Tapping out of the Bones series after 23 books

When I read and reviewed book 22 in Kathy Reichs's Bones series, I felt like I was just about done. I've been a longtime fan of the series, following Dr Tempe Brennan and her forensic anthropology work through all kinds of cases. I've been fascinated by the science and the crimes, both new and cold case, that Tempe and her police colleagues have investigated. The books used to be interesting and thought-provoking, but after 23 novels, I am sad to say that I'm tapping out. My review of book 22 tells you why, as does this post on book 23, published in 2024.

Fire and bones | Published August 2024 | Read October 2024

Fire and bones sees Tempe called to Washington to analyse the victims of an arson attack in Foggy Bottom, a neighbourhood with a colourful history. The property's ownership and past dealings with bootlegging and racketeering lead to further murders and arson attacks. Once again, Tempe crosses professional boundaries and inserts herself into the investigation.

Why I'm tapping out

While Tempe teams up with TV journalist, Ivy Doyle, in Fire and bones, I felt the absence of the usual cast of characters with whom Tempe has worked in past books in both her Charlotte and Montreal labs. I would have to say that the quality of the books has dropped off since those characters started to take a back seat. I've noticed that the forensic science has also taken a back seat in the last few novels. There is now precious little of the interesting bones stuff that I've come to expect - and love - in the series.

Another of the reasons why I am tapping out is that I can no longer tolerate Tempe herself. She's become completely unlikeable and...well...boring. As a fan of British and Scandinavian writing, I love quirky and left-of-centre characters whose personalities add an interesting dimension to the story. Dry wit I can do, snarky unkind sarcasm I cannot. Tempe's always been a bit abrasive and snappish, but now she's downright rude. Is Reichs trying to make Tempe sound hip and contemporary now that she is older? To inject humour into her books? Whatever it is, it's falling seriously flat. Tempe does not come across as witty or clever. Her unpleasant internal and verbalised thoughts are unwarranted and unwelcomed.

I have some serious problems with Fire and bones with Tempe's insults and nicknames (e.g., Baboon Lips) and her comments on people's bodies. (I have similar criticisms of the last book.) It's clear to me that Tempe, standing in for Reichs, has a disdain for people who occupy larger bodies and aren't objectively beautiful. Nope. Just nope.

Tempe's character does not seem to have evolved in a positive way over the past few books. She now comes across as patronising and a grouchy know-it-all, and she seems genuinely surprised when someone other than her is right. I used to admire her wicked smarts, now I'm disappointed that she doesn't seem to be putting them to good use.

Like the previous novel in the series, neither the crime nor the way case unfolds is particularly compelling or suspenseful. The book feels flat, as if Reichs has run out of ideas. Again there is so much filler in an already-short novel that it hardly feels like a Bones book at all. There is more detail about Tempe's personal belongings and what she eats for dinner than the actual story.

Fire and bones is generally uninspiring and formulaic. The writing is also horrible. All those short, staccato (not) sentences charting Tempe's thoughts are hyperbolic nonsense and cringey. The constant inner dialogue is unnecessary, and adds nothing to the story.

So, farewell, Tempe, I am sorry to say that I am breaking up with you. It was a fun ride while it lasted, but you've lost me as a once-loyal reader. Laterz!

Rating: ⭐