Saturday, April 6, 2013

Forensics in Fiction


            Before I became a writer, I went back to school for forensic molecular science. The fall I began classes, C.S.I. started on TV. One of my instructors loved to point out inaccuracies in each week’s episodes, because of course, life isn’t exactly like fiction. Even so, I love the show, and of course it comes naturally that I love forensics in fiction as well!
            Probably the two most famous authors of forensic fiction are Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell. Most of Reichs’ 18 novels are about forensic anthropologist, Tempe Brennan. Yes, this is the book series on which the TV show Bones is (very loosely!) based. I personally like the books better than the show, but they're both good.

    

            Patricia Cornwell writes most of her novels about medical examiner, Dr. Kay Scarpetta. There are currently 20 Scarpetta novels, with another one due this year. I read a bit more than half of these until… well, I’m not going to give any spoilers! But the writing also changed a bit, going from first person past tense to third person present tense. I always enjoyed the stories from Dr. Scarpetta’s point of view, so I didn’t like the change. I may give the new ones a read, though, because I hear she’s gone back to her previous point of view.
            Am I missing out on any other great forensics novels?

12 comments:

  1. I've never read any of their books. But another famous forensics fiction is Jeffrey Deaver's character Rhyme, like in the Bone Collector.

    Yeah, just cuz fiction doesn't always get it right, it can still be darned good. :)

    Spunky's Soldier, A-Z Challenge Writer’s Mark

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    1. I totally forgot about Deaver! It's been a number of years since I read one of his, and even then, I don't think it was the Bone Collector, which I hear is very good. I'll have to pick it up!

      I agree - and to be honest, lab science can get a bit tedious, so it's probably best that they simplify sometimes.

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  2. I don't read a lot of forensic novels. In fact, I haven't read Patricia Cornwell or Kathy Reichs. I love any genre as long as its good writing and good plot, so I'll probably try them out someday.

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    1. I agree with you - I'll read just about anything! I like all genres. I need a change of pace often.

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  3. I love both of these authors. I was just talking with my mom about having to go back and re-read the Scarpetta series. :-)

    Nancy, I'm going to have to check out Jefrey Deave, because I loved The Bone Collector!

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    1. There's never enough time in the day to read, but I'm with you about wanting to go back and re-read the Scarpettas. Especially the first ones - so fantastic!

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  4. I agree with Nancy, just because it's not 100% spot on, doesn't mean it isn't entertaining :) I personally don't read that kind of "real life' stuff. The real world is too scary- hence my fantasy tendencies :)

    Happy Blogging!
    Kaye Draper at Write Me

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    1. You're right - I like fiction because it ISN"T real life. Give me enough science to make it believable, and I'm content to lose myself in the novel.

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  5. I didn't read all the Scarpetta novels but I do like them and I read all the Reichs novels as soon as the library has them.
    I like the show Bones much better than any of the CSI shows because they deal with all kinds of science stuff and the characters are so interesting.

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    1. Bones definitely has more quirky characters than CSI! They also have a sense of humor on that show that I enjoy. I like both shows for different reasons.

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  6. Both of these ladies are great authors! I stopped reading Patricia Cornwell a while back because it seemed like she was getting too "preachy" about certain issues from time to time. And as a French speaker I do enjoy Kathy Reichs' books, but I get irritated at her constant hypothetical questions in her characters.

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    1. Cornwell got a little too unbelievable for me at a specific point... no spoilers! But the earlier stories were great, and I love the characters like her niece and that police officer she's always sparring with.

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