- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd; Airport / Export ed edition (6 July 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 043401043X
- ISBN-13: 978-0434010431
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,317,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Break No Bones
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
It must be harder and harder for Kathy Reichs to keep each new novel as forceful and dramatic as the one before--not that delicate effects (which are not Reichs’ thing!) are particularly easy, but there is a danger in a certain fatigue setting in for the reader when an author puts them so comprehensively through the ringer with each novel as Reichs does. Break No Bones is proof positive that the author still knows how to cannily ring the changes on theme of her earlier work--this one is every bit as unsettling as Bare Bones or Grave Secrets, but the path Reichs takes to our pulse rate is somewhat different.
Dr Temperance Brennan is working with her students at an archaeological field school on an Island near Charleston , South Carolina. A decomposing corpse is discovered in a shallow grave, showing evidence (connected vertebra, etc.,) that the body has not been dead for long. While engaged in this mystery, Tempe’s own life encounters real havoc when a bullet, possibly meant for her, hospitalises her estranged husband Peter; and her new relationship with Detective Andrew Ryan is in trouble. But, as so often before, cracking a mystery may cost her her life.
All of this is handled with the assurance that we have come to expect from Reichs, but there are new things here: Reichs' sense of structure has always been strongly linear, but the extra looseness of the narrative pays dividends in disorienting the reader. Set pieces, too, are more integrated, though with all the usual capacity to raise hairs on the back of the neck. When so many authors are repeating themselves to ever-diminishing effect, it’s good to see Reichs is clearly not content to rest on her laurels.
--Barry Forshaw --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"A brilliant novel in the tradition of the best Southern gothic writing! What a pleasure it is to watch Tempe Brennan on the job once again, this time in the perfectly realized world of South Carolina. Reichs's seamless blending of fascinating science and dead-on psychological portrayals, not to mention a whirlwind of a plot, make "Break No Bones" a must read."
-- Jeffery Deaver, author of "The Cold Moon" and "The Twelfth Card" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Once you get behind the strongly American version of English and the Reichs style of short-sentenced rhetoric, there is a good story lurking in this book.
Normally, I can understand those small differences between English English and American English, but there were just too many times, whilst reading this book, that I just had no idea what was meant!
The narrative is also littered with three-letter acronyms, some explained, some not; and unfamiliar words that don't appear in my version of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Eventually, I became lazy, giving up on trying to reference these words and approximating my understanding based on the context.
The story is based on the interesting similarities between the injuries sustained at the moments of death of a couple of corpses found in Southern California and is littered with descriptions of the incompetent and arrogant people that Dr Temperence Brennan encounters during her investigations.
I almost gave up half way through, but I am unable to leave anything in my life unfinished. I'm happy that I didn't submit to that temptation, as the ending makes it all worthwhile, and the language does mellow a little in the last few chapters.
I would have been happier if somebody had recommended that I await the English translation before embarking on this read, and that is exactly what I would recommend to any prospective British readers.
However, don't take my word for it. Walk into a bookshop, pick up a copy, open it anywhere and read two or three pages. If you can go with the language and style, buy it because you are sure to enjoy the story. Otherwise, replace it on the shelf in the hope that it will be re-published in your own native tongue someday soon.
Normally, I can understand those small differences between English English and American English, but there were just too many times, whilst reading this book, that I just had no idea what was meant!
The narrative is also littered with three-letter acronyms, some explained, some not; and unfamiliar words that don't appear in my version of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Eventually, I became lazy, giving up on trying to reference these words and approximating my understanding based on the context.
The story is based on the interesting similarities between the injuries sustained at the moments of death of a couple of corpses found in Southern California and is littered with descriptions of the incompetent and arrogant people that Dr Temperence Brennan encounters during her investigations.
I almost gave up half way through, but I am unable to leave anything in my life unfinished. I'm happy that I didn't submit to that temptation, as the ending makes it all worthwhile, and the language does mellow a little in the last few chapters.
