Fire and Bones (Temperance Brennan, #23) (2024)

Our favorite forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is ready for some desperately needed time off with her long-distance love interest... none other than Andrew Ryan .(Just goes by Ryan😉) A former detective with the Quebec Provincial Police, now self-employed as a private investigator.

But hold up, Tempe. Being the best in your field can come with a hefty price. Your services are always in big demand. And you being who you are…well, you just can’t say no.

Sorry Ryan… romance will need to be shelved for the immediate future.

So now who’s in desperate need of Tempe’s services?
A fire in Washington DC has left at least four un-identified dead and not one clue how the fire started.

Gas up the car Tempe, next stop…the nation’s capital.

I adore Tempe’s character. Fiercely independent and professional. But she also has a quirky side that’s both fun and a bit snarky. A perfect combination!

I’ve always said my favorite books in the series are the ones that are Canadian-based and I proudly stand by that statement! In my mind, this series just doesn’t hold up as well south of the border…whether it’s Charlotte NC or Washington DC. (It’s just a me thing…EH!)💁🏻‍♀️

Still, all in all, another great addition to one of my favorite long running series.

Hoping the next in the series will once again cross over into 🇨🇦

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner

This is the latest in the Bones series by Reich featuring her forensic anthropologist, Temperance Brennan. And, as is typical, if you are a fan, readers won’t be bored as Tempe finds herself in the midst of an older building in Washington DC addressing arson and burn victims and attempting to unravel a mystery that may be more than recent history.

She also finds herself working alongside a new ally, Ivy Doyle, a telejournalist. She met Ivy reluctantly through her daughter Katy, as a favor. But as it turns out, they form a good alliance in attempting to learn more about the past of the building, the history, the property’s ownership and what really happened and why.

Reich keeps readers moving along quickly through her short chapters, and forensics and setting change of Washington, DC. The question will be, will readers be surprised by the twists and turns that she has a tendency to deliver? And, will readers be patient with her challenging relationship with Ryan?

This is a Mystery Thriller, and this is the 23rd book in the Temperance Brennan series. I have read some other books from this series before picking up this book, but I do think you can read this book as a standalone without any problems. I have trouble connecting to the main character in this book which did take away from me totally enjoying this book. I loved the mystery parts of the book, and I enjoyed getting into the mystery of this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Wow! This series is up to number 23 and still going strong. I have followed this series for many years now and still look forward to every new book. I also enjoyed the tv show Bones, based on the character in these books, when it was showing new episodes every week.

Description:
It’s never easy working fire scenes, Tempe thinks. Called to Washington, DC, to analyze the victims of a building set ablaze amid mysterious circ*mstances, she sees all her misgivings justified. The building site is in Foggy Bottom, a neighborhood with a colorful past and present, and the property’s ownership becomes even more suspicious when Tempe delves into its past. The pieces start falling into place strangely and quickly, and, sensing a good story, Tempe teams with a new ally, telejournalist Ivy Doyle. Soon the duo learns that back in the thirties and forties the home was the hangout of a group of bootleggers and racketeers known as the Foggy Bottom Gang. Though interesting, this fact seems irrelevant—until the son of a Foggy Bottom gang member is shot dead at his farm in Fairfax County, Virginia. Coincidence? Targeted attacks? So many questions. As Tempe and Ivy dig deeper, an arrest is finally made. Then another Foggy Bottom Gang-linked property burns to the ground, claiming one more victim. Slowly, Tempe’s instincts begin pointing to the somehow, her moves since coming to Washington have been anticipated in advance, and every path forward seems to bring with it a lethal threat.

My Thoughts:
Yes, this book is just as good as the others in the series. This one is set in Washington, DC instead of North Carolina or Montreal, and Tempe had to give up her vacation with her long time romantic partner in order to work on investigating this fire case with several people dead. I thought the extra case of the unexpected victim of something in the past was interesting and added more intrigue to the story. Following the investigation was fun and watching the pieces of the historical puzzle come together provided a sense of satisfying a long term situation. I can wholeheartedly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good mystery.

Thanks to Scribner through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Personally, I'm happy that forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan gets coerced into giving up a romantic three-day vacation in Savannah with main squeeze Andrew Ryan to take a look at victims of an arson fire in Washington, D.C. - but mostly because it makes for an intriguing investigation. Ryan, though, is less than thrilled - pulling a disappearing act that pretty much leaves him out of the action. Yes, Tempe misses him, and truth be told, so did I - a lot.

The gutted building is located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of D.C. - far from the "best" part of town - and it appears to have been used as an Airbnb property. Several people died in the fire, and since Tempe is experienced in examining and identifying crispy victims, her expertise is very much needed. But in addition to the bodies found in the ashes, she finds another victim - a tiny woman - almost literally wadded up in a potato sack that dates back to Prohibition. That one, needless to say, proves challenging when it comes to an ID.

Early on, Tempe faces another challenge, though; a place to stay. Apparently, all the hotels are filled, so she ends up staying where she'd rather not be - with TV news anchor Ivy Doyle, who's a friend of Tempe's daughter Katy. Some of the action, then centers on trying to not reveal enough information about the arson investigation that the story ends up on the 6 p.m. news. Then, another building in the same general area goes up in flames, adding another layer to the investigation and further delaying any rendezvous with Ryan (assuming he's still speaking to her).

Are the two fires connected? Who are the victims - and did the arsonist intend to kill them? And who is the little lady in the potato sack and who put her there? And perhaps most important of all, can the relationship between Tempe and Ryan be rekindled? All these questions, and more, are addressed as the story progresses; the details you'll need to find out by reading the book for yourself. I certainly enjoyed learning the answers, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review this, the 23rd book in the series I've followed since the very beginning.

This is the 23rd in the Temperance Brennan “Bones” series. Temperance is a forensic anthropologist who works both in North Carolina and Quebec. In this story, she is asked to come to Washington DC to help identify bodies that burned in a fire in an illegal AirBnB in Foggy Bottom. She is reluctant at first because she does not particularly like working with burn victims and she is about to leave on a vacation with long time lover, Ryan.

As she investigates, with the assistance of her daughter’s reporter friend, Ivy, she learns that the residence was used by the Foggy Bottom Gang for nefarious purposes in the 1930s and 40s. When another nearby structure burns and a descendent of the Gang is murdered, the mystery and the danger deepen. Of course, Tempe cannot help herself from probing further.

I enjoy Reichs’ writing. It is intelligent and she has a clever way with words. A good sense of humor comes through in Tempe’s witty observations. I always learn some new information from her novels, whether it be in the area of forensic pathology or something related to the plot.Reichs is a master at building up suspense at the end of each chapter with a tease that makes the reader want jump into the next one.

I think I have read all of the books in the “Bones” series, however, each one works as a stand alone. While this might not have been the strongest plot in the series, it still made for an engrossing read. I look forward to the next one!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Scribner for the DRC.

Tempe is excited about taking a mini vacation. That changes when she is asked to assist on a case. The case involves a building that caught fire. They are unsure of how many bodies they are looking for. This book captured my attention from the start.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kathy Reichs, and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Back for another forensic journey with Kathy Reichs, I reached for the latest in the Temperance Brennan series. While Tempe has seen a great deal in her career, fire is surely one of the most difficult and. destructive means of body deterioration. When Tempe is called to Washington to help with a major housefire, she is reluctant, but her experience makes her sought after by local officials. In what begins as an exploration of a large home, Tempe soon finds herself in the middle of a mystery that could have murderous implications. All this, while her love life is anything but flaming, due to her person choices. Reichs delivers once more in this scintillating thriller.

When Temperance ‘Tempe’ Brennan receives a call from an up and coming reporter about an arson in Washington, DC, she is skeptical about serving up her scientific advice. Brennan has no interest in helping, but is soon persuaded to offer her assistance with body identification and forensic processing when the DC Medical Examiner seeks her expertise. While others might be able to do it, Brennan is the top of her field. Reluctantly, Brennan foregoes some personal plans and makes her way to the nation’s capital.

Arriving in Washington, Brennan finds herself in Foggy Bottom, where a large home may have been used as an illegal AirBNB, filled with random individuals. This is one case she hopes to complete quickly.
Clashing with the local fire officials, Brennan makes a name for herself and is eventually permitted access to the scene, only to discover that nothing is quite as it seems. There are many bodies in the ashes, but it is a hidden sub-basem*nt that robes most fruitful. A woman found stuffed into a burlap sack does not appear to be connected to the fire’s victim count.

