Unknown Means
by Elizabeth Becka
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Book Summary Information
Author: Elizabeth BeckaEdition: Hardcover
Published: 2008-02-05
ISBN: 1401301754
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Hyperion
Book Reviews of Unknown Means
Book Review: Intelligent and Engaging
Summary: 4 Stars
SUMMARY: The second in Becka's series featuring forensic scientist Evelyn James of the Cleveland OCME deals with the serial murders of wealthy women of various ages and backgrounds. The evidence is slight and the motives murky, but what is most puzzling is how the perpetrator attains access to the victims.
WHAT YOU'LL LIKE: Becka is a trained forensic scientist and her descriptions of procedures and politics involved in the collection of evidence is straightforward and authentic. She doesn't dumb down the complexities of the science nor does she overwhelm the reader with information and jargon which isn't germane to the plot. Evelyn is an engaging protagonist, the prose is snappy, and the pacing is excellent.
WHAT YOU WON'T: As this novel is part of a series, it presupposes the first entrant has been read. If you haven't, it might be somewhat disarming to be introduced to characters and relationships for which not too much background is provided. The characterization is good enough that it shouldn't hinder enjoyment of the story, though one might well come out of it finding they didn't well enough understand the motives and feelings of the primary characters.
BOTTOM LINE: Well-written and intelligent, this book is a welcome addition to the genre. For fans of the 'female sleuth scientist' protagonist, Evelyn James is reminiscent of Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta, minus the superiority complex and the alienation of the audience.
Summary of Unknown Means
In Elizabeth Becka's latest highly suspenseful novel, forensic scientist Evelyn James returns to investigate a harrowing series of crimes--only to find that no one is safe.Evelyn James is a forensic specialist in the Cleveland Medical Examiner's office who's juggling a demanding workload, a teenage daughter from a failed marriage, and a homicide detective boyfriend. And somehow she always happens to be involved in some of the twistiest, most challenging crime scenes imaginable.
This time around she's called in to investigate what appears to be a locked-room mystery: A wealthy woman is murdered in the penthouse suite of a luxurious, high-security building. The building's intricate surveillance system didn't pick up anything, the entrance wasn't forced, and the victim's husband has an airtight alibi. Cases like this, Evelyn knows, can turn on the most microscopic piece of evidence--if she can find any. Things look even trickier when another victim turns up in another penthouse suite. Then Evelyn's best friend is attacked--and things get personal. And when a third person is found dead, Evelyn realizes that the killer's choice of victim is anything but random . . .
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