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Book Summary and Reviews of Blacklight Blue by Peter May

Blacklight Blue by Peter May

Blacklight Blue

The Third Enzo Files

by Peter May

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  • Published:
  • Nov 2008, 326 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Enzo MacLeod, a Scot teaching on a faculty at Cahors in southwest France, confidently bet that he could use his expertise to crack seven notorious murders described in a book on cold cases by Parisian journalist Roger Raffin. Enzo has in fact solved the first two crimes.

But the third is far from his mind right now: he's just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and he's become the victim of someone who seems intent on destroying his credit and his relationships - and getting him arrested for murder. This is one instance where his Scottish stubbornness might pay off.

Having established a safe house to protect his loved ones, besieged now as it were, he sets to work. Are his personal woes somehow connected to the digging he's done into the brutal murder of a rent boy in a Paris apartment sixteen years ago, as Raffin has described? What further remnants of evidence can he review - and can he stay alive long enough to catch the long-hidden killer?

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Those already familiar with the previous two books in the series will be at an advantage." - Publishers Weekly.

"An engrossing mystery, especially for readers who like their crimes solved in foreign settings." - Library Journal.

"A cerebral, chilling tale bound to burnish May's reputation." - Kirkus Reviews.

This information about Blacklight Blue was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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Stephen

Enzo rides again with great success...
I have never been a big fan of authors who stick to writing series on the same character such as Cornwell with Scarpetta. I recognize that these type of series get large fan followers however I feel it limits authors in their imaginative approach to writing. Peter May has his own series here with the Enzo MacLeod character.

With 'Blacklight Blue' it is my introduction to May and his MacLeod series. I was very impressed with May's characters and how true to life they come across with their day to day challenges of life. Enzo is not your super sleuth but is a flawed character that you grow to like.

In 'Blacklight Blue' he is being stalked by a person that wants to ruin his life by affecting the people around him. The goal is to steer Enzo away from trying to solve a series of cold cases referenced in a book by his daughter's boyfriend. I was impressed by how well the forensics breakdown was done.

The book has short chapters much like the Spencer series by Parker. It's an easy read but very well done and extremely entertaining. I think I'm going to go and get the first two books in this series to see if they equal this one in suspense and entertainment.

Penny

Blacklight Blue
I am a fan of all the TV cold case shows, so when I saw this book had to do with solving cold cases, I knew I would probably like it. This is the first book I have read by Peter May and I will definitely read more. I took this book with me on a beach vacation and it was the perfect read. I couldn't put it down. If you like mysteries, this one should be on your list to read. Peter May did a great job of keeping this story interesting. I thought at first the "French" words would distract me, since I am not a fan of reading books where I need to translate words into English; however, they did not. This is a book I will recommend to my "mystery reading book club." There were many characters and situations that would make for great discussions.

Sharon

Blacklight Blue
Blacklight Blue is a highly entertaining thriller featuring Enzo MacLeod in his third and latest installment.

With Enzo as the prime suspect in a murder, he is led down a path of deception and intrigue throughout France, Spain and London.

May’s vivid imagery, fully dimensional characters and unexpected humor completely draw the reader into the story. Although Enzo is portrayed as a roguish, impulsive ladies man, the loyalty towards his daughters proves him quite endearing.

It is an exciting and colorful book that would make a great movie.

Barbara

Blacklight Blue
Wow! Blacklight Blue is a page turner. It had a lot of twists and turns. It is third of a series. I will be reading the first two books of the series and more to come.

Marion

A mystery-solving Scot in France
Another intriguing episode of the Enzo files. In his efforts to solve another cold case in France, Enzo arouses someone determined to stop him by attacks on him and his family. He stubbornly persists and finds the killer.

This series is based on an innovative premise in a well written mystery format.

Peggy

A Mystery inside a Mystery
Tired of the same old mystery book? Want to read something that is original and intense? Then Blacklight Blue is perfect for you. Readers from teens on up will enjoy the build up of suspense in this book. It is indeed a mystery inside a mystery. There is a lot to talk about once you've read this book and despite its size I think it generates a variety of ideas for discussion.

I am so pleased that I had the chance to read it and I can tell you I will be looking for Mr. May's next outing. I've read quite a lot of good books this year and even some truly great ones but for your basic mystery this book is the best. I think it will appeal to teens, adults, book clubs and more. This is British mystery at its best but that's just my opinion. Read it for yourself.

...14 more reader reviews

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Author Information

Peter May Author Biography

Photo: Domi Photographe

Peter May won the Scottish Young Journalist of the Year Award at the age of 21, and had his first novel published at 26. He then left journalism and became one of Scotland's most successful and prolific television dramatists. By the age of 30 he had created two major TV series, The Standard and Squadron, for the British television network, the BBC. He went on to gather more than 1000 TV credits in fifteen years, creating and writing major drama serials for both BBC and ITV in the UK: including the ground-breaking Gaelic serial Machair, which he also produced.

Returning now to novels, the six novels in his outstanding China Thrillers series have won critical acclaim. To research the series, Peter May makes annual trips to China. With an extraordinary network of contacts, he ...

... Full Biography
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