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Theresa MacLean #6
The Price of Innocence
The key to Teresa MacLean's latest case lies in a 25-year-old unsolved murder
Called out to investigate a suspected suicide in a luxury high-rise apartment, forensic scientist Theresa MacLean only just escapes with her life when the building is blown to smithereens. An accident – or something more sinister? A mostly empty block of trendy apartments in downtown Cleveland seems an unlikely terrorist target.
Called out to investigate a suspected suicide in a luxury high-rise apartment, forensic scientist Theresa MacLean only just escapes with her life when the building is blown to smithereens. An accident – or something more sinister? A mostly empty block of trendy apartments in downtown Cleveland seems an unlikely terrorist target.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2013
37 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Black
299 books578 followersLisa Black spent the happiest five years of her life in a morgue. Strange, perhaps, but true. After ten years as a secretary, she went back to school to get a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cleveland State University. In her job as a forensic scientist at the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office, she analyzed gunshot residue on hands and clothing, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, DNA, blood and many other forms of trace evidence, as well as crime scenes.
She had her life sorted out just the way she liked it until her husband got fed up with Cleveland snow and moved them to Florida, 1400 miles away from her family and her career. Not that she’s bitter or anything. Now she works as a Certified Latent Print Examiner and Certified Crime Scene Analyst for the city of Cape Coral, Florida, police department.
Lisa has lectured at writer’s conventions and appeared on panels. In her life as a writer she’s a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. In her life as a forensic specialist she’s a member of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists, the International Association for Identification, and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. She has had over 1050 hours of instruction in forensic topics and has testified in over 60 trials.
Her book Perish was shortlisted for the inaugural Sue Grafton Memorial Award by Putnam and Mystery Writers of America. Her That Darkness is a #1 Amazon bestseller and Evidence of Murder is a NYT bestseller. Lisa was a Guest of Honor at 2021 Killer Nashville.
She had her life sorted out just the way she liked it until her husband got fed up with Cleveland snow and moved them to Florida, 1400 miles away from her family and her career. Not that she’s bitter or anything. Now she works as a Certified Latent Print Examiner and Certified Crime Scene Analyst for the city of Cape Coral, Florida, police department.
Lisa has lectured at writer’s conventions and appeared on panels. In her life as a writer she’s a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. In her life as a forensic specialist she’s a member of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists, the International Association for Identification, and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. She has had over 1050 hours of instruction in forensic topics and has testified in over 60 trials.
Her book Perish was shortlisted for the inaugural Sue Grafton Memorial Award by Putnam and Mystery Writers of America. Her That Darkness is a #1 Amazon bestseller and Evidence of Murder is a NYT bestseller. Lisa was a Guest of Honor at 2021 Killer Nashville.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 22, 2013
The Price of Innocence by Lisa Black is #6 in the riveting Theresa MacLean series which makes for an arresting read and a breathtaking end.
Forensic analyst Theresa MacLean and her cousin Frank, homicide detective, of the Cleveland Police department barely escaped when a powerful explosion blows to smithereens the high-rise building on which they were investigating a suspected suicide. A strange smell emanates from the smoking debris. She finds a small piece of evidence and tested it. It turns out to be a rare but powerful explosive which can cause massive damage. According to officials, it was an act of terrorism. But why would terrorists target Cleveland of all places. It begs for answer, and no one was convinced. The pieces do not fit together.
David Madison is a guy whose charm and spontaneity captivated Theresa. They met during the funeral service of a murder victim. And a deep fear begins to gnaw her as she feels David knows more than he ought to. As she continues her probe into the explosion, a twenty-five year old unsolved case in Cleveland State University returns to haunt her – a meth lab fire in which a student died.
But how can there be a connection between a meth lab incident 25 years ago an an explosion in a trendy apartment building? There are few connections, but it is the only plausible lead. And the sudden and untimely death of several old college students also raised questions.
With loose ends and a maze of mysteries to unravel, Lisa Black takes the reader on a wild but intriguing ride throughout the book. And the question uppermost in her mind is if David Madison is the link between the past and present.
Forensic analyst Theresa MacLean and her cousin Frank, homicide detective, of the Cleveland Police department barely escaped when a powerful explosion blows to smithereens the high-rise building on which they were investigating a suspected suicide. A strange smell emanates from the smoking debris. She finds a small piece of evidence and tested it. It turns out to be a rare but powerful explosive which can cause massive damage. According to officials, it was an act of terrorism. But why would terrorists target Cleveland of all places. It begs for answer, and no one was convinced. The pieces do not fit together.
David Madison is a guy whose charm and spontaneity captivated Theresa. They met during the funeral service of a murder victim. And a deep fear begins to gnaw her as she feels David knows more than he ought to. As she continues her probe into the explosion, a twenty-five year old unsolved case in Cleveland State University returns to haunt her – a meth lab fire in which a student died.
But how can there be a connection between a meth lab incident 25 years ago an an explosion in a trendy apartment building? There are few connections, but it is the only plausible lead. And the sudden and untimely death of several old college students also raised questions.
With loose ends and a maze of mysteries to unravel, Lisa Black takes the reader on a wild but intriguing ride throughout the book. And the question uppermost in her mind is if David Madison is the link between the past and present.
June 29, 2017
This wasn't my favorite in the series but I still enjoyed it. Theresa is back on the job, this time almost perishing in an explosion. As she evaluates evidence and begins to piece things together she realizes the dead bodies piling up may all be connected to a twenty-five year old case someone doesn't want uncovered.
Her detective cousin, Frank, and his partner, Angela, play a part in solving the case and Theresa has the possibility of romance building between her and handsome David Madison.
Now its on to the next book in the series.
Her detective cousin, Frank, and his partner, Angela, play a part in solving the case and Theresa has the possibility of romance building between her and handsome David Madison.
Now its on to the next book in the series.
December 13, 2013
3.5 star read
The latest Theresa MacLean book, The Price of Innocence, starts off with a bang . . . literally. Theresa is called in to investigate a possible suicide in a luxury apartment building in downtown Cleveland. Theresa and her cousin, police detective Frank Patrick, barely exit the building before it is blown up. This narrow escape is quickly followed by the murder of a police officer the very next day. Then that police officer's beneficiary is found dead, followed by another explosion in a building that is beside the initial explosion site. Two explosions, one murder, and one suspected suicide in such a short period of time are a little too coincidental to Theresa. Will she be able to find the connection between these incidents before another murder takes place?
Although Theresa is a forensic scientist, this isn't a CSI-type story . . . well not quite. Because of Theresa's familial ties to the police department, namely through her cousin, she does work in the field quite a bit and routinely bounces ideas off of her cousin. She also spends quite a bit of time in the laboratory testing evidence and writing reports. Theresa is naturally inquisitive and often takes the initiative when questions arise due to the evidence on a case. This time around Theresa's investigation takes her into the past of the deceased officer and reveals possible ties to drug dealing and an unsolved case. The story takes a few twists when Theresa becomes flirtatious with David Madison, the ex-husband of a school teacher that sexually molested a male student the same age as her eldest son. Another twist comes in the form of a local millionaire/entrepreneur that may have ties to the deceased police officer. The Price of Innocence is a fast-paced read that offers murder, possible terrorism, illegal drug deals, and hints of romance. If you enjoy mysteries then you'll definitely want to add The Price of Innocence to your TBR list.
The latest Theresa MacLean book, The Price of Innocence, starts off with a bang . . . literally. Theresa is called in to investigate a possible suicide in a luxury apartment building in downtown Cleveland. Theresa and her cousin, police detective Frank Patrick, barely exit the building before it is blown up. This narrow escape is quickly followed by the murder of a police officer the very next day. Then that police officer's beneficiary is found dead, followed by another explosion in a building that is beside the initial explosion site. Two explosions, one murder, and one suspected suicide in such a short period of time are a little too coincidental to Theresa. Will she be able to find the connection between these incidents before another murder takes place?
Although Theresa is a forensic scientist, this isn't a CSI-type story . . . well not quite. Because of Theresa's familial ties to the police department, namely through her cousin, she does work in the field quite a bit and routinely bounces ideas off of her cousin. She also spends quite a bit of time in the laboratory testing evidence and writing reports. Theresa is naturally inquisitive and often takes the initiative when questions arise due to the evidence on a case. This time around Theresa's investigation takes her into the past of the deceased officer and reveals possible ties to drug dealing and an unsolved case. The story takes a few twists when Theresa becomes flirtatious with David Madison, the ex-husband of a school teacher that sexually molested a male student the same age as her eldest son. Another twist comes in the form of a local millionaire/entrepreneur that may have ties to the deceased police officer. The Price of Innocence is a fast-paced read that offers murder, possible terrorism, illegal drug deals, and hints of romance. If you enjoy mysteries then you'll definitely want to add The Price of Innocence to your TBR list.
September 6, 2013
Cleveland Police CSI Theresa MacLean has just left a trendy urban loft suicide with her cousin Frank, a CPD homicide detective, when a huge explosion covers them both in debris and concrete. As they help search for victims, they notice a strange, acrid smell from the smoke. Officials think the bombing may be a terrorist act or possibly a meth lab, but what terrorist would want to target CLEVELAND? And, there's no evidence of a meth lab either. She finds a small piece of white crystal and takes it back to her lab where she learns it is a highly unstable and rare explosive called meth triiodide.
As several more people die, including a CPD traffic officer, Theresa and Frank keep tying everything back to a 25 year-old meth lab fire in which a college student died. But why would anyone even care after all these years?
With lots of forensics and appropriately sneaky red herrings strewn throughout, Lisa Black takes the reader on a wild ride through Clevlenad past and present. Although it's probably better to have read the rest of the series, a new reader wouldn't have trouble following the story.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As several more people die, including a CPD traffic officer, Theresa and Frank keep tying everything back to a 25 year-old meth lab fire in which a college student died. But why would anyone even care after all these years?
With lots of forensics and appropriately sneaky red herrings strewn throughout, Lisa Black takes the reader on a wild ride through Clevlenad past and present. Although it's probably better to have read the rest of the series, a new reader wouldn't have trouble following the story.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2013
I was initially drawn to the Theresa MacLean series because, as a Clevelander, I love books with stories based in the city. (This was the reason why I initially started reading Michael Koryta).
Instead of just a bland Midwestern setting, Cleveland is it's own character in the storylines. Locations are real and provide great insight to various parts of the plot.
Most of the time with mysteries, I manage to figure out the bad guy long before the denouement. The ending was a complete blindside, smart and well-crafted. It didn't hurt that I was able to remember both my Chemistry and Anatomy, but a reader unfamiliar with these subjects should have no difficulty following the storyline.
Theresa is smart, reserved and thoughtful. Writing a character with her job description and managing to create seamless connections that allow Theresa to remain in the thick of the action seems to be a painstaking process that Lisa Black manages consistently well. She's my favorite forensic pathologist.
Instead of just a bland Midwestern setting, Cleveland is it's own character in the storylines. Locations are real and provide great insight to various parts of the plot.
Most of the time with mysteries, I manage to figure out the bad guy long before the denouement. The ending was a complete blindside, smart and well-crafted. It didn't hurt that I was able to remember both my Chemistry and Anatomy, but a reader unfamiliar with these subjects should have no difficulty following the storyline.
Theresa is smart, reserved and thoughtful. Writing a character with her job description and managing to create seamless connections that allow Theresa to remain in the thick of the action seems to be a painstaking process that Lisa Black manages consistently well. She's my favorite forensic pathologist.
April 6, 2014
This is the first Theresa MacLean book I have read and while I usually love a good mystery this one did not hold me quite as much as I had anticipated. The backdrop of the story is Cleveland, Ohio which was a good setting for an Ohio girl like me . The writing was good but I found the "chemistry" part and all of the details that ran along that line the parts that I skimmed without really wanting to spend much time on it. The main character, Theresa MacLean, was a well defined character but I found it a bit difficult to imagine her jumping into a the relationship that she jumped into so early ---that part seemed a bit unrealistic.
The writing was good---the style was good---all in all a good read but not one that really will stick with me.
The writing was good---the style was good---all in all a good read but not one that really will stick with me.
January 20, 2014
A mystery featuring a Medical Examiner in Cleveland,Ohio. The fifth in a series and is a very convoluted plot. I found myself skimming the chemistry parts as it was much too technical for an adventure story. I found the main character's attraction to a man she had just met unbelievable and the happenstances of her solving the mystery totally unbelievable. I had liked the earlier books so was disappointed in this one.
April 3, 2014
In the course of an exciting mystery, the author revealed that pharmaceutical companies could actually use "an optical isomer of pseudoephedrine that could not be made into meth" in the cold medicines they produce, but they pay lobbyists to keep the government from requiring that they do so. The meds used up to make meth just up the demand for their products, so why would they want to change?
December 17, 2013
Excellent story line. After 3 bombings,4 deaths, it all gets sorted out in the end, and I was surprised by the ending. Can't wait for the next book.
December 31, 2014
I don't like to read a series out of order, but sometimes it happens.
Happily, I felt thoroughly able to enjoy this without having read the previous 5 books. I really like Teresa and am excited to have discovered a new & refreshingly different crime series.
Happily, I felt thoroughly able to enjoy this without having read the previous 5 books. I really like Teresa and am excited to have discovered a new & refreshingly different crime series.
June 3, 2018
My first reading of this author-- the book is written in a very choppy style, and is needlessly complicated. However, it was interesting enough to get me to the end. I'm not a big fan of this book, but I'd be willing to try some of her other books.
July 13, 2013
Unexpected killings with bombings and a 20 year
old college tragedy make this an arresting read.
A breathtaking dramatic ending.
old college tragedy make this an arresting read.
A breathtaking dramatic ending.
November 16, 2013
Teresa Mac Lean finds herself in a mystery that happend 25 years ago and now has caused damage and troubles in the MEs office.
January 5, 2014
Very good surprise ending; not predictable.
December 17, 2013
This was pretty good though slow in spots
July 29, 2016
always a good whodunit from Black--not as long as others
March 16, 2014
A current case was connecting with a 25 year old case and Tess was caught in the middle. Nearly blown up several times.
April 6, 2021
Enjoyed this mystery and was quite surprised at the end to who the bad guy was. The story moved along at a good pace, a bit involved when discussing some of the technical issues with drugs and the chemistry of how the main character does her work in the lab but for me it was ok and a bit interesting.
The story consists of Theresa MacLean being at the scene of a crime with her detective cousin, Frank, when the building blows up. Along with several other agencies she is involved with investigating why this happened. It leads to learning about the compound that caused the explosion which sends her off in several directions. Shortly after she is at another crime scene and a cop with her is killed which leads to more investigating. She discovers information about him that leads to his involvement with some people in a drug lab 20 years prior which seems to have a possible connection to the building blowing up.
She and her cousin get immersed in the former life of the dead cop, a lot of people on meth, a high tech company and trying to connect all the dots. At the same time she becomes attracted to a man who comes with a lot of baggage and then finds out he is connected to the case in more ways than she thought. Her attraction is interfering with her rational thoughts about whether he is guilty of something or not and she is keeping the info from her cousin.
The story consists of Theresa MacLean being at the scene of a crime with her detective cousin, Frank, when the building blows up. Along with several other agencies she is involved with investigating why this happened. It leads to learning about the compound that caused the explosion which sends her off in several directions. Shortly after she is at another crime scene and a cop with her is killed which leads to more investigating. She discovers information about him that leads to his involvement with some people in a drug lab 20 years prior which seems to have a possible connection to the building blowing up.
She and her cousin get immersed in the former life of the dead cop, a lot of people on meth, a high tech company and trying to connect all the dots. At the same time she becomes attracted to a man who comes with a lot of baggage and then finds out he is connected to the case in more ways than she thought. Her attraction is interfering with her rational thoughts about whether he is guilty of something or not and she is keeping the info from her cousin.
October 4, 2020
2.5 stars.
Theresa is involved in cases that derive from a bombing of a building she happened to be in at a scene. From then on the deaths mount up, more bombings happen and this convoluted case is brought to a conclusion.
There was a lot of unnecessary information about chemical content of meth and explosives. Theresa’s infatuation and visceral response to David was a little far fetched and over the top, therefore unbelievable but needed for the plot.
It seems incredible that she could have been involved in 3 bombings yet emerged relatively unscathed! She was even back at work the very next day, dedicated soul that she is.
Not my favourite book by this author.
Theresa is involved in cases that derive from a bombing of a building she happened to be in at a scene. From then on the deaths mount up, more bombings happen and this convoluted case is brought to a conclusion.
There was a lot of unnecessary information about chemical content of meth and explosives. Theresa’s infatuation and visceral response to David was a little far fetched and over the top, therefore unbelievable but needed for the plot.
It seems incredible that she could have been involved in 3 bombings yet emerged relatively unscathed! She was even back at work the very next day, dedicated soul that she is.
Not my favourite book by this author.
January 22, 2022
Theresa is one of my fav characters but this books was just too filled with science for me to easily follow. I mean, having to sift through a college chemistry class is slightly more tedious...but once you get to the heart of the story it's good. New man in Theresa's life, will he be a good guy, will she and her cousin get blown up 3 or 4 times? Really, this one was not one of the best but I still like Lisa Black's writing and characters.
August 10, 2018
This book felt like it had a slow start though the action starts off right away. Once it started getting interesting it didn't stop there and just took off which was very exciting. The end left you with questions but I guess that's why it's a series so I'll just have to grab the next one.
January 31, 2020
Another decent offering by Black in this series, starts off exciting but it really is more of the same. I love the idea of the forensic analysis, but how many bad things can actually happen to one person?
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
July 17, 2020
Excellent Read!
I really enjoyed reading this. I liked the fact it had some humor sprinkled throughout. It had me puzzled as to who was doing the killing. I never even considered Leo!!
I really enjoyed reading this. I liked the fact it had some humor sprinkled throughout. It had me puzzled as to who was doing the killing. I never even considered Leo!!
July 31, 2020
This is a series that my mother has read, and through the pandemic, I became much more flexible about starting new authors that had written a lot. This is a forensic scientist as main character--ok, I thought, although it took me a long time to get through. Will try another.
December 22, 2017
Bitter sweet tale of the past impacting the future.
June 7, 2018
I really like the series character and the competent writing but this episode has quirky chemistry and a goofy contrived ending.
August 7, 2019
Captured my interest from the beginning. It's entertaining with plenty of clues.
October 16, 2020
Another good installment in the series. This one is a bit technical, but not really necessary for the plot, so if you don't get all of it, like me, then it makes the read good either way.
August 28, 2021
Set in Cleveland which is right up my alley
August 20, 2022
This is more of a 2.5; the story line is good but there’s way too much science teaching in it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews