First the Dead

A Bug Man Novel

By: Tim Downs

Narrated by: Seth Podowitz

When a national disaster strikes, "first the living" is the rule.

Unless you're the Bug Man.

When Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans, forensic entomologist Nick Polchak signs up to help with the recovery effort. He is known as the Bug Man for his knowledge of insects and what they can reveal about the dead. The government's mandate is clear—rescue the living first, recover the dead later.

But something is very wrong in the toxic soup-bowl of post-Katrina New Orleans.

Someone is using the cover of disaster to kill . . . hiding the victims of murder in the same watery grave as the victims of Katrina.

It's a tale only the dead can tell. But no one besides the Bug Man is listening.

" . . . stands out from the pack of CSI-inspired mysteries with its quirky hero and creative handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster."

—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

I love the Bug Man!

I've been waiting years to finally have this series on audiobook, and I'm over the moon about it. Great stuff!

The flow of the story line is seamless.

I read "First the Dead" a few years ago. I was introduced to the character Nick, in Tim Downs' "Plaque Maker". Nick was a very different likeable character. I discovered the series of the "Bug Man" novels, and was totally impressed! "First the Dead" is extremely good. I drive each day about an hour each way to and from work, so Audible, is the ideal way to read. I have looked for a couple of years now for Tim Downs book. They are finally coming! Hopefully, "Shoo-Fly Pie" and "Chop Shop" will be added to the list.

Could not stop listening!

Love this book! Downs is informative with the knowledge of bugs and the decaying bodies and captivating by the suspense. I could not turn it off until I knew the ending. I can't wait for his next book!