Spider Bones (Temperance Brennan Series #13)

Slow read

Even though I think Kathy Reichs is a good author, she sometimes
goes into too much detail. I find myself skimming through parts
of the book because of the medical terms she uses that no layman
can understand. Not necessary for a good story.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Thought it was a great Tempe Brennan book...

I thought this was one of the better Tempe Brennan books. I found the plot to be original and intriguing. While some of the previous reviewers found the forensic "jargon" to be irritating, I quite enjoyed it. One of my favorite things about Kathy Reichs is that she explains the techniques and processes of what she does in a way that lay people can understand.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book, and thought they were well developed. I enjoyed learning more about Lily as she is spoken of frequently in other books, but the reader never really gets to "meet" her. Morever, I enjoyed a book that took Brennan out of the usual Charlotte/Montreal atmosphere.

In the end, it was a great read that held my attention and gave me some excitement and thrill. It was a page turner that I didn't want to put down. Reichs also gets you a little at the end. She's not usually into "cliff hangers," but she gets a little one in on this book.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Not so thrilling

Its fun to read a familiar character, and this book has that going for it. The plot is interesting too--a "Who's in the Casket?" kind of thing. It's too bad that the plot gets bogged down in technical jargon describing the agencies that search and recover MIAs. As usual, Tempe is in danger when she gets too close, but even the danger scenes are tepid at best. It was an okay, quick read--but not as much fun as her earlier works.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Solid Forensic Anthropology

How can one man be dead in three different places spanning four decades? The investigation takes Tempe from Montreal to Hawaii to delve into the past surrounding the remains. I really feel like Kathy Reichs has returned to her forensic roots with this one. True, it's not as much of a thriller as some of her books, but I didn't mind at all. I found her last novel, 206 Bones, almost a little too sensational.

There is lots of personal drama going on for both Tempe and Ryan, who are trying to help their respective daughters deal with their own sagas, while balancing work and avoiding the elephant in the room also known as their personal lives. While the main case isn't pressing, I found it engrossing ~so much so that the secondary case seemed to encroach on and detract from the story a little. It is, however, realistic that a visiting forensic anthropologist would be consulted and be working on more than one case at a time. I think I was also feeling Tempe's frustration with the second intrusive case.

Some of the criticism of this book deals with her topic, JPAC, and I don't think it's deserved. Yes, Reichs goes into detail and explains thoroughly. It's one of the things I love about her writing. But if you're at all familiar with Reichs' writing, you know that she tends to pick a subject and use it as a base for which to write her mysteries around. Sometimes it's one I find fascinating, like Devil Bones, other times it's one that fails to capture me, like Bones to Ash, but what it really comes down to is personal taste. One thing to be sure of is that Reichs never sacrifices the integrity of the investigation or the science. So even when it's not a topic of my interest, I know that the story surrounding it will be concrete.

If you haven't read the rest of the series, some of the personal interactions may seem like filler, but it is an intricate advance in the overall story arch. I must say I wish there had been a little more movement for Tempe along the romantic front, but again, that's me being invested in her as a character.

This is a solid addition to the Temperance Brennan series... and now I must go back to waiting hungrily for the next installment.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

One of Her Best!

Enjoyed the story line and learning about identifying Viet Nam vets. Hard one to put down.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Please no advertisements as reviews

It is very annoying to see adds when you are interested in reading a book review. B&N needs to control this.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Not Bad - But Not the Best

The mystery was interesting and held the story somewhat together. The end seemed rushed with new characters being added just to solve the case in the last 30 pages. There was no continuation of the story arc of Dr. Brennan's relationship with Ryan. The manufactured sub-plot of their daughters was distracting and you never really felt connected to them or felt that they served a purpose other than distracting Brennan and Ryan from moving forward.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

loved it!

Reichs is a wonderful writer. Sometimes she gets caught up in too much
Information, although sometimes i find that information interesting it tends
To make me skip along.

Highly Recommended-you must check this out.

This is classic Kathy Reichs. Temperance Brennan is ready for love, but is love ready for her? A love triangle could have been in the making, but not in the cards. Great read.

Just ok

Im a big fan of the series, however, lately find myself skipping over 60% of the content. A little too much technical jargon and overly descriptive...also, it seems the main character has an enemy everywhere she works because she is constantly pointing out their incompetence....the character is starting to come off more and more pompous in each book.

Love Kathy Reichs!

Temperence is so personable a character that I would love to meet her in real life. I wait for each new book in the series and only wish Kathy Reichs could turn them out faster. The technical information is handled really well, and I have learned a lot, but the personalities in the books are addictive.

must read

one of her best books. Lots of twists to keep you reading.

Highly Recommend

Another great story from Kathy Reichs.

Good Book

A little difficult to get into at first. Unfolds weaving suspense and character development expertly.

Erg

Rggfgkihhbvh

Fair

The story line was OK but I'd prefer a little less lab work and a little more character development. The characters act and re-act but I get no feel for what they're thinking or feeling or why. I can't connect with them at all. I doubt I'll be reading any more of her books.

If you like Fox's 'Bones', you'll love the original Temperance Brennan!

I recommend you start with #1 and read right on through! You won't regret it!

Not up to her usual standards

The writing was shallow and flippant. The characters were undeveloped. It was an effort to finish the book. It reads like it took less than a week to write.

Is it like bones?

Is it similar to the series or completly different?

loved it as usual

I've been reading this series since December 2010 Christmas to be exact since my hubby got me the nook. I have read number 1 thru 13 which i finished at 12am today. Though she didn't exactly leave where her and Ryan were, the thrills still came. She got to know a bit of her daughters life, and Ryans new daughter. I must admit i wouldn't have read it so fast had i paid attention that it was the last until Aug. this year. I found it very interesting the military aspect as well as the exotic Hawaii. I would recommend this book as the others, yes, maybe the technical side can be wordy, but hey how are you going to learn. "Reading is fundamental" :) knowledge, history, as well as fantasy, sounds all good to me. Thanks for the relaxed moments Ms. Kathy, you've actually sparked a "Charleston" feeling again, can't wait to go.