wonderfull new start to a great serie hope to see more in the future

Professor Theo Cray is my new favorite character. This smart, quirky geek of a guy manages to mingle scientific knowledge and serial killer vigilantism while galloping through a twisted plot in which he often entangles himself. While I didn't love this one as much as I loved the first title in the series -- not a fan of CIA, government shadows -- it certainly held my interest. I'm looking forward to more.

I'm a little worried about how much I'm enjoying this series. Some would say that Dr. Theo Cray is a vigilante. While I don't condone this, it's satisfying to see him singlehandedly pursue bad guys without worrying about the consequences. And he must, again, risk everything on this quest. Law enforcement is not helpful and nobody believes him. Worse, the baddie may be protected by someone up high. And he is one of the worst kind of monsters: the kind who preys on children. Theo doesn't want to take the case when a father begs him to find his son, who disappeared years ago. Against his better judgement, he starts pulling at the thread, unravelling a conspiracy and finding a literal boneyard. Why hasn't anyone noticed? These are black, underprivileged kids, so no one cares. I cringed, cheered and worried along with Theo. I'm looking forward to the next volume.

Andrew Mayne's newest thriller Looking Glass picks up a little while after the action of the first book in the series The Naturalist. Dr. Theo Cray has left academia and entered the private sector as a government contractor searching for terrorists using AI. After a conflict in his new position, he travels to Los Angeles to look into a missing child case. Cray quickly finds links to more victims and believes this is the work of a serial killer.
While I thoroughly enjoyed The Naturalist, I had mixed feelings about Looking Glass. Cray's character is well-developed and continues to evolve. Mayne is exceptional at explaining the use of science, from Big Data to advanced biology, to drive the investigation.
While the Professor Cray's character is engaging, the plot of Looking Glass is thin at times. I felt a twinge of unrealism enter the narrative in several places; the cause and effect of character's actions did not add up. I give this book three stars, but I would read another in this series because I like the main character so much.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Mr. Mayne for an advanced copy for review.

Review: LOOKING GLASS by Andrew Mayne [The Naturalist, Book 2]

LOOKING GLASS is the eagerly-awaited second novel/scientific thriller/criminal mystery in author/illusionist Andrew Mayne' s super fantastic THE NATURALIST Series. Computational biologist, mathematical and programming genius, Dr. Theo Cray (formerly Professor, University of Texas-Austin), is without a doubt my favourite protagonist. (I can only think of one other protagonist and one highly important secondary character I admire as much, and both of those are found in John Connolly's Charlie Parker series.) Theo is an exceptional individual, a character who is so self-analytical but almost constantly doubting his human traits, an intellectual genius, a scientist with incomparable value to science, academia, law enforcement, business and industry, government, because he is a savant at spotting patterns. What he doesn't see on his own recognizance, he codes programs to find. He could be so valuable, but bureaucracy and egotism rule, so instead of being applauded, his own academia jettisoned him, certain law enforcement agencies basically despise him, and now he is employed by a subcontractor working on Defense Intelligence Agency research. But you can't keep a facile brain muzzled, and quickly Theo finds himself drawn into a horrid ongoing killing series spanning decades, involving children, international politics, conspiracy and cover-ups--and black magic. I kid you not. Theo nearly didn't survive his first encounter in The Naturalist; he's likely not to survive this either.

Looking Glass (The Naturalist #2) by Andrew Mayne

Second book in The Naturalist Series. I felt a bit of disappointment in the direction the book went after the first book of the series. A lot more violence, swearing It seemed like Theo underwent a personality change from Professor to alpha warrior. A bit confusing at times but fast paced and people who like the action packed, thriller books will most likely enjoy it.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I liked this book because it had me guessing till the end. The ending was believable yet stunning.

It doesn’t seem to matter that Professor They Cray caught a serial killer using new scientific methods; he’s been denied access to his university’s research facilities. It seems there are growing concerns about the death of one of Cray’s former students and his role in it. But like a moth to flame, Cray is drawn to another unsolved case, when the father of a missing boy begs him for help. The only real lead Cray has is a handful of drawings made by the child. Drawings of a scary urban legend known as the Toy Man. Mayne ramps up the suspense in this creepy thriller, one I recommend you read in the daytime

This book was a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller. It had a unique storyline that at times seemed confusing. I did enjoy this book. I received an ARC copy from NetGalley for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.