Trace Evidence

by Elizabeth Becka Narrated by Bernadette Dunne

Overview

It's a cold Cleveland November day when forensic trace evidence expert Evelyn James is summoned to the scene of a bizarre crime. A young woman has been forcibly drowned, her feet chained and sunk in cement. When a second girl connected to a prominent family is found with evidence that links her murder to the first, all hell breaks loose. The police-and Evelyn-are officially up against the clock to find the murderer.

This authentic, high-octane debut by Becka's own career as a veteran forensic scientist and her experience using physical evidence recovered from crime scenes-such as blood, hair, fibers and other microscopic particles-to unlock the secrets of the dead and bring justice to those who have no voice. Gripping until the last page, TRACE EVIDENCE introduces an exciting new voice in crime fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Death is part of daily life for single mother Evelyn James, a forensic scientist in the Cleveland, Ohio, medical examiner's office. In the opening pages of this tepid debut thriller, Evelyn is called to the scene of a bizarre crime: a young woman has been drowned in the Cuyahoga River, her feet submerged in a bucket of cement. When a second victim, who escaped drowning only to be strangled, turns out to be the daughter of Evelyn's long-ago beau, Darryl Pierson (now Cleveland's mayor), Evelyn ventures beyond her job description to pursue the criminals behind the clues. Among those under suspicion: notorious mobster Mario Ashworth, the mayor's childhood friend and the first victim's employer; and overzealous hospital nurse James Neal, who once administered care to each of the murdered girls. As Evelyn inches ever closer to the killer, she fears for the safety of her own teenage daughter, Angel. Becka, a Cape Coral, Fla., forensic scientist, has created a frank, honest protagonist who loves what she does, but too many procedural details encumber rather than enliven the novel. While there's sufficient suspense to keep the pages turning, Becka's offering lacks the crisp prose and poise of Patricia Cornwell and Jan Burke. Agent, Elaine Koster. (Aug.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169207705
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	08/30/2005
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

She moved blindly, unable to hear anything over her own ragged breathing. Branches and thorns tore her skin, but she barely felt it-the advantage of being numb. Part of the duct tape had come off her mouth, and a monotonous droning sound turned out to be the chattering of her teeth. When she became still, she could hear the footsteps. She turned in the other direction and started to run as fast as her frozen, barefoot body would allow, scarcely more than a limping trot. She had covered perhaps five feet when he grabbed her by the back of her sodden T-shirt and tripped her. He straddled her back. She heard an almost gentle clinking sound and then the chain passed around her neck. He pulled the ends taut but not yet tight.

"You can't do this." She fought one last time to get to her feet, tearing at the skin of her own neck as she tried to pull the chains away with her right hand. "Do you know what will happen to you?"

He said nothing.

"Don't you know who I am?"

The chains tightened.

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