Spider Bones

A Novel

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Linda Emond

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Kathy Reichs—number-one New York Times best-selling author and producer of the Fox television hit Bones—returns with the 13th riveting novel featuring forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan.

John Lowery was declared dead in 1968—the victim of a Huey crash in Vietnam, his body buried long ago in North Carolina. Four decades later, Temperance Brennan is called to the scene of a drowning in Hemmingford, Quebec. The victim appears to have died while in the midst of a bizarre sexual practice. The corpse is later identified as John Lowery. But how could Lowery have died twice, and how did an American soldier end up in Canada?

Tempe sets off for the answer, exhuming Lowery’s grave in North Carolina and taking the remains to Hawaii for reanalysis—to the headquarters of JPAC, the U.S. military’s Joint POW/ MIA Accounting Command, which strives to recover Americans who have died in past conflicts. In Hawaii, Tempe is joined by her colleague and ex-lover Detective Andrew Ryan (how “ex” is he?) and by her daughter, who is recovering from her own tragic loss. Soon another set of remains is located, with Lowery’s dog tags tangled among them. Three bodies—all identified as Lowery.

And then Tempe is contacted by Hadley Perry, Honolulu’s flamboyant medical examiner, who needs help identifying the remains of an adolescent boy found offshore. Was he the victim of a shark attack? Or something much more sinister?

Flesh and bones: investigate more of Temperance Brennan's forensic cases.

©2010 Temperance Brennan, LP. All rights reserved (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Reichs, a former forensic anthropologist herself, whose early books were occasionally a bit clunky (it's not a smooth transition, apparently, from deconstructing bones to constructing sentences), has developed into a solid writer. Fans of the television series Bones, based on Reich's life and career, will note plenty of differences between the show and the novels, but they will find that Brennan on the page still offers much to enjoy." ( Booklist)

"Reichs, who once again uses her own scientific knowledge to enhance a complex plot and continually developing characters, delivers a whopper of a final twist." ( Publishers Weekly)

Love this narrator

I finished this boom quickly. I loved it. Had me hooked through it all. Love the explanations. Love that she travelled elsewhere than just her two main spots. my favorite narrator by far can't wait to listen to the other books that Linda Emond reads.

Very good book & EASY TO FOLLOW

loved all of Ksthy Reichs books, they are eady to read or listen to as I do.
They keep you interested all the way through.

Loved it so detailed and love the historical facts

Love all of the Temperance series . Kathy Reich is extraordinary author absolutely love every book I read of hers.

Keep UP.....

I have always been a fan of Reichs. I am finding that her later works are becoming somewhat technical & I really have to listen to keep up with the plot. Storyline held me the fist couple of chapters then I began to have to really work at sifting the story from the technical. By mid listen, it started to get easier and the ending was good. Ms. Edmond is a good narrator for this series.

little disappointed

I was a little disappointed in this book. This is the first of the series I have read and really like the TV show Bones. Of course, I expected the main character to be slightly different TV to print, but I found Temperance to be a a completely different breed all together. This was a little odd! The story itself was convoluted and hard to follow when listening, especially when talking about case numbers. I can't say I won't listen to another in the series, but I don't think it will be my next purchase.

Sometimes Tempe irritates the crap out of me!!

Reichs' books are all great - there is always something to be learned, a taut mystery, and lovely back drops. The one thing that consistently irritates me is Tempe herself. I'm all about strong, independent women, but she walks a fine line in becoming unlikable at times. She gripes about Ryan's desire to always "rescue" her and she bristles. Does she not realize how many times he has saved her from being quite dead? How about you stop putting yourself in unnecessary peril? She'd do anything to protect her daughter, but doesn't seem to understand that she puts her family in danger on a regular basis. She is a forensic anthropologist, but she insinuates herself into dangerous criminal investigations. Do real forensic anthropologists do that? I highly doubt it. I also understand that this is fiction, and these books are well-written. I just don't want Tempe to become so pushy and unpleasant that I have to say goodbye to the series. Linda Emond, as always, sparkles as the narrator.

BONES

If you liked the show Bones then the books are right up your alley. i would highly recommend them to all who read for pleasure...

Hard to follow

What did you love best about Spider Bones?

Main two characters. Those two always make for interesting combo

What did you like best about this story?

The ending

Have you listened to any of Linda Emond’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, not bad. Male voices are weak

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When they go to save daughter on cliff

Any additional comments?

At first boring, moved slowly then it started picking up and was very good

Enjoyed once more

I had the pleasure of reading Kathy's works before the series. I must say although I watch the series weekly and quite enjoy it I find the character different which to me is expected. The actor portrays the character and likewise with narration. I found that in some ways they were the same, yet different as it takes some time for the series to show Tempe's sense of humor yet I see it sooner in the books. I found the story very easy to listen to and I enjoyed the plot. The ending a bit fast paced......had to skip back a few times to catch it all. Much of the same Tempe and to me not as technical as the TV show character, it depends on how you see her.

:)

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yup. I like the series

What other book might you compare Spider Bones to and why?

I like the whole series

Did Linda Emond do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I wasn't a fan of the narrator

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nope. I enjoy listening to it as I'm walking my dog