• Devil Bones

  • A Novel
  • By: Kathy Reichs
  • Narrated by: Linda Emond
  • Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,001 ratings)

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Devil Bones  By  cover art

Devil Bones

By: Kathy Reichs
Narrated by: Linda Emond
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Publisher's summary

In a house under renovation, a plumber uncovers a cellar no one knew about, and makes a rather grisly discovery - a decapitated chicken, animal bones, and cauldrons containing beads, feathers, and other relics of religious ceremonies. In the center of the shrine is the skull of a teenage girl. Meanwhile, on a nearby lakeshore, the headless body of a teenage boy is found by a man walking his dog.

Led by a preacher turned politician, citizen vigilantes blame devil worshippers and Wiccans and begin a witch hunt, intent on seeking revenge. Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan - "five-five, feisty, and 40-plus" - is called in to investigate, and a complex and gripping tale unfolds in this deadly mix of voodoo, Santeria, and devil worship.

With a popular series on Fox - now in its third season and in full syndication - Kathy Reichs has established herself as the dominant talent in forensic mystery writing. Devil Bones, her 11th taut, always surprising, scientifically fascinating mystery features Reichs' signature blend of forensic descriptions that "chill to the bone" (Entertainment Weekly) and the surprising plot twists that have made her a number one bestselling author in the United States and around the world.

©2008 Temperance Brennan, L.P. (P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

What listeners say about Devil Bones

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not What I Remember

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I listened to several of the early Tempe Brennan novels and really enjoyed them, but I haven't listened to one since Monday Mourning. I thought I would give another one a try, but was disappointed in this effort. This story seemed very convoluted and didn't really create any excitement for me. Tempe seemed to be angry at nearly everyone the entire book, and missed clues you would think would be obvious to her.

What could Kathy Reichs have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This book seemed to focus as much on Tempe as a character as it did with the underlying story. I would like to see the story take a more prominent role. The constant breaks to deal with Tempe's personal life really impedes the novel from gaining any momentum. How many times did we here about Tempe's stomach doing somersaults?

What three words best describe Linda Emond’s voice?

Even, professional, ordinary

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

At the very end Reichs has Brennan give this long lecture on tolerance which I found very odd and out of place in this type of novel.

Any additional comments?

I found the ending very confusing. The motivation and actions of the killer or killers made little sense other than wrapping up the storyline.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Kathy is brains and a gifted author.

If you could sum up Devil Bones in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, educational and bizarre

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tempe - she is a character that women can relate to and/or look up to. Smart, sense of humor and yet still has common problems, I love it when a character is human!

What three words best describe Linda Emond’s performance?

Bland, even toned and ok.

Any additional comments?

Kathy Reich's gives her all in each book/story she tells. You never finish a book without learning something(s) new or craving more.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not Kathy Reichs best

I love all of Kathy Reichs novels of Temperance Brennan. And this narrator, Linda Emond, is my favorite for the audible versions. However, this book is chock full of history lessons and geographical info that in my opinion serve no purpose. Almost makes me wonder if the author was padding her pages. Combined with the very bad southern accent (more Amos & Andy than Southern) from the usually talented narrator, this is my least favorite of the audible Bones books.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Kathy Reichs does it again

In a house being renovated a plumber finds a cellar that wasn't supposed to be there and finds a cauldron full of beads, feathers and other things relating to a religious ceremony.The skull and some kettles containing bones and various fetishes suggesting Santeria or some other alternative religion may tie in with two headless bodies, one found floating in a river and another marked with Satanic symbols. Furious when a local politician uses the cases as an excuse to whip up hostility against little-understood religions, Temperance gets called in when with the animal bones, a human skull is found. Furious when a local politician uses the cases as an excuse to whip up hostility against little-understood religions, Tempe is far from convinced that the Wiccan who is arrested is guilty. When Rinaldi, one of the detectives she's working with, is killed in a drive-by, Tempe falls off the wagon but soldiers on, mortified, until she finally makes the connections between the crimes that lead to a close call with death and a startling conclusion. On top of the case, Tempe got some personal stuff going on, her lover Ryan has gone back to Canada to be a father to his daughter, her ex-husband is getting married to a much younger woman and her daughter is bored with her job. I liked this one, you learn a little bit more about her personal life, I liked the tie in with pagan religions. This probably wasn't her best one but her worst one yet.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I'm sure the story is great, but I can't stand to listen to any more. The reader's inststence on performing all the characters' southern accents is too intrusive and annoying. I can't remember the last time I was this put off by an audiobook.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Very Slow Too Many Details

The person reading this book has a very monotone voice. I was turned off by the book within the first few sentences. I really wish I would have not purchased this book. I agree with another reviewer about the book having too many technical details. I could not connect with the book. I like the Patricia Cornwell's novels better.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Devil Bones

Very slow start. Too many medical terms explained.
Good story line and ending was good.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Way too slow-Too much information

I have read Kathy Reich's previous books and loved them, not this one. If you like being read the encyclopedia, you might enjoy this. The narrators voice has little inflection between characters and very monotone. She sounds just like she was reading from the book. The book itself goes off into extreme unnecessary detail. I had to fastforward just to get past it so many parts hoping to find the actually story again. I had to quit listening.

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