All this points to something nefarious, which is only strengthened when the property’s owner is revealed. This was murder and Tempe Brennan mighty have stepped into the middle of a massive crime scene. The roving reporter, Ivy Doyle, wants answers and Brennan may have to offer something, when they share accommodations for a period of time.

While she has to cancel her romantic getaway, which has issues of its own, Brennan must forge onwards to help provide answers to the ME. The body in a bag is surely a sign, but there is much more than must be analysed before a formal answer can be presented to the authorities. A second house fire only adds to the concerns and creates a rush for answers that could blow the case wide open.

With Doyle breathing down her neck and the local ME wanting something to offer other local officials, Brennan will have to make some headway. The pressure of the illicit gang activity around town only makes it worse. With a woman who perished so horribly, Brennan is eager to get answers, no matter what it takes. Reichs does a fabulous job highlighting yet another form of forensic anthropology and sends a chilling reality of the rough world of fire and its destructive abilities.

I have long enjoyed the world of Kathy Reichs and her forensic anthropology. Temperance Brennan has always been a favourite protagonist of mine, exploring the world of bodies, forensics, and police work of a sorts. The series moves into the world of fire and its effects on the body, which is new to me (and I cannot remember if a major case had dealt with this in the 22 previous novels). Reichs builds a strong story from the outset, peppering in some strong narrative development and humour along the way. There are key aspects of the story, all of which emerge as things get more scientific and crime-based. The characters, many of whom are new for this novel, play a great role in enriching the story and keeps the reader hooked until all comes together. Humour and banter balance out some of the heftier interactions between them throughout this piece.

Plot points in a series like this are important, though they are usually surrounded by a great deal of scientific evidence. Reichs does well to offer some ‘aha’ moments, some of which are forensics and others plot reveals. Reichs does a wonderful job of building up the tension and finds ways of keeping the reader in the middle of the action. I can only hope that there will be more books to the series, as things are not waning whatsoever and things remain addictive.

Kudos, Madam Reichs, for a great addition to an already strong series.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

Fire and Bones is the 23rd book in Kathy Reichs "Temperance Brennan" series, one of my all-time favourite series! This novel can also be read as a stand alone.
Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist who is called to Washington DC to consult and identify bodies found at a horrific arson scene. The devastated building is in Foggy Bottom and she teams up with journalist Ivy Doyle to investigate amid mysterious circ*mstances.
Things quickly become dangerous when they discover the property belonged to a member of a group of bootleggers and racketeers in the 30's and 40's.
I love revisiting "Tempe's" world and being reacquainted with familiar characters. I would have enjoyed more of these characters involved in this story.
All in all a great story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I loved that book. Twenty-third outing for Temperance Brennan and it feels as fresh and exciting as the first one.
The writing is smart and engaging, the story complex and intriguing and fast moving in sharp short chapters. It kept my interest throughout.
I do hope there are many more books coming in that series as it's absolutely brilliant.

I love the Temperance Brennan series and how each book always delivers a great mystery to unravel combined with thoroughly researched police procedural and crime lab details. Temp is such a fantastic character and a relentless investigator. I like the portrayal of her struggles to balance her personal and professional life. This book series is perfect for mystery/police procedural fans.

A suspenseful investigative thriller that kept me on my toes!

I swapped back and forth between the physical book and the audio, and I enjoyed both. I would definitely recommend the read if you have read the series, or if it’s new to you and you’re looking for something like it. Investigating arson is a very intriguing concept, and it was done very well here.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC and ALC

I don’t know why, but the last couple of Kathy Reichs books I have read came off a little flat. I didn’t find myself rapidly flipping pages to see what comes next. BUT, that doesn’t mean I won’t pick up the next book I see that is written by her. She will always be at the top of my favorites list.

In Fire and Bones, Tempe is talked into coming to Washington D C to check out some fire victims. As with all her books, there is more than meets the eye and her inquisitiveness puts a target on her back.

It’s an unusual situation, in that, Tempe finds herself working with the press, instead of trying to avoid it. Her and Ivy Doyle make a good team and also good roommates, when Tempe finds herself without a hotel room and Ivy invites her to stay at her place.

Ryan is still in her life, but their scheduled vacation has been cancelled. He’s not the least bit happy about that, but then, neither is she. Sometimes life gets in the way and plans change.

Fire and Bones is more mystery than suspense/thriller, and I did enjoy walking side by side with Tempe to find out who’s behind the fires being set in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Fire And Bones by Kathy Reichs.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

Oh, I really enjoyed this latest entry in the series!

Tempe is fantastic – funny, capable, and still getting herself into some dangerous situations.

The story does get a little grotesque at times – especially given the subject matter – but it’s also fascinating. I really wanted to know what was going on and was very surprised by the who and why of everything!

A hugely entertaining read and I didn’t want to come up for air until the last page.

•ARC via Publisher

Oh, this was another fantastic mystery, loved the places it went, and the updates in their lives!

Surprisingly, this book is only a 3.5 ⭐️⭐️ for me. I just can’t give it a 4⭐️, as it just wasn’t up to the usual standard that I expect from this author.

This is the 23rd book in the series involving Temperance Brennen, a forensic anthropologist. The author is also a practicing forensic anthropologist and the producer of the successful tv show ‘Bones’ based on both the authors work and her books. The science and hands on analysis of skeletal remains, is as always, fascinating.

However, for the first time in this series, I had trouble connecting with the main character. There is a lot of detail covering the infamous Foggy Bottom gang of bootleggers in Washington DC during the age of prohibition and after. The details, while interesting and relevant, seemed to overwhelm a lot of the story. The resolution of the fires and deaths is unexpected. A second crime, committed by another perpetrator was added, and seemed forced and unbelievable. Overall, it’s an interesting mystery and enjoyable, but it just never caught me as most of her previous books have.

Kathy Reichs Temperance Brennan books are some of my favorites. I love learning about the forensic anthropology bits. Also Bones, sort of based on these books was one of my favorite series, and there are at least to call outs to the show in this book. This book could be read as a standalone as it takes place in DC so the usual characters only show up in phone calls or texts.
The plot is interesting and a little different. There is a fire in an old building in Foggy Bottom, the section of DC where the State Department and Watergate are located. The building has a long history and was the site of a speakeasy and a brothel. It was now a an illegal Airbnb , and there were 4 people killed in the fire. Were they the intended victims? Then a 5th body is found in a sub basem*nt and Temperance is on the case. I found some of her thoughts and banter particularly humorous in this book and I laughed out loud several times.
This really was a particularly good book in the series. There are several places where Temperance is in peril, and many exciting scenes. Plus there is an adorable Chinchilla.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. The opinions in this review are my honest thoughts.

SPOILERS below - flagged using goodreads' spoilers function but not sure that always works. Read at your own risk.

I have read all of the "bones" books to-date, and unfortunately was not as pleased with this one as I have been with the other more recent editions.

I enjoyed that Katy and Ryan made an appearance, since they have been absent recently, but I felt their roles were superficial in this one. I liked we were in a new location (DC) with new side kicks (Ivy and Deely) and multiple storylines playing out at once.

Overall I felt the rest of the book was under-developed. There were so many things happening (most to explain plot holes like Ben & his side chick murder to burn down the 3rd house and Ryan just happening to go off grid) that enough space wasn't available for deeper meaningful story development. I got excited when the concept of genetic genealogy came up for the old bones, after recently reading the book by the genetic geneaologist who helped identify the Golden State Killer. However, there was only a conversation about what it is and then the entire concept never went anywhere else.

The entire solution to the crime hinges on assumptions that were never concretely proven. Was Sue just a batty old lady who brainwashed her grandsons? Or did the Warrings really bully their family?

Additionally, there was SO MUCH repetition of phrases and situations I rolled my eyes a few times: a shadow darkened her door (honestly thought it was going to be Ryan a couple times), Christ/Jesus on a pickel/toast, Tempe woke up and had no idea where she was.

Overall it was a quick read and had familiar aspects you'll have come to love if you're a long time reader. But this one seemed rushed and a bit too light for me.

Temperance "Tempe" Brennan is a forensic anthropologist in both Charlotte, North Caroline and Montreal, Canada, but in this book she travels to Washington, DC to consult on a case. A fire broke out in an old building being used as an illegal short-term rental property and Tempe's expertise is needed to locate and identify the burn victims. While in DC, Tempe is staying with a TV journalist who is a friend of Tempe's daughter and is trying to make a name for herself. The original case turns out to be more complex than it first appeared and Tempe is also determined to look into a cold case and getjustice for that victim.

