Customer Reviews

The Critic (Enzo Files)

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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.

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!

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

Gil Petty, a world-renowned wine critic, went missing during a tasting tour and his body is discovered three years later on a cross in a French vineyard. It's up to Scottish forensic expert Enzo Macleod to re-open the old case to discover the heart of winemaker envy, competition, and the roots of a unique style of wine murderer in THE CRITIC, a mystery packed with unexpected twists and turns which is perfect for any public lending library strong in mystery writings.

I listened to the audio version of this book. There are a LOT of French words in it. I speak a bit of French and read it moderately well but there were at least a dozen terms that flew over my head. If they were in print, I would have a better chance of understanding them. Also, one of the main characters is from Northern California. The narrator's attempt at her accent was distracting. Kinda like Brooklynese with a mouthful of hot mashed potatoes.

Maybe I would have liked the book better if I were a wine buff.

Strengths: characters are flawed, realistic and well-developed. There are times when I didn't really lik e Enzo, the main character, yet I was engaged and had empathy for his loneliness and inability to control all his impulses.

The novel provides a vast knowledge of oenology, with in depth descriptions of wine-tasting, wine growing and even the scientific movement to make great wine.

Faster moving then much European detective fiction. There is sex and violence (some might see this as a weakness).

Weaknesses: Some clichéd writing and "typical" detective novel devices like lots of times that Enzo is attacked but just manages to escape.

Several years ago renowned wine critic Gil Petty vanished without a trace during a "vino veritas" trip to the Gaillac region of France. A few years later his preserved corpse was found drenched in wine. The case was never solved after he was found hanging like a wet scarecrow in the nearby woods.

Scottish expatriate forensic expert Enzo Macleod decides to solve the cold case. However, the local police do not want the outsider making them look foolish so they refuse to cooperate. Worse, region winemakers prefer the homicide remain unsolved; Enzo assumes because Petty lived up to his name and was universally disliked. However, when another murder victim embalmed in wine appears in the woods, the local vintners become concerned. Meanwhile Petty's daughter Michelle tries to seduce Enzo, who is held accountable by the other women in his life. However even as Enzo digs up dirt on the arrogant odious late critic, he finds many people in the industry and the family who had a motive to kill the Petty expert and would not mind pickling Enzo too.

The second Enzo Macleod French cold case mystery is a superb tale that will send readers seeking his previous starring role (see EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE). Enzo is fabulous as he uses all his forensic skills seeking the motive, which initially might have been personal but begins to believe insider trader information is the key. Breaking Petty's code that the deceased used to conceal his work adds to the fun of a wonderful whodunit in which wine seems inappropriate way to toast Peter May for this entertaining whodunit.

Harriet Klausner