There seems to be no pattern to the subsequent killings uncovered, except that each mimics in some way a homicide that a younger Tempe had been called in to analyze. Who or what is targeting her, and why? Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is nearly buried under a series of varied homicides that play like a mix tape of her own greatest hits.

Over the course of twenty books, Kathy Reichs and Tempe Brennan have thrilled readers with pacey, mazey tales grounded in real science, with plots springing from the author's prodigious knowledge and passion for truth and justice. We readers are truly grateful—and looking forward to the next twenty!”Someone is playing a dangerous game with Tempe. And they won’t stop until they have taken everything from her . . . Cold, Cold Bones is a story of vengeance against Tempe for mistakes she’d made in the past. Despite not being an investigator or an officer of any kind, Tempe has a great deal of influence. In the course of investigating this case, how many people does Tempe suspect? How many people does she involve incidentally in a serial killer investigation? Tempe’s phone is both a lifeline and a source of fear and suspense. Ryan is often unreachable because of cell service and bad weather, Charlie sends a few cryptic messages before he dies, and Katy begins refusing phone calls. How does each situation erode Tempe’s sense of safety? How does Tempe’s being cut off from others serve the killer’s motives? A mystery within a mystery that invites you to get into the action, complete with twisting turns and heart-stopping dives into the unknown . . . The crowning achievement of a master storyteller' NELSON DeMILLE A mystery within a mystery that invites you to get into the action, complete with twisting turns and heart-stopping dives into the unknown. What I love most about Kathy Reichs’s novels is Tempe and Skinny’s witty dialogue. These two iconic characters make one of the best investigative teams in mystery literature. Cold, Cold Bones is the crowning achievement of a master storyteller, a feast for her many fans, and a delight for new readers.”

There seems to be no pattern to these killings, except that each mimics a killing connected to something a younger Tempe experienced, or barely escaped. Someone is targeting her, and she needs to figure out why before they strike again. Cold Cold Bones is also perfect for anyone with a short attention span. The prose is non-pretentious and is not overly flowery. It has short chapters with short paragraphs and sentences. The book opens with Tempe helping her daughter, Katy, move into her new home after recently finishing a career in the military, which included episodes of combat. What do you notice about the ways that Katy and Tempe treat each other? How does their relationship affect the course of the book?Cold Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs was published in Australia by Simon & Schuster and is now available. I very much enjoyed the ‘case’ under investigation here. I did guess the whodunnit part but am not sure if it’s obvious or I’m exceptionally talented ( 😉 ). Actually the latter isn’t true but I read a lot so am probably more cognisant (than many) of nuances of language or plot devices that leave the door open to a last minute twist. I should mention fans of former Canadian cop, Andrew Ryan )and Tempe’s love interest) will be relieved he appears here, only briefly but when needed. Over the course of twenty books, Kathy Reichs and Tempe Brennan have thrilled readers with pacey, mazey tales . . . We readers are truly grateful' IAN RANKIN The characteristic that I prize about all else is storytelling, and Cold Cold Bones held my attention. I would gladly pay to read #22 in the Temperance Brennan series.

GPS coordinates etched into the eyeball lead to a Benedictine monastery where an equally macabre discovery awaits. Soon after, Tempe examines a mummified corpse in a state park, and her anxiety deepens. There seems to be no pattern to the subsequent killings uncovered, except that each mimics in some way a homicide that a younger Tempe had been called in to analyse. Who or what is targeting her, and why? It all starts when Dr Temperance Brennan finds a box on her porch. Inside is a fresh human eyeball with GPS coordinates etched into it. They lead her to a macabre discovery in a Benedictine Monastery, and soon after she discovers a mummified corpse in a state park. Helping Tempe discover the answers is detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell, retired but still volunteering with the CMPD cold case unit—and still displaying his gallows humor. As the two penetrate a bizarre survivalist’s lair, even Skinny’s mood darkens. Tempe handles a great deal of violence on a regular basis. Do some research about the number of medical professionals who are later diagnosed with PTSD, the same condition that Katy suffers from. Why do you think Tempe is unwilling to link her condition with that of her daughter? In what ways is the justice system in the United States like a warzone?Reichs supplies a great hook, a double helping of homicides past and present, and all the meticulous forensic details and throwaway cliffhanger chapter endings you’d expect from this celebrated series." Someone is playing a dangerous game with Tempe.�� And they won’t stop until they have taken everything from her . . .