Four Novellas (Temperance Brennan) - The Bone Collection

Kathy Reichs is one of my favorite mystery writers and I'm a definite fan of the Temperance Brennan series -- these 4 novellas are fast-paced, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-rendingly sad, and always suspenseful. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll also just say that Reichs picked some very unique storylines and I enjoyed learning about the different environments in which the stories took place.

Each novella is fully developed, the plots well thought out and complex, as is typical of a Reich's book. The author reveals her inspiration for each theme and plot, bringing a real world connection to the storytelling. Excellent entertainment that teaches, too!

It was interesting to read four short stories by Kathy Reichs. I have read every book she wrote, and as usual with authors, the books get less interesting when the writers make the best seller's list.

I almost bought this until I realized that I bought and read the Kindle versions of 3 of the 4 Novellas in this collection for $1.99 each. First Bones, the only new Novella does not seem to be available as a standalone so I will wait until that is offered on its own or I see the book in my library. the store or whoever is responsible for the price [insert appropriate insult here].

I give Bones on Ice, Swamp Bones, and Bones in her Pocket 4 stars each –– I give this collection 3 stars because of the price.

Bones on Ice: A Novella (Kindle Single) (Temperance Brennan)

Swamp Bones: A Novella (Temperance Brennan)

I love the Tempe Brennan stories and this collection of four novellas is not exception. Even thought they were short and compact they were still very interesting and kept me reading to find out what had happened to the bodies Tempe was examining. Three of the stories were also used to bring attention to an issue. Puppy Mills, Poaching and the support for the Indigenous People of Everest, especially following the Earthquake of 2015. The final story, First Bones takes us back to when Tempe first started work. There were twists and turns in the stories and of course Tempe put herself in danger while investigating. The usual scientific information dealing with forensics was included with enough information to make the stories real.

I liked that I was able to read each story individually and put the book down to go to bed or do other things without having to interrupt the story. That is not to say that I do not want more full length stories about Tempe, but this was a nice change and each story was complete. The one thing missing was the personal life that is such a part of the full length novels. If you enjoy the Tempe Brennan stories, I recommend you pick this one up, you won't be disappointed. I was fortunate to win a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway thanks to the publisher.

One of things I enjoy most about stories written by Reichs is the way she combines fiction with fact. I feel as if I always come away knowing just a little bit more, especially with the short stories. Reichs often uses the shorter format to highlight, educate and inform her readers.
The Bone Collection is, as the title implies, a collection of four short stories. It includes Bones in her Pocket (15.5), The Swamp Bones (16.5), Bones on Ice (17.5) and First Bones (0.5). The numbers represent the reading order in the Temperance Brennan series.
I had read all but First Bones before, however I read the stories again, because they are always fascinating.
First Bones is actually a prequel to the very first Brennan story. It explains how she discovers her true calling and real passion. Crime calls her name softly and entices her towards the all consuming darkness of mysteries and murder.
Bones in her Pocket brings mystery to what should be a simple identification. Why are the remains of a young woman found with the skeletal remains of a small animal. This amateur killer has made the kind of mistakes an experienced killer wouldn’t have made.
The Swamp Bones is an excellent example of how Reichs incorporates important environmental issues into her stories, both short and full-length ones. Burmese Pythons play a pivotal part in this novella.
Bones on Ice is about the body of a young woman who died during a climb up Mount Everest. Reichs discovers that all is not what it seems with this case. She also gives readers an insight into just how dangerous the climb is and how many people have died during said climb. Their bodies lie unclaimed as a testament to how lethal Mount Everest can be.
Not everyone can turn a novella into a tiny novel or give readers the feeling that they have just read the equivalent of one on a smaller scale. It is something Reichs does very well.
*I received an ARC/free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher, via NetGalley, for purposes of review.*

The Bone Collection: Four Novellas is an omnibus of novellas in the Temperance Brennan series by forensic anthropologist and popular American author, Kathy Reichs. Three of the novellas have been published in electronic form earlier; First Bones is a new story.

Bones in her Pocket: Tempe is called out to an Artists Colony at Mountain Island Lake in North Carolina, where a bag of bones has washed up. Tempe assumed that this is part of the corpse belonging to some leg bones she has examined, until she finds this corpse already has legs. Masses of tiny bones accompanying the skeleton add an element of intrigue.

This little story has a missing Environmental Sciences student, a crazy-sounding, arrogant environmental protestor, a lecherous lecturer and a gossipy museum volunteer. Tempe gives us interesting tidbits on under water decomps and manages to get herself into hot water.

Swamp Bones: In Florida’s Everglades for a break at the invitation of Dr Lisa Robbins, forensic ornithologist, Tempe finds that March is already hot and sticky. Before she even gets a chance to cool down and relax, she manages to get drawn into a murder investigation as she idly rummages through the stomach contents of a Burmese python (as you do). Her incidental finds draw the attention of the local sheriff, a wildlife biologist and a National Parks Law Enforcement officer. The investigation into the identity of the likely victim leads to an encounter with a live alligator, the Miccosukee Indian community and some swamp rednecks.

Tempe’s propensity to tackle a situation without support lands her in dangerous waters. Reichs has obviously done quite a bit of research of an ornithological and herpetological nature: this short offering contains plenty of facts about birds and snakes. Who even knew that there was a word for a non-human autopsy?

Bones on Ice: The well-connected Hallis family matriarch insists that Tempe conduct the post mortem on her daughter, whose remains are uncovered after the Nepal earthquake. Brighton Hallis died whilst scaling Mt Everest some three years previously, and her remains were unrecoverable at the time. Tempe finds many things she would expect after three years of exposure to freezing temperatures. But she also finds the unexpected, and her contact with Bright’s climbing companions raises more questions than it answers.

In amongst the suspense and intrigue, Reichs manages to include lots of interesting facts about deaths on Everest, hypothermia and the bizarre associated behaviours, the effects of altitude and temperature on decay and preservation of a corpse, obtaining prints from dehydrated fingers and the effects of freezing on dentition.

First Bones: a prequel to the very first Temperance Brennan novel, Déjà Dead. As Tempe sits at the bedside of a dying friend, she looks back on the case that started her career in forensic anthropology. Tempe’s session of scoring foramina of cremains in the lab at UNCC for her PhD dissertation is disturbed by a request to examine the remains of victim found burnt beyond recognition in a trailer. Her reluctance to abandon her research is outweighed by a convincing argument from a Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD detective. A surprise finding on examination of the remains has her so intrigued, a career change results.

This prequel introduces the arrogant and messy Erskine (Skinny) Slidell, the elegant Eddie Rinaldi, and a man who has been Tempe’s unfailing mentor from the start of her career, Tim Larabee. Husband Pete is still on the scene, and sister Harry also gets a mention. The banter between Tempe and Slidell is often hilarious. This small dose of Tempe Brennan touches on AIDS, the light spectrum for visualisation of ink on documents and forensic dentistry. An excellent Tempe taster.

All four novellas in this collection were new to me, so I was able to enjoy them as they deserve. Reichs handles the short format well, building suspense and introducing intriguing characters just as she does in the full length books. The last novella is an "origin story" -- how Tempe got into forensic anthropology -- and was particularly interesting. Cautionary note: several other reviews note that only one of these stories is a new one, which bothered reviewers (justifiably) a lot. Be warned, if you have read Reichs novellas before.

Two new novellas (for me, one for serious readers) and two old ones. Four short little stories to keep in touch with Temperance Brennan, that along the years surpassed Kay Scarpetta in my heart. If you like short thrillers with anthropological stuff, this is the book for you.

Per me due nuove storie (una sola per il lettore attento) e due vecchie. 4 racconti per rimanere in contatto con Temperance Brennan, che nel corso degli anni ha superato nel mio cuore Kay Scarpetta. Se vi piacciono i thriller brevi con alla base l'antropologia forense, questo é il libro che fa per voi.

Four short stories about the well known forensic anthropologist Temperence Brennan. I really like the world Kathy Reichs presents to her readers and starting a book starring Tempe Brennan is always exciting. I never want to put the books down, because I have to know the who, how and why. In this four stories Temprence does what she knows best and, as usual I love it. Especially "First Bones" was interesting, seeing as how it all started. As always I want more of Temperence and can't wait for the next book.

It is a common device in mysteries and thrillers that the protagonist makes some stupid and reckless moves in order to provide for a heart-pounding ending. The key is for the author to justify the reckless moves so that you, as the reader can forgive the protagonist and not become so irritated that you can't root for them and enjoy the story. Temperance Brennan is a character who makes reckless choices like clockwork in every book. I put up with it because the forensic science and cases are interesting enough for me to let that go. However in this collection of short stories there just wasn't enough story between the reckless moves for me to recover. I almost couldn't read the ending of each novella. I like the character and I like the cases but how many near death experiences does a person have to have before they smarten up and make better choices?

This is an astonishing read --- Kathy Reichs’ writes with a temple that just doesn’t let you rest at the same time teaching you about things that you probably wouldn’t normally think of (and often might not want to know) at the same time giving a lot of herself in her books. I haven’t read one of her books in a while but this one even had a wee bit of a sense of humor in it! All four of these novellas were GREAT reading if not at times terrifying!

Reichs moved the novella format along at a pleasantly rapid clip; same applies to the last in the Virals eries (a delight to anyone who loves Charleston, SC). Read a public library copy and had not seen the first three novellas. At last, there is a mystery that does not land Tempe in great danger and, usually, in a hospital "remodeling." As others have noted, this looks like a wrap for the Brennan series, paralleling the end of "Bones" on television. Looking fondly forward to the new character and series and to many more KR reads.

I was disappointed that the first three novellas were reprints and I had read them all before. That's why I have the book the stars. However, the last story about how Tempe first started in forensic anthropology was excellent. This isn't really a spoiler but when I finished it I was emotionally wrung out. In looking forward to the next new Tempe Brennan book.

Four well done novellas that explore pythons in the Everglades, a death on Mt Everest and Bones first case. All very good with two two excellent works by this always enlightening, fun to read author.

I almost purchased this on impulse, but I am glad that I waited until I got it at my library. the store and GoodReads descriptions describe this as four novellas, but what they do not tell you is that only 1 of them is new. If you keep up with the Temperance Brennan series than you have likely read the other three. I enjoyed all of the short stories, but definitely would have been upset if I had paid $10 when I already owned 3/4 of the book!

Reichs moved the novella format along at a pleasantly rapid clip; same applies to the last in the Virals eries (a delight to anyone who loves Charleston, SC). Read a public library copy and had not seen the first three novellas. At last, there is a mystery that does not land Tempe in great danger and, usually, in a hospital "remodeling." As others have noted, this looks like a wrap for the Brennan series, paralleling the end of "Bones" on television. Looking fondly forward to the new character and series and to many more KR reads.

It was interesting to read four short stories by Kathy Reichs. I have read every book she wrote, and as usual with authors, the books get less interesting when the writers make the best seller's list.