Scattered Graves: A Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation

I love this series, and found this book to be another great read. If you haven't read the series, I recommend starting at the beginning (which might be just slightly better just because it will be newer/fresher). That being said, it is a very good forensic investigation series-- even better than Patricia Cornwell in my opinion. Enjoyable characters that I haven't gotten sick of yet. Can't wait for the next one to come out (August 2009, I believe)!

As with all Beverly Conner's novels, Scattered Graves is another cleverly plotted, fast-paced mystery full of surprising twists and turns. The technology is fascinating and her careful research is apparent. Although I wondered what an early incident in the novel could have had to do with later events, I trusted the author to bring it all together, and so she did in a very satisfying conclusion. Altogether entertaining!

I'm a fan of Beverly Connor from way back. this book is well written. I especially love the Diane Fallon character. The ending was a bit predictable though.

This is another bang up action mystery from Beverly Connor. She has just about coronered the market on forensic mysteries. Her novels are well paced and her research is well done. The characters are lifelike and easy to dislike the villians. I am always assured of a good nights entertainment with Ms. Connor.

In Rosewood, Georgia, newly elected Mayor Spence Jefferies has fired experienced supervisors like the chief of police and the chief of the crime lab replacing them with political hacks. No longer working for the town as its crime lab chief, RiverTrail Museum of Natural History curator Diane Fallon has run-ins with her replacement Lloyd Bryce and his thugs. However, legally she is in the right as the crime lab is owned by the museum not the town. As Bryce and the new police of chief Peeks lead the harassment of her, one of the cops Harve Delamore tries to kill her, but instead he dies falling from a cliff ledge. When someone kills Jefferies and Peeks apparently in retaliation by "biting" back for their nefarious activities, the townsfolk want Fallon and her former team of crime scene experts to investigate. Although she has doubts about getting involved, Diane begins to look into the homicides because the prime suspect worked for her recently at the lab and in a nasty lethal overseas incident that has left both with emotional scars. Although why the harassment, which comes across for much of the book as childishly inane especially without legal counsel, is not explained until very late to the reader (early would have been better even if the heroine is left in the dark), this is an engaging crime caper. Someone finally had enough of the bullying tactics of the mayor, the police chief, and their hooligans; Diane worries her friend and former employee David is that someone as she fears he went over the edge with frustration. Fans will enjoy this small town Georgia thriller as Rose County becomes a killing field. Harriet Klausner