Floating Souls

by Mary H. Manhein

The author of The Bone Lady: Life as a Forensic Anthropologist, turns her hand to fiction in a mystery infused with insight, vivid description and humor that only an internationally recognized expert in the field could create.

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Mary H. Manhein is a forensic anthropologist. She is the retired creator and director of Louisiana State University’s Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Laboratory, and former deputy coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish. Manhein has used her expertise to help law enforcement agents - locally, nationally, and internationally - solve their most perplexing mysteries.

Managing Member of Os Liber Press LLC Publishing Company, Manhein is the author of three non-fiction books on forensic anthropology: The Bone Lady, Trail of Bones, Bone Remains; author of the novel Floating Souls, The Canal Murders; co-author of award winning non-fiction account Fragile Grounds, Louisiana’s Endangered Cemeteries; and author of Claire Carter, Bone Detective: The Mystery of the Bones in the Drainpipe, the first book in a new series for young readers at the 10-14 reading level.

“Through the series, young readers will be introduced to the skeleton and all the many things we can learn from both human and animal bones, such as: the impact of disease and trauma; determination of age, sex and ancestry; and differentiation of species. Readers will also learn about the diverse people of Louisiana, as well as the abundant and unique flora and fauna of our state. It has been a dream of mine for a long time to start a children’s book series based on my experiences over the last 30 years in the field of forensic science, and I am thrilled to embark with eager young readers on the adventures of Claire Carter, Bone Detective.” - Mary H. Manhein

Reviews

[Gillian Brownlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you didn’t know Mary Manhein was a forensic anthropologist who lives in Louisiana before starting this book, you would definitely know by the end.

I felt like she was struggling to find a balance between telling the story and teaching in some places. It seems fairly obvious that she’s used to writing non-fiction. However, I took some of her classes in undergrad and I think she’s a really great teacher.

I liked the characters, and would have liked to know more about them. I’ll probably wind up reading the next one!

All in all, a fun, simple murder mystery.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reminded of Patricia Cornwell's books because the main character is a forensic scientist. Complicated mystery. Not much enamored of the main character, Maggie Andrepont, or the cloying atmosphere of New Orleans, but I didn't want to stop reading the book, either.

[Callie Sevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Floating Souls is a short novel but so detailed and enticing. I really liked how the main character is just a single woman living the best life she can in New Orleans with her dog and her cat. What drew me in the most was the mystery of three murders. The ending was not what I saw coming.

[Ashton Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story about examining bones from victims around the world. Goes into details about the work that is done while examining which provides great insight into what happens in these kinds of cases. Mary Manhein is definitely a wonderful artist and very successful in forensic anthropology. There was never a dull moment and the book kept me hooked until the very end!

[lara phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

first novel from a distinguished forensic anthropologist. Pretty good, especially for a small press and/or self-published mystery.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Ms. Manhein and heard her speak and she was truly fascinating. I wondered if a clinical mind could pull off a murder mystery, but the book did not disappoint.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Manhein's presentation about her first novel (she's previously written nonfiction books about her work as an LSU forensic anthropologist) at the 2012 Louisiana Book Festival, and her lively discussion piqued my interest in reading Floating Souls. Her passion for her work is palpable, and it comes through in the person of fictional protagonist Maggie Andrepont, who, like Manhein, is a forensic anthropologist. The novel is slim, moves quickly through a series of murders in New Orleans canals and even digresses for an interesting trip to Venice. Manhein defended the length of her book well at the festival -- "I like to get in and out" -- but we could benefit from greater character development of several central characters. For a manuscript of this size, she delivers too many characters for the novel's own good -- yet her plot coheres, her protagonist perseveres and the depiction of New Orleans deftly blends contemporary settings with immigrant history. She's not quite in the same league as her anthropology colleague and Baton Rouge novelist Malcolm Shuman (but with 30 manuscripts and a dozen novels under his belt, few are), yet Manhein has a potential hit genre series on her hands if she can bring to life the layers of her characters' personalities and motivations with as much skill as she describes an autopsy. Manhein promises a followup and a return to Venice, and the trip should be well worth the taking.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sure that Mary Manhein does a wonderful job writing her nonfiction books about forensic anthropology. But "Floating Souls" is obviously the work of an amateur fiction writer. It definitely keeps your attention because of the subject matter, but the writing is very stilted, the characters too stereotypical and the story a bit erratic. Also, please note, that if you are at all squeamish, reading about a forensic anthropologist may not be a good idea.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. I found it was a great story without a lot if fluff that held my attention and actually left me wanting more. I also love the fact that one of the characters and my daughter share a not so common name, Maura.

[Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a first attempt at fiction writing. I found it to be gritty in an old school dime detective novel from days gone by with enough forensic anthropology to keep me interested. Definitely had quite a few twists and turns towards the end.

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie Andrepont, a local forensic anthropologist in New Orleans solves the murders of women found in canals in New Orleans area and also helps with bodies from a walled up building in Venice, Italy. Fun read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, entertaining & a quick easy read. Enjoyed my afternoon.

[Elaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. It was quick and easy to read and a lot of fun. If you like forensic cases and murder mysteries this is a book for you.

[Marian Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

By LSU's Bone Lady. Not bad for her first novel.

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story was ok but the writing is terrible. Poor character development. I gave it a shot because I like forensic mysteries.