The world-class forensic anthropologist and "New York Times" bestselling author explores the shocking story behind a puzzling cache of bones in this powerful Temperance Brennan thriller. Includes a new bonus Epilogue.

Reviews

At last, Reichs fans who have waited patiently for the next entry in her Tempe Brennan series will be rewarded. In this sixth novel (following Grave Secrets) Tempe has returned home from Guatemala and is finally preparing for the romantic vacation that never was with Canadian cutie Andrew Ryan when a baby is found incinerated in a wood stove, two victims of a plane crash are burned to an unidentifiable crisp, and a pile of bones dug up by Tempe's dog is discovered to include portions of a human hand. With the trip put on hold, Tempe and Ryan sort through the evidence that draws them closer to solving the crimes. Like Brennan, Reichs is a forensic anthropologist practicing both in North Carolina and Quebec. Her intimate knowledge of forensics and crime scene investigations makes for an honest rendition of a thrilling tale. Though often compared to Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta, Tempe Brennan stands alone above other characters in the genre. Highly recommended for all popular fiction collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/03.]-Nanci Milone Hill, Lucius Beebe Memorial Lib., Wakefield, MA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Feisty forensic anthropologist Temperance (Tempe) Brennan is supposed to be on vacation, but body parts keep turning up. At the start of her sixth adventure, she's awaiting the arrival of her current flame, Quebecois sleuth Andrew Ryan, so she can head for the beach near her hometown of Charlotte, N.C. Before he shows up, she's called in to use her world-class forensics skills when a local janitor's infant granddaughter is found dead and charred in an oven. Then some strange, decomposing remains (" `Human?' `I'm not sure' ") are discovered by Brennan's dog during a barbecue at a local lakeside resort. Ryan finally arrives, but Brennan's vacation is indefinitely put on hold when a small plane crashes nearby. Two people are dead, and her expertise is required yet again ("The skull had suffered massive communitive fracturing on impact. The fire had done the rest"). Brennan eventually realizes that all three cases are linked to a drug-smuggling ring that also dabbles in poaching exotic animals. As she pursues her investigations, she is forced to work with "Skinny" Slidell, a redneck cop who rubs her the wrong way, but tension is defused by the presence of Ryan, who gamely gives up his vacation to pitch in. He matches Brennan quip for quip, and Tempe's dog, Boyd, provides extra comic relief. Reichs has built a reputation on cut-to-the-chase writing and swift plotting, and this latest effort delivers everything her fans have come to expect. (July 1) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.