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ianbanks's review against another edition
3.0
Read this all in one sitting but - as I am crap at mysteries - if I'm able to guess "whodunnit," then the author hasn't really done their job well enough. I really enjoyed the links between the clues and the way they interacted with history and popular culture as well as the way the characters came to trust and become a team (and the running gag with the metal detector was brilliant). However, I think Mr May was a late adaptor of the internet because to have characters gaping at the number of search results that come up when typing something into Google is so 1996 (the novel was originally published in 2006). And it happens repeatedly. It also didn't help that the main character is a pony-tailed Scotsman named McLeod who is investigating a beheading (well, general dismemberment, really) in Paris (but I probably would have found a Queen soundtrack a little distracting, though). A well-researched and really good fun read, despite these flaws, which are more biases of my own.
linda_edwards's review against another edition
3.0
I read Peter May's latest book Coffin Road and thought it was brilliant and it encouraged me to read more of his. Unfortunately this wasn't as good. It was okay but it was too much like The Da Vinci Code but without all the excitement.
jamesjustjames's review against another edition
3.0
A good novel, but a poor Peter May novel (in my own opinion.) My first experience reading Peter May was The Lewis Trilogy which I started because of my love of all things Scotland and I absolutely adored all three books. The first book in the Enzo Mcleoud series didn't quite hit the same notes as 'The Blackhouse' although it did have several recognisable notes of thriller genius which I now associate with the great Peter May. I loved the setting, thought the characters were okay but the investigation itself felt a tad amateurish and farfetched, a bit like Dan Brown on steroids. I perhaps wouldn't go so far as to say it has out me off the entire series but if it doesn't pick up in the next its unlikely I'd continue reading.
mycriminalmind's review against another edition
3.0
Her er min omtale av Ualminnelige menneker: https://wp.me/p6e3JV-Wy
booketybookstore's review against another edition
3.0
Ok if slightly implausible but why does he have to keep showing off his French? Irritating detail about Paris but that could be me. If you adore Paris you may like this more than I did. The detail about the Madeleines in the kitchen is risible. Made me want to chuck it across the room.
lectrice's review against another edition
3.0
2.75? Decent mystery but found the casual sexism/voyeurism annoying. Time for a break from male writers me thinks 😉 Not that all male writers are sexist, of course 😉
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
5.0
I read the entire Lewis Trilogy by Peter May and loved it, but I was hesitant to start this series because I had heard it was a completely different style to the Lewis Trilogy. Picked it up from the library and once I started it, I could not put it down. Yes, it is completely different from the Lewis Trilogy, no flash backs, no dark intense moodiness. However, it is excellent in its own way. The mystery revolves around a bet. Enzo, our sleuth, an ex-pat Scotsman living and teaching in France, has wagered that he could solve a cold case crime. Enzo was a forensic expert before remarrying and relocating to France. The case involves a renowned French scholar, Jacques Gaillard, who just completely disappeared.
The mystery involves clues planted by the devious killer(s) at the time of Jacques’ disappearance. With the help of an assistant, his daughter and her boyfriend, a girlfriend/psychologist, and a reporter, Enzo travels the width and breadth of France uncovering clues, following false leads and backtracking. Until he comes to a thrilling conclusion.
This was really a page turner for me, I loved Enzo and the complicated relationships he had with his daughter(s) and everyone else in his life. The mystery and clues were very well done and indeed as remarked near the end without the internet would have been difficult if not impossible to solve. The white board approach to solving the crime was fun and interesting, it gave insight as to how connections were being made between the clues.
I will certainly read more in this series! Fans of the Da Vinci Code style of mystery will surely enjoy it.
The mystery involves clues planted by the devious killer(s) at the time of Jacques’ disappearance. With the help of an assistant, his daughter and her boyfriend, a girlfriend/psychologist, and a reporter, Enzo travels the width and breadth of France uncovering clues, following false leads and backtracking. Until he comes to a thrilling conclusion.
This was really a page turner for me, I loved Enzo and the complicated relationships he had with his daughter(s) and everyone else in his life. The mystery and clues were very well done and indeed as remarked near the end without the internet would have been difficult if not impossible to solve. The white board approach to solving the crime was fun and interesting, it gave insight as to how connections were being made between the clues.
I will certainly read more in this series! Fans of the Da Vinci Code style of mystery will surely enjoy it.
theladyhaxton's review against another edition
4.0
Although it took me a while to get into, I wound up thoroughly enjoying this one. A compelling cast of heroes and villains that are a 'Dead Poet's Society' gone wrong. Will definitely be reading more in the series.
eicp's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. The sex-scenes killed it for me, but I loved the rest of the story. Brilliant build up with the clues.
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars for this first in a series of six books featuring Enzo McLeod and Roger Raffin. The plot turns around an old unresolved murder and a bet between Enzo and his friends about how he thought he could solve said crime. From the word go, there’s a lot of interference from all sides. The only bit I could have done without is spoiled rotten overindulged Sophie, Enzo’s youngest daughter.