Speaking in Bones

A Novel

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Katherine Borowitz

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

No one speaks the language of suspense more brilliantly than Kathy Reichs, number-one New York Times best-selling author of the acclaimed Temperance Brennan series. In Speaking in Bones, the forensic anthropologist finds herself drawn into a world of dark secrets and dangerous beliefs, where good and evil blur.

Professionally, Temperance Brennan knows exactly what to do - test, analyze, identify. Her personal life is another story. She's at a loss, wondering how to answer police detective Andrew Ryan's marriage proposal. But the matter of matrimony takes a backseat when murder rears its head.

Hazel "Lucky" Strike - a strident amateur detective who mines the Internet for cold cases - comes to Brennan with a tape recording of an unknown girl being held prisoner and terrorized. Strike is convinced the voice is that of 18-year-old Cora Teague, who went missing more than three years earlier. Strike is also certain that the teenager's remains are gathering dust in Temperance Brennan's lab.

Brennan has doubts about working with a self-styled websleuth. But when the evidence seems to add up, Brennan's next stop is the treacherous backwoods where the chilling recording (and maybe Cora Teague's bones) were discovered. Her forensic field trip turns up only more disturbing questions - along with gruesome proof of more untimely deaths.

While local legends of eerie nocturnal phenomena and sinister satanic cults abound, it's a zealous and secretive religious sect that has Brennan spooked and struggling to separate the saints from the sinners. But there's nothing, including fire and brimstone, that can distract her from digging up the truth and taking down a killer - even as Brennan finds herself in a place where angels fear to tread, devils demand their due, and she may be damned no matter what.

©2015 Kathy Reichs (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Fans who follow the series will be delighted with this strong entry, with its gripping first chapter. Listener newcomers will be easily drawn in by Borowitz's involving style." ( AudioFile)

Lived up to my expectations

I love the Bones series and this one was great. The narration was very good and the ending a surprise. Good imagery.

First audio book by KR

Overall it kept me listening and to be honest. What else can you ask for. Story was told in first person and I love that. Ending was not as great as I was hoping for but still good.

Very Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The ending comes out of nowhere and seems contrived.

What was most disappointing about Kathy Reichs’s story?

The pace of the story (drags) and the strange ending.

I liked it!

One of the best Brennen's I've read. Narration just right, story captivating, a good, solid read. I recommend it.

Another great Reichs book!

I especially like Kathy Reichs' descriptions of autopsy and forensic procedures. She keeps it scientific.

Average...

I have read a lot of Kathy Reichs' books. And, I have liked them a lot. While this was a reasonable good book, it didn't hold a lot of surprises (in my opinion) and I found it easy to guess what was coming. Finally, the book doesn't say what she does with Birdie, the cat, when she leaves the US to work in Canada. As an animal lover, I kept wondering if Birdie was along in the US since the boyfriend was still out of town. :-)

Kept me listening

What did you love best about Speaking in Bones?

I love the way that Tempe speaks.I love her phrases. I have no French "bones" and I love the way the narrator can pronounce those parts of the story!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Speaking in Bones?

The ending... sorry no spoilers here!

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

n/a

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

I couldn't stop listening to it!! But I'm always dying for the next Tempe book!!!

Any additional comments?

I really love the changes in "Skinny"!

wonderful book!

Awesome

Great book, Kathy is a great author. Will read anything she writes. Do not like the Bones show however.

Kathy Reich's does it again

this is yet another awesome book by Kathy riechs good story well performed well written as usual

Good story, Tempe at her most annoying

I enjoyed the story. There were new and interesting characters like Lucky Strike and the deputy from the neighboring county. Tempe, with her indecision and inability to use common sense, annoyed me this time. When faced with danger Tempe just has a need to wade in by herself and put herself at mortal risk. This behavior is getting old. Having her wait for back up would be refreshing. Her indecision with Ryan made her seem juvenile, petulant and made me want to scream at Ryan, "Run!" The performance was good and I will read/listen to the next one but I hope Tempe has dealt with her midlife crisis.