The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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Hi From a Forensics Nerd
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Welcome to the group, Alexis. I hope you enjoy the conversations and get many new book recommendations.
I haven't read them yet, but I've got a few books by Jefferson Bass, the Bone Yard series that looks quite good.
Hi, Alexis, and welcome. I've got "House Rules" but haven't read it yet. What did you think?
I really liked it. Jacob is such an interesting character. Jodi does a good job of showing how a child's diagnosis of Aspergers effects tthe entire family. Jacob has a unique way of interpreting language that is very literal. His special interest is forensic analysis so there are lots of forensic facts sprinkled through the. Book.
If you have any interest in nonfiction then you might like Thomas T. Noguchi's books Coroner and Coroner at Large. 
Coroner at Large
Noguchi was the famous "coroner to the stars" who was said to have been one of the inspirations for the old 1970s TV show Quincy.
Hi from another newbie and forensic fan, Alexis,My day job is as a digital forensic examiner, a job I really love and am always happy to talk about. I'm also writing my fourth novel, which happens to be a "digital forensic thriller."
Great to meet you!
Jerry Hatchett
Alexis wrote: "Hi!
I just joined the group this morning after seeing it on a friend's profile. I'm a forensics nerd, some might even call me a geek, now having read House Rules by Jodi Picoult. I've found a nu..."
I enjoyed Lisa Black's books...she originally wrote as Elizabeth Becka. Peter May's China series is really interesting too. A more intellectual series are the Eisenmenger titles by Keith McCarthy. Jonathan Hayes and Simon Beckett are another two favourite authors writing forensic thrillers.
I love the Kathy Reichs series and also the Jefferson Bass Body Farm series. I have read all of the Body Farm books and they are very good. Another series with great forensic detail is the Lincoln Rhyme series from Jeffery Deaver. The first one is The Bone Collector. That series is my favorite out of the three. I have never been able to solve the mysteries myself. Always a surprise.
I'd second the vote for Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series. After reading the Bone Collector years ago, I got pretty turned on to forensics, and when CSI got popular, I remember being annoyed by all the times they got it wrong because of everything I learned from Deaver. A definitely great read!
Kyla wrote: "I'd second the vote for Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series. After reading the Bone Collector years ago, I got pretty turned on to forensics, and when CSI got popular, I remember being annoyed by..."
I agree with you about tv not getting it right as far as forensics go. I think Deaver does a huge amount of research for writing this series. My husband gets annoyed with my corrections while watching the CSI-type shows.
I agree with you about tv not getting it right as far as forensics go. I think Deaver does a huge amount of research for writing this series. My husband gets annoyed with my corrections while watching the CSI-type shows.
So glad someone else agrees with me :) I am always wowed by the extent of Deaver's research -- every time he does a book he covers every detail. I remember being especially impressed with The Burning Wire and The Empty Window in terms of the immense depth of detail into both the forensic work and the other plot-related aspects. I have a hard time watching forensic shows now because of that series! I can still watch Bones, because they more or less are usually on the ball with their forensic and scientific work, and they don't constantly oversimplify, but I gave up on the other mainstream network shows years ago because of Deaver.
I love watching crime series too.. like criminal minds, bones, Sherlock BBC series, and maybe white collar. CSI is too boring for me. If there is anything better to watch please introduce :)
Fellow Sherlock lover!! So glad to make your acquaintance :)Yes, CSI is what I call Crime Scenes for Innocents (That's the nicest way I can put it) because it's so very basic and often deeply flawed. I know a lot of people enjoy Forensic Files, which is a true-crime sort of show. I've never gotten into it, but it seems pretty popular.
I have a hard time getting behind mediocre crime shows, and there just aren't enough good ones out there! Frankly, Sherlock is at the top of its game, but I worry about how many seasons there will ultimately be, Bones is going to leave a real void in terms of shows that try to show real, accurate science and intelligent concepts, and House already left that void in terms of intelligent medical shows (over the top, usually, but in terms of puzzle-meets-biological conundrums it was always fun).
