Said the Fly

by Laurie Taylor

On a remote Spanish island near the African coast, a young scientist, Epiphany Jerome, is looking for a rare beetle. Instead, she finds a body on an empty beach with a knife sticking out from its back. It's not just another tourist. It's the daughter of Epiphany's landlady and the single mother of an 11-year old girl devoted to Epiphany's small dog, Mostly. As a forensic entomologist trained in the language of insects, Epiphany can tell the police more about the baffling murder than, apparently, they care to know. Epiphany, a Mexican American married to an Italian, still struggles with her Catholic upbringing and is drawn deeper into the secrets of the small harbor town, where traditional values are eroding under the pressures of tourism and Spain's growing economic crisis. A second body turns up: a beautiful hooker from Berlin that Epiphany's husband knows just a little too well. The Medical Examiner requests the entomologist's expertise once more, and this time, the police are very interested in what she has to say. But Epiphany has gone off alone into the island's rugged interior tracking nature's clues, unaware that her life is about to be irrevocably changed.

Genres: Mystery, Novels

220 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2013

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gem of a book is delightful, and thought-provoking, in so many ways. The setting, a small (fictionalized) Canary island is described so vividly, with all its varied scenery - I loved the cloud forest descriptions - and colorful characters, that I felt as if I had been a visitor there myself. The quirky community of Spanish locals and globetrotting expats pops off the page - especially Epiphany Jerome (such a great name), the sharp, multifaceted, totally engaging main character, whose expertise in forensic entomology launches her into a new career as a detective. She is down-to-earth, unflappable, and completely unique and original in her perceptions and actions. Author Laurie Taylor's knowledge of entomology is impressive: The minute descriptions of flies, larvae and the complex biological processes in which they participate are surprising and fascinating.

Epiphany's reflections on the cultural and sociopolitical realities that surround her, on psycho-emotional dynamics and, especially, on her own cross-cultural marriage to Mimmo - another great name - are witty and original, profound and poignant. The tension of the plot builds steadily, with unexpected twists and turns that had me biting my nails and staying up way past my bedtime.

Epiphany Jerome is a very smart and cool, modern-day "Meez Marple", and I can't wait to read her next case.

[Robin]

This is the first book I have won in the giveaways! That was exciting in of itself and then I got to read the book! I was not too keen on the "fly" at the beginning but after awhile the story carries itself so you find yourself learning and reading and solving the mystery at the same time! A great read and I look forward to more from Laurie Taylor!

[Ola Dimeji · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few books I have read where the science is not only not contrived, it was a biologist's dream of a book. Entirely plausible all the way.

[Marla Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways - Yahoo and thank you Laurie Taylor! I enjoyed reading this book very much. The characters were well developed and very colorful. The setting of the story was important and it sounds like a beautiful place. The twist that the main character, Epiphany, is an entomologist meant that I learned a little scientific info as I was reading. Included was a chapter from Laurie Taylor's next book in this series. Very nice bonus. I am excited to read the next one!

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting mystery from a unique perspective in an exciting location.

[Nathaniel Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laure Taylor has created a page turner of a murder mystery that was well written and fun or read. Her knowledge of insects allowed the story to ring through. Located on an exotic island, the book proved to be a fun and easy read.

[Rory Flynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and brisk murder mystery with an engaging protagonist. forensic information delivered in a clear manner. 1st in a series. Will definitely pick up the next.

[Harry Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurie wrote a good murder mystery book. The main characters were on vacation and found a body on the beach. The main character offers to lend a hand to the local police. Don't worry, it was set on a fake island. Even though it was fake, if I close my eyes, I can see the island clearly. She described it beautifully and developed the characters well though out the book. It was a very believable story and the characters felt real. There was nothing over the top nor once did I think that she did anything crazy to forward the story along as some writers often do. I would recommend reading it yourself.

[Joan Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I’m looking forward to Laurie’s next book. I had not heard of this author before but this book looked interesting so I listened to most of it on Audible and about 1/4 of it I read on Kindle. The narration on Audible is beautiful. I really appreciated all the research that went into the book as well.

[Audrey Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer reading for people who appreciate geeky science facts embedded in an adventure story. This book is atmospheric and adventurous, taking place on a far-away Spanish island. It's very international (Mexican-American detective in the Spanish Grand Canary, married to an Italian husband from Germany) which might feel like a mouth-full for some people, but as a mixed-culture individual myself, I actually felt comforted by it. The main character, Epiphany Jerome, goes rogue and takes on a murder investigation while on vacation, using her knowledge of bugs to "read" the corpse that was found face-down on the beach. Epiphany has a distinct southern California voice, but at the same time the author's writing is straight-forward, grounded, and honest. For anyone who *doesn't* need more navel-gazing, overwritten novels, I think this kind of book is the perfect refresher. I'm looking forward to seeing how the character of Epiphany Jerome develops in her upcoming books.

[Carol Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mystery. The main character, Epiphany Jerome, is a forensic entomologist vacationing on an island and becomes embroiled in helping to solve a murder. I always feel it is an added bonus when I can learn something new while reading for enjoyment. This book is fast-paced with well-developed characters of many ethnic backgrounds and great descriptions of island life. The story is plausible and plays out well without the over-the-top endings that lose me in other books. The book contains a bonus chapter at the end introducing the next Epiphany Jerome mystery.

I very much liked the author's dedication to her mother which states "who, among other things, taught me to read."

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Marnie Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book - in great part due to a refreshing heroine. She's offbeat, contentious at times, but utterly likeable still and sometimes too smart for her own good. Her curious nature embroils her in a murder mystery that at times makes you feel like she is in way over her head, which can definitely cause some nervous heart-pounding as you page-turn your way to what you hope will be a favorable outcome.
I certainly hope more Epiphany Jerome mysteries are on the way! I'm now a Laurie Taylor fan all the way!

[Darla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something about the style in which it was written bugged me (no pun intended--fly, oh, dear). It was just like someone talking in a run-on sentence without true dialogue. Instead it was more a description of someone talking. He said this and then I said this and then he said this with no direct quotes. It was dry and hard to read. I had to keep putting it down. It makes me frustrated, because the reviews were so good and the premise so fascinating. I didn't see any reviews that seemed to echo this. Can anyone relate to what I'm saying or put it in better words??

[Rabid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is enjoyable story mixes science, wit, intrigue and mystery in a suspenseful, thought provoking tale. Set on a fictional Canary Island, Dr Epiphany Jerome, an entomologist, becomes embroiled in the hunt for a murderer. I loved the descriptions, the colourful locals, tension and interesting scientific facts included in the well written story. I received this book under no obligation from the author in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this procedural crime tale with a lady biologist applying her extensive knowledge of insect behaviour and plant habitats to solve a murder. The story would have benefited from a more extensive character development and action, but perhaps that will come in subsequent stories with the lead character. I am thankfull to have received this book through Goodreads Giveaway.

[Geraldine Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced and intriguing novel. I enjoyed the character descriptions, the setting, the plot and the solving of the crimes. The heroine was particularly well crafted by this first time author .I look forward to more books by this author; hopefully this is the beginning of a series.

[Dawn Pillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I hope there is another! I found the characters interesting, the story kept me engaged, loved the characters names, Epiphany is such a Great character, the science was an added bonus, I have never read a book like this. I am looking forward to many more

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the details of this investigation that came from the point of an entomologist, it gave the story a different, fresh perspective.

[Nicholas]

Goodreads win. Review to come