Looking Glass (The Naturalist Book 2)

Does discovering intelligent writing make one intelligent - nah, but it sure feels good.I'm still conflicted by the core subject matter but the characters, the plot, the science!!!!!Foe me one measure of a book is how many times I copy a sentence or passage and save it in my "Writing" page on OneNote. This is in the top three.p.s. There are flaws though: the new difficult co-worker in each book is a bit lazy, and similarly the belligerent, difficult police detective. These are fine in standalone stories, but detracting in a series.

Excellent ,fast and full of knowledge.This book should be on every reader of criminal stories. Looking forward to more of this author books.

Those expecting loads of action may be disappointed - this is not that type of book. This is a hunt for a predator, a serial child killer and, in his own way, the hero of this series is just as much a predator albeit a very reluctant one. Seeing connections missed by others and using scientific methods drawn not from forensics but from the biology of predators both animal and plant Professor Theo Cray is a natural and relentless hunter driven to do what’s right. He is a fascinating character, a puzzle solver, struggling with human interaction and as his understanding girlfriend says, it isn’t that he stands apart from others, it is that he soars so far above he sees the patterns others just can’t. Cray is almost trapped by his personality, where any sensible but less principled person might walk away he simply can’t. This feels like the style of magic, first you experience the mystery then the explanation and suddenly what was hidden becomes obvious as Cray first gathers and works the data. Cray is no Jason Bourne, most of time he is really scared but is driven to stop a killer no one else recognises is there. This story almost happens in ‘real time’, yet the pace isn’t frenetic, it moves steadily as Cray works the problem and evolves his next steps. The story is totally believable and I would guess Andrew Mayne has done his research, and a lot of it! If I had to choose I still prefer Jessica Blackwood but Theo Cray continues to run a close second.

The extremely educated and logical hero is a welcome change from the usual damaged cop, with his specialisms adding the twist that sets this series apart in a good way.Despite the serial killer being especially scary (well-written) and the murders particularly dark, I finished the book with a sense of satisfaction and am going to download the next in the series immediately. The author is a master of description and building tension, yet keeps the reader eager to know what happens, rather than having nightmares. Brilliant.

I have had this book for ages waiting to be opened. I obviously enjoyed the first in the series and then bought this. That was some time ago and I do not remember the first book but this was a great page turner.One thing that I really liked was the way extra facts and ideas were introduced without the plot needing them. It demonstrated the author's comfort with the subject matter and his familiarity with it. It shows a depth of knowledge about physics, forensic theory, and background that is often missing.I will be looking for the third in the series and I will not leave so long to open it......

Some of the things/events/facts are unbelievable except I am left thinking I don't know enough to say that for certain. They are so well written and about subjects I know only a little about that fantastic though they seem they could well be correct. Sometimes the main character does such fantastic things they seem frankly ludicrous. This guy uses such persuasive arguments in such detail I frankly believe him. Left with things to think about, the sign of a good book

I absolutely love the character of Dr Theo Cray & I’m enjoying how he’s evolving.Andrew Mayne is able to spin a good tale with plenty of details but still easy to read.I can highly recommend this series.Right I’m off to read book 3! 👍😁

Afrer a slow start, this story pick up and became thrilling. I could not my book down. Well done author