Crime seen by Jenny Pausacker.

As a fan of both children’s/young adult and crime fiction, and the parent of a son very interested in policing and forensic science, I found Jenny Pausacker’s novel both plausible and well-paced. I was initially intrigued by the title ‘Crime Seen’ and the possibilities of the interpretation of this title. Did the story revolve around the Forensics Unit or had Harris ‘seen’ a crime committed or been involved in one? This thought drew my interest, one I needed to explore.
The novel centres on Harris Johnston, a 15 year old undertaking a week of work experience at the city’s Forensics Unit. Harris has been interested in forensic pathology for a long time, (much to his mother’s disapproval) and is excited and keen at the prospect of meeting, joining and helping ‘real people’ in this challenging profession. ‘Crime Seen’ deals with Harris’s day by day activities in all the different departments , from the Coroner’s Court and lecture lab, to the quiet, reserved staff in the Pathology Lab and (what one would not expect), the bubbly, chatty female staff, of the Grief Counselling Unit. Gia Agnelli, Harris’s supervisor, sums them up well ‘You don’t say much, do you, Harris?’ she observed. You’ll fit in well here. They’re mostly the silent type, except for my mob in the Grief Counselling Unit, of course.’
Harris slots in straight away, feels accepted by the friendly girls, and is given tasks and responsibility. He feels instantly mature and brags to his mate Seb, who is undertaking his work experience at the Water and Sewerage Services, keeping him informed throughout the novel by text messages. Their friendship is shown through their communication and meetings and the added interesting SMS ‘speak’ of teenagers which was fun to decipher.
The plot involves Harris’s direct and indirect involvement in the disappearance and death of Tansy, a girl he met when he was 5, the daughter of the chief pathologist, Jim Dimitropoulos, who is married to Harris’s uncle Melvin’s ex-wife Rina. Jim becomes a mentor, Harris becomes involved on both a ‘professional’ and personal level as he gets caught up in the mystery surrounding both Tansy’s death and the young, pretty reporter Lara, who seems intent on a story no matter what the cost. But Harris is astute, he won’t be sucked in by Lara’s manipulating and we see the adult side of Harris shine through.
His mind shifts focus suddenly and haphazardly as any 15 year olds would. What does Harris see? What does he think? What does he deduce from his interaction with the staff, personalities he meets and the facts at his disposal?
Harris leads us into the world of Forensic Science seen through his eyes and thoughts. He grabs eagerly at the possibility of solving a murder with the exuberance of his 15 years, but realises he is getting ahead of himself. He wants to ‘help the dead’ and clues to help and hinder are found throughout the novel.
I enjoyed the novel very much; it had for me much more than a peek into forensics and crime solving. It draws a clear, realistic picture of Harris’s other life – home, his relationship with his younger brother, his uncle and his complex relationship with his ex-wife and importantly for character developing, his relationship with his mother. Her reluctance to allow Harris to continue on at the Forensics Unit has roots in hurt from the past and through disclosure, their relationship is strengthened, her attitude is changed and Harris realises what he really wants from life.
Alison.