AM I OKAY TO DRIVE?

‘What the Dead Know: Learning about Life as a New York City Death Investigator’

BY BARBARA BUTCHER. C.2023, SIMON & SCHUSTER, $28.99, 288 PAGES

Dead men don’t tell tales. Their voices are forever silenced; their fingers will never point to what happened to them or why. Their eyes will never widen in fear or anticipation, or glance in the direction of the guilty. Dead men don’t tell tales, but, as in the new book “What the Dead Know” by Barbara Butcher, they leave clues that can speak volumes.

Throughout most of her teen years, Barbara Butcher

Q Scopes

AUGUST

BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS

ARIES March 20–April 19

Your advantage is knowing what to do when you’re willing to put in the work. Something has been on your mind lately, and you need to learn to deal, learn to like it, or simply get rid of it. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a chance!

TAURUS Apr 20–May 20

Ever feel like someone is watching? It’s very possible they are! But it’s likely pure admiration due to a job well done. Take pride, and don’t be afraid to show the world what you’ve got. Even if it’s been a while, enjoy the attention.

GEMINI May 21–June 20

Whoever called the end of summer vacations a drag didn’t count on your love of the seasons. It’s going to be says she was miserable. She suffered from depression and anxiety, the fact that she was a lesbian was dawning, and she felt awkward. When a high school friend introduced her to the “fun” of drugs, sex, and alcohol, though, everything changed. Butcher’s life was suddenly all about getting high.

After a work supervisor saw potential and urged her to attend college, Butcher landed a great job as a hospital administrator. Still, love eluded her, addictions nagged at her, depression hit, she thought about suicide, and everything fell apart. Once she hit bottom, she started attending AA, which led to a vocational and rehab course and an aptitude test that gave her two options: veterinarian or coroner. She chose the latter.

Working as a medicolegal investigator at New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was an exciting and interesting job. Butcher hot for a bit, but the promise of cooler weather is already calling to your soul. Make the best of what is going on but prepare.

CANCER June 21–July 22

As time goes by faster due to having fun, so is your patience. While it’s not like you to rush, the activities are driving the desire for more. Keep up with the pace in your heart, and your head will follow. Just don’t get mental whiplash.

LEO July 23–August 22

The most frightening thing for you is losing control. That’s not to say that a good ride isn’t tempting, but something could be getting in the way of your security. Hold on tight to what matters and push forward. It’s going to be fine.

VIRGO August 23–Sep 2 was, at first, the OCME’s only female MLI in a pool of several male MLIs who immediately tried to test her by showing her detailed, gruesome photographs of real accidents and murders. Scaring her off didn’t happen, and soon she was working with people she admired, running her own shifts, and going out to investigate the worst that New Yorkers did to one another.

It’s been a while since you really let go of inhibition and gave pure fun a chance. Whether it be with friends or a new group — parties and celebration are at hand.

There were bodies in picnic coolers. There was a suicide that wanted to take someone with him in death. There were car accidents, shootings, people dead on sidewalks and abandoned hovels, and jumpers. Every one of them taught Butcher one thing.

“Dead men do tell tales. You just have to listen.”

Weak-stomached readers, you can stop right here. You’re going to want to steer clear of this book because it’s not for you. True crime fans, though — look, why are you waiting?

“What the Dead Know”

Get out there, and don’t be afraid to dance with somebody with rhythm.

LIBRA Sept 23–October 22

A mindless game is going to annoy you, but there’s hope for the future. Get out of a situation that makes you fret and change your activities for the better. A financial matter could require attention. Security leads to glee.

SCORPIO Oct 23–Nov 21

It’s easy to forgive when you get what matters most. What that thing is depends on you, but be fair with casting judgment. While your feelings say one thing, the head knows the best way to find peace. Go easy on a tired friend.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov 22–December 20 starts out with an edge-ofyour-seat investigation that ends in up-the-spine chills. Even the setting is ubercreepy, described in minute, water-dripping, rats-on-thefloor detail. The opening pages give you a glimpse of what you’re in for.

The thought of falling behind is on your mind, but there’s always time to catch up. Don’t let a family matter drag you into a place you can’t cope with. The best way to find inner peace is through figuring out what really matters to you.

And yet, author Barbara Butcher knows when to let her readers take a gasping breath, and her story quickly and immediately flips after the opening to become a biography with its own dark feel. Don’t get too comfortable, though: you’ll have a chance to relax your shoulders, but the elevator with your adrenaline inside will continue to glide to the top floor before dropping back down again and again.

This book can be somewhat grisly in places, but certainly nothing worse than any other true-crime story or Hollywood movie. If you love that genre, then you’ll want this. “What the Dead Know” is a very good tale. Q

CAPRICORN

Dec 21–Jan 19

Even if you had time, it wouldn’t be good to rock the boat. Stay steady and hold on to your wits. A family member or partner needs your help, and giving is always better than receiving. Be the rock and let emotions flow around you.

AQUARIUS Jan 20–Feb 18

Something is going to get others talking about you if you play your cards right. Giving back is something you are often good at, despite your inner rebel. Take charge and show the world that you can be the boss. You’re electrifying!

PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19

Nothing and everything is happening at once. Figure out what to hold to and what to walk away from. Even if it takes a while, you know the way back home. The heart is calling for you to make a change back to form. Answer the call.