Forensic Females in Series
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When it comes to crime fighting, cops and lawyers seem to get all the press. But what about the forensic scientists and the others who work behind the scenes? If you enjoy Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series or the FOX television series Bones, try these other female forensic specialists who have their own series: by: Karen D. Toonen - Adult Services Librarian, Naperville Public Library |
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 | Title: Brink of Death Author: Collins, Brandilyn Summary: Feeling beaten down by life after her husband leaves her for another woman, Annie Kingston moves to Grove Landing where her father was a detested defense attorney. When the mother of her daughter's best friend is killed, Annie's life takes a dramatic turn. The twelve-year-old Erin, who witnessed her mother's death, is too traumatized to give the police a complete description of the killer. Annie is called upon to use her skills developed as a courtroom sketch artist to help Erin create a police sketch. As she works to catch the killer, Annie discovers a new profession as a forensic artist, as well as a renewed and deeper belief in God and the power of prayer. The Hidden Faces series chronicling Annie's work and faith continue through the 2006 Web of Lies. |
 | Title: One Grave Too Many Author: Connor, Beverly Summary: Having worked at Just one mass grave too many , forensic anthropologist Diane Fallon wants to turn her back on the world of crime and handles only the bones of prehistoric creatures. However, her old friend Frank Duncan of the Metro-Atlanta Fraud and Computer Forensics Unit needs the help of a world class bone expert to discover the truth from a contaminated crime scene. When Star, the daughter of Frank's best friend, is charged with the murder of her entire family, Diane can no longer resist the call of criminal forensics. City politics, shady real-estate deals, and a vengeful South American strong man all overlap and interfere with the investigation. The sixth and most recent Diane Fallon investigation, Dead Hunt, was released in February 2008. |
 | Title: Blindsight Author: Cook, Robin Summary: Laurie Montgomery has only been with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the City of New York for five months when Duncan Andrews' case is handed to her. The family is adamant that his wishes to be an organ donor be respected. Since he overdosed on cocaine, his eyes are the only eligible organ. As more bodies, all successful executives, begin arriving, Laurie begins to suspect a new contaminant is causing a yuppie cocaine epidemic . Meanwhile, a rash of blindings via battery acid seem to tie Laurie's cases to machinations of two rival organized crime families. With all the political pressure to keep the high profile cases from becoming news fodder, Laurie's only ally is homicide detective Lou Soldano. Cook delivers a fast-paced thrill ride where it is hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. The eighth Laurie Montgomery novel, Foreign Body, was released in August 2008. |
 | Title: The Mistress of the Art of Death Author: Franklin, Ariana Summary: In 1171, as their children are brutually murdered, Cambridge's citizenry revolt, believing Jews are killing the children as part of a Easter ritual. King Henry II is forced to protect the Jews, and forego the 20% of his revenues they generate. And if the Pope agrees to Roger of Acton's petition, Henry will have to expell all Jews from England or be personally excommunicated while England is placed under papal interdict. When Henry sends to the Medical School of Salerno for a master of the art of death , the head of the school sends the best, without considering the horrific implications of sending a woman. As a doctor to the dead Adelia Aguilar has no equal; but in dealing with the living, her bedside manner and diplomacy need work. With the help of the Arab Mansur, and a bit of misdirection, Adelia must not only find the killer and stop the murder of innocent children but also defend the Jews of England and protect Henry's political and financial interests. Franklin continues Adelia's story in The Serpent's Tale. |
 | Title: The Face of Deception Author: Johansen, Iris Summary: When her daughter's killer is executed without revealing the location of her child's bones, the final shreds of Eve Duncan's life disintegrate. Eve rebuilds her life by devoting herself to giving faces back to The Lost Ones, children whose bones have been discovered but whose identities are lost. She isolates herself in her work, allowing only her mother and her best friend Joe Quinn of the Atlanta Police Department into her life. Eight years later, Eve has become a nationally known forensic sculptor. With a mixture of lies and money, billionaire John Logan pursuades Eve to reconstruct the face of an adult skull. Despite her inital resistance and desire to limit her involvement, Eve becomes entangled in and threathened by a conspiracy to control the Presidency of the United States. Revealing the truth is the only way to set herself, and those she loves, free. The 2008 release of Quicksand marked the seventh novel in the Eve Duncan series. |
 | Title: A Perfect Evil Author: Kava, Alex Summary: In Nebraska, Ronald Jeffreys is executed for murdering three children. However, he swears until his final moments that he only killed one boy, not three. When new bodies are found, it looks like Jeffreys may have been only a copycat of the real serial killer. FBI criminal profiler Maggie O'Dell is called to help Sheriff Nick Morelli stop the current killings. Events in Maggie and Nick's tumultuous and disintegrating personal lives add to the fast-paced ride, and the plot twists as the action is revealed through the eyes of the killer and his victims as well as Maggie and Nick. The sixth Maggie O'Dell novel, Exposed, is due out in September 2008. |
 | Title: Dangerous Attachments Author: Lovett, Sarah Summary: Psychologist Sylvia Strange works with Penitentiary of New Mexico inmates. Things start going down hill when she recommends Lucas Watson, a state senator's son convicted of manslaughter, be given a psych transfer instead of released on parole. Then, a man begins stalking Sylvia. Sylvia's friend Warden Rosie Sanchez asks her to help find a possible cannibal preying on the prison population. Next, Lucas escapes. As a prison riot adds to the chaos, it's up to Sylvia to determine where the body parts are going. She also has to determine if Lucas' paranoia is delusional or realistic. Plot twists, interesting characters with entangled backstories, and noir elements all combine to create a suspenseful, engrossing read. Dark Alchemy is the fifth and most recent Slyvia Strange novel. |
 | Title: Body Count Author: Martin, P. D. Summary: As a child, Sophie Anderson had prophetic nightmares of her brother's kidnapping and murder. Recently, she's moved from Australia to take her dream job and join the FBI as one of their top criminal profilers. Sophie is actively re-establishing her life, making friends, and tracking down killers. But then there are the nightmares. While her life is about hunting the hunters, her dreams cast her in the role of the hunted. Once again, the nightmares seem almost prophetic. When a serial killer targets the Behavioral Analysis Unit itself, it will take a mix of hard scientific detail and intuitive psychic clues to crack the case. The short paragraphs from the killer's journal at the end of each chapters heighten the suspense. Sophie Anderson's third and latest chronicle, Fan Mail, is due out in December 2008. |
 | Title: Deja Dead Author: Reichs, Kathy Summary: Temperance Brennan, an American forensic anthropologist working in Montreal, is personally offended by anonymity in death. If someone must die, at least let their name be known. After finding a dismembered and decapitated body dump site, warning bells ring in Tempe's head saying Serial Killer . When she can't get the police, particularly Claudel, to even look into the possibility, Tempe decides to start her own investigation. Making herself the next target wasn't actually part of the plan. Reichs descriptions of Quebec ring true, and the French Canadian culture creates an interesting backdrop. The eleventh Temperance Brennan novel, Devil Bones, is currently on the best sellers' list. (FOX's Bones series is loosely based upon the life of Kathy Reichs, not upon the Temperance Brennan series.) |
 | Title: Blindsighted Author: Slaughter, Karin Summary: Sara Linton wears two hats in Heartsdale GA, a small town where everyone knows everyone. She is the town's pediatrician and the county's coroner. She is also still carrying a torch for her ex-husband, the police chief Jeffrey Tolliver. After arriving late to lunch with her sister, Sara discovers the body of Sibyl Adams in the women's restroom. Sibyl's murder has ritualistic overtones which lead Sara and Jeffrey to conclude she won't be this killer's last victim. Like it or not, they will have to work together to stop him. As the crimes continue, and the overtones strike horrifying chords, Sara will finally have to reveal and confront demons from her past. The sixth Grant County novel featuring Sara Linton, Beyond Reach, was released in 2007. |
