I was a big fan of the TV series Bones, but I have never read any of the books that the TV series was based on, Me being me I couldn’t start at book 1 as where is the fun in that? No, I started at book 19 A Conspiracy of Bones as I sometimes like to see just how good a series is by seeing if you can pick a random book and follow the action without feeling you have missed something from an earlier book that you need to know in order for everything to make sense. I didn’t have to worry as Kathy Reichs has provided the reader with a book that stands up on its own just as well as part of a series.
Temperence Brennan feels like she is being frozen out of investigations by her new boss. They have history and not a good one so when she is sent pictures of an unidentified body she decides to go behind her back and do some digging of her own. She wants to put a name to the faceless body and find out if the person was murdered or not. Even she is not sure if its just because she hates the unexplained or if she wants to prove that her boss is not as good as she thinks she is. Added to this she is dealing with health issues that at times have her questioning what she thinks she has seen.
I have to say that apart from the main character the book does not appear to be anything like the series but that didn’t stop me enjoying it. Brennan clearly has a drive to get to the bottom of things even if it means putting herself in situations that could be dangerous and generally annoying people who think she should stop poking her nose in where its not wanted. She does have help however in the form of former police officer Erskine 'Skinny' Slidell who spends most of his time these days investigating cold cases. Despite his irritation with Brennan, he does seem to care about what happens to her and they definitely display a grudging respect for each other. When there seems to be links between the dead man and a cold case of a missing girl he is soon on board and has her back at every turn
This is a case that deals with the dark web, conspiracy theories and child pornography and exploitation which may upset some but has been treated with care by the author so there is nothing added just for shock value. With such well written characters and a pace that just flows I can see why this series is so popular. Now all I have to do is go back and read the other 18 ( I may be some time)

A great, thrilling read, which will keep you entertained throughout. A good one sitting read, get the nibbles ready, close the door, and read!

I couldn't finish this book as I was a bit lost - I didn't realise it was part of such a long-running series!

However, from the bit that I did finish, I enjoyed the writing style, a lovely classic crime style. I may look up the start of the series at some point!

Kathy Reichs is one of my favourite authors - although I have to overcome the rather irritating version of her main character that was portrayed on TV. Having not read any of her books for a while this felt like a treat to curl up with in bed as she faced a faceless corpse who had her phone number .... Unputdownable f you like clever procedurals.

Kathy Reichs never does wrong!
I love this series, and I love when a new book comes out every time.
It’s a serious topic but also fun. The interaction between the characters is always fun to read.
I like the suspense and trying to clue together who I think is the baddie as well.

Another great Temperance Brennan book!

Kathy Reichs never disappoints. Even after so many books, the characters still seem fresh and the storylines engaging. This one is packed with twists and turns with plenty of gut punches that come out of nowhere.

If you've loved Reichs' other books, you'll adore this one.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

I have not read many books by this author. I found the writing style very American with a large number of anachronisms which made the flow very difficult. I am unsure if I would read another book by this author.

Thank you Simon & Schuster UK and NetGalley and I apologise for the delay in reviewing this book.
This was another great book by Kathy in the Temperance Brennan series. I started reading this series over 20 years ago and get really excited when a new book comes out and keep it until I have time to sit and read properly
and this really didn't disappoint.
Can I have the next one please?!

I first got into Kathy Reichs writing through the TV series Bones which is based on this series, and have found the books to be thrilling and engaging.
I really enjoyed this book, and love the way that the series isn't going stale, despite going on for so long.
The mysteries, characters, and relationships are always constantly developing, and they feel real and pressing.
Tempe and Slidell have to race to work out who the victim is before further harm comes to anyone else, and in the process are drawn into a mass of conspiracies they never could have expected.
It was a fantastic read, and I can't wait to see where Kathy Reichs will take the series next.

This is the 19th book in the series featuring Tempe Brennan, and I just love each and every book in the series. Once again Ms Reichs didn't disappoint with this book, can't wait for number 20!

I have read several of the books featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan so it was no surprise to me that I enjoyed this one too. The last few books have seemed a little darker which usually appeals to me but I wouldn't say it was one of my favourites. If you are a fan of the series, I would still recommend reading it, but if you are new to the character, I would personally go back to read some of the earlier novels.

I remember reading my first Temperance Brennan book when I was pregnant - my “baby” is now 23 so that’s a long time to follow a series. This one is very good - twisty plot, tension, thrills. Highly recommended.

Having been a huge fan of the series Bones, I have dipped in and out of the Temperance Brennan series and I always enjoy the books when I do.

Things are not going well for Tempe, as she has previously clashed with her new boss who is now trying to keep her away from the department. Trying to solve a crime without the comfort and familiarity of her department means Temperance has a whole new set of challenges.

Another great addition to the series, which I continue to enjoy and plan on going back to read all of some day soon!

Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist working between Montreal and North Carolina. Temperance (Tempe) Brennan, her protagonist in this book, and in the previous eighteen books in the series, shares the same profession and geographical distribution, although the author is careful to point out that the books are not autobiographical. For some reason (possibly because I was into Scarpetta), I don’t seem to have read any of the previous eighteen. That shouldn’t be a problem, of course, if the required backstory is conveyed clearly but I found it a bit of a struggle to get into. There are quite a few characters who seemed to have been given a small role each because the fans expect it. Tempe’s actions and motivations seemed a bit muddled to begin with although eventually a semblance of coherence emerged. This may be an attempt to dramatise her mental health following an operation on a brain aneurysm. Here we have fiction replicating life in that the writer had also gone through this trauma just before writing this book.
In this story, she is freelance as consultant rather than as part of the M.E.’s office when she receives photographs of a faceless corpse from an anonymous source. In due course the corpse turns up and, believing that the new M.E., Dr Heavner, is both venal and incompetent, she manages to acquire, illegally, forensic information which leads her into the role of Private Investigator. The plot is long and intricate and impossible to explain adequately without spoilers, featuring possible spies, mysterious clinics, abduction to name but a few. A major player is the internet, especially a trip into the Dark Web.
Overall, I was disappointed in this book but it will work well for those who have previously invested in the heroine. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review. I also offer them an apology for lateness because I wrote this review months ago but then Covid19 got in my way.

I read the first few Temperance Brennan novels when they first came out and really enjoyed them, then my interest waned as I lured to read other, newer, crime procedurals. When I saw this available on NetGalley I thought it might be time to give the series another try. I was right to dive back in.

The best part of Reich’s novels is that they are so well researched and the forensic detail is fascinating. That hasn’t changed, but Tempe has and so has her position. This is a Tempe who isn’t necessarily at the top of her game - after surgery for an aneurysm, she is struggling with headaches, hallucinations and lack of sleep, This illness has left Tempe doubting herself and her abilities, the last place I imagined her to be. Her boss, Dr Larabee, has passed away leaving Tempe grieving but also leaving an opening for a new Chief Medical Examiner. Margo Heavener is the new head of Tempe’s department, known as Dr Morgue, she likes to court the media and this attitude has meant a clash with Tempe in the past. Margo is no fan of Tempe, and the feeling is mutual. Tempe sees her as unethical, fame hungry, lacking in integrity. Whereas Tempe is more focused on the person she is working on rather than pushing her own agenda. This is the first time I have seen her out of her depth and blocked from doing the work she loves.

However, when a faceless corpse is discovered. Tempe finds her interest piqued again. Sent to her via a mystery text, Tempe can’t count on her boss to support her investigation, so has to work outside the rules that normally govern her work, She needs to rely on illegal photos, and must investigate behind Margo Heavener’s back. The body is faceless because it has been eaten by wild hogs, There are none of the usual clues, such as a wallet, items in the pockets or even labelled clothing. Tempe doesn’t even know this is a murder, it could be a suicide, but she keeps investigating, Helped by retired cop Skinny Slidell, she works out his identity but little else. She could be working so hard, just to unmask someone criminal, even a sex offender, but as usual she works with all the usual professionalism and respect. I also enjoyed the way Reich’s strips Tempe of all the cutting edge technology she would normally use. She has to become inventive and at a time when she can’t always trust whats in front of her eyes. This is a great twist on the usual Brennan story, it brings a new urgency and tension to the series and deepens the mystery. I’ll be looking out for No 20 in the series.

This one unfortunately wasn't one of my favourites. I originally got into Kathy Reichs books because of the Bones tv series and this definitely strays away from that mostly in a good way. This book follows Temperance
Brennan after brain surgery after an aneurysm so this book is a little slower some of the others in the series. I haven't read all 19 books in this series and tend to go for the ones that sound the most intriguing to me at the tome. Usually I find the story and characters are easy to pick up even if you haven't read the others but this one was a little trickier based on the situation.
When reading these books I always worry I'll feel stupid when the medical stuff is brought up but I find its always explained well and easily.
For me the plot was a bit unbelievable. There were some elements I just couldn't see past and they took me out of the story for a bit. But I did enjoy most of the action and was glad the pace picked up throughout the book.

There's a reason Reichs books are so popular and that shes managed to get to book 19 in a series and still hold a lot of intrigue and interest.
3/5 Stars

Maybe I have too firm an idea of what Brennan is like from watching the TV series of Bones, that I found it difficult to reconcile with the portrayal of her in this book. I've only read one other book in this series and I didn't find Temperance so taxing in the earlier novel.

The story felt a bit stalling at times rather than a 'can't put it down page turner '. Wasn't quite the suspenseful murder mystery I was expecting.

I guess if you're already a fan and have read most of the series, this will be a must read but not sure this particular book would encourage me to read the rest of the series.

Tempe’s life seems to be in disarray. Health problems, an impossible new boss and then some gruesome pictures are sent to her phone. Who is the faceless man & why is Dr. Heavner so determined to exclude her. There unfolds a story of conspiracy, missing children and too many people who are determined to keep their lives secret. Can Brennan, with Skinny’s help, get justice for the victims.
A fascinating look at the underworld os conspiracy theorists, the depths of the Deep Web and the lengths people will go to win ‘at all costs’.

I've read every single book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed most of them. The last book felt a little different and this new one goes further down this newer darker direction. I'm sorry to say that this is the first Bones book that I have failed to finish. Gratuitously gruesome this is a dark and disturbing story and I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. Sorry.

A fabulous read- love books by this author and this one did not disappoint would thoroughly recommend