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Sullivan and Broderick Murder Investigations #4
Killing Rock
The latest brilliant murder mystery novel by acclaimed British actor Robert Daws
A wealthy household massacred in Spain.
Unidentified mummified remains found at the foot of The Rock.
A US Congressman's run for President hangs on events in Gibraltar.
What's the connection?
Detectives Tamara Sullivan and Gus Broderick face the most dangerous and elusive murder investigation of their lives, and for Broderick, it's about to become all too personal, with his career in real peril as his past comes back to haunt him.
Will Sullivan and Broderick's partnership survive this latest case, as killers stalk the narrow streets of Gibraltar?
Killing Rock is the third thrilling novel in the bestselling Sullivan and Broderick crime series from Robert Daws.
A wealthy household massacred in Spain.
Unidentified mummified remains found at the foot of The Rock.
A US Congressman's run for President hangs on events in Gibraltar.
What's the connection?
Detectives Tamara Sullivan and Gus Broderick face the most dangerous and elusive murder investigation of their lives, and for Broderick, it's about to become all too personal, with his career in real peril as his past comes back to haunt him.
Will Sullivan and Broderick's partnership survive this latest case, as killers stalk the narrow streets of Gibraltar?
Killing Rock is the third thrilling novel in the bestselling Sullivan and Broderick crime series from Robert Daws.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2020
About the author
Robert Daws
19 books52 followersAs an actor, Robert Daws has appeared in leading roles in a number of award-winning and long-running British television series, including Jeeves and Wooster, Casualty, The House of Eliott, Outside Edge, Roger Roger, Sword of Honour, Take A Girl Like You, Doc Martin, New Tricks, Midsomer Murders, Rock and Chips, The Royal, Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Poldark.
His recent work for the stage includes the national tours of Michael Frayn’s Alarms and Excursions, and David Harrower’s Blackbird. In the West End, he has recently appeared as Dr John Watson in The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, Geoffrey Hammond in Public Property, Jim Hacker in Yes, Prime Minister and John Betjeman in Summoned by Betjeman.
His many BBC radio performances include Arthur Lowe in Dear Arthur, Love John, Ronnie Barker in Goodnight from Him and Chief Inspector Trueman in Trueman and Riley, the long-running police detective series he co-created with writer Brian B Thompson.
Robert’s second and third Sullivan and Broderick novels – Poisoned Rock and Killing Rock – will be published in September 2016 and early 2017, respectively. His first novella, The Rock, has been optioned and is being developed for television.
His recent work for the stage includes the national tours of Michael Frayn’s Alarms and Excursions, and David Harrower’s Blackbird. In the West End, he has recently appeared as Dr John Watson in The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, Geoffrey Hammond in Public Property, Jim Hacker in Yes, Prime Minister and John Betjeman in Summoned by Betjeman.
His many BBC radio performances include Arthur Lowe in Dear Arthur, Love John, Ronnie Barker in Goodnight from Him and Chief Inspector Trueman in Trueman and Riley, the long-running police detective series he co-created with writer Brian B Thompson.
Robert’s second and third Sullivan and Broderick novels – Poisoned Rock and Killing Rock – will be published in September 2016 and early 2017, respectively. His first novella, The Rock, has been optioned and is being developed for television.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 15, 2021
3.5 stars. Review to come!
September 29, 2020
Killing Rock, book three in the series featuring Detective Sergeant Tamara Sullivan and Chief Inspector Gus Broderick, begins in 2005 as a woman, scared for her life, attempts to flee Spain for Gibraltar.
Fast forward to the present and Tamara, who was seconded to Gibraltar from the Met for three months after being cleared of a charge of professional misconduct, was initially less than impressed with the move. Surprised to find she began to enjoy living and working on the Rock, she was delighted when her superior offered her a permanent job with the proviso she took a months leave as per the RGP’s administrative requirements. As Tamara is due to begin her leave, house sitting in Spain for a former police officer and old friend of Broderick’s, human remains are discovered on a redevelopment site in Gibraltar.
While in Spain Tamara meets Inspector Consuela Danaher, the house owner’s daughter, and and can’t help becoming involved in her investigation, which turns out to more dangerous than either of them were prepared for. Meanwhile in Gibraltar, Broderick’s murder case takes a very unexpected and personal turn.
Having read and enjoyed the first two books, I was invested in this series and Killing Rock is a much anticipated return to a wonderfully atmospheric location and clearly defined, engaging characters. Dialogue and relationships are realistic and in keeping with the story.
The well crafted and perfectly paced storyline alternates between Gibraltar and Spain, areas the author obviously knows well, with intrigue and a twisty plot, action scenes and tension, mystery and murder, all coming together in an ending that I wasn’t expecting at all. The writing is vividly descriptive with a definite sense of place, and Robert Daws keeps up the momentum throughout. Looking forward to book 4.
Fast forward to the present and Tamara, who was seconded to Gibraltar from the Met for three months after being cleared of a charge of professional misconduct, was initially less than impressed with the move. Surprised to find she began to enjoy living and working on the Rock, she was delighted when her superior offered her a permanent job with the proviso she took a months leave as per the RGP’s administrative requirements. As Tamara is due to begin her leave, house sitting in Spain for a former police officer and old friend of Broderick’s, human remains are discovered on a redevelopment site in Gibraltar.
While in Spain Tamara meets Inspector Consuela Danaher, the house owner’s daughter, and and can’t help becoming involved in her investigation, which turns out to more dangerous than either of them were prepared for. Meanwhile in Gibraltar, Broderick’s murder case takes a very unexpected and personal turn.
Having read and enjoyed the first two books, I was invested in this series and Killing Rock is a much anticipated return to a wonderfully atmospheric location and clearly defined, engaging characters. Dialogue and relationships are realistic and in keeping with the story.
The well crafted and perfectly paced storyline alternates between Gibraltar and Spain, areas the author obviously knows well, with intrigue and a twisty plot, action scenes and tension, mystery and murder, all coming together in an ending that I wasn’t expecting at all. The writing is vividly descriptive with a definite sense of place, and Robert Daws keeps up the momentum throughout. Looking forward to book 4.
May 18, 2022
Complicated but satisfying...
Detective Sergeant Tamara Sullivan has decided to make her temporary transfer from London’s Met to the Royal Gibraltar Police permanent, but bureaucracy means that she must have a month’s break between the two jobs. She opts to spend the time looking after a friend’s small ranch across the border in Spain. The friend’s daughter is an Inspector with the Spanish police and the two young women immediately hit it off. So when cases arise in both Gibraltar and Spain, each of which seems to have a cross-border element, Tamara and Consuela find themselves putting their talents together. Meantime, Gus Broderick finds he might be connected to the victim in the Gibraltar case, so for much of the time he has to take a back seat and trust that Tamara will be able to clear his name.
This has a hugely complicated plot, but it all comes together very satisfactorily in the end. Sullivan is very much the lead character in this one and she’s a likeable detective who plays by the rules, is intelligent, occasionally a little reckless but not too much so, and has a healthy social life and good working relationships with her colleagues. She’s developing into one of my favourite contemporary detectives. Broderick too is a professional, and he has the family life that Sullivan hasn’t yet, so between them they give a nicely rounded picture of normal life, and isn’t that refreshing in modern crime fiction! And the Gibraltar setting is great – Daws has been a regular visitor there for many years and clearly knows the place and the culture very well. I find this surviving outpost of the old British Empire fascinating, and in this one we get to see some of the tensions between Gibraltar and Spain, and also how local people work well together across the border, leaving the politicians to do the squabbling.
The Gibraltar case involves the discovery of the body of a woman, long buried beneath what was then a building site. A letter is found in her possession that suggests she knew Gus Broderick long ago, so her death in Gibraltar, far from her own home but close to his, makes him a suspect. His colleagues are never in any doubt of his innocence, but to prove it they must discover why the woman was there and what happened to her. This involves painstaking tracing of all the people who were connected to the building site at the time of her death.
The Spanish case is both more spectacular and far more complicated, and I’m wary of giving any possible spoilers so forgive some vagueness. It begins when three bodies are found drowned in a swimming pool, and it soon becomes clear this is one in a series of similar killings. But the victims don’t appear to be completely random, and it’s up to Consuela, with a good deal of unofficial assistance from Tamara, to find out the connection. The third-person narrative allows the reader access to information before the detectives, so we meet a couple of mysterious characters that we know must be involved in some way, but it’s not till the end that all the different strands come together and make sense. I felt as if I was floundering a bit halfway through and feared it was all going to be too much to pull together credibly, but Daws does a great job of showing how all the different parts are ultimately connected.
This is settling down to be a very good series. It’s not at all cosy, but it avoids a reliance on shock twists, gore and angst-ridden detectives. Swearing is kept to a minimum, professionals behave professionally, plots are complicated and intriguing but also solid and credible. It’s not obsessed with the fashionable and grossly overused subjects of the day – race, gender and identity issues – which is a boon and a blessing to personkind! And the unique setting provides an added level of interest. Each book acts perfectly as a standalone so there’s no particular need to read them in order. I do hope Daws’ acting commitments allow him to keep finding the time to write – he’s as good at each job as the other!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Detective Sergeant Tamara Sullivan has decided to make her temporary transfer from London’s Met to the Royal Gibraltar Police permanent, but bureaucracy means that she must have a month’s break between the two jobs. She opts to spend the time looking after a friend’s small ranch across the border in Spain. The friend’s daughter is an Inspector with the Spanish police and the two young women immediately hit it off. So when cases arise in both Gibraltar and Spain, each of which seems to have a cross-border element, Tamara and Consuela find themselves putting their talents together. Meantime, Gus Broderick finds he might be connected to the victim in the Gibraltar case, so for much of the time he has to take a back seat and trust that Tamara will be able to clear his name.
This has a hugely complicated plot, but it all comes together very satisfactorily in the end. Sullivan is very much the lead character in this one and she’s a likeable detective who plays by the rules, is intelligent, occasionally a little reckless but not too much so, and has a healthy social life and good working relationships with her colleagues. She’s developing into one of my favourite contemporary detectives. Broderick too is a professional, and he has the family life that Sullivan hasn’t yet, so between them they give a nicely rounded picture of normal life, and isn’t that refreshing in modern crime fiction! And the Gibraltar setting is great – Daws has been a regular visitor there for many years and clearly knows the place and the culture very well. I find this surviving outpost of the old British Empire fascinating, and in this one we get to see some of the tensions between Gibraltar and Spain, and also how local people work well together across the border, leaving the politicians to do the squabbling.
The Gibraltar case involves the discovery of the body of a woman, long buried beneath what was then a building site. A letter is found in her possession that suggests she knew Gus Broderick long ago, so her death in Gibraltar, far from her own home but close to his, makes him a suspect. His colleagues are never in any doubt of his innocence, but to prove it they must discover why the woman was there and what happened to her. This involves painstaking tracing of all the people who were connected to the building site at the time of her death.
The Spanish case is both more spectacular and far more complicated, and I’m wary of giving any possible spoilers so forgive some vagueness. It begins when three bodies are found drowned in a swimming pool, and it soon becomes clear this is one in a series of similar killings. But the victims don’t appear to be completely random, and it’s up to Consuela, with a good deal of unofficial assistance from Tamara, to find out the connection. The third-person narrative allows the reader access to information before the detectives, so we meet a couple of mysterious characters that we know must be involved in some way, but it’s not till the end that all the different strands come together and make sense. I felt as if I was floundering a bit halfway through and feared it was all going to be too much to pull together credibly, but Daws does a great job of showing how all the different parts are ultimately connected.
This is settling down to be a very good series. It’s not at all cosy, but it avoids a reliance on shock twists, gore and angst-ridden detectives. Swearing is kept to a minimum, professionals behave professionally, plots are complicated and intriguing but also solid and credible. It’s not obsessed with the fashionable and grossly overused subjects of the day – race, gender and identity issues – which is a boon and a blessing to personkind! And the unique setting provides an added level of interest. Each book acts perfectly as a standalone so there’s no particular need to read them in order. I do hope Daws’ acting commitments allow him to keep finding the time to write – he’s as good at each job as the other!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
July 21, 2021
DS Tamara Sullivan is on leave from her post with the Royal Gibraltar Police force, so she is spending time house-sitting at a villa in Spain. She is pleased to make friends with Consuela Danaher, a successful young Detective Inspector, but soon they both find themselves entangled in a complex murder investigation. Sullivan is surprised to be summoned back to Gibraltar to work on a death from the past. Human remains have been found under a building site and there is a link to the past life of her boss, DCI Gus Broderick.
Meanwhile Consuela has to deal with the horrifying murder of 3 people in the swimming pool of a luxury villa. The two women share their knowledge and when Sullivan is put in danger following a suspect in Spain, a tenuous connection is made between the two cases.
This is the third Rock adventure I have read, and each has proved to be even more thrilling than the last. I especially enjoyed the travels around parts of Spain near to Gibraltar, but it was also fascinating to see the plot unravel in the confined streets of the Rock. I can highly recommend Killing Rock both as a standalone or to those who have read the previous novels in the series.
Meanwhile Consuela has to deal with the horrifying murder of 3 people in the swimming pool of a luxury villa. The two women share their knowledge and when Sullivan is put in danger following a suspect in Spain, a tenuous connection is made between the two cases.
This is the third Rock adventure I have read, and each has proved to be even more thrilling than the last. I especially enjoyed the travels around parts of Spain near to Gibraltar, but it was also fascinating to see the plot unravel in the confined streets of the Rock. I can highly recommend Killing Rock both as a standalone or to those who have read the previous novels in the series.
October 9, 2020
This took a while to come together - I found it slow at first, but the last third was very fast-paced. The very ending was chilling.
July 19, 2020
An absolutely gripping crime thriller
Killing Rock marks a welcome return to Gibraltar as we are reunited with the very likeable Sullivan and Broderick, the leading characters in this brilliant detective series. This third instalment is an extremely well written and cleverly plotted murder mystery. I found it a truly compelling and intriguing storyline. Having read and really enjoyed the first two books in this murder mystery series, Killing Rock has gone a notch further and has absolutely hit the spot for a satisfying crime thriller read. And, what an astonishing ending, definitely didn’t anticipate that...book number 4 is destined to provide an unpredictable spin in it’s next storyline. Although, Killing Rock is part of a series, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. A cracking read with great descriptions of the settings that this enthralling investigation covers. Absolutely enjoyed this new book from Robert Daws, eagerly awaiting the fourth book in the ‘Rock’ series. Highly recommend it.
Killing Rock marks a welcome return to Gibraltar as we are reunited with the very likeable Sullivan and Broderick, the leading characters in this brilliant detective series. This third instalment is an extremely well written and cleverly plotted murder mystery. I found it a truly compelling and intriguing storyline. Having read and really enjoyed the first two books in this murder mystery series, Killing Rock has gone a notch further and has absolutely hit the spot for a satisfying crime thriller read. And, what an astonishing ending, definitely didn’t anticipate that...book number 4 is destined to provide an unpredictable spin in it’s next storyline. Although, Killing Rock is part of a series, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. A cracking read with great descriptions of the settings that this enthralling investigation covers. Absolutely enjoyed this new book from Robert Daws, eagerly awaiting the fourth book in the ‘Rock’ series. Highly recommend it.
September 3, 2020
Worth the wait (for book #3). Good story, interesting characters and scenery.
February 27, 2021
Wow, what a triumph! Robert Daws has guaranteed his place amongst the great crime writers! The plot twists and turns through the vividly portrayed landscape and residents of Gibraltar and south west Spain. His character's are so believable I was left feeling I was there with them. The Sullivan and Broderick Murder Mysteries would make an outstanding series for Netflix or similar, please, please, please! Outstanding!
February 3, 2022
Spellbinding
I have read all three in the series. I can't say enough great things a bout them. They were riviting . I'm hoping that there will be more in the series. They were hard to put down.
I have read all three in the series. I can't say enough great things a bout them. They were riviting . I'm hoping that there will be more in the series. They were hard to put down.
April 28, 2021
Fascinating story
Wow, such a tangled web you built in this book. Love the dominoes analogy at the end. Great read. Thank you
Wow, such a tangled web you built in this book. Love the dominoes analogy at the end. Great read. Thank you
August 26, 2021
A welcome return of Sullivan & Broderick.
Good storytelling and intriguing plot.
Love the characterisations.
Good storytelling and intriguing plot.
Love the characterisations.
July 16, 2020
Welcome to Gibraltar, where there's sun, sea and murder in this compelling, accomplished, outstanding new crime fiction novel. All isn't as peaceful as you may think... There's suspicion, trepidation and danger when mummified remains are discovered; in what is a gripping novel that will leave you wanting more...
Set first in 2005, where there's a woman's life in danger and then 2015, when readers meet D.S Tamara Sullivan and her Chief Inspector - Gus Broderick and Chief Superintendent Harriet Massetti on the backdrop of an idyllic island, find a washed up body. It sets the scene up perfectly for this brand new investigation to begin.
From Gibraltar, to where D.S Tamara Sullivan has been seconded to, she travels to Spain to stay at former MET officer's farmhouse. Robert Daws sets up settings and atmosphere incredibly well within just enough description to capture important moments and then balances this with layers of action that moves the story onwards at an excellent pace.
This is a book of style and substance and a real treat to relax with. There are twists and turns and mystery amongst the backdrop of Gibraltar (a place where Robert Daws familiarity of comes across well), and Spain. There are important topics mentioned about second chances, workplace frustrations and also about being strong and being successful when the odds are stacked against you and getting past certain types of attitudes. There is of course also a gripping investigation to mount and conduct.
There's an intensity in the writing as Rudi Bernard and Izi Janson plunge into a swimming pool and their venture into the water takes an unexpected turn.
With murders and a chase, as well as Sullivan's life in danger, there's some great action and tension within this book, especially when suspicion is aroused within the police force when a mysterious letter with one of the employees handwriting is discovered and "ghosts" of Broderick's past emerge, as well as the history the island have to contend with.
Robert Daws nails the whole different generation holiday desires and FOMO between Penny Broderick and her dad - Gus. I was somewhat impressed!
The book also takes readers to Washington DC and its Congressmen, where there is mystery surrounding Max and Naida. Diary pages from the late 1960's are also found. They are written well, just as anyone would write a diary, with events and feelings etc. These are significant to the story as things take a darker turn and create another layer that weaves in and out certain points of the book.
As events unravel in the police station, there is a totally unexpected conclusion within the epilogue that, certainly left me wanting to read more. Luckily there is another book to come. which I very much look forward to.
Set first in 2005, where there's a woman's life in danger and then 2015, when readers meet D.S Tamara Sullivan and her Chief Inspector - Gus Broderick and Chief Superintendent Harriet Massetti on the backdrop of an idyllic island, find a washed up body. It sets the scene up perfectly for this brand new investigation to begin.
From Gibraltar, to where D.S Tamara Sullivan has been seconded to, she travels to Spain to stay at former MET officer's farmhouse. Robert Daws sets up settings and atmosphere incredibly well within just enough description to capture important moments and then balances this with layers of action that moves the story onwards at an excellent pace.
This is a book of style and substance and a real treat to relax with. There are twists and turns and mystery amongst the backdrop of Gibraltar (a place where Robert Daws familiarity of comes across well), and Spain. There are important topics mentioned about second chances, workplace frustrations and also about being strong and being successful when the odds are stacked against you and getting past certain types of attitudes. There is of course also a gripping investigation to mount and conduct.
There's an intensity in the writing as Rudi Bernard and Izi Janson plunge into a swimming pool and their venture into the water takes an unexpected turn.
With murders and a chase, as well as Sullivan's life in danger, there's some great action and tension within this book, especially when suspicion is aroused within the police force when a mysterious letter with one of the employees handwriting is discovered and "ghosts" of Broderick's past emerge, as well as the history the island have to contend with.
Robert Daws nails the whole different generation holiday desires and FOMO between Penny Broderick and her dad - Gus. I was somewhat impressed!
The book also takes readers to Washington DC and its Congressmen, where there is mystery surrounding Max and Naida. Diary pages from the late 1960's are also found. They are written well, just as anyone would write a diary, with events and feelings etc. These are significant to the story as things take a darker turn and create another layer that weaves in and out certain points of the book.
As events unravel in the police station, there is a totally unexpected conclusion within the epilogue that, certainly left me wanting to read more. Luckily there is another book to come. which I very much look forward to.
July 16, 2020
I have to admit that this is my first book in this series and it read pretty well to me without any problems. The gruesome discovery of a body, that has been a long time dead, triggers off a link to the past that will knock your socks off. The story is not only at a running pace throughout it totally wowed me on an ending that blew me away.
The author certainly has a flare to captivate your attention, with chips of the past being filled in where they count. There is an instant like to DS Tara Sullivan who is like a racehorse raring to become part of the investigation that is spanning both Gibraltar and Marbella. Tara is newly arrived from Britain to begin working with the police force in a month. Seen as a hero to the public, her superiors back home see her as a liability that takes too many chances, hence her new position. When a chance opens for her to help she doesn’t have to be asked twice.
There are a few pretty macabre deaths, totally fascinating, that leave a clear message to a certain group of people who know who they are. The story falls back to a couple of young girls and their introduction to the night club scene. It certainly brought back memories for me. The author really got them both perfect.
The story becomes really personal for one officer’s, whose wife has been missing a number of years. This story just kept giving but in a way that you always feel like you are flowing with it, following every movement and moment in perfect harmony.
Although this is part of a series, this is book 3, the story completely ties all the ends up and all the questions are answered. A brilliant book that I can’t recommend enough!
I wish to thank Rebecca Collins of Hobeck Books for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
The author certainly has a flare to captivate your attention, with chips of the past being filled in where they count. There is an instant like to DS Tara Sullivan who is like a racehorse raring to become part of the investigation that is spanning both Gibraltar and Marbella. Tara is newly arrived from Britain to begin working with the police force in a month. Seen as a hero to the public, her superiors back home see her as a liability that takes too many chances, hence her new position. When a chance opens for her to help she doesn’t have to be asked twice.
There are a few pretty macabre deaths, totally fascinating, that leave a clear message to a certain group of people who know who they are. The story falls back to a couple of young girls and their introduction to the night club scene. It certainly brought back memories for me. The author really got them both perfect.
The story becomes really personal for one officer’s, whose wife has been missing a number of years. This story just kept giving but in a way that you always feel like you are flowing with it, following every movement and moment in perfect harmony.
Although this is part of a series, this is book 3, the story completely ties all the ends up and all the questions are answered. A brilliant book that I can’t recommend enough!
I wish to thank Rebecca Collins of Hobeck Books for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews