Spider Bones

A Novel

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Linda Emond

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)

Padding

As a college student I did my share of padding a paper to make it long enough. As a teacher, I have read many padded papers. Apparently Reich's didn't have enough of a plot line, so she padded the story with a lot of unnecessary information--not the forensic technical stuff, but other extraneous information The story gets bogged down with minutia.

Not the televison Bones

This was my introduction to Kathy's books. I am addicted to the Television show. These are two different characters with two different back stories. Good listen all the same. Drive time, not sleepy time is my recommendation.

Another great Reichs/Brennan novel, odd ending

As always, I really enjoyed this latest Tempe Brennan novel which sported a fast-paced plot and good, intriguing science. The ultimate ending was a bit overly convoluted but it was well supported by the rest of the plot. I especially enjoyed the depictions of CIL-HI operations.

Readers who enjoyed Thomas Holland's One Drop of Blood will likely enjoy this and vice versa.

Another awesome book

Every Kathy Reich's book I've read has been awesome and this one was equally as wonderful:)

An enjoyable book.

I enjoyed the story. I did have to back up several times to listen to dialogue again and sort out which body was being discussed.

Finally Temperance is not the Damsel in Distress

Would you consider the audio edition of Spider Bones to be better than the print version?

I personally enjoy listening to books while I work so my option would not be valid about the print version. I prefer to listen since I do not have the time to enjoy sitting and reading that often in my daily like.

Which scene was your favorite?

The end of the book when it all comes together in the last 2 chapters finally Temperance is not having to get rescued! This was a much better book than her others because it was not as predictable as the rest over her series.

great novel.

i am reading all of the bones books in order. this one was very good. sometimes too much detail in certain areas, but overall a very good story line. i was a bit confused at times with some of the plot twists, but everything came together in the end. i very much enjoyed it. narrator was good as well.

Different, cutting edge topics. Enjoyed it

Kept me on the edge. I saw some things coming and willed them to figure it out. Other things blind sided me. I was only disappointed with not being given the answer to the very last sentence and hope it's in the next book.

Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

I have been very entertained by the Bones series, and found this one to stay in the same pattern as the past.

Spider Bones

Some what a lack luster writing. Too much hit and miss in the writing. Reminded me of my high school papers: changing, changing and more changing of thoughts. Not one of her best but glad I did take the time to listen. Would not have pick Linda Emond as the reader.