Code 1879

Blood Detective #1

by Dan Waddell, Jean-René Dastugue (Traduction)

Le cadavre d’un homme poignardé et amputé des deux mains vient d’être découvert, abandonné dans un cimetière de l’ouest londonien. Lors de l’autopsie, l’inspecteur Grant Foster remarque, gravée au couteau dans la peau de la victime, une inscription énigmatique pour l’interprétation de laquelle il fait appel à Nigel Barnes, généalogiste professionnel. Alors qu’un deuxième corps est identifié comme étant l’œuvre du même assassin, leurs recherches vont les plonger dans les bas-fonds du Londres victorien et les conduire dans les méandres obscurs d’une affaire criminelle de la fin du XIXe siècle qui semble liée aux meurtres. Si leur intuition se confirme, d’autres victimes sont à redouter… Atmosphère brumeuse, suspense et humour assurent la réussite de ce premier volet d’une série originale qui interroge le passé pour mieux démasquer les monstres de notre temps.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Thriller, London, British Literature, Mystery Thriller

361 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2008

About the author

Dan Waddell is a journalist and author who lives in west London. He has published ten non-fiction books, including the bestselling Who Do You Think You Are?, which tied in with the successful BBC TV series. The Blood Detective is his first novel.

Series:
* Nigel Barnes

Reviews

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

About 2.5-2.75 stars, rounded up to 3.

It’s pretty difficult to make genealogy and genealogists seem sexy. Records research is never going to be as riveting as blood splatter analysis or DNA, but Waddell does his best. I liked the link between the Victorian murders and those of the present day. As someone who has spent some time in family history centres and records offices, I could recognize many of the “types” who peopled these places. There’s always at least one creepy dude like Nigel Barnes’ nemesis.

Unfortunately it is cliché ridden (the handsome researcher with something troubling in his past, the policewoman with a soft heart, the stuck-in-a-rut DCI in charge). There’s potential here, but if you aren’t a fan of research or records management, this may not be the book that you’re looking for.

Not bad, but not wonderful either.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple of years ago I decided to trace my family tree and it is such an addictive hobby, in fact it is almost as addictive as this amazing book! The Blood Detective is so fast-paced that I absolutely whizzed through it in no time at all with my heart pounding at a million miles per hour as it approached the gripping sweaty-palmed conclusion. You definitely don't need any interest in, or prior knowledge of, genealogy to enjoy it as it is such a brilliant piece of crime fiction in its own right.

I loved all 3 of the main characters: DCI Grant Foster, who doesn't want to close his eyes for fear of missing the killer, his right hand woman, DS Heather Jenkins, and tweed wearing genealogist Nigel Barnes. Foster and Jenkins work brilliantly together, it feels like they have know each other for years and can almost second guess what the other is going to do or say, which comes in pretty handy towards the end. Nigel Barnes was my favourite though, living in his dusty flat surrounded by towering piles of books (sounds like heaven!). The way that he sliced through years of history like a knife through butter was a joy to behold, relying on his experience and gut feelings to trace both ancestors and descendants.

The story revolves around murders in London and their link to the Kensington Horrors of 1879. Even the police didn't see this one coming as they race to uncover clues before the next victim is revealed. Nigel works day and night at the Family Records Office to trace descendants from the original crimes and hits more than his fair share of brick walls. A brick wall to you and me is just a slight nuisance to Nigel as he knows how people changed their names to become more anglicised. You really don't know what is in your past until you look.

I absolutely loved this book! I found the genealogy storyline riveting and not just because I have an interest in it myself, but because it felt like clues were being unearthed right before my eyes. Foster and Jenkins make a brilliant team and I hope that there are lots more books planned in this excellent series.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest an unbiased opinion.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating journey combining detective work with genealogy. For the squeamish, there is some graphic detail, but I found the whole journey to solve the crime, copying one from the 19th century, gripping.

[Trilby · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Got through this book in two evenings. What fascinated me about it is the researcher-character, Nigel Barnes. Barnes spends most of his time rooting through dusty archives, trying to piece together information. Since I've done my share of that, I think he's really cool. The mystery (a series of murders in London) is solved via a combination of historical research and police work. The plot could best be described as "well made" but nevertheless creates a good deal of suspense.

[Iza Brekilien · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5 for GR.
I had never heard of this series or this author, this book was put in my hands by a fellow coworker who said "I think you will highly enjoy it." Nicely done, Sophie, I did !
I found the genealogy element well included in the story, I loved the research, the surprising twists, I had no clue who the killer was. I read it in one day practically in one sitting. Engrossing ! I hope I'll be able to find the rest of the series.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Blood Detective (Nigel Barnes #1)

pub 2007
myst> audio> rosado
summer 2013> tbr busting 2013
brit> eng> london> labroke grove
first in series AND debut novel

Copycat killings of victorian crimes. Interesting geneological murder mystery. This series has great potential
3*

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the plot of this book was pretty far-fetched (as most plots based on the theme of ancestral revenge tend to be), and I found the genealogist hero somewhat pitiful as heroes go, I gave this four stars for two interrelated reasons. First of all, unlike most novels with a genealogy theme, this one actually described the hero doing real historical research, and his research skills were key to solving the mystery and saving the day. How could any librarian and genealogist not swoon over that? The other reason is the pure pleasure of fantasy fulfillment: the genealogist hero is given free access to whatever research facilities he needs, day or night--they keep the National Archives open specially for him! (I'm willing to swallow improbability when it feeds into my fantasies.)

That said, there were a number of flaws, many of which could have been prevented by more careful editing. For one thing, the only surviving member of the family of the man wrongly accused of murder, Eke Fairbairn, is his sister, who married a Chesterton--yet when the police search for descendants of this family they come up with a John Fairbairn, not Chesterton...? In addition, Eke's mother was apparently 14 at the birth of her first child, though I suppose that's conceivable (sorry, couldn't resist)--but it is unusual, and doesn't seem to serve any purpose in the story except to distract me, at least, from the plot. More serious--the police have to race all over town trying to find information about Karl Hogg, the suspected killer--who had supplied evidence as a witness earlier in the book. I'm no expert on police procedure, but surely they take down the addresses and phone numbers of witnesses? And finally, one more quibble: when we first meet Nigel Barnes, our genealogist, is in the cemetery specifically to do research for a client. He has failed to bring the necessary materials with which to make an impression of the tombstone inscription, or a spray bottle of water, which most genealogists would take along, but he DOES happen to have a tin of shaving cream (which destroys the stone) and a squeegee? This seems odd in someone who is repeatedly shown to value and respect historical artifacts....Okay, I know I sound perilously close to fanatically pedantic.

Still and all, it was an enjoyable melding of past and present. I'll go look for the next one.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a nice little subgenre in crime fiction that's all about genealogy and how crimes committed in the past have a way of causing even more grief in the present. As main character Nigel Barnes says, "Anyone who seeks to forget the past has a corpse in the basement," and that's exactly what's happened in The Blood Detective. A crime was committed in the past and swiftly forgotten by almost everyone. Notice I said "almost."

Waddell has an excellent cast to solve this mystery. Nigel is young, intelligent, and passionate about family history-- well, all history for that matter. He's not without his own skeleton in the closet, and as soon as I knew what it was, I was watching carefully to see how he deals with it. I'll leave that for you to discover for yourselves. His two police colleagues are interesting in their own ways. Heather Jenkins is the likable one of the pair, and although I really didn't care much for Grant Foster (I keep hearing that line from an old commercial, "Who's behind those Foster Grants?"), I certainly appreciated his character being fleshed out more by book's end.

The story in The Blood Detective is a bit like that snowball going downhill, gaining size and momentum till the powerful crash at the end. I enjoyed the journey, possibly because there are no clues to be found in the present. Barnes has to spend a lot of time in newspaper archives and records offices to piece everything together, and watching how he does it is fascinating. History and genealogy really do solve this crime. And Barnes' habit of tossing out name origins as he goes along? Pay attention. (Just a word to the wise. Besides, they're fun.)

