The Naturalist

The Naturalist, Book 1

By: Andrew Mayne

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

An Amazon Charts bestseller.

Professor Theo Cray is trained to see patterns where others see chaos. So when mutilated bodies found deep in the Montana woods leave the cops searching blindly for clues, Theo sees something they missed. Something unnatural. Something only he can stop.

As a computational biologist, Theo is more familiar with digital code and microbes than the dark arts of forensic sleuthing. But a field trip to Montana suddenly lands him in the middle of an investigation into the bloody killing of one of his former students. As more details, and bodies, come to light, the local cops determine that the killer is either a grizzly gone rogue...or Theo himself. Racing to stay one step ahead of the police, Theo must use his scientific acumen to uncover the killer. Will he be able to become as cunning as the predator he hunts - before he becomes its prey?

©2017 Andrew Mayne (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Fantastic! I loved this book!!

When a young woman is killed by a bear while on a camping trip with her boyfriend Professor Theo Cray gets involved. The woman had once been a student of his. Theo is not convinced that it was an animal, he's positive that a man did this. A man killing like an animal would kill.

In an attempt to prove his theory he begins to look for other animal killings that have gone unsolved. When he locates the body of a woman previously assumed missing, he becomes the prime suspect until the police determine that it was another animal killing.

Cray is now driven to find more. With the help of a sophisticated computer program and his biological background he discovers more. Upon meeting an anthropologist with information dating back to the 1980's of an attack by maybe a mountain lion, maybe a man dressed up like a mountain lion. Cray now thinks he's found this murderers beginnings.
This book starts out a little slow as you get background info, it increasingly speeds up until it like a roller coaster and by the end... forget it! This is a downward spiral with nail biting, stomach twisting suspense! I absolutely love books like this and listened to it in one day.

Will Damron does a fantastic job narrating. I don't think anyone could possibly do any better.

This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!
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An Intense Thriller

I found myself unable to put down this thriller focused on a "science nerd" biologist who works to hunt down a serial killer in the wilds of Montana. I found the story to be both engaging and terrifying and will probably listen to book two in the series to see how things resolve. I agree that the story requires a strong degree of suspension of disbelief--but many blockbuster type movies require this as well, without diminishing the experience. Do be aware that the book contains graphic violence and the occasional discussion of real life serial killers--both of which can be very disturbing. My best advice is to proceed with caution and that this title might not be for the faint of heart listener.

Great Story

This is my first time reading Andrew Maine’s books. So captivating! Will definitely read more!

Serial Killer Thriller

I had to take a step away from this book so that I could properly gather my thoughts. First and foremost, this book was awesome. It was a fun read that had me thinking about it long after I’d stopped listening to it. Both on nights I was reading it and once I finished it. The two main characters in this Theo Cray and the antagonist were well written but felt a little stereotypical at times.

Dr. Cray was an insanely smart biologist who happened to stumble into one of the most prolific serial killers ever when a former student of his is murdered. He wasn’t close to her but felt a connection nonetheless. And because of this connection, he decides to look further into what they are calling a bear attack. He uses computer software and complex algorithms to figure out the killer’s path along with potential other victims.

Like I said above, the story was excellent. The pacing was really well done too. It would get really good and then slow down a bit to calm my heart and then speed up again. It was hard to put down.

Mayne was able to write a serial killer that was both stereotypical and different. The biggest stereotype and the piece that bugged me the most was the killers past. I won’t get too into it because it will spoil a big part of the book — but I could be more sensitive to this specific topic.

If you like serial killer thrillers or technology fueled craziness then The Naturalist is for you. Theo Cray might be the Sheldon Cooper of technology-fueled cold case solving.

I will be picking the other book in this series up, especially if it’s released on audio like this was. Will Damron did a great job with Cray and the killer (at the end). It was really well narrated and kept me on the edge of my seat

Didn’t waste your time

I’m so glad I only paid a few dollars for this. To make the story plausible, every one but the main character and his friends are idiots. While the science aspect is interesting most of the time, the stupidity of all the other characters is grating on the nerves.

Wow I loved this book!

Very different than my normal read but couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a change from your normal mystery/thriller give The Naturalist a try. You won’t be sorry you did!

Protagonist got on my nerves

The premise of the story was interesting and the methods by which the protagonist went about discovering evidence using novel uses of conventional science was good.

Beyond that, the protagonist constantly, and I mean CONSTANTLY, made decision after decision that made no sense and uselessly made what he was trying to accomplish harder. On top of that, despite how brilliant he was, he failed to predict or understand somethings that seemed to point to his unexpected lack of common sense beyond his social awkwardness. Also, this is a regular guy, right? Not one with body of Superman, correct? How come he is constantly landing in the hospital in a very short time frame and is able to go right back out and engage in his very physical investigations?

Law enforcement throughout the entire story was actively bad and was only helpful when the protagonist conned his way into getting the answers/assistance he needed from. This just continued no matter how much evidence this guy literally dug up.

Infuriating.

Finally, the ending left much to be desired and was unsatisfying..

strangely awesome

Theo is the most unbelievable and believable character I've ever had the pleasure to know. I loved the strange tidbits of science. I found it hard to believe that a professor would throw his teaching career away to catch a murderer until I understood Theo's motives. I didn't care for the narrator's voices that much but it really didn't detract from the book at all. the story is compelling. well done. I will be diving into the second book

Slow start but really enjoyed it once it got going

Slow start but once it got going it was good. Interesting story and good climax.

suspense

this book will keep you on your toes trying to figure out his guilty. highly recommend