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Toluidine Blue: A Novel
Adeline Donovan thought she had her life planned out and was soon to marry. When her plans took an abrupt turn, she was devastated but also willing to accept the opportunity to follow a bigger dream, that of becoming a Forensic Nurse Examiner. Her dream becomes her reality, while living in historic Fell's Point in Baltimore, with her best friend, Rachel. TOLUIDINE (tol-u-deen) BLUE encompasses the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and Forensic Nurse Examiners. Forensic nurses bridge the gap between the criminal element to the criminal justice system by collecting valuable evidence that is easily lost when the victim is the crime scene.
179 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 29, 2019
"Forensic Nurse Examiners...the search for evidence
...but science can only solve so much...."
An amazing awesome book that delves into the world of forensic science to not only solves crimes but also bring evidence against the perpetrators. Toludine blue is a dye used in forensics mainly assess the wounds and photograph them clearly for evidence. Though this book is fiction but draws insipirations from true cases especially sexual assault. The authors clearly delve into the behind the curtains world of forensic nurse examiners who play a major role in convicting the accused.
The book is written in a style that beats the any detective novel or a crime fighting book. In fact I would love to see this book made into a tv series.
The is never boring and is gut wrenching and is thought provoking a the amount of evil that lurks in some people but also shows equal compassion in other people. There is a thought proving line which made me think
"It’s nurses, police, firemen, and medics; we are the only ones that run towards danger when everyone else is either ignoring it or running away"
and it is true.
I would recommend this book not only to detective novel fans but also to medical books fans . Yes it is a crime thriller with a difference.
Thanks @BookTasters and the authors for this book.One of the very few books that I read in one sitting
...but science can only solve so much...."
An amazing awesome book that delves into the world of forensic science to not only solves crimes but also bring evidence against the perpetrators. Toludine blue is a dye used in forensics mainly assess the wounds and photograph them clearly for evidence. Though this book is fiction but draws insipirations from true cases especially sexual assault. The authors clearly delve into the behind the curtains world of forensic nurse examiners who play a major role in convicting the accused.
The book is written in a style that beats the any detective novel or a crime fighting book. In fact I would love to see this book made into a tv series.
The is never boring and is gut wrenching and is thought provoking a the amount of evil that lurks in some people but also shows equal compassion in other people. There is a thought proving line which made me think
"It’s nurses, police, firemen, and medics; we are the only ones that run towards danger when everyone else is either ignoring it or running away"
and it is true.
I would recommend this book not only to detective novel fans but also to medical books fans . Yes it is a crime thriller with a difference.
Thanks @BookTasters and the authors for this book.One of the very few books that I read in one sitting
September 26, 2020
*Thank you booktasters and the author for a review copy in exchange for an honest review. The review is filled with my honest thoughts and have not been influenced by anyone*
This ok was a pretty okay read. I did enjoy Adeline as a character, especially when she is fighting for the things she is passionate about. When her plans to marry are cancelled, Adeline uses that opportunity to follow her dream of becoming a forensic nurse. We follow her journey as she talk about some of the patients she encounters.
It was a little hard to get through for two reason: 1. There were some jargon I wasn't used to and had to re-read chapters and 2. some of the cases were very detailed. It was a lot to take in an something i wasn't completely prepared for. With those cases, we learn so much of the during and so briefly of the conclusions. I wish that was expanded more because I would have enjoyed reading what happens to the victims [do they receive any assurance/ability to feel safe again?]
What i really enjoyed in this novel are the sorties of the others nurses working on the frontline. Hearing their experiences and their lives was refreshing when certain parts were filled with pain for the victim. While this wasn't a total win for me, I think this book could be a great fit for folks interested in forensic nursing/ science and anyone who loves to read a good detective story.
This ok was a pretty okay read. I did enjoy Adeline as a character, especially when she is fighting for the things she is passionate about. When her plans to marry are cancelled, Adeline uses that opportunity to follow her dream of becoming a forensic nurse. We follow her journey as she talk about some of the patients she encounters.
It was a little hard to get through for two reason: 1. There were some jargon I wasn't used to and had to re-read chapters and 2. some of the cases were very detailed. It was a lot to take in an something i wasn't completely prepared for. With those cases, we learn so much of the during and so briefly of the conclusions. I wish that was expanded more because I would have enjoyed reading what happens to the victims [do they receive any assurance/ability to feel safe again?]
What i really enjoyed in this novel are the sorties of the others nurses working on the frontline. Hearing their experiences and their lives was refreshing when certain parts were filled with pain for the victim. While this wasn't a total win for me, I think this book could be a great fit for folks interested in forensic nursing/ science and anyone who loves to read a good detective story.
May 16, 2019
Toluidine Blue: A Novel
by Evelyne Margaux Keating and Roxanne Shoenfeld
This book is amazing! The attention to detail concerning the interviews and evidence collection is truly remarkable. I have read all of Patricia Cornwell’s books and there were many times during this book that I almost felt as if I were ensconced in one of Cornwell’s forensic tomes. The character development seemed a little rushed and the pacing was a little off. For example, at the beginning of the book, Addie recalls that it had only been a day since her world fell apart. Somewhere along the way, I must have done some time traveling because I wasn’t sure if it was the day after, the week before, or a year after her well-planned future began to crumble. Maybe some transitions or repetition could make things clearer.
The story-telling was engaging and skillful. I became invested in the lives of Rachel and Addie. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say, that I would have read this book and enjoyed it even it wasn’t free. I will definitely be looking for others like it in the future.
by Evelyne Margaux Keating and Roxanne Shoenfeld
This book is amazing! The attention to detail concerning the interviews and evidence collection is truly remarkable. I have read all of Patricia Cornwell’s books and there were many times during this book that I almost felt as if I were ensconced in one of Cornwell’s forensic tomes. The character development seemed a little rushed and the pacing was a little off. For example, at the beginning of the book, Addie recalls that it had only been a day since her world fell apart. Somewhere along the way, I must have done some time traveling because I wasn’t sure if it was the day after, the week before, or a year after her well-planned future began to crumble. Maybe some transitions or repetition could make things clearer.
The story-telling was engaging and skillful. I became invested in the lives of Rachel and Addie. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say, that I would have read this book and enjoyed it even it wasn’t free. I will definitely be looking for others like it in the future.
April 13, 2019
When I was looking for a new read, I was drawn to this book by the name. I thought it was an interesting title and then I saw that it was about forensics and exactly what Toluidine Blue is and what it does.
I thought that Adeline was a good lead character. However, I felt that her relationship with Detective Frank Knight could have been a bit more detailed. I was disappointed that Frank and Adeline weren't featured more as a personal couple even though the job drew them together. Expanding on their relationship was on my wish list.
It's a good read and a spin on a detective series with a Nurse Forensic Examiner as the lead.
Thank you to BookTasters for the opportunity to read this novel for a fair and honest review.
To the author for the ecopy.
I thought that Adeline was a good lead character. However, I felt that her relationship with Detective Frank Knight could have been a bit more detailed. I was disappointed that Frank and Adeline weren't featured more as a personal couple even though the job drew them together. Expanding on their relationship was on my wish list.
It's a good read and a spin on a detective series with a Nurse Forensic Examiner as the lead.
Thank you to BookTasters for the opportunity to read this novel for a fair and honest review.
To the author for the ecopy.
August 5, 2020
I was really looking forward to the book because I find the topic really interesting and wanted to learn more about it. The medical and technical information is really very interesting, but the book is not written fluently. The dialogues, especially when they are verbal speech to tell a person's thoughts, are not well worked out.
The examinations of the patients are told in detail (which is really interesting), however the conclusions of the cases are described in a few sentences. Sometimes the clothing and hair of the main female characters have been discussed in more detail than the results of the work of the forensic nurses and the police. I think I would have liked it better if it were more of a non-fiction book.
The examinations of the patients are told in detail (which is really interesting), however the conclusions of the cases are described in a few sentences. Sometimes the clothing and hair of the main female characters have been discussed in more detail than the results of the work of the forensic nurses and the police. I think I would have liked it better if it were more of a non-fiction book.
October 9, 2020
This story gives me a greater understanding and respect for Forensic Nurses. I found that reading the very detailed accounts of cases from the nurses point of view while I difficult to hear it also puts it into perspective the kind of person it takes to handle this job and do it well. The victims are counting on their work in order to get justice or at least some compassion directly after an attack. The work continues after the first exam following an incident - reports, court appearances and working with the police detectives.
I do know, that for myself, it is disheartening to realize these cases do occur, but I feel that the world is lucky to have Forensic Nurses to take charge of these situations.
I do know, that for myself, it is disheartening to realize these cases do occur, but I feel that the world is lucky to have Forensic Nurses to take charge of these situations.
March 27, 2019
Excellent read. I felt like I knew the main character Adeline personally as she guides you through the challenges and rewards of forensic nursing. I truly have not read a novel like this one that made me feel empathy towards the victim as if I knew them personally. Adeline is met with difficult sexual assault cases and portrays the life of a forensic nurse in a true light where there is little time for her social life because her patients need her. I will be recommending to others!
May 9, 2021
Been chompin' at the bit to get my mitts on this one! I can't wait and i will be back to keep you updated throughout!! Its gonna be SOO GOOD! But..reader beware!!!=this one is NOT for the feint of heart!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2020
Fascinating
Fascinating—I think this book can give anyone interested in learning about the work of forensic nursing a clear picture of possible challenges.
Fascinating—I think this book can give anyone interested in learning about the work of forensic nursing a clear picture of possible challenges.
December 1, 2019
I enjoyed reading this novel immensely. I highly recommend it to readers interested in forensic investigation and particularly in detailed description of evidence collection from injured and assaulted people. The care taken to ensure nothing is missed and nothing is contaminated is enlightening. I hope Ms Keating and Ms Shoenfeld feel the urge to write further adventures of forensic nurses, who collect crime scene evidence where the “victim is the crime scene”.
Between detailed descriptions of [caring] collection of evidence from various crime victims, there are personal life tales about the nurses, detectives and firemen involved. These are well written and engaging, but limited - the main aim is depiction of the forensic science. If a sequel is planned, perhaps a wider audience could be reached by expanding the life stories of the main characters.
I am tempted to write that this truth based novel is not for the faint hearted, but I would not wish to deflect anyone from gaining the knowledge of how horrible some things are, that are inflicted by too many humans on their victims, and especially deflect anyone from knowledge of the caring and scrupulous evidence collection that brings those fiends to justice. Added later - I understand later that strange errors like these are popping up in many works during the digitisation process - so digitisers, get your programs working more accurately!
Between detailed descriptions of [caring] collection of evidence from various crime victims, there are personal life tales about the nurses, detectives and firemen involved. These are well written and engaging, but limited - the main aim is depiction of the forensic science. If a sequel is planned, perhaps a wider audience could be reached by expanding the life stories of the main characters.
I am tempted to write that this truth based novel is not for the faint hearted, but I would not wish to deflect anyone from gaining the knowledge of how horrible some things are, that are inflicted by too many humans on their victims, and especially deflect anyone from knowledge of the caring and scrupulous evidence collection that brings those fiends to justice. Added later - I understand later that strange errors like these are popping up in many works during the digitisation process - so digitisers, get your programs working more accurately!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews