Teasing Secrets from the Dead: My Investigations at America's Most Infamous Crime Scenes

I couldn’t get enough! Growing up, Bones was one of my favorite shows, and Temperance Brennan was my hero. While she’s not Kathy Reichs, Dr. Emily Craig reminds me of the real-life Bones. What makes Craig’s journey even more extraordinary is not only that she switched careers later in life but she also earned an international reputation as a forensic anthropologist in such a short time.

That said, this book isn’t for everyone. Craig dives deep into the graphic and often unsettling realities of working with human remains, offering vivid descriptions that are as raw and intense as you’d imagine: bloody and brutal. But for readers with a strong stomach, it’s absolutely captivating. Craig’s writing flows effortlessly, and her show more storytelling is nothing short of riveting. Each case she covers builds suspense, and the book’s pacing mirrors the tension of watching an excellent TV series. I found myself unable to put it down, and by the end, I was left wishing there were more chapters to read.

The quote that struck me the most was this: “Every single one of us handled every single body part as though it had belonged to our own father or mother, our own child, brother, sister, or spouse. Each of us treated these shattered bits with respect—and maybe even with love.” show less

This excellent and well-written memoir tells about Dr. Craig's life as a forensic anthropologist. I found it absolutely fascinating, from her first career as a medical illustrator, to when she went back to school and studied at the famous "Body Farm", to the cases she saw as the state forensic anthropologist for Kentucky, to her work on disaster sites like the Twin Towers and the Oklahoma Federal Building. She is particularly adept at describing the difficulties of balancing her work as a scientist with her emotions and empathy for the victims of crime. There are some fairly graphic descriptions of her work, so if you have a weak stomach this may not be the book for you. However, if you're interested in crime-solving and/or show more anthropology, I highly recommend it. Four and a half stars. show less

This book is filled with such heartbreaking stories, but her work brings a happier ending to some of them. It takes a special person to do this job and she seems to excel at it. It was interesting to read how much the tv shows glamorize this job, and then the author telling the real job. Thankfully Emily Craig brings closure to many families.

Great lady, great book. I am a Kentuckian, live near the state crime lab, and have a close friend who works at same said crime lab, so had a particular interest in this forensics book. I think Dr. Craig did an excellent job on this book, loved all her stories, but it ended too abruptly - needs a better closing to the book. Arrogant? Not in my estimation - if you want to see an arrogant anthropologist, read William Maples.

Interesting at first but gets a bit repetitive after a while. She’s a bit to eager to please and respectful of everybody to be believable.

Until this point in my life, I did not even know that a forensic anthropologist was in existence. Emily Craig not only does her job well, but she must be quite gifted in her line of work as the book demonstrates.

Until this point in my life, I did not even know that a forensic anthropologist was in existence. Emily Craig not only does her job well, but she must be quite gifted in her line of work as the book demonstrates.