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A review by jennfs10
Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Murder, Torture, Animal death, Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Gore, Misogyny, and Sexual violence
Was curious about this series bc it came up in a recommendation list of cozy mystery series but it’s firmly in the thriller/crime genre. My expectations weren’t prepared so I was taken aback by the graphic depictions of violence. I understand that she’s a forensic anthropologist but to me, it implied she mostly investigated cold cases which she did but in this story, she also investigated ongoing violent murders.
My 3.5 star rating is mostly for the at times clunky, technical descriptions of procedural tasks in the lab. Granted this book was published in 1997 so perhaps this type of procedural description was considered new and so allowing the author leeway would lend the character some legitimacy as a forensic anthropologist but I ended up skimming a lot of those passages and by doing so found did not detract from the story.
I did check out the next book from the library but I’m continuing the series with caution. Hopefully the procedural tasks will be slimmed down a bit.
I’m also still deciding if I like Tempe’s character. She has flaws for sure and they get her into trouble but I’m willing to keep reading to see how or if she changes