| Date: 13 April 2011, 07:30
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When bodies in Montreal are too decayed or in too many pieces, or the cause of death too complex for the coroner's office, forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is called. A seemingly routine examination of a gunshot victim leads Tempe to a case that will take her from Canada to Israel in search of the bones the victim may have been killed for. Soon, the ancient and mysterious bones take center stage as Tempe, along with Detective Andrew Ryan and archeologist Jake Drum, try to learn who this ancient skeleton really was so that no one else will have to die trying to steal or hide it.
Kathy Reichs's latest book, CROSS BONES is, on the surface, a crime novel with an emphasis on forensics. But as the plot unfolds it becomes clear that she is tackling much larger and more controversial issues. Tempe Brennan and the others soon have reason to believe that the bones the man in Montreal was killed for may actually be Jesus! Or, if not Jesus, then either a blood relation or perhaps someone from Masada. In any case, the identity of the skeleton has potentially huge ramifications for world religions and history.
At the center of the story are several theories about the life of Jesus as well as the details about the Jewish freedom fighters at Masada: Did Jesus survive the crucifixion and live many years afterward? Did he have a family with many siblings or perhaps children of his own? Did he actually end up at Masada? Reichs's story is not really like THE DA VINCI CODE although it skirts around some of the same theories. In fact, it actually refers to Dan Brown's novel a few times. Reichs is instead interested in ancient history as known through anthropology and archaeology, and the murders are a way to get us all to Israel and give urgency to the quest to understand the skeleton.
Fans of murder mysteries, detective fiction and forensic drama, as well as those interested in religious fiction, all will find something to enjoy in CROSS BONES. The forensic anthropology aspect is detailed without being very gruesome or overly scientific. It is a fun and interesting whodunit with religious implications but without being preachy or even very religious in nature itself. The writing is solid and the pace is just right, perhaps a bit slower and less dramatic than similar novels or even Reichs's previous Tempe Brennan books. Tempe Brennan is a likeable and, for the most part, realistic character.
Reichs bases some of her story on actual archaeological finds (and frauds) in Israel, giving just enough truth to make it quite interesting and unique. She references the work of archaeologist James Tabor as well as the controversial James Ossuary, supposedly discovered by Oded Golan in Israel several years ago. Indeed, you can find a plethora of information about many of the artifacts, archeology and theories she refers to online or in the library.
CROSS BONES is a good mix of fiction and nonfiction presenting many alternate theories about the life of the historical Jesus.
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