“Howdunit Forensics” by D.P.Lyle, M.D. If you write mystries, you have to get this book!
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008I bought "Howdunit Forensics" from Writer’s Digest Books to use as a reference tool when writing my own mysteries. No one was more surprised than me when I wound up reading it like a novel. Why? Because it’s fascinating. The book is broken down into three large categories: The Forensics System, The Coroner and the Body, The Crime Scene and the Crime Lab. There are numerous sub-categories under each main heading and believe me, Lyle covers everything you would ever need to know when writing a mystery. Even if you’re not a writer, but simply a lover of good mysteries, you’ll enjoy this book.
Lyle writes in a style that is easy for anyone to understand and not too technical. Who else but a mystery writer or reader would enjoy reading the steps in doing an autopsy? You can in this book, Chapter 3, The Autopsy: A look Inside the Body. Want information on trace evidence? Chapter 15: Trace Evidence: Sweating the Small Stuff. I especially liked the blue-back grounded side bars citing real cases and telling how forensics helped solve the crime and convict the bad guys.
Lyle writes in a style that is easy to read and not too technical Besides being a working doctor, he has published mysteries, and worked as a consultant to several television crime shows including Law & Order, CSI:Miami, Women’s Murder Club and Homicide,
If you write mysteries this is the one reference tool you must have on your shelf.
