Book Review: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Interactive Mystery

Title: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Interactive Mystery
Author: Sam Stall
Publisher: Quirk Books
Release Date: October 1, 2009

Eight years ago, a television drama about a team of Las Vegas crime scene investigators captured viewers’ imaginations. Independent publisher Quirk Books has released a new chapter in the CSI franchise: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Interactive Mystery. This 72-page hardcover, which Quirk was kind enough to send me, lets readers play detective along with Gil Grissom and the members of his team as they read an original mystery novella written by Sam Stall, author of Dracula’s Heir: The Interactive Mystery.

In addition to the mystery novella, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Interactive Mystery is complete with eight removable clues for readers to examine, including crime scene photographs, architectural blueprints, and a scorched flyer. Stall’s latest interactive mystery has the CSI Las Vegas team investigating the murder of a wealthy real estate developer named Mel Bledsoe. Just like they do on the show, Nick Stokes, Brass, and the other CSI team members must sift through the evidence, interview witnesses and acquaintances, and ponder motives — but this time, you can help!

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Interactive Mystery is well put together. The layout of each of the pages is eye-catching and leads readers through the story and various evidence photos and packets fluidly, without feeling disorganized or piecemeal. In addition, Stall’s writing succeeds in capturing each of the television series’s characters and emulating their individual styles of speech and action, making CSI: Crime Scene Investigation -The Interactive Mystery an excellent extension of CSI for long-time fans and newcomers alike. Even better, the story is not easily predicted and will keep even the most versed fans of the show guessing throughout.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Interactive Mystery is available wherever books are sold. At the Quirk Books web site, you can find more information on CSI: Crime Scene Investigations – The Interactive Mystery, including an excerpt from the book, as well as more information on author Sam Stall and other titles from Quirk Books.

Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars