Blog Tour: Book Review: This Side of Death by Andrew Barrett
Don't you just love it when you get introduced to a new series that you just love? Then, it just gets better and better when you realise that there are five more books in the series. Well, that's exactly how I felt reading this one from Andy Barrett. Andy's characterisation is second to none. He nailed both the chilling serial killer Alex Sheridan , leaving my skin crawling at times. But equally, he nailed troubled, CSI Eddie Collins: Complex, sarcastic, caustic, funny and completely believable. I was totally drawn in.
Then of course there's the plot ... what a bloody stonker. Talk about gobsmacked. In this novel Eddie's life is on the line and not only does he have to deal with that, but he has to deal with an assault of past memories influencing his mood, making him vulnerable. This is Yorkshire writing at its best. All the stars from me!!!
Here's the Blurb
When the past
comes back to hunt you.
Alex Sheridan believes the only way she can be free of her demons is to
kill the men in her life. She has a list, and Crime Scene Investigator Eddie
Collins is on it.
Death misses Eddie by inches, and Alex is locked away in Juniper Hill high-security hospital.
Death misses Eddie by inches, and Alex is locked away in Juniper Hill high-security hospital.
Everything is fine for Eddie until one day four years later, when Alex
escapes. This time she’s better prepared.
The week that follows ruptures Eddie’s life and shatters the belief he
had in his own past, leaving him wondering what really happened, and facing one
stark choice: who to kill and who to save.This Side of Death is the most revealing CSI Eddie Collins novel to date. Prepare to see inside his past and understand what makes him the angriest, most feared, and yet most respected CSI in England.
If you like fast-paced and gripping crime thrillers with a strong
forensic element, you'll love Andrew Barrett's This Side of Death.
It will appeal to fans of Kathy Reichs, Robert Bryndza and Angela Marsons.
My ThoughtsWell, let's start with the elephant in the room ; Alex Sheridan - I love a good (or bad ... really bad) serial killer and Alex Sheridan is just that. Right from the beginning the complexity of her warped mind shone through. She reminded me a little of Gretchen Lowell created by Chelsea Cain ... and I found those books completely addicitive. Barrett nailed her character by giving us little glimpses into what she'd been through and how her mind works - inspired writing.
Then, there's Eddie - You got to love him - cynical, vulnerable and not your typical hero. I think that was what really drew me to Eddie. He's so not suave , or sophisticated, or smarmy. He's just ... Eddie.
I was hooked from the start. I loved the chapters when we delved into the past and I loved the fact that by the end of the novel Eddie was forced to face the truths and lies he'd believed before. And - whilst we're on the subject - that twist right at the end left me speechless - Andrew Barrett you are a devious man, with a great eye on what keeps your readers gasping for more Eddie Collins.
Of course I give This Side of Death the full 5 stars complete with bells on and a bagpipe serenade - you won't get higher praise than that from me.
Purchase Links
Author Bio
Andrew Barrett became a CSI in 1996,
and finished his first crime thriller, A
Long Time Dead in 1997. Two more books completed the SOCO Roger Conniston
trilogy.
Andrew still produces authentic crime
thrillers with a forensic flavour. He’s known for his lead character, CSI Eddie
Collins, and the acerbic way in which he roots out criminals. Eddie’s series is
five books and three novellas in length.
Andrew is a proud Yorkshireman and
sets all of his novels in Leeds.
You can find out more about him and
his writing at :
Website: www.andrewbarrett.co.uk
Exclusive Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BarrettERG/
Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-Barrett/e/B0055888Q0/
YouTube: Andrew
Barrett on YouTube
Giveaway
To Win 5 x Paperback copies of This Side of Death (UK
Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.
Please enter using the
Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter
from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no
response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the
right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or
over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used
for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the
exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway
organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s
Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for
despatch or delivery of the prize.
Follow the rest of the tour
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment. It will now be placed in a moderation queue for approval.