Book Review: Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  Temperance Brennan, like her creator Kathy Reichs, is a brilliant, sexy forensic anthropologist called on to solve the toughest cases. But for Tempe, the discovery of a young girl's skeleton in Acadia, Canada, is more than just another assignment. Evangeline, Tempe's childhood best friend, was also from Acadia. Named for the character in the Longfellow poem, Evangeline was the most exotic person in Tempe's eight-year-old world. When Evangeline disappeared, Tempe was warned not to search for her, that the girl was "dangerous."Thirty years later, flooded with memories, Tempe cannot help wondering if this skeleton could be the friend she lost so many years ago. And what is the meaning of the strange skeletal lesions found on the bones of the young girl?

Meanwhile, Tempe's beau, Ryan, investigates a series of cold cases. Three girls dead. Four missing. Could the New Brunswick skeleton be part of the pattern? As Tempe draws on the latest advances in forensic anthropology to penetrate the past, Ryan hunts down a serial predator.

My Thoughts: I have enjoyed all of Kathy Reichs "Bones" books and this one is no exception.  I can always count on these books if I am in a reading slump.

This book starts out with some of Tempe's childhood history.  You learn a little about Tempe's family, the death of her brother and father and her good friend, Evangeline.  Tempe hasn't really thought of Evangeline in awhile.  Evangeline disappeared with her sister when Tempe was young.  When a detective brings Tempe a skeleton of a young girl, Tempe wonders if it might be Evangeline's (there are some clues that lead her to think of Evangeline).  

In the meantime, Tempe is also helping Ryan with some missing girls/dead girls cases.  This part of the book was very disturbing to me, in particular, one somewhat graphic scene, that I had to actually just skim past.  I have an 8-year daughter so that part was tough for me to read.  Somehow, Ryan's case ties into Tempe's friend's case and through that, Tempe is able to find out what has happened to Evangeline and her sister.  

This book was very fast paced and kept me on my toes.  This book dealt with Leprosy, which was interesting to me to read about since I knew very little about it.  It seems a little strange to me that the family (who has money) would not seek medical care but I also know people who are very wary about hospitals and the government in general so I can see it happening.

If you like Kathy Reich's books, you won't be disappointed in this one.