Déjà Dead

Read this only after I've watched every single season of Bones, the TV series. I enjoyed that series. Obviously, I already knew that the book series is very different from the TV series, since the protagonist was based more on the author herself. I don't really read crime fiction but thought I'd give it a go.

The good thing is, I rather enjoyed the plot. It was a nice read. The first person narrative worked for me, because you're essentially inside Temperance Brennan's head, like really in her head, to the degree of reading her thought process. Seems like this wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but I found it smooth and easy to follow.

Was this the first book from the author? I'm thinking yes. It kinda shows as there are rough edges to the plot. There were several instances where the protagonist just unnecessarily risks herself for weak reasons. Sure, we get that she's persistent and determined, but I don't think that should translate to impetuousness and impulsiveness. It just felt a bit forced to me.

But still, it was rather enjoyable - kept me unsure who the killer was until it got close to the end. It was kinda like watching an episode of Bones, just on a longer time frame.

a random old lady that is friends with my family heard i like books so she comes to my house and gives me this book.
Ok i'll just put it on my shelf until i can donate it because i have no interest in it.
Old lady comes back a couple months later and asks if i read it.
I have not.
I feel pressured to read it now in case she comes back.
I read it and wonder what the fuck is wrong with this old lady because this book is the most disturbing and horrifying thing i've ever read.
trying to think of a way to tell her i enjoyed the book (which i did not) without questioning her sanity.

seriously though what did i just read. I read disturbing books all the time but this is the first book that went into detail. EXTREME tw for detailed rpe, murder, gore, just.. everything.Gory stuff in movies and shows is ok because you can see that everything is fake and made up and all an act but having to read about gore is just not for me. Your brain has to conjure up these images being described to you and it's emotionally taxing. I didn't want to read how women got sxually assaulted with knives and plungers.
When i say extreme detail i mean EXTREME.

so fair to say this book wasn't for me and i've discovered that i have a breaking point when it comes to disturbing books.

While I understand that there will always be differences between books and shows, I didn’t realise the differences would be so huge. The only thing the tv show has in common with the book is the main character’s name and her profession. That’s it.

I almost got a Kay Scapetta (spelling??) vibe when I read this. I read this for a reading prompt and because I liked the tv show Bones. This would have been a 3 star because the writing was fine and the characters were okay, but it just isn’t for me.

However, the use of the ‘c’ word is an automatic 1 star loss because it always throws me out of the story; without fail. Before anyone thinks I’m being precious, I’m Australian and the word is frequently used. I still hate it.