The Taste of Wormwood

Eisenmenger-Flemming Forensic Mysteries #9

by Keith McCarthy

“Will appeal to fans of John Harvey’s crime novels” Library Journal - Arthur Meadows has just returned home from a trip to south-west Europe, supposedly bringing back a consignment of cloth, but actually bringing back something far more deadly. Meanwhile, a young Asian couple are murdered in their small house in Gloucester, the killings done with ruthless efficiency. Beverley Wharton, now Chief Inspector, does not relish the investigation of the partly due to the choice of pathologist, Charles Sydenham. She would have preferred John Eisenmenger, but he has his own problems trying to work out why Arthur Meadows died so unexpectedly . . .

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Mystery

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Keith McCarthy is a pathologist and writer of crime fiction, known for his Eisenmenger-Flemming Forensic Mysteries. He also writes under the name Lance Elliot.

Series:
* Dr. Lance Elliot
* Eisenmenger-Flemming Forensic Mysteries

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best mystery series I've read in a long, long time. It builds, in that the relationships between the main characters grow and change. It's filled with deliciously caustic British wit. They mysteries are tense and keep you on the edge of your seat. I've listened to all 8 or 9 of them at a stretch, narrated by the rich baritone of Sean Barrett, who is the personification of the intellectual, emotionally distant, brilliant sometime forensic pathologist John Eisenmenger and the brittle, smart, ambitious, and beautiful police detective, Beverley Wharton who sleeps and claws her way up the ladder of the British constabulary. I can't recommend them highly enough and can't wait 'til the next one comes out.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arthur Meadows has been transporting illegals into Britain for some time, but now there is a problem, he believes he may have caught 'something' from the latest two.
Not much later an Asian couple are killed.
Its for Chief Inspector Beverley Wharton to find out what are the connections.
Didn't find it really interesting.
I presume that my kindle version is an uncorrected proof considering how many glaring mistakes I found but I would have thought that someone would have at least read it through once.
A NetGalley book.

[Harriet Farquhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story however needs editing

Really enjoyed reading this story again. The pleasure of reading is reduced by the frequent errors in proofreading. All of the incorrect words are spelt correctly so would not be detected by a spelling checker. Examples include hat instead of flat.

[Mrs Susan J Bociek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb writing

Not only is the storyline an unusual and intricate one, it is also well written in such a descriptive way that the reader is right there in the midst of the action. It is a long time since I have been impressed by a book as much as this. I hope Mr McCarthy has more in store.

[Jen Bailey Bergen (tryjen) · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT'S ALL HAPPENING

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. John Eisenmenger, Pathologist, had a breakdown after his last case. He's been recouping and has been brought back in to help Chief Inspector Beverley Wharton.

A series of barbaric murders have occurred, and even though the manner of death is the same in each case, there is no common denominator between any of the victims.

There are so many elements to these crimes. Human trafficking in only only one problem ... it's what these victims bring with them that smacks of terrorism. Add a probable dirty bomb and militant terrorists and many, many suspects and the book explodes with suspense.

I have been very lucky to read the entire series in order. The forensics and police procedural ring true. I have especially enjoyed the sometimes contentious relationship between John and Beverley. Even though neither of them are really well liked, they are both superb at their jobs and they are even better when working together.

Many thanks to the author / Endeavour Press / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not the who, but why that's important in this mystery. The why is an engaging question and the "villain" character is intriguing, but I was apathetic to the protagonist's character, so I didn't really care if she solved the case or not. The psychology of the villain is interesting, but I'm not sure I buy it, and that was the only part of the book I felt was being spoon-fed to me. If you have to dumb it down and explain every little detail...maybe it's because it's a stretch.
The writing was good overall, and had some very effective phrasing. He also managed to use the word supercilious more than once, not sure why that stuck out so much to me, but it did. It was a decent read and built anticipation well. I will probably give the author another chance, I just wasn't overwhelmed.

[E Vikander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur Meadows is long distance truck driver that smuggles people into England as a side business. With a truck fitted with oxygen masks and catheters, he smuggles in two sickly young girls then dies from an unknown cause. Nearby, a husband and wife are found stabbed to death. DCI Beverley Wharton investigates with a team that includes the insightful forensic pathologist Dr. John Eisenmenger. The Taste of Wormwood is a sophisticated crime story full of seedy buggers, insubordinate coppers, and a DCI that clearly is no Jane Tennison. The plot unwinds stealthily, exposing greed, sadness, and injustice. The Taste of Wormwood is immensely readable and brilliantly executed.

[Bookish_predator · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Huge thanks to Keith McCarthy, Endeavour Press and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm hoping there are still more coming to this series but have a feeling this was the last. I'm sad if that's true.

Beverley is a little better in this one but seems to be surrounded by horrible people which does explain her behaviour at times, John is as good as he always is but stays too much of a scientific observer than helping out where he can but theories and conclusions are open to interpretation.

Lots of things flying about in this book, not saying much because spoilers, and clues are abound.

I definitely need to read all the books in this series.

[Ann Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poorly transcribed..

Keith McCarthy is such an excellent author. I would imagine that he would be greatly disturbed to see what has been done with his lovely work in this Kindle version . There is scarcely a sentence that doesn't have a glaring error, many of which make it impossible to even guess at what it was supposed to have said. I don't think this is about proofreading, but more likely having been transcribed by an illiterate blind person.

[JackieB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good crime book, but I don't think I'll remember it in a few weeks. This might be becuase it is a fair way into a series, although it's the first book by Keith McCarthy I've read. There was obviously quite a back story, of which, I was just getting a summary. I suspect this is a series which really needs to be read in order.

[Polly Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible

What a shame that they couldn't hire someone to proofread this book. Bit of an insult to the author and made reading what was otherwise a good story into a chore. I had planned on buying more kindle books by this author and now I'm thinking it might be wiser to stick with traditionally published work.
Oh. The story was OK.

[Silverblue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another writer who hides behind a literary characters to use lots of bad/nasty cursing and immigrant bashing. Can't read beyond the first chapter, simply couldn't. A total WASTE of time and money! You can still write what you wrote without going that low, you know? Some class please!

[Andy Plonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit prejudice toward this author. He is a detail person and gets the technical stuff right. While human trafficking, and the drug trade play a role in this book, the major focus is not nearly so well publicized.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a satisfying, juicy mystery, complete with twisted criminal minds reminiscent of something Minnette Walters might cook up.

[KB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging, fast-paced - can be read on its own without the first books in the series, though they might make some of it make more sense.