Julie's Review: Devil Bones

Summary: Dr. Temperance Brennan's quest to identify two corpses pits her against citizen vigilantes intent on a witch-hunt in bestseller Reichs's exciting 11th thriller to feature the forensic anthropologist (after 2007's Bones to Ashes). While working in Charlotte, N.C., Brennan investigates remains unearthed during a housing renovation and discovers disturbing clues possibly pointing to voodoo or Santeria. She must determine if the bones, including the skull of a teenage girl, are linked to an unidentified headless torso found in a nearby lake. Intent on using the deaths as the cornerstone of his crusade against immorality, fundamentalist preacher turned politician Boyce Lingo claims that the bodies bear the mark of devil worshippers. With the help of Det. Erskine Skinny Slidell, Brennan unearths a tangled web of dirty politics, religious persecution and male prostitution. Reichs, whose work inspired the hit TV series Bones, once again expertly blends science and complex character development. ~Amazon.com

Review: I really liked this entry into the Temperance Brennan series. It was smart, intelligent and insightful. I like the fact that it dealt with alternative religions and after reading Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, I was happy to see that Ms. Reichs did her research. I liked learning about Santeria and voodoo. It also shows how ignorant people are when they don't understand or don't chose to understand. So of course we get the crazy, religious fanatics who are quick to say it's a satanic worship. We are dealing with 2 separate cases in Devil Bones: A Novel (Temperance Brennan Novels) but they might be linked based on circumstantial evidence.

I also liked the developments in Tempe's personal life. I liked the introduction of Charlie. I do like that Pete is forcing Tempe to move on, even if it's with a 20 something blond. I knew Ryan would show up on her porch and I really wasn't too happy with it. After what he did to Tempe, I can't trust him and I don't think Tempe should either. What's to stop him from deserting her again? I understand wanting and needing to be there for your kids but trying to make it work with someone that you were with many years ago, doesn't make sense. It also seems like he still has something on his mind. If I were Tempe, I'd keep my options open (aka go out with Charlie again).

I liked the conclusion of the case and while I think I'm smart, these books always outsmart me. I'm definitely looking forward to the release of 206 Bones: A Novel (Temperance Brennan) on August 25, 2009.

Final Take: 4.5/5