The Critic (Enzo Files) [Hardcover]

Peter May (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2007 | Series: Enzo Files

Gil Petty, the worlds number one wine critic, went missing during a tasting tour of the little-known wine region of Gaillac. Four years ago, his body was discovered strung up on a cross in the vineyards of southwest France.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Oenophiles and fans of CBS's Cold Case will relish May's slightly far-fetched second outing to feature France-based Scottish sleuth Enzo Macleod (after 2006's Extraordinary People). When the corpse of powerful American wine critic Gil Petty turned up in southwest France, local cops were perplexed: the body was dressed in the robes of a local fraternal organization and appeared to have been practically pickled in wine. Four years later, shortly after Enzo, who specializes in unsolvable murders, reopens the case, another wine-saturated corpse is found. Petty had made countless enemies in the wine world, and his ex-wife and daughter had few kind words to say about him, but what connects him to the second killing? Enzo's emotional drama with both his daughters and romantic attractions to two charming ladies, plus tidbits about wine production and the art of wine tasting, make this a full-bodied, satisfying read. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Another oenophile's tip sheet with the bonus of a finely crafted and surprising mystery."  --Kirkus Reviews

"Oenophiles and fans of CBS's Cold Case will relish May's slightly far-fetched second outing... a full-bodied, satisfying read." --Publisher's Weekly
 

"A sharp edged tale woven with the intricacy of a spider's web.  Intelligent, involved, and ingenious." -- Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 290 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (November 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590584589
• ISBN-13: 978-1590584583
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Vino Veritas, December 11, 2007

By 

Ted Feit (Long Beach, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Critic (Enzo Files) (Hardcover)

The critic of the title was a renowned wine critic whose opinions in his newsletter could make or break a vintner. He disappeared four years previously and his body has just turned up dressed in the garb of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Divine Bottle, his body obviously having been immersed in wine. The case was one of five unsolved mysteries in a book, the first of which was solved by Enzo Macleod, a Scotsman now a professor of forensics in France.

Enzo now travels to Gaillac, a wine-producing section of France, to look into the critic's murder, and discovers a series of other seemingly unrelated disappearances. There are plenty of suspects and too few clues. Complicating the task are several problems, including the critic's secret code for evaluating the wines he tasted, as well as inter-personal relationships.

The novel is so well written, the background of the production of wine and descriptions of the elements so well done, that the reader is carried along in a heady manner. The solution to the various puzzles is so unexpected, that the reader is rewarded beyond expectations. "The Critic" is highly recommended.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make sure to read this with a good glass of wine!, November 16, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Critic (Enzo Files) (Hardcover)

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/07)

Enzo Macleod is off and running in the investigation of a murdered wine critic. His body was actually found four years ago hanging on a cross in a vineyard in France. Apparently, prior to being crucified, his body had spent about a year marinating in a vat of red wine. Enzo uses his knowledge of forensics to help crack this case. He also is in contact with the deceased man's daughter, who happens to be attracted to older men, such as Enzo. While this case is being investigated, more killings occur.

Enzo discovers a link between crimes that happened two-hundred years ago and now. He also needs to find out why the wine critic was wearing ceremonial garb of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Divine Bottle. As he gets further involved, he discovers that his own life is in danger. He is determined to solve this case before another murder occurs. Narrowing down the list of suspects is difficult; Enzo even suspects the critic's daughter. He also is dealing with his own personal issues revolving around a psychologist, his daughter, and his assistant.

Peter May has written an excellent novel with "The Critic." He manages to successfully incorporate mystery, suspense, humor and a little romance into one great plot. He describes the wine-making process in great detail, as part of understanding the aspects of the mystery. He does this in a way that is very interesting and adds to the story. While I enjoyed this mystery, I appreciated being educated on this.

I recommend "The Critic" to both male and female mystery fans. Wine lovers will really enjoy this. I look forward to reading the first book in Enzo's series and for future mysteries to follow. Readers' groups will love this one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A disappointment after the first book, June 3, 2009

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Critic (Enzo Files) (Hardcover)

First Sentence: There is a smell among the vines.

Former forensics expert, Enzo Macleod, takes up his second challenge of solving seven unsolved murders written about in a book by Roger Raffin. Gil Petty was the world's leading expert. His review could catapult the price of a particular wine, or destroy a winery until he went missing. No one expected he would turn up three years later as a scarecrow in a vineyard having spent those three years in someone's wine vat.

There are two major factors which influenced by feeling toward this book: the characters and the mystery. The character of Enzo, for me, was annoying; almost distasteful to the point where I'm not certain even the author likes his character. Enzo was arrogant, disrespectful and dismissive to others. He assumed no one knew as much as he did. He has an assistant, Nicole, who is one of my favorite characters. She is smart, gutsy and guileless and Enzo treats her rudely. He complains about one woman in his life not being willing to commit to him while hitting on every other woman in sight. He abandoned his first daughter, yet feels he can dictate her life. In this book, he commits one redeeming act but then promptly spoils it.

May did capture me with a very compelling opening. Set in France's Gaillac region, he creates a wonderful sense of place with his descriptions of vineyards and the process of winemaking. I enjoyed reading about the wineries and the impact critics can have on the price of their wine and their overall success.

The forensic information was fascinating, particularly the method of identifying from what winery the wine, found in the victim's body, had come and the difference between the French and American methods of winemaking.

However, he did commit the cardinal sin of mysteries with a dog and broadcast early the major element to provide suspense at the end. I found the motive for the murders highly improbable and the ending cliffhanger unnecessary. Only because I already have the next book in the series shall I read it, and to see whether the author redeems himself. In general, I'd recommend skipping this book.

THE CRITIC (Unl. Inv-Enzo Macleod-France-Cont) - Okay

May, Peter - 2nd in series

Poisoned Pen Press, 2007, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9781590584583