Aftermath, Inc.: Cleaning Up After CSI Goes Home

by Gil Reavill

Book Overview

Now in paperback, a look into the disturbing but fascinating new field of bio-recovery, as a critically acclaimed crime writer rolls up his sleeves and delves into the world of Aftermath, Inc. The... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592403646
• ISBN13: 9781592403646
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Gotham Books
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Excellent read! I want more

Very interesting Draws you right in I hated it to end

Ok, I'm morbid

I'll admit it, I'm morbid. I like to learn about things that would have most people running for the hills (or at least the bathroom). I enjoyed this book. I was a little reluctant to purchase it due to the less than stellar reviews I had read here. But then I figured that sometimes, I find that I enjoy things that others might not, and I ordered it. I'm glad I did. I am not sure what the unhappy reviewers were expecting with this book. It isn't going to tell you how to start your own clean-up business, nor is it going to tell you how to run said clean-up business. And it isn't supposed to. What it does do, is follow the author on his journey of discovery and "job shadow"ing the technicians of Aftermath, Inc. This book includes plenty of "juicy" details, and it also offers quite a bit of something else. Maybe it's because he tries to let you see the effect working in this type of business has on the employees. As a nurse, I really appreciated the chapter on Hepatitis C, and as a psych nurse, I REALLY appreciated the take on suicide. This book really had me wanting to copy pages and hand them out...but then I realized that would likely be illegal, and I let that idea go by the wayside. I feel the author really wanted the reader to see the victims as not just a "human stain" but as a human. A person. Someone who had a life, loved ones, and feelings. Again, I really enjoyed this book, and if you're reading this, I would recommend that you not hesitate because of negetive reviews. Go for it, you might be surprised, as I was.

Cool read.

This book was really good a little slow at times but still kept me interested.If you like crime shows and are interested in the clean up get this book.

Aftemath

It's an entertaining read for the most part, and probably unveils some of the meaning behind "cleaning" the remains of homicides, suicides, and unattended deaths when the coroner's technicians leave a death scene. Aftermath Inc.'s business structure is interesting to read about since it is fairly unique. Where others go it alone, hire wage earners, or franchise, these guys opened up a top-down hierarchy which branches out through the US. I suppose that their "crews" might be considered franchise owners if they are not wage earners. The writing is clear enough and could be emulated by others in this field and others. I recommend this book to those interested in learning about death scene cleaning and to those with experience in this field. One never knows what can be learned or critiqued from a rival's operations. The one critic claiming special knowledge about the beginning of this "industry" would do well to remember that morticians and others have moonlighted for generations providing this type of service. I recall the domain name "[...]" did not exist until 2003. So who claims to have started what, how, when, where? If it's a big deal, document the origins of crime scene cleaning or crime scene cleanup as something different than what morticians and others have always done. It's not really important, is it? Last, Aftermath Inc. probably generates hostile competitors because it pays higher referral fees than that standard "industry" 10 percent, in many cases. If you read popular literature for entertainment, you might enjoy this book. If you are not into popular literature, you probably would do well to glance through a bookstore's copy before buying. Ed Evans [...]

Gross and engrossing

I first heard about this book on NBC's "The Today Show." It piqued my interest, as I had seen a documentary about this type of business a while ago. I have a morbid interest in this kind of thing and thought it would be an interesting read. I wasn't disappointed. The book is written in an entertaining and even humorous manner, which is appreciated given its "grave" subject matter. The book provides graphic details about cases that the Aftermath techs have had to clean up, everything from shotgun suicides, to bleed-outs from diseases, to a guy who was chopped up in a jet engine. It is surprising to read in just how many weird and gruesome ways human beings can depart this Earth. The Aftermath guys rarely see the bodies, but clean up what's left of them. If reading about body fluids, maggots, the process of decomposition, and the stench of decay is interesting to you, then this book provides details galore. It also gives a kind of sad commentary on the savage nature of humanity as it details grisly murders perpetrated by relatives against each other - son against parents and siblings, mother against children - and of course stranger upon stranger as well. Not only murders but unfortunate accidents and plain old deaths from natural causes are covered in the book. Death is "the last taboo" and this book covers the topic unabashedly. It is really a fascinating read, written in a conversational style that is easy to read. It is a book for those who are interested in the physical process of death. There is nothing spiritual about it, though the cases are handled with the utmost respect in a dignified and business-like manner.

Very interesting!

I was at my boyfriend's house this weekend, and out of boredom, picked up an issue of Maxim to see what was so interesting about the magazine (aside from the obvious). I happened to come across an article (the first couple chapters of this book) and was really intrigued. Needless to say, I rushed out and bought the book. I haven't finished it, however it's really caught my attention. I will say that it is not for the faint at heart. Reavill gets very gory in his descriptions of the crime scenes, and even though I watch gory programs all the time, I flinch while reading. The idea is fantastic, and really puts CSI into perspective. I wouldn't say it's a 5 star read, but I can't wait to get back to reading. If I could, I'd give it a 4 1/2 star rating