The book is a collection of memories and reflections from one of the foremost forensic entomologists, Dr. Zakaria Erzinçlioglu. It traces his journey into the field of criminal forensic entomology and recounts his experiences over the years assisting the police in solving complex cases. Along the way, readers encounter fascinating facts, unusual discoveries, and some of the strangest—and at times most unsettling—crimes imaginable. For curious minds, the book is a treat to read, offering a dive into the world of insects, flies, and maggots—creatures we usually detest or simply ignore, yet which can reveal crucial details about crime and death.

Imagine the police discovering a few bones or a skeleton with no clue about the person’s identity. They then turn to forensic scientists—starting with an entomologist—asking fundamental questions: Who was this person? When did they die? How and why were they killed? With nothing but the skeleton and the location where it was found, the task seems impossible. Yet it is remarkable how forensic experts can reconstruct a person’s age, sex, race, facial features, and time of death—and ultimately identify the culprits and bring them to justice.

Maggots, Murder, and Men contain many such real-life cases. The author takes readers through the work of a forensic entomologist—how they gather clues, collect evidence, and interpret the smallest details. While reading, one feels transported into a different world, where tiny creatures become silent witnesses to crime, even long after death. It makes you look at insects in a completely new way.