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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
An entertaining murder mystery with a horror movie villain as the antagonist.
The plot was nothing special, but the writing was good and I enjoyed the characters and the self-awareness in all the cliche decisions the author made.
While the completely random person doing the sleuthing thing has been done to death, I did enjoy the fact that the main character was a super intelligent fool, basically. He wasn't overly confident or charismatic and he didn't always make the smartest choices.
Professor Theo Cray is a socially inept nerd who gets the girl only because the girl decides she wants a fling with the out of towner and pursues him. The love interest is thrown into the role of damsel in distress who motivates the main character, but she isn't weak and she doesn't really need saving.
Also, the main character isn't physically imposing or always in control. While he does have a pretty improbable success rate at thinking on his feet, he's also often afraid, insecure, and gets the shit beat out of him.
The ending was a little bit ridiculous and over the top, but in a fun way.
Solid entertainment.
The plot was nothing special, but the writing was good and I enjoyed the characters and the self-awareness in all the cliche decisions the author made.
While the completely random person doing the sleuthing thing has been done to death, I did enjoy the fact that the main character was a super intelligent fool, basically. He wasn't overly confident or charismatic and he didn't always make the smartest choices.
Professor Theo Cray is a socially inept nerd who gets the girl only because the girl decides she wants a fling with the out of towner and pursues him. The love interest is thrown into the role of damsel in distress who motivates the main character, but she isn't weak and she doesn't really need saving.
Also, the main character isn't physically imposing or always in control. While he does have a pretty improbable success rate at thinking on his feet, he's also often afraid, insecure, and gets the shit beat out of him.
The ending was a little bit ridiculous and over the top, but in a fun way.
Solid entertainment.
3.5
I liked the use of data science and biology to investigate the crime which felt different than most thriller/mysteries. I also liked the discussion on class.
The main characters' motivations kind of felt a bit forced at times. The action felt over the top and silly at times.
I liked the use of data science and biology to investigate the crime which felt different than most thriller/mysteries. I also liked the discussion on class.
The main characters' motivations kind of felt a bit forced at times. The action felt over the top and silly at times.
I really liked the book... in the beginning. Something happens at the last third of it that let me... I don't know, a bit disappointed, although, for the life of me, I can't pinpoint exactly what it was that caused it.
I love Theo, he is really brilliant, and I found all the science talk truly fascinating. The way in which Theo uses his knowledge and expertise to find clues is not only resourceful and original but also elegant.
The plot is really well done, and the writing is skilfull. I also enjoyed witnessing the changes we see in Theo as the story advances; a realistic character development.
I resent the romance, as it feels forced and put out there just to fill the, apparently, requisitory sex-scene. I think it would have worked a lot better if they were friends, But then, that's me. I guess if the authors keep doing it, it must work :P
But I'm still curious and will keep reading/listening to this series.
I love Theo, he is really brilliant, and I found all the science talk truly fascinating. The way in which Theo uses his knowledge and expertise to find clues is not only resourceful and original but also elegant.
The plot is really well done, and the writing is skilfull. I also enjoyed witnessing the changes we see in Theo as the story advances; a realistic character development.
I resent the romance, as it feels forced and put out there just to fill the, apparently, requisitory sex-scene. I think it would have worked a lot better if they were friends, But then, that's me. I guess if the authors keep doing it, it must work :P
But I'm still curious and will keep reading/listening to this series.
I'd give it a solid 4.5. Fascinating plot. I assumed with all the scientific stuff that the author would be a scientist. I was floored that he's a professional magician! And an author...definitely! The premise of the book is that this scientist sees patterns in a number of disappearances and determines there is a serial killer. The problem is that law enforcement doesn't even acknowledge there have been murders, let alone that they're from a serial killer, so the guy goes out on his own to uncover not just the murders but the bodies themselves. The way he does this (looking for disruptions in the plants growing in certain places, etc.) is fascinating also. My only problem was with the ending, which leaves you hanging just a little (though you can assume what probably happens).
I'm always grateful for the Readers' Choice section at my public library. They rarely disappoint!
I'm always grateful for the Readers' Choice section at my public library. They rarely disappoint!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Murder and mayhem in the wilderness.
Pretty good read.
Pretty good read.
I'm not usually a mystery person, but being a biologist I thought I would give this a try. So glad I did! It was a great read that kept my mind occupied on two transatlantic flights. I liked the characters, the plot, and I will be looking for #2.
Wow... this book had me guessing pretty much the whole time. Can’t wait to start the second in the series.
I was a bit confused upon starting this, as Amazon recommended it to me in the Fantasy category, and it seemed very much a mystery thriller without little to no fantasy elements. Well, that made sense later! As I work with informatics and computer modeling, I can say that the computer program that was featured as helping with the investigation is straight up magic. So, definitely fantasy there. (But really, it was very distracting and took me out of the story every time, as I needed to spend a while rolling my eyes every time the computer model did its thing)
Far fetched? Probably. Did I finish it in half a day? Definitely. Overall really enjoyed this book and excited to read more from the series.