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Narey & Winter #6
Murderabilia
*** LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTONS OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2017 ***
*** LONGLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE 2017 ***
'I can't recommend this book highly enough' MARTINA COLE
The first commuter train of the morning slowly rumbles away from platform seven of Queen St station. And then, as the train emerges from a tunnel, the screaming starts. Hanging from the bridge ahead of them is a body. Placed neatly on the ground below him are the victim's clothes. Why?
Detective Inspector Narey is assigned the case and then just as quickly taken off it again. Winter, now a journalist, must pursue the case for her. The line of questioning centres around the victim's clothes - why leave them in full view? And what did the killer not leave, and where might it appear again?
Everyone has a hobby. Some people collect death. To find this evil, Narey must go on to the dark web, and into immense danger ...
'Takes the reader on a wickedly entertaining ride through a fascinatingly sinister world' Sunday Mirror
'Brace yourself to be horrified and hooked' EVA DOLAN
'Fantastic characterisation, great plotting, page-turning and gripping. The best kind of intelligent and moving crime fiction writing' LUCA VESTE
'Really enjoyed Murderabilia - disturbing, inventive, and powerfully and stylishly written. Recommended' STEVE MOSBY
*** LONGLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE 2017 ***
'I can't recommend this book highly enough' MARTINA COLE
The first commuter train of the morning slowly rumbles away from platform seven of Queen St station. And then, as the train emerges from a tunnel, the screaming starts. Hanging from the bridge ahead of them is a body. Placed neatly on the ground below him are the victim's clothes. Why?
Detective Inspector Narey is assigned the case and then just as quickly taken off it again. Winter, now a journalist, must pursue the case for her. The line of questioning centres around the victim's clothes - why leave them in full view? And what did the killer not leave, and where might it appear again?
Everyone has a hobby. Some people collect death. To find this evil, Narey must go on to the dark web, and into immense danger ...
'Takes the reader on a wickedly entertaining ride through a fascinatingly sinister world' Sunday Mirror
'Brace yourself to be horrified and hooked' EVA DOLAN
'Fantastic characterisation, great plotting, page-turning and gripping. The best kind of intelligent and moving crime fiction writing' LUCA VESTE
'Really enjoyed Murderabilia - disturbing, inventive, and powerfully and stylishly written. Recommended' STEVE MOSBY
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2016
29 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Craig Robertson
41 books250 followersDuring his 20-year career with a Scottish Sunday newspaper, Craig Robertson has interviewed three recent Prime Ministers; attended major stories including 9/11, Dunblane, the Omagh bombing and the disappearance of Madeleine McCann; been pilloried on breakfast television, beaten Oprah Winfrey to a major scoop, been among the first to interview Susan Boyle, spent time on Death Row in the USA and dispensed polio drops in the backstreets of India.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 26, 2016
Blimey this book was banging. Highly entertaining, seriously addictive and so entirely fascinating I’m almost tempted to go find out stuff on the internet. But then common sense kicks in, today is NOT a good day to die.
So anyway as a fan of Narey and Winter I’ll just say that they are put somewhat through the wringer in this one, like really I shouldn’t have expected that – but there were points in this that I actually did go NO really don’t do that. But then it happened anyway. Because Craig Robertson is evil. Or something.
The subject matter at the heart of Murderabilia, that being the collection of all things crime, no matter how macabre, by people some of whom you would not want to meet in a dark alley at night, is such an entirely gripping premise that I have been sat here for the past few hours totally immersed – paper cut type immersion, its that good.
It seems funny to call a novel with such dark happenings wildly entertaining but that is what Murderabilia is – wildly entertaining. And scary. And relatively sad in places. All the good things. Top notch crime fiction of the type all us avid crime fans devour with the fervour of true fanatics. And its great writing. GREAT writing. We all know how I love the great writing.
The story rocks along, the settings are vivid, the plotting is perfect, the resolution in no way predictable, not sure there is anything else really to say.
I’ll just echo Martina Cole and say I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
So anyway as a fan of Narey and Winter I’ll just say that they are put somewhat through the wringer in this one, like really I shouldn’t have expected that – but there were points in this that I actually did go NO really don’t do that. But then it happened anyway. Because Craig Robertson is evil. Or something.
