Forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan helps to identify Quebec drowning victim as John Charles Lowry, only to discover that the same John Charles Lowry was killed in Vietnam and returned to the U.S. to be buried in North Carolina in 1968. Here's where things begin to get weird. Author Kathy Reichs does a superb job of weaving a fictional tale about the real JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command), which helps to locate, retrieve and identify remains of American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. After exhuming the North Carolina remains, Tempe accompanies them to the JPAC facilities in Hawaii in order to correctly identify them. While there, the author deftly explains the JPAC organization, its purpose and techniques. She also describes Hawaii, its people, streets, architecture and topography with so much detail I could almost feel the warm breezes and hear the shush of palm leaves. More unidentified bodies turn up and add to the confusion, as well as a side story involving the local ME and some grisly remains found on a beach. Ms. Reichs adds plenty of twists and turns, subtle heat (Detective Ryan is not left out of this tropical adventure) and her usual dose of dry wit. Just as I began to think that this book had an unusually easy to follow plot, things changed and I was again puzzled. Just when things seemed too calm, a new threat would emerge. Another satisfying adventure into forensic anthropology and crime fighting!