Professor Black expertly weaves scientific facts with real-life cases. Written in the Bone is an engaging book, perfect for any true crime junkie!

Damn, this book was wild. I loved how Sue Black organized the chapters with different sections of the human skeleton. Her stories were told through data, anecdotes, and personal moments. I love how she wove together true crime cases, her own life, and interesting historical moments. I’ve read 500 million true crime books and this one taught me so much.

There is a lot of dark, sad stuff about kids dying. So, be aware of that going in.. Otherwise, amazing amazing amazing book

Sue Black is an instant read for me. I love her books. She has a way of walking the reader through conversations about death and what remains after death that is both fascinating and easy to understand. As a morbidly curious person this was right up my alley. Loved it! Also her covers are always the best!

This is not a new book and I feel like everything that could be said about it has been said. So I´m just gonna add two quotes, that made my eyes pop out :
"6000 upper and lower limb amputations occur each year on the NHS as a result of type 2 diabetes" !!!!

"We find it difficult to stand upright for a long period of time. This is because it takes incredible coordination across our musculoskeletal system to stop us from falling over. Workplace advice acknowledges that standing demands around 20 % more energy than sitting and recommends that we should not stand still for more than 8 minutes at a stretch"!

8 minutes! I live in a country where security guards are literally everywhere, they work 12 hours shifts, have no right to enjoy bank holidays by law, their rights are very limited anyway, and it´s very rare that they are given a chair or stool.

It´s a great book.

Written in Bone: Hidden Stories in What We Leave Behind
Sue Black

Professor Dame Sue Black has written what I would consider a definitive book on forensic anthropology. I did an internet search for a solid definition of what forensic anthropology is and I was surprised with the number of slightly different descriptions, but I think this is the best one: “the branch of physical anthropology in which anthropological data, criteria, and techniques are used to determine the sex, age, genetic population, or parentage of skeletal or biological materials in questions of civil or criminal law.”

But Written in Bone is more than that; I found it to be a mixture of forensic anthropology with human anatomy and physiology. Each chapter is devoted to a different bone structure, such as the skull, the spine, etc., with a thorough discussion of the anatomical part of the body being illustrated. She presents examples of how each body part can tell a story with the hope there is enough of a narrative to assist law enforcement.

This book is not for the squeamish as death is sometimes messy. There is also a personal story from Dame Sue Black, which some readers may find very distressful.

As someone who really enjoys anatomy and physiology, I loved Dame Sue Black’s discussion of each major body part and how deftly she was able to relate the stories to actual forensic cases.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in anatomy, especially skeletal anatomy and those readers who are interested in forensics.

Written in Bone by Sue Black
Hidden Stories in What We Leave Behind

Scientific explanations, historical, and personal anecdotes, fill the pages of this book. I went in thinking it would be less scientific so was glad I had my nursing background and interest in forensic science to help with reading and understanding.

The historical cases from the past were interesting as were some that Dame Black’s cases shared with the reader. How bones come into play solving mysteries of those recently or long deceased was well written and easy, for the most part, for me to understand.

The variety of bones ranged from skull to feet, the ages of those studied after death were from infants to elderly, some bones were very old while others much more recent. Sometimes the stories shared were personal and perhaps cathartic but might not have had as much to do with the bones mentioned in the chapter as I would have expected.

This was an educational and informative personal memoir of specific incidents that I have to admit I skimmed rather than read word for word.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

A fascinating nonfiction read from one of the UK’s top forensic anthropologists! If you like the TV show “Bones” - this is that, but factual, and backed up with real-life stories from the author’s career.

Professor Black takes us step by step through each portion of the body, and details what can be learned from the bones in that region. Indicators of age, ethnicity, sex, lifestyle, and of course, manner of death, are identifiable in a wide variety of pieces of our skeletons — from neonatal development all the way through old age. The result is some highly academic but very interesting reading that gives you a full picture of how our bodies develop over time, and what can be learned from them after death.

I was a little surprised as to how personally reflective this book became at points, even detailing some of the author’s own traumas on early life. For me, it threw off the pace of the reading a bit — but others might find that it makes their reading experience even more enjoyable and connected!

Thank you to Sky Horse Publishing, the author, and NetGalley for making an ARC available in exchange for an honest review! Written in Bone is available now.

This was a very enlightening look at the human body and what bone can tell us. I read this while taking human osteology, so I was actually handling the bones as they were being discussed and I have to say that I thought Black's book was incredibly helpful.

DNF at 42%.

I am probably the only person who read this book and didn't like it. It's so disappointing when you read dozens of positive reviews and you have to ask yourself, 'Did I read the same book?'

Pros: I enjoyed the organization of the book. I liked how she started with the skull and progressed down the body. It was an interesting way of approaching the subject. I also enjoyed some of her personal anecdotes that were liberally sprinkled throughout the chapters. I appreciated the technical details that were provided about the bones themselves. It was fascinating learning about how the bones are formed in utero and how they develop and change throughout our lives.

Cons:
I honestly wanted some pictures. Although the author provides many details about the physical shape of bones, their locations, and how they connect with each other, it was still difficult to picture in my mind. Every chapter I had to Google a picture of the bone structure she was describing.

A small issue but one that I wish had been fixed before a US release is the UK terminology that the author uses. She mentions a procurator fiscal and the CPS rules. But I'm not a citizen of the UK and I have no idea what these terms mean. Did it totally ruin the experience? No, but it would've been simple enough to include the US equivalent or an explanation in the US release.

The main reason I could not finish this book was the author's inclusion of her personal experiences that didn't actually relate to the book's subject. In the chapter on the viscerocranium (face), she describes embarrassing two male colleagues by referencing her uterus because they were only asking her a question because she was a woman. What does this have to do with facial bones? In the chapter on the spine, she relates a story about a courtroom interaction for several pages. This time the personal experience does relate to the subject matter of the book, but she goes even further and describes all the ways the expert for the opposing counsel was incorrect. It feels like a very personal attack. She regales us with the 'dressing-down' the judge gave the expert and how the other expert was so inexperienced that the author now uses this story as a lesson for her students. All of it totally unnecessary. In the same chapter she lambasts another colleague for being overenthusiastic and misleading the authorities. Again, in the same chapter, she criticizes another colleague for sending the police on a 'wild goose chase'.

In the chapter on the ribs, she goes off on another tangent, this one just not about the inadequacies of her co-workers. For several pages she describes the horrific crimes of a prolific child molester. She details the videos she has to watch of his encounters, the veins in his hands, even the shape of his penis. None of this had anything to do with the ribs. Finally, we learn that he was murdered with a shank through the ribs, apparently the only reason this entire interlude was included. Did this really contribute anything to her book? No, the entire narrative could've been edited out and nothing would have been lost except for her digression into capital punishment and her personal feelings on the matter.

The last straw for me was her description of a burial excavation in Grenada. This story goes on for nine pages. And it has almost nothing to do with using the rib bones to help with identification after death. She spends pages and pages describing her American counterparts and how sloppy their work is and their air of superiority. She takes them to task over and over again and expresses how much smarter and more respectful she is, even when she decides to play childish tricks on them. And none of these details relate to the theme of her book. It felt petty and off-putting. The author could have left all of these negative details out and still had a fascinating story about bones and what they tell us after death. I couldn't read anymore after this chapter, and I had to give up on the book.

I think most people, maybe even everyone except for me, will really enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for my review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Black is a world-renowned forensic anthropologist, a compelling writer, and all round phenomenal human being. Although she wrote All That Remains first, I only learned of it through Written in Bone, and I've added it to my list of must-reads.

From start to finish, Written in Bone is simultaneously moving, informative, and entertaining. Black strategically has divided up the text into sections based on different sections of the (skeletal) body. In each, she does a deep dive into the anatomical nuances, history surrounding the body part(s), and shares the details of a relevant case or two that she's worked on involving that region of the body.

You'll experience such a range of emotion in this book, from fascination about how our bodies develop so methodically in utero, to a mix of amusement and shock at how Black had to transport two decomposing human heads on a commercial flight.

For lovers of medicine, anatomy history, and true crime, you'll find the intersection of all your interests lead to Written in Bone.

I really enjoyed reading this book! My family is probably glad that I finished it since I wouldn’t stop talking about it on the days that I was reading it. Of all of the classes I took in college, the ones that have stayed with me are the ones dealing with the anatomy of the human body. For some reason, it has always been fascinating to me. I jumped at the chance to read this book and found it to be both informative and entertaining.

I liked the way that the book was laid out with each chapter being dedicated to a section on the body. The author uses real cases to illustrate the topic being discussed which I found incredibly interesting. A few of the situations that were highlighted in the book were stranger than anything that I could imagine and I enjoyed the explanations regarding how science could both identify an individual and their cause of death. I felt like the author presented the information in a manner that would work well for the average reader.

I would recommend this book to others. I don’t read a lot of non-fiction but this book was definitely my kind of book. I applaud the author for sharing parts of her own life and for giving me something to think about. I would not hesitate to read more of Sue Black’s work.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Skyhorse Publishing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have had an interest in forensic anthropology since back in my undergrad anthropology days and always jump at the chance to read something new. This author wasn’t known to me but I enjoyed her writing style that was informative. Her engaging storytelling draws a reader in to show us just how much information is hidden and written in and on our bodies like maps waiting for a skilled anthropologist to read.

Her personal narrative interwoven through the clinical recounting of cases makes this not a dry textbook recounting but you can feel her respect for the bodies in the case studies which aren’t just pieces of information but actual people who once lived and were loved by their families and friends and the people in their lives.

Overall: I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in forensic anthropology or osteology.

I figured this book would be good but I had no clue it would be so entertaining. I assumed it would be informative, which it was, but the author also made every topic so interesting that I was glued to this book for 2 days. The book does include some heartbreaking parts so it may not be for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course bones are important but now I am more aware of the information they hold.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

A BOOK THAT IS SURE TO STAY WITH ME FOR A REALLY LONG TIME ✨

This book got under my skin so fast. I have been fascinated by forensic anthropology (FA) for a long time and have attempted to read other books on the subject before finally finding this one. Now I will forever be recommending this to anyone with a similar interest in FA - or anyone slightly interested in true crime.

✨ What I loved ✨

Educational: I was instantly taken in by the amazingly methodical structure of the book. Black takes you through the entire human skeleton, starting at the top of the head and all the way down. It was insightful and very educational. I really felt like Black had taken my hand and given me a thorough walk through of all her vast knowledge.

Writing: Even if you known next to nothing about the human skeleton, you will be able to follow this book. Black is genius at taking her specialized and extensive knowledge and making it accessible for outsiders. It was very easy for me to follow along and soak up all her wisdom.

Humorous: Now, the human skeleton might sound like a very dry subject. But Black makes the subject surprisingly fun and humorous. Her own voice shines through and gives sarcastic comments or dry, witty remarks throughout the book. It made the subject appear a lot more accessible and easy to get into.

Stories: Throughout this book Black not only goes through pretty much every bone in the human body. She also tells you relevant, insightful and very interesting stories from her own life and experiences about most of the bones. Black has worked on many cases and is great at finding relevant stories to support her insightful instructions. There are cases from this book, that will remain with me for a long time. And I frequently cite this book and the cases in conversations with friends and family - they might be a bit tired of it by now, but who cares?

Engaging and informative.
It was a surprisingly easy and pleasant read given the subject matter. Black managed to blend technical questions and anecdotes well enough that nothing came across as jarring or droning. Some anecdotes are cute or funny but some are also pretty heartbreaking so it's never boring. It's not lacking in "case studies" so even if you have read quite a few books on the topic you'll probably still find new information but at no point did I feel that the author was drowning me in technicalities.
If you like true crime that isn't focused on the sordid how and why of the killers or in the shock value but on the science that goes into giving some victims their identity back and bringing the perpetrators to face the law, you'll find a very human approach to just that in this book.
Black never comes across as haughty or self-important and she constantly stresses the importance of collaboration and of considering all the actors in a situation, something I found quite endearing.

What a fascinating book. If you enjoy learning about the science side of true crime, this book is for you. It is written by Sue Black a forensic anthropologist. She breaks down the body and how each bone can tell a story about how that person lived and how they may have died. She gives examples for each bone she discusses. She gives a humorous spin and, at the same time, shows respect for each case. I am a nurse and love hearing about this side of murder cases. She talks about things that truly happen and how sometimes the entertainment industry gets it wrong on TV or movies. She does talk about cases that involve children and infants. That can be difficult to take. Especially, knowing the cases truly happened. This book was a truly intriguing read that was not only entertaining but educational as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Skyhorse Publishing, and Sue Black for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As a biologist and former anatomy professor, I loved reading the details in this book. It is an engaging walk through the world of forensics and learning how much life and story is held in our bones, even after we have died. For any fan of the TV show Bones, or crime mysteries, this is a satisfying journey into how some of our questions about how deaths came to be (in un-ordinary circumstances) are answered. The cases presented are fascinating, and the writing keeps you interested to learn more.

What a fascinating read this was! I was not familiar with Black's work prior to this, but I will definitely be looking for her first book now. She has a very easyygoing and engaging storytelling style and I like the way she combines anatomical and scientific information with the anecdotal stories of specific forensic investigations.

Not really what I expected from this book but I still enjoyed it and learned a lot from reading it. Definitely worth reading if you have an interest in the human body at all.

Sue Black, a world famous forensic anthropologist, gives unprecedented insight into the job of identifying human remains in her new work 'Written in Bone.' Structured according to the human body (beginning with the skull and working down to the feet) she reveals how the story of a human life can be told from her bones. I read this for research into a novel I'm writing but was sucked in to the many anecdotes and pitch-perfect black humor.