Evil Bones

Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs
11/18/25; 288 pages
Scribner
Temperance Brennan #24

Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs is a highly recommended thriller and the 24th book in the series featuring Charlotte, North Carolina, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Be forewarned, this time it's animals being killed before the perpetrator turns to humans. You can read this as a stand alone as connections between characters are explained. 

It is known the small creatures, rat, rabbits, squirrels, etc. have been found killed and put on display in a horrendous manner. Tempe is called when a bizarre display is found that could be human. It turns out to be a dog, someone's pet, but clearly the person doing this is escalating the violence and there is real concern that a human will be next. Tempe is paired with semi-retired, grouchy and all around unlikable homicide detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell. As predicted the next target is human.

This is an interesting case and the pace moves quickly, upping the tension and suspense just as rapidly, because the novel is short and to the point without a lot of intricate complications. Included in the headaches beyond the murder and animal cruelty is the mercurial and temperamental behavior of Tempe's great-niece Ruthie, along with other family problems. 

For most readers, Tempe is a well-known and developed character. Her dialogue can be both witty and insightful. As expected, Tempe's is always in danger and readers will be expecting this, which make her various cases entertaining, however, it also seems that she is also entirely too careless and unaware sometimes. 

Evil Bones is a great choice for those already following the Temperance Brennan series. Thanks to Scribner for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.