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Inspector Drake #1
Brass in Pocket
Two traffic officers are killed on an isolated mountain pass in North Wales. Inspector Drake is called to the scene and quickly discovers a message left by the killer - traffic cones in the shape of a No 4.
The killer starts sending the Wales Police Service lyrics from famous rock songs. Are they messages or is there some hidden meaning in them?
Does it all mean more killings are likely? When a politician is killed Drake has his answer. And then the killer sends more song lyrics. Now Drake has to face the possibility of more deaths but with numbers dominating the case Drake has to face his own rituals and obsessions.
Finally when the killer threatens Drake and his family he faces his greatest challenge in finding the killer before he strikes again.
The killer starts sending the Wales Police Service lyrics from famous rock songs. Are they messages or is there some hidden meaning in them?
Does it all mean more killings are likely? When a politician is killed Drake has his answer. And then the killer sends more song lyrics. Now Drake has to face the possibility of more deaths but with numbers dominating the case Drake has to face his own rituals and obsessions.
Finally when the killer threatens Drake and his family he faces his greatest challenge in finding the killer before he strikes again.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2013
1168 people are currently reading
1805 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Puleston
49 books297 followersI write mysteries and thrillers.
I have published the first novel in a series featuring Inspector Drake based in North Wales and also the first in a series with Inspector John Marco based in Cardiff. The first Drake mystery is called BRASS IN POCKET and the second WORSE THAN DEAD. The third, AGAINST THE TIDE.
My second detective is Inspector Marco who comes from an Italian/Welsh background and he lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The first Inspector Marco novel SPEECHLESS has been published on Amazon and the second and third in the series will be published in 2015.
Before turning to crime fiction I had written three other unpublished novels and you can read about my writing and about Wales, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, on my website http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk/
I was brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast and went to school in Holyhead. After a degree in Theology from London University I decided to train as a lawyer and returned to work in the practice run by my father on Anglesey. For many years I worked as a lawyer in a small practice representing clients in the criminal courts and doing divorce work all of which has given me valuable raw material for my novels.
I still live and work in North Wales where the Inspector Drake novels are set.
You can contact me on twitter @stephenpuleston or @inspector_marco
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17G6iIA
I have published the first novel in a series featuring Inspector Drake based in North Wales and also the first in a series with Inspector John Marco based in Cardiff. The first Drake mystery is called BRASS IN POCKET and the second WORSE THAN DEAD. The third, AGAINST THE TIDE.
My second detective is Inspector Marco who comes from an Italian/Welsh background and he lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The first Inspector Marco novel SPEECHLESS has been published on Amazon and the second and third in the series will be published in 2015.
Before turning to crime fiction I had written three other unpublished novels and you can read about my writing and about Wales, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, on my website http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk/
I was brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast and went to school in Holyhead. After a degree in Theology from London University I decided to train as a lawyer and returned to work in the practice run by my father on Anglesey. For many years I worked as a lawyer in a small practice representing clients in the criminal courts and doing divorce work all of which has given me valuable raw material for my novels.
I still live and work in North Wales where the Inspector Drake novels are set.
You can contact me on twitter @stephenpuleston or @inspector_marco
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17G6iIA
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
July 11, 2024
Brass in Pocket (originally titled "Songs for the Dead") has numerous touches that give those unique elements that mystery bibliophiles covet. The setting is in North Wales (not London, New York City, or Los Angeles). The Detective has ritualized obsessive compulsive disorder (or OCD). It causes him to go through the rituals of starting and ending his day with Sudoku puzzles, hand washing, excessive hygienic care, and natty dress.
There's an intriguing murder weapon (that fits with the motive), there are number clues aplenty, an extensive music catalog factors into the rationale, a surplus of red herrings, and even significant peril for the main character and his family.
The story begins when Inspector Drake is called to investigate the murder of two traffic cops. One might think, who would want to murder traffic cops, but then as their files get explored, we realize that these guys were not choir boys.
When Drake's parents get a visitation from the possible killer, and then he realizes that the killer has been in his own home, in his children's bedrooms, the urgency for justice increases. What significance do the song clues carry? Why are they all hits from 1979? Does that number mean something?
I was intrigued by this police procedural from another country. I love that the writer is a former lawyer who still lives in Northern Wales. It lends an air of authenticity to the entire enterprise. It moves like a slow burn, but I liked it a great deal.
There's an intriguing murder weapon (that fits with the motive), there are number clues aplenty, an extensive music catalog factors into the rationale, a surplus of red herrings, and even significant peril for the main character and his family.
The story begins when Inspector Drake is called to investigate the murder of two traffic cops. One might think, who would want to murder traffic cops, but then as their files get explored, we realize that these guys were not choir boys.
When Drake's parents get a visitation from the possible killer, and then he realizes that the killer has been in his own home, in his children's bedrooms, the urgency for justice increases. What significance do the song clues carry? Why are they all hits from 1979? Does that number mean something?
I was intrigued by this police procedural from another country. I love that the writer is a former lawyer who still lives in Northern Wales. It lends an air of authenticity to the entire enterprise. It moves like a slow burn, but I liked it a great deal.
November 17, 2017
Two traffic cops are brutally murdered with a crossbow while on duty. There are messages left by the killer .. the number 4 spelled out in traffic cones.,, lyrics from famous rock songs.
Days later a politician is stabbed to death. Once again, numbers are left as clues and different song lyrics.
Drake and his team have no clues, no motive. They suspect more murders in the near future.
It turns real personal for Drake when his parents are threatened.. and then his wife and children.
The story premise is solidly paced. There are many suspects with as many possible motives.. almost too many to keep track of. Inspector Drake is not an extremely likable character. He suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, constantly washing his face and hands and spending many after hours organizing his office. He's a bit abrupt and judgmental of the members of his team.
I consider this a police procedural as the author spells out exactly how the investigation goes. Drake describes it as grind and more grind until the hard work produces a nugget of intelligence.
This is the first of a series. It will be interesting to see if Inspector Drake makes some drastic changes along the way.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books for the digital copy of BRASS IN POCKET. Opinions expressed here are unsolicited, unbiased, and entirely my own.
October 13, 2021
5 stars audio
3 stars story
3 stars story
February 12, 2015
I don’t know if Private Eye still do Pedants’ Corner. It was a meeting place for professional nitpickers to compare notes – they even had a debate as to where the apostrophe should go in the title - and some of them have moved on to reviewing books on Amazon. The slightest spelling or grammatical mistake or inconsistency in the plot or settings and out comes the one star review. It was somewhat in this spirit that I approached ‘Brass in Pocket’. North Wales setting? I live there, pal, so it had better be spot on.
I have to report that I couldn’t find any inconsistencies. Driving the Crimea Pass over to Blaenau Ffestiniog on a rainy night? Rhyl? Walking up Snowdon? Yep. That’s what it’s like. The book is a well-written and plotted police procedural and I enjoyed it. Some authors take all the fun out of life.
The main character, DI Drake, even has OCD – that’s Obsessive Compulsion Disorder – and I can identify with that. I can’t pass a tree – on the right hand side of course and avoiding the cracks in the pavement – without wanting, no, having, to touch it. The scenes involving the police are realistic – I’ve known a few coppers – with no excessive swearing, drug-taking (by the coppers) or violence. The author was a criminal lawyer so knows what he is talking about. All in all, a true-to-life and enjoyable crime novel.
I have to report that I couldn’t find any inconsistencies. Driving the Crimea Pass over to Blaenau Ffestiniog on a rainy night? Rhyl? Walking up Snowdon? Yep. That’s what it’s like. The book is a well-written and plotted police procedural and I enjoyed it. Some authors take all the fun out of life.
The main character, DI Drake, even has OCD – that’s Obsessive Compulsion Disorder – and I can identify with that. I can’t pass a tree – on the right hand side of course and avoiding the cracks in the pavement – without wanting, no, having, to touch it. The scenes involving the police are realistic – I’ve known a few coppers – with no excessive swearing, drug-taking (by the coppers) or violence. The author was a criminal lawyer so knows what he is talking about. All in all, a true-to-life and enjoyable crime novel.
November 20, 2017
This is book 1 in the Inspector Drake series although there is a prequel novella, The Devil's Kitchen that is available free on Amazon.
The story begins with the murder of 2 traffic policemen. Inspector Ian Drake is called to the scene and so begins a race to unravel the cryptic clues before more people die.
As the book progresses we learn a lot about Ian and his struggle with OCD. It brings a human perspective to the book as his issues with cleanliness cause him problems with other members of his team.
The story moves along at a decent pace as the reader becomes more intrigued as the case develops and more people die. What is the link and who is the murderer is something that is a closely guarded secret until we are almost at the end of the book. I was as flumoxed as the team trying to work out the who and why and then WOW I didn’t see THAT coming.
This is a well written, gripping book that will have the reader turning page after page. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Definitely worth the 5 stars.
#blogtour #inspectordrake @stephenpuleston
The story begins with the murder of 2 traffic policemen. Inspector Ian Drake is called to the scene and so begins a race to unravel the cryptic clues before more people die.
As the book progresses we learn a lot about Ian and his struggle with OCD. It brings a human perspective to the book as his issues with cleanliness cause him problems with other members of his team.
The story moves along at a decent pace as the reader becomes more intrigued as the case develops and more people die. What is the link and who is the murderer is something that is a closely guarded secret until we are almost at the end of the book. I was as flumoxed as the team trying to work out the who and why and then WOW I didn’t see THAT coming.
This is a well written, gripping book that will have the reader turning page after page. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Definitely worth the 5 stars.
#blogtour #inspectordrake @stephenpuleston
November 26, 2014
Taking place in north Wales, "Brass In Pocket", has a very interesting Rock-N-Roll flavor to it. Protagonist DI Ian Drake is called out to a double homicide where both victims sadly are police officers. Along with his partner DS Caren Waits they must head out to the Crimea-Pass. This s one of the nastier sections of north Wales. Murdered officers Paul Matthews, and Danny Farrell work out of the traffic division. Neither was a very good police officer to be sure. Oddly enough the set up traffic cones seem to be set up by the killer who formed a number "4". Both officers had many complaints in their personnel jackets. Neither officer had a reputation to make the department proud. Meanwhile back at the station a taxi driver drops off a Polaroid showing the dead officers. On the back of the picture were several lines from song "Brass In Pocket". The pathologist determines the officers were killed with a cross bow. Soon there after, politician Roderick Jones is also murdered by cross bow.This murder had the lyrics that quote Queen's "Silly Little Thing Called Love". When Doctor Anthony West is murdered, the song clue comes from Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall". The next rock clue is left at Drake's house. It's from the band The Police, "Message In A Bottle". Very interesting story line to be sure. The characters for the most part were pretty well developed. Caren is a slob in nature and, this drives Ian nuts because of it. Drake himself is an odd duck to be sure. He's got OCD badly. Also, a love of doing Sudoku puzzles at the strangest of times. His quirky nature annoying at times reminded me of that TV detective- "Monk". Although I figured out who the killer was about 75 % into the book it still held my attention. However, I felt when linking the killer back to the crimes, it became a bit stiff. Although I thought the very last clue being "What whispers in the wind" a pretty good cherry on the top. Any real Rock-N-Roll fan would surely know where that quote comes from. I'd recommend this one for those who like something a little bit different for those wanting in a mystery/ thriller. 4 stars out of a possible 5 for "Brass In Pocket". "to be a rock that doesn't roll ".
May 2, 2018
Police procedural and mystery
By Charles van Buren on April 23, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Mostly well written police procedural and mystery. I am a retired intelligence analyst and investigator. I worked for both good and bad people but fortunately for no one quite as neurotic as Inspector Drake. That would have been almost impossible to survive - politics, crooks, incompetence and OCD would have driven many of the better people away. I will try a second book but if Drake continues to be so neurotic, I think that I will drop the series.
Drake's investigation has numerous red herrings. To most readers, many of the suspects, while they may be guilty of something, are obviously not the murderers. I suspected the real culprit, not because I'm smart, but because there was no one else unless the author was going to bring in someone from offstage.
By Charles van Buren on April 23, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Mostly well written police procedural and mystery. I am a retired intelligence analyst and investigator. I worked for both good and bad people but fortunately for no one quite as neurotic as Inspector Drake. That would have been almost impossible to survive - politics, crooks, incompetence and OCD would have driven many of the better people away. I will try a second book but if Drake continues to be so neurotic, I think that I will drop the series.
Drake's investigation has numerous red herrings. To most readers, many of the suspects, while they may be guilty of something, are obviously not the murderers. I suspected the real culprit, not because I'm smart, but because there was no one else unless the author was going to bring in someone from offstage.
January 29, 2021
Don’t like these books where the police imply that more effort should be put into the investigation because it’s one of their own. This implies that full effort is not put into the investigation of non police personal. If they are able to put more effort into investigating the murder of police personnel it’s a real 👎 for our police force.
June 3, 2024
The first book in a series about DI Drake set in Wales. I had recently read a short prequel to this series that I received as a freebie and was his very first case as a newly promoted DI. It was good enough to entice me to read more and I like to read a series in order if I can. When I started reading the book it was called “Brass in pocket” but somehow changed to “Songs for the dead” over the course of my reading it. Why? It doesn’t add anything to the story. I have to say the prequel explained Drake’s OCD whereas this book merely describes his actions at great length and I found it very annoying. Even at 75% read I was still tempted to quit the book, only my reluctance to give up stopping me. I don’t think I want to read any more of this series.
April 21, 2021
This was another story I had a tough time getting interested in enough to really follow what was going on. I don't think the characters were well developed. Too much time was spent talking about things like Sudoku and what people were wearing. I though the relationship Drake had with his family wasn't very well written. Great concept in a story about cop killer, but poorly executed.
March 29, 2024
Songs For The Dead - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Stephen Puleston's great Welsh-based Inspector Drake series opens with Songs For The Dead.
DI Ian Drake is an OCD sufferer which often hampers his daily life, his job and his marriage, as his wife resents coming second to the demands of his career.
Murder has struck again - this time on a North Wales mountain road, where two police officers have been killed in a gruesome manner.
The media is having a field day and time is running out for Drake's investigation,with his DS Ceren desperate to find the killer quickly, as the death toll mounts.
What links the musical clues?
What clues are found at Drake's home?
What reaction does this cause in Drake?
With red herrings coming thick and fast and the number of suspects almost matching the body count, how can Drake and Ceren avoid becoming next on the killer's hit list?
Stephen Puleston plays on your shredded nerves like nails scraping on a blackboard, so intense is the experience in every chapter.
Don't wait to see how it all ends ...read Music For The Dead and see if you worked it out first!
Stephen Puleston's great Welsh-based Inspector Drake series opens with Songs For The Dead.
DI Ian Drake is an OCD sufferer which often hampers his daily life, his job and his marriage, as his wife resents coming second to the demands of his career.
Murder has struck again - this time on a North Wales mountain road, where two police officers have been killed in a gruesome manner.
