Badwater by Toni Dwiggins
Badwater by Toni Dwiggins
Summary
Called to the site of a crash in the middle of the desert, forensic geologists Cassie Oldfield and Walter Shaws are startled to find it surrounded by investigators in hazmat suits. More worrying is the discovery the cargo is stolen radioactive waste, and there is more out there. Cassie and Walter embark on the hunt for the terrorists with deadly intentions and soon find themselves the targets in a race against time
Review
We’ve had forensic anthropologists in ‘Bones’ but this is the first of a trilogy to open the door to forensic geology, and the people who can tell where we’ve been and what we’ve done by the mud on our shoes. Or in this instance, the mud on the tires of the overturned truck. Walter is the wizened gentleman, Cassie his former pupil and now colleague, and there is some nice background to their relationship as they get pulled in to this investigation. Though first and foremost they are scientists, and as the FBI have nothing to go on but dirt, they are the ones who can build the map leading to the radioactive material. But as they are sabotaged, and realisation of what the terrorists intend to do with the waste dawns, they are forced to take a stand in defeating the perpetrators.
★★★★☆
Why you’ll like it
This is a fast paced thriller with the terrifying theme of radiation exposure as a weapon. CSI type fans will appreciate the science of mud and rubber suits, and even those of us less well versed in the technical side will feel the fear and horror as events unfold.
Why you won’t
The science is quite detailed, and may overwhelm, and the point of view in each chapter switches from the first person in Cassie’s voice, to the third when it is the man they are chasing. Which can be creepy but also upsets the rhythm at times.
