"Wow, very compelling"
This was a very compelling book that I found hard to put down (or press the pause button). The author did an incredible job of interlacing true murder stories, the prohibition era and its effects, the discovery of new elements and chemicals in industry and their effects on workers, and the emergence and evolution of forensic medicine to deal with it all. I was absolutely fascinated and sometimes shocked by what I learned about the history of the science of forensics. I almost didn't get this book because of what some reviewers said about the narrator, but I didn't hear what they heard - I found her voice pleasing and thought she did fine. I am so glad I got this one. Loved it!
"Should be mandatory high school reading!"
Spectacular! I had so many "ah ha" moments during this book as fairly difficult to understand subjects were explained to me with such eloquence and simplicity by Richard Dawkins that I could scarcely understand why my teachers in high school didn't tell me these things. This book really should be required reading for every high school student in the U.S. Loved it, absolute loved it!
"Gut-wrenching"
What a great story this author spun! And she really did her homework on the pre-Civil War South. The story gripped me at every turn. Although it is a sad story, it was not an uncommon story in the slave-holding south. I see the mentality of the whites in the slave-holding south as an evil sickness, one that still has lingering negative consequences in our country today, and this book goes right to the heart of the sickness.
"Spendid!"
I absolutely loved this trilogy. I had to buy the last book as soon as I finished the second, and it didn't let me down. All the twists and turns were there, and I loved the ending! Wonderful story, Suzanne. Really made me think. It was supposed to be for young adults, but I'm in my 40's and found it both entertaining and thought provoking. There's plenty there to give adults pause to ponder in their minds about war, politics, what you think doesn't feel right, passivity in the face of extreme deprivation, and what you can or can't do about it. In fact, maybe it's adults that need this story more, need to be waking up and rethinking these things. Thanks Suzanne!
"Heartbreaking"
It was a great story and especially pertinent to me as I deal with a family member who is an addict. I could really sympathize with the family, but halfway through the book I found myself yelling at the father, "No, NO! That won't help you or him!" As I listened to them beating that dead horse over and over again while destroying their own health and sanity, I just wanted to tell the parents to get to another Al-Anon meeting, NOW! Very heartbreaking.
"Guffaw snort!!"
Couldn't take a drink of anything while listening to this book for fear it would come out my nose. I'm glad I got the audio book instead of the printed book - Tina Fey's narration and delivery were outstanding. She really is incredibly talented.
"Thumbs up from a fellow Patrick Countian"
I really enjoyed this book, especially since it was set in my home town. I recognized so many names and places I half expected to hear my own cantankerous family members mentioned. The characters were absolutely believable (yes it really is like that in Patrick County), the plot was intriguing, and the story was enjoyable. I also enjoyed learning about the real story that this one was based on from my father. Excellent work, Martin!
"Difficult at first but caught me"
I was slow to get used to all the Swedish names and places, which made the book difficult for me to get into at first, but I kept at it. After a while I got used to it, and the book took off for me. Great story. I also didn't realize I was starting in the middle of a series - it might have helped if I had read them in order. That being said, I can't wait to read the others.
"Wow"
What an amazing read. Being a white woman from the rural hills of VA, the gang life is as foreign to me as mars. It was amazing the way Venkatesh took me into their lives and showed me a world I wouldn't even glimpse at unless I took a wrong turn off a freeway. It left me feeling I had a better, if still small, understanding of my fellow Americans, who sometimes seem a world away. Very touching, very brave, very non-judgmental, very powerful.