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Showing posts with label forensics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forensics. Show all posts

Monday, February 15, 2016

The Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin

Years after a horrific crime, Tessie, the only survivor in the "Black-eyed Susan" murders steps forward. She is beginning to doubt that the right person has been convicted for the heinous crime.

Tessie was nearly killed and blinded by a "monster." After the  horrific attack, Tessie suffers memory loss and psychological blindess--a conversion disorder.

Heaberlin unveils the chilling story in back and forth chapters that contrasts events near the time of the crime with its aftershock seventeen years later.

If Tessie does not change her testimony, an innocent man could face the death penalty. Tessie, however, is reluctant to delve into her past. After all, she has her own daughter to protect from the media's harsh glare.


Adding to the tension is the fact that Tessie thinks she is going insane. 

Immediately after the crime she begins to hear the voices of the other Susans in her head. The grown-up Tessie thinks her monster has been planting batches of blacked-eyed susans to traumatize her.

The twist at the end packs a wallop. Heaberlin's latest is for fans of Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins and Brunonia Barry. 




Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Real World of Sherlock Holmes

The Real World of Sherlock Holmes by Peter Costello.

Front Cover

Costello gives a fascinating look at Sherlock Holmes' creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the real mysteries he investigated. Trained as a doctor, Doyle became fascinated by forensics of the day as taught by Dr. Joseph Bell. What is lesser known, however, is that average citizens contacted Doyle to help solve cases. Just like his legendary literary counterpart, Sherlock Holmes, Doyle solved cases and vindicated the innocent.

Sherlock Holmes is more popular than ever in movies and miniseries. PBS has a Fall 2013 two-hour special, How Sherlock Changed the World and the BBC has the popular Sherlock set in contemporary times.

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