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DCI Jamie Carver #5
Death in Mind
"Clever, Twisty, Creepy. Made me so paranoid, I almost stopped answering the phone!"
Five minutes before she killed herself, Sarah Brooke had never had a suicidal thought in her life
A woman steps off the platform into the path of the oncoming train.
On a lonely road at night, a young man steers his sports car into a tree, at speed.
Tragic suicides, clearly. Or are they?
Five minutes before she killed herself, Sarah Brooke had never had a suicidal thought in her life
A woman steps off the platform into the path of the oncoming train.
On a lonely road at night, a young man steers his sports car into a tree, at speed.
Tragic suicides, clearly. Or are they?
When enquiries show neither victim had reason to kill themselves, DCI Jamie Carver faces a conundrum. Can someone be programmed to take their own life? And if so, can they also be programmed to murder?
These are the questions the detective must answer, and quickly, before more die. But how do you do that when the person pulling the strings may also be pulling yours? And how do you stay safe when someone is targeting you for murder, and even they don’t know it?
The fifth book in the DCI Jamie Carver Series, Death In Mind charts new territory as Jamie Carver grapples with the concept of ‘unconscious murder’, and comes up against a killer whose methods are not only unique, but who also knows what the questions will be, before they are even asked. The story delves into the realms of what, to the uninitiated, seems like 'mind control', but which those practised in the skills know is no such thing, layering puzzle on puzzle as Carver and his partner, Jess Greylake, struggle to understand not just what is happening around them, but who is making it happen, and why.
Robert F Barker was born in Liverpool, England. During a thirty-year police career, he worked in and around some of the North West’s grittiest towns and cities. As a senior detective, he led investigations into all kinds of major crime including, murder, armed robbery, serious sex crime and people/drug trafficking. Whilst commanding firearms and disorder incidents, he learned what it means to have to make life-and-death decisions in the heat of live operations. His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns crime-fiction readers love.
"A fantastic page turner with a hugely sinister and disturbing villain at its heart" -Family Reunion
"As exciting and ‘real’ as anything I have read in a police detective novel in a long time" - Family Reunion
"Well written and fast paced.... a great read for crime-thriller fans" - Final Breath
"Loved, loved, LOVED this book! Couldn't put it down. Always left on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next!"(Last Gasp)
"A very well crafted mystery that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat"(Final Breath)
"Jamie Carver is a mix of genius... and emotional wreck!" - Out Of Air
"So compelling and well written that I can't wait to read the next in the series" (Final Breath)
"Brilliant rounding off of a stunning trilogy" (Out Of Air)
“Wish I could give this book ten stars. Had me hooked right from the start.” (Midnight’s Door)
"My preference for fiction is procedural crime thrillers... and I can say that these are the very best example of the genre that I have ever come across.
468 pages, ebook
First published October 22, 2019
198 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Robert F. Barker
14 books61 followersRobert F Barker was born in Liverpool, England. During a thirty-year police career, he worked in and around some of the Northwest UK’s grittiest towns and cities. As a senior detective, he led investigations into all kinds of major crime including, murder, armed robbery, serious sex crime and people/drug trafficking. Whilst commanding firearms and disorder incidents, he learned what it means to have to make life-and-death decisions in the heat of live operations.
His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns crime-fiction readers love.
His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns crime-fiction readers love.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
dropped
November 28, 2023DNF @ 23%, Carver's work partner's Behavior it made me so angry that I'm dropping this book. Also, there are so many different povs
December 12, 2019
Gritty, realistic...
The absorption in this entry in the series, echoed that of Carver, as he determines to prove the villain is nothing but murderous, greedy sociopath. Yeah, he's smart, resourceful, clever...but Carver is more than up to the task. Once the method is understood, appreciated, Carver's learning curve increases quickly. And that is not a bad thing, except for the culprit. I appreciate the level of competence Mr Barker brings to his writing. His law enforcement craftsmanship AND his capabilities as a writer. Well done, sir!
The absorption in this entry in the series, echoed that of Carver, as he determines to prove the villain is nothing but murderous, greedy sociopath. Yeah, he's smart, resourceful, clever...but Carver is more than up to the task. Once the method is understood, appreciated, Carver's learning curve increases quickly. And that is not a bad thing, except for the culprit. I appreciate the level of competence Mr Barker brings to his writing. His law enforcement craftsmanship AND his capabilities as a writer. Well done, sir!
August 25, 2020
Amazing
Having just finished this fantastic read, I am totally blown away. This book is absolutely amazing. The topic of mind manipulation has always been fascinating to me, so when I realised that this was the main subject of this book, I knew I would most definitely enjoy it. So far, this has most certainly been the best in this series and quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read.
I was totally engrossed by it from the start, and with the most frustrating of twists and turns – the ones where you just think that Jamie Carver has finally caught and locked up the criminal, so something else comes along to blow it all away and he finds himself playing catch-up once more – I found it hard to put down. The story started out with devastation over losing one court case against a hardened criminal they had been working diligently to put away. We move on to a total mystery, with two unexplained deaths which, despite appearances to the contrary, Jess Greylake is determined are suspicious and need investigating. From there on, things just start to get more mysterious and, quite frankly, weird. I found myself become so involved with what was going on that I felt I was part of the story. The way Mr Barker’s mind works is incredible as he is constantly surprising me with his plots are original and very devious.
