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4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Yet another great story that kept me guessing until the reveal of the killer.

Tempe gets brought into a case involving a set of bodies found washed up on the shore after a hurricane in South Carolina. They're both naked, wrapped in plastic, and sealed in a barrel drum. This reminds Tempe of a case she had in Montreal years ago that went unsolved. As the case follows the twists and turns, more deaths and attempted deaths occur. I was kept interested until the very end!

I loved that we got to visit some new places and meet some new people along the way.





**Spoiler Alert**











I do worry that this will give more life to the conspiracy theorists that claim vaccines are changing our DNA.

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I eagerly await each and every one of Kathy Reich's books and this one is no exception. Travelling between Canada, South Carolina, and North Carolina to solve a cold case tied to a new case, Temperance Brennan is at her best in this book. When two girls, one a little older than the other are washed up on the beach, Temperance is reminded of a similar case years ago near Montreal. Reichs balances the two parallel stories with ease and brings a great ending to the mysteries. I read this book in two nights and look forward to the next installment! Well done Ms. Reichs

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Very much enjoyed this book, it had a captivating story line and kept me interested and entertained right the way through. With everything that is going in the world today I like to read a book that doesn't remind me of it but even give this fact it was very good. Well written and thrilling with some twists to the plot and wow moments.

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Perfectly released and corresponding to the current covid pandemic whilst not actually being about covid made this a gripping, trending read. Reichs books, while part of a series are great stand alone reads, and always full of interesting medical and geographical information. Just the right amount of romance, intrigue, detective work and travel to make a well balanced and enjoyable novel.

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Kathy Reichs is back again with another great Tempe Brennan story. Bone Code is about not giving up on cold cases. Brennan and Ryan work together across two countries to solve two horrific murders of 4 girls. Always an adventure with this series, fans and new readers alike will not be able to put this book down.

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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Kathy Reichs; she's one of my favorite authors, and I've read all the Brennan books. I was so excited to receive an ARC of The Bone Code. I enjoyed this installment in the Brennan series, but it definitely was not my favorite.

As is common in these books, Tempe splits her time between South Carolina (though mostly Charleston in this one) and Montreal. We got to see a lot of Andrew Ryan, which was great! We also met a new character, Tonia Vislosky, a Charleston detective.

3 story lines: bodies washed up in a container after a hurricane in Charleston that have similarities to an older cold case in Montreal, an outbreak of a disease passed from dogs to humans, and a death mask that resembles an old lady's grandmother who went missing in France (long ago). The book was interesting and full of tidbits about genes, vaccines, and CRISPR gene-editing.

Overall, I enjoyed this story, though not as much as others. It was fast-paced but a little messy and confusing at times.

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Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book Tempe is asked to assist the coroner in Charleston regarding two bodies that were found. She believes this is similar to an unsolved case in Canada. This book kept me guessing until the very end.

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Kathy Reich's has created a beloved character in medical examiner Temperance Brennan. In this 18th book about Tempe, Reichs again has written an engaging, interesting story about murders 15 years apart, in Montreal and the Carolinas. Two sets of bodies, discarded in polyurethane containers in bodies of water are being investigated. Brennan again does a masterful job connecting the dots. With the covid pandemic in our consciousness, Reichs weaves in vaccine machinations, genome manipulation and just plain great detective work to solve the cases

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This was a long time comimg. Finally another temperance Brennan story. A new case is a reminder of a 15 year old cold case. Are the two connected? It takes some highly advance science to solve both these sets of murder. Thank you netgalley.

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*Spoilers Throughout*


I'm a longtime fan of Kathy Reichs and of the Tempe Brennan series. I’ve read all of the books and greatly enjoyed them. So, it is with regret that I say this book is a complete and utter mess.

The A story is pretty standard Tempe fare. Four young women are murdered, their bodies sealed inside a container and tossed in the water. The catch is two of them died in Canada 15 years ago, and two were just discovered. The unsolved past case haunts Tempe. and she enlists Ryan to help her connect the cases and catch the killer. So far, so good.

The B story that co-mingles with the murders Tempe is investigating, is about a virus spreading unchecked throughout some Southern cities. This is set in a post-COVID world, although COVID is barely mentioned. People get this virus from dogs and we eventually find out they get sick because their DNA has been tampered with via a flu VACCINE. They die terrible, gruesome deaths, and there is no cure.

What? Let me say that again. WHAT? Unless everyone involved in the production of this book really believes that there is a microchip in the COVID vaccine and is trying to warn off people from getting the shots, there is no reason to use this storyline. It is actually irresponsible to put this out there when so many people are on the fence about getting the vaccine. And don't come at me about 'it's fiction.' So is the whole microchip thing, and millions of people believe in that.

This is a case where the writer, editors, and publisher need to learn to read the room. People do not want to read about another unknown virus killing people and whipping up violence among a divided public. They do not want to hear that the virus was caused by a flu vaccine tampered with to make a company billions of dollars. Talk about tone deaf.

Secondly, after we find out that the men who killed the young women Tempe is investigating actually caused this virus intentionally in order to profit from it, we get no resolution about the situation. Nothing about what this revelation would do to the public, how the virus would be contained or anything. The guy is caught, mystery solved and five days later our heroes are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner without a thought to all those still suffering and dying. The refrigerator trucks housing the overflow of bodies are still lined up, but pass the cranberry sauce.

The next problem is the character of Tonia Vislosky. She’s a big Black woman with attitude and a fast temper. One minute she’s gruff, rude, and dismissive. The next minute she’s open to Tempe and empathetic about lost little girls. The personality switch happens during several scene all throughout the book. There are hints a plenty that she’s gay and from the wrong side of the tracks, but there is no development of her character. She starts out uneven and confusing and ends that way.

As a bonus there is a conversation between her and Tempe that is leading me to do something I have never done in a book review; suggest a line edit. About halfway through the book when Tempe asks Vislosky if she played basketball and Vislosky queries if Tempe is asking because Vislosky is black, Tempe thinks to herself: “Jesus. What was her problem?” That lines needs to go. That thought about ‘what was her problem,’ was absolutely not in Tempe’s voice or character. I don’t know where it came from, but that is not Tempe. That sounds very much like someone has a big problem with the anti-racism campaign in the U.S. right now. Not a good look for author or publisher.

Then Tempe says, “I don’t know a single black person named Vislosky.” Going on to talk about Black names, especially at that point, is also about as tone deaf as you can get. Why not throw in the joke about, “I guess you don’t have to worry about getting a tan,” while you’re at it because it’s just as bad. Vislosky very much comes across as the token Black character written by someone who doesn’t know any Black people and so resorts to stereotypes and tropes. Another look that is not going to age well.

The C storyline, about the death masks, was mildly interesting but ultimately disappointing. We meet this sweet old lady once, her story floats throughout, and then we get a lukewarm ending about her grannie’s corpse having been an unwilling model for American mannequins. We either need a lot more about that story or cut it completely.

In sum, this whole book reads like a greedy attempt to jump on the coattails of an international pandemic, and it is not a good look for anyone involved. Regardless of whether it was written pre-COVID, this is not the time or the place to have Tempe dealing with a virulent virus, especially as a backstory that gets no conclusion, or semi-partnering with a Black female cop who is badly written. This book should be pulled from production and completely re-worked. I know that won’t happen, but it should. Tempe Brennan and her fans deserve better.

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**Review will go live on Instagram and Goodreads on 22 June**

Kathy Reichs kills it (no pun intended!) in her 20th Tempe Brennan novel!

I have been a fan of Tempe since day one and have read every book. I enjoyed how Reichs got deeper into the science than she ever has, digging into genetics and vaccines - not just bones. The connection to reality in this post-COVID19 story was strong and explained the different types of vaccine manufacturing methods. Hopefully, this sheds some light on things for people who don't quite understand how it works. I did feel there was a lot of "talking at us" during these heavily technical parts.

I also enjoyed the connection - through both time and place - between the two cases. While interesting history, the death mask case seemed extraneous and something just to keep Anne in the story. The mother-daughter wrap-up at the end was great. I'd be lying if I said a tear or two weren't shed thinking about my own daughter and mother.

All in all another great one from Kathy Reichs - I am already anticipating the 21st Tempe novel!

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Tempe Brennan never disappoints while solving a crime. This time it solves two mysterious death several years apart. Set between Montreal and South Carolina, a story of families pulled apart begins to weave together. Familiar characters return and new ones join them. This story is timely with Covid and how vaccines work explained. I have always loved reading a Tempe book. This one is hard to put down.
Thank you Netgalley!!

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I loved it! I have read every book in this series and I highly recommend it. The science involving genetics was extremely interesting and explained well. I especially enjoyed traveling with Temperance as she followed leads - it was just like a fun road trip! I laugh so much as she interacts with Ryan and Birdie and everyone involved in her work. This is one of my favorite authors!

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I was very happy to see this book come up on netgalley. I have been a fan of these stories ever since I stumbled across the first one. This book included two of my favorite subjects, DNA and crime solving. This was a very good story with a somewhat unexpected ending. My only complaint and it is the case with all of these books. To much French and to many acronyms. Despite those two things I can highly recommend this book.

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While a fan of the show, I had never really actually read any of the novels til this one. I was absolutely enthralled. My only complaints were there was a little too much French language at times making it hard to understand and the secondary storyline wasn't finished I felt.
The story surrounds Tempe becoming involved in a case that spans both the US and Canada. As she delves deeper into what happened to the bodies that were washed ashore both in Quebec and the Carolinas, she puts herself and partner Ryan in grave danger, with Ryan nearly losing his life. The story winds through a roller coaster or twists and turns and often throws the reader for a loop. Some of the characters are a little tough to fully understand (seems like cold one min hot the next sort). I just didn't get why it seemed like Polly's story just faded into the woodwork where Marie and the girls story took center stage when they both had the capability of being really good stories.

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Temperance, a Medical Examiner, is the authority on bones. She splits her time between Charlotte, NC, and Montreal. This episode in her life encompasses cold murders from both areas. She and her friends and partner work together to uncover the evil shenanigans of a genius gene-splicer who conspires to make millions by compromising people’s immunity and then offering to be the savior. You’ll learn about DNA and vaccines, and this author always surprises with a few extra fun facts. This is a great story I couldn’t put down, but wanted to make it last…. sorry to end my time with the friends/characters I’d come to know.

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I liked this better than the previous book in the series, but I still didn't really enjoy it. I don't know if Reichs got a ghostwriter or if I just have gotten more picky or what, but I feel like there has been a huge dip in quality recently in this series. I had a few main issues with this book that kept it from being a low 3-star read. First, it just felt SO "ripped from the headlines!", opening with the story of the European adopted child lying about her age a la Natalia Grace and "Orphan", the main plot revolving around a post-COVID pandemic... it just felt like this book will be completely outdated in a year or 2. There were also handful of micro-aggressions throughout that made me uncomfortable - a few comments about "exotic" accents and assumptions about non-white people, and then a comment calling being a lesbian "a lifestyle". I also rolled my eyes so hard when the characters mentioned watching "Bones" oof.

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Another great Temperance Brennan novel and case to be solved. I have missed reading this series as its one of my scientific favorites. I've always said it helps to have knowledge of what they're talking about because these books are so terminology based and I still believe that. I'm glad this series is back!

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368 pages

4 stars

This is the first book in the Tempe Brennan series that dragged for me. While I find the science behind genetics interesting, I look forward to this series for the investigations into causes of death and the lives of the people who died, or were murdered, or committed suicide.

So, while the book started out well, all the running around from city to city and talking to various individuals was a little off-putting. I think my eyes may have crossed a couple of times in places.

Tempe is working on two separate cases in Charleston and Montreal. Women and girls are found in coolers in water. But years apart. In cities wide apart. What is the connection? But they turn out to be tied together.

There is also an unrelated subplot about two sets of identical twins separated by generations. One went missing. What happened to her?

Of course the book was very well written and plotted as are all of Ms. Reichs books. I really like that Tempe and Ryan are still partners and that Tempe is still traveling to Montreal to solve cases there as well as in Charleston. I'm glad Katy was mentioned, however briefly. The other returning characters were true to form. I absolutely welcomed the addition of Detective Tonia Vislosky. She was wonderful!

I want to thank NetGalley and Scribner for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

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So thrilled to have Tempe, back. Another thrilling installment, and I love the fact that she uses vaccines as a major plot point, with Covid and all these days. I’m happy to chat up the title and see that the series is still at the top of the genre

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