Bones Are Forever (Temperance Brennan) [Hardcover]

Kathy Reichs approaches her books' contents in the detailed style that must resemble her professional life as a forensic pathologist with the added spice of a novelist. This kicks off with a tell-tale gruesome maggot-infested location of a neonate whose body is uncovered in an apartment. The initial passages hold the readers' attention readily. Dr Temperance Brennan, the Canadian (Quebec) expert uncovers two more preserved babies mummified in the same room. Her post-mortem and observational findings indicate features linking the deaths as suspect, possibly unnatural causes of death. This is the setting for the pursuit and identification of the culprits with the putative mother at the top of the agenda. The lonesome trail leads to Yellowknife, atmospherically and historically portrayed in graphic style. A site of threat, tension and more questions thrown than answers given.

Kathy Reich's novel is in keeping with previous writings. Short, punchy dialogue, gripping and unfolding gradually with tension, twists and logical unravelling of the storyline. Relentless in her scientific pursuit, Temperance Brennan complements this with her unfailing ferreting out of the case. Only then may matters be satisfactorily concluded. Not quite so easy or comfortable, however. Further revelations unmask dangers that may be more personal than anticipated. As with Kathy Reichs's stories, there are asides that add to the professional procedures. Some romantic interludes are an additional source of interest within the more solemn nature of her endeavours. We are reminded of her motherly responsibilities that inevitably cause some conflicts of interest with her vocation.

Another enjoyable example of the author's talent and the protagonist's occupational hazards. Consistently excellent and no doubt again popular. No qualms about her style nor her varied expression of successfully delivering the suspenseful stories.

I am a devoted fan of Kathy Reichs, having read every one of her books. This time, however, I was in for a surprise. Lack of suspense, denouement and pace flaw this non-page-turner from the start. I had to struggle to finish it. Not at all up to Reich's skill with intrigue and interesting plot development.

From the distressing opening scene of a small maggot-infested corpse, you know straightaway that this latest from Kathy Reichs is seemingly more edgy in it's subject matter and choice of victim than her usual fare, as Temperance Brennan once again finds herself embroiled in murders most foul. With typical attention to detail, we follow Brennan's crucial forensic discoveries as she pieces together- sometimes literally, as later she solves a macabre jigsaw involving exhumed remains- the secrets that dead bodies can yield up under her close scrutiny . No matter how many times the song `Dem Dry Bones' crosses my mind in Reichs' detailing of which bone connects to which, I always find the specificity of this information strangely compelling andit always adds to the perennial authenticity of Brennan's logical and focused investigations of the human body.

Another weapon in Reichs' armour is her ability to perfectly capture place and atmosphere, whether in the `nuts and bolts' description of location, or is as particularly evident in the setting of Yellowknife, the own peculiar history of that location. Reichs' takes us on a historical trip back through Yellowknife's former fortunes as an area rich in gold, to it's now new lucrative position as a diamond -mining town. Personally, I rather enjoy this sojourn down a rags to riches memory lane (at least for some of the prospectors) to flesh out what is at times a slightly leaky story with some twists in the plot signposted a little too clearly for the seasoned crime reader. Also, in the course of the book, Reichs' tries a little homespun social analysis on the subject of race and dips her toe into a somewhat stereotypical depiction of environmental campaigners and, although I can understand her needing to employ these facets of the story to drive the plot forward in a particular direction, it does feel a tad forced and, dare I say it, slightly clunky at times.

On an altogether lighter note, Brennan finds herself torn between two lovers as a couple of former suitors flex their muscles and vie for her attention, with the inevitable butting of heads that always ensues in these situations, and with rather a surprise announcement by Brennan's daughter Katy to add to her personal chagrin, there is a nice balance as usual between Brennan the professional forensic anthropologist, a concerned mother and quite possibly a lover...no spoilers here!

I must confess after not having read a Kathy Reichs for a while it was quite nice to revisit a familiar character- like pulling on a comfy pair of slippers- and despite its flaws it was great to spend some time in the company of Temperance Brennan. I'd rather missed her!

(And it goes without saying, extra points for the adaptation of a Bond movie for the title...!)