Stephen Booth, Dead Place

Dead Place

Stephen Booth

Bantam, May 2007, $25.00

ISBN: 0385339062

The calls are unnerving as the individual promises soon to begin his 'killing will be a model of perfection.'The receiver of the frightening calls, Detective Superintendent Diane Fry, prays some crackpot is making crank calls, but thinks this guy is the real deal that will keep on killing once he starts until he is stopped. Adding to the discomfit of the DS is the fact a woman has reportedly vanished from a nearby office.

At the same time, Detective Constable Ben Cooper investigates what happened to the woman whose human bones were recently found in the woods. Electronic facial reconstruction names the victim as Audrey Steele, who officially was cremated 18 months ago. Ben follows the fiery trail until the case turns stranger when an arsonist burns up potential proof as to who was cremated. Soon Ben's inquiry and Diane's preventative endeavor collide.

Don't eat lunch while reading this exciting police procedural as a secondary character goes into graphic detail lecturing the cops and readers on human decomposition rates and what happens to bodily fluids in death amongst other icky and yucky (scientific terms for gross) forensic insights. The two prime subplots are well written and fascinating to follow, partially because the respective tour guides, Ben and Diane, are sub-genre unique as they are not likable protagonists. The bottom line is those who could stomach high school biology will enjoy this interesting look at the art of studying death.

Harriet Klausner