The fast paced ending reached a conclusion which left quite a bit to the imagination – although from previous experience I get the feeling that we are not completely finished, there is certainly more to come, along with an intriguing introduction to the next book in the series, which I am most definitely looking forward to.
Having just finished this fantastic read, I am totally blown away. This book is absolutely amazing. The topic of mind manipulation has always been fascinating to me, so when I realised that this was the main subject of this book, I knew I would most definitely enjoy it. So far, this has most certainly been the best in this series and quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read.
I was totally engrossed by it from the start, and with the most frustrating of twists and turns – the ones where you just think that Jamie Carver has finally caught and locked up the criminal, so something else comes along to blow it all away and he finds himself playing catch-up once more – I found it hard to put down. The story started out with devastation over losing one court case against a hardened criminal they had been working diligently to put away. We move on to a total mystery, with two unexplained deaths which, despite appearances to the contrary, Jess Greylake is determined are suspicious and need investigating. From there on, things just start to get more mysterious and, quite frankly, weird. I found myself become so involved with what was going on that I felt I was part of the story. The way Mr Barker’s mind works is incredible as he is constantly surprising me with his plots are original and very devious.
The fast paced ending reached a conclusion which left quite a bit to the imagination – although from previous experience I get the feeling that we are not completely finished, there is certainly more to come, along with an intriguing introduction to the next book in the series, which I am most definitely looking forward to.
November 22, 2019
A creepy and really quite terrifying idea..
A series of seemingly random suicides come to the attention of Jamie and Jess when bank employee Sarah Brooke commits what appears to be suicide and her nerdy, young stalker, Wayne, hands over a series of photographs he took just before it happened. What made her expression change from happy contentment to bleak despair in the final minute before she threw herself under a train? Who is the mysterious older man hidden under hat and long coat standing by reading his paper and why was he not called to appear at the enquiry?
When Lewis Draycott, IT specialist, runs his new top of the range Porsche off the road and into a tree dying in the process no one would think to link the two. The routine checks banks automatically carry out following a suspicious death shed light on both a potential motive and a deeply hidden link between Sarah and Lewis.. will Jamie and Jess be able to find the missing links and prevent any further deaths?
Another page turner from Robert Barker that I couldn't put down.. it really is quite a terrifying idea!! His novels carry a realism that's missing from most in the genre.. I just want more..
A series of seemingly random suicides come to the attention of Jamie and Jess when bank employee Sarah Brooke commits what appears to be suicide and her nerdy, young stalker, Wayne, hands over a series of photographs he took just before it happened. What made her expression change from happy contentment to bleak despair in the final minute before she threw herself under a train? Who is the mysterious older man hidden under hat and long coat standing by reading his paper and why was he not called to appear at the enquiry?
When Lewis Draycott, IT specialist, runs his new top of the range Porsche off the road and into a tree dying in the process no one would think to link the two. The routine checks banks automatically carry out following a suspicious death shed light on both a potential motive and a deeply hidden link between Sarah and Lewis.. will Jamie and Jess be able to find the missing links and prevent any further deaths?
Another page turner from Robert Barker that I couldn't put down.. it really is quite a terrifying idea!! His novels carry a realism that's missing from most in the genre.. I just want more..
August 19, 2023
FABULOUS READ!!!! Really enjoyed this psychotic read. Realistic, sure!
The killer is a real fiend. The psychological mind control he engaged in is SCARY; reality without actual awareness! What IF someone were using these same skills; just hasn't caught the attention of the justice system. Perhaps, matching similar occurances hasn't been considered because like the plot each death has been different from the last, no two alike. Catching the attention of a concerned citizen -- how to go about explaining the subliminal theories, is the question. PottsvillePA_08192023.
The killer is a real fiend. The psychological mind control he engaged in is SCARY; reality without actual awareness! What IF someone were using these same skills; just hasn't caught the attention of the justice system. Perhaps, matching similar occurances hasn't been considered because like the plot each death has been different from the last, no two alike. Catching the attention of a concerned citizen -- how to go about explaining the subliminal theories, is the question. PottsvillePA_08192023.
November 7, 2019
Brilliant reading
Kept my interest all the way through. I couldn't wait to turn the next x
page to see what was happening. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what will happen about the dominatrix
.
Kept my interest all the way through. I couldn't wait to turn the next x
page to see what was happening. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what will happen about the dominatrix
.
March 19, 2020
Fabulous
This series is so gripping and addictive, I just can't put it down. This book is another fabulous thriller that has lots of twists and turns and is wrote so cleverly. It's a must read
This series is so gripping and addictive, I just can't put it down. This book is another fabulous thriller that has lots of twists and turns and is wrote so cleverly. It's a must read
May 9, 2020
A page turner!
So enjoyed this book....Get into Jamie..follow his character...brilliantly written....sub plots full nicely into place...Jamie goes the culprit but proving it !!!
And all the time the niggling presence of Ms Crane.
So enjoyed this book....Get into Jamie..follow his character...brilliantly written....sub plots full nicely into place...Jamie goes the culprit but proving it !!!
And all the time the niggling presence of Ms Crane.
January 9, 2021
So relieved there's another book in this most awesome of series!
October 15, 2022
3.75 / 5
September 11, 2023
excellent as usual
I have not been disappointed with any off the books in this series. All have been fast paced, gripping and a darn good yarn. I have absolutely loved them!
I have not been disappointed with any off the books in this series. All have been fast paced, gripping and a darn good yarn. I have absolutely loved them!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews