Dead Guilty

Someone should buy the rights to this book and plan to turn it into a movie. Diane Fallon, forensic anthropologist, gets out of her car at a crime scene and presents her credentials to a patrolman, who says (nodding toward the two men who reported the crime) "They say it's not normal." Diane muses "Not normal. The kind of death they called her out for usually wasn't." If you like CSI, complete with the forensic analysis, study of bugs, and yes, evidence in the form of knots, you'll be fascinated. There's even a subplot with a mummy. If you're looking for a nice, cozy, "everyone-snowed-in-at-the-manor-house" story, this is probably not for you. I've become a big fan of this series and will eagerly look forward to more works from this writer.

Diane Fallon can change hats so fast it would make your head spin. She conducts a careful balancing act between serving as director of a small local museum in Rosewood, Georgia and forensic anthropologist in charge of that region's crime lab. The story begins with three hanged bodies found in the GA forest. There's enough action in the story to leave your head spinning. Connor's characters are well-realized, likeable, and her plot keeps you reading through a series of twists that would do her knots proud. This is the first of Connor's work I've read, but I guarantee it will not be my last!

This book opens with a delightful non-sequiter of a line, alerting the return reader that our friendly snake from ONE GRAVE TOO MANY is still at large but the tone soon turns serious as Dr. Fallon helps oversee the removal of three hanging victims in Cobber's Wood. This book introduces some new characters, including the assistant director of the museum and Diane's crime lab team. As the murders keep piling up we learn more about each of these characters and see the return of favorites from the previous book. Like ONE GRAVE TOO MANY Connor keeps the suspense up from beginning to end. I'm delighted by the fact that both books have thrown me curve balls when it comes to the identity of the murderers. Diane Fallon is a woman after my own heart. She has experienced heartbreaking tragedy and brought herself back from the edge of the abyss of depression. In this, the second book in the series, she's juggling two full time jobs (three if you consider she is not only the director of the museum but curator of one of its exhibts as well) and doing it with aplomb. On top of her rather full professional life she's edging back into a personal life as well. Brava Diane! The writing of Beverly Connor is reminicent of the very best of Patricia Cornwell. After reading about this relatively recent addition to the mystery and thriller genre I decided to search out some of her work. I can not recall being as glad to find an author in recent memory. Connor's characters are believeable and enjoyable; they are human with quirks and biases like so many we know. She uses the latest techniques to solve the crime, from the search engine Google to new DNA tests still being studied. And even when writing about murder and violence, Connor shows the humor of life, with quick witted one-liners and eccentric characters that make us smile. I have already got my eye on the third book in this series. August 2005, hurry up! I can't wait to see where Beverly Connor, Dr. Fallon and her friends are headed next.

This lady can write! And she knows her forensics, too. In a time when we are bombarded by CSI-unlimited resources-dozens of technicians-solve the murder in 46 minutes plus commercials-type entertainment, it's great to see a writer who can keep us enthralled, solve the mystery, and still teach us a thing or two about modern forensics, people and life...not to mention writing...all at the same time.

Diane Fallon is a Museum Director and has a crime lab attached to the museum. She is also a forensic anthropologist. Her crime lab team is called to investigate three bodies found hanging in the woods. Two land surveryors found them. Not only does Diane's team examine the bodies and clothing, Diane is a knot expert and finds out some interesting information from the various knots. Then one of the surveyors is found murdered. Are these cases related? There are too many coincidences for everyone to think they aren't related. But they have a tough time finding any evidence to link them. Diane begins getting calls and e-mails that she believes are from the killer. She finds herself in danger more than once. There are two more murders. She is concerned about everyone involved with this case. Are they being picked off one by one? Why? What is the connection? Diane is also an expert caver. She and some co-workers are planning to go caving. Diane spends some time with Frank and his daughter. She is concerned whether she is putting them in danger. Can she connect all the dots in time? This is a terrific book. I found it difficult to put down. Move over Patricia Cornwell. This is a fabulous forensic investigation series. I can't wait for the next book! Ms. Connor presents her intricate knowledge of forensics in a way that is understandable by lay people. It makes it much more enjoyable to understand how and why they can figure out the crime. The characters in this series work well together. She has come up with a way to intertwine the museum and crime lab. This is a winning series. I highly recommend this book! If you missed the first one, One Grave Too Many, I recommend you read it as well.