How to Solve a Murder

by Michael Kurland

Revealing how contemporary investigators solve complicated crimes with seemingly sketchy evidence, a behind-the-scenes look at a forensic crime lab discusses such modern techniques as DNA analysis, ballistics, blood samples, and psychopathology. Original.

Genres: True Crime, Science, Reference, Mystery, Nonfiction, Writing

194 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 1995

About the author

aka Jennifer Plum

Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.

Reviews

[Jurilex Maglinte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for forensic fanatics--brief yet comprehensive.

[Rich Zbyszynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I know how Columbo does it! Fun and informative.

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pulled this from the Medicine Chest Book Box and read it before sending the box on so I could keep it in the box to travel along. It was an interesting, if sometimes dry and elementary look at forensics. I wish some mystery writers could have read this book to have improved their books! Overall, an ok read, but not earth shattering. You can pick up most of this info watching an episode or two of CSI.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

An appallingly dull review of crime scene investigation, framed as a murder mystery ("CSI: Victorian England").

[Curtis Kinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read. It was very informative if you're intersted in how they solve murders. The author made up a fictional murder so you could get a better idea of what is being said.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty cool! Shows the difference between CSI and the real world.