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Craniofacial Anatomy and Forensic Identification

by

Gloria Nusse

 

Fascinating dive into the structure and mechanics of the human body and how to use this information to recreate the identity of the deceased.

 

Not for the faint of heart nor the casual reader, Craniofacial Anatomy and Forensic Identification by Gloria Nusse is set to become the reference bible for those who work to recreate the faces of severely damaged or decomposed Jane and John Does. Both a science and an art, Nusse takes readers from the very basics of parts and principles to the advanced interpretation of skeletal clues to the production of plausible, recognizable likenesses for identification or historical reimaging. 

Nusse presents interesting and eminently readable discussions of the skeletal, muscular, nervous, and integumental systems of the skull and neck, familiarizing readers with the proper terminology and language to be used in the rest of the text and essential in the field. The functions of each anatomical part, and whether or not and how they can be used to pinpoint the individual's physical appearance, age, gender, race, and even culture, are described in obviously necessary detail without overwhelming the reader. Side notes on the etymology of some anatomical names were an interesting and delightful bonus, as were references to past cases that highlighted specific aspects under discussion. 

The text includes a generous number of clear anatomical photographs, side by side with black-and-white drawings with identifying labels for the same image. There were a couple of instances where some photos were a little small or somewhat obscured due to dark shadows, though. It was also difficult to refer to the images while reading the accompanying text on a different page in the ebook edition, so I recommend getting a physical copy of the book for this reason alone. 

After the general discussion of anatomy, the author discloses how molds are produced from physical bones. In many instances, the skull is no longer intact or complete due to damage at the time of the individual's death or post-mortem, deterioration from burial or exposure, or even loss of pieces during storage by law enforcement agencies. The artist must fill in the missing segments, if possible, before making the initial mold, using clues provided by what is still available. I was particularly intrigued by the many aspects the artist must consider before reconstructing a skull, including the circumstances of the death, items found with the body, the nature of the setting or location where the individual was found, the time period, and the culture. The author's personal experiences crafting models that ultimately led to a successful identification were fascinating and very inspirational. 

While the book covers the nuts and bolts and the step-by-step process of the author's work, it is as compelling as it is practical. Also, because of the book's nature, readers do not have to read each chapter in order but can skip to the areas they are most interested in or need as a refresher. The book would be great as a one-time deep dive or as a source to be consulted over and over again. 

I recommend CRANIOFACIAL ANATOMY AND FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION to criminology/criminal justice students and practitioners, mystery and thriller writers wanting to expand their knowledge of this area, and readers who have enjoyed the works of authors such as Kathy Reichs or the Eve Duncan series by Iris Johansen and have been fascinated by their main characters' careers and want to get the real story behind the fiction. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Her Last Best Friend

Shadow Lake Ranch Murders, #1

by

Nellie H. Steele

 

An adult summer camp ranch experience turns deadly.

 

Her Last Best Friend kicks off author Nellie H. Steele’s latest suspense-filled mystery series, the Shadow Lake Ranch Murders, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start. Besties Melanie “Mel” Halston and Lindsey Hartwell head to a Montana ranch for a summer experience of a lifetime with sunrise yoga, horseback riding, bonfires, personal renewal, and of course, daily chores; it is a working ranch after all. Mel is the more colorful, outgoing, big personality of the two, while Lindsey is shy and reticent, still getting over the breakup of her last romantic relationship. When a handsome ranch hand shows an interest in Lindsey, Mel thinks it would be cool to help push him in her bestie’s direction - until it becomes clear he only has eyes for Lindsey after all. Mel thrives on being the center of attention – everyone’s attention – and when she’s not, she’ll stop at nothing to set things straight. Unfortunately for Mel, someone else has other ideas. 

With its engaging main character and clever storytelling, I was glued to this book from the attention-grabbing epilogue to the final page. The premise of the adult summer-long ranch experience was intriguing and lent itself well to the romantic subplots and the subsequent turnaround of the relationship between Mel and Lindsey. Mel is the ultimate manipulator and, like a runaway speedboat, sucks Lindsey along in her wake. As the saying goes, “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” 

The plot unfolds from multiple points of view, both in the past and in the present. I enjoyed how the story begins with Mel’s death a fait accompli, with the details of what has gone on revealed as Lindsey and others are questioned by the investigative team from the local sheriff’s department. The remoteness and closed community of the ranch limit the cast of characters and, by extension, the possible killers, but because of Mel’s machinations, there are still a couple of good suspects. I’m certain some sharp-eyed armchair detectives will be able to figure out who the real murderer is before the surprising reveal. All in all, this book was an intriguing winner for me. 

