Dead Guilty

A knot is not always just a knot.

This is the second book in the Diane Fallon museum mysteries, but it's the first book that has a real crime lab in it. That's one of the things I love about the books, in a lot of ways the crime lab becomes its own character. It gets 'pulled' between two parents (Rosewood PD and Rivertrail Museum) and in the future books it grows like a lanky teenager (not to mention it has to have all the best gadgets).

Anyway, this story starts out with three hangings, as well as some other murders that might or might not be related. And we immediately get introduced to the new Crime Lab employees, Dave, Jin and Neva. It was interesting that although the author introduced them slowly, I never felt like they were show more incomplete characters, even at the beginning. We also get introduced to the fiery ME Lynn Webber, she is a nice counterpoint to the balanced and generally cool and calm Fallon.

I do have to say that the whole 'Fallon having personal contact with people that could be suspects' makes the book thriller-y, it also seems to --always-- happen to Fallon, which wears a little thin.

Still, this is an intricately complicated story, like a complex knot, or a twisty, turney cave system, or a really valuable diamond and I didn't want to put it down until I finished it. A great book. show less

Diane Fallon is a Museum Director and has a crime lab attached to the museum. She is also a forensic anthropologist. Her crime lab team is called to investigate three bodies found hanging in the woods. This is a fabulous forensic investigation series. Beverly Connor presents her intricate knowledge of forensics in a way that is understandable by lay people. It makes it much more enjoyable to understand how and why they can figure out the crime. The characters in this series work well together. She has come up with a way to intertwine the museum and crime lab. This is a winning series.

Dead Guilty by Beverly Connor.
Book #2 in the Diane Fallon series.
3 Stars

Synopsis:
Three bodies are found hanging execution-style in the woods. As the investigation progresses, a number of people involved in the investigation begin dying in a similar fashion. At the same time, a stalker, perhaps even the killer, begins sending Diane cryptic and disturbing messages.

Review:
The forensics is interesting, particularly the details about the knots and I find the main character quite engaging - she kicks some serious butt.
Nevertheless, I have some issues with the book. For one, it has one of my pet peeves, i.e. the killer is someone introduced quite late in the plot. Second, the strong buildup of suspense in the beginning fizzles out toward the show more end.
Recommendation: I enjoy the characters and intend on continuing with the series so I say go for it. show less

The first in this series I've read. It started slowly with a bit too much technical information about irrelevant things like caving but the last third was better and more engaging

Diane Fallon n is a forensic anthropologist, Director of the Rosewood Museum and Director of Roseburg Police Crime Lab.
Enjoyable read, I liked finding out a more about Diane Fallon and her interactions with her staffs.

I first read book 6 of this series, I wanted to go back and read the beginning to try to pick up the full back story as the characters are continuing in later books.

This is a great series. I like the forensics, and the mystery, and that none of the characters you know and love are sacrificed for story lines.

Along the same lines as most Forensic Science Mysteries. This one focuses on hangings and features knot forensics prominently.