A Shortage of Bodies by Gary D. McKay

A Shortage of Bodies Reviews

• 
  Janny

  The story is about dr. Dick Meyer, a 55-year old author who becomes involved in what seems to be a murder case. “seems to be”, because the strange thing is that there is no body. The only thing found is a small box with some hair and some blood that’s left in the yard of Sheriff Jerry Morgan. The victim, Maria Martinez, happens to be a personal friend of dr. Meyer and therefore he is quite eager to assist the sheriff. With the help of Ian MacLennan, a retired Scotland Yard detective, Morgan and Meyer try to find the missing body and solve the case. A case that soon becomes much more complicated when they discover that Mary Martinez is not the only missing person. And again all that’s left is a box with a blood sample and some personal effects.
  
  I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. Gary McKay can write a mystery novel, let’s not argue about that. The Shortage of Bodies really is an enjoyable read, a gripping story and the plot lines are creative. Unfortunately at times the story looses pace because of all the sidetracks that have no connection with the story whatsoever. Most of the characters are two-dimensional, the love-story between dr Meyer and Carol is a bit to “easy” and the end isn’t that surprising.
  
  My final judgement: not badly written at all, a nice read, it won’t be an award winning novel.
• 
  Shirley Schwartz

  I read an electronic edition of this book as an early reviewer selection. I have found all sorts of hidden fictional gems while reading early reviewer books, but not this time. I didn't find that the book was that well-written. There were numerous grammatical and spelling errors throughout. The story line was OK. And some of the characters were likeable. I really liked the ex-Scotland Yard Scotsman Ian. Dick Meyer, the protagonist, and a psychiatrist who works with the police on occasion, was all right, but at times I found it difficult to believe him, and he certainly didn't narrate this story as an educated psychiatrist would have done. Too many "laymanisms" if there is such a word. He narrated like an ordinary guy who did not have a psychiatric background. I found the book dragged in spots and the cross-state manhunt near the end was one of those spots. Also, the motive behind the crimes was a bit far-fetched. I really wouldn't recommend this book.
  
• 
  Barth Siemens

  
  A Shortage of Bodies has a decent plot and a well-executed storyline. However, two things distracted me from enjoying this police procedural more. Most notably, too many witticisms and clever asides upset my reading flow rather than supported the work. My experience with this author is different than with
  Jill Churchill, a mystery author who has a light-hearted, humourous writing style, because the plot is serious. Finally, there were too many spelling and grammar mistakes. Of course, some readers may find these distractions completely tolerable or, in the first case, satisfying. I will not personally recommend this novel.
• 
  Quentin Stewart

  I found A Shortage of Bodies a little difficult to get through. The crime that the book is about is interesting, but the investigation and the use of non-official individuals in the pursuit of the guilty seems to be a little far fetched to me. I enjoyed the story but the use of a book writing psychologists and a just arrived retired police officer from Scotland Yard was really a stretch for me. Yes the sheriff's office appears to be small and in a rural area, but I do not see any sheriff's department calling on friends to help in the solving of a case.
  
  The characters are interesting and there is some comic relief in the fellow from Scotland Yard. I just do not believe that the characters feel real. Dr. McKay may be trying to give all of his readers some analysis as they peruse his book. It is interesting to a point but also gets tiresome as one reads.
• 
  Cyn

  I was disappointed to discover that I didn't enjoy the book at all; I couldn't even finish it because of all the wasteful sidetracks in the form of exposition by narration. It never failed that whenever a new character was introduced, the author took us on a multi-page journey into their past. And in all honesty, it was unnecessary and made me grow bored quickly. That's why I eventually had to put down the book, and that's something I *rarely* do. Also, I never got a good feel for the characters - they all seemed the same, lacking their own distinct 'voice'; very cardboard.
• 
  Deb Novack

  I tried but I just could not finish this book, and I always try to go to the end but this one I could not. I felt there was to much about the past of each new character. I really could not relate to the people as being almost real, as I have in other books. I think the author has talent, but the book was just not my cup of tea. I would always be open to ready another of his books.
• 
  J. Ewbank

  This is a good book by Dr. Gary D. McKay. It was well worth reading. The main chatacter is a sheriff, but there are many other characters which are fleshed out and an integral part of the book. He does a good job with the characters and the plot. No need to retell the story, but any mystery fan will like this book.
  J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"