Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #23
Published by: Scribner on Aug. 6, 2024
Genres: Mystery/Thriller
Pages: 288
Format: ARC, Paperback
Source: Simon & Schuster Canada
Book Rating: 8.5/10
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with a twisty, surprise-packed thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, who finds herself at the center of an arson investigation, a deepening mystery, and a stunning culmination of violence and deception.
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 of her misgivings justified. The building site is in Foggy Bottom, a neighborhood with a colorful past and present, and the residence’s ownership becomes even more suspicious when Tempe delves into the building’s 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 property belonged to a member 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 raising flags. Have too many of her moves while in Washington been anticipated in advance?
Long after that first fire is extinguished its flames of consequence spread outward, and eventually Tempe finds herself fighting for her life.
Review:
Intricate, sharp, and sinister!
Fire and Bones is a menacing, disturbing tale that sees esteemed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan heading to Washington, DC to help out on an investigation into a building fire involving multiple casualties and a history of nefarious dealings.
The writing is tight and clever. The characters are meticulous, diligent, and driven. And the plot is an ominous, compelling mix of twists, turns, red herrings, resentments, secrets, deduction, mayhem, retribution, violence, and murder.
Overall, Fire and Bones is a taut, tense, gripping tale inspired by real-life events that is unbelievably the twenty-third book in the Temperance Brennan series. I have yet to read a novel by Reichs that isn’t suspenseful, pacey, and extremely satisfying, and this one, once again, didn’t disappoint.
This novel is available now.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.