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Sgt. Reid #2
Red Serge
The body of a young girl is found at a National Park beach. The Major Crimes Unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police follow the trail of clues to a mass grave. How long had the devil been coming to Prince Edward Island? Though fighting with personal turmoil, Reid is drawn to the case. He has to make this one right, but is the cost too much? The RCMP wear their Red Serge on duty in ceremonies, to honour others, and in death. MEET SGT. REID Recently transferred to the island detachment of the RCMP from the west coast, Reid was one of the few members to investigate a serial killer. Reid knows too well that Canadians are not all apologetic hockey lovers. Some like to kill and evil can live everywhere. Reid is a husband, father and has been a member of the RCMP for over 20 years. He has been in posts all over the country and was even part of the musical ride for a few years, however has found a place for his investigative talents with the major crimes units. He’s far better at his job than he is at the other two. Something always has to take a back seat. Get ready for a horrifying ride in this Canadian thriller and suspense novel.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2013
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Lorne Oliver
13 books24 followersI’ve tried writing my bio many times and finally came to the realization that it is best to do it as I write. No formal, “Lorne Oliver was born as the wind flies amongst the Canadian woods,” I’m picturing you reading that in an English accent.
My favorite four things in life are my two kids who are discovering how talented they are, my wonderful wife who I discover is smarter than she gives herself credit for, and the world of writing. The order changes depending on the day.
In 2007 I got a diploma in culinary management and moved my family to Prince Edward Island, Canada where I worked in many restaurants to learn the trade of a chef. What I really learned is that the jobs I preferred were the ones where I could lean against the wall and write between customers.
My writing journey started at the age of ten because of Mrs. Staples, a great school librarian, and something called The Young Authors Club. Because of my love of Sherlock Holmes stories I started with short mysteries and then I changed to romance form a male perspective. I enjoyed books like Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity and Karen Brichoux’s Coffee and Kung Fu.
While in PEI, thanks to my wife, I had the opportunity to interview several members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It gave me the chance to write the idea I had for a long time of showing the officer chasing down a serial killer while letting the reader see how a little kid could grow up to be a monster. That is done, but there are more monsters that need to speak.
http://www.facebook.com/redislandnovel
My favorite four things in life are my two kids who are discovering how talented they are, my wonderful wife who I discover is smarter than she gives herself credit for, and the world of writing. The order changes depending on the day.
In 2007 I got a diploma in culinary management and moved my family to Prince Edward Island, Canada where I worked in many restaurants to learn the trade of a chef. What I really learned is that the jobs I preferred were the ones where I could lean against the wall and write between customers.
My writing journey started at the age of ten because of Mrs. Staples, a great school librarian, and something called The Young Authors Club. Because of my love of Sherlock Holmes stories I started with short mysteries and then I changed to romance form a male perspective. I enjoyed books like Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity and Karen Brichoux’s Coffee and Kung Fu.
While in PEI, thanks to my wife, I had the opportunity to interview several members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It gave me the chance to write the idea I had for a long time of showing the officer chasing down a serial killer while letting the reader see how a little kid could grow up to be a monster. That is done, but there are more monsters that need to speak.
http://www.facebook.com/redislandnovel
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 18, 2014
RED SERGE is described as a Mystery Thriller, Police Procedural. It’s all of that and more.
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I read “Red Island” because I’m Canadian and Lorne Oliver was a new Canadian author who wrote a book set in Canada. I loved the book and when “RED SERGE” came out I was eager to read it—not because Oliver was a Canadian author with a book in a Canadian setting, but because Lorne Oliver is a darn good writer!
Sgt. Reid ( a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is a complex man who is driven by his total commitment to his career. His marriage has been tattered by neglect and a painful obsession that started when he pursued a serial killer who murdered innocent young girls when Reid was on the force in British Columbia. The circumstances that ended that hunt have haunted him since then.
He took a transfer to a small place on the other side of Canada where life was peaceful and murder had never been a reality. His wife made him promise that he would never get involved in a homicide again. But in “Red Island”, a serial killer popped up in the unsuspecting community and Sgt. Reid could not live up to that promise. He had to help find the killer.
In RED SERGE he is once again caught in the web of a serial killer, and he can’t turn away from his duty, even though he knows it may be the last straw for his disintegrating marriage . When it’s almost too late for all of them, he comes to realize that his eleven year old daughter has been neglected too. Can he salvage his family? Can he win on all fronts?
RED SERGE is a compelling novel of murder, mystery, and suspense with a lot of dramatic turns in the plot. The characters are imperfect, believable and relatable. I could empathize with Reid’s stress, his need for comfort, his obsessive dedication to his work and the toll it took on him emotionally.
I particularly like the twist at the end of the book. You'll have to read it to find out what happened. For me it was sheer genius!
I believe Lorne Oliver is a rising star in his field. Don’t miss the Sgt. Reid Series.
.
I read “Red Island” because I’m Canadian and Lorne Oliver was a new Canadian author who wrote a book set in Canada. I loved the book and when “RED SERGE” came out I was eager to read it—not because Oliver was a Canadian author with a book in a Canadian setting, but because Lorne Oliver is a darn good writer!
Sgt. Reid ( a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is a complex man who is driven by his total commitment to his career. His marriage has been tattered by neglect and a painful obsession that started when he pursued a serial killer who murdered innocent young girls when Reid was on the force in British Columbia. The circumstances that ended that hunt have haunted him since then.
He took a transfer to a small place on the other side of Canada where life was peaceful and murder had never been a reality. His wife made him promise that he would never get involved in a homicide again. But in “Red Island”, a serial killer popped up in the unsuspecting community and Sgt. Reid could not live up to that promise. He had to help find the killer.
In RED SERGE he is once again caught in the web of a serial killer, and he can’t turn away from his duty, even though he knows it may be the last straw for his disintegrating marriage . When it’s almost too late for all of them, he comes to realize that his eleven year old daughter has been neglected too. Can he salvage his family? Can he win on all fronts?
RED SERGE is a compelling novel of murder, mystery, and suspense with a lot of dramatic turns in the plot. The characters are imperfect, believable and relatable. I could empathize with Reid’s stress, his need for comfort, his obsessive dedication to his work and the toll it took on him emotionally.
I particularly like the twist at the end of the book. You'll have to read it to find out what happened. For me it was sheer genius!
I believe Lorne Oliver is a rising star in his field. Don’t miss the Sgt. Reid Series.
January 3, 2023
On Prince Edward Island, they are praying the murderer is not an Islander
Rein and the rest have a dead little girl. Reid is on a cold case and it not supposed to be part of the case. He does not want to either.
But, more little girls are discovered .
His partner has a new beau and his marriage is teetering out of control .
Author Oliver goes back on forth with the murderers thoughts and the investigation.
I wish he would develop his characters more. Otherwise, the book is an average procedural set on Prince Edward Island
Rein and the rest have a dead little girl. Reid is on a cold case and it not supposed to be part of the case. He does not want to either.
But, more little girls are discovered .
His partner has a new beau and his marriage is teetering out of control .
Author Oliver goes back on forth with the murderers thoughts and the investigation.
I wish he would develop his characters more. Otherwise, the book is an average procedural set on Prince Edward Island
May 8, 2014
A great follow up to Red Island. The story was intense as it follows Sgt. Reid and his reluctant participation in a heinous serious of murders of young girls. It was much more emotionally charged as I felt more towards characters I both liked and hated. The masterful creation of the plot to intertwine the stories and relate everything together was a joy to try and solve. Some great twists, dark moments, and a bit of a twisted ending. Really looking forward to book 3!
My only critiques: this version did have some editing issues, but those can be easily fixed. Also, Lorne likes to give the reader a nice look at PEI and the history of the island and specific areas, and while that starts off great to strengthen the overall book, he can get lost in it and then the reader can be like: "Come on now, get on with the main plot..."
My only critiques: this version did have some editing issues, but those can be easily fixed. Also, Lorne likes to give the reader a nice look at PEI and the history of the island and specific areas, and while that starts off great to strengthen the overall book, he can get lost in it and then the reader can be like: "Come on now, get on with the main plot..."
March 24, 2014
Oliver skillfully weaves together not just a murder mystery with a frightening killer, but an internal monologue of Sergeant Reid with brief visits into the psyches of multiple characters. I was reminded a bit of John D. McDonald's Travis McGee books, as a lot of this story takes place inside Reid's head.
In an age where police corruption is a fodder for both news and entertainment, there is a purity and pride in Reid's description of RCMP ceremony and just what it means to be policeman in Canada.
I also enjoy learning about Prince Edward Island, its people and its unique culture. As an American, even one who grew up in the northeast, I don't hear much about Canada besides jokes about over-politeness, beer, and the occasional moose.
This book is a treat and I look forward to more in the series.
In an age where police corruption is a fodder for both news and entertainment, there is a purity and pride in Reid's description of RCMP ceremony and just what it means to be policeman in Canada.
I also enjoy learning about Prince Edward Island, its people and its unique culture. As an American, even one who grew up in the northeast, I don't hear much about Canada besides jokes about over-politeness, beer, and the occasional moose.
This book is a treat and I look forward to more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews