Devil Bones

More about the book

Following her most successful book, Kathy Reichs, an international bestselling author and forensic anthropologist, returns to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Temperance Brennan faces a deadly mix of voodoo, Santeria, and devil worship while investigating two young victims. A plumber discovers a hidden cellar during renovations, revealing a grisly scene: a decapitated chicken, animal bones, and cauldrons filled with religious relics. In the center lies the skull of a teenage girl. Nearby, a man walking his dog finds the headless body of a teenage boy, raising questions about the timeline and circumstances of the deaths. Was the girl's skull brought to the cellar, or was she murdered there? Why is the boy's body so well preserved? Led by a preacher-turned-politician, local vigilantes target devil worshippers and Wiccans, igniting a witch hunt. Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, described as "five-five, feisty, and forty-plus," is called to investigate, leading to a complex and gripping narrative. This eleventh installment showcases Reichs's signature forensic detail and surprising plot twists, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in forensic mystery writing.