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lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
A CONSPIRACY OF BONES by Kathy Reichs is the nineteenth book in the series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Temperance is facing a lot of personal and professional challenges in this book. She has a new boss that she has had professional conflicts with in the past and on top of that she has been recovering from neurosurgery and is still experiencing severe headaches. The novel is largely set in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. One day she receives text messages containing pictures of a corpse missing its face and hands. Due to her relationship with her new boss, Temperance works the case on the sly.
This novel was much more introspective than most in the series and almost like a private detective working the case alongside the police. While it seemed a little slower paced in the beginning, it had enough action, red herrings and twists to keep my interest and it picked up speed as the book progressed.
The characters are compelling and you can definitely root for Temperance as she works to find answers. Her goals are clear and believable. The supporting characters are well-rounded and enhance the story. The stakes were high and the tension built up to the conclusion.
Overall, the plot was intriguing and contemporary. The prose was well-written and engrossing. The story is gripping and well worth reading. I recommend it and the entire series. However, I believe readers will have the best reading experience if they start at the beginning of the series.
Thanks to Scribner and Kathy Reichs for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
This novel was much more introspective than most in the series and almost like a private detective working the case alongside the police. While it seemed a little slower paced in the beginning, it had enough action, red herrings and twists to keep my interest and it picked up speed as the book progressed.
The characters are compelling and you can definitely root for Temperance as she works to find answers. Her goals are clear and believable. The supporting characters are well-rounded and enhance the story. The stakes were high and the tension built up to the conclusion.
Overall, the plot was intriguing and contemporary. The prose was well-written and engrossing. The story is gripping and well worth reading. I recommend it and the entire series. However, I believe readers will have the best reading experience if they start at the beginning of the series.
Thanks to Scribner and Kathy Reichs for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
paulabrandon's review against another edition
4.0
Dr. Temperance Brennan has a new boss who seems to want to freeze her out of a position. So, when Tempe receives an anonymous text revealing the remains of a man without face and hands, she sees this as an opportunity to show up her media-attention-seeking boss and get her job back. Tempe still has an "in" with various professionals and Ernest "Skid" Sliddell, so she begins looking into the death. It leads to a man who seemed to be afraid of the government and was big into conspiracy theories. Could it also involve the disappearance of a young girl several years earlier?
After a break in Temperance Brennan books since 2015, this book was published in 2020, and I felt it was a real return to form. Yes, there is a lot of Tempe's synapses firing as she figures things out, and a lot of over-emphasis on describing the routes taken to get to places and what places look like, but the plot is constantly on the move and constantly gripping. Also, Tempe is a lot more involved here, rather than just sitting around and waiting for people to call her with what they have found out. Still not quite enough of the forensic investigation that you would expect to drive this series, but I was able to let that slide here. The exploration of conspiracy theories captured my interest and I was invested in what was going on. I really enjoyed this back-to-basics entry in the series.
After a break in Temperance Brennan books since 2015, this book was published in 2020, and I felt it was a real return to form. Yes, there is a lot of Tempe's synapses firing as she figures things out, and a lot of over-emphasis on describing the routes taken to get to places and what places look like, but the plot is constantly on the move and constantly gripping. Also, Tempe is a lot more involved here, rather than just sitting around and waiting for people to call her with what they have found out. Still not quite enough of the forensic investigation that you would expect to drive this series, but I was able to let that slide here. The exploration of conspiracy theories captured my interest and I was invested in what was going on. I really enjoyed this back-to-basics entry in the series.
kspaghettireads's review against another edition
3.25
The beginning was confusing and Brennan was too impulsive and reckless. Did not enjoy as much as usual.
karoliinu's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
chloeap_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
naja_hill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
icalyn_13's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up. Better than the last book which I realized in the summary I barely remembered. This one had a plot that I enjoyed minus her going rogue all over the place.
caitdrisc's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
leihleih's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25