The Body Farm

by Patricia Cornwell
The Body Farm cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Nonfiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 6326
  • Added: 2025-11-12
  • Updated: 2025-11-15
  • ISBN: 9780425220788
  • Publisher: Berkley Books
  • Published: 2007-08-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Body Farm is a fascinating exploration into the science of death and decomposition, led by Dr. Bill Bass, a pioneer in forensic anthropology. Through his research, Bass established the world's first human decomposition facility, known as the 'Body Farm,' where he studied the intricate processes that occur after death. This book offers a unique blend of scientific rigor and gripping storytelling, revealing how Bass's work has revolutionized forensic investigations. /n/n Bass's journey is not just about science; it's a testament to his dedication and the ethical dilemmas he faced while pushing the boundaries of forensic knowledge. The Body Farm provides a rare glimpse into the world of crime scene investigation, making it a must-read for those interested in the intersection of science and criminal justice.

Reviews
Kirkus Reviews · 2025-11-12
great 4.00

The book is a suspenseful procedural with a compelling heroine. The story is well-crafted and keeps readers engaged.

Kirkus Reviews praises 'The Body Farm' for its suspenseful and professional-grade storytelling. They highlight the heroine as a standout character, noting her mix of compassion and attitude. The review suggests that the book is a well-crafted procedural that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The story's pacing and the heroine's development are particularly noted as strengths. They also mention that the heroine's return in future stories would be welcome, indicating a positive reception of her character and the overall narrative.

Quick quotes

    A suspenseful, professional-grade north country procedural whose heroine, a deft mix of compassion and attitude, would be welcome to return and tie up the loose ends of this case.

    The story is well-crafted and keeps readers engaged with its compelling heroine and suspenseful plot.

    The heroine's mix of compassion and attitude makes her a standout character in the genre.

That One Book Reviewer · That One Book Reviewer · 2023-05-08
fantastic 4.50

The book is highly engaging and the author's writing continues to improve. The character and world-building are particularly compelling.

That One Book Reviewer expresses a growing appreciation for Patricia Cornwell's writing, finding 'The Body Farm' to be highly engaging. They highlight the author's improving skills and the compelling character and world-building. The reviewer is completely obsessed with the character and the world created in the book, indicating a strong positive reception. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the story, which keeps them coming back for more. The reviewer's enthusiasm suggests that the book is a standout in the series and a must-read for fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    I swear that the more I read these books, the better Patricia Cornwell gets.

    I've found myself completely obsessed with the character and world she's created.

    The depth and complexity of the story keep me coming back for more.

Me, Love Books · MeloveBooks · 2014-12-04
mediocre 2.50

The book is an okay read but lacks depth, character development, and plot twists. It feels similar to other CSI series.

MeloveBooks found 'The Body Farm' to be an average read that doesn't stand out much from other crime series. They appreciated the story's premise but felt it lacked the depth and character development needed to make it truly engaging. The plot twists were also not as surprising or well-executed as they could have been. While it's a decent book for fans of the genre, it doesn't quite reach the heights of more memorable crime novels. They would have liked to see more complexity in the characters and a more intricate plot to keep them hooked.

Quick quotes

    It's an ok read and similar to all those CSI series out there, but it lacked the dept, character development and plot twists I would need for it to be a great read.

    The story is based on the real-life Body Farm, which is a fascinating concept, but the execution falls a bit flat.

    Overall, it's a decent book, but it's not one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

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