Another Temperance Brennan story with all the right elements to make it good. An intriguing mystery from the past that is mirrored in the present, lots of travel back and forth from the US to Montreal, and interesting characters. As an added bonus, Tempe goes into some explanation of different types of vaccines and how they are made. That part is especially timely.

You don't have to be a fan of Bones (the TV show based on Kathy Reichs Temperance Brennan character) to read these books, but if you are you should definitely check out her books. I love the way Reichs write Temperance. Her independence and her knowledge are my two favorite things about her, but her skills and search for truth makes her a compelling character and a reliable narrator.

I'll be honest, after COVID I did not look forward to the contagion storyline. That was hard to read and is really my only complaint, but I think if I'd read this book two years ago or five years from now I'd feel very differently about that plot point.

The Bone Code is another book in the Temperance Brennan series. I had read many of the early book of hadn't picked up any in several years. I was glad to see that I was able to follow the story and characters without being current in the series. Readers new to the series should be able to jump right into this novel and enjoy it without starting at the beginning of the series if they don't want to. A lot of technical viral and dna terms and info are thrown around (they are important to the plot and crime) and Kathy Reichs does a good job of having her characters explain those terms without the dreaded monologue technical lesson that some writers devolve to. I will admit to skimming over some of the technical explanations, though, as I wanted to forward the character actions more than I wanted to understand genetics. My only complaint with the book overall is that once again Brennan is injured and nearly killed. This seems to happen at the climax of every Reichs book (and was one of the reasons I had stopped reading the series). Once is fine, twice OK, more than three near-death scenes and I would think someone would find a new job or need serious counseling. This was my same complaint with the Anna Pigeon series by Nevada Barr. Please authors, find a climactic seen that doesn't involve your main character being a punching bag.

3.5/5 stars

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When a hurricane clashes with coastal Charleston, a medical waste contained washes ashore. Inside, two decomposing bodies, wrapped in wire and plastic sheeting. Calling in by the coroner to assist on identification, Temperance Brennan is hit with familiarity. The waste container, the plastic sheeting, the wire. 15 years ago, she worked a startlingly similar case in Quebec, now cold. The cases collide in a landslide of events, where something sinister is at foot.

Kathy Reichs’ Temperance Brennan series has been a favorite of mine for many years and this book did not disappoint. With multiple locations, multiple storylines, multiple characters, there is so much opportunity for the writing to feel disjointed and yet, it doesn’t. The plot line is well thought out, the science is detailed and thoroughly explained without being too much to follow along with. Despite being #20, there is no need to read #1-19 first (but absolute do). Any storyline (Ryan and Tempe’s romance, Katy) are all caught up as the book evolves, so there’s never need to re-read the previous book before the next to get caught up. The conversation style writing is engaging and there’s a real sense of reality to the forensics, highlighting that not every case is solved in a day, though TV crime shows might have you convinced otherwise.

I found Tempe’s character a little abrasive this novel, not as relatable. Dixie born of not, some of her dialogue felt inappropriate for a novel in 2021. Comparing POC characters skin tone to food is an uncomfortable “trope” I’d love to leave behind. Twinges of fatphobia, pronoun struggles (just use they?). It takes so much away from the core of the novel and it’s so unnecessary.

I look forward to future Tempe novels, but would so like to not see dialogue at the expense of marginalized communities.

Temperance is seeing a new case that was similar to a case that was unsolved fifteen years ago. She is determined to finally solve this gruesome death.
The area is also just recovering from Covid and now there is an outbreak of a deadly flesh eating bacteria. I enjoyed the story except the end of each chapter where Temp would learn or remember a clue...but you did not get to know what it was. Otherwise the story flowed well and was very enjoyable

I am a huge fan of Kathy Reichs and Temperance Brennan! I have read all of the books in this series multiple times and this one did not disappoint. I loved the way modern issues were weaved into the story. I would highly recommend this story to anyone that is a fan of crime fiction!

My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this latest entry to a series I've been reading for almost 20 years!

There are 3 mysteries going on here. First, Tempe receives a call from an old woman named Polly. Polly finds photos of her and her twin sister that resembles photos a very distant twin relatives of hers. This story arc leads Tempe into investigating something called Death Masks.

Then, she receives a call from a coroner in South Carolina that 2 bodies washed up in a drum tank tied up and wrapped in plastic. This reminds her of a similar case that happened in Quebec about 15 years prior that winds up being linked together. All this while a capno contagion is going on in South Carolina. All this leads to a criminal investigation into genetic research.

I did enjoy this but not one of my favorites. Book had a different feel from the earlier works and was a big genetic science lesson. Overall do recommend.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author, for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

I cannot believe that this is the twentieth book in the Temperance Brennan series.

In this book she is intent on working on a cold case in Montreal which somehow connects to a recent discovery of bodies in the U.S. Since she frequently travels, in her work, between Canada and the U.S. this does not appear to be a problem. Identification of the four bodies involved in this case is a problem and seems to be a roadblock to solving both cases.

You would think after so many cases, Tempe would know how to protect herself. She still manages to get in trouble as the suspect in the case comes after her the closer she gets to solving the case.

Still in all,this is an enjoyable mystery. It is especially timely in light of our pandemic and use of vaccines.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion.

I have enjoyed the Bones series in the past. The last few have not worked that well for me. Tempe's character has become very unlikeable. In this book she wasn't as negative so I enjoyed her character more. Unfortunately the plot just moved too slowly. At about 35% I realized I didn't know much more than at the very beginning of the book. I didn't care enough to keep reading so I'm moving on.

If you have enjoyed this series in the past and if you have continued to enjoy the last few you should give this one a try. It may be for you.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Scribner, for the chance to read and review this book!

When she was on the way to hurricane-ravaged Isle of Palms, Temperance Brennan receives a call from the Charleston coroner. The storm has tossed ashore a medical waste container and inside there are two bodies. The details are identical to those of an unsolved case she handled in Quebec 15 years ago and Temperance starts right away to investigate, in order to know what happened to the victims and who they were. Going back and forth from Quebec and South Carolina, Temperance starts her investigation, while health authorities in South Carolina are alarmed because a human flesh-eating contagion is spreading, creating caos and paranoia everywhere. Temperance is so focused in identifying the victims, she slowly realizes they and the contagion may be related and she finds herself discovering dark secrets someone is willing to do anything to keep them buried.

The Bone Code is the twentieth captivating novel written by Kathy Reichs and it's absolutely brilliant. Like always, to be honest. Temperance is intriguing, smart and impossible not to love main character and I've always loved reading her mental process, her investigations and her determination in finding the truth and bring people to justice. Brilliant, strong, stubborn and so smart, Temperance is amazing.

The Bone Code is a layered story, following Temperance in her investigation, focusing in identifying the container victims, helping an older woman with a death mask, discovering the terrifying and very possible uses of genetics in a cascade of situations and events, revelations and adventures. The storytelling is amazing, I loved the descriptions and, most of all, the back and forth between Temperance and Ryan, whose relationship was such a pleasure to read, because they are perfect together and I loved how they help, support and love one other.
The main case focuses on teenagers and child deaths, whose ends both shocks and pushes Temperance to do anything in her power and knowledge to find the truth and justice for them, following leads, travelling and investigating. It also focuses on a contagion, hitting close to home, since the everyday events.

It was really interesting getting to know more about genetics, death masks and what science could do, if left morally unchecked and Kathy Reichs' voice is powerful and compelling. I loved reading this novel. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, revelations and truths and everything was brillantly written.

The Bone Code is another solid entry in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. This time, Tempe gets a call about bones found in a shipping crate in the ocean near Charleston. The case reminds her of a startlingly similar case she saw in Montreal several years ago. Same binding on the women, same type of plastic sheeting, same type of crate - this can't be a coincidence.

As with many of Reichs' books, the action travels between Montreal, Charlotte, and, in this case, Charleston. I always enjoy her descriptions of the locations of the story, and her ability to add a little local flair for those who are familiar with the places she mentions. This book also shows how missing people can simply disappear from the Earth and not be identified easily. There are far too many people who don't have anyone who would miss them or realize that they were missing/dead rather than just running away and living elsewhere.

However, sometimes it is hard to suspend disbelief at the coincidences in Reichs' stories. For instance, in the this case, the fact that Tempe would be involved in both of these "container with bones" cases and be able to find the relatives and other people she needs to talk to with relative ease. This doesn't take away much of the enjoyment, but it does keep me from giving this book 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley for this advance copy of a great thriller!

Temperance and the gang are back for another wild and curious case to crack. I liked this book better than the last because there were a lot more situations and drama happening. That is the kind of stuff I get excited about in these books. My favorite part is always just after she realizes she has heard about some case that was similar. I really paid attention then. This book was crazy good. I definitely recommend this book.

I have to admit, I have not read any of the other books in the series, so this was somewhat like jumping into the middle of a story, but that wasn't a problem. The story stands well on its own. I found it to be significantly better than the TV series. It was much more engaging. I wasn't sure who had done it until the end. I love a book that keeps me guessing.

Kathy Reichs strikes again! As a fellow anthropologist, I’ve been a long time fan of Dr. Temperance Brennan and was so excited to have the chance to read this ARC.

Tempe experiences a serious case of deja vu when called to examine remains in Charleston, SC, reminding her of a cold case from more than a decade ago in Montreal. On top of that, a deadly bacteria is coursing its way through the region, reminding everyone of the not too distant issues surrounding COVID-19. The tension builds to an amazing crescendo as Dr. Brennan fits all of the pieces of the puzzle together.

Reichs does an amazing job making the science of DNA and forensics accessible to the reader. I appreciate that Brennan has softened around the edges a bit, but still gives that sharp scientific point of view that we all love. The lush and detailed descriptions of each city and region won’t be for everyone, but I enjoyed it. Great book. I’m looking forward to Brennan’s next adventure!

Huge thanks to Dr. Reichs, #NetGalley, and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

The newest book in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs is unfortunately incredibly boring. It is essentially a lesson in genealogy and bones with little storyline to keep the reader engaged.

Kathy Reichs again takes us through the puzzle of discovering how, where, when and why a victim died by analyzing their bones and piecing together small bits of information that at first seem unrelated but later, like a quilt are pieced together to give us the entire picture. Those readers already acquainted with Temperance Brennan will fall right into this story as Reichs weaves in characters and places from previous outings. Keeping the reader guessing by weaving in Temperance's thought processes and plenty of false leads makes the ending even more surprising as we discover the truth behind the motive for the killings. A satisfying murder mystery.

I enjoyed The Bone Code! It has enough twists and turns to keep you turning page after page until the end. My first book by Kathy Reichs, but won't be my last!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I found the story to be quite compelling, although I had a hard time with the frequent use of French words, These were immediately followed by their English translation. The use of both languages added to the authenticity of having to work in Quebec, but once the idea that they were speaking French was established, each subsequent use slowed the story for no real purpose.

The novel is intricately plotted. The parallels with COVID-19 conspiracy theories made the mystery even more intriguing. The final showdown between the perpetrator and the detective was too similar to the climactic scene in the previous book, so came off a little formulaic.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

The Bone Code is the twentieth installment in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs, but the series and characters remain fresh and captivating. As the book begins, a hurricane is bearing down on the Carolinas. After the storm, a biomedical waste container containing two dead bodies washes up on a beach in South Carolina and Tempe is asked to examine them. The details are eerily familiar, reminding Tempe of an unsolved case she was involved in 15 years before in Montreal: the bodies of two females, shot in the head and wrapped in plastic washed up in a plastic container some years after being killed. But how could two cases so far away geographically and in time be related? Flying back and forth between S.C. and Montreal, Tempe works with Charleston PD detective Tonia Vislosky on the new cases and her beau, Andrew Ryan, who is retired now but was lead detective on the Montreal cases. Can she identify the victims and figure out what happened to them? Although the historical timeline and supposed efficacy of one of the scientific tools described is inaccurate, I am always willing to forgive artistic license if required for the sake of a good plot. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one!

snark-fest, South Carolina, Montreal, law-enforcement, family-dynamics, forensics, friendship, anthropologist, murder, murder-investigation, egoist, greed, relationships, wry-humor, private-investigators, learning-opportunity*****

Identical twins eighty years apart, too similar double murders involving medical waste containers fifteen years and two countries apart (Montreal and later South Carolina) perhaps tied together by a couple of pharmaceutical companies, covid essentially over but new virus causing fear. Add in the friend with benefits in the Canadian investigation, a cranky South Carolinian Homicide detective, a lot of wry humor and a ton of snarkiness, a potted history of Resusci Annie, and enough technical info to give paramedicals and bioscience geeks an orgasm. Another great read from one does more than talk the talk.
This is not an unbiased review because I have adored reading Ms Reichs' books since book one.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Scribner via NetGalley. Thank you!