Cold, Cold Bones: 'Kathy Reichs has written her masterpiece' (Michael Connelly)

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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. 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 One of the absolute best thrillers of the year! I can’t recall when this many twists have been so masterfully woven into a novel.' JEFFERY DEAVER

Unconnected until Tempe realizes what they all have in common: a resemblance to her own previous cases. Tempe is at a loss to establish what is going on . . . and then her daughter disappears. 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?Although the book is a little unbelievable at times, Kathy Reichs keeps the action flowing throughout the novel. For example, there are multiple interesting complications and multiple deaths. Who can you trust? 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. Cold Cold Bones is the 21st in the series by Kathy Reichs featuring Temperance (Tempe) Brennan. I was once a devotee of this series but have seemingly missed a few recently. Her latest for example, features Tempe’s daughter Katy who’s recently left the army and I’m trying to remember if I even knew she was in the army. I kinda remember her being at university but then again I have a memory like a sieve, so…. Cold, Cold Bones Helping Tempe search for answers is detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell, retired but still volunteering with the CMPD cold case unit—and still displaying his gallows humor. Also pulled into the mystery: Andrew Ryan, Tempe’s Montreal-based beau, now working as a private detective.

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. 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? 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? Overall, Cold Cold Bones is a highly entertaining book for those with strong stomachs who love murder mystery. Perfect for fans of Bones, Rizzoli & Isles, Temperance Brennan, or those looking for strong female characters doing important work.Cold Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs was published in Australia by Simon & Schuster and is now available.

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? This leads Tempe to embark on a wild adventure which causes her to discover that someone is copycatting some of her old cases. Will Tempe be able to figure out who it is before she loses someone she loves?

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Someone is playing a dangerous game with Tempe. And they won’t stop until they have taken everything from her . . . Reichs, skilfully using the conventions of the mystery novel, forces the reader to face up to the obscene realities of death time and time again. At work and a play she gets under your skin’ THE TIMES Cold Cold Bones is one of the most anticipated July book releases, and it didn’t disappoint! Cold Cold Bones is the #21 book in the Temperance Brennan series (I have only read #20 and #21). However, you do not need to read any of the prior books to jump into this book. 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. Electrifying, heart-stopping and compulsive, this is Tempe’s most personal and dangerous case yet . . .

Cold, Cold Bones alludes to many of Tempe’s prior cases. Try reading past Temperance Brennan adventures like Bones Never Lie, Break No Bones, and Bones of the Lost. How are the mysteries in these books reprised in some form in Cold, Cold Bones? 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?Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is nearly buried under a series of varied homicides that play like a mix tape of her own greatest hits.