Shri H. (litekepr) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, The Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I am fascinated by investigation procedures and found this book to be utterly fascinating. There was some gore, but it does discuss dead and decomposing bodies. I had heard of the Body Farm and Patricia Cornwell's book. But I had not gotten a chance to read much about it. In March of 2006, I was asked to interview Dr Bass (founder of the Body Farm) and his writing partner Jon Jefferson. How could I refuse? They are both wonderful and fascinating people. Dr. Bass answered many of my questions about a book I was writing at the time which has a decomposed skeleton in it. I figured, who better to ask than Dr. Bass :) As an author who is moving into more mystery writing, I found this book invaluable and have marked many pages of information to use for additional details in upcoming books.
I would also recommend that you take a look at the novel written by Jon Jefferson and Dr Bass - they write under the pen name Jefferson Bass and the first book is Carved in Bone. Not as graphic as Death's Acre, but the forensic info is great and spurred a couple of ideas for my first mystery :) The second book in the series is scheduled for release in March 2007.
Shri Henkel
aka Nikki Leigh
I would also recommend that you take a look at the novel written by Jon Jefferson and Dr Bass - they write under the pen name Jefferson Bass and the first book is Carved in Bone. Not as graphic as Death's Acre, but the forensic info is great and spurred a couple of ideas for my first mystery :) The second book in the series is scheduled for release in March 2007.
Shri Henkel
aka Nikki Leigh
Lorrie M. (ilovedale3) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, The Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 524 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
If you are a fan of forensic science based books and TV shows (like Patricia Cornwell's books or CSI) then this book is for you! This book is all about the "Body Farm": the plot in Knoxville, TN where forensic scientists study how dead bodies decompose under different conditions. While not for the squeamish, this book is so fascinating that it is hard to put down!
Susan E. (SEEJ) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, The Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Ever since I read The Body Farm by Cornwell and saw the 60 minutes episode on the body farm I have been intrigued by forensic science. This book, although very gory & graphic, explains how advances in forensic science have been made over the last 20 years. It is truly amazing. If you are a fan of Cornwell or CSI, this is a must read. Truly facinating.
Lisa G. (wndrngrl) -
Helpful Score: 2
This is an utterly fascinating book describing a series of case studies taken from the career of the first author, Bill Bass, who is one of the nation's leading forensic anthropologists and the founder of the Body Farm. I have also had a life-long interest in true crime books, so when I found out about "Death's Acre" I ordered it promptly
Cheryl P. (cherylandtoto2) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, The Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
What happens when a body is left above ground? Underground in plastic? In a car trunk? The differences from a scientific/ molecular view is fascinating. This is a very interesting window into the world of Dr. Bass - how he was drawn to this field of study, the hurdles he had to clear to get funding for his research - and the graduate students who are drawn to this field of science. Dr. Bass approaches his work with respect for the dead, yet maintains a gentle sense of humor as he explains the how and why of what he does. A fascinating read!
