ARC Review: Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs

Bones Never Lie
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan (Book 17)
Publication: Bantam (September 23, 2014)

Description: The evidence is irrefutable: In sixteen New York Times bestsellers over the course of as many years, Kathy Reichs has proven herself “a genius at building suspense” (New York Daily News). In forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, Reichs has created a detective fiction heroine who’s brilliant to the bone. “Every minute in the morgue with Tempe is golden,” says The New York Times Book Review In the acclaimed author’s thrilling new novel, Brennan is at the top of her game in a battle of wits against the most monstrous adversary she has ever encountered.

Unexpectedly called in to the Charlotte PD’s Cold Case Unit, Dr. Temperance Brennan wonders why she’s been asked to meet with a homicide cop who’s a long way from his own jurisdiction. The shocking answer: Two child murders, separated by thousands of miles, have one thing in common—the killer. Years ago, Anique Pomerleau kidnapped and murdered a string of girls in Canada, then narrowly eluded capture. It was a devastating defeat for her pursuers, Brennan and police detective Andrew Ryan. Now, as if summoned from their nightmares, Pomerleau has resurfaced in the United States, linked to victims in Vermont and North Carolina. When another child is snatched, the reign of terror promises to continue—unless Brennan can rise to the challenge and make good on her second chance to stop a psychopath.

But Brennan will have to draw her bitter ex-partner out of exile, keep the local police and feds from one another’s throats, and face more than just her own demons as she stalks the deadliest of predators into the darkest depths of madness.

In Bones Never Lie, Kathy Reichs never fails to satisfy readers looking for psychological suspense that’s more than skin-deep.

My Thoughts: The seventeenth in the Temperance Brennan was a "couldn't-put-it-down" hit for me. It had all the elements - police procedural, murdered children, and smart and dogged cops. Temperance is surprised to be called in on a cold case in Charlotte but soon understands why when she is presented with evidence that connects the murdered children with an old enemy of hers. Despite Ryan's and her work, Anique Pomerlau managed to get away. Now Charlotte police want Ryan and Brennan to get involved in this case. Only thing is, Ryan has disappeared after the drug-related death of his daughter. The first thing Temperance has to do is track him down.

Soon Brennan, Ryan and Slidell are deeply involved in reading old case files and trying to connect a current child disappearance and murder to the other cases. Reichs is very good at showing the amount of detail that needs to be studied and remembered when police are investigating a crime. And, of course, the autopsy scenes are very accurately done. I also like the relationships between Brennan, Slidell, and Ryan.

Temperance is also dealing with her mother's health issues. Her mother is in a health facility for the wealthy in the mountains to deal with her various mental issues. But now she also has cancer and refuses to have chemotherapy. Her mother is an internet marvel and is instrumental in helping Temperance solve the case.

Reichs has a way with words, choosing the perfect descriptions, to make the characters come to life. The prose is not flowery but is completely engaging. I will say that I had a pretty good idea who the criminal was about half way through the book but then was certain I was wrong as I got further into the book.

Fans of this series will certainly not want to miss this episode. It would also be a possible starting place for newcomers to the series since it stands alone quite well. I know that I have missed some of the earlier books and was still swept into this one with no problem.

Favorite Quote:

Reichs has a way with descriptions - short, apt, and pointed.

I glanced over at Slidell. His gaze was up now, aimed at Tinker with the kind of expressions normally reserved for pedophiles and mold.

I got this ARC from Amazon Vine. You can buy your copy here.