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Dr. Anya Crichton #4
Blood Born
A teenager is found barely alive by the roadside, bleeding from her slit throat. The police can't even begin to imagine the horrors she has faced. For inside their house lies the girl's older brutally tortured, raped and stabbed to death. As the girl struggles for survival, forensic scientist Anya Crichton is brought in to examine the evidence, all of which points towards a well-known family of career criminals. However, it soon becomes clear that they will stop at nothing to evade the law. Even if others have to die.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
21 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Fox
16 books275 followersKathryn Fox is a medical practitioner with a special interest in forensic medicine who currently lives in Sydney, Australia.Her debut novel, MALICIOUS INTENT, received international acclaim, won the 2005 Davitt award for adult fiction and was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly best debut novel award. In addition, it toppled The Da Vinci Code to become the no. 1 crime book on Amazon in the UK and Germany. Fox is also the author of the internationally acclaimed and bestselling WITHOUT CONSENT, SKIN AND BONE, BLOOD BORN, DEATH MASK, COLD GRAVE AND FATAL IMPACT. In her spare time, Kathryn indulges in her favourite pastimes - reading and playing the harp (very badly).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 20, 2018
Number 4 in the Dr. Anya Crichton series.
Unlike the last book in this series Anya Crichton is actually in this one.
Blood Born makes very compelling reading. Having said that, the subject matter is hard to take at times.
The absolute villains here are the Harbourn family, in particular, the mother and her four sons. The Harbourn boys are well known to the police and have been for many years. They are masters of sticking together and giving alibis when needed for each other. Their mother has brought them up to believe that they can what ever they want and the police can go to hell. The boys have run roughshod over the local community for years and the police are hard pressed to bring charges against them.
Girls have been raped, bashed, brutalised, and stabbed. Two sisters have been found, one dead and the other very near to death with her throat slashed. The police know that the Harbourns are responsible for this but are having a hard time proving it in court. The prosecutors are up against a judge whose ruling seems to be favouring the defence team.
Anya Crichton has been the forensic physician who has had to deal with most of the victims trauma and as such is one of the Prosecutors top witnesses. But even a lot of Anya’s expert testimony is over ruled by the judge.
The frustration felt by the police and prosecution team is palpable. As bad as it for the police it’s ten times worse for the families of the murdered and abused girls. They are screaming for, and want, justice.
The book shows just how iniquitous the law is in respects to the rights of the victim. It seems they have no rights.
The end had a satisfying feel to it.
I really enjoyed the book which I found edifying and compelling all at the same time.
Highly recommended
Unlike the last book in this series Anya Crichton is actually in this one.
Blood Born makes very compelling reading. Having said that, the subject matter is hard to take at times.
The absolute villains here are the Harbourn family, in particular, the mother and her four sons. The Harbourn boys are well known to the police and have been for many years. They are masters of sticking together and giving alibis when needed for each other. Their mother has brought them up to believe that they can what ever they want and the police can go to hell. The boys have run roughshod over the local community for years and the police are hard pressed to bring charges against them.
Girls have been raped, bashed, brutalised, and stabbed. Two sisters have been found, one dead and the other very near to death with her throat slashed. The police know that the Harbourns are responsible for this but are having a hard time proving it in court. The prosecutors are up against a judge whose ruling seems to be favouring the defence team.
Anya Crichton has been the forensic physician who has had to deal with most of the victims trauma and as such is one of the Prosecutors top witnesses. But even a lot of Anya’s expert testimony is over ruled by the judge.
The frustration felt by the police and prosecution team is palpable. As bad as it for the police it’s ten times worse for the families of the murdered and abused girls. They are screaming for, and want, justice.
The book shows just how iniquitous the law is in respects to the rights of the victim. It seems they have no rights.
The end had a satisfying feel to it.
I really enjoyed the book which I found edifying and compelling all at the same time.
Highly recommended
August 1, 2016
A very readable Anya Crichton (not that I've had a bad one in the series yet!), despite the, once again, horrendous subject matter. But I get pulled into her books and just want to keep reading! There were several parts which could have done with some more fleshing out as particular events were presented as if they'd been mentioned before and had me flicking back to find what I'd missed (but I hadn't missed anything).
But definitely gripping, spine-chilling reads.
But definitely gripping, spine-chilling reads.
June 27, 2018
4.5 stars. This book was well-written, and very hard to put down, but also incredibly hard to read. Not due to prose, or any sort of writing constructs, but just due to some of the content. The story picked up from the first page, and deftly wove in an interesting subplot to the main storyline, which through some twists and turns exploded into a rather delicious climax. The resolution was a nice touch, and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
August 10, 2014
In this fourth novel in the Anya Crichton series, Anya returns from her her visit to the US in time to give evidence in a gang rape trial involving three brothers from the very nasty Harbourn family. The girl who was raped, Giverny, has already had to give evidence at one mistrial is now expected to go through it all again. When Giverny's lawyer, Natasha and Anya arrive to collect Giverny for Court, they find she has apparently committed suicide, although Anya is convinced the Harbourns are somehow involved.
It's not long before the Harbourn brothers are suspected of another rape of two sisters with one girl murdered and one left critically injured and this time Anya is resolved to find enough evidence to convict the brothers and put them away for a very long time.
This book doesn't quite generate the tension and fear that might be expected from such gruesome events. I felt as if all the ingredients were there but the action just needed to be ramped up a notch. Anya's friend detective Kate Farrar, who featured in the previous novel, takes a back seat again in this novel which is a pity because Kate was turning into an interesting character and I expected to see her feature more in some police-focused action.
There are some interesting twists in the plot and the outcome is not as obvious as you might at first think. The book raises the issues of the hurdles that women who are raped have to go through when giving evidence at trials, the injustices in the legal system and the impact of the crime on family members as well as the victim themselves. More a 3.5★ than a 4★ read, but in the main I enjoyed the writing and plan to read further episodes in this series.
It's not long before the Harbourn brothers are suspected of another rape of two sisters with one girl murdered and one left critically injured and this time Anya is resolved to find enough evidence to convict the brothers and put them away for a very long time.
This book doesn't quite generate the tension and fear that might be expected from such gruesome events. I felt as if all the ingredients were there but the action just needed to be ramped up a notch. Anya's friend detective Kate Farrar, who featured in the previous novel, takes a back seat again in this novel which is a pity because Kate was turning into an interesting character and I expected to see her feature more in some police-focused action.
There are some interesting twists in the plot and the outcome is not as obvious as you might at first think. The book raises the issues of the hurdles that women who are raped have to go through when giving evidence at trials, the injustices in the legal system and the impact of the crime on family members as well as the victim themselves. More a 3.5★ than a 4★ read, but in the main I enjoyed the writing and plan to read further episodes in this series.
August 10, 2014
#4 in the Anya Crichton series.
Although I did enjoy this 4th book in the series, I felt it didn't quite fill it's potential.
K.Fox had all the ingredients here and all the talent to make this a real gripping read but, to my mind it just fell short.
Having said that, I would still recommend this book as a part of the series, as it does hold it's own (as a part of this series) and I think she [K.Fox] will improve with each successive book.
I have come late to this series...2014...and It occurred to me that modern crime thrillers have come so far and are so much more confronting with their graphic depictions, that perhaps we have come to expect it....and now these older books are (possibly?) left wanting.
Still, I believe a good crime thriller should be able to remain perennial, despite current trends.
3.5★s
June 18, 2017
I am on a Kathryn Fox binge at the moment, reading her fabulous Aussie crime books in order. They just keep me enthralled and I am missing out on sleep because I can't seem to put them down. This one is back on the trail of Forensic Physician, Dr Anya Chrichton, who is helping police solve more crimes. Three cheers for Kathryn Fox's plucky heroine!
April 21, 2024
First time reading this author, book was gifted to me while on holidays. No 3 in a series unfortunately, but can be read as a stand alone. Now to try and find the others. From the first page to the last it was fast pace, suspenseful and thrilling. One for the forensic enthusiasts.
September 20, 2024
Thank you Laura for this book, I loved it. So much that I have ordered more books by this author.
September 8, 2011
The fourth Dr. Anya Crichton novel medical thriller novel by Australian author Kathryn Fox. Following a brutal gang rape mistrial, teenager Giverny Hart is found near death on the morning she is due to give evidence in the re-trial. Whilst unsuccessfully and frantically attempting to save her life, Anya destroys crucial evidence and the alleged perpetrators, the Harbourn brothers walk free. Compounding Anya's guilt, two sisters are raped, with one being found murdered on the same evening the Harbourn brothers are released. And so the investigations begin and the plot twists and turns to a surprising ending.
As well as being a successful author, Kathryn Fox is a medical practitioner and her descriptions of forensics and medical procedures throughout the Anya Crichton series are always well-researched, seemingly authentic and not as laborious as I have found in some other medical thrillers. The sensitive topic of gang rape is also handled professionally by Fox, without being gratuitous.
The only problem I have with this book is actually warming to Dr. Anya Crichton. As in others I have read, I find her character at times demonstrative, even aloof. Occasionally I even feel lectured by her. I keep feeling that she needs some character flaws or quirkyness, to make her more likeable and less perfect. Nevertheless, this is just a minor personal quibble and may not be felt as strongly by other readers.
As with all the books in the Anya Crichton series, this book is well-plotted, well-written and obviously well-researched. You know you are going to get a quality and intriguing medical thriller with Kathryn Fox and Blood Born is no exception.
As well as being a successful author, Kathryn Fox is a medical practitioner and her descriptions of forensics and medical procedures throughout the Anya Crichton series are always well-researched, seemingly authentic and not as laborious as I have found in some other medical thrillers. The sensitive topic of gang rape is also handled professionally by Fox, without being gratuitous.
The only problem I have with this book is actually warming to Dr. Anya Crichton. As in others I have read, I find her character at times demonstrative, even aloof. Occasionally I even feel lectured by her. I keep feeling that she needs some character flaws or quirkyness, to make her more likeable and less perfect. Nevertheless, this is just a minor personal quibble and may not be felt as strongly by other readers.
As with all the books in the Anya Crichton series, this book is well-plotted, well-written and obviously well-researched. You know you are going to get a quality and intriguing medical thriller with Kathryn Fox and Blood Born is no exception.
September 12, 2011
Kathryn Fox, Australia’s answer to Patricia Cornwell, gives us crime through the eyes of a believable and authentic medical practitioner. As a practicing physician, Fox saw victims of crime in her own office, and she writes on the subject with authority and passion. Her protagonist, pathologist and forensic physician Dr. Anya Critchton, is troubled by injustice, and in the fourth novel Blood Born, she finds herself embroiled in a brutal gang rape case and haunted by the death of the gang’s teenage victim just hours before she is due to give evidence in court. Blood Born, as with Fox’s previous novels, has a strong focus on injustice in the justice system, and the pain endured by victims of crime and their grieving families. At times the story is bleak. If you like your crime with a focus on the medical, scientific and legal aspects of investigation, don’t miss out on these novels.
Check out my chat with Kathryn Fox on Tara In Conversation: http://www.13thstreetuniversal.com.au...
Check out my chat with Kathryn Fox on Tara In Conversation: http://www.13thstreetuniversal.com.au...
June 18, 2013
Great to see Anya taking centre stage again following her overseas work schedule/commitments in the previous book.
This really gave me an insight into the frustrations faced by our law enforcement agencies and their associates. It was also a realistic look into the procedures and limitations of the forensic world. Both of these combined gave the story a very "real" feel for me and it frustrated the heck out of me - the whole system is like playing a strategic game and it leaves you wondering who the winners are!
This really gave me an insight into the frustrations faced by our law enforcement agencies and their associates. It was also a realistic look into the procedures and limitations of the forensic world. Both of these combined gave the story a very "real" feel for me and it frustrated the heck out of me - the whole system is like playing a strategic game and it leaves you wondering who the winners are!
July 29, 2011
I am really addicted to Kathryn Fox's books. This one had lots of twists and turns and when I finisehd reading itI sat back and went WOW didn't see that one coming. I must admit that on more then one occasion I was squirming a little bit, but what a great book.
October 30, 2011
Another strong forensic thriller set in austraila with Dr Anna Crichton. Woman are brutally gang raped nd either killed. Or left to die. E rly on they have trio of suspects but can't make the charges stick as more victims come forward, anna is dtermined to see justice happen
May 30, 2021
We hear a lot of stories of murder, rape and other brutalities in the world. Often enough in these cases we don't know who the perpetrators are and fail to find them. But how would it be of we all knew the person responsible for a crime and yet be unable to bring them to justice?
Blood born is a story narrated through the eyes of a forensic pathologist Dr. Anya Chricton. Knowing very well that the Harbourn brothers are responsible for the rape of her client Giverny, the pathologist along with other members of the law are battling a lack of evidence to lock up those guys. In the events that progress, multiple rapes and killings occur, each linked to the Harbourns which will hopefully lead to their conviction if enough evidence was found.
This book really put the reality of rape victims and their families into perspective. The slandering trials, the threats to family, the pain of losing a loved one and the frustration of not being able to do anything about it. Definitely not something I wish upon anyone. It was a one of a kind book for me. Thrillers and mysteries usually solve a crime but here, the task at hand was to find out how and why they did it! It was intriguing on a whole new level and I absolutely couldn't put it down. Each character adds value to the story and the sequence of events fits in beautifully like a puzzle. The ending was not super satisfying but portrayed the reality of how these cases might actually end. It's always okay to rejoice in small victories. Baby steps.
However, I would not recommend this to soft hearted people since there are a lot of graphic descriptions and triggers! But if you love a good thriller and don't mind brutality go ahead and read it!
Blood born is a story narrated through the eyes of a forensic pathologist Dr. Anya Chricton. Knowing very well that the Harbourn brothers are responsible for the rape of her client Giverny, the pathologist along with other members of the law are battling a lack of evidence to lock up those guys. In the events that progress, multiple rapes and killings occur, each linked to the Harbourns which will hopefully lead to their conviction if enough evidence was found.
This book really put the reality of rape victims and their families into perspective. The slandering trials, the threats to family, the pain of losing a loved one and the frustration of not being able to do anything about it. Definitely not something I wish upon anyone. It was a one of a kind book for me. Thrillers and mysteries usually solve a crime but here, the task at hand was to find out how and why they did it! It was intriguing on a whole new level and I absolutely couldn't put it down. Each character adds value to the story and the sequence of events fits in beautifully like a puzzle. The ending was not super satisfying but portrayed the reality of how these cases might actually end. It's always okay to rejoice in small victories. Baby steps.
However, I would not recommend this to soft hearted people since there are a lot of graphic descriptions and triggers! But if you love a good thriller and don't mind brutality go ahead and read it!
September 21, 2022
I first read this book after I bought it at a book launch when Fox came to Perth in either 2009 or 2010. I remember really enjoying it at the time. I read it again last weekend when I got new bookshelves and moved the book. Once again, I thought it was a great read. You can tell by the well researched legal content that Fox got advice from someone experienced in Criminal Law, Margaret Cunneen, SC.
This is a fast paced, well written thriller. Blood born is narrated through the eyes of a forensic pathologist, Dr. Anya Chricton. She believes that the Harborne brothers are responsible for raping her client, Giverny. Giverny is found dead before her trial, a suspected suicide. Anya just doesn’t believe the suicide tale.
It's not long before the brothers are suspected of the rape of two sisters, with one sister being murdered and the other seriously injured. Anya is determined to find enough evidence to convict the brothers.
Anya's friend, detective Kate Farrar features in the story, but not strongly, taking more of a back seat role. All the characters featured in this story are well drawn and engaging.
There is a lot of suspense maintained and the ending is not what you might expect it to be. The prosecution is battling a lack of evidence here. The how and why the brothers purportedly did it are the prime questions at issue.
This is not a book for the faint hearted. There is much brutality depicted as the story unfolds.
I read the book in one sitting both times, and I recommend it to other readers.
This is a fast paced, well written thriller. Blood born is narrated through the eyes of a forensic pathologist, Dr. Anya Chricton. She believes that the Harborne brothers are responsible for raping her client, Giverny. Giverny is found dead before her trial, a suspected suicide. Anya just doesn’t believe the suicide tale.
It's not long before the brothers are suspected of the rape of two sisters, with one sister being murdered and the other seriously injured. Anya is determined to find enough evidence to convict the brothers.
Anya's friend, detective Kate Farrar features in the story, but not strongly, taking more of a back seat role. All the characters featured in this story are well drawn and engaging.
There is a lot of suspense maintained and the ending is not what you might expect it to be. The prosecution is battling a lack of evidence here. The how and why the brothers purportedly did it are the prime questions at issue.
This is not a book for the faint hearted. There is much brutality depicted as the story unfolds.
I read the book in one sitting both times, and I recommend it to other readers.
August 18, 2017
After my bad bout with a Kathy Reich book, I was a bit skeptical with this one. The former had bored me to death with with the terms used.
The little synopsis at the back of the book was interesting. Although this book had many forensic science-y terms, it was easy to keep up with. And if I came across a term that I didn't understand, I'd simply google it up.
Certain novels can be very heavy on courtroom and law terms, and can be hard to follow for someone who has no knowledge of the field. So I liked that this one had an equal amount.
Also, my frustrations with the Harbourn family are yay high. I feel mentally tired just hearing the lengths that the family goes to plan and cover up their crimes. Noelle (understandably, I think) annoys me the most.
I initially had a bit of trouble keeping up with who was who, and what their expertise were, though. And like Anya, I didn't get the initial verdict of the case. It made my heart hammer though because after that, one surprise came after the other; just when you thought it was done with.
All in all, I really liked this book, even with the little grammatical and sentence structural errors that I spotted. Might just pick up another book by Fox, f her other books are as good as this.
The little synopsis at the back of the book was interesting. Although this book had many forensic science-y terms, it was easy to keep up with. And if I came across a term that I didn't understand, I'd simply google it up.
Certain novels can be very heavy on courtroom and law terms, and can be hard to follow for someone who has no knowledge of the field. So I liked that this one had an equal amount.
Also, my frustrations with the Harbourn family are yay high. I feel mentally tired just hearing the lengths that the family goes to plan and cover up their crimes. Noelle (understandably, I think) annoys me the most.
I initially had a bit of trouble keeping up with who was who, and what their expertise were, though. And like Anya, I didn't get the initial verdict of the case. It made my heart hammer though because after that, one surprise came after the other; just when you thought it was done with.
All in all, I really liked this book, even with the little grammatical and sentence structural errors that I spotted. Might just pick up another book by Fox, f her other books are as good as this.
October 6, 2018
Reality is heartbreaking
Book is well written and plot was intriguing. Anya Crichton being responsible citizen fights with wrongdoers and comforts victim through her motivated words .As the story continues it explains the how they are convicted of their crime.
My Personal feelings
In this society whenever wrong deed happens we just happens to pass it as that doesn't involve any of our family and loved ones. This book deals with modern reality which includes cruel beings who are residing on the same land as you are. They don't have any ethics as they hunt down innocents as they want and just get away like that with tools known as power and money. I was taken back as this incidents happens in our society and they are given permission to live with us by our elected government which promised us to protect us from this evils. This book awakened my inner thoughts that many horror incidents happens in our society and I was downhearted that I being the member of this society couldn't help them in any manner.
Sorry and Be brave
Book is well written and plot was intriguing. Anya Crichton being responsible citizen fights with wrongdoers and comforts victim through her motivated words .As the story continues it explains the how they are convicted of their crime.
My Personal feelings
In this society whenever wrong deed happens we just happens to pass it as that doesn't involve any of our family and loved ones. This book deals with modern reality which includes cruel beings who are residing on the same land as you are. They don't have any ethics as they hunt down innocents as they want and just get away like that with tools known as power and money. I was taken back as this incidents happens in our society and they are given permission to live with us by our elected government which promised us to protect us from this evils. This book awakened my inner thoughts that many horror incidents happens in our society and I was downhearted that I being the member of this society couldn't help them in any manner.
Sorry and Be brave
March 10, 2019
This is the 4th in a series but the first I've read featuring forensic pathologist Dr Anya Crichton. I wish I'd read the previous three beforehand as I tend to enjoy series books more when read in sequence. I love that the setting is Australia and there are similarities to Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta and Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan in the lead character. Blood Born is a good holiday thriller with twists in the main story and the secondary storyline. I expect I will read others in this series and preferably in publication order to get the backstory of Dr Crichton.
October 26, 2019
Forensic pathologist was a new "forensic profession" for me and I greatly enjoyed learning about what Dr. Anya Crichton does. The harrowing fury at the family of renegade rapists getting by with crime after crime keep the tension high, and Dr. Crichton's path to justice is well paved--a good read, if pretty hard in places. Empathy and kindness go a long way, but the grit of keeping at the case went even further.
March 8, 2020
Forensic physician, Dr Anja Crichton, is once again fighting for victims in the NSW justice system. This time she faces four serial rapist / killers who are brothers in a notorious crime family. The writing in this series is always strong and I always learn a lot about evidence gathering, police investigations, and the legal system. The depressing content can be relentless and justice does not always triumph, but that gives the cases a more realistic feel.
September 25, 2017
A great read! I was on the edge of my seat. I am eager to read the rest of the series!
February 16, 2018
I can't get enough of Kathryn Fox's Anya Creighton series. Loved this book as well.
March 11, 2018
A great Mystery and Forensics story with the good doctor to the fore.
May 28, 2018
Yet another very readable Anya Crichton book. A page turner. Violent.
October 23, 2018
twisty story
easy audiobook read with great voice acting
easy audiobook read with great voice acting
February 6, 2019
Best in Series!
May 10, 2019
Really enjoyed, a few turns and twists I didn't see coming.
August 5, 2019
Really enjoying this book series.
July 25, 2020
It's ok but not something you'll remember within half an hour.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews