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Revision as of 09:45, 10 October 2020
, 09:45, 10 October 2020no edit summary
{{infoboxsortinfobox1
|title=The Chemistry of Death
|author=Simon Beckett
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=448
|publisher=Bantam
|date=April 2007
|isbn=978-0553817492
|amazonukwebsite=<amazonuk>0553817493<http://www.simonbeckett.com/amazonuk>|amazonusvideo=<amazonus>0385340044</amazonus>0WOQsqUigj0
|sort=Chemistry of Death
|cover=0553817493
|aznuk=0553817493
|aznus=0385340044
}}
It's three years since Dr David Hunter abandoned his old life in London and moved to a Norfolk village after the death of his wife and young daughter. He's gone into partnership with the local GP who has been crippled in the car accident which killed his wife. In his old life Hunter was a forensic anthropologist but he's reluctant to be drawn into the investigation when a body is found in the village. His hand is forced when a second woman disappears from the village and it's obvious that there is a serial killer at large. He has to dredge up old memories and face the paranoia of the village as it realises that the killer must be one of them.
If I have one mild concern about this book and the sequel which is to follow it's about the forensic aspect. It's not a subject which I have read in any depth but there was little there that was new to me and ultimately the solution to the crime didn't rest on forensic evidence. There is only so much that can be done with the same bugs and insects chomping at the body post-mortem and I do hope that Simon Beckett hasn't exhausted his store of knowledge on the subject.
It's still a damn good story though and I'd like to thank the publishers for sending this book to The Bookbag. We also have a review of Beckett's [[Stone Bruises by Simon Beckett|Stone Bruises]].
If this type of book appeals to you, you might also enjoy [[The Edge]] by Clare Curzon, or [[Losing You]] by Nicci French, both of which are similarly fast-paced thrillers.
{{amazontext|amazon=0553817493}} {{waterstonestextamazonUStext|waterstonesamazon=45865420385340044}}
{{commenthead}}
|name=Trevor Dawson
|verb=said
|comment= Sounds like my sort of book, can't wait to read it and be gripped.
}}
{{comment
|name=wheeliegirl73631
|verb=said
|comment= After reading the book review of The Chemistry Of Death I can'T wait to start reading the book itself.I am a big fan of Kathy Reichs and any thriller with a forensic side.I have recently read Losing You by Nicci French which I read in almost one sitting.The different sides to Simon Becketts character David Hunter is appealing and I found the review to draw me into both the character and the plot.
}}
{{comment
|name=purplevodka
|verb=said
|comment= Think Il have to put this on my "to buy" list - I love a book yoyu can lose a day to.
}}
{{comment
|name=lisa2062
|verb=said
|comment= I'm a huge fan of thrillers, especially the more faster paced ones. I find they are real page turners as opposed to ones who drag on with too much irrelevant information.
What's even more appealing is you say it's not obvious whodunit. This sounds similar in style to the PJ Tracy books which I'm enjoying at the moment, so will have to check out this one. Lisa
}}
{{comment
|name=laurasteward
|verb=said
|comment= Sounds really good!
}}
{{comment
|name=Beverley Kerry
|verb=said
|comment= This sounds like an interesting book. I love forensic crimes and thrillers but unfortunately the book is usually marred for me by my figuring out "whodunnit" by the middle of the story.
The personal involvement of the main character via the medium of having him face his own demons sounds like it would make an in-depth, meaty element instead of a straightforward story.
Probably not one I would have picked from the bookshelf for myself, but the review has made me commit the title to memory and I intend to look out for it.
}}
{{comment
|name=marksinclair
|verb=said
|comment= Haven't read the book, but the review has certainly made me interested.With the resurgence of series like "Cold Cases" and "CSI: Miami/Los Angeles/New York" etc. the book should go down very well with readers.
}}
{{comment
|name=tjhack
|verb=said
|comment= The chemistry of death? 02 - 02
}}
{{comment
|name=jochrisbryan
|verb=said
|comment= Losing a day now thats my kind of time.
I love the description of David Hunter, by the reviewer.
Sounds to me as if I need to book that day very soon.
}}
{{comment
|name=paulfoxton
|verb=said
|comment= Not to be confused with Samuel Beckett (the time traveller or the playwright) Simon Beckett takes the forensic genre to new heights taking it out of the city and into the country. Resplendent wiht characterisation of the greatest calibre and main protagonist David Hunter and all his baggage make this book one to read!
}}
[[Category:Thrillers]]