The media is having a field day and time is running out for Drake's investigation,with his DS Ceren desperate to find the killer quickly, as the death toll mounts.
What links the musical clues?
What clues are found at Drake's home?
What reaction does this cause in Drake?
With red herrings coming thick and fast and the number of suspects almost matching the body count, how can Drake and Ceren avoid becoming next on the killer's hit list?
Stephen Puleston plays on your shredded nerves like nails scraping on a blackboard, so intense is the experience in every chapter.
Don't wait to see how it all ends ...read Music For The Dead and see if you worked it out first!
April 3, 2017
I bought this book by mistake but decided to keep it and I'm glad I did. The story starts with the murder of 2 policeman on a remote mountain pass in North Wales and doesn't let up. Mr Puleston does a tremendous job of conveying the urgency the police feel trying to capture the killer. Couple that urgency with DI Drake's OCD and you get a very tense police procedural. The characterisation is good as well as you get to know the main characters at home as well as at work. I recommend this book as a great read and deserving of a wider audience.
December 13, 2017
Every so often I come across a series of books, where I read one and think ‘how the heck have I not read this series before?’ Well the Inspector Drake series is one such series. To my eternal shame, I had never read anything by Stephen Puleston before. I mean, I have got several of his books on my mahoosive ‘to be read’ mountain but I just don’t seem to have got around to reading them before. Mahoosive mistake. Needless to say reading the rest of the series has got to be one of my main priorities given how much I enjoyed ‘Brass In Pocket’.
Inspector Ian Drake is certainly one of a kind. Drake stands out from other detectives because he suffers from mental illness but he still manages to hold down a full time and demanding job. Drake suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and if he can’t stick to his rituals and do them in a particular order, he becomes rather unsettled. Whilst I wouldn’t say that Drake is proud to suffer from a mental illness, he certainly doesn’t seem to keep it hidden and others around him are aware of how his condition affects him on a daily basis. Drake is a dedicated police officer, who is determined to solve crime and to seek justice for the victims of crime, as well as for their families. Drake likes to run a tight ship and he insists that police officers under his command, show the utmost respect and dedication to their jobs. Even though the first victims of the murderer are less than savoury characters, he still does his best to bring the murderer to justice. Drake sometimes has a bit of difficulty in maintaining an equal work- life balance and to fulfil his obligations on one side, he sometimes intrudes on the other. This leads to a bit of a conflict as to where his priorities lie.
I have to say that this is one of the best starts to a series that I have read in a long, long time. Reading ‘Brass In Pocket’ became seriously addictive and because I was enjoying the story, the page numbers just seemed to fly by in a blur. I couldn’t put the book down and not because it was glued to my hand, but I was so ‘into’ the story. Before I knew what was happening I had finished the book, which I was so disappointed about. Don’t get me wrong I was pleased to find out who the murderer was and why they did what they did but I was enjoying the story and the writing style so much that I just wanted the book to continue. I wasn’t disappointed for long because I then realised that I had the rest of the series to read and catch up on. Cue a smile and a little happy dance, which wasn’t pretty to watch. Reading this book was much like riding on a rollercoaster ride with lots of twists, turns and stomach churning moments. Just when you think that things had slowed down, then off the book would go again.
In short and if you haven’t already guessed, I absolutely loved ‘Brass In Pocket’ and I would recommend this writer and this book to anyone. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series to see what the author has in store for Inspector Drake. The score on the board for ‘Brass In Pocket’ is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Inspector Ian Drake is certainly one of a kind. Drake stands out from other detectives because he suffers from mental illness but he still manages to hold down a full time and demanding job. Drake suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and if he can’t stick to his rituals and do them in a particular order, he becomes rather unsettled. Whilst I wouldn’t say that Drake is proud to suffer from a mental illness, he certainly doesn’t seem to keep it hidden and others around him are aware of how his condition affects him on a daily basis. Drake is a dedicated police officer, who is determined to solve crime and to seek justice for the victims of crime, as well as for their families. Drake likes to run a tight ship and he insists that police officers under his command, show the utmost respect and dedication to their jobs. Even though the first victims of the murderer are less than savoury characters, he still does his best to bring the murderer to justice. Drake sometimes has a bit of difficulty in maintaining an equal work- life balance and to fulfil his obligations on one side, he sometimes intrudes on the other. This leads to a bit of a conflict as to where his priorities lie.
I have to say that this is one of the best starts to a series that I have read in a long, long time. Reading ‘Brass In Pocket’ became seriously addictive and because I was enjoying the story, the page numbers just seemed to fly by in a blur. I couldn’t put the book down and not because it was glued to my hand, but I was so ‘into’ the story. Before I knew what was happening I had finished the book, which I was so disappointed about. Don’t get me wrong I was pleased to find out who the murderer was and why they did what they did but I was enjoying the story and the writing style so much that I just wanted the book to continue. I wasn’t disappointed for long because I then realised that I had the rest of the series to read and catch up on. Cue a smile and a little happy dance, which wasn’t pretty to watch. Reading this book was much like riding on a rollercoaster ride with lots of twists, turns and stomach churning moments. Just when you think that things had slowed down, then off the book would go again.
In short and if you haven’t already guessed, I absolutely loved ‘Brass In Pocket’ and I would recommend this writer and this book to anyone. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series to see what the author has in store for Inspector Drake. The score on the board for ‘Brass In Pocket’ is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.
August 11, 2019
It's rare for me to start a series at book one. These days I seem to accidentally find myself starting at book four or five and then have to go back and find out how the characters got to the point where I discovered them. This time I'm starting at the beginning and thrilled to know there are many more in the Ian Drake series for me to enjoy.
A police procedural is one of my favourite types of story. And when it is done well it is an unputdownable format. There are lots of clues in this story that send me off in one direction or another but time after time they turn into red herrings that have fooled me with misdirection.
The various murders, with the different methods of killing and the different settings for the crime meant that it was even harder than usual to identify the killer. Stephen Puleston did a brilliant job in making me suspect everybody. I did have an aha moment and work out for myself who the killer was and why but not until close to the end of the book.
It was interesting to see how Inspector Drake's OCD was dealt with in the story. His need to rearrange the items on his desk, to be tidy and precise was emphasised time and time again. I found it a literary device that emphasised the uncontrollable nature of OCD and how it can be as distressing for the people around the sufferer as it is for the person themselves.
I very much enjoyed listening to Richard Elyfn narrate this audiobook. For the most part, his Welsh accent fitted the whole cast of characters. So often people don't realise that the Welsh accent changes from North to South but this is definitely the right voice for this book
A police procedural is one of my favourite types of story. And when it is done well it is an unputdownable format. There are lots of clues in this story that send me off in one direction or another but time after time they turn into red herrings that have fooled me with misdirection.
The various murders, with the different methods of killing and the different settings for the crime meant that it was even harder than usual to identify the killer. Stephen Puleston did a brilliant job in making me suspect everybody. I did have an aha moment and work out for myself who the killer was and why but not until close to the end of the book.
It was interesting to see how Inspector Drake's OCD was dealt with in the story. His need to rearrange the items on his desk, to be tidy and precise was emphasised time and time again. I found it a literary device that emphasised the uncontrollable nature of OCD and how it can be as distressing for the people around the sufferer as it is for the person themselves.
I very much enjoyed listening to Richard Elyfn narrate this audiobook. For the most part, his Welsh accent fitted the whole cast of characters. So often people don't realise that the Welsh accent changes from North to South but this is definitely the right voice for this book
August 12, 2019
Have you ever been reading a book and found that the character you are learning about reminds you strikingly of someone in your own life? When I first started listening to Inspector Drake this was exactly how I felt. All those little idiosyncrasies that he has brought a strong reminder of my own other half.
I greatly enjoyed the mystery of this book and I did not see the answer coming, which is always good.
Elfyn has a great voice and I found his narration to be quite soothing and easy to listen to.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Stephen Puleston. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I greatly enjoyed the mystery of this book and I did not see the answer coming, which is always good.
Elfyn has a great voice and I found his narration to be quite soothing and easy to listen to.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Stephen Puleston. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
May 31, 2019
this book was okay. The murder of two police officers in Wales starts a chain of events - more murders that seem unconnected.
Inspector Drake has a hard time solving the murders. He is a different kind of guy, with some quirks that get old hearing about.
I listened to it wanting to know what happened and who the killer was. I did not really enjoy the main characters. I would have liked to have a few more of the detectives fleshed out in the story. was it worth a credit, I guess?
Inspector Drake has a hard time solving the murders. He is a different kind of guy, with some quirks that get old hearing about.
I listened to it wanting to know what happened and who the killer was. I did not really enjoy the main characters. I would have liked to have a few more of the detectives fleshed out in the story. was it worth a credit, I guess?
January 30, 2021
⭐️3.75⭐️
October 21, 2024
I read this under the title, Songs for the dead
December 23, 2017
A longer review follows. For now, I enjoyed this police procedural and had a challenge discovering the killer ahead of the police team. Inspector Drake has some habits that can grate, like having to constantly straighten his office and more. But he rings true having had an OCD neighbour once.
The setting of North Wales feels real, having lived there for a few years. I was interested in the ways that the police operated, knowing that the author was a retired lawyer so had to know his facts. I realise that the UK police underwent changes in 2015 that mean Inspector Drake might be facing some trying times.
Recommended so I'm checking out #2.
The full review is at https://rolandclarke.com/2017/12/23/b...
The setting of North Wales feels real, having lived there for a few years. I was interested in the ways that the police operated, knowing that the author was a retired lawyer so had to know his facts. I realise that the UK police underwent changes in 2015 that mean Inspector Drake might be facing some trying times.
Recommended so I'm checking out #2.
The full review is at https://rolandclarke.com/2017/12/23/b...
June 6, 2018
Interesting storyline that keeps you gripped to the pages. Interesting characters too. You are constantly left thinking what the motive is and you are kept in suspense till the end. Great read
June 12, 2020
A pretty good police procedural set in North Wales, with two policemen murdered in their patrol car in a remote mountainous area. The abrasive Inspector Drake has OCD, which I began to find irritating, but not enough to relegate this from 4 stars
January 12, 2019
Numbers and song titles...
Having enjoyed Stephen Puleston's prequel, The Devil's Kitchen, I was looking forward to following Inspector Drake and his assistant, Ceren Waits, as they embark on a full length investigation. I was not disappointed at all, and Richard Elfyn again added a dimension, with the narration and his lovable Welsh accent. Some of these place names would have been massacred in my head, had I tried to read them.
The book starts with us in the murderer's shoes, as he stalks two police officers through the Welsh countryside and into the mountains. Drake is soon alerted to the murders of the two officers, and he and Ceren rush to the scene to find that they have been murdered by a crossbow, and traffic cones have been left in the shape of a number four. When a politician is murdered soon after, the suggestion is made that the number four is a prediction of the number of intended murders. Drake and Ceren are now under pressure to solve the crime before the target is reached.
As well as the numbers, the killer complicates the investigation by sending song lyrics after each murder. Surely this is a clue, but what does it signify?
An enjoyable listen that kept my interest. Atmospheric, with description of the Welsh countryside, but a little annoying when Drake's OCD is referred to repeatedly and his constant need to play Sudoku puzzles to calm his nerves, becomes irritating. Thankfully I don't have to live with him!
Having enjoyed Stephen Puleston's prequel, The Devil's Kitchen, I was looking forward to following Inspector Drake and his assistant, Ceren Waits, as they embark on a full length investigation. I was not disappointed at all, and Richard Elfyn again added a dimension, with the narration and his lovable Welsh accent. Some of these place names would have been massacred in my head, had I tried to read them.
The book starts with us in the murderer's shoes, as he stalks two police officers through the Welsh countryside and into the mountains. Drake is soon alerted to the murders of the two officers, and he and Ceren rush to the scene to find that they have been murdered by a crossbow, and traffic cones have been left in the shape of a number four. When a politician is murdered soon after, the suggestion is made that the number four is a prediction of the number of intended murders. Drake and Ceren are now under pressure to solve the crime before the target is reached.
As well as the numbers, the killer complicates the investigation by sending song lyrics after each murder. Surely this is a clue, but what does it signify?
An enjoyable listen that kept my interest. Atmospheric, with description of the Welsh countryside, but a little annoying when Drake's OCD is referred to repeatedly and his constant need to play Sudoku puzzles to calm his nerves, becomes irritating. Thankfully I don't have to live with him!
December 26, 2018
Hooray! A North Wales murder series at last, and a very good one at that.
DI Drake, fighting Welsh crime in Colwyn Bay, has the obligatory angst of the true detectives. His father has been diagnosed with cancer while he himself is beset by OCD issues, needing to establish a pattern of order around him before he can relax and function. His wife seems the only one aware of his habits, complaining of his habit of timing the cafetiere for precisely one minute and thirty seconds before the plunger can go down and the coffee poured.
He also employs sudoku as a way of calming his thoughts which are thrown into turmoil when a report comes in of two policemen having been murdered on the Crimea Pass.
Traffic cones have been arranged in the number 4 at the scene, and the killer begins sending enigmatic song lyrics to the police.
It's an engrossing and fast-paced piece threaded with a theme of numbers and obsessiveness.
When another murder is followed by the receipt of lyrics from another song from 1979 accompanied by the number 3, it becomes clear that more murders will follow and Drake finds himself under pressure to catch the killer before he strikes again.
There are a number of people who appear to have connections to the victims, and motives for at least some of the murders. This strikes one as somewhat unrealistic but fails to hinder enjoyment of the novel. It was also perhaps a tad obvious to have evidence of the killer's identity turn up just as we are approaching the final kill. Nevertheless the author kept me guessing and the novel builds to a fairly suspenseful climax.
Drake is a fascinating character who strives to conceal and control his OCD behaviour without acknowledging that it goes a long way toward making him the detective that he is. He is very well drawn, although perhaps the characters of his team could be fleshed out a little. Thank you Mr Puleston. Please set one of your future novels in Wrexham, which is mentioned once, and then dispensed with. It is my hometown and as far as I know has not been the scene of a literary murder as yet. That would make my day.
DI Drake, fighting Welsh crime in Colwyn Bay, has the obligatory angst of the true detectives. His father has been diagnosed with cancer while he himself is beset by OCD issues, needing to establish a pattern of order around him before he can relax and function. His wife seems the only one aware of his habits, complaining of his habit of timing the cafetiere for precisely one minute and thirty seconds before the plunger can go down and the coffee poured.
He also employs sudoku as a way of calming his thoughts which are thrown into turmoil when a report comes in of two policemen having been murdered on the Crimea Pass.
Traffic cones have been arranged in the number 4 at the scene, and the killer begins sending enigmatic song lyrics to the police.
It's an engrossing and fast-paced piece threaded with a theme of numbers and obsessiveness.
When another murder is followed by the receipt of lyrics from another song from 1979 accompanied by the number 3, it becomes clear that more murders will follow and Drake finds himself under pressure to catch the killer before he strikes again.
There are a number of people who appear to have connections to the victims, and motives for at least some of the murders. This strikes one as somewhat unrealistic but fails to hinder enjoyment of the novel. It was also perhaps a tad obvious to have evidence of the killer's identity turn up just as we are approaching the final kill. Nevertheless the author kept me guessing and the novel builds to a fairly suspenseful climax.
Drake is a fascinating character who strives to conceal and control his OCD behaviour without acknowledging that it goes a long way toward making him the detective that he is. He is very well drawn, although perhaps the characters of his team could be fleshed out a little. Thank you Mr Puleston. Please set one of your future novels in Wrexham, which is mentioned once, and then dispensed with. It is my hometown and as far as I know has not been the scene of a literary murder as yet. That would make my day.
January 9, 2014
Two traffic officers called to a remote location in northern Wales on what they assume to be a routine matter are brutally murdered. The killer leaves investigators two puzzling messages—lyrics to a song and the numeral four.
Detective Inspector Ian Drake, the lead investigator, recognizes the lyrics as from the Pretenders song “Brass in Pocket” but is initially as confused by the messages as are his associates.
Before they’ve begun to deal with this case, a politician is murdered on the summit of Mount Snowdon and the killer leaves more inscrutable messages. As clues accumulate, Drake begins to see a pattern with the series of numbers, 1-9-7-9. But does it point to a year, or something else? Several suspects are considered, though motive remains enigmatic. As Drake gets closer to an answer, the killer threatens his family.
In Drake Puleston has created a complex, yet very human character. Afflicted with Obsession-Compulsive Disorder, Drake is driven to find answers despite pressures of job and family. He solves Sodoku puzzles to help him focus and gain control. The recounting of his rituals may annoy some readers but it also illustrates the difficulty under which he functions.
In addition to his job and the investigation, Drake is dealing with problems at home. His wife is demanding he seek counseling for his OCD, his father is ill with cancer, his mother is having difficulty coping and he’s at odds with his sister. His occasional annoyance with Detective Sergeant Caren Waits and other members of his team seemed natural for the man. I found the characters well drawn, the flow of the story smooth and the solution evaded me till near the end.
This is the first in the Drake series and I think it will be interesting to see how the characters evolve in future.
Detective Inspector Ian Drake, the lead investigator, recognizes the lyrics as from the Pretenders song “Brass in Pocket” but is initially as confused by the messages as are his associates.
Before they’ve begun to deal with this case, a politician is murdered on the summit of Mount Snowdon and the killer leaves more inscrutable messages. As clues accumulate, Drake begins to see a pattern with the series of numbers, 1-9-7-9. But does it point to a year, or something else? Several suspects are considered, though motive remains enigmatic. As Drake gets closer to an answer, the killer threatens his family.
In Drake Puleston has created a complex, yet very human character. Afflicted with Obsession-Compulsive Disorder, Drake is driven to find answers despite pressures of job and family. He solves Sodoku puzzles to help him focus and gain control. The recounting of his rituals may annoy some readers but it also illustrates the difficulty under which he functions.
In addition to his job and the investigation, Drake is dealing with problems at home. His wife is demanding he seek counseling for his OCD, his father is ill with cancer, his mother is having difficulty coping and he’s at odds with his sister. His occasional annoyance with Detective Sergeant Caren Waits and other members of his team seemed natural for the man. I found the characters well drawn, the flow of the story smooth and the solution evaded me till near the end.
This is the first in the Drake series and I think it will be interesting to see how the characters evolve in future.
December 6, 2014
Brass in Pocket was the monthly read over at the English Kindle Mystery Club on Goodreads. I nominated it because the title and the concept, references to late 70’s music interested me, having lived through them. The protagonist, Inspector Drake, is an intriguing character with some time of OCD condition. His partner just seems to muddle along ignoring it for the most part. The book starts off with a bang, and a double homicide of two police officers on a lonely Welsh road. The pace rushes along from that point on slowing occasionally. I thought that it felt a little rushed rather than fast paced. I also found that the relationship between Inspector Drake and his family was uneven, there seemed to be tension and then there wasn’t with no real explanation. Perhaps this is because this is the first in a series and the family relationships will be expanded upon later.
My biggest issue with the book actually is the hook that got me to buy it, the songs. There are multiple references to the songs in relation to the murders but the lyrics or even lines from the song that the characters are reading are not in the book. I guess this was due to some copyright laws, but it was immensely distracting for me. Every time they mentioned a song I wanted to stop reading and google the lyrics, so it pulled me out of the story. Overall, I liked Inspector Drake and the mystery plot itself, but some of the other characters and family relationships were weak and the book seemed short and rushed. I am not sure if I will read another.
My biggest issue with the book actually is the hook that got me to buy it, the songs. There are multiple references to the songs in relation to the murders but the lyrics or even lines from the song that the characters are reading are not in the book. I guess this was due to some copyright laws, but it was immensely distracting for me. Every time they mentioned a song I wanted to stop reading and google the lyrics, so it pulled me out of the story. Overall, I liked Inspector Drake and the mystery plot itself, but some of the other characters and family relationships were weak and the book seemed short and rushed. I am not sure if I will read another.
March 4, 2015
When an author spends multiple paragraphs explain how various police officers underline the reports they are reading, you know a novel has serious problems. Other Puleston problems include constantly referring to Drake's car as the 'Alpha' -- yes, he drives an Alpha Romeo, however it does nothing to advance the plot to mention this every time he drives somewhere. Or that he uses a 'biro' to write with. So what?
The murderer leaves song references as clues, however, Puleston NEVER adds the lyrics to the narrative. There is no reason not to do so, since every country has a 'Fair Use' section in its copyright laws that would allow a brief quotation to these ditties from last century. Why title the book after one of these, and then never tell us why it is appropriate?
Set in Wales, only the use of unpronounceable place names produces any local flavor -- and that flavor is mashed potatoes with far too much salt.
To the good, the overall plot is solid, even if the clues are clumsily handled.
Overall, I don't think reading this or the subsequent works will be worth my time, nor yours, either.
The murderer leaves song references as clues, however, Puleston NEVER adds the lyrics to the narrative. There is no reason not to do so, since every country has a 'Fair Use' section in its copyright laws that would allow a brief quotation to these ditties from last century. Why title the book after one of these, and then never tell us why it is appropriate?
Set in Wales, only the use of unpronounceable place names produces any local flavor -- and that flavor is mashed potatoes with far too much salt.
To the good, the overall plot is solid, even if the clues are clumsily handled.
Overall, I don't think reading this or the subsequent works will be worth my time, nor yours, either.
September 17, 2024
I am thoroughly enjoying this author, these police-procedurals set in Wales. We don't get a chance to visit this part of the world often, but Puleston can make going there move up your bucket list. I would love to see this lovely country myself, but the second best is visiting it in this series. Brass in Pocket is the first of the Inspector Drake series, a very fast-paced tale with personable characters, an intricate storyline - everything you need to keep you up most of the night. Plus the music - lots of these old favorites had dropped off of my current listening shelf, but I rejuvenated them gladly. It makes me remember why I loved the old rock for so long. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.
Reviewed on August 16, 2023, at Goodreads, BookBub, and Amazon. Not available at B&N or Kobo.
Series available on KU
Reviewed on August 16, 2023, at Goodreads, BookBub, and Amazon. Not available at B&N or Kobo.
Series available on KU
June 18, 2017
This was an interesting police procedural set in Wales, a place I've always to visit. Detective Inspector Ian Drake, the lead character, is very different from the standard detective, in that he suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Drake and his partner, Detective Sergeant Caren Waits are called to investigate the crime that every policeman dreads, the murder of two policemen on an isolated highway known as Crimean Pass. They work together with a task force trying to determine if there’s any link in the two policeman’s pasts that might suggest a motive.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited and felt it had a lot of potential. I would like to see a bit more character development and the OCD references became a bit annoying but for the most part I enjoyed it.
Drake and his partner, Detective Sergeant Caren Waits are called to investigate the crime that every policeman dreads, the murder of two policemen on an isolated highway known as Crimean Pass. They work together with a task force trying to determine if there’s any link in the two policeman’s pasts that might suggest a motive.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited and felt it had a lot of potential. I would like to see a bit more character development and the OCD references became a bit annoying but for the most part I enjoyed it.
February 20, 2015
When two police officers are killed in their car on a deserted road, the entire Wales Police force is stunned. How could this happen? When Inspector Ian Drake and Detective Sergeant Caren Waits start their investigation, they discover that the two dead cops weren’t exactly models of virtue. There are two clues—the number four outlined in orange traffic cones and the lyrics to the Pretneders’ song “Brass in Pocket.” Were one or both of the cops the killer’s target, or was it a random murder of police officers?
Set in Wales, the names of the towns and people add to the local color. I’ll look for the other books in this series.
Set in Wales, the names of the towns and people add to the local color. I’ll look for the other books in this series.
June 25, 2020
I like the newer Inspector Drake books and will continue reading them
I’ve read several books of this series, which I enjoyed. I’ve just listened to the Audible version of the first book, “Brass In Pocket,” which I had to DNF when it first came out. I had problems with the 1979 music, because I don’t know much about music then. Lyrics would’ve helped, although I’m sure there are copyright problems.
I usually rate Audible books higher because most narrators do an excellent job and improve the book. I rated this lower than the newer books, because there was too much repetition about Inspector Ian Drake’s OCD symptoms and his coping (or not) tricks
I’ve read several books of this series, which I enjoyed. I’ve just listened to the Audible version of the first book, “Brass In Pocket,” which I had to DNF when it first came out. I had problems with the 1979 music, because I don’t know much about music then. Lyrics would’ve helped, although I’m sure there are copyright problems.
I usually rate Audible books higher because most narrators do an excellent job and improve the book. I rated this lower than the newer books, because there was too much repetition about Inspector Ian Drake’s OCD symptoms and his coping (or not) tricks
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