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Exit Wounds: A breathtakingly unputdownable crime thriller
'Blistering, whip-smart... Exit Wounds has pace, heart, conviction and some of the finest action writing this side of the Reacher novels... a masterclass in thriller writing' - Liam McIlvanney
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Dead men sometimes do tell tales...
When the death of an old friend means a trip back to Northern Ireland, Connor Fraser welcomes the distraction from his troubles at home in Stirling. His estrangement from his partner, Jen, is growing ever-more painful, and he can only watch helplessly as his beloved grandmother's health deteriorates.
When he spots three familiar faces at the funeral, faces with ties to Northern Ireland's bloody past, Connor suspects his friend's death was more than a tragic accident. But before he can investigate, he's lured into a trap and attacked.
Pursued by ruthless professionals who don't care if they bring Connor to their bosses alive or dead, he must go off-grid. As he tries to untangle the web of deceit that has ensnared him, he's faced with choices, and losses, that threaten to break him.
A mystery of the past could destroy the peace of the future. With his back to the wall, can Connor unravel it all, before it's too late?
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Praise for Neil
'A true rising star of crime fiction' - Ian Rankin
'I've followed the Connor Fraser series from the start and it just gets better. If you like Reacher, you'll LOVE this. An action thriller but with more emotion, more heart, more nuance, more...everything. Broadfoot is a master craftsman.' - Helen Fields
'Wonderfully grisly and grim, and a cracking pace' - James Oswald
'A frantic, pacy read with a compelling hero' - Steve Cavanagh
----------
Dead men sometimes do tell tales...
When the death of an old friend means a trip back to Northern Ireland, Connor Fraser welcomes the distraction from his troubles at home in Stirling. His estrangement from his partner, Jen, is growing ever-more painful, and he can only watch helplessly as his beloved grandmother's health deteriorates.
When he spots three familiar faces at the funeral, faces with ties to Northern Ireland's bloody past, Connor suspects his friend's death was more than a tragic accident. But before he can investigate, he's lured into a trap and attacked.
Pursued by ruthless professionals who don't care if they bring Connor to their bosses alive or dead, he must go off-grid. As he tries to untangle the web of deceit that has ensnared him, he's faced with choices, and losses, that threaten to break him.
A mystery of the past could destroy the peace of the future. With his back to the wall, can Connor unravel it all, before it's too late?
----------
Praise for Neil
'A true rising star of crime fiction' - Ian Rankin
'I've followed the Connor Fraser series from the start and it just gets better. If you like Reacher, you'll LOVE this. An action thriller but with more emotion, more heart, more nuance, more...everything. Broadfoot is a master craftsman.' - Helen Fields
'Wonderfully grisly and grim, and a cracking pace' - James Oswald
'A frantic, pacy read with a compelling hero' - Steve Cavanagh
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2025
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Neil Broadfoot
23 books47 followersNeil Broadfoot worked as a journalist for fifteen years at both national and local newspapers, covering some of the biggest stories of the day. A poacher turned gamekeeper, he has since moved into communications: providing media relations advice for a variety of organisations, from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service to high profile sporting clubs in Scotland. He’s now working as a communications officer for the Scottish Government.
Neil is married to Fiona and a father to two girls, meaning he’s completely outnumbered in his own home. He lives in Dunfermline, the setting for his first job as a local reporter.
Neil is married to Fiona and a father to two girls, meaning he’s completely outnumbered in his own home. He lives in Dunfermline, the setting for his first job as a local reporter.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 29, 2025
In a constantly changing world, it is often reassuring that some things remain the same. To that end, this may be the final Conner Fraser novel, but it is, unsurprisingly, the first I've read in the series. Never let it be said I am not a maverick. This situation has its upsides, the principal one being that I have the pleasure of being able to go back to the beginning and read the first six books now, knowing that, if this latest is anything to go by, I will thoroughly enjoy them all. Good news for other none purists too - this can be read as a standalone and whilst some exposition is necessary to bring us series tourists up to speed with the well established characters, there is little that I feel with affect my enjoyment of the earlier books. If anything, it has just served to make me all the more curious about some of the characters on the darkened edges of Connor's life.
The story itself is centred around a mystery left in Connor's hands following the death of a University friend, Danny Gillespie, in what appears to be a tragic accident. I say appears as there is a fair old bit of intrigue around the manner in which Danny died, and the significant circumstances of his occupation just prior to his death. Danny was looking into the impact of trauma upon people who found themselves in the midst of 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland, a somewhat euphemistic way of describing the horrific acts perpetrated in the bid to obtain independence from British rule. Now, from the very high stakes, full on, threat laden opening scenes of this book, it was easy to see that direction this novel was going to take, and with the use of many subtle, and no so subtle, attempts on not just the life of Connor, but those closest to him, it is very clear that whatever Danny unearthed, there are many people who are willing to kill to ensure it never sees the light of day.
This was an absolutely cracking thriller, and one which stirred up a few memories of my formative years. Given my age at the time of the worst atrocities, the context was perhaps lost on me, but its significance and legacy is something that cannot be mistaken now. The fragile peace of the Good Friday agreement has looked to be close to collapse on many an occasion of late, and it is around this notion that Neil Broadfoot has built his story. That something that could be revealed has the capacity to undo all that had been achieved. It also brings into question some of the motives of those directly embroiled in the conflict at the time and how actions influenced what came to pass. It is an intriguing premise, and not hard to believe. Add in the adrenalin rush of the chase that Neil Broadfoot has executed to perfection, and the knowledge that is it hard to know quite who to trust, and this is a book that is not only pacy, but completely addictive and compelling and I found myself powering through the pages wanting to see just where the story might lead.
Now, aside from the action - plenty of that to keep action thriller lovers happy - there is a surprisingly emotional edge to the story too. There is a real sense of loss that runs through the text, perhaps emotionally heightened by the author's own experience at the time of writing the book, but I wasn;t expecting to feel for the characters in quite the way that I did. Although I did not know them as well as series aficionados might, I felt kind of protective of them, hoping that a certain two might set aside their differences as clear as it was that the chemistry between them - even as the miles kept them apart for most of the book - was undeniable.
Speaking of characters, I really liked Connor and Simon. Connor is that perfect blend of thriller hero, with a smart mind but also a core humanity steered by the love of his family and friends. This manifests as guilt in this book, guilt that he is putting them in danger amongst other things. Simon is a grand character, committed to his friend but also to his new family and the possibilities of what might be. The author places them in real jeopardy throughout the book, the threat as often overt as implied, but thankfully I am trustworthy sort and I knew he'd come good for them in the end. Then again ... As for the other characters, the ones who are a key part of Connor's life, I really liked Paulie King and Gillian flint and would love to learn more about the pair of them. They both play the game from the wrong side of the law, one more in conflict with Connor than the other, although it's fair to say neither is the closest compadre the guy has. There was just something about the two of them that was a real draw for me, perhaps the feel of Paulie's old style hard man essence and Flint as she is very much a strong and dangerous woman in what is typically ascribed as a man's world. Whatever it was, they really hit the mark for me.
I kind of regret not having read the other books first, largely because I know I have missed out on a great series (so far). But I will most definitely be remedying that one. If you are a fan of the books you will not be left disappointed. Shocked, maybe, but not disappointed. If you are a newbie and looking for a high stakes, fast paced, intelligent and thought provoking action thriller, with plenty of conflict, double crossing and misdirection, then give this a go. For purists, who must read book in order, I don't think you can go far wrong in picking this series up from the beginning. It's a big thumbs up from me.
The story itself is centred around a mystery left in Connor's hands following the death of a University friend, Danny Gillespie, in what appears to be a tragic accident. I say appears as there is a fair old bit of intrigue around the manner in which Danny died, and the significant circumstances of his occupation just prior to his death. Danny was looking into the impact of trauma upon people who found themselves in the midst of 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland, a somewhat euphemistic way of describing the horrific acts perpetrated in the bid to obtain independence from British rule. Now, from the very high stakes, full on, threat laden opening scenes of this book, it was easy to see that direction this novel was going to take, and with the use of many subtle, and no so subtle, attempts on not just the life of Connor, but those closest to him, it is very clear that whatever Danny unearthed, there are many people who are willing to kill to ensure it never sees the light of day.
This was an absolutely cracking thriller, and one which stirred up a few memories of my formative years. Given my age at the time of the worst atrocities, the context was perhaps lost on me, but its significance and legacy is something that cannot be mistaken now. The fragile peace of the Good Friday agreement has looked to be close to collapse on many an occasion of late, and it is around this notion that Neil Broadfoot has built his story. That something that could be revealed has the capacity to undo all that had been achieved. It also brings into question some of the motives of those directly embroiled in the conflict at the time and how actions influenced what came to pass. It is an intriguing premise, and not hard to believe. Add in the adrenalin rush of the chase that Neil Broadfoot has executed to perfection, and the knowledge that is it hard to know quite who to trust, and this is a book that is not only pacy, but completely addictive and compelling and I found myself powering through the pages wanting to see just where the story might lead.
Now, aside from the action - plenty of that to keep action thriller lovers happy - there is a surprisingly emotional edge to the story too. There is a real sense of loss that runs through the text, perhaps emotionally heightened by the author's own experience at the time of writing the book, but I wasn;t expecting to feel for the characters in quite the way that I did. Although I did not know them as well as series aficionados might, I felt kind of protective of them, hoping that a certain two might set aside their differences as clear as it was that the chemistry between them - even as the miles kept them apart for most of the book - was undeniable.
Speaking of characters, I really liked Connor and Simon. Connor is that perfect blend of thriller hero, with a smart mind but also a core humanity steered by the love of his family and friends. This manifests as guilt in this book, guilt that he is putting them in danger amongst other things. Simon is a grand character, committed to his friend but also to his new family and the possibilities of what might be. The author places them in real jeopardy throughout the book, the threat as often overt as implied, but thankfully I am trustworthy sort and I knew he'd come good for them in the end. Then again ... As for the other characters, the ones who are a key part of Connor's life, I really liked Paulie King and Gillian flint and would love to learn more about the pair of them. They both play the game from the wrong side of the law, one more in conflict with Connor than the other, although it's fair to say neither is the closest compadre the guy has. There was just something about the two of them that was a real draw for me, perhaps the feel of Paulie's old style hard man essence and Flint as she is very much a strong and dangerous woman in what is typically ascribed as a man's world. Whatever it was, they really hit the mark for me.
I kind of regret not having read the other books first, largely because I know I have missed out on a great series (so far). But I will most definitely be remedying that one. If you are a fan of the books you will not be left disappointed. Shocked, maybe, but not disappointed. If you are a newbie and looking for a high stakes, fast paced, intelligent and thought provoking action thriller, with plenty of conflict, double crossing and misdirection, then give this a go. For purists, who must read book in order, I don't think you can go far wrong in picking this series up from the beginning. It's a big thumbs up from me.
May 28, 2025
One of the questions Neil Broadfoot has faced most often at events since he launched Connor Fraser into the world has been: will you send him back to Belfast? Now - in what may or may not be our last visit to Connor's world, it seems - we see our taciturn close protection specialist head to his old stamping ground.
Within the first handful of pages, Connor is no longer alone in the scuzzy alley off the Falls Road where he was expecting to meet a friend and the alternative welcoming committee is, well, less than welcoming. Things go from humdrum to high octane in a heartbeat, and our hero does a few rather unheroic things to escape with his life.
Connor came to Northern Ireland for the funeral of a college friend, Danny Gillespie, now a psychology lecturer in London who had been killed in a hit and run on a trip home to Belfast. But there's never anything straightforward for Connor. With a safe place to think, he sets his mind to considering the items Danny's mother had pressed on him after the funeral - what meaning does a vintage watch and prayer book hold? Danny specialised in trauma-related conditions, including a detailed study of those affected by The Troubles. Is there something in his work to give Connor a clue?
Meanwhile in Scotland, Jen MacKenzie is unravelling some of the secrets of her late father's haulage firm with the reluctant help of Paulie King, her father's pet thug, Jen's protector and Connor's nemesis. Her relationship with Connor is foundering and there's a huge hole in the firm's finances. Despite her misgivings, Jen sets her sights on getting the firm back to the way things were.
The airmiles rack up as we continue, with Simon, his girlfriend, journalist Donna Blake (who knows that if Connor is in trouble, there's a story for her to dig out), and Paulie all end up in Northern Ireland working on different strands of the story. But once the bigger picture becomes clearer, it's in Stirling where things really come to a head..
Often this series focusses on Connor with the others stepping in and out. Here, however, it's a much more of an ensemble piece: without each person's specialised contribution the full picture could not be realised. And that final picture has everything you could ever need: power and corruption at the highest levels; a change of heart that leads to hope for the future - and a moment of terror.
Spies, lies and family ties loom large in Exit Wounds. There's love, loyalty and obligation - what you would do for those you consider family?
If this is the last in the series, it's a pretty damn good The End. But I hope it's not, as this group of characters have become people I want to spend time with - and I want to know what happens next...
Within the first handful of pages, Connor is no longer alone in the scuzzy alley off the Falls Road where he was expecting to meet a friend and the alternative welcoming committee is, well, less than welcoming. Things go from humdrum to high octane in a heartbeat, and our hero does a few rather unheroic things to escape with his life.
Connor came to Northern Ireland for the funeral of a college friend, Danny Gillespie, now a psychology lecturer in London who had been killed in a hit and run on a trip home to Belfast. But there's never anything straightforward for Connor. With a safe place to think, he sets his mind to considering the items Danny's mother had pressed on him after the funeral - what meaning does a vintage watch and prayer book hold? Danny specialised in trauma-related conditions, including a detailed study of those affected by The Troubles. Is there something in his work to give Connor a clue?
Meanwhile in Scotland, Jen MacKenzie is unravelling some of the secrets of her late father's haulage firm with the reluctant help of Paulie King, her father's pet thug, Jen's protector and Connor's nemesis. Her relationship with Connor is foundering and there's a huge hole in the firm's finances. Despite her misgivings, Jen sets her sights on getting the firm back to the way things were.
The airmiles rack up as we continue, with Simon, his girlfriend, journalist Donna Blake (who knows that if Connor is in trouble, there's a story for her to dig out), and Paulie all end up in Northern Ireland working on different strands of the story. But once the bigger picture becomes clearer, it's in Stirling where things really come to a head..
Often this series focusses on Connor with the others stepping in and out. Here, however, it's a much more of an ensemble piece: without each person's specialised contribution the full picture could not be realised. And that final picture has everything you could ever need: power and corruption at the highest levels; a change of heart that leads to hope for the future - and a moment of terror.
Spies, lies and family ties loom large in Exit Wounds. There's love, loyalty and obligation - what you would do for those you consider family?
If this is the last in the series, it's a pretty damn good The End. But I hope it's not, as this group of characters have become people I want to spend time with - and I want to know what happens next...
April 11, 2025
Oh this is rather good. My first by this author so it's rather sad that it's the last in the series, but I can go back!
One of a pack of books from a mixed bag at Bay Tales festival this is a proof copy but didn't appear to have any typos etc.
Good story moving between Belfast & Stirling. ( both places I've visited but don't know well - although I have been in The Crown in Belfast!)
A collection of pretty violent people on both sides of the law - and definitely straying over that line. Not having read the other books didn't seem to matter although I'll be interested to see the development of the relationships between the main characters.
As this copy can't be sold it will be donated to the little library at our railway station.
One of a pack of books from a mixed bag at Bay Tales festival this is a proof copy but didn't appear to have any typos etc.
Good story moving between Belfast & Stirling. ( both places I've visited but don't know well - although I have been in The Crown in Belfast!)
A collection of pretty violent people on both sides of the law - and definitely straying over that line. Not having read the other books didn't seem to matter although I'll be interested to see the development of the relationships between the main characters.
As this copy can't be sold it will be donated to the little library at our railway station.
December 8, 2025
Another Very Good Read
I appreciate Neil Broadfoot's writing style - well written, and researched. The story line flows as the characters weave in and out of the " action" giving a realistic pace to the events as they unfold.
I have read all of this series and feel rather bereft as I approach the end of the book, - all credit to Neil (B.) for his skill and sensitivity in creating and depicting characters.
Brilliant. please may there be a follow up .....
I appreciate Neil Broadfoot's writing style - well written, and researched. The story line flows as the characters weave in and out of the " action" giving a realistic pace to the events as they unfold.
I have read all of this series and feel rather bereft as I approach the end of the book, - all credit to Neil (B.) for his skill and sensitivity in creating and depicting characters.
Brilliant. please may there be a follow up .....
June 6, 2025
Another humdinger!!
Once again Neil has given us an edge-of-your-seat Connor Fraser thriller - no spoilers but I cannot wait for book 8 to come out - I just have to know! Unputdownable!
Once again Neil has given us an edge-of-your-seat Connor Fraser thriller - no spoilers but I cannot wait for book 8 to come out - I just have to know! Unputdownable!
October 17, 2025
Probably more like a 3.5
I’m awful at rating books
If I give Mice and Men 5* and The Long Walk 5* (probably because I read it aged 15-18) , then rate 1984 and books like The Pelican Brief 4*s. It’s hard to get a that standard !!
I’m awful at rating books
If I give Mice and Men 5* and The Long Walk 5* (probably because I read it aged 15-18) , then rate 1984 and books like The Pelican Brief 4*s. It’s hard to get a that standard !!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews