Why a Booktrail?
2000s: The work of a Forensic Linguist is never done…
The Collector
What you need to know before your trail
When world renowned archaeologist Philip Carlton suddenly and unexpectedly commits suicide, the police are called to investigate. Heading up the investigation is Detective Lucy O’Hara, a Forensic Linguist – and she immediately sees something is wrong with the suicide note. In her gut, she knows this was cold-blooded murder.
Battling sceptical superiors and the Irish establishment, Lucy digs for the truth and begins to uncover a shadowy trade in ancient artifacts led by a mysterious figure known only as ‘The Collector’.
As Lucy works to uncover his identity, she soon realises she is up against a ruthless mastermind who is systematically eliminating anyone who might lead her to him. But Lucy won’t give up and soon The Collector turns his attention to her…
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Ireland and the work of forensic linguistics
Lucy O’Hara, is a forensic linguist and this novel shows you what the role of such a position entails. She helps police and investigators determine the kind of killer they are looking for by examining the words they use in letters, threats and everyday language.
This is a fascinating job to learn about and see how how a forensic linguist is able to tell so much from a piece of writing or recording in only a few words or sentences. Do they speak English as a first, second or third foreign language?
The work of a forensic linguist, at least here, is not limited to the office as Lucy in the novel works in the field too. She meets witnesses, interviews people and examines not just the words they use but the verbal ticks and twitches they leave behind.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Collector
Destination/location: Ireland Author/guide: Jonathan Maher Departure Time: 2000s
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