In the Shadows of Death: Writing Life's Final Chapter

by Paul Parker

When it’s your job to calm the chaos around you, the chaos within you takes its toll.

Factual. Comprehensive. Compassionate. Sometimes at odds, these characteristics have driven medicolegal death investigator Paul Parker throughout his career. From sharing gut-wrenching death notifications to investigating high-profile cases, Paul has written the last chapter of hundreds of stories—even when it nearly broke him.

In the Shadows of Death is a powerful memoir exploring the turbulence caused when death is a constant companion. Raised by his terminally ill grandmother, Paul learned to navigate life’s final moments and has used his career to advocate for the deceased and, upon entering recovery and prioritizing personal well-being, his fellow investigators. This is a story of tragic endings and new beginnings, stifling addiction and renewed hope. For anyone in the death investigation community and beyond, In the Shadows of Death provides an inside look at how to choose life in the face of death.

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what a medicolegal death investigator was when I started reading this book. Definitely not the career choice for me. These are the people called in when there is a deadly accident, a suicide, a murder, an unattended death of someone not considered terminal. They are the ones you see on TV, but there they call them coroners. There is a difference, with MDI's being sworn peace officers and doing more investigating then an autopsy.

Mr. Parker writes about his dysfunctional childhood and what lead him to become a MDI. He tells of his career in that field, the different offices he served in, in the Southwest. He details some of the interesting and also gruesome deaths. He talks of the trauma experienced by folks in this field, including the administration people who only deal with the surviving family. He tells of the positive influence he tried to be in each of his positions, to give dignity to the deceased and to help his fellow colleagues. He also tells of how 20 straight years of doing this work affected his marriage and eventually led to his breakdown.

Mr. Parker did an excellent job of weaving the story of his personal life with his work life. He writes of his recovery and the things he learned about himself. It was a book that was a little hard to put down. A great read, especially for those who like to watch police shows about death investigations, because you will learn how it's really done. It's not a light read because of the subject, but I highly recommend reading this book. #GoodreadsGiveaways

[Stephanie St · Rating 1 out of 5]

It takes a lot of guts to write a book about your life and admit all your faults for everyone to judge. That being said, some of the details of the job are rough to read. Wouldn't recommend eating soup while reading the chapter that has soup in the title. It was fascinating to read about the professional side of death investigation though. And also on a personal note, it made me understand the abandonment issues my husband has a lot better from someone who seems to be able to articulate them a little easier. And I thank you for that understanding.

I would recommend this book if you are interested in any job that involves death, honestly. Even if you are working in a hospital, the way he talks about talking to the family of the deceased would help you in having compassion for the family during what they are going through while notifying them of a death.

EDIT: Got to the end of the book. The misogyny, sexism, racism and aduse of corpses is unhinged. DON'T READ THIS BOOK IF ANYONE YOU LOVE HAS DIED. Also the emotional manipulation used to make you feel bad and not say what you really feel is wild. Do not recommend. One. Star.

[Carrie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I was meant to read this book. I came across it while at Barnes and nobles looking for spooky Halloween items, the cover caught my eye. While reading the back of the book a worker advised me they would be have a reading on it later in the month. During my time reading this, I discovered that he worked at the San Diego office during the time my father was imprisoned and later died. I also discovered online later that he was an advocate of reducing inmate jails in San Diego and was the director of Commission on Police Practices for this cause very recently.

Having at one point in my teenage years wanting to be a forensic pathologist, it was an enjoyable read and informative. I wish nothing but happiness and peace for the author as it’s apparent he’s gone through a lot and struggles.

[Rikki Jump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul has done something really incredible here. He has bared his soul, and he has taught us MANY things. His writing is honest and irreverent. Very funny at times, very sad at others. This book is a page-turner. You want to uncover more about medicolegal death investigations and hear more grisly, unbelievable stories. But mostly, you want to uncover more about Paul.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare to come across a book that completely pulls you in and keeps you reading hour after hour,but this one did exactly that. I was hooked from the very first page and found myself unable to put it down. Every chapter, every detail, every personal reflection had me fully immersed.

This book is an unflinching look into the world of death investigations and medical examiner offices, a world we rarely talk about, and even more rarely understand. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s written with such clarity and honesty that you feel completely immersed in a death investigators world. You see, hear, and feel the weight that they carry.

The author shines a much-needed light on the invisible heroes behind these investigations, the death investigators and medical examiners who carry out one of the most emotionally intense, thankless jobs there is. They work in silence, behind the scenes, with no fanfare or recognition, and this book gives them the voice and credit they’ve long deserved.

What makes this book even more powerful is how Paul weaves in his own personal story, his struggles, his past, and the emotional impact this line of work has had on him. It’s deeply human. His vulnerability and honesty brought a sense of humanity that lingered long after i finished reading.

This isn’t just a book about death, it’s a story about life, trauma, resilience, and the people who show up for the hardest moments most of us never see. Beautifully written, emotionally charged, and profoundly eye-opening. Not for the faint of heart, but an absolute must-read.

[Sherry A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling, Honest, and Insightful Memoir. Bravo to Paul Parker on his brilliant career, and helping to make important changes to the medicolegal death investigation field possible. This is a brilliantly written memoir, not only about death, but about life, and learning to live it to its fullest. I want to congratulate Paul for his decision to become sober and live his life to its fullest, and for bringing us all an excellent read. I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and Goodreads for gifting me this book.

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. This was tedious with some boring tales, supposedly connected by the theme of death. I skipped a lot and put the book down for a while, hoping it would be better after a break. But I didn’t have the heart to pick it up again. I won a free copy of this book (thanks to the author & publisher!) and am voluntarily providing an honest review.

[Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

My rating is not a mistake.