Q&A: Kathy Reichs of Bones

It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes mystery novelist Kathy Reichs will see an episode of Bones and feel pangs of story-idea jealousy. The show’s writers, she says, are quite resourceful at crafting unique scenarios for their whodunits. “I’m sometimes amazed at how they dig out some of the ideas for the different stories,” says Reichs, the scientist/author whose books and professional life inspired the long-running Fox crime drama. “In each show, we try to visit some different arena, like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame arena or the urban spelunking arena or the world of pathological plastic surgery. Every now and then, I’ll think, ‘Why didn’t I think of that? Hmm, I need to be more creative in my settings.’ ” Reichs, who also gets a producer credit on the show, which begins its sixth season in September, actually has nothing to worry about. She seems to have no trouble coming up with new ideas for books featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, the character played onscreen by Emily Deschanel. Her latest novel, titled Spider Bones, is available in bookstores on Tuesday, Aug. 24, and the plot is drawn from Reichs’ real-life experiences...

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Tipster: Susie_Q_84