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bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
Dry Bones is also published as Extraordinary People and is the first in a series featuring the Scottish Italian biologist detective Enzo McLeod living in France. McLeod is on the trail of a cold case, the disappearance of the brilliant professor Jacques Gaillard. The case leads him to the literal underworld of Paris, the catacombs which lie beneath the sewer system.McLeod has two daughters - one from his first marriage, and from whom he is estranged. The second is his daughter by his second wife who died in child birth. Another detective with a dysfunctional family life. I like this character and am likely to continue reading his further adventures. Peter May, the author, is the Scottish author of one of my favorite series about the Outer Hebrides island(s) of Harris and Lewis.
barbarab's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Gillar man Robert Langdons böcker så gillar man nog denna. Medelålders man som beskriver kvinnor i form av hur gärna han vill ligga med dem, löser invecklade pussel och dricker för mycket. Ändå underhållande för stunden.
kstewart00's review against another edition
4.0
The writing was very well done and descriptive, with a well thought out story. However, a slightly predictable ending led to an anticlimax which put a dampner on the book as a whole.
frogfixture's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
markhoh's review against another edition
3.0
I became a fan of Peter May through reading The Lewis Trilogy so have been keen to read some more of his books and thought I would give the Enzo Macleod series a go.
I’m a bit mixed with this one having just finished it and while it was a page turner whodunit that is meticulously written with incredible detail and evident research, somehow it didn’t stand out to me as anything amazing. I kind of feel like the content is a bit tried and true and that May has followed a fairly typical formula for writing a thriller.
Enzo Macleod is a Scottish man living in France a forensic expert who has entered into a wager to solve seven unsolved crimes as detailed by journalist Roger Raffin. Crimes committed prior to the days of extensive forensic technology. I quite like that premise for a series and the first crime to solve involves the ten year old disappearance of Jacques Gaillard, once advisor to the Prime Minister of France. What ensues is almost like a scavenger hunt around the country to solve this mystery, piecing seemingly random clues together to determine locations and people involved. It’s certainly a thrilling ride around France and i found myself following the trail on google maps and fact checking throughout which I really like to do.
Enzo is a likeable enough character but he lacks the depth of Fin Macleod from the Lewis Trilogy. There are a few cliche characters and plot threads around each, and I found myself thinking, “ah yes, there’s the daughter who doesn’t want a bar of her dad”, and “there’s the boyfriend who isn’t good enough who ultimately saves the day”.
Overall this was a good read. I am in awe of Peter May’s depth of research and skill in putting a good story together. I’ll give this three stars and looking forward to more of this series down the track.
I’m a bit mixed with this one having just finished it and while it was a page turner whodunit that is meticulously written with incredible detail and evident research, somehow it didn’t stand out to me as anything amazing. I kind of feel like the content is a bit tried and true and that May has followed a fairly typical formula for writing a thriller.
Enzo Macleod is a Scottish man living in France a forensic expert who has entered into a wager to solve seven unsolved crimes as detailed by journalist Roger Raffin. Crimes committed prior to the days of extensive forensic technology. I quite like that premise for a series and the first crime to solve involves the ten year old disappearance of Jacques Gaillard, once advisor to the Prime Minister of France. What ensues is almost like a scavenger hunt around the country to solve this mystery, piecing seemingly random clues together to determine locations and people involved. It’s certainly a thrilling ride around France and i found myself following the trail on google maps and fact checking throughout which I really like to do.
Enzo is a likeable enough character but he lacks the depth of Fin Macleod from the Lewis Trilogy. There are a few cliche characters and plot threads around each, and I found myself thinking, “ah yes, there’s the daughter who doesn’t want a bar of her dad”, and “there’s the boyfriend who isn’t good enough who ultimately saves the day”.
Overall this was a good read. I am in awe of Peter May’s depth of research and skill in putting a good story together. I’ll give this three stars and looking forward to more of this series down the track.
diannel_04's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I've read by Peter May but it won't be the last. Enzo McLeod is half Scottish and half Italian and lives in France (how's that for a mish-mash). He makes a bet with a friend that using modern forensics he can solve a cold crime, the disappearance of a high ranking government official.
Following a series of bizarre clues, with the help of Nicole, a student of his and Bertrand, his daughter's boyfriend (who he obviously hates because that's what fathers do), he manages to unravel the mystery, despite roadblocks being set up by government officials.
I look forward to the day I find a mystery novel where I don't figure out who the killer is halfway through but until then I just lean back and enjoy seeing how the plot plays out.
Following a series of bizarre clues, with the help of Nicole, a student of his and Bertrand, his daughter's boyfriend (who he obviously hates because that's what fathers do), he manages to unravel the mystery, despite roadblocks being set up by government officials.
I look forward to the day I find a mystery novel where I don't figure out who the killer is halfway through but until then I just lean back and enjoy seeing how the plot plays out.
megan_blackett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
auntieg0412's review against another edition
4.0
So I'm hooked on another series! I had an enjoyable adventure with Enzo and his odd assortment of sidekicks as they worked to solve a cold case.
Peter May is a fantastic author.
Peter May is a fantastic author.