'Bones' author shares tales

Kathy Reichs can tell a story from a bone.

• Comments (3)
• E-mail
• 

• Photos

Special

Kathy Reichs' novels are a mix of cases she has worked on.

She's a forensic anthropologist-turned-author whose books were the inspiration for the hit Fox TV series Bones.

Two of her books, Bare Bones and Break No Bones, were selected for Columbia County Reads Together community reading program, and Dr. Reichs will discuss her work Saturday at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans.

Dr. Reichs will talk about some of the cases she has worked on, give a behind-the-scenes look at the TV show, and answer questions about her books.

She started writing in 1994. Her main character is Temperance Brennan, who, like the author, is a forensic anthropologist.

"She's a bit more of a risktaker than I am," Dr. Reichs said in a phone interview. "I think our personalities are similar, people tell me our sense of humor is similar."

The inspiration for the novels comes from the cases she has worked on.

"I have the elements of my story, and I mix them all up and create a new story," she said.

Dr. Reichs came up with the concept in the late '80s and early '90s.

"I thought it was a good time, a good atmosphere for a strong female character," she said.

There's a touch of old-fashioned mystery whodunit in her works.

"The difference is the solution is science driven," Dr. Reichs said.

Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.