What Harms You by Lisa Black
Locard Institute #2

Who would murder someone at an institute that is focused on forensic science and why would they be motivated to kill not once but multiple times in a few days? Everyone working, researching, bodyguarding, and taking continuing education courses at the institute will be a suspect…but how will the killer be found and who will figure out who the killer is?

What I liked:
* Dr. Ellie Carr: resigned from FBI as a crime scene analyst to take a job at the Locard Institute, first day on the job a murder occurs, purchased a new house with hopes for the future and perhaps neighbors that will play parts in future books, has a difficult backstory, divorced, takes in a rescue a dog I want to see again, potentially a good friend of Rachael’s
* Dr. Rachael Davies: assistant director of Locard Institute, single parent to deceased sister’s toddler, counts on her mother for childcare, left job as medical examiner to work at Locard Institute, divorced
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* Returning to the series and finding out how Ellie and Rachael are doing
* The puzzle to be solved in order to find the serial killer
* The twists and turns and how it all came together
* Thinking about DNA and the part it now plays in so many things
* The forensic information I learned and how it tied into this case
* FBI agents Michael Tyler and Luis Alvarez who might show up in future books – would like to know more about them
* Getting to meet more people working at the institute and thinking about the parts they might play
* That I was drawn in and felt part of the story – did have a suspicion about who the killer might at first appearance…and finding out I was right was rather nice

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the impact of murder on all the people that know the person who dies
* Having to wait for the next book in the series

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

What Harms You by Lisa Black is a very highly recommended mystery/thriller and the second book in the Locard Institute series.

The first thing that happens when Dr. Ellie Carr arrives for her first day as an instructor at the Locard Institute, a forensic research center which holds classes for law enforcement experts, is that her key card didn't work. The second event was that Dr. Barbara Wright, the instructor she is replacing, is found dead on the floor of a supply closet. The death appears to be an accident, but Ellie and her supervisor Dr. Rachael Davies are suspicious. When another death occurs, the two team up to try and find the connection between the two murders. Two different classes are being held and it seems the guilty party must be one of the attendees.

With What Harms You Lisa Black has written another excellent forensic mystery/thriller. The real-life scientific details she provides as an crime scene analyst and investigator add depth and realism. Completing the exceptional narrative is the carefully crafted intricate plot. Add in the complex, fully-realized characters and the result is a compelling mystery that will hold your complete attention to the tense, exciting denouement.

Even though this is part of a series, beginning with Red Flags, What Harms You works well as a stand alone. Anyone who appreciates novels with details about the forensics and scientific details involved in an investigation along with strong, competent female characters will enjoy What Harms You immensely. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this series.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Kensington Books via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/07/what-harms-you.html ( )

This is the second book in the Locard Institute series (though the first that actually takes place at the Institute) but it can be read as a stand-alone. Ellie Carr has resigned from the FBI and is ready to begin her new position at the renowned forensics institute when she discovers the dead body of the woman she's replacing. As a crime scene specialist herself, Lisa Black writes a realistic crime story. If you forensic driven mysteries, you'll enjoy this.

Thanks to Kensington Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley. ( )