Discussion Questions
Use our LitLovers Book Club Resources; they can help with discussions for any book:
• How to Discuss a Book (helpful discussion tips)
• Generic Discussion Questions—Fiction and Nonfiction
• Read-Think-Talk (a guided reading chart)
Also consider these LitLovers talking points to help get a discussion started for Bones to Ashes:
1. What makes Temperance believe that the bones on her desk are those of her long-lost friend, Evangeline Landry? What clues indicate Evangeline may be a victim of a serial killer?
2. What was the relationship between Temperance and Evangeline? What was Evangeline like, and why did Tempe never attempt to search for her? What do you make of Obeline? What role do the poems found by Obeline's bed play?
3. Compare the two forensics experts, Temperance and Linda Emons. In what way are their styles similar or dissimilar?
4. In your opinion, is the world of forensic pathology that Reichs paints in her books overly scientific and detailed? Or do you find it enlightening and fascinating? In other words, how do you experience the technical aspects of the book? Does Reichs do a good job of incorporating her profession into her fiction?
5. What clues lead Temperance to uncover the child pornography ring? Discuss the ring and the people who run it. How does the ring operate? How real is this sort activity in actual life?
6. Talk about Tempe and Detective Ryan and the stresses on their relationship—those that are ordinary stresses found in any relationship, as well as those that come with being surrounded by violent death.
7. Are you satisfied with how Reichs's book ends? Or would you have preferred another ending?
8. Have you read other Temperance Brennan mysteries...or have you watched Bones, the TV series based on the books? How do you compare this book to either the show or other books in the series?
(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)
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