Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs (2007, Hardcover)

What's not to love about an enthralling forensic mystery with an eBay reference? Announcing the discovery of yet another dead body, the heroine's on-again, off-again boyfriend and detective, Andrew Ryan, tells her, "Guy's out fishing, thought he hooked the big one and reeled in a body instead. He's probably got his bass boat on eBay right now."

The eBay reference came early on, but this taut storyline stayed engaging all the way through. I sometimes find real-life forensic scientist Kathy Reichs' books rather dry, but this time we really get to know a more emotionally interesting side of Dr. Temperance Brennan, forensic bones specialist and star of this bestselling series.

Old bones have been found in Acadia and brought to Tempe's attention by detective from the cold-case squad Could they belong to Tempe's childhood friend, Evangéline, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances at the age of 14? Meanwhile, young girls are going missing at an alarming rate, and bodies are being discovered almost as quickly. Could there be a serial killer at work?

What made this book especially fun to read were the developments in the currently not-so-blooming romance between Tempe and Ryan along with the latest development in her relationship with her ex-husband. Also, vivid sister Harry comes to visit and plays a pivotal role in the fast-paced and fascinating plot. And as always, Reichs creates a vibrant sense of place in her descriptions of Montréal, Québec, New Brunswick and the Canadian territory in between.

Without giving away too much of the storyline, suffice it to say that this forensic whodunit will keep you absorbed from cover to cover. You will enjoy learning much about the anachronistic and obscure Acadian culture of Canada. Meanwhile, you'll be on the edge of your seat as Reichs keeps the multiple plotlines unfolding in past and present, weaving them together into a complex tapestry that really gives you a sense of the intricate juggling act that forensics specialists and law enforcement personnel must perform every day as they handle multiple cases.

If this is the first book you've read by Reichs, you will still enjoy it, but then you owe it to yourself to go back and read Reichs' previous books to make the fullest sense of the character arcs and situations that evolve over the life of the series.

Thank you for reading my review. If you found it helpful, please vote by clicking "Yes" below!

A brother's murder led to Acadia
Kathy Reichs new novel flowed from sisters' resolve to get an autopsy
Aloma Jardine MONCTON, N.B. (Jul 28, 2007)
Temperance Brennan normally sticks to solving cases in Montreal and North Carolina, but the forensic anthropologist's career has also taken her to Guatemala and Israel. In her next adventure, Tempe Brennan, the fictional heroine of author and forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs' bestselling series of novels, will travel even farther off the beaten path. Tempe is heading to New Brunswick. In Bones to Ashes, the discovery of the skeleton of a young girl in New Brunswick brings Temperance back to her childhood as she is reminded of the disappearance of her young Acadian friend Evangeline. The story of how Reichs came to write a novel based in New Brunswick would make a bestseller itself. It began with a murder 26 years ago this month. In 1981, New Brunswick missionary Raoul Leger was serving in Guatemala in the midst of the country's bloody civil war. When he was killed in July of that year, the Guatemalan government said he died with a group of guerrillas who committed suicide rather than surrender. His body was repatriated to Canada several months later. But Leger's family never bought the official version of events and in 2001 his sisters Andra and Clola Leger were invited by a National Film Board crew to visit Guatemala to try to unravel the mystery surrounding his death. Andra Leger says that trip made them realize how important it was that they had their brother's body. Many of the estimated 200,000 people killed during the civil war simply disappeared. They also realized Raoul's body may help bring justice by providing evidence of war crimes. 'I foolishly thought it was as simple as calling the Moncton Hospital and asking for an autopsy,' Leger says, smiling as she recalls how complex the whole process was. Leger was finally told an autopsy on a 20-year-old body required the expertise of a forensic anthropologist and the only one east of Montreal was Kathy Reichs. Leger had no idea Reichs was famous. She had no idea she was even an author. She knew only this woman might be able to give her family some answers and help them close a painful chapter in their lives. 'I bugged her every day,' she says, explaining how she sent e-mail after e-mail asking for help in navigating the red tape involved in getting her brother's body exhumed and transported to Montreal to a facility equipped to handle the autopsy. Reichs patiently answered each e-mail, rerouting Leger to the proper people. The two finally met in Montreal in December 2001 when the autopsy was performed. As they said goodbye, Reichs made a quip about not getting five or six e-mails a day anymore. 'Are you going to miss me?' Leger asked. 'Maybe,' Reichs replied, and so the two women continued to e-mail each other, Reichs from wherever in the world her work happened to take her, Leger from her quiet home in Cocagne, about 30 kilometres northeast of Moncton. Reichs, who speaks French fluently, had been fascinated with the Legers' Acadian accent when they met in Montreal. Leger says, 'Then last February she sends me an e-mail -- hers are always one-liners -- 'What do you think if my next book is based in New Brunswick?'' Leger started sending Reichs bits and pieces of New Brunswick and Acadian history -- the deportation in 1755, rum running off the coast, the leprosy hospital in Tracadie -- and Reichs made plans for a visit

If you're into forensic science, true-crime, forensic anthropology, or just want a fantastic "mystery" to read, then I strongly recommend anything by Kathy Reichs, including this book. She has an amazing writing style that, as a writer and editor myself for over 20 years, is unmatched.

I purchased this book after reading "Break No Bones", which is the better of the two books in my humble opinion, but all of her stuff is fab. I'm a HUGE fan of the TV show Bones starring Emily Dechanel & David Boreanaz, so it was natural for me to pick the books up and start reading them once I saw them.

I've studied forensics in the past and I'm just starting out working missing persons cases, so it was important to me to read her work because while the characters are fiction, the core stories behind them are not and she is very honest about that.

Kathy is smart, classy, fluid, and her Temperance Brennan novels are an absolute hoot when you look at the entire work as a whole. I have enjoyed every one I've read, recommend them to everyone I know interested in the aforementioned fields, and will continue to recommend them for years to come. Simply put, you won't find better. =)

I have been a fan of Kathy Reichs since Deja Dead and have enjoyed the suspense and forensic anthropology that she weaves into each novel. Another big reason I have followed the Tempe Brennan series is her romance with Andrew Ryan. In Bones to Ashes, Ms. Reichs again pulled the rug out from loyal followers of the Ryan-Brennan relationship - I don't want to say too much to ruin the plot for those that purchase the book. Needless to say, I was so disappointed with the plot change that I could barely finish the book. Also, once I finished the book, there was no closure to many open plot lines. If you are a Ryan fan, I do not recommend this book.

Like Ms. Reichs other books Tempe is again found in a case regarding bones that have been found in an unusual situation except this time it will take her back in time to her childhood and a friend who mysteriously disappeared one summer. It is a very thrilling ride just like her other books and brings you to an end you don't expect. A good read.