You always know you're in for an enjoyable time when you dig into one of Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan novels, and this latest one, The Bone Code, delivers on every front.

This time around, our story begins with Tempe on the verge of battening down the hatches as a storm approaches the Carolina coast, when she receives a visit from an old woman asking for help with a curious historical case of a missing twin.

However, it is not until after the storm that the action really gets going. Just as Tempe is assessing the damage in the aftermath of the wild weather, she receives a call asking her to consult on a case of two bodies found within a medical waste container that has been washed up on the shore - bodies that have been wrapped in plastic and tied with electrical flex. It's a call that makes Tempe very uneasy, but it is not until she gets to work on the badly decomposed bodies that her worst fears are confirmed - this case bears a striking resemblance to a cold case she and her partner Andrew Ryan worked on fifteen years ago... in Montreal.

And then we're off, in true Reichs' style, with a new investigation on US soil and a re-opened cold case in Canada, as Tempe finds herself flying back and forth between countries, tracking down the clues that link these murders. Add in, Tempe's hectic workload of intriguing cases; romantic interludes with Ryan; a sideline investigation taken on by her best friend to find out what happened to the missing twin; and a dangerous flesh-eating bacterial breakout in Charleston that bears the marks of foul-play; and there is a lot to keep you glued to the page.

This is a wonderful ensemble piece with Tempe at the hub of the action, and lots of great characters, some old and some new (including the adorable Birdie), making a contribution in solving the mysterious goings on. As all the painstakingly gathered pieces of the puzzle fall into place, including the scientific clues that mark this series of books out as being so fascinating, you arrive at some terrifying conclusions, and a heart in the mouth climax that has you teetering on the edge of your seat.

And it's interesting to note that the events in this book take place in a post Covid-19 landscape, which adds a real chill to the proceedings once you understand where Reichs has been leading you all along. It's brilliant... terrifying, but brilliant.

2.5/5. I’m actually surprised I’m ranking this one so low. I’m not sure if Tempe as a character has always been this way and I just didn’t notice, or of the writing of her character in the novel was severely lacking. I found her annoying, arrogant, rude, and judgmental to name a few. There were parts on the book where she just made fun of other characters appearance—the way one woman colored her hair, how another did her makeup, making fun of someone overweight. And what the fuck was with that I’ve never met a black person with the name ____ line? I’m not saying everything has to be pc, but come on! Who the fuck would say that. Besides those issues the book was interesting enough, I wanted to get to the end of the mystery but it wasn’t like I couldn’t put the book down. The scientific stuff is always hard for me to follow but that’s to expected. I am kind of tired of the Tempe gets attacked at the end storyline, does Kathy Reichs know there is another way to end a mystery novel?

Thoroughly enjoyed my first Kathy Reichs book. I have enjoyed the TV series Bones and I was curious to see if there were similarities between the characters in the book. If found the book to tell a better story and have more involved character development than the TV show.
I believe I will go back and read the rest of the series.

3.5/5

I’m not really familiar with Kathy Reich’s series, other than as a TV show I haven’t really watched, and I wasn’t sure about jumping into a book series that’s reaching a double dozen in number. In The Bone Code, forensic anthropologist Temperance (Temp) Brennan examines sets of bodies wrapped in plastic and bound by wire, washed up from the sea 15 years apart.

The book is partly set in Montreal, Quebec, and partly in South Carolina, where the beginnings of a pandemic is causing concern. It didn’t take long for me to get used to the core group of characters, including Brennan, her cat, Birdie and Quebecois boyfriend Ryan; Detective Tonia Vislosky; and a best friend who seems to spend much of her time drinking (it features enough to become annoying).

Clues are put together through clinical forensic research set against warm banter between the characters, and South Carolina and Quebec storms are almost characters themselves. I picked up the book based on a back cover description of a pandemic possibly linked to the murders but plays such a minor role in the book that it’s hardly mentioned until the end.

I enjoyed the book far more than I thought I would. Reichs often ends chapters by telegraphing that something significant is about to happen, and the suspense was enough to keep me turning pages. The banter between characters is warm, counterpointed by Vislosky who is a bit over the top as a tough-as-nails cop. The banter keeps the book humane as we delve into forensics and genetic coding.

It’s a good, solid read set in a pair of interesting locations. The book moves quickly, not too heavily, with well-drawn characters who seem to care for each other.

Two thumbs up.

So good to be back in the world of Temperance Brennan and Detective Ryan. Been way too long. Long enough, in fact to watch the entire 13 seasons of Bones on Prime Video. They are totally different creatures. Enjoyed this book and the foibles that make up Dr. Brennan. Interesting story that scurries between North Carolina and Montreal. The southern characters. The French Canadian characters. And an interesting story. I'm happy! Not revealing much. Just read it and enjoy.

3.5