Flash and Bones

Digital audiobook performed by Barbara Rosenblat

Book # 14 in the very popular Temperance Brennan mystery series, featuring the forensic anthropologist who splits her time between Quebec and North Carolina. This one is firmly rooted in the USA, and begins when a 50-gal barrel is unearthed, and a hand is noted to be sticking out of the set asphalt which fills said container. This is just prior to the big NASCAR race at the Charlotte track and there’s some urgency to solve the case. Or is there? Before Dr Brennan can get the answers to the puzzle of this old corpse, the FBI swoops in, confiscates the remains and somehow makes all the records go “poof.”

Reichs is great at plotting intricate mysteries and this is no exception. There are show more plenty of twists and turns, old and new murders to consider, red herrings and suspects galore. Tempe is her usual self – smart, determined, able to hold her own, but also prone to walking into dangerous situations without appropriate preparation or back-up. Never fear, Reichs always provides a strong man to get Dr Brennan out of the trouble she’s gotten herself into.

Barbara Rosenblat does a fine job of narrating the audio version. She sets a good pace and has clear diction, so she’s understandable even at an increased speed. show less

I picked this book up from a little Free Library awhile back- mostly because I was curious about the Temperance Brennan from the books compares to the tv show "Bones", and I like the book version much better.

Its a fairly standard book of the type, leading lady, single and alone (although not without past relationships). She well known as being an expert on the field. What I didn't expect is her to be down to earth, less scientist, and more working professional. In the book, she works for the Medical Examiner, specializing in bones.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting much and I was pleasantly surprised at how well this story is crafted. Two events years apart, possibly linked, possibly not Maybe having something to do with show more right-wing extremism, but also maybe relating to an employee from a bio-hazard laboratory. I wasn't sure how the book was going to end.

I also found the science to be well researched, as well as how NASCAR works, although on that second part, my knowledge of car racing amounts to cars go in circles whee!. At times, I felt the acronyms and concepts were over explained, although I've read worst.

Ultimately, this is a fun read, in a interesting setting, and written with intelligence and thought. show less

Oh, how I've missed Temperance Brennan! Though usually a serious lack of Andrew Ryan bothers me, it didn't seem as upsetting in this novel. Perhaps because Kathy Reichs has returned to basics, a solid case with plenty of suspects, and lots of unanswered questions.

I have absolutely no interest in racing but as usual, Ms. Reichs kept me completely engaged with the subject and taught me a few things as well. She balanced the racing with racism -an entire fringe racist group that may or may not have been involved in the death of the recently discovered victim, or the cold case disappearances. Oddly, I didn't find myself pushing to solve the case but found myself enjoying the discoveries as they came. Though I did figure out the culprit show more before Tempe and Slidell, it was only by a few chapters.

As I mentioned at the beginning of my review, the only thing absent was any forward momentum in Tempe's love life -though some doors may be closing and some windows may be opening. Right now, Tempe doesn't really have time for romance, but I hope she'll make time for it. (Obviously, I'm rooting for Andrew Ryan -I always have and I always will.) And here I go, referencing Tempe as a real person not a character, but Kathy Reichs writes her so well, Temperance Brennan feels like an old friend to me.

I was really looking forward to a solid forensic mystery and Flash and Bones didn't disappoint. Kathy Reichs seldom does. Julie and I both highly recommend this series... or if you're looking for something a little lighter, try Kathy Reichs' new paranormal YA series.

http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/2011/10/jenns-review-flash-and-bones.html show less

I have been reading every Kathy Reichs. For the past few years, I feel a bit disappointed as her style is always the same. Give all the "clues" and the let eveything fall into place in the last 10 pages. The story is entertaining, in this book we are completely immerse in the world of NASCAR when a body is found in a Oil drum close to the speed way. The setting of this book is completely in Charlotte and Tempe's life is again in jeopardy when she gets too close to the truth.

Another great book about Dr. Temperance Brennan. I've loved these books since before the days of "Bones" and continue to enjoy them with each new novel. They are easy and interesting reads, perfect for days like today when allergies make it hard to concentrate!

Dr. Brennan is a medical examiner assisting police to investigate a body located in a metal barrel in a garbage dump. As they investigate they find the body could be related to multiple missing parties dating back to the 1990's and a right-wing organization. As always she manages to anger some very nasty people and finds her self in a little bit of hot water.
Not my favorite of her books but very enjoyable! I hope her next book sends her back to Montreal as I prefer show more Lieutenant-Detective Ryan to Detective Slidell.
(4*) show less

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/09/flash-and-bones-tempe-brennan-14-by-kathy-r...

NASCAR is in town, and unfortunately with it, it seems to have brought a fair bit of trouble for my favorite forensic anthropologist. When a body is found, in a barrel, encased in asphalt and dumped at a landfill right next to the track, Tempe is called to the scene. The body is rather well preserved, but can be loosely dated by the strata of the garbage layers. ID will be tough, and a NASCAR crewman, Wayne Gamble, is convinced it may be that of his sister, Cindi, who disappeared 12 years earlier, along with her boyfriend, Cale Lovett. Cindi was set to be a NASCAR superstar, and Wayne is concerned that the investigation show more wasn’t handled the right way. It doesn’t help the confusion that the FBI also seems concerned about the new body, and Tempe eventually finds out that they also became involved in the original investigation into the disappearance of Cindi and Cale. Tempe’s usual curiosity gets the best of her, and she ends up assisting Detective Erskine Slidell in the now reopened disappearance case, with the dubious help of the FBI. The FBI connection starts to makes more sense when it’s discovered that Cale had ties to a local militia group, the Patriot Posse, who also were known for their similarities to the Klan.

Flash and Bones, even with Ms. Reich’s usual attention to forensic detail and seriousness of the cases, manages to take on a bit of a lighter tone this time around. Adding to that tone considerably is Detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell. The scenes with him and Tempe were among my favorites, as he throws his considerable weight around trying to get to the bottom of things. He’s a good cop, if a bit rough around the edges, and Tempe’s patience is legendary, which comes in handy around Slidell. On a more personal note, Tempe’s soon-to-be ex-husband Pete is engaged to a woman named Summer, whose bubbleheaded beauty grates on Tempe’s nerves, and makes her seriously concerned about Pete’s sanity. Can you say mid-life crisis? Summer and Pete are in the middle of wedding planning, and Pete couldn’t be less interested. He asks Tempe to talk to Summer and this leads to a few humorous mix ups and a serious desire to slap Summer, but I digress. Summer’s not the only distraction that Tempe is facing, though. The other comes in the form of Cotton Galimore, former cop and head of security for the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tall, green eyed, handsome Galimore wants to help with the investigation and also has his eye on Tempe. Problem is, he was bounced from the force because of drinking problems and another situation which he insists was a set up. Set-up or no, Slidell doesn’t trust him, but Tempe recognizes that Galimore could provide invaluable help. That and her libido sits up and takes notice every time he’s around, which, frankly, I thought was kind of adorable. Flash and Bones was a fast, fun read, and I’m never disappointed in this series. I’m actually hoping we’ll see much more of “Skinny” Slidell in the future, and wouldn’t even mind seeing a bit more of Galimore in Tempe’s life. Yes, I’m partial to Detective Ryan, but he’s a busy guy back in Quebec and Tempe deserves some personal happiness. If you adore this series as much as I do, Flash and Bones won’t disappoint! show less

Tempe Brennan is called to look at human remains encased in asphalt, found in a dump next to the NASCAR race track. Much of the book centers on the male-dominated world of racing, but there are elements of bioterrorism, cults, and unsolved murders. The story line was decent, but I agree with some of the criticism that there is too much dialogue, mental questions being considered by Tempe, and choppy sentences. Perhaps TV production is adversely affecting Kathy's writing although the quips are still pretty damn funny: a bimbo described as "body by Playboy, brains by Mattel."