Speaking in Bones

A Novel

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Katherine Borowitz

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

No one speaks the language of suspense more brilliantly than Kathy Reichs, author of the acclaimed Temperance Brennan series. In Speaking in Bones, the forensic anthropologist finds herself drawn into a world of dark secrets and dangerous beliefs, where good and evil blur.

Professionally, Temperance Brennan knows exactly what to do—test, analyze, identify. Her personal life is another story. She’s at a loss, wondering how to answer police detective Andrew Ryan’s marriage proposal. But the matter of matrimony takes a backseat when murder rears its head.

Hazel “Lucky” Strike—a strident amateur detective who mines the Internet for cold cases—comes to Brennan with a tape recording of an unknown girl being held prisoner and terrorized. Strike is convinced the voice is that of eighteen-year-old Cora Teague, who went missing more than three years earlier. Strike is also certain that the teenager’s remains are gathering dust in Temperance Brennan’s lab.

Brennan has doubts about working with a self-styled websleuth. But when the evidence seems to add up, Brennan’s next stop is the treacherous backwoods where the chilling recording (and maybe Cora Teague’s bones) were discovered. Her forensic field trip only turns up more disturbing questions—along with gruesome proof of more untimely deaths.

While local legends of eerie nocturnal phenomena and sinister satanic cults abound, it’s a zealous and secretive religious sect that has Brennan spooked and struggling to separate the saints from the sinners. But there’s nothing, including fire and brimstone, that can distract her from digging up the truth and taking down a killer—even as Brennan finds herself in a place where angels fear to tread, devils demand their due, and she may be damned no matter what.

Praise for Speaking in Bones

“Speaking in Bones keeps the suspense high.”—Associated Press

“Temperance’s forensic sleuthing uncovers many secrets, along with a blockbuster psychological surprise.”—The Huffington Post

Critic reviews

“Speaking in Bones keeps the suspense high.”—Associated Press

“Temperance’s forensic sleuthing uncovers many secrets, along with a blockbuster psychological surprise.”—The Huffington Post

Very Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The ending comes out of nowhere and seems contrived.

What was most disappointing about Kathy Reichs’s story?

The pace of the story (drags) and the strange ending.

First audio book by KR

Overall it kept me listening and to be honest. What else can you ask for. Story was told in first person and I love that. Ending was not as great as I was hoping for but still good.

Lived up to my expectations

I love the Bones series and this one was great. The narration was very good and the ending a surprise. Good imagery.

I liked it!

One of the best Brennen's I've read. Narration just right, story captivating, a good, solid read. I recommend it.

Held my attention

Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is good at bones. But as a sleuth, she sure can get herself in hot water. And she does in this novel. There was at least one time when I thought we were at the end of the series. Tempe is trying to get to the bottom of a head found in a bucket, and she wanders into a church of religious zealots. Author Kathy Reichs is a master of suspense, and this book just flew by.

And lo and behold, her longtime boyfriend Andrew Ryan proposed to her! She's having some trouble deciding whether to accept — because her ex-husband did her so wrong.

I didn't really like the story, but it was a page-turner, and that made the book for me.