Devil Bones

A Novel

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Linda Emond

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

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.

Too Technical

Kathy Reich seems to have forgotten that she's not writing a textbook on forensic anthropology. I have enjoyed her books in the past and in this one enjoyed following Tempe's personal story and learning about Charlotte. However, there was just too much time spent on detailed explanations of the process of identifying a victim's age, gender, etc. Kathy, A little explanation goes a long way. The reader does do a good job.

Devil Bones

This book kept me fully engrossed from beginning to end. It is subtle and has unexpected humor. The characters make the book with their depth and fullness. As a recovering alcoholic, I recognize the disease in the heroine and find her brief but disastrous return to the bottle to be right on. The storyline winds around voodoo, witchcraft and overzealous religion. Add to that detectives, both homicide and forensic, that have appeared in the series before and some new ones, a new love interest and 2 old ones and it just gets better & better. I read a review of another book in this series that stated that the old characters were wearing thin but I totally disagree. The old characters develop and deal with new circumstances in interesting and in-character ways. I like them all and am beginning to really like Skinney Slidell, the detective. I thought of him as a stereotypical asshole cop but in this book I realized he is a good detective full of contradictions and humor. Great mystery!

Good book

I've read several of the reviews here before I listened to this book and I had them in the back of my head the whole time. I disagree with some of the more critical reviews. I think this narrator has read some of Kathy Reich's books before. Her voice sounded familiar. I didn't mind listening to her at all. Some people said she was monotone, I didn't think so. She read some parts with a southern accent, which some reviewers didn't like, but I've heard many narrators do that. Again, I had no problem with it. Kathy Reichs typically gives in depth explainations about subjects in her books. Some reviewers had a problem with that, as well. I think it's just something you get from a Kathy Reich's book. I'm the kind of person who likes to know much more about things, so I don't mind the explainations. Overall I thought this was a good book. I think she's written others that I liked more, but I still enjoyed this one and was surprised by the ending. I would recommend this to other fans of Kathy Reichs.

Truly Entertaining

I really looked forward to hopping in the car while listening to this book. Lots of plot twists, and unexpected turns. This book was overall a thoroughly enjoyable read. Loved the narration as well. Thanks much.

Compelling

At first I thought the beginning was remedial however, by the third chapter the definations were necessary and everything fell into place. The book was exciting, spell bounding with an awesome closing. A mystery whose author and reader are the best of the best.

As expected

I am a sucker for series, so once I get myself involved with characters I like to know what they are up to next. I like the narrator and the book is what you would expect for the Kathy Reichs book.

Better than her last.

After her last book I was afraid this author was written out that the well was dry. How glad I was to find out that I was wrong. This book has all the depth and power of her early work and was well worth the money and time the reader will invest. I buy this book again.

Did not enjoy...

I like the television show based on these novels, so I thought I might also like the books... not so. I actually found myself tuning out at times - the book moved VERY slowly in my opinion - and I was anxious to be finished, so I could move on to something else. I thought this might be a new series I could get into, but I am not interested in reading anymore...

no surprises

This was just what I expected and wanted in a book. Narration was good, story was good, and all was delivered nicely.

Devil Bones

Didn't like at all - WAY too technical and too little story line. Couldn't even drag myself to finish the whole thing.