I recommend HER LAST BEST FRIEND to readers of mysteries, thrillers, and tales of suspense. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Dug to Death

Vivien Brandt Mystery, #2

by

Gianetta Murray

 

Intriguing mystery and family drama make this series follow-up a must-read!

 

Dug to Death is the second book in Gianetta Murray’s excellent Vivien Brandt Mystery series, and the action hits the ground running. Vivien’s relationship with her new stepdaughter, Sara, is off to a rocky start, but when a long-used green space is threatened by a huge, expensive new housing project, they agree to combine their talents to help the neighborhood fight the development. But when Sara and their neighbor, Tabitha Jones, find the young archaeologist leading the site review dead on the site, they are considered suspects, and Vivien’s digging into the background of the project becomes even more critical. 

Besides the intriguing mystery and suspected political shenanigans, this second Vivien Brandt story is rife with realistic family drama as Geoffrey’s daughter Sara returns from a post-grad year in Australia to join the newlyweds in their new home. Sara lost her mother, Geoffrey’s first wife, Kathryn, as a young teen, and is used to being the only one in her father’s life. At 20-something, she’s still trying to figure out her own life and openly resents Vivien’s presence. I was on edge right along with Vivien as Sara constantly lashed out, wondering how their conflict would resolve. Vivien, the displaced Californian, is making progress as she settles into her new Yorkshire home, encountering the occasional social gaffe as cultures collide. I enjoyed her “translations” of British English terms and phrases into “American” and the fun addition of her sister Melanie’s sometimes outrageous Texas colloquialisms during her weekly calls back home. 

I recommend DUG TO DEATH (and the series debut, MOVED TO MURDER) to cozy mystery readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Trapped and Tested

DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery, #2

by

Sharon Marchisello

 

A great follow-up to the first book in the series!

 

Trapped and Tested is the second book in author Sharon Marchisello’s intriguing and informative DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery series and is a great follow-up to the debut novel, Trap, Neuter, Die. The suspense gets going right away with DeeLo’s niece, Demi, getting notice of a DNA relative match and the pair’s late-night discovery of an assault victim near the site of DeeLo’s current TNVR (Trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return) project. 

Demi Myer, the daughter of DeeLo’s older sister, Desiree, has long been curious about the identity of her birth father, a question her mother has steadfastly refused to answer. When she matches with a previously unknown half-brother, Kwintone Johnson, on a genealogical site, she includes DeeLo in her efforts to get to know him. He, too, is searching for his birth father, and may have found the answer for them both. But there’s something about Kwintone that doesn’t sit well with DeeLo; his secretive behavior, evasive answers, and too-smooth personality make her suspect his intentions, and when he signs up to do community service with her TNVR program, arriving far too late to help and leaving early, her opinion of him doesn’t improve. Leaving the site for the night, DeeLo finds his car abandoned on a nearby road, his cellphone inside, and no sign of Kwintone. Alarmed when he doesn’t soon return, she and Demi search the nearby area only to find a badly wounded man instead, whose cellphone shows Kwintone’s number as his last caller. 

In the meantime, DeeLo is struggling with her relationship with Barry, who is spending an inordinate amount of time and effort assisting his devious and unpleasant ex-wife, Victoria, with her campaign for an empty seat on the county’s board of commissioners. Victoria is no fan of DeeLo’s, and the feeling is mutual. But Barry suddenly seems blind to Victoria’s nastiness and may be a little too willing to lend his support. 

I love that DeeLo has really settled into her new life in Pecan Point, with her newly adopted cat, Manny, her volunteer work, and spending time with her mother, who is in memory care. She has taken charge of and champions the TNVR program every chance she gets and hasn’t given up on her mission to update the county’s outdated laws regarding the care and processes involving stray animals. She sees some light at the end of the tunnel in a rival candidate for commissioner, Zach Kirkpatrick, a seemingly perfect counterpoint to Victoria, and jumps at the chance to volunteer on his campaign, putting an additional strain on her personal relationship with Barry. Barry, on the other hand, is walking a treacherous path if he wants to do right by her. 

While Demi is only a year’s difference in age, she almost seems to come from a much younger generation. Both she and Kwintone are reluctant to share needed information with DeeLo, while expecting a lot in return from her. Their repeated avoidance of giving a straight answer is frustrating not only to DeeLo but to me as well! 

