Though I really enjoy the Temperance Brennan books, this one got to me with the descriptions of the fires and the bodies. Known for her forensic procedurals, the latest is about a series of fires in DC. The story interested me because of how it reached back through the history of not only the houses but the crime family who owned them. Though not for the faint of heart, the story is interesting.

Fire and Bones (Temperance Brennan #23) by Kathy Reichs
Publisher: Scribner
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: August 6, 2024

Fire and Bones is the 23rd book in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. If you haven’t read all the previous books, you can still enjoy this as a standalone mystery. I think I’ve read 5 or 6 of the books in the series and the rest are on my TBR because they are that good!

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the story was well developed with interesting plot twists. This was fast paced and turned into a quick read because I couldn’t put it down.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow! This series is up to number 23 and still going strong. I have followed this series for many years now and still look forward to every new book. I also enjoyed the tv show Bones, based on the character in these books, when it was showing new episodes every week.

Description:
It’s never easy working fire scenes, Tempe thinks. Called to Washington, DC, to analyze the victims of a building set ablaze amid mysterious circumstances, she sees all her misgivings justified. The building site is in Foggy Bottom, a neighborhood with a colorful past and present, and the property’s ownership becomes even more suspicious when Tempe delves into its past. The pieces start falling into place strangely and quickly, and, sensing a good story, Tempe teams with a new ally, telejournalist Ivy Doyle. Soon the duo learns that back in the thirties and forties the home was the hangout of a group of bootleggers and racketeers known as the Foggy Bottom Gang. Though interesting, this fact seems irrelevant—until the son of a Foggy Bottom gang member is shot dead at his farm in Fairfax County, Virginia. Coincidence? Targeted attacks? So many questions. As Tempe and Ivy dig deeper, an arrest is finally made. Then another Foggy Bottom Gang-linked property burns to the ground, claiming one more victim. Slowly, Tempe’s instincts begin pointing to the somehow, her moves since coming to Washington have been anticipated in advance, and every path forward seems to bring with it a lethal threat.

My Thoughts:
Yes, this book is just as good as the others in the series. This one is set in Washington, DC instead of North Carolina or Montreal, and Tempe had to give up her vacation with her long time romantic partner in order to work on investigating this fire case with several people dead. I thought the extra case of the unexpected victim of something in the past was interesting and added more intrigue to the story. Following the investigation was fun and watching the pieces of the historical puzzle come together provided a sense of satisfying a long term situation. I can wholeheartedly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good mystery.

Thanks to Scribner through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Kathy Reichs has delivered another great thriller. After 23 novels, the Temperance Brennan series is still going strong. The series got its start as forensic procedural mysteries. However medical examiner procedure can get a bit grisly for most readers and the books are a lot less detailed than they use to be in that respect. Reichs still spins a good story. She sets a scene with plenty of detail allowing the reader to place themselves in the room with Brennan. The various characters are described both physically and with personal behavior quirks. They are easy to imagine. The story is well plotted and satisfying. I did find the ending with the last arson unnecessary to the story as a whole.Although well written, it almost seemed to be added on to up the page count. Reichs is one of my must read authors and I was thrilled to receive an early downloadable copy from the publishers. It did not disappoint. I can honestly recommend this novel to any mystery fan.

I received an ARC copy of this book via #NetGalley

Another solid entry to the Temperance Brennan series. I liked this one a lot more than the last one, though it was somewhat predictable in parts. I still say that these are being ghost written by someone else. The overall writing and characterizations do not feel like any of Mrs. Reichs earlier books, but this novel has made some improvement.

I highly recommend this book. It has a little bit of information, it also explains what she does during an autopsy.

This is the 23rd book of the series and even though I haven't read quite a few of them I still knew what was going on. The mystery itself can be read as a standalone but if you want to get to know the main characters then it is best to read them in order. The TV show Bones was also based on this series.
Tempe is called to Washington DC for bodies found that were burned and she is needed to find out what happened. But her and her boyfriend were on their way for a vacation. He isn't happy and feels like her work takes priority so he ignores her. So she has a lot going on.
I thank NetGalley and Scribner for the book to review.

4 ⭐️ Fast paced and very interesting! Great mystery/thriller! I didn’t realize this book was part of a series of 23, and still enjoyed it as a stand alone story.

Temperance Brenner “Tempe” is called to DC to use her expertise to identify 4 victims of arson. She discovers a mysterious 5th victim in a sub basement. Teaming with her daughter’s friend, reporter Ivy Doyle, they set out to uncover an old grudge, murders, and arson.

Great pace, interesting characters, and satisfying ending. Now I want to read the rest of the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my gosh thank you so much for giving me an Arc copy of Fire and Bones. I love Kathy Reichs books . I've have been trying to collect all of her books. I can not wait to read this book.

The story of Temperance Brennan lives on in book 23. I have been obsessed with these books for a few years after I got my hands on Deja Vu. I was so excited to be selected as an ARC for this newest book. This one was quite a bit slower, in my opinion, then previous books. The mystery fell really flat and felt like it was just thrown together at the end. Definitely not my favorite but will not stop me from reading book #24. Also Brennan needs to throw Ryan a bone and lock it down 😂

I truly enjoy this series featuring the iconic Tempe Brennan and what’s really amazing is that this #23 is every bit as good, maybe even better, as the previous installments.

First of all, I really love anything medical and Tempe, as a forensic anthropologist, always gets deep in with the bones and bodies. The details are what I can’t get enough of and because the author is herself an expert, she writes what she knows so well. Every description is so vivid that I can almost feel like I am right there and everything is explained so you don’t have to know anything about the subject to get the clear picture and gist of the situations.

In this case, Tempe is called to Washington, DC, to help identify the unknown victims of a fire. Those poor, unfortunate souls were staying in the dilapidated building illegally and died inside. In addition, another body is discovered in the sub basement, this one predating the fire by decades.

In typical Tempe fashion, she becomes consumed by the case and the history of the Foggy Bottoms where the building was located. She ends up staying with a friend of her daughter’s while there and that relationship is beneficial to both with regard to the case.

I love the character of Tempe Brennan. She’s self-deprecating and funny and so very clever. She’s definitely matured and grown since the first novels and I love how she appreciates all aspects of life as she gets older. I have to laugh as she is one of the few woman in novels who actually always has a healthy appetite! As always, can’t wait for the next and will always recommend this series. Be sure to start at the beginning.

I was lucky and obtained a copy of the audiobook that I could listen to while following along with my e-book ARC obtained from the publisher. I loved the production and the narrator’s voice is perfect for Tempe and she does a great job with the other characters as well.

Another good entry in the Temperance Brennan series. This time, Tempe was in DC on an interesting case. Readers of the series won’t be disappointed.

Fire and Bones by Kathy Reichs is the very highly recommended investigative mystery and the twenty-third novel in the long running series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. This time Tempe finds herself involved in a Washington, DC, arson investigation.

Dr. Jada Thacker, Washington’s interim medical examiner, calls Tempe and begs her to help identify victims of a deadly fire in an illegal Airbnb located in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, DC. She agrees even though it means cancelling vacation plans with Andrew Ryan. Tempe ends up having to drive to the city and then stay with television news reporter Ivy Doyle who is a friend of Tempe’s daughter, Katy because all the hotels in the area are booked up. The team finds the expected four victims in the burnt rubble and an unexpected fifth corpse in a burlap bag in the building’s subcellar.

The history of the area, as the location where the group of bootleggers and racketeers known as the Foggy Bottom Gang operated, seems to be interesting but irrelevant - until it doesn't. Tempe stays on in DC longer than planned to help as the investigation expands after another fire occurs in the same area. She also wants to identify the unknown fifth victim found in the subcellar.

The writing is excellent in Fire and Bones. This outing of Tempe was interesting and the complex investigation held my complete attention. Along with the detailed investigation and the history of the area, Reichs occasionally lightens up the tension with humor. The plot will keep you fully invested in the action as the tension rises right to the end.

Tempe is a well known character to many readers, but Fire and Bones can be read as a standalone novel. Readers new to the series may not have all the background information and long running character development, but there is enough information provided in the narrative to meet Tempe Brennan. The case shines in this outing and that should hold the attention of anyone wanting to read a fast-paced and interesting investigative mystery. Thanks to Scribner for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.






The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This is book 23 in the Temperance Brennan Novels. In this book Tempe is asked to come to Washington DC to help with identifying bodies that were badly burned in a fire in an illegal AirBnB located in the Foggy Bottom district. Tempe isn’t really happy about going because for the first time she is about to be on a vacation with Ryan, and it’s long overdue, but the victims of the fire and their families are what help her make her decision. Well, she is investigating and she learns that Foggy Bottom Gang was around in the 1930-1940 and that they did a lot of legal things… With more buildings on fire, descendants from the gang are coming out and getting murdered, and more and more mysterious things keep happening and dragging Tempe more and more into this case.

I love the way that Kathy Reichs writes, she knows how to draw the readers’ attention to the big and small things happening throughout the book. She knows when to throw in action at the right time and of course plot twists and turns. The way she writes makes it easy to read, and she doesn’t go into a huge rant about the science part, but just enough so if you’re not familiar with the lingo you will still be able to understand. I found the build up to the suspense parts to be done well and I liked how you got to see a different side to her when it comes to Ryan. You can read this book as a standalone, but I highly recommend that you read all her books to get more understanding. Plus, all her books are great. The pace was fast and engaging throughout the book.

I have not found a character that I didn’t like in any of her books, well other than the bad guys but still. If you like the TV show Bones or books like mysteries, thrillers, crime, suspense, forensics you should give any of Kathy Reichs books a chance.

I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book and hopefully more of hers to come as well.

I enjoyed this latest entry in the Tempe Brennan series, although not as much as the previous one which I only read a few weeks ago. The mini cliffhanger at the end of each short chapter got old very quickly, as did Tempe's rapid fire interior dialogue. Altogether, it was a solid mystery with a satisfying ending, but I think I have had enough Tempe Brennan to last me for a while.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I gotta admit that I always forget how much I enjoy this series until a new one appears and I find myself turning the pages. In this latest, Tempe Brennan puts her relationship at risk to go to Washington DC on Memorial Day weekend to help out with remains found at a horrible fire scene. And then she stumbles on two deeper mysteries- the who and why of the arson and the body of a woman found in a bag in the subbasement. Reichs introduces a great new character in the wealthy journalist Ivy this time out. Ivy makes a good partner on research among other things. Oh, and a chinchilla. Those who live in the DC area will appreciate that Reichs gets things right (the restaurants are real, the traffic, the locations). While I've read them all, I'm certain that this will work as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Kathy Reichs returns with another gripping installment in the Temperance Brennan series, Fire and Bones. This time, forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan is called to Washington, D.C., to assist in identifying victims from a fire in an illegal Airbnb. What starts as a routine investigation spirals into a complex web of historical intrigue and modern-day danger.

The story begins with Tempe reluctantly leaving her planned holiday to help Dr. Jada Thacker, Washington’s interim medical examiner. 

Reichs’ characters are as meticulous and driven as ever. Tempe’s determination to seek justice for the unidentified woman is inspiring and harrowing. The introduction of Ivy Doyle, a television news reporter with ties to Tempe’s daughter, adds a fresh dynamic to the story.

Reichs’ no-nonsense prose and forensic detail are on full display. Her ability to weave intricate plots with real-life forensic science and interesting characters keeps readers addicted to her novels.

Fire and Bones explores themes of justice, historical legacies, and the relentless pursuit of truth. The story’s setting in Washington, D.C., with its rich and tumultuous history, adds a layer of complexity and intrigue.

Fire and Bones is a taut, tense, and gripping tale that showcases Kathy Reichs’ mastery of the thriller genre. It’s a compelling mix of forensic science, historical mystery, and modern-day suspense that leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Fire and Bones is book #23 in the Temperance Brennan Novel series by Kathy Reichs.

In this book, Tempe ends up in Washington, DC analyzing victims of a fire instead of on a vacation in Savannah. The case gets more intense as it goes on with Tempe’s life in danger. I enjoy how this long running series stays fresh. It was what i was expecting and I wasn’t disappointed. I look forward to the next book.

Thank you to the author, Scribner, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was action-packed, fascinating and I couldn't put it down. I wanted to find out what would happen next and how it would all turn out. I enjoyed this book and will be on the lookout for the next book by this author.

To the best of my knowledge, I've read all of the Temperance Brennan novels. Some I have liked more than others. I think this one falls in that category. Actually, for the first time, I could see the Tempe on the page being the same person as the one portrayed in the TV series, "Bones." Until now, they appeared quite different to me, so it was interesting, being able to hear the character on TV when reading the book. That said, I still far prefer the books. In this particular book, it seemed to me that Tempe was more balanced, perhaps a little softer around the edges. She didn't seem quite as brash as she sometimes comes across. I enjoyed it and I hope that perhaps this softening trend will continue. I would recommend Fire and Bones to anyone who who is interested in "forensic mysteries." There's one caveat however-- I think a new reader would benefit from reading some of the earlier books first. Thanks to Ms. Reichs, Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for making this copy available to me.