Bones to Ashes - Kathy Reichs

Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs.

~ ~ The Book Series explained ~ ~
This is the tenth book in the Temperance Brennan series. The books have subsequently spawned a TV series called Bones. I have to say, if you're a fan of the TV series, there are marked differences in the books, even so far as differences in main characters so don't be surprised if you pick up a book to find Angela et al aren't popping out of the page at you but this shouldn't stop you from picking up a Kathy Reichs Temperance Brennan book because while different, they still have something compelling to offer.

~ ~ Book Synopsis ~ ~ *

Under the microscope, the outer bone surface is a moonscape of craters and Tempe isn't any further forward discovering what has caused the surface to look like this.
The skeleton is that of a young girl, no more than fourteen years old - and forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan is also struggling to find out a cause of death, age of the bones or even if they are her case or that of an archeologist.
Added to this, the coroner Yves Bradette is being evasive, insisting the bones are archeological and of no interest. But it doesn't quite add up, and a frustrated Tempe is convinced that the bones are hiding more than she can tell. It's not 'officially' Tempe's case; she's overwhelmed with more urgent work in the lab.
And then, she gets a memory triggered, deep in her brain - the disappearance of a childhood friend. This just pushes the frustration levels further and yet Tempe knows she has nothing or very little to go on.
Working on instinct, Tempe takes matters into her own hands. But she couldn't have predicted where this case would lead, or the horrors it would eventually uncover.
This case becomes personal like very few do, and before long Tempe is also worried she has placed her sister, Harry, into further danger.

~ ~ A Little About The Books Author ~ ~
Unlike so many other writers in this genre, Kathy Riechs has one advantage. She is a forensic anthropologist and so draws on her vast experience to write these stories. She is often called in for some tough cases and while none of the books are based on actual events, they have been researched in a way very few could otherwise manage!
As stated already, these books have now led to a TV series, which Kathy Reichs is a non-executive producer.

~ ~ The Book in General ~ ~

As I've already explained this is the tenth book of the series featuring Temperance Brennan, aka Tempe.
Tempe Brennan is a Forensic Anthropologist who divides her time between two areas, North Carolina and Quebec in Canada.
In her personal life she is separated from her husband, not having the best of times with her lover who is also a Canadian detective, Andrew Ryan, and is an ex-alcoholic.
Her speciality means she is often assigned gruesome cases, and the latest to arrive at her desk in Quebec brings back memories of her childhood friend Evangeline Landry. Evangeline was a young Acadian (The history of Acadian's does get explained as well in the book) who spent Summer Holidays at Pawleys Island where Tempe was brought up as a child after the death of her own father and a brother.
Tempe and Evangeline spent their summers reading and writing poetry, and staging dramas around their love of such writings.
And then suddenly, Evangeline vanished without explanation or trace, and Tempe was always left wondering what had happened to her one true friend.

A Cold Case detective asks for Tempes help when he says there is a skeleton being held that no one has accounted for. The coroner - Yves Bradette - assigned to the case, has decided that the bones are archaeological and therefore hasn't bothered to get them properly examined. This irks Tempe, who then insists she is the one to decide whether the bones are indeed archaeological or if there is more to it than appears.
However, the unit she works for is under increasing stress with numerous other cases coming in, so she has to accept most of the work is to be done on her own time or between other cases, and not to override others.

As Tempe begins to work out the mystery of the bones, she begins to put some pieces together that point towards the disappearance of Evangeline. Tempe becomes determined to try and find out the truth behind her friend's disappearance, and this in turn leads her towards another case, being lead by her on-off boyfriend, Detective Andrew Ryan and a very dangerous adversary.

Can they solve the mystery of the bones before Tempe, her sister Harry and others are placed in danger?

~ ~ Overall thoughts about the book ~ ~

Once again, like the previous novels, Kathy Reichs has done her homework. We get a very good explanation about Acadia and the people from there,
We have the on-off relationship with Andrew Ryan hovering in the background, but it doesn't overwhelm the story. If anything in this book, there is little time for them to be involved on a personal level simply because of the Cold Cases that are mounting, as well as personal problems Ryan is having with his daughter and it allows us to gain more insight to them both which is a refreshing change.

We also get to meet Tempe's sister Harry again (we meet her in previous writings) who is almost as complete opposite to Tempe as you can find, and the introduction of her to this book allows us to see Tempe on a different personal level again, as well as us gaining far more insight into her childhood and upbringing. You find yourself warming to more than just the scientist.

This might seem obvious considering the books subject, but I will include it anyway - If you can watch and 'enjoy' something like CSI or books of a similar genre, you won't have a problem with this book. However, if you're easily offended/upset by some very dark subject matter this isn't a book for you to read!

There are the usual descriptions of Post Mortem techniques, but fortunately for the average reader we don't get so bogged down with technical details we switch off completely. Nice explanations are given where needed (both from the science point of view and also in this instance, the historical aspects of the book).
The dialogue is typical Kathy Reiches, nicely paced, funny in places, and moves the story along well.

This book actually is a step above the last couple, which were still immensely enjoyable but just seemed not quite as balanced as the earlier novels. Here I do believe we've got Reichs returning back to what she is best at, and we don't stray too far from the realm of credibility or understanding.

My only complaint is a very personal one - is it was over too soon! In this instance the book isn't as long as some might be, but then again it could very well have detracted from the story had it been attempted to fill it out more. So I accept it had to be, but just would have loved more if possible!

A great one for a Christmas present this year - or just to treat yourself - 10/10 or 5 stars from me!

~ ~ Costs and Availability ~ ~

£9.44 from Amazon.co.uk
£14.49 (Free Delivery) from Play.com
£ 15.19 from Bookfellas.co.uk

* Part of synopsis using the books own in very small amount at beginning. Rest of synopsis my own.