‘Postmortem’ by Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell is one of the best known crime/suspense writers and the Kay Scarpetta series is her best known work. Postmortem introduces Kay Scarpetta as the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia. Scarpetta is investigating a series of deaths that are the work of a brutal serial killer. Women from a variety of different backgrounds are being killed and Scarpetta must overcome leaks to the press, accusations and personal battles to catch the murderer.

Whenever I read a suspense novel, my inclination is to try to figure out which of the characters is the killer (I think most people do this). Cornwell’s killer did not end up being the person that I expected – but of course I won’t spoil the surprise.

It is also interesting to note that this book was originally written in 1990. This means that many of the techniques for collecting and analyzing evidence that we take for granted aren’t available to these investigators. Even though they have the ability to collect and analyze DNA evidence, it doesn’t play a big role – one character says that he doubts a jury will convict someone based on DNA evidence. In my opinion, this just adds to the fun – Cornwell’s not-too-distant past is engaging to the very end.

‘The Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D. Salinger

Students at Lincoln College of Technology’s Dayton campus will recognize ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ as one of the possible book choices from Mr. Strickland’s book list for American Literature. Others will know it as one of the most respected American novels of the 20th century. Challenged in some communities for being vulgar or inappropriate, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ is just as relevant to modern readers as it was to readers 60 years ago.

‘The Catcher in the Rye’ follows sixteen year old Holden Caulfield during two days of his life shortly after he is expelled from boarding school. Holden leaves school and returns to New York City but does not immediately go home. Rather, he checks into a hotel and spends his time reflecting on his past and making plans for the future that he hopes to achieve. This book will ring true for any person who has experienced the disillusionment of growing up.