I came across Andy Barrett when I read his book A Long Time Dead and I was impressed. I've since read everything he's ever published and I've also met him several times in real life. Tempting as it is to equate him with his protagonist Eddie Collins, I can tell you that Andy himself has the humour and the sharp, sarcastic wit, but he's not such a self-destructive twerp as Eddie. He's a warm and friendly soul with a ready smile and you can't help but like him. He tends to call himself 'an average arsehole' but I can assure you he's a very superior arsehole indeed. Actually, that sounded so much better in my head!
But I'm here to tell you about The Note. This is a short book, technically a novelette, but is so packed with story and character that you'll feel you've read something much longer. In fact, it's a novel with the boring bits taken out! Here's the product description -
I'm Eddie Collins, a CSI.
Ever had that feeling of being watched but when you turn around no one’s there?
I have.
It was raining, and I was working a murder scene around midnight when that prickle ran up my spine. If I’d listened to that feeling, if I’d thought back to my past, maybe I could have prevented the terror that was to come.
Back at the office, I found a death threat on my desk.
I had no idea who sent it or why they wanted to kill me.
But I was about to find out.
And here's my review -
Eddie Collins, CSI, is at a crime scene and the weather’s vile, the locals as bad, and he’s being hindered by his colleagues. You could say that by then he wasn’t in a good mood. Back at the station, he finds a note left for him. A very personal and threatening note.
This story, though short, packs a punch. Eddie’s past comes up to bite him and he’s in a very difficult situation with a volatile person. Even in extremes, he can’t keep his tongue in check and there are some very scary but very funny moments in this. Eddie is a character who has grown on me. The older I get the more angry I get at idiocy – especially my own – so I feel for him in his predicaments. If you know Eddie Collins, you’ll enjoy meeting him again. If you don’t, this is an excellent place to start. I’m very happy to give this five stars.
You can buy the book here in the UK or here in the US.
But I'm here to tell you about The Note. This is a short book, technically a novelette, but is so packed with story and character that you'll feel you've read something much longer. In fact, it's a novel with the boring bits taken out! Here's the product description -
I'm Eddie Collins, a CSI.
Ever had that feeling of being watched but when you turn around no one’s there?
I have.
It was raining, and I was working a murder scene around midnight when that prickle ran up my spine. If I’d listened to that feeling, if I’d thought back to my past, maybe I could have prevented the terror that was to come.
Back at the office, I found a death threat on my desk.
I had no idea who sent it or why they wanted to kill me.
But I was about to find out.
And here's my review -
Eddie Collins, CSI, is at a crime scene and the weather’s vile, the locals as bad, and he’s being hindered by his colleagues. You could say that by then he wasn’t in a good mood. Back at the station, he finds a note left for him. A very personal and threatening note.
This story, though short, packs a punch. Eddie’s past comes up to bite him and he’s in a very difficult situation with a volatile person. Even in extremes, he can’t keep his tongue in check and there are some very scary but very funny moments in this. Eddie is a character who has grown on me. The older I get the more angry I get at idiocy – especially my own – so I feel for him in his predicaments. If you know Eddie Collins, you’ll enjoy meeting him again. If you don’t, this is an excellent place to start. I’m very happy to give this five stars.
You can buy the book here in the UK or here in the US.
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