What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Rutherford Barnes Mysteries #3
Burnt Out Secrets: Detective Rutherford Barnes Mysteries, Book 3
MEET DETECTIVE RUTHERFORD BARNES IN THIS BRILLIANT CRIME SERIES FROM A SERVING POLICE OFFICER.
An absolutely gripping crime thriller with a massive twist.
For five long years, Detective Barnes has been hunting the killer of the person he cared about the most. Now, the one man who could have revealed the truth is dead. His charred and blackened body is all that remains in his burnt-out flat.
A week later, a desperate, emaciated young woman hammers on the door of a late-night convenience store. She speaks no English—but it’s clear that she’s terrified—and running for her life.
It's only Barnes who connects the two events. He and his new boss, Superintendent Samson Kane, team up to uncover the truth. Their investigations stir up dangerous undercurrents within Eastbourne’s criminal community.
And the two police detectives are vulnerable. Both Barnes and Kane have secrets in their pasts. Secrets which look set to catch up with them . . . with horrifying consequences.
Perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, Helen H. Durrant, Peter James, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean.
An absolutely gripping crime thriller with a massive twist.
For five long years, Detective Barnes has been hunting the killer of the person he cared about the most. Now, the one man who could have revealed the truth is dead. His charred and blackened body is all that remains in his burnt-out flat.
A week later, a desperate, emaciated young woman hammers on the door of a late-night convenience store. She speaks no English—but it’s clear that she’s terrified—and running for her life.
It's only Barnes who connects the two events. He and his new boss, Superintendent Samson Kane, team up to uncover the truth. Their investigations stir up dangerous undercurrents within Eastbourne’s criminal community.
And the two police detectives are vulnerable. Both Barnes and Kane have secrets in their pasts. Secrets which look set to catch up with them . . . with horrifying consequences.
Perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, Helen H. Durrant, Peter James, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean.
Audible Audio
First published April 12, 2023
160 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Adam Lyndon
7 books54 followersAdam was born and raised in Sussex. He has been a police officer for twenty years both in the UK and in New Zealand, working across a range of disciplines including uniformed ops, firearms command and as a detective in CID and specialist investigations.
He went around the world a couple of times, living in New Zealand for a year before realising home was where all the stories were. Adam writes gritty, Eastbourne-based police-procedurals with hard-edged authenticity, forming a daisy chain along the south coast alongside the likes of Graham Hurley and Peter James. He has been married for twenty years and has four children. His ambition, as his children keep reminding him, is to own a dog.
He went around the world a couple of times, living in New Zealand for a year before realising home was where all the stories were. Adam writes gritty, Eastbourne-based police-procedurals with hard-edged authenticity, forming a daisy chain along the south coast alongside the likes of Graham Hurley and Peter James. He has been married for twenty years and has four children. His ambition, as his children keep reminding him, is to own a dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 24, 2023
Detective Rutherford Barnes #3
For five long years, Detective Barnes has been hunting the killer of a person he read about the most. Now, the one man who could have revealed the truth is dead. His charred and blackened body is all that remains of his burnt out flat. A week later, a desperate emaciated young woman hammers on the door of a late-night convenience store. She speaks no English - but it's clear she's terrified - and running for her life. It's only Barnes who connects the two events, He and his new boss, Superintendent Samson Kane team up to uncover the truth.
This is quite a good read after you get past the confusing first few chapters. We are quickly introduced to a few characters. There are a few sub-plots that make this book more interesting. There's lots of twists, the characters are well rounded, and the pace is steady. Barnes and his new boss are called out to investigate why a woman was banging on the door of a late-night convenience store. All the loose ends were tied up at the end of this book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #AdamLyndon for my ARC of #BurntOutSecrets in exchange for an honest review.
For five long years, Detective Barnes has been hunting the killer of a person he read about the most. Now, the one man who could have revealed the truth is dead. His charred and blackened body is all that remains of his burnt out flat. A week later, a desperate emaciated young woman hammers on the door of a late-night convenience store. She speaks no English - but it's clear she's terrified - and running for her life. It's only Barnes who connects the two events, He and his new boss, Superintendent Samson Kane team up to uncover the truth.
This is quite a good read after you get past the confusing first few chapters. We are quickly introduced to a few characters. There are a few sub-plots that make this book more interesting. There's lots of twists, the characters are well rounded, and the pace is steady. Barnes and his new boss are called out to investigate why a woman was banging on the door of a late-night convenience store. All the loose ends were tied up at the end of this book.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #AdamLyndon for my ARC of #BurntOutSecrets in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2023
DI Barnes is a mess and still aimed at finding the man who killed his wife several years ago but the informant he has been working on gets killed about the same time that new Superintendent Kane gets added to the department. Kane is an outside transfer and has never done all the things that a regular copper does and has a lot to learn. Surprisingly, Barnes and Kane trust each other and get involved in things that has the higher ups tearing their hair out about. Very tense and convoluted with so very many twists and conundrums. Great read!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
April 19, 2023
4* ADVANCE READER COPY REVIEW
We are told by the author, before commencing the read, that he has taken liberties with the reality of police life in 2010...fair enough, as long as we know eh?
He doesn't warn us that he's a bit of an individual when it comes to naming his characters though - Rutherford Barnes, the series lead (this is book 3), Duquesne Kenley, Chick Grant and Samson Kane have all been introduced before we
get to Chapter 3...it doesn't stop there but it's a good read so get a copy and make your own list 🙂
Naming conventions notwithstanding I enjoyed the confusing opening chapters, holding a hope that the Prologue would be put into perspective and explained before too long...Chapter 3, job done ...bit flimsy perhaps, and one big question
unresolved until much later, but it allowed me to get on with the story and not worry unduly about what went before.
As hinted above it is a good read, lots of stories going on around the main tale, some very nasty villains who do not hold human life dear, some believable characters, and then the hard to believe in Superintendent Kane, straight out
of the digital boardroom into a senior police role with his punky looks including tatts and piercings - I really struggled to get on board with this and consequently dropped a star from my review.
I am generally sceptical about novel cover claims - all too often that generic "massive twist" fails to materialise - but this time the claims on the money, a genuine "fekk me" moment that I hadn't seen coming...
I'd be happy to read more Adam Lyndon work - man's a story teller...looking forward to what comes next
We are told by the author, before commencing the read, that he has taken liberties with the reality of police life in 2010...fair enough, as long as we know eh?
He doesn't warn us that he's a bit of an individual when it comes to naming his characters though - Rutherford Barnes, the series lead (this is book 3), Duquesne Kenley, Chick Grant and Samson Kane have all been introduced before we
get to Chapter 3...it doesn't stop there but it's a good read so get a copy and make your own list 🙂
Naming conventions notwithstanding I enjoyed the confusing opening chapters, holding a hope that the Prologue would be put into perspective and explained before too long...Chapter 3, job done ...bit flimsy perhaps, and one big question
unresolved until much later, but it allowed me to get on with the story and not worry unduly about what went before.
As hinted above it is a good read, lots of stories going on around the main tale, some very nasty villains who do not hold human life dear, some believable characters, and then the hard to believe in Superintendent Kane, straight out
of the digital boardroom into a senior police role with his punky looks including tatts and piercings - I really struggled to get on board with this and consequently dropped a star from my review.
I am generally sceptical about novel cover claims - all too often that generic "massive twist" fails to materialise - but this time the claims on the money, a genuine "fekk me" moment that I hadn't seen coming...
I'd be happy to read more Adam Lyndon work - man's a story teller...looking forward to what comes next
July 13, 2024
Detective Barnes is still hunting for the killer of his wife. Meanwhile a female has escaped from her captors, can she lead the police to the human trafficking gang's hideout.
A modern mystery
A modern mystery
December 5, 2023
Detective Barnes wants to know who killed his wife and he almost does before the local police interrupt his kidnapping ploy of informant and drug attic Kevin Baker. The next time he hears about Kevin he will be burnt to a crisp in his basement apartment when he goes to introduce hisself to the new DI Sampson Kane it’s just to let him know he doesn’t think Kevin Baker died from just smoke in elation. Sampson Kane doesn’t look like your average DI he has earrings in his face tattoos all over his body and he’s only 32 and not everybody is on board with this upstart being their boss. His first introduction to detective gamble doesn’t go well at all as a matter of a fact detective Gamble even accuses him of stealing the warrant Card for the real DI came after Detective Barnes givess his new boss the lowdown on the murder of Kevin and the situation in the office he tells the detective he wants him on the case then when he tries to demure due to personal reasons DI Cain loan allow it. When a Polish immigrant escapes a compound in the middle of the countryside DA Barnes thinks it may be connected unfortunately one of his brothers in blue is double dipping and making deals with the gangsters they’re trying to stop there is so much more to this book there’s the grocery clerk Kenny who almost becomes a hero there’s the sweet Polish girl who becomes his friend and there’s so much more to that story as well this was such a great book how do I known it was so awesome I wouldn’t of waited to the last moment to read it because this is definitely a book I would read again although throughout the story you know what’s happening you know the key players that are backstabbing that are on board ET see and that is what makes the ending so much more satisfying! I thought this was a great book and I can honestly say I have never read a book by Adam Linden before but would definitely be out to read more cry mysteries by him in the future this was so good I loved Detective Kane, Barnes and he really makes great outlaws you love to hate especially Sterling… Oh I can’t stand him! I received this book for NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
November 16, 2025
One of the characters in the book said about Barnes something like “he’s a good guy; he just has a strange way of getting there.” He’s an interesting detective—not noble, not above board, but sort of a hero.
May 9, 2023
I have been a fan of Adam’s books since I had the good fortune to pick up the first book in the Detective Rutherford Barnes, which is called ‘Devil’s Chimney’ last year. I read and loved the second book in the series called ‘Beachy Head’. When I heard that Adam was due to release another book in the series, I knew that I had to grab a copy at the earliest opportunity and read it just as soon as I could. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the third book in the Detective Rutherford Barnes series is called ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ and it was released on 12th April 2023. It’s another superb addition to what is proving to be a superb series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ but more about that.
I seem to be developing something of a soft spot for Detective Rutherford Barnes. I took to him from the start of the story and I ended up feeling as though he had become a friend of mine rather than a character in a book. He is no stranger to heartbreak though as his wife was killed in a road traffic collision a few years ago and Rutherford has been trying to find those responsible for her death ever since. Rutherford gets results even if he does have to bend the rules sever so slightly. He knows he isn’t the most popular of people but he doesn’t let that bother him.
As soon as I started reading, I knew that I wouldn’t be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day. I had initially only intended to read a chapter or two when I first picked the book up but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour later. Part of the reason why I enjoyed the book so much has to do with the character of Detective Rutherford Barnes and the somewhat enigmatic character of Superintendent Samson Kane. I can honestly say that I have never met a character like Kane, who is about as far removed from the idea of the traditional sort of Superintendent as it’s possible to be. Let’s just say that I have never come across a police officer like him. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right path or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. I loved the idea of them working together to solve the case. The more of the story that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ and I had say goodbye to Barnes, Kane and the rest of the characters. I found ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ to be a tense, gripping and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Burnt Out Secrets’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Adam Lyndon. Adam certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story.. For me, the story started with a shocking crime and thereafter the story maintained a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to catch your breath and gather your thoughts then off the action would go again. I found that Adam makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of Adam’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Related
I seem to be developing something of a soft spot for Detective Rutherford Barnes. I took to him from the start of the story and I ended up feeling as though he had become a friend of mine rather than a character in a book. He is no stranger to heartbreak though as his wife was killed in a road traffic collision a few years ago and Rutherford has been trying to find those responsible for her death ever since. Rutherford gets results even if he does have to bend the rules sever so slightly. He knows he isn’t the most popular of people but he doesn’t let that bother him.
As soon as I started reading, I knew that I wouldn’t be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day. I had initially only intended to read a chapter or two when I first picked the book up but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour later. Part of the reason why I enjoyed the book so much has to do with the character of Detective Rutherford Barnes and the somewhat enigmatic character of Superintendent Samson Kane. I can honestly say that I have never met a character like Kane, who is about as far removed from the idea of the traditional sort of Superintendent as it’s possible to be. Let’s just say that I have never come across a police officer like him. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right path or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. I loved the idea of them working together to solve the case. The more of the story that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ and I had say goodbye to Barnes, Kane and the rest of the characters. I found ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ to be a tense, gripping and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Burnt Out Secrets’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Adam Lyndon. Adam certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story.. For me, the story started with a shocking crime and thereafter the story maintained a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to catch your breath and gather your thoughts then off the action would go again. I found that Adam makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Burnt Out Secrets’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of Adam’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Related
February 4, 2025
Detective Rutherford Barnes isn’t having a good time – the one man who could have helped him figure out who murdered his wife is found dead in a fire and a desperate, emaciated young woman seeking help at a convenience store disappears. Barnes thinks they are connected, but no one else does. He must team up with his new boss Sampson Kane, a tattooed, pierced man with an “interesting” who came to policing from a non-traditional field and somehow walked into a leadership position. Their investigations stir up deadly undercurrents within Eastbourne’s criminal community and they’re both personally vulnerable.
I read this on the tail of reading books 1 and 2, and I was not sorry. It held my attention all the way through, from all the twists and turns; darkly detailed mystery; suspense; and layered plots.
I like Barnes. He’s a cynical, world-weary, complicated, flawed but still dedicated officer whose basic philosophy is “gather the evidence, make the referral, protect those you can.” He is obsessed with finding out who killed his wife. Kane is also an interesting character, an untraditional supervisor who likes to get out with the troops and do the grunt work. He gets flashes of insight that elude others in the police service, and can connect with the public. I’m not sure he’ll be in the next book, but I hope so. Watching them working together is fascinating.
I will continue reading more in this series.
I read this on the tail of reading books 1 and 2, and I was not sorry. It held my attention all the way through, from all the twists and turns; darkly detailed mystery; suspense; and layered plots.
I like Barnes. He’s a cynical, world-weary, complicated, flawed but still dedicated officer whose basic philosophy is “gather the evidence, make the referral, protect those you can.” He is obsessed with finding out who killed his wife. Kane is also an interesting character, an untraditional supervisor who likes to get out with the troops and do the grunt work. He gets flashes of insight that elude others in the police service, and can connect with the public. I’m not sure he’ll be in the next book, but I hope so. Watching them working together is fascinating.
I will continue reading more in this series.
April 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this. It was one of those that I didn't want to put it down for too long. There's a lot going on. It begins with Barnes involved in an abduction to force someone to name the killer of his wife and immediately afterwards, the abductee is found dead in a fire. The investigation team are quick to chalk it off as an accidental fire but Barnes is convinced otherwise. His new superintendant, an unlikely young, trendy guy with piercings and tattoos, is quick to trust Barnes' instinct which instantly makes him enemies in the forece.
There is a lot of gangland activity and human trafficking going on, and Barnes begins to think the various crimes are linked. There's a lot of secret background things happening to keep me curious and I enjoyed the working relationship between Kane and Barnes. Almost like a Batman and Robin situation. There is plenty of violence throughout and the story overall was quite compelling. The twist with the reveal of the head of the gang operations was a complete and welcome surprise and totally blindsided me.
I have read all three books now and this is definitely the best and I hope to see more of this duo in action in the next book.
I received a copy of this from Joffe Books and this is my honest review.
There is a lot of gangland activity and human trafficking going on, and Barnes begins to think the various crimes are linked. There's a lot of secret background things happening to keep me curious and I enjoyed the working relationship between Kane and Barnes. Almost like a Batman and Robin situation. There is plenty of violence throughout and the story overall was quite compelling. The twist with the reveal of the head of the gang operations was a complete and welcome surprise and totally blindsided me.
I have read all three books now and this is definitely the best and I hope to see more of this duo in action in the next book.
I received a copy of this from Joffe Books and this is my honest review.
May 12, 2023
This is book 3 in the Detective Rutherford Barnes series but the books work perfectly as stand alone.
BURNT OUT SECRETS sees the introduction of a new main character: Superintendent Samson Kane. He is a strange character but he grew on me over the course of the book and he does fit in really well. Also we revisit the circumstances that caused the death of Rutherford's wife which added to the suspense and intrigue and also fleshed out Barnes' character.
The story is full of intrigue and suspense with many relationships intertangled and many of the characters have secrets they want to keep hidden. People trafficking, bent coppers, drugs, murder, torture lies and revenge. This book has it all. I found the descriptive text detracted from the story quite a bit but not enough to put me off.
The book is in 3 parts and part 3 is where it all begins to come together and I was flabbergasted when the truth was revealed and before I had collected my thoughts we were approaching the absolutely mind blowing ending.
A very good read. I was disappointed that I still had unanswered questions at the end but hopefully book 4 will be along soon with the answers.
Many thanks to Joffe Books and Netgalley for the advance digital copy in return for my unbiased review.
BURNT OUT SECRETS sees the introduction of a new main character: Superintendent Samson Kane. He is a strange character but he grew on me over the course of the book and he does fit in really well. Also we revisit the circumstances that caused the death of Rutherford's wife which added to the suspense and intrigue and also fleshed out Barnes' character.
The story is full of intrigue and suspense with many relationships intertangled and many of the characters have secrets they want to keep hidden. People trafficking, bent coppers, drugs, murder, torture lies and revenge. This book has it all. I found the descriptive text detracted from the story quite a bit but not enough to put me off.
The book is in 3 parts and part 3 is where it all begins to come together and I was flabbergasted when the truth was revealed and before I had collected my thoughts we were approaching the absolutely mind blowing ending.
A very good read. I was disappointed that I still had unanswered questions at the end but hopefully book 4 will be along soon with the answers.
Many thanks to Joffe Books and Netgalley for the advance digital copy in return for my unbiased review.
June 27, 2023
Adam Lyndon has done it yet again. Although I found this to be a bit of a slow starter and wasn’t quite sure where it was going at first, I soon became fully engaged and started to become immersed by this exciting and thrilling story. I thought the introduction of Superintendent Samson Kane was an interesting one, especially as these books are set in 2010, when attitudes weren’t quite as accepting as they are now. The fact that he was attacked by one of his men on his first day on the job was extremely amusing and this certainly tested his faith in the job he suddenly found himself launched into. As usual, Rutherford Barnes was his normal self – he has become a character that I find engaging and I always look forward to see him solving crimes with the same determination. There were a couple of strands to this story that at first seemed separated but gradually they grew together. The excitement towards the end was thrilling and extremely fast, bringing the book to a sudden close and there were a few loose ends which I felt were never really tied up. On the other hand, it certainly makes me believe there is more to come and I eagerly look forward to the next in this series and just hope it’s not going to be a long wait.
April 7, 2023
Adam Lyndon is a new author to me and I thought this looked like a book I would enjoy. I definitely did and will read his two previous books when I can. This is a very well written book, with a really good plot line and has so many different story threads that grabbed and held my attention and interest throughout. I really liked the main character and the new Superintendent who I felt were portrayed well and were both believable and relatable. I could picture the settings and scenes in my mind when reading. The story follows several themes, all current in todays society, namely police corruption, people trafficking and crime gangs. The book went of in unexpected directions which I really liked and I thought this gave the story much more impetus and depth. I'd recommend this if you like good, solid police procedurals and would say read this series in order to get to know the characters from the start.
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 4, 2023
For five long years, Detective Barnes has been hunting the killer of his wife. Now, the one man who could have revealed the truth is dead. His charred and blackened body is all that remains in his burnt-out flat. A week later, a desperate, emaciated young woman hammers on the door of a late-night convenience store. She’s clearly terrified and running for her life. Barnes is convinced the two events are connected. He must team up with his new boss, Superintendent Samson Kane, to uncover the truth.
This is the third book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I feel the series would be best read in order, a well written complex mystery with lots of twists & turns. The characters have depth & some are not conventional! I was drawn in from the start & thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly how everything was tied up at the end
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the third book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I feel the series would be best read in order, a well written complex mystery with lots of twists & turns. The characters have depth & some are not conventional! I was drawn in from the start & thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly how everything was tied up at the end
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
April 28, 2023
Burnt Out Secrets is the third book in the Detective Rutherford Barnes Mysteries. This can be a stand-alone read, but I felt as if I was missing something by not having read the previous books.
Detective Barnes has been hunting, for the last five years, the killer of his wife. Now, the man he believes has the name of that person ends up dead after a fire.
A week later, a young woman knocks on the door at a convenience store. Unable to speak English, she is desperately running for her life.
Barnes somehow believes the two events are connected. With his new boss, Superintendent Samson Kane, will work together the truth.
This is a very complex mystery with many twists and turns.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Detective Barnes has been hunting, for the last five years, the killer of his wife. Now, the man he believes has the name of that person ends up dead after a fire.
A week later, a young woman knocks on the door at a convenience store. Unable to speak English, she is desperately running for her life.
Barnes somehow believes the two events are connected. With his new boss, Superintendent Samson Kane, will work together the truth.
This is a very complex mystery with many twists and turns.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
May 5, 2023
Although this is book 3 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Then you will want to read and thoroughly enjoy, like me, the previous two books.
From the very beginning, I was captured into a page turner of a read. Once started, it's very hard to put down.
This is a very cleverly written, gripping storyline and plot, with very interesting characters and great descriptive.
The book, as you are reading, keeps you guessing all the way through, with those cleverly written twists you never see coming.
A fabulous thriller of a read, I would definitely recommend.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest, unbiased review .
From the very beginning, I was captured into a page turner of a read. Once started, it's very hard to put down.
This is a very cleverly written, gripping storyline and plot, with very interesting characters and great descriptive.
The book, as you are reading, keeps you guessing all the way through, with those cleverly written twists you never see coming.
A fabulous thriller of a read, I would definitely recommend.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest, unbiased review .
June 14, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I didn't like the first book in this series but I think the author has improved since then. There were less instances of his own thoughts and feelings, particularly relating to politics, and much more focus on reflecting the general public's impressions of policing. I thought there were a couple of events lacking credibility but overall the plot was well-thought out and engaging.
I'm more interested in reading more books by this author after reading this book.
I didn't like the first book in this series but I think the author has improved since then. There were less instances of his own thoughts and feelings, particularly relating to politics, and much more focus on reflecting the general public's impressions of policing. I thought there were a couple of events lacking credibility but overall the plot was well-thought out and engaging.
I'm more interested in reading more books by this author after reading this book.
April 17, 2023
A very complicated, twisty and turny story. DI Barnes is still trying to find out who was responsible for killing his wife, but his informant is too frightened to be of much help. Enough thought to sign the informant’s death warrant. That’s only the beginning of the deaths and cases that Barnes needs to look at with his new boss. A boss as strange and off the wall as everything else in this book.
A seriously good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe, the publisher, I read a free advance copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.
A seriously good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe, the publisher, I read a free advance copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.
April 22, 2023
Burnt Out Secrets by Adam Lyndon is set in 2010, but the book's themes definitely relate to today's society.
It's part of a series but can be read as a standalone. This is a well-written and engaging police procedural. It has solid characters and a good storyline.
The author nicely laid out the plot and described the scenes to make me feel as if I were there with the characters.
I may go back and read the other books in this series. I would recommend this book.
#BURNTOUTSECRETS #NetGalley @joffebooks
It's part of a series but can be read as a standalone. This is a well-written and engaging police procedural. It has solid characters and a good storyline.
The author nicely laid out the plot and described the scenes to make me feel as if I were there with the characters.
I may go back and read the other books in this series. I would recommend this book.
#BURNTOUTSECRETS #NetGalley @joffebooks
September 26, 2024
Again, there's a GLOSSARY OF ENGLISH USAGE FOR US READERS at the back. Please look for it at the end (in the TABLE OF CONTENTS). This author has outdone himself with this novel; it is great.
Barnes gets a new boss (complete with facial studs and tattoos). When the dust settles from this shock, Barnes and Kane get busy working on crimes. This is a cleverly plotted book with lots of twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Detective Rutherford Barnes Mystery
1. Devil's Chimney (2022)
2. Beachy Head (2022)
** 3. Burnt Out Secrets (2023)
4. The Chalk Man (2024)
Barnes gets a new boss (complete with facial studs and tattoos). When the dust settles from this shock, Barnes and Kane get busy working on crimes. This is a cleverly plotted book with lots of twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Detective Rutherford Barnes Mystery
1. Devil's Chimney (2022)
2. Beachy Head (2022)
** 3. Burnt Out Secrets (2023)
4. The Chalk Man (2024)
April 16, 2023
Another excellent, well written police procedural from the author featuring Detective Barnes and a new Superintendent Kane.. The plotting centres around people trafficking, organised crime and police corruption, all very topical in today's society. It is very authentic and the characterisation is believable, with unexpected twists throughout. A solid 5* from me and I would highly recommend the read to lovers of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
June 11, 2023
Absolutely fantastic! Adam Lyndon has created a whopper of a series starring Rutherford Barnes! I love how his story is progressing and we finally get to see who is responsible for his wife’s death, while still dealing with his biggest case yet. I’m excited for the next book which will hopefully say why. If you like police procedurals, do yourself a favor and read this series!
Huge thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
Huge thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
May 1, 2023
This is quite a complex story with lots going on and told in three parts. That being said, stick with it as the author brings it all together at the end . The introduction of Samson Kane into the force is interesting especially with his maverick look and background however he gels quite quickly with Barnes which isn't an easy task! I would recommend that the first two books are read though as this helps with the character of Barnes and the how and why he does what he does.
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC to review.
May 5, 2023
Superintendent Sampson Kane is a direct entrant to the police, no previous experience at all. On his first day he arrives at the scene of a fire, there is a dead body which everyone sees as a junkie dying in a fire, he calls a murder. Teaming up with DI Barnes their investigation leads to gangs and trafficking,will he stay the course? A really good read.
July 31, 2023
There are some aspects of this that are a very fresh read for the genre. I would definitely have given this all five stars for the first half of the book. And the character of Kane is a good example - a great introduction to the character that unfortunately gets lost as the ending slips into typical thriller mode.
April 19, 2023
I received an ARC of this book on netgalley.
Really enjoyed this book. A real page Turner which keeps you hooked.
Characters were well thought out and written. A pleasure to read.
I would definetly recommend this book
Really enjoyed this book. A real page Turner which keeps you hooked.
Characters were well thought out and written. A pleasure to read.
I would definetly recommend this book
July 17, 2024
Book 3 in the DI Rutherford Barnes series. This is the best one yet ! Completely gripping and lots of twists and turns ! Looking forward to the next one!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
September 20, 2023
Great book
Lots going on, difficult to put down or something may be missed. Hoping there is another book so Rutherford Barnes can finally sort his life out.
Lots going on, difficult to put down or something may be missed. Hoping there is another book so Rutherford Barnes can finally sort his life out.
December 9, 2023
Good read I don't like to give away any secrets it might spoil the story.
January 19, 2024
Excellent novel .
Complicated plot but really draws the reader in .
Great characters , very unusual .
Complicated plot but really draws the reader in .
Great characters , very unusual .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews