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Forensic Mysteries #4
The Dying Breath
Cameryn?s ex-boyfriend is back . . . and ready to kill! Cameryn had thought she was in love with him. He was smart, strong, and would do anything for her?even kill. Kyle O?Neil disappeared after his first attempt on Cameryn?s life at the end of The Angel of Death . Now he is back for his second. He?s leaving macabre love notes for her everywhere?on her computer, on her cell phone, and on the body of a dead man. And while everyone is determined to keep Cameryn safe, only she knows that it?s up to her to keep Kyle from killing again?and again. Alane Ferguson delivers her most gripping Forensic Mystery yet!
232 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2009
38 people are currently reading
1128 people want to read
About the author
Alane Ferguson
42 books265 followersAlane Ferguson was born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1957. She attended the University of Utah and Westminster College where she studied journalism. Later, Alane became interested in writing for children, mostly, she says, to follow the example of her mother, successful author Gloria Skurzynski. Her mother has written over fifty-seven books for children, while Alane is currently completing her thirty-second. Alane and her mother co-authored a series for National Geographic. Their novel, WOLF STALKER, was the first work of fiction National Geographic had published in its as of then 109 year history. WOLF STALKER was nominated for the 1998 Mystery Writer's of America's Edgar Allan Poe Award and the newest and 13th book in the series, NIGHT OF THE BLACK BEAR, was launched in spring of 2007. A recipient of the 1990 Edgar Allan Poe Award as well as the Belgium's Children's Choice Award for her young adult novel SHOW ME THE EVIDENCE, Alane was also a nominee for her third young-adult mystery, POISON. She received a 2007 Edgar nomination for her young adult novel, THE CHRISTOPHER KILLER, the first in the Sleuth Forensic Mystery series. Alane won the Children's Crown Classic Award for CRICKET ANDTHE CRACKERBOX KID, the American Bookseller's Association's "Pick of the List" for her picture book entitled THAT NEW PET, and has been on numerous ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Readers and Young Adult's Choice list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
January 18, 2010
The fourth book of the forensic mystery series, The Dying Breath by Alane Ferguson continues with Cameryn and her journey to capturing her ex-boyfriend Kyle who attempts to murder her and those she loves. Meanwhile, three victims have been murdered including a famous producer and actor in Kyle’s attempt leave clues to play a mind game with Cameryn.
After waiting for more than a year and a half, Ferguson’s The Dying Breath did not disappointment my expectations for this series. However, at times, I felt that there was too much details spent on appearances instead of spending more time on the details of the autopsy. Ferguson preserves the suspense and the details to keep the readers engaged as well as the turns in the story when Kyle and Cameryn try to influence each other. Ferguson does well in developing the story for the rising action though the climax did not have as much anxiety as I would have liked compared to the third book, Circle of Blood. Similarly, the ending went fairly quick (although it was a good ending) and I was not sure if this is the last book of the series or if there is going to be a sequel. I HOPE THIS IS NOT THE LAST BOOK!
After waiting for more than a year and a half, Ferguson’s The Dying Breath did not disappointment my expectations for this series. However, at times, I felt that there was too much details spent on appearances instead of spending more time on the details of the autopsy. Ferguson preserves the suspense and the details to keep the readers engaged as well as the turns in the story when Kyle and Cameryn try to influence each other. Ferguson does well in developing the story for the rising action though the climax did not have as much anxiety as I would have liked compared to the third book, Circle of Blood. Similarly, the ending went fairly quick (although it was a good ending) and I was not sure if this is the last book of the series or if there is going to be a sequel. I HOPE THIS IS NOT THE LAST BOOK!
December 18, 2021
All the books in the series are really well suspensed books!!!!! It would be nice if they were going to be turned into movies.....
August 20, 2010
Warning: Spoilers if you haven’t read the previous books in the series.
The Forensic Mystery series by Alane Ferguson has yet to disappoint me. The latest, The Dying Breath, is no exception. Cameryn, a brilliant teenage girl, has been fascinated with forensics for as long as she can remember. In the first book she is instrumental in finding a serial killer. In the second book, Kyle, a serial killer just starting his career, finds her. She barely survived her first encounter with Kyle and he’s been keeping tabs on her. Now he’s making it clear he’s coming after her, though to kill her or love her is still up in the air.
Though the book starts only a couple of weeks before her eighteenth birthday, it’s strange that Cameryn seems more like a teenage girl (though the term ‘girl’ bothers her. She prefers being called a woman) in this book than the previous ones. Perhaps it’s because this book is more about her struggles for independence, something the adults in her life have a difficult time accepting since, you know, a psychopath is after her.
She is actually quite petulant for the first few chapters because everyone is after her to be careful. This is an intelligent, mature, young adult, but it almost seems that despite the fact she surrounded by death she’s gotten cocky about her ability to survive. After all, she’s still not the one on the table being autopsied even after three previous harrowing adventures.
