Flash and Bones

June 20, 2011
The discovery of an old corpse in a barrel of asphalt in landfill bordering the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., propels Reichs's solid 14th thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (after Spider Bones). Brennan feels the pressure to make a quick ID, with race week approaching and the speedway a major stop on the NASCAR circuit. Wayne Gamble, whose older sister, Cindi, an aspiring NASCAR driver, disappeared in 1998 with her right wingâleaning boyfriend, hopes Brennan can help, perhaps by identifying the barrel body as his sister. But as Brennan pokes around into the cold case, new issues crop up with the FBI claiming jurisdiction because of possible bioterrorism. Caught between two sparring cops, Erskine "Skinny" Slidell of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD and Cotton Galimore, the speedway's head of security, Brennan must tread carefully to find the long-buried truth. Reichs imbues this fusion of past and present with her signature blend of forensic know-how and deeply felt characters.

When Medical Examiner Tempe Brennan is called to Charlotte Motor Speedway to examine a body, things begin to go downhill fast. Her least favorite detective, Skinny Slidell--who has bad breath and is most definitely NOT skinny--is assigned to work the case with her. Barbara Rosenblat is a splendid narrator whose delivery is always on target. In addition to Tempe, her best character portrayal is that of Slidell--crude, sarcastic, and oozing malapropisms. Rosenblat delivers believable Southern accents, particularly that of Tempe's ex-husband's fiancée, who expounds upon their wedding plans to everyone who will listen, serving as comic relief when the body count rises. An interesting history of NASCAR and its female drivers as well as fascinating speedway lore add to the fun. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine


Linda Emond's smooth voice and skilled acting portray the competence of Dr. Temperance Brennan, forensic anthropologist, in this smart addition to Reichs's successful series. Dr. Brennan, upon whom the popular TV show "Bones" is based, must solve the mystery of a body found in a barrel in a landfill and the cold case of a missing couple, both set against the backdrop of the NASCAR racing world in Charlotte, North Carolina. Emond is equally adept in her portrayal of the interesting collection of characters that inhabit Temperance's world, including a new love interest and the sloppy but determined Detective "Skinny" Slidell. A fun ride with great unexpected twists. A.C.P. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

November 15, 2011

After 14 years, 14 novels, and a hit TV series, Reichs is still producing top-quality books featuring forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan. Here, a body is found in a barrel full of tar next to a raceway where two young people had disappeared 12 years earlier. Could the corpse be one of them? Was there an FBI cover-up? There are many nervous suspects, and Brennan's systematic investigation could turn dangerous. Although lacking the complex character development found in some of her earlier books, this is classic Reichs, both well plotted and well written, and she remains one of the best mystery writers around. TV's Temperance Brennan is not portrayed here, but fans of the popular Bones series probably will enjoy comparing the two. Expertly read by the award-winning Barbara Rosenblat, this title is recommended for all mystery readers and all others who enjoy investigative mystery series on television. [The Scribner hc, published in August, was a New York Times best seller.--Ed.]--I. Pour-El, Des Moines Area Community Coll., Boone, IA

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