• Working Stiff

  • Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner
  • By: Judy Melinek MD, T. J. Mitchell
  • Narrated by: Tanya Eby
  • Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,238 ratings)

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Working Stiff  By  cover art

Working Stiff

By: Judy Melinek MD, T. J. Mitchell
Narrated by: Tanya Eby
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Publisher's summary

Just two months before the September 11 terrorist attacks, Dr. Judy Melinek began her training as a New York City forensic pathologist. With her husband and their toddler holding down the home front, Judy threw herself into the fascinating world of death investigation-performing autopsies, investigating death scenes, and counseling grieving relatives. Working Stiff chronicles Judy's two years of training, taking listeners behind the police tape of some of the most harrowing deaths in the Big Apple. Lively, action-packed, and loaded with mordant wit, Working Stiff offers a firsthand account of daily life in one of America's most arduous professions. The body never lies - and through the murders, accidents, and suicides that land on her table, Dr. Melinek lays bare the truth behind the glamorized depictions of autopsy work to reveal the secret story of the real morgue.

©2014 Dr. Judy Melinek and Thomas J. Mitchell (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Far from the magic we see on TV, Working Stiff describes forensic pathology in the real world. The book is a compelling and absorbing read." ---Kathy Reichs, author of the Temperance Brennan 'Bones' series

What listeners say about Working Stiff

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    4 out of 5 stars

A Fascinating View

This is a fine text read (mostly) well.

(... mostly.)

Some autobiographical aspects distract, and the performed (audio book) voices can be cringe worthy on occasion.

Still, informative, engaging, and etc.

Worth a listen, so I say.

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a favorite

I own this in paperback and had to have it in audio form. The stories of the dead New Yorkers are all different and intriguing, so are the challenges and triumphs Judy faced. I listen to the book multiple times a month from start to finish.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best books I’ve ever read

The narrator cracked me up as she mispronounced some anatomical words, but over all- a fascinating look into some of the least publicly understood work there is, and an emotional and gripping take on tragedy and the voyage forward after mass casualty. Can’t talk more highly about this book! Check out her interview on Sword and Scale too, she and her husband go in depth on writing this book!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

Narrator great, story was candid and informative, everything you ever wanted to about death work.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Good read, bad reader

The narrator's voice was awful. She dropped her voice like a kid would when reading a male role and her tone is grating. The story itself was really interesting and engaging. I'm glad I stuck with it but I'll avoid purchasing books with this narrator in the future.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Story, check; reading, ermagerd

I wish I read this instead of listening. The stories are fascinating but the narrator felt compelled to try to embellish her reading by imitating the voices of the characters. Does anyone like that? It was all I could do to continue.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

An OK read. Could be so much more.

If you like undefined acronyms, this is for you. This is a story about the author, her assessment of her skills and then about the cases. Needs editing.

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Couldn't stop listening!!

i finished at a little under 36 hours. I had my headphones on and listened while working on a diamond painting, had it going through my car radio via Bluetooth on my way to and from a Dr appointment about 45 mins each way. This was so much better than I expected it to be! I hope my next audiobook is as good!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating collection of anecdotes

Definitely worth a listen. Especially interesting was the chapter on the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And I learned some things along the way!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Dr. Mitchell tells great stories about the role of a medical examiner, and the cases they can get. Some are morbidly entertaining, while others may not be for the squeamish. Definitely worth the listen.

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