Also complicating her life is the young town deputy, Justin, who finally admits to his feelings for her, though he knows he can’t do anything about it until her eighteenth birthday. Cameryn admits hers as well, but a romantic relationship that begins when one of the participants is the obsession of a serial killer while the other is charged with protecting the other from said serial killer - is bound to be rocky. Frankly he’s borderline stalking her, but since it’s actually his job (really, the sheriff has ordered it and has shifts too), she can’t really tell him to back off.
The mysteries are written so you only know what Cameryn knows, ergo if Cameryn is deceived, then the reader is usually deceived. However, sometimes we see things through Cameryn’s eyes that we understand even if she doesn’t. In this way, the romance between Cameryn and Justin is written very well. Cameryn doesn’t seem to realize Justin’s struggle. He is twenty-two and has had to wrestle with his attraction to a seventeen-year-old for months. Now that she’s approaching eighteen and he can admit it, it’s still hard for him because she is so young in spite of her experiences. Cameryn doesn’t understand this, probably because she thinks of herself as terribly mature and compared to her classmates, she is. When it comes down to it though, she is still a teenage girl from a small town who has barely left the county she lives in.
Even if she wants to be a woman.
This isn’t the book to start with if you’re going to read this series – I highly recommend starting at the beginning. The last chapter could be seen as a wrap-up of the series. If so, Alane Ferguson has done a great job with this series in tying up loose ends. If not, I’m eager for the next book.
The Forensic Mystery series by Alane Ferguson has yet to disappoint me. The latest, The Dying Breath, is no exception. Cameryn, a brilliant teenage girl, has been fascinated with forensics for as long as she can remember. In the first book she is instrumental in finding a serial killer. In the second book, Kyle, a serial killer just starting his career, finds her. She barely survived her first encounter with Kyle and he’s been keeping tabs on her. Now he’s making it clear he’s coming after her, though to kill her or love her is still up in the air.
Though the book starts only a couple of weeks before her eighteenth birthday, it’s strange that Cameryn seems more like a teenage girl (though the term ‘girl’ bothers her. She prefers being called a woman) in this book than the previous ones. Perhaps it’s because this book is more about her struggles for independence, something the adults in her life have a difficult time accepting since, you know, a psychopath is after her.
She is actually quite petulant for the first few chapters because everyone is after her to be careful. This is an intelligent, mature, young adult, but it almost seems that despite the fact she surrounded by death she’s gotten cocky about her ability to survive. After all, she’s still not the one on the table being autopsied even after three previous harrowing adventures.
Also complicating her life is the young town deputy, Justin, who finally admits to his feelings for her, though he knows he can’t do anything about it until her eighteenth birthday. Cameryn admits hers as well, but a romantic relationship that begins when one of the participants is the obsession of a serial killer while the other is charged with protecting the other from said serial killer - is bound to be rocky. Frankly he’s borderline stalking her, but since it’s actually his job (really, the sheriff has ordered it and has shifts too), she can’t really tell him to back off.
The mysteries are written so you only know what Cameryn knows, ergo if Cameryn is deceived, then the reader is usually deceived. However, sometimes we see things through Cameryn’s eyes that we understand even if she doesn’t. In this way, the romance between Cameryn and Justin is written very well. Cameryn doesn’t seem to realize Justin’s struggle. He is twenty-two and has had to wrestle with his attraction to a seventeen-year-old for months. Now that she’s approaching eighteen and he can admit it, it’s still hard for him because she is so young in spite of her experiences. Cameryn doesn’t understand this, probably because she thinks of herself as terribly mature and compared to her classmates, she is. When it comes down to it though, she is still a teenage girl from a small town who has barely left the county she lives in.
Even if she wants to be a woman.
This isn’t the book to start with if you’re going to read this series – I highly recommend starting at the beginning. The last chapter could be seen as a wrap-up of the series. If so, Alane Ferguson has done a great job with this series in tying up loose ends. If not, I’m eager for the next book.
May 1, 2023
"Promise me you'll only think good thoughts tonight."
"Promise me you'll come back as soon as you can."
He shot her a crooked grin. "Deal."
+
Blood glazed the knife blade, and she thought of the red stained glass in St. Patrick's, the red frosting on her grandmother's Valentine cookies, and the red of her father's once fiery hair.
+
"I don't think it would have been forensics that I would have missed, but the people I love."
+
OHMYGOSH THIS BOOK WAS INSANE!!!!!! I read it almost a decade ago and sort of remembered the part where Kyle was going to drive them over the edge. But I started to wonder if I imagined it when I got so close to the end and it still hadn't happened. BUT THEN HE SHOWS UP AND STABS JUSTIN AND AHHHHHHHHHH.
This whole series is just so unbelievably good. I cannot comprehend the amount of research that must have went into them, but wow did it pay off. The intricacies of each mystery and even the details to everything that goes into the morgue stuff is so well done. It makes it so easy to get a grasp on what's going on and also makes for so much SUSPENSE.
Especially in this one!!!!!
In this one too, I love love love how evident of how far Cameryn's relationship has come with Dr. Moore. From getting kicked out of the room in the first book lol to this lovely mentor mentee relationship where she is among the first he tells about being sick. So happy he'll be okay.
And that's not even getting into the lovely father daughter relationship with she and Patrick. Patrick seeing her grow up, Patrick able to find some happiness of his own with the judge.
AND I LOVE MAMMAW!! She's such a strong character lol. If no one got me I know Mammaw got me!!!!! I love her personality and how she decorates for everything and is always offering food....
There wasn't as much Lyric in this one but special shout out to her too because she's also a unique character when she could have simply been Best FriendTM.
Then Justin my boy...... I am free on Tuesday if you would like to hang out on Tuesday when I am free. Like I said for the last book, THE ROMANCE SERVES!!!!!!! He's just so supportive and protective but in a way that still lets the two of them exist as individual characters. So funny seeing him trying to get on the good side of Patrick and Mammaw too. And the scene where they're watching a movie together and then wake up all close together and kiss AAAAAAAAAAAHHH that's like the secret sauce to an amazing scene and I was LIVINGGGGGGGG.
ANYWAY!!! Last thing. I have to mention Cameryn's development too because it was just so lovely to see her growth. She starts out with a ton of confidence, but by the end there's confidence in who she is too beyond her smarts. One of the big things being Hannah and peace with her past as well as peace of the future springing from that. But I suppose I could also say she learns it's okay to depend on people too. That being crucial to this book because well she's being stalked by the creepiest character ever. Gosh this book was honestly so terrifying toward the end I can't believe the first time I read them was in middle school lol. BUT THEY'RE GREAT!!!! So I can still see why I liked them and it was so worth a reread.
Here's to another reread in ten years haha.
"Promise me you'll come back as soon as you can."
He shot her a crooked grin. "Deal."
+
Blood glazed the knife blade, and she thought of the red stained glass in St. Patrick's, the red frosting on her grandmother's Valentine cookies, and the red of her father's once fiery hair.
+
"I don't think it would have been forensics that I would have missed, but the people I love."
+
OHMYGOSH THIS BOOK WAS INSANE!!!!!! I read it almost a decade ago and sort of remembered the part where Kyle was going to drive them over the edge. But I started to wonder if I imagined it when I got so close to the end and it still hadn't happened. BUT THEN HE SHOWS UP AND STABS JUSTIN AND AHHHHHHHHHH.
This whole series is just so unbelievably good. I cannot comprehend the amount of research that must have went into them, but wow did it pay off. The intricacies of each mystery and even the details to everything that goes into the morgue stuff is so well done. It makes it so easy to get a grasp on what's going on and also makes for so much SUSPENSE.
Especially in this one!!!!!
In this one too, I love love love how evident of how far Cameryn's relationship has come with Dr. Moore. From getting kicked out of the room in the first book lol to this lovely mentor mentee relationship where she is among the first he tells about being sick. So happy he'll be okay.
And that's not even getting into the lovely father daughter relationship with she and Patrick. Patrick seeing her grow up, Patrick able to find some happiness of his own with the judge.
AND I LOVE MAMMAW!! She's such a strong character lol. If no one got me I know Mammaw got me!!!!! I love her personality and how she decorates for everything and is always offering food....
There wasn't as much Lyric in this one but special shout out to her too because she's also a unique character when she could have simply been Best FriendTM.
Then Justin my boy...... I am free on Tuesday if you would like to hang out on Tuesday when I am free. Like I said for the last book, THE ROMANCE SERVES!!!!!!! He's just so supportive and protective but in a way that still lets the two of them exist as individual characters. So funny seeing him trying to get on the good side of Patrick and Mammaw too. And the scene where they're watching a movie together and then wake up all close together and kiss AAAAAAAAAAAHHH that's like the secret sauce to an amazing scene and I was LIVINGGGGGGGG.
ANYWAY!!! Last thing. I have to mention Cameryn's development too because it was just so lovely to see her growth. She starts out with a ton of confidence, but by the end there's confidence in who she is too beyond her smarts. One of the big things being Hannah and peace with her past as well as peace of the future springing from that. But I suppose I could also say she learns it's okay to depend on people too. That being crucial to this book because well she's being stalked by the creepiest character ever. Gosh this book was honestly so terrifying toward the end I can't believe the first time I read them was in middle school lol. BUT THEY'RE GREAT!!!! So I can still see why I liked them and it was so worth a reread.
Here's to another reread in ten years haha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2010
What's up with Ferguson and her weird fetish with the phrase "assistant to the coroner"? That's how Cameryn is introduced, in every forensics installment she's written, every time. Pray tell, what is wrong with simply saying "coroner's assistant"? This is just one of the many weird phrases I've picked up whilst reading. It seems like such a trivial thing, but it really bugged me. It further proved my argument that there was no variation to Ferguson's structure, characterization, or dialogue. Her sentences are always awkward, or too formal, which isn't fitting for a teenage voice at all.
Cameryn wouldn't make it far to my list of likable characters. Often times, Ferguson tried too hard to make her protagonist feisty. It didn't work. Then, she tried to make me see Cammie as independent and strong-willed, but I walked away with how childish Cameryn really was. She threw random tantrums, blew things way out of proportion, and easily irked me just by beating up on Justin multiple times. It didn't exactly help that the narration was especially bad. Cameryn might have been a great person, but on paper, she just wasn't that strong.
Justin became too overbearing here. His protectiveness of Cameryn was meant to be taken as a sweet gesture, but I was creeped out. He seemed too stalker-ish with the way he was everywhere all the time, and the moments when he seemed to appear out of thin air. I probably would have liked more if Justin had been less one dimensional; his character, much like Lyric, lacked development and fell flat. Justin, as well as Lyric, could have been amazing characters, but they lacked a storyline. They lacked a rich background that could have further strengthened their characterizations. I mean, it's kind of sad to only be able to refer to Justin as "Cameryn's boyfriend" instead of saying something better like, "Oh yeah, I totally loved Justin! He was so full of sarcastic comments and charisma!" But my hypothetical Justin just didn't happen. Lyric, either.
The case was pretty lame. We read mysteries for the suspense, but in The Dying Breath, I knew it was Kyle from the start. Ferguson doesn't even throw in the scapegoat anyone - it's like the author has given up on trying to get her readers on the edge of their seats. The forensics part fell short, too. There was more description about the way the bodies looked than the actual forensics stuff. Again, why do we even call this a forensics mystery anymore if we're just thrown a couple of terms? Maybe someone will call my review a "forensic's review" just because I use words like autopsy and chemicals.
Cameryn wouldn't make it far to my list of likable characters. Often times, Ferguson tried too hard to make her protagonist feisty. It didn't work. Then, she tried to make me see Cammie as independent and strong-willed, but I walked away with how childish Cameryn really was. She threw random tantrums, blew things way out of proportion, and easily irked me just by beating up on Justin multiple times. It didn't exactly help that the narration was especially bad. Cameryn might have been a great person, but on paper, she just wasn't that strong.
Justin became too overbearing here. His protectiveness of Cameryn was meant to be taken as a sweet gesture, but I was creeped out. He seemed too stalker-ish with the way he was everywhere all the time, and the moments when he seemed to appear out of thin air. I probably would have liked more if Justin had been less one dimensional; his character, much like Lyric, lacked development and fell flat. Justin, as well as Lyric, could have been amazing characters, but they lacked a storyline. They lacked a rich background that could have further strengthened their characterizations. I mean, it's kind of sad to only be able to refer to Justin as "Cameryn's boyfriend" instead of saying something better like, "Oh yeah, I totally loved Justin! He was so full of sarcastic comments and charisma!" But my hypothetical Justin just didn't happen. Lyric, either.
The case was pretty lame. We read mysteries for the suspense, but in The Dying Breath, I knew it was Kyle from the start. Ferguson doesn't even throw in the scapegoat anyone - it's like the author has given up on trying to get her readers on the edge of their seats. The forensics part fell short, too. There was more description about the way the bodies looked than the actual forensics stuff. Again, why do we even call this a forensics mystery anymore if we're just thrown a couple of terms? Maybe someone will call my review a "forensic's review" just because I use words like autopsy and chemicals.
October 29, 2009
"Forever the sand slips through the glass
Love is the thing that eternally lasts
We're fresh when we're young
We wither with age
Live life without borders
And write on your page"
Out of the four books so far in Alane Ferguson's forensic mystery series geared toward teens, The Dying Breath has been my favorite. This story picks up where the third book left off and keeps the reader's attention hostage up until the tension-filled end. These pages contain mystery, suspense, romance and a wealth of information about science and forensics. If you haven't started reading The Christopher Killer (Book 1), yet, then what are you waiting for? This is one series of engaging books you don't want to miss!
Love is the thing that eternally lasts
We're fresh when we're young
We wither with age
Live life without borders
And write on your page"
Out of the four books so far in Alane Ferguson's forensic mystery series geared toward teens, The Dying Breath has been my favorite. This story picks up where the third book left off and keeps the reader's attention hostage up until the tension-filled end. These pages contain mystery, suspense, romance and a wealth of information about science and forensics. If you haven't started reading The Christopher Killer (Book 1), yet, then what are you waiting for? This is one series of engaging books you don't want to miss!
January 27, 2010
The fourth book of the Forensic Mystery series and i hope it is not the last. It continues from the 3rd book where the evil Kyle O’Neil comes back in attempt to kill Cameryn. He leaves his love messages for Cameryn, but he wants to kill her (Cameryn's ex-boyfriend). As a new love with Justin starts, her brightness in forensic grows. She talks her way out when she was nearing death.
The ending of this book was fairly good, but i thought it was a bite of a rush. Ferguson does well in keeping the suspense for the reader. A book of mystery, suspense, romance and information about science and forensics. Mix together with a understanding flow. I think that this series can be created into a MOVIE!
The ending of this book was fairly good, but i thought it was a bite of a rush. Ferguson does well in keeping the suspense for the reader. A book of mystery, suspense, romance and information about science and forensics. Mix together with a understanding flow. I think that this series can be created into a MOVIE!
October 6, 2013
OMG!!!! I loved this book! I've read up till the 4th book. This was the best book in the series yet ( according to my opinion) So basically, Cameryn is getting stalked by her ex-boyfriend, who, by the way, is a psycho maniac. He keeps leaving her love notes everywhere and calling her his "Anam Cara " his soul friend. Things get really creepy when he starts watching her at night. Justin lets Cameryn know that he really truly cares about her. So they start dating. Cameryn is unsure where to turn for help. She's tired of everyone protecting get as if she were little. Kyle let's her know that it's not only her life at stake, Justin's is too. I really liked how Justin was always watching out for her, it was really sweet. This story was really good.
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March 14, 2021The name of this book is The Dying Breath the author is Alane Ferguson. It all started when she was at a crime scene and she didn't listen to what she was told. So she got sent home and turns out her ex wants to kill her and will kill anyone in his path. Then there were two more deaths and everyone is trying to keep her safe. She wants to figure out the case so she gets them all to help her but then her ex contacts her. So they call in the FBI and they find out a plan to get him It doesn't work, he's too smart. Then he stabs the person she's with and takes her captive and is trying to kill them both but she's smarter than him. In the end he kills himself and she is just fine and she goes and sees if the person who got stabbed was ok.
One thing I think the author did good on was making you want to read more and more. One piece of text that shows this is ¨The spit had dried in her mouth, as she held up the screen and said the two words she never wanted to say It´s him page 187.¨ Why I think this is a good piece of text is because it shows how at the end of a chapter she makes so you want to read on and on. Another thing she did good would be all the climax at the end of the book. A piece of text that would show this is ¨ what would she do to save her life? Page 217.¨ Why I think this is a good piece of text is because she makes it interesting.
I recommend this book because it was so good but you have two read the other three books first. The reason I loved this book is because there was so much climax and stuff that I've been hoping would happen since the first book. The book made me feel like I was watching the news or a movie based on a real story. It was that believable and incredible. I think people should read this book or any book by Alane Ferguson. She is an amazing author. I love her books and I think you would too.
One thing I think the author did good on was making you want to read more and more. One piece of text that shows this is ¨The spit had dried in her mouth, as she held up the screen and said the two words she never wanted to say It´s him page 187.¨ Why I think this is a good piece of text is because it shows how at the end of a chapter she makes so you want to read on and on. Another thing she did good would be all the climax at the end of the book. A piece of text that would show this is ¨ what would she do to save her life? Page 217.¨ Why I think this is a good piece of text is because she makes it interesting.
I recommend this book because it was so good but you have two read the other three books first. The reason I loved this book is because there was so much climax and stuff that I've been hoping would happen since the first book. The book made me feel like I was watching the news or a movie based on a real story. It was that believable and incredible. I think people should read this book or any book by Alane Ferguson. She is an amazing author. I love her books and I think you would too.
April 5, 2024
Done the series, what?! I feel like I just started reading the first book yesterday. I’m glad the last book held up as I gave it a 4 star rating.
Cameryn ate in this book, I love her stubborn mentality that is akin to my own. Also the way she doesn’t give up on top of being so cunningly intelligent.
Justin. Knew they’d get together even after he’s rude to her about being to young. What a creeper, not even gonna give him the time of day.
Patrick seems to be less in the last two books but he’s such a darling, love him.
Dr. Moore! <333 He gave me such a fright when he said he had cancer, I was ready to bawl. I love how supportive Cameryn was though. Dr. Moore becoming for welcoming to her over the books was a delight to read and I’m so glad she’s officially mentoring under him. (Also them getting giddy when they figure smth out is so heart warming.)
Kyle 😭. Rip you fallen angel. I just wish he could’ve actually turned himself in so he could get the help he so desperately needed. I wonder if he actually did love Cameryn in his own manic, twisted way. Bc me personally he could’ve killed me if he called me his “anam cara” UGH. Seriously though him in this series made it so much better, he was such an interesting and complex character who was unsettlingly crafty and cunning.
I just wanna thank my forensic’s teacher Ms. Brady for recommending and lending this series to me, wish you weren’t retiring 3.
Cameryn ate in this book, I love her stubborn mentality that is akin to my own. Also the way she doesn’t give up on top of being so cunningly intelligent.
Justin. Knew they’d get together even after he’s rude to her about being to young. What a creeper, not even gonna give him the time of day.
Patrick seems to be less in the last two books but he’s such a darling, love him.
Dr. Moore! <333 He gave me such a fright when he said he had cancer, I was ready to bawl. I love how supportive Cameryn was though. Dr. Moore becoming for welcoming to her over the books was a delight to read and I’m so glad she’s officially mentoring under him. (Also them getting giddy when they figure smth out is so heart warming.)
Kyle 😭. Rip you fallen angel. I just wish he could’ve actually turned himself in so he could get the help he so desperately needed. I wonder if he actually did love Cameryn in his own manic, twisted way. Bc me personally he could’ve killed me if he called me his “anam cara” UGH. Seriously though him in this series made it so much better, he was such an interesting and complex character who was unsettlingly crafty and cunning.
I just wanna thank my forensic’s teacher Ms. Brady for recommending and lending this series to me, wish you weren’t retiring 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2019
In Silverton California, lives a seventeen-year-old girl named Cameryn. Cameryn is the assistant to the county coroner so she is no stranger to death. Cameryn thought she was in love with him, but he’s back and ready to kill. Kyle O'Neil disappeared in the first book, but he keeps leaving letters everywhere for cameryn. While everyone is trying to keep Cameryn safe, only she knows that it’s up to her to keep Kyle from killing again and again.
The main conflict is Kyle O’Neil is trying to murder cameryn after dating her. Kyle is a psychopath and calls Cameryn his soul friend, but Cameryn is dating Justin and wants to protect her. Justin is a little older than Cameryn and he is the new deputy in Silverton. Lyric is Cameryn’s best friend and can see the future. When Cameryn is called to photograph a police case she finds a handwritten note from Kyle stating that he is looking for her an that they will both die together no matter what.
When Cameryn finds the note at her work she then knows that Kyle had been the one who had killed the last two bodies. Kyle plans on driving his car over a cliff to seal his fate and love with Cameryn. The Dying Breath is an intense book and will always keep you on your toes. In the story, Cameryn is a smart and strong girl that knows how to outsmart anyone.
The main conflict is Kyle O’Neil is trying to murder cameryn after dating her. Kyle is a psychopath and calls Cameryn his soul friend, but Cameryn is dating Justin and wants to protect her. Justin is a little older than Cameryn and he is the new deputy in Silverton. Lyric is Cameryn’s best friend and can see the future. When Cameryn is called to photograph a police case she finds a handwritten note from Kyle stating that he is looking for her an that they will both die together no matter what.
When Cameryn finds the note at her work she then knows that Kyle had been the one who had killed the last two bodies. Kyle plans on driving his car over a cliff to seal his fate and love with Cameryn. The Dying Breath is an intense book and will always keep you on your toes. In the story, Cameryn is a smart and strong girl that knows how to outsmart anyone.
December 15, 2017
The book "The Dying Breath" is a mystery, horror, nonfiction book by Alane Ferguson who has been writing for about 30 years now. I think that the authors point of writing this was that to give a sense of horrifying reality towards people and is like to show a forbidden love. The book belongs to to a series called "A Forensic Mystery" and is the forth book in its series. The book is about 232 pages long. The ages of this book is around 12 to 13 years of age.
The main Characters in this book are Cameryn Mahoney(Main protagonist), Patrick Mahoney(Cameryn's Dad, and a coroner), Justin(a 22 year old detective, who likes Cameryn), Kyle O'Neil(Cameryn's ex-boyfriend and antagonist).
The book takes place in a town called Silverton where a smart girl named Cameryn has a stalking ex-boyfriend who is out to kidnap her again. Justin and Cameryn's dad both try to save her from Kyle, but he is smarter and closer to her than you think and is ready to kill anyone who gets in between them.
This book in my honest opinion gave me the creeps. Like, I didn't know just by reading words that it can have a large affect on me. The language wasn't to hard but was a challenge sometimes. But in the end I found myself really enjoy to read this and to predict what was going to happen next.
The main Characters in this book are Cameryn Mahoney(Main protagonist), Patrick Mahoney(Cameryn's Dad, and a coroner), Justin(a 22 year old detective, who likes Cameryn), Kyle O'Neil(Cameryn's ex-boyfriend and antagonist).
The book takes place in a town called Silverton where a smart girl named Cameryn has a stalking ex-boyfriend who is out to kidnap her again. Justin and Cameryn's dad both try to save her from Kyle, but he is smarter and closer to her than you think and is ready to kill anyone who gets in between them.
This book in my honest opinion gave me the creeps. Like, I didn't know just by reading words that it can have a large affect on me. The language wasn't to hard but was a challenge sometimes. But in the end I found myself really enjoy to read this and to predict what was going to happen next.
January 2, 2023
*** writing as a whole for the series here***
I read these once before in high school and loved them, whenever someone would ask me about a book to read I almost always pointed them in this direction.
I don’t not like the series however I’ve clearly grown up, for one I found Cammie for annoying at times(her 17 for most of it and me 29 now) the problems she faced seemed so juvenile I couldn’t help but roll my eyes… also I’m suppose to believe a 17 year old with no schooling is allowed to work with forensics? Please sign me up!
With that above being said I think this series is still fantastic for any young adult between 16-23 that is interested in crime novels, with mixture of love stories and everyday typical teen drama.
All in all I’ll give it by today standards 8 of 10. Maybe I’ll reread it another 10 years later and see where I stand on it?
I read these once before in high school and loved them, whenever someone would ask me about a book to read I almost always pointed them in this direction.
I don’t not like the series however I’ve clearly grown up, for one I found Cammie for annoying at times(her 17 for most of it and me 29 now) the problems she faced seemed so juvenile I couldn’t help but roll my eyes… also I’m suppose to believe a 17 year old with no schooling is allowed to work with forensics? Please sign me up!
With that above being said I think this series is still fantastic for any young adult between 16-23 that is interested in crime novels, with mixture of love stories and everyday typical teen drama.
All in all I’ll give it by today standards 8 of 10. Maybe I’ll reread it another 10 years later and see where I stand on it?
August 30, 2019
This Mystery is very interesting. It plays out in Silverton, Colorado. We begin the book with Cameryn, the direct victim of Kyle O'Neil. Kyle is not the normal kind of a guy, he is a murderer and wants to take Cameryn's life. He already took someone else's life, and when he tries to take Cameryn's life he fails, and he goes missing. Then later he finds his way back into Cameryn's life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, as well as those who love not being able to foreshadow too much of what is going to happen in the future.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, as well as those who love not being able to foreshadow too much of what is going to happen in the future.
July 16, 2023
Look, to be completely honest I disliked this book so much. It was way to long for such a small story line, there was too much detail that I thought was very unnecessary. I only read it because it was for a school report and I had to finish it in order to do the essay, but it I didn’t I don’t think I would have finished it. There was times that I had to re-read pages because the writing was confusing. It just wasn’t as interesting like I expected for me to be on the edge of my seat, the amount of detail was overly written and not necessary to add.
November 1, 2017
I thought the over all thought of the story is really good. The best part of the story is the ending because of what happens. And it's really unexpected. The theme of the book is always fight even when someone or something knocks you down. I think this is the theme because it matches with it really well. I would recommend this to people who like mystery. Or creepy things like finding dead bodies. This is a really good book you should read it.
April 26, 2022
This ending is so much better than I remember! I still find the Justin and Cameryn romance line a little off, but at the end of the day there’s no real harm in it. Plus, it’s really sweet and well written and feels genuine. So much tension over the series has been built between these two and the conclusion is executed perfectly.
Most of all I’m just glad Kyle is dead. Yay!
Most of all I’m just glad Kyle is dead. Yay!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2023
Part 4 and the conclusion to the series. I was really enjoying this book and realized that Cammie’s mom isn’t in this book. I thought she would be a permanent fixture and there was no explanation as to why she wasn’t in the story. Lyric and Adam made a couple of appearances but it was mostly Cammie and Justin.
I don’t read much YA but I really liked the series.
I don’t read much YA but I really liked the series.
April 25, 2025
I picked up this series when I saw the Angel of Death in my middle school library back when it came out, I never got around to finishing it because I didn’t realize I picked up #2 of what would be 4 books. I decided to start over and read all of them. I enjoyed these books and their suspense. I wish the author would revisit this series and give us updates on these characters.
June 20, 2024
MC really annoyed the shit outta me in this book. Her continued insistence that she’s not a child and be called a woman instead of a girl, was itself extremely childish. And she must have brought it up over 20times.
June 27, 2018
It’s ok.
December 26, 2018
A fast-paced wrap-up to the series. My daughter and I have been enjoying reading all 4 books.
November 27, 2020
Didn’t realize I had started book 4 in this series until after I’d read it... I’ll go back and read 1-3, even though this wasn’t a fantastic read to end a year + long reading slump with. :/
October 1, 2022
This was a great close out for the series. I'd say it's my favorite, minus the weird feeling romance. Lyric and Dr. Moore continue to be the best.
December 13, 2022
A fun criminal minds-esque book that was thrilling even after reading it previously. Cammie makes great progress in this book and her character really rounds out.
January 31, 2023
The summary makes this sound like a great mystery/thriller but the story lacked real details and feels like it was written by a teenager. Lots of holes and pretty boring.
August 30, 2025
decent book, didnt really like the ending.
March 7, 2017
Stefano Cia
The Dying Breath
Author: Alane Ferguson
Pages: 234
Book Review #6
AB-2
The genre is fiction, and was published in 2009. It’s a great mystery and suspense/ detective book, I highly recommend reading all of them to really get the true meaning of these series. Once you get started into the series you’ll get trapped in a “book cage”
This book had me at the edge of my seat. With the mystery in the book, it continues the tension and mystery on how they are trying to capture Cameryn’s ex-boyfriend who is back to get her , and trying to harm her and her loved ones.
The Dying Breath
Author: Alane Ferguson
Pages: 234
Book Review #6
AB-2
The genre is fiction, and was published in 2009. It’s a great mystery and suspense/ detective book, I highly recommend reading all of them to really get the true meaning of these series. Once you get started into the series you’ll get trapped in a “book cage”
This book had me at the edge of my seat. With the mystery in the book, it continues the tension and mystery on how they are trying to capture Cameryn’s ex-boyfriend who is back to get her , and trying to harm her and her loved ones.
May 21, 2010
Kyle doesn't mind blood. He doesn't mind hurting people. He doesn't even mind killing them. In fact, he loves the fact that he can force people through the gates of life and death. Back and forth. Back and forth.
It gives him control.
Cameryn is just getting over the trauma of Kyle's last attack. She's the only one who has ever escaped one of his intricate death set ups. She's starting to let him settle in the back of her thoughts. She knows she'll never be rid of him so she tries moving on. She's starting to accept Justin's affections and she's trying to regain some piece of independence through the fog of protective adults.
But then there's the notes beside the body, the three look-a-like deaths, the emails, the phone calls. All from Kyle. A little gift for Cameryn to piece together. And now, its Justin on the line to.
It's not easy being Kyle's anam cara, his soul friend. His Angel of Death as he likes to call her.
Cameryn presents herself as a mindful, smart teenager with some adolescent flare. On occasion, she acts rashly, wanting the control back over her life. This often gets her in sticky situations but their not overly idiotic. Sometimes I felt she could have restrained herself a bit more, not to a point of mental perfection, but she's a logistical thinker, she might hold back, thinking about how she could get him. I don't know how one would actually act in such a situation however and its a hard thing to judge. I'd like to think that I'd be friends with this girl if she weren't fictional. I find forensics interesting if not gross. I don't think that would stop me however. You see, Cameryn is the coroner's daughter. She gets the unique oportunity to work with the local forensic pathologist, examining the dead in order to find out what was happening to them while they were living.
Actually, over all I thought that the book was fairly interesting. But it lacked a two things.
1. Scare factor: It didn't quite have the shock that I expected. When you read the title, "the Dying Breath", you're expecting to get scared pretty good more than once. I didn't really feel on edge through out this book however. Perhaps it wasn't my past familiarity with the characters. This is, after all, a part of a series of sorts. I just grabbed this at the library's "New Fiction" shelf. I don't think I can really blame it on myself though. This book didn't quite meet the quota.
2. Forensics: This book presents the fact that forensics will be involved. And they are to a point. I'm not saying that they're totally absent. I was impressed with the amount of research involved. But I wanted to become more involved. I also felt like the author could have added some suspicious things to the bodies that would have kept them guessing as to the exact process. Obviously, the gel in the lungs is the obvious killer, but what about all the other little clues on the bodies? The things that make you wonder and guessing were gone. It could be that we already know the killer. After all, who else would be stalking her and killing people all at once?
But the book did have its strong points. The book kept me reading and its up on my favorites list now. The writing was fluid, the characters likable and enjoyable, the tension appropriate, and the story line decent. The only thing that consoled me at the end of the book was the fact that there were the previous books unread. Its just one of those books you sort of gravitate towards.
The punchline, it was lacking but great all at once. I definitely recommend it to mystery fans everywhere. And perhaps, what else lies in the future of Kyle's anam cara? His Angel of Death?
It gives him control.
Cameryn is just getting over the trauma of Kyle's last attack. She's the only one who has ever escaped one of his intricate death set ups. She's starting to let him settle in the back of her thoughts. She knows she'll never be rid of him so she tries moving on. She's starting to accept Justin's affections and she's trying to regain some piece of independence through the fog of protective adults.
But then there's the notes beside the body, the three look-a-like deaths, the emails, the phone calls. All from Kyle. A little gift for Cameryn to piece together. And now, its Justin on the line to.
It's not easy being Kyle's anam cara, his soul friend. His Angel of Death as he likes to call her.
Cameryn presents herself as a mindful, smart teenager with some adolescent flare. On occasion, she acts rashly, wanting the control back over her life. This often gets her in sticky situations but their not overly idiotic. Sometimes I felt she could have restrained herself a bit more, not to a point of mental perfection, but she's a logistical thinker, she might hold back, thinking about how she could get him. I don't know how one would actually act in such a situation however and its a hard thing to judge. I'd like to think that I'd be friends with this girl if she weren't fictional. I find forensics interesting if not gross. I don't think that would stop me however. You see, Cameryn is the coroner's daughter. She gets the unique oportunity to work with the local forensic pathologist, examining the dead in order to find out what was happening to them while they were living.
Actually, over all I thought that the book was fairly interesting. But it lacked a two things.
1. Scare factor: It didn't quite have the shock that I expected. When you read the title, "the Dying Breath", you're expecting to get scared pretty good more than once. I didn't really feel on edge through out this book however. Perhaps it wasn't my past familiarity with the characters. This is, after all, a part of a series of sorts. I just grabbed this at the library's "New Fiction" shelf. I don't think I can really blame it on myself though. This book didn't quite meet the quota.
2. Forensics: This book presents the fact that forensics will be involved. And they are to a point. I'm not saying that they're totally absent. I was impressed with the amount of research involved. But I wanted to become more involved. I also felt like the author could have added some suspicious things to the bodies that would have kept them guessing as to the exact process. Obviously, the gel in the lungs is the obvious killer, but what about all the other little clues on the bodies? The things that make you wonder and guessing were gone. It could be that we already know the killer. After all, who else would be stalking her and killing people all at once?
But the book did have its strong points. The book kept me reading and its up on my favorites list now. The writing was fluid, the characters likable and enjoyable, the tension appropriate, and the story line decent. The only thing that consoled me at the end of the book was the fact that there were the previous books unread. Its just one of those books you sort of gravitate towards.
The punchline, it was lacking but great all at once. I definitely recommend it to mystery fans everywhere. And perhaps, what else lies in the future of Kyle's anam cara? His Angel of Death?
Read
March 10, 2023SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
good book
good book
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