“”Devil Bones”” by Kathy Reichs is the 11th book about Temperance Brennan in the series that inspired the television show “”Bones.””

I’ve never seen the show, but I can’t imagine they’re very similar. “”Devil Bones”” takes the worst parts from sketchy thrillers – a stereotypical fat cop, speedy oneliners and a lone female worker – to illustrate the entire novel.

The plot is a typical murder mystery, revolving around constant new suspects, a complex love triangle for Brennan and the usual innocent witchcraft followers versus right-wing nuts. The story begins with Brennan trying to trace a skull found in a basement, but following a complex goose chase, it ends with several unnecessary murders and no real judgment.

It’s not all bad in that Reichs is a real-life forensic anthropologist and is able to really connect some gruesome scenes. It also means, however, that she throws in too much technical jargon and goes too in-depth on topics such as the history of her town or in several instances when she describes how you can tell how old a bone is.

Plus – I kid you not – every single chapter ends with a sudden, gripping cliffhanger that is generally left unsatisfied. It was aggravating, much like the rest of the book.