Based on an actual investigation: the story of a medical examiner's office run amok. An upstate New York medical examiner is accused by subordinates of mishandling bodies. The allegations include: taking research tissue without consent; and keeping bodies that should have been buried or cremated.The medical examiner claims the charges are from disgruntled employees with an axe to grind; the county supports him.Dept. of Health Investigator John Grant, is tasked with finding out what has really happened in The Morgue.      Excerpt Dr. Franz strode into the room and stopped across the conference table from Grant. "Why do you want to see this file?" he demanded, slamming the folder on the table. "Who are you anyway?" "I told you, I'm with the Department of Health. I'm here to conduct an inspection," Grant answered. "To hell you are! You're here under false pretenses. You're getting out of here now. This is my morgue; my goddamn morgue. Now get the fuck out," he screamed, following Grant down the hallway and out the exit.

Professional Reviews
Thorunn
(10/2) I will state right up front that I did not accomplish anything at home or at work last week thanks to Dennis N. Griffin and his book, The Morgue. (See Carl's article about the author and the book in last week's Rome Observer).
It has been a while since I read a book that demanded my attention like this one did. From the first page on, Dennis Griffin dishes up a cast of characters that jump out of the pages and refuse to be ignored. First and foremost, there is our hero, John Grant is his name. He is solid, serious, hardworking, honest, the consummate civil servant. Based out of Albany, living in Verona, a solid family man who loves his wife. He makes his living as an investigator of medical fraud for DOH (NY State Department of Health).
His superiors in Albany assign John Grant to a case like no other he has ever encountered, namely to investigate allegations of unethical and illegal activities of the Office of the Oneida County Medical Exam-iner.
His nemesis is Dr. Robert Franz, an attractive, charismatic medical examiner, who runs his office with an iron fist, and expects total loyalty from his staff regardless of the illegality or immorality of the orders given. Dr. Franz's right hand comes to us as June Miller, a retired military officer, who thoroughly seems to enjoy her role as a menacing hatchet woman for her boss. The coroner's office is under suspicion for trafficking in illegal sales of human tissue - body parts if you will - taken from cadavers coming through the morgue. Tissue taken at times without the consent of the families of the deceased or in many cases with consent that the loved ones have been bullied into agreeing.
Into this comes a research laboratory and a large pharmaceutical company whose gofers literally remove this illegal tissue out of the morgue in brown paper bags. We have a parade of civil servants from Albany, trying to do their job well, while walking that straight and narrow line that the political bosses string out. Then there are the morgue workers and scientists that seem much more at home in Hitler's employ, that 1990s New York State.
Our man, John Grant plods through all this steady, insistent, he reminds me of a pitbull. He is not a mean man, but he latches on and does not let go, no matter how hot things get for him.
Then the author presents us with a complication of the plot, namely he brings the ugly anatomy of politics into the picture. It is suggested to Dennis Griffin's alter ego, John Grant, that the goings on at the morgue are just the top of the iceberg and we are ushered into the back rooms of politics, where evil, self-serving, amoral, immoral men move events and us around like so many marionettes on a stage.
The suspense and the thrills of the story never slow down. Enter a "Deep Throat," (remember Watergate?), a shadowy character who calls John Grant in the dark of night and doles out hints, tips and suggestions. As Dennis Griffin brings the investigation to a conclusion, I realized that there were a couple of chapters left. Silly me, I assumed he was just going to tie up loose ends, tidy up after all these events, but no...the surprise of all surprises was still to come.
First, a totally unsuspected twist, and then a revelation in the last paragraph that made me put the book down, digest, and in wonderment, pick it up again. Has anyone suspected yet that I plain and simply love this book? I cannot help but bring one more point to your attention. The author pens a brief description of all the major characters as they enter the storyline. He does not waste many words in describing these people, but they are so clear and real that they seem to walk out of the pages towards you. This includes several female characters, some likable, some not, but all of them incredibly well-drawn and strong.
Dennis Griffin was born in Rome, but now he and his wife, Faith Finster, divide their time between Las Vegas, Nevada, and Rome, New York. They have graciously offered to extend their stay in Rome for one more week, so that he can appear for a book signing at my store on October 9th. We'll see you there!

Reader Reviews for "The Morgue"

Reviewed by Michelle Perin	4/30/2007
Mesmerizing and Mortifying Tale of Misconduct at the Morgue Dennis Griffin’s story of boiled bodies, shady staff, and ghastly government drags you in kicking and screaming and spits you out with a toe tag. His writing keeps the pages turning into the night when you least want to be lost in the creepy realm of the county morgue—especially Dr. Robert Franz’s. But, you can’t put it down. The story keeps unfolding leading you deeper into a tunnel of repulsion and unbelievable corruption. Griffin carries the tale all the way to the very last word which leaves you gasping for breath and begging for more.
Reviewed by Doug Boren	4/12/2005
This is another fine example of a detective mystery story written by a true expert from first hand experience. I became a fan of Mr. Griffin after reading some of his other works, and am glad to recommend this compelling book to anyone who likes a good mystery. The fact that this is based on a true story makes it even more fascinating.
Reviewed by Ronald Dondiego	10/6/2002
I'd like to see this author interviewed by New York 1, or Sixty Minutes, or any one of a dozen news shows. That's how incredible a story this is - and fascinating in all of its twists and turns.
Reviewed by Sandy L.	3/18/2002
This is the first book I read by the author and found it hard to put down.
Reviewed by Eva T,	3/10/2002
This book was so convincing, that it could have come from the front pages of any newspaper, as what if now occuring in Georgia.

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