Police Procedural /Forensic Crime General Discussion

[Yvonne]

Michael Connelly's book The Black Echo, is now selling for .99 cents on Amazon-Kindle edition. With all this praise, I'm now interested in starting this series.

[Jan C]

Yvonne wrote: "Michael Connelly's book The Black Echo, is now selling for .99 cents on Amazon-Kindle edition. With all this praise, I'm now interested in starting this series."

I found it most excellent although I started with The Poet.

[paul]

Yvonne wrote: "Michael Connelly's book The Black Echo, is now selling for .99 cents on Amazon-Kindle edition. With all this praise, I'm now interested in starting this series."

.......Black Echo is one of connelly's best. sure worth 99 cents

[Barbara]

Thanks. Been waiting to buy it until I was ready to dig into the series, but for that price I'll buy now. Does anyone know how to become aware of Kindle sales? I just seem to find them by accident, and I'm sure there is a way to know what's on sale. Thanks.

[Martina]

I love the Harry Bosch series and Black Echo remains my favorite. We read it with my in-person mystery book group and everyone loved it. It's a super series. Read them in correct order and you'll be happy you did...

[Betty]

Jan C wrote: "I found it most excellent although I started with The Poet."

I think The Poet is one of the finest mysteries I've ever read, and that's covering a lot of territory. And if you know anything about the newspaper business, it's a pretty good reflection of the not-so-glamorous working life of an investigative reporter, complete with the aggravation of dealing with the news desk.

[Gatorman]

I know I am in the minority, but I find Connelly to be overrated. The Poet and The Narrows were good but nothing to write home about, IMO. Saw the ending of The Poet coming from a mile away. Just don't get all the fuss, and I read a lot of thrillers.

[Betty]

I think Connelly has gone way downhill with Bosch. Don't know if he's just tired of Harry or is focusing on other stuff now. And I think Lincoln Lawyer is completely overrated. I saw the ending of The Poet coming, too, but think the mystery was almost secondary to the rest of the story. Connelly started out good, but I don't disagree with you about where he is now. He's gone from one of my "must read his new releases the minute I can get my hands on them" to "I'll get around to that one of these days."

[Wachick65]

Like any author, Connelly doesn't hit the mark every time, but he created Harry Bosch, what more is there to say? He makes you really care about HB and want to buy the next book, even though he's fallen short on several novels.

[paul]

Wachick65 wrote: "Like any author, Connelly doesn't hit the mark every time, but he created Harry Bosch, what more is there to say? He makes you really care about HB and want to buy the next book, even though he's f..."

BetHoff wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I found it most excellent although I started with The Poet."

I think The Poet is one of the finest mysteries I've ever read, and that's covering a lot of territory. And if you know ..."

BetHoff wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I found it most excellent although I started with The Poet."

I think The Poet is one of the finest mysteries I've ever read, and that's covering a lot of territory. And if you know ..."

right you are...The Poet and Black Echo are my 2 favorite Connellys

[Diane S ☔]

New Harry Bosch coming out 11/28 called The Drop.

[Dorie]

Barbara wrote: "Does anyone know how to become aware of Kindle sales? I just seem to find them by accident..."

Barbara, check out the following blog called 'The Cheap'. The blog contains links to their Facebook Pages. They post freebies and discounts for Nookbooks and Kindle books.

http://the-cheap.net/

[Caroline]

I've read all Connellys books looking forard to the drop.

[Barbara]

Thanks Dorie.

[Walter]

Hi Barbara, if your looking for your sales, the site is http://kdp.amazon.com. Hope I read your question right.

[Almeta]

Susan wrote: "Just finished Flesh and Bone, by Jefferson Bass, who is actually the writing team of Dr. Bill Bass (an amazing forensic anthropologist and creator of the Body Farm in real life)and Jon Jefferson - ..."

Just picked up a "Body Farm" novel at the library book sale.

Kinda recently acquired a fascination for "Body Farm" forensics, thanks to Kathy Reichs and the book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.

Am looking forward to the Jefferson Bass writing team's reads.

[Susan]

Almeta wrote: "Susan wrote: "Just finished Flesh and Bone, by Jefferson Bass, who is actually the writing team of Dr. Bill Bass (an amazing forensic anthropologist and creator of the Body Farm in real life)and Jo..."

I think you will like them! And I love Kathy Reichs. Have you read any of Patricia Cornwell's books? She's somewhat similar...

[Almeta]

I think you will like them! And I love Kathy Reichs. Have you read any of Patricia Cornwell's books? She's somewhat similar..."

I have only read Portrait of a Killer: Jack The Ripper - Case Closed.

Yeah, I probably would like her books.

To be honest, Patricia Cornwell is so prolific that I have actually avoided her.
I have serialphobia!

[Kim]

Almeta wrote: "To be honest, Patricia Cornwell is so prolific that I have actually avoided her.
I have serialphobia! ..."

I've read quite a few series in my time, but I often lose interest after a while. Not sure why, but I particularly seem to lose interest in the forensic crime novels. I think that there are only so many autopsies I can take! I gave up on Cornwell years ago. I used to look forward to Kathy Reichs, but I'm not so keen anymore (although I will probably read the next one). After a while I got bored with Linda Fairstein (no autopsies, but too much back story repetition). I'm currently reading the latest Tess Gerritsen. It's ok, but I'm not enthralled. Luckily it's not dominated by forensics and the police procedural aspect takes precedence.

Another series I totally lost interest in was Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. First few - laugh-out-loud funny. After that, it was just the same novel over and over again.

Keeping it fresh is obviously the biggest problem for anyone writing a series.

[Marja]

Another author to think about is Beverly Connor. She writes things similar to Patricia Cornwell, but not as graphic. Not as intense. Someone suggested her to me, and now I'm hooked. She has two series that I know of, and I'm enjoying both of them.

[aprilla]

I really hate to say it cause I love my series but I agree Kim... sometimes I wish I could stop following some but I hate not to at least try, then I'm up to date and, yup, try again when the next new one comes out... I've often considered three or four books should be my upper limit to series books, but then I might miss something!
I do often select a known trilogy for this reason but even they aren't safe - Maria V Snyder brought out a 4th book in the Study Series, after 1,2,3 were out she published a 4th, situated at place 2.... I enjoyed the trilogy, no way I'm getting another LOL
:)

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[Amy]

"Nena wrote: "I am addicted to Michael Connelly. I am currently reading the latest "The Reversal" it is the best so far! I just started reading another series called Molly Blume which I am enjoyin..."

I first read The Poet when it came out 14 years ago and loved it. I tried reading the Harry Bosch books after that but I found I couldn't get into them now to keep this in perspective I was only 19 at the time. I think I might have to give that series another try.

[Amy]

Susan wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Susan wrote: "Just finished Flesh and Bone, by Jefferson Bass, who is actually the writing team of Dr. Bill Bass (an amazing forensic anthropologist and creator of the Body Farm in r..."

I love Kathy Reichs and cannot wait until the next book to be released which is today or tomorrow!! I tried Patricia Cornwall but found that I couldn't get into the same way

[Amy]

Kim wrote: "Almeta wrote: "To be honest, Patricia Cornwell is so prolific that I have actually avoided her.
I have serialphobia! ..."

I've read quite a few series in my time, but I often lose interest after a..."

I don't know if you've read him or not but I've just read the two books by Noah Boyd. I found both of them really fast paced and I couldn't put them down.
I actually finished reading The Bricklayer at 2am and I just had to start reading the second one Agent X. I find it to be an interesting look at the FBI through the two main characters considering that Noah Boyd was an FBI agent!

[The Pirate Ghost]

I'm a Joe Pike fan (from By Robert Crais. This guy's too cool.

[Jan C]

Amy wrote: ""Nena wrote: "I am addicted to Michael Connelly. I am currently reading the latest "The Reversal" it is the best so far! I just started reading another series called Molly Blume which I am enjoyin...."

I, too, started with The Poet and I think it took me a couple of books to get into Harry Bosch. Of course, I did pick him up with Trunk Music. Maybe it would work better to start at the beginning.

[The Pirate Ghost]

Make that the sentry's the second book. Or you could read about him as Elvis Cole's faithful sidekick in the Elvis Cole stories.

[Teresa]

Kathryn Fox. Forensic series set in austraila
Lisa Black ok it is set in my hometown ( which she keeps pretty accurate) but gives you a plot that makes u fell u r inside the story
Christine Klingstrong female tug boat owner in florida Cody McFadyen. Fbi series, very deranged killers, does have graphic violence in them. But the charcters r very well developed


I like to recommend less popular autors, but. I recommend alex kava, connelly, robert crais,kathy reichs, harlan coben,also

[Gary]

I love the Michael Connelly Bosch series and J.A. Jance Beaumont books. I read the first 3 Patricia Cornwell books, but there started to be too much crying, so I moved on. I am always on the lookout for a good PP mystery. In a similar but crossover way, I really like Jim Butcher and his Dresden files series!

[Toni]

What's a "PP mystery"? Have I been missing something? (not the first time :)

[Jan C]

Police procedural?

My other guess was a pity party but that didn't seem to fit.

[Jannene]

Anyone read the Eve Duncan Series? I read her first one "Face of Deception" and thought that was good, so I bought the 2nd one in the series.

[Toni]

Jan C wrote: "Police procedural?

My other guess was a pity party but that didn't seem to fit."

Ah, of course. Feeling a bit of a doofus, here.

As for 'pity party'--heh.

[Toni]

Thanks for the heads-up John. I'll be checking out that one!

[John]

John,

I agree totally about David Simon. The Wire was a great series, and Simon's books are in the same league.

Cheers,

[John]

For anybody who is interested in forensics, particularly forensics for crime fiction, there is a great blog out there: forensics4fiction, maintained by Tom Adair. You can find it at:

http://http://forensics4fiction.wordp...

Here is how Tom describes why he set up his blog:

This BLOG was created to provide information about forensics to crime writers and readers alike. While I make every effort to explain these issues well they are complex. In order to keep the articles concise I may not cover all aspects of a particular topic. Sometimes I have to break up the topics into multiple articles but they will still be fairly general. Crime scenes can be very diverse and certain forensic applications in one case may not be appropriate in another. If you have questions please forward them to me and I’ll do my best to address them as they pertain to your specific plot.

I am also interested in providing some information about how forensics might be applied in the realm of fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction. It should go without saying that these posts are not to be taken literally (although I will make every effort to remain true to the science). So for all you defense attorneys that might want to depose me on these topics for some trial in the future just remember that “fiction” has a definition for a reason. To the rest of you I hope you enjoy the topics and my efforts to ignite your imagination.

[Ruth]

I agree about Michael Connelly - am just finishing The Reversal featuring Bosch and Haller both. He is one of my favorites. I've enjoyed a couple of J.A. Jance but don't seem to run across them often - I'll make a point of looking harder. Another of my favorite (not necessarily related to forensics) is John Lescroart writing about Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky.

I also agree about Patricia Cornwell. Liked the first one or two, but the plots and villains really got weird and I found Scarpetta and her neice rather unlikeable.

Gary wrote: "I love the Michael Connelly Bosch series and J.A. Jance Beaumont books. I read the first 3 Patricia Cornwell books, but there started to be too much..."

[John]

R.E.

You're right about Michael Connelly. I will never get enough of Bosch. The name of John Lescroart is new to me. From the link in the post you've provided he looks very interesting and I will get one of his books next time I need to replenish my tbr pile. I wonder how many other writers have got 778 good reviews on Amazon.com for one of their books?

[Toni]

John wrote: "For anybody who is interested in forensics, particularly forensics for crime fiction, there is a great blog out there: forensics4fiction, maintained by Tom Adair."

I discovered this blog a couple of months ago. Great stuff there. Plus, he told me how to hide some pesky footprints in a cave scene I was writing.

[Joyce]

Can someone who's read the Kathy Reichs books tell me how they compare to the TV show Bones? I like the show, just caught it streaming on Netflix, but what I like about it are the characters. I looked up Reichs on Amazon and the original books seem to take place in Canada - are any of the show characters in the books?

[Elizabeth]

I'd recommend Simon Beckett's series about a forensic anthropologist, starting with The Chemistry of Death. I'm not much for Kathy Reichs, but I do like some of Patricia Cornwell, particularly her earlier stuff. I've tried Beverly O'Connor but I didn't warm up to the characters. I had someone recommend D.H. Dublin to me, so those of you who like PP's that lean more towards a Crime Scene Unit/Lab might like his books, which begin with Body Trace. It wasn't my cup of tea though. Shoofly Pie by Tim Downs was surprisingly good (it's about a forensic entomologist). Those of you who like the nonfiction forensics stuff, check out my list "Forensics: If It Doesn't Walk, We Bring Out the Chalk".

[Jan C]

Joyce wrote: "Can someone who's read the Kathy Reichs books tell me how they compare to the TV show Bones? I like the show, just caught it streaming on Netflix, but what I like about it are the characters. I lo..."

I read somewhere a while back that the show is not based on her books, but based on her life. It confuses matters that the character on both has the same name, but I also read that she just liked that name.

I Have been reading that first book of hers for forever and I have been ready to give up a couple of times. But I got one of the later ones on audio, and it really interested me. Still listening to Cross Bones. Still reading, occasionally, Déjà Dead.

[M.A.]

I agree Jan, I couldn't really get into the Kathy Reichs books either. It's a shame as I was really looking forward to them being engrossing reads but...

[Teresa]

Jan C wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Can someone who's read the Kathy Reichs books tell me how they compare to the TV show Bones? I like the show, just caught it streaming on Netflix, but what I like about it are the ch..."

i look at books and the show as being two different times in the person's life, the show being her younger yrs as she works on her career. the books being later in life as she is an expert in her field and works in canada and south carolina. the books are drier than the series

[Colleen]

Kathy Reichs books and Bones really are best taken as seperate things. I jumped in to the middle of the books and skipped around until I was caught up and that seemed to work out better. Her earlier books were not the best but a lot of the more recent ones were much better. Spider Bones was probably my favorite, but they are detail heavy. I also really like the Beverly Connor books, and always enjoy picking up more forensics suggestions. Most of the series I have seen mentioned here I have read, with a couple exceptions. Michael Connelly is probably my favorite author overall, though Harry Bosch is getting a little old for me. I thought Nine Dragons was probably the weakest book in the series, but I am really getting into Mickey Haller right now.

[Maryfox]

Joyce wrote: "Can someone who's read the Kathy Reichs books tell me how they compare to the TV show Bones? I like the show, just caught it streaming on Netflix, but what I like about it are the characters. I lo..."

About the only similarity is that both protagonists are forensic anthropologists. The books are set in North Carolina and Montreal. In the books, Tempe is older and has an adult daughter and is a more normal, less abrasive person. The lack of similarity is why I can enjoy both the books and the TV series.

[Susan]

Maryfox wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Can someone who's read the Kathy Reichs books tell me how they compare to the TV show Bones? I like the show, just caught it streaming on Netflix, but what I like about it are the ch..."

I agree! I love the Tempe character so much more in the books because she is more 3-dimensional and dynamic, and definitely less flaky. But the character in the TV series has a fun, quirkiness. I see the books and TV series as very independent from each other.

[Jane]

The TV Tempe appears to be a person with mild Aspergers Syndrome, humorless, obsessive,unconnected to the feelings of the people around her, analytical and brilliantly rational, completely unlike her print original. She's the forensic equivalent of real-life Temple Grandin [any significance in the similarity of names?], and if you don't yet know who grandin is, you have a treat in store when you read her books). Tempe is very subtly done, unlike the practicing lawyer in Boston Legal who has Aspergers. I have an adored friend just like her. Tempe is a pioneer. It's heartening to see this character in a mainstream TV show without a label, functioning by her own rules, allowing us to see her as quirky but by no means abnormal. Love it!

[Nguyen]

Just finish Deja Dead. Brilliant book. It keep me turning the pages but this Temperance Brennan is so different from the TV SERIES and so it was a very ingagent read because you can't never expect what Tempe will do to catch the killer. Thumps Up