Trace Evidence

Evelyn James #1

by Elizabeth Becka

A gripping suspense novel that introduces forensic expert Evelyn James as she tries to decipher trace evidence and solve a bizarre crime

It's a cold Cleveland November day when forensic trace evidence expert Evelyn James is summoned to the scene of a bizarre crime. A young woman has been forcibly drowned, her feet chained and sunk in cement. When a second young victim is connected to a prominent family, all hell breaks loose, and the police -- and Evelyn -- are up against it to find the murderer. Evelyn just wants to get the job done, but is pulled into a web of conflicting loyalties, unexpected relationships, and professional betrayal. When Evelyn suspects that her own teenage daughter has become a pawn in the killer's plans, she must remain true to herself and her skills and follow the evidence to the murderer's door.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Thriller, Suspense

336 pages, Hardcover

Published August 3, 2005

About the author

Aka Lisa Black

Elizabeth Becka Lansky is a forensic specialist working with the Cape Coral, Florida, police department. Formerly with the Coroner's Office in Cleveland, Ohio, she has lectured to students and officers, has testified as an expert witness, is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and is certified by the American Board of Criminalistics.

She spent five years of her life in a morgue. After 10 years as a secretary, she went back to school to get a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Cleveland State University.

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the style of Patricia Cornwell (a real life former Medical Examiner), Keith Ablow (a forensic psychologist), and Kathy Reichs (a forensic anthropologist), new author Elizabeth Becka draws on her life as a forensic specialist to pen a wonderful thriller/forensic procedural!

Evelyn James is a forensic scientist in Cleveland 's Medical Examiner's office. On a cold November day, she's called to the scene of a chilling crime--a young woman has been pulled from the river, arms and body encased in chains, her feet ensconced in a bucket of cement. Literally drowned to death, the mystery woman preys on Eveyln's mind--especially when another young woman is found dead a few days later. What's even worse is that the second dead girl is Destiny Pierson, daughter of Cleveland 's Mayor. Added to the complications is the fact that Evelyn and Darryl, the Mayor, were once college sweethearts over a decade ago, and Darryl hopes to use that connection to get inside information on the case.

As Evelyn works with grizzled Homicide Detective Riley and newcomer Detective David, they find more missing persons cases that seem similar to the two latest deaths--and find a suspect who seems to fit the profile of their killer. Unfortunately, the suspect has knowledge of Evelyn and her daughter, Angel, leading them to the fact that sixteen-year-old Angel might be another intended victim.

Forensic science mixes with police procedure in Elizabeth Becka's debut novel, and the result is a great read that will keep you turning pages late into the night. As you gain details of Evelyn's personal life, insights into the new Homicide Detective, and background on the serial killer preying on Cleveland 's young women, you'll be enthralled with the perfect mix of truth and fiction.

I can only hope that Ms. Becka plans to return to Cleveland and Eveyln James, a forensic scientist that could well become another Kay Scarpetta, Frank Clevenger, or Temperance Brennan.

[Wisterious Woman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say that I forgot if I even read this book when I went through my pile of books to take back to the library.

The story kept me interested and I always like having a female protagonist that is an expert in her field. The disposal of the bodies in the river using 'cement shoes' made the story a bit different and caught my imagination as well.

I really didn't like the romance aspects of the story. Her relationship with the mayor or her relation with the detective or the relation between her ex and his new wife. They just weren't believably done. I hate it when mysteries turn into romances. She needed a big strong man to save her. please. I wanted her to be clever enough to save herself like one of the other victims did.

The background of the friendship between the mayor and the gangster wasn't totally explained. It would have been interesting to know more about their daughters as well the protagonist's daughter. She seemed very one dimensional.

I couldn't understand why the main character was so worried about her daughter considering she worked all the time and wasn't intensely into mothering in the first place.

Even though it seemed like it might turn into a series I don't think I want to read any more about Evelyn James.

[krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this one caught my attention because the story is based in Cleveland. Being from Northeast Ohio, I was immediately intrigued. Little did I know that the author is from here and that she has more books based in our CLE. I actually enjoyed this book. I read it in less than 2 days. I blew through the chapters, not wanting to put it down. It may because I could so vividly picture as many of the landmarks easily appeared in my head. Others complained of the romance part, but let's face it, a Ton of books, of all genres always seem to have a little of that, so it didn't bother me as ai didn't feel it a hinder on the main story at hand. And that's a good old whodunit. I figured it out the moment the person joined the book, but I am rather obsessed with true crime, crime, forensic, etc. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys a crime novel and especially the nostalgia of Cleveland

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When forensic trace evidence expert Evelyn James is summoned to the scene of a bizarre crime, she finds that a young woman from a prominent Cleveland family has been forcibly drowned in the Cuyahoga River.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonable forensic thriller, which while I did enjoy it, didn't quite grip me as much as I was hoping it would. Evelyn James, the forensic scientist that the book features, is an engaging enough character & I would expect to see her...probably along with David Milaski...appearing in further books.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comparable to Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta and Kathy Reich's Tempe Brennan, this thriller featuring Forensic Scientist, Evelyn James and set in Cleveland is a fantastic addition to the genre.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok forensic mystery about women found in the river with feet in cement. Ultimately not very memorable.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding the story a little slow and then a rush to get all the information out at the end.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A body is found in chains with feet cemented into a bucket. Then a second body is found. Not in cement but the circumstances are too similar not to be linked. Can Evelyn find some clues to help the police or could the next victim be her own daughter.

Well what a thrill ride this was. The story cleverly leads you to many different possible killers and some brilliant twists along the way. I didn't figure out who the killer was until the reveal which made for a good book. The plot is well paced building to a brilliant ending. It was so dramatic and well written. I like Evelyn, she's likeable and strong. David is good too but would like to learn more about him. A brilliant thriller, mystery.

[John Mccormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to the Author publishers and Secret Readers for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Well written and researched this is an absorbing engaging intriguing murder mystery, well paced with some unexpected surprises and twists leading to a dramatic tense chase scene conclusion. Absorbing atmospheric descriptive with good characters especially Evelyn our brave clever gutsy heroine, helping to solve the case involving an high powered ex boyfriends daughter all whilst dealing with her own troublesome teenage daughter, ex husband job worries and potential love interest. The ending leaves the situation open to more books in the series and would look forward to reading them.
Recommended.

[Vincent Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trace Evidence by Elizabeth Becka is one of those books that draw their inspiration from the lives of their authors, a la Patricia Cornwell and the like books. Elizabeth Becka, a forensic specialist, writes about Evelyn James, a trace evidence specialist who helps solve crimes and bring justice to those who have no voice. It is an interesting read.

For a debut novel, it is a piece of mastery. The story is interesting, but it drags a little to the point the writer had to rush towards the end to solve the mystery/dump information.

[hugo van der wildt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redelijk. Debuut van E. Becka dat gaat over forensisch expert Evelyn James. De schrijfster is zelf forensisch wetenschapper wat natuurlijk veel bijdraagt tot het verhaal. Het is geschreven met kennis van zaken.
Twee lijken en verschillende kandidaten moordenaars. Een van de slachtoffers is de dochter van de burgemeester wat de zaak natuurlijk speciaal maakt. Na lang zoeken en puzzelen vinden we de dader die op het einde een fout maakt. De vraag is: Waarom is hij gaan moorden? Een tweede vraag die als men deze kan beantwoorden, sneller tot de dader komt.
Spannend met een mooi einde.

[Reader_Shark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn James works at the cororners office as a trace evidence expert. They are trying to locate a killer show puts his victims feets in a bucket full of cement and then throws them in a river. Evelyn becomes his last victim while one of the cops she is working with finds them. The cop falls in love with her in the end.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster of a ride! Great pacing, believable characters, a strong protagonist, a love interest, and twists and turns that kept you reading. There is a second book in this series that I know is on the shelf at my local library. I'm sad because Elizabeth Becka only wrote two. What happened?

[Louise B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got given this book from a pal, and had never heard of the author. But as I do like crime books, I gave it a whirl. Nicely done, good pacing and it kept me engrossed the whole way through. Worth a read.

[Lynne Fort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid and compelling police procedural, but could have done with a little less personal drama for the protagonist (the stuff with her daughter totally made sense, everything else was just noise though).

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books by this author published under the name of Lisa Black. This book was a great who done it with interesting characters and lots of suspense. The ending was particularly intense.

[LisaK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspense thriller!

Really enjoyed this well written, twisty thriller. I cared about the characters and loved that the book was set in the gritty city of Cleveland, OH. Looking forward to more great books from this author who also writes under the name of Lisa Black.

[Johnna · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st in a series of forensic medical mysteries. very intense but good!!!

[Chris Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great, but also not bad, if a tad predictable.

Still if your interests lie in the direction of how evidence is processed from a crime, then a good quick read.

[Emma Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read with an exciting and gripping ending. I couldn't put it down.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started out slow for me and the ended with a bang. I can tell this is a debut so I am looking forward to the next book!

[Erika . · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the storyline and type of murder that was going on here but the writing wasn’t quite my type. The end definitely got better!

[Jessica white · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid. A good mystery but a little excessive in descriptions sometimes. Ending was predictable

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

From another reviewer.

In the style of Patricia Cornwell (a real life former Medical Examiner), Keith Ablow (a forensic psychologist), and Kathy Reichs (a forensic anthropologist), new author Elizabeth Becka draws on her life as a forensic specialist to pen a wonderful thriller/forensic procedural!

Evelyn James is a forensic scientist in Cleveland 's Medical Examiner's office. On a cold November day, she's called to the scene of a chilling crime--a young woman has been pulled from the river, arms and body encased in chains, her feet ensconced in a bucket of cement. Literally drowned to death, the mystery woman preys on Eveyln's mind--especially when another young woman is found dead a few days later. What's even worse is that the second dead girl is Destiny Pierson, daughter of Cleveland 's Mayor. Added to the complications is the fact that Evelyn and Darryl, the Mayor, were once college sweethearts over a decade ago, and Darryl hopes to use that connection to get inside information on the case.
**********************


As Evelyn works with grizzled Homicide Detective Riley and newcomer Detective David, they find more missing persons cases that seem similar to the two latest deaths--and find a suspect who seems to fit the profile of their killer. Unfortunately, the suspect has knowledge of Evelyn and her daughter, Angel, leading them to the fact that sixteen-year-old Angel might be another intended victim.

Forensic science mixes with police procedure in Elizabeth Becka's debut novel, and the result is a great read that will keep you turning pages late into the night. As you gain details of Evelyn's personal life, insights into the new Homicide Detective, and background on the serial killer preying on Cleveland 's young women, you'll be enthralled with the perfect mix of truth and fiction.

I can only hope that Ms. Becka plans to return to Cleveland and Eveyln James, a forensic scientist that could well become another Kay Scarpetta, Frank Clevenger, or Temperance Brennan. (less)


***The first few pages of the book draw you in by introducing the reader to a young woman struggling to escape and alllllmost succeeding. It is a heartrending intro to a great crime novel.

Evelyn James has a teen daughter, a burgeoning relationship, and a gruesome job right out of a horror tale...but at least the dead don't talk back. When she learns that the girl whose death she is investigating was the daughter of a former love, it becomes more personal...and more frightening when her daughter gets drawn in.

Working class Cleveland lends its character to the story and gives this taut tale of murder a gritty authenticty.


Also read her Theresa MacLean forensic thrillers written under the name Lisa Black starting with Takeover.***********

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the actual crime and forensic aspects of the book. The forensic investigation was quite technical, and given the author's background, I would assume, more accurate.

That being said... When you don't have many named characters in a book, it makes it too easy to figure things out. Very early on, I identified who would become the red herring, who was the likely murderer, and several of the pieces of evidence were almost too obvious; I like some intrigue and doubt when I'm trying to solve the crime.

The characters were also a bit flat. I didn't feel convinced by the relationships between Evelyn and her partner and exs. They felt awkward and superficial. Way more effort could have been put into them, but mostly I feel that they weren't necessary in the first place.

I felt a step ahead of the investigators throughout the story, but overall, the killer and the crime were still interesting. The forensic investigation was convincing. But I don't think I'm in any rush to read another book by the author.

[K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The supporting characters of Mayor Pierson and his mobster friend Ashworth were far more interesting than the protagonists or the mystery. I want to know about their friendship.

The portions of the novel where Evelyn was in the lab alternating between analyzing data and making investigative leaps were too few compared to her mental complaints about her ex-husband and his new wife. Don't get me wrong, character background is extremely important in crime novels to assess motivations, but this just wasn't an effective way to go about it.

(Also? Grumpy, sullen teenagers are so boring to read about.)

The attempt at romance between Evie and the new homicide detective was badly done. There was a resolute lack of chemistry between them for all the emotions the author was telling me they were feeling after only a few days. The epilogue (complete with declaration of love barely a handful of weeks after the story) really only does more awkward damage.

[Lee Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few pages of the book draw you in by introducing the reader to a young woman struggling to escape and alllllmost succeeding. It is a heartrending intro to a great crime novel.

Evelyn James has a teen daughter, a burgeoning relationship, and a gruesome job right out of a horror tale...but at least the dead don't talk back. When she learns that the girl whose death she is investigating was the daughter of a former love, it becomes more personal...and more frightening when her daughter gets drawn in.

Working class Cleveland lends its character to the story and gives this taut tale of murder a gritty authenticty.


Also read her Theresa MacLean forensic thrillers written under the name Lisa Black starting with Takeover.

[Morgan Bardon · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I have read a lot of Kathy Reichs over the years, and this book came with the cover sticker stating that if you likes Kathy Reichs, then you would like this. This could well have been a Bones story line. Separated woman working for the ME's office, with a daughter (teenager rather than in her twenties), still talking to the ex-husband, sloving crimes with a cop she likes (and who likes her romantically), and basically doing her own thing outside of the policies that are in place for her job resulting in her getting into trouble.

The story was good, different, and somewhat predicatable, but look I read it and enjoyed it. If you have read Kathy Reichs however, you will see a lot of simularities.