A journalist works with a California clean-up team and learns more than he ever wanted to know. ( )

Adult nonfiction. A few months ago I enjoyed Charlie Huston's The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death, about a guy who falls into the messy business of crime scene cleanup, so I thought I'd read this journalist's account of his experiences and interviews with guys that really do the work. It was interesting, but not as engaging as Huston's fictionalized version, which turned out to be a pretty accurate portrayal of the business, apart from the ongoing violence between clean-up gangs that were added to the story. ( )

As you watch the news, have you ever wondered who cleans up the mess left behind at crime scenes? If so, this book is for you. Follow the author as he exclusively works with Neal Smither, founder and president of Crime Scene Cleaners, Incorporated. Besides the body parts, blood, and other associated hazardous materials found at a crime scene, there are the law enforcement officers, survivors, and gawking bystanders to deal with. Various jobs provide the shock value you would expect from this topic. There are even some insights to the people who died and the people who clean up after them. Instead of a fair and unbiased opinion, the author soon goes native and becomes part of the story. Parts are definitely not for the squeamish. ( )

interesting read! ( )

I enjoyed this book. Gross at times, but fascinating. Hanging out with crime scene cleaners also has the author reflecting on mortality and how we react to it. ( )