Very interesting mystery with a neat twist and engaging characters.DCI Grant Foster (at least he doesn't walk around wearing sunglasses all the time), Detective Heather Jenkins and crew are on the trail of a serial killer who is carving cryptic clues into the bodies of his victims. The clue leads them to Nigel Barnes, genealogy expert, who helps them decipher the clue. Once Nigel starts digging it becomes clear that the current crime spree is tied to a Victorian era serial killer. But how and why and who take a good long while to ferret out.There is a lot to enjoy in this debut. The author clearly knows his way around the genealogy records. Though he does indulge in a bit of wish fulfillment: one of their big breaks comes from a record where the clerk had been very free with information. (Wouldn't it be nice...I never seem to find such records when I go digging!)The action and suspense keep ratcheting up until a very exciting conclusion.I will gladly read the next. 'The Blood Detective' is a very clever and engaging murder-mystery in which the crime is solved through genealogical research. It was a must-read for me as I am an avid genealogist and it was so enjoyable to read about activities I can relate to - combing the archives, analysing certificates, using the microfiche to read old newspapers etc. Definitely a page-turner - I read it over a couple of days - especially the exciting albeit brutal climax - ouch!!
Liked it, kept me interested throughout, little twist at the end I enjoyed.
—joanne
Nice story and twist at the end, but otherwise slow to start.
—jeromeaneive
Fantastic book! Can't wait for next one to be published!
—cerpagan
I loved it. a great mystery with a fun twist of genealogy
—eswareek
