Temperance Brennan Books in Order

How to Read the Temperance Brennan Series

Dr. Temperance "Tempe" Brennan has been one of crime fiction's most enduring and popular forensic anthropologists since her debut in 1997. Written by real-life forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the series blends authentic laboratory science with high-stakes detective work across Montreal, North Carolina, and various international settings. If you are looking to dive into this massive series, you have options: you can follow the publication order of the main novels, read them chronologically, or incorporate the official novellas and young adult spin-off series.

Where to Start Reading

For almost all readers, the best place to start is the very first novel, Déjà Dead (1997). This book establishes Tempe’s backstory as a recovering alcoholic, her complex domestic situation, and the dual professional lives she leads between the Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale in Montreal, Quebec, and her teaching duties in Charlotte, North Carolina. Because Tempe’s personal relationships, career path, and character growth develop steadily across the books, reading in publication order provides the most satisfying experience.

Temperance Brennan Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete list of all 24 full-length Temperance Brennan novels published to date, listed in their official order of release:

1. Déjà Dead (1997)
2. Death du Jour (1999)
3. Deadly Decisions (2000)
4. Fatal Voyage (2001)
5. Grave Secrets (2002)
6. Bare Bones (2003)
7. Monday Mourning (2004)
8. Cross Bones (2005)
9. Break No Bones (2006)
10. Bones to Ashes (2007)
11. Devil Bones (2008)
12. 206 Bones (2009)
13. Spider Bones (2010) — Published as "Mortal Remains" in some regions.
14. Flash and Bones (2011)
15. Bones Are Forever (2012)
16. Bones of the Lost (2013)
17. Bones Never Lie (2014)
18. Speaking in Bones (2015)
19. A Conspiracy of Bones (2018)
20. The Bone Code (2021)
21. Cold, Cold Bones (2022)
22. The Bone Hacker (2023)
23. Fire and Bones (2024)
24. Evil Bones (2025)

The Temperance Brennan Novellas

In addition to the main novels, Kathy Reichs has written several short stories and novellas. These were originally released as digital e-specials and were later collected in the compilation volume, The Bone Collection (2016). If you want to read them where they fit chronologically in the timeline, here is where to slot them:

• "First Bones" — This is a prequel story depicting Tempe’s very first case and her decision to transition into forensic anthropology. It is best read either first or after you have read a few books in the series to appreciate the backstory.
• "Bones in Her Pocket" (2013) — This novella takes place between Bones of the Lost (Book 16) and Bones Never Lie (Book 17).
• "Swamp Bones" (2014) — This story takes place between Bones Never Lie (Book 17) and Speaking in Bones (Book 18).
• "Bones on Ice" (2015) — This novella takes place between Speaking in Bones (Book 18) and the release of The Bone Collection.

The Virals Young Adult Spin-Off Series

If you love the universe of Temperance Brennan, you can also explore the Virals series, a young adult sci-fi thriller spin-off co-authored by Kathy Reichs and her son, Brendan Reichs. The series follows Tory Brennan, the teenage great-niece of Temperance Brennan, who lives in Charleston, South Carolina. After being exposed to a canine virus, Tory and her friends develop superhuman, wolf-like senses and use their powers to solve cold cases.

While Tempe is not the main character, she makes brief crossover appearances in the Virals books to mentor and assist Tory. Reading the Virals series is not required to understand the adult books, but it adds fun depth to the Brennan family tree.

Virals Series Reading Order:

1. Virals (2010)
2. Seizure (2011)
3. Shift (Novella 2.5)
4. Code (2013)
5. Swipe (Novella 3.5)
6. Exposure (2014)
7. Terminal (2015)
8. Spike (Novella 5.5)

Note: The novellas Shift, Swipe, Shock, and Spike are collected in the companion book Trace Evidence (2016).

What to Know Before You Start

Here are a few quick tips and facts to keep in mind before you start reading Kathy Reichs' books:

• The "Bones Effect": The massive popularity of the books and their real-world forensic detail inspired a surge of interest in forensic science, leading to expanded university programs and more students entering the field.
• The TV Show vs. The Books: The hit FOX television series Bones (2005–2017) was inspired by Kathy Reichs' life and books. However, they are two very different entities. In the show, Temperance Brennan is a younger, socially awkward scientist working in Washington, D.C., for the fictional Jeffersonian Institute alongside FBI Agent Seeley Booth. In the books, Tempe is an older, twice-divorced recovering alcoholic who splits her time between Quebec and North Carolina. The show's character actually writes novels about a forensic anthropologist named "Kathy Reichs" as an inside joke.
• Standalone Value: While there is a continuous character arc involving Tempe's relationships—most notably with detective Andrew Ryan and her daughter Katy—each book contains a self-contained mystery. You can pick up any novel and follow the plot, but you will miss out on the long-term character development if you skip around.