Title: Deadly Decisions
Author: Kathy Reichs
First published July 25, 2000
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780671028367 (ISBN10: 0671028367)
Rating: 3.94
Overview
In Kathy Reichs’ thrilling novel, Deadly Decisions, forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is once again embroiled in a dangerous investigation. When the remains of three young women are discovered in the woods of North Carolina, Tempe is called upon to use her expertise to identify the victims and track down the killer.
As she delves deeper into the case, she begins to uncover a web of deceit and corruption that leads her to suspect that the murders may be linked to a powerful and dangerous criminal organization. With the clock ticking and the body count rising, Tempe must navigate the treacherous underworld of organized crime in order to bring the killer to justice – before it’s too late.
About the Author
Meet Kathy Reichs – a talented forensic anthropologist who works for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina and the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale in Quebec. With her impressive credentials, including certification by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and a position on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, it’s no wonder she’s a sought-after expert witness in criminal trials.
Dr. Reichs is also a professor of anthropology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, but she hails from Chicago, where she earned her Ph.D. from Northwestern. Today, she splits her time between Charlotte and Montreal.
In 1998, Dr. Reichs was awarded Best First Novel for her book, Deja Dead.
Editoral Review
Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs is a captivating mystery novel that will have readers on the edge of their seats. Reichs, a forensic anthropologist, injects her expertise into the book, adding an air of authenticity to the crime scenes described.
First published in 2000, Deadly Decisions is the third installment in the Temperance Brennan series. The novel follows the story of Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist who splits her time between North Carolina and Montreal.
When her friend and colleague Dr. Anne Hines is found dead in her hotel room, Brennan is determined to uncover the truth. As she delves deeper into the case, Brennan realizes that the murderer is not just targeting Hines, but is on a killing spree that has been going on for years.
Reichs masterfully weaves together multiple plotlines and characters, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the very end. The novel’s setting, split between North Carolina and Montreal, adds an international flair to the book.
This juxtaposition of cultures adds an extra dimension to the plot, keeping readers on their toes. What sets Deadly Decisions apart from other mystery novels is Reichs’ attention to detail.
As a forensic anthropologist, Reichs has a first-hand understanding of the science behind the crimes Brennan is trying to solve. This realism adds an extra layer of intrigue to the plot, making the book feel grounded in reality.
However, while the attention to detail is impressive, Reichs occasionally gets bogged down in technical jargon, making some parts of the book hard to follow. Additionally, while the plotlines are interconnected, at times it feels like there are too many subplots happening at once, which can make the book feel convoluted.
Overall, Deadly Decisions is an engaging mystery novel that is perfect for fans of the genre. While there are some drawbacks, the realistic depictions of forensic anthropology and an intricate plotline make up for it.
Reichs’ attention to detail adds an extra layer of intrigue to the book, drawing readers in from the very first page. If you’re a fan of mystery novels with a touch of realism, then Deadly Decisions is the book for you.
Filled with suspense, intrigue, and a dash of science, this book is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. I give it a solid four out of five stars.
