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Rosie Gilmour #8
Death Trap
A sadistic killer with a grudge against Rosie Gilmour is on the loose in Glasgow. Thomas Boag escaped from his first court appearance facing charges on a brutal murder. He's suspected in the disappearances of two other people. Now he's out for revenge.Rosie tries to distract herself with a new refugees trafficked into Glasgow and used as modern-day slaves - or worse. But this investigation soon leads her into dangerous territory as it takes her up against some of Glasgow's nastiest characters, and all the while, somewhere out there, Boag is laying his trap...'Another searingly-paced and all-too-believable look at the darker side of life from a quite brilliant writer' Crime Review
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 25, 2016
This is the eighth in the Rosie Gilmour series but my first. However, it worked reasonably well as a standalone for me. Rosie is a Glasgow reporter who is in a packed courthouse for the first appearance of serial killer, Thomas Boag. She is responsible for his arrest, and at the end of the hearing, Boag gives her a hard stare that suggests he is not going to forget her. On the same day Rosie notices the abuse and bullying of a Kosovan refugee, Tadi, who was charged with killing a seagull because he was starving. Glasgow goes into lockdown when to Rosie's horror, Thomas Boeg manages to escape police custody in a violent and brutal manner.
Boeg has killed and dismembered the gay son of a local gangster, Jonjo Mulhearn. A grieving Jonjo has been released after a nine year prison sentence, he is a man on a mission who is putting all his resources into getting his hands on Boeg and getting revenge. Rosie discovers that Tadi is being exploited as a slave by the dangerous and ruthless O'Dwyer traveller clan. His wife and child have been taken, and homeless people have been enslaved as well. Rosie is determined to help Tadi and her good friend, Bosnian Adrian, provides crucial help. A student couple, Martin and Katie, go missing amidst concern that they are the latest victims of Boeg. When their bodies are discovered, there is a gruesome surprise for the police when a burnt corpse of a recently deceased male, and the body of a woman and baby, are in the same grave. Rosie is to find herself in the deepest danger, receiving the most gruesome of parcel deliveries, loses a good friend, and finds herself making close connections with Jonjo.
This is a well written story that easily engages the reader, It is well plotted and full of suspense and tension. It makes really good use of real life stories such as the slavery of migrants and the homeless. There is an aspect of amorality with regard to Rosie and Adrian, but this makes them more authentic characters. Rosie suffers from PTSD, which given what she experiences is barely surprising. A gripping read which I recommend. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Boeg has killed and dismembered the gay son of a local gangster, Jonjo Mulhearn. A grieving Jonjo has been released after a nine year prison sentence, he is a man on a mission who is putting all his resources into getting his hands on Boeg and getting revenge. Rosie discovers that Tadi is being exploited as a slave by the dangerous and ruthless O'Dwyer traveller clan. His wife and child have been taken, and homeless people have been enslaved as well. Rosie is determined to help Tadi and her good friend, Bosnian Adrian, provides crucial help. A student couple, Martin and Katie, go missing amidst concern that they are the latest victims of Boeg. When their bodies are discovered, there is a gruesome surprise for the police when a burnt corpse of a recently deceased male, and the body of a woman and baby, are in the same grave. Rosie is to find herself in the deepest danger, receiving the most gruesome of parcel deliveries, loses a good friend, and finds herself making close connections with Jonjo.
This is a well written story that easily engages the reader, It is well plotted and full of suspense and tension. It makes really good use of real life stories such as the slavery of migrants and the homeless. There is an aspect of amorality with regard to Rosie and Adrian, but this makes them more authentic characters. Rosie suffers from PTSD, which given what she experiences is barely surprising. A gripping read which I recommend. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
February 6, 2017
Glaswegian Journalist Rosie Gilmour is in court to watch the trial of Thomas Boag who has been charged with murder. Rosie had helped uncover Boag a serial killer, but now Boag has escaped and is now on the run.
On leaving court Rosie witnesses the bullying of Kosovan refugee, Tadi, who had been in court for killing a seagull.
We also hear of the disappearance of a young student couple, Martin & Katie. When the police discover their bodies they are shocked to discover what else has been buried with the couple.
The pace is fast from the beginning. There is quite a lot going on in the first few chapters, but that just helps keep your brain active. This is the first book I have read by the author and although this is the 8th Rosie Gilmour you can read this as a stand alone.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Anna Smith for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On leaving court Rosie witnesses the bullying of Kosovan refugee, Tadi, who had been in court for killing a seagull.
We also hear of the disappearance of a young student couple, Martin & Katie. When the police discover their bodies they are shocked to discover what else has been buried with the couple.
The pace is fast from the beginning. There is quite a lot going on in the first few chapters, but that just helps keep your brain active. This is the first book I have read by the author and although this is the 8th Rosie Gilmour you can read this as a stand alone.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Anna Smith for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2017
I am always excited when a new Rosie Gilmour book comes out, and this time was no exception. The synopsis had me all agitated and raring to go so I was pleased when I finally got started. Rosie had a serious problem from the outset in this book and it made it all the more exciting. Thomas Boag is in court following his charge for murder, however he escapes and is also suspected of an additional murders. Rosie is well aware that her reporting helped put him behind bars and she is all too aware that with Boag on the run, she will be a target.
As a typical Rosie technique she decides to take her colleague and photographer Matt along to throw herself into work. The latest story she is chasing involves refugees being trafficked into Glasgow and then being used as modern day slaves. Whilst the police and Rosie's copper pal Don try to track Boag, Rosie and Matt are chasing a man named Tadi. Rosie's journalist instinct is in full force as she investigates the wheres and whys of what Tadi has got himself involved in. This book was really fast paced from the very first chapter and it gave it a new sense of urgency. I also noticed that this time around due to the severity of Boag's crimes we see a more vulnerable and nervous version of Rosie which made for a lot more realism.
As with each book I was willing to see the return of Adrian, Rosie's pal and sure enough he turns up and I was literally jumping for joy upon his return. Rosie's on-off partner TJ also makes an appearance (less impressed with this, as I just don't like him!). Boag's victim happened to be the son of Jonjo Mulhearn. Jonjo finally gets released after a nine year prison stretch and of course his and Rosie's paths cross as they both try to work out where Boag will go. Jonjo was a great character and I loved him from the minute he joined the story. The series seems to have been gathering pace for a while and by the end of this book it felt like we (as in the readers) have seen Rosie cross an invisible line and it just makes the books that much more engaging.
I read this in two sittings and absolutely loved every page (well apart from when TJ was there). This is an absolutely cracking series and if people haven't read Anna Smith I would suggest you start at the beginning as its been a fantastic journey and I am already wondering what is next for Rosie. Anna Smith you have written another stellar book, however I REALLY think you need to sort out this TJ/Adrian thing!!!
As a typical Rosie technique she decides to take her colleague and photographer Matt along to throw herself into work. The latest story she is chasing involves refugees being trafficked into Glasgow and then being used as modern day slaves. Whilst the police and Rosie's copper pal Don try to track Boag, Rosie and Matt are chasing a man named Tadi. Rosie's journalist instinct is in full force as she investigates the wheres and whys of what Tadi has got himself involved in. This book was really fast paced from the very first chapter and it gave it a new sense of urgency. I also noticed that this time around due to the severity of Boag's crimes we see a more vulnerable and nervous version of Rosie which made for a lot more realism.
As with each book I was willing to see the return of Adrian, Rosie's pal and sure enough he turns up and I was literally jumping for joy upon his return. Rosie's on-off partner TJ also makes an appearance (less impressed with this, as I just don't like him!). Boag's victim happened to be the son of Jonjo Mulhearn. Jonjo finally gets released after a nine year prison stretch and of course his and Rosie's paths cross as they both try to work out where Boag will go. Jonjo was a great character and I loved him from the minute he joined the story. The series seems to have been gathering pace for a while and by the end of this book it felt like we (as in the readers) have seen Rosie cross an invisible line and it just makes the books that much more engaging.
I read this in two sittings and absolutely loved every page (well apart from when TJ was there). This is an absolutely cracking series and if people haven't read Anna Smith I would suggest you start at the beginning as its been a fantastic journey and I am already wondering what is next for Rosie. Anna Smith you have written another stellar book, however I REALLY think you need to sort out this TJ/Adrian thing!!!
January 13, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of Death Trap, the eighth novel to feature Glaswegian journalist Rosie Gilmour.
After a relative lull in news stories Rosie is in court to watch the trial of Thomas Boag, a serial killer she had uncovered in the course of her reporting. He keeps staring at her in court and when he escapes from the cells by slashing a guard she knows she is in danger, but Rosie is on two stories, what's going on with Tadi, a Kosovan refugee who seems scared out of his wits, and the disappearance of two young students camping in the Campsies and doesn't have time to go into hiding.
I love Rosie and her adventures and Death Trap is another great read I found hard to put down. It is a high octane novel with so much going on in the plot it is sometimes hard to catch a breath as you live it all with Rosie, human trafficking, modern slavery, gruesome serial killer, gangsters and revenge. None of it, however, is fantastical and I'm sure much of it is based on real life events with some poetic licence (I recognise aspects of Boag from a case in Scotland in the late 90s).
Tadi's plight as an illegal refugee who has overstayed his welcome/visa and has become a slave is heart rending and very sensitively done although the seagull incident (you'll have to read the novel to find out) is funny in a macabre way.
Rosie is a fun character. She has the Glaswegian sense of humour and apparent insouciance in the face of danger and is determined to get her "splash", sometimes at great personal cost, sometimes not within the strict letter of the law but always according to her own personal morality. Her "gallus " attitude always makes me smile and her one liners make me laugh. She's a wonderful creation.
Death Trap is a very accomplished novel which draws the reader's attention to the difficulties faced by refugees without making a big issue of it and it fits seamlessly into a cracking read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.
After a relative lull in news stories Rosie is in court to watch the trial of Thomas Boag, a serial killer she had uncovered in the course of her reporting. He keeps staring at her in court and when he escapes from the cells by slashing a guard she knows she is in danger, but Rosie is on two stories, what's going on with Tadi, a Kosovan refugee who seems scared out of his wits, and the disappearance of two young students camping in the Campsies and doesn't have time to go into hiding.
I love Rosie and her adventures and Death Trap is another great read I found hard to put down. It is a high octane novel with so much going on in the plot it is sometimes hard to catch a breath as you live it all with Rosie, human trafficking, modern slavery, gruesome serial killer, gangsters and revenge. None of it, however, is fantastical and I'm sure much of it is based on real life events with some poetic licence (I recognise aspects of Boag from a case in Scotland in the late 90s).
Tadi's plight as an illegal refugee who has overstayed his welcome/visa and has become a slave is heart rending and very sensitively done although the seagull incident (you'll have to read the novel to find out) is funny in a macabre way.
Rosie is a fun character. She has the Glaswegian sense of humour and apparent insouciance in the face of danger and is determined to get her "splash", sometimes at great personal cost, sometimes not within the strict letter of the law but always according to her own personal morality. Her "gallus " attitude always makes me smile and her one liners make me laugh. She's a wonderful creation.
Death Trap is a very accomplished novel which draws the reader's attention to the difficulties faced by refugees without making a big issue of it and it fits seamlessly into a cracking read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.
February 9, 2017
Brilliant!
Next please!
Next please!
August 24, 2017
Thomas Boag a serial killer charged with murder is on the run which is enough to put fear in to most people but even more for crime journalist Rosie Gilmour because she helped uncover enough evidence to put him there in the first place. Rosie tries to get on with her work to take her mind off it and goes head on in to covering a refugee smuggling operation with but with animals like Boag you always have to watch your back!.
Anna Smith tells a good dark gritty story with brilliant characterisation & plenty of suspense.
A great story that had me gripped, I would thoroughly recommend it.
My thanks go to Netgalley, the author and publishers in providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review
Anna Smith tells a good dark gritty story with brilliant characterisation & plenty of suspense.
A great story that had me gripped, I would thoroughly recommend it.
My thanks go to Netgalley, the author and publishers in providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review
August 10, 2017
One of the best books in this series so far. A straightforward plot which is very believable. Looking forward to more Rosie Gilmour adventures!
August 16, 2017
Have loved all of the Rosie Gilmour series, but this is by far the best - packed with so much action and intense drama.
April 2, 2017
I am a fan of the Rosie Gilmour series and this is another great addition to it. There were a few typos in the book (even the main character's name) which is always a bit disappointing. I didn't find this one quite as gripping as some of the previous books in the series but there was a particular event that has ensured that I will be putting the next instalment on my wish list.
As always I would advise readers to start with book 1 of the series and enjoy the development of the characters.
As always I would advise readers to start with book 1 of the series and enjoy the development of the characters.
May 29, 2017
Book took me so long to read. Because I have read a lot of stories of Rosie Gilmour series it has become repetitive so was glad to finish this book. It was like reading the same book but different characters which was a shame has I like Anna smith. Hope her next book will be a stand alone one.
March 22, 2017
A bit formulaic and predictable.
January 26, 2017
On a travellers site just outside Glasgow Tadi a refugee from Kosovo watched as the O'Dwyer's tortured then poured petrol over Bo another prisoner held at the farm. Once Bo was dead Tadi was told to bury him beside a clump of trees further afield when he digs the grave he notices the remains of a young woman and baby.
Thomas Boag a serial killer who picked up young gay men in bars before dismembering them had been captured after an exclusive report by Rosie Gilmore in the Post. As he was being taken down to the cells on remand he stops and gives Rosie A Cold Stare which gave her shivers. One of his victims was Jack Mulhearn son of notorious Glasgow gangster Jonjo Mulhearn who's doing a 12 stretch word has it Boag wouldn't make it to trial.
On leaving court Rosie meets Don a Strathclyde police detective and good friend and Brian McCann a rising young lawyer who tells her he had been representing an asylum seeker charged with trapping a seagull to eat. As they're talking Brian spots his refugee being strong armed and pushed into a red Jaguar not liking what they were seeing they were banging on the cars window Tadi had that desperate lost and helpless look. Rosie gets the car number plate and asks Don to find out who the cars registered to and finds out it's The O'Dwyers.
While having lunch in the pub Don gets a call the colour drains from him he tells Rosie Boags escaped and slashed a guards throat on his way out.
Where does that leave Rosie Boag blames her for his arrest and now he's free?
My first Anna Smith book loved it.
Thomas Boag a serial killer who picked up young gay men in bars before dismembering them had been captured after an exclusive report by Rosie Gilmore in the Post. As he was being taken down to the cells on remand he stops and gives Rosie A Cold Stare which gave her shivers. One of his victims was Jack Mulhearn son of notorious Glasgow gangster Jonjo Mulhearn who's doing a 12 stretch word has it Boag wouldn't make it to trial.
On leaving court Rosie meets Don a Strathclyde police detective and good friend and Brian McCann a rising young lawyer who tells her he had been representing an asylum seeker charged with trapping a seagull to eat. As they're talking Brian spots his refugee being strong armed and pushed into a red Jaguar not liking what they were seeing they were banging on the cars window Tadi had that desperate lost and helpless look. Rosie gets the car number plate and asks Don to find out who the cars registered to and finds out it's The O'Dwyers.
While having lunch in the pub Don gets a call the colour drains from him he tells Rosie Boags escaped and slashed a guards throat on his way out.
Where does that leave Rosie Boag blames her for his arrest and now he's free?
My first Anna Smith book loved it.
October 10, 2017
Rosie Gilmore is certainly one of my all time favourite fictional characters. There is just something about Rosie that, the fact she isn't a police detective makes her character that bit better. She really seems to have no limits to how far she will go for her story, and to get the best story possible she really does push the boundaries.
These books are superbly written, each and every one is unputdownable, written in a style that leaves you wanting more. You need and want to carry on reading. These books grab you from the first page and don't let you go until the very end. You read because you want to get to the end of the book, but as you get near the end, you have to slow down because, by then you don't want the book to finish.
This was certainly a story that kept me hooked right up to the end.
I have just done a Rosie Gilmore book binge and have now only got the latest book, The Hit to read. I'm going to miss Rosie after reading them back to back.
These books are superbly written, each and every one is unputdownable, written in a style that leaves you wanting more. You need and want to carry on reading. These books grab you from the first page and don't let you go until the very end. You read because you want to get to the end of the book, but as you get near the end, you have to slow down because, by then you don't want the book to finish.
This was certainly a story that kept me hooked right up to the end.
I have just done a Rosie Gilmore book binge and have now only got the latest book, The Hit to read. I'm going to miss Rosie after reading them back to back.
May 24, 2017
I've listened to all the Rosie Gilmour series on audible and loved every one of them. The narrater is excellent. This book had me gripped as much as the others and I can't wait for the next in the series. I'm a big fan of Anna Smith, she's an excellent writer. I love how the characters just come alive in my head.
November 30, 2017
Sailing close to the wind as Rosie usually does, this book I really thought she was pushing her luck to the limit.
She's dealt with some depraved and nasty people in her quest for truth and a knockout front page spread, but this pushes the boundaries of evil.........her life is in great danger, from a man beyond evil called Boag!
Absolutely riveting!
She's dealt with some depraved and nasty people in her quest for truth and a knockout front page spread, but this pushes the boundaries of evil.........her life is in great danger, from a man beyond evil called Boag!
Absolutely riveting!
December 6, 2017
Rosie Gilmour doesn't half get herself into scrapes (some perhaps not quite as believable as others). However this doesn't detract from the fact that this was an entertaining, heart stopping read. You always want Rosie to survive her brushes with death, but you also realise when reading this book, that those closest to her are equally as in danger. RIP to one of her closest friends.
February 23, 2018
Amazing
As always a brilliant read from Anna Smith, sad in places, but brilliantly written grips you from the start, just about to read book 9, sad i really hope we will be hearing more from Rosie Gilmour and Adrian ☺ got to love these characters, great series of anyone is just starting this series start with the first book s big Thank You To Anna Smith x
As always a brilliant read from Anna Smith, sad in places, but brilliantly written grips you from the start, just about to read book 9, sad i really hope we will be hearing more from Rosie Gilmour and Adrian ☺ got to love these characters, great series of anyone is just starting this series start with the first book s big Thank You To Anna Smith x
January 19, 2017
This is my first Anna Smith book and although it's part of a series it worked well for me as a stand alone. It's set in Glasgow and doesn't pull any punches on the seedier part of the city with all the horrors associated with gang land crime and violence. I loved it
June 8, 2018
Just Simply Brilliant.
Love Rosie Gilmour!
Another masterpiece by Anna Smith.
Brilliant story again - I have read the other 7 & they are all 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Fabulous characters & plots.
These books would make an amazing film with sequels or TV series.
Love Rosie Gilmour!
Another masterpiece by Anna Smith.
Brilliant story again - I have read the other 7 & they are all 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Fabulous characters & plots.
These books would make an amazing film with sequels or TV series.
May 5, 2017
Epic
Another excellent read from a local lass,wait with anticipation for the next instalment of the escapades of Rosie Gilmour,well done Anna
Another excellent read from a local lass,wait with anticipation for the next instalment of the escapades of Rosie Gilmour,well done Anna
September 23, 2017
Another great read about Rosie. I preferred the storyline about Tadi and family rather than Boag, good that both storylines had a conclusion.
October 16, 2017
What a gripping book, I have read all the Rosie Gilmour books so far. I couldn't put this one down Brilliant. Loved it Anna
November 8, 2017
Another cracking read!! Can’t wait for the next one!!
July 27, 2021
I find it impossible to believe that anybody would find this ludicrous plot remotely believable.
January 22, 2017
Death Trap is the eighth novel to feature reporter Rosie Gilmour and it's another great book. I have read the first and seventh books in this series and really must catch up with the ones in between as what I have read so far has been truly brilliant.
There is no doubt that Anna Smith weaves a good gritty story, the storylines are full of suspense and the characters believable. This is a fast-paced book that grabs you from page 1, Anna Smith gives us a wonderful crime thriller that will keep you gasping and anxious until the last page.
There is no doubt that Anna Smith weaves a good gritty story, the storylines are full of suspense and the characters believable. This is a fast-paced book that grabs you from page 1, Anna Smith gives us a wonderful crime thriller that will keep you gasping and anxious until the last page.
November 26, 2025
Anna Smith's experience as a journalist covering major investigations shines throughout her writing on very difficult topics.
Death Trap highlights the shocking truths of modern day slavery.
It is well written, fast paced, and harrowing at times. Rosie Gilmour puts herself into yet more very dangerous situations, and has thus far used up a lot of her "nine lives."
I was hooked from page one, as I continue to enjoy the Rosie Gilmour series.
Death Trap highlights the shocking truths of modern day slavery.
It is well written, fast paced, and harrowing at times. Rosie Gilmour puts herself into yet more very dangerous situations, and has thus far used up a lot of her "nine lives."
I was hooked from page one, as I continue to enjoy the Rosie Gilmour series.
September 10, 2022
My first Anna Smith book and I loved it. Crime reporter Rosie is under threat from a serial killer and in trying to expose him to the police as well as write the story for the Glasgow Post, she uncovers a multitude of serious criminals as well as a refugee slavery gang. It seemed as though there was a new body every chapter. A thoroughly exciting read and a page turner.
May 28, 2024
Absolutely brilliant. Just get better. Started reading Rosie some years ago. Couldn’t remember how far through the series I got I got so I started them again. Really don’t want them to end. Rosie is gutsy, feisty, daring and dangerously stupid all in one. Loved every chapter. Everyone needs a Rosie in their life. 👍
June 29, 2020
Loving the entire Rosie Gilmour series. Another excellent read, page turning thriller. Hard hitting, brutal in parts, but not overdone. You definitely need to read from the first book in the series as there are numerous characters that follow through.
June 26, 2019
Review
Nail biting from the first chapter this series is excellent cannot wait for no9 and hopefully more to follow in series
Nail biting from the first chapter this series is excellent cannot wait for no9 and hopefully more to follow in series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews