Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs (Paperback)

Tempe Brennan is sent to North Carolina after a plane crash scatters remains across a mountain. Her role is to identify victims and document findings for the investigation team. The work is demanding, with debris spread over a wide area and a tight timeline set by officials. As Tempe sorts fragments and compares records, she notices a set of bones that do not fit the passenger list.

These remains show signs that differ from the crash victims. Tempe raises the issue, but her concerns create tension with people running the operation. She continues to study the bones, reviewing marks, age estimates, and old case files. The more she searches, the clearer it becomes that the remains belong to someone who died before the crash.

When Tempe pushes for answers, she faces pressure to stop. Her access is restricted, and her judgement is questioned, yet she keeps looking for information that explains how the extra remains ended up on the mountain. A local case involving missing hikers and old reports guides her next steps.

Tempe visits isolated areas, reviews evidence with specialists, and checks past incidents tied to the region. Each new lead brings her closer to people who want the truth hidden. The case grows riskier when she uncovers how the victim died and who knew the details.

Her work brings the real story into view, linking past events with the current investigation.