Review by hansshelf - What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator

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hansshelf 's review for:

What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator by Barbara Butcher

4.0

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

This book had me hooked from the start. As someone genuinely interested in forensic pathology, I found Barbara Butcher’s perspective fascinating and refreshingly unfiltered. She doesn’t just recount her experiences with the dead—she lays bare her own struggles with addiction, the emotional cost of the job, and how she used her work as a coping mechanism to avoid facing her underlying mental health challenges. That honesty made the book feel even more impactful.

What really stayed with me was her account of 9/11. I was too young to remember the day clearly, but through her eyes, I finally understood the full weight of the tragedy. Her reflections captured not only the unimaginable loss, but also the exhaustion, resilience, and deep compassion shown by first responders. It was haunting and moving in the best way.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys true crime, memoirs about difficult but meaningful work, or has a bit of morbid curiosity. It’s graphic at times, so probably not for the squeamish—but if you can handle it, it’s powerful and unforgettable read.

Content Warnings