I've been a fan of this book series long before the tv show Bones inspired by the books was created. I used to watch the tv show, but have always preferred the books for the depth and settings and the way Tempe is portrayed when compared to the books. In the books, Tempe is seeing Andrew Ryan, a PI who used to be a police detective in Quebec. I wish he had played a role in this investigation, but hope to see more of him in future books. I did grow to like the character of journalist Ivy Doyle, a friend of Tempe's daughter) and wouldn't mind seeing her show up in either Charlotte or Montreal for a future case.

I liked the writing style of Reichs who explains complicated scientific concepts in a way I can understand as well as creating a suspenseful story with most chapters ending with mini cliffhangers. I enjoy this series and think Reichs does a good job of keeping it fresh even though this is book 23!

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Scribner, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Thank you to Scribner for the gifted copy of this book. I loved it!

Fire and Bones is the best Temperance Brennan book I’ve read in some time. I adore this series, read it faithfully every summer, and enjoy every minute of it, but sometimes I want to yell at Tempe to be more careful or stop being so darn stubborn. Tempe is well behaved in this installment, for the most part. The mystery is compelling, the setting (Washington, DC) is fresh, and as usual, it’s got Kathy’s unique, first person/self talk writing style. And I loved the cheeky reference to watching Bones on TV — the show is actually based on this book series! As in my review of last year’s book, I am BEGGING Kathy to give readers more Ryan time in the next book (and please keep the seemingly immortal Birdie in the picture).

If you’ve never read this series, I recommend it — there’s really nothing like it on the market. If you’ve read some but haven’t kept up, this is a great one to jump back into!

Brennan’s Skills And Perseverance Needed For This Case

Skylar Hill, a Canadian visiting Washington, D.C., is sleeping in an Airbnb in Foggy Bottom. Black smoke enters the room from the gap under the door, awakening her. She can see the flame through that gap. Her room does not have a window. She feels the door, and it is hot. The horror of what is about to happen seizes her. She calls 911 and pleads for help.

The main storyline is composed of three threads. The first is a local case in which she must determine whether the bone fragments belong to Norbet Mirek, who had been missing for a year. The second is the recovery and autopsy of the four arson victims, but the victims do not stop at four. The last thread starts with discovering a much older body in the subcellar. As it always is with Brennan, difficulties is her middle name. They start with the Mirek case. The lead detective is the retired Slidell, who is back on the job to help some cases. The D.C. medical examiner promises a hotel and plane tickets. It is Memorial Day weekend. She must drive through Virginia freeways approaching D.C., which are more like a parking lot. When she arrives at the hotel, there is no reservation, and no room is available. The fire investigator and lead police detective do not want to deal with her. The last axe to fall was that the ice maker in her residence failed and flooded her kitchen and more. Her daughter, Kathy, is arranging for the cleanup and repairs, but Brennan will not be able to return for at least a week. On the positive side, Brennan makes a surprising new friend with a reporter. Generally, she avoids the press like the plague. She actually finds this friendship very beneficial personally and professionally. All these elements lead to some interesting plot twists. My interest was locked in this novel to the end.

Reading this novel provided me with more background about Brennan. Most of it occurs during a B-storyline thread between Brennan and Doyle, a TV reporter. This thread showed how Brennan can adapt personally and professionally. This relationship does place Brennan in mortal danger. The second thread is the continuing saga of the Brennan-Ryan relationship. There have been many changes in their relationship. In this novel, the relationship takes a trip to the South Pole. As these elements have done before, they enhanced my reading enjoyment of this novel.

Most readers should not have a problem reading this novel due to common distractors. There are no intimate scenes. There is a noticeable amount of objectionable language, more rude than vulgar. There is some impious language. There is only one violent scene, but it is over quickly. Otherwise, the descriptions of the victims on her autopsy table earn the usual caveat for this series: let the reader be forewarned. I did not see any references to events from the previous novel that were not adequately backfilled. If this would be your first Temperance Brennan novel, this novel would be a good start.

