206 Bones

A Novel

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Linda Emond

There are 206 bones in the human body. Forensic anthropologists know them intimately, can read in them stories of brief or long lives and use them to reconstruct every kind of violent end. 206 Bones opens with Tempe regaining consciousness and discovering that she is in some kind of very small, very dark, very cold enclosed space. She is bound, hands to feet. Who wants Tempe dead, or at least out of the way, and why? Tempe begins slowly to reconstruct...

Tempe and Lieutenant Ryan had accompanied the recently discovered remains of a missing heiress from Montreal to the Chicago morgue. Suddenly, Tempe was accused of mishandling the autopsy -- and the case. Someone made an incriminating phone call. Within hours, the one man with information about the call was dead. Back in Montreal, the corpse of a second elderly woman was found in the woods, and then a third.

Seamlessly weaving between Tempe's present-tense terror as she's held captive and her memory of the cases of these murdered women, Reichs conveys the incredible devastation that would occur if a forensic colleague sabotaged work in the lab. The chemistry between Tempe and Ryan intensifies as this complex, riveting tale unfolds. Reichs is writing at the top of her game.

©2009 Kathy Reichs (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Did I read a different book?

I listened to this book of Reichs' despite several ho-hum reviews. All I can say is I found it engaging although a little predictable. I thought other reviewers comments were way off base. First the story is of a forensic anthropologist being gaslighted by someone, so there has to be some level of detail about the situation explained to the reader. I thought that she did a good job in doing that and potentially educating the public about good and bad forensics. As for the French, well merde, it does take place in Quebec, and I guess it was excessive, if you're a second grader. No greater than one word in 1000 was in French, and most were immediately translated. Probably would raise complaints from the native Quebecois about not having enough to make it authentic! I like this for the light escape that I expect from Reichs' books. I would rate it better than many of her others.

So good, I listened twice!

The opening scene had me yearning to keep listening...even to clean house longer (listening is my reward for cleaning).

The Tempe I Know and Love

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

I had read all the Tempe Brennan books preceding Cross Bones. That book was a big letdown -- found it mindnumbingly boring. Plus the series was on TV and I was getting a new mental picture of Tempe (and never liked Booth--Ryan rules). In short I gave up on Kathy Reichs. But I just gave her another chance with 206 Bones, and it was great! Now I'm backtracking to buy the books between the dud and the winner, in hopes of finding more winners. I'd heartily recommend 206 Bones. It's the Tempe I know and love - warm, caring, smart but not dysfunctionally so - teetering on the edge re her feelings about Ryan, and -- far from ruling the roost -- almost up to her neck in some hot water at work.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tempe - see preceding description.

Which character – as performed by Linda Emond – was your favorite?

Tempe

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Tempe buried alive - will Ryan find her before she's just bones?

Easy to see

It took Tempe way too long to figure out who was attacking her. It was pretty obvious to the reader. Still a good story, well paced.

Great

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

Yes -- gripping story, excellent narrator. I listened to this book while on a multi-day car trip. I was really sad when it ended, but fortunately there were only a few hours left.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the destructive coworker plot line. I also enjoyed the forensics (it's very interesting). Who knew that teeth could tell you so much about a person?

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending scene. Although all the parts with Tempe's cat Bird are also fun -- I love the way she talks to Bird (I talk to my cat the same way).

Any additional comments?

The twisting, puzzle plot was the best part. And the narrator made a great book a pleasure to listen to.

Wow, pretty sure this is the in the series

This is by far my favorite book in the series. There was the usual science, the wonderful Brennan and Yeah, Andrew Ryan. This novel had more character development than in other recent books in the series. I loved every minute of it. I rarely just listen for an entire weekend but I couldn't stop. I love the narrator who brought the characters to life. Sad that we'll have to wait another year for the next one.

Great Bones Book!

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

I would recommend the book to a friend that is familiar with Kathy Reichs' novels and is aware that there is alot of science and detail in the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I always like Andrew Ryan. He adds a dash of humor and makes Tempe more human.

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

I would have loved to listen to the book all in one sitting - but it was a bit long for that! I found it best to listen in as condensed a time-frame as possible because of all of the detail and also because of the quick changes in scenery from current time to flash-back.

Any additional comments?

I've read comments about the amount of technical detail in the book. This is normal for Kathy Reichs' books. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist - the details are necessary to move the story forward and explain what she's doing for us normal people! Also, there have been comments about the French. The book is set in Montreal for at least 1/2 of the book...this means that if the author is being realistic and authentic, there will be some French. I found that the author provided translations for all of the French words and phrases used that were not immediately clear (such as expletives where a translation wasn't needed because the meaning was implied!).

As with all of Kathy Reichs books, it's keeper!

Loved it, great reader. As with her work, I've listened to each of these books many times.

206 Bones (Unabridged)

Different initial twist, but classic Kathy Reichs.

as usual

Another Temperance Brennan book that kept me guessing & fascinated through the whole book.