The Science of Murder by Carla Valentine is a 2022 Sourcebooks publication.
If you love crime fiction, forensics, Agatha Christie, True Crime, historyThe Science of Murder by Carla Valentine is a 2022 Sourcebooks publication.
If you love crime fiction, forensics, Agatha Christie, True Crime, history or science- you need to read this book!
I have always considered Agatha Christie's mysteries groundbreaking. This book proves me right as we look at the way Christie incorporated forensic detecting in her books, with accuracy, foreshadowing the day when forensics would become a crime genre of its very own and terms like 'trace evidence' would be commonly used- not only by authors, detectives, and scientist- but by the general population, as well.
The author is very careful not to give way any spoilers- which occasionally hampers her ability to do a deeper dive- and was occasionally frustrating- but a wise decision, nonetheless.
You don’t have to be a Christie aficionado to enjoy this book- though you might want to read - or re-read her mysteries after finishing this book!
The author discusses fingerprints, blood spatter, footprint analysis, time of death, and trace evidence- all of which have a place in Christie's books- including Miss Marple, Tuppance and Tommy, as well as Peroit.
Christie researched and studied the science behind murder investigations and detecting- Which occasionally seemed inspired by true crime cases- and the author compares those cases here.
The book does suffer some presentation issues and sometimes it can be dry reading- so I’ll admit I did some skimming here and there because I found myself zoning out on occasion.
Otherwise, I’m even more impressed with Christie’s hard work in studying true crime cases, her knowledge of poisons, and how involved she became in crime solving to make her novels as authentic as possible.
I also think it is worth noting that while many dismiss Christie’s novels as ‘cozies’, just because she didn’t go into explicit or gruesome details, preferring the psychological and technical observations of her chosen sleuths, she doesn’t shy away from dark themes, organized crime, or the horrific motives and methods of murder.
Overall, an interesting topic and mish- mash, of biographical information on Christie, true crime cases, and history while connecting Christie’s work to the future of the science of detecting we take for granted today.
The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs is a 2021 Scribner publication.
After a South Carolina hurricane washed up a medical waste container bearing two bodies-The Bone Code by Kathy Reichs is a 2021 Scribner publication.
After a South Carolina hurricane washed up a medical waste container bearing two bodies- Tempe is immediately reminded of a similar case she worked in Quebec.
She and Ryan team up again to discover who the two women were in the container, and the possible connection between the old cases and this new discovery.
This 20th installment in the series is set a little way into the future, where Covid-19 has been contained- although it is still very much in everyone's consciousness. (Don't worry, this story is not about Covid- it is only mentioned in passing a couple of times.)
As a new virus begins to circulate in the Charleston area, though, it looks as though history may be about to repeat itself.
DNA has become an obsession with us- as we rely on it more and more to tell us about health predispositions, use it to solve decade's old crimes, finding long-lost relatives, and so on.
Therefore, it only seems fitting that a series that deals so heavily in forensics would eventually explore the darker side of these advancements, examining the possible dangers of so much knowledge.
At the same time, I found myself cringing a little, because while the story is certainly timely, I have to say, the timing might not have been the best considering our current climate- where tinfoil hats have replaced good old-fashioned common sense.
Despite those concerns, I was happy to play along with Tempe and her hunky fiancé Ryan. I love their banter, and the well -timed humor- and I enjoyed the ironical nature of the story.
The mystery is interesting, and well-paced, perhaps a bit too detailed with the science sometimes- and poor old Birdie the cat really got a workout in this story.
At the end of the day, though, despite the unusual circumstances, and the timely topics, it always seems to boil down to the usual catalyst when it comes to the evil that dwells in the hearts of humanity.
Overall, this installment is thought-provoking, but was a little too 'mad scientist' for me sometimes. It’s a solid mystery, though, and I hope to see another installment in the series soon.
The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum is a 2010 Penguin Press publication.
Interesting history of forensic pioneers!
After some initial push-back, CThe Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum is a 2010 Penguin Press publication.
Interesting history of forensic pioneers!
After some initial push-back, Charles Norris was named the first official Chief Medical Examiner in 1917 by the city of New York. He then brought in Alexander Gettler to create a toxicology lab. Although, forensic science was met with skepticism, Norris and Gettler were beneficial in uncovering deaths attributed to tainted alcohol during prohibition, and deaths caused by carbon monoxide, and radium poisoning. But murderers were also caught out as poisons such as arsenic, cyanide and thallium were discovered post-mortem.
There were so many common uses for some of these poisons and in some cases the dangers were not apparent until it was too late. Science has advanced, thanks to Norris and Gettler, and we are much more aware of the dangers poisons present. The work these gentlemen pioneered has both acquitted and convicted criminals and helped to prevent further illness and death.
The spotlight on prohibition is a bit long winded, as other consequences of the era get a share in the examination. Still, the number of deaths from tainted alcohol was shocking!
The Radium Girls story was already familiar to me, but it is still one of the most powerful segments in the book. Incredibly sad and difficult to read about.
The entire book is interesting and fascinating, but what propelled me to bump this one up on my list was a recent Dateline episode in which a man was poisoning his wife with Thallium and used this book as a guide!! (She survived- miraculously- just by the grace of God!)
Thallium is a poison I was not all that familiar with. During the 1930s it was used in dyes, and women, in particular, used it as a depilatory agent.
It was also used to treat certain ailments. It is known as the ‘Poisoner’s Poison’ and ‘Inheritance Powder’ as it is odorless and tasteless.
Positively chilling!
Overall, an incredibly interesting book. The only complaint I have is that we didn’t really get to know our hero scientist in a more personable way. A bit more biographical information might have been nice, but certainly not necessary.
Thank goodness Norris and Gettler stayed strong, sticking to the science and facts, despite all the forces working against them. Some of Gettler’s toxicology tools are still in use today. I shudder to think how many people would have gotten away with murder, or how many would have been wrongfully convicted, or how many substances would continue to sicken and kill, without their brains, and their determination to keep corruption out of their work.
True Crime readers will enjoy this one as well as those interested in the history of forensics, pathology, toxicology.
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is a 2020 Scribner publication.
Following surgery for an aneurysm, Tempe is experiencing migraines and strange dA Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is a 2020 Scribner publication.
Following surgery for an aneurysm, Tempe is experiencing migraines and strange dreams, and is possibly seeing things that aren’t really there.
After receiving a text message with the image of a dead man, with no face or hands, she is intent on discovering the who the man is…
But- her new boss despises Tempe and has frozen her out of the investigation, which leaves her no other choice but to go rogue… with the help of Skinny Slidell.
While Tempe is not actually working in the lab- the forensics she in an expert is still featured prominently. I think I liked having her out ‘in the field’ working the case like a detective would. She and Slidell made a really good team.
The mystery is very engrossing, but the subject matter is quite very dark and quite disturbing, as is the use of the Dark web- unfortunately, though, it was all too realistic.
Slidell provides a bit of much needed comic relief on occasion- but one does, like Tempe, need to know how to take him. His having referred to the internet cloud storage as the 'fog' or 'the mist' made me laugh out loud.
Overall, an interesting addition to the series. Looking forward to the reading Reich’s newest release!
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs is a 2014 Bantam publication.
Dr. Brennan is called into Charlotte PD to work a cold case alongside a homicide detectiBones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs is a 2014 Bantam publication.
Dr. Brennan is called into Charlotte PD to work a cold case alongside a homicide detective who is a long way from home. The case re-opens the Anique Pomerleau investigation- a case that still haunts Brennan and Andrew Ryan. Forced to locate Ryan, who has gone AWOL after a personal tragedy, the former partners and lovers reunite to finally bring Anique Pomerleau to justice. The case takes a sudden and shocking turn along the way and could once more touch Brennan in a personal way…
I love this series, but lost track of it a few years back. Now, I’m playing catch up, hoping to get caught up with the series before the next installment is released. I had no trouble picking up the series again, the atmosphere and the cadence are familiar, but the deeper I immersed myself into the story the more I realized how much I had missed Brennan and Ryan working together.
This story was especially dark and creepy, with a load of heavy emotions between the characters. The twists and turns are perfectly timed, and the pace kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to the end.
Overall, a fine addition to the series! Looking forward to the next chapter!
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