(thanks to Charmaine Gordon for cluing me into this terrific weekly activity)
Since this is National Preparedness Month, I am choosing my brief excerpt from one of my EMS suspense novels, Final Sin - this is from a scene in the autopsy room, Jake is entering to learn what he can from the autopsy in hopes of solving a crime. Present are the chief investigator Sheriff Jake Carlson, the Chief Lab Pathologist Dr. Ramos, and the remains of Holly, a victim of a sadistic murderer :
He entered the autopsy suite passing the heavy wooden sign next to the door; It said, “HIC LOCUS EST UBI MORS GAUDET SUCCURRERE VITAE”. Once before when Jake had been here, he had asked for a translation of the Latin words and was told, “This is the place where death rejoices to teach those who live.” He was anxious to learn and he hoped Holly would be anxious to teach; He had high hopes that they could learn something, anything that would lead them to the murderer. Two men were waiting for him as he donned a surgical gown and protective eye-wear.Holly’s body was already lying on the shiny, aluminum dissection table. The table, a little more than waist high, was edged with an aluminum channel to allow blood and fluids to drain away from the body. The room was uncluttered and glaringly bright. It was a stark reminder of the lifelessness of the cadavers stored in the drawers along the wall.
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14 comments:
Great detail. Nice!
Chelle, you drew this reader into a place I never wanted to be. Your writing is compelling and so realistic. Thanks.
Oh yeah, another murder mystery writer! I'm excited! Very well done. Your description was spot on. Welcome to the group. :)
History Sleuth's Writings No snippet for me this week, I've got veggies to process. Just hopping to a few on breaks.
Grim subject matter, but very well written. Great excerpt!
Another comment here, Chelle. The word is authentic because you have the hands-on years of experience of a first responder.
Thank you all for your comments and thank you for the warm welcome to the group. I've been doing some hopping myself and your snippets are fantastic. I look forward to getting to all of you during the week.
Very intriguing eight. I hope Holly can give him the clues he needs. Love the Latin too! And Welcome!
Death might have a lot to teach the living, if the living have a strong stomach. I don't, which is why I'm glad I can picture your scene so vividly, and not smell it.
welcome to the weekend warriors. I love gritty suspense and cant wait to hear more about Jake.
I got a clear image of the room and death. nice use of the 8
My apologies to those who I grossed out with the autopsy room. LOL, at the end of the scene Dr. Ramos asks Jake if he's up to go for lunch. Again, thank you so much for the warm welcome.
"dissection table" wow, that's creepy!
Welcome to the Week-end Writing Warriors! :)
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!
I like this excerpt, especially Jake's attitude toward Holly once he prepares to examine her. Well done!
If you can get past the gruesome-ness of an autopsy, it is amazing how much the human body can tell you about a person's life. It is fascinating when you think of it.
I love your crisp, descriptive writing style. You really put me in the room!
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