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Pointing from the Grave: A True Story of Murder and DNA: A True Story of Murder and DNA
Pointing From The Grave: A True Story Of Murder And DNA
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2003
10 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Weinberg
7 books23 followersSamantha Weinberg is the real name of the author Kate Westbrook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 28, 2010
When you've read The Blooding, any account of DNA fingerprinting is going to have its work cut out in trying to impress. This didn't. It was supposed to be about how a murder in California was solved through the murdered woman "pointing from the grave" at her attacker, but it failed to engage me. A lot of the science was just too dry, and none of the main players caught my imagination which is quite unusual in a true crime account. As ever, it's the writing that matters as much as anything else, and this style was just too cool and detached for my liking. I left it unfinished.
May 15, 2013
Overly dry in detail & failed to engage me in the characterizations. The most interesting part was the recap of the O.J. Simpson trial.
October 20, 2017
This story is both deeply sad and completely fascinating. Helena Greenwood is a woman I wish I had had the opportunity to meet. Paul Frediani is the most frightening kind of monster to be found. He could have had plenty of willing women, but he preferred power and control.
Weinberg did an extensive amount of research for this book. There are a lot of first and secondary source materials cited in this book. The writing style of this book is similar to the style of Ann Rule. This book should be considered by individuals who are looking for case material for power/reassurance, and recidivism.
Weinberg did an extensive amount of research for this book. There are a lot of first and secondary source materials cited in this book. The writing style of this book is similar to the style of Ann Rule. This book should be considered by individuals who are looking for case material for power/reassurance, and recidivism.
September 2, 2007
This book is an extremely well written thought provoking book that shows how DNA was used to catch a killer. It is a fascinating but tragic case of how a technique developed here in the UK was used in the US and a real human story.
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January 15, 2009Pointing from the Grave, a Story of Murder and DNA, by Samantha Weinberg. A. produced by Blackstone, downloaded from audible, narrated by Nadia May.
Helena and Roger Greenwood moved from England to San Francisco area where Helena was working on cutting edge research involving the discovery of, and uses for, DNA. In 1984, while her husband was on a business trip, a man broke in and attempted to rape Helena. When he had difficulties, he ejaculated in her mouth, all over her face, and onto the bed sheets. The soiled sheets were somewhat instrumental in the collection of evidence against the man as well, but this was the early stages of DNA research and that evidence wasn’t strong enough to stand on its own. It took several months, but the man had inadvertently left a fingerprint and they caught him.
Helena and Roger moved to San Diego and Helena went on with her work. In 1985, right before the trial was to begin, Helena was murdered. The police thought that it was the man who had raped her, but it took ten years until DNA had developed to the point where they could use it to track down the murderer. Then, with the only evidence which had been saved from the victim, which was scrapings from under her fingernails, they were able to catch the murderer.
This is a fascinating book describing the development of DNA research, and the ever developing uses for DNA as evidence. The book also discusses the down side of trying to use DNA if it isn’t properly stored, or properly collected. The author also talks about her own interactions with the people involved in this tragedy, including the murderer. An extremely fascinating and well researched book with some very interesting trial strategies.
Helena and Roger Greenwood moved from England to San Francisco area where Helena was working on cutting edge research involving the discovery of, and uses for, DNA. In 1984, while her husband was on a business trip, a man broke in and attempted to rape Helena. When he had difficulties, he ejaculated in her mouth, all over her face, and onto the bed sheets. The soiled sheets were somewhat instrumental in the collection of evidence against the man as well, but this was the early stages of DNA research and that evidence wasn’t strong enough to stand on its own. It took several months, but the man had inadvertently left a fingerprint and they caught him.
Helena and Roger moved to San Diego and Helena went on with her work. In 1985, right before the trial was to begin, Helena was murdered. The police thought that it was the man who had raped her, but it took ten years until DNA had developed to the point where they could use it to track down the murderer. Then, with the only evidence which had been saved from the victim, which was scrapings from under her fingernails, they were able to catch the murderer.
This is a fascinating book describing the development of DNA research, and the ever developing uses for DNA as evidence. The book also discusses the down side of trying to use DNA if it isn’t properly stored, or properly collected. The author also talks about her own interactions with the people involved in this tragedy, including the murderer. An extremely fascinating and well researched book with some very interesting trial strategies.
March 15, 2018
Great book! I thought it was fascinating and intriguing! It was the first true crime novel I read, and what a doozy! I loved the background of everyone's lives and what was going on between incidents. It filled in the blanks of what really happened. The DNA science took me back to my genetics class in 7th grade and I was able to make connections that I never had before as a 12 y.o. It was very interesting! I didn't look up anything about the trial or case until after I finished the book, so I won't give away the ending.
I thought the last 20 pages were unneeded and dragged a little, but it didn't detract from the greatness of the rest of the story!
I thought the last 20 pages were unneeded and dragged a little, but it didn't detract from the greatness of the rest of the story!
May 31, 2011
I loved this book all the way until the end. It was very interesting to me to learn about the discovery of genes and DNA. It's all stuff I learned in 8th grade, but this made so much more sense to me. I loved how it tied in a true story. By the end I was ready for it to be over and it seemed to drag on so if I could I would have lowered the score to 3.5. But I'll rate it higher since most of my time reading it I enjoyed it. Actually - I listened to it - a good reader!
May 14, 2015
With the almost daily mention of DNA evidence being used in trials and to exonerate the falsely convicted, it is easy to overlook how new this type of evidence is. Yet it is just 20 years since the OJ Simpson trial made DNA part of the popular lexicon. Weinberg gives us the history of DNA, its discovery and subsequent use in forensics while at the same time juxtaposing this material with a real case that dragged out over years. The result is a fascinating and compelling account.
May 18, 2012
Great true story of a murder mystery gone cold due to lack of evidence then later resolved with the help of DNA. Other reviewers complained that there was too many details and/or too technical but I didn't find this to be the case in my opinion. However, my background in the medical field and nursing may explain my difference of opinion. I found the book/story very interesting!
June 6, 2011
Many people have complained about this book being too "technical". Working in the medical field, i found this book highly interesting, less so because of the murder, but more so due to the fascinating history of DNA and its use, the discovery of Southern blotting or PCR, all techniques we oh so lightly use today. A recommended read for anyone with medical/biological interests!
March 27, 2016
I have always been fascinated by human DNA and its forensic uses. This book helped me understand it better...the discovery of it and the many ways the uses of it have changed, and people who were released from prison and even death row through the use of it. This book was so well-written and made DNA so understandable. I couldn't put it down.
August 18, 2009
I did not finish this book. I had trouble with all of the details and history of DNA and fingerprinting. I kept loosing the details about the murder that was suppose to be the whole story. Just gave up on it after 100 pages and said forget it.
November 12, 2014
A solid true-crime read and wonderful overview of the history of forensic DNA. However, the central premise of the book (that the victim kind of solves her own murder) gets lost by the resolution. Still, a good read if you enjoy mystery, true-crime and science.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2016
Helena Greenwood, one of the pioneers of DNA research is murdered before DNA is used as a forensic tool. As the years progress and the science is developed, Helena's cold case is finally solved with the aid of DNA.
August 20, 2007
A great book for those into True Crime genre. Drags a bit over technical background, but picks up again for a strong finish.
November 14, 2009
Murder and DNA Mystery all in one . Now I know why Barry Scheck testified @ OJ Simpson trial .
February 20, 2011
A true story ,but way too technical for my taste.
October 23, 2014
Science is neat isn't it?? I love learning about how all this DNA stuff started, and this provided a nice explanation of that all wrapped up in this unfortunate event. I really liked this!
November 20, 2014
I enjoyed the science in this book, but the reiteration of the crimes in specific detail was difficult to listen to over & over again, but I guess that's how it is with crime novels.
September 24, 2015
This was ok, not bad but not really good. For me it talked too much about dna and its development. That's just my opinion.
January 17, 2016
An excellent, if incredibly chilling, read about crime, the changes from the advent of DNA testing and how things can go right -- or wrong -- because of it.
January 28, 2016
More like a text book than a novel.
February 15, 2017
The story was interesting but short on DNA details and the woman's actual connection to actual DNA research was tenuous.
April 16, 2019
This book was longer than it needed to be. It seemed that the author couldn’t decide if she wanted to write about one particular crime or do an exhaustive history on the development of DNA technology and its use in criminology. Often dry and scientific (Mendel, Crick & Watson), sometimes running far afield (OJ Simpson, The Innocence Project), sometimes uncomfortable (the author’s friendship with the accused). I found myself wishing she had stuck to the basic story. It’s a fascinating premise: a DNA scientist (not sure of the right word) whose murder was solved by DNA.
I’m glad I listened to the audiobook because I could have it okay while doing housework during the dryer parts, keeping me from getting bored.
I’m glad I listened to the audiobook because I could have it okay while doing housework during the dryer parts, keeping me from getting bored.
January 22, 2025
I definitely recommend.
The author did a wonderful job making DNA palatable and neutrally telling the story of a sexual assault, murder and the accused.
The latter half is first person about her learning of the story, seeing the last trial, etc. and not quite as enjoyable. The end feels unsatisfying. I’m going to see if anything has developed since 2003 and also learn of the author’s other books.
The author must be so personable and/or persistent to have gotten such a close encounter with the myriad of players from the accused, the victim’s dad, the Nobel prize winner for DNA replication, police investigator, etc.
In addition, I am wholly impressed at the author reading and summarizing and synthesizing huge bodies of info including documents.
The author did a wonderful job making DNA palatable and neutrally telling the story of a sexual assault, murder and the accused.
The latter half is first person about her learning of the story, seeing the last trial, etc. and not quite as enjoyable. The end feels unsatisfying. I’m going to see if anything has developed since 2003 and also learn of the author’s other books.
The author must be so personable and/or persistent to have gotten such a close encounter with the myriad of players from the accused, the victim’s dad, the Nobel prize winner for DNA replication, police investigator, etc.
In addition, I am wholly impressed at the author reading and summarizing and synthesizing huge bodies of info including documents.
January 22, 2020
This was a really well-written book. It was tragic to think that someone who testified was not protected by the system. I appreciated all the differing perspectives, sympathies, etc. explored by each of the players in the drama/s that unfold/s in this story. There are also several ironic, though random connections between the author and the victim...who never met. It was fascinating to learn about DNA's arrival on the criminal justice scene - both to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocently convicted. It was a really informative read.
December 10, 2018
I thought this was a really interesting book. Weinberg clearly did a lot of research, not only on DNA testing, but also all of the players in this story. To me, it's so interesting how she had interviewed Frediani and his family, to get their perspectives. This is one of the few "courtroom suspense" stories that didn't bore me.
October 6, 2019
Some useful information about DNA, and a tragic story of a murder. Without giving anything away the murderer was caught but so sad how he was allowed to commit this murder in the first place, and how long it took to bring him to justice. A difficult book to write to make it engaging, but worth reading for the amount of background research and analysis that went into its writing.
June 14, 2022
Dives very deep into DNA research, from the very beginning to the time of publication. Gets a bit heavy/plodding for some chapters.
June 24, 2023
It was pretty good but it got a little off track at times. There was a lot of technical information and side trades including DNA evidence in the OJ Simpson trial and the Innocence project. Some was definitely necessary as the murder victim was a DNA scientist.
The author also befriended the murderer and his family and became very sympathetic to the murderer.
The author also befriended the murderer and his family and became very sympathetic to the murderer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews