I couldn't wait for this book. Kathy Reichs is on my short list of excellent mystery writers. (That list includes Henning Mankell, Peter Robinson, the late Batja Gur, Donna Leon.) When Cross Bones arrived, I dug in and quickly discovered a dull story stretched thin. How many times must the author lay out plot and characters? Ms. Reichs, trust your reader. What pained me most was that I actually took a strong dislike to Tempe. Her 'quick wit' came across as sarcasm (without the wit) and her new 'super-cool' attitude was annoying. It won't be the last time I read Kathy Reichs...an author can't be expected to get it right every time...but I do hope that the next book in this series gives us the Tempe I knew and cared about.