Criminal Minds has had its moments in showing interesting concepts in criminal profiling, so I'd say that's a good call. Other than that, I generally watch Castle -- it's not a great crime show, but it's fun and if you have any love for geek culture or writers it's a decent watch. Not deeply challenging on an intellectual level, but fun.
Your best bet may be to branch out and see what the BBC has to offer -- things like Kenneth Branagh's Wallander, for example -- great crime show, compelling stuff and great acting. I imagine the BBC might be able to offer some better forensic shows than America is at the moment as well. If you find something good, please do share! Always looking for a good show.
Kyla wrote: "So glad someone else agrees with me :) I am always wowed by the extent of Deaver's research -- every time he does a book he covers every detail. I remember being especially impressed with The Burni..."
I have recommended the Lincoln Rhyme series to many people because they are so detailed. If you like a good mystery with very specific details, you can't go wrong. I think my favorite was The Empty Chair but my husband really liked The Burning Wire because he is a power engineer who works in a power plant and he thought that aspect was accurate and a good part of the story. Do you mean The Broken Window as the other in the series that you really liked? I did, also. That book really made me think seriously about all the information that is out there on every single person born. It's a little scary . . .
I think Kathy Reichs is a producer on Bones and I believe that's why that show is more accurate than others. It's a family favorite in my house.
I have recommended the Lincoln Rhyme series to many people because they are so detailed. If you like a good mystery with very specific details, you can't go wrong. I think my favorite was The Empty Chair but my husband really liked The Burning Wire because he is a power engineer who works in a power plant and he thought that aspect was accurate and a good part of the story. Do you mean The Broken Window as the other in the series that you really liked? I did, also. That book really made me think seriously about all the information that is out there on every single person born. It's a little scary . . .
I think Kathy Reichs is a producer on Bones and I believe that's why that show is more accurate than others. It's a family favorite in my house.
Kyla wrote: "So glad someone else agrees with me :) I am always wowed by the extent of Deaver's research -- every time he does a book he covers every detail. I remember being especially impressed with The Burni..."I think it is extreme to expect rigorous detail. Suspension of disbelief is a valuable gift in the reader. You have given up shows you might elsewise have enjoyed because of your demand for strict forensic accuracy.
Oh, the lack of forensic detail wasn't the only reason I passed on CSI, Criminal Minds, and most of the others. I'm ok with suspension of disbelief, but I also am picky about strength of characterization, acting, and I guess you could say something special -- chemistry, or quirk, or unique humor. Most formulaic shows leave me cold, but for varying reasons, not just always intellectual rigor. (Although that is clearly always appreciated.)
I guess I just like to see accuracy, not teaching people incorrect things. What I dislike most is that mysteries get solved on CSI in one day, when in real life, an autopsy may not happen for three days, let alone the DNA evidence. I watch about every crime show out there and enjoy most, but I would like to see them be more accurate.
Well, if TV shows lasted 3 or 4 days instead of 44 minutes of showtime... but that's not realistic either, is it? :)
Shannon wrote: "Well, if TV shows lasted 3 or 4 days instead of 44 minutes of showtime... but that's not realistic either, is it? :)"
I do have to admit that you are right, Shannon. Unless it's a show such as The Killing, it would be too hard to be as realistic due to time constraints. I would rather have everything wrapped up in a nice package in the one-hour time slot given.
I do have to admit that you are right, Shannon. Unless it's a show such as The Killing, it would be too hard to be as realistic due to time constraints. I would rather have everything wrapped up in a nice package in the one-hour time slot given.
The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group
Books mentioned in this topic
The Bone Collector (other topics)Coroner (other topics)
Coroner at Large (other topics)
House Rules (other topics)
I just joined the group this morning after seeing it on a friend's profile. I'm a forensics nerd, some might even call me a geek, now having read House Rules by Jodi Picoult. I've found a number of great crime authors since reading House Rules.
House Rules
I'm visually impaired so me actually doing forensics is out of the question. Cops would run scurrying if they saw me climb over the yellow tape with my white cane! They'd run to protect their physical and trace evidence before the cane tramped all over the scene! Since I can't actually participate in forensics procedures in real life, reading about them is the next best thing.
Looking forward to participating in some interesting discussions!
Alexis