Life in the Morgue

by Lance Anderson

True events written as a fictional story.
An average working guy wanted a career change. When he applied for—and then got—a job he didn’t think he was qualified for, he found a lot more than a new paycheck.
Inspired by author Lance Anderson’s own years working in a medical examiner’s office and as a paranormal investigator, Life in the Morgue is not a typical murder mystery, romance, or even crime drama. The novel is focused on the people who work in the morgue, offering readers stories that are at times funny, at times sad, and always intriguing.

Genres: Nonfiction

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2019

About the author

Lance Anderson spent most of his life as an ironworker until he decided it was time for a change. He took a job at the medical examiner’s office, where he worked for six years and assisted in more than two thousand cases until he was forced to retire due to vision problems. Life in the Morgue is his debut novel, but he has also written two movie scripts that are in the process of being produced.

Reviews

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg wanted a job that was permanent, not seasonal, and close to home. He applied for a job as a technician at the morgue. Despite not feeling he had the qualifications, he was hired and began his training. He liked the job but the atmosphere was suppressing. He was not prepared for the political side of things and knowing who to trust.
This is a semi biography book, not a mystery or paranormal one, as it is based on the writers personal experiences working at a morgue. The writing is great. The book flows well. I thought the main character was engaging and I read the book in one sitting. It is at time funny, frustrating, gory and sad. I thought the experiences Greg went through were very interesting and I am sure many people who work in the medical field can empathize with the backstabbing and CYA that goes on. This is a wonderful book, one I am glad I read and look forward to reading more of the author’s books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[James Aylott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and easy read with the genre essential gore and guts being limited to the first few chapters. A must read for me as the leading lady in my own novel is a forensic scientist and certainly a must read for anyone that’s considering a career in the business of death! I am still quite amazed though considering how many dead bodies the crew at the pathology lab slice-and-dice during a work week, just how much smoking, coffee drinking, poor diet and general bad living is taking place in their micro world! Possible plot spoiler but at this particular morgue the living stiffs are worse than the dead for central character Greg’s mental health! Bureaucratic meddling management, stacks of Byzantium paperwork and brutal office politics are sucking the oxygen from his lungs faster than a multi pack a day habit. Five stars from me and please give this author the encouragement he deserves so he finishes his next book.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read and I enjoyed the entire book. I was intrigued by the claim that it is a true story. I love books that state that the story is based on their own experience and this one is really intriguing, well-written and provides insight into a place that has always intrigued me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Garg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Name : Life In The Morgue
Author : Lance Anderson
Publication : Outskirts Press
Rating : 5

Blurb: No one can truly understand what they’re getting themselves into beforehand, but this book should still be required reading for any new medical examiner’s assistant. I spent most of the book laughing my head off as I remembered bad, crazy, or downright ugly memories. Like Karen said, “The job itself is great. It’s the other BS you have to deal with that’s the problem.”

Review :- There isn’t any horror or gore in this book. The most terrifying thing is that Mr. Anderson quit being a tech several years ago (maybe close to a decade?), yet virtually nothing has changed. The administrators and supervisors may come and go. However, the overarching morgue environment (and the interpersonal relations amongst staff) remain EXACTLY the same.

From the first page to the last the story grabs your attention and takes you on a journey with the author. I couldn't put it down and read it in one day. I've gone back and read it again, and plan on reading it. yet again. Can't wait for the authors next book!

Paper quality and printing is perfect as per international standard.

[Siobhian R. Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lance Anderson’s Life in the Morgue had me hooked. I was routing for the protagonist, Greg
Benson, from start to end, and finished the book wanting to know more.

Anderson’s novel is written like an old friend retelling the highlights of his day at work: you
get the gossip, thrills of Greg’s promotions, chills from the spooky encounters, crave justice
whenever the rules are broken, and get a real strong insight of life in a morgue.

I was entertained throughout by the relatable office banter and gossip. Only … a morgue isn’t
your typical office setting. Nor is it a mundane, morbid, life-less (pun intended) atmosphere –
at least, not the morgue Greg works at.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started the book but found myself eager to read more.
It’s a great read, enjoyable throughout, and unique to many books I have read this year.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If only people knew what really happened in that place. “

[K Holl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author knows how to construct a decent sentence and paragraph, and can describe a scene so you can picture it in your mind. It feels like a pretty autobiographical telling of the author's experience working in a morgue. The first dozen cases were interesting to read but then I found myself asking if that was all there was. I have a friend who is a nurse and wrote a book about the patients she treated who inspired her. She asked me to be a critical reviewer and I said the same thing to her--what is the underlying theme, what holds this all together to be worthy of being published? When office politics became the substance of the plot (towards the end of the book), it felt like the whole project was the author's way of venting or "closing the book" on past events, and wasn't all that interesting to read.

[joan bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let Down

The book and story was interesting and well written. It was an interesting first hand experience. Then the shoe fell. The result of the hearing and the way the book ended was a disappointment. Like that the end of morgue life and you never find out if he fought back.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Life in the Morgue and found it to be an entertaining read.

The author has brought the morgue to life with the stories of his tenure working there. It seems that no matter where you work, there is always some backstabbing and politics going on. There is humour, sadness, frustration, and some slightly gory descriptions that are necessary considering the workplace.

I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[PortlandAvidReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A revealing tale of office politics in a morgue

As expected in a tale of working in a morgue, the author details the process of retrieving bodies and examining the internals of corpses. His descriptions of a mismanaged, politicized and cliquish work environment is quite realistic. It was kind of like a living death to work in this morgue. There was little character development and the style was quite dry. There is dry humor describing the work situations.

I rated it a 3 because the style was hard to get into, almost mechanical.

[Urszula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Doctor G show so the book I enjoy too. It is quite informative. Full of details with good reality and interesting background. The characters are well created and add up to the story. Enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.