I would have been happier if somebody had recommended that I await the English translation before embarking on this read, and that is exactly what I would recommend to any prospective British readers.
However, don't take my word for it. Walk into a bookshop, pick up a copy, open it anywhere and read two or three pages. If you can go with the language and style, buy it because you are sure to enjoy the story. Otherwise, replace it on the shelf in the hope that it will be re-published in your own native tongue someday soon.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have loved every Kathy Reichs book that I have read. With this book it has taken me a lot lot longer than normal to read, Kathy seems to have slowed the pace in this book and hence the constant heart rate whilst reading has slowed (any Kathy fan will know what I mean) I have really struggled to stay with the plot and at times had to force myself to read on but I await the next thrilling book and hope for a little more pace in the next one.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've read all of Kathy Reich's books, and was very disappointed by Cross Bones, Temperance Brennan's last outing. So I was thrilled to see that Break No Bones had really returned to the form which I have come to expect from Reichs. The story is well thought out and has some surprising elements by the end, the writing is slick, with snappy dialogue and Temperance Brennan's life has gotten no less complicated over the past year. Unfortunately for me, I've now read the book and will have to wait a year til the next one - I feel a revisit of the book shelf is in order!
The premise of this story is that Brennan unearths a body that shouldn't be there during an archaeology field school, tied in with this is the discovery of another body and the investigation of a Church-run free clinic by Brennan's estranged husband. Not only does Brennan have difficulties living in the same house with Pete (said estranged husband), but she also has to deal with her relationship with a jealous Mountie - your favourite and mine, Andrew Ryan. The only criticism I have of this novel is the ambiguity of the ending, there is no real closure with this book, but then I guess that's why I'm excited about the next one!
The premise of this story is that Brennan unearths a body that shouldn't be there during an archaeology field school, tied in with this is the discovery of another body and the investigation of a Church-run free clinic by Brennan's estranged husband. Not only does Brennan have difficulties living in the same house with Pete (said estranged husband), but she also has to deal with her relationship with a jealous Mountie - your favourite and mine, Andrew Ryan. The only criticism I have of this novel is the ambiguity of the ending, there is no real closure with this book, but then I guess that's why I'm excited about the next one!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Break no Bones
Great storyline. The anticipation throughout the book is really good. The story keeps you on your toes waiting for the next bit of excitement. Couldn't put it down. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. Pa Gillies
not my style
thought iw ould like these books as I like it on TV but do not like the style of writing
Published 11 months ago by Shooting Star
Slow start but then couldn't put it down
I enjoy Kathy Reichs books and while avoiding my third attempt at Don Quixote I got distracted by this book. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Holiday Maker
Kathy Reichs Novel
The only complaint I've got about Kathy Reichs and the Tempe Brennan series is that I can read faster than Kathy can write! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ms. Elise Hey
A good yarn
This book is a bit of a culture shock, especially if you start reading it immediately after finishing something quintessentially English. Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by Suzie
My favourite Reichs book
Having now finished all of Reichs books, i've settled on this one as my favourite. Perhaps its the descriptions of the deep south in high summer, perhaps its more involvement with... Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2009 by S. Hammerton
Quite different from the TV show Bones
I read this book because it was lent to me by one of the members of my book group. I'm not really into crime fiction, but I've recently started watching the TV series Bones which... Read more
Published on 1 July 2009 by Mrs. S. R. Wray
Another just the same.
You will like this if you like her other books & I have read them all.
As usual the forensic scientist gets into areas where she should not cover and is assaulted. Read more
As usual the forensic scientist gets into areas where she should not cover and is assaulted. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2009 by David
Break no Bones
I have now read all 9 books, and am looking forward to the next one.
Published on 21 May 2009 by Omi
A Facinating Tale of Forensic Genius
I have never read any of Reich's work before and have to say this has sat on the shelf for over a year waiting its turn to be read. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2008 by Mrs. B
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
