Christopher Killer: Forensic Mystery 1 [Hardcover]

Alane Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Forensic Mystery | Publication Date: May 4, 2006

Fascinated by forensics, seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney persuades her father, the county coroner in sleepy Silverton, CO, to take her on as his assistant. But she never expects her first case to involve the death of a friend! Rachel Geller, a beautiful young waitress, is found strangled in a field with a Christopher medal around her neck—clearly marking her as the fourth victim of a serial killer. Cameryn is determined to help find Rachel’s killer, and attending the autopsy gives her the first clue. But as she follows her instincts and gets closer to the killer, Cameryn suddenly finds herself on the verge of becoming his fifth victim!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–When aspiring forensic pathologist Cameryn Mahoney convinces her father, the county coroner of Silverton, CO, to hire her as his assistant, she has no idea that one of the first deaths she will investigate will be that of her friend, Rachel Geller. Rachel is the fourth victim of a serial killer who strangles his victims and leaves a St. Christopher medal on their bodies. The teen must put aside her emotional response to the murder in order to evaluate the information clinically. In her relentless pursuit of the truth, Cameryn puts herself in danger of becoming the fifth victim of the Christopher Killer. Teachers and librarians who are trying to reach their television-junkie reluctant readers should look no further; this novel reads like an episode of CSI. Each scene lends itself to a mental picture straight from some crime-fighting show. The narrative gallops through a story line that is as engaging as it is implausible. Suspension of disbelief is made easy by the well-researched scientific tidbits sprinkled throughout the text, lending an air of credibility. There is the sense that this is a pilot episode with people that readers will see again as the series progresses, so the characters feel introduced rather than fully developed. Despite these flaws, this is an enjoyable read that teens will appreciate.–Heather M. Campbell, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Ferguson's latest mystery-thriller introduces 17-year-old Cameryn Mahoney, who has the annoying habit of challenging her elders (most of whom seem to deserve it). She also has the unshakable desire to be a forensic pathologist--and a very strong stomach. The latter comes in handy during the autopsy of a friend, the latest victim of a serial killer whose signature is a St. Christopher's medal left with each body. The vivid autopsy scenes are surprising, given the fairly routine story line and agreeable, though certainly not complex, characters. It's Cammie's energy and chutzpa that really propel the story, and readers will sympathize with her as she struggles to decide whether to keep faith with science or be sucked in by a charismatic psychic. This is worlds away from the Nancy Drew college series in terms of gore, but CSI fans won't blink twice. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (May 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670060089
• ISBN-13: 978-0670060085
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Christopher Killer, May 22, 2006

By 

Kay Gross "KayReader" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Killer: Forensic Mystery 1 (Hardcover)

Want to motivate teens to read instead of playing video games? This book is the answer!!! As a reading tutor for teens with reading disabilities, I recommend The Christopher Killer whole heartedly for everyone! It has every thing that appeals to the CSI enthusiasts in all of us but deals in "real world" family issues with honesty and integrity. Can't wait to read the next one and get all of my students involved.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christorpher Killer: forensic murder mystery appeals to teens., May 17, 2006

By 

library lady (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Killer: Forensic Mystery 1 (Hardcover)

Ferguson is back in the YA mystery market with this accurate and graphic forensic murder novel. Colorful, well-drawn characters are appealing to teens. Camryn Mahoney serves as assistant to her father who is the coroner in a small Colorado town. When her friend and co-worker is murdered, Camryn uses forensic clues to catch the culprit. Ferguson has spun a engrossing story that will have us waiting for future entries in this series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Christopher Killer, May 29, 2006

By 

pianomom (Elizabeth, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Killer: Forensic Mystery 1 (Hardcover)

I truly enjoyed reading this book, cover to cover. The accuracy of the forensics was facinating for me. It is so wonderful to have decent books available for young people and adults to read. I will be recommending this book to many others. Thank you Mrs. Ferguson!