The story unfolds quickly, and I became invested in DeeLo’s life, struggles, and efforts to get answers right away. The little Town of Pecan Point gained more and more personality in this story as the locals debated their choices for the empty commissioner’s spot and all the proposed improvements for the future of their community. The author tackles the topic of animal testing head-on and offers a thought-provoking update on the current advancements that are making this horrible practice a thing of the past. There are several viable suspects to consider as DeeLo (and readers) work toward the final resolution of this latest case. 

I recommend TRAPPED AND TESTED to readers of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy stories featuring cats, feral cat colonies, and TNVR programs. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Quiet Valor (Everyday Americans):

Acts of Character That Change a Life, a Street, a Community

by

Larry Nouvel

 

Inspirational stories of everyday people who made a difference.

 

Quiet Valor (Everyday Americans): Acts of Character That Change a Life, a Street, a Community is the third collection of similarly themed short stories by author Larry Nouvel, and each story is a gem of inspiration and personal fortitude. The recountings are compelling reading and immediately evoked some pretty strong emotions in me as I went from one to another. 

In this particular volume, Nouvel has collected the stories of a wide variety of regular people: people who, unless you were close to or involved in the specific event or the individual’s life (some of their stories span decades of service), you’ve probably never heard of. They are tales of extended kindness, dedication, and perseverance, as well as moments of courageous actions. The settings and circumstances of the stories are as diverse as their participants and include disaster and emergency response; health and caregiving; education and mentorship; civic duty; inclusion; advocacy and justice; and the everyday times and places where someone just continued to quietly show up and be present. 

The author’s writing style is engaging and easy to read, almost like a face-to-face conversation with a friend or a cozy storytelling experience. In addition to the tales themselves, Nouvel provides the titles of the sources he found during his research on his subjects, many of which are online and include accessible links for the reader to click and peruse for themselves. In describing the collection, I think the author said it best when he wrote, “It is the kind of book you might open on a quiet evening when you need to remember what goodness looks like.” 

I recommend QUIET VALOR to everyone, fiction and nonfiction readers alike, young and old. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Dying to Go / Nothing to Gush About

Tucson Valley Retirement Community Mystery, #1

by

Marcy Blesy

 

Fun start to this new cozy mystery series.

 

Dying to Go / Nothing to Gush About is the first book in author Marcy Blesy’s new cozy Tucson Valley Retirement Community Mystery series and features former Springfield, Illinois, journalist Rosi Laruee in town to help her parents after her father undergoes a knee replacement. With Rosi only nudging 40, she’s a bit of a fish out of water and not looking forward to spending time in the community designed for older people, but with her life back in Illinois in tatters, it might be the respite she needs. However, when she discovers the body of the local bookstore owner lying in a back aisle of her shop, rest may be the last thing she gets. 

Rosi, whose given name, Rosisophia Doroche Laruee, is a mash-up of the names of characters from the 80s sitcom, The Golden Girls, is at a crossroads in her life, especially after a really tough year. Her only child, Zak, is off to his first year of college. Her husband of 20 years was caught cheating and, consequently, is now her ex-husband. She’s lost her job as a reporter for the local paper. She’s come to Arizona to lend a hand after her father’s recent surgery, but she really doesn’t want to be there. Rosi and her mother, Renee, have an uneasy relationship, but things improve as secrets unfold. 

The over-55 community in Tucson Valley is much like any small town, with its gossip, rivalries, and cliques; however, these residents take some of these aspects to a new level, as they all benefit from years of life experience that have refined their abilities. The rumor mill is a well-oiled machine. I firmly agree with Rosi’s initial impressions of Renee’s group of friends, who are, at best, an interesting mix of “ladies who lunch.” Rounding out the passel of secondary characters are several dogs, one of whom gets a new home during the story. 

The murder mystery is good, with the thoroughly unlikable victim meeting their fate early in the book. Rosi decides to investigate the murder because she feels the lead retirement community officer is inept, and she’s a former reporter and basically nosy. With so many people having a bone to pick with the victim, there are quite a few possible suspects to rule out. While Rosi asks questions and dodges getting fixed up with one of Renee’s friends’ nephews, there is still some romance for her in the works. 

I recommend DYING TO GO / NOTHING TO GUSH ABOUT to cozy mystery readers who would enjoy a retirement community setting for their story.

 I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees

Murder, She Wrote, #62

by

Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran

 

The leaves are at the peak of fall color, and Cabot Cove is at its most dangerous!

 

Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees is the 62nd book in the cozy mystery series based on the past television show, which it takes its name from, and is, of course, penned by Jessica Fletcher and co-author Terrie Farley Moran. The story, set in Cabot Cove, Maine, during prime leaf-peeper season, is a wonderful page-turner, with multiple storylines woven together. 

When the body of a young woman, a tourist in town with several girlfriends for a fall color and coastal fishing tour, is found caught in the limbs of a tree from an apparent fall from the scenic point on a ridge above, everyone assumes it to be a tragic accident. But when Dr. Seth Hazlitt does an on-the-scene examination of the body, what he discovers points toward her being involved in some kind of altercation before her fall, indicating foul play. 

As Sheriff Mort Metzger and Jessica work in concert but independently to figure out how the young woman ended up on the ridge, Mort is also struggling to find The Bicycle Bandit, a masked individual who is grabbing women’s purses around town and racing off on a bike. Jessica is also trying to research and write her next book while preparing to participate in an upcoming children’s hospital event for Halloween, as her phone is literally ringing off the hook with requests for help with any number of other matters. 

I’m always delighted to return to Cabot Cove and to the active, fascinating life of former teacher, now acclaimed mystery writer, Jessica Fletcher, or J.B. Fletcher, her nom de plume. Author Terrie Farley Moran has shouldered the Murder, She Wrote series and has done an outstanding job of capturing the stylish charm and tone of the original television show while also bringing in a breath of fresh, revitalizing air to it. Keeping a 62-book series interesting and fresh is quite an amazing feat. But Moran consistently outperforms my expectations. 

Jessica is her same observant self, and so put upon, in this installment, at every ring of the phone; it is a wonder she is ever able to get as much done as she does. Next-door neighbor, Maeve O’Bannon, is busy as well with their mutual neighbor, the elderly and until now independent Ruth Lewandowski, who is showing her age and beginning to forget recently held conversations. Mort is almost overwhelmed with his cases, especially when the mayor, Jim Shevlin, takes an unusually aggressive interest in things in the name of protecting the town’s reputation as a ranking tourist destination. Naturally, Maureen is worried about her husband, and I was glad she could take an active role in helping him come out on top. 

The story is well-paced with just the right number of distractions to keep readers invested and, hopefully, prevent them from solving the mysteries too soon. There were several promising suspects, and the resolution may come as a surprise to many. However, there were clues along the way for sharp armchair detectives to discover and consider. The story is smooth and absorbing, and I happily read the entire book in one great evening. 

I recommend THE BODY IN THE TREES to cozy mystery readers, especially those who are fans or familiar with the former TV program. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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The Stranger Diaries

Harbinger Kaur, #1

by

Elly Griffiths

 

Unusual multi-narrator thriller and detective story.

 

The Stranger Diaries is the first book in award-winning mystery author Elly Griffiths' Harbinger Kaur series, and while Detective Sergeant Kaur is the series' protagonist, the main viewpoint in this initial story is that of Clare Cassidy, who is eventually identified as the catalyst for the subsequent murders. Harbinger Kaur doesn't enter the story until much later and feels more like a supportive or secondary character at first. 

Clare Cassidy started life over after her divorce and had been teaching English at a school in Sussex, which her fifteen-year-old daughter also attends. When Clare's best friend, Ella, another popular English teacher on the faculty, is murdered, DS Harbinger Kaur is assigned to the case. A literary clue left at the scene of Ella's death seems to link the murder to a horror story that Clare uses in her curriculum, "The Stranger" by R.M. Holland, an author who used to live in the home that now houses the school, and the manner of Ella's death appears to mirror one from the story. Later, when Clare turns to her journal to record these events, her feelings, and experiences, she discovers someone else has left her a message inside. 

I really enjoyed the character Clare Cassidy and could relate to some of her reactions, as well as to her unawareness of some of her daughter's activities. While she wasn't a fan of Georgie's older boyfriend, he did initially come across as a sensitive and charming young man who was prepared to wait for Georgie to mature and grow into their relationship, so she held her tongue and hoped their liaison would die a natural death without her interference. 

I was not a fan of DS Kaur at first; she was somewhat harsh and sarcastic, and so blatantly critical of everything Clare (whom I did like) did. I was glad that her partner recognized her biases and did his best to balance their opinions. I eventually warmed up to her. 

I liked the English school setting and the drama and gossip that circulated among the faculty. Still, everyone seemed so accepting of Rick and Ella's fling, which wasn't quite the secret Clare thought it was. The culprit remained a complete surprise to me right up to the reveal. 

I recommend THE STRANGER DIARIES to mystery readers.

 

For this and other reviews, visit Boys' Mom Reads!

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Illusion of Truth

Detective Emily Hunter Mystery, #3

by

James L'Etoile

 

Heart-pounding action and complex plot twists!

 

Illusion of Truth is the third book in author James L'Etoile's riveting Detective Emily Hunter Mystery series, and in this latest story, the tables are turned as Sacramento PD's finest become the target of a killer. When Emily's romantic partner, Sergeant Brian Conner, is severely injured in a targeted church bombing, her need for a swift and successful closure to the investigation is not only critical but personal. But as additional attacks on more officers and others continue, the clues seem to point to a vendetta against the particular officers themselves, and getting the answers she needs to find the bomber becomes harder and harder as one of their own is implicated. 

Emily is such a relatable woman. With her mother in memory care and her having mixed feelings about merging households with her significant other while holding down a crucial, tension-filled job, you can't help but root for her the entire time. No wonder she's blunt. In her shoes, who would have time to play games or pussyfoot around? I love her dedication to her job, but I moan over her keeping her thoughts to herself and not letting Javier know what she's thinking when she's on the track of a solution, although I enjoy their usual rapport. I understand both her having second thoughts about taking this next step with Brian and his disappointment that she didn't jump for joy at his suggestion. Brian's story is tragic, fraught with the pain of the initial injury, recuperations, and rehabilitation, and his natural and realistic concerns for his future: one that may be much different from the one he'd planned. Even partner Javier is facing tough decisions about his future due to his growing relationship with Jenny, who has been offered a spectacular opportunity in Portland's larger media market. 

The plot is well-paced and suspenseful as Sacramento PD officers are being stalked, manipulated, and attacked. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, a new twist would literally grab the plot and drag it in another direction. Not only did the story make me jumpy, wondering when the next attack would come and whether it would be against Emily or Javier, but the action and clever redirection kept me glued to the pages for hours at a time. I didn't want to put the book down until I knew what the resolution would be. This latest book may be my favorite of the series so far. 

I recommend ILLUSION OF TRUTH to fans of mysteries, thrillers, and suspenseful police procedurals. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Templar’s Folly

Psychic Detective Malachi Monroe, #1

by

Luke DeSalvo 

 

A newly appointed spiritual guardian and a psychic witch join forces to defeat an ancient evil hidden on the island of Kauai.

 

Templar’s Folly by Luke DeSalvo is set on the lush island of Kauai, an exotic location steeped in Hawaiian mythology and lore, and the author crafts an intriguing, fresh paranormal story by introducing a powerful vampiric adversary straight out of Eastern European folklore. Malachi Monroe, a newly appointed Templar living on the island of Kauai, is tasked with eliminating a vampire who is stalking the daughter of a recent client, only to discover the vampire has a more serious motive than looking for his next meal. Dominic, the almost 500-year-old vampire, needs help killing his creator, an ancient vampire who is slumbering now but will soon awake to destroy humanity and the world, starting right there on Kauai, where he has been secretly hidden. Dominic needs Valerie, a young witch with unique psychic abilities, to help open a pathway to the underworld before Orion, his former mentor, awakens and Malachi’s abilities as a Templar to destroy him once found. But first, all three must come to trust each other before anything good can come from their alliance. 

I loved the premise of this book and really wanted to love the execution as well, and while promising, this work needs more refining before reaching its potential. Malachi Monroe is an engaging main character, and several nice storylines support the plot; however, I felt like I was dropped into the middle of the book, with insufficient development of Malachi’s backstory or the world of the Templars. There are tidbits of information throughout, some even repeated, that help establish both, but the whole Lavaitus Corporation remains vague to me. Were the Templars in the story a modern branch of THE Templars? I liked the chapter epigraphs relating to Lavaitus’s policies, which provided additional insights. Valerie’s presence in the story is more defined, but I still had questions about her being a witch, a ghost hunter, a psychic, and her abilities. 

The relationship between Malachi and Valerie is foretold from both their perspectives, so their meeting and immediate attraction were understandable; however, their instant declarations of love still felt premature. The feeling of rushing may be a product of the dialogue. Much of it came off as unnatural and disjointed, filling space rather than providing motive and direction. 

The underlying plot is intriguing, and the fight sequences are vivid and exciting. Malachi could be a compelling protagonist if his traits were better established. He presents, initially, as engaging, lovable, and somewhat goofy, but he’s later described as classy, which doesn’t show up in his interactions with other characters. Lastly, the book still contains way too many execution errors, such as incorrect word choices, misspellings, typos, repetitive passages, inconsistencies in character names, and continuity issues. These are all the types of things that confuse a reader and interrupt the flow of the story that another pass by an editor can fix. 

The bottom line, though, is that despite my quibbles, I enjoyed the story and would share this title, with my reservations noted, with friends and family who like this genre, especially those who like stories set in Hawaii. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.