AudioMysteries.Net

Title: Cross Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Audiobook: 2005
Reader: Michele Pawk
Unabridged
Length: 11 hours

Ears: 3

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An autopsy (in more detail than I would have cared for, but this is forensics after all) sets the stage for a wild ride of international intrigue. Of course, it’s murder and solving that murder is ultimately what the book is all about. It does, however, take quite a detour before we get the solution.

The book actually starts off with a bit of a foreword detailing the factual material upon which the story is based, a historical excavation of bones and artifacts from the Masada site in Israel. A photograph is presented to Temperance outside the autopsy room indicating that it is somehow related to the victim. Before it’s over, Dr. Brennan and her friend Detective Ryan both find reason to go to Israel to conclude the story. The murder, outside of being the catalyst for the story, almost becomes secondary.

It’s a bit difficult sometimes to tell where the facts end and the fiction begins. It’s a fascinating story all by itself, and the mixing of historical fact with fiction along the lines of The Da Vinci Code (it’s actually mentioned in Cross Bones) makes for a great story but leaves a lot of questions.

Michele Pawk does a good job with a difficult narration. To read these stories effectively, especially since they start in Montreal, the narrator needs a pretty good command of French, and in Cross Bones, Hebrew and Arabic are thrown in. Add to this the diverse cast of characters and it proves a challenge that Michele does a good job with it. If you know any of the languages you might find reason to criticize some of the pronunciation but it doesn’t detract from the story.

I’m giving this one 3 ears for fans of the Temperance Brennan series, but only 2 for newcomers or converts from the TV series. If you’re a fan of the TV series, you’ll probably want to try another one of the series before this one. The only other one I’ve read at this point is Deja Dead which I would highly recommend as an alternative starting place (it is actually the first book). The TV series is based on the books, and there is mention of past events from the books on the series, but they’re not quite the same. I’ve enjoyed both but they are different in many ways.

Reviewed on 4/19/06 by Ken Reiss