Death's Acre by Dr. Bill Bass

Death’s Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensics Lab the Body Farm Where the Dead Do Tell Tales

By Dr. Bill Bass

Genre:

Nonfiction, Science, True Crime, Medical, Death, Anthropology, Memoir

Pages:

320

Published:

October, 2004

My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

Synopsis:

Dr. Bill Bass, one of the world's leading forensic anthropologists, gained international attention when he built a forensic lab like no other: The Body Farm. Now, this master scientist unlocks the gates of his lab to reveal his most intriguing cases-and to revisit the Lindbergh kidnapping and murder, fifty years after the fact.

My Thoughts:

I picked this one up on audiobook because I have been majorly slacking on my nonfiction goal for the year. I'm a big forensics/true crime fan so of course, I knew about the body farm in Knoxville.

This is a great listen on audiobook because it feels like you are sitting down with the author while he tells you his story (the author isn't actually the narrator though but the one they chose was great!). I loved hearing stories about Bass and how he got started as a pathologist. There are a lot of little case stories in here that were fascinating to hear about how the body and other forensic clues led to catching killers. William Bass is an incredible part of forensic's history that I never knew about. He talks about his accomplishments in a way that was fun to hear about and didn't feel like he was bragging like in some nonfiction memoir-style books I have read in the past.

This one is detailed - so probably wouldn't recommend this for those who are squeamish and hate true crime stories. If CSI isn't the show for you - probably don't pick this one up. But for everyone else who has heard of the body farm or even just has an interest in forensics - I highly recommend this.

Easily a 4-star read that kept me entertained throughout the entire story. I learned some interesting facts about forensics and the process of how pathology evolved over time. It made me want to go and visit the body farm - but I am sad they don't allow tours.