Rating: 
Summary: Who Cares?
Review: I kept hearing about how great Kathy Reichs was -- "better than Cornwell" they told me. Hooey! If this is an example of her exciting books, I'll pass. Like Peggy Lee I kept wondering "is that all there is?" Sadly and disappointingly, like Gertrude Stein, I had to conclude: "There's no there there." Skip this one for sure.
Rating: 
Summary: Good mystery novel
Review: Kathy Reich's character "Temp," is a intelligent, persistent, anthropologist who is involved in solving biker crime mysteries. The chapters always end with page turners and every time you think the characters have nailed a mystery or a suspect the author keeps on tricking you. Reich is a very smart author who is a forsensic antropologist just as her character is. This makes the book all the more interesting becuase you know that the methods they use to solve cases is actual. Read this book if you like complex yet fun mysterys.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Reichs triumph
Review: Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs creates another brilliant scenario in this novel. Protagonist Temperance Brennan (also a forensic anthropologist) finds herself embroiled in the Montreal "biker wars" as a result of an unusual burial find - a skull and two femurs. Brennan's investigative skills help her find the identity of the deceased, a 16-year-old girl, and also lead her to identify the killer. I am reluctant to give a way plot details as this is an absolutely wonderful police procedural/mystery novel and I would not want to spoil it for anyone. Reichs draws upon her own experience in forensics to create a factually accurate investigation, down to descriptions of scientific procedures. This novel is one of the best I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Forensic Thriller
Review: This is the third book in the Tempe Brennan series and I the third one for me to read. I really enjoyed this book. The forensic information is first-rate and the thriller aspect of the book is also good. I enjoyed this story more than the previous one. I found the plot more exciting and a little more believable. There are still a few coincidences - how is that her nephew Kit arrived just when she is investigating Outlaw Biker Gangs and it just so happens that he has a tremendous interest in this topic too! But in spite of that this is a cracking good read. I have to admit that my interest in bikes is more than just a passing one since I ride myself, although I don't own a Harley. Also, the topic is very timely for Canadians since Outlaw Biker Gangs are big news around here. It was interesting to read some of the history behind them. I like Tempe. She's funny, classy and a little hard-nosed, but vulnerable at the same time. For anyone interested in forensics this is a good author. Her knowledge is very good since she is in the business herself.
Rating:
Summary: A great forensic thriller.
Review: This is a great book. It takes you through the inside culture of a biker club. She talks to you in the book so you know what is going on without using a lot of medical terms. I really enjoyed this book, you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Deadly Decisions
Review: I found this book to be a very easy read, couldn't put it down. If I have a criticism it is that the author has stolen Patricia Cornwell's style and characters (changing genders, etc. and not always location). She writes like Cornwell, but, I love Cornwell, so what the heck. I will get the rest of her books becuse I really enjoyed this one.
Rating: 
Summary: No Easy Riders Allowed
Review: Ms. Reichs' opinions on bikers range from A to B: Achingly Awful to Bloody Beastly. That being said, don't expect any handsome, sensitive Hell's Angels riding through this book. Their powers of evil are limitless and are international in scope. Forensic anthropologist, Tempe Brennan has an emergency call to Montreal. She is given the grisly task of identifying the bits and pieces of identical twin bikers who were blown up while carrying a bomb. I was baffled by the "emergency" nature of separating the remains of the two who had identical DNA. I agree it would be of professional interest, but couldn't make the leap of believing such niceties would make it critical to the investigation. Most of the action is in Montreal, and the tie-in to Charlotte, N.C. is tenuous. I was disappointed in this book and feel it is the weakest of the three Tempe Brennan novels. The commute between NC and Quebec is beginning to box in the series. There are just so many logical connections between Quebec and North Carolina, and I think Tempe has used them all. There are some excellent descriptive passages, particularly of Montreal and some sharp fast character takes. However, there are too many characters to keep track off, and most of them no one you would want to know or care what happens to them. I was uneasy with Cornwell-clone aspects (an unruly nephew who worries Tempe to distraction-shades of Lucy!) and I hope this will not increase. I enjoyed Ms. Reichs' two previous novels, and have by no means given up on her. I look forward to Tempe's next excursion and wish for an intriguing investigation.
Rating:
Summary: Gruesome Scenes, Evil People
Review: Dr. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist in Quebec, recently transferred from North Carolina. If you don't know what a forensic anthropologist, you will soon find out in gruesome detail that it involves sorting out flesh and bones from crime scenes. Since the author has the same background, the lab and morgue scenes are grisly, almost nauseating, in their detail, but probably extremely accurate and realistic. Tempe is assigned to the cases of 2 bikers killed in a bombing, and the death of a little girl caught in the crossfire in a biker-related "gang warfare". She is assigned to the task force to track the crimes and activities of the outlaw motorcycle clubs (OMC's). What follows is a very detailed rendition of the history and structure of motorcycle gangs, which is frankly more than I ever wanted to know about the phenomenon. Tempe's teenage nephew, Kit, isn't getting along with his parents, so decides to visit her for a while, and coincidentally becomes very interested in Harley's and the OMC's. Tempe tries to steer him away from that dangerous subculture, but fears that his fascination is too strong for her to overcome. Her attempt to save him from his "deadly decisions" places her in a very dangerous situation also. The novel is filled with amazing coincidences and overwhelming detail, but nevertheless, you grow to like Tempe and Kit. Many of the other characters are poorly defined and difficult to connect with. And, of course, the sub-human motorcycle club members only inspire you to want them all to kill each other off. Kathy Reichs is compared to Patricia Cornwell, but doesn't have her finely honed ability to create characters and plots that engage you and leave you wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: Kathy Reichs is losing it!
Review: What happens to authors who write two good books and then a real clinker? Is there a decent editor on the case, or what?! The first half of the book was so boring: read like a Biker Sociology 101 text. The addition of her unbelievable nephew, Kit, part - country boy, biker wannabe, goody goody, Mr. I'm-congenial-but-let's-have-a-shouting-match-on-the-phone-with-the-heavy-duty-scary-dude...the arrest of her boyfriend the night BEFORE the big date...(come on, don't we deserve some hot stuff?)...I beg this author-with-potential to be more careful in the future! And all the critical comparisons with Cornwell on the book jacket? Skip that, it's TACKY.
Rating:
Summary: A normal, sensitive, feminine girl...
Review: Tempe the forensic anthropologist is cleverly portrayed as insightful and incisive .. but also as quite vulnerable and fallible ... and as a very caring person in all the series so far. She is sensitive and normal, a feminine woman. [I suspect Kathy is, too] (Why do so many girls/women take a feminist stance! -the truly great don't need to!) The shockingly terrible murders take a huge toll on her but she perseveres and prevails. Tempe is a major newcomer to the genre. [This book rates 9 out of ten (that level all the way through!) My final score or 4 out of 5 stars [I am rating the book!] reflects only my reluctance to give 5/5. Can we not have a 4.5 score?] Keep your place on the pedestal, Kay Scarpetta, but make room for Tempe up there.
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