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A ritualistic murder. An autistic child who saw more than he knows. Can one detective solve the riddle before a ruthless killer strikes again?

Detective Cal Rogan is down to his last shot. His supervising officer has him on probation and he’s determined to prove he’s cleaned up his act. But his return to the department may be enough to drive him back to the lure of heroin when he sees the crime scene of a child’s grisly murder.

On the search for clues, he starts to suspect the young victim’s death is only a small piece of a bloody conspiracy steeped in ritual. Before long, he finds himself swept into the strange world of a religious cult. Between the zealous believers and closely guarded secrets, his best chance at solving the case may come from a single word uttered by an autistic boy.

With his colleagues turned against him, can Rogan solve the puzzle and catch a child-killer before he claims his next victim?

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 22, 2013

45 people are currently reading
95 people want to read

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Robert P. French

10 books61 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,824 reviews13.1k followers
January 5, 2020
Returning for more of Robert P. French’s crime thrillers, I was again treated to a well-paced novel that placed Cal Rogan in the driver’s seat, unsure where things would take him. Having been reinstates with the Vancouver Police Department, Rogan is called to work the scene of a missing boy, Terry Wright. While scouring in the woods, Terry is located, with many odd markings on his body and face. Rogan and his partner pass along the gruesome news to his parents, discovering that the boy is autistic. It’s now time to await the autopsy, hoping it might shed some light on the murderer. Rogan is sent to look into a hit and run, which turns out to be a targeted attack. Both the victim and the Terry’s mother attend a church with strong ties to spiritual symbolism. Rogan wonders if the markings on Terry Wright might be attributed to the church, though the idea is soon dismissed. However, something has him wondering even more when Terry’s fellow autistic friend begins talking about “oboe is blood”, a hex if Rogan has ever heard one. Working some leads, Rogan is making progress but is soon kidnapped and fed heroin against his will, sure to spoil his random drug tests. When Rogan is able to escape, he puts some pressure on those within the church, thinking that this might be his best lead. The hex is soon explained, though, and things take a turn in another direction. Might there be a business angle here, with a massive payout at the end? Rogan’s time with the Vancouver PD could be coming to an end when his urine test comes back dirty and no one is ready to listen to him. With two victims and no line on a killer, Rogan continues his work, which is only stymied more when his ex-wife goes missing and his daughter’s life is threatened. Rogan has nothing and everything to lose at the same time, in a case that has more twists with every passing hour. A wonderful follow-up novel that keeps the reader guessing until the very end, French shows that he was not a flash in the pan. Recommended to those who love a great crime thriller, as well as the reader who needs a dose of Canadiana.

I always love a book set in my native Canada, as it allows me to feel closer to the action. French begins in the opening chapter and does not let up throughout, keeping the narrative moving at a break-neck pace. Cal Rogan is back for another story, this time working on the right side of the law with goals of reuniting his family. While he will never be able to shake the ‘addict’ label, he has been trying to make a name for himself and stay on the straight and narrow. As French explores mid-way through the piece, while the desire for heroin never ceases, Rogan knows it is beast best left caged. Struggles ensued though Rogan is not yet prepared to toss it all away. His grit and determination help show that he is dedicated to the job, even if those around him are trying to push him out again. The handful of other central characters add both to Rogan’s own personality and the larger narrative. Some returning faces offer more flavour to Rogan and develop a backstory and character development series fans will surely enjoy. The story moves at such a pace that there is little time to take a breath and the mystery only gets better the more twists present themselves. The reader will likely binge the book in one day, as I did, or stay up late to try to find the clues that lead to the final reveal. This was one of those series that appeared out of nowhere for me and I am fully dedicated to finish it before moving onto much else.

Kudos, Mr. French, for keeping me enthralled. I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for readers!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews501 followers
February 27, 2020
4.5 stars. Oh boy, that was a twisty tale for sure. Reading this was like trying to walk on quicksand, and that that Rogan - he’s a BAD boy. This book had everything - a dead child with strange mutilations on his body, a strange religious cult, possible police corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, and people being killed all over the place.

Cal is back in the Vancouver police after being re-instated following his withdrawal from heroin. He’s on probation though and working with detective Stammo, not his favourite person. They are called to investigate the murder of a child, a 10 year old boy who has been strangely mutilated. Could this be some sort of satanic ritual? The parents react a bit strangely. The boy was autistic and his mother is a member of a strange religious cult. On the next day a woman is killed in a hit-run accident. She was also a member of the same church/cult. Curious. But Rogan goes off on his tangents. The evidence for these crimes points all over the place and no one can pin anything down. The boy’s mother, Elizabeth, is a strange one indeed and sets out to seduce Cal. Actually I never quite ‘got’ her character, she seemed bizarre, almost schizophrenic.

But as the death toll rises and there is an attempted kidnap of another autistic boy whose mother also knows about this church, and Stammo is injured trying to apprehend the would-be kidnappers, the plot gets murkier and murkier. Someone is trying to shut down the investigation and shut up Cal Rogan. It got very exciting towards the end. After two books, I’m all in. This is a stunning series, the action is non-stop and the ending will leave you breathless.
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews497 followers
May 31, 2019
The second book in the 'Cal Rogan' series packs more punch than the first!! A very entertaining read that pulls you into the book immediately and does not let go through the action, intrigue, and decimation of the police force Cal loves! I thoroughly enjoy this author's writing and am on to the third book,'Lockstep' right Now!!!
Profile Image for Robert P..
Author 10 books61 followers
June 28, 2013
I really shouldn't review Oboe because... well... I wrote it. I just wanted to add it to goodreads.
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,648 reviews64 followers
July 23, 2020
Robert P French – Cal Rogan Mysteries Boxset 1-3 – Reviewed 7/21/20 – Read 6/16-19/20 7/14-15/20

When you hit bottom the only way to go is up! Family is the lifeline!

When Cal Rogan arrived at Kevin’s today and rang the doorbell, there was no answer… looking through the window Cal cannot see anyone, he tries again and still no answer. He turns to leave as he cannot let his daughter down; it hurts because he smells so bad. Walking away he hears Kevin. Thankful that he is there he turns and hurries inside because he is running late, and he just cannot do that. Rushing through his shower and dressing he is almost ready to leave when Kevin tells him that he needs his help. Cal looks at the time and he knows that he must leave now, or he will not get to the bus stop on time. He tells Kevin that they can talk when he comes back!

Cal has hit bottom, losing his job (which he loved), his wife (the woman he loves), and his daughter (his reason for living). The only person that had helped and stood by him since he lost everything due to his drug addiction was his best friend, Kevin. The one good thing in his life has been knowing that he could come to Kevin’s, shower, and change to nice clothes so that he can visit his daughter, Ell. Now he finds his best friend dead, the VPD ruled it a suicide, but Cal knows better. He knows that there is no way that Kevin would do this to himself. After the VPD leaves, Cal decides that he must solve this case, and he knows that he needs to get clean.

And now the story begins….

This boxset contains: Junkie, Oboe and Lockstep in the Cal Rogan Mystery Series

What did I like? Gee, Cal Rogan came into my life and my heart just broke! I know that life is tough, and there are people out there that once they start drugs they cannot stop unless they find the motivation to do it on their own. I read all three of these books and just wanted to be there for him. To help, to give him that drive, to keep him clean, and give back the life and loves that he truly deserves. Now on the other hand, if I did that then I would lose the most important thing, what happened to him is the reason for the books. We need for him to go through hell so that he will come back and visit us again and again!

What will you like? This is a nonstop incredible action-packed, gripping, captivating, interesting, thought-provoking, heartbreaking emotions, and ingenious plots. Those are just a few of the adjectives that apply to these books. They are all beautifully written and edited! The characters are amazing, and so unique but have the feel of the guy next door! Robert’s style using the POV is marvelous, he has done an excellent job of taking hold of you from book one and not letting go of you till the last page turns in book three. The details and descriptions are so creative that you feel the fear, and the desperate search for the answers, in addition to the bullets, and despair! Join Cal as he works to put his life back together and continues to fight the monkey on his back that never stops screaming. An excellent read for everyone! We have lots to look forward to as Robert has finished three more in this series book 4 “Three”, book 5 “Cabal”, plus Book 6 will be released on August 13th.

Note: I will be featuring Robert on my site for August, drop-in, and learn more about this awesome author!

• File Size: 3365 KB
• Print Length: 1002 pages
• Publisher: Robert P. French (October 21, 2018)
• Publication Date: October 21, 2018
• ASIN: B07JMHCK67
• Genre: Noir Crime, Mystery Anthologies, Hard-boiled Mysteries
Profile Image for Judith Baxter.
198 reviews19 followers
December 6, 2018
This is book No 2 in the Cal Rogan series. Did you read my review of Junkie?

Well, having solved the murder of his best friend, Kevin, Cal/Rocky Rogan is once again part of the Vancouver Police Department, but on 3-month probation with his supervising officer being Nick Stammo, a detective with whom he has never got on.

They are called to a scene where the body of a child is found, brutally murdered and with signs on his face and body that make both long term homicide detectives cringe.

