
Dr. Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institution and also writes books, has an impressive ability to read clues from victims' bones. Consequently, law enforcement calls her to assist with investigations when remains are so badly decomposed, burned or destroyed that standard identification methods are useless. Brennan is teamed with Special Agent Seeley Booth, a former Army sniper, who mistrusts science and scientists when it comes to solving crimes but who has developed respect for Brennan, both professionally and personally.

The team investigates a footless corpse that was found in the woods; Brennan and Booth's questioning leads to several suspects, including the victim's wife; Angela agrees to undergo hypnosis to remember her former husband's name.

When the founder of an organic supermarket chain is found dead, Brennan and Booth suspect foul play by a rival farmer; the two agents visit a new psychiatrist, who warns that the FBI may separate them.

When mummified remains are found at Halloween attractions, Brennan and Booth realize that they must find the killer by Halloween or there will be another death.

The team suspects colleagues when the remains of a young Jeffersonian intern are found in the building's incinerator; Booth poses as Cam's boyfriend and accompanies her on a family get-together.