The aspect of this novel that I liked best was her quick and solid friendship with the reporter. As a profession, they tend to be a thorn in her side. What I did not like was something I had not seen before. One of the last chapters seemed to be solely devoted to cleaning up all the red herrings left throughout the novel, plus one thread. Right behind that was Tempe calling a county government director twice on Sundays and receiving private personal information. I found these to be more of a distractor than significant faults. Kathy Reichs is one of my highest Must-Read authors. I strongly recommend reading it. Having read 23 previous novels in this series, I am still looking forward to reading the next novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and rate it with 5 stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Simon & Schuster. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Simon & Schuster, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Rating - 5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - July 13, 2024
Publication Date - August 6, 2024

*I received an ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @kathyreichs and @simonschusterca!

Welcome to a review of my first physical ARC! Did you know the show Bones is inspired by Kathy Reichs’ books? When it comes to the book itself, it has very descriptive writing, making it easy to visualize. I loved being thrown into action right from the start. Quick, short sentences bunched together made a certain scene at the beginning feel so dramatic and my heart was racing, I could feel the urgency and adrenaline. I also really enjoyed how the writing sounds like the FMC is talking to the reader because it creates a more immersive reading experience. The FMC is strong and relatable, even though she doesn't have an average job. I love books where you can learn something new and this is one of those books! It also helps that everything is explained, like different concepts or acronyms. I also appreciate that you get a taste of sexism within law and medical fields, which is an issue that many women have to deal with in every field. Also, it is okay if you did not read the previous books in the series (it is a long series) before starting this one because it is easy to follow along. I am hooked now and I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series!

If you enjoy mystery, suspense, books about arson, forensics and female investigators, Fire and Bones is the book for you!

Get excited to read Fire and Bones, available August 6! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

Kathy Reich delivers the latest Temperance Brennan novel with her signature blend of forensic science and gripping storytelling. Since the lead character, our famed forensic anthropologist, is called to a fire scene at an illegal AirBnB in The Foggy Bottom neighborhood of DC, descriptions of bodies are particularly grotesque. Four expected victims are found in the rubble and then a bonus body in a sub-cellar not on any blueprints. Not a fire victim and maybe someone who has been there for decades.

This becomes, as usual, an enthralling police procedural, as Dr. Brennan seeks to find out the identities of all the victims, their true cause of death, the perpetrators, as well still being drawn into a previous case she left behind in North Carolina and annoying her part time Canadian suitor who was planning a romantic getaway.

I loved the banter that Tempe and Ivy, Daughter Katy’s journalist friend, engage in — each one helping the other in what seemed to be a dead-end investigations. It was nice that Tempe had a new female confident. Reichs’ books are consistently thrilling and this book continues a streak of excellence. 5 stars!

And now I know that a dog has three eyelids….

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Tempe’s daughter Katy has green eyes, as does Captain Hickey
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): YES/NO

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

3,5⭐

This was my first novel with Tempe Brennan, who’s the protagonist of 32 other books!

I enjoyed reading this book. At first, I was sorting out all the vocabulary. Considering that Brennan is an anthropologist, we have to get familiar with all those technical words and process as a reader. I guess that after a few books, it might get less confusing.

The first part of this investigation was more about the discovery of all the bodies. As I’m not reading so many thrillers, I thought that part was hard to follow. There were a lot of people, that were named but I didn’t memorized all their roles . I was reading but give up at following who was who.

The second half was more interesting to me. There was more action, the pace was faster, and I enjoyed it. The feeling that the investigation is finally going somewhere and all the threats showing up made it really hard to interrupt my reading.

Tempe Brennan is a character way too generous. She accepts to work even if she shouldn’t, and she’s really invested in helping figure out who started the fire.

“For a really ‘niche’ thriller with a lot of details and anthropologist technicalities, this book is for you!”

As a dedicated reader of Kathy Reichs and her Temperance Brennan series, I was disappointed by Fire and Bones. Having read every book featuring Dr. Brennan, I found this installment to be one of my least favorites.

The crime itself was unfortunately quite basic and, frankly, boring. From early on, it was clear how various plot elements would be used later, making the story feel predictable and formulaic. Instead of delving into the forensic investigation, which has been the strength of the series, the book focused more on Tempe reading articles, having dreams, and staying at her daughter's friend's house. These aspects felt tedious and didn't contribute much to the narrative.