The child is autistic and is known to have been uttering the word “Oboe” but what does it mean? They talk to his best friend, another autistic child who utters the same word. but telling them it is a secret.

Rogan and Stammo find themselves involved in a world of religious cult and they fear that the death is part of a ritual.

Along the way, Stammo is severely injured and condemned to living his life in a wheelchair. Working together, they form a bond and uncover a clever way of laundering money and a tie to a person high up in the police hierarchy.

And through it all, Rogan is fighting “The Beast” as he calls his heroin addiction. Can he overcome his need and keep his promises to his ex-wife and daughter?

Added to this is the bad feeling emanating from his colleagues at his reinstatement. Can he deal with this and find the answers to this mystery?

My response to that question is, buy the book. In fact, buy both the books – Junkie and Oboe. You won’t be disappointed.

Note – I received copies of the books from the author. I enjoyed them both and choose to write the reviews.
Profile Image for MelMon Sanchez.
587 reviews8 followers
October 6, 2018
High speed action

Cal "Rocky" Rogan is back in the saddle. Life is finally starting to fall back into place, even after such a daunting fall. It's safe to assume that there are some at the Vancover Police Department that are not to happy about his reinstatement. Detective Rogan is determined to push through and stay in track.

This new case that comes in is anyones worst nightmare, the kind of case that will forever haunt a person. When the body of Terry Wright is discovered Cal is determined to find the killer. Even with Detective Nick Stammos on his back, this case seems to have allowed for some unexpected emotions. Finally they can see eye to eye on something.

As the case unfolds, it seems that there are too many connections to another case that come up to be more than coincidence. It's hard enough for Rogan to determine who is friend and who is foe when he is kidnapped and the Beast is unleashed. Cal "Rocky" Rogan is fighting for more than his life and his job. He's fighting for his family, his sanity and to earn his respect back at the VPD.

A great read. I was hooked on Junkie and it's only fitting that I would venture to follow Cal Rogan's progress. Oboe did not disappoint with the suspense and action. The one downfall for me were the editing issues that I caught.
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,712 reviews11 followers
November 11, 2018
Book #2 is the series. Excellently done! You do not need to have read the first book. Cal Rogan is a detective for the Vancouver PD. He is also a heroin addict. This book starts with him being back with the department after being in rehab. Not everyone is please to have a junkie working with them. Cal gets a case where an autistic boy gets murdered and mutilated. He was repeating a series of letters and numbers that seem like gibberish. The next day, the wife of a bank executive is killed by a hit and run on her way to a weird church. One of the paintings in that church shows a mutilation that is just like that on the young boy. Lots of twists and turns to keep the action going. Rogan is fighting his own demons as he tries to make amends to his ex-wife and daughter. Part of the problem is, some of the dirt might be coming from within the department.
Profile Image for Gina.
6 reviews
September 20, 2018
Finally, a new author who captivates you! Robert P. French is an author you will want to read and follow. He has created a protagonist you will love to hate, but can't. I suggest reading Junkie first, as it sets the stage for OBOE, and any future books in the series. If you love Jack Reacher and Harry Bosch, you will love Cal Rogan! An imperfect Detective who is struggling with heroin addiction, keeping his job, wife, child, and friends. In OBOE, Cal continues to fight his demons while solving crimes and trying to piece his life back together. I can't wait for the release of the next book in the series!! I have become addicted to Cal Rogan, no pun intended. I do not like spoilers, therefore I do not write any in my reviews.
Profile Image for Habit_of_book_reading.
248 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2022
I first started this series as yet another mystery series without knowing if I will like it or not. But OMG the first 2 books are so interesting that I am now invested to see what mystery awaits Cal/Rocky in the next book and definitely wants him to be back with Sam and Ellie. And coming to this book, it starts with a huge time jump from the first book leaving his rehab and his efforts to join the department silent, except for the few lines here and there. Yet another book finished at the edge of my chair thinking who it will be, who it will be and waiting for the final big reveal and this time the reveal kept on coming until the last chapter unlike the first one. Definitely recommended and wanted to see how this will proceed now that I think Cal leaves the police department.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Becky.
332 reviews33 followers
September 23, 2018
Cal Rogan is such an amazing character. I said it in the first review and I’m saying it again. You just can’t not love the guy.

I think Oboe was a little more complex that Junkie. There was more at play, with several crimes that needed solved, and no clear way to link them. Some repeat characters made appearances but lots of new characters were in this one, though not too many that you were overwhelmed or couldn’t keep track of who was who.

I’m still rooting for Cal and Sam and I even rooted for Stammo in this book. He wasn’t quite as much of a jerk in this one.

You NEED to read this book series.
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,002 reviews22 followers
November 17, 2018
Nonstop heart pounding

As I read Oboe I kept looking over my shoulder to see if I was about to be kidnapped or killed, it was so intense! Robert French doesn't write a story as much as he draws you in to his drama. A hero cop junkie? Not likely but yes, I love Cal's determination and his pursuit of justice. There were a few times I screamed at him to make a different decision but he didnt listen. It all turns out and I love the ending! I'm hooked after the first two books in this series!
Profile Image for Gayle Siebert.
Author 21 books18 followers
August 6, 2018
Mr. French has succeeded in creating a protagonist who is almost fatally flawed, and presenting him in such a way as to make him lovable. I liked Cal Rogan a great deal in "Junkie", so I was pleased when "Oboe" became available. Now I think I'm in love!

The writing is top notch, the plot twists unforeseeable, and the denouement is satisfying. I'm anxiously awaiting the third book in the series.
Profile Image for Nicola Price.
23 reviews4 followers
May 13, 2019
What a brilliant follow up to Junkie. Cal’s life is full of ups and down and the plot is full of twists and turns. I really like the main character as he is “different”. Loved the book and cannot wait to start the next in the series. If you have not read any of the Cal Rogan books you do not know what you have been missing!
Profile Image for Cheryl Carmoega.
121 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2018
Another great book!

Great story, twist and turns very effective. This author has the ability to draw you into the story and into the characters. A must read, start with Junkie and then don't miss this one. Oboe is one you don't want to miss!!!
Profile Image for Jim Pyke.
2 reviews
November 1, 2018
As I move through this series I am intrigued with finding out more of the background of Cal and his family. Again this book is very readable and I finished it, with the aid of coffee in one sitting. I look forward to new adventures in the coming book.
Profile Image for Ray Caisley.
14 reviews
June 17, 2020
Enjoyable read.

Second book in the series (was unable to leave a review for the first one for some reason) Very enjoyable read with good characters. Lots of twists to throw you off the scent. Ready for book three now!
1 review
October 9, 2019
I have just finish reading junkie omg it was amazing somedays i couldn't put my phone down
Holding my breath wanting and waiting to see what happens
Can't wait to start Oboe part two
320 reviews3 followers
August 31, 2020
Loved it
Lots of twists and turns
17 reviews
September 21, 2021
What a twist

You think it is one person
Then another. Some characters are easily to peg. But the end is a twist
Really enjoyed this book
84 reviews
October 29, 2021
Another winner

Second book in series. Great plot , twists, sharp dialogue. Fun to read anxious to get started on next in series
781 reviews10 followers
February 27, 2022
Grabs your attention

Another great story with humor and unexpected twists that is gripping and will keep you glued to the end and wanting more.
Profile Image for Marilou George.
186 reviews53 followers
June 18, 2015
Robert French delivers ‘Oboe (Cal Rogan Mysteries Book 2)’ with intensity, drama and a keen attention to detail. Cal Rogan is back from the depths of addiction and ready to claim his life. He has been re-instated as a Detective in the Homicide Unit of the Vancouver Police Department. He is on a probationary period under the supervision of Detective Stammo. The fact that he and Stammo have a history makes this quite a peculiar pairing. He is determined to work hard, get through the probationary period and most important get his family back.

His first case back on the job is the ritualistic murder of a 10 year old autistic boy. This case has a tremendous impact on Rogan since he has a 10 year old daughter of his own. As the investigation opens, he is confronted with disturbing religious rituals, the world of drugs and gains knowledgeable understanding of autism.

Cal “Rocky” Rogan is a well-defined, a very likeable and vulnerable character. The Author has a writing style that makes you feel connected to the characters on many different levels. Detective Stammo is a character who plays an important part in this story; we are privy to his vulnerable side as well as his tough guy exterior. The remaining characters are an integral part of the story and presented in a fashion that is essential to the congruity of the story.

This story captivated me from the start, and took me on a gripping and mysterious journey. The characters and places, as described by the Author, felt realistic, dramatic and sometimes frightening. The writing is fast paced with great attention to detail and keeps you totally engaged.

I highly recommend this book, Oboe is an excellent read!
2 reviews
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February 23, 2019
This is the second Cal Rogers book. Cal is back in the police department but his time there does not run smoothly as he is not exactly welcomed back with open arms. He soon becomes embroiled in a complicated murder investigation. As in the first book Cal again has to balance right and wrong in his personal life and often doesn't make the best decisions for himself.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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