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Cullen and Cobb #1
Serpents Rising: A Cullen and Cobb Mystery
In 2005, journalist Adam Cullen's wife, Donna, was killed by an arsonist. In desperation after police, fire department, and insurance investigators all give up trying to find the culprit, Cullen hires private detective Mike Cobb, but he, too, is stymied. Seven years later, Cobb re-enters Cullen's life. A search for a crack-addicted teenage runaway is tangled up with Calgaryâ??s most ruthless criminal organization â?? and a possible lead on Donnaâ??s killer.
The parallel investigations take the two onto Calgary's meanest streets, populated by a vicious biker gang, a silky-smooth pedophile, and an assortment of people who aren't at all what they seem.
As they weave their way through long-buried secrets, Cobb and Cullen will come face-to-face with a cruelty they could never have expected.
The parallel investigations take the two onto Calgary's meanest streets, populated by a vicious biker gang, a silky-smooth pedophile, and an assortment of people who aren't at all what they seem.
As they weave their way through long-buried secrets, Cobb and Cullen will come face-to-face with a cruelty they could never have expected.
392 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2014
102 people want to read
About the author
David A. Poulsen
30 books23 followersDavid A. Poulsen has been a rodeo competitor and rodeo clown, rock singer, high school football coach, stage and film actor, documentary television writer and host, and college English instructor. Since retiring from rodeo competition - he admits to being a not-very-good bareback rider and later an accident-prone rodeo clown, David Poulsen has taken up residence in announcer's stands across North America. The results have been tremendously positive both for David and audiences who have listened to his knowledgeable and enthusiastic commentary for the last twenty-six years.
With 1500 performances to his credit, the likable Alberta native has appeared at many of the major rodeos and bull riding events in Canada, among them the Canadian Finals Rodeo (three times), the Calgary Stampede for the last sixteen years in a row and, the PCB Bull Riding Finals. He has been at the microphone for twenty-eight Finals events in seven different associations. Equally at home in front of a TV camera, he has been seen on CTV Wide World of Sports, TSN Television Sports and each year co-hosts the popular Stampede Roundup program on Calgary's CFCN-TV with Glen Campbell. He also acted as co-host of the documentary series The Complete Rider for The Outdoor Life Network. David's announcing talents have also taken him to the big screen. He twice played the role of a rodeo announcer in the successful family series The Black Stallion and was behind the microphone for the rodeo scenes in the movie Convict Cowboy that starred Jon Voigt
David is also a successful writer with some 17 published books to his credit. His writing career began in earnest in 1984 when his short story The Welcomin’ won the Alberta Culture Short Story Writing Competition. His newest book Last Sam's Cage (published by Key Porter Books, Toronto, ON) arrived in bookstores in October, 2005 and has been enjoying a tremendous reception with readers across Canada and beyond. Because a number of his books target young readers, David spends between 60 and 80 days a year in classrooms across Canada, talking to kids about his books and his life as a writer and sharing his stories with students.
David and his wife Barb raise running quarter horses on a small but picturesque ranch (El Rancho Pequino) in the Alberta foothills west of Claresholm.
With 1500 performances to his credit, the likable Alberta native has appeared at many of the major rodeos and bull riding events in Canada, among them the Canadian Finals Rodeo (three times), the Calgary Stampede for the last sixteen years in a row and, the PCB Bull Riding Finals. He has been at the microphone for twenty-eight Finals events in seven different associations. Equally at home in front of a TV camera, he has been seen on CTV Wide World of Sports, TSN Television Sports and each year co-hosts the popular Stampede Roundup program on Calgary's CFCN-TV with Glen Campbell. He also acted as co-host of the documentary series The Complete Rider for The Outdoor Life Network. David's announcing talents have also taken him to the big screen. He twice played the role of a rodeo announcer in the successful family series The Black Stallion and was behind the microphone for the rodeo scenes in the movie Convict Cowboy that starred Jon Voigt
David is also a successful writer with some 17 published books to his credit. His writing career began in earnest in 1984 when his short story The Welcomin’ won the Alberta Culture Short Story Writing Competition. His newest book Last Sam's Cage (published by Key Porter Books, Toronto, ON) arrived in bookstores in October, 2005 and has been enjoying a tremendous reception with readers across Canada and beyond. Because a number of his books target young readers, David spends between 60 and 80 days a year in classrooms across Canada, talking to kids about his books and his life as a writer and sharing his stories with students.
David and his wife Barb raise running quarter horses on a small but picturesque ranch (El Rancho Pequino) in the Alberta foothills west of Claresholm.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 10, 2014
READ IN ENGLISH
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
Serpents Rising is the first book in the new series about Cobb and Cullen.
Eight years ago someone burned down Adam Cullen's home, and his wife with it. A year later he receives a message from the killer. The murderer is still on the loose. When private detective Cobb asks him to embark on an investigation finding a drug addict, they go looking for him and the arsonist.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty decent detective novel set in Calgary. There's the main character Adam with his tragic backstory and the ex-cop turned private eye. Nothing new there, but it can still be enjoyable. Adam seemed genuinely still frustrated and upset (and not without reason) about the murder of his wife, although the jump to 'reopen' the investigation seemed a bit forced. As did the way the two of them started working together.
The story is okay, it has the necessary twists and did at times surprise me (although I'd guessed the ending correctly), but wasn't overly original. Still, I had some nice hours reading the book as the writing itself wasn't anything special but nice to read as well. Adam's character had quite some character development throughout the story (I would like to read more about him), but Cobb's was a bit flat and I couldn't really care about him. Still, I think I would read the next instalment in this series.
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
Serpents Rising is the first book in the new series about Cobb and Cullen.
Eight years ago someone burned down Adam Cullen's home, and his wife with it. A year later he receives a message from the killer. The murderer is still on the loose. When private detective Cobb asks him to embark on an investigation finding a drug addict, they go looking for him and the arsonist.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty decent detective novel set in Calgary. There's the main character Adam with his tragic backstory and the ex-cop turned private eye. Nothing new there, but it can still be enjoyable. Adam seemed genuinely still frustrated and upset (and not without reason) about the murder of his wife, although the jump to 'reopen' the investigation seemed a bit forced. As did the way the two of them started working together.
The story is okay, it has the necessary twists and did at times surprise me (although I'd guessed the ending correctly), but wasn't overly original. Still, I had some nice hours reading the book as the writing itself wasn't anything special but nice to read as well. Adam's character had quite some character development throughout the story (I would like to read more about him), but Cobb's was a bit flat and I couldn't really care about him. Still, I think I would read the next instalment in this series.
May 27, 2020
A very good book and a surprise. My favourite mystery writers are Nesbo and Rankin and I was given this book by my brother in law. Paulson captures the essence of the mystery and crime and the best part is it takes place in Calgary. It is cool to read about places I have been or seen and he can really describe Canadian/Calgary winters. I also appreciate the music aspect. Harry Hole and John Rebus used music for mood and to relax as well as to learn about the character in a more personal way. Well Mr. Paulson, I will continue to read the Cobb and Cullen series. Thank you.
July 30, 2019
This first in the series hooked me from the start and I stayed hooked. The writing is smart and savvy. The duo of Cullen and Cobb, journalist and PI, works well together. The characters are fully developed, the dialog realistic, the gritty streetscape believable, and the plot moves along nicely. We are concerned for the drugged-out youth at risk and sympathize with the main character, Cullen, on his undeserved misfortune. PI and ex-cop Cobb is tough but Poulsen shows us his human side too. There are some hair-raising scenes where Poulsen ratchets up the tension.
Touches of romance and nostalgia round out the book, and music lovers will appreciate the nod to Canadian music with references to many bands and songs. It’s fun for locals to read about familiar streets and restaurants in Calgary. I did guess the killer but not until near the end.
Touches of romance and nostalgia round out the book, and music lovers will appreciate the nod to Canadian music with references to many bands and songs. It’s fun for locals to read about familiar streets and restaurants in Calgary. I did guess the killer but not until near the end.
January 29, 2018
I loved all the local details in this book, set in Calgary. When Cullen and Cobb are at the Inglewood Starbucks, or driving down Memorial Drive I can picture it vividly because I know those neighbourhoods so well. On top of that, it's a good mystery. I almost always have the culprit figured out well before the big reveal. With this book I did not see that coming at all.
April 4, 2018
In 2005, Adam was a journalist and very much in love with his wife, Donna. When she is killed in a house fire, he assumes that it was because of a story he had written sometime and someone was seeking revenge. He hires a ex-cop/private detective named Mike Cobb to check into it when the police come up empty. Mike finds nothing and Adam tries to carry on with his life.
In 2013, Adam is a freelance writer and Mike contacts him for help. Mike has been hired by a father to find his drug-addicted son, Jay. Since Adam has written stories about this subject, Mike hopes he has some insight. In the meantime, Adam starts to wonder if maybe Donna had been the intended instead of an innocent victim so he starts to investigate again, using Mike as a sounding board.
I liked the writing style and enjoyed this book. The editing could have been tighter, though. For example, something happens 30 hours ago yet they reference it as happening that night. It is written in first person perspective in Adam's voice. As a head's up, there is swearing.
I like that this story is set in Calgary and the author doesn't try to hide the fact that the story is happening in Canada. There are numerous references to Calgary and many many references to Canadian musicians, even obscure ones I've never heard of (Adam is a big music fan with eclectic tastes).
This is the first in the Cobb and Cullen series and the first book I have read by this author. I look forward to reading others in the series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/04...
In 2013, Adam is a freelance writer and Mike contacts him for help. Mike has been hired by a father to find his drug-addicted son, Jay. Since Adam has written stories about this subject, Mike hopes he has some insight. In the meantime, Adam starts to wonder if maybe Donna had been the intended instead of an innocent victim so he starts to investigate again, using Mike as a sounding board.
I liked the writing style and enjoyed this book. The editing could have been tighter, though. For example, something happens 30 hours ago yet they reference it as happening that night. It is written in first person perspective in Adam's voice. As a head's up, there is swearing.
I like that this story is set in Calgary and the author doesn't try to hide the fact that the story is happening in Canada. There are numerous references to Calgary and many many references to Canadian musicians, even obscure ones I've never heard of (Adam is a big music fan with eclectic tastes).
This is the first in the Cobb and Cullen series and the first book I have read by this author. I look forward to reading others in the series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/04...
March 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this novel. For a number of different reasons.
I’d like to call it “Cowtown Noir,” as it’s a hard-boiled novel set in Calgary.
There are actually a couple of different mysteries wrapped up together in this one. Cullen, a freelance journalist living in Calgary, is working with a PI named Cobb, initially to find a kid who’s addicted to crack, because when the kid’s father goes looking for him, he ends up shooting two crack dealers and figures their bosses are going to come gunning for him and/or his kid. There are all kinds of twists and turns to that story.
The other story is kind of a backstory brought back to the front because the way these two met initially was when Cullen’s house was burnt down with his wife in it, killing her. There are signs that someone did it on purpose, but he’s not sure whether it is to kill him for some crime story he wrote - or if they were trying to kill his wife.
There are some very dark moments in the story, which also involves a teacher in high school abusing several female students.
There are some real twists and turns, some things I certainly did not expect as the story progresses.
I do love hard-boiled PI/noir novels. It’s also cool to see one set in a city I lived in for five years, as I recognize many of the places mentioned in the story, places that play some key roles in the story. Usually the hard-boiled noir novels I read are set in places like Boston or New York or Los Angeles - or sometimes even Montreal.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I’d like to call it “Cowtown Noir,” as it’s a hard-boiled novel set in Calgary.
There are actually a couple of different mysteries wrapped up together in this one. Cullen, a freelance journalist living in Calgary, is working with a PI named Cobb, initially to find a kid who’s addicted to crack, because when the kid’s father goes looking for him, he ends up shooting two crack dealers and figures their bosses are going to come gunning for him and/or his kid. There are all kinds of twists and turns to that story.
The other story is kind of a backstory brought back to the front because the way these two met initially was when Cullen’s house was burnt down with his wife in it, killing her. There are signs that someone did it on purpose, but he’s not sure whether it is to kill him for some crime story he wrote - or if they were trying to kill his wife.
There are some very dark moments in the story, which also involves a teacher in high school abusing several female students.
There are some real twists and turns, some things I certainly did not expect as the story progresses.
I do love hard-boiled PI/noir novels. It’s also cool to see one set in a city I lived in for five years, as I recognize many of the places mentioned in the story, places that play some key roles in the story. Usually the hard-boiled noir novels I read are set in places like Boston or New York or Los Angeles - or sometimes even Montreal.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
January 5, 2022
Freelance Journalist and PI search the ugly streets of Calgary
Cullen is a widowed freelance journalist who is barely living his life. Cobb a PI comes back into his life. He needs someone who knows the gritty not so nice parts of Calgary. He is searching for a drug addicted young man.
While the search is on, the widower starts to revisit the arson and murder of his wife.
It appears he had just been going through the motions of Life. With both investigations he begins to live again. But with both, there is real danger.
I picked this one up because I had heard the Series was good. As I needed a book based in Alberta, Canada, it served dual purposes. It was a good new series too.
Paulsen intersects multiple eateries and Brand coffee stops making this American wonder if the Mom and Pop places are real.
He also inserts a large amount of Canadian music making this American to add them to her Spodify.
A good, solid investigative story with interesting enough personalities to read the next installment.
Cullen is a widowed freelance journalist who is barely living his life. Cobb a PI comes back into his life. He needs someone who knows the gritty not so nice parts of Calgary. He is searching for a drug addicted young man.
While the search is on, the widower starts to revisit the arson and murder of his wife.
It appears he had just been going through the motions of Life. With both investigations he begins to live again. But with both, there is real danger.
I picked this one up because I had heard the Series was good. As I needed a book based in Alberta, Canada, it served dual purposes. It was a good new series too.
Paulsen intersects multiple eateries and Brand coffee stops making this American wonder if the Mom and Pop places are real.
He also inserts a large amount of Canadian music making this American to add them to her Spodify.
A good, solid investigative story with interesting enough personalities to read the next installment.
August 20, 2017
Love this local mystery! Cobb and Cullen are a dynamic duo, who make for an interesting and fun ride.
I finished this book in a 24 hour period. I found it hard to set down because it kept me guessing. This is an ideal light read that ties up all the loose ends by the end so you are not left wondering.
I finished this book in a 24 hour period. I found it hard to set down because it kept me guessing. This is an ideal light read that ties up all the loose ends by the end so you are not left wondering.
June 15, 2020
Our library was closed due to Covid, so one of the librarians set aside a couple books I might like. This was one of them. I liked that it was based in Calgary, my home town, and I could envision all the places described in the book. I enjoyed the book, though probably not enough to continue with the series.
June 25, 2017
Really enjoyed this book.
September 27, 2017
Not my reading genre. I really wanted to like it because it is set in Calgary, but I found the writing to be pretty simple...I couldn't get engaged.
October 28, 2018
Good writing style. I enjoyed this story.
June 11, 2020
Enjoyed the Calgary setting! A good solid read.
July 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It's just very Canadian. Interesting characters, well plotted, well written, but just a tad laid back.
Got to read more of his stuff - he's a new author for me.
Got to read more of his stuff - he's a new author for me.
March 15, 2017
A lovely local mystery read. The pair of Cullen and Cobb are likeable and well drawn. The descriptions of the Calgary winter make me even colder. And there are a few culinary establishments mentioned that I'll have to look up and check them out. This novel forms the backstory of the partnership and grounds the two of them. It'll be interesting to see what Poulsen puts them through in his next novel, which I think is already out.
August 6, 2015
What fun to get in on the first mystery novel of a planned series! Poulsen is an experienced writer, and he knows how to set the hook to reel readers in. I was immediately engaged as I read the initial chapters. Thank you to Dundurn Press and Net Galley for the DRC.
I'd classify this as a cozy mystery, and it's the first such book I've read that was written by a man. I enjoy a limited number of this sub-genre. I dislike seeing everyday people (housewives, caterers, hoteliers) "outsmart" the professionals, and I avoid like the plague any cozy mystery with (*shudder!*) recipes! For those, I use a cookbook. And Poulsen doesn't do either of those annoying things listed above; so far so good.
His reason for wanting to get to the bottom of his wife's death by arson is a strong one, not all that new, (the cops suspected him for a long time, and he misses his wife), but old devices like these can still work if the writer is skillful enough to make them seem new. In the beginning, it worked for me.
Equally if not even more engaging is the help he provides his friend Cobb, a private detective being paid to search for a missing teenager with a history of drug abuse. The characters of Jay and Zoe were almost tangible. I used to teach kids of this age, and Poulsen made them so believable that I felt as if I knew them.
That said, the first half of the book is better than the second half. Some of the details in the resolution strained credibility, and the second half also saw a couple of seen-it-many-times plot devices that didn't look new; they made me groan and mutter, "Oh come on, not that again!"
But you'll note there are four stars there. It's a good book, despite the occasional momentary mutter on my part. When the second Cullen and Cobb mystery comes out, it will be on my to-read list.
I was pleased that the author did not add a sickening amount of gore, or add elements that would leave me with a leaden gut for the next two days. Some authors feel that in order to gain the attention of an increasingly easily distracted audience, they have to dig up every horrible possibility and traumatize us. Not so here (or in anything I would label "cozy"). If your "ick" factor keeps you away from Stephen King, you can read this one.
For a fun, relatively quick read to curl up with over the weekend or take to the beach, get a copy of this book. If you are a mystery fan, I think you'll like it!
I'd classify this as a cozy mystery, and it's the first such book I've read that was written by a man. I enjoy a limited number of this sub-genre. I dislike seeing everyday people (housewives, caterers, hoteliers) "outsmart" the professionals, and I avoid like the plague any cozy mystery with (*shudder!*) recipes! For those, I use a cookbook. And Poulsen doesn't do either of those annoying things listed above; so far so good.
His reason for wanting to get to the bottom of his wife's death by arson is a strong one, not all that new, (the cops suspected him for a long time, and he misses his wife), but old devices like these can still work if the writer is skillful enough to make them seem new. In the beginning, it worked for me.
Equally if not even more engaging is the help he provides his friend Cobb, a private detective being paid to search for a missing teenager with a history of drug abuse. The characters of Jay and Zoe were almost tangible. I used to teach kids of this age, and Poulsen made them so believable that I felt as if I knew them.
That said, the first half of the book is better than the second half. Some of the details in the resolution strained credibility, and the second half also saw a couple of seen-it-many-times plot devices that didn't look new; they made me groan and mutter, "Oh come on, not that again!"
But you'll note there are four stars there. It's a good book, despite the occasional momentary mutter on my part. When the second Cullen and Cobb mystery comes out, it will be on my to-read list.
I was pleased that the author did not add a sickening amount of gore, or add elements that would leave me with a leaden gut for the next two days. Some authors feel that in order to gain the attention of an increasingly easily distracted audience, they have to dig up every horrible possibility and traumatize us. Not so here (or in anything I would label "cozy"). If your "ick" factor keeps you away from Stephen King, you can read this one.
For a fun, relatively quick read to curl up with over the weekend or take to the beach, get a copy of this book. If you are a mystery fan, I think you'll like it!
September 9, 2014
received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was so happy that I got a copy of this book. It looks like a real promising series. I just loved the two main characters.
We start off and meet Adam Cullen. A journalist whose house was set on fire and his wife was killed. They never found the murderer and Adam is still not sure if the fire was meant to kill his wife or himself. 1 year after the deadly fire he receives a note that laughs about his wife’s murder. Adam than hires a private detective to help solve his wife’s murder. This is where we meet detective Mike Cobb.
Flash forward 8 years and detective Cobb is asking for Mr. Cullen’s help on a case to find a drug addict
In the search to find the drug addict kid for his father who just murdered, Cobb and Cullen run into some interesting people, make new friendship, and also some break through information about Adam Cullen’s wife’s murder.
It is very slow in the beginning but it does pick up and get very interesting and page turning. Stick with it. You will enjoy it. I will definitely be one of the first people to go pick up the second book….
Hurry up I want a date on the second book!!!
I was so happy that I got a copy of this book. It looks like a real promising series. I just loved the two main characters.
We start off and meet Adam Cullen. A journalist whose house was set on fire and his wife was killed. They never found the murderer and Adam is still not sure if the fire was meant to kill his wife or himself. 1 year after the deadly fire he receives a note that laughs about his wife’s murder. Adam than hires a private detective to help solve his wife’s murder. This is where we meet detective Mike Cobb.
Flash forward 8 years and detective Cobb is asking for Mr. Cullen’s help on a case to find a drug addict
In the search to find the drug addict kid for his father who just murdered, Cobb and Cullen run into some interesting people, make new friendship, and also some break through information about Adam Cullen’s wife’s murder.
It is very slow in the beginning but it does pick up and get very interesting and page turning. Stick with it. You will enjoy it. I will definitely be one of the first people to go pick up the second book….
Hurry up I want a date on the second book!!!
June 23, 2014
Even if you are not a music-lover, you will appreciate the background music Cullen is constantly playing as this great mystery story unfolds. Poulsen sets an emotional hook right at the beginning, and keeps the reader involved through the entire story. One surprise after another keeps the reader guessing and interested. This novel takes you through the dark side of both the city and the human animal. The cold climate and the nasty weather sets the stage for harsh emotions as the events unfold. This is everything you want in a book: a great story, real, in-depth characters, an unfolding mystery and the beginnings of love in emotional cripples.
August 24, 2014
Serpents Rising is a book that is a slow started but as you read on and get into the book it come alive and in the end could. to put the book down from the last 60% of the book.
The search for Jay and the search for the killer of Cullen's wife was interwoven throughout the story and I thought I worked out who it was that killed Donna but I was way out with my guess.
Great book and well worth the money I would be very happy to recommend.
The search for Jay and the search for the killer of Cullen's wife was interwoven throughout the story and I thought I worked out who it was that killed Donna but I was way out with my guess.
Great book and well worth the money I would be very happy to recommend.
December 24, 2015
A new series featuring Cullen [a journalist] and Cobb [a former cop, now private eye]. There are two “cases” – Cullen wants to find out who killed his wife 8 years before in a deliberately-set fire, and Cobb has been hired to find and keep safe the drug addict son of a man who has murdered two drug dealers. The two men work together on both. It's set in Calgary, and there is lots of humour, and the beginning of a romance for Cullen.
February 3, 2015
Surprisingly good book that makes me want to read more Canadian content. The writing was a little rough at the start, but grow solid and the story was enjoyable in its relaxed and tense moments. Can't wait for the next one!
April 2, 2014
Love the partnership between the two sleuths. Interesting back story on Cullen the journalist -- I look forward to learning more in the next book in the series.
April 3, 2014
This is an exciting mystery set in Calgary.
June 26, 2014
A very enjoyable read - strong writing, with an intriguing story set in the city of Calgary. Nice character development, and not too gory. A good guy's mystery.
March 24, 2015
A decent mystery novel set in Calgary. If you know that city, you'll recognize lots of the landmarks.
February 28, 2015
Great read. A mystery you won't guess the ending too. Loved it!
June 22, 2015
This is an exciting hard -boiled murder mystery set in Calgary, the first adult effort by award-winning children's author David Paulson.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews