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Narey & Winter #7
The Photographer
In this chilling crime thriller, a police officer discovers a psychopath, but learns that his actions are even more terrible than imagined.
It’s 2:00 a.m. in Glasgow. DI Rachel Narey and her team of cops are standing outside the door of a violent rapist. At her word, the officers break down the door and charge into the flat. They find the man, Robert Broome, cowering in a corner of his bedroom, pleading not to be arrested, begging to be left alone.
Once he is arrested, Narey’s team searches the flat. In a hidden recess under the carpet, they find photographs—hundreds of them. All of women, and most without being aware the photos were taken—on the street, in playgrounds, in shopping centers. Narey studies them, seeing the same faces repeated. She suddenly realizes that Broome is a repeat offender, and the scale of what he might have done terrifies her.
But even with Broome in custody, these women are still somehow being hunted and killed. The clock is ticking, the police are way behind, and the stakes have just gotten higher.
It’s 2:00 a.m. in Glasgow. DI Rachel Narey and her team of cops are standing outside the door of a violent rapist. At her word, the officers break down the door and charge into the flat. They find the man, Robert Broome, cowering in a corner of his bedroom, pleading not to be arrested, begging to be left alone.
Once he is arrested, Narey’s team searches the flat. In a hidden recess under the carpet, they find photographs—hundreds of them. All of women, and most without being aware the photos were taken—on the street, in playgrounds, in shopping centers. Narey studies them, seeing the same faces repeated. She suddenly realizes that Broome is a repeat offender, and the scale of what he might have done terrifies her.
But even with Broome in custody, these women are still somehow being hunted and killed. The clock is ticking, the police are way behind, and the stakes have just gotten higher.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2018
21 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Craig Robertson
41 books251 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 79 reviews
October 14, 2018
*Thank you to Shotsmag who kindly sent me a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review*
Though part of former journalist, Craig Robertson’s ‘Winter and Narey’ series, The Photographer reads as a standalone as it tackles the disturbing subject of the hunt for a serial rapist. Thematically it is far from a whodunit as the reader knows who the perpetrator is right from the start; instead this dark novel is purely a challenge for DI Rachel Narey and her journalist husband Tony Winter to gather enough evidence to bring this monster to justice.
When rape victim Leah Watt walks into a police station claiming she's seen the man who raped her in a newspaper photograph, it turns out to be well-known and respected local businessman William Broome. He not only raped Leah, but he beat her mercilessly until unconscious. When police raid his home, they find hundreds of photographs hidden under the floorboards - all of them of attractive young women, and it's clear that these women had no idea someone was following them, let alone taking pictures of them. When the case goes to court, the photos are deemed inadmissible, and the case collapses.
Narey not only feels terribly guilty at letting Leah Watt down, but she's distressed to think that Broome walked free, enabling him to carry out further rapes and beatings. She's determined to find enough evidence to put Broome behind bars. Running parallel to the narrative, her husband is carrying out his own investigation into the rapist; but this will put both their lives in danger, when they become the focus for online trolls.
Rape is never an easy subject to deal with, but the author does a solid and compassionate job without sensationalising it. The brutality that Broome inflicts on his victims is told in great detail, and to say that it is distressing, would be an understatement, but it's essential that we're given validation of just how vicious the perpetrator is.
Craig Robertson writes with such ease and clarity, that even though the subject is deeply unpleasant, he compels the reader ever onwards. The characters are strong and completely believable, though the plot is dark and very gritty, the evidence is slowly revealed until the reader is driven headlong to the excellent climax – breathless.
Highly recommended.
Though part of former journalist, Craig Robertson’s ‘Winter and Narey’ series, The Photographer reads as a standalone as it tackles the disturbing subject of the hunt for a serial rapist. Thematically it is far from a whodunit as the reader knows who the perpetrator is right from the start; instead this dark novel is purely a challenge for DI Rachel Narey and her journalist husband Tony Winter to gather enough evidence to bring this monster to justice.
When rape victim Leah Watt walks into a police station claiming she's seen the man who raped her in a newspaper photograph, it turns out to be well-known and respected local businessman William Broome. He not only raped Leah, but he beat her mercilessly until unconscious. When police raid his home, they find hundreds of photographs hidden under the floorboards - all of them of attractive young women, and it's clear that these women had no idea someone was following them, let alone taking pictures of them. When the case goes to court, the photos are deemed inadmissible, and the case collapses.
Narey not only feels terribly guilty at letting Leah Watt down, but she's distressed to think that Broome walked free, enabling him to carry out further rapes and beatings. She's determined to find enough evidence to put Broome behind bars. Running parallel to the narrative, her husband is carrying out his own investigation into the rapist; but this will put both their lives in danger, when they become the focus for online trolls.
Rape is never an easy subject to deal with, but the author does a solid and compassionate job without sensationalising it. The brutality that Broome inflicts on his victims is told in great detail, and to say that it is distressing, would be an understatement, but it's essential that we're given validation of just how vicious the perpetrator is.
Craig Robertson writes with such ease and clarity, that even though the subject is deeply unpleasant, he compels the reader ever onwards. The characters are strong and completely believable, though the plot is dark and very gritty, the evidence is slowly revealed until the reader is driven headlong to the excellent climax – breathless.
Highly recommended.
December 11, 2018
4**
A gripping and fast-paced police procedural thriller!
This was not your typical thriller with a "who-dunnit"... the offender is known from the beginning. This book explores an intensive and determined investigation, both from a police point of view in the form of DI Narey, and through investigative journalism, represented by DI Narey's husband and reporter, Tony Winter. This book was the heart-pumping look into the thorough investigation and revelation of key evidence and victims in order to capture and put away a sadistic and misogynistic serial rapist.
The book opens up with one woman's experience of recounting her rape. The rapist is masked and violent, to the point of beating his victims to unconsciousness and labeling them as "fucking slags". Following the opening to the book, the story swiftly switches to a raid held in the middle of the night at the home of a suspected rapist whereby the police find a horrific discovery; a disturbing collection of photographs neatly hidden under floorboards. It is clear to DI Narey that these photographs are an indicator of a much more chilling revelation; a potential brutality of what could happen to the women in these photos. There is a race against time and a dedication to find these women and to put this man behind bars.
This book held my attention at all times and it was a nice change to the typical thriller plot line; in this book you know who commits these crimes, its just a race against time to prove that the suspect is the offender. This book was refreshing but also left me feeling angered at parts due to its sheer exploration into victim blaming, severe misogynation, and callous online social behaviour and harassment. This was an important part to the novel as the age of the internet has provided anonymity to these barbaric actions. This book was very rooted into what happens in today's society.
An interesting thing about this novel, considering I have never read any of the books in this series before, is that it shows a husband and wife working on the same case; one from a police POV and one from a journalistic POV. I found this interesting as often in books police and journalists are shown to despise each other, work against each other and get in each others way. It was refreshing for me to see this combination of a duo working together for this plot line.
As mentioned before, this is the first book I have read by this author and the first book I have read in this series (I believe this book is number 7). I found it was easy to follow and you did not need to read the previous books in order to understand the story line.
This book was disturbing, had great plotting and was page-turning.
A gripping and fast-paced police procedural thriller!
This was not your typical thriller with a "who-dunnit"... the offender is known from the beginning. This book explores an intensive and determined investigation, both from a police point of view in the form of DI Narey, and through investigative journalism, represented by DI Narey's husband and reporter, Tony Winter. This book was the heart-pumping look into the thorough investigation and revelation of key evidence and victims in order to capture and put away a sadistic and misogynistic serial rapist.
The book opens up with one woman's experience of recounting her rape. The rapist is masked and violent, to the point of beating his victims to unconsciousness and labeling them as "fucking slags". Following the opening to the book, the story swiftly switches to a raid held in the middle of the night at the home of a suspected rapist whereby the police find a horrific discovery; a disturbing collection of photographs neatly hidden under floorboards. It is clear to DI Narey that these photographs are an indicator of a much more chilling revelation; a potential brutality of what could happen to the women in these photos. There is a race against time and a dedication to find these women and to put this man behind bars.
This book held my attention at all times and it was a nice change to the typical thriller plot line; in this book you know who commits these crimes, its just a race against time to prove that the suspect is the offender. This book was refreshing but also left me feeling angered at parts due to its sheer exploration into victim blaming, severe misogynation, and callous online social behaviour and harassment. This was an important part to the novel as the age of the internet has provided anonymity to these barbaric actions. This book was very rooted into what happens in today's society.
An interesting thing about this novel, considering I have never read any of the books in this series before, is that it shows a husband and wife working on the same case; one from a police POV and one from a journalistic POV. I found this interesting as often in books police and journalists are shown to despise each other, work against each other and get in each others way. It was refreshing for me to see this combination of a duo working together for this plot line.
As mentioned before, this is the first book I have read by this author and the first book I have read in this series (I believe this book is number 7). I found it was easy to follow and you did not need to read the previous books in order to understand the story line.
This book was disturbing, had great plotting and was page-turning.
January 29, 2018
I have a BIG Confession to make “I have never read a book written by Craig Robertson” what a terrible book blogger I am! so my apologises to Mr Robertson in my defence I would say “I have so many books, but so little time”. Anyway I have now rectified the situation by reading The Photographer and I’m so glad I did! I loved it. I should mention this is the seventh book in the series, now I’m one of those readers that likes to start a series at the beginning as I always feel I’m at a disadvantage if I start a series midway, but strangely enough I didn’t feel like this reading The Photographer, so I would say it can easily be read as a standalone.
What a read The Photographer turned out to be, compelling, thought provoking and so well plotted, it’s a book that deals with some highly emotional and disturbing themes. I must mention that every scene, every description is relevant to the plot, and although uncomfortable at times the author writes with a great deal of sensitivity and insight.
This book made for a topical and a very credible read, you only have to pick up a newspaper to see such crimes are very much part of the society we live in today, alongside that comes the ugly side of human nature, the need to judge someone else, form an opinion without the facts and then trolling their venom and inflammatory comments on social media. Craig Robertson has created an array of characters who are well developed, each has a different opinion on the crimes committed, but each and everyone of them brings something to this well told story.
The author has written a compelling crime thriller but this book has so much more to offer there are so many themes that are bought to light in this book which I would like to discuss in more detail but then I would definitely be entering spoil territory which is never my intention when writing a review. What I will say is the author raises many issues, thoughts and views which in turn evoked strong emotions in myself. As I read The Photographer the tension became unbearable I found myself desperate for justice to be served for the victims. This has to be one of the best crime books I’ve read this year gripping, horrific but so cleverly plotted, this is one book I will be highly recommending to anyone and everyone.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
What a read The Photographer turned out to be, compelling, thought provoking and so well plotted, it’s a book that deals with some highly emotional and disturbing themes. I must mention that every scene, every description is relevant to the plot, and although uncomfortable at times the author writes with a great deal of sensitivity and insight.
This book made for a topical and a very credible read, you only have to pick up a newspaper to see such crimes are very much part of the society we live in today, alongside that comes the ugly side of human nature, the need to judge someone else, form an opinion without the facts and then trolling their venom and inflammatory comments on social media. Craig Robertson has created an array of characters who are well developed, each has a different opinion on the crimes committed, but each and everyone of them brings something to this well told story.
The author has written a compelling crime thriller but this book has so much more to offer there are so many themes that are bought to light in this book which I would like to discuss in more detail but then I would definitely be entering spoil territory which is never my intention when writing a review. What I will say is the author raises many issues, thoughts and views which in turn evoked strong emotions in myself. As I read The Photographer the tension became unbearable I found myself desperate for justice to be served for the victims. This has to be one of the best crime books I’ve read this year gripping, horrific but so cleverly plotted, this is one book I will be highly recommending to anyone and everyone.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
January 20, 2018
The Photographer was bang on target, highly addictive, horrifically beautifully written and to be honest my favourite of this series to date.
Craig Robertson tackles some currently relevant and highly emotional themes here, with a novel that is not a “whodunnit” but a “how will they catch him” story featuring our favourite duo of Narey and Winter. Not only is this a hugely impacting story but it is done with finesse and authenticity, walking that difficult to see line between entertainment and compassion pretty much to perfection.
It is scary and it is highly current in it’s underlying message, but also a real page turner with many thought provoking levels. It is a tale that evokes a genuine response in the reader, I was at turns angry, sad and, well, pretty much the gamut of all emotions, I read this in a day in a few gulped down sittings so anxious did it make me to discover the resolution.
Managing to put some unexpected outcomes in along the way, giving loyal readers of the series a good dose of the interactions we love between the two main characters, adding in a fascinating look at the problem of social media trolling and keeping it real every step of the way, The Photographer is cleverly insightful, incredibly compelling and utterly utterly gripping.
Yes. It’s a bit good.
Highly Recommended.
Craig Robertson tackles some currently relevant and highly emotional themes here, with a novel that is not a “whodunnit” but a “how will they catch him” story featuring our favourite duo of Narey and Winter. Not only is this a hugely impacting story but it is done with finesse and authenticity, walking that difficult to see line between entertainment and compassion pretty much to perfection.
It is scary and it is highly current in it’s underlying message, but also a real page turner with many thought provoking levels. It is a tale that evokes a genuine response in the reader, I was at turns angry, sad and, well, pretty much the gamut of all emotions, I read this in a day in a few gulped down sittings so anxious did it make me to discover the resolution.
Managing to put some unexpected outcomes in along the way, giving loyal readers of the series a good dose of the interactions we love between the two main characters, adding in a fascinating look at the problem of social media trolling and keeping it real every step of the way, The Photographer is cleverly insightful, incredibly compelling and utterly utterly gripping.
Yes. It’s a bit good.
Highly Recommended.
February 23, 2018
It’s been far too long since I read a Craig Robertson book and so I couldn’t resist bumping The Photographer to the top of my TBR. What a 24 hours it has been reading this book, I’ve been addicted to the story and have tried to read it at every available opportunity. The Photographer is a timely read and hugely powerful and emotional in its execution. Craig Robertson may have just written one of his best books yet.
The Photographer sees the return of the fantastic detective Rachel Narey and her husband, Tony Winter. I have loved this duo ever since I first read about them and with the addition of their new baby daughter, it added a new dynamic to their relationship and made the determination they both had for justice throughout this story all the more palpable. I always enjoy following their lives alongside the main plot line and this book really tested them both emotionally with where their investigations took them. Add in the addition of Tony’s uncle Danny and we’ve got a great cast of characters to read about.
The storyline in The Photographer is so timely with the Worboys case being in the news every single day these past few weeks. I think it was brave for Craig to tackle the subject of stalking and rape in this story, and I appreciated and admired how sensitively he did it, writing a book that was both gripping and full of scenes that made this an explosive book but at the same time writing a story that was wholly believable and respectful to those who have been stalked or raped themselves. It’s clear the level of care and research that has gone into the telling of this story and it is all the more powerful because of that. Rachel Narey arrests a believed rapist, however when the case is presented to the court, it is thrown out and all hell breaks loose for Narey with the public gunning for her and the rapist lording it over her with threats of suing her for defamation of character. It has been a while since I’ve read a story that filled me with such hatred and anger but that’s what the character in this book genuinely made me feel. Fictional it might be but there’s men just like this one in the world, as evidenced seemingly every day in the news. The Photographer will completely play with your emotions and consume you whilst you read, but to be honest if every book you read doesn’t do that in some way then you’re reading the wrong books.
Craig also shows the power of social media. Being a 90s baby I have grown up through most forms of social media since their inception and remember starting my very first MySpace page and adding people I didn’t even know. Then along came Facebook and Twitter and now, for those of us who are that way inclined, it’s possible for people to track our each and every movement. I find it rather strange those friends that share every detail of their life and who check-in at every location. It can be so easy for somebody to stalk and take advantage of you innocently sharing this information and that is clearly highlighted here. It makes you question what you choose to share and makes you wonder about who is following you. My Twitter is only open to share the book love and I try to keep personal stuff away from my ‘book’ Twitter. Twitter’s growth in popularity also saw an increase in the troll culture whereby everybody seems to have an opinion on everything and they aren’t afraid to voice it, whereas in real life they most likely would not be as outspoken. It made for uncomfortable reading at times witnessing the venomous comments aimed at Rachel during her investigation of this case and again it highlights just how much work needs to be done to tackle these trolls, not just towards women but towards everybody who might be affected by it. Katie Price is currently fighting for the law to be changed and I’d urge all to sign her petition and show your support for tackling this problem that only ever seems to get worse.
There’s a real sense of unease whilst reading this book. I actually felt sick at some points of it because Craig has done such a fantastic job of creating a truly hateful individual here and I can’t remember the last time I read a book where I wanted to see somebody get their comeuppance as much as I have done here. I found the ending left me wanting more but perhaps because no precedent has really been set it was kind of left a little bit open-ended but I would have liked a few more chapters concluding the story. That said the closing chapters in particular were some of the strongest and most emotional in the whole story. It makes you realise the power of somebody believing you, or the power of having police officers who aren’t afraid to go above and beyond to investigate a case. Early on Rachel is warned away from investigating the case, had she done that and moved on with her life then he surely would have walked free and carried on doing what he was doing. Not only must the mindset of higher level police officers be changed, but the law needs looking at in terms of just how these cases are investigated and then prosecuted and anybody who has picked up a newspaper or watched the news today, will know that that change is near. I cannot find fault with this story and as said earlier, The Photographer might just be Craig’s best book yet. It’s emotional, powerful, contains an unforgettable story and highlights just what a talented author Craig Robertson is. If you aren’t reading his books yet, you really need to be.
The Photographer sees the return of the fantastic detective Rachel Narey and her husband, Tony Winter. I have loved this duo ever since I first read about them and with the addition of their new baby daughter, it added a new dynamic to their relationship and made the determination they both had for justice throughout this story all the more palpable. I always enjoy following their lives alongside the main plot line and this book really tested them both emotionally with where their investigations took them. Add in the addition of Tony’s uncle Danny and we’ve got a great cast of characters to read about.
The storyline in The Photographer is so timely with the Worboys case being in the news every single day these past few weeks. I think it was brave for Craig to tackle the subject of stalking and rape in this story, and I appreciated and admired how sensitively he did it, writing a book that was both gripping and full of scenes that made this an explosive book but at the same time writing a story that was wholly believable and respectful to those who have been stalked or raped themselves. It’s clear the level of care and research that has gone into the telling of this story and it is all the more powerful because of that. Rachel Narey arrests a believed rapist, however when the case is presented to the court, it is thrown out and all hell breaks loose for Narey with the public gunning for her and the rapist lording it over her with threats of suing her for defamation of character. It has been a while since I’ve read a story that filled me with such hatred and anger but that’s what the character in this book genuinely made me feel. Fictional it might be but there’s men just like this one in the world, as evidenced seemingly every day in the news. The Photographer will completely play with your emotions and consume you whilst you read, but to be honest if every book you read doesn’t do that in some way then you’re reading the wrong books.
Craig also shows the power of social media. Being a 90s baby I have grown up through most forms of social media since their inception and remember starting my very first MySpace page and adding people I didn’t even know. Then along came Facebook and Twitter and now, for those of us who are that way inclined, it’s possible for people to track our each and every movement. I find it rather strange those friends that share every detail of their life and who check-in at every location. It can be so easy for somebody to stalk and take advantage of you innocently sharing this information and that is clearly highlighted here. It makes you question what you choose to share and makes you wonder about who is following you. My Twitter is only open to share the book love and I try to keep personal stuff away from my ‘book’ Twitter. Twitter’s growth in popularity also saw an increase in the troll culture whereby everybody seems to have an opinion on everything and they aren’t afraid to voice it, whereas in real life they most likely would not be as outspoken. It made for uncomfortable reading at times witnessing the venomous comments aimed at Rachel during her investigation of this case and again it highlights just how much work needs to be done to tackle these trolls, not just towards women but towards everybody who might be affected by it. Katie Price is currently fighting for the law to be changed and I’d urge all to sign her petition and show your support for tackling this problem that only ever seems to get worse.
