As the daughter of a Colorado County coroner, seventeen-yearold Cameryn Mahoney is no stranger to death. in fact, sheas always been fascinated by the science of it. so sheas thrilled to finally get some hands-on experience in forensics working as her fatheras assistant. but Cammie is in for more than she bargained for when the second case that she attends turns out to be someone she knowsathe latest victim of a serial killer known as the Christopher Killer. And if dealing with that isnat hard enough, Cammie soon realizes that if sheas not careful, she might wind up as the killeras next victim. . . . Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

This suspenseful tale includes some unusual technical elements for good measure. Seventeen-year-old Cameryn has wanted to be a forensic pathologist for as long as she can remember, and when a killer strikes in her hometown of Silverton, Colo., she takes advantage of her father's position as coroner to assist in the autopsy. But she had not expected that she would know the murder victim. Cameryn's interest is both personal and professional, so when the Medical Examiner sends her from the room, she does some independent investigating in hopes of bringing her friend's killer to justice. Cameryn then finds her own life in jeopardy as she hones in on the murderer. Ferguson's (Show Me the Evidence) novel includes detailed descriptions of human corpses and the autopsy process, but viewed through Cameryn's fascinated eyes, the dealings with the dead are more clinical than gross, and reinforce her resolve to make sure justice is carried out. The ending will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Ages 12-up. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 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: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

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. StephanieZvirin. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.