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The Dead Trilogy #2
Stealing Elgar
Product Description
Stealing Elgar is the second book in The Dead Trilogy, a series of procedural crime thrillers that centres on Scenes of Crime Officer, Roger Conniston. It is predominantly set in present-day Leeds, a large city in Northern England, and the surrounding villages.
Stealing Elgar is approximately 157,000 words long; about 530 pages.
DESCRIPTION
“Examining crime scenes was never supposed to get personal.”
Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He’s up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England’s history.
For Hades, the success of this ‘one last job’ is paramount. He’s planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions that will shock the nation, to the selection of his team and the weapons they’ll use.
Roger is faced with a continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about.
Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites engage the same problem; how they battle their way through conflicting interests to reach – or destroy – their goal, and asks which is more family or pride?
Stealing Elgar is the second book in The Dead Trilogy, a series of procedural crime thrillers that centres on Scenes of Crime Officer, Roger Conniston. It is predominantly set in present-day Leeds, a large city in Northern England, and the surrounding villages.
Stealing Elgar is approximately 157,000 words long; about 530 pages.
DESCRIPTION
“Examining crime scenes was never supposed to get personal.”
Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He’s up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England’s history.
For Hades, the success of this ‘one last job’ is paramount. He’s planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions that will shock the nation, to the selection of his team and the weapons they’ll use.
Roger is faced with a continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about.
Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites engage the same problem; how they battle their way through conflicting interests to reach – or destroy – their goal, and asks which is more family or pride?
530 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2011
About the author
Andrew Barrett
48 books287 followersHi everyone,
My name is Andrew Barrett and I live and work in West Yorkshire.
My CSI Eddie Collins and SOCO Roger Conniston books focus on the world of the crime scene investigator. I've been a CSI for over twenty-eight years, and try to inject an element of authenticity into each story.
And if you enjoy detectives with a difference, search out the new series featuring a sharp female lead character called DS Regan Carter.
Thanks for looking,
Andy
My name is Andrew Barrett and I live and work in West Yorkshire.
My CSI Eddie Collins and SOCO Roger Conniston books focus on the world of the crime scene investigator. I've been a CSI for over twenty-eight years, and try to inject an element of authenticity into each story.
And if you enjoy detectives with a difference, search out the new series featuring a sharp female lead character called DS Regan Carter.
Thanks for looking,
Andy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 16, 2019
It has taken me 18 days to get through this, and I confess had this not been from one of my favourite authors, I would’ve bailed at around the 10% mark. I found myself reading a run of paperbacks in parallel, because while I did want to get through it, actually spending time in it’s world was uncomfortable.
It’s quite long, and it basically confirmed for me that I just don’t like gangster stories - too many horrible people double crossing each other, or beating up their underlings. This was a dark complicated story with a large cast of characters, drenched in casual cruelty and violence. It’s a good book, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t enjoy it. If you are new to this author, I strongly recommend his Eddie Collins series which came after this one.
Book two in the Dead trilogy set in Leeds, about SOCO Roger Conniston is set a few months after the events of A Long Time Dead - and it would be preferable although not essential to read these in order. Roger has been promoted but is struggling in his managerial role and with the lack of respect from his police colleagues. Meanwhile a gangster who calls himself Hades has got himself into deep trouble: having made a plan with the Russian mob to attempt an ambitious heist, he has been ripped off by some idiotic subcontractors and now Irish terrorists have taken his teenage daughter, so he hatches a plan to subvert the police investigation by kidnapping Roger’s crippled wife, Yvonne.
The major strength of Barrett’s books, aside from the excellent writing, is the forensic knowledge which adds a fascinating dimension to the story. I thought he overdid it in the first book but this one gets it just right. Little clues are scattered throughout and we follow Roger as he doggedly follows them in the face of scorn and criticism from all around. Unfortunately, Roger is a difficult hero to like, and it’s not just because he’s not Eddie Collins. Eddie is just as antagonistic and pigheaded but he has a wicked sense of humour, and while they both make mistakes, Roger’s are completely idiotic.
I also struggled with Roger’s relationship with Yvonne. She is portrayed as a shrewish drudge, embittered by her arthritis, who doesn’t seem to even like him and resents her dependence on him. In the last book Roger was cheating on her with his counsellor, and their home life seems miserable, yet we are expected to believe he loves her so much he’ll risk his own life for her, as he can’t contemplate life without her. In contrast, I did like the relationships between Roger and Shelby, and Chamberlain, both interesting characters.
Hades was also an intriguing villain - sadistic thug one moment, sentimental father the next, but any time you start to sympathise he does something awful again, and the callousness of his whole plan is shocking.
The build-up takes a long time, and many characters are introduced just to be killed off in various gruesome ways, and I was glad of the kindle search function which made keeping track of who was who much simpler. Once the action finally gets going the pace speeds up and the reveal of what exactly it is Hades is up to I was part relieved and part disappointed. It took me 17 days to read the first 50% but only one to get through the second half! I will read the final book, as I already bought it, and want to see what the fallout of the explosive ending is, and what Roger does next. 3.5 rounded up because a large part of my complaints here reflect my tastes and prejudices rather than faults of the book.
It’s quite long, and it basically confirmed for me that I just don’t like gangster stories - too many horrible people double crossing each other, or beating up their underlings. This was a dark complicated story with a large cast of characters, drenched in casual cruelty and violence. It’s a good book, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t enjoy it. If you are new to this author, I strongly recommend his Eddie Collins series which came after this one.
Book two in the Dead trilogy set in Leeds, about SOCO Roger Conniston is set a few months after the events of A Long Time Dead - and it would be preferable although not essential to read these in order. Roger has been promoted but is struggling in his managerial role and with the lack of respect from his police colleagues. Meanwhile a gangster who calls himself Hades has got himself into deep trouble: having made a plan with the Russian mob to attempt an ambitious heist, he has been ripped off by some idiotic subcontractors and now Irish terrorists have taken his teenage daughter, so he hatches a plan to subvert the police investigation by kidnapping Roger’s crippled wife, Yvonne.
The major strength of Barrett’s books, aside from the excellent writing, is the forensic knowledge which adds a fascinating dimension to the story. I thought he overdid it in the first book but this one gets it just right. Little clues are scattered throughout and we follow Roger as he doggedly follows them in the face of scorn and criticism from all around. Unfortunately, Roger is a difficult hero to like, and it’s not just because he’s not Eddie Collins. Eddie is just as antagonistic and pigheaded but he has a wicked sense of humour, and while they both make mistakes, Roger’s are completely idiotic.
I also struggled with Roger’s relationship with Yvonne. She is portrayed as a shrewish drudge, embittered by her arthritis, who doesn’t seem to even like him and resents her dependence on him. In the last book Roger was cheating on her with his counsellor, and their home life seems miserable, yet we are expected to believe he loves her so much he’ll risk his own life for her, as he can’t contemplate life without her. In contrast, I did like the relationships between Roger and Shelby, and Chamberlain, both interesting characters.
Hades was also an intriguing villain - sadistic thug one moment, sentimental father the next, but any time you start to sympathise he does something awful again, and the callousness of his whole plan is shocking.
The build-up takes a long time, and many characters are introduced just to be killed off in various gruesome ways, and I was glad of the kindle search function which made keeping track of who was who much simpler. Once the action finally gets going the pace speeds up and the reveal of what exactly it is Hades is up to I was part relieved and part disappointed. It took me 17 days to read the first 50% but only one to get through the second half! I will read the final book, as I already bought it, and want to see what the fallout of the explosive ending is, and what Roger does next. 3.5 rounded up because a large part of my complaints here reflect my tastes and prejudices rather than faults of the book.
June 22, 2019
Loved it!
A lot of action throughout the book. It didn't get dull!
A lot of action throughout the book. It didn't get dull!
July 20, 2015
This is an intensely gripping book, though very dark in tone. Being told from the viewpoint of a Scenes of Crime Officer it offers an entirely different focus on crimes and other events. The author's own experience in this field brings a breath of fresh air to the genre and helps us to see much more about each event than we normally would. Scene of crime evidence is generally treated as an adjunct to detective investigations and appears to be added as an afterthought to make the story fit, in this series however, the evidence comes first and the detectives draw their conclusions based upon that evidence. The crime scene evidence is described so well that it is at times necessary to remind oneself that this is a novel and not a report of a crime scene.
This book is strong on action and moves smoothly from scene to scene, taking the story forward as it does. There are no unproductive scenes and no chances to turn up the tension are missed. I found myself torn between wanting to plough on with the story to see how it ended but needing to put it down from time to time to catch my breath as I saw characters charging headlong into dangerous situations, some in the full knowledge of what they were doing and some unwittingly. I did enjoy little vignettes such as a particularly despicable character who thought he was too clever to be caught out, not realising that he was in fact rumbled by someone cleverer than he, who chose not to let on about what they knew, giving him to chance to incriminate himself.
There were several clues throughout the book with regard to the "big job" which was to be undertaken, but I was too caught up in the various strands and tensions to pick up on them, and needed to give myself a good kicking when it was revealed - especially as I have worked, albeit briefly, for an associated company!
This author is not only skilled in the examination of crime scenes, but he puts it all into words beautifully. He seems to have the complete package - the expertise in his field, the great imagination to weave a story together and the ability to write it all in a compelling and enthralling way. He also has the great good sense to set it in the Wakefield area of God's own county, which gives him great scope for spreading the story over cities and countryside, and my hometown even got a mention in this one. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.; I try to make it a rule not to start a new book until I have reviewed the one I have just written (if I am going to review it) so that I don't forget what I wanted to say about it, but this time it was a hard rule to stick to as I am itching to get to the next one to see where it takes us.
I heartily recommend this series, but would suggest starting with the first one A Long Time Dead (The Dead Trilogy Book 1) as it will help you to understand some of the references in this one but it isn't absolutely necessary.
This book is strong on action and moves smoothly from scene to scene, taking the story forward as it does. There are no unproductive scenes and no chances to turn up the tension are missed. I found myself torn between wanting to plough on with the story to see how it ended but needing to put it down from time to time to catch my breath as I saw characters charging headlong into dangerous situations, some in the full knowledge of what they were doing and some unwittingly. I did enjoy little vignettes such as a particularly despicable character who thought he was too clever to be caught out, not realising that he was in fact rumbled by someone cleverer than he, who chose not to let on about what they knew, giving him to chance to incriminate himself.
There were several clues throughout the book with regard to the "big job" which was to be undertaken, but I was too caught up in the various strands and tensions to pick up on them, and needed to give myself a good kicking when it was revealed - especially as I have worked, albeit briefly, for an associated company!
This author is not only skilled in the examination of crime scenes, but he puts it all into words beautifully. He seems to have the complete package - the expertise in his field, the great imagination to weave a story together and the ability to write it all in a compelling and enthralling way. He also has the great good sense to set it in the Wakefield area of God's own county, which gives him great scope for spreading the story over cities and countryside, and my hometown even got a mention in this one. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.; I try to make it a rule not to start a new book until I have reviewed the one I have just written (if I am going to review it) so that I don't forget what I wanted to say about it, but this time it was a hard rule to stick to as I am itching to get to the next one to see where it takes us.
I heartily recommend this series, but would suggest starting with the first one A Long Time Dead (The Dead Trilogy Book 1) as it will help you to understand some of the references in this one but it isn't absolutely necessary.
June 6, 2012
This is the second book in the 'Dead' trilogy and although it's a long book, my attention never flagged. The protagonist Roger Conniston, a Scene of Crime Officer, is doubtful of his abilities in his new role as Senior SOCO. His old adversary Inspector Weston, is still flouting the law he is paid to uphold. There are so many stories cleverly woven together here. Roger's wife is kidnapped by a gang involved in running guns amongst other things. There are flawed good characters, bad ones with some good qualities and a number of people you aren't sure about. The action is fast and exciting but it's not one of those books that's full of tedious cloned fight scenes. I had to go out 5% from the end and I couldn't rest till I'd returned and finished it!
The writing is imaginative and puts you quickly in the frame of the action. It's full of little remarks with the kind of black humour often employed by those whose work brings them up against danger or death; the police, armed services and medical people. I'd love to see a film of this book, or one of those TV programmes shown over several nights. If you enjoy thrillers, crime fiction and murder, all spiced with a wry humour, this book will enthral you. It did me!
The writing is imaginative and puts you quickly in the frame of the action. It's full of little remarks with the kind of black humour often employed by those whose work brings them up against danger or death; the police, armed services and medical people. I'd love to see a film of this book, or one of those TV programmes shown over several nights. If you enjoy thrillers, crime fiction and murder, all spiced with a wry humour, this book will enthral you. It did me!
December 10, 2019
Stealing Elgar - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Stealing Elgar is Book 2 in The Dead Trilogy series of SOCO Roger Conniston stories by the inimitable Andrew Barrett, who really knows his stuff when it comes to the expert/inside knowledge required to create such wonderful characters on both sides of the law - he's lived the same or similar events throughout his 'other' career as a police officer dealing in just such cases.
A suitably villainously-named master-crook, Hades, is Conniston's antagonist in the conflict, involving both the newly promoted SOCO and his emotionally-estranged wife, Yvonne.
This time it's personal and despite the distance between them, Conniston is still devastated when Yvonne is kidnapped, to ensure his complicity in Hades' success in his next heist.
After all, as he'd been seemingly forgiven for his own recent affair with his therapist, he is hardly in the position to complain - and now it may be too late!
A tautly written crime thriller that will compel you to read the other two SOCO Roger Conniston stories, Stealing Elgar is definitely NOT to be missed - get your copy today!
Stealing Elgar is Book 2 in The Dead Trilogy series of SOCO Roger Conniston stories by the inimitable Andrew Barrett, who really knows his stuff when it comes to the expert/inside knowledge required to create such wonderful characters on both sides of the law - he's lived the same or similar events throughout his 'other' career as a police officer dealing in just such cases.
A suitably villainously-named master-crook, Hades, is Conniston's antagonist in the conflict, involving both the newly promoted SOCO and his emotionally-estranged wife, Yvonne.
This time it's personal and despite the distance between them, Conniston is still devastated when Yvonne is kidnapped, to ensure his complicity in Hades' success in his next heist.
After all, as he'd been seemingly forgiven for his own recent affair with his therapist, he is hardly in the position to complain - and now it may be too late!
A tautly written crime thriller that will compel you to read the other two SOCO Roger Conniston stories, Stealing Elgar is definitely NOT to be missed - get your copy today!
February 9, 2020
This is the 2nd book of "The Dead Trilogy" and I found it to be the most complicated of Andrew's books I've read. There were a LOT of players in the story, multiple story arcs, many events going on at once, plots, subplots, gangs.....and that is NOT a bad thing when it is well written. Which this is. And also, really, these events COULD really happen.
Andrew's real life experience shows in the brutality, bloodshed, boredom, and bitterness in this installment. The job is not all peachy-keen...
Up next: No more Tears. Book 3 of the trilogy.
I received an ARC copy of the book from the author and I am thrilled to be able to give you my honest review.
Andrew's real life experience shows in the brutality, bloodshed, boredom, and bitterness in this installment. The job is not all peachy-keen...
Up next: No more Tears. Book 3 of the trilogy.
I received an ARC copy of the book from the author and I am thrilled to be able to give you my honest review.
October 6, 2016
Excellent riveting and a thrill a minute
Wow, so much soco detail, I felt I was actually attending crime scenes as I read. The plot was adventurous, knowledgeable and exciting. There is too much happening to pick out any particular scene but all in all, a thrilling book.
Wow, so much soco detail, I felt I was actually attending crime scenes as I read. The plot was adventurous, knowledgeable and exciting. There is too much happening to pick out any particular scene but all in all, a thrilling book.
February 25, 2013
This is the second book in the dead trilogy and it has been a while since I read the first in the series so I was struggling to remember certain details. Steling Elgar does refer to previous events quite a bit so it is necessary to read A Long Time Dead before this one. This book is also longer than its predecessor but at no point does it drag or wander aimlessly through the story. The main protagonist is a Scene Of Crime Officer (SOCO) which is a different enough perspective from the usual police/PI character in crime novels, the author does not burden the reader with in-depth technical explanations but provides brief overviews where deemed necessary to help the story. I love how ‘British’ this story is as well, in my opinion the fact that police officers do not carry guns adds all the more to the tension and excitement.
The basic story follows Roger Conniston as he investigates a couple of possibly related crime scenes, his wife is cleverly kidnapped and held hostage to force Roger’s hand into feeding false evidence to his superiors. As if that wasn’t enough of a story for Barrett, there is still an unidentified mole in the police station who is updating the criminals on all Roger’s findings, his wife’s life depends on him being able to circumvent the mole and keep them in the dark. Several storylines twist together and combine in this story, with the local criminal gang, IRA members and Russian mafia-types all involved; it’s a Hollywood movie epic!
The basic story follows Roger Conniston as he investigates a couple of possibly related crime scenes, his wife is cleverly kidnapped and held hostage to force Roger’s hand into feeding false evidence to his superiors. As if that wasn’t enough of a story for Barrett, there is still an unidentified mole in the police station who is updating the criminals on all Roger’s findings, his wife’s life depends on him being able to circumvent the mole and keep them in the dark. Several storylines twist together and combine in this story, with the local criminal gang, IRA members and Russian mafia-types all involved; it’s a Hollywood movie epic!
July 5, 2021
Wonderful mystery listening 🎧
Due eye issues and damage caused by shingle Alexa reads to me.
Another very will written romantic thriller mystery adventure in book 2 of the series. The characters are interesting and well developed. The story is goes from slow and boring to violent and fast moving as it progresses to the unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this series to readers of British mysteries as they are different. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👮♂️🎉✨😎
Due eye issues and damage caused by shingle Alexa reads to me.
Another very will written romantic thriller mystery adventure in book 2 of the series. The characters are interesting and well developed. The story is goes from slow and boring to violent and fast moving as it progresses to the unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this series to readers of British mysteries as they are different. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👮♂️🎉✨😎
September 5, 2012
Great follow up book to 'A Long Time Dead'. Longer than the first in the series and so allowing for more character development. Can't wait to read the final instalment.
May 5, 2018
kindle unlimited, used to not be, will have to go through his list on goodreads and catch up via ku for any showing not read {some quite a while back were arcs but those started after quite a bit in to his series/different books}
“Examining crime scenes was never supposed to get personal.”
Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He’s up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England’s history. For Hades, the success of this ‘one last job’ is paramount. He’s planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions that will shock the nation, to the selection of his team and the weapons they’ll use. Roger is faced with a decision: continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about. Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites engage the same problem; how they battle their way through conflicting interests to reach – or destroy – their goal, and asks which is more important: family or pride?
Second book in The Dead Trilogy. Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He's up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England's history. For Hades, the success of this job is paramount; and he's planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions to the selection of his team and the weapons they'll use. Roger is faced with a decision: continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about. Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites approach the same problem, and how they carve their way through conflicting interests to reach - or destroy - their goal
The Third Rule (Eddie Collins #1)
Black by Rose (Eddie Collins #2)
The Lift: An Eddie Collins short story (Eddie Collins #2.5)
Sword of Damocles (Eddie Collins #3)
Ledston Luck (Eddie Collins #4)
The Note: A CSI Eddie Collins short story
A Long Time Dead (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 1)
Stealing Elgar (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 2)
No More Tears (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 3)
The End of Lies
Charlotte's Lodge
The Third Rule - Part One: Atrocities
The Third Rule - Part Two: Running Scared
The Third Rule - Part Three: Sacrifices
“Examining crime scenes was never supposed to get personal.”
Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He’s up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England’s history. For Hades, the success of this ‘one last job’ is paramount. He’s planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions that will shock the nation, to the selection of his team and the weapons they’ll use. Roger is faced with a decision: continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about. Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites engage the same problem; how they battle their way through conflicting interests to reach – or destroy – their goal, and asks which is more important: family or pride?
Second book in The Dead Trilogy. Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He's up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England's history. For Hades, the success of this job is paramount; and he's planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions to the selection of his team and the weapons they'll use. Roger is faced with a decision: continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about. Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites approach the same problem, and how they carve their way through conflicting interests to reach - or destroy - their goal
The Third Rule (Eddie Collins #1)
Black by Rose (Eddie Collins #2)
The Lift: An Eddie Collins short story (Eddie Collins #2.5)
Sword of Damocles (Eddie Collins #3)
Ledston Luck (Eddie Collins #4)
The Note: A CSI Eddie Collins short story
A Long Time Dead (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 1)
Stealing Elgar (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 2)
No More Tears (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 3)
The End of Lies
Charlotte's Lodge
The Third Rule - Part One: Atrocities
The Third Rule - Part Two: Running Scared
The Third Rule - Part Three: Sacrifices
December 29, 2019
This story takes place about a year after the first. Roger Conniston is now promoted and struggles a bit with the authority and the paperwork of his new function. Most of his doubts are uncalled for as he gets better and better at handling the responsibility.
When a group of local gangsters try to rob the Russian mob (made up out of ex-KGB men) they muck up and 1 of them gets tortured and killed. The others ask local crime boss Hades to hide them in a safe house. When the Russian gangsters offer Hades a lucrative contract he sells them the location of the safe house in North Yorkshire. If he fails to fulfil the contract, he'll be killed by the Russians. What the job exactly is, we're not told until it takes place, but it requires a lot of heavy weapons. Those weapons Hades acquired from his brother, DCI Weston, some time back. He sends out 1 of his crews to dig them up, but when they get disturbed by a lone policeman they shoot him. The original owner of the weapons is an Irish terrorist group and they have now located them as in Hades's possession and they want them back. Therefore they kidnap Hades's daughter who'll do anything to get her back. But without the weapons, he can't execute the Russian heist and will be killed himself. If that aren't enough problems, the police are making a lot of progress due to various clues Roger Conniston has found on the different crime scenes. Since the murdered policeman was a personal friend of him, who stood by him during his trial the previous year, the case has turned personal for him. It gets even more personal when Hades kidnaps his handicapped wife in order to make him falsify evidence.
This book is certainly as suspenseful as the first one. It's a long read but it contains 3 different thrilling stories that all take place at more or less the same time. Don't expect a Hollywood style happy end; as in real-life, tragedies do happen and sometimes a partial success can be all that's achieved.
Although Hades is unquestionably a very bad person and a career criminal, he's also a human being with emotions and a set of -twisted- morals. Certainly after his own daughter is kidnapped his outlook and perception of women and victims changes. Nevertheless, he still tries to trick Chamberlain in killing Yvonne. If not for that, he became (to an extent) almost sympathetic.
One of the things I like about these books is the detailed descriptions Barrett gives about surroundings, procedures, history of places, buildings. You can really picture the book in front of your eyes.
When a group of local gangsters try to rob the Russian mob (made up out of ex-KGB men) they muck up and 1 of them gets tortured and killed. The others ask local crime boss Hades to hide them in a safe house. When the Russian gangsters offer Hades a lucrative contract he sells them the location of the safe house in North Yorkshire. If he fails to fulfil the contract, he'll be killed by the Russians. What the job exactly is, we're not told until it takes place, but it requires a lot of heavy weapons. Those weapons Hades acquired from his brother, DCI Weston, some time back. He sends out 1 of his crews to dig them up, but when they get disturbed by a lone policeman they shoot him. The original owner of the weapons is an Irish terrorist group and they have now located them as in Hades's possession and they want them back. Therefore they kidnap Hades's daughter who'll do anything to get her back. But without the weapons, he can't execute the Russian heist and will be killed himself. If that aren't enough problems, the police are making a lot of progress due to various clues Roger Conniston has found on the different crime scenes. Since the murdered policeman was a personal friend of him, who stood by him during his trial the previous year, the case has turned personal for him. It gets even more personal when Hades kidnaps his handicapped wife in order to make him falsify evidence.
This book is certainly as suspenseful as the first one. It's a long read but it contains 3 different thrilling stories that all take place at more or less the same time. Don't expect a Hollywood style happy end; as in real-life, tragedies do happen and sometimes a partial success can be all that's achieved.
Although Hades is unquestionably a very bad person and a career criminal, he's also a human being with emotions and a set of -twisted- morals. Certainly after his own daughter is kidnapped his outlook and perception of women and victims changes. Nevertheless, he still tries to trick Chamberlain in killing Yvonne. If not for that, he became (to an extent) almost sympathetic.
One of the things I like about these books is the detailed descriptions Barrett gives about surroundings, procedures, history of places, buildings. You can really picture the book in front of your eyes.
January 13, 2020
Firstly, this is book two of a trilogy so you really need to play the game and read book one - A Long Time Dead - before you read this one for full enjoyment. Secondly, this book gave me a wonderful AHA moment when, just before it was properly revealed, I "got" the title! I do love it when that happens and, sadly, as publishers seem to be shying away from this kind of thing, it happens less often these days.
So, after the fallout from book one, Roger has managed to hang onto his promotion. But he is finding this challenge a little hard; especially given the events leading up to it. He has a decision to make but, in the mean time, with unfinished business, he plods on regardless. Meanwhile, a rather nasty individual, going by the name Hades, has got himself in a bit of a pickle and needs a bit of help to get out of it. And so begins a rather intricately plotted, convoluted tale which pits Roger against one of the most ruthless and heinous of foes, the case coming too close to home and putting him in some rather awkward positions. More than this would be telling! Can Roger prevail?
Again, I have to stress that this book is written by a SOCO or CSI or whatever they call themselves these days so you know you will be getting more of a scientific perspective rather than detectives running round basing things on their gut feelings and jumping to wild conclusions! This does mean that the story set-up can get a tad slow at times but, and this is important, the set-up is wholly necessary for what follows, and what follows is excellent! But be prepared to have to invest in what is happening for, at least, the first half of the book. But, believe me when I say that, if you do, you will be rewarded.
The tone is often very dark and there are some quite brutal scenes so it's not for the faint-hearted. But it also contains some wonderful humour, often quite black in tone which does redress the balance somewhat throughout.
Roger throughout is typical Roger. Pain in the proverbial but with a heart in the right place and dedicated to his work. He struggles with responsibility and his personal life leave a lot to be desired but, on the whole, I kinda like him. Wouldn't want to go out for a beer with him mind!
All in all, a great follow up to A Long Time Dead and also a great book to end 2019 on. Onward to book three now methinks...
So, after the fallout from book one, Roger has managed to hang onto his promotion. But he is finding this challenge a little hard; especially given the events leading up to it. He has a decision to make but, in the mean time, with unfinished business, he plods on regardless. Meanwhile, a rather nasty individual, going by the name Hades, has got himself in a bit of a pickle and needs a bit of help to get out of it. And so begins a rather intricately plotted, convoluted tale which pits Roger against one of the most ruthless and heinous of foes, the case coming too close to home and putting him in some rather awkward positions. More than this would be telling! Can Roger prevail?
Again, I have to stress that this book is written by a SOCO or CSI or whatever they call themselves these days so you know you will be getting more of a scientific perspective rather than detectives running round basing things on their gut feelings and jumping to wild conclusions! This does mean that the story set-up can get a tad slow at times but, and this is important, the set-up is wholly necessary for what follows, and what follows is excellent! But be prepared to have to invest in what is happening for, at least, the first half of the book. But, believe me when I say that, if you do, you will be rewarded.
The tone is often very dark and there are some quite brutal scenes so it's not for the faint-hearted. But it also contains some wonderful humour, often quite black in tone which does redress the balance somewhat throughout.
Roger throughout is typical Roger. Pain in the proverbial but with a heart in the right place and dedicated to his work. He struggles with responsibility and his personal life leave a lot to be desired but, on the whole, I kinda like him. Wouldn't want to go out for a beer with him mind!
All in all, a great follow up to A Long Time Dead and also a great book to end 2019 on. Onward to book three now methinks...
January 12, 2020
A mob boss gangster sort of person known as Hades acquired some guns a while back with the help of his police officer brother Weston they took the guns from an Irish group and now the Irish want their guns back. To help them to get their guns back the Irish kidnap Hades daughter.
Hades loves his daughter more than anything and vows to do everything in his power to get his daughter back. Hades then proceeds to kidnap SOCO officer Roger Conniston’s wife Yvonne. I guess Hades thinks that kidnapping Roger’s wife that it will make the police work harder on finding his daughter before it is too late.
Even though Roger and Yvonne have had their differences in the past with Roger cheating on her; they are now trying to make their marriage work. When Yvonne is kidnapped I guess it all hits home with him and he realizes just how much his wife actually means to him and he sets out to do whatever it takes to get back the love of his life.
The action is non-stop in Stealing Elgar with so many murders and the kidnappings. Stealing Elgar has it all like murder, mystery, suspense, kidnapping, action it is intense and so very intriguing and all the crimes are vividly written.
We get all the evidence and the clues which shows us whodunit from the get go but we get to see how the police work their case and how they come by their evidence and how they prove whodunit. Stealing Elgar and all the scenes are so very descriptively written to where you have no problem seeing it all play out in your head like a movie. Oh and speaking of movies I think Stealing Elgar would make a great motion picture.
Stealing Elgar is one book that I recommend to anyone who loves a good crime novel but I do suggest that you read the first book A Long Time Dead in The Dead Trilogy before reading Stealing Elgar in order to get the whole picture and not to miss out on anything. Now I can’t wait to dive into the next and last book No More Tears in The Dead Trilogy.
Hades loves his daughter more than anything and vows to do everything in his power to get his daughter back. Hades then proceeds to kidnap SOCO officer Roger Conniston’s wife Yvonne. I guess Hades thinks that kidnapping Roger’s wife that it will make the police work harder on finding his daughter before it is too late.
Even though Roger and Yvonne have had their differences in the past with Roger cheating on her; they are now trying to make their marriage work. When Yvonne is kidnapped I guess it all hits home with him and he realizes just how much his wife actually means to him and he sets out to do whatever it takes to get back the love of his life.
The action is non-stop in Stealing Elgar with so many murders and the kidnappings. Stealing Elgar has it all like murder, mystery, suspense, kidnapping, action it is intense and so very intriguing and all the crimes are vividly written.
We get all the evidence and the clues which shows us whodunit from the get go but we get to see how the police work their case and how they come by their evidence and how they prove whodunit. Stealing Elgar and all the scenes are so very descriptively written to where you have no problem seeing it all play out in your head like a movie. Oh and speaking of movies I think Stealing Elgar would make a great motion picture.
Stealing Elgar is one book that I recommend to anyone who loves a good crime novel but I do suggest that you read the first book A Long Time Dead in The Dead Trilogy before reading Stealing Elgar in order to get the whole picture and not to miss out on anything. Now I can’t wait to dive into the next and last book No More Tears in The Dead Trilogy.
October 1, 2017
Before you read Stealing Elgar, I strongly urge you to read the first Roger Conniston novel, A Long Time Dead. Many elements from that novel carryover into this one, and there is closure, of a kind.
In Sword of Damocles (from Andrew Barrett’s series about Eddie Collins, CSI), Collins is pressured into a promotion he doesn’t want. This book has Roger Conniston (SOCO – Scene of Crime Officer) getting a promotion he really, really doesn’t want. There are ruthless Russian Mafia, IRA killers, home grown gangsters, police officers senior to Roger and who do not trust or believe him, and a crooked arms-dealing police officer - all heading on a collision course, and Roger Conniston is square in the point of intersection. Two of these criminal organizations have kidnapped women for the purpose of improving their odds of coming out on top, leading to acts of sheer desperation on the part of the men who love them.
And Roger finds himself powerless, hopeless, and seemingly alone, which really makes the plot compelling and the novel a page-turner.
The dialog is crisp, often laden with subtle humour, and every character feels real and unique. You might not like some of them, but you really get to know them. The criminal mastermind, Hades, is perhaps the most interesting character I have encountered in many years.
Andrew Barrett is the real deal. He has lived the life of a CSI / SOCO, knows the procedures and technologies, and has the gift of being able to use that background to bring a thrilling story to life.
In Sword of Damocles (from Andrew Barrett’s series about Eddie Collins, CSI), Collins is pressured into a promotion he doesn’t want. This book has Roger Conniston (SOCO – Scene of Crime Officer) getting a promotion he really, really doesn’t want. There are ruthless Russian Mafia, IRA killers, home grown gangsters, police officers senior to Roger and who do not trust or believe him, and a crooked arms-dealing police officer - all heading on a collision course, and Roger Conniston is square in the point of intersection. Two of these criminal organizations have kidnapped women for the purpose of improving their odds of coming out on top, leading to acts of sheer desperation on the part of the men who love them.
And Roger finds himself powerless, hopeless, and seemingly alone, which really makes the plot compelling and the novel a page-turner.
The dialog is crisp, often laden with subtle humour, and every character feels real and unique. You might not like some of them, but you really get to know them. The criminal mastermind, Hades, is perhaps the most interesting character I have encountered in many years.
Andrew Barrett is the real deal. He has lived the life of a CSI / SOCO, knows the procedures and technologies, and has the gift of being able to use that background to bring a thrilling story to life.
May 10, 2019
I enjoyed the first book featuring the character Roger Conniston so was therefore looking forward to this one. It did not disappoint. Personally I thought the story of the first book a little stronger but let that take nothing away from this one. I should point out that each book works perfectly fine as a stand-alone novel on its own. There’s what could be described as Andrew Barrett’s trademark as he explains the Crime Scenes throughout this book. In fact that is fairly central to the story as it progresses. It’s something you don’t get to quite the same detail from other writers simply because they haven’t ‘been there, done that’ like this author has. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Roger this time, both personally and professionally. There are a lot of characters each with their own story that intertwine into the whole, which may confuse if you don’t pay attention. There’s some very nasty ‘bad guys’ here too and some scenes of violence that the more timid may shy away from. Me, I love all that! Having bought the three book set on the back of the authors other work I will be straight on to book 3 but even if I didn’t have it already I’d certainly be buying it soon. Highly recommended.
September 29, 2025
A real tour de force.
I would have loved to have read this book in one sitting. It was that engrossing, but sadly, life got in the way, even though it was my holiday read.
There is a huge cast of characters, and the story has an international dimension as well. it's alla bout the build up to a major audacious crime that has been meticulously planned and is complete with a number of other crimes aimed at distracting and complicating things things for the police. The man behind this is known as Hades. The other main character is Roger Collingwood, a civilian Scenes of Crimes Officer. He is resented by some of the Police Officers he works with. In addition, he has marital issues with his disabled wife, and he is wracked with self-confidence issues even though he is an extremely good SOCO.
This could be classed as a police procedural, but it is far more than that as author Andrew Barrett makes full use of his experience as a SOCO to take things to a different level.
The whole thing moves along rapidly, with a huge amount of gratuitous violence along the way, but this doesn't distract from the storytelling or the extremely clever plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I would have loved to have read this book in one sitting. It was that engrossing, but sadly, life got in the way, even though it was my holiday read.
There is a huge cast of characters, and the story has an international dimension as well. it's alla bout the build up to a major audacious crime that has been meticulously planned and is complete with a number of other crimes aimed at distracting and complicating things things for the police. The man behind this is known as Hades. The other main character is Roger Collingwood, a civilian Scenes of Crimes Officer. He is resented by some of the Police Officers he works with. In addition, he has marital issues with his disabled wife, and he is wracked with self-confidence issues even though he is an extremely good SOCO.
This could be classed as a police procedural, but it is far more than that as author Andrew Barrett makes full use of his experience as a SOCO to take things to a different level.
The whole thing moves along rapidly, with a huge amount of gratuitous violence along the way, but this doesn't distract from the storytelling or the extremely clever plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 20, 2019
Andrew Barrett is a great author, the Eddie Collins series are quite remarkable novels. I had read the first Conniston book and enjoyed it without reaching the ‘Collins’ levels. So this was the natural follow on for me. The book is part of the Conniston series but Roger Conniston is one of a number of main characters so each could possibly have a series of their own. Well there is a tremendous amount going on, with local gangsters, the IRA and ex KGB Russians hovering. Yes the book is long but there is so much to tell. I can understand some comments about giving it a miss after only reading 10% of the book, but it is worth persevering with and offers a storyline that hopefully remains as pure fiction. So much goes on and the title ‘Elgar’ only becomes apparent near the combustible ending. How Mr Barrett thought up such a storyline I’ll never know, gives some insight into his mind and thinking, quite extraordinary. Definitely worth a read.
April 28, 2020
This second book in The Dead Trilogy about S0C0 Roger Conniston's continuing adventures and heartaches by Andrew Barrett was raw, emotional, gritty, dark, and action-packed, as it took the reader on one hell of an emotional roller coaster ride. I'm not sure how much more pain and suffering one character could be put through, while still trying to maintain enough sanity to do his job as a police detective. Let me just say up front, that a lot of people died in this second book, some very tragically and described in gory details. The story almost punches the reader in the gut as the tragic elements unfold. This is definitely a story that maintains its grip on the reader from the first pages through to the last words. I have already added book 3 to my TBR file. This is a voluntary review of this book from Fast and Free Reviews.
December 23, 2019
What a shockingly great read! A fast paced and all action crime thriller that has taken my breath away. Couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Roger Conniston is up to his neck in it as usual with some hard decisions to make. Struggling with the pressure of being recently promoted to a senior crime scene officer he is now wondering if he is cut out for the job. Should he hand in his resignation? It seems this time the decision making is out of his hands on that score. But ridden with guilt for neglecting his long suffering disabled wife he is thrown into one of the biggest cases yet...and there is no way out. This is a nail biting, toe curling, heart pounding read. Lots of tension with plenty of gory detail. Can't wait to get stuck into book three in this series.
January 1, 2020
The Dead Trilogy Book 2 (Stealing Elgar) Roger’s story continues with his promotion to Supervisor which he believes he got because he was wrongly accused of a crime. He finds himself up against a criminal who calls himself Hades, a master criminal who is successful because he makes sure he dots all the Is and crosses the Ts. He is planning the largest robbery ever undertaken in Britain and is not against killing people who get in his way. He has kidnapped Roger’s wife to make sure he tows the line and damages any forensic evidence that can be traced back to him and his team. Add into the mix the Russian Mafia and IRA and Roger not too happy with the Senior Officer in charge and you will find this fast moving book with lots of tension and twists and turns hard to put down.
January 24, 2020
Roger Conniston’s problems continue in the second book in this compelling trilogy. The story continues with numerous twists and turns that involve a mix of almost too believable terrorists, gangs and mafiosi - plus drugs and kidnappings.
Conniston is finding the managerial aspects of a Senior Scenes of Crime Officer’s job far more intense than he’d thought they’d be and now questions his ability to do the Supervisor’s role. When a loyal friend turns up - dead, he becomes involved in scene work for the National Crime Squad, while his wife gets increasingly concerned about him working away from home.
I was hooked, until the final twist, reading about simultaneous parallel investigations.
Conniston is finding the managerial aspects of a Senior Scenes of Crime Officer’s job far more intense than he’d thought they’d be and now questions his ability to do the Supervisor’s role. When a loyal friend turns up - dead, he becomes involved in scene work for the National Crime Squad, while his wife gets increasingly concerned about him working away from home.
I was hooked, until the final twist, reading about simultaneous parallel investigations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2019
Elgar played his part well
Roger is a brilliant SOCO to brilliant, he is brought into a special team to find evidence at scenes nobody else could find Weston was livid as usual, Yvonne is kidnapped with the promise she won’t be harmed as long as he didn’t find evidence. Oh boy what a story so much going on Elgar is the twist haha that had me thinking all the way through this fast pace book the skills the SOCO’s have is remarkable it’s not just the finding but the seeing beyond this is more than a thriller it’s another great Roger Conniston story highly recommend from me I haven’t given the game away I hope I’ve made it intriguing for you to pick up
Roger is a brilliant SOCO to brilliant, he is brought into a special team to find evidence at scenes nobody else could find Weston was livid as usual, Yvonne is kidnapped with the promise she won’t be harmed as long as he didn’t find evidence. Oh boy what a story so much going on Elgar is the twist haha that had me thinking all the way through this fast pace book the skills the SOCO’s have is remarkable it’s not just the finding but the seeing beyond this is more than a thriller it’s another great Roger Conniston story highly recommend from me I haven’t given the game away I hope I’ve made it intriguing for you to pick up
February 7, 2020
Police and criminals both target Roger
The story picks up where A Long Time Dead left off. Roger struggles with his new supervisory role and some of the higher ups would like him removed. The action and tension ratchet up as the kidnappings happen and the “big job” gets under way. We find out more about the characters, including the bad ones. Poor Roger is accused of a crime again, much to a certain superior’s delight. There are a few people willing to help him but will it be enough? Despite the tension and drama there is also humour sprinkled throughout to balance things out. What an ending!! I’m starting the next book — right now.
The story picks up where A Long Time Dead left off. Roger struggles with his new supervisory role and some of the higher ups would like him removed. The action and tension ratchet up as the kidnappings happen and the “big job” gets under way. We find out more about the characters, including the bad ones. Poor Roger is accused of a crime again, much to a certain superior’s delight. There are a few people willing to help him but will it be enough? Despite the tension and drama there is also humour sprinkled throughout to balance things out. What an ending!! I’m starting the next book — right now.
February 6, 2018
Stealing Elgar is the second in the Roger Conniston series by Andrew Barrett and what a gripping story it is,yet again Roger is facing his continued struggle with his home life as well as doubting his capabilities as a supervisor to the point of considering tendering his resignation.in this fast paced gripping story Roger is sill trying to prove his old adversary Inspector Weston’s involvement in gun running while investigating a series of shootings and bombings.Overall a great read and looking forward to reading the next in the series.
December 31, 2019
Stealing Elgar is the second book ofThe Dead Trilogy, I really enjoyed this book a lot of evil villains, from different countries who do not like each other but try to get along, some good guys you will not like, some you will feel sorry for and at the heart a flawed hero trying to keep it all together while solving a crime of the century (for Leeds anyway).
The work of a SCOC (CSI in N America) is described in graphic and at times gory detail but this all lends to the authenticity of the book.
The work of a SCOC (CSI in N America) is described in graphic and at times gory detail but this all lends to the authenticity of the book.
January 8, 2020
When Roger is newly appointed as Supervisor, he is soon involved in a case that involves gangsters, Russian Mafia and PIRA or CIRA. Roger promises his wife, Yvonne, that they are both safe and there will be nothing to worry about. This all changes when Yvonne is kidnapped by a gang who insist that Roger alters findings from a crime scene and will not release Yvonne until they know he is definitely working for them.
A long and complex case for Roger and the team.
There are some great characters in this story and it is action packed from start to finish.
A long and complex case for Roger and the team.
There are some great characters in this story and it is action packed from start to finish.
November 11, 2019
Wow--several twists that i didn't see coming, well done!
This is the second book i have read by this author, and all I can say is that I am exhausted from the missing sleep nights that I spend reading. Excellent storyline, rich in details but never giving away yet another plot surprise/twist.
This is the second book i have read by this author, and all I can say is that I am exhausted from the missing sleep nights that I spend reading. Excellent storyline, rich in details but never giving away yet another plot surprise/twist.
January 27, 2020
Roger Conniston, CSI investigator is threaten to alter data from crime scenes or his wife will die. His wife Yvonne is kidnapped by Hades's gang to get Roger to do as they want. Roger complies on the surface. When the police will not hunt for Yvonne, he goes on his own. This novel is a long story that does keep your interest.
August 12, 2020
Phew! you certainly get excellent value for money when you buy a book by Andrew Barrett. Over 550 pages of entertaining and exciting reading by a fantastic author. I found the story really well written and all of the characters personalities were really well drawn out both good and evil. I am looking forward to reading the third and final book in the series!
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