Richard M. (algernon99) - , reviewed on 9/12/2007 + 418 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 5

I am currently working my way through the Temperance Brennan series. In general, I like the books a LOT. They are exciting, filled with interesting scientific detail about bones, and usually satisfying.

I have mixed feelings, though, about this one. The coincidences pile up alarmingly, and the really mysterious part of it -- do any of these ancient bones really have anything to do with Jesus or his family? -- is not brought to closure. We never find out the truth of the matter. Of course, you have to expect that--Reichs can't expect us to swallow a story that concludes they've found the tomb of Jesus' family or his skeleton. So she merely teases us with the possibility--on and on for many, many pages--and then leaves us hanging.

I also found the pace to be a bit off. I got very tired of Tempe asking herself long paragraphs of unanswered questions. Such as: Could these bones really be this? Or could they be that? Where was Jake? Where was Ryan? Why did so-and-so do this? Who did that? What do the cats mean?

It makes Tempe's head ache, and it made my head ache. I could do with a lot less internal questioning. It's tedious.

And then there's the matter of Tempe carting around an ancient skeleton in a hockey bag, taking it with her on wild goose chases, and in general treating it as if it were about as important as her lunchbox. Not likely.

But with those complaints registered, it's still a book worth reading, as it advances the career of Tempe Brennan and Andrew Ryan. If you read the series, you'll care about these two interesting people. Because I've read the other books, I need to know what has happened to the characters, even if the story isn't always as satisfying as I'd like it to be.

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