Customer Reviews

Trail of Blood: A Novel of Suspense

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A competent but somewhat slow-moving mystery, inspired by the unsolved crimes of Cleveland's notorious "Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run" (active 1934-1950). The novel is something of a tour-de-force, because it "solves" the cold Mad Butcher case through flashbacks, even as the heroine solves present-day murders committed by a copycat killer who is methodically recreating the Butcher's gruesome crime scenes.

I particularly enjoyed the flashback mystery, which tells the story of fictional detective James Miller, who is probably the only honest cop in the corrupt depression-era Cleveland police force. James figures out the Mad Butcher's identity, but ends up as one of the Butcher's victims. It is the present-day discovery of James' decapitated body (with head tucked between the legs) in a walled-up portion of a building that is being demolished, that triggers the murderous rampage of the present-day killer.

James is a likeable and believable character, and one is saddened by the knowledge of his ultimate fate as one reads the well-plotted account of his ill-fated 1935-1936 investigation. The author's theory about the possible identity of the real Mad Butcher is a very good one, except that, as she admits in her back-of-the-book acknowledgments, that theory is exploded by certain facts about historical train routes. No matter, as this is not a true crime book.

Unfortunately, the heroine--forensic scientist Theresa MacLean--is yet another post-Patricia-Cornwell female investigator who always runs directly into danger, even as her own common sense screams "foolhardy!" For example, when Theresa is alone at night on a deserted hillside in a bad Cleveland neighborhood, and stumbles on a perp who happens to be burying parts of a body, she runs after the fleeing perp. Her explanation: "I was thinking I would like to get a look at the guy who was burying two dead bodies."

Despite Theresa's occupation, there are relatively few forensic details, and forensics do not ultimately solve the present-day murders. There are various loose ends that aren't particularly well handled at the end of the book, although these generally involve red-herring clues that were only included to misdirect readers, and don't really detract from the story. The greatest weakness of the book is the unbelievable, over-the-top ending, which neatly disposes of the killer, but calls for both Theresa and the killer to demonstrate extraordinary physical strength and stamina.

This is an entertaining mystery. I was never tempted to jump forward to the end to find out whether it was worth finishing the book. However, I rate it 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars because of the incredible closing scenes. The author is a skilled writer, and could have written a much better ending without changing anything that preceded it.

This is the first book by Lisa Black that I have read, and I can't imagine why. It was well-plotted with sympathetic, well-developed characters. Every now and then, it would veer close to common errors that plague similar books, but Black manages to avoid the traps -- her heroine remains likeable, the police are shown fairly, CSI-style magic is wistfully considered by the investigators who don't have budget (or databases of every fiber ever created, where it is sold locally and which dark-haired Latin men have purchased it within the last 6 weeks).

I will definitely look for more books by this author, and especially the others in this series!

They definitely could have done better with the title. The book is well written (very dialogue driven). The main character sort of comes off as a Dr. Temperance Brennan knock-off, college-age daughter included. There is not much in the way of science in the book, but that's okay. It took me a long while to finish the book, but I was interested the whole time, just very busy.

The characters are a bit flat, but the mystery is kind of cool (er, unless you are related to any of the poor victims).

It's a worthwhile read, but I still think they got lazy with the title.

I enjoyed this book which focuses on a crime that took place in 1936 and a string of similar crimes that are taking place present day. The story leads you back and forth from past to present. I did not find the movement confusing but I know this sort of thing can annoy certain readers. We are taken into the world of the "Torso Killer" who chops off the heads of his victims (and sometimes more) and they *copycat* present day killer. Who was the original killer? Who is the current killer?

I wasn't suprised by the ending by any stretch but it was an enjoyable and easy read. It really reminded me of "The Bone Collecter" in the terms of a present day murderer copying a past killer(s). If you like "The Bone Collecter", you'll most likely enjoy this.

Lisa Black concocts an intriguing tale of intersecting crimes and times in Trail of Blood. The Torso Murderer, true crime, stalked Clevelanders during the Depression. Never caught, these crimes provoke an extra air of mystery in the already gruesome case. Now, over seventy years later, a new victim emerges, and with it a fresh pile of corpses. Present day Cleveland finds itself in a new economically challenged time with a copy cat killer. Theresa, a forensic scientist, and her cousin Frank must solve both crimes.

Theresa is a quirky and witty scientist with a host of personal problems. You can relate to her, but she can be too stubborn and headstrong for her own good. But she is an interesting protagonist for us readers to follow. Frankly, if she was not so one-minded and foolish, it would not make for good reading.

The intertwining of the two crimes cases is truly remarkable. In fact, I enjoyed reading the chapters from 1936 the most.

But even allowing Black to get away with some irritating character traits does not forgive all the mistakes this book possesses. Black takes some liberties with the true case, but her insistence with cramming in unwarranted historical facts comes from nowhere and interrupts the flow of the story. She also disrupts her own well crafted tale when she continues in dialogue that is meaningless, or worse, long winded. Some careful editing would do wonders to tighten this tale.

Overall, I think this is a very interesting novel. I would recommend it with a word of caution for the lackluster writing.

Theresa MacLean is a forensic scientist called in to examine a decapitated body found in a decrepit old building scheduled for demolition. The body is several decades old and is quickly dated to the 1930s, when a serial killer was roaming the streets of Cleveland, decapitating his victims. The murderer was nicknamed the "Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run," and he (or she) was never caught.

Shortly after the body from the 1930s was discovered, a second, decapitated body is discovered, but this victim was killed very recently, raising the possibility that a copycat has started a new murder spree.

The book's premise has plenty of potential. The book tells how Theresa conducts her investigation using 21st century methods, and uses flashbacks to tell the story of the detectives from the 1930s conducting a similar investigation using the methods of that period. But the storytelling seemed a bit plodding IMO. Except for an interesting incident involving possible contamination of evidence, the forensic science in Theresa's investigation was pretty routine, and the main characters seemed a little bit flat. Actually, the detectives from the 1930s seemed more interesting to me than Theresa and her colleagues. But overall, it was a pretty good read.

Reason for Reading: The publisher's summary grabbed me on this one and I just had to read it.

This is a fantastic serial killer thriller! What makes it even more thrilling is that is combines a true unsolved case from the 1930's, The Torso Killer, with a modern case of someone who is exactly duplicating that psycho's 12 (proven) murders consecutively over the next 12 days. This was a fabulous read! The narrative switches between the present case on which Theresa and her cousin Frank are working with the past telling the Torso Killer tale through the eyes of the detective who worked the original case. The whole thing starts when a building is being demolished and the construction workers find a sealed off room containing a mummified and decapitated body on a table, apparently a never found victim of the 1930's Torso Killer.

Great story with plenty of action taking place. We have two serial killers to keep us busy turning the pages and guessing who the unsubs will be. The past storyline is fascinating because it is all based on the true story, while Ms. Black has fictionalized it she did keep the details of each killing accurate. This storyline is given less page time than the main present day plot but the characterization of the main detective and the historical fiction aspects make a great story. The present day story arc is adrenaline-fueled as the connection to the past is made and the police are aware of exactly where each new victim will turn up and yet the killer still manages to outwit them every time. I like Theresa as a main character, as a forensic scientist she is called in to work the case from her professional side but with a family history of cops can't keep herself away from getting into the detective work as well. This isn't so hard since her cousin Frank is a cop and the detective who called her onto this case in the first place. Theresa and Frank make a delightful and unique team. Being cousins, there is no sexual tension as with most detective pairings, and this makes their chemistry together familial and refreshing as they joke, bicker and tease each other while also knowing each other better than they know themselves at times.

Apparently I read the first book in this series when it came out in 2008, Takeover, and I also own the 2nd book, Evidence of Murder, but have not read it yet and did not make the whole series connection until I started to read this one. I'll have to make sure I get book 2 read before book 4 comes out!

I found this book to be good, but it was not a page turner for me. This novel is some what a copy cat story of a 1930's killer with two parallel story lines one set in the 30's and one in modern day. I found the 30's more interesting than the modern. The story is about a lady forensics investigator set in a Pennsylvania industrial city with lamenting of days gone by of big industry and railroads. There is interesting information of railroad facts and history that the author surely put some research into. The setting is cloudy and cold and I can't remember if the sun came out or not. I would have given it 3 and one half stars if I could have, but I admire anyone who can write a novel that keeps me interested enough that I can finish.I will probably try Ms. Black again.

If you love historical fiction, if you love 'true crime stories', and if you love mysteries, you will enjoy this book. I had a hard time putting it down myself.

When an old building is being torn down, the work crew makes a grisly discovery: there is a hidden room containing the body of a murder victim. The murder, one of a series, happened 75 years ago, so it might seem that solving the case is merely an academic exercise. Certainly the guilty party is dead by now.

However, there are recent cases which appear to parallel the original murders.

The mystery here is gripping and I really emjoyed watching it unfold. My only criticism of the book is that I had a hard time getting a 'feel' for the characters. Even the protagonist, a female forensic researcher, seems flat.

Potential readers should not hesitate based on this one problem, though. The story itself is well enough written to overcome any deficiencies in character development.

Lisa Black's TRAIL OF BLOOD takes the reader deep into the forensics of mapping a killer. Does she have a copy cat killer on her hands who is reenacting vicious crimes from decades before in Cleveland?
Ms. Black knows her subject and presents it in a fashion that will keep you turning the pages.
My major criticism is that the reader knows from the moment he enters the pages. As a result there is no mystery.
I agree with Theresa MacLean's cousin she should not go barging in on a killer, thats what the police are for. When the reader is saying no, no stay back you end up thinking she is an idiot.
A good read for forensic fans.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.