Tales from the Morgue: Forensic Answers to Nine Famous Cases Including The Scott Peterson & Chandra Levy Cases

by Cyril Wecht, Mark Curriden

Was Scott Peterson convicted of murdering Laci Peterson based upon circumstantial evidence alone? Did Washington intern Chandra Levy know her killer? In "Tales from the Morgue", Dr Cyril Wecht, one of the most sought-after forensic pathologists in the world, shares his insights and scientific expertise on nine cases that he has officially investigated - high-profile cases as well as other lesser-known but highly intriguing mysteries. Dr Wecht takes the reader inside some of the nation's most bizarre and intriguing medico-legal investigations and shows how forensic scientists help to solve crimes - and why they sometimes fail in their efforts. His vast experience and his willingness to take on the establishment if necessary and provide proof that runs counter to popular opinion make this book a page-turner.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, Science, Medical, Mystery

314 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I expected the book to be different is all. It was okay. I thought it was going to be more about the study of forensics and less about rehashing old lawsuits and opinions on the decisions made from jurors. It was interesting enough I guess. I know that forensic studies of the body has to do with deciding on verdicts of murder, but the book seemed to talk more about the criminal cases than the actual forensic findings and I don't really think I took away anything from this book that will stick with me. Kinda forgettable, but at least a quick easy read that held my attention.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting look at a series of famous cases, including JFK and Marilyn Monroe. Dr. Wecht delivers his expert opinion along side autopsy reports, interspersed with mundane details such as the set-up of a particular autopsy room. I found this to be an education piece of literature, as well as an easy read. Some of the material in here could be good conversation starters...most likely with people like me ;)

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on famous forensic cases. The one that I didn't know about was Marilyn Monroe's death being just an overdose by someone who regularly took a lot of drugs. One case was about a guy who was basically pressed to death by police kneeling on him. It sounded exactly like the George Floyd case, which took place about two miles from the high school I graduated from. So that's probably a not-uncommon method of police brutality. Anyone who's read just about anything about the JFK assassination knows that the Warren Commission was a badly done coverup and that there were at least two shooters, neither of which was Lee Harvey Oswald, who was the designated patsy. The U.S. has had a few political assassinations, which no one wants to admit. The forensics plows through all the chatter about what may have happened and uses science to resolve the issue. Nicely done.

[alina sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

It’s a good read, but there is a sense of politics embedded. I did not care for the political undertones, it took away from the book. I love a good memoir, especially by those who hold jobs that the average person could not fathom doing, that’s what drew me to this book. However, most memoirs I’ve read by surgeons and medical examiners do not exude so much…pompousness? They’re usually really humbling and informative. This was interesting and informative, overall. Minus the politics and cockiness, I do recommend it.

[Chanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting & thought provoking

I thought Mr. Wecht's explanations of different high-profile investigations were very interesting. It helped me understand the different terms and reasonings behind true crime cases I have heard about. It gives an understanding of how things are not always as simple or straight forward as we assume.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book that provides insight into some of the big legal cases in our history. You can get a fresh look at the forensic documentation that sheds a different light on what the media presented to us.

[S.B. McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK. A lot of typos in this book which really surprised me! It was just ok, some of the cases were told very opinionated. I was looking more for facts. The typos really turned me off of this book.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Heather Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you appreciate just the facts then Dr. Wecht is who you should read and listen to. His work is not foreshadowed by emotions so what you get is pure science and factual evidence. Awesome!

[Charles Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really liked this book , im going back to see if he has anymore. I have always liked true crime and these books in general. Give it a shot and you wont regret it.

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does a good job of focusing on evidence and rejecting sensationalism.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fascinating and incredibly engrossing. Really interesting information and I learned something new.

[Margarieta Gellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and detailed

Liked flow of ideas. Written in such a way amateur like myself can follow. Would recommend for a quick read.

[Denise Toebes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting more forensic talk. This is more his opinion on these cases. As for the nine well known cases? I must’ve lived under a rock because I didn’t know a few of them.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this on a shelf and judged a book by its cover. I grabbed it, my husband teased me that it was so typical of me to be looking for things on exercise and end up grabbing a book on morgues. (Notice my profile pic, a cemetery, which I visited for fun and relaxation.) So I grabbed this thinking it would be interesting. I like shows like Dr G and books that discuss (in layman's) the process of examining the dead. (Blood & fluids gross me out, I couldn't do it, but I still find their work interesting.) Sadly, this book was dull. I understand, in some cases you just will not know for sure what happened, the best that can be done is build theories of what happened, but it seemed like too many cases given just had no answers. The cases were all high profile cases, but I would have rather had lesser known cases and have them be interesting. He writes about cases (usually) that is called into after initial autopsies are done, and redissects. It just wasn't what I'd anticipated. I think I would have been happier with cases that start from the beginning (discovering the body, unraveling the mystery) even if some can never be stated conclusively what happened that brought about the death.

[adA · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book i read over the summer so i just remember certain cases but not the names of anyone...the book includes a variety of cases that were not solved due to the inconvenience of forensics in the past. many cases remains unsolved like the one where chndra levy was accused of mnurdering her step mother and father but there was just not enough evidence to back up her "crime." the murder was brutal, it was said that teh culprit used a hatchet and hack the victims over twenty times to death. the maid was "sick" and was in her room the whole time and the other sister went away to another village which gives her an alibi. What's surprising is that Chandra's excuses were irrelevent and unclear but she was still released...even till this day, her case remains unsolved...

[Nikki Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written primarily by Dr. Cyril Wecht. He is one of the most sought-after forensic pathologists in the world and I love that he is not afraid to give his honest opinion according to scientific findings even if the opinion is not socially popular.

Dr. Wecht shares forensic 'answers' to nine cases he has worked on. Some are well known cases, some are not. Although Dr. Wecht does go into full detail, this is not a gory book that exploits innocent people. In this book, Dr. Wecht speaks for the victims that can not speak for themselves through scientific evidence.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Dr Cyril Wecht, one of the most famous and sought-after forensic pathologists in the world, shares what he learned while investigating several cases well-known to the public. He takes the reader inside the investigation so we are privileged to see what he sees, forensic facts stripped of media hoopla. Highly recommended to those as fascinated with forensic science as I am.

[Emily Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

despite its rather goofy title, this book is well written and factual. wecht tells details that didn't get to the media, the most engaging part of this book.

[Kristina Coop-a-Loop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wecht didn't really provide many answers to the mystery of these cases and the writing was mediocre, but information about the cases themselves was pretty interesting, particularly the last two.

[T.M. Carper · Rating 4 out of 5]

In-depth look into the autopsies of several important cases. Very interesting.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Preternaturally dull, despite its intriguing title. Some fairly interesting insights on JFK (although we all had a sneaking suspicion that the Warren Commission's magic bullet was crap, didn't we?).

[Christine Mill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the JFK and Marilyn Monroe facts the most. JFK was a cover up by our wonderful govt., and Marilyn simply OD'd on drugs.

[Mandy Huot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The cases were very interesting, and I enjoyed reading about new things I didn't know regarding the JFK case.