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Lifesign
The second book in the DI Eva Harris series, this is a gripping, multi-layered thriller that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats.
In an abandoned warehouse, a schoolboy makes a grisly discovery: 96 containers, each filled with exquisitely preserved bodily remains.
Detective Eva Harris knows the line between life and death better than most. Having survived a near fatal encounter with the criminal underworld once before, she is still haunted by the repercussions of her actions - and fearful of the whole truth emerging.
Faced with the crime scene, she is forced to contemplate a difficult question: is this the work of a lone psychopath - or is there a more complicated truth hidden in this killer’s art?
Her search for the killer takes her across Europe, from the upper echelons of society’s glittering elite to the dark and tangled web of the underworld - and finally, to the very limits of humanity.
In an abandoned warehouse, a schoolboy makes a grisly discovery: 96 containers, each filled with exquisitely preserved bodily remains.
Detective Eva Harris knows the line between life and death better than most. Having survived a near fatal encounter with the criminal underworld once before, she is still haunted by the repercussions of her actions - and fearful of the whole truth emerging.
Faced with the crime scene, she is forced to contemplate a difficult question: is this the work of a lone psychopath - or is there a more complicated truth hidden in this killer’s art?
Her search for the killer takes her across Europe, from the upper echelons of society’s glittering elite to the dark and tangled web of the underworld - and finally, to the very limits of humanity.
Audible Audio
Published September 23, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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September 29, 2025
1-Star DNF @ 36% - I Didn't Like It
"Lifesign" started with promise and appeared to be worth the effort early on, but I became less interested as two seemingly unmingled plots unfolded. Plausibility & credibility suffered for me because of these dual plots/story lines and I couldn't be bothered waiting for an eventual merging, if indeed that happened.
Normally, I enjoy technical details, particularly if the subjects are new to me, but all the properties of DNA and the like, were beyond me!
I don't read "Horror" and while I'm not saying "Lifesign" was a horror story, some of the dialogue and descriptions were a bit too gory for me.
Carl Goodman - DI Eva Harris #2 - Lifesign 2021
Audible Plus: 13:06 Hours - Narrator: Louise Brealey
Commenced: September 28, 2025 - DNF September 30, 2025
"Lifesign" started with promise and appeared to be worth the effort early on, but I became less interested as two seemingly unmingled plots unfolded. Plausibility & credibility suffered for me because of these dual plots/story lines and I couldn't be bothered waiting for an eventual merging, if indeed that happened.
Normally, I enjoy technical details, particularly if the subjects are new to me, but all the properties of DNA and the like, were beyond me!
I don't read "Horror" and while I'm not saying "Lifesign" was a horror story, some of the dialogue and descriptions were a bit too gory for me.
Carl Goodman - DI Eva Harris #2 - Lifesign 2021
Audible Plus: 13:06 Hours - Narrator: Louise Brealey
Commenced: September 28, 2025 - DNF September 30, 2025
September 11, 2022
If you enjoy over-the-top British crime/police procedural medical thrillers, this series is for you.
DI Eva Harris is a tough and feisty DI with class, sass, brilliance, a compelling backstory..... and an uncanny ability to sense danger and escape death.
And she's the superhero in Carl Goodman's two expertly-crafted, action-packed medical thrillers "20/20" and "Lifesign".
Both books were extremely fast-paced with strong characterizations and multiple plot twists.
Both books also showcased superb police procedurals that kept me on edge from beginning to end.
"20/20" and "Lifesign". were Audible freebies from AudiblePlus.
Although both are standalone books, I strongly recommend reading "20/20" first.
Both books were read by Louise Brealey, who did an outstanding job with the narration. The books, however, would have benefited from two narrators(male and female) for the male POV portions of the book.
Trigger warnings: graphic, gruesome, gory body parts.
I was surprised that "Lifesign", the second book in the DI Eva Harris series, was also about body parts.
I sincerely hope that Book #3 in the DI Eva Harris series features a crime drama with less gore and no body parts.
