A Feast of Carrion

Publisher's Summary

St Benjamin's Medical School is the greatest of its kind, any death occurring within its walls would have created ripples within the academic world, but the death of Nikki Exner is far from being ordinary. Raped, and then grotesquely executed, her theatrical murder horrifies everyone.

John Eisenmenger, a former forensic pathologist, finds himself dragged unwillingly into the case. Teaming up with solicitor Helena Flemming, Eisenmenger sets out to discover what really did happen to Nikki Exner.

Eisenmenger and Flemming find there is much more at stake than uncovering the identity of a murderer: there are scores to be settled, demons to be exorcised, and, not least, vengeance to be had.

©2003 Keith McCarthy (P)2009 Isis Publishing Ltd

excellent book

excellent well written captivating kept me on the edge of my seat one of the best medical murder I have read so far. Hihly recommend

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

My new series obsession

I can't remember how I stumbled onto this title, or for that mtter how I missed it for so long. It was published in 2003 but the audio produced in 2008. Unappreciated IMHO, this book is on a par with titles by Michael Robotham and Tana French, and that refers to characters, story and performance. The medical subject material is very well done (small wonder, turns out the author is a pathologist!) and I like how certain aspects of the suspense are left open-ended. I plan to work my way through the series in order, at least until I hit a clunker.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Excellent - tightly written, original

This book was a real treat - I'd never heard of Keith McCarthy before but I'll be getting more of his books after reading this one.

I was drawn into the plot from the first few chapters. There's a bit of gore (a nasty murder) but overall the book isn't too gory or filled with gratuitous violence. The lives of all the characters are well fleshed out and quite complex and the plot remains interesting throughout the book.

I think if you like Ruth Rendell or PD James' books you'd like this.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

I love the narrator and the book

I am always on the lookout for good "mysteries/thrillers", narrated by good readers. This book fit the bill. The plot was very interesting; the writing was concise and intelligent. The reader was very good, and kept my interest throughout.
I will listen to the next Eisenmenger book by this author "The Silent Sleep of the Dying".

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

TERRIFIC SUSPENSE!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Well written and superb narrator. Can't wait to read his other books.

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

John Lee has been my favorite narrator for many years but Sean Barrett is a close second.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It keep me listening into the wee hours

Any additional comments?

Well worth the credit for an excellent writer and narrator!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Dark, gruesome but well written

Would you try another book from Keith McCarthy and/or Sean Barrett?

I'm not sure I'm always in the mood for the gruesome detail of his murder scenes. His characters are mostly twisted, treasonous, aggressive opportunists who see life as "a thing of smoke and tears."

What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love his narrations. He has just the right twist of humor in McCarthy's brilliantly ironical character descriptions.

Any additional comments?

It's a good read as far as the glittering style is concerned, but I was repulsed by the atmosphere of squalor and the poor character development.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Liked it.

Would you try another book from Keith McCarthy and/or Sean Barrett?

Already have. Enjoy Sean Barrett and searching his performances I discovered McCarthy. Pleasantly surprised. Though formulaic the characters are a little off the norm. Not always likable and in difficult relationship situations. Engaging.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No. It wasn't that suspenseful. It was defiantly engaging and I did want to know the outcome though I did put it down frequently.

What aspect of Sean Barrett’s performance would you have changed?

Sean is talented. At times he starts performance at the top so there is no where for character to grow. Character is one note.

Did A Feast of Carrion inspire you to do anything?

I bought another McCarthy and Barrett book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Showed such promice

I thought this book was going to be so good and enjoyed all of the chapters until the end.

10 of 16 people found this review helpful

Interesting storyline and plot

Good book for a long drive or over a period of time. The beginning is a little slow but important and comes together by the end. Overall a good book.

Bravo

What did you love best about A Feast of Carrion?

I just loved the whole book from start to finish. Keith you are one of the best authors, your characters are so real. Your sense of humour is genius

A Wonderful Series

If you haven't yet heard Keith McCarthy's great series start with this one, then make certain you listen to all the others.

This is perhaps the best forensic murder series ever and I throughly recommend them.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

A great listen

I have only just discovered this author, and am hooked. Detailed descriptions of grisly crimes, combined with well rounded and interesting characters make for an intersting and absorbing book. I loved it. Well read also by Sean Barret. Recommended.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Superb beginning to a great series

This is the first book in a series featuring John Eisenmenger and believe me it is a fantastic start. The characters are clearly described, well rounded and full of surprises. Brilliantly narrated by Sean Barrett, the book comes alive and each intricate description builds a whole picture in the mind. I found this book spellbinding.
The reading pace is perfect, the narration is perfect and each character is clearly identifiable in the reading.

If you like forensics coupled with a good thriller you should put this one on your list!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

A powerful book brilliantly narrated

As is often the case I will try a new author if Sean Barrett is narrating it. He is by far the finest narrator on the audible network. This performance was up to standard and the book was deliciously gory. Will try more in the series.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Superb Forensic Thriller

I came accross this book whilst searching for novels read by Sean Barret, my favourite narrator. This superb story is set within the confines of a prestigious medical school.
The story begins with the discovery of the body of a beautiful female medical student, who has been murdered in a brutal and bizzarre fashion.
The author Keith Mcarthy is a trained forensic pathologist, and it really shows. ;the procedural methods in the book are described in graphic detail and with so much accuracy that it puts the attempts of many crime novelists to describe a crime scene or a post mortem, to shame. This is not to say that the book is clinical or cold, far from it, Mcarthy is a truly gifted writer, hes descriptive powers are vivid and his vocabulary is vast.
The authors ability to project the emotions and frailties of his characters truly allows the reader to even empathize with some of the more grotesque members of Mcarthy's cast.
I can only assume that it's some of the graphic descriptions of violence and sex that has stopped Mcarthy becoming top of the best seller list on a regular basis.
Sean Barret is as usual brilliant, his narration brings every character to life, his ability
to differentiate each individual characters voice is remarkable.
I am a massive fan of the modern crime novel and enjoy reading and listenning to most of today's top writers, I would have to put Keith Mcarthy into my top 10 favourites, I truly believe this book, the first in the series, is an absolute must read for any crime novel fan.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

A FEAST OF CARRION

Purchased this after reading the reviews.I was not disappointed.The many characters were well fleshed out and I was guessing who 'dunnit' till the unexpected end.The reader did a fine job on a well written book. I'm now looking forward to the next book.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

A Feast of Carrion

I have never felt the urge to write a review before even though I have listened to many, many good books. This book, however, is totally brilliant. The writing is extremely good; the reading superb and the story line faultless with unexpected twists and turns. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone who enjoys well crafted, gripping crime novels. I can't wait for my drive home tonight to listen to another book written by Keith McCarthy and read by Sean Barrett.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Brilliant writer.

The best feature of this book, in my opinion, is the quality of the writing.... not a cliche, not a wasted word, not a trace of irrelevance. The narration is equally brilliant. The withheld star is due to the gruesome but necessary detail ... not to my taste. If you can handle this you will like this book!!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Excellent!

Second Keith Mccarthy book I've listened to. Absolutely brilliant - can't wait to hear the next book. Sean Barrett's performance is superb.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Excellent story, brilliant narration

I am new to Keith McCarthy's books, but this had me riveted. I love the way he tells the story with humour and insight. Sean Barrett's narration is the icing on the cake. My only reservation is that I could do without some of the more unpleasant and explicit detail.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful