Jane Lasswell Hoff, a University of Hawaii graduate, forensic anthropologist and lecturer at Hawaii Community College, has published her first novel, “Bones of Paradise.” ADVERTISING Jane Lasswell Hoff, a University of Hawaii graduate, forensic anthropologist and lecturer at Hawaii Community
Jane Lasswell Hoff, a University of Hawaii graduate, forensic anthropologist and lecturer at Hawaii Community College, has published her first novel, “Bones of Paradise.”
Hoff said her early experiences in forensics inspired her to write the book.
“My first forensics case was in Alabama,” Hoff said. “The chief medical examiner had recovered a body, burned nearly to ashes. He asked what I could tell him about the remains. I discovered the victim had not died from the fire but had been shot in the head.
“I’ve worked on many cases, for many agencies, since then but I’ll always remember that original case.
“One summer, I worked in Honolulu analyzing recovered military remains for the Army. Besides being interesting work, that experience reminded me how much I wanted to return to Hawaii.”
She moved to Hilo in 2005.
“My husband encouraged me to write about my work but I was worried about confidentiality issues,” she said. “Finally, I had a brainstorm — use aspects of old cases but put them into a Hilo setting.”
The result was “Bones of Paradise,” the first of an intended series.
“I tried to keep the tone light, the science realistic and the cases relatively gentle. I don’t want the Big Island to sound dangerous — that wouldn’t be good for tourism and it wouldn’t feel real to local readers.”
“Bones of Paradise” is available at Basically Books in Hilo and from Amazon.com.
