WINNER OF THE CWA GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION
'Gripping from the start, Written in Bone is superb' - Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes
'No Scientist communicates better than Sue Black' - Val McDermid, author of Still Life
'Macabre, authoritative and fascinating.' - The Sunday Times
Our bones are the silent witnesses to the lives we lead. Our stories are marbled into their marrow.
Drawing upon her years of research and a wealth of remarkable experience, the world-renowned forensic anthropologist Professor Dame Sue Black takes us on a journey of revelation. From skull to feet, via the face, spine, chest, arms, hands, pelvis and legs, she shows that each part of us has a tale to tell. What we eat, where we go, everything we do leaves a trace, a message that waits patiently for months, years, sometimes centuries, until a forensic anthropologist is called upon to decipher it.
Some of this information is easily understood, some holds its secrets tight and needs scientific cajoling to be released. But by carefully piecing together the evidence, the facts of a life can be rebuilt.
Limb by limb, case by case - some criminal, some historical, some unaccountably bizarre - Sue Black reconstructs with intimate sensitivity and compassion the hidden stories in what we leave behind.
Praise for Sue Black:
'Sue Black has a rare ability to make blood and bones come alive. A marvellous writer. Ruth Davidson, SMP
'The corpse whisperer ... Is it okay for Black, or us, to enjoy this quite so much?'
'Fascinating' - Spectator
'Gripping' - Guardian
'Moving' - Scotsman
'Engrossing' - Financial Times
Review
The corpse whisperer ... could Black's life be any more ready for a series producer to pitch to Netflix? ... and is it OK for her, or us, to enjoy this quite so much? -- Helen Rumbelow -
The TimesA fascinating if grisly book. It should be read. -- Stuart Kelly -
Scotland on SundayFor someone who deals in death every day, Sue Black has a rare ability to make blood and bones come alive. A marvellous writer. -
Ruth Davidson SMPA fascinating overview of the human skeleton from the forensic anthropologist's point of view, with case studies that are both pertinent and entertaining. -
Kathy Reichs, author of the Temperance Brennan, Bones seriesGripping from the start,
Written in Bone is superb - fascinating in its detail of real life cases and written with a narrative that propels you forward to the next page. -
Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes --This text refers to the
paperback edition.
About the Author
Sue Black, DBE, FRSE, is one of the world's leading anatomists and forensic anthropologists. She is also the pro-vice chancellor for engagement at Lancaster University. Her forensic expertise has been crucial to solving high-profile criminal cases. The lead anthropologist for the British Forensics Team's work in the war-crimes investigations in Kosovo, she also worked in Thailand after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. She makes regular appearances on radio and television and lives in Scotland. --This text refers to the
audioCD edition.
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