Grave Secrets: A Leading Forensic Expert Reveals the Startling Truth about O.J. Simpson, David Koresh, Vincent Foster, and Other Sensational Cases

by Cyril Wecht

America's premier forensic pathologist has written his most eye-opening book yet as he illumines the most shocking crimes and spellbinding trials of our time. Without fear or favor, Cyril Wecht, M.D., J.D., reveals his professional involvement and judgment in such celebrated cases These are just three of the fourteen extraordinary true dramas that come to life in these pages. Whether describing bullet wounds or blood samples, chemical compounds or courtroom tactics, conflicting opinions or medical certainties, no one tops Cyril Wecht in expertise, objectivity, and outspokenness. Shocking eyewitness testimony and crucial findings of facts make Grave Secrets a fascinating and enlightening perspective on contemporary times. Now includes an 8-page photo insert.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a facinating book with inside information on some very high profile death mysteries. I would have given the book 5 stars but the first chapter about his help with the defense during the OJ trial had some misinformation. I have read other books about that trial and at least two things he brought up were false. One he still believes a second murderer was on the scene at the Bundy residence where Nichole Brown and Ron Goldman were murdered in 1994. There was never a single shred of evidence that anyone but OJ was there.

Next he brought up the preservative chemical found in the blood of some of the items such as the socks in OJ’s house. Defense tried to say it was planted with blood from the police lab which had preservative chemicals in it. Marcia Clark for the prosecution proved 16 years before this book came out that everyone has trace amounts of preservatives in their blood from their diet. Lab samples tested way higher for these preservatives. There was no question that none of the blood was planted. Why Dr. Wecht still believes this nonsense really lowered my opinion of him. His other cases I am not as familiar so I’ll just take his word for them.

[Tea Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

You think you know the details of some of the most high profile deaths in the country but honestly, you don't until you read this book. This book goes in serious depth about various notorious deaths in America in recent history through the eyes of one of the top forensic experts in the nation. The writer experienced these cases first hand because he was asked for his professional opinion or insight in many different instances. It was actually a complete accident that I read this book; for some reason I thought it was about sudden deaths and the mysteries behind them, but after I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It was also interesting because I plan on pursuing a career as a forensic examiner as well. This book is a good pick if you want to take a look at the highlighted cases from a different point of view, even if the author does seem like he has a superiority complex at times. Anyone who is willing to be open-minded and look at these mysteries from a new angle will appreciate this original and thought provoking book!

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. He is committed to the truth of any situation. The only thing I doubted was the idea that two people stabbed Nicole Brown Simpson.

[Megr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read, best stories up front. Simpson story interesting but a little tl;dr. Koresh, Glenville shooting, Black Panther and Foster stories entertaining and insightful.

[Rob Tripp · Rating 3 out of 5]

An episodic book, without any theme or narrative, about some notable cases but interesting. I think it's always worthwhile to get a glimpse inside the mind of a forensic expert. I would have liked to see a bit more personal disclosure about Wecht's early life, education and upbringing. How does a person decide that he'd like to cut up bodies and study corpses for a living one day?

[Linda Lipko]

I so disliked this disjointed, poorly written, boring book that I won't bother to write a lot about my thoughts, other than to note that Wecht appears to be an egotistical, egocentric "expert" on how to perform an autopsy.

A disappointing read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting

[Laurie Stoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a work of non-fiction that delve's into the forensics of some famous cases.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #13 of 2012. Pretty good.

[Prakash]

Good