3 of 5 stars
I'm a big fan of the TV show BONES, but this is the first book I've read by the creator of the Temperance Brennan character, Kathy Reichs. This is the fifteenth book in the series featuring the forensic anthropologist and though I didn't find it necessary to read previous volumes, it would certainly have helped to understand the complicated relationships--her daughter, her ex-husband and ex-lover--discussed in the book.
In this book, Dr. Brennan and the police try to track down a woman whom they believe has killed four of her newborns. The story takes place from Montreal to the wild country of Yellowknife and is full of twists and turns. BONES ARE FOREVER was a quick read, but I am not a fan of the minimalist writing style of the author. The staccato beat of the prose like "calm," "aggravated" left me wanting much more in the way of descriptions. I prefer authors let the readers figure out what the characters are feeling by their body language or actions, "furrowed brow" or "dragging a hand through her hair," and not be told with one word descriptors beside the dialogue.
I also have ever read any of her material, although I too am a fan of the TV series.
ReplyDeleteI found your review refreshingly honest!
Thanks JT. I try very hard to write fair and honest reviews for every book. It's just my opinion, but it may help others decide whether or not they want to read the book.
ReplyDeleteIt's really best to start at the beginning with Deja Dead if possible. The characters are developed from the get-go.
ReplyDeleteIn anticipation of the release of Bones are Forever, I prepared by re-reading all fourteen previous novels in the Temperance Brennan series, and enjoyed every word once again.
ReplyDeleteThe opening paragraph of Bones are Forever, grabbed me by the throat and promised a rollicking good Reichs read. Andrew Ryan was back and early reviews alluded to a previous dalliance with a Mountie, Reichs was nailing it once again, or so I thought.
Andrew Ryan barely figured in the story and I couldn't really believe Tempe would have ever tolerated Ollie, let alone dally with him. He lacked substance- never mind allure, even bad boy Cotton Dallimore (Flash and Bones)was a more likely candidate for Tempe. Top heavy with characters but lacking the forensic anthropology mystery solving of previous stories, Bones are Forever was a light read, lacking Reichs' previous commitment to her stories. I will of course look forward to the next installment and hope my investment with Reichs' characters pays a dividend.