I also miss the dynamic between Tempe and Ryan. Their romance, once a vibrant part of the series, now seems relegated to a subplot, often marred by unnecessary conflicts that feel contrived to avoid disrupting the detective story. It’s a shame, as their interactions used to add depth to the series.

I hope that future novels return to the engaging forensic work and dynamic crime-solving that originally made the series so captivating. A return to Montreal with a crime that fully utilizes Tempe’s expertise, and a more substantial role for Ryan, would be a welcome change.

Fire & Bones is the twenty-third book in the Temperance Brennan series from Kathy Reichs.

“Tempe is asked to analyze the victims of a deadly fire in Washington DC. In the burned ruins, she stumbles across another body that’s been hidden for a long time. The building used to belong to a group of bootleggers known as the Foggy Bottom Gang. When another property connected to the Foggy Bottom Gang is burned and the son of a former gang member is shot, it becomes obvious that it’s more than a coincidence. Tempe and her new friend, Ivy, work together to find the killer.”

This story is more of a procedural than the typical Brennan story. There is less emphasis on the bones and more on the facts and clues of the case. Brennan makes a new friend that I hope will show up in future books. This book has great pace and the ending is a little wild. Just how long should someone carry a grudge?

Great addition to the series.

I really love the forensics in Kathy's books in general. This one seemed to have less science-talk than her other ones; I don't feel like I learned as much as I have in her other books. I also feel like I'm starting to pick up on her "tells" more easily so the ending wasn't as heart-racing as normal. Amazing how a panic button in every room of the house just happens to play a role in the ending. And anytime you mention "unnecessary" like the type of vehicle someone drives, you know it's going to play into something later. That may just be me (I read a lot of mysteries, so I pick up on it a lot).

What's really getting to me is the relationship with Det. Ryan. For years and years the will-they/ won't-they was played up. Then they finally got together, but not really. Now we literally get like 2 paragraphs about him in the whole book. Kathy needs to decide to either *poop* or get off the pot. Tempe's rationale of canceling all of their dates "for justice" is getting tiring. They're dead, Tempe, they aren't going anywhere. Everyone deserves a time to refresh and renew.

I read the first 5-6 books in the series and then found myself annoyed by a bunch of different things. I find the MC rude and unlikable (& her daughter is even worse). She’s so negative and whiny. And then add in the too stupid to live moments…..always needing someone to safe her from her own dumb actions.

But…..I love forensic anthropology. I loved all those details in those first books. I decided I’d try this new book because multiple books later the MC probably has grown as a person and I could enjoy the forensic details. Right? Well, no. Absolutely no plot development at all. It’s still the exact same plot as all the previous books. She blows off Ryan for a case. Describes all the cops she has to work with in a negative light (they’re always rude, dress poorly, smell bad etc). Every plot is almost exactly the same. Even the dreams she has as a story telling device.

Unfortunately for me, this had little forensic info and the plot was super weak. I can’t believe this series is 23 books long. Apparently it’s got fans but I’m not one of them.

The 23rd thriller featuring Forensic Anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan and a typical scenario for Tempe of dead bodies to be investigated. Following a suspicious fire at Foggy Bottom in Washington DC Tempe is asked to help in identifying 4 victims found in the debris. First shock is that there is a fifth body in an extensive sub basem*nt. Next shock is there is another arson attack nearby. Although there is a backstory, mainly around Temperance’s romance, this would read well as a stand-alone.

Briefly, as it’s Memorial weekend all hotels are full so Tempe is invited to stay with a friend of her daughter. Ivy is a telejournalist and seeing a potential story they link up to try and solve the two mysteries. Their investigations lead them back to the days of Prohibition and illicit bars and a feud that has lasted nearly 80 years.

Told as usual with humour and lots of sarcasism on the part of Tempe this is a clever and twisted story with startling and a shocking conclusion. However be warned that the descriptions of the autopsies may not be everyone’s pleasure! As always well written and plotted this is a very entertaining book.

“Fire and Bones” by Kathy Reichs is the 23rd book in the Temperance Brennan series and yet again a very engaging read. In this story Tempe finds herself in Washington DC to investigate a fire with 5 victims, 4 who burned alive and one totally unknown body found in the sub basem*nt of the torched building. This book can absolutely be read as a stand alone and a fun addition of a new character, a young female journalist who is a friend of Tempe’s daughter made this book feel fresh. This is a quick and easy read!

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.