It's a summer of sizzling heat in Charlotte where Dr. Temperance Brennan, forensic anthropologist for the North Carolina medical examiner, looks forward to her first vacation in years. A romantic vacation. She's almost out the door when the bones start appearing.
A newborn's charred remains turn up in a woodstove. A small plane crashes in a North Carolina cornfield on a sunny afternoon. Both pilot and passenger are burned beyond recognition. And what is the mysterious black substance covering the bodies? Most puzzling of all are the bones discovered at a remote farm outside Charlotte. The remains seem to be of animal origin, but Tempe is shocked when she gets them to her lab.
With help from a special detective friend, Tempe must investigate a poignant and terrifying case that comes at the worst possible moment. Daughter Katy has a new boyfriend who Tempe fears may have something to hide. And important personal decisions face Tempe. Is it time for emotional commitment? Will she have the chance to find out?
Everything must wait on the bones. Why are the X rays and DNA so perplexing? Who is trying to keep Tempe from the answers? Someone is following her and Katy. That someone must be stopped before it's too late.
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"its my first time to read a Kathy Reichs book, i really had a good time reading it,its really obvious, it only took me 2 days to finish the book. I like the character of Dr. Tempe. I must admit I am a fan of BONES the TV series, though the character of Dr. Tempe there is slightly different from the book, still i felt the same excitement as I read the bare bones. looking forward to my next book by reichs grave secret... till next then... wahahaha"
— Ivyrene (4 out of 5 stars)
“The scientific procedures she describes ring true…Good beach reading.
— San Diego Union-Tribune“Reichs has built a reputation on cut-to-the-chase writing and swift plotting…delivers everything her fans have come to expect.”
— Publishers Weekly“Definitely hard to put down.”
— Booklist“Though often compared to Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta, Tempe Brennan stands alone above other characters in the genre. Highly recommended for all popular fiction collections.”
— Library Journal" I like this series of books but it is not like the show. It holds your interest with good crime solving and characters. "
— Ann, 2/19/2014" I really liked this one! A look at the problems that wildlife management has with poaching and other illegal activities against animals, and the overall cruelty of humans. You really don't know who the bad guy is til the very end! "
— Lbd, 2/8/2014" Not a review but a note: these are the books that came out long before the TV show. The show is LOOSELY based on the books. If you like the show better, stop reading because they are very different. It's annoying to see reviews that people base on what little similarities the two have in common. "
— Forever, 1/30/2014" It's been a while since I read a 'Bones' book and it can get a little confusing after watching the TV series. Once I put any comparison to the TV programme out of my head I enjoyed the book. "
— Peter, 1/11/2014" This was a very good book. A little terrifying in that in the end Tempe would have been killed if she hadn't acted quickly, thoughtfully. "
— Amy, 1/10/2014" this was a good one...her knowledge of her job adds a realistic flavor to her books that is impossible to ignore... "
— Amanda, 1/9/2014" I like these books because they are partly set in Charlotte and they mention things/places I know, but they are skimmable mysteries. A beach read. "
— Shea, 12/26/2013" still can't write an ending "
— Zach, 11/20/2013" I found this an enjoyable way to pass a few hours in the company of a character that I care about. I had realised that I had rather slipped behind in my reading of the series and so beginng in 2008 made an effort to catch up. "
— Vivienne, 11/12/2013" Well, this wasn't the steamy romance I was ready for!! That Reichs is sure tricky, but I loved the story anyway! She sure knows how to keep me reading!! "
— Dawnie, 9/7/2013" I was a bit disappointed in the way she went all "go green" and stuff in this book. It was ok but the end was a little more convoluted than usual so... I'm taking a break from this author just for a little while. I'll come back to her again sometime. "
— Callie, 8/23/2013" I am a big fan of the TV series Bones and this is written by the creator of that show. The book has Dr. Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist, as the main character which happens to be the career of the author as well. "
— Peggy, 6/7/2013" love these books...v. CSI. Great series with a great main character. "
— C, 5/12/2013" Finally! They got together! I really enjoyed this book, but it also got a bit confusing with all the randomness that happened, but I guess life is random and not complete constructed like some crime books... "
— Amy, 5/10/2013" Better book than the Mourning Bones one. "
— Lisa, 5/10/2013" most depressing books of the series so far... "
— Scott, 4/14/2013" Interesting because Reich is able to use so much of the knowledge she has as a forensic anthropologist; also fun that the action takes place in Charlotte and is quite location specific. "
— Ann, 2/11/2013" Heroine Temperance Brennan Forensic anthropologist. Love the way this lady writes, lots of interesting information and intrigue. "
— Jane, 6/16/2012" 3+ This is the first book I've read in the series. I've since started the first one. Good story, good characters, and very interesting info about forensic anthropology. "
— Ray, 11/26/2011" Irritating author. She writes her books like she's writing for tv. They are two different genres. "
— April, 5/14/2011" I was a bit disappointed in the way she went all "go green" and stuff in this book. It was ok but the end was a little more convoluted than usual so... I'm taking a break from this author just for a little while. I'll come back to her again sometime. "
— Callie, 4/16/2011" I love Kathy Reichs, so I knew what to expect and what I was going to get out of this read, and it didn't disappoint. "
— Gretchen, 4/7/2011" I'm a huge fan of Bones the TV series, so I was really excited to find this book at my local library. Yes, the main character is named Temperance Brennan, and she helps solve murders, but that's about where the similarity ends. "
— Lani, 4/7/2011" This one was pretty good. She seems to use the same type of formula for her books, but it's one that works for me! Interesting plot, not overly predictable and wraps up nicely in the end. :) I am already on to the next book. "
— Melissa, 4/1/2011" Murdering, poaching- dope dealers. Very different from TV. VG "
— Helen, 3/31/2011" The ever evolving Tempe Brennan and the gory and death that always seems to find her. "
— Emily, 3/13/2011" What can I say? <br/>I was sick with the flu and this is the only thing I could stand to read... "
— tara, 3/2/2011" I could not get into this book but I'm not sure why. Maybe I just picked it up at the wrong time but just couldn't develop an interest. I'm confused because I like Evanovich, Mott-Davidson and some of Patterson which have some similarities, maybe I'm just maxed out on this type of fiction??? "
— Laurie, 2/26/2011Kathy Reichs is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the Virals series and the Temperance Brennan series. She is a forensic anthropologist and a producer of Fox Television’s longest running scripted drama, Bones, which was based on her work and her novels. Visit her at KathyReichs.com or follow her on Twitter @KathyReichs