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A Mystery for D.I. Costello #3
End of the Roadie
Brendan Phelan, rock star, is playing the Apollo, Hammersmith. The stage show includes guns and whips: as it reaches its climax a shot rings out. The body of Oliver Joplin, one of the road crew, lies lifeless outside the stage door. DI Angela Costello and her team investigate, but they quickly discover that several stage hands, and Phelan himself, are adept with firearms – and that Joplin was widely disliked and distrusted. So why had Phelan kept him on, despite the reservations of his crew? Joplin’s emails reveal the presence of a shadowy figure stalking the dead man. Who might profit from Joplin’s death? Little by little Angela unpicks the web of lies. But unless one person opens up, she can’t crack the case. And that is not going to happen.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2016
2 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 21, 2022
PEARL RULE (30%)
Rating: 2* of five
The Publisher Says: Brendan Phelan, rock star, is playing in a stage show that includes guns and whips. As it reaches its climax, a shot rings out—but it's not part of the show. The body of Oliver Joplin, one of the road crew, lies lifeless outside the stage door. Detective Inspector Angela Costello and her team investigate, but they quickly discover that several stage hands, and Phelan himself, are adept with firearms—and that Joplin was widely disliked and distrusted. So why had Phelan kept him on, despite the reservations of his crew? Joplin's emails reveal the presence of a shadowy figure stalking the dead man. Who might profit from Joplin's death?
Little by little, Costello unpicks the web of lies. But unless one key person opens up, she can't crack the case. And that is not going to happen.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: When the production manager of the rock star's road show takes six lines to say "the star added the dead guy to the staff, not me, I hated the bastard," I realized I wasn't going to finish this story.
Gay is hilarious, you see, thinking a famous rock star might be gay can cause a room full of his sycophants to clutch their sides in laughter, and the fact that he's accused of having sex with a fourteen-year-old girl elicits a flurry of justifications like "plenty of girls that age are sexually active" (with middle-aged men? that's a problem, folks) and "how was he to know?" (maybe keep it zipped while on the road? just spitballin' some thoughts here).
The sleuth and her team follow procedures, I suppose, but I couldn't tell you what those were. I'm spoiled by Ann Cleeves and her ilk in this regard: The say what the procedures are. Anyway. It comes down to "I do not like this book or the characters in it so I am exercising my readerly right to bugger off now."
I do not recommend this read to you.
Rating: 2* of five
The Publisher Says: Brendan Phelan, rock star, is playing in a stage show that includes guns and whips. As it reaches its climax, a shot rings out—but it's not part of the show. The body of Oliver Joplin, one of the road crew, lies lifeless outside the stage door. Detective Inspector Angela Costello and her team investigate, but they quickly discover that several stage hands, and Phelan himself, are adept with firearms—and that Joplin was widely disliked and distrusted. So why had Phelan kept him on, despite the reservations of his crew? Joplin's emails reveal the presence of a shadowy figure stalking the dead man. Who might profit from Joplin's death?
Little by little, Costello unpicks the web of lies. But unless one key person opens up, she can't crack the case. And that is not going to happen.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: When the production manager of the rock star's road show takes six lines to say "the star added the dead guy to the staff, not me, I hated the bastard," I realized I wasn't going to finish this story.
Gay is hilarious, you see, thinking a famous rock star might be gay can cause a room full of his sycophants to clutch their sides in laughter, and the fact that he's accused of having sex with a fourteen-year-old girl elicits a flurry of justifications like "plenty of girls that age are sexually active" (with middle-aged men? that's a problem, folks) and "how was he to know?" (maybe keep it zipped while on the road? just spitballin' some thoughts here).
The sleuth and her team follow procedures, I suppose, but I couldn't tell you what those were. I'm spoiled by Ann Cleeves and her ilk in this regard: The say what the procedures are. Anyway. It comes down to "I do not like this book or the characters in it so I am exercising my readerly right to bugger off now."
I do not recommend this read to you.
Read
December 5, 2023DNF. Changed POVs too many times and hard to keep track of everything. Struggled to stay engaged
July 17, 2016
I was given a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Trigger Warnings: Child rape, homophobia.
Also: Some major plot spoilers.
I'm going to be perfectly honest here. I was tremendously uncomfortable to the point of rage with one of the major plot points being the blackmail of a rock star for thinking he committed statutory rape. Especially how the detectives involved handled this knowledge, which included justifications like: it was probably not his fault because he swears he thought she was older and also the (allegedly) 14 year old girl he (thought he) raped was probably just in cahoots with her older brother, the blackmailer. Another justification (and I quote): "many girls that age would be sexually active." So, you know, no big deal since she'd probably be having sex anyway? The mind boggles.
Overall, this book did not impress me, almost from the beginning. Admittedly, I haven't read the first two books in the series, so perhaps they help fill in some blanks, but I found most of the recurring characters one dimensional. I didn't care about any of them, mostly because I just didn't know much about them. The plot reminded me of an episode of Law & Order: there were pages and pages of interviews with witnesses, coworkers, and family members, which consisted of the same character information being rehashed over and over. There was a brief, shining moment of potential plot twist about a third of the way through, but that was greeted with an immediate and deliberate attempt to shut it down. This particular scene is the definition of basically everything I hate about the world:
"So is Brendan gay?" asked Jim.
"Oh, no!" They all turned towards Leanne and the horrified look on her face drew a laugh from them all. She hesitated before adding, "He's got a girlfriend."
"That's no guarantee of anything," said Jim.
"Well, he's not," protested Leanne, putting her hands on her hips.
"OK," said Angela in a soothing voice. "I think we'd have picked up on it before now if Brendan was gay, Jim."
::sigh:: Slow your roll, Jim. This entire room of (presumably) heterosexual people are the authority on what gay people look and act like, so they'd damn well be able to tell if someone was gay or not. And they're willing to put their hands on their hips to prove it. In fact, the very mention of homosexuality stirs feelings of both horror and amusement. No need to go interview more people to find out for sure (seriously though, why stop now?), we've collectively got this one covered. Super gross.
As for the mystery, Elizabeth Flynn started dropping clumsy hints to the solution early enough that I was able to guess the outcome with little effort. Strangely enough, I wasn't particularly bothered by the show business setting. I felt like Flynn did an adequate job of defining terms and situations for the readers who wouldn't be familiar with them.
Only giving this one 1.5 stars because it wasn't a difficult read, just kind of clunky and offensive.
Trigger Warnings: Child rape, homophobia.
Also: Some major plot spoilers.
I'm going to be perfectly honest here. I was tremendously uncomfortable to the point of rage with one of the major plot points being the blackmail of a rock star for thinking he committed statutory rape. Especially how the detectives involved handled this knowledge, which included justifications like: it was probably not his fault because he swears he thought she was older and also the (allegedly) 14 year old girl he (thought he) raped was probably just in cahoots with her older brother, the blackmailer. Another justification (and I quote): "many girls that age would be sexually active." So, you know, no big deal since she'd probably be having sex anyway? The mind boggles.
Overall, this book did not impress me, almost from the beginning. Admittedly, I haven't read the first two books in the series, so perhaps they help fill in some blanks, but I found most of the recurring characters one dimensional. I didn't care about any of them, mostly because I just didn't know much about them. The plot reminded me of an episode of Law & Order: there were pages and pages of interviews with witnesses, coworkers, and family members, which consisted of the same character information being rehashed over and over. There was a brief, shining moment of potential plot twist about a third of the way through, but that was greeted with an immediate and deliberate attempt to shut it down. This particular scene is the definition of basically everything I hate about the world:
"So is Brendan gay?" asked Jim.
"Oh, no!" They all turned towards Leanne and the horrified look on her face drew a laugh from them all. She hesitated before adding, "He's got a girlfriend."
"That's no guarantee of anything," said Jim.
"Well, he's not," protested Leanne, putting her hands on her hips.
"OK," said Angela in a soothing voice. "I think we'd have picked up on it before now if Brendan was gay, Jim."
::sigh:: Slow your roll, Jim. This entire room of (presumably) heterosexual people are the authority on what gay people look and act like, so they'd damn well be able to tell if someone was gay or not. And they're willing to put their hands on their hips to prove it. In fact, the very mention of homosexuality stirs feelings of both horror and amusement. No need to go interview more people to find out for sure (seriously though, why stop now?), we've collectively got this one covered. Super gross.
As for the mystery, Elizabeth Flynn started dropping clumsy hints to the solution early enough that I was able to guess the outcome with little effort. Strangely enough, I wasn't particularly bothered by the show business setting. I felt like Flynn did an adequate job of defining terms and situations for the readers who wouldn't be familiar with them.
Only giving this one 1.5 stars because it wasn't a difficult read, just kind of clunky and offensive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2016
Brendan Phelan is a popular rock star who uses gun shots and whips in his stage act. But after one performance a gun shot rings out for real and a body is lying dead by the stage door. Oliver Joplin is the victim and it seems when DI Angela Costello and her team start their investigation that no one really liked Oliver.
As the police gradually dig deeper into everyone's private lives and secrets it soon becomes clear that the star himself has a secret he doesn't want them to know though he seems an unlikely murderer. Angela and her team find themselves immersed in the intricacies of stage shows and the obsessions of the star's fans. Not to speak of all the scams associated with concert ticket sales.
I found this an entertaining read and after reading the previous two books in this series I am getting to know the police characters and I like them. It's good to read about a police team which works well together and who actually like each other. This book can be read as a standalone novel or as part of a series. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
As the police gradually dig deeper into everyone's private lives and secrets it soon becomes clear that the star himself has a secret he doesn't want them to know though he seems an unlikely murderer. Angela and her team find themselves immersed in the intricacies of stage shows and the obsessions of the star's fans. Not to speak of all the scams associated with concert ticket sales.
I found this an entertaining read and after reading the previous two books in this series I am getting to know the police characters and I like them. It's good to read about a police team which works well together and who actually like each other. This book can be read as a standalone novel or as part of a series. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
July 14, 2017
End of the Roadie is the third book in the D.I. Costello mystery series and I’ve really enjoyed reading all three books so far – each creative and engaging with surprising twists along the way.
Whilst this book will most likely appeal to fans of cosy crime, it does present a serious outlook on a relevant crime which we’ve heard a lot about recently in the media. I found this aspect to be developed really well and though it’s quite a gritty and sensitive subject, I thought the author handled the crime and particular attitudes and motives towards the crime well, whilst adding her own twist to it.
Brendan Phelan is a rock star performing at the Apollo, Hammersmith – a concert attended by D.C. Gary Houseman and his girlfriend. The night soon turns into something different than expected for Gary, as at the end of the gig he discovers Oliver Joplin, Brendan’s roadie, has been murdered.
I loved the investigation into this crime. Though I found it a bit of a slow-burner, once it got going I couldn’t put the book down. There were many twists and red herrings and things which weren’t always what they seemed – this had me really engrossed in the book and eager to discover who had killed Olly, and why. I really liked Brendan’s character too. He was quite charming but there were always some doubts about whether he could be trusted, but either way I enjoyed the deeper look into his character and how life wasn’t as rosy for him as one might expect given his rock star status.
I also loved Angela and Gary in End of the Roadie but actually I liked all of the inspecting team. The dynamics between each one of them was refreshing to read and I enjoyed the banter between them as well as their relationships on both a personal and professional platform. An aspect of the team I really liked was how we get to see their thought processes so clearly, when required, that it makes the reader feel in the know too and how we are working out the mystery at the same time and pace as they are. Angela’s ideas especially were conversed to the reader in a way that we know the things she’s picking up on but not dealing with straight away, or the things that have struck her and the potential links she’s found. Yet at the same time, there is an element of surprise in the way they handle what they’ve found or discovered, and suspense is wonderfully weaved into the story at times where I was waiting with bated breath to see what Angela, Gary and the rest of the force had uncovered.
Overall I found End of the Roadie to be an entertaining and satisfying read. There were a few loose ends that when thinking about the book a little while after finishing it I would have liked to have seen cleared up. But the story itself had me hooked and this was another mystery novel by Elizabeth Flynn that had me gripped and unsure of who the culprit was. I had guessed correctly at one point but changed my mind before reaching the end. There were so many little hints and suggestions and then things which altered everything and that’s what I really loved about this book – how easy it was to get involved in the mystery and how fun it was trying to figure it all out.
Whilst this book will most likely appeal to fans of cosy crime, it does present a serious outlook on a relevant crime which we’ve heard a lot about recently in the media. I found this aspect to be developed really well and though it’s quite a gritty and sensitive subject, I thought the author handled the crime and particular attitudes and motives towards the crime well, whilst adding her own twist to it.
Brendan Phelan is a rock star performing at the Apollo, Hammersmith – a concert attended by D.C. Gary Houseman and his girlfriend. The night soon turns into something different than expected for Gary, as at the end of the gig he discovers Oliver Joplin, Brendan’s roadie, has been murdered.
I loved the investigation into this crime. Though I found it a bit of a slow-burner, once it got going I couldn’t put the book down. There were many twists and red herrings and things which weren’t always what they seemed – this had me really engrossed in the book and eager to discover who had killed Olly, and why. I really liked Brendan’s character too. He was quite charming but there were always some doubts about whether he could be trusted, but either way I enjoyed the deeper look into his character and how life wasn’t as rosy for him as one might expect given his rock star status.
I also loved Angela and Gary in End of the Roadie but actually I liked all of the inspecting team. The dynamics between each one of them was refreshing to read and I enjoyed the banter between them as well as their relationships on both a personal and professional platform. An aspect of the team I really liked was how we get to see their thought processes so clearly, when required, that it makes the reader feel in the know too and how we are working out the mystery at the same time and pace as they are. Angela’s ideas especially were conversed to the reader in a way that we know the things she’s picking up on but not dealing with straight away, or the things that have struck her and the potential links she’s found. Yet at the same time, there is an element of surprise in the way they handle what they’ve found or discovered, and suspense is wonderfully weaved into the story at times where I was waiting with bated breath to see what Angela, Gary and the rest of the force had uncovered.
Overall I found End of the Roadie to be an entertaining and satisfying read. There were a few loose ends that when thinking about the book a little while after finishing it I would have liked to have seen cleared up. But the story itself had me hooked and this was another mystery novel by Elizabeth Flynn that had me gripped and unsure of who the culprit was. I had guessed correctly at one point but changed my mind before reaching the end. There were so many little hints and suggestions and then things which altered everything and that’s what I really loved about this book – how easy it was to get involved in the mystery and how fun it was trying to figure it all out.
July 5, 2016
I was given this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was so good I finished it in one day. It was amazing I recommend it. An amazing mystery and a well paced book. D.I Angelo Costello is lifeeee.
November 14, 2016
Intriguing and suspenseful! I couldn’t put it down until I found out who the killer was!
A young detective constable is out on a date with his boss’s, Detective Inspector Angela Costello, step daughter. They got to a popular concert act featuring Brendan Phelan, who uses guns and whips as part of the act. It was a phenomenal show and after it is over, his date wants to try to get a look at Brandon from the alley. Suddenly, Gary hears a gunshot and rushes by the bouncers only to find one of the roadies has been shot. After calling D.I. Costello to the case, they begin to unravel several different scenarios of why the roadie, Oliver Joplin, was shot. They find out that Oliver was connected to drug trafficking, blackmail, and even ticket fraud. The problem isn’t who would want to kill him, but who actually did. The further they press, the more they find they may be in for a smoke and mirrors act if they can’t find the smoking gun.
This was the first book in the Angela Costello series that I have read and I have to say that it is a really good read. I haven’t been reading into a lot of books that are set in the London area, but this one was just a really fun mystery to try and solve as I read. When I do read British police procedural novels, I also hope that the DI and DC have a lot of banter between the two of them, but that wasn’t much of the case here. It was more of a senior to junior mentor relationship, but it still worked great. I also really enjoyed the dynamic that the DC was dating the DI’s stepdaughter, which made some situations uncomfortable for both characters.
The plot of this book was written extremely well. It keeps the reader going in circles while trying to figure out who really did it and why. There are plenty of obvious suspects, but the one that actually pulled the trigger doesn’t appear to be the one throughout the whole story, which is typical of the “quiet one in the corner.” Overall, it was a very clean mystery, just the kind I really enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions and views expressed within are my own.
A young detective constable is out on a date with his boss’s, Detective Inspector Angela Costello, step daughter. They got to a popular concert act featuring Brendan Phelan, who uses guns and whips as part of the act. It was a phenomenal show and after it is over, his date wants to try to get a look at Brandon from the alley. Suddenly, Gary hears a gunshot and rushes by the bouncers only to find one of the roadies has been shot. After calling D.I. Costello to the case, they begin to unravel several different scenarios of why the roadie, Oliver Joplin, was shot. They find out that Oliver was connected to drug trafficking, blackmail, and even ticket fraud. The problem isn’t who would want to kill him, but who actually did. The further they press, the more they find they may be in for a smoke and mirrors act if they can’t find the smoking gun.
This was the first book in the Angela Costello series that I have read and I have to say that it is a really good read. I haven’t been reading into a lot of books that are set in the London area, but this one was just a really fun mystery to try and solve as I read. When I do read British police procedural novels, I also hope that the DI and DC have a lot of banter between the two of them, but that wasn’t much of the case here. It was more of a senior to junior mentor relationship, but it still worked great. I also really enjoyed the dynamic that the DC was dating the DI’s stepdaughter, which made some situations uncomfortable for both characters.
The plot of this book was written extremely well. It keeps the reader going in circles while trying to figure out who really did it and why. There are plenty of obvious suspects, but the one that actually pulled the trigger doesn’t appear to be the one throughout the whole story, which is typical of the “quiet one in the corner.” Overall, it was a very clean mystery, just the kind I really enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions and views expressed within are my own.
November 3, 2023
At the last moment I popped it under cosy crime as well, although it's not really. The reason is the cosy relationships between the police team members and their families or friends. There really isn't a hint of nastiness or overbearing discipline anywhere. It's light reading, but these days I quite enjoy that style.
I have an amateurish interest in music, and some of the background information about how the industry works added a touch of realism. A lot of the police work was done with interviews, and the litany of lies was shocking to behold. Who could you believe? Obviously this makes it harder for the whodunnit lovers, but heck, why give them an easy ride? I did have my suspicions fairly early, but then the waters got muddied - see if you can do better. Whenever magic and magicians come into play, you have to be careful, don't you? Sawing women in half is easy to figure out, but right down the centre line? OMG! In addition, the victim was shot, and practically all the persons of interest were crack shots at the local gun club!
DI Angela Costello is a pretty decent character. Despite the comments above, she's actually quite efficient, with a managerial style that seems appropriate for her rank.
I would probably recommend sitting down with a glass of wine in a comfy chair to read this, especially on the weekend or a weekday.
I'm going to look for more of this series for sure. I rate this one 3.8.
I have an amateurish interest in music, and some of the background information about how the industry works added a touch of realism. A lot of the police work was done with interviews, and the litany of lies was shocking to behold. Who could you believe? Obviously this makes it harder for the whodunnit lovers, but heck, why give them an easy ride? I did have my suspicions fairly early, but then the waters got muddied - see if you can do better. Whenever magic and magicians come into play, you have to be careful, don't you? Sawing women in half is easy to figure out, but right down the centre line? OMG! In addition, the victim was shot, and practically all the persons of interest were crack shots at the local gun club!
DI Angela Costello is a pretty decent character. Despite the comments above, she's actually quite efficient, with a managerial style that seems appropriate for her rank.
I would probably recommend sitting down with a glass of wine in a comfy chair to read this, especially on the weekend or a weekday.
I'm going to look for more of this series for sure. I rate this one 3.8.
December 22, 2021
Definitely a fan of Elizabeth Flynn and the D. I Castello series. Such an interesting read this was.
A Roadie has been murdered in front of a famous singer. The reason obviously unknown. The Deputy Inspector starts her investigation... A few days into it, she discovers that was not only a murder but something more to it.
The story has nail bitting twists and turns and the end, as usual is nothing what I thought it would be.
This is the second book in a row that I read of this author and very happy to have found her books. Very simple language, complete flow and wonderful description of events.
A Roadie has been murdered in front of a famous singer. The reason obviously unknown. The Deputy Inspector starts her investigation... A few days into it, she discovers that was not only a murder but something more to it.
The story has nail bitting twists and turns and the end, as usual is nothing what I thought it would be.
This is the second book in a row that I read of this author and very happy to have found her books. Very simple language, complete flow and wonderful description of events.
August 21, 2017
Oliver Joplin wasn't a very good roadie, but rock star Brendan Phelan insisted on having Oliver work his tours and shows. In fact, he was having a private discussion with Oliver when a shot rang out, ending the roadie's career. Angie Costello and her crew are called to work the murder, and find that Oliver had his finger in many pies. Their job is complicated by the fact that Phelan has many fans, including Angie's step-daughter, and one of the team as well.
August 13, 2017
I had a hard time getting into the beginning of this book. Maybe a tad slow, but the middle really picked up with its interesting developing characters and hooked me. I quite enjoyed the Detectives and police work angle of this book and would read another by this author.
A goodreads giveaway winner!
A goodreads giveaway winner!
January 27, 2017
I was given this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This was a fantastic book, well paced after the initial slow start, great mystery. The protagonist is a strong character I really enjoyed reading about.
Loved it and would definitely recommend
This was a fantastic book, well paced after the initial slow start, great mystery. The protagonist is a strong character I really enjoyed reading about.
Loved it and would definitely recommend
June 1, 2017
To my mind, a good police procedural needs an intriguing crime, realistic and well developed characters and the steady, methodical unravelling of the mystery leading to the culprit. Preferably one that no one would have suspected at first. 'End of the Roadie' ticks all those boxes. A smooth, well plotted and very satisfying read.
May 15, 2017
Very enjoyable! I highly recommend this series!
November 4, 2017
Not bad. English of course, sort of predictable mechanism although characters were not. Show business backstage, with a bit of humor. Definitely will read more by this author. DPL book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2019
I’m not usually crazy about mysteries but a clever title got me to read this clever book.
August 26, 2016
Detective Inspector Angela Costello is called upon to solve the murder case of Oliver Joplin, long-time roadie to rock star Brendan Phelan. Oliver is shot dead shortly after the bands’ gig at the Hammersmith Apollo, in an alleyway that is guarded by the rock stars’ security team. With an officer on the scene within seconds of the shooting, you would have thought the killer, or evidence would be easy to find. Not so in this case.
Can Angela and her team sift through all of the lies and hidden secrets, to discover who really shot Oliver, a man despised by so many?
I have a confession to make about this book. I nearly gave up on it! I read until chapter four, but I found myself really struggling with it. I didn’t care for the characters and couldn’t find a connection with them. I was also a little perplexed at some of the narrative. However being a reviewer, I try not to quit part way through a book, so I ploughed on.
I then realised that I was at chapter ten and I hadn’t moved; hadn’t even spoken to anyone – I was just absorbed in the story. Something changed, whether that was in me or in the book, I’m not sure, but I found myself submerged in the murder investigation.
D.I. Costello is a stern, but very fair woman. She is definitely a team player and works along with her officers, rather than dictate to them. I loved the connection that she has with her officers, especially Detective Constable Gary Houseman. The two of them reminded me of being in the CID office on my work experience as a teenager, and the verbal exchanges that the officers used to shout at one another in a playful manner, and how they can work effortlessly together without the need for words when needed.
During the investigation, some of the secrets that are uncovered are of a very sensitive nature, especially in today’s society. Ms. Flynn has written these difficult plot-lines with compassion and had Angela Costello handling these discoveries with professionalism. They are also approached in such a manner so as not to make the reader feel uncomfortable.
The story takes us on a journey through a web of lies and dead-end trails. As the story unfolds, we are left scratching our heads as to who the culprit could be, leading us into a whodunit scenario, one that I was kept guessing right up to the end.
I’m really glad that I carried on reading, and I can thoroughly recommend this book as an enjoyable thriller which you will find hard to put down.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
Can Angela and her team sift through all of the lies and hidden secrets, to discover who really shot Oliver, a man despised by so many?
I have a confession to make about this book. I nearly gave up on it! I read until chapter four, but I found myself really struggling with it. I didn’t care for the characters and couldn’t find a connection with them. I was also a little perplexed at some of the narrative. However being a reviewer, I try not to quit part way through a book, so I ploughed on.
I then realised that I was at chapter ten and I hadn’t moved; hadn’t even spoken to anyone – I was just absorbed in the story. Something changed, whether that was in me or in the book, I’m not sure, but I found myself submerged in the murder investigation.
D.I. Costello is a stern, but very fair woman. She is definitely a team player and works along with her officers, rather than dictate to them. I loved the connection that she has with her officers, especially Detective Constable Gary Houseman. The two of them reminded me of being in the CID office on my work experience as a teenager, and the verbal exchanges that the officers used to shout at one another in a playful manner, and how they can work effortlessly together without the need for words when needed.
During the investigation, some of the secrets that are uncovered are of a very sensitive nature, especially in today’s society. Ms. Flynn has written these difficult plot-lines with compassion and had Angela Costello handling these discoveries with professionalism. They are also approached in such a manner so as not to make the reader feel uncomfortable.
The story takes us on a journey through a web of lies and dead-end trails. As the story unfolds, we are left scratching our heads as to who the culprit could be, leading us into a whodunit scenario, one that I was kept guessing right up to the end.
I’m really glad that I carried on reading, and I can thoroughly recommend this book as an enjoyable thriller which you will find hard to put down.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
January 24, 2017
Title: End of the Roadie - A Mystery for D.I. Costello Book 3
Author: Elizaeth Flynn
Published: 7-15-2016
Publisher: Lion Hudson Pic/Lion Fiction
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery; Thriller & Suspense
Sub Genre: General Fiction;
ISBN: 13: 9781782642053
ASIN: B01IHFVKU8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I received a copy of "End of the Roadie" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher's Description:
The gig at the Apollo was a triumph. Apart from the dead body outside the stage door.
Rock-star Brendan Phelan knows how to thrill a crowd - gunshots and cracking whips punctuate the thudding bass and crushing guitar chords. But after the show has ended, another short is fired and Oliver Joplin, long-time roadie, is found lifeless, with a shocked Phelan towering over him.
Detective Inspector Costello is called and quickly discovers Joplin was widely disliked and distrusted. But who would profit from his death? Little by little, Costello unpicks a tangled web of lies. But secrets have left tongues tied and unless someone breaks the silence, the killer may never be found...
Elizabeth Flynn is a Londoner of Anglo-Irish parentage. She has a background in the theatre both as an actress and in stage management. She is athe author of the Mystery for D.I. Costello series
My Review:
First do not give up on this book when you first start reading, with its slow start it can seem a bit tedious at first but when it begins to pick up its pace quickly and steadily. I found it to a fun read that after the introductory chapters was a fun read. DI Costello is a strong character that seems to be a stern, strictly by the book type woman, she shows sensitivity and in how she handles the information she gleans in her investigation. I gave "End of the Roadie" a 4.25 out of 5 star rating.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHFVKU8/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/end-o...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Elizaeth Flynn
Published: 7-15-2016
Publisher: Lion Hudson Pic/Lion Fiction
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery; Thriller & Suspense
Sub Genre: General Fiction;
ISBN: 13: 9781782642053
ASIN: B01IHFVKU8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I received a copy of "End of the Roadie" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher's Description:
The gig at the Apollo was a triumph. Apart from the dead body outside the stage door.
Rock-star Brendan Phelan knows how to thrill a crowd - gunshots and cracking whips punctuate the thudding bass and crushing guitar chords. But after the show has ended, another short is fired and Oliver Joplin, long-time roadie, is found lifeless, with a shocked Phelan towering over him.
Detective Inspector Costello is called and quickly discovers Joplin was widely disliked and distrusted. But who would profit from his death? Little by little, Costello unpicks a tangled web of lies. But secrets have left tongues tied and unless someone breaks the silence, the killer may never be found...
Elizabeth Flynn is a Londoner of Anglo-Irish parentage. She has a background in the theatre both as an actress and in stage management. She is athe author of the Mystery for D.I. Costello series
My Review:
First do not give up on this book when you first start reading, with its slow start it can seem a bit tedious at first but when it begins to pick up its pace quickly and steadily. I found it to a fun read that after the introductory chapters was a fun read. DI Costello is a strong character that seems to be a stern, strictly by the book type woman, she shows sensitivity and in how she handles the information she gleans in her investigation. I gave "End of the Roadie" a 4.25 out of 5 star rating.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IHFVKU8/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/end-o...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
July 21, 2016
This was my first book by Elizabeth Flynn and the third in a series. I picked it because of the title, and I really enjoyed reading about bands and crews and concerts. It all seemed fairly authentic to me. It was also a nice change to have a detective who isn’t a jaded alcoholic. On the other hand, she and her team didn’t seem particular professional. Some of them could’ve easily been mistaken for 16-year old fan girls/boys rather than 20-something professionals. The mystery was reasonably well plotted. I had no idea who had killed the roadie until we got to the end. However, I do feel it was resolved rather quickly without giving the readers many clues about who it was. The investigation mainly seemed to consist of interviewing people and meetings with the team. Despite a considerable amount of (unnecessary) inner dialogue and (unnecessary) mentions of note-taking, there wasn’t a lot of thinking or detecting going on. Also, a few things were mentioned at the beginning of the investigation as unusual but they were never mentioned again. Apart from the lack of professionalism by the police in parts of the book, I also had my doubts about when certain people were interviewed, and what they were asked. Another thing that bothered me was that whenever the recent cases of child abuse by public figures were mentioned, it was added that many of them were false accusations. I almost felt as if the author had a hidden agenda in this respect.
I never really got a feel for the characters; it all stayed on the surface. Most of the book was a recitation along the lines of ‘they did this, next said that, then went there and finally solved it all’ and I think that’s why I never connected to the characters.
The End of the Roadie is not a bad book, but I don’t think it’s particularly great either. I’m sure other readers will enjoy it more than me, but I think it’s only a 2.5-stars book.
***I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
I never really got a feel for the characters; it all stayed on the surface. Most of the book was a recitation along the lines of ‘they did this, next said that, then went there and finally solved it all’ and I think that’s why I never connected to the characters.
The End of the Roadie is not a bad book, but I don’t think it’s particularly great either. I’m sure other readers will enjoy it more than me, but I think it’s only a 2.5-stars book.
***I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
November 14, 2016
MY THOUGHTS
From a roadie to a rock star, Brendan Phelan's crew member Oliver Joplin is found dead. He is found shot in an alleyway. The thing was the alleyway had been guarded by security. You will think, this is an easy one to solve, officers were there immediately. That's what I thought too but not so. Investigator Angela Costello takes on the murder. So many deep dark secrets and oh, so many lies to divide between important to this case or not. Oliver wasn't exactly liked by many, actually he was disliked immensely. I had some real trouble with this book. I wasn't getting anything new from it. It was the same ole' same ole' murder mystery to me. It wasn't until about 3/4 of the way through when I got really interested in D.I. Costello. A strong, no nonsense woman but siding on the path of justice. As she worked with her team, she wasn't one of those, I'm in charge and we do it my way or the highway. She took into consideration their thoughts and ideas. There seemed to be a connection with Detective Gary Houseman. They complimented each other. They knew what the other was going to say before they said it. Just a look said so much. I was hoping for maybe a romance to start but who knows? The author takes on, very professionally, some very touchy subjects. I won't tell you what. Read and find out. I kept thinking I had this solved. What was the detectives' problem. So easy. Typical who dun' it. Well, as I turned the pages, I was wrong. The author kept just enough hidden to keep the reader guessing. Guessing until the end. If you grab a copy of this book to read, don't give up easily because as you read, you will become totally absorbed. I wonder if that was the intention of the author?
I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR AND KREGEL BLOGGER PROGRAM AND VOLUNTARILY DECIDED TO REVIEW IT.
From a roadie to a rock star, Brendan Phelan's crew member Oliver Joplin is found dead. He is found shot in an alleyway. The thing was the alleyway had been guarded by security. You will think, this is an easy one to solve, officers were there immediately. That's what I thought too but not so. Investigator Angela Costello takes on the murder. So many deep dark secrets and oh, so many lies to divide between important to this case or not. Oliver wasn't exactly liked by many, actually he was disliked immensely. I had some real trouble with this book. I wasn't getting anything new from it. It was the same ole' same ole' murder mystery to me. It wasn't until about 3/4 of the way through when I got really interested in D.I. Costello. A strong, no nonsense woman but siding on the path of justice. As she worked with her team, she wasn't one of those, I'm in charge and we do it my way or the highway. She took into consideration their thoughts and ideas. There seemed to be a connection with Detective Gary Houseman. They complimented each other. They knew what the other was going to say before they said it. Just a look said so much. I was hoping for maybe a romance to start but who knows? The author takes on, very professionally, some very touchy subjects. I won't tell you what. Read and find out. I kept thinking I had this solved. What was the detectives' problem. So easy. Typical who dun' it. Well, as I turned the pages, I was wrong. The author kept just enough hidden to keep the reader guessing. Guessing until the end. If you grab a copy of this book to read, don't give up easily because as you read, you will become totally absorbed. I wonder if that was the intention of the author?
I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR AND KREGEL BLOGGER PROGRAM AND VOLUNTARILY DECIDED TO REVIEW IT.
November 15, 2016
For those of you who love a British mystery, End of The Roadie is a great choice. A police procedural, this novel enters into the glitzy world of rock n’ roll. But beneath the bright lights and special effects is a seedy world of ticket fraud, blackmail and murder. Detective Inspector Angela Costello, along with her dedicated team of homicide investigators, is a determined, intuitive and intelligent policewoman who will not stop until she gets her man or woman.
I liked the very British flavor of End of The Roadie. Set in London, D. I. Costello visits the poor and posh neighborhoods. Small working-class pubs and extravagant theaters are also used as settings. The reader gets the whole London experience. Dialog is sprinkled with British slang — but not anything an American reader would have trouble translating. Angie and her colleagues come across as professional, yet with quirks that make them true-to-life. Suspects abound among the roadies and band members, and the motives are as complex as the crime. There are lots of clues for the reader, but Flynn does not give everything away during the course of the book. The detectives have information that is not shared until the very end. I guessed quite a bit, but was pleasantly surprised by the ultimate reveal of whodunit.
End of The Roadie is targeted towards a general audience. There is a bit of language, but it is mostly clean. It is also part of a 3 book series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I liked the very British flavor of End of The Roadie. Set in London, D. I. Costello visits the poor and posh neighborhoods. Small working-class pubs and extravagant theaters are also used as settings. The reader gets the whole London experience. Dialog is sprinkled with British slang — but not anything an American reader would have trouble translating. Angie and her colleagues come across as professional, yet with quirks that make them true-to-life. Suspects abound among the roadies and band members, and the motives are as complex as the crime. There are lots of clues for the reader, but Flynn does not give everything away during the course of the book. The detectives have information that is not shared until the very end. I guessed quite a bit, but was pleasantly surprised by the ultimate reveal of whodunit.
End of The Roadie is targeted towards a general audience. There is a bit of language, but it is mostly clean. It is also part of a 3 book series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
August 29, 2016
This book is the third in the series: A Mystery for D.I.Costello. It is however the first I have read and as such approached it with no preconceptions. I found that it reads very well as a standalone, a traditional whodunnit mystery that I was engrossed with from the outset.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that this novel is set primarily at the Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith a venue I am familiar with. This allowed my imagination to work overtime and see the scenes unfold in my minds eye.
I liked the originality of this story, the murder of a roadie, all the hired help and theatre workers closing rank and some being downright obstructive of the police investigation. DI Angela Costello is a delight she is firm but fair and seems to get on with her colleagues and has their respect. She also seemed kind but with a no nonsense attitude that got the job done efficiently. I also liked the character of DC Gary Houseman who coincidentally was on the scene of the murder as he had attended the concert.
I loved the way that this story was weaved together, misdirection, red herrings and webs of secrets made this an entertaining and enjoyable read and I must admit to not guessing the culprit at all. It has to be said also that the author tackles some important issues in today's society with understanding and empathy.
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery read that keep me entertained and engrossed and written by an accomplished writer.
If you enjoy mystery books of a whodunnit nature this is one that you would enjoy.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that this novel is set primarily at the Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith a venue I am familiar with. This allowed my imagination to work overtime and see the scenes unfold in my minds eye.
I liked the originality of this story, the murder of a roadie, all the hired help and theatre workers closing rank and some being downright obstructive of the police investigation. DI Angela Costello is a delight she is firm but fair and seems to get on with her colleagues and has their respect. She also seemed kind but with a no nonsense attitude that got the job done efficiently. I also liked the character of DC Gary Houseman who coincidentally was on the scene of the murder as he had attended the concert.
I loved the way that this story was weaved together, misdirection, red herrings and webs of secrets made this an entertaining and enjoyable read and I must admit to not guessing the culprit at all. It has to be said also that the author tackles some important issues in today's society with understanding and empathy.
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery read that keep me entertained and engrossed and written by an accomplished writer.
If you enjoy mystery books of a whodunnit nature this is one that you would enjoy.
November 14, 2016
I enjoyed this British police procedure mystery, the third featuring D.I. Costello. It starts out with a bang, literally. D.C. Houseman and his date attend the concert of a popular singer. The rock star uses guns and whips to add sound effects to his performance. All goes well until after the concert is over. Houseman hears noise in the alley by the theater. Investigating, he finds the body of one of the band members. The man has been shot.
Flynn has given us a narrative with a good mix of police work and character development. The action is methodical and consistent. There are no scenes of suspense nor is there really any danger to any officers. I do like the personal nature of the narrative, getting to know Costello as she interacts with her team. We get to learn a bit about the theater, especially how a possible ticket scam might be run.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a good one about British police investigations. The thorough nature of Costello's work uncovers layers of misdeeds, including blackmail. This book is from England so there might be a little confusion with some of the terms. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the novel, the consistent police work, and knowing a bit more about Costello's team.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Flynn has given us a narrative with a good mix of police work and character development. The action is methodical and consistent. There are no scenes of suspense nor is there really any danger to any officers. I do like the personal nature of the narrative, getting to know Costello as she interacts with her team. We get to learn a bit about the theater, especially how a possible ticket scam might be run.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a good one about British police investigations. The thorough nature of Costello's work uncovers layers of misdeeds, including blackmail. This book is from England so there might be a little confusion with some of the terms. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the novel, the consistent police work, and knowing a bit more about Costello's team.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
November 19, 2016
It all starts with a body & a rock star...
A new generation of British mystery authors have made their way across The Pond much to the delight of fans of the genre. End Of The Roadie is the first book that I've read from the A Mystery For D.I. Costello series but I definitely enjoyed the adventure and also finding out a little bit about British police procedures and even the music industry. Another thing I really liked about it is Elizabeth Flynn's use of British slang, I now have a few more to add to my collection started when I got hooked on Agatha Christie and Mary Stewart. My only word of caution would that this book is more PG because of some language. Other than that, End Of The Roadie was a great police mystery, with a really catchy cover, and made for some great reading on a cold afternoon. If you love books set in England, enjoy a slightly gritty read, or like to curl up with a good mystery, you might just want to check out Elizabeth Flynn's A Mystery For D.I. Costello series.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
A new generation of British mystery authors have made their way across The Pond much to the delight of fans of the genre. End Of The Roadie is the first book that I've read from the A Mystery For D.I. Costello series but I definitely enjoyed the adventure and also finding out a little bit about British police procedures and even the music industry. Another thing I really liked about it is Elizabeth Flynn's use of British slang, I now have a few more to add to my collection started when I got hooked on Agatha Christie and Mary Stewart. My only word of caution would that this book is more PG because of some language. Other than that, End Of The Roadie was a great police mystery, with a really catchy cover, and made for some great reading on a cold afternoon. If you love books set in England, enjoy a slightly gritty read, or like to curl up with a good mystery, you might just want to check out Elizabeth Flynn's A Mystery For D.I. Costello series.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
October 7, 2016
A great detective novel - it keeps you wondering who it is to the very end and I know you read that in every review but I do not say this very lightly - I will even tell you it is a slow upturn but then once you get your sea legs it is a faster move. It is about a rock band that uses guns that they shoot during their rock concert and during one concert one shot is shot the same time someone shoots someone else (their roadie) - thus - the detectives come into the scene - now the person who ends up dead - well no one gets along with him - and they have an endless supply of suspects and with that reasons to kill him and secrets - and rumors - you think you know who it is - well you may be wrong - good hunting - or detecting. I received this book to read and to give you an honest review
September 2, 2016
Sorry to disappoint those who prefer hardbitten misfit detectives, but D. I. Angela Costello is a happily married woman, not an alcoholic divorcee. The members of her team are enthusiastic men and women with normal hopes and dreams. Elizabeth Flynn gets away with likeable clean characters because their humour and warmth appeal. Not a lot of nail-biting, maybe, but I found it to be a great twisting logical read.
Read the full review in book BOOK POSTMORTEM. www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
Read the full review in book BOOK POSTMORTEM. www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
November 7, 2016
From the first chapter to the last, Elizabeth Flynn's book "End Of A Roadie" is a well paced mystery with well defined characters. She keeps you guessing until the very end. The book is the thirs in the Mystery For D.I. Costello Series.
It doesn't matter if you haven't read the other books in the series because the author blends the info the reader needs seemlessly into the story line.
I won this copy of the book from Library Thing and I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
It doesn't matter if you haven't read the other books in the series because the author blends the info the reader needs seemlessly into the story line.
I won this copy of the book from Library Thing and I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
November 13, 2016
This is a rollicking read! Had me hooked as it's a real page turner and great 'who dunnit'! Angela is a great character - she is a great team leader and I like getting to know her through the series of these books. I've enjoyed all of these books, find it hard to put them down and they give you a bit more food for thought with the themes they raise for you to ponder on once the mystery has been solved.
September 12, 2016
I think the writing is getting even better through with each book and the plot here was well thought out with the twists and turns each a surprise as they arrived. It felt very realistic and current.
I had a minor niggle with the time-line of one part of the plot (the ticket scammers) or this would have been a straight 5.
I had a minor niggle with the time-line of one part of the plot (the ticket scammers) or this would have been a straight 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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