The Bone Hacker

By Kathy Reichs

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with a high-stakes thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan who, following a series of bizarre disappearances on the islands of Turks and Caicos, enters a sinister labyrinth in which a new technology may wreak worldwide havoc.

Called in to examine what is left of a body struck by lightning, Tempe traces an unusual tattoo to its source and is soon embroiled in a much larger case. Young men – tourists – have been disappearing on the islands of Turks and Caicos for years. Seven years ago, the first victim was found in a strange location with both hands cut off; the other visitors vanished without a trace. But, recently, tantalising leads have emerged and only Tempe can unravel them.

Maddeningly, the victims seem to have nothing in common – other than the strange locations where their bodies are eventually found, and the fact that the young men all seem to be the least likely to be involved in foul play. Do these attacks have something to do with the islands’ seething culture of gang violence? Tempe isn’t so sure. And then she turns up disturbing clues that what’s at stake may actually have global significance.

It isn’t long before the sound of a ticking clock grows menacingly loud, and then Tempe herself becomes a target.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
• Release date: Aug 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9781761103971

Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead, published in 1997, won the Ellis Award for Best First Novel and was an international bestseller. Fire and Bones is Reichs’s twenty-third novel featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Reichs was also a producer of Fox Television’s longest running scripted drama, Bones, which was based on her work and her novels. One of very few forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Reichs divides her time between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina. Visit her at KathyReichs.com or follow her on Twitter @KathyReichs, Instagram @KathyReichs, or Facebook @KathyReichsBooks. 

Reviews for The Bone Hacker

[spencer28-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tempe Brennan is back in action in Montreal when a supposed lightning strike victim sends her down a rabbit hole that takes her to the Turks and Caicos islands. It was nice to see Tempe outside her usual Charlotte/Montreal environs and watch her adapt to not having all her typical resources, and struggling to keep her temper. As always, an engaging read with realistic details.

Thanks to Scribner for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

anthropologist, crime-thriller, dismemberment, due-diligence, ex-cop, family, family-dynamics, forensic-consultant, forensics, friendship, law-enforcement, mutilation, read, relationships, serial-murder, snark-fest, suspense, verbal-humor*****Yowza! Brennan has her locals (including her personal partner), added consultants, the Caribs, and even the freaking FBI to contend with on this one. The first mutilated body leads to several more, and those have their left hand removed. And then it REALLY gets complicated. Another riveting read that is all too possible.I requested and received an EARC from Scribner via NetGalley. Thank you!

[sue222-941906 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I hadn’t read a Tempe Brennan novel in several years, and this made for a great reunion.. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed these forensic mysteries! Tempe seems more wise-cracking than I remembered, but the mystery flowed and it was a quick and fun read. And as it takes place in Turks and Caicos, it almost qualifies as a beach read! I will definitely be looking up the other recent books in the series that I’ve missed.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel.