The Final Analysis

Eisenmenger-Flemming Forensic Mysteries #3

by Keith McCarthy

The convicted serial killer, Melkior Pendred, spent the final years of his life dying in prison for five identical murders. He slit the victims’ throats, eviscerated the bodies and scattered the organs at the scene of the crime.

But that was buried in local history until a sixth murder is committed...

The body of Jenny Muir is discovered in the same fashion but with the supposed killer now dead, panic sets in…
Martin Pendred, Melkior’s twin, identical in appearance, personality and work life, is propelled into the spotlight. Like his brother, he worked first in an abattoir, then as a mortuary assistant and was only discounted of the original murders by an alibi. Did the police convict the wrong brother?

Pressure rises in the force as Chief Inspector Homer returns to his original hypothesis that his colleague, Beverley Wharton, caught the wrong man. Martin Pendred is arrested but released on a technicality after the intervention of his solicitor, Helena Flemming. Then Martin disappears and another murder takes place. What’s left to do but to call in John Eisenmenger?

A former pathologist, Eisenmenger worked on the original murders and his finely honed skills could make all the difference to this nerve-wracking case. Indeed he soon begins to guess what is going on, but it is not until danger threatens Helena Flemming that he is able to find and fit the last terrible piece of the killer’s puzzle.



‘Readers who don’t get enough strong forensic medicine from the likes of Patricia Cornwell or Kathy Reichs … will welcome this first book in a new series from a British pathologist … McCarthy lays on the grisly detail with a practising doctor’s detached eye.’ - Publishers Weekly

‘Richly gothic … uses the classic whodunit format of a closed circle of suspects to good effect. There’s a giddy feeling to the story when we lurch from moments of black farce to savage coincidence … a potent mix.’ - Tangled Web

‘Pathologist McCarthy creates a dark, densely imagined world in the demanding tradition of P. D. James … he peoples it with characters who truly inspire pity and terror, and provides the most unsparing postmortem ever.’ - Kirkus Reviews

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.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction

317 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

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

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in this British medical thriller, this is the third one I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two in the series, and was expecting on less with this one. Happy to say I wasn't disappointed.

Five womens' bodies were found .... throats cut, bodies slashed, and inner organs scattered all around. The murderer was found, imprisoned, and ultimately he died there months ago.

Now another body has been found ... identical to those earlier deaths. Was the wrong man convicted?

Martin Pendred, twin brother of the first killer, is arrested but released on a technicality after the intervention of his solicitor, Helena Flemming.

But Martin disappears and another murder happens. A former pathologist, Eisenmenger worked on the original murders and his skills could make all the difference in solving this puzzle.

It was a little slow going in a few areas, but I think that was more my brain trying to assimilate the technical aspects. I didn't find this one as enjoyable as the first two. Helena has turned into a shrew and I miss her level-headedness. John seems to be bearing up quite well following his traumas in the first two books.

I look forward to the continuing series and the adventures ahead. 4.5 Stars.

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

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Keith! Where have you been all my life!? I adore your writing, I adore ALL your characters, I adore everything about your books. They are smart, funny and have the twistiest plots I've ever heard of.

Marry me and I will give up all my affairs, including but not limited to Capt Von Trapp, Raylan Givens, Frank Langella, Jamie Frasier, Walt Longmire and that Sam guy) Okay, if it too soon for that, just let me watch your eyes glitter as you compose your stories. I even want to read the out-takes. I'll bet you can make a grocery list dazzle.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gripping tale written by Keith McCarthy and read by the wonderful Sean Barrett. Had me listening compulsively over a couple of days. A twisty turns plot that moves along at a good pace. Highly recommended.

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

Excellent series

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Endeavour Press and Netgalley. This is the first of Keith McCarthy's books that I have read. In the beginning there were a lot of names of characters in the book that I had to remember, I made a list and kept it nearby to refer to whenever needed. The story was interesting and was not a light read, Keith kept me guessing until the end as to the identity of the murderer. I would definitely read his books again. If you struggle reading this book in the beginning just preserve, there is not so many technical terms during the middle and later parts of the book. I would recommend this book to all lovers of mystery and detective stories.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

MCarthy is a master of the English language. He injects a wry humor into the most gruesome of circunstances that never fails to make me chuckle. I have read several of his books, not in chronological order and while it doesn't really spoil any of the stories, this is one of the earlier ones, not a bad one to start with if you haven't read any of them. His main protagonist is a forensic pathologist whose sometime girlfriend is a policeperson. McCarthy's books are worthy just in appreciation of his command of the language.

[Laura Greenwood]

Unfortunately I had to stop reading The Final Analysis at 31%. Though the plot did seem interesting, the use of a lot of longer words and flowery language (in my opinion) meant that the book didn't flow well for me and I found it difficult to maintain a focus on the story. I can see though how it would be an engaging and interesting read for someone with a better understanding of the medical terminology used.

[Yellagirlgc · Rating 2 out of 5]

The publisher of this book provided me a copy for review.
This book was a tough read. You need a dictionary handy to understand many of the words. It had an interesting plot but was difficult to get through.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

A run of the mill, gory forensic murder mystery that just didn't do it for me.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as riveting as the previous two. Or maybe I was just tired.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one went faster than the others. Maybe I'm picking up British slang? Great mystery. Beginning to overdo the slut thing with Beverly Wharton.

[Ann Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

P.D. James on sleep meds.

Not a bad story, but a bit too slow and overly drawn out. P. D. James is hard to put down.. This isn't.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how technical the books are, it moves fast with lots of characters