Review: The Education of a Coroner: Lessons in Investigating Death

The Education of a Coroner: Lessons in Investigating Death by John Bateson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Introduction
The Education of a Coroner is about the experiences of one man and his coworkers in the coroner's office of Marin County, California, throughout his career, which spanned from the late 70s through the new millennium. The rapid changes in technology, philosophy, and techniques in just under 40 years is incredible. The cases are morbidly fascinating, especially considering Marin County is one of the wealthiest counties per capita in California. Each chapter brings new insights into the unique and often completely misunderstood life of a coroner.

The story
Ken Holmes worked in the Marin County Coroner's office for 36 years before he retired amidst political and financial upheaval. In his career he went from working as a coroner's death investigator, hired straight out of a simple mortuary job, to being elected as County Coroner for three terms. He personally handled cases involving everything from Golden Gate Bridge suicides to the death of Robin William's mother. He also helped hunt down the infamous Trailside Killer, a serial killer who overpowered, sexually assaulted, and then killed female hikers in parks around Marin County. Despite all the blood and gore, Holmes loved his job. He maintained that the most important and rewarding part of his job was helping effected loved ones work through the aftermath and find not only answers, but also peace. The author manages to tell the stories not only of Holmes, but of each case, with detail and keen insight. This reader is at once intrigued, angered, appalled, moved, and then intrigued again. I had no idea how the coroner fit into the law enforcement community, nor did I know what the professional and training requirements entailed. The author includes details on every aspect of the daily life of a coroner. This book is both educational and fascinating!

Literary analysis
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for both it's educational value and it's fascinating look at true crimes. It almost reads like an episode of Dateline mixed with CSI; it certainly feels like the writing of a crime reporter, although I found I didn't mind it in this case. I loved coming away with not only insider knowledge of some really interesting death scenarios, but also a much better understanding of the role and work of a coroner.

This book is a quick, engaging, easy read. I did note that for some reason Chapter 10 seemed to be riddled with grammatical errors. I received an ARC though, so this may have been corrected before final publication. Otherwise this book was a pleasure to read.

Conclusion
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about true crime and/or anyone who aspires to running for local government!

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Review: Something Beautiful Happened: A Story of Survival and Courage in the Face of Evil

Something Beautiful Happened: A Story of Survival and Courage in the Face of Evil by Yvette Manessis Corporon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Introduction
Yvette Manessis Corporan immediately strikes the reader as being the type of person who is well-connected, well-educated, and well-spoken, all while remaining humble and welcoming. Her life is fascinating in many aspects, and yet in another way it's another beautiful example of the typical American story - descended from hard-working immigrants who are proud of their culture and yet thankful for the opportunities afforded them in the United States. As she sought to tell her family's version of this tale, she stumbled across so many wonderful details and life lessons. In very easily read, almost conversational (dare I say it felt like an interview?) prose, Corporan weaves a tale that when viewed from afar would resemble the beautiful intricately woven clothing of the Greek people of Erikousa.

The story
Yvette Manessis Corporan becomes obsessed with uncovering the details of a story told to her by her grandmother. It's a story of courage, loyalty, and friendship across dangerous and age-old cultural divides. Yvette's grandmother had been one of many villagers who daringly helped to conceal a Jewish family amidst their largely Christian (Greek Orthodox) community during WWII. There were knocks at the door almost every night, but they never knew who would be on the other side - Nazi soldiers out for blood, or the poor Jewish family they had befriended coming to teach sewing lessons while the children slept peacefully. As Corporan dug deeper, she found family members of the survivors and was able to orchestrate an elaborate but beautiful reunion between the Jewish descendants and the Greek islanders. Even as Corporan worked tirelessly on this reunion, her own extended family were brutally attacked, gunned down by a modern-day would-be Nazi who mistakenly thought they were Jewish. The stories flash back and forth as Corporan seeks to reconcile the two scenarios. This book is a beautiful journey through shared memories, beautiful cultures, and moving introspection.

Literary analysis
This book is very well-written. It does bounce around a bit, and there are times where the author switches names back and forth as well. As long as you can keep up and not get distracted (I had no problems), this novel is a pleasure to read. I found no grammatical errors in this first reading.

Conclusion
I recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy books on personal journeys (such as "Eat, Pray, Love") or historical reflection (such as books about Holocaust survivors).

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Grace: Finding Home

I grew up in a military family. I went to a military college. I joined the military. Then, I married into the military. My birth certificate was signed by my Daddy as a Second Lieutenant and a military doctor who later became my doctor in college. The military is indeed a small world. But it's MY world; it always has been, and I've grown accustomed to its many nuances. I start getting the "itch" to move around the two-year mark and I absolutely love researching the next place. House hunting has become somewhat of a hobby. I love moving, making new friends, exploring new places, finding those hole-in-the-wall places that become a regular family haunt. I even secretly enjoy the packing and unpacking processes. The only aspect of moving I've always secretly and ashamedly hated is church hunting (perhaps I'll share more on that in a future post). I mean it! I. LOVE. MOVING.

 But I will admit that I dread the inevitable question of home. "Where are you from?" Well, can you quantify that? Do you mean where did I live longest? England. No, I don't think of myself as "basically British." Where did I graduate high school? Georgia. Nope, I have no sentimental ties to either of my two high schools other than some of the friendships I maintained over the years. At this point they usually ask, "OK, well where were you born?" California. To most people it would seem like I have no home. In fact, I honestly usually just say I'm from Georgia, where my parents retired, in order to keep things simple. Every once in a while the particularly curious (nosy?) people press anyway because I "don't sound like [I'm] from Georgia." But you get the picture. My life has been fairly nomadic. And yet, I've never felt cheated or as though I've missed out on having a home. Everywhere we went, God provided family and fellowship. I have friends and adopted family all over the world. God has blessed and enriched my life beyond measure.

Now, we are facing leaving the military life behind. It's really happening. We are seriously planning to move to one place and hope to stay there (or very close) for the rest of our lives. And I'm TERRIFIED. Why? Because I will have to reevaluate and perhaps redefine my concept of home. In her book Keeping Place, Jen Pollock Michel discusses the concepts of home and housekeeping, and how they effect our spiritual lives. In the first chapter - which is a fascinating look at nostalgia and homesickness - she says, "words not only describe how we feel; they distinctly shape how we understand our feelings...as complex emotional beings, we need nomenclature for fear and self-doubt, longing and desire. In short, we must be taught to explain ourselves to ourselves as well as to others." I love the idea that our words shape our perception of our lives and the world around us. In searching my heart during this time of transition, I was surprised to find that I am a little bit apprehensive about staying in one place, but mostly at peace with the thought of finally settling into a new life.

There will be so many changes. In fact, it seems to me that these first few years of my marriage have been nothing but huge, life-altering changes. But as I look back, I see God's hand in every one of those situations, quietly but forcefully moving to make our lives better and draw us closer to Him. I know that every year will continue to bring new changes. But I also know a God who is never surprised and, in fact, has an amazing plan in store for me and my family. There's nothing new under the sun, and I can have peace knowing that the God of the universe is quietly working behind the scenes of my chaotic, lovely, messy life.

Will you pray with me as we go through this transition? And I beg your patience in the coming months as I'm sure this change and the many stages involved will feature regularly on the blog. I've also decided to finish my Masters degree, in addition to everything else! Please bear with me and I promise to keep you updated with all the craziness.

I remain hapless but hopeful,
Cassie