No Stone Unturned

The True Story of the World's Premier Forensic Investigators

By: Steve Jackson

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

No Stone Unturned recreates the genesis of NecroSearch International: a small, eclectic group of scientists and law enforcement personal, active and retired, who volunteer their services to help locate the clandestine graves of murder victims and recover the remains and evidence to assist with the apprehension and conviction of the killers. Known early on as "the pig people" because of their experiments in locating graves using the carcasses of pigs (due to their similarities to human bodies), NecroSearch has evolved and expanded into one of the most respected forensic investigation teams in the world.

In No Stone Unturned, New York Times best-selling author Steve Jackson, the author of Bogeyman and Monster, vividly tells the story of this incredible group and recounts some of their most memorable early cases that separately would make great true crime books. Following his participation in a NecroSearch expedition to Russia looking for the remains of a Russian noble in 2013, Jackson was made an honorary member of NecroSearch International in November 2014.

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Critic reviews

"A fascinating journey into the trenches of crime [investigation]" (Lowell Cauffiel, New York Times best-selling author of House of Secrets)

"The book covers the group's quirky beginnings and digs into its most important cases suspensefully; Jackson's sharp eye misses nothing in the painstakingly rendered details. A must-have for true crime fans, it should also be of great interest to anyone fascinated with the practical applications of science." (Publisher's Weekly)

" No Stone Unturned delves into cases that would make good novels, but they're real. Furthermore, he describes a group of uncommon people performing uncommon tasks, and he does it with respect, accuracy and genuine style." (Ron Franscell)

Fascinating

I found this book fascinating. I was most interested in all the various scientific specialties that were utilized and the basic research done by the group.

Necrosearch was founded in 1991 as a not for profit forensic investigation team. They specialize in homicide cold cases where a body cannot be produced.

The team members are from a wide range of experts, from chemists, geophysicists, behaviorists, medical examiners, forensic anthropologist, photography, retired police officers to cadaver dogs. Jackson reveals in the book the burden of scientific proof with exciting stories of forensic field work and basic police work.

Steve Jackson is a crime journalist based in Colorado. He is now a member of the team. His first book was a true crime story called “Monster” written in 1998. He also writes fiction along with New York ADA Robert K. Tanenbaum for a series called Butch Karp.
The first part of the book provides the history of forensics. I was surprised to learn that the French police were the first to us forensics and teach it in police training.

The middle part of the book is about the original members of Necrosearch telling about the expertise and how it was first used by the group. The group’s research teams used pigs buried in different ways and depths to learn about the changes in graves over time so that they have provable information to look for such as changes in the soil, plants, insects, animals and in the electrical flow and chemical gases of graves. I found this absolutely fascinating.

The last half of the book is about some of the field projects they under took such as the discovering the body of Michael Wallace who disappeared near Gunnison Colorado. The author covered this in depth from her disappearance, search and police work at the time to the Det. Young working it as a cold case twenty years later. Jackson covers the step by step work Young did to narrow the search area so Necrosearch had a reasonable search area. The author then covered the step by step procedures of the search and then the detailed work after the found parts of the body to local the entire body. Jackson then covered in depth the trial of the murderer and the role the team played in helping toward the conviction. Jackson covered a number of other cases in almost as much detail as the Wallace case.

The book is well written and moves at a fast pace. I understand another book about the team is on the way. Kevin Pierce narrated the book.

Compelling!

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people who have a soft spot for true crime but not just for the salacious qualities.

Wonderful book.

I was afraid this book would be full of gore but it was not. It was full of good people doing good things with their own special knowledge and skills. I binge listened! Now I'm sad it's over.

the truth

This is an excellent narration of a fascinating story. Following the developments of so many different areas of study and how they link together is mind boggling. I loved hearing about all the 'toys' there were contributing to this work. I had to set the timer at night when I listened because I was so caught up I didn't want to stop listening! I highly recommend this book.

A perfect blend

This book blends creative nonfiction, true crime, and documentary seamlessly.
Jackson is a wonderful writer, capable of imagery and prose that pull readers right into the cases. Be prepared for an emotional investment.

Great book!

If you like investigation books this is a great book! I could not stop listening.

Have already listened twice

This book hasn’t left my brain since I listened to it years ago, so I just listened again and it was as good as the first time. Well-written, and the stories used to help explain the science are fascinating and heart-wrenching. The narrator is wonderful. I definitely shed a couple tears this time. Will be re-listening again in another few years. Highly recommend.

Deep Dive Through Storytelling

The narrator blends seamlessly with the author’s folksy approach. He brings the cases alive so we care for the remaining family. This family section is as well researched as the science. The author “knows” them.

The science seems like Holmes or magic. Multiple ways to detect bodies, equipment to narrow search parameters, and nature lore to understand environmental changes.

Fascinating

I don't know what else to say. It was fascinating. I didn't realize so many of the advances were so recent, and how some of the techniques came about is amazing.

utterly captivating and moving

phenomenal story and storytelling
highly recommend
this book made me laugh, cry, and want to start my career over and go into forensics