The Coroner Series: America's Most Controversial Medical Examiner Tells All

by Thomas T. Noguchi, Joseph DiMona

A New York Times–bestselling author and renowned Los Angeles medical examiner challenges the verdicts in America’s most controversial celebrity deaths. “Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi encountered the best and the worst of Los Angeles—movie stars and gangsters, politicians and millionaires. . . . But by the time ‘the coroner to the stars’ met them, they were on his autopsy table” (Los Angeles Times).   In his New York Times–bestselling autobiography and its fascinating follow-up—now together in a single volume—Dr. Noguchi recounts his stormy career, divulges his innovative techniques, and reveals the full story behind his most intriguing investigations.   Dr. Noguchi sheds light on his most controversial the suspicious drowning death of Natalie Wood, Marilyn Monroe’s suicide, the assassination of Robert Kennedy, the circumstances behind the drug-related deaths of Janis Joplin and John Belushi, the murder of Sharon Tate. and more.  Coroner at Often called the “Detective of Death,” Dr. Noguchi continues to probe the most famous fatalities in recent pop-culture the drowning of Beach Boy Dennis Wilson, the Hollywood murder of Sal Mineo, the suicide of Freddie Prinze, the slaying of “Playmate of the Year” Dorothy Stratten, Elvis Presley’s final hours, and more. Noguchi’s forensic acumen also provides new clues to the fates of such historical figures as Gen. George Custer, Napoleon, and Adolf Hitler.   In both riveting accounts, Dr. Noguchi documents his own investigations and pioneering work in the field, as the mysteries of death—natural and unnatural—are unraveled by “one of the greats of modern forensic pathology” (Barry A. J. Fisher, director of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s crime lab).

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery

461 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2017

About the author

Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi is a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist and was the Chief
Medical Examiner-Coroner for the County of Los Angeles for many years.

Reviews

[Jean Guarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information was mostly interesting, though in a couple of cases he seemed to be disagreeing with his own findings. The books are excessively wordy, however, and he is definitely full of himself. I don't really care about him personally or about his troubles/triumphs/friends/foes; I just want the facts and the mystery, as clearly and concisely as possible.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

These were two very interesting books. Dr. Noguchi certainly had a great career. These are must reads for any true crime fan.

[Bambi Goggio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A blend of forensic history, personal memoirs, and brief histories of famous deaths. Whether you like true crime, medico-legal history, or are just curious, this should entertain.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about how forensic science can help us understand how and why someone died, rightly deciding if a death is murder, suicide, or accident. It is also the story of how a Japanese born man overcame great obstacles to become a corner and the first Japanese medical examiner in the United States.