The Comfort of Distance

by Ryburn Dobbs

Deep in the forests of the Black Hills, human remains are being discovered – one bit at a time. Rumors of a rogue man-eating mountain lion are spreading through the county and panic is starting to swell. Sgt. Hank LeGris of the Custer County Sheriff’s Office is feeling the pressure; he needs to find out who the dead are, and how they got that way. Hank suspects that the bodies are the result of a more sinister predator. But in order to solve the mystery, he will have reach back into his own dysfunctional family history and pull in the only person who can get to the bottom of these strange cases – his estranged and disordered brother, the brilliant forensic anthropologist Dr. Sebastien Grey.

When Sebastien arrives in the Black Hills, he takes his brother, and detective Tiffany Reese, on a whirlwind tour of forensic thinking and deductive reasoning, not only solving the mystery of the human remains, but the murder of a local thug as well. In the process, Sebastien himself is forever transformed by his own success and by the charm and kindness of the lovely Detective Reese: “One day I hope you give yourself permission to be different, Sebastien. You’ll be happier.”

The Comfort of Distance is equal parts forensic mystery, police procedure and character study, with dashes of comedy and romance thrown in. Readers will be cheering at the end and ready for more.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Crime

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2020

About the author

Ryburn Dobbs taught biological anthropology and forensic anthropology at several colleges throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and spent ten years as a forensic anthropologist, working dozens of death investigations. In addition to his anthropological pursuits, Ryburn also worked as an investigative analyst specializing in homicides and unsolved cases.

His work as a forensic anthropologist inspired him to write The Sebastien Grey Novels. The first book in the series, The Comfort of Distance, was released in September 2020, followed by The Boxwood Torso (The Sebastien Grey Novels Book 2) in July 2021. Where the Blood is Made (The Sebastien Grey Novels Book 3) will be released in Spring 2022.

Reviews

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book spans a few genres. It is more about forensic anthropology and detective work than it is a police procedural, with some mystery and suspense elements too.  The characters alluded to but didn’t say “Bones”. Check this one out if you like Bones, with a socially awkward and overly introspective anthropologist that reminded me a lot of Detective Monk in many ways.

The prologue and initial scenes definitely had me interested in The Comfort of Distance.  Someone is brutalized and left for dead, and shortly after we meet the main cast of characters.

When the book introduced Sebastien Grey as a disordered person in therapy, I honestly rolled my eyes because so many detective novels take that route to show them getting their career back on track. Thankfully Dobbs took a different route and simply used that introduction to, well, introduce the character and his quirks.

The book quickly redeemed itself with interesting detective work, good characters, and multiple plotlines to keep things fresh and moving forward.

Grey turned into an interesting character that it is easy to root for.  I feel like he snapped right out of a lot of his problems (taking prescriptions inappropriately, etc) pretty quickly while on the case, which showed that his brain maybe just needed a little occupation than it was getting in California? I’m not sure what to make of Dr Grey’s character arc but he definitely ended up in a good place and I was happy for him.

I’m kind of wondering if Sebastien wasn’t slightly based off the fashion designer by the same name.

The other characters are likeable too, with good dialogue and banter and teamwork.  There is some family drama between the brothers which I hope gets more exposure in future novels.  One character had a lot of antipathy towards Sebastien at first that seemed to magically resolve, and I needed more background into the whole family conflict.

Also there were a ton of names and different storylines thrown out in the first few chapters.  Most of them came together well by the end but I thought there were a few loose ends too.  My last gripe is that the KU version did have a few – as in probably fewer than one per chapter – editorial issues, which did not detract too much.

The setting was well described in terms of weather, terrain, local mood and atmosphere, but I had a hard time pinning down the mood of the entire book.  I had Monk in my mind and read the book through a lighter, slightly more humorous lens than a serious detective novel or police procedural. That said, I think the book shined the most when Sebastien was doing his forensic magic.  It was interesting and showed that he really does have a great mind in there.

I haven’t gotten to do a OneReadingNurse medical disclaimer© in a while, but I would like to point out that Buspar \ buspirone and similarly Wellbutrin \ buproprion are long acting medications and have absolutely no indication or supportive data for as needed use. Please use these medications as prescribed by a physician.

Anyway, overall, I didn’t LOVE this book but definitely want to read the next one to see how Sebastien fares moving forward! I would recommend this for fans of forensic and detective novels like the Temperance Brennan and Eve Duncan series!

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me hooked from the first page. I so very much enjoyed reading it and lost myself in the scenery. I have been to the Black Hills a few years ago and they are very beautiful, rugged and sometimes desolate. That area holds a special place in my heart to this day.

This book really peaked my interest in forensic anthropology too. Being able to tell so much about someone and their life from their skeleton is very fascinating. I truly hope we hear more about Dr. Grey and his brother soon.

I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a fan of the show Bones? Or are you generally interested in forensic anthropology? Then this is the book for you!

I was genuinely impressed by this suspenseful investigate mystery book! The writing is smooth, the setting is atmospheric and the characters are interesting. And you seriously learn so much about forensic anthropology (which makes sense cause the author spent 10 years as a forensic anthropologist!) It took me a little while to truly become invested, but I do think the slow-burn is worth it by the end because it’s so cool to see how all of the forensics are used to solve the mystery. Plus, it’s fascinating to follow the characters through their own professional and personal challenges. Overall, a super solid story that kept me engaged, and one I definitely recommend to crime readers!

This book is currently available on Amazon, including Kindle Unlimited, and is also the first in “The Sebastien Grey Novels” series!

Thank you so much to Book Publicity Services and Ryburn Dobbs for sending me a free e-copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Can Ryburn Dobbs ever write! I was hooked from the first page and read this book in a day. When I wasn't reading I was thinking about the characters and wanting to know what was next!!

This storyline was awesome! I loved the fact there was so much going on. Perfectly paced and plotted. The detailed look into anthropology was extremely interesting. I enjoyed the fact the story was believable. This would make an excellent tv series. The main characters were also really great!

I can't wait to get my hands on book two and see where it takes Sebastian, Hank and Tiffany.

Huge thanks to Book Publicity Services for my gifted copy!

[Autumn | bookishandblissful · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

I am so stoked that this is going to be a series of forensic anthropologist, Sebastien Grey! I was super intrigued by him and look forward to taking a deep dive into the knowledge he possesses. If you are a lover of true crime, then this is book that you would probably like - I will say there isn't much gruesomeness, or any vivid scenes.

As a reader, I typically enjoy a bit of shock value and this book reveals everything up front. However, the way Dobbs writes is beautifully done as I felt like I was actually in the woods of South Dakota during the whole book and was right alongside the detectives and police. This would make an excellent TV series!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Comfort of Distance is the first Sebastien Grey forensic mystery by Ryburn Dobbs. Released in 2020, it's 274 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The second book in the series, The Boxwood Torso, is also currently available on KU.

This is an interesting forensic mystery with a neurodivergent protagonist. He's meticulous and neurotic, intelligent, and has moderately severe interpersonal social anxiety. He's more or less independently wealthy, and that's a factor in the story and the emphasis makes him come across as a bit of wish-fulfillment on the part of the author (who also worked as a forensic anthropologist and consultant and who could, for all I know, actually also be independently wealthy).

The writing is very choppy and almost frenetic. The story hops from thread to thread seemingly without rhyme or reason. I found the back-and-forth distracting and at places, and it yanked me out of the overall story. The dialogue and characterizations are adequate and the scenery descriptions are very good. There's an exhausting overabundance of minutiae; street directions for example ("After snaking his way through town—5th Street, right on Mt. Rushmore, left on 2nd Street, left on Washington, left on 5th, right on Custer—", etc) and I found myself taking breaks more often than usual because I felt bogged down in the non-essential details. The eventual climax, resolution, and denouement are satisfying and well written.

The bones of a very good mystery and series are here from the beginning. The book would have benefited immensely from being subjected to a thorough and merciless editing process, but only in tightening the prose, editing a few loose ends, and mostly in the finishing and polishing process. The basic story, including the neurodivergent and interesting protagonist and his dysfunctional and complicated relationship with his brother and his brother's wife are well written, nuanced, and complex. I really liked that the author clearly shows that Sebastien's atypical neurology and personality aren't a super-power, but can make him difficult and irritating to people around him.

Three and a half stars, a promising start to the series.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Vanessa Smith-Majury · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚛 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚎...𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚂𝚎𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚐𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚊 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎 - 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎.“

This, the first book in the Sebastien Grey series, was somewhat of a departure for me. Where I am used to exploring the mystery of the who, what, and why, Ryburn Dobbs provides those answers fairly early. What makes this read unique, is its focus on the how. We are introduced to the brilliant, yet socially awkward, forensic anthropologist, Dr. Sebastien Grey, his brother, Sgt. Hank LeGris, and Detective Tiffany Reese. Sebastien is called in to help Hank solve the mystery of human remains that have been found in the forests of his town. Although the main narrative concerns itself with anthropological and police procedure, what really drew me in was the exploration of the brothers’ somewhat dysfunctional familial relationship.

“𝙷𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚂𝚎𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗‘𝚝 - 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎.“

Also compelling, was the opportunity to get to know Sebastien through his own self assessments and his opinions of those around him. Although his self distaste was evident and sometimes difficult to digest, there was also humour.

“𝙰𝚜 𝚞𝚜𝚞𝚊𝚕, 𝚂𝚎𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚌𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚊𝚛.“

If you like great character studies, detective procedurals, and sweet romance, give this one a try and let me know what you think.

Thanks so much to RyburnDobbs & Book Publicity Services for the gifted copy!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Bones (the tv series) you will love this book! Sebastian is a brilliant anthropologist with a social phobia that creates a lot of interesting interactions. I enjoyed the brothers dynamic and the thrilling case in this book was realistic enough to keep me guessing. The best part was definitely the characters and the forensic knowledge that was sprinkled throughout the pages. I can’t wait to read the next book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Comfort of Distance REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I throughly enjoyed this read! The writing was great and I really liked the main characters. The different povs kept me interested and wondering when everything was going to converge! Sebastian was such an endearing character and I’d love to see where his story goes in the next book!

Thanks to Book Publicity Services for the gifted copy!

[Lauren Vick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally start clear of crime books because I feel that they can all fall into the same plot line. But, I was blown away by the verified information that the character Sebastien Grey shared in his journey. If you love forensics, you need to check out this book.

[Shannon Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sgt Hank LeGris stares down at the crushed and gaping skull in the dirt.
It’s the second time in just a few weeks that human remains have been found in the Black Hills. Citizens are getting restless. Is it a rogue mountain lion, as many people suspect? Or something even more sinister?
Sebastien Grey is a brilliant forensic anthropologist with debilitating social phobia. When he is asked by his estranged brother to come to South Dakota and help identify who, or what, is leaving body parts scattered across the county, he discovers much more than the cause of these strange deaths.

Firstly I’d like to thank @lovebookstours and @rdobbsauthor for gifting me this book to review as part of the blog tour 😊.
When I signed up for the blog tour for this book, I was so excited as the synopsis sounded amazing, but I’m sad to say that it just didn’t grasp me the way that I’d hoped! I struggled at times to find the motivation to pick up the book, as there was just no wow factor for me, which I’m gutted about as I felt that this story had so much potential. The way that the main characters develop and form relationships throughout the story is well done, but the overall plot in my opinion was disappointing.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review. I quite enjoyed this crime fiction and I liked the focus on the forensic side of things rather than the police procedural side which we see in most crime novels. This side was also there but the focus was more on the forensic issues and the main character of Sebastian who is a forensic anthropologist. I loved the character of Sebastian and his back story, and how his strained relationship developed with his brother. I also found the story quite detailed and it held my interest. I think this is the first in a series so I will be looking out for the next one.

Blurb- in just a few weeks that human remains have been found in the Black Hills. Citizens are getting restless. Is it a rogue mountain lion, as many people suspect? Or something even more sinister?
Sebastien Grey is a brilliant forensic anthropologist with debilitating social phobia. When he is asked by his estranged brother to come to South Dakota and help identify who, or what is leaving body parts scattered across the county, he discovers much more than the cause of these strange deaths.

[Ashley]

Unfortunately this book was a DNF for me. It could be a case of the wrong book at the wrong time, but I made it halfway through and felt zero connection to the characters.

The story was okay, but I really just didn’t care who committed the murders or how they were solved.

A big thank you to Book Publicity Services for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rowena Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Comfort of Distance had an interesting premise, especially as I have a fondness for crime fiction that focuses on a different aspect of the investigation which this one does with its inclusion and focus on forensic anthropology. The author clearly knew what he was writing about, and the anthropology parts were rich and detailed, and although there were a few places where it might be a little too technical, this was a fascinating aspect that really set the book apart. For me personally, I love that level of detail and find that it only adds to the realism of the narrative.

However, where this book really shines is with its characters. Sebastian was a fascinating character who really carried the book, not just with his knowledge and experience of forensic anthropology but with his personality, and with the growth that we see throughout the book. He was intellectually gifted, passionate about his specialism, and this was paired with a man who was socially awkward and anxious, and both sides of him were written beautifully and realistically. His brother Hank was very different, and I enjoyed seeing how these two contrasting personalities learned to work together, and it made for a very interesting dynamic, especially as the author balanced professional and personal life very well throughout the book.

The supporting cast isn’t forgotten in the slightest, written with careful and believable detail to flesh out the world and story, and while they were not necessarily likeable, they each brought something essential to the story. They were introduced fairly rapidly and across a variety of scenes, so it can be a little difficult to get them all straight in the beginning, but it doesn’t take long for their voices to shine through, and to see the development. Beyond the mystery and police investigation, this is a very human story, and that is because of the characters and reflected in how they are written.

The Comfort of Distance is well written and engrossing, but I would not say it is a fast-paced or gripping crime story in the typical sense, and that is not a bad thing. In the beginning, the prologue hooks us immediately into the story, setting the tone for the writing and the scene that we find ourselves in, however, the rest of the book is more of a slow burn read. This is about the investigation, and that has the details and information that requires a slower pace, which when paired with the human aspect of the story – the characters and their lives beyond the investigation – again which necessitates that slow burn in order to gain the depth and development that makes this book so enjoyable. However, that is not to say that the author doesn’t include moments of tension, particularly those set in the mountains, which in many ways are heightened against the slower, softer background. This is paired with shorter chapters, which keep the pacing moving and make for an easy read. So, while this is not action-packed, it is still an engrossing read.

I very much enjoyed The Comfort of Distance, it was readable and believable and had a brilliant cast of characters, and I am delighted that this is the first in the series so we will get to see more of Sebastian in the future.

[Jennie Louwes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Comfort of Distance is equal parts forensic mystery, police procedure and character study, with dashes of comedy and romance thrown in." This book is all those things and more!

One of my absolute favorite lines, showcasing that dash of comedy, is found on page 247 in which a police interrogation is taking place. One of the main characters, Hank, says to a suspected criminal, "Well, slap my butt and start the rodeo. This is just fine!" Incredibly original, smart, and smile-inducing for those who have spent a day or two at the rodeo.

The characters are believable. The situations in which they find themselves equally so. The scientific terms electrifying, easy to understand, providing a depth of gravity and truth that adds appreciated layers to this robust read.

Anthropologist Dr. Sebastian Grey is a multi-faceted character. One you will look forward to following after. As the main character, he reminds me of actor Laurent Capelluto's portrayal of Franck Siriani in the French-Belgian television show "Black Spot". Someone who is highly intelligent but with his own set of idiosyncrasies that makes him come across as awkward. In Sebastian Grey's case, many of the awkward moments are home-spun; meaning, he is plagued by his own insecurities.

I lived in Wyoming and spent many moons within the Black Hills of South Dakota. The descriptions, with a nod to Sturgis, the setting of Custer, all prominent within The Comfort of Distance made my heart stir, vibrate, and hum with fond remembrance. For those that haven't explored the State of South Dakota, this book will take you there! By the end of the read, you will know what it's like to taste the dust in the wind, know the value of water, and see landscapes in a whole new way. Through the lens of an anthropologist, you'll be brought into a wilderness where the eyes of hawks and eagles see, plain as day, what others miss.

A masterful tale, with just the right amount of humanness; outside of minor typo's scattered here and there, close to perfect. With main characters so real you'll be thankful you won't have to say, "Goodbye!" We'll meet Dr. Sebastian Grey again, and when we do perhaps we'll learn to understand more of why he is the way he is. There's more than one mystery waiting to be unraveled and I look forward to getting to the bottom of them all.

Five-stars are given without hesitation. I highly recommend it!

*I received an advance review copy, via Reedsy Discovery, in exchange for my honest review.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a copy of The Comfort of Distance audiobook by the author in exchange for an honest review. There are several positives to this book but unfortunately what let it down for me was the distracting writing.

Good authors leave a reader with space to create an image in their mind. They might talk about the flash of a dazzlingly white smile, or the sheen on an expensive suit. Other writers have a certain vision they want to convey so they overplay the details until it becomes nauseating. It's a common complaint of mine - I don't want to read about every single item of clothing a character is wearing, and exactly how their hair is placed, nor do I want to read a play where every stage direction is listed with excrutiating detail. Don't tell me a character stopped their shiny grey BMW, opened the car door and strolled to the crime scene when you can just say the character pulled up at the scene. I'm interested in the plot and character development: the two main ingredients that drive the story forward.

Clumsy writing aside, the character development in this book was great. I really enjoyed getting to know Dr. Sebastien Grey. He made me think of Don Tillman from The Rosie Project at times, and he made for a refreshingly flawed central character with his social challenges. His relationship with his brother Sgt. Hank LeGris was interesting and both characters provided a great juxtaposition. Overall all of the characters felt unique enough for me to care about them (despite all of them having a very similar sarcastic sense of humour).

I appreciated the detailed research that went into the portrayal of Sebastien's forensic anthropology work and Tiffany's character provided a good conduit to unpack some of the technical terminology and concepts that were discussed.

The pacing of the book was quite leisurely and the shorter chapters made for an easy read. It definitely wasn't action packed or a page-turning who-dunnit, and the ending kind of crept up on me without any consequence as the crime had already been stepped out very early on in the piece.

Overall it just didn't do it for me.

[Selena | Beauty's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5

I received a free copy of through Book Publicity Services. I was given this to read in return for an honest review. Thank you so much!

This was an interesting read, to say the least. A generally, quick read, being only about 267 pages.

We see several moving parts, jumping around a lot over different perspectives and points of the story, and for me, that took away from our main character Sebastien. I really enjoyed following Sebastien, our socially awkward forensics guy. I enjoyed seeing him get in the zone around the cases - though this occasionally became a drag as we got some overly descriptive scenes. But I didn’t mind this that much. I did enjoy hearing his thought process and the details he saw for the most part. I also liked seeing him become a much more confident person from where he was at the beginning of the book.

This captivated me from the start with a prologue that really sets the tone for this crime novel. I wanted to know what had led up to the prologue and what happened after those events we see. And I will say, when we finally got there, I was a bit disappointed. It felt a little anti-climatic when the details around the prologue finally came out. It was sort of a yeah this happened, and we’re moving on now. I just expected a little more.

But despite that, I did thoroughly enjoy reading this. I found the premise fascinating. It was an easy read. And I loved our main character Sebastien, I definitely want to see what happens next for him!

If you like crime novels on the shorter side that really get into the details of forensics, definitely consider picking this one up!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Comfort of Distance is an enjoyable and light mystery with relatable characters that drew me in from the get-go. It was a breath of fresh air to read a story that wasn't loaded with gore and extreme violence (even though gore and violence are my go-to when it comes to mystery/thrillers).

Police procedural/forensic books aren't usually my *thing*, but I found myself completely enthralled by the author's brilliant writing and story-telling; everything came together at the end like missing pieces to a puzzle. On top of that, Ryburn Dobbs taught biological anthropology and forensic anthropology, giving the story a degree of credibility, not to mention authenticity. I will most definitely be checking out the second installment to the Sebastien Grey series!

If you're a fan of true crime and forensic science (specifically anthropology), I think this is the perfect book for you!

A big thank you to Kelsey from Book Publicity Services for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Book Publicity Services and the author for my gifted copy!

I went into this one with a lot of excitement, and there were some great things about the book. I loved the deep dive into the work of a forensic anthropologist. There was a lot of jargon thrown in there, but it was also explained in layman’s terms and I felt like I was learning a lot. I also really enjoyed reading the details of an investigation from the detective’s side.

I did think that having everything revealed up front took away a lot of the excitement for me. I like to read these kinds of books and guess who the killer is (and usually get it wrong). But in this story, there was no shocking reveal or any real twists.

I also felt that I didn’t really get to know any of the characters. They all had the exact same sarcastic tone to them, and it made me feel very aware that I was reading a book instead of being immersed in the story.

Overall, although I felt that there were some aspects missing, I enjoyed the detailed look at how anthropology is related to crime. I also enjoyed seeing more of the detective side of things!

[katelyn fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars for me. i would like to say thank you for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange of a honest review! i was so pleasantly delighted and surprised throughout this book. i’m not much of a crime reader and i didn’t know how much i would like this book; but i loved it! i definitely will be checking out more crime/mystery books.

the forensic view throughout the book is so captivating and unique. you can also see the clear research that the author put in to the forensic view and we had the character Tiffany kind of guide the reader into an easier understanding of the terminology.

the character development was amazing; getting to learn about the main character, sebastien grey. the pacing of the book was just right and having short chapter are always my favorite (in my opinion it tends to keep me more captivated compared to long chapters). i highly recommend for everyone to check this book out! you’ll be kept entertained and captivated the whole way through. thank you again!💗

[Holly | Holly’s Book Nook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Human remains have been discovered in the Black Hills piece by piece. Rumors fly and fear of a rogue mountain lion continues to grow. Sgt. Hank LeGris is under pressure to solve the case and find out who the dead are. In over his head, Hank is forced to call on his estranged brother, forensic anthropologist Dr. Sebastian Grey.

Unfortunately, this just wasn’t the book for me. For being such a short book, it took me forever to get through it and I found myself, more often than not, avoiding picking it up. I really enjoyed the main character, Sebastian, because he was so intelligent and knowledgeable about forensic anthropology. The topic was very interesting! I love true crime so that part of the book I did connect with. But ultimately, the rest just fell flat. At times I felt like big words were thrown in just to be used and that came off as very pretentious. What brought me down to two stars in the end was how the story never gripped me and nothing really excited me. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Book Publicity Services for my gifted copy.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Comfort of Distance by Ryburn Dobbs
A Sebastien Grey Novel #1

Excellent story that drew me in from the first page and kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning!

What I liked:
* Sebastien Grey: quirky, intelligent, forensic anthropologist, that has issues…or thinks he does. I can’t wait to learn more about him. Loved the way his mind worked problems. He intrigued me.
* Hank LeGris: detective, husband, father, brother to Sebastien – I like him at work and at home with his wife and daughter
* That both Sebastien and Hank were brilliant in their own way.
* Tiffany Reese: policewoman, good at her job, intrigued by Sebastien, excellent potential for her and Sebastien in the future.
* The supporting characters: have a feeling some will show up in future books
* The dynamics between Sebastien and Hank
* The plot, writing and story – couldn’t put it down.
* The location in South Dakota
* Learning about mountain lions and bones…always enjoy learning something new.
* That it was believable
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* The ease with which the MC members could be violent
* Having to wait for the next book in the series.

Did I enjoy this book? Definitely
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Without a doubt!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dandiprat Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the inaugural The Comfort of Distance by Ryburn Dobbs, skeleton parts and body parts are being found in different parts of the wooded landscapes of the Black Hills in South Dakota.

At the same time, scientists are tracking a GPS-tagged mountain lion in fears the mountain lion may be preying on humans in the area.

Hoping to dispel possible widespread panic over a possible human eating mountain lion and to learn more of the remains, Custer County Sheriff's Sergeant Hank LeGris has received approval to enlist the help of his estranged brother, anthropologist and forensic scientist, Dr. Sebastien Grey.

Grey, with issues of his own, including a disorder where he finds distance from people more comforting than close relationships, agrees and soon finds himself in an environment, both landscape and people wise, that will test his abilities.

The Comfort of Distance is an enjoyable police procedural and mystery novel. The characters are likable and the story interesting. While the opening part of the novel would have benefited from tighter editing, the writing does gather its footing as the novel proceeds.

[Kate Blythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I want to express how much I loved Sebastian’s character. I felt as though I could connect and emphasise with the difficulties Sebastian faces when in new social situations. The author has done such a good job of bringing Sebastian’s character to life. I also loved that he and his brother Hank are complete opposites in personality.

I loved the anthropology elements to this story. I found it really interesting to read about, especially in a crime novel.

I cannot fault the writing style in this book, I thought the book flowed nicely. I would have liked to have seen some bigger plot twists in the story, however, it was still a really enjoyable read.

Overall, this was a fast paced read, with well developed characters. It is perfect for lovers of mystery/crime novels. I would definitely read more of the author’s work.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Sebastian has social phobias that makes him over analyze situations. On his way to South Dakota he kept talking himself into going all the way there instead of turning around and hiding out at home because he was over thinking the situation. Sebastian turned out to be a big help with the discovery of the bones and the mystery of the mountain lion. He was able to see angles of the situation that the cops didn't think of which really aided in uncovering the truth. I got the vibes of the Criminal Minds TV show from this book. Sebastian reminded me of Spenser Reed with his social phobia/awkwardness but being extremely intelligent. Very good story line and execution. Already ordered the second book and can't wait for more!

[Chrisell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5/5

This was an entertaining, quick read!
I really liked all of the characters, and the intersecting storylines. Sebastien was probably my favorite out of the bunch. He was incredibly smart and perceptive. I loved that he grew throughout the book, and that his relationship with his brother also changed for the better.
Plot wise, the book was solid. The story kept me entertained until the very end. I really appreciated all of the forensic anthropology the book dived into. The only thing I didn’t like is that the ending was a tad bit lackluster. There was no big reveal or crazy plot twist, which I usually prefer in books. However, I still enjoyed the book overall, it got me out of the reading slump I was in!

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Book Publicity Services for a copy of this book to read and review.

I did very much enjoy this book, as well as it being wonderfully written and a really good mystery, I found it a bit educational as well. It was really interesting to read all the forensic anthropological information. It’s something I have always found fascinating.

The characters in this book were so authentic and real, that they were splendid to read. I enjoyed the complexities and growth the characters relationships with each other had.

This book is very detective heavy, which is why I didn’t love it, as I tend to enjoy books with mystery but more thriller/suspense. Still it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend to anyone who likes a good detective mystery story. 🕵️‍♂️ 🦴

[Krista Hajjar-Nejad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Book Publicity Services, Ryburn Dobbs, and Dandiprat Press for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

What an interesting read! The pacing and writing was great. Dr. Sebastien Grey was definitely a likable and quirky character, social phobia and all. Ryburn Dobbs did an excellent job of pacing his character growth throughout this novel. I loved learning about forensic anthropology from his POV and how his work applies to solving crimes.

This is the first book in the Sebastien Grey series. Highly recommend to those who enjoy reading crime fiction/police procedural with some heartfelt family drama and a splash of romance!

[Kat Polcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was overall a good read. What was difficult for me was the many characters that sometimes felt hard to keep track of, however, I did really like the development of them and all of the moving parts and plot points. I loved the anthropology (TV show Bones) aspect of it as I just LOVED that show. I don’t think I would call it a thriller but definitely more mystery/suspense.

Overall this was a good read! Thank you to Book Publicity Services for sending this over! I am so glad I got a chance to read it!

[Herb Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and Sour

It's kind of cute and naive


The problem with the plot is that it's so full of educational anthropological forensic horse play that it's hard to keep reading.The main character Sebastian is a complicated and weird and that helps.But the rest of the book is kind of Simple minded and not particularly well written There's just too much scientific information and explanation of the difference between the almond the femur.