Dive into the pulse-pounding world of Body of Evidence, where college freshman Jenna Blake trades textbooks for autopsies, unraveling chilling mysteries at Somerset University. Penned by Christopher Golden, this young adult medical thriller series blends forensic intrigue with personal growth, captivating readers with its fast-paced plots and relatable heroine. If you love CSI or Bones, this hidden gem of a series is your next obsession!
With ten novels packed with suspense, Body of Evidence follows Jenna’s journey from a nervous student to a skilled pathology assistant, solving crimes that stump even the police. Golden’s knack for weaving medical detail with emotional depth makes this series a standout in the young adult mystery genre. Ready to explore a world where every corpse tells a story?
How Body of Evidence Began
Christopher Golden, a New York Times bestselling author known for Ararat and Snowblind, launched Body of Evidence in 1999 with Body Bags. Inspired by the forensic thriller boom of the late ’90s, Golden crafted a series that paired the gritty realism of medical mysteries with the coming-of-age struggles of a young adult heroine. Jenna Blake, an 18-year-old navigating college and family tensions, was designed to resonate with teens and adults alike.
Golden’s collaboration with co-author Rick Hautala in later books added layers of horror and suspense, enriching the series’ tone. Published by Pocket Books, Body of Evidence tapped into the era’s fascination with forensic science, offering a fresh take by centering a young woman in a field dominated by seasoned professionals. The result? A series that feels both timeless and thrillingly unique.
The Heart of Body of Evidence
The series kicks off with Body Bags, where Jenna, torn between her mother’s medical ambitions and her fear of blood, lands a job with the Somerset Medical Examiner. When a professor’s bizarre death sparks a conspiracy involving a deadly supergerm, Jenna’s sleuthing skills shine. Thief of Hearts, the second book, delves into grisly murders where victims’ hearts are stolen, testing Jenna’s courage as she navigates campus dangers and a budding romance.
Meets the Eye introduces a supernatural twist, with Jenna investigating ‘zombie crimes’ tied to seemingly resurrected corpses, blending science with eerie mystery. Burning Bones, co-written with Hautala, tackles spontaneous human combustion, pushing Jenna to question rational explanations. Set in the vibrant, fictional Somerset University near Boston, the series explores themes of identity, resilience, and the ethical gray areas of science, all wrapped in Golden’s taut, cinematic style.
Jenna’s growth is the series’ heartbeat. From grappling with her parents’ expectations to forging friendships with Yoshiko and Hunter, she evolves into a confident investigator. The forensic details—vivid autopsy scenes and medical puzzles—ground the stories, while themes of racial tension, personal loss, and moral dilemmas add depth, making Body of Evidence more than just a mystery series.
Why Body of Evidence Resonates
Body of Evidence carved a niche in young adult fiction by blending forensic thrills with relatable coming-of-age struggles, paving the way for later series like Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels. Fans on Goodreads praise Jenna’s likability and the series’ gripping plots, with some calling it a ‘guilty pleasure’ for its balance of gore and heart. Though less known than mainstream YA series, its cult following cherishes its smart, accessible take on medical mysteries.
Golden’s ability to craft a strong female lead in a STEM field resonates today, inspiring readers to embrace curiosity and courage. The series’ legacy lies in its ability to thrill while tackling real-world issues, from campus racism to the ethics of medical experimentation, ensuring its relevance decades later.
- Publication Years: 1999–2003
- Number of Books: 10
- Authors: Christopher Golden, with Rick Hautala for select titles
- Setting: Somerset University, near Boston
Grab Body Bags and step into Jenna Blake’s thrilling world of forensic mysteries! Whether you’re a young adult reader or a seasoned thriller fan, Body of Evidence delivers chills, heart, and a heroine you’ll root for. Ready to solve some crimes?