Grave Secrets

A Novel

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Katherine Borowitz

As fresh and shocking as today’s headlines, a “chilling” (People) Temperance Brennan novel in which a harrowing excavation unearths a terrible tragedy never laid to rest—from New York Times bestselling author and world-class forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs.

They are “the disappeared,” twenty-three massacre victims buried in a well in the Guatemalan village of Chupan Ya two decades ago. Leading a team of experts on a meticulous, heartbreaking dig, Tempe Brennan pieces together the violence of the past. But a fresh wave of terror begins when the horrific sounds of a fatal attack on two colleagues come in on a blood-chilling satellite call. Teaming up with Special Crimes Investigator Bartolome Galiano and Montreal detective Andrew Ryan, Tempe quickly becomes enmeshed in the cases of four privileged young women who have vanished from Guatemala City—and finds herself caught in deadly territory where power, money, greed, and science converge.©2002 Temperance Brennan, L.P., All Rights Reserved; (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved, AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Give it up, already

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I tend not to recommend books which use derision and ridicule against real politicians, no matter what the party affiliations.

What was most disappointing about Kathy Reichs’s story?

Warning: Spoilers!The suggestion that if human embryonic stem cell research WASN'T limited to specific lines, then a black market wouldn't exist, or that embryos wouldn't be created for the sake of harvesting them is lame. And for a character that supposedly has a difficult time with violence done to children, Tempe seems to be flippant when it comes to using aborted children for research. Has she ever seen an aborted baby? Probably. But she won't let that won't stand in the way of progress!

Near the end, how Tempe manages to get into the killer's location seems totally irrational for a sensible professional who works closely with law enforcement. To throw away characteristic common sense to move the story along is a cheat.

Any additional comments?

For the most part, I liked this book. The twists were often surprising and at points I wanted to slap characters upside the head (including Tempe-- quit thinking like a scorned high school sophomore), which means I found myself thoroughly engaged.

Great book, terrible chapter breakdown

The breakdown of the book out to only 9 "chapters" rather than the 31 of the actual book was pretty annoying. These are great books and details like that should be tended to.

I enjoyed it

This was a good medical mystery. You learn a lot of information on Forensic anthropology.

Great Book!

I've listened to them all. Great series if you like forensics.

Best listened to in order.

Overall okay

I would prefer to have a one narrator instead of it getting switched each book. I did not like how this book was set up. The chapter were in larger parts, and was hard to get to a correct chapter without having to surf through hour(s) sections.

Much better than expected!

This was my first Kathy Reichs book, and given other reviewers' comments I was braced for a gross disappointment that never came. I should know by now that the longer reviews of books one normally finds are sour in nitpicky ways, regarding either an author's style or that of the narrator.

I enjoyed Reichs' writing. The lengthy descriptions of people and places painted vivid scenes. Her clever use of metaphors and turns of phrase often had me laughing out loud. Also, the sarcasm among the characters was delicious. There were some gaps in background story here and there, but I easily ascribed it to this being my first read of her series, of which this is the fifth. (I started here because it's the earliest of her books on audio that is unabridged.)

A narrator can make or break a book. One reviewer here was right in suggesting that an author should approve one before the project proceeds. This narrator was pretty good. She has some flat moments here and there, but on the whole she gave life to the characters and was pleasant to listen to.

I'm off to download the next unabridged Reichs book, Bare Bones. Reviewers trashed it, more the narrator than the book itself, but I'll just have to see.

Stilted, flat narration

The story line was ok....fairly predictable but still interesting enough to keep me listening despite a lousy narrator. This narrator just didn't sound like Tempe at all. She was flat, stilted and without personality. Apparently this woman was not the narrator I"ve heard on previous Tempe Brennan books and I will avoid any read by her from now on.

The character development is fantastic in this series

I am enjoying this series so much!! The characters are great, especially Tempe. She’s intelligent, strong but feminine when needed. As an animal lover, I love the introduction of Birdie and Boyd. I am hopeful that Tempe gets together with Ryan as the chemistry is there and would add another dimension to the series. On to the next one.

Great story for a long drive.

Often times it's the narrator that kills the book.
I think the narrator was spot on for this book. She spoke 3 languages effortlessly.

Nice practice for my Spanish skills

Very interesting story line. She does always manage to try to get herself killed. Can't wait to start the next book in this series.