The subject matter at the heart of Murderabilia, that being the collection of all things crime, no matter how macabre, by people some of whom you would not want to meet in a dark alley at night, is such an entirely gripping premise that I have been sat here for the past few hours totally immersed – paper cut type immersion, its that good.
It seems funny to call a novel with such dark happenings wildly entertaining but that is what Murderabilia is – wildly entertaining. And scary. And relatively sad in places. All the good things. Top notch crime fiction of the type all us avid crime fans devour with the fervour of true fanatics. And its great writing. GREAT writing. We all know how I love the great writing.
The story rocks along, the settings are vivid, the plotting is perfect, the resolution in no way predictable, not sure there is anything else really to say.
I’ll just echo Martina Cole and say I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
January 7, 2025
In this, the 6th novel of the series, after collapsing during a press conference, DI Rachel Narey is confined to sick leave and 8 months pregnant. Her boyfriend photographer Tony Winter left Police Scotland the previous year and now works for the Daily Record. A potentially more lucrative position, but one which restricts his access to the crime scenes he specialises in.
After a couple of brutal murders of young men in Glasgow, they both find themselves drawn into the murky world of “murderabilia”. The dubious “hobby” which involves the collection of artefacts of the worst sorts of crimes: clothes worn by murder victims, letters written by serial killers etc.
Whilst Tony conducts his investigations out in the field, Rachel, being confined to her home, has to restrict herself to online research and is drawn to the Abbadon site on the dark web where the most gruesome of murder trophies are bought and sold. Is it possible that the person selling artefacts from the two recent murders is, in fact, the murderer?
This is a highly inventive, well plotted and frequently disturbing novel which doesn’t hold back from portraying the very worst sides of human nature. The brilliant ending manages to mix triumph and tragedy, success and sorrow.
After a couple of brutal murders of young men in Glasgow, they both find themselves drawn into the murky world of “murderabilia”. The dubious “hobby” which involves the collection of artefacts of the worst sorts of crimes: clothes worn by murder victims, letters written by serial killers etc.
Whilst Tony conducts his investigations out in the field, Rachel, being confined to her home, has to restrict herself to online research and is drawn to the Abbadon site on the dark web where the most gruesome of murder trophies are bought and sold. Is it possible that the person selling artefacts from the two recent murders is, in fact, the murderer?
This is a highly inventive, well plotted and frequently disturbing novel which doesn’t hold back from portraying the very worst sides of human nature. The brilliant ending manages to mix triumph and tragedy, success and sorrow.
October 1, 2016
Back onto familiar ground with Murderabilia by Craig Robertson, and regular visitors will know I’m an ardent fan of Robertson’s series featuring DI Rachel Narey and her partner, ex-police scene of crime photographer, Tony Winter. Finding herself house-bound and therefore bored witless, Narey becomes immersed in the dark and disturbing world of the Dark Net, following a truly grim murder at the opening of the book (fabulously done), which she is anxious to investigate from the confines of her bedroom, and its link to a cold case which her father worked on many years previously. Focussing on the trade in macabre items associated with murder scenes, Narey, and us as readers, are introduced into a world, that its hard to fathom exists, beneath the everyday familiarity of the internet. This book felt slightly different in style to previous books, in terms of the emotional tension that Robertson layers in to the plot, as the darkness of the central storyline, the emotional turbulence of Narey’s confinement, and other traumatising events (that I won’t reveal here) all come to a nerve shredding conclusion. Packed full of what no doubt was quite disturbing research, Murderabilia also effectively develops the enforced changes in Narey and Winter’s relationship, but also sees another regular character disappear in distressing circumstances. A one sitting read, and another winner from Robertson. Recommended.
June 27, 2017
A little like my feelings concerning the previous book by Craig Robertson that I had read ('The Last Refuge', a stand-alone not in the Tony Winter / Rachel Narey series), I was left slightly disappointed in this book as a consequence of how two or three of the earlier books had really impressed me. This isn't to say this isn't a good read, just not as good as the high standards Robertson had previously set.
