs while fighting malicious conditioning, and in the same time to actually survive and thrive against the odds.
Already bought the next book in the series.
Good story of figurative (and literal!) underdogs trying to do their challenging jobs while fighting malicious conditioning, and in the same time to actually survive and thrive against the odds.
Already bought the next book in the series.
March 27, 2021
This was so bad lol.
Read
September 6, 2024This book is awesome! If you love dogs it is a must read! I was taken in from Rex’s first words.
November 20, 2025
I really did enjoy this start to the series. Love a new uplifted species.
October 10, 2024
Great story about uplifted police dogs on a space station far from Earth. I heartily recommend this series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews