Forensic Science For Writers is part of the Killer Fiction Workshop series.

“Writers hoping to enhance their work with forensic authenticity can’t go wrong with Forensic Science For Writers.”
Katherine Ramsland, author of The Forensic Science of CSI and The CSI Effect.

“With TV and bookshelves swamped with forensics-heavy police procedurals, mystery and thriller writers can't get away with just making stuff up any more. Even the coziest of cat mysteries needs to be grounded now in the reality of forensics. Don't be afraid -- Dr. Doug Lyle is here to help. He will walk you through the arcane, intimidating, and complex world of medicine and forensics, demystifying and simplifying it all for you in his inimitable, folksy style and with an instinctive storytelling sensibility. You'll come back to these DVDs again and again for his wisdom, sensibility, and insight.”
Lee Goldberg, Edgar and Shamus-nominated author of the Monk and Diagnosis Murder novels

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Winner, 2005 Macavity Award, Best Non-fiction

Nominated, 2005 Edgar Award, Best Fact Crime

“Lost in an episode of CSI? Baffled by the latest Patricia Cornwell thriller? Boggled by the documentaries on Discovery Channel? Finally, someone has come along to explain to us, in simple English, the inexplicably complex gobbly-gook of forensics, the foreign language all the detectives in books, TV shows, and movies are saying these days. Thanks to DP Lyle, you won’t have to feel like a dummy any more.”
Lee Goldberg, author of “Successful Television Writing,” writer/producer of “Diagnosis Murder,” “1-800-Missing,” and “Martial Law”

“Dynamic, entertaining, and educational, D. P. Lyle, MD’s Forensic For Dummies blows the lid off the science of crime.
Kathleen Antrim, author of Capital Offense

“Forensics For Dummies covers almost every aspect of forensics science that would be of interest to mystery writers and readers, as well as fans of CSI and all its spin-offs. The autopsy, blood spatters, fingerprints, shoe impressions, tire tracks, DNA testing, identifying drugs and poisons, handling hair and fiber evidence, firearm examination, identifying corpses and skeletal remains, determining the time, cause, and manner of death, reconstructing a crime scene, document examinations, and many more topics will no longer be a mystery.”
Wiley Publishing

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“The first person I call for help is Dr. Lyle.”
Matt Witten, executive story editor for “Law & Order”

“An essential reference work for the fiction writer: informative and fun. I can’t imagine my bookshelf without it.”
Taylor Smith, author of Deadly Grace and The Innocents Club

“Dr. Lyle has an unerring ability to diagnose what it is writers need to know in answer to their questions about forensic medicine. His fascinating replies to questions writers have posed to him are precise and clearly stated, so that while he’ll provide the medical terms you want, he’ll also give the definitions you need.”
Jan Burke, author of Bones, Flight, Hocus, and Liar

“An invaluable source for writers who want to get it right and for readers fascinated with the mysteries of the human body. Dr. Lyle’s explanations are accurate, clear, entertaining, and thorough, and you’ll wonder how you managed without him.”
Rochelle Krich, Mary Higgins Clark award-winning author of Now You See Me and Grave Endings, in the Molly Blume series

“This book is at once wise, informative, funny, factually reliable, and accessible.”
Barbara Seranella, author of the Munch Mancini crime novels

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Review by Cynthia Chow for The NoName Cafe Book Review Corner

            Samantha “Sam” Cody thought that the death sentence of child murderer Richard Earl Garrett would put an end to her nightmares and give the small California town of Mercer Corner the peace it desperately needed. She was wrong.
            A former LAPD officer, Sam returned to her hometown to care for her cancer-stricken mother. Burned out by the continual violence of Los Angeles and the “boy’s club” mentality of the police, Sam decided to remain in Mercer County as a deputy for the sheriff’s office.  The murder of three children rocked Sam and her community and she continues to be haunted by the nightmares of Garrett, a remorseless killer who literally used the excuse “the devil made me do it.” Claiming to have been ordered to kill by Satan, Garrett’s trial brings along multitudes of reporters and Satanic groupies.
            When one by one the jury members who sentenced Garrett to death are brutally murdered, Sam is baffled as Garrett seems to know too many details about the deaths even though he remains isolated behind bars. Does Garrett have an accomplice, or are his claims that he is working through the power of Satan true? Sam is aided in her investigation by the very yummy reporter for a sleazy tabloid as well as a Native American
spiritualist. Both force Sam to redefine her beliefs of the power of evil.
            Probably one of the few medical doctors who has written a non-medical mystery, Lyle creates a fascinating character in Sam Cody, a professional boxer who is still vulnerable to her emotions. While angered and abhorred by the opportunism of a televangelist who comes to exorcise the town, she reluctantly finds herself sympathetic to the young Satanists who seem to be more lost than malicious. The plot is intricate and involving, with alternating viewpoints providing clues but still only hinting at the truth. The ending is both shocking and disturbing, but Sam's self-deprecating sense of humor and the hints of romance prevent the novel from becoming too dark and gruesome. This is the beginning of a very enjoyable series and not to be missed.

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Review by Cynthia Chow for The NoName Cafe Book Review Corner

            Following three successful boxing matches, California Mercer County Deputy Samantha “Sam” Cody is definitely looking for some rest and relaxation. She looks to find it at her friend Alyss Cameron’s new bed and breakfast, located in the former mining town of Gold Creek, Colorado.
            Sam’s hope for a relaxing vacation are shattered when she immediately stumbles onto the murder of a store owner who had planned on surprising a thief after his shop had been broken into one time too many.  Sam also literally runs into the killer, a giant of a man who knocks her over and flees. When Sam‚s description of the killer leads the police to the gentle and introspective Billy Bear, she finds herself unable to allow the man to be railroaded. 
            Distracting Sam from the investigation are Alyss’ rebellious teenage daughter Shelby and Burt Eagan, the almost too perfect wealthy landowner who is courting Alyssa. And if that isn’t enough, the bed and breakfast guests are being driven off by the sightings of a huge, hairy, smelly man. Could it be?
            In contrast to the first Sam Cody mystery, Devil’s Playground, the tone this time out is lighter with a strong sense of humor running throughout the novel. Sam Cody continues to be an engaging and very likeable character, both very tough and yet still very compassionate. The conversations between Sam and Alyssa and Sam and Shelby are very realistic and a welcome relief to the suspense. Other appearing characters are enjoyable as well, from a deceptively intelligent supermodel to the retired genius medical researcher and sufferer of a stroke. Lyle does an excellent job of creating these interesting and realistic characters and the reader never needs a scorecard to differentiate between them.
            The plot too is excellently played out, for while the mystery is lengthy the alternating viewpoints keep it moving along and provide hints to the solution. However, while the reader may believe he/she knows the answer, Lyle throws in a few last twists as surprises. This is an excellent follow-up to Devil’s Playground and guarantees that new fans will be made of Sam Cody and D.P. Lyle.

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