There’s a real sense of unease whilst reading this book. I actually felt sick at some points of it because Craig has done such a fantastic job of creating a truly hateful individual here and I can’t remember the last time I read a book where I wanted to see somebody get their comeuppance as much as I have done here. I found the ending left me wanting more but perhaps because no precedent has really been set it was kind of left a little bit open-ended but I would have liked a few more chapters concluding the story. That said the closing chapters in particular were some of the strongest and most emotional in the whole story. It makes you realise the power of somebody believing you, or the power of having police officers who aren’t afraid to go above and beyond to investigate a case. Early on Rachel is warned away from investigating the case, had she done that and moved on with her life then he surely would have walked free and carried on doing what he was doing. Not only must the mindset of higher level police officers be changed, but the law needs looking at in terms of just how these cases are investigated and then prosecuted and anybody who has picked up a newspaper or watched the news today, will know that that change is near. I cannot find fault with this story and as said earlier, The Photographer might just be Craig’s best book yet. It’s emotional, powerful, contains an unforgettable story and highlights just what a talented author Craig Robertson is. If you aren’t reading his books yet, you really need to be.
March 21, 2023
احتمالا از اون نویسندههایی میشه که سراغ تمام کتابای تریلر و جناییش برم.
August 9, 2024
This is an unusual police procedural in that the identity of the main villain – a serial rapist and murderer – is known from near the start of the novel.
What grabs the attention is the way married couple Detective Inspector Rachel Narey and photo-journalist Tony Winter manage to independently gather enough information to attain a conviction. A near impossible task considering that the crimes date back more than twenty years. Throughout the narrative we get to share their frustrations as their attempts often result in dead ends. However, in the end, the villain’s hubris gets the better of him and a satisfying conviction is secured.
I’m normally a bit dubious about novels featuring a husband and wife duo, but this seems to be one of the better ones.
What grabs the attention is the way married couple Detective Inspector Rachel Narey and photo-journalist Tony Winter manage to independently gather enough information to attain a conviction. A near impossible task considering that the crimes date back more than twenty years. Throughout the narrative we get to share their frustrations as their attempts often result in dead ends. However, in the end, the villain’s hubris gets the better of him and a satisfying conviction is secured.
I’m normally a bit dubious about novels featuring a husband and wife duo, but this seems to be one of the better ones.
July 4, 2018
Oh my giddy aunt, what a read! I am such a naughty reader as this is the first of Craig Robertson’s books I have read – but not the last! I have a few books to catch up on in this series, and I can’t wait!
Set in Glasgow, we start with a powerful prologue which takes us back to 2008. We then jump to 2017 and the reader is faced with rape, power, control, social media trolls, manipulation, anger, fear, objectification, depersonalisation, stalking, revenge and the search for the truth and justice.
As I mentioned earlier, the books starts with a jaw-dropping prologue and I was immediately hooked! I thought the storyline was relevant and absolutely intriguing. I loved how I just could not stop at one chapter and found myself reading well into the wee hours as Narey and Winters worked separately to bring the criminal to justice. Just when I thought I had figured it out…BOOM! The author knocked me for six as more revelations came to light.
DI Rachel Narey and her other half, Tony Winters (a journalist) seem an unlikely professional couple but boy do they just work! Although both are protective of those they care about- Rachel is feisty, determined, passionate, insightful and a bit of a risk-taker while Narey is sensible to a degree, precise, logical and doesn’t hold back when he wants answers. Love this pair!
The Beast… *shivers*… a narcissistic sociopath with influence …hmmmmm….the very worst kind. We find out early on who this is (no spoilers) but I hated this character the moment I learned what this person did in the prologue. Uses others (internet trolls) to do some of the dirty-work and think they are so clever, but like most people of this nature – their self serving, self absorbed attitude is their downfall ..I may have cheered when karma (and justice) kicked this person in the arse.
Lainey Henderson was also another great character – despite her vulnerability, she had courage and strength to help Narey and Winters bring The Beast to answer for the crimes committed. There were actually quite a few characters, like Danny for instance, who I really enjoyed but I couldn’t possibly name them all and actually, I think that is the wonderful part of reading – discovering these things for yourself.
Would I recommend this book? Holy Sh*tballs – you bet your ass I would! A tight plot, with a great build up of tension and suspense – and superb characters you invest in – definitely a #TopRead2018 for me! I highly recommend you grab The Photographer and if you are worried about it being a series…don’t be – I’ve yet to read the others and found this to easily read as a stand-alone. However, I am now looking forward to catching up with this series!
Set in Glasgow, we start with a powerful prologue which takes us back to 2008. We then jump to 2017 and the reader is faced with rape, power, control, social media trolls, manipulation, anger, fear, objectification, depersonalisation, stalking, revenge and the search for the truth and justice.
As I mentioned earlier, the books starts with a jaw-dropping prologue and I was immediately hooked! I thought the storyline was relevant and absolutely intriguing. I loved how I just could not stop at one chapter and found myself reading well into the wee hours as Narey and Winters worked separately to bring the criminal to justice. Just when I thought I had figured it out…BOOM! The author knocked me for six as more revelations came to light.
DI Rachel Narey and her other half, Tony Winters (a journalist) seem an unlikely professional couple but boy do they just work! Although both are protective of those they care about- Rachel is feisty, determined, passionate, insightful and a bit of a risk-taker while Narey is sensible to a degree, precise, logical and doesn’t hold back when he wants answers. Love this pair!
The Beast… *shivers*… a narcissistic sociopath with influence …hmmmmm….the very worst kind. We find out early on who this is (no spoilers) but I hated this character the moment I learned what this person did in the prologue. Uses others (internet trolls) to do some of the dirty-work and think they are so clever, but like most people of this nature – their self serving, self absorbed attitude is their downfall ..I may have cheered when karma (and justice) kicked this person in the arse.
Lainey Henderson was also another great character – despite her vulnerability, she had courage and strength to help Narey and Winters bring The Beast to answer for the crimes committed. There were actually quite a few characters, like Danny for instance, who I really enjoyed but I couldn’t possibly name them all and actually, I think that is the wonderful part of reading – discovering these things for yourself.
Would I recommend this book? Holy Sh*tballs – you bet your ass I would! A tight plot, with a great build up of tension and suspense – and superb characters you invest in – definitely a #TopRead2018 for me! I highly recommend you grab The Photographer and if you are worried about it being a series…don’t be – I’ve yet to read the others and found this to easily read as a stand-alone. However, I am now looking forward to catching up with this series!
August 7, 2018
Craig Robertson's Narey and Winter series is one of my favourite Scottish crime series', and this was - though not my favourite of the lot - very enjoyable. Perhaps this was because the impact of a couple of the earlier ones was greater, inevitable that Robertson couldn't keep on getting better and better. Anyhow, this was quite a straightforwardly plotted police procedural with most of the recurring characters playing their part. At times, as the theme was serial rape, it was pretty difficult reading.. but there was also some intelligent comment on issues surrounding the reporting of rape, the psychological damage, the impact of false accusations etc.
January 25, 2018
4.5 stars !!!
What an intense plot ! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I have not read any books from this series, so I've reviewed this book as a stand-alone. What I liked most about the book, that it was not a one-man/woman show, it was team work. An inspector, her journalist husband and her husband's retired cop uncle all working independently to get the culprit. And what a culprit !!
In the prologue, 9 years ago, Jennifer,a rape victim, reaches out to Lainey Henderson, a rape Councillor, sharing her gruesome experience of a home invader. He had raped her, beat her badly while calling her a slag ! This alerts Lainey, because she herself was a victim of a similar attack on her, where the man raping her had called her a slag. Jennifer disappears after this leaving behind no clue about her whereabouts.
Fast forward 9 years,a young Leah Watt barges into Stewart Street station and demands to see an Inspector immediately. Detective Inspector Rachel Narey was on shift and agreed to talk with Leah. Leah shares her experience about a man breaking into her house 3 months ago and raping,beating and calling her a slag. She tells Rachel that she had seen the man who did this to her then, and was shocked to see him the newspaper in a feature about his business. Rachel takes up the case, and soon they take Mr William Broome to court based on the photographs found in his house. There are more than 500 photographs of women, taken without their consent. But the case is thrown out in the court by Mr.Broome's lawyers and Rachel is left to face the social flak.
Rachel is left picking up the scrapes off the floor while smug Mr.Broome is confident he won't be caught. Enter Rachel's husband, Tony Winters, who's also a journalist and one day an untraceable courier is delivered to his office with supposedly destroyed photographs belonging to Broome. He begins his own investigation where he meets several ladies attacked with the same MO. With matters escalating in social flak, he asks help from his ex-cop uncle , who pitches in with some Twitter investigation of his own. Slowly but steadily, the noose is closing around Mr.Broome. But, Leah Watt who was a witness to this case has disappeared. How are they going to nab this monster ? Will any of the other victims dare to go public ? How are they going to stop twitter trolls? Who's the woman who's body has been found ? Another victim of Mr.Broome ?
The plot itself was very disturbing and scary. How can you anticipate such a personal attack in the safety of your own home ? The online trolls were ridiculously troubling ! The words, the intentions, the hate from these men claiming to be it's man's world and that women should stick to taking care of home ! It's such a brutal world out there !
" I'd see women that I liked. It could have been their face or the way they walked, it might have been their hair or their figure or the way they looked at me. If they had something about them that grabbed my attention then I'd want them. If I photographed them, I'd be able to take them home with me, look at them when I wanted. They'd be mine. "
Isn't it ironic that the MO became firm when all the victims mentioned being called a 'slag' while being beaten ?? Talk about leaving bread crumbs..
It was heart-breaking to see the turmoil and far reaching effects this experience had for different women. I loved Khalida, a victim, but such a strong woman !!
"My wounds healed pretty quickly.What didn't heal was trust. That took a long time. It took forever for the fear to go away and it probably still hasn't. Noises in the night spook me. Men approaching suddenly, men who look at me because they're attracted to me, sometimes men who have the height and built of the man who raped me. Dozens of times, I've seen tall men with light blue eyes and wondered, was it him ? That's so unfair on them and me.
It was fascinating to read how the evidences were slowly collected against this man ! I loved the last few scenes where he'd thought he was off the hook, but DI Rachel brought it home ruthlessly !! Loved the feel of a win at the end !
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What an intense plot ! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I have not read any books from this series, so I've reviewed this book as a stand-alone. What I liked most about the book, that it was not a one-man/woman show, it was team work. An inspector, her journalist husband and her husband's retired cop uncle all working independently to get the culprit. And what a culprit !!
In the prologue, 9 years ago, Jennifer,a rape victim, reaches out to Lainey Henderson, a rape Councillor, sharing her gruesome experience of a home invader. He had raped her, beat her badly while calling her a slag ! This alerts Lainey, because she herself was a victim of a similar attack on her, where the man raping her had called her a slag. Jennifer disappears after this leaving behind no clue about her whereabouts.
Fast forward 9 years,a young Leah Watt barges into Stewart Street station and demands to see an Inspector immediately. Detective Inspector Rachel Narey was on shift and agreed to talk with Leah. Leah shares her experience about a man breaking into her house 3 months ago and raping,beating and calling her a slag. She tells Rachel that she had seen the man who did this to her then, and was shocked to see him the newspaper in a feature about his business. Rachel takes up the case, and soon they take Mr William Broome to court based on the photographs found in his house. There are more than 500 photographs of women, taken without their consent. But the case is thrown out in the court by Mr.Broome's lawyers and Rachel is left to face the social flak.
Rachel is left picking up the scrapes off the floor while smug Mr.Broome is confident he won't be caught. Enter Rachel's husband, Tony Winters, who's also a journalist and one day an untraceable courier is delivered to his office with supposedly destroyed photographs belonging to Broome. He begins his own investigation where he meets several ladies attacked with the same MO. With matters escalating in social flak, he asks help from his ex-cop uncle , who pitches in with some Twitter investigation of his own. Slowly but steadily, the noose is closing around Mr.Broome. But, Leah Watt who was a witness to this case has disappeared. How are they going to nab this monster ? Will any of the other victims dare to go public ? How are they going to stop twitter trolls? Who's the woman who's body has been found ? Another victim of Mr.Broome ?
The plot itself was very disturbing and scary. How can you anticipate such a personal attack in the safety of your own home ? The online trolls were ridiculously troubling ! The words, the intentions, the hate from these men claiming to be it's man's world and that women should stick to taking care of home ! It's such a brutal world out there !
" I'd see women that I liked. It could have been their face or the way they walked, it might have been their hair or their figure or the way they looked at me. If they had something about them that grabbed my attention then I'd want them. If I photographed them, I'd be able to take them home with me, look at them when I wanted. They'd be mine. "
Isn't it ironic that the MO became firm when all the victims mentioned being called a 'slag' while being beaten ?? Talk about leaving bread crumbs..
It was heart-breaking to see the turmoil and far reaching effects this experience had for different women. I loved Khalida, a victim, but such a strong woman !!
"My wounds healed pretty quickly.What didn't heal was trust. That took a long time. It took forever for the fear to go away and it probably still hasn't. Noises in the night spook me. Men approaching suddenly, men who look at me because they're attracted to me, sometimes men who have the height and built of the man who raped me. Dozens of times, I've seen tall men with light blue eyes and wondered, was it him ? That's so unfair on them and me.
It was fascinating to read how the evidences were slowly collected against this man ! I loved the last few scenes where he'd thought he was off the hook, but DI Rachel brought it home ruthlessly !! Loved the feel of a win at the end !
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 18, 2018
A poignant police procedural with an unsavory crime at its core; The Photographer is creepy from the get-go.
When a self made tech company owner's home is raided, a collection of photographs is discovered hidden in a floor cavity containing snapshots of women in public who are clearly unaware of their picture having being taken. Some of these women, it is later discovered had been the victim of a vicious assault and rape - the perpetrator, however, was unidentifiable at the time.
Through police work and investigative journalism, the perpetrator's ties to freedom begin to fray, while Narey's personal life comes under threat from online bullying which raises questions over her families safety such is the profile of the case.
Despite being book #7 in the Narey and Winters series, The Photographer reads perfectly well as a standalone. I haven't read any of the earlier books and didn't feel 'lost' at all.
My rating: 3/5, largely formulaic, readers know what they're getting into with The Photographer. The courtroom and case technicalities combined with legal tricks and journalistic schemes are hallmarks of this genre and all are well written, plotted and fit the tone of the narrative perfectly.
When a self made tech company owner's home is raided, a collection of photographs is discovered hidden in a floor cavity containing snapshots of women in public who are clearly unaware of their picture having being taken. Some of these women, it is later discovered had been the victim of a vicious assault and rape - the perpetrator, however, was unidentifiable at the time.
Through police work and investigative journalism, the perpetrator's ties to freedom begin to fray, while Narey's personal life comes under threat from online bullying which raises questions over her families safety such is the profile of the case.
Despite being book #7 in the Narey and Winters series, The Photographer reads perfectly well as a standalone. I haven't read any of the earlier books and didn't feel 'lost' at all.
My rating: 3/5, largely formulaic, readers know what they're getting into with The Photographer. The courtroom and case technicalities combined with legal tricks and journalistic schemes are hallmarks of this genre and all are well written, plotted and fit the tone of the narrative perfectly.
March 4, 2018
And so to Craig Robertson, whose series featuring DI Rachel Narey, and her other half photographer Tony Winter, does in all senses go from strength to strength. I’ve read every book to date, and there’s not been a duffer yet, and this one ranks easily as quite possibly the most polished and sensitive yet.
The Photographer revolves around the identification of a serial rapist, who seems to be able to defy prosecution, instead given free reign to stir up the misogynistic forces on social media to persecute his accuser, and by extension, Narey herself who is steadfastly working to bring him to justice. I thought this whole storyline was handled beautifully and extremely sensitively throughout, with Robertson not shying from representing the hatred that women endure through sexual violence, and the loathsome trolls of social media who hide behind their keyboards to vent their vicious diatribes and air their foul opinions. I felt that Robertson wrote some scenes with such compassion and depth of feeling that I was genuinely moved, and it is to the author’s credit that he captured this sense of desperation, and persecution so well. I liked the way that Robertson also didn’t resort to a stereotypical sexual predator, which added an extra level of tension in his interactions with Narey in particular, finding herself in confrontation with a successful, intelligent and extremely devious opponent.
As usual, the central relationship of Narey and Winter worked well with the added dimension of their new baby, and as things become more perilous, the welcome reappearance of Winter’s Uncle Danny, who is always a tonic, and a source of comfort to the reader knowing he has their backs. Robertson always achieves a good balance between the professional and the personal, with neither overwhelming the other in terms of the narrative. Likewise his books always have a resounding realism, and it’s always interesting how this resonates with his reader’s own experiences or their views on, or experience of, the issues he constructs his stories around. As usual, highly recommended, and generally a series that it is well worth discovering for yourselves.
The Photographer revolves around the identification of a serial rapist, who seems to be able to defy prosecution, instead given free reign to stir up the misogynistic forces on social media to persecute his accuser, and by extension, Narey herself who is steadfastly working to bring him to justice. I thought this whole storyline was handled beautifully and extremely sensitively throughout, with Robertson not shying from representing the hatred that women endure through sexual violence, and the loathsome trolls of social media who hide behind their keyboards to vent their vicious diatribes and air their foul opinions. I felt that Robertson wrote some scenes with such compassion and depth of feeling that I was genuinely moved, and it is to the author’s credit that he captured this sense of desperation, and persecution so well. I liked the way that Robertson also didn’t resort to a stereotypical sexual predator, which added an extra level of tension in his interactions with Narey in particular, finding herself in confrontation with a successful, intelligent and extremely devious opponent.
As usual, the central relationship of Narey and Winter worked well with the added dimension of their new baby, and as things become more perilous, the welcome reappearance of Winter’s Uncle Danny, who is always a tonic, and a source of comfort to the reader knowing he has their backs. Robertson always achieves a good balance between the professional and the personal, with neither overwhelming the other in terms of the narrative. Likewise his books always have a resounding realism, and it’s always interesting how this resonates with his reader’s own experiences or their views on, or experience of, the issues he constructs his stories around. As usual, highly recommended, and generally a series that it is well worth discovering for yourselves.
January 25, 2018
There is something that feels like coming home when I pick up a Scottish crime fiction novel, especially when it is set in my hometown of Glasgow and Craig Robertson has a canny knack of creating a totally realistic sense of place, engaging characters and compelling narrative in this series. I have to say this book completely nailed it and then some!
The official blurb gives you all you need to know about this tight-knit and compelling plot, it is enough for me to say that I was hooked from the minute I opened the book and I really did not want it to end! It is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone, however, to appreciate the relationships and the character backgrounds then I'd recommend you read the whole series (it is also a series you really don't want to miss!)
Authentic references, not only to street names and places but the little touches like The Daily Record, a well-known Scottish paper, the Hidden Lane in Finneston and a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Galleries and many others provide the sense of place I am looking for in a book. For those who know Glasgow the familiar scenes will play out in your head and for those who have never been, you will feel as though you have been transported to the city without leaving your sofa!
Throughout the series, Craig Robertson has brought his characters and their relationships to life. I believe in Tony Winter and Narey, I can see them in my head, I can imagine them carrying out their jobs as detective and photographer; I care about what happens to them and I live their lives out through the pages of the books. In The Photographer, I have to say that the author has excelled himself this time. This one was so real, so engaging and so compelling, it gave me a fire in my heart and a passion in my belly as I followed their hunt to bring this rapist to face justice. As well as Narey & Winter we are reacquainted with some old favourites from the series and new faces as well. Each and every one of them plays an integral part in the storyline and the nuances of each relationship play out across the pages drawing the reader into the lives of the characters.
Rape is a tough topic to approach for a writer, there is always the danger of sensationalism and shock value taking over the plot but not in The Photographer. We are left in no doubt of the brutality and sheer evil of the rapist but more than this, we are given a very real and disturbing insight into the impact that this crime, rape, has on its victims, the fear, the shame, the self-loathing and the inner strength found to deal with the crime committed against them. We are given a picture of what it is like to deal with this crime from the side of the police, the red tape and the legalities that cause frustration when they know who the perpetrator is but are powerless to arrest them. The issue of online trolling is also covered in the book and that whole frenzy of backlash and abuse heaped upon victims by keyboard warriors hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Hard hitting and at times difficult to read but impossible to put down.
Craig Robertson has captured the culture and characters of my hometown of Glasgow, he has taken a harrowing subject and handled it with sensitivity and authenticity. I loved the last book in the series, Murderabilia, but this one has blown everything out the water. This series gets better and better, a dark and disturbing plot combined with a sense of place, compelling characters and the dark Glasgow gallows humour has resulted in a book that you seriously do NOT want to miss. Deliciously dark, grotesquely gritty and utterly compelling, pick it up but be prepared to park the outside world because you won't be able to put it down!
The official blurb gives you all you need to know about this tight-knit and compelling plot, it is enough for me to say that I was hooked from the minute I opened the book and I really did not want it to end! It is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone, however, to appreciate the relationships and the character backgrounds then I'd recommend you read the whole series (it is also a series you really don't want to miss!)
Authentic references, not only to street names and places but the little touches like The Daily Record, a well-known Scottish paper, the Hidden Lane in Finneston and a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Galleries and many others provide the sense of place I am looking for in a book. For those who know Glasgow the familiar scenes will play out in your head and for those who have never been, you will feel as though you have been transported to the city without leaving your sofa!
Throughout the series, Craig Robertson has brought his characters and their relationships to life. I believe in Tony Winter and Narey, I can see them in my head, I can imagine them carrying out their jobs as detective and photographer; I care about what happens to them and I live their lives out through the pages of the books. In The Photographer, I have to say that the author has excelled himself this time. This one was so real, so engaging and so compelling, it gave me a fire in my heart and a passion in my belly as I followed their hunt to bring this rapist to face justice. As well as Narey & Winter we are reacquainted with some old favourites from the series and new faces as well. Each and every one of them plays an integral part in the storyline and the nuances of each relationship play out across the pages drawing the reader into the lives of the characters.
Rape is a tough topic to approach for a writer, there is always the danger of sensationalism and shock value taking over the plot but not in The Photographer. We are left in no doubt of the brutality and sheer evil of the rapist but more than this, we are given a very real and disturbing insight into the impact that this crime, rape, has on its victims, the fear, the shame, the self-loathing and the inner strength found to deal with the crime committed against them. We are given a picture of what it is like to deal with this crime from the side of the police, the red tape and the legalities that cause frustration when they know who the perpetrator is but are powerless to arrest them. The issue of online trolling is also covered in the book and that whole frenzy of backlash and abuse heaped upon victims by keyboard warriors hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Hard hitting and at times difficult to read but impossible to put down.
Craig Robertson has captured the culture and characters of my hometown of Glasgow, he has taken a harrowing subject and handled it with sensitivity and authenticity. I loved the last book in the series, Murderabilia, but this one has blown everything out the water. This series gets better and better, a dark and disturbing plot combined with a sense of place, compelling characters and the dark Glasgow gallows humour has resulted in a book that you seriously do NOT want to miss. Deliciously dark, grotesquely gritty and utterly compelling, pick it up but be prepared to park the outside world because you won't be able to put it down!
February 2, 2018
This is a good read. Nothing special or amazing but a well plotted story that does flow well and strong characters if a bit stereotypical. It is an easy read with a satisfying conclusion. I won't be rushing out to but others in his series but it was an enjoyable if not memorable read.
March 3, 2018
I have been a fan of Craig Robertson since reading his first novel ‘Random’ I have rated all of his books but in my opinion this is one of his best. It deals with a very harrowing subject, that of rape, very brutal rape in which the victims are verbally abused and beaten half to death. Set in Glasgow, the author uses his knowledge of the city to great effect. I think anyone living in Glasgow will appreciate the gritty realism this brings to the story. I also love the way the relationship between Narey and Winters has developed. Now they are a family with a young daughter.
From near the beginning we know who the perpetrator is, William Broome, a well known and wealthy business man. When his house is searched the police find a hidden stash of photographs he had taken, all of women. He uses his money to employ a skilled and devious defence lawyer who manages to get the photographs classed as inadmissible evidence. The problem for Rachel Narey is how she is going to get justice for the women he has raped and bring him to trial. I could hardly put this book down, it’s totally gripping and rather terrifying from the start. It deals also with a modern issue, that of internet trolling. It’s horrifying that people can be abused by anonymous ‘keyboard warriors’. With things at an impasse Tony Winters, Rachel’s husband begins his own investigation when a copy of all Broome’s photographs is delivered anonymously to him. His Uncle Dan, a retired policeman helps in seeking out the Twitter trolls.
Gradually the net is closing in on Broome. In pursuing him another historic murder is solved in what is a very clever plot twist. It’s dark and disturbing but what a tense thriller and oh, the feeling of triumph when Broome is finally caught. Super stuff and highly recommended.
From near the beginning we know who the perpetrator is, William Broome, a well known and wealthy business man. When his house is searched the police find a hidden stash of photographs he had taken, all of women. He uses his money to employ a skilled and devious defence lawyer who manages to get the photographs classed as inadmissible evidence. The problem for Rachel Narey is how she is going to get justice for the women he has raped and bring him to trial. I could hardly put this book down, it’s totally gripping and rather terrifying from the start. It deals also with a modern issue, that of internet trolling. It’s horrifying that people can be abused by anonymous ‘keyboard warriors’. With things at an impasse Tony Winters, Rachel’s husband begins his own investigation when a copy of all Broome’s photographs is delivered anonymously to him. His Uncle Dan, a retired policeman helps in seeking out the Twitter trolls.
Gradually the net is closing in on Broome. In pursuing him another historic murder is solved in what is a very clever plot twist. It’s dark and disturbing but what a tense thriller and oh, the feeling of triumph when Broome is finally caught. Super stuff and highly recommended.
August 24, 2020
3.5/5
It felt great coming back to reading crime novels and The Photographer was an amazing read.
The story is slightly slow in the start but picks up fast midway. It was hard keeping the book down after that. Although the writing is simple, there were these few paragraphs that just hit me in the heart.
For someone who wants to start reading crime fiction, this is a good recommendation.
It felt great coming back to reading crime novels and The Photographer was an amazing read.
The story is slightly slow in the start but picks up fast midway. It was hard keeping the book down after that. Although the writing is simple, there were these few paragraphs that just hit me in the heart.
For someone who wants to start reading crime fiction, this is a good recommendation.
May 25, 2020
This book managed to be gripping even though the subject matter is tricky. It left me feeling uncomfortable but was really well written. I enjoyed the flip round from the previous book where Winter has centre stage for much of the time to one where Narey did. I really enjoyed the ha he of pace where the killer is known to the police from the very beginning and the hard part is proving it.
October 19, 2018
Brilliant story! Not so much of a whodunnit but how to prove it! Can't wait for the next book in thi series!
January 21, 2018
DI Rachel Narey is called down to the front desk during the small hours of the morning as Leah Watt a rape victim has by chance seen her attacker's picture in the newspaper.
A dawn raid on the suspect's home gives up more than they would hope for: boxes of photographs of women taken without their knowledge. However, once the case gets to court, those photographs are deemed inadmissible as evidence, the witness flees and DI Nareys case collapses. Feeling she let down her witness she carries on, with her husband Tony, a journalist, looking for other victims, plus looking out for his wife and young daughter once they become targeted by internet trolls.
I am new to this author and having enjoyed other detective stories thought I'd give this a go. I was pleased with the story, the main characters, its setting and the pace. Each chapter was well written, just the right length each time, sometimes from Nareys view, others from Winters which took the story along well. I liked the way the prologue wove its way into the story partway through too. The ending came as a slight surprise in one aspect, perhaps predictable in another but it tied it all up nicely.
I would certainly consider seeking out previous stories in this series, though The Photographer could be read as a stand-alone book without needing to read the others.
I received #ThePhotographer from #Netgalley in return for a honest review.
A dawn raid on the suspect's home gives up more than they would hope for: boxes of photographs of women taken without their knowledge. However, once the case gets to court, those photographs are deemed inadmissible as evidence, the witness flees and DI Nareys case collapses. Feeling she let down her witness she carries on, with her husband Tony, a journalist, looking for other victims, plus looking out for his wife and young daughter once they become targeted by internet trolls.
I am new to this author and having enjoyed other detective stories thought I'd give this a go. I was pleased with the story, the main characters, its setting and the pace. Each chapter was well written, just the right length each time, sometimes from Nareys view, others from Winters which took the story along well. I liked the way the prologue wove its way into the story partway through too. The ending came as a slight surprise in one aspect, perhaps predictable in another but it tied it all up nicely.
I would certainly consider seeking out previous stories in this series, though The Photographer could be read as a stand-alone book without needing to read the others.
I received #ThePhotographer from #Netgalley in return for a honest review.
January 16, 2018
Okay. It's official. I am useless. I admit it. Useless because, in spite of having had Murderabilia on my shelf for over twelve months, I've still not read it. In fact ... I'm more useless than that as The Photographer is the first Narey and Winter book I have read proving what a complete fool I have been as this was a cracking read and I know I have been missing out terribly.
Confessions over, I guess I should tell you why huh? Well - it's hard to explain but I think that a lot of people will understand however badly I explain it. First up, this is, technically, a very easy book to read. The characters, as you would probably expect from a series, are so well developed, so real, that in spite of this being my first introduction, I didn't feel at too much of a disadvantage and was easily able to pick up with them and liked them instantly. It is clear I've missed something - do not tell me wha, I shall go back and read for myself - but for anyone new to this series, this won't stop you from reading the book and understanding what is what and who is who. and the quality of writing, the narrative style and pacing , is absolutely fantastic. It just flowed. No awkward moments, no questions unanswered and no doubt that from the moment I started reading I was absolutely absorbed by the book. 100%. That is what I mean by it is an easy book to read. Quality writing that engages and often enrages but reels you in like a fish on a hook.
Because ... compared to that it is easy to say that, subject wise, this is less easy to read. Less palatable and, by a cruel twist of fate that so often occurs when drawing inspiration from real events, so incredibly topical right now. This is a book about a serial rapist. No ifs, no buts. They are not what people may expect, not an obvious monster, although their actions are monstrous. They hide in plain sight, a respectable member of society. And this becomes a true battle of nerve as Narey knows who has done it but lacks the ability to prove it, the entire story then becoming the journey to prove his guilt. And the book itself refers to a major case which has been dominating headlines of late, proving that such a serial offender can and does sadly exist.
Rightly or wrongly, it has to be acknowledged that this is a very brave book for any male writer to attempt right now. With all the horror stories in the media about abuse of power and position by strong male authority figures, for any man to attempt to portray the impact of rape upon women could easily be taken in entirely the wrong way. It shouldn't matter who is writing this story but, as things stand, it sadly does.
It might be tempting to over compensate, to justify the rape as an act of evil as men are evil and used to having power over women. It might be easy to simplify the portrayal of the victim, that all women who suffer sexual assault become either quivering wrecks or gung-ho warriors for justice. Nothing is that straight forward. The relationship between abused and their friends and family, how they interact with others and their reaction to the abuse they suffer is far more complex than that. And while you would like to think all men should be outraged and up in arms about what has happened, demanding justice, life is not that simple for men either.
In truth there is no one size fits all reaction to this kind of serial abuse and there is no simple explanation for why a person should choose to commit rape either. I have to take my hat off to Mr Robertson as I think he has reflected this perfectly in the book and the way in which he has approached it is just right. There is no justification, no simply writing the perpetrator off as being born evil, and yet there is no absolute ruling out of that fact either. In that respect the reader is allowed to pass their own judgement.
For me, Winter's reaction as he tries to get into the mind of the rapist is very telling, perhaps the most honest depiction of how most, but not all, men would react. The fact he is torn between the recognition of some of the victims or potential victims as beautiful women, the inability to completely shut off from natural reaction he has to the attraction, but his acknowledgement that to take things any further, even just the act of investigating the women without their knowledge makes him feel seedy. And then the overriding need to protect his family - his wife, his daughter - pushing him on above all else. This ... this is the reaction most men would be expected to feel. Most ...
But sadly not all. There are the opposite kinds of people out there. The keyboard warriors, the permanently angry. The misogynistic, chauvinistic, vicious kind of haters who will gladly accept any reason to put women down and accept a slanted and corrupt version of the truth. They are all represented here. The truly negative side of social media laid bare and threatening Narey and her daughter. This adds an element of threat to an already dark case, but not enough to hold either Narey or Winter back. If anything it spurs them on and makes the reader even more engaged in seeing the guilty brought to justice. And the guilty party is never hidden. It's not one of those kind of cases. Their aggression is there for all to see, but not enough for anything to stick. Yet, like a cheap Teflon pan, that non-stick quality is only effective until the coating starts to flake. It is just up to Narey and Winter to find that first little chip, grab a hold and peel it all back.
Which brings me back to feeling like a fool. A complete tool for not having read any of these books before. I'm going to have to make it my mission to catch up as this is a writer too good to miss. The balance of this book, the way in which the atrocities are depicted in such clear terms but without being gratuitous, the fine line walked between outright condemnation and a simple portrayal of the complicated truth of this kind of case and people's reactions to it, be it the victims or simply those who follow it on the news, even the individual reactions of the victims, is pretty much perfect. A difficult subject but extremely well handled, avoiding cliché but not avoiding the harsh reality of the situation.
Confessions over, I guess I should tell you why huh? Well - it's hard to explain but I think that a lot of people will understand however badly I explain it. First up, this is, technically, a very easy book to read. The characters, as you would probably expect from a series, are so well developed, so real, that in spite of this being my first introduction, I didn't feel at too much of a disadvantage and was easily able to pick up with them and liked them instantly. It is clear I've missed something - do not tell me wha, I shall go back and read for myself - but for anyone new to this series, this won't stop you from reading the book and understanding what is what and who is who. and the quality of writing, the narrative style and pacing , is absolutely fantastic. It just flowed. No awkward moments, no questions unanswered and no doubt that from the moment I started reading I was absolutely absorbed by the book. 100%. That is what I mean by it is an easy book to read. Quality writing that engages and often enrages but reels you in like a fish on a hook.
Because ... compared to that it is easy to say that, subject wise, this is less easy to read. Less palatable and, by a cruel twist of fate that so often occurs when drawing inspiration from real events, so incredibly topical right now. This is a book about a serial rapist. No ifs, no buts. They are not what people may expect, not an obvious monster, although their actions are monstrous. They hide in plain sight, a respectable member of society. And this becomes a true battle of nerve as Narey knows who has done it but lacks the ability to prove it, the entire story then becoming the journey to prove his guilt. And the book itself refers to a major case which has been dominating headlines of late, proving that such a serial offender can and does sadly exist.
Rightly or wrongly, it has to be acknowledged that this is a very brave book for any male writer to attempt right now. With all the horror stories in the media about abuse of power and position by strong male authority figures, for any man to attempt to portray the impact of rape upon women could easily be taken in entirely the wrong way. It shouldn't matter who is writing this story but, as things stand, it sadly does.
It might be tempting to over compensate, to justify the rape as an act of evil as men are evil and used to having power over women. It might be easy to simplify the portrayal of the victim, that all women who suffer sexual assault become either quivering wrecks or gung-ho warriors for justice. Nothing is that straight forward. The relationship between abused and their friends and family, how they interact with others and their reaction to the abuse they suffer is far more complex than that. And while you would like to think all men should be outraged and up in arms about what has happened, demanding justice, life is not that simple for men either.
In truth there is no one size fits all reaction to this kind of serial abuse and there is no simple explanation for why a person should choose to commit rape either. I have to take my hat off to Mr Robertson as I think he has reflected this perfectly in the book and the way in which he has approached it is just right. There is no justification, no simply writing the perpetrator off as being born evil, and yet there is no absolute ruling out of that fact either. In that respect the reader is allowed to pass their own judgement.
For me, Winter's reaction as he tries to get into the mind of the rapist is very telling, perhaps the most honest depiction of how most, but not all, men would react. The fact he is torn between the recognition of some of the victims or potential victims as beautiful women, the inability to completely shut off from natural reaction he has to the attraction, but his acknowledgement that to take things any further, even just the act of investigating the women without their knowledge makes him feel seedy. And then the overriding need to protect his family - his wife, his daughter - pushing him on above all else. This ... this is the reaction most men would be expected to feel. Most ...
But sadly not all. There are the opposite kinds of people out there. The keyboard warriors, the permanently angry. The misogynistic, chauvinistic, vicious kind of haters who will gladly accept any reason to put women down and accept a slanted and corrupt version of the truth. They are all represented here. The truly negative side of social media laid bare and threatening Narey and her daughter. This adds an element of threat to an already dark case, but not enough to hold either Narey or Winter back. If anything it spurs them on and makes the reader even more engaged in seeing the guilty brought to justice. And the guilty party is never hidden. It's not one of those kind of cases. Their aggression is there for all to see, but not enough for anything to stick. Yet, like a cheap Teflon pan, that non-stick quality is only effective until the coating starts to flake. It is just up to Narey and Winter to find that first little chip, grab a hold and peel it all back.
Which brings me back to feeling like a fool. A complete tool for not having read any of these books before. I'm going to have to make it my mission to catch up as this is a writer too good to miss. The balance of this book, the way in which the atrocities are depicted in such clear terms but without being gratuitous, the fine line walked between outright condemnation and a simple portrayal of the complicated truth of this kind of case and people's reactions to it, be it the victims or simply those who follow it on the news, even the individual reactions of the victims, is pretty much perfect. A difficult subject but extremely well handled, avoiding cliché but not avoiding the harsh reality of the situation.
August 4, 2018
Having read the earlier reviews, I was a bit disappointed with this, my first Craig Robertson book. There were certainly elements of the book that lived up to my expectations, but the overall feeling I had, especially towards the end, was one of being let down. I felt the end was a pretty much a non-event - the proverbial whimper, instead of a bang.
January 25, 2018
Reading this book was incredibly strange for two reasons. Firstly, it is about a violent, serial rapist and how a police investigation is foiled from the start, leading him to be released without a stain on his character. The book specifically references John Warboys and as I was reading it, the news came through that Warboys release from prison is not to be challenged. So this book is certainly on topic.
Secondly, and Craig Robertson’s locations are spot on throughout the book, it just so happens that he has put the serial killer’s place of business right in the building where I live. Let me tell you, that creeped me out not a little. I have taken to checking my doors are locked more than once a day now.
Despite that, this is a terrific read. The Narey and Winters combination works incredibly well and though they are in different jobs with different employers, the narrative is never less than utterly plausible and entirely convincing.
Craig Robertson has done an excellent job of ensuring that, despite the awful subject matter, the women in his book are all seen as individuals rather than victims and he describes the court, counselling and police procedures extremely well.
From the outset, we know who our rapist is. He’s a man with a profile in the business community, respected for his business achievements and not short of a few shillings. He is therefore able to hire the best defence that money can buy and to proclaim his outrage at the injustice of the police approach at every turn.
Thwarted by the legal system and burdened with guilt at letting the survivor of the rape down as a result, Narey is determined that this is one perpetrator who will not get away with his crimes, whatever it takes to prove her case.
In turn, this makes her the focus of some extremely vicious and hate filled online trolling which escalates into more than words on occasion. And when she is photographed with her baby and those photos are put online with the threats, Winters knows he has to protect his family.
The pair follow parallel lines as each takes their own path to find a way into the perpetrator’s life and to bring him to justice.
Though the violence is clear from the outset, the book handles this with sensitivity and care and there is nothing gratuitous. Rather the survivors are carefully portrayed as reacting in different ways and each has their own way of handling it and their own story to tell. It is Narey and Winters persistence and their cool heads that lead to these stories being told.
The Photographer is a gripping, compelling read with taut prose, a strong and well told storyline and characters you can believe in.
Very highly recommended.
Secondly, and Craig Robertson’s locations are spot on throughout the book, it just so happens that he has put the serial killer’s place of business right in the building where I live. Let me tell you, that creeped me out not a little. I have taken to checking my doors are locked more than once a day now.
Despite that, this is a terrific read. The Narey and Winters combination works incredibly well and though they are in different jobs with different employers, the narrative is never less than utterly plausible and entirely convincing.
Craig Robertson has done an excellent job of ensuring that, despite the awful subject matter, the women in his book are all seen as individuals rather than victims and he describes the court, counselling and police procedures extremely well.
From the outset, we know who our rapist is. He’s a man with a profile in the business community, respected for his business achievements and not short of a few shillings. He is therefore able to hire the best defence that money can buy and to proclaim his outrage at the injustice of the police approach at every turn.
Thwarted by the legal system and burdened with guilt at letting the survivor of the rape down as a result, Narey is determined that this is one perpetrator who will not get away with his crimes, whatever it takes to prove her case.
In turn, this makes her the focus of some extremely vicious and hate filled online trolling which escalates into more than words on occasion. And when she is photographed with her baby and those photos are put online with the threats, Winters knows he has to protect his family.
The pair follow parallel lines as each takes their own path to find a way into the perpetrator’s life and to bring him to justice.
Though the violence is clear from the outset, the book handles this with sensitivity and care and there is nothing gratuitous. Rather the survivors are carefully portrayed as reacting in different ways and each has their own way of handling it and their own story to tell. It is Narey and Winters persistence and their cool heads that lead to these stories being told.
The Photographer is a gripping, compelling read with taut prose, a strong and well told storyline and characters you can believe in.
Very highly recommended.
April 11, 2024
One of the things that I like most about going on holiday is that I always make a point of taking some books that have been sitting on my shelf for far too long. My copy of The Photographer has yellowing pages, it's been waiting so long to be taken down and read. Sorry Craig!
I have read this author's most recent books, written under the name of C S Robertson, and I've read a couple of the other books in the DI Rachel Narey series too. The Photographer is the seventh in the series and it's a sign of a great author who can produce a story with long standing characters yet make it feel like a stand alone. If, like me, you are behind with this series, don't worry, you can easily read this one.
So, where on earth to begin? I was properly hooked by this story that centres around one of the most disturbing, vile and dangerous characters I've ever come across.
The story begins with a prologue set in 2008 where the reader meets Lainy Henderson. Lainy is a counsellor, but she's also pretty messed up herself. When Lainy hears what her next client tells her she instantly recognises the events. Yet, when she tries to find out more about the client, she can find nothing.
This sets the scene for the main plot which takes place nine years later, in October 2017. DI Rachel Narey is a new mother and recently returned to work, she misses her daughter, but she's a great cop. She's going to have a great deal to cope with in the next few weeks. I'm not going to get into the plot details, that's the job of the author, and he's done it very well, but I will say that it's about a serial rapist. A man who thinks he is above the law, a man with money and connections and a man who takes what he wants from who he wants, be that a young girl, or his own family member. This is a depraved, violent, sick individual who is creating terror across Glasgow and Narey knows it is him. She just has to prove it.
There are some dark dark moments in this novel, there are also some extremely insightful scenes too. I guess it can be difficult for a male author to try to write about the effects of a rape on a woman, but there is a sensitivity in this writing that really rings true.
The Photographer is most certainly one of those novels that you say to yourself 'just one more chapter', many times throughout. It is gripping, thrilling and shocking in equal measures. It is also perfectly paced with characters who are created with care. One of the best thrillers that I've read for a long time and highly recommended.
I have read this author's most recent books, written under the name of C S Robertson, and I've read a couple of the other books in the DI Rachel Narey series too. The Photographer is the seventh in the series and it's a sign of a great author who can produce a story with long standing characters yet make it feel like a stand alone. If, like me, you are behind with this series, don't worry, you can easily read this one.
So, where on earth to begin? I was properly hooked by this story that centres around one of the most disturbing, vile and dangerous characters I've ever come across.
The story begins with a prologue set in 2008 where the reader meets Lainy Henderson. Lainy is a counsellor, but she's also pretty messed up herself. When Lainy hears what her next client tells her she instantly recognises the events. Yet, when she tries to find out more about the client, she can find nothing.
This sets the scene for the main plot which takes place nine years later, in October 2017. DI Rachel Narey is a new mother and recently returned to work, she misses her daughter, but she's a great cop. She's going to have a great deal to cope with in the next few weeks. I'm not going to get into the plot details, that's the job of the author, and he's done it very well, but I will say that it's about a serial rapist. A man who thinks he is above the law, a man with money and connections and a man who takes what he wants from who he wants, be that a young girl, or his own family member. This is a depraved, violent, sick individual who is creating terror across Glasgow and Narey knows it is him. She just has to prove it.
There are some dark dark moments in this novel, there are also some extremely insightful scenes too. I guess it can be difficult for a male author to try to write about the effects of a rape on a woman, but there is a sensitivity in this writing that really rings true.
The Photographer is most certainly one of those novels that you say to yourself 'just one more chapter', many times throughout. It is gripping, thrilling and shocking in equal measures. It is also perfectly paced with characters who are created with care. One of the best thrillers that I've read for a long time and highly recommended.
January 15, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK Fiction for an advance copy of The Photographer, the seventh novel to feature DI Rachel Narey of the Glasgow police and her husband, photojournalist Tony Winter.
A distraught Leah Watts stumbles into the police station claiming to have recognised her rapist from photos in the newspaper. It is enough for a raid on William Broome's home where they find hundreds of pictures of young women. Before they can really examine the pictures Leah recants her identification and the judge rules that they and all copies must be returned. The case therefore collapses and the internet trolls come out against Rachel. In the meantime Tony receives copies of the pictures in an anonymous e-mail and starts investigating.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Photographer. It's been a while since I spent time with Narey and Winter so I'd forgotten what a pleasure it is. The plot is linear with some great twists and above all logical and realistic. There is very little in the novel that I could disbelieve or not swallow as it's all very probable. I like the cool logic of the plot as one discovery leads to another and to other avenues of investigation. I also like the prose which is crisp and direct and makes the reading easy.
The Photographer is not, however, an easy read and is quite uncomfortable in places from the descriptions of rape to the nastiness and cowardice of Internet trolling. I am in awe of Mr Robertson's characterisation. He seems to have the trolls' mindset to a T, ugly and self serving as it is. His portrayal of rape survivor, Leah Watts, is sympathetic but realistic, unable to cope and slightly unstable as a result. His protagonists, Narey and Winter seem muted in comparison. Both are dedicated in their own way to catching Broome but while Winter goes about it fairly quietly Narey in her guilt over not helping Leah more is more bullish in her approach. I loved the way politics determine what she can and can't do and how she plays the system.
I also love the setting. Glasgow is my old home town so I know and can picture many of the locations. It's always a bonus when that happens.
The Photographer is an excellent police procedural which I have no hesitation in recommending.
A distraught Leah Watts stumbles into the police station claiming to have recognised her rapist from photos in the newspaper. It is enough for a raid on William Broome's home where they find hundreds of pictures of young women. Before they can really examine the pictures Leah recants her identification and the judge rules that they and all copies must be returned. The case therefore collapses and the internet trolls come out against Rachel. In the meantime Tony receives copies of the pictures in an anonymous e-mail and starts investigating.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Photographer. It's been a while since I spent time with Narey and Winter so I'd forgotten what a pleasure it is. The plot is linear with some great twists and above all logical and realistic. There is very little in the novel that I could disbelieve or not swallow as it's all very probable. I like the cool logic of the plot as one discovery leads to another and to other avenues of investigation. I also like the prose which is crisp and direct and makes the reading easy.
The Photographer is not, however, an easy read and is quite uncomfortable in places from the descriptions of rape to the nastiness and cowardice of Internet trolling. I am in awe of Mr Robertson's characterisation. He seems to have the trolls' mindset to a T, ugly and self serving as it is. His portrayal of rape survivor, Leah Watts, is sympathetic but realistic, unable to cope and slightly unstable as a result. His protagonists, Narey and Winter seem muted in comparison. Both are dedicated in their own way to catching Broome but while Winter goes about it fairly quietly Narey in her guilt over not helping Leah more is more bullish in her approach. I loved the way politics determine what she can and can't do and how she plays the system.
I also love the setting. Glasgow is my old home town so I know and can picture many of the locations. It's always a bonus when that happens.
The Photographer is an excellent police procedural which I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 25, 2018
Big Brother – and then some!
When Lainey Henderson listens to Jennifer in the Initial Support Session following Jennifer’s rape, she realises that the pattern of the crime is identical to that inflicted on herself, and it becomes her over-riding passion to see the monster responsible brought to justice.
Nine years later DI Rachel Narey is confronted by a very agitated Leah Watts who was similarly raped and brutalised three months earlier. Leah informs Narey that during the rape she had managed to get a look at the rapist’s face, and she had now seen him in the newspaper – his name is William Broome.
So, very early on in this book, we know who committed this and other rapes but that does not detract in any way from the plot. In fact, the reader is willing to the police to collect enough evidence to put this arrogant sadist behind bars. When they do manage to search Broome’s house they find a great collection of photographs of women, obviously taken without their knowledge. Apart from the intrusion into their privacy, Narey knows that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Following court proceedings which are thrown out – but not before the photographs are deemed inadmissible – Narey’s husband, Tony Winter, a journalist, receives a large packet of photographs through the post - the very same photographs that the police had discovered. Without informing Narey, Winter commences his investigative journalist thing, hoping to bring Broome down.
This was a great read. The plot flowed swiftly and the characters, particularly Broome, Narey and Winter were all fleshed out and plausible. So, too, was the venom and vindictiveness of social media following the breakdown of the first court case. Nasty creatures come out of the woodwork to say vile things because they think they are anonymous. Bullies have ever been thus – cowards and weak at heart.
Thank you, Craig Robertson for a great read, and I look forward to reading some more of your books.
Sméagol
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
When Lainey Henderson listens to Jennifer in the Initial Support Session following Jennifer’s rape, she realises that the pattern of the crime is identical to that inflicted on herself, and it becomes her over-riding passion to see the monster responsible brought to justice.
Nine years later DI Rachel Narey is confronted by a very agitated Leah Watts who was similarly raped and brutalised three months earlier. Leah informs Narey that during the rape she had managed to get a look at the rapist’s face, and she had now seen him in the newspaper – his name is William Broome.
So, very early on in this book, we know who committed this and other rapes but that does not detract in any way from the plot. In fact, the reader is willing to the police to collect enough evidence to put this arrogant sadist behind bars. When they do manage to search Broome’s house they find a great collection of photographs of women, obviously taken without their knowledge. Apart from the intrusion into their privacy, Narey knows that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Following court proceedings which are thrown out – but not before the photographs are deemed inadmissible – Narey’s husband, Tony Winter, a journalist, receives a large packet of photographs through the post - the very same photographs that the police had discovered. Without informing Narey, Winter commences his investigative journalist thing, hoping to bring Broome down.
This was a great read. The plot flowed swiftly and the characters, particularly Broome, Narey and Winter were all fleshed out and plausible. So, too, was the venom and vindictiveness of social media following the breakdown of the first court case. Nasty creatures come out of the woodwork to say vile things because they think they are anonymous. Bullies have ever been thus – cowards and weak at heart.
Thank you, Craig Robertson for a great read, and I look forward to reading some more of your books.
Sméagol
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
August 21, 2023
In Glasgow, a man has been raping women for a number of years. The Modus Operandi is the same, they are raped at knifepoint, and injured in the same way, but the suspect always gets away.
During a search of the well-to-do chief suspect William Broome, a stash of photographs of seemingly random women is found under one of his floorboards. As he gets away under a technicality, the sheer evilness of his crimes is revealed. The couple Narey and Winter (a police officer and photographer respectfully, this is the seventh novel in the series) are now married and have a young daughter, whom they want to protect from the brutality and evil that is a part of their everyday lives.
As the case against Broome intensifies, so do the attacks on Narey, first through Twitter and then in the real world, and as Uncle Danny tracks down the perpetrators of the crime in the real world.
As Leah, the woman who first filed charges against Broome as her rapist, after seeing his photo in the newspaper, swears both vengeance and then goes missing, there is a race against time, to find both her and Broome who has also gone missing. When Broome’s own mother is attacked, she is at first reluctant to press charges, but as more and more evidence mounts up against Broome, she realises that the type of man she has raised is a danger to society.
The last ten pages of the book (it is more than 400 pages long) are particularly well-drawn and dramatic. The characterisations and descriptions all paint a vivid picture of Glasgow, and the many lines, legal, moral and professional that law enforces have to cross show the many shades of grey that they face.
The rapist and murderer is caught, also handily having evidence of another unsolved murder at the end, but his bravado is what digs the biggest hole for this well-drawn villain, who being outwardly successful, and a highly functioning member of Glasgow society doesn’t live in any of the stereotypes that he could have easily have fallen into.
During a search of the well-to-do chief suspect William Broome, a stash of photographs of seemingly random women is found under one of his floorboards. As he gets away under a technicality, the sheer evilness of his crimes is revealed. The couple Narey and Winter (a police officer and photographer respectfully, this is the seventh novel in the series) are now married and have a young daughter, whom they want to protect from the brutality and evil that is a part of their everyday lives.
As the case against Broome intensifies, so do the attacks on Narey, first through Twitter and then in the real world, and as Uncle Danny tracks down the perpetrators of the crime in the real world.
As Leah, the woman who first filed charges against Broome as her rapist, after seeing his photo in the newspaper, swears both vengeance and then goes missing, there is a race against time, to find both her and Broome who has also gone missing. When Broome’s own mother is attacked, she is at first reluctant to press charges, but as more and more evidence mounts up against Broome, she realises that the type of man she has raised is a danger to society.
The last ten pages of the book (it is more than 400 pages long) are particularly well-drawn and dramatic. The characterisations and descriptions all paint a vivid picture of Glasgow, and the many lines, legal, moral and professional that law enforces have to cross show the many shades of grey that they face.
The rapist and murderer is caught, also handily having evidence of another unsolved murder at the end, but his bravado is what digs the biggest hole for this well-drawn villain, who being outwardly successful, and a highly functioning member of Glasgow society doesn’t live in any of the stereotypes that he could have easily have fallen into.
November 24, 2020
COMMENTO PERSONALE: Premetto che sia stato il primo libro che ho letto dell’autore e adesso ho assolutamente voglia di recuperare altri suoi scritti. Lo stile è davvero molto scorrevole e molto lineare. Riesci ad immaginare con facilità impressionante tutto quanto e sono stata in ansia dalla prima pagina sino all’ultima. Ma addentriamoci più nel dettaglio. Tutta la faccenda gira attorno ad un uomo: William Broome. Lui è un fotografo ma i soggetti che ritrae sono del tutto ignari della presenza di quest’uomo: si tratta di donne che vengono catturate nella loro quotidianità. Una poliziotta vuole riuscire ad infilare dietro le sbarre quest’uomo. Voi ovviamente direte “Che male c’è a scattare delle fotografie?” Beh… Diciamo che per capirlo vi invito già da ora a perdervi tra le righe di questo libro. Naery, il nome della poliziotta, per giungere all’obiettivo dovrà arrivare al limite della sopportazione e viaggiare in mezzo ad ostacoli ed insidie. Sarà aiutata da suo marito Winter e Danny, fratello del marito. Penso di avervi già detto abbastanza ma continuo aggiungendo il fatto che ci sarà da risolvere un omicidio. Sono trascorsi nove anni ma tutto si comincia a sciogliere. Non saprei se definirlo un vero e proprio thriller ma so solo che lo consigli a tutti quanti. Non so se sia il caso per donne che abbiano subito delle violenze ma probabilmente anche loro devono leggerlo, magari potrebbe arrivare ad essere persino terapeutico.
July 4, 2018
A total stand alone read, even though it is part of the series. The idea of the story hooked me in, especially when I heard Craig talk about the book at a First Monday Book Event in London a few months ago.
Narey and Winter have a complex relationship, with her being in the Scottish Police Force and living/married to a journalist. I thoroughly enjoyed their differences, and how work/home life never over stepped the balance.
The subject of rape is not easy to read about, and Craig took this on board with such sensitivity, non-graphic nature, but gave us an emotional read. A story that held frustration to the core. There were a few places in the book, where he really got to me, I don’t want to spoil it for you, but one particular point was especially heart breaking, and extremely cleverly portrayed and plotted.
The descriptive nature of Scotland came through exceedingly well, and having not visited for many years, it made me yearn to go back, and it had a great sense of placement.
There is a natural rawness to this story and I shall go back and read the others in the series.
Robertson has a talent of great narrative, edge and being emotive in his storytelling without over indulgence of sensationalism.
5 stars from me for a difficult story, that was so well portrayed and in a unique manner.
Narey and Winter have a complex relationship, with her being in the Scottish Police Force and living/married to a journalist. I thoroughly enjoyed their differences, and how work/home life never over stepped the balance.
The subject of rape is not easy to read about, and Craig took this on board with such sensitivity, non-graphic nature, but gave us an emotional read. A story that held frustration to the core. There were a few places in the book, where he really got to me, I don’t want to spoil it for you, but one particular point was especially heart breaking, and extremely cleverly portrayed and plotted.
The descriptive nature of Scotland came through exceedingly well, and having not visited for many years, it made me yearn to go back, and it had a great sense of placement.
There is a natural rawness to this story and I shall go back and read the others in the series.
Robertson has a talent of great narrative, edge and being emotive in his storytelling without over indulgence of sensationalism.
5 stars from me for a difficult story, that was so well portrayed and in a unique manner.
February 12, 2018
This was my most anticipated read for 2018. After reading Murderabilia I was excited to dig deeper into Craig Robertson's work and he's not disappointed me yet.
Firstly, I am 100% invested in Narey and Winter, they are the best couple I love them to pieces. Their interacts I feel personally really breaks up the more intense parts of the book. The relationship feels believable and they are so supportive of one another.
For the main subject matter of the book I thought it was very well handled. There were times that some of the writing made me twist and squirm when it came to internet trolls and sexism. I love the dialogue too, I can hear the scottish accents, I dunno why but I love seeing the word 'arse' in literature. My home town is also mentioned in the book and that made me feel more connected too.
I'm not good at reviews but I really loved this book and would highly recommend it to others.
Firstly, I am 100% invested in Narey and Winter, they are the best couple I love them to pieces. Their interacts I feel personally really breaks up the more intense parts of the book. The relationship feels believable and they are so supportive of one another.
For the main subject matter of the book I thought it was very well handled. There were times that some of the writing made me twist and squirm when it came to internet trolls and sexism. I love the dialogue too, I can hear the scottish accents, I dunno why but I love seeing the word 'arse' in literature. My home town is also mentioned in the book and that made me feel more connected too.
I'm not good at reviews but I really loved this book and would highly recommend it to others.
October 17, 2018
It did have the effect of making me more nervous when home alone in my ground floor flat, just like a well polished Guardian article would, stating assault statistics of women. However, much like a Guardian article, I found it had the same level of character depth. There was nothing unlikable about the main characters but they lacked something. They felt 2D in a 3D world. The issue dealt with in this book was tastefully done, well considered for a male author, but again, lacked any deep, emotional hook, in my opinion. Well written, easy to engage with, but just could have been done better, especially considering the evocative topic.
Spoiler alert:
Not really - it's revealed early on: The fact the perpetrator is known throughout, makes this a different kind of thriller - a Colombo among Whodunits, but I found that boring as I was not eager to get to the next chapter to discover the next red herring or guess at the baddy.
Spoiler alert:
Not really - it's revealed early on: The fact the perpetrator is known throughout, makes this a different kind of thriller - a Colombo among Whodunits, but I found that boring as I was not eager to get to the next chapter to discover the next red herring or guess at the baddy.
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