A Conspiracy of Bones is the 19th Temperance Brennan novel by Kathy Reichs. Released 17th March by Simon & Schuster on their Scribner imprint, it's 352 pages and available in all formats.

This has been, and continues to be, one of my favorite modern series. Despite the 'Hollywood-ization' of many other series, Dr. Brennan remains scrappy, dispassionate, intelligent, non-glamorous, and (mostly) ethical. The author is capable, delivering a tightly wrought and technically masterful book. This installment is excitingly twisty and revolves around the main characters sorting out conspiracy theory, shady governmental programs, cold case missing kids, and a faceless corpse, along with office politics and academia and some sotto voce current events political commentary (with which I personally strongly agree, but which will likely infuriate the Trump lovers in the room).

Although there's a lot of history and backstory covered in the last 18 books, the author is adept enough that this one could be read as a standalone for readers who are not already fans. The entire series is well worth a read, and I recommend them highly especially to fans of modern police/medical procedurals.

Four stars. Consistently top notch books.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This wasnt the normal tempe books and its focus on her profession was very small. It was an extremely slow building story that made me bored honestly. I wanted more from this i will still read the next Brennan book. This one felt more investigation than her actual job. She is given text with gross photos. this book also doenst have much of the love interest so that made me have a sad. i think i was just too bored to love this portion of the series.

Tempe gets an email with pictures of a dead man with no hands or face. In short order, an unidentified man is found dead with no hands or face. Tempe is very interested and wonders who sent the email in the first place and why they want her involved. Unfortunately, her new boss hates her and doesn't want her around, so Tempe has to go through alternate means to work on the case,. All while dealing with migraines, nightmares and possibly, hallucinations! I have to stop there so I give no spoilers!

While I enjoyed this book somewhat, I could have done without the political hate. I was sorry to see a Temperance Brennan book used for political propaganda. I've read other reviews and it seems this book is the only one used in this manner and hopefully it won't happen again. The entire book seemed a bit scattered, but that could have been the point, as Temperance was recovering from neurosurgery to repair an aneurysm.

A Conspiracy of Bones was a mess.. I couldn’t get past all of the hyperbole. Every single sentence was a distraction to the storyline with excessive metaphors. It’s almost as if the writer took a dictionary and said I’m going to put the most exaggerated and overstated word in place of of a world that would make the book smooth and readable. I wanted to love this book. Calm down with the college professor, I’m better than you writing and just write like people speak. Write how normal detectives would engage in conversation. I don’t understand why the book was written this way. So daunting to read. The plot was also boring, and I am a crime junkie with degrees is Criminal Justice, Sociology and Psychology. This book should have been a big hit for me. Very unfortunate.

This book is a bit different from the others in the series. In this one, Tempe spends a lot of time working to solve the mystery, but she also spends a lot of time ruminating about her current medical diagnosis (which her doctors think is serious, but not a show stopper) and her relationship with the new Chief Medical Officer in NC (who obviously does not like or get along well with Tempe). Thus, a lot of the book is spent moving between the two main themes, something which I do not remember from any other book in the series (I have read them all).

Tempe becomes involved in a case of a man found by a creek, just about devoured by feral hogs, and who, because his face and fingers are gone, has no identity. Initially, using her “good old boys’ network”, she discovers the new Medical Officer has made some bad calls in the case, which, as you can imagine, endears her more to her nemesis. Tempe works with a one-time, now retired detective, to figure out what exactly has happened and who is to blame. She follows a myriad of leads and clues, some of which prove to be good ones and some to be red herrings. Still, using her own network and contact, Tempe manages to follow through and figure out what is going on. I guess the bottom line is that you cannot put someone like Tempe Brennan down and expect her to nevertheless not try her best to do the job.

As I said, I have read all the books in this series. This one is the first that was so introspective, and I am not quite sure I liked that. It was interesting to get up to speed on where Tempe is in her personal and professional like, but sometimes all the thought processes made for an obstruction for me. I guess I am just not used to all that in the series. I did begin to see Tempe in a new light, as I learned more and more about her professional and personal life and the monsters she has had to contend with and overcome. Still, she was as good as she ever has been and as interesting. Not sure where the author is taking this series not. I wondered if it would become more personal on the part of Tempe or if this was just an aberration. If you like the other books in the series, you will probably like this one. It has a good underpinning of mystery with a lot of other stuff thrown in for good measure. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Kathy Reichs, A Conspiricy of Bones, Simon & Schuster, May 17, 2020.

Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan returns in this rollercoaster ride of a. novel. Coming back from neurosurgery to stabilize an aneurysm, Tempe is faced with a new boss who can't stand her (the fee!ing is mutual) and won't work with her. A colleague anonymously texts her pictures of a man's body, ravaged by wild pigs and missing it's head and hands. She is also supplied with a copy of the Medical Examiner's report. Forced to work in secrecy, she puts together a team, including now retired detective Skinny Slidell, who continues to work on the Charlotte cold case squad, and her Canadian boyfriend, retired detective and now PI, Andrew Ryan.

Coping with blinding migraines, nightmares, and what she fears might be halluicinations, as well as with an increasing agitation, Tempe and her team continue to investigate. Together, they identify the body before the ME's office. They also find additional clues. Is the man a spy? What does he have to do with a child kidnapped years ago? Did he kill himself? Or was he murdered? If so, by whom? To answer these questions, Tempe must face all of her demons, which she does with style.

Reich's is a first class storyteller, and her writing is both assured and gripping. This most recent entry in the Bones series keeps the pages turning every bit as fast as the first one, if not faster. If you've not read the series before, no worries, now's the time to start. A Conspiracy of Bones will keep you riveted; it stands up just fine on its own. Highly recommended. Thank you to Kathy Reichs, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the ARC provided for this honest review.

This installment of the Temperance Brennan series, "A Conspiracy of Bones" finds Brennan in a new situation where she is on the outside of things, somewhat exiled from the ME's office after a past conflict with her new boss, and dealing with a health scare that has her at times doubting her own perception. However, when she mysteriously gets files on a new unidentified corpse, this sets her off on a course of independent investigation into the world of conspiracy theories and missing children, which will test if she is still up to the challenge.

This book had a slightly different feel then the rest of the series, as it starts in a unique space, where Brennan and her situation has changed a lot since we were last with her. The story seemed to be go a little rogue, with Brennan, in that I wasn't sure exactly where the mystery was going until very close to the end, and was kept guessing. I was still very intrigued by the science and mystery in the story, and was entertained throughout. Reichs really knows how to write a good mystery, and I will read anything she write!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley for honest review.

This book is a great addition to the series, and I enjoyed reading it. Kathy Reichs knows how to entertain the reader and keep us engaged and wanting more. Temperance Brennan is one of my all-time favorite characters and I love being able to read about her. A Conspiracy of Bones kept me entertained and reading well into the night. I highly recommend this book.

After a short hiatus, Kathy Reichs has released the latest in the Temp Brennan series, A Conspiracy of Bones. In this addition to the series, Temp joins up with Skinny Slidell, who has now become a private detective, to investigate what appears to be a potential murder, when Brennan receives some photos of a corpse on her cell phone from an anonymous sender. It turns out that the body had been recently delivered to the morgue, and Brennan assumed she would be involved in the case. Oh, how she couldn’t have been more wrong. A new medical examiner, Margot Heavner, had been hired to replace Temp’s previous boss and it turns out that she is the boss from Hell. Brennan had once publicly chastised Heavner about a discussion that she had on a podcast with right-wing conspirator, Nick Body, which involved an autopsy she performed on a murdered child in order to promote her book that she had just released. Needless to say, Heavner isn’t too happy with Brennan and now being in the position of being Brennan’s boss, it is payback time. So Brennan is not allowed access to the new case, but, of course that doesn’t stop her from investigating.

Once again Reichs has written an exciting and intriguing story. For fans of the series, Brennan once again gets physically attacked multiple times, it just wouldn’t be a Temp Brennan novel if she didn’t. As she has done many times before, she gets back on her feet, brushes off the dirt, and saves the day. If I behaved like Temp, I would be in bed for a week. Nonetheless, A Conspiracy of Bones is a fun read.

A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs follows the usual path of her books as Brennan solves the murder(s).

What happens when a strong, vibrant woman is faced with personal issues, work issues and health issues? Hopefully, she fights back and figures out a way to persevere. These are the challenges facing Temperance Brennan in a Conspiracy of Bones. When emailed a couple of photos of a badly ravaged corpse, Tempe becomes obsessed with figuring out the identity of the corpse as well as what happened. Even though she is now persona non gratis in her department she perseveres. Another stellar entry in this long running series!

"What is real and what is not?"

North Carolina is humid and sticky in the summertime heat. Dr. Temperance (Tempe) Brennan, exiled from the MCME after a new boss replaced her colleague, Larabee, becomes involved in an extremely complicated investigation along with her PI friend, Skinny Slidell. This is the 19th book in a popular, long-running series featuring the forensic anthropologist and is another entertaining and compelling read. I've been hit and miss following the release of new novels by this author, and can attest to the ease of dropping in out of order. Reichs gives plenty of background so that you won't feel lost.

A faceless corpse discovered in the woods, a cold case involving a missing child, a conspiracy-crazed talk show host, a hidden and rehabbed missle silo ready for the apocalypse, and so much more combine to give Tempe and her cohort a seriously challenging situation. Compound all that as Tempe is recovering from surgery after discovering that she has a brain aneurysm with Andrew Ryan (her Canadian boyfriend) being back in Montreal and not around to provide a foil for her intensity. The truth will take a long time to uncover and require Tempe to do some very frequent self analysis as she navigates the twists and turns of this unusual web with more questions than answers. Who is the dead man and what happened to him are only a small part of the big picture. NO SPOILERS.

I like the first person narrative and I like the character that is Tempe Brennan. She's complicated, super smart, and sometimes very funny. I enjoy the forensic details and I relish reading how Tempe's mind works though she's a bit determined and not as cautious as she should be. The writing is excellent and, even though there are a ton of characters to keep straight, the strings are all nicely tied together. It's fun to read how Tempe learns and uses new technology and how she works all the angles of a particular problem or issue. I definitely recommend this series. Even though the TV show, BONES, is based loosely on the persona that is Temperance Brennan, the books have a lot of differences to that whole set-up and are so rewarding to read. I can't wait for #20 in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is book nineteen in her Temperance Brennan series. I haven’t previously read an of this author’s novels, so why not start with number nineteen in a series. Though I haven’t read any of the novels in this series, I am familiar with the main character, Temperance Brennan, as this series was adapted into the television show, Bones, which I watched religiously.

Temperance “Tempe” Brennan is a forensic anthropologist dividing her time between Montreal, Canada and Charlotte, NC. She’s been diagnosed with an aneurysm that has left her with persistent migraines and periodic hallucinations. Tempe has received a series of pictures of a faceless, handless corpse from an unknown sender. Her interest is piqued and she begins to investigate against the directions of her new boss. She’s determined to solve the mystery that takes her many directions, some leading back to her.

A Conspiracy of Bones delivers as expected. Temperance is as advertised. The plot is engaging and provides enough twists to hold the reader’s attention. The first person perspective is entirely appropriate for the story. The interpersonal relationships were of particular interest. I enjoyed this novel and rate it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to readers who enjoy any type of fiction, but especially mysteries.

My thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Temperance Brennan is back in Charlotte, North Carolina, still recovering from surgery to repair an aneurysm, suffering from a host of physical and neurological issues. An anonymous person has been trying to get Tempe involved in a case, despite the fact that her boss does not want the assistance. When Brennan goes rogue, enlisting the help of those she respects and loves, will the truth put the woman in extreme danger?

Temperance Brennan is a character that I have loved since I was given a copy of the first book in the series, Deja Dead, many years ago. The character has grown, changed, found love, lost friends, been surprised both personally and professionally, and has my utmost respect, but A Conspiracy of Bones was such a letdown. The author tries to take the reader through Brennan's confusion, but not in a way that is apparent to the reader until later in the novel. I was not drawn into the story as I usually am, leading me to have difficulties finishing the book. As a faithful reader, it pains me to admit that the series may have run its course, if A Conspiracy of Bones is any indication.

I was given an electronic copy of A Conspiracy of Bones from Scribner and NetGalley. I chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is back in A Conspiracy of Bones, the nineteen entry in the best-selling series.

Set mostly in Charlotte, South Carolina, Tempe must struggle against a new boss looking for any reason to fire her and the aftereffects of brain surgery. All while trying to identify a faceless corpse and determine its connection to a decades old case.

The more obstacles in Tempe’s path, the more thrilling the plot. And this book has enough struggles and mysteries to satisfy both new and longtime fans alike.

However, the romance aspect of Tempe’s life is played down this time as Tempe bi-country relationship with Canadian Ryan. Plus Tempe’s hallucinations make the action harder to follow without previous exposure to the series. A Conspiracy of Bones will be a long-awaited pleasure for fans of the series. 4 stars!

Thanks to Scribner Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is the nineteenth in the series featuring Temperance Brennan. I am embarrassed to say this is the first I've read. In my defense, there are soooo many books. I quite enjoyed this book, which is basically a police procedural, although leads are a retired cop and an anthropologic coroner who is who is currently on hiatus (not her choice). Of course, there's an unidentified body, male, whose tags have all been cut from his clothing, and sadly, wild hogs have ravaged his body. No ID, no keys, no nothin'. The current coroner has been known to cut corners and do things for publicity. The odd thing is, someone texted Tempe autopsy photos anonymously. The more they investigate; the more people and crimes seem to be involved.

This was written differently and took me a while to adjust. Short sentences, phrases. Pretty much the way people think, I guess. After reading into the book, the style changed as conversations started to happen and there were more than just quick facts and thoughts. It would be interesting to hear the audiobook. I hope she has a good reader. Tempe is middle aged with a grown daughter who is in the military and a boyfriend/partner with whom she lives, in several cities. He is a retired cop starting his on PI business and she works on contract, this is a practical arrangement. Tempe is very Type-A and doesn't seem to sleep a lot. She's brilliant and impulsive and gets herself into hot water more often than a professional should. I found her to be extremely interesting and the plot in this book well done and very complex and, probably, realistic. There were crazy, conspiracy theory people, child abductions, plenty of shysters, and some pretty nice, innocent people. It gives one a new perspective on these professionals. It was an excellent read and earlier books are definitely added to my to-be-read list. I heartily recommend a Conspiracy of Bones.

I received a free ARC of A Conspiracy of Bones from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #aconspiracyofbones

Kathy Reichs writes one of my favorite series. It is great to have Temperance Brennan back on the case solving murders in ways that only she can do.

Taphophobia. The sinking of a ferry enroute from Estonia to Sweden. Zombie ants. Cold War era underground bunkers. The dark web. What a stew of unrelated topics combine to make A Conspiracy of Bones a thriller you won’t be able to put down.

Tempe Brennan is bored and restless at home while she recovers from surgery for a brain aneurysm. Banned from the coroner’s office by new boss Margot Heavner because of past professional problems, Tempe is renovating her townhouse so that long time lover Montreal Detective Andrew Ryan can move in. A series of autopsy photos are sent to her anonymously and she becomes obsessed with discovering the man’s identity. However, to avoid Dr. Heavner, she must investigate behind the scenes. Helped by her old friend, Skinny Slidell, Tempe finds links between the dead man, a right wing radio host, a realtor and the usual assortment of lowlifes. She’s working to a conclusion that turns out to be false and the final solution to the case surprises Temp as much as it will surprise you.

Kathy Reichs, who has also recently recovered from surgery for an aneurysm, writes in her author’s note that she wanted to examine “What is real and what is not” in the mystery. She does this perfectly. There are layers upon layers of bits of truth and so many blind alleys. A Conspiracy of Bones is one of her best. 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Scribner and Kathy Reichs for this ARC.

In the Temperance Brennan novel, she is in Charlotte when she sees a guy outside watching her house. She then is sent the photos of a man that has been attacked by wild hogs in Cleveland County, NC. Is he connected to a case in the past of a young girl. She calls for assistance from Erskine "Skinny" Slidell. Even though he is rough he is a caring ex-cop. Together they try to find out who the guy killed was and his relationship to a podcaster Nick Body that has weird conspiracy theories on all subjects.
I had not read one of these books in several years but i truly enjoyed it. Anyone that enjoys mysteries will need to read this one.

I used to love these books with Temperance Brennan but this one just felt - different. The plot seemed all over the place and I hated that politics were introduced (don't we have enough hate in the world without our fictional characters chiming in?) The story wasn't easy to get into and I found myself not really caring what happened. What a disappointment.