Book Review: Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs

Bones to Ashes
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan (Book 10)
Publication: Pocket Star; Reprint edition (June 24, 2008)

Description: In Kathy Reichs's tenth bestselling novel featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, the discovery of a young girl's skeleton in Acadia, Canada might be connected to the disappearance of Tempe's childhood friend.

For Tempe Brennan, the discovery of a young girl's skeleton in Acadia, Canada, is more than just another case. Evangeline, Tempe's childhood best friend, was also from Acadia. Named for the character in the Longfellow poem, Evangeline was the most exotic person in Tempe's eight-year-old world. When Evangeline disappeared, Tempe was warned not to search for her, that the girl was "dangerous."

Thirty years later, flooded with memories, Tempe cannot help wondering if this skeleton could be the friend she had lost so many years ago. And what is the meaning of the strange skeletal lesions found on the bones of the young girl?

Meanwhile, Tempe's beau, Ryan, investigates a series of cold cases. Two girls dead. Three missing. Could the New Brunswick skeleton be part of the pattern? As Tempe draws on the latest advances in forensic anthropology to penetrate the past, Ryan hunts down a serial predator.

My Thoughts: Tempe is back in Montreal and working on a number of cases. When the skeleton of a young woman is found in Acadia, Tempe wonders if it isn't the skeleton of her friend Evangeline who disappeared from North Carolina when Tempe was twelve. She'd tried to track her down many times over the years with no success.

Meanwhile, her off-and-on again boyfriend Ryan is investigating a series of cold cases; young girls disappearing over a number of years. It is possible that the skeleton Tempe is working on is one of his missing girls. 

The investigation leads to Acadia and Toronto and areas in between. The suspects include a shady Acadian businessman and an equally shady photographer. The team is led into the world of porn films as they pursue their leads. 

Tempe's sister Harry is visiting and gets involved with Tempe in the search for their childhood friends. 

The story was fast-paced and filled with interesting medical information. I enjoyed the characters and found the plot intriguing. 

Favorite Quote:

"I thought you were worried about your spreading derriere."

"A girl gumshoe's gotta keep up her strength."

"You lifted two tissues and a soda can."

"Mental exertion."

I bought this one June 1, 2008. You can buy your copy here.