Monday Mourning: A Novel (Temperance Brennan Book 7)

Typically excellent. Characters & plot well developed; intrigue, humor and realistic dialog; much detailed technical information making the science involved relatively understandable and informing the reader of procedures used in identifying those who die anonymously. This also provides a greater understanding of the skill and knowledge necessary for Dr. Brennan to effectively do her job. My only complaint is these detailed descriptions at times go on for what seems an eternity. This is my problem not, Ms. Reichs. I've learned to skim for the highlights then quickly move on with the story. I found Tempe's friend Anne to be more distracting than helpful to the storyline. She seemed a forced addition used to pull the various aspects together, rather than a natural part of the story.. Overall, though, a great read.

I started watching the bones series on television a couple years ago by accident and felled in love with the show. I bought this book shortly afterwards and was nervous about reading it. I found the book to be good and nothing like the show, which was a relief. Brennan in the book doesn't seem as rational or harsh. Andy wasn't in this book much, so I can't compare him to booth. The other characters from the show do not exist in this book. ...so when I read the book I felt like I was reading a completely different series than the one portrayed in the show. KAthy Reich's writing style was engaging and informative. I would recommend this book as long as you aren't expecting a screenwriting from the show.

Not my favorite Bones mystery, but it was quite suspenseful. It did feel a bit too "ripped from the headlines!" at times, which always makes me a bit uncomfortable. I also thought that a couple of the twists were really obvious, but there was enough suspense that it didn't bother me too much. My other main issue was that there were about 3 different big plots (the mystery, the mystery of what was up with Anne, and the mystery of what was up with Ryan). I think the book would've been more enjoyable if either Anne or Ryan's plot was saved for a different book. At times it felt like there was too much going on, and it was also hard to believe that Tempe was functioning pretty normally considering everything going on in her life.Despite my complaints, Reichs writes solid mysteries, and if you like her other books you'll enjoy this one.

This was a typical action packed novel with Temperance Brennan using her abilities to unlock the what happened to the missing girls by studying their bones, then finding out who they were and in turn being and to find found the real abuser who turned out to be like her captor. She was a victim of Stockholm syndrome but was too damaged to control herself and did not want to control her urges.

After last year's disappointing BARE BONES some of us who are Kathy Reich fans felt the series was going the way of the Kay Scarpetta books...downhill. But MONDAY MOURNING gives the series a needed bounce. It is definitely a fun summer read.Reich returns her heroine to Montreal, which is a good move. Her forensic crime mysteries are richer and more interesting when set up North. She also tones down the romance, which is good, it simply is not her writing strength.Why not five stars? The information about Carbon 14 dating was interesting but a bit too detailed. Also, the information about Stockholm syndrome was done to death...we know, we know.....too many Law and Order, or CSI shows. We know all this, you don't have to explain it to us. Plus, I had the mystery woman in Ryan's life figured out 100 pages before her identity was made known. It was WAY too obvious and cliche.Finally, it is a bit unrealistic, and more than a little disappointing, to see smart, accomplished women taking such foolish chances - interjecting themselves into dangerous situations. Early in the book, the main character, Dr. Brennan describes "...Tinsel town has done another tap dance; the public has been conned into believing crime scene techs are detectives....this latest Hollywood myth needs a kick in the pants." I was encouraged and amused by this passage, and surprised when it forshadowed the rest of the plot.All in all, readers who enjoy a good medical / sceintific mystery will enjoy this book.

I've read at least one other Reichs book featuring the forensic anthropologist, Temperance Brennan. Forensic anthropologists do their best to read the stories that bones have to tell. In "Monday Mourning," the bones belong to three young girls, but Temperance needs more than these bones alone to learn who the girls were and how and why they died.I also enjoy Reichs' description of Tempe's relationship with her very handsome detective boyfriend, Ryan, and I like the Montreal setting. Knowing some French may help, but if you don't, you can enjoy the book and pick up some French (of the Canadian variety) along the way.

A great read! Ms. Richs has done herself proud again. Read on a device such as Kindle. I have a "real" book in the Brennan series that was given to me as a gift and unlike many I prefer it electonically. I can highlight, find my last location, re-read a section etc. much more easily than in a paper edition. Read this story in two evenings over the holidays. The t.v. series just doen't cut it like the book does. Tempe is not a great forensic scientist that is off the deep end of being intelligent dealing with a half-cocked, dip-wad FBI agent. I am suprised Ms. Richs backs the t.v. series. It is an embarrasment to her talent.

All the "bones" books are great. Reichs is one of a kind. It suits me because it is full of archeology/forensic science/ and stars an independent female who, by utter contrast with the TV series, is quite normal, not suffering from any terrible neuroses, and has a good head for relationships. I also love the TV series, but for really different reasons--acting is great, diversity is important in the scenes, and they are fast paced thrillers with very clever scripts. I cannot say how much I enjoyed each one of these books, however; read them out of order (who cares?). Bought them all.