Regional: Kapalam by Dr B.Umadathan

            I had read Umadathan Sir's 'Oru Forensic Surgeon nte Ormakurippikal'(Memoirs of a Forensic Surgeon), a few years back  which was undoubtedly one of the few authentic works pertaining to Forensic Science which had come out in Malayalam till then.The book basically was a memoir and dealt with some of the cases Umadathan sir had solved during his service. 'Kapalam'(The Skull) is it's follow up which has been brought out by D.C.Books (incidentally the book came out soon after Dr Umadethan's death in July, 2019).Unlike it's predecessor, this one is a fictionalised version of fifteen other cases which Dr Umadethan had worked on. 
            Forensic Surgeon Dr Unnikrishnan,his wife Mrs Mani ,Chief Chemical Examiner and Investigator Hari are the recurring characters featuring in the fifteen stories in this book. Though the book claims to be a fictionalised take on some of the cases which Dr Umadathan had worked on during his life time, it's pretty evident that most of the characters in these stories are fictional replicas of real-life personalities. Kapalam' has 15 'stories' of criminal investigation ranging from poisoning,fire-arm homicides and deliberate self harm.
            The writing is quite crisp and fast paced and never lets you down.Though some might find the repetition of some basic tests(diatom,DNA ,nitrate test) and techniques in some stories irritating, it's pretty fine, considering the limited resources the investigators have at their disposal,especially in a resource limited setting.
             The book covers some important aspects of forensic criminal investigations like diatom tests (traditional test, but still very effective), Haemoglobin analysis, forensic toxicology, DNA Fingerprinting and chemical analysis of viscera.The descriptions and explanations are never over-long and don't tire the reader at any point of time.

On the whole, 'kapalam' is an engaging read.

-nikhimenon 

The Burning Wire

- by Jeffery Deaver

Jeffery Deaver is MY FAVORITE AUTHOR !

There I said it ! So, whatever he writes, goes well with me ! And when he writes a Rhyme-Sachs book. O.M.Geee  ! I just loove these books.  And if you are a movie buff, And you watched "Bone Collector" ; thats based on the book with same name by Jeff Deaver and sure as much [ and little more] interesting than the movie.

Synopsis from the book cover :

Lincoln Rhyme is back, on the trail of a killer whose weapon of choice cripples New York City with fear. The weapon is invisible and omnipresent. Without it, modern society grinds to a halt. It is electricity. The killer harnesses and steers huge arc flashes with voltage so high and heat so searing that steel melts and his victims are set afire.
When the first explosion occurs in broad daylight, reducing a city bus to a pile of molten, shrapnel-riddled metal, officials fear terrorism. Rhyme, a world-class forensic criminologist known for his successful apprehension of the most devious criminals, is immediately tapped for the investigation. Long a quadriplegic, he assembles NYPD detective Amelia Sachs and officer Ron Pulaski as his eyes, ears and legs on crime sites, and FBI agent Fred Dellray as his undercover man on the street. As the attacks continue across the city at a sickening pace, and terrifying demand letters begin appearing, the team works desperately against time and with maddeningly little forensic evidence to try to find the killer. Or is it killers . . . ?
Meanwhile, Rhyme is consulting on another high-profile investigation in Mexico with a most coveted quarry in his crosshairs: the hired killer known as the Watchmaker, one of the few criminals to have eluded Rhyme’s net.
Juggling two massive investigations against a cruel ticking clock takes a toll on Rhyme’s health. Soon Rhyme is fighting on yet another front—and his determination to work despite his physical limitations threatens to drive away his closest allies when he needs them most . . .


And luckily, i found a part of the audio book i had, on youtube for you to check :

Nimue Says :

I already sad much about the book and the author ! And I still say more : Deaver writes the best forensic science thrillers. Lincoln Rhyme a quadriplegic detective, and Amelia Sachs together with the regular bunch of people they work with form one of the best teams. not to forget Thom, Rhyme's care taker who so gladly and efficiently puts up with Rhyme's moods all time. This one offers interesting information on electricity , a scary picture of its reach in our society and a brilliant sum up to what i think looked like end of Rhyme series [ fortunately it is not ]. Once you read a Rhyme novel, you are hooked forever, trust me ! Totally in control of the plot , amazing twists and a perfect rounding up of all ends are signs of deaver's brilliance !

Do read him !

Rating : 4 out of 5 :)

More Details : 

Hardcover: 432 pages 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st edition (June 1, 2010) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 1439156336 

ISBN-13: 978-1439156339