Series Name: Temperance Brennan, #23

Review By Kayleigh

Fire and Bones is a stable installment in the Temperance Brennan series

Favourite Quote:

One look told me the person inside was dead. And that it was probably a woman. Her eyes were half open, her shriveled and clouded pupils mid-dilated and fixed in the cadaveric position. 

I aimed my erratic beam down into the opening I’d created. 

My heart threw in a few extra beats.

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Called to Washington, DC to analyse the victims of a mysterious arson attack, Tempe quickly finds her misgivings justified. The fire site is in Foggy Bottom, a neighbourhood with a colourful history, and as the pieces start falling into place, the property’s ownership becomes more and more suspicious. 

Sensing a good story, Tempe teams up with a new ally, telejournalist Ivy Doyle. Delving into the past, 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 one of the gang members is shot dead at his farm in Virginia.

When another Foggy Bottom Gang-linked property burns to the ground, claiming one more victim, what might have been coincidence starts to look more like targeted attacks. As she and Ivy dig deeper, Tempe’s instincts point towards the somehow, her every move since coming to Washington has been anticipated in advance. And every path forward brings with it a lethal threat.

It’s no secret that I love the Temperance Brennan series. Fire and Bones is the latest in Kathy Reichs long-standing story about a forensic anthropologist who has a knack for finding trouble and getting herself in unique situations. I think fans of the series will enjoy Fire and Bones, but if you’re new to the series don’t start here! This is a strong, middle of the road book. It’s not my favourite in the series, but I enjoyed popping in to visit Temperance and spend some time with her while she unravels her latest mystery that sees her in Washington DC.

If you haven’t read any of the series, I’d start with an earlier book. Fire and Bones, I think, may confuse you a little bit if you aren’t familiar with all the names and relationship dynamics. You get thrown into the story quickly, and there’s less backstory than some of her other books have. I enjoyed this book, but felt that I didn’t connect with all of the secondary characters or find their motives exceedingly motivating. I wanted the book to be longer so she could wrap up some of the secondary storylines more! Kathy writes fascinating mysteries, and I really enjoyed this one: it mixed Washington politics, prohibition, gangsters and arson all into one hot story. I love the historical and scientific details she always mixes in with the story (the Warring Brothers that are a main plot point in the book, for example) which keep the book immensely readable. 

If you’re a fan of Temperance Brennan and are looking for an addictive read, pick up Fire and Bones.

Thank you, Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC in return for an honest review.