Extraordinary People

A brutal murder case draws half-French, half-Scottish forensic expert Enzo Macleod into an investigation of a 20-year-old cold case in Paris. The victim was Jacques Gaillard, a prominent academic whose disappearance left behind a series of cryptic clues. Macleod, a former biology professor turned forensic investigator, applies modern scientific techniques to trace Gaillard's final movements and decode the puzzle pieces left behind. His investigation takes him through prestigious academic institutions and historic Paris locations as he reconstructs the victim's past. The investigation forces Macleod to balance his professional obligations with his complex personal life, including relationships with his daughter and a journalist who becomes involved in the case. The killer remains active in the present, working to stop Macleod from uncovering the truth. This first entry in the Enzo Files series explores themes of academic rivalry, institutional power, and the ways past actions continue to influence the present. The novel combines elements of traditional French mystery with contemporary forensic investigation methods.

Readers note the unique forensic details and French setting as highlights of this first Enzo Files novel. Many comment on the realistic portrayal of academic politics and authentic descriptions of locations in France. Positives: - Complex mystery with historical elements - Educational details about forensics - Strong sense of place in French settings - Character development of protagonist Enzo Negatives: - Some find the pacing slow in the first third - A few readers mention confusion with multiple timelines - Several note that forensic descriptions become too technical - Some dislike the romantic subplot Average Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common reader comment: "The forensics are fascinating but can be overwhelming at times." Multiple reviews praise the atmospheric French locations but note this entry requires patience as it establishes the series' foundation.

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🔍 Peter May spent several years living in France and conducted extensive research in Paris while writing this novel, lending authenticity to the book's French settings. 🎓 The protagonist Enzo Macleod's field of expertise, forensic science, was inspired by May's time working on the TV series "Machair," where he became fascinated with modern forensic techniques. ⚜️ The cold case at the center of the plot is based on a real-life series of unsolved murders in Paris during the 1990s. 🏆 "Extraordinary People" is the first book in the Enzo Files series, which went on to win multiple literary awards including the French Prix Ancres Noires. 🔬 The novel features detailed descriptions of actual forensic procedures used by the French police, which May learned through interviews with members of the Police Nationale.