I almost added this book to my Best Reads of 2015 list except for one thing, and it's something that doesn't happen to me very often. One scene toward the end was over-the-top with the pain and gore quotient. It had me tied up in a Gordian knot of quivering sympathy pain. I think of it as the "Annie Wilkes on steroids" scene. Be that as it may, I really enjoyed this book. Dan Waddell has joined fellow Englishman Steve Robinson in crafting mysteries steeped in family history that I just don't want to put down. I'm looking forward to meeting Nigel Barnes again-- soon!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funniest book I've read in a while which is funny in itself because this is supposed to be a crime novel. There's a serial killer in London carving strange references on bodies so naturally the police call in the nearest professional researcher of family history. But he's tortured in the way that all good heroes are so obviously it's all good. This book is currently doing the rounds of those of us who work in archives and other family history related professions but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. Unintentionally hilarious and that's why I give it a four star rating!

[Leniw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story - an easy read.

[Towanda55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever and engaging story

I really enjoyed this book, read it in 2 sittings and am looking forward to reading others in the series, a very good find and thoroughly recommended

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read , storyline a little far fetched but interesting historical facts throughout

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bodies start turning up in London's Notting Hill region, and cops Grant Foster and Heather Jenkins are hot on the case. The first body that they realize is actually part of the case (another, earlier murder is tied in later) is grossly mutilated and has the enigmatic message "1A137" engraved into the flesh. Jenkins vaguely remembers that, when her mum did some family history a couple of years back, some of the records that had to be consulted were referenced using a combination of letters and numbers, so she brings in family historian Nigel Barnes as a consultant. Sure enough, the modern murders tie in to a series of killings committed in the region in 1879 by a religious zealot, although another man was framed and hanged in the zealot's place . . .

This is not a well written book. At the most basic level, the author consistently uses "may" when he means "might" (I mean, learning the difference isn't all that bloody difficult) and doesn't know how to spell "phosphorus" -- stuff like that. And there are some glories: "Foster issued a cry that came from his boots" (p272), "By the time he reached the tenth floor he could feel his heart pumping in his ears" (p210). Where was the copyeditor? Where was the proofreader?

The plotting's not great, either, as can be seen from my opening paragraph above. If confronted by the inscription "1A137" I'm sure most of us would think of about a billion other things the sequence could be rather than immediately jumping to the conclusion that it must be a genealogical record. Again, the reason the first murder in the series isn't tied in until later is that nobody can be bothered to check the body to see if it was a hanging suicide or if there was another cause of death; as soon as a forensics guy glances at the victim's neck it's obvious to him that the victim died before being strung up . . . as it must surely have been obvious to any number of medical/mortuary professionals who saw the body earlier as it was being processed through the system. And, when it becomes clear that the killer must be using genealogy to select his victims, no one asks the various archives to produce their records of who's been applying for the relevant files. The killer himself proves to have had a peripheral appearance earlier in the plot; there's absolutely no reason for him to have had a prior appearance at all beyond, I suppose, the blanket instruction to mystery writers that the villain can't be someone introduced at the last minute. I could go on . . .

Sorry if I seem curmudgeonly, but I took the time to read this book because I came across a review that troubled to mention none of these problems, instead portraying The Blood Detective as an instant classic of the genre, sorta thing. Waddell does have his own voice and there's a lot here that could fascinate, but in its published state this reads like a first draft.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blood Detective is a nice, solid fiction debut by British journalist, Dan Waddell. In this police procedural a man's naked body is found mutilated and stabbed to death in a London church yard. It's not until the autopsy that Detective Chief Inspector Grant Foster sees that the part of the mutilation on the man's chest is a notation of some sort: 1A137. In a brainstorming session, Foster's assistant DS Heather Jenkins suggests that it might be the reference number for a marriage, birth or death certificate. So the Yard recruits genealogist Nigel Barnes to help them track down the reference. His researches lead them the death certificate of Albert Beck. Beck was murdered in 1879--stabbed to death and left in a church yard on the same date as the modern crime. It becomes a race against time as the current death rate mounts--each victim mutilated a bit differently but marked with the same notation. Will Nigel's researches help Foster discover the culprit before time runs out?

This had a bit of a slow start for me and it took me a while to warm up to the character of Grant Foster. Generally speaking, I tend to like my detective protagonists. Foster came to life for me once he began interacting more and more with Nigel Barnes. From that point Waddell's shrewd characterization and pacing made for an exciting start to a new series. The mystery itself is fairly intricate and the murders bizarre enough to hold the reader's interest. I started this yesterday after dinner and read straight through to the end. I could not put it down until I found out what happened.