The plot concerns the laid-up Narey and at times inconceivably free-to-interfere Winter dragged into an investigation centred on people who collect memorabilia of famous crimes, and who trade them over the dark web. There's the usual Glasgow grittiness, a bit of Burke & Hare reference thrown in for good measure, some real and some imaginary historical crimes discussed with an in places slightly confusing even-ness of tone, too little police procedural for my liking, and though well-written and compellingly readable, it just all felt under-done to me. Almost as if Robertson had come up with the central idea, and crudely rearranged other aspects of the story around it. Not, imho, the best example of this author's great talent.
The plot concerns the laid-up Narey and at times inconceivably free-to-interfere Winter dragged into an investigation centred on people who collect memorabilia of famous crimes, and who trade them over the dark web. There's the usual Glasgow grittiness, a bit of Burke & Hare reference thrown in for good measure, some real and some imaginary historical crimes discussed with an in places slightly confusing even-ness of tone, too little police procedural for my liking, and though well-written and compellingly readable, it just all felt under-done to me. Almost as if Robertson had come up with the central idea, and crudely rearranged other aspects of the story around it. Not, imho, the best example of this author's great talent.
December 1, 2016
Amazing premise, carried out magnificently by the ever-improving Craig Robertson. Every book just gets better! I'll be writing a full review of this one on my blog as I think it may sneak into my Top Ten - but hey, there's still a month of reading to go!
May 6, 2017
A grisly tale of murder and murderabilia. The latter are items related to murders, murderers and murder victims, which are collected by a variety of sick individuals. They feature prominently in this thriller by Craig Robertson. His 2 main characters are Glasgow DI Rachel Narey and her partner, ex-police scene of crime photographer turned photo journalist, Tony Winter. A heavily pregnant Narey is confined to her home and begins exploring the phenomenon of murderabilia via the Internet, including the Dark web. Robertson takes this opportunity to detail the huge number of murder-related artefacts, available for purchase throughout the world.
Narey's online investigations centre on serial killers such as Son of Sam, John Wayne Gacy, and back in time to Jack The Ripper and Thomas Neill Cream, a poisoner with victims throughout the USA and Canada, Scotland and England - and someone who was a suspect in the Ripper killings. The horrific murders of the Manson Family and Britain's own evil monsters such as The Yorkshire Ripper, Dennis Nielsen and Fred and Rosemary West are also documented. The story also centres on a man who has been killing for years but whose murders have gone virtually unnoticed, except by a handful of murderabilia collectors, who have a very personal interest in his crimes.
Readers will need a strong stomach for this sick story, although Robertson's coverage of the "murderabilia scene" is well researched and sympathetic to the feelings of the various victims' families.
Narey's online investigations centre on serial killers such as Son of Sam, John Wayne Gacy, and back in time to Jack The Ripper and Thomas Neill Cream, a poisoner with victims throughout the USA and Canada, Scotland and England - and someone who was a suspect in the Ripper killings. The horrific murders of the Manson Family and Britain's own evil monsters such as The Yorkshire Ripper, Dennis Nielsen and Fred and Rosemary West are also documented. The story also centres on a man who has been killing for years but whose murders have gone virtually unnoticed, except by a handful of murderabilia collectors, who have a very personal interest in his crimes.
Readers will need a strong stomach for this sick story, although Robertson's coverage of the "murderabilia scene" is well researched and sympathetic to the feelings of the various victims' families.
October 7, 2016
Excellent but with a disappointing ending
Anyone who knows where to look can find anything they want on the dark net – as long as they are careful as it’s not a place for the uninitiated. Items related to murders are readily available for a price and the more salacious the murder, the higher the price and collectors are prepared to pay any price.
The subject matter is therefore an unusual one and has clearly been well researched. The way in which the characters act out the scenes is also unusual. DI Rachel Narey is pregnant and eventually confined to bed with strict instructions to rest. Typically, she finds that boredom sets in and she starts to investigate on the web. Tony Winter is a photographic journalist who was first on the scene of the initial murder. He and Rachel team up to find the perpetrator and steal a march on the incompetent DI in charge of the case.
The author grabs the reader from the first page and leads him into the dark world of murder memorabilia. Apart from the DI and her photographer sidekick and the murderer there are very few main characters but the story is no less good for that. In fact, it’s probably enhanced as the reader doesn’t have to interrupt the flow by thinking back as to who this or that particular character is.
However, I do feel that the author missed a trick here. We know a good deal about those investigating but very little about the perpetrator’s life, background or character. This adds to the feeling that he is a shadowy figure but I would have liked to have learned more about why he fell into a life of crime.
My one huge disappointment though is the ending which is very predictable and so hackneyed. The quality of writing which precedes the final pages deserves more. That notwithstanding it’s an excellent read and is highly recommended. 4 solid stars.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Anyone who knows where to look can find anything they want on the dark net – as long as they are careful as it’s not a place for the uninitiated. Items related to murders are readily available for a price and the more salacious the murder, the higher the price and collectors are prepared to pay any price.
The subject matter is therefore an unusual one and has clearly been well researched. The way in which the characters act out the scenes is also unusual. DI Rachel Narey is pregnant and eventually confined to bed with strict instructions to rest. Typically, she finds that boredom sets in and she starts to investigate on the web. Tony Winter is a photographic journalist who was first on the scene of the initial murder. He and Rachel team up to find the perpetrator and steal a march on the incompetent DI in charge of the case.
The author grabs the reader from the first page and leads him into the dark world of murder memorabilia. Apart from the DI and her photographer sidekick and the murderer there are very few main characters but the story is no less good for that. In fact, it’s probably enhanced as the reader doesn’t have to interrupt the flow by thinking back as to who this or that particular character is.
However, I do feel that the author missed a trick here. We know a good deal about those investigating but very little about the perpetrator’s life, background or character. This adds to the feeling that he is a shadowy figure but I would have liked to have learned more about why he fell into a life of crime.
My one huge disappointment though is the ending which is very predictable and so hackneyed. The quality of writing which precedes the final pages deserves more. That notwithstanding it’s an excellent read and is highly recommended. 4 solid stars.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
August 12, 2017
DI Rachel Narey finds herself housebound and off the case as a shockingly public murder hits the streets of Glasgow; her partner, Tony Winter, ex-police photographer and now journalist finds himself tasked with uncovering the truth and in the process they discover a whole new layer lurking underneath the cover of the web.
Murderabilia opens with a killer hook and takes the reader on one of the sickest and twisted journeys they will ever experience. The book explores the #DarkWeb, a network of hidden and untraceable online activity and hidden websites which attract those with secrets and practices that don't want to be found! In the #DarkWeb anything is for sale and everything has a price and it isn't always in hard cash! Narey and Winters discover a whole new marketplace and introduce the reader to the trade in #Murderabilia - a term identifying collectables related to murders, murderers or other violent crimes.
I cannot imagine the research that Craig Robertson carried out for this novel and the horrors that this must have uncovered. It was a fascinating and gruesome read that was made all the more compelling given the subject matter is based on real practices that are going on all around us all every day! Let's just say, my internet search history is looking pretty dodgy after reading this!
I have loved every one of the Tony Winters series, but I have to say that this one tops them all! From the horrific theme of the book to the emotional upheaval that Rachel and Tony face throughout, I was hooked from page one right through to the very last page.
Murderabilia had it all for me, killer hook, dark and fascinating exploration of gruesome yet compelling themes, superb character development throughout the series and of course it is set in Glasgow giving it a real sense of place for me. Would I recommend you read this book - well that will be a massive hell yes!
Murderabilia opens with a killer hook and takes the reader on one of the sickest and twisted journeys they will ever experience. The book explores the #DarkWeb, a network of hidden and untraceable online activity and hidden websites which attract those with secrets and practices that don't want to be found! In the #DarkWeb anything is for sale and everything has a price and it isn't always in hard cash! Narey and Winters discover a whole new marketplace and introduce the reader to the trade in #Murderabilia - a term identifying collectables related to murders, murderers or other violent crimes.
I cannot imagine the research that Craig Robertson carried out for this novel and the horrors that this must have uncovered. It was a fascinating and gruesome read that was made all the more compelling given the subject matter is based on real practices that are going on all around us all every day! Let's just say, my internet search history is looking pretty dodgy after reading this!
I have loved every one of the Tony Winters series, but I have to say that this one tops them all! From the horrific theme of the book to the emotional upheaval that Rachel and Tony face throughout, I was hooked from page one right through to the very last page.
