Book Review: Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs

This summer while out running errands, I happened to catch an NPR interview with forensic anthropologist and author Kathy Reichs. Coming in on the interview sometime after the initial introduction, I didn't realize at first who Reichs was or why I should be familiar with her name, but the interview was interesting enough to catch my attention, and I was delighted when I finally understood who was speaking.

Reichs is the producer of Bones and the author of the Temperance Brennan series upon which the show is based. NCIS, CSI, and Bones are three of the most watched shows in our house, and Bones is, without a doubt, the favorite. In fact, it may be our favorite even outside of the crime drama genre. However, I was not even aware that the TV series was based on a series of books. I quickly scrawled a note on a piece of scrap paper which eventually made it from the bottom of my purse to the pile on my desk and finally to my "to read" list on Shelfari.

Last month I read Reichs' first novel, Déjà Dead, about a series of killings in Montreal which are possibly the work of a serial killer. The writing style didn't quite flow the way I like, but that's often the case for the first book I read by an author. Sometimes I find an adjustment period is necessary. Getting to know a new author's work is like getting to know anyone; I have to give myself the chance to become acquainted and comfortable with their style, their personality, and their quirks. Although it was difficult for me to get into the book at first, it didn't take long before the plot sucked me in and had me ignoring housework (and blogging) to read just. one. more. chapter. Ultimately, I wasn't happy until the case was wrapped up and I had read the last page--and I had to seriously resist the urge to run right out to the library to check out the next book in the series.

If you're looking to find a book version of your favorite TV show, don't. The TV series is very loosely based on the books as far as I can tell. In the first book, there is no Booth, no Angela, no Hodgens or Sweets, and no "squints". Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist, but she works for the province of Quebec and not the fictional Jeffersonian in Washington, D.C. In solving the murders, Dr. Brennan teams up with several police officers from different police departments (which were foreign and foggy to me) in Montreal. There is a hint of romantic tension, perhaps similar to what was present at the very beginning of the TV series. Even Brennan's character is different in the book than it is portrayed on television. The best thing for the reader (or viewer) to do is to lay aside any preconceived notions of what the characters should be like and just enjoy the story.

One advantage to the books over the TV series I found was that I was able to re-read the descriptions of scientific procedures, evidence, and reasoning until I could better understand it. My family tends to get annoyed when I want to constantly rewind while we're watching the show. The scientific detail is what draws me to shows like Bones and CSI, though, and I like learning while I'm being entertained. On the other hand, the TV shows have the advantage of giving a visual. If the book had not kept me turning pages so, I might have been tempted to re-read and google for visuals.

Overall, I found the book to be a very enjoyable read. I'd rate it 3 out of 5 stars, but I'm a tough grader. (Very few books rate 4 stars in my system. To score 5 stars, a book must go beyond a finely crafted story and good entertainment by relaying some deeper meaning and truth.) I will definitely be reading more books from this series in the future. Tomorrow I'll share another aspect of the book I enjoyed, the music that weaves through Tempe's thoughts as she unravels the mystery of these murders.