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Simon Beckett
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The Chemistry of Death Hardcover – September 26, 2006

by Simon Beckett (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,911 ratings
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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 6
    Dr David Hunter
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Delacorte Press
  5. Publication date
    September 26, 2006
  6. Dimensions
    6.75 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0385340044
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0385340045
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

British author Beckett (Fine Lines) delivers a promising serial-killer whodunit, the first of a new crime series. Dr. David Hunter, a successful forensic anthropologist, retreats to the quiet Norfolk village of Manham, where he works as a general practitioner, after a drunk driver claims the lives of his wife and daughter. Three years after this tragedy, the shattering discovery of the mutilated corpse of a neighbor, Sally Palmer, forces Hunter back into the world of studying decomposing corpses. When another woman disappears, Hunter and the police conclude that a serial predator is at work, and they race against time to prevent a second murder. High quality prose and a compelling if flawed hero haunted by the memory of his family help compensate for a plot that starts strongly but winds down to a somewhat predictable resolution. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

With so many women forensic specialists on the mystery circuit, it's a pleasure to have a man join the ranks--even if he is a reluctant draftee. Endeavoring to escape a tragedy that took his wife and young daughter, David Hunter leaves forensics behind to take a job in a rural medical practice in a tightly knit English village. Although still an outsider even after three years on the job, David has begun to make a friends; he has even met a woman he likes. Suddenly, the village is turned on its ear; one of its own is a serial killer, and David, at first a suspect, is enlisted to apply his medical specialty to find the killer. When his girlfriend is kidnapped, he can no longer pretend detachment, and his involvement leads to unraveling some terrifying, surprising secrets about people he thought he knew. Let's hope Hunter returns quickly and Beckett continues to find such a nice balance between forensic detail and thrilling action. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Delacorte Press (September 26, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385340044
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385340045
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,911 ratings

About the author

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Simon Beckett

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JOINT WINNER OF THE EUROPEAN CRIME FICTION STAR ‘RIPPER’ AWARD 2018/19

Simon Beckett is the No.1 International Bestselling author of the David Hunter series. His books have been translated into 29 languages, appeared in the Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller lists and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. A former freelance journalist who has written for The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent on Sunday and The Observer, the inspiration for the first David Hunter novel came after a visit to the world-renowned Body Farm in Tennessee introduced him to the work of forensic anthropologists.

As well as co-winning the Ripper Award in 2018/19, the largest European crime prize, Simon has won the Raymond Chandler Society’s ‘Marlowe’ Award and been short-listed for the CWA Gold Dagger, CWA Dagger in the Library and Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year.

In addition to the six David Hunter titles, the most recent of which is The Scent of Death, he has written five standalone novels, one of which, Where There’s Smoke, was adapted into a major ITV two-part drama.

Find out more on www.simonbeckett.com, or follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

REVIEWS

"Simon Beckett’s sixth novel featuring the forensic anthropologist David Hunter is arguably his best . . . a superbly strong read." (Marcel Berlins THE TIMES)

“Brilliantly original ... Simon’s first crime novel The Chemistry of Death absolutely blew me away and he just gets better by the book!" (PETER JAMES)

"A satisfyingly dark and twisting thriller." (MAIL ON SUNDAY)

"An arresting setup . . . Beckett has regained his best form . . . the exigencies of a macabre investigative thriller are dispatched with characteristic aplomb." (Barry Forshaw FINANCIAL TIMES)

"Beckett's masterful storytelling and macabre forensic details make his novels utterly chilling reads." (TESS GERRITSEN)

"The forensics are chillingly authentic, the writing is both taut and beautifully atmospheric.’ (ANN CLEEVES)

‘Terrifying… Rarely have the mechanics of suspense been so effectively realized outside an Alfred Hitchcock movie.’ (THE DAILY EXPRESS)

‘Beckett is one of the country’s best crime writers… His books are intelligent, beautifully written and utterly gripping.’ (THE SUNDAY EXPRESS)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
2,911 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kathleen Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars engrossing
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2023
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J Sams
4.0 out of 5 stars A bit heavy on the foreshadowing, but a good read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
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lovetoteach
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
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WR
3.0 out of 5 stars Decent but not outstanding--let's hope the author keeps improving
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3.0 out of 5 stars Only Okay
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P. Ho
4.0 out of 5 stars If you are missing the old Patricia Cornwell...
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B. K. Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2009
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zorba
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Forensics, Average Procedural
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2009
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Relax and Read Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, WOW, WOW!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2021
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Ron McMillan
1.0 out of 5 stars Totally implausible ending
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2022
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J - loves books, reads books
3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, terrific read
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Bec
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute pleasure :)......
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2016
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S Mc
4.0 out of 5 stars Village murder most horrid!
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