Anyone reading Simon Beckett?

Mike L · 07-10-2011, 02:29 PM

I was wondering if many of the folk here are familiar with Simon Beckett.

He's a British crime writer, but not all that well known in his own country. It seems he's had more success on the Continent and in the US.

I've just finished reading his The Chemistry of Death, which introduces Dr David Hunter, a forensic anthropologist who helps the police by delving into decomposed corpses in an attempt to discover how they died and how long ago.

As you can imagine, it's all quite gruesome. But it's a good, fast read - a real page-turner.

If your tastes run to that sort of thing, I can recommend him. But read the books in the right order: The Chemistry of Death (2006), Written in Bone (2007), Whispers of the Dead (2009) and The Calling of the Grave (2010).

poohbear_nc · 07-10-2011, 03:31 PM

I've enjoyed these books too - a nice follow up to Patricia Cornwell - with the detail on decomposing corpses, etc. Very readable thrillers.

carpetmojo · 07-10-2011, 05:47 PM

Oh lord......

Pass the smelling salts .....................

(Do they make smelling salts anymore ? Everyone I know that's involved with decomposition in general swears by smears of Vick under the nostrils....)

poohbear_nc · 07-10-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

Oh lord......

Pass the smelling salts .....................

(Do they make smelling salts anymore ? Everyone I know that's involved with decomposition in general swears by smears of Vick under the nostrils....)

Indeed - Vicks. It blasts/numbs the receptors in your nose.
The old timers used to smoke cheap cigars.

wyndslash · 07-10-2011, 08:58 PM

sister is a Vicks addict

Mike L · 07-11-2011, 08:33 AM

Funny you should mention Vicks.

In The Chemistry of Death, the people who handle the decomposing corpses all carry a jar of the stuff, and stick some up their nose whenever the need arises.

As I said earlier, it's all pretty gruesome.

07-10-2011, 02:29 PM	#1
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Anyone reading Simon Beckett? I was wondering if many of the folk here are familiar with Simon Beckett. He's a British crime writer, but not all that well known in his own country. It seems he's had more success on the Continent and in the US. I've just finished reading his The Chemistry of Death, which introduces Dr David Hunter, a forensic anthropologist who helps the police by delving into decomposed corpses in an attempt to discover how they died and how long ago. As you can imagine, it's all quite gruesome. But it's a good, fast read - a real page-turner. If your tastes run to that sort of thing, I can recommend him. But read the books in the right order: The Chemistry of Death (2006), Written in Bone (2007), Whispers of the Dead (2009) and The Calling of the Grave (2010).

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07-10-2011, 03:31 PM	#2
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 62,985 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	I've enjoyed these books too - a nice follow up to Patricia Cornwell - with the detail on decomposing corpses, etc. Very readable thrillers.

07-10-2011, 05:47 PM	#3
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	Oh lord...... Pass the smelling salts ..................... (Do they make smelling salts anymore ? Everyone I know that's involved with decomposition in general swears by smears of Vick under the nostrils....)

07-10-2011, 08:58 PM	#5
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	sister is a Vicks addict

07-11-2011, 08:33 AM	#6
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Funny you should mention Vicks. In The Chemistry of Death, the people who handle the decomposing corpses all carry a jar of the stuff, and stick some up their nose whenever the need arises. As I said earlier, it's all pretty gruesome.

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