Beyond the Body Farm
by Dr. Bill Bass & Jon Jefferson
Published by William Morrow
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Reviewed by Kathleen Watson
Subtitled: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science
Beyond the Body Farm is a collection of vignettes from the wide-ranging experience of forensic anthropologist Bill Bass. He and co-writer Jon Jefferson intrigue readers with stories illustrating the many ways forensic science has helped bring criminals to justice. At the same time, they provide a basic education in anatomy and physiology for the layperson.
I appreciated how Dr. Bass was able to share true-crime stories without indulging in shock tactics. Although murders, almost by definition, can be gruesome, Bass dwelt on the science of his investigation, rather than on gory details.
I also liked the way the majority of the stories stood on their own. It was easy to get through an entire chapter whenever I had a few minutes to spare.
One feature of his writing I found unappealing, however, was his habit of starting one story, introducing another one in which the investigative process was similar, then winding his way back to the original story. I found this circuitous path distracting; rarely did it enhance the main story for me.
Overall, however, Beyond the Body Farm was a good read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s curious about the constantly advancing field of forensic anthropology.
Armchair Interviews says: If you are a “forensic junkie”—watching all those shows on TV, this book would give you added insights.
Author’s Web site: http://www.JeffersonBass.com