The Sea Detective

By: Mark Douglas-Home

Narrated by: David Monteath

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of The Sea Detective by Mark Douglas-Home.

Cal McGill is an Edinburgh-based oceanographer, environmentalist and one-of-a-kind investigator. Using his knowledge of the waves - ocean currents, prevailing winds, shipping records - McGill can track where objects came from or where they've gone. It's a skill that can help solve mysteries ranging from disappearances to murder.

Two severed feet wash up on two different islands off the coast of Scotland. Forensics shows that the feet belong to the same body. As Cal McGill investigates, he unravels a web of corruption, exploitation and human trafficking, which threatens many lives across the globe - including his own....

©2015 Mark Douglas-Home (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Atmospheric and thought provoking

The human trafficing aspect of this story was stark and brutal but not gratuitous. It is a sad tale in so many ways but well crafted and well read. I enjoyed it immensely. I found myself sitting in the parking lot at work not wanting to disconnect because I wanted to know what happened next!

Interesting premise, but needs lots of editing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

There are too many POVs in this book! In my opinion, there should be only 3--Cal's, Helen's, and Bisanti's. The female police seem too fixated on body size and dating--seems sexist and unprofessional for women who undoubtedly worked hard to get where they are. Cal should be using GIS databases and maps--his "technology" seems pretty dated. Cal was also rather unlikeable--I get that he's complicated and makes mistakes, but he's also pretty rude to people and a bit self-involved. In my opinion, he's also too young. Helen is the one with her act together and there should be more of her and how she thinks and orchestrates her investigative coups. I didn't mind that there were two investigations going on, but they should have been linked thematically somehow--perhaps along the lines of how a failed fishing industry causes economic hardships that in turn, cause some people to make unethical decisions? Overall, this story could have used very heavy editing. It felt very much like a creative writing class project, with the author taking to heart the directive to "show, don't tell." I did not need to listen to a long list of coordinates or what each character was wearing every day. Way too much detail on things that don't matter and no narrative or explanation of events of major importance, such Helen's behind-the-scenes machinations, which are crucial to the plot. I thought the narration by David Monteath was very good.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A novel in the D.C. Smith mystery series, by Peter Grainger.

Which scene was your favorite?

I didn't have any favorites, but I thought the passages set on the island and the Scottish coast were the best.

Could you see The Sea Detective being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Actually, I could see this as an entertaining multi-episode tv show. The editing required for the screen would solve many of this book's problems and the settings and characters would be compelling.

Any additional comments?

These characters have a lot of potential and I hope the author improves with later installments. I may give this series another try.

Interesting idea for a detective but flawed

I loved the idea of a mystery solved by a grad student specializing in ocean currents, but the book was really all over the place. The main character, Cal, is unlikeable, and not in an interesting way. Just immature and jerky. And, the personal mystery about his grandfather turns out to be silly. I can't figure out why he suffered so much angst over a person he'd never met from an island he'd never been to. I think the author was looking for a way to make Cal seem deeper, but it didn't work.

Nevertheless, I listened to the second book in the series, hoping these were first-time novel flaws. They weren't. Mr. Douglas-Home, I hope you're reading these reviews because you're on to something special here. Just try to stick to one storyline about an issue that really matters (e.g., the sex trafficking angle in this book) and don't try to manufacture pathos.

needs updating

I have heard that sometimes television shows or movies are judged by women using a standard question: How many sentences in a row does a woman speak, or how many thoughts does she consider, without referring to herself in reference to a man? in this book, The women are constantly viewed as victims or wistful admirers of men.

Really great new series on audible, do try it

If you could sum up The Sea Detective in three words, what would they be?

Better than expected

Any additional comments?

This mystery series is one of the best. The character development is outstanding, even minor characters are three dimensional. Do not be concerned about eco warrier stuff, it is not offensive and truly a minor part of the main character. I hope the third book in this series will be available on audible soon as I am already loving the second book.

Excellent Interweaving Themes

Would you listen to The Sea Detective again? Why?

Yes. The imagery is really good.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cal

What about David Monteath’s performance did you like?

He captures the eccentricities of the hero.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the woman Inspector gets control of the case.

Any additional comments?

Well written book with important social themes.

Good story, bogs down at times

I enjoyed this, but felt is slowed at times, and got a bit heavy handed with some of the historical/family background. Some folks like that, i just didnt. Still, i'm glad i got it and would recommend.

Flawed gem

When I came across this book, I was excited to discover a new writer it seems to be very interesting, and, for the most part, I very much enjoyed the story, including all of the nerd alert details, the settings, and and I found the narration to be delightful.

Excellent in every way!

This book has everything I love:
A dark mystery, a window into the past way of life on Scottish outer islands , and another looking into India .
A brilliant young man who's knowledge of the sea gives him the ability to solve what has seemed unsolvable and a clever policewoman won't let anyone stand in her way.
I'm thrilled to have found this author and am going to listen to his next book immediately!

Secrets of the sea

I loved this book the Narrator was wonderful An eye opening and touching story, I suggest that you read this book