Dead Hunt: a Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation
by: Beverly Connor
Published by: An Obsidian Mystery /New American Library/ Penguin Group
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Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann
Diane Fallon is a forensic anthropologist, a human rights investigator, a museum director, and expert caver and a reluctant detective, according to the author’s web site.
This book, fifth in the Diane Fallon series, finds her working in her Georgia museum, dealing with a scandal having to do with some Egyptian antiquities recently purchased by Kendal, her assistant. Newspaper stories have alleged they are fakes–and close examination of the recently arrived works show that while similar to the paperwork, they are NOT what Kendal purchased from Golden Antiquities.
Diane’s friend, FBI profiler Ross Kingsley, has asked Diane to talk with convicted serial killer Clymene O’Riley. Clymene is in prison for murdering her husband, and suspected of murdering more, and she wants to talk to Diane, but will not say why. When Diane shows up she tells her about a favorite guard, Grace, who Clymene fears is involved with a killer–Eric Tully, who has romanced and married her quickly. She asks for Diane’s help. Then Clymene escapes!
The next time we come across Clymene is when Diane wakes to the banging on her door in the middle of the night, and she slips on something wet on the floor and bangs her head. When she answers the door it is the police, who find quarts of blood on the floor. Smears, splashes–but NO body. The blood turns out to be Clymene’s. Diane is taken off to the hospital, and found to have significant levels of barbiturates in her blood, which is all that saves her from being arrested. There is blood in her car and a knife.
Diane’s crack forensic team, based in a wing of her museum, get to work and make some startling discoveries. FBI’s Ross, plus Diane and her team, get to work tracking down Clymene, dealing with a shadowy figure who alternates between trying to kill Diane and sending her money, and the antiquities scandal.
This is an absolutely unique story with fascinating technical details. You will never guess who is behind it all!
Armchair Interviews says: A excellent mystery.
Author’s Web site: http://www.BeverlyConnor.net
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