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Post-Mortem: Justice at Last for Yvette Budram
A jogger is running near the perimeter of the African Lion Safari theme park in southern Ontario when he stumbles across a near- mummified skeleton in a field. The skeletal remains are studied at the Hamilton morgue by a forensic pathologist, a forensic anthropologist, and a forensic entomologist (known as “the bug lady”). The victim is female, non-Caucasian. But who is she? Enter Hamilton homicide investigator Paul Lahaie and his team. During the investigation, a forensic detective hits upon the secret to cracking the identity of the dead woman. The hardened skin on the fingertips is rehydrated, rolled for prints. And a match is Yvette Budram, a woman from Guyana who emigrated to Canada and married a man named Mohan Ramkissoon. Her prints happened to be in the CPIC system because she has a criminal record for uttering death threats against her husband. Detectives search Mohan and Yvette’s Mississauga house. They find a hole cut in the bedroom mattress, and blood residue around it — Yvette’s blood. And her blood on the TV. And in the trunk of Mohan’s car. They believe he drove her body to the country field outside Hamilton and dumped her. A manhunt ensues and Mohan is taken into custody, but he denies it all and points suspicion at a man he claims Yvette had an affair with, whose nickname is “Happy.” This CSI-style story is wrapped up in court with a surprising revelation from a jail cell. There was justice at last for Yvette Budram.
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2009
74 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 20, 2018
This book is interesting to me mainly because of the forensics of the case, and, of course, the detective work done by the investigators. They seem all to be dedicated to finding justice for all concerned. And the facts of the murder, such things as the perpetrator trying to divorce the victim after she was dead, and also trying to get his financial advisor to liquidate her financial assets, without a death certificate or will. Hubris.
On the negative side, however, Mr Wells writes in a novelistic manner that I don't appreciate in a true crime book. Another strike against it is that he doesn't give sources for the questions and answers sessions he has a lot of. The dialogue is much too clean for verbatim interrogations in a serious murder case as I have seen in TV programs such as "48 Hours". The detective's and the suspect's syntax is much too polished to be word for word, as he presents it all. There is no hemming and hawing, no stuttering, as would be present in questioning sessions where the suspect is trying to be evasive, trying to stick to a lie, and not a native English speaker, into the bargain. I would rather he had summarized the interactions instead of attempting to put us inside the room with the actors.
This is all personal preference on my part, of course, but did ruin the impact on me of what was a fairly brutal murder and my enjoyment of reading the book.
Mr Wells' writing, though, is clear, concise, and readable. I probably will try one of his other books to give him a second chance.
On the negative side, however, Mr Wells writes in a novelistic manner that I don't appreciate in a true crime book. Another strike against it is that he doesn't give sources for the questions and answers sessions he has a lot of. The dialogue is much too clean for verbatim interrogations in a serious murder case as I have seen in TV programs such as "48 Hours". The detective's and the suspect's syntax is much too polished to be word for word, as he presents it all. There is no hemming and hawing, no stuttering, as would be present in questioning sessions where the suspect is trying to be evasive, trying to stick to a lie, and not a native English speaker, into the bargain. I would rather he had summarized the interactions instead of attempting to put us inside the room with the actors.
This is all personal preference on my part, of course, but did ruin the impact on me of what was a fairly brutal murder and my enjoyment of reading the book.
Mr Wells' writing, though, is clear, concise, and readable. I probably will try one of his other books to give him a second chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2020
Really concise and well written, making it a quick read!
January 24, 2011
This is a great true story. It pulls you in and holds your attention. Jon Wells is a great writer and a down to earth person. I have met him and discussed his career with him. I highly recommend this book.
November 12, 2020
"Sometimes the mystery isn't just finding the killer, it's finding the victim."
The Case: April 17, 2001 - Off-duty firefighter Steve Dmytrus was jogging near the area of the African Lion Safari theme park in Southern Ontario, and something caught his attention. Thinking it was a dead animal, he drew closer and to his horror, he discovered a near-mummified skeleton. The body has been bludgeoned and left to decay. It would take a dedicated and incredible team of detectives and forensic detectives to identify the skeletal remains and to bring the killer to justice.
My thoughts: Oh wow. This is easily one of the best true crime books I've read this year. Jon Wells takes us into the real world of forensic investigation where we learn how a forensic anthropologist, forensic pathologist and forensic entomologist worked together to identify the remains. It was incredible and the process although meticulous was soooo fascinating!
I found out that the old title for crime scene investigators in Hamilton was identification officer ("ident officer"), but they are now known as forensic detective or forensic investigator. I think it was a pretty odd title eh?
Speaking of forensic detective, I was amazed by the meticulous work of Gary Zwicker who attempted to get a quality print from the thumb of this near mummified skeleton through a process called rehydration. ("Forensic detectives need patience, a sharp mind, an eye for detail. And a strong stomach.")
I enjoyed learning how Detective Paul Lahaie and the Major Crimes Unit detectives did their investigation and the whole police procedural was insightful!
In a nutshell, I LOVED this book! It was an addicting, engaging book and I liked that it was written in novelistic style. I flew through this book! "Post-Mortem has been billed as a "true CSI story"" and so, if forensics is something you enjoy, please give this book a read!
The Case: April 17, 2001 - Off-duty firefighter Steve Dmytrus was jogging near the area of the African Lion Safari theme park in Southern Ontario, and something caught his attention. Thinking it was a dead animal, he drew closer and to his horror, he discovered a near-mummified skeleton. The body has been bludgeoned and left to decay. It would take a dedicated and incredible team of detectives and forensic detectives to identify the skeletal remains and to bring the killer to justice.
My thoughts: Oh wow. This is easily one of the best true crime books I've read this year. Jon Wells takes us into the real world of forensic investigation where we learn how a forensic anthropologist, forensic pathologist and forensic entomologist worked together to identify the remains. It was incredible and the process although meticulous was soooo fascinating!
I found out that the old title for crime scene investigators in Hamilton was identification officer ("ident officer"), but they are now known as forensic detective or forensic investigator. I think it was a pretty odd title eh?
Speaking of forensic detective, I was amazed by the meticulous work of Gary Zwicker who attempted to get a quality print from the thumb of this near mummified skeleton through a process called rehydration. ("Forensic detectives need patience, a sharp mind, an eye for detail. And a strong stomach.")
I enjoyed learning how Detective Paul Lahaie and the Major Crimes Unit detectives did their investigation and the whole police procedural was insightful!
In a nutshell, I LOVED this book! It was an addicting, engaging book and I liked that it was written in novelistic style. I flew through this book! "Post-Mortem has been billed as a "true CSI story"" and so, if forensics is something you enjoy, please give this book a read!
October 26, 2019
I found the writing very dry, and all of the extra side stories having to do with the police officers and what not very distracting. I got about halfway through and realized the author had somehow convinced me I didn't care about what happened to Yvette. He was so slow in presenting what happened that I ended up not caring. I think the case in itself was rather interesting, but the writing so drawn out for no good reason...I got bored.
January 12, 2022
A girl I work with's mom used to be a tenant of Yvette and Mohan. She told me about this case and I kinda got sucked in. Always fascinated by Canadian Cases. I've been to all the places in this book!
Anyways, it was interesting. I was hooked. wish it was less wordy. But it was good stuff,
Anyways, it was interesting. I was hooked. wish it was less wordy. But it was good stuff,
November 4, 2023
This author takes you through a brief background on each person. I have really enjoyed this investigation, trial, and outcome for a murder. It takes place in Canada. He even explains how the laws determine the coarse of events in all aspects of the process. Thoroughly enjoyable reading.
August 10, 2017
True Crime
This is an interesting book. The author tells the story of a murder but tells it with the emphasis on forensics. He says how it is done and why it is done.
This is an interesting book. The author tells the story of a murder but tells it with the emphasis on forensics. He says how it is done and why it is done.
December 28, 2018
I really loved how this book captured every working piece of this horrific crime from investigators, forensic scientists, and trial lawyers. Excellent read.
January 17, 2025
Rather dry but an excellent detailing of forensic evidence gathering.
October 18, 2025
This one was sort of difficult to get into. It wasn't until about halfway through that it really piqued my interest, and it was very hard to put down.
June 16, 2025
The writing style seemed odd at first, but I can't explain how or why. I got used to it. The author goes over every part of the investigation and discusses the different people that work on the case - lab technicians, fingerprint experts, forensic entomologist, forensic anthropologist... Each actor gets good coverage on what they do and how it helps the case. It seems repetitious and drug out, but actually that is the way the case was and it helps the reader to feel the frustration of the police and others working on the case. It is an interesting read.
April 22, 2015
I have only recently discovered this author, and after reading a previous book, I placed all others on hold at the library, and this one was next. Again very interesting true account of a murder in my hometown Hamilton. Well researched and written, the people and places come alive. None of the central characters at the heart of the case seem very likeable, including Yvette Budram, the victim. It was fascinating to get the inside scoop on a murder investigation, and I have tremendous respect for the detectives and their team who place their own personal lives on hold in order to bring justice to murder victims and their families.
June 18, 2020
WHEN A BODY THAT IS FOUND ON CONCESSION 8 IN WEST FLAMBOROUGH NEAR AFRICIAN LOIN SAFARI IT HAS TO BE IDENTIFIED BECAUSE IT HAS MUMMIFIED FROM BEING THERE SO LONG. APRIL 17TH 2001 IT WAS FOUND AND LATER IDENTIFIED AS YVETTE BUDRAM. THE POLICE ASK THE HUSBAND WHY HE NEVER REPORTED HER MISSING AND HE SAID SHE RAN OFF WITH A GUY HARJEET SINGH THAT SHE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH. AS THEY DIG DEEPER THEY FIND THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY DIDNT GET ALONG AND WERE ALWAYS FIGHTING AND YVETTE WANTED A DIVORCE....
February 11, 2012
One of the best true crime books I've ever read! It's very well written and it doesn't hurt the interest level by taking place in Hamilton, Ontario when I grew up only a short drive from there in Cambridge, Ontario. I practically couldn't put it down! I love the way Wells gives you the back story on anyone who's involved whether it's the victim, the perpetrator, or the investigators of the crime, the level of dimension is papable.
March 9, 2014
good read
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews