In the style of Patricia Cornwell (a real life former Medical Examiner), Keith Ablow (a forensic psychologist), and Kathy Reichs (a forensic anthropologist), new author Elizabeth Becka draws on her life as a forensic specialist to pen a wonderful thriller/forensic procedural!

Evelyn James is a forensic scientist in Cleveland 's Medical Examiner's office. On a cold November day, she's called to the scene of a chilling crime--a young woman has been pulled from the river, arms and body encased in chains, her feet ensconced in a bucket of cement. Literally drowned to death, the mystery woman preys on Eveyln's mind--especially when another young woman is found dead a few days later. What's even worse is that the second dead girl is Destiny Pierson, daughter of Cleveland 's Mayor. Added to the complications is the fact that Evelyn and Darryl, the Mayor, were once college sweethearts over a decade ago, and Darryl hopes to use that connection to get inside information on the case.

As Evelyn works with grizzled Homicide Detective Riley and newcomer Detective David, they find more missing persons cases that seem similar to the two latest deaths--and find a suspect who seems to fit the profile of their killer. Unfortunately, the suspect has knowledge of Evelyn and her daughter, Angel, leading them to the fact that sixteen-year-old Angel might be another intended victim.

Forensic science mixes with police procedure in Elizabeth Becka's debut novel, and the result is a great read that will keep you turning pages late into the night. As you gain details of Evelyn's personal life, insights into the new Homicide Detective, and background on the serial killer preying on Cleveland 's young women, you'll be enthralled with the perfect mix of truth and fiction.

I can only hope that Ms. Becka plans to return to Cleveland and Eveyln James, a forensic scientist that could well become another Kay Scarpetta, Frank Clevenger, or Temperance Brennan. ( )

The heroine of this story is an expert on trace evidence. It is not as detailed as books by Kathy Reichs, et.al., and the heroine seems to be awfully important at crime scenes. She also seems extremely vulnerable to supervisory whim, which is strange in what is almost certainly a civil service job. It's a pretty good, fast read, but for very light reading situations. Definitely a beach book. ( )

Good read for a first book, only light suspense. Enjoyable book!

When forensic trace evidence expert Evelyn James is summoned to the scene of a bizarre crime, she finds that a young woman from a prominent Cleveland family has been forcibly drowned in the Cuyahoga River. An interesting police procedural that will keep local readers entertained as the killer's trail takes them through Cleveland's west side and the Metro Parks. ( )