I can't imagine this book getting better than two (It's OK) stars - but there you go. I'd call this book moderately interesting, with flaws that can't be ignored. "But Foster was in no mood to be optimistic. When he sniffed the air, he noticed only one smell: trouble." "Detective Heather Jenkins, her wild black hair tied back in a ponytail..." And that's just on the first page. And also from the first page - what is it with this genre and smoking? Are mystery readers all butt fiends? Most of the European mystery writers I've sampled obsess on the smoking habits of their characters, long after the misery and death it causes was proven and accepted by the public. I'm not a smoking prude, but crime fiction seems to be the last refuge of tobacco obsession. What else is wrong with this book? The geneology nebbish featured goes all action hero not once but twice. Silly. The lead detective once helped his father commit suicide/euthanasia - a gratuitous 'character' detail that adds noting to the story. The greatest flaws have to do with the ending - maybe I'll comment on my own review and give a spoiler warning so that I can discuss it. I got through this book, so I'm not saying it's terrible, but nagging flaws drag it down. I won't read any more books by this author - there are too many good books to read. Blood Detective is the story of Nigel Barnes, a genealogist—a family historian, really, who gets enlisted by the London police to help find a serial killer who is reenacting century old killings. Nigel is an attractive character, a sort of failed academic with a code of ethics, and the book introduces a fine ensemble of police character—chief inspector Grant Foster, and his colleagues Heather Jenkins and Andy Drinkwater. The book was a first rate mystery combined with interesting insights into historical research.
What do You think about Bloedlijn (2007)?
Interesting crime, well-written, and a genealogist-detective to boot - I'll be back for the sequels!
—lunatic
I love finding a new series. I think this may be the real thing, and not just a summer romance.
—KimbeltyKay
British mystery with genealogy, which was fun to see how it was used to solve the murders.
—cdfgzdfg
Really enjoyed this book, I am into family history so it was right there for me.
—darkendhope
Genealogist helps detectives solve a mystery.
—Daria2413
