All 3 characters of the story eventually become interwined, and it was overall an entertaining read, and I did like the ending and came to like the characters, but a lot of the first half was slow, and it took me a while to warm to Neal, who I did like by the end, but it still didn't make up for a long first half, nonetheless its still worth a read.

Coffin Road by Peter May | Goodreads

I particularly liked the man who washed up on the beach with no memory. A man who apparently called himself Neal but who—as he sets about rediscovering his life—now realises he was a fraud. And perhaps worse. Neal’s our main narrator and perhaps that’s why I identified most with him. I’m not sure of the scientific veracity of Neal’s memory loss as described in the novel (as dissociative amnesia), but it was interesting that he remembered how to do many things without knowing how he knew how to do them. If that makes sense. This thriller series is popular for the tempestuous relationship between Chinese detective Li Yan, and acerbic American pathologist Dr. Margaret Campbell from Chicago. The China Thrillers landed Peter the only honorary membership of the Chinese Crime Writer’s Association awarded to a westerner for its vibrant portrayal of contemporary Chinese life. Then you have Neal’s lover. Now who is she? And what are all those bee stings about? Why, let’s have some excruciating exposition to explain and how a Swiss agribusiness is ruining the world for future tattooed, multiply pierced, dyed hair, promiscuous, ignorant wee lasses.I was introduced to Peter May by a Goodreads friend (thanks Gary) and am really enjoying his books. This book is his most recent and I looked forward to reading it whenever I had to put it down. He finds himself washed up on a beach with no memories of who he is. With the help of a few clues from people who seem to know him, he finds where he lives, but his house has no more clues to who he is than his own brain is providing.

REVIEW - COFFIN ROAD by Peter May | AustCrimeFiction REVIEW - COFFIN ROAD by Peter May | AustCrimeFiction

What is it like to write a character who is discovering himself at the same time as we are? Was it a challenge? I have no idea where this is. And for the first time since consciousness has returned, I am aware, with a sudden, sharp and painful stab of trepidation, that I have not the least notion of who I am. And in turn, what was it like writing his interactions with characters who do know him? His relationship with Sally in particular is a complex one. In addition to being an accomplished novelist, Peter has also made himself a name and career in the film and television industries. His television career took off with The Standard, in 1978 which was based off of the characters in his first novel, The Reporter. Peter was then the co-creator and writer of Squadron, a series about an RAF rapid deploying squadron that aired on BBC starting in 1982.I thought about dnf-ing this one but then some bee stuff happened and I love bees, so I kept going and then it was too late to abort the mission.

COFFIN ROAD | Kirkus Reviews COFFIN ROAD | Kirkus Reviews

He does seem to be on good terms with the neighbouring couple, even forgetting he is having an affair with the woman, Sally, who is keen to carry things on, and despite not remembering, soon takes Sally to bed. I find him an excellent writer who is very descriptive and paints a picture for the reader without boring them. Three people on different paths in their lives – the danger and peril which was bearing down on them all, unbeknown to each other would become catastrophic. What would be the outcome? Was something terrible going to happen? The third and final chapter of this series, The Chessmen, takes Fin on an investigation to solve an illegal game-hunting crime that reunites him with a face of his past, Whistler Macaskill, and leads him to discover pieces of the past that could destroy the future. The Enzo FilesDetective Sergeant George Gunn has been assigned to investigate the discovery of a body on the Flannan Isles. He does not know the man's identity, who killed him or why, and begins an investigation that seems to have absolutely no clues. On the remote Isle of Harris in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, a man washes up on a deserted beach, hypothermic and completely disoriented. He has no idea who he is or how he got there. This is one of the most abysmally poorly written books I've come across in a long time. I always knew the plot would be far fetched and I've read and watched enough crime fiction and drama to accept things that are hugely unlikely in the name of entertainment, but...