These were my first books by author Mark Goodman and I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
4.5 stars rounded up.
DI Eva Harris is a tough and feisty DI with class, sass, brilliance, a compelling backstory..... and an uncanny ability to sense danger and escape death.
And she's the superhero in Carl Goodman's two expertly-crafted, action-packed medical thrillers "20/20" and "Lifesign".
Both books were extremely fast-paced with strong characterizations and multiple plot twists.
Both books also showcased superb police procedurals that kept me on edge from beginning to end.
"20/20" and "Lifesign". were Audible freebies from AudiblePlus.
Although both are standalone books, I strongly recommend reading "20/20" first.
Both books were read by Louise Brealey, who did an outstanding job with the narration. The books, however, would have benefited from two narrators(male and female) for the male POV portions of the book.
Trigger warnings: graphic, gruesome, gory body parts.
I was surprised that "Lifesign", the second book in the DI Eva Harris series, was also about body parts.
I sincerely hope that Book #3 in the DI Eva Harris series features a crime drama with less gore and no body parts.
These were my first books by author Mark Goodman and I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
4.5 stars rounded up.
November 18, 2021
I loved the first book in this series so much, I rushed back to audible to listen to the second one (and bonus--both are free right now--yay!). While I'm still taken by the personality/identity of the female detective-inspector, I feel like this second book must have been rushed to publication; it just lacks the depth and sharpness of the previous book on several levels.
I'm still excited about this author, and I hope this book is a mere speed bump in the series. I will definitely give it another chance when Goodman comes out with another. I just hope no one is pushing him to do it too quickly.
File Under: The Sequel is Only Half of the Original :(
I'm still excited about this author, and I hope this book is a mere speed bump in the series. I will definitely give it another chance when Goodman comes out with another. I just hope no one is pushing him to do it too quickly.
File Under: The Sequel is Only Half of the Original :(
October 8, 2021
It wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, buy gosh, I didn't enjoy it. I feel kind of cheated. The blurb sounded great, and I liked the idea of some kids stumbling upon a horrific assemblage of preserved corpses. But then. That had next to nothing to do with the actual story and all it was swiftly forgotten about.
It turned out to be a story about body modification and, more or less, the search for eternal youth, with a boring protagonist, thin secondary characters and a villain with no personality and a weak motive, and there was never any real sense of urgency.
It just wasn't very good.
It turned out to be a story about body modification and, more or less, the search for eternal youth, with a boring protagonist, thin secondary characters and a villain with no personality and a weak motive, and there was never any real sense of urgency.
It just wasn't very good.
May 18, 2022
★ ★ ★ 1/2
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S LIFESIGN ABOUT?
DI Ava Harris continues her work outside her specialty and keeps proving she's pretty good at it—the book opens with a great action sequence as she leads a team on a raid.
After that, Harris is taken to what looks like a lab—a lab (or an art installation?) full of many well-preserved dead bodies (partial or intact). It's disturbing for her and the rest of the police (and the poor teen who found it)—it's disturbing for the listener, too. Once again, Harris and her detectives are on the hunt for a possible serial killer.
It takes a lot of time and effort for the detectives to find a common link between the victims that will hopefully lead them to a suspect. But once they come up with a theory, it indicates that there are more victims to be found—possibly still living. The pressure, which had been strong already because of the number of bodies, becomes even stronger—they have lives to save.
PAGING ALDOUS LEEKIE
20/20 introduced us to a quasi-religious group, with some shades of medical science that's a little beyond what's actually possible right now. Eva is concerned another one of their members is involved in this case as well.
She's not wrong, but she's not quite right, her investigation leads to her coming across several people who've taken their medical research even further. There's a strong vein of transhumanism running throughout this novel, adding a flavor to this that you don't get in Police Procedurals.
We're not quite talking Cyberpunk-level weirdness. This is about halfway between where we are now and Johnny Mnemonic/Mirrorshades.
