ABOUT THE BOOK
Jessica Ripley didn’t kill her ex-husband. But everyone thinks she did. After serving twelve years for his murder, it’s time to get her own back on those who put her inside.
During those twelve years, Jessy’s son, Michael, has turned against her. Whatever mercy Jessy had for her intended victims, just blew away.
CSI Eddie Collins is having a hard time watching his father enjoying life. He’s also having it tough in the form of two new recruits to his office. One is off his tree on drugs and the other wants his job.
And then the murders begin. Can Eddie trust the evidence, or is someone twisting it, desperate to get even? And who did kill Jessy’s ex?
MY REVIEW
This is my introduction to the CSI Eddie Collins series. Even though it is Book 5 it actually reads well as a standalone.
Told in the points of view of Eddie Collins and Jessica Ripley, the story is fast-paced and engrossing.
This was the moment she’d dreamed of for the last decade; the moment she finally made arrangements to see Michael again. And in all the dreams of this moment, she’d been jumping up and down, tears of pure happiness spilling down her cheeks, a rush of anticipation churning her stomach. But she felt cold. Numb. Empty. “All it needs is your signature,” he said. “And my signature. And then you can see him.” Jess allowed herself a tentative smile. “Do you have a pen?” …She flipped the page and signed again, handing him back the pen and folding her arms tightly, scared that she would start to shiver. What the hell was going on? He stood in silence for a long time, pen still in his outstretched hand, trembling slightly. And then he cleared his throat, and said, “Before I sign… I want you to do something for me.”
Jessica was framed for her abusive husband’s death losing 12 year’s of her life and access to her son. Her anger builds at the people who let her down and revenge is sweet.
Eddie had grown a skin so thick that no one could break in ever again. He’d also developed a cunning master plan for keeping people out – acidity. This gruff exterior wasn’t something nature had bestowed upon him; it was something he’d grown, something he’d worked at, and it had kept him safe until now.
Eddie Collins is one sarcastic and unlikeable dude, but he knows how to thoroughly investigate a scene. When the new chief and his nepotism cause distrust and chaos in the office Eddie and his colleagues threaten to leave, but their expertise is needed to solve a series of murders that hit close to home.
I admit I laughed several times at Eddie’s quips and insults though I understand why he finds his face brushing a fist a few times. He comes across as tough but he admits he loves his job and cares about the victims.
The characters are diverse and interesting with vulnerabilities and strengths that are relatable.
A great suspense thriller that will make you laugh, cringe and make you angry all at once. Looks like I will need to start from Book 1. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Mr. Barrett and Book on the Bright Side for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given.
CSI Eddie Collins Series
1. The Pain of Strangers (2022)
2. Black By Rose (2013)
aka No Time to Die
The Lift (2015)
3. Sword of Damocles (2015)
aka The Hammer Falls
4. Ledston Luck (2016)
aka The Long Revenge
The Note (2017)
The Lock (2019)
5. The Death of Jessica Ripley (2019)
6. This Side of Death (2020) – My review
The Crew (2021)
7. Death Warning (2023)
BUY THE BOOK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Barrett has enjoyed variety in his professional life, from engine-builder to farmer, from Oilfield Service Technician in Kuwait to his current role of Senior CSI in Yorkshire.
He’s been a CSI since 1996 and has worked on all scene types from terrorism to murder, suicide to rape, drugs manufacture to bomb scenes. One way or another, Andrew’s life revolves around crime.
In 1997 he finished his first crime thriller, A Long Time Dead, and it’s still a readers’ favourite today, some 150,000 copies later, topping the Amazon charts several times. Two more books featuring SOCO Roger Conniston completed the trilogy.
Today, Andrew is still producing authentic crime thrillers with a forensic flavour that attract attention from readers worldwide.
He’s also attracted attention from the Yorkshire media, having been featured in the Yorkshire Post and interviewed on BBC Radio Leeds. He’s best known for his lead character, CSI Eddie Collins, and the acerbic way in which he roots out criminals, and administers justice. Eddie’s series is five books and three novellas in length, and there’s still more to come.
Andrew has recently discovered the delights of writing stand-alones, with one under his belt another underway.
Andrew is a proud Yorkshireman and sets all of his novels there, using his home city of Leeds as another major, and complementary, character in each of the stories.
You can find out more about him and his writing at www.andrewbarrett.co.uk
Contact: andrew@andrewbarrett.co.uk
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