I particularly enjoyed how Waddell weaves the genealogical researches into the story. I've read a few genealogy-based mysteries where it just really didn't work well. The researches weren't necessary--the information could have just as easily been told by relatives passing on family lore. The Blood Detective uses Barnes to full advantage and he is a likable character. I will be looking for the sequel. Three and three-quarters stars--nearly a full four.

[Janette Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

As dawn breaks over London, the body of a young man is discovered in a windswept Notting Hill churchyard. The killer has left Detective Chief Inspector Grant Foster and his team a grisly, cryptic clue...However, it's not until the clue is handed to Nigel Barnes, a specialist in compiling family trees, that the full message becomes spine-chillingly clear. For, it leads Barnes back more than one hundred years - to the victim of a demented Victorian serial killer...When a second body is discovered Foster needs Barnes's skills more than ever. Because the murderer's clues appear to run along the tangled bloodlines that lie between 1879 and now. And if Barnes is right about his blood-history, the killing spree has only just begun...From the author of the bestselling "Who Do You Think You Are?" comes a haunting crime novel of blood-stained family histories and gruesome secrets...


Hmmm....I like the idea of combining genealogy, local history and crime but this didn't really work for me. The reason behind the murders was too far fetched, the ending too clichéd and the constant reference to roads in London annoyed me (petty I know). Saying that one of my family history colleague’s loves it .... However the writing was good and the book was nicely plotted and it did hold my attention.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is written at a pace starting with the body found in a London churchyard, Detective Chief Inspector Grant Foster leads the investigation. Due to clues left at the scene the police decide they need to look at the past to solve the present murder and engage Nigel Barnes a family historian to help them out by trawling through records and old newspapers to help them.

Dan Waddell is the journalist commissioned to work on the book accompanying the series 'Who Do You Think You Are?' so he understands the complexities of trawling the records and the methods used by family historians when they hit brick walls in their research. This gives the story that feeling of authenticity whilst building to an exciting climax.

This book is well written, the characters well formed and the story unfolds at a pace right from the start. I love crime stories, have an interest in family and social history and London so this ticked all the boxes for me. It was so good that I am now purchasing Dan Waddell's follow up book Blood Atonement

[Katharine Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read that Dan Waddell's The Blood Detective involved genealogy to solve murders I knew this book was my next choice for our book club. A series of gruesome murders begins to follow a pattern when unusual markings are noted on one body and soon a professional genealogist becomes part of the investigation team. I was envious of the ease of his searching once the police stepped in and paved the way for expeditious research. Waddell mixes the standard murder mystery elements together with good effect and has piqued our interest in more of his books. I was not suprised to see that he was involved with the BBC family history series "Who Do You Think You Are?"

[Liz De Coster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery in this book was reasonably interesting, but what really caught me was the actual involvement of historical information and genealogy. Many books of this type - crime novels "with a twist" or some other special interest factor - the twist feels shoehorned in or arbitrary. In this book, the historical component felt real, and was actually interesting in its own right. I'm skeptical that this would be able to be turned into a series, since I would imagine the believable plotlines involving the genealogist character in criminal investigations is limited.

[Saoirse · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai fait une petite pause dans ma lecture d'un gros pavé que je n'arrive pas à avancer pour lire celui-ci. J'ai bien fait, je l'ai dévoré en à peine deux jours. Un polar qui se déroule à Londres et dont l'enquête est résolue grâce à la généalogie, ça ne pouvait que me plaire. J'ai trouvé que c'était bien écrit, les personnages sont attachants, l'histoire originale. Vraiment très sympa.
Du coup je suis allée chercher le deuxième tome à la bibliothèque et j'ai même vu qu'il y en avait un troisième sorti il y a quelques mois.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pair of serial killers - An unlikely protagonist races against time to stop a brutal series of killings.

A genealogist named Nigel Barnes delves into the past to track down the truth about a serial killer in 1879 to help the police catch a present day killer that appears to be related…somehow. The killings have started. Can Nigel uncover the truth in time to stop history repeating itself? 3.5 Stars.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bailed on this book when the main character stated that it wasn't worth investigating the murder of a homeless person. I can't empathise with a character like that. It may be revealed later that he's not quite as that makes him seem, but I didn't stick around to find out.

[Idees Livres Mandarine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un polar qui allie histoire passée et histoire actuelle ! Tres surprenant mais je me suis vite prise au jeu.
Une lecture facile addictive et quand même instructive sur les subtilités des recherches en généalogie ou historiographie familiale !

[Tria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly an interesting read, with fascinating information on genealogical research, but as a mystery a bit predictable in places. Entertaining though.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.

[Vix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. I'll definitely be reading the rest in the series.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nigel stood staring at the gap. He had come to revisit one murder scene, only to encounter another. Little more than a hundred yards away from this scene of horrors, another serial killer was writing his name into London legend. When he was eventually brought to justice, would they bulldoze any of the buildings in which this killer had struck? Nigel knew such efforts were futile. The past cannot be erased so easily. You can knock something down; you can change names; you can try all you want to wipe these acts from history, he thought. But the past seeps back through the soil, like blood through sand. Or lingers in the air. Always there.
He pulled his brick of a mobile from his pocket and dialed Foster.



~~A photograph of houses in the Kensington, London slum, taken around 1880. It's not hard to imagine a killer lurking amongst the squalor pictured here. Waddell takes imagination a step further with his copy-cat killer, striking terror in the hearts of a more modern London.

First two sentences: Detective Chief Inspector Grant Foster, stiff from lack of sleep, dragged his tall, weary frame from this brand-new Toyota Corolla, feeling the familiar ache of being hauled from his bed in the middle of the night. Even though he had stopped smoking six months ago he felt a pang for nicotine.

The date is March 29. The location is St John's Church. Foster is stiff from lack of sleep because he's been called to a murder scene. This one is a bit tough to stomach--the victim's hands were both cut off at the wrist, and the duty pathologist suspects the wounds were inflicted prior to death. Then they examine presumably random knife wounds to the victim's chest, and discover a cryptic message--1A137. After some intense brainstorming sessions, detectives learn that this particular mix of letters and numbers matches the index numbers for the Family Records Centre, which houses historical censuses, as well as birth, death, and marriage certificates. Time to consult a genealogy specialist.

Nigel is the man for the job. He agrees to assist the police, and directs a search through the records. They catch a small break when they look at the victim's phone, and see that the last number dialed was 1879. They deduce this a year to match the index number, and begin searching records. They find a murder, also on March 29, and also at St John's Church. The problem? The murderer in this historical crime killed more than one person. If this is the copy-cat crime it appears to be, they have to more fast to prevent more deaths. Keen detective skills combine with persistent genealogical sleuthing in this unusual mystery.

My two cents: Waddell is a competent writer, and he knows how to keep readers turning the pages. I agree with a few other reviewers that the plot is far-fetched, but I still found the novel enjoyable. I think part of my enjoyment was the fact that this novel was written in 2007. It's nice to remember and read about the early 21st century, just prior to smart phones completely revolutionizing our way of life. Please note the horror tag though. The first 200 pages are typical thriller level drama, but the end of the book takes us front-row as the police race to find the killer. We are with the latest victim as he/she battles to remain alive. It's a harrowing experience. However, if you can stomach torture and love unusual mysteries, this is a good grab. Rated 3.5 stars or "Very Good."

Another favorite quote: Not for the first time, Nigel marveled at the verbosity of the Victorian press. In one edition there was a report of a parliamentary debate that must have comprised more than 15,000 words, the newspaper columns densely packed, unbroken by illustrations or advertisements. How anyone read it without losing the will to live was beyond him.

Further reading: A nice article about psychogeography, or the theory that land/buildings can develop a pervasive character. An aura if you will. https://theconversation.com/psychogeo....

~~And for those of you who have your interest in personal genealogy piqued by this novel, an link to the National Archives with a wealth of information on where to start, as well as resources. https://www.archives.gov/research/gen...

[Thoaium · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein Serienmörder treibt in London sein Unwesen und DCI Grant Foster und seine Kollegin DSI Heather Jenkins vom Londoner Police Department versuchen herauszufinden, warum er seine Opfer verstümmelt und ihnen eine Zahl in die Haut einritzt. Dank Nigel Barnes, Spezialist für Ahnenforschung, kommen sie auf die Spur des Täters und finden sein Motiv im Jahre 1879. Damals wütete der Kensington Killer in London. Um den neuen Täter zu fassen, müssen sie den Fall von damals aufklären und verhindern, dass sich die Geschichte wiederholt.
Ich gestehe, ich habe die ersten Seiten gelesen und hätte das Buch fast weggelegt. Noch unsympathischer konnte ich DCI Grant Foster am Anfang nicht finden. Zum Glück gab es die Perspektiven der einzelnen Figuren und dann wurde das Buch richtig gut. Grant Foster wurde mir dann auch sympathischer. Die Idee, dass in der heutigen Zeit und im Archiv für den alten Fall ermittelt werden muss, hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Die Figuren waren nachvollziehbar und die Figuren, die man mögen sollte, mochte und auch die unsympathischen waren wirklich sehr unsympathisch. Das Ende war klasse. Ich gehör zu den Idioten, die während sie ein Buch lesen, immer einmal die letzten Seiten lesen. Das Ende bleibt in der Schussszene erst offen und man muss das Buch lesen, um das Finale und den Epilog zu verstehen. Bleibt die Frage zum Schluss: Liegt Morden im Blut und wann haften die Kinder für die Taten ihrer Eltern?

[Paulien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant. There's no other way to put it. On the front cover, it says: "Elegant writing, engaging characters, a cracking climax" - not hollow praise, it turns out. I agree wholeheartedly.

In this chilling pageturner, DCI Grant Foster and DS Jenkins turn to genealogist Nigel Barnes to help them solve a series of inexplicable murders in West London. It truly is a breathtaking rollercoaster of a read. The characters are indeed engaging - the focus is mainly on the three characters I mentioned earlier, which helps to really establish a connection with them. None of them are perfect, but they are likeable enough. I also thought it was quite interesting how differently Foster and Jenkins perceive the people they interact with. It helps make those other people very real, not at all one dimensional.

This is excellently plotted as well. The tension can be cut with a knife, the reveals are well-paced. There is just enough information and emphasis to allow you to work things out for yourself, without being able to guess the exact outcome. You can really think along with the detectives. The characters have enough background to really come to life, but not so much that it distracts from the main plot. The pace is excellent - not too fast, not too slow. 

I would recommend this to anyone who likes the genre. I immediately ordered the sequel and can't wait to start it.

[Erunyauve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a bit too coincidental that Foster ended up being the 5th victim, but it made sense in terms of his personal growth arc. At the start of the book, he's rather difficult to like, but as we learn about his father, we begin to understand him. A little too pat, perhaps, but it fit into the scheme of the overall story.

The killer comes out of left field, but that was fine; the killer's identity was less important than his genetic line. I was suspicious all along, given the excerpts from the original killer's thoughts, that it would turn out to be a descendent of the real killer rather than Fairbairn.

I enjoyed following Nigel around in his mad research rush. I was a bit floored by all the records available to someone with an oyster card - we haven't anything like that in America. I can see why people get so interested in tracking down their ancestors - little things like a change of name or place have stories behind them. Being a history buff, I appreciated the overall arc of the novel, the notion that what we are today is steeped in the past.

I enjoyed the characters and genealogy, and will probably read more in the series - I'm curious to see whether the author takes this, whether it will become a bit formulaic or get a bit too obscure with Nigel's research.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood Detective is the debut of genealogist Nigel Barnes who does more than simply trace back family trees. In this mystery/police procedural Nigel is called in by Scotland Yard to help apprehend a serial killer, as it appears that the current grisly murders they are investigating are all tied to a set of events and individuals from 180 years ago. Nigel, initially the quirky egg-head assisting with the investigation, is soon leading the hunt for the killer.

This book gets an “A” for premise but unfortunately falls apart in the telling – so a “C-“, at best, for execution. The book becomes repetitive as we follow Nigel – and his bloodshot, bleary eyes – from one archive to another, one dusty book to the next, or one more piece of microfilm. (It also begs the question as to why Nigel doesn’t get some much needed assistance.) Also as Nigel cracks the case by tying together the past with the present, there is a flurry of names that lost me. Finally the ending was disappointing, especially the hyped-up violence.

That being said, Nigel and his Scotland Yard friends piqued my interest enough so that I will pick up the next book in the series. There definitely is potential here.