The story begins with a chill – both literally and figuratively. Tempe is working at one of her several positions, this one in a cold Montreal. As Forensic Anthropologist for the Province of Quebec, Tempe works on cases where she uses her specialty: studying the remains of the dead. When the dead are long dead, or especially decomposed, don't call the coroner, call Dr. Tempe Brennan.

After helping to exhume the remains of a nun for the Catholic Church, Tempe is called into a terrible arson case in rural St. Jovite. The bodies have been so horribly burned, her expertise with the remains is crucial. Who are the victims? Why were they so horribly murdered? And of course, who set the fire? Within a short time, this unsettling case gets worse: more bodies are found near the burned out house. This time, two babies are found with their parents. While they aren't burn victims, the method of murder is even more awful.

As Tempe begins to unravel the clues to the identities and backgrounds of the victims, more questions arise. Could these bodies be related to some sort of religious sacrifice or doomsday cult?

When Tempe returns to her other position, as a professor in Charlotte, North Carolina, the tragic and unsolved case follows her. So does Detective Ryan of Montreal. Some of the leads on the St. Jovite case bring him to Tempe's home turf, and he's looking for her help. He's also interested in her in a nonprofessional way, but the separated and wary Tempe isn't so sure. As the two begin to investigate the victims of the fire, the link between the Carolinas and Quebec grows. Soon, Tempe finds herself threatened and attacked as she pursues the truth behind the arson.

Reichs is a talented storyteller and her occupational background lends a scientific and interesting slant to the first person point of view. While the book may be a bit too graphic for the faint hearted, it seems realistic to assume some of Dr. Brennan's jobs are pretty gruesome. The only weakness in an otherwise worthy plot is the inclusion of Tempe's far-out sister, Harry. The story itself is a good one, and adding the protagonist's sister to the mystery (in a very unlikely coincidence) seems quite unnecessary.

Bound to be compared to Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Tempe Brennan is warmer and more likable. In Death du Jour, her second outing, she proves herself to be a clever and unusual sleuth. Even if she does have to study maggots.

--Martha Moore