Murderabilia had it all for me, killer hook, dark and fascinating exploration of gruesome yet compelling themes, superb character development throughout the series and of course it is set in Glasgow giving it a real sense of place for me. Would I recommend you read this book - well that will be a massive hell yes!
August 22, 2017
A really interesting premise and the story races along at a gripping pace.
August 6, 2019
5 stars for showing me a world that i wasn't expecting...
May 21, 2018
I picked this book up at a car boot sale the other week (50p - total bargain) and the guy selling it said it was the best book he has read this year, so the expectations were set then and there.
The book starts out with the discovery that a local MSP's son had been killed and left out on display for the world to see, whilst this murder was being investigated, another murder happened in the same area, with the victim once again displayed in a very public way.
Narey is confined to home throughout most of this book and uses her time to initially investigate past serial killers on the "open web", but her research soon takes her into the more 'unknown' parts of the web, known as "Dark Web", where it seems anything goes!
Narey uses Winter as her 'legs' throughout this investigation and he is sent on some tough missions in order to uncover the truth.
I have never read a Craig Robertson book before and was not aware of the back story related to Narey and Winter, but this did not seem to affect my enjoyment of the read, there were no obvious 'shout outs' to previous books and nothing that made me think "what's that all about?"
There were quite a few 'supporting characters' in this book and I feel like each of them was introduced with just the right amount of back story to avoid things becoming too confused.
Throughout the book, things seemed to be quite realistic and at no point was I sat there thinking "naa, that would never happen", which could have been an easy tangent to go down considering the subject matter.
The only part of the book I did not really like was the ending, it seemed a little too rushed for my liking, the tension in that scene could have easily been dragged out for a bit longer.
Overall I was very happy with this book and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in both true crime and also crime fiction as this book nicely slots between both areas.
The book starts out with the discovery that a local MSP's son had been killed and left out on display for the world to see, whilst this murder was being investigated, another murder happened in the same area, with the victim once again displayed in a very public way.
Narey is confined to home throughout most of this book and uses her time to initially investigate past serial killers on the "open web", but her research soon takes her into the more 'unknown' parts of the web, known as "Dark Web", where it seems anything goes!
Narey uses Winter as her 'legs' throughout this investigation and he is sent on some tough missions in order to uncover the truth.
I have never read a Craig Robertson book before and was not aware of the back story related to Narey and Winter, but this did not seem to affect my enjoyment of the read, there were no obvious 'shout outs' to previous books and nothing that made me think "what's that all about?"
There were quite a few 'supporting characters' in this book and I feel like each of them was introduced with just the right amount of back story to avoid things becoming too confused.
Throughout the book, things seemed to be quite realistic and at no point was I sat there thinking "naa, that would never happen", which could have been an easy tangent to go down considering the subject matter.
The only part of the book I did not really like was the ending, it seemed a little too rushed for my liking, the tension in that scene could have easily been dragged out for a bit longer.
Overall I was very happy with this book and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in both true crime and also crime fiction as this book nicely slots between both areas.
April 7, 2023
Not a bad read in the Narey & Winter series but, for me at least, the weakest of the four I've now read. This certainly starts off as a gripping & dark tale with the body of a murdered young man left for all to see but failed to follow through with Narey's actions, to my mind at least, not being particularly credible. I can't really say more without spoilers so here goes...
I've got book 5 still sat on my TBR mountain (yes I do know this is book 6 but it fit a reading theme for this month so it got bumped up the reading pile) but to be honest I think I'll give it a miss.
2.5 stars
I've got book 5 still sat on my TBR mountain (yes I do know this is book 6 but it fit a reading theme for this month so it got bumped up the reading pile) but to be honest I think I'll give it a miss.
2.5 stars
October 26, 2017
Despite recognising from the very first sentence that I was in good hands as far as the story-telling went, and for quite a long while accepted that the sheer nastiness of it was an essential ingredient, in the end it got to me - as did an increasing sense of disbelief over Rachael' s behaviour - and overall would have given it but one star for enjoyment. But for the writing.
March 30, 2017
excellent read good story line and will certainly look for more from Craig robertson
January 31, 2018
Creepy, interesting, and nail-biting. Great characters. Definitely not my last Craig Robertson. V much looking forward to seeing him speak again in Glamis next month. Ace read- can see why this is an Erin favourite :)
Challenge list #19 (one-word title)
Challenge list #19 (one-word title)
July 2, 2017
Super well written story, and very economically told. The DI figuring it all out is held up in bed (with pre-eclampsia), but she solves it from there by sending the father to be (a former crime scene photographer gone journalist) into the field -> Not your usual couple of detectives, which makes for a fresh take on things.
This is a crime novel, but it is also a look into the dark web, the things that can be bought there, and that strange place between fascination and revulsion that make some people shop for murderabilia - and as everybody knows: It's all about cutting out the middleman and buying straight from the source if you can...
(2017 McIlvanney Prize Nominee)
This is a crime novel, but it is also a look into the dark web, the things that can be bought there, and that strange place between fascination and revulsion that make some people shop for murderabilia - and as everybody knows: It's all about cutting out the middleman and buying straight from the source if you can...
(2017 McIlvanney Prize Nominee)
September 18, 2018
Superb! Can't give it enough stars! Excellent story, disturbingly fascinating. Kept me gripped the whole way through!
February 23, 2019
A very dark yet compulsive read. Very well researched, too.
September 10, 2019
5* for the best thriller I have read this year so far.
A crime has been commited and the victim has been put up for display for everyone to see. A killer is on the loose and the only one that can stop him is a very stubborn detective. However she is pregnant and due to complications she has to stay in bed.
From there she keeps the investigaton digging deeper into the murderabilia business and the dark web to find out who is this serial killer.
As someone fascinated by true crime I absolutely loved all the references to some of the most well known true crime cases as well as the whole black market of murder memorabilia. A dark market in which anything can be found for the right price.
A crime has been commited and the victim has been put up for display for everyone to see. A killer is on the loose and the only one that can stop him is a very stubborn detective. However she is pregnant and due to complications she has to stay in bed.
From there she keeps the investigaton digging deeper into the murderabilia business and the dark web to find out who is this serial killer.
As someone fascinated by true crime I absolutely loved all the references to some of the most well known true crime cases as well as the whole black market of murder memorabilia. A dark market in which anything can be found for the right price.
May 9, 2017
The ending was a bit disappointing (felt a bit rushed) but other than that a fab read 👌🏻
August 21, 2024
Let me preface this by saying that this is the first book I've picked up of Robertson's Narey & Winter Series and boy, did it knock me off my feet. I would even go as far as to argue that this has now become one of my favourite crime thriller novels of all time!
I can easily become fatigued with the 'police procedural' structure typical of crime stories, but Robertson flips the script by having our stubborn cop, Rachel Narey, housebound due to complications with her pregnancy. However, much like of all us confined to our homes at the minute, Narey becomes increasingly bored. With a killer on the loose, the only updates she gets are from her former-police-photographer-turned-journalist husband, Nick Winter, which leads Narey take to the internet to do her investigating. This leads her to the murderabilia business. Even though this was my first rodeo with this crime solving couple, I instantly enjoyed the back-and-forth dynamic between Narey and Winter. Robertson nailed the right mix between the comedy and drama in their interactions and I liked how perfectly he managed to illustrate the couple's stress which was heightened by the case.
As someone who is fascinated by true crime, it's evident that Robertson has done some incredibly thorough research when it comes to the plot for Murderabilia. Now, I don't confess to know much about the dark web other than references made in documentaries, but the vivid, rather morbid and gruesome depiction Robertson paints of this online world makes you feel like you're right there, plunged into this universe alongside Narey and Co with every grim discovery they make.
Never has a crime thriller managed to keep me so on my toes - I nearly had an anxiety attack from all the intense red herrings and revelations. Each page brought something new and truly left you guessing as to what would happen next up until the very end.
Although, it has to be said, I had some issues with Murderabilia's finale. Primarily, it felt rushed. One minute we're solving a case then we have the confrontation between the villain and our protagonist and then bam, we're done. I understand it's 'oooh suspense' to keep readers waiting until the next installment in Narey and Winter's saga, but for a casual reader it leaves you with so many questions which I won't deny, is great marketing and a way to get your readers coming back for more. Yet, it left me feeling a little unfulfilled. We went through all that tension for .... that?
I do think Robertson is a terrific crime writer so naturally, I am excited at the thought of picking up another book penned by him as I just couldn't put this one down. Murderabilia is a modern and morbid update to your every day crime thriller!
I can easily become fatigued with the 'police procedural' structure typical of crime stories, but Robertson flips the script by having our stubborn cop, Rachel Narey, housebound due to complications with her pregnancy. However, much like of all us confined to our homes at the minute, Narey becomes increasingly bored. With a killer on the loose, the only updates she gets are from her former-police-photographer-turned-journalist husband, Nick Winter, which leads Narey take to the internet to do her investigating. This leads her to the murderabilia business. Even though this was my first rodeo with this crime solving couple, I instantly enjoyed the back-and-forth dynamic between Narey and Winter. Robertson nailed the right mix between the comedy and drama in their interactions and I liked how perfectly he managed to illustrate the couple's stress which was heightened by the case.
As someone who is fascinated by true crime, it's evident that Robertson has done some incredibly thorough research when it comes to the plot for Murderabilia. Now, I don't confess to know much about the dark web other than references made in documentaries, but the vivid, rather morbid and gruesome depiction Robertson paints of this online world makes you feel like you're right there, plunged into this universe alongside Narey and Co with every grim discovery they make.
Never has a crime thriller managed to keep me so on my toes - I nearly had an anxiety attack from all the intense red herrings and revelations. Each page brought something new and truly left you guessing as to what would happen next up until the very end.
Although, it has to be said, I had some issues with Murderabilia's finale. Primarily, it felt rushed. One minute we're solving a case then we have the confrontation between the villain and our protagonist and then bam, we're done. I understand it's 'oooh suspense' to keep readers waiting until the next installment in Narey and Winter's saga, but for a casual reader it leaves you with so many questions which I won't deny, is great marketing and a way to get your readers coming back for more. Yet, it left me feeling a little unfulfilled. We went through all that tension for .... that?
I do think Robertson is a terrific crime writer so naturally, I am excited at the thought of picking up another book penned by him as I just couldn't put this one down. Murderabilia is a modern and morbid update to your every day crime thriller!
November 26, 2017
What a gruesome subject for a book! Absolutely brilliant! I can see why Narey became addicted to the dark web looking for souvenirs from grisly crimes.
December 29, 2025
Una dintre cele mai bune cărți thirller-crime citite până acum! Se simte stilul tipic al romanelor americane de gen, o ușoară fluiditate în scriere și flux al acțiunii, însă pentru acest tip de carte este foarte potrivit, tematica și stilul fiind unul mai întunecat, mai greu de digerat. Foarte interesantă povestea, nici nu mă gândisem vreodată că ar putea exista o nișă a colecționarilor care să ascundă o pasiune atât de dark. Povestea e interesantă, căutarea indicilor, detaliile crimelor, urmărirea, suspansul, modul în care se leagă toate evenimentele ca piesele unui puzzle. Cel mai mult mi-a plăcut episodul cu vizita în gradina unuia dintre suspecți, emoțiile au atins punctul culminant. Foarte bine scrisă, foarte interesantă tema, nu pot decât să o recomand!
March 20, 2017
Once you get over the ghoulishness of people who buy and sell memorabilia connected to murders, there’s a half-decent police procedural murder mystery here. The detecting team of Nick, a former police photographer turned photo- journalist, and Rachel, his police inspector wife, is a good combination. Rachel who is off-the job with a difficult pregnancy is bored and becomes obsessed with the whole murderabilia scene. They are convinced that a series of recent murders is related to the murderabilia world. Rachel digs into the dark net of hard core collectors and catches the attention of a sinister group called The Four. This has dangerous, almost fatal, consequences. The book is a good read, although a gritty and gloomy one. There's a dramatic ending to close it.
November 20, 2018
This is the first adult book that I read. I picked it up in ASDA and I was looking for something to read and there weren't other book shops in my town. I loved this book, the first chapter immediately got me I thought it was a great introduction. I enjoyed the characters, I thought they were well written and I think the dialogue is fantastic.
I also like the themes addressed in this book. As someone who likes to learn and read about serial killers I liked that it got me thinking about murderabilia and what I personally do if I happened to get something belonging to a serial killer. I had a big discussion about it when my other half and I'm so happy that I found a book that brought something like this up.
I also like the themes addressed in this book. As someone who likes to learn and read about serial killers I liked that it got me thinking about murderabilia and what I personally do if I happened to get something belonging to a serial killer. I had a big discussion about it when my other half and I'm so happy that I found a book that brought something like this up.
September 29, 2016
I found that this book was so hard to put down. Really really easy to read. Plus really invested in the characters now - Tony, Rachel and Addison. I actually cried after reading the telephone call between Rachel and her Dad, who has dementia. So well observed and so correct in how you feel. I think this signals the end of the road for Tony and Rachel but maybe not!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2023
Quite a light reading for me so I finished it in just days (I am a slow reader so to finish it in days, I'm surprised I can do that 😂) The case is handled by a pregnant police and there's a journalist involved. I like the storylines a lot and the author describes the crime scene so detailed which I like it. Didn't expect why the killer kill because my theory wasn't accurate 🤣
October 29, 2016
A creepy, gritty crime novel that delves into the world of murder-scene collectables and the fandom of serial killers. Chilling and unputdownable. A great read.
February 22, 2020
Really enjoyed this, opened my eyes to a side of life I didn't know existed.
March 11, 2018
Ex-policeman turned photographer/journalist Tony Winter is always on the look out for a good story and when his photo of the aftermath of a very public death goes viral, he soon spots that something isn’t quite right.
His partner, pregnant policewoman Rachel Narey, is confined to bed rest after collapsing but she cant help but get involved with Winter's story, especially after a second body is discovered in an equally public manner! Winter is then torn between Narey getting the rest she needs but also the fact that her off the record investigations are uncovering secrets deep into the internet – the dark web - where you need an invite to even enter, let alone browse.
She finds that various items from famous and not so famous murderers and murder cases are being sold and collected, and is shocked at her own addiction to the sites, whilst getting herself deeper and deeper into danger.
This is a cracking story that moves along at a fast pace throughout and the primary two characters are likeable, unlike some of the ones that Narey encounters in her murder orientated “eBay”, most of which are largely repellent and without scruples, yet even more shocking, ordinary members of the public with normal lives and jobs.
It's a difficult subject matter, but handled well, even when true life murders are brought into the story with Jack The Ripper and Fred & Rose West both mentioned among others. The descriptions of the sleeping nightmares experienced by Narey are particularly graphic and could unsettle some people, but it helps the reader understand how much she's affected by what she's found, yet can't bring herself to stop, despite the frequent misgivings of Winter.
If I have one, minor criticism, it's that the book does come to probably the most abrupt end that I can recall, but it's not going to detract from a gripping story throughout and if the tales of the dark web are anything like reality, then we really don’t know what's being bought, sold and collected in the real world. Like all of the Craig Robertson books I've read, Murderabilia is highly recommended.
His partner, pregnant policewoman Rachel Narey, is confined to bed rest after collapsing but she cant help but get involved with Winter's story, especially after a second body is discovered in an equally public manner! Winter is then torn between Narey getting the rest she needs but also the fact that her off the record investigations are uncovering secrets deep into the internet – the dark web - where you need an invite to even enter, let alone browse.
She finds that various items from famous and not so famous murderers and murder cases are being sold and collected, and is shocked at her own addiction to the sites, whilst getting herself deeper and deeper into danger.
This is a cracking story that moves along at a fast pace throughout and the primary two characters are likeable, unlike some of the ones that Narey encounters in her murder orientated “eBay”, most of which are largely repellent and without scruples, yet even more shocking, ordinary members of the public with normal lives and jobs.
It's a difficult subject matter, but handled well, even when true life murders are brought into the story with Jack The Ripper and Fred & Rose West both mentioned among others. The descriptions of the sleeping nightmares experienced by Narey are particularly graphic and could unsettle some people, but it helps the reader understand how much she's affected by what she's found, yet can't bring herself to stop, despite the frequent misgivings of Winter.
If I have one, minor criticism, it's that the book does come to probably the most abrupt end that I can recall, but it's not going to detract from a gripping story throughout and if the tales of the dark web are anything like reality, then we really don’t know what's being bought, sold and collected in the real world. Like all of the Craig Robertson books I've read, Murderabilia is highly recommended.
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