There's some more thoughtful, serious, "how can we battle diseases in new ways" types of science involved, but there are also some more frivolous (for a lack of a better term) uses of this science, too. There are a couple of scenes in a nightclub that feel like they're straight from the Orphan Black Season 1 episodes with the Neolution club full of body modifications.
I love that Goodman's able to take a pretty solid police procedural and mix this in so that the books become more than what they are (although, honestly, I'm betting they'd be worth the time without it)—you get something to think about, react to—maybe even research—in addition to the mystery.
MY INNER PRUDE*
* This is an observation/description, not evaluative. I know I have a number of readers who'd want to know this before grabbing the book (and a number who don't care, too).
There are a few scenes in this that don't bring out my Inner Prude—but keep it bubbling right below the surface. Thankfully, Eva's inner prude is pretty loud, too, so she keeps herself at arm's length from those situations—well, maybe a cubit's length anyway.
There's also a scene of assault that's going to be too much for many—and almost me—but it's brief and easily skippable. It will be referred to later, but without details.
A STRANGE RABBIT TRAIL
Maybe because the same person recommended the two series to me, maybe because there's a level of reflection on things beyond the case that are common between the two series, but at some point, I asked myself, "What would (Peter Grainger's) DC Smith think of this case? How would he tackle this?"
I had to stop the audio and ponder this for a while—I think Eva wouldn't be that great at any of his cases (although she might be quicker to move on some suspects), but DC dealing with the transhumanism angle is a little thought experiment that's going to linger with me.
And very likely only me. So I won't bore you with any of my thoughts. I just had to mention it.
HOW'S THE NARRATION?
I'm going to largely just copy what I said before: Brealey nailed this—she captures Harris' analytical approach, the distance she's keeping from her team and the assignment—and then how that distance crumbles—and general unease with some aspects of the assignment. She also does a great job portraying the rest of the cast, and the unexpected attitudes from some of the suspects.
I don't know if I can separate my appreciation of Brealey's work from Goodman's, and don't really see the point in trying. In my mind, they're a package deal and should stay that way.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT LIFESIGN?
This is a pretty gripping read—and as I said, there's more to it than just the thriller/procedural. As I said before, it's a great combination and one that I want more of (assuming they're done as well as Goodman does it)
The key to the enjoyment of both of these books is Eva Harris. She's this great combination of confidence and doubt; conviction and (hidden) rage; skill and dumb luck. Also, I love seeing her struggle with enforcing the law and seeking justice, while dealing with her instinct of circumventing the law in order to achieve the right result. She's not the first or only police protagonist to balance these things, but the way Goodman pursues it is what is going to keep me coming back as long as he produces them. Think Fiona Cummings with a different group of psychological issues and without the casual drug use, and you're most of the way to understanding Eva.
I'm hooked, if there's a third installment in this series, I'll be there with bells on. In the meantime, if you have the means, I strongly suggest you give this a shot.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S LIFESIGN ABOUT?
DI Ava Harris continues her work outside her specialty and keeps proving she's pretty good at it—the book opens with a great action sequence as she leads a team on a raid.
After that, Harris is taken to what looks like a lab—a lab (or an art installation?) full of many well-preserved dead bodies (partial or intact). It's disturbing for her and the rest of the police (and the poor teen who found it)—it's disturbing for the listener, too. Once again, Harris and her detectives are on the hunt for a possible serial killer.
It takes a lot of time and effort for the detectives to find a common link between the victims that will hopefully lead them to a suspect. But once they come up with a theory, it indicates that there are more victims to be found—possibly still living. The pressure, which had been strong already because of the number of bodies, becomes even stronger—they have lives to save.
PAGING ALDOUS LEEKIE
20/20 introduced us to a quasi-religious group, with some shades of medical science that's a little beyond what's actually possible right now. Eva is concerned another one of their members is involved in this case as well.
She's not wrong, but she's not quite right, her investigation leads to her coming across several people who've taken their medical research even further. There's a strong vein of transhumanism running throughout this novel, adding a flavor to this that you don't get in Police Procedurals.
We're not quite talking Cyberpunk-level weirdness. This is about halfway between where we are now and Johnny Mnemonic/Mirrorshades.
There's some more thoughtful, serious, "how can we battle diseases in new ways" types of science involved, but there are also some more frivolous (for a lack of a better term) uses of this science, too. There are a couple of scenes in a nightclub that feel like they're straight from the Orphan Black Season 1 episodes with the Neolution club full of body modifications.
I love that Goodman's able to take a pretty solid police procedural and mix this in so that the books become more than what they are (although, honestly, I'm betting they'd be worth the time without it)—you get something to think about, react to—maybe even research—in addition to the mystery.
MY INNER PRUDE*
* This is an observation/description, not evaluative. I know I have a number of readers who'd want to know this before grabbing the book (and a number who don't care, too).
There are a few scenes in this that don't bring out my Inner Prude—but keep it bubbling right below the surface. Thankfully, Eva's inner prude is pretty loud, too, so she keeps herself at arm's length from those situations—well, maybe a cubit's length anyway.
There's also a scene of assault that's going to be too much for many—and almost me—but it's brief and easily skippable. It will be referred to later, but without details.
A STRANGE RABBIT TRAIL
Maybe because the same person recommended the two series to me, maybe because there's a level of reflection on things beyond the case that are common between the two series, but at some point, I asked myself, "What would (Peter Grainger's) DC Smith think of this case? How would he tackle this?"
I had to stop the audio and ponder this for a while—I think Eva wouldn't be that great at any of his cases (although she might be quicker to move on some suspects), but DC dealing with the transhumanism angle is a little thought experiment that's going to linger with me.
And very likely only me. So I won't bore you with any of my thoughts. I just had to mention it.
HOW'S THE NARRATION?
I'm going to largely just copy what I said before: Brealey nailed this—she captures Harris' analytical approach, the distance she's keeping from her team and the assignment—and then how that distance crumbles—and general unease with some aspects of the assignment. She also does a great job portraying the rest of the cast, and the unexpected attitudes from some of the suspects.
I don't know if I can separate my appreciation of Brealey's work from Goodman's, and don't really see the point in trying. In my mind, they're a package deal and should stay that way.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT LIFESIGN?
This is a pretty gripping read—and as I said, there's more to it than just the thriller/procedural. As I said before, it's a great combination and one that I want more of (assuming they're done as well as Goodman does it)
The key to the enjoyment of both of these books is Eva Harris. She's this great combination of confidence and doubt; conviction and (hidden) rage; skill and dumb luck. Also, I love seeing her struggle with enforcing the law and seeking justice, while dealing with her instinct of circumventing the law in order to achieve the right result. She's not the first or only police protagonist to balance these things, but the way Goodman pursues it is what is going to keep me coming back as long as he produces them. Think Fiona Cummings with a different group of psychological issues and without the casual drug use, and you're most of the way to understanding Eva.
I'm hooked, if there's a third installment in this series, I'll be there with bells on. In the meantime, if you have the means, I strongly suggest you give this a shot.
January 19, 2022
As with the first I very much enjoyed following along with detective Eva Harris. This book at no point makes any efforts to dumb down information it provides you which I love. I like a book that makes me reach intellectually, without condescending to me.
I thought I had called the baddie a couple times and was wrong, the villain themselves was perfectly set up and portrayed and the concept of their delusion fascinating, made me want to watch Orphan Black again. Although I am certain that none of the science was quite so radical as that show.
I look forward to the next book hoping to get more about the over arching story in the next one!
I thought I had called the baddie a couple times and was wrong, the villain themselves was perfectly set up and portrayed and the concept of their delusion fascinating, made me want to watch Orphan Black again. Although I am certain that none of the science was quite so radical as that show.
I look forward to the next book hoping to get more about the over arching story in the next one!
November 17, 2022
This is an excellent read from a very talented author, featuring DI Eva Harris. Eva is tough, gutsy and determined to find a serial killer who is who is dissecting body parts. It's gory and violent in parts but very well plotted with a host of interesting characters. The plotting was definitely over the top but I enjoyed the suspense and the story telling nevertheless. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC
November 23, 2022
In this book and as in the previous one (20/20) had some very exciting and driving parts. The mixture of multiple plots and motives was intriguing, I think the problem for me is there was a number of instances that police procedure couldn’t possibly fail to react to some of the incidents and made very different actions and that took away from credulity of the story and I think could have been avoided and still been a ripping tale.
July 27, 2025
Good story but the ending was dragged out over 2.5 hours. I ended up skipping forward as it was driving me crazy.
Note to the author... the h doesn't need to nearly die multiple times in a story. For me, it gives the impression that the job is too much for her. She is supposed to be an excellent Detective but, at times, appeared TSTL.
The topic was very interesting and had the ending not been so heavily dragged out, it would be a solid 4 Star listen for me.
Note to the author... the h doesn't need to nearly die multiple times in a story. For me, it gives the impression that the job is too much for her. She is supposed to be an excellent Detective but, at times, appeared TSTL.
The topic was very interesting and had the ending not been so heavily dragged out, it would be a solid 4 Star listen for me.
July 29, 2022
Quite good. Two things detracted a bit from my enjoyment, neither of which were the author’s or narrator’s fault. First - I read this book, the 2nd in the series, first. Secondly - I read it while distracted by other things, which made it extra difficult to follow the many characters and sub-plots.
March 28, 2025
Better than the first one as it felt like it actually had a plot with a bad guy.
However still felt unnecessarily long, with parts that could have been cut and made no difference to the plot. There were also parts that were far too bloody and gruesome for sometimes no reason.
However still felt unnecessarily long, with parts that could have been cut and made no difference to the plot. There were also parts that were far too bloody and gruesome for sometimes no reason.
January 1, 2022
Great start to 2022 with this one, absolutely gripping series - hope this author can writer fast!
March 26, 2022
Great crime mystery. Very though provoking about the obsession of staying young forever!
April 20, 2022
Better than I thought it would be when I started....I don't need to read more "psychopath kills people in grotesque ways" mysteries. The story takes some interesting turns.
May 24, 2022
Loved this book, literally had me glued to it. Fast paced the whole way.
June 13, 2022
A few too many characters, but overall a good story.
July 26, 2022
Like the first one, gritty and complex, sometimes too clinical. You can get a little lost in the details, but good. Interesting. No typical cases.
January 10, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 Stars (Good)
June 16, 2023
A regular crime novel.
June 19, 2023
The plot was too complicated.
The crazy bad guy was a really horrible psycho.
2.5 rounded up because the first book was better.
The crazy bad guy was a really horrible psycho.
2.5 rounded up because the first book was better.
October 13, 2023
It was a promising start to the series but I became less interested as it went on.. oops this was the second book in the series, but I've read both now and don't need to read any more!!
October 14, 2023
All rather silly but strangely compelling.
November 20, 2023
A brilliant. Thought-provoking story
November 21, 2023
Not as good as 20/20. Still a great story, but goes a bit mental at the end.
December 25, 2023
It’s a really good book and story. There’s just a lot of science thrown in that made it a tad difficult to read.
August 21, 2024
Not nearly as good as the prelude to this book. It seemed much more chaotic. It was an interesting idea on what people will do to be young forever. It just didn't deliver.
December 23, 2025
The multi layers in this thriller just jumped around too much for my liking. Had a great deal of difficulty following where it was going.
January 6, 2025
Yup, all it takes for my sieve brain to only remember one ten minute chapter of a book is four years. Just think about how great it will be to reread all the books read years ago!
I agree with my original 4 rating from 2021.
I agree with my original 4 rating from 2021.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews