Engaging hero, stellar narration

Comparisons to Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code are valid, as much of Dry Bones is a scavenger hunt for clues to a murder. In my opinion, Peter May’s writing is stronger, particularly in character development. I never really got Langdon, but Enzo MacLeod – now that’s a flesh and bone character. Middle aged and a little worse for wear, he’s flawed, has made mistakes and has regrets. But he’s smart, intuitive and has a big heart. The supporting characters are also believable, with lives of their own aside from their roles in progressing the plot.

The one weakness in the story is how long it took to get through the scavenger hunt, which did little to suggest motive or possible suspects for the murder. It dragged us around Paris and the surrounding countryside, but the hunt was mostly engaging with unexpected mayhem thrown in along the way so it’s not wasted time. The final third of the story is where the dots get connected and it kicked into a new gear. Although the ultimate motivation for the murder was a little soft, the action was good.

I tuned into this series because I truly loved May’s “Lewis Trilogy” (sadly no longer available to Audible in the US), and wanted more of his writing. I’ve started with this first one and will continue on, definitely cherry picking the ones narrated by Simon Vance. His ability to give credible voice to MacLeod’s Scottish brogue, the various French characters, male, female, young and old, was a significant factor in relating to the entire cast.

79 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Delightful find! First of the Enzo Files

I am always looking for new books in the mysteries and thrillers category. I tried this on a whim and am so glad that I did.

This is not the formulaic finding gruesome crime scenes and trying to put together the clues to find the killer. It's a cold case based on some dry bones and scavenger hunt type clues that lead to more bones with more clues. During the process of solving the old crime, there are some new victims and an array of potential perpetrators.

Enzo himself has an interesting professional background and personal life. He is challenged to this seemingly impossible task both intellectually and monetarily. He is urged on and abetted by the (good guy) challenger. However, he is also led astray by the bad guys.

I found this a delightful change in the murder mystery genre. I look forward to listening to all of the other Enzo Files books.

63 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A B minus at best, well maybe a B

I downloaded this book because the narrator is one of my favorites, Simon Vance, (No one is better at Trollope!) and because of the setting - Paris and various areas of France. In those two aspects I was not disappointed. Vance was great as always, switching seamlessly between French and Scots accents and his pronunciation of French phrases and place names was, as far as I could tell, excellent.
I particularly loved following the story through in Paris, all most all of which took place in areas I am familiar with and love. The other areas, I am less familiar with, but I followed those portions on Google Maps. I even picked up and understood some of the French phrases. (I am a linguistic savant and can order food and say please and thank you in several languages!)
The two factors above almost made up for the fact that the story was not that great or believable. Granted, it is difficult for mystery/thriller writers to balance realism and an intriguing storyline, but I found it difficult to buy into this one.
Finally, a romantic relationship is a legitimate part of the plot, but I personally find graphic sex off-putting. Its inclusion seemed to be formulaic, as if its supposed to be part of the genre. I would not have selected the book had I known. Wish Audible could come up with a rating system for sex, violence, language, etc.

55 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

The Prince of Serendip (sans Sagacity)

When your author makes excuses for the unfathomable good luck of his detective with statements like this, "Enzo was beginning to feel like one of the Three Princes of Serendip," you know that you're being fed a lazy tale where accidents, rather than sagacity, are the dominant theme.

The premise of this quasi-detective story (the main character is not a cop, but a biology professor) is seriously flawed - the protagonist (Enzo) takes a case on a bet. Other motivations are not clear…perhaps he's bored. Once he does engage, we follow his left turns over this "Pont" and onto that "Rue," around French postcard cities, generally unengaged with the author's sideshow cuisine and wine forays. Few North Americans can reference Enzo's urban(e) wanderings, leaving the listener feeling like he or she has just departed a boring dinner party where the hosts showed their guests a slideshow of a recent trip to France. After awhile it all blurs into a bland Ratatouille stew.

To keep the listener attentive, the author makes a futile attempt at mimicking Umberto Eco's, The Name of the Rose and Foucault's Pendulum. But, Peter May is no Umberto Eco. Some reviewers equate this novel with Brown's, Da Vinci Code. However, Dry Bones is far too random and cliche to rise that far.

Personally, I think Peter May should try his hand at travel writing. He seems to know a great deal of trivia that may be of interest to the Francophile in a few of us.

46 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

How did I miss this great writer! So glad I I found him,I couldn't put it down

This is my kind of book. Great character development - of great characters! The plot is very creative with clever twist and turns. Brilliant ! I would recommend this book to British mystery lovers in general. If you like author Josephine Tey, Detective Morse and the like, I think you will appreciate this writer as well.
I was so impressed with this book ( I think it's a series) I'm about to order another book by this Author.

35 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not bad

The story was okay, but once again it was Vance that made it worth listening. The story was a little predictable and overwrought. It was entertaining, but not totally engrossing.

I would try another book written by May, but not tops on my must read.

30 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Dry bones indeed

Agatha Christie did this kind of story much better. All that working from clue to clue to reach a conclusion, with the narrative serving as background for the murder-solving blueprint, is now tired. I expect characters who are complex and interesting on their own accounts. The hero rushes around and risks his life for a bet. It's not believable, and it's certainly not enjoyable.

Simon Vance is perfect. If anyone could have saved this, it would have been he.

12 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A Fun Scavenger Hunt

I am noticing that more and more mysteries seem to go with the "cold case" instead of current crime story. I find that most cold cases are enjoyable, as long as you realize that most of the action will be at the end of the book instead of a steady pacing of it throughout the book. That doesn't mean that "cold cases" are boring and slow, just different. In fact, the writer has to be so much more clever in offering clues that are found many years after the crime.

For this story, the clues are offered as a scavenger hunt made possible with matching the found relics at crime sites with internet searches. I enjoyed the race around France finding the next set of bones and clues as I enjoyed the actual mystery story. The only reason I rated the story 4 stars is that the final motive is less than satisfying.

The detective, Enzo Macleod, is actually a biologist teaching in Toulouse, France instead of pursuing a career in forensics in his Scottish homeland. Peter May did an excellent job of building Enzo's character throughout the book. However, Simon Vance was a master of bringing Enzo and all the other wonderful characters to life. How does Simon Vance do such distinctly different voices and accents for each character without a single glitch? Simon Vance even voices women so well without the high falsetto voice that so many other narrators do. Simon Vance kept my interest up as much as Peter May did for this audio book. Thanks for a fun experience with this audio book.

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Forensicly Lacking

The flyleaf of this book promised "new science" applied to an old case. The implication being that Enzo's background as a forensic scientist will be critical to the solution of the case. The only "new science" I saw was DNA applied to blood. The remaining "new science" consisted of Google searches to find solutions to items left as puzzle clues. I do not think this defines "new science."
The gimmick of "un petit peu" of French words sprinkled throughout the book proved to be annoying to me as the book progressed.
The story relied on repetition of puzzle clues four times in the book which seemed overworked and too easily resolved.
The writing was good. The underlying story of Enzo and his love life and his daughters was interesting but very rudimentary.
The ending of the book came abruptly with the revealing of the villain, the daughters' relationship and Enzo's job resolving quickly but not before a overextended and tedious scene in the depths of Paris.
I will wait and explore other authors before I decide if another Enzo adventure will make it to my reading stack.

Simon Vance was outstanding with the delivery of the story.

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

I have found a new author to love!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, absolutely. Absorbing story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, This story was never boring. All of the clues and how Enzo and the other piece it all to gether was very interesting.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

There are few narrators better than Simon Vance. He moves effortlessly from French accents (male and female) with Scottish. Very convincing in all.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

oh yes. both laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

I didn't want this book to end. I will immediately get the next in the series and explore the others written by Peter May.

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile