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Cal Rogan Mysteries #1
Junkie
How do you hunt down your best friend's killer when you're a drug-addicted ex-cop living on the streets?
Cal Rogan has reached rock bottom. Once a rising-star detective, he has one friend left from his old life. When he finds him dead, his former colleagues rule it a suicide. Cal is determined to prove them wrong and sets himself on a chilling path he never could have imagined.If you like heroes who struggle with their demons, gritty urban police detectives, and clues you won't see coming, get Robert P. French's compelling debut novel and follow Cal's wild ride from the drug infested streets through the worlds of drug gangs, big business and the super-rich to its stunning conclusion. Junkie will keep you guessing to the very last page.
Cal Rogan has reached rock bottom. Once a rising-star detective, he has one friend left from his old life. When he finds him dead, his former colleagues rule it a suicide. Cal is determined to prove them wrong and sets himself on a chilling path he never could have imagined.If you like heroes who struggle with their demons, gritty urban police detectives, and clues you won't see coming, get Robert P. French's compelling debut novel and follow Cal's wild ride from the drug infested streets through the worlds of drug gangs, big business and the super-rich to its stunning conclusion. Junkie will keep you guessing to the very last page.
554 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2011
116 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
January 8, 2020
Having come across Robert P. French and his Cal Rogan mysteries, I could not help but pick up the series debut to see if it might be something I would enjoy. I surely did and found myself pulled into a case from the opening pages, not wanting things to end. Cal Rogan is a former detective with the Vancouver Police Department who has fallen into a deep hole. A heroin addict, Rogan lost everything, including his work and family, and is now living on the streets. During his moments of clarity, he cannot help but think of his daughter, who makes him want to shake the drugs, as difficult as that might be. When Rogan returns from a visit with his daughter, he discovers his best friend dead of a knife wound to the stomach. When he calls the authorities, Rogan learns from his former colleagues that it is likely a suicide. However, Rogan refuses to believe that a man doing so well in the pharmaceutical industry would toss it all away. Rogan begins his own investigation and discovers some interesting things, which might help build a case for something more than suicide. Rogan will not back down and finds himself enmeshed with big business and very powerful men who will do whatever it takes to silence those wishing to open too many doors. With Rogan refusing to back down, something has to give, but it will take more than a junkie’s word to sway the police to take any formal action. A stunning debut that presents the reader with a handful of very emotional scenes throughout. Recommended to those who love deep and thought-provoking thrillers, as well as the reader who loves some good Canadian fiction.
I always love a good book (or series) set in Canada, in which the story comes off the page. It is almost as though I am there, roaming the streets and seeing what makes the city tick. While the book started off a little slow and scattered for me, French found his rhythm and soon I could not wait to learn more about the characters and how things progressed in the alleys of Vancouver. Cal Rogan finds himself in the middle of the narrative from the start and his character develops effectively from there. A man who threw it all away and let his addiction subsume him, Rogan knows he will not be able to do it alone, yet he still tries to hold onto some of his dignity. He values his daughter more than anything and has tried to shield her from his lifestyle, while juggling parenting as best he can with his ex-wife. He loves them both, but knows that he is not in a position to be around with any regularity. While the heroin may cloud it, Rogan still has the cop running through his veins and when he feels his friend has been murdered, he will stop at nothing to find out if there is any truth to this. Gritty and determined, I cannot wait to see what comes of Cal Rogan in subsequent novels. Robert P. French has created a powerful collection of supporting characters in his novel that depict Vancouver’s seedier side with some grace, while also showing the span of socio-economic situations. Each character does well to define their role in the larger story and rides the twists in the narrative to flavour the plot. The story was great, pulling Cal Rogan from the ashes of his life and showing that he can still play an effective role in helping crack this case wide open. Many emotions will run through the reader as the story takes many twists and leaps. I can only hope there is more of this, as French delivers so effectively with his writing. Propelling the story forward with easy to comprehend writing and strong dialogue, French keeps the reader guessing and wanting more with every page flip.
Kudos, Mr. French, for a stunning debut novel. I am pleased to have an entire series here to enjoy!
This book fulfils Topic #5: New to the Game in the Equinox #9 Reading Challenge
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/...
I always love a good book (or series) set in Canada, in which the story comes off the page. It is almost as though I am there, roaming the streets and seeing what makes the city tick. While the book started off a little slow and scattered for me, French found his rhythm and soon I could not wait to learn more about the characters and how things progressed in the alleys of Vancouver. Cal Rogan finds himself in the middle of the narrative from the start and his character develops effectively from there. A man who threw it all away and let his addiction subsume him, Rogan knows he will not be able to do it alone, yet he still tries to hold onto some of his dignity. He values his daughter more than anything and has tried to shield her from his lifestyle, while juggling parenting as best he can with his ex-wife. He loves them both, but knows that he is not in a position to be around with any regularity. While the heroin may cloud it, Rogan still has the cop running through his veins and when he feels his friend has been murdered, he will stop at nothing to find out if there is any truth to this. Gritty and determined, I cannot wait to see what comes of Cal Rogan in subsequent novels. Robert P. French has created a powerful collection of supporting characters in his novel that depict Vancouver’s seedier side with some grace, while also showing the span of socio-economic situations. Each character does well to define their role in the larger story and rides the twists in the narrative to flavour the plot. The story was great, pulling Cal Rogan from the ashes of his life and showing that he can still play an effective role in helping crack this case wide open. Many emotions will run through the reader as the story takes many twists and leaps. I can only hope there is more of this, as French delivers so effectively with his writing. Propelling the story forward with easy to comprehend writing and strong dialogue, French keeps the reader guessing and wanting more with every page flip.
Kudos, Mr. French, for a stunning debut novel. I am pleased to have an entire series here to enjoy!
This book fulfils Topic #5: New to the Game in the Equinox #9 Reading Challenge
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/...
May 23, 2019
WOW...Just Wow..An amazing story that had all my emotions explode,crying, laughing,hoping for the best...Cal Rogan was a police detective, doing a great job and making a name for himself until a stupid bet when drunk starts him with heroin. He quickly needs the drug to keep going, losing his job, wife and child, relegated to the streets with other addicts. But this story shows everyone that the junkies, alcoholics and addicts are still people,people who feel things you and I do, have different social groups, and most have lost more than anyone could ever understand. This author digs deep inside the lives of these folks, as Cal, who still has the mind of a cop,finds himself involved when his best friend is found dead, by Cal himself!!
What a great series start, you can bet I am going to continue reading Cal's adventures! Cal uses his cop instincts, believing that his friend Kevin was murdered, that he would never commit suicide as the coroner has labeled the death. He is determined to find out Who killed his friend, at the same time he is trying to get clean to have more access to his young daughter. All characters are very well developed, you feel the anxiety in the gritty alleys as Cal roams the streets, and the plot is is exciting enough to keep your interest from start to finish!! A fantastic adventure that has me itching for more!!
What a great series start, you can bet I am going to continue reading Cal's adventures! Cal uses his cop instincts, believing that his friend Kevin was murdered, that he would never commit suicide as the coroner has labeled the death. He is determined to find out Who killed his friend, at the same time he is trying to get clean to have more access to his young daughter. All characters are very well developed, you feel the anxiety in the gritty alleys as Cal roams the streets, and the plot is is exciting enough to keep your interest from start to finish!! A fantastic adventure that has me itching for more!!
July 12, 2018
It's awesome to discover a new author whose writing can totally captivate you when you begin one of his novels.
"Junkie" by Robert P. French is the first book in his "Cal Rogan Mysteries" series. With the many twists and turns provided I was enthralled with the story from page one to the very end.
Ex-cop Cal Rogan is a heroin addict. On one of his supervised visits, with his 7 yr old daughter Ellie, she asks him if he is a Junkie. His ex-wife then gives him an ultimