Sue Black had had a fascinating and influential career as a forensic anthropologist and this book is a brilliant look at her professional as well as her personal experience of death. It's personal but unsentimental and the are some graphic descriptions at well as harrowing events (always sensitively written) that had me in tears a few times. A challenging but very worthwhile read if you have a strong stomach.

I absolutely loved this book. It has the perfect mix of crime, forensics and personal discovery. Sue Black weaves her journey and beginnings into the world of forensic anthropology with fascinating stories of past cases and developments. I am so excited to read more from her!

The premise for this sounded incredibly promising and I liked the first few chapters a lot but I just did not connect with the writing style and felt that the story that was being told was okay but there were several places that needed editing to make it a bit more interest and appealing for me.

All That Remains is sold to us as a book by Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology Sue Black about the key cases in her career and what they have taught her and what they can teach us. A lot of her work is disaster victim identification (DVI) and we hear about her work with this in Kosovo in the 90s and in Thailand after the tsunami in 2004. Black does a great job with the writing in this book, the scientific parts never feel inaccessible, she speaks matter of factly without being robotic and every now and again we get something a bit more emotional and personal without it being overly so. It's very well balanced and I really enjoyed listening to Black narrate the audiobook.

The beginning of the book though didn't fit in with the rest of the book. Didn't fit what was being sold to us. It's a lot more like a personal memoir than a professional one. We hear about Black's first job as a butcher and the deaths of some of her relatives. I guess these were included because they have also shaped her career, life and outlook when it comes to death. But I found that it dragged for me. I was 25% of the way into the book, reading it as an ebook, and was going to stop reading it as I was finding it slow to get through. I decided to check out the audiobook from the library to see if it would help and it did. And I'm really glad I did as I finished the book and really enjoyed it!

If you're expecting a book similar to Mary Roach or Caitlin Doughty, it is similar but you might need to wait until chapter 5 for it to feel like that. An interesting read from someone who has done some extraordinary things

I do not like reading of war and strife and suffering of any kind but I have always had a strange affinity to reading murder mysteries (Not thrillers, but the mysteries where there is one murder or many, and an analysis is performed on the surroundings ). I could even watch the TV serial Bones without flinching. I believe most people could not stomach the detail that the human body was explored on it, but I never faced any issues but I turn away and cry at almost any sign of trouble otherwise. 

I thought this would be a book that would help me understand what drew me into the orbit of liking forensics. The first time I picked up the book, and the first few chapters provide a lot of detail about the author and her childhood. This did not hold my attention for long but when I started reading it all over again yesterday, it did not matter any more. The reason the author gives for going into those details is to indicate her approach to death as a whole. The question of identity:

[how much alterations can a biological entity sustain while remaining recognisable as the same individual and maintaining its traceable identity]

that goes along with it as well as the value that human life has. This is not a collection of success stories though, it is a mixed bag. It is informational, detail oriented but very interesting. There are facts slipped in ,ones  I might carry these with me to be used to play a role in some gathering where I can pull one of them out and astound my audience. After such a long time in the occupation of a forensic anthropology, Sue Black has provided a very comprehensive look at what goes on in her head and how she got there. It is not just an outlook on death but as she put in her title, all that remains after it.

I would recommend this as a must read for anyone with an avid interest in anything to do we us as people and what comes as part and parcel of a person who spends her time trying to find important answers in our physical remains.

A very interesting and very well written book for any one with an interest in forensic anthropology. Highly recommend

With the theme of death, one might expect this book to be excessively morbid. Written by one of the world's leading forensic scientists, one might expect the book to be overtly technical. In fact this book is neither. The idea of death as something that comes to us all is accepted and Black looks at aspects of death in a very personal way, weaving in stories of her work and her family in an incredibly entertaining way. Some is high comedy, the Uncle dropping dead into a bowl of tomato soup, some separately poignant, Black's work in Bosnia and Thailand. All is laced with a wonderful streak of humour.

Reading memoirs by people I have never heard of before is something I very much enjoy. The thought that each and every human being on this planet is leading their own life which is unique and distinct from all others is an unfathomable idea and yet so fascinating.

This particular memoir is written by Sue Black who is a Scottish professor of forensic anthropology and anatomy. Through her field of expertise, Sue finds herself confronted with death all the time. In All That Remains, she tells her readers what death has taught her, what impact her work has had on her as a person, and does this through a number of actual cases she has dealt with.

At first I was hesitant with this book, because there is just no way around it that death is a topic that easily gets gruesome. But this book turned out to be so much more intriguing than I could have guessed up front. What impressed me most is that Sue’s warm personality is clearly present from beginning to end. You get to know her as a loving mother, a no-nonsense woman, and she never fails to keep in mind morality.

Reading this book is like watching your favorite crime series only much more down to earth and more realistic. Just as thrilling, because Sue has experienced a fair share of ghastly situations, but shows you the relevance of her work, and why respectful treatment is important.

My rating for this book is 3.75 out of 5 stars. This book is perfect for you if you are an avid (true) crime reader, who is looking to expand their interest in the non-fiction genre.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own. My review is susceptible to changes in the final copy of this work.

Fascinating, funny, informative and engaging. Sue Black makes this macabre and complex topic approachable and not too difficult to understand, without dumbing it down. Would recommend.

* I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. *

Sue Black is one of the UK's leading forensic anthropologists. Her area of expertise is identifying people from their mortal remains. In this book she describes her work, its challenges and her philosophy about death.

At the outset, Black talks about the fact that death is an inevitable part of life, and discusses the significance that people place on a good death and on the ultimate disposition of their remains.

She then segues into how she got started as an anatomist and the empathy she learned towards the dead through her dissecting activities. This sensitivity towards their memory and towards that of their families has clearly been a cornerstone of her work.

Perhaps the most gripping parts of the book are when Black describes her work identifying remains as part of war crimes investigations in Kosovo, and then in Thailand identifying the victims of the tsunami there. There is some heartbreaking stuff here, but it is also intensely interesting throughout.

Sue Black first came to my attention when I saw her on television. She presents as an exciting person to watch and listen to so when I saw this book I had no hesitation about reading it despite its potentially macabre and depressing topic.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. For those of you who have not seen her on television she is a red-headed Scot who is full of enthusiasm for her subject and who brings the subject of forensic anthropology to life in her own unique way. As an anatomist she has much to say on the subject of death. However, her very down to earth manner ensures that this book is uplifting and positive to read. I was absolutely gripped by her writing and finished this book within a couple of days.

It is true that there are some difficult subjects to consider in this book. The author has worked in areas of mass fatalities such as Kosovo, Thailand following the tsunami in 2004 and also London following the bombings on the 7th July 2005. All horrendous situations but she talks about her work with compassion, sensitivity and knowledge.

Sprinkled amongst all this is evidence of Sue's infectious humour. However, I do not in any way want to suggest that she is light hearted about death, identification of the dead or those who bequeath their bodies to science. Rather she demonstrates tremendous respect for the dead and those left behind but she writes about this in a way that enables the reader to understand the science, medicine and challenges behind what she does in a way that makes it fascinating to read about.

I highly recommend this book. It will appeal to anyone who is interested in science as well as those who enjoy crime fiction. The author works closely with Val McDermid and other crime writers and her influence on books of this genre can be seen in this book.

Do let me know your thoughts on this fascinating book when you read it

An amiable amble through a vast array of topics surrounding human death, a mixture of convivial monologue, clever links to philosophy, beliefs and, of course, anatomy itself, strewn with bits of Sue Black’s memoirs which have shaped her professional path as a forensic anthropologist.

One part reminded me of my time reading anthropology and identifying bones in a storeroom with skeleton boxes stacked in 4m high shelving units - very spooky at dusk. But as the author proclaims: “...I have never been spooked by the dead. It is the living who terrify me. The dead are much more predictable and co-operative.”

I salute you, Mrs Black, for your absolute professionalism and for remaining human (i.e. suffering from acute rodent phobia). A hugely engrossing read, educating, saddening but also life-affirming.

A fascinating book about a subject that is often frightening or disturbing, but is inevitable, death. The author is as much an expert on the subject as anyone living can claim to be, a professor of anatomy and forensic anthropology, as well as passing on her considerable knowledge to her students, she has also worked with the police to help identify remains, and even travelled to the sites of international disasters and warzones to aid in the massive task of identifying victims.
While never stinting on the scientific aspects of her work, such as how the body changes after death, and how even partial remains can be used for identification, she is not afraid to bring a more personal and human tone, talking about her first experiences with a dead family member, and most movingly about the deaths of her parents. This personal aspect added another dimension to the book , giving a real human interest aspect as we learn about what motivated the author to take up her profession, and why she has such a passion for its continuing place in the education of future doctors and scientists.
One of the most fascinating things discussed in the book was what happens when somebody donates their body to science, something few of us really consider. The care and respect that goes into the process as a whole as well as the science behind it made for some very interesting reading..
I would highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in science or forensics , its a fascinating and compelling book, both intense and entertaining,

All That Remains was a truly fascinating read. Death is something that is always on my mind. Coupled with old age, it terrifies me, which is probably why I love vampires so much; I'd jump at the chance to stay young and live forever. Anyhow, that preoccupation with death is what made me request Sue Black's book from NetGalley, and I found it intriguing. Professor Black has certainly had an interesting working life, and I was captivated by her tales from her student days and from her more recent work in places like Kosovo. Black offers readers an interesting reflection on death, alongside wonderful descriptions of the work of both anatomists and forensic anthropologists. For instance, I had no idea you could still bequeath your body to anatomy schools.

All That Remains will certainly appeal to general readers looking for something different in non-fiction. However, I believe it holds even more value for authors. I am a writer myself, and my current WIP involves murder scenes (albeit of a supernatural nature). It occurred to me that Black's detailed descriptions of things such as the DVI process and the various stages of decomposition would be of use to crime writers seeking to ensure their scenes feel authentic.

I am glad I gave this book a read. It certainly got me thinking, in more ways than one, and it's one I would now considering purchasing, if only for the research value it would offer me as a writer. I did skim through a couple of chapters, which didn't full capture my attention. However, overall, it was an enjoyable work, so I am giving it 4 stars.

Sue Black has produced a remarkable book that informs, entertains and also makes us question our own attitudes to that most difficult of subjects, death. Before reading this I must admit that my knowledge of forensic anthropology was practically non existent but by the end I gained an understanding of its practice and usage and its importance in the dealing with such events as genocidal mass graves and plane crashes. The book is part memoir, part instruction and part a reflection and musing on the meaning of death both culturally and spiritually. Each chapter begins with a photograph and a profound quotation that sets the scene for the upcoming chapter. The writing is most definitely not macabre in any way but surprisingly contains a fair amount humour but the overriding theme is Sue's utter practical approach towards the whole subject of forensic anthropology and death in general.

There are some gripping stories recounted here concerning her time in Kosovo and Thailand trying to identify the victims of man made and natural catastrophes. Throughout her work Sue's first concern was to treat the dead with respect and dignity which she instilled in her students even introducing them to a future body donor. Trying to find the locations of missing persons presumed dead and unidentified found dead persons is also covered and Sue is like a dog with a bone and will not give up hope in resolving these mysteries thus giving closure to the family.One of the saddest chapters concerns trying to locate the remains of the Coatbridge schoolgirl Moira Anderson who was reported missing 60 years ago after failing to return home from her local shop. In 2013 Sue took part in exhuming graves in Old Monkland Cemetery in an attempt to find the remains of Moira but unfortunately none were discovered.

If you are like me and may not be someone who is automatically drawn to such a subject I would urge you to give it a try as I believe you will find here an informative, rewarding and worthwhile read.

Sue Black (Professor) is probably the country's leading expert in forensic anthropology. In this book she looks at her life in death. This is in part biography and in part an exploration of cases and events she has dealt with. She deals with "remains" - what is left when one of us die. Her expertise has been used in many a varied situations over the year. Murders and unknown bodies discovered are her bread and butter (did I really just write that!). However she has also dealt with truly horrifying events such as mass graves in Kosovo and the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

This starts off with a very good intro introduction to death in general and forensic anthropology in particular. I immediately for the writing easy and so the reading was too. Sue Black comes over as one of those rather rare experts who are good at communicating too. From the start there is humour and humanity amongst visceral scenes. The writing manages to feel objectively scientific and warmly human at the same time.

The book explores aspects of the author's life - part biographic and part recounting of significant cases she has dealt with. While I loved this book I frequently felt I wanted more, particularly about the cases. You are left with the feeling throughout this book that few people in the world know more about her subject than Sue Black.

There are a wide variety of cases offered to the reader in the course of this book. I'd rather people discovered the stories for themselves. However I would just say that the Kosovo chapter was far the hardest to read and made me shed a tear. It might well have been the one with most humour in too. Certainly the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the Kosovo chapters show just how determinedly outspoken the author can be although she appears to be listened too increasingly as well.

Towards the end of the book there is a chapter that looks at what to most of us would be the horrors of Sue Black's work. The humanity, delicacy and sheer grit exhibited here and elsewhere in the book would alone have me recommending this book. It ends (other than a comprehensive index) with her thoughts on her own mortality. They came as little surprise to me but were worth the read too.

I simply found this book fascinating in the broadest sense of the word. Sue Black writes with a remarkably light touch, humorously at times however still gentle in the troubled and troubling parts. One of the best non fiction reads to me and it will certainly be a "best book of the year". If the subject matter interests you do read it - I would be surprised if many did not find it very interesting at the least.

Note - I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review

I’m (yet again) finding it difficult to organise my thoughts surrounding this book. It’s an intense, sometimes clinical, portrayal of death in a very pragmatic and scientific way. It’s equal parts cold and without feeling in its descriptions of death as if from a textbook or courtroom, yet also simultaneously deeply emotive and always fascinating. I found that at times I had to step away from it, because although fascinating, I found myself becoming too attached to the cases. I’m also deeply in awe of the author’s knowledge, enthusiasm and respect for the subject she teaches.

This is a very personal look at the many faces of death as described by one of Britain’s leading forensic anthropologists, and covers everything from the various ways a body can be buried or preserved, what happens to a body after death, and how forensic anthropologists can establish any number of things about an individual from their remains. It also goes into detail about various interesting cases the author has been directly involved with, and how forensics have helped to build a case or resolve a mystery surrounding an individual’s death or that of a major disaster. It was these chapters I found the most interesting, as it builds on knowledge the reader takes from earlier chapters. I do think it helped that I have an anthropological/medical background however, as some of the terms used are quite medical in nature.

The book also documents the author’s time spent in Kosovo and some of the atrocities witnessed there. I think it was these chapters that effected me the most deeply, as the descriptions of some of the scenes Sue Black is involved with are, simply, horrendous. However, it again highlights the invaluable work undertaken within the profession.

I suppose I was less taken with the small sections near the beginning of the book that seemed to be more like a familial memoir or history rather than delivering facts and experiences. Although there was always a reason for them, such as a device to further expand the readers understanding of various biological processes etc., I just wasn’t that taken with them in comparison to the later chapters.

That said, I really enjoyed this. It was informative, well written and interesting. As Sue Black herself states, ‘humans cannot fail to be affected by the stories of other humans’, and when you’ve lead a life as full as this, it’s hard not to agree. Read it. You won’t be disappointed.