Kathy Reichs is an American forensic anthropologist and author, best known for her gripping crime novels featuring the character Dr. Temperance Brennan. Born on July 7, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, Reichs has not only penned best-selling fiction but has also had a distinguished career as a forensic anthropologist, bringing a rich authenticity to her novels.
Reichs’ professional experience is impressive. She is one of the very few forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and has worked on numerous high-profile cases, including identifying remains found in mass graves in Guatemala and assisting with forensic work at Ground Zero in New York City. Her real-life expertise profoundly informs her writing, giving her stories a level of detail and authenticity that sets them apart in the crime fiction genre.
Her writing career began with “Déjà Dead” in 1997, introducing readers to Temperance Brennan, a character closely mirroring Reichs’ own life as a forensic anthropologist. The novel was an instant success, launching a series that has been widely praised for its intelligent plotting, scientific accuracy, and compelling character development.
The Temperance Brennan series, which includes titles like “Bare Bones,” “Bones of the Lost,” and “A Conspiracy of Bones,” combines intriguing mysteries with detailed forensic science. Reichs’ ability to balance technical scientific detail with fast-paced storytelling has made her books a hit with readers who enjoy both crime fiction and procedural dramas.
Beyond her Brennan series, Reichs co-authors the “Virals” series for young adults with her son, Brendan Reichs. This series infuses elements of science fiction and fantasy with a crime-solving narrative, expanding her reach to a younger audience.
Kathy Reichs’ contribution to crime fiction extends beyond her novels. Her work inspired the popular television series “Bones,” which ran from 2005 to 2017, further popularizing her work and the field of forensic anthropology.
With her unique blend of scientific expertise and storytelling prowess, Kathy Reichs has become a respected and influential figure in the world of crime fiction, captivating readers with her intriguing, science-rich narratives.
Publication Order of Temperance Brennan Books
| Déjà Dead | (1997) |
| Death du Jour | (1999) |
| Deadly Decisions | (2000) |
| Fatal Voyage | (2001) |
| Grave Secrets | (2002) |
| Bare Bones | (2003) |
| Monday Mourning | (2004) |
| Cross Bones | (2005) |
| Break No Bones | (2006) |
| Bones to Ashes | (2007) |
| Devil Bones | (2008) |
| 206 Bones | (2009) |
| Spider Bones / Mortal Remains | (2010) |
| Flash and Bones | (2011) |
| Bones Are Forever | (2012) |
| Bones in Her Pocket | (2013) |
| Bones ofthe Lost | (2013) |
| Swamp Bones | (2014) |
| Bones Never Lie | (2014) |
| Bones on Ice | (2015) |
| Speaking in Bones | (2015) |
| A Conspiracy of Bones | (2018) |
| The Bone Code | (2021) |
| Cold, Cold Bones | (2022) |
| The Bone Hacker | (2023) |
| Fire and Bones | (2024) |
Publication Order of Temperance Brennan Collections
| The Bone Collection | (2016) |
Publication Order of Tory Brennan (Virals) Books
with Brendan Reichs
| Shock | (2009) |
| Virals | (2010) |
| Seizure | (2011) |
| Shift | (2013) |
| Code | (2013) |
| Swipe | (2013) |
| Exposure | (2014) |
| Terminal | (2015) |
| Spike | (2016) |
| Trace Evidence | (2016) |
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Two Nights | (2017) |
Publication Order of The MatchUp Collection Books
| Honor & …(By: C.J. Box,Sandra Brown) | (2017) |
| Deserves to Be Dead(By: John Sandford,Lisa Jackson) | (2017) |
| Getaway(By: Lisa Scottoline,Nelson DeMille) | (2017) |
| Midnight Flame(By: Christopher Rice,Lara Adrian) | (2018) |
| Short Story(By: Karin Slaughter,Michael Koryta) | (2019) |
| Past Prologue(By: Diana Gabaldon,Steve Berry) | (2019) |
| Faking a Murderer(With: Lee Child) | (2019) |
| Dig Here(By: Charlaine Harris,Andrew Gross) | (2019) |
| Taking the Veil(By: J.A. Jance,Eric Van Lustbader) | (2019) |
| Rambo on Their Minds(By: Gayle Lynds,David Morrell) | (2019) |
| Footloose(By: Val McDermid,Peter James) | (2019) |
Publication Order of Bones Books
with Max Allan Collins
| Buried Deep | (2006) |
Publication Order of Anthologies
| I’d Kill For That | (2004) |
| No Rest for the Dead | (2011) |
| The Dark Side of Mysteries & Thrillers | (2014) |
| MatchUp | (2017) |
| Birds of Prey: The Harlan Coben Challenge | (2022) |