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vangalapriya's review against another edition
4.0
I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It's a really good mystery book for those who want to read. It's not just mysterious in the plot line but in the character's life as well. Both build wonderfully for a great end.
sharonsm_28's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Sharon J for recommending this book series to me. This is the first book of the series, and I loved it. I love forensic mysteries because of CSI, Criminal Minds, and Bones. This was an amazing read. Cameryn Mahoney is a 17 year old girl who wants to be a forensic pathologist. I really loved her character. The fact that she went to investigate the murder was really interesting to read. She is a really strong and smart character. I would want to be best friends with her. This book was gruesome, but after watching Bones and CSI, I really was fascinated with the details of the decomposing bodies and the autopsies. The ending was really good. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Overall, an incredible read.
jrosenstein's review against another edition
2.0
For a murder mystery, this book was a bit of a slow starter. Cameryn, the main character, is the 17-year-old daughter of a small town coroner who wants to be a forensic pathologist when she grows up. Her father ends up hiring her as his assistant, and she is pulled into the murder investigation when her friend turns up as the fourth victim of a serial killer called the Christopher Killer. Cameryn's character is a little undeveloped, she reads like pretty much any other plucky teenage heroine, except for the interest in forensics. More could have been done with the forensic details, and the plot is fairly predictable, red herrings and all.
etinney's review against another edition
3.0
3 out of 5 stars
I think the one sentence summary of this book would be "The author tried too hard."
I love forensics. I want to be an criminal investigator after school, but I do not like crime fiction that much. I don't know why, but the fake crime stories don't appeal to me. Maybe because of the CSI Effect (which is a huge pet peeve of mine). I cannot stand the fake crime fiction stuff. That being said, this is one of the more realistic crime books I have read, but it still missed the mark for me.
Ferguson tried really hard to be in the mind of a teenager, but she didn't quite hit it. First of all, I have never seen that many exclamation points in one novel. No one speaks like this! in a normal tone! Second of all, she is unrealistic when it comes to language. While she is driving, something happens and she says "Dang it!" Dang it? I can tell you that I have some more colorful language while I am driving. Lastly, Cameryn (had to look that up, I didn't care about her name) is one of the most stand-offish and pretentious characters I have ever met. She is that know-it-all that raises her hand to answer every question in class and is obnoxious when she gets something wrong.
The side plots with Justin and her mom were annoying and not pursued enough to be considered whole plots. Everything just seemed unfinished, and the main plot seemed to be wrapped up too quickly. Lastly, WHY IS A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD SMARTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE? She picked up on obvious things but for some reason, seasoned professionals overlooked them. I just did not find that plausible.
I won't be reading the rest of the series. I think if the crime parts of the novel had been combined with another author's characterization and plot building skills, this could have been a successful novel.
I think the one sentence summary of this book would be "The author tried too hard."
I love forensics. I want to be an criminal investigator after school, but I do not like crime fiction that much. I don't know why, but the fake crime stories don't appeal to me. Maybe because of the CSI Effect (which is a huge pet peeve of mine). I cannot stand the fake crime fiction stuff. That being said, this is one of the more realistic crime books I have read, but it still missed the mark for me.
Ferguson tried really hard to be in the mind of a teenager, but she didn't quite hit it. First of all, I have never seen that many exclamation points in one novel. No one speaks like this! in a normal tone! Second of all, she is unrealistic when it comes to language. While she is driving, something happens and she says "Dang it!" Dang it? I can tell you that I have some more colorful language while I am driving. Lastly, Cameryn (had to look that up, I didn't care about her name) is one of the most stand-offish and pretentious characters I have ever met. She is that know-it-all that raises her hand to answer every question in class and is obnoxious when she gets something wrong.
The side plots with Justin and her mom were annoying and not pursued enough to be considered whole plots. Everything just seemed unfinished, and the main plot seemed to be wrapped up too quickly. Lastly, WHY IS A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD SMARTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE? She picked up on obvious things but for some reason, seasoned professionals overlooked them. I just did not find that plausible.
I won't be reading the rest of the series. I think if the crime parts of the novel had been combined with another author's characterization and plot building skills, this could have been a successful novel.
munchkinsaurus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ikler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
average murder mystery but the forensic bits were good
meira_elena's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
deedralapray's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book, and my VJHS students will love this one, too. This is a great suspense story that CSI/NCIS/Criminal Mind-lovers will appreciate. It is the first of a series, and I'm really curious to see if the entire series centers on the character Cameryn.
Very quick read!
Very quick read!