Howdunnit: Forensics: A Guide For Writers
By D.P. Lyle
Writer’s Digest Books
ISBN: 978-1-58297-474-3

This is the latest of Lyle’s books for writers. This book is an incredible tool and should be on every mystery writer’s bookshelf. Almost anything you would ever need to know about Forensics is right here at your fingertips. And Lyle knows of what he talks.

Lyle has worked as a story and technical consultant with many published authors and with writers and producers of popular TV shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, Judging Amy, Cold Case and more.

The writing style of this book is easy to read and understand and the content is fascinating to anyone interested in this subject — not just mystery writers. This book includes real life case files and a breakdown of the forensics system from its history and organization to standard evidence collection methods. There is also detailed information on what a dead body can reveal and the actual steps taken to preserve a crime scene and the evidence that can be gathered there.

I highly recommend this book and anything by Lyle.

Review by LORIE HAM

©2009 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.