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Evans and Blackwell #2
The Electrician's Code: An Evans and Blackwell Mystery
**Please visit the book's website to view photos of the codes and lots of story extras.**
An elderly man with only one leg is murdered and left in a pool of his own blood outside his house. To add to the mystery, a note found in his pocket says, 'Why Run Backwards You’ll Vomit.' London Detective Chief Inspector Theo Blackwell can’t understand the motive for killing the old man, or the meaning of the cryptic message.
Later, a woman is stabbed on her doorstep. The two seemingly unrelated cases have two things in common: apparently random victims and suspects with alibis.
As DCI Blackwell works on solving the cases, he requests the help of code-breaker Sophia Evans, who is battling a personal and tricky case of her own.
An elderly man with only one leg is murdered and left in a pool of his own blood outside his house. To add to the mystery, a note found in his pocket says, 'Why Run Backwards You’ll Vomit.' London Detective Chief Inspector Theo Blackwell can’t understand the motive for killing the old man, or the meaning of the cryptic message.
Later, a woman is stabbed on her doorstep. The two seemingly unrelated cases have two things in common: apparently random victims and suspects with alibis.
As DCI Blackwell works on solving the cases, he requests the help of code-breaker Sophia Evans, who is battling a personal and tricky case of her own.
- GenresMystery
278 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2014
2 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 4, 2019
Sequel to The Sholes Key, and unfortunately the author has not continued the series. This novel suffers perhaps from second book syndrome: the characters get more complex, but not in a helpful way, and there are strange side plots that threaten to take over the primary code breaking. Also, the titular code, when it is revealed, seems a little contrived . Still, the setup for the mystery was a good one, and I am sad to see the series ended.
September 22, 2017
3.5 stars. Ms Draper writes mysteries that are different from the run-of-the-mill. I enjoyed this as I did her previous book The Scholes Key. An interesting and engaging mystery.
June 30, 2014
Full disclosure: I read Clarissa Draper's latest mystery in exchange for an electronic copy of the book. The fact that I spent the next three days immersed in the world of MI5 was just a bonus. (American friends, MI5 is kind of like the British FBI. It's also a darn good TV show, if you're into suspense--and if you don't mind seeing Americans as the bad guys now and again.)
The Electrician's Code: An Evans and Blackwell Mystery blends old fashioned police work with MI5 analysis: specifically code breaking. The plot heated up pretty quickly, and it had me turning pages until the end--which, by the way, I did not see coming.
The book becomes available on Amazon on June 24.
Here's the teaser:
An elderly man with only one leg is murdered and left in a pool of his own blood outside his house. To add to the mystery, a note found in his pocket says, 'Why Run Backwards You'll Vomit.' London Detective Chief Inspector Theo Blackwell can't understand the motive for killing the old man, or the meaning of the cryptic message.
Later, a woman is stabbed on her doorstep. The two seemingly unrelated cases have two things in common: apparently random victims and suspects with alibis.
As DCI Blackwell works on solving the cases, he requests the help of code-breaker Sophia Evans, who is battling a personal and tricky case of her own.
The cases happen in two different worlds. Blackwell's backdrop of police investigations was more comfortable for me to inhabit, even if it did involve murder investigations.
The MI5 world carried some emotional baggage, and the characters who lived there were dealing with some severe guilt. Evans was a smart, conflicted woman who had obviously faced some hard choices, and there were more to be made before the end of the book.
Blackwell's world revolved around getting justice for victims. I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes--he was a decent, fair man. His partnership with Evans was voluntary, and her skill broke the case. The unraveling of the mystery was as compelling as the suspense.
I came into this series without reading the first installment, and I was able to follow the plot with no trouble. I want to read the first book to better understand the tension between the characters, though.
Reader's advisory: There are some grown-up situations, rough language and closed-door sex. These were handled tastefully, and they didn't detract from the plot for me. But be warned: that first scene is pretty disturbing, and you may wonder for a while if it relates to the rest of the book. (It does.)
The one thing I wished for as I closed the book was a more fully-drawn ending, especially in one of the action scenes. But the mystery delivered what I came for: a story that entertained me while it made me think.
Four stars out of five.
The Electrician's Code: An Evans and Blackwell Mystery blends old fashioned police work with MI5 analysis: specifically code breaking. The plot heated up pretty quickly, and it had me turning pages until the end--which, by the way, I did not see coming.
The book becomes available on Amazon on June 24.
Here's the teaser:
An elderly man with only one leg is murdered and left in a pool of his own blood outside his house. To add to the mystery, a note found in his pocket says, 'Why Run Backwards You'll Vomit.' London Detective Chief Inspector Theo Blackwell can't understand the motive for killing the old man, or the meaning of the cryptic message.
Later, a woman is stabbed on her doorstep. The two seemingly unrelated cases have two things in common: apparently random victims and suspects with alibis.
As DCI Blackwell works on solving the cases, he requests the help of code-breaker Sophia Evans, who is battling a personal and tricky case of her own.
The cases happen in two different worlds. Blackwell's backdrop of police investigations was more comfortable for me to inhabit, even if it did involve murder investigations.
The MI5 world carried some emotional baggage, and the characters who lived there were dealing with some severe guilt. Evans was a smart, conflicted woman who had obviously faced some hard choices, and there were more to be made before the end of the book.
Blackwell's world revolved around getting justice for victims. I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes--he was a decent, fair man. His partnership with Evans was voluntary, and her skill broke the case. The unraveling of the mystery was as compelling as the suspense.
I came into this series without reading the first installment, and I was able to follow the plot with no trouble. I want to read the first book to better understand the tension between the characters, though.
Reader's advisory: There are some grown-up situations, rough language and closed-door sex. These were handled tastefully, and they didn't detract from the plot for me. But be warned: that first scene is pretty disturbing, and you may wonder for a while if it relates to the rest of the book. (It does.)
The one thing I wished for as I closed the book was a more fully-drawn ending, especially in one of the action scenes. But the mystery delivered what I came for: a story that entertained me while it made me think.
Four stars out of five.
September 12, 2014
THE ELECTRICIAN’S CODE isn’t a book you would want to start reading at night, alone, especially if you are forgetful about locking doors.
This spine-tingling murder mystery will hold you mesmerized from the opening paragraph to the last line. Weaving several sub-plots, author Clarissa Draper draws them together for an astonishing conclusion that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.
Sophia Evans, a code breaker, has been called upon to help with a case involving a suspected arms dealer. All she has to do is monitor the comings and goings of a residence. But as the case unfolds, there is much more involved that leads to other complex issues. In addition, Sophia is dealing with the death of her boyfriend at her own hands.
Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector Theo Blackwell is investigating a baffling murder. Disable Doc Tipring is stabbed to death outside his house one morning as he goes to get his paper. A cryptic message is found in his pocket. Finding no answers, Theo asks Sophia for help in understanding the message. A short time later, a woman is found stabbed. The two cases seem unrelated, but common elements lead officials to question further.
Theo and Sophia work to unravel the clues as Sophia deals with issues from her other work. As the clues of the puzzle are uncovered, a calculating killer and a cunning plot are exposed.
The author has created well-developed, likable characters. She has given them faults and emotions readers can relate to. With an eye for detail and rich descriptions, Draper transports readers to England and places them in the midst of the setting.
THE ELECTRICIAN’S CODE is the second installment in the Evans and Blackwell series, but can be read on its own. The author references prior events, but not to the extent that new readers are left in the dark. Returning fans will enjoy catching up with the latest happenings in Theo and Sophia’s lives.
The story moves at a steady pace with a few twists and turns along the way. This intriguing mystery will keep you guessing as you try to break the code.
FTC Full Disclosure – A digital copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
This spine-tingling murder mystery will hold you mesmerized from the opening paragraph to the last line. Weaving several sub-plots, author Clarissa Draper draws them together for an astonishing conclusion that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.
Sophia Evans, a code breaker, has been called upon to help with a case involving a suspected arms dealer. All she has to do is monitor the comings and goings of a residence. But as the case unfolds, there is much more involved that leads to other complex issues. In addition, Sophia is dealing with the death of her boyfriend at her own hands.
Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector Theo Blackwell is investigating a baffling murder. Disable Doc Tipring is stabbed to death outside his house one morning as he goes to get his paper. A cryptic message is found in his pocket. Finding no answers, Theo asks Sophia for help in understanding the message. A short time later, a woman is found stabbed. The two cases seem unrelated, but common elements lead officials to question further.
Theo and Sophia work to unravel the clues as Sophia deals with issues from her other work. As the clues of the puzzle are uncovered, a calculating killer and a cunning plot are exposed.
The author has created well-developed, likable characters. She has given them faults and emotions readers can relate to. With an eye for detail and rich descriptions, Draper transports readers to England and places them in the midst of the setting.
THE ELECTRICIAN’S CODE is the second installment in the Evans and Blackwell series, but can be read on its own. The author references prior events, but not to the extent that new readers are left in the dark. Returning fans will enjoy catching up with the latest happenings in Theo and Sophia’s lives.
The story moves at a steady pace with a few twists and turns along the way. This intriguing mystery will keep you guessing as you try to break the code.
FTC Full Disclosure – A digital copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
November 12, 2014
STORY LINE: A man goes out to collect the newspaper. Someone stabs him and he ends up dead. His demise unearths secret activity that involves a whole lot of other dead people.
A code breaker is brought in to consult on a case of suspected arms dealing. A woman in murdered in that case and the consultant (Sophia) and Detective Blackwell are thrown together to solve the murders.
PLAYERS: Sophia is brilliant at what she does and is facing personal problems that carry over from the first book in the series.
Detective Blackwell is also driven and has his own challenges with his home life, which is also a carryover from the previous story.
OVERALL COMMENTS: The Electrician's Code is cleverly written and keeps the reader moving forward from a seemingly senseless murder to the unveiling of a wily killer, who eventually succumbs to retribution. I didn't even attempt to break the code that's part of the story as my brain isn't wired for this sort of brilliance. Nevertheless, the mystery and the interconnected characters and their schemes kept me occupied until the end.
Although there is a previous story, The Sholes Key, the books are standalone novels.
COVER NOTE: The night cityscape is fitting for this story.
June 13, 2016
I read this as part of Goodreads Giveaway. I had not read the first Evans and Blackwell Mystery so I came into this book without any of the back story of the two protagonist. My first thoughts of this novel is that it is an average mystery novel with somewhat compelling characters. Ms. Draper sparingly doles out bits of back story to the reader. There are quite a few allusions to the previous novel but the reader never gets the whole story of what happened to the protagonists. The relationship between Sophie Evans and her boss Liam Foxton is a bit hard to understand. I assume the first novel provides some background. The ending feels a bit rushed and is a little less than satisfying for my tastes. despite some of the problems, I do find myself wanting to read more about Evans and Blackwell. Now to track down the first book.
July 4, 2016
A good mystery with lots of redirection and twists. I flat out could not figure out how it all fit together until the author revealed it all. That rarely happens.
A little gritty, language, some ick factor. But the writing and suspense is good.
4 stars.
A little gritty, language, some ick factor. But the writing and suspense is good.
4 stars.
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August 31, 2015Didn't get beyond the 2nd chapter, so no rating.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews