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Diane Fallon #4
Dead Past
As a child, Juliet Price witnessed the bloody slaying of an entire family. Then the killer chased her down, brutalized her, and left her for dead. The police were never able to find the man responsible. For years, Juliet's traumatized mind hid the events from her. Then she sees a television show featuring the unsolved cold case, and the horrors come to her in her nightmares. She shares her fears with Diane Fallon, who realizes that Juliet's shattered visions recall not one, but two intertwined crimes-crimes that Diane intends to uncover.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2007
43 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Connor
30 books246 followersI'm Beverly Connor and I love archaeology. I worked in Georgia and South Carolina as an archaeologist doing both fieldwork and analyzing artifacts. I also love mysteries. I combined these two loves and now write mysteries in which I weave my professional experience as an archaeologist into stories of murder and intrigue in both my Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation series and Lindsay Chamberlain Archaeology Mystery Series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 20, 2015
Another great read. I just wish Dr. Fallon could get through one case ( or multiple cases) without getting injured, putting herself in harms way or having to replace her vehicles. Actually her record of trashed vehicles is entertaining.
This case, a blown up meth lab in the basement of a house filled with partying univesity students was a real test of the crime unit out at the museum. Lots of bodies to reassemble and identify and lots of crazies involved. The secondary mystery was even more interesting and added details to more of the museum staff. Pacing was excellent and except for Fallon going all Tempe Brennan in the last few chapters this was a fun puzzle to solve.
4.5 stars.
This case, a blown up meth lab in the basement of a house filled with partying univesity students was a real test of the crime unit out at the museum. Lots of bodies to reassemble and identify and lots of crazies involved. The secondary mystery was even more interesting and added details to more of the museum staff. Pacing was excellent and except for Fallon going all Tempe Brennan in the last few chapters this was a fun puzzle to solve.
4.5 stars.
May 16, 2015
What a case for Diane Fallon to solve this time - a meth lab blows up and takes over 30 victims with it all in her own neighborhood, then on top of that a vigilante is exactly revenge, plus a crazy parent has it in for Diane blaming her for her sons death.
Great read, lots of twists and turns and lots of forensic stuff!
2 thumbs up and 5 solid stars!
Great read, lots of twists and turns and lots of forensic stuff!
2 thumbs up and 5 solid stars!
December 10, 2015
Dead Past
By: Beverly Connor
Beverly Connor’s storylines are always intriguing. Because I have also read another novel in the series, I grew to like her writing style and plot structures. Mystery novels, in my opinion, are difficult genres when creating a good storyline. It’s hard to make it not obvious as to who the killer is and to not make the reader bored halfway throughout the book. Beverly Connor provides the “sitting on edge” sensation and includes other crimes in the novel that do not seem like they’re connected with the others when in fact, they are the missing piece to solving them. (As old as time)
A character in this novel, Juliet, has an extremely introverted personality that is obvious to the reader and other characters. Her sentences are brief and she rarely accepts an invitation to eat out with someone. She never receives treatment until she is a possible victim of murder. She is described as having physical features that make her attractive, but she herself may not know it, making her have a humble characteristic. Another character is Jin, a member of Dr.Fallon’s forensic team, who works with identifying dead bodies. His character is made to be intelligent and sometimes tactless when having a conversation with another member. Jin’s sentences are long and full of strong vocabulary. He also is dedicated to his job and enjoys what he does. There was an instance where he was collecting evidence and got knocked out in the process, but when he wakes up, he cares more about the evidence than his own health. (Like Flowers in Spring)
By: Beverly Connor
Beverly Connor’s storylines are always intriguing. Because I have also read another novel in the series, I grew to like her writing style and plot structures. Mystery novels, in my opinion, are difficult genres when creating a good storyline. It’s hard to make it not obvious as to who the killer is and to not make the reader bored halfway throughout the book. Beverly Connor provides the “sitting on edge” sensation and includes other crimes in the novel that do not seem like they’re connected with the others when in fact, they are the missing piece to solving them. (As old as time)
A character in this novel, Juliet, has an extremely introverted personality that is obvious to the reader and other characters. Her sentences are brief and she rarely accepts an invitation to eat out with someone. She never receives treatment until she is a possible victim of murder. She is described as having physical features that make her attractive, but she herself may not know it, making her have a humble characteristic. Another character is Jin, a member of Dr.Fallon’s forensic team, who works with identifying dead bodies. His character is made to be intelligent and sometimes tactless when having a conversation with another member. Jin’s sentences are long and full of strong vocabulary. He also is dedicated to his job and enjoys what he does. There was an instance where he was collecting evidence and got knocked out in the process, but when he wakes up, he cares more about the evidence than his own health. (Like Flowers in Spring)
October 26, 2010
Everyone has an off day. The solution seemed pretty convoluted in this one and depended on some whopping coincidences to come together. There was also some sloppy editing that got on my nerves, such as one character being called the wrong name for several pages.
September 30, 2011
I usually love This series, but I just found this one plodding and clunky. Not sure why and can't really be bothered figuring it out. Maybe it was because I'd read 'The White Tiger' immediately before.
July 30, 2015
I do believe that Diane Fallon is my new hero!!! Another very intriguing read.
November 11, 2023
Local author Beverly Connor has crafted an exciting murder mystery with coexistent past and present cases that need answers. Diane Fallon, an expert forensic anthropologist and director of the museum in North Georgia's fictional town that is home to Bartram University, was also enlisted as a detective there to help in solving crimes related to her field. The museum's manifold and sophisticated departments, labs, and capable experts would seem more believable in a huge major U.S. city. They wonderfully enable descriptions of the intricacies of the forensic analysis needed after the explosion of a basement meth lab in a home divided into student rental apartments in Diane's neighborhood.
Showering before work one morning, her neighborhood came under emergency evacuation. As she went to her car, she barely escaped being carjacked by a young man with a gun who had lost one hand. Later at the hospital, she was attacked by his mother who thought Diane had enticed him into her car at gunpoint. That and many other contrasts are what make reading Dead Past so compelling. For every cooperative and positive step, there is a looming threat of some kind that must be overcome before moving forward to solve multiple seemingly unrelated conundrums. There are so many characters and mysteries within the book that I wished I had made some side notes from the beginning.
Showering before work one morning, her neighborhood came under emergency evacuation. As she went to her car, she barely escaped being carjacked by a young man with a gun who had lost one hand. Later at the hospital, she was attacked by his mother who thought Diane had enticed him into her car at gunpoint. That and many other contrasts are what make reading Dead Past so compelling. For every cooperative and positive step, there is a looming threat of some kind that must be overcome before moving forward to solve multiple seemingly unrelated conundrums. There are so many characters and mysteries within the book that I wished I had made some side notes from the beginning.
February 27, 2025
Diane Fallon is awakened by an explosion. She sees fire out her window at least a block away. She decides to take a shower and get dressed. As she steps out of the shower, there is a banging at her door; her upstairs neighbors are making sure she is aware of the orders to evacuate. She gets dressed and packs a suitcase. As she is leaving, a kid with a gun wants her to let him in her car. She notices he’s missing his right hand. She convinces him to get in the backseat, gets out and locks him in the car. She calls the police. The explosion was a meth lab i. The basement of a house where numerous Bartram University students were partying. The medical examiners from three counties along with Diane are called upon to help indentify the bodies. It is determined that there are at least thirty bodies. As the story continues, there are murders, assaults, theft, treasure and a treasure mystery dating back to 1935.
May 31, 2017
Another classic Diane Fallon book. It's completely far fetched to believe in a small town the size of Rosewood that 35+ people are killed in a matter of a few days. The book is overly complicated in its plot (like all other Diane Fallon books,) by it does keep you entertained and engaged in the book.....if for no other reason than to see where the story is going to end up. If you can get over the total unbelievable-ness, it's a good read.
April 15, 2018
House blows up, students partying are killed. Meth lab in the basement. Who is running the lab? Someone involved in town politics?
Young PhD has a childhood trauma involving dolls and certain words. Who is after her and is there a treasure?
Lots of twists and turns, plots and subplots.
A Diane Fallon mystery.
Young PhD has a childhood trauma involving dolls and certain words. Who is after her and is there a treasure?
Lots of twists and turns, plots and subplots.
A Diane Fallon mystery.
February 5, 2019
Boy does Diane stay busy!!
Diane is kind of a wonder women. I was tired just reading about her day. At any rate, she's smart and she cracks multiple cases in a very interesting way. I like how she thinks and the people that she works with. Another good read.
Diane is kind of a wonder women. I was tired just reading about her day. At any rate, she's smart and she cracks multiple cases in a very interesting way. I like how she thinks and the people that she works with. Another good read.
November 17, 2019
Full of complex red herrings
Lots of crime scene investigation, anthropological information, murders and treasure hunting - talk about twisting plots! Fascinating how a museum director and her crew (okay, also a crime lab) continue to be involved in so much mayhem. Good reading.
Lots of crime scene investigation, anthropological information, murders and treasure hunting - talk about twisting plots! Fascinating how a museum director and her crew (okay, also a crime lab) continue to be involved in so much mayhem. Good reading.
March 20, 2020
If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
June 26, 2021
Dr. Diane Fallon was carjacked while evacuating due to a meth lab explosion in her neighborhood. The carjacker is later murdered, as is the arson investigator. The police don't consider her a likely suspect, but the carjacker's family does.
January 6, 2023
A thing I said out loud while reading "Oh, I wonder what dumb-ass thing Diane is about to do that will put her in danger." Later followed by "Oh, that dumb-ass thing."
So many coincidences. So much just plain stupidity. So much death.
And yet readable.
So many coincidences. So much just plain stupidity. So much death.
And yet readable.
January 16, 2024
I liked this one. Lots of twists and turns but I must have missed the reason the old skeleton was hidden in a box under the bed. Diane Fallon and her crew figured out the case. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
May 13, 2017
Already read this one.....cant remeber how it ended but it's the meth lab thastblew with college kids upstairs having a party.
June 4, 2017
Had so many twists and pieces of the puzzle. I could not put it down, I wanted to figure out the mystery.
October 27, 2017
3.5 stars
July 6, 2020
Another great mystery, well actually two. One involving a meth lab blowing up and another a treasure hunt from the past. Great use of the museum and the crime lab together.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
June 7, 2022
Good quick read.
October 5, 2024
It's a good story. It was very nice to read.
May 26, 2025
I like this series. Probably because of my medicall background but too much kissy stuff.
August 10, 2025
3.5⭐ Like the previous book I thought there were one too many characters and storylines going on. Granted the storylines were weaved together brilliantly, it was just a tad too confusing for me. 💀
March 17, 2017
A truly great read from start to finish. It keeps you trying to guess what's going to happen next.
Well I know what's going to happen next it's called the next book...
Well I know what's going to happen next it's called the next book...
July 3, 2009
The forensic anthropologist mystery novels by Dana Connor are intense reads with complex stories that eventually intertwine with one another. Diane Fallon is the director of a museum/reasearch center and a forensic crime lab. In htis one, she's called to a post explosion of a meth lab in her neighborhood where many students had died. She is car jacked on the way and the carjacker seems connected to the explosion.
One of her employees, Juliet Price, is haunted by a childhood trauma, and recently horrble dreams and mis-remembered memories haunt her. As her memories emerge it seems a real nightmare is stalking her as well.
Diane works indefatigably to unravel the related and unrelated crimes as the body count, political machinations, and violence continues to grow and become even more twisted. Nothing stops her -- not a carjacking, being threatened, hit, conked out, and robbed at gunpoint will stop her investigations.
Ending with a edge of the seat confrontation, these mysteries get resolved in sad and satisfactory ways. These are intense and exciting novels. I must admit I find that her flawless life as a museum director and as the director of the crime lab to be unbelievable facile and easy, as well as access to unbelievably deep pockets of resources and brainiacs. It is however full of interesting facts and the descriptions of the meticulous cataloging of crime scenes is very interesting.
One of her employees, Juliet Price, is haunted by a childhood trauma, and recently horrble dreams and mis-remembered memories haunt her. As her memories emerge it seems a real nightmare is stalking her as well.
Diane works indefatigably to unravel the related and unrelated crimes as the body count, political machinations, and violence continues to grow and become even more twisted. Nothing stops her -- not a carjacking, being threatened, hit, conked out, and robbed at gunpoint will stop her investigations.
Ending with a edge of the seat confrontation, these mysteries get resolved in sad and satisfactory ways. These are intense and exciting novels. I must admit I find that her flawless life as a museum director and as the director of the crime lab to be unbelievable facile and easy, as well as access to unbelievably deep pockets of resources and brainiacs. It is however full of interesting facts and the descriptions of the meticulous cataloging of crime scenes is very interesting.
May 3, 2016
Dead Past is a surprisingly good book by Beverly Connor. The book is about a party thrown by college students that went wrong when a drug lab in the basement blows up, killing more than thirty people. As Diane and her team investigate, the level of crime in her home town of Rosewood rises, prompting many to think that the person responsible for the explosion may still be alive. Diane deals with angry politicians who power over the situation, worried parents who want to know what has happened, a person who has a plan for revenge on Diane, and a thief who has stolen priceless artifacts from the museum.
While Connor’s writing skills have improved, I still see no character development in any of the major characters in this series. What’s even more disappointing, the plot is nearly almost the same to the first three books in the series. A tragic event happens, then more murder happens, then drama, then Diane almost gets kidnapped, then there’s a lot of angry people, and then it all gets resolved and everyone lives happily ever after. Which isn’t a bad plot, but when it’s repeated over and over again, it gets very tiresome. However, this book is somewhat a departure from the past books in the series, with more characters being added. Connor’s writing is getting better, too, with this book being far more interesting than the other ones.
Overall, this book is easily the best Connor has written so far. Fans will not be disappointed.
While Connor’s writing skills have improved, I still see no character development in any of the major characters in this series. What’s even more disappointing, the plot is nearly almost the same to the first three books in the series. A tragic event happens, then more murder happens, then drama, then Diane almost gets kidnapped, then there’s a lot of angry people, and then it all gets resolved and everyone lives happily ever after. Which isn’t a bad plot, but when it’s repeated over and over again, it gets very tiresome. However, this book is somewhat a departure from the past books in the series, with more characters being added. Connor’s writing is getting better, too, with this book being far more interesting than the other ones.
Overall, this book is easily the best Connor has written so far. Fans will not be disappointed.
December 11, 2015
If you don’t mind a level of unbelievability and extreme coincidence, then this, like the others in this series, is a decent read, but there is just so much that screams “Yeah, right!” that it is sometimes hard to enjoy the rest of the story.
As the forth book in this series, I’m starting to wonder if this is going the wayside of the cookie cutter, formula writing as this just isn’t really anything new or different than what we got out of the other three books in this series. As always, Diane is doing way more than just collecting and analyzing evidence. As always, someone tries to hurt or kill her, multiple times throughout the book. As always, the police are idiots and Diane knows everything there is to know about pretty much everything and is the one to solve all the different plot threads in the book.
Since I’m not much of a fan of reading the exact same thing with slightly different names and specifics over and over again, this book most likely dropped this series out of my list of potential reads for the future unless I’m just really hurting for something to read. If you look at the book as a single entity, it is well written and decently interesting so it deserves a rating that reflects that. But viewed in the context of the rest of the series, there is just nothing to make it stand out, which brings that rating way down.
As the forth book in this series, I’m starting to wonder if this is going the wayside of the cookie cutter, formula writing as this just isn’t really anything new or different than what we got out of the other three books in this series. As always, Diane is doing way more than just collecting and analyzing evidence. As always, someone tries to hurt or kill her, multiple times throughout the book. As always, the police are idiots and Diane knows everything there is to know about pretty much everything and is the one to solve all the different plot threads in the book.
Since I’m not much of a fan of reading the exact same thing with slightly different names and specifics over and over again, this book most likely dropped this series out of my list of potential reads for the future unless I’m just really hurting for something to read. If you look at the book as a single entity, it is well written and decently interesting so it deserves a rating that reflects that. But viewed in the context of the rest of the series, there is just nothing to make it stand out, which brings that rating way down.
July 16, 2007
Normally I like to read mysteries that are pretty complicated. But for some reason, this one didn't do much for me. It wasn't that I got confused along the way. Instead, the way the main character formulated her farfetched hypotheses (which of course turned out to be correct) was unbelieveable. I also didn't get much of a sense of who she was, despite loads of information thrown in which were clearly from an earlier book or books in the Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation series by this author. I might give this author another try to see if I can pinpoint why this book didn't really give me the level of enjoyment I expected.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews