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Forensic Geology #1-3
The Forensic Geology Box Set
** Now available in one set: books 1-3 in the award-winning Forensic Geology Series **
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QUICKSILVER
Forensic geologists Cassie Oldfield and Walter Shaws plunge into the dark history of the California gold country, into the dark past of two brothers, into a poisonous feud that threatens lives and the land.
BADWATER
Death Valley earns its name when a terrorist threatens to unleash lethal radioactive toxins. The only ones who can find and stop him are the forensic geologists, and they are up against more than pure human malice. The unstable atom--in the hands of an unstable man--is governed by Murphy's Law. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.
VOLCANO WATCH
The volcano beneath the geologists' home town is seething, and the mayor is found murdered with a note saying NO WAY OUT. The fate of the town now rests in the hands of an emergency planner with his own twisted agenda. As the volcano moves toward red alert, the geologists race to prevent 'no way out' from becoming a prophecy.
__________________________________
QUICKSILVER
Forensic geologists Cassie Oldfield and Walter Shaws plunge into the dark history of the California gold country, into the dark past of two brothers, into a poisonous feud that threatens lives and the land.
BADWATER
Death Valley earns its name when a terrorist threatens to unleash lethal radioactive toxins. The only ones who can find and stop him are the forensic geologists, and they are up against more than pure human malice. The unstable atom--in the hands of an unstable man--is governed by Murphy's Law. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.
VOLCANO WATCH
The volcano beneath the geologists' home town is seething, and the mayor is found murdered with a note saying NO WAY OUT. The fate of the town now rests in the hands of an emergency planner with his own twisted agenda. As the volcano moves toward red alert, the geologists race to prevent 'no way out' from becoming a prophecy.
833 pages, ebook
First published December 3, 2013
404 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 11, 2014
A while ago I downloaded Quicksilver, the prequel novella to the two novel-length mysteries of the Forensic Geology series. (All three are included here.) It may have been a freebie; I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting writers. Two days ago I finally got around to reading it. The instant I'd finished, I came looking for more Toni Dwiggins and bought this boxed set. This morning I finished the last book. I've skipped all other reading in favor of this enthralling world of loyalty, betrayal, and pyroclastic flows.
Yes, they're that good. Well-written, insightful, suspenseful, imaginative. They also transport the reader into a new world -- well, new to anyone who is not a geologist. As an enthusiastic amateur rockhound, I loved the geological details. If you enjoyed John McPhee's ANNALS OF THE FORMER WORLD, you will adore this series. But I'd also recommend it if you enjoyed Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin books, because much of the delight of those books was in learning the terminology and being immersed in a different world.
The books follow Cassie Oldfield, a forensic geologist in her late 20s, and her much older professional partner Walter Shaws, as they investigate crimes, including murder and ecoterrorism. The plots are fresh. The female characters have agency and run in age from 14 to elderly. There are hints of romance, but the series is not built around Cassie's libido or love life, and the professional partners will never be lovers. Her chief concerns are work, rocks, and her community: Walter, her much-loved elderly partner; her family; her hometown of Mammoth Lakes, a small community where she still sees the people she went to high school with.
The local landscape is vividly rendered. One of the books is set in Death Valley, another in Mammoth Lakes itself, and the prequel in an abandoned gold mine. The landscape and its underlying geology -- the terrain and the terrane -- are almost extra characters.
And then there's the writing. Plenty of good mysteries feature competent but unmemorable writing; a few rise to the level of art. Think Agatha Christie versus Dorothy L. Sayers. Toni Dwiggins doesn't write in the style of Sayers, but she writes beautiful scenes and sentences -- vivid, evocative, passionate, thoroughly imagined. She tells the story well and suspensefully, but she also tells it with grace and skill.
I'll read anything she writes. I plan to proselytize to all my geological friends, all my mystery-loving friends, and anyone who reads. She is that good.
Forensic geology uses science , and Sherlock Holmes really was the first forensic geologist.
Yes, they're that good. Well-written, insightful, suspenseful, imaginative. They also transport the reader into a new world -- well, new to anyone who is not a geologist. As an enthusiastic amateur rockhound, I loved the geological details. If you enjoyed John McPhee's ANNALS OF THE FORMER WORLD, you will adore this series. But I'd also recommend it if you enjoyed Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin books, because much of the delight of those books was in learning the terminology and being immersed in a different world.
The books follow Cassie Oldfield, a forensic geologist in her late 20s, and her much older professional partner Walter Shaws, as they investigate crimes, including murder and ecoterrorism. The plots are fresh. The female characters have agency and run in age from 14 to elderly. There are hints of romance, but the series is not built around Cassie's libido or love life, and the professional partners will never be lovers. Her chief concerns are work, rocks, and her community: Walter, her much-loved elderly partner; her family; her hometown of Mammoth Lakes, a small community where she still sees the people she went to high school with.
The local landscape is vividly rendered. One of the books is set in Death Valley, another in Mammoth Lakes itself, and the prequel in an abandoned gold mine. The landscape and its underlying geology -- the terrain and the terrane -- are almost extra characters.
And then there's the writing. Plenty of good mysteries feature competent but unmemorable writing; a few rise to the level of art. Think Agatha Christie versus Dorothy L. Sayers. Toni Dwiggins doesn't write in the style of Sayers, but she writes beautiful scenes and sentences -- vivid, evocative, passionate, thoroughly imagined. She tells the story well and suspensefully, but she also tells it with grace and skill.
I'll read anything she writes. I plan to proselytize to all my geological friends, all my mystery-loving friends, and anyone who reads. She is that good.
Forensic geology uses science , and Sherlock Holmes really was the first forensic geologist.
May 10, 2014
The Forensic Geology Series
Quicksilver
Walter Shaws and Casie Oldfields are partners in Sierra Geoforensics a company that uses geology to assists companies and law enforcement to solve problems and crimes. In Quicksilver they were hired to find a missing brother in the old gold mining areas of the California Gold Country.
In Badwater, they are hired to help find the killer of the driver of a semi carrying a load of nuclear waste to a storage facility in the Death Valley area. By studying the dirt found on shoe soles and in fender wells of vehicles they reconstruct determine where the shoes and vehicles had been. They eventually unearth a plot to use the waste to contaminate the local watershed.
n Volcano Watch their home town of Mammoth Lakes, CA is being threatened by the impending eruption of a long dormant volcano and when the mayor of the town is discovered murdered they are enlisted to help find the killer. There is some town politics and a confrontation between the local volcanologist and a FEMA officer brought in to help establish evacuation routes should the volcano erupt.
I found the stories to be interesting and well done and enjoyed all three.
Quicksilver
Walter Shaws and Casie Oldfields are partners in Sierra Geoforensics a company that uses geology to assists companies and law enforcement to solve problems and crimes. In Quicksilver they were hired to find a missing brother in the old gold mining areas of the California Gold Country.
In Badwater, they are hired to help find the killer of the driver of a semi carrying a load of nuclear waste to a storage facility in the Death Valley area. By studying the dirt found on shoe soles and in fender wells of vehicles they reconstruct determine where the shoes and vehicles had been. They eventually unearth a plot to use the waste to contaminate the local watershed.
n Volcano Watch their home town of Mammoth Lakes, CA is being threatened by the impending eruption of a long dormant volcano and when the mayor of the town is discovered murdered they are enlisted to help find the killer. There is some town politics and a confrontation between the local volcanologist and a FEMA officer brought in to help establish evacuation routes should the volcano erupt.
I found the stories to be interesting and well done and enjoyed all three.
April 19, 2019
Read this series!
Like many people, I love all the forensic series on television. I’ve read a several forensic novels, but most of them deal with DNA and other types of evidence. This is a whole different ball of wax! Well drawn characters, great plots, and enough geological detail leave you wanting more, but not so much that you’re bored, Books 1 & 2 were very good, but book 3, Volcano Watch, is absolutely gripping. The ending is totally unexpected, and makes makes a fitting punishment for the crime! I can’t wait to read book 4, Skeleton Sea.
Like many people, I love all the forensic series on television. I’ve read a several forensic novels, but most of them deal with DNA and other types of evidence. This is a whole different ball of wax! Well drawn characters, great plots, and enough geological detail leave you wanting more, but not so much that you’re bored, Books 1 & 2 were very good, but book 3, Volcano Watch, is absolutely gripping. The ending is totally unexpected, and makes makes a fitting punishment for the crime! I can’t wait to read book 4, Skeleton Sea.
February 2, 2025
Geology repurposed
I enjoyed these books. As a desert rat that hikes around rocky places looking for minerals, specimens and geologic layers, I approached these books with both hope and dread. Would the author get it right,or was this like so many books written by people without deep knowledge of the subject , a DNF for me.
I liked the pacing, the use of science and the authors insight into place. I will purchase for my library, because I think I will need to visit with geoforensics team again
I enjoyed these books. As a desert rat that hikes around rocky places looking for minerals, specimens and geologic layers, I approached these books with both hope and dread. Would the author get it right,or was this like so many books written by people without deep knowledge of the subject , a DNF for me.
I liked the pacing, the use of science and the authors insight into place. I will purchase for my library, because I think I will need to visit with geoforensics team again
November 16, 2021
A New Slant On Criminal Forensics
What a joy—we have mystery books on forensic anthropologists, which I have loved from the start. So cool to have a new genre, that of forensic geology. I have been a rock lover since childhood, so I found this three-book series fascinating. I can’t say that I understood everything about the rocks, but I did learn a lot as I enjoyed the plots and characters.
What a joy—we have mystery books on forensic anthropologists, which I have loved from the start. So cool to have a new genre, that of forensic geology. I have been a rock lover since childhood, so I found this three-book series fascinating. I can’t say that I understood everything about the rocks, but I did learn a lot as I enjoyed the plots and characters.
October 17, 2025
Explosive
This third book featuring Cassie of Sierra Geoforensics is the best. It swings between investigation of two deaths personally significant to Cassie, against a background of mounting tension as the caldera below her hometown threatens to erupt. Forensic and psychological detection evolves into thriller as she, those she loves, and the enemy are forced into life-and-death dependence. More in this series, please, author.
This third book featuring Cassie of Sierra Geoforensics is the best. It swings between investigation of two deaths personally significant to Cassie, against a background of mounting tension as the caldera below her hometown threatens to erupt. Forensic and psychological detection evolves into thriller as she, those she loves, and the enemy are forced into life-and-death dependence. More in this series, please, author.
August 5, 2017
Interesting read, and i learned a lot
Book was very interesting and the geology's very detailed so I learned a lot about geology and some interesting forensic approaches. The main characters were fleshed out pretty good but some of the ancillary characters were shallow. Over all I liked the (3) books and recommend them.
Book was very interesting and the geology's very detailed so I learned a lot about geology and some interesting forensic approaches. The main characters were fleshed out pretty good but some of the ancillary characters were shallow. Over all I liked the (3) books and recommend them.
April 27, 2018
I read all three and found them sufficiently entertaining. Toni did keep things moving and held my interest when I started having doubts. The character development wasn't the most sophisticated but the scene descriptions and plot details were remarkably elaborate (even when not credible), especially if you have an interest in geology.
May 25, 2023
Enjoyable and informative
All three stories in this series were well constructed stories. Recommend this Forensic Geology set. Not too technical but enough geology and forensics to give the reader a sense that you've learned something of the Western part of the US and its contemporary issues underlying this area.
All three stories in this series were well constructed stories. Recommend this Forensic Geology set. Not too technical but enough geology and forensics to give the reader a sense that you've learned something of the Western part of the US and its contemporary issues underlying this area.
December 22, 2017
Being a geologist myself, I really enjoyed this series. Cass reminds me of Anna Pigeon, but with a geology background. I don't know if there are really forensic geologists like Cass, but the work she does is certainly fascinating and exciting, sometimes too exciting!
March 15, 2019
Hot paced
Much better than book two! Two murders and a volcano on the brink of erupting, is someone trying to silence the voice of reason or create a panic. While trying to solve the murder of the town mayor will Walter and Cassie survive or be swept away in the volcanic blast.
Much better than book two! Two murders and a volcano on the brink of erupting, is someone trying to silence the voice of reason or create a panic. While trying to solve the murder of the town mayor will Walter and Cassie survive or be swept away in the volcanic blast.
February 28, 2022
riveting
Each book keeps you on the edge of your seat! It also gives lessons in geology which can be dry reading, but not in this case! You actually understand what they are describing! That’s fascinating!
Each book keeps you on the edge of your seat! It also gives lessons in geology which can be dry reading, but not in this case! You actually understand what they are describing! That’s fascinating!
October 14, 2022
These books are exceptionally well written. The characters mesh well together. I’ve loved reading them, because I love geology and forensics and it combines them both. Can’t wait to read the next one. I’ve bought them all and will buy the authors other books as well
July 12, 2017
I am sure it may be a good book, but I can't abide profanity! If you can't write without using it, you shouldn't be writing.
November 8, 2017
Who knew
Amazing how fascinating analysis of dirt can be. I had no idea what can be deducted, determined and deduced by dedicated practitioners of the sciencr!
Amazing how fascinating analysis of dirt can be. I had no idea what can be deducted, determined and deduced by dedicated practitioners of the sciencr!
May 24, 2018
Boring
July 9, 2018
Only read the first book. Too easy to put down. Forensic geology is not for me. A very strange tale with characters who are not compelling enough to continue to follow.
October 17, 2019
I have now read 4 forensic geology books and will now read something else before I tackle another one.
December 6, 2019
Good Read
Toni Dwiggins is my new favorite author.. She puts a
a whole new and fascinating twist on forensics.. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series..
Toni Dwiggins is my new favorite author.. She puts a
a whole new and fascinating twist on forensics.. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series..
April 24, 2020
Sorry but not a good read.
October 26, 2020
273
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2024
First rule of writing fiction…
…don’t kill the dog.
Mildly entertaining until book two. Lost me when villain killed the dog for no good reason. Nope. I’m done.
…don’t kill the dog.
Mildly entertaining until book two. Lost me when villain killed the dog for no good reason. Nope. I’m done.
March 7, 2017
better than 3 stars not as good as 4
November 2, 2016
I finished a box set today called: The Forensic Geology Series, Box Set by Toni Dwiggins. This series is written from a first person p.o.v. Cassie and Walter run forensic geology lab in Mammoth Lake, CA. They accept jobs from all over the world. Their expertise is identifying dirt and stone particles that a victim may have walked through. Cassie is our eyes and thoughts as we read. In the first 2 books, we know who the bad guy is up front, although book #2 has a 2nd protagonist, but I figured out who it was. The third book was more tricky just because Cassie and Walter couldn't find any evidence, but they got the bad guy in another way. These books are loaded with geographical and geology terms. But don't let this dissuade you. Writing is excellent and the author is very descriptive that she places you in the high country, the mountains or wherever the story is taking place. By the way, the 3rd book deals with a volcano at Mammoth Lake. All I can say is: WOW! So descriptive and since you are reading it from Cassie's p.o.v. you're in the middle of it and on the edge of your seat when that volcano blows! I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 26, 2016
This was an interesting series. I am into Geology, so that added to my interest. They way they tracked the people down, using Geology, was to say the least, enjoyable. I did not read the series in one setting, as I felt it was too much, so I read a book, read another book and came back to the series. I felt, the last 2 were longer than they needed to be. They were very wordy and could have been condensed. Other than that, I liked the series.
November 21, 2015
A great series about Forensic Geologists and how they solve crimes by studying the soils and rocks in the clothing and around the scene of the crime.
The crime solvers are an older man and his protege a young woman, they solve murders, terrorist attacks and various other types of crimes. Good read, nice science and good characters.
The crime solvers are an older man and his protege a young woman, they solve murders, terrorist attacks and various other types of crimes. Good read, nice science and good characters.
December 27, 2016
This boxed set of the trilogy was my first experience with this author and forensic geology. Who knew that detecting using geological evidence would make for interesting reading. The stories are well written and even though chronological, they could be read as stand alone novels. The books are page turners and hard to put down. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
December 13, 2019
A real learning experience
A fantastic, unique series! I love to have different thrills when I start a brand new author for me. After I bought box set and before I read them I wondered just why I wanted to try them. Now I'm glad I did. A set of thrillers for sure. I'm making a wild-assed guess I'll be back for more.
A fantastic, unique series! I love to have different thrills when I start a brand new author for me. After I bought box set and before I read them I wondered just why I wanted to try them. Now I'm glad I did. A set of thrillers for sure. I'm making a wild-assed guess I'll be back for more.
July 8, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed these, can't wait for more?
February 8, 2017
It was a three book set. Three good stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews