Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

2010, Scribner

Series: Book 13 of Temperance Brennan

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Synopsis: John Lowery was declared dead in 1968—the victim of a Huey crash in Vietnam, his body buried long ago in North Carolina. Four decades later, Temperance Brennan is called to the scene of a drowning in Hemmingford, Quebec. The victim appears to have died while in the midst of a bizarre sexual practice. The corpse is later identified as John Lowery. But how could Lowery have died twice, and how did an American soldier end up in Canada?

Tempe sets off for the answer, exhuming Lowery’s grave in North Carolina and taking the remains to Hawaii for reanalysis—to the headquarters of JPAC, the U.S. military’s Joint POW/ MIA Accounting Command, which strives to recover Americans who have died in past conflicts. In Hawaii, Tempe is joined by her colleague and ex-lover Detective Andrew Ryan (how “ex” is he?) and by her daughter, who is recovering from her own tragic loss. Soon another set of remains is located, with Lowery’s dog tags tangled among them. Three bodies—all identified as Lowery.

And then Tempe is contacted by Hadley Perry, Honolulu’s flamboyant medical examiner, who needs help identifying the remains of an adolescent boy found offshore. Was he the victim of a shark attack? Or something much more sinister?

Why read: Love the series

What impressed me: I loved Tempe in Hawaii. I loved her vacationing with her daughter and I loved seeing her work in a new place with a different group of people. I absolutely loved Tempe and Ryan spending time together, with their respective kids, and not having everything be sort of overwhelmed by work as it usually is. The mystery was completely unforeseeable. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times, but was always proven wrong.

What disappointed me: I'm sort of getting sick of Tempe constantly being in danger. At the rate she's going, you'd expect her to have a constant security detail.

Recommended: Yes. Series fans will love the great balance between mystery and Tempe's personal life.

Continue series: Definitely. However long the series lasts, I'm sticking with it.

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

2009, Ace

Series: Short stories from Sookie Stackhouse

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Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris has re-imagined the supernatural world with her “spunky” (Tampa Tribune) Southern Vampire novels starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Now, for the first time, here is every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written—together in one volume.

Stories include “Fairy Dust,” “One Word Answer,” “Dracula Night,” “Lucky,” and “Giftwrap.”

Why read: Love the series

What impressed me: I had expected a Touch of Dead to be companion stories that wouldn't really add anything to the world Harris has created. I was so pleased to find each story brought at least one extra piece of information that hadn't been revealed previously that added to the overall understanding of the Sookieverse. While nothing huge and major happened in any of the stories, they weren't just a rehashing of things fans already knew. These stories could be enjoyed by readers who haven't read the other Sookie Stackhouse books, yet won't disappoint longtime fans either.

What disappointed me: Nothing. I was thrilled with this compilation of stories.

Recommended: Sookie fans will need to read A Touch of Dead to get the tiny background details that weren't included in the novels.

Continue series: Absolutely. Sticking with Sookie until the very end.

206 Bones by Kathy Reichs

206 Bones by Kathy Reichs

2009, Scribner

Series: Book 12 of Temperance Brennan

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Synopsis: There are 206 bones in the human body. And one shattering secret hidden among them. . .

Cold and alone, bound hands to feet, Tempe Brennan regains consciousness locked in a dark cell—or is she buried alive in a tomb?—and begins to reconstruct the twisted chain of events that led her to this terrifying place. Tempe and Lieutenant Ryan had recently accompanied the remains of a missing heiress from Montreal to the Chicago morgue, and suddenly Tempe is accused of mishandling the autopsy. After an incriminating  phone call and another shocking death, Tempe’s unseen enemy closes in—even as the corpse of a second, and then a third, elderly woman turns up in the woods of Montreal. Who wants Tempe dead, or at least out of the way, and why? Who would resort to sabotage to destroy the secrets hidden in the bones? Only Tempe can uncover the truth—if she can escape the deadly fate someone has designed for her.

Why read: Love the series

What impressed me: Three dead women, seemingly unconnected, plus Tempe trapped means a whole lot of mystery going on. The details were easy to follow, the solutions always a surprise. And while I've always been a fan of Ryan, all of his scenes with Tempe's former in-laws were hilarious and made me love him even more.

What disappointed me: The back and forth between the past investigations and Tempe being trapped annoyed me. I think it was supposed to heighten the tension, but it seemed like Tempe just flailing around and passing out every couple of chapters.

Recommended: I definitely wouldn't suggest 206 Bones as your first Temperance Brennan book, but series fans shouldn't miss it.

Continue series: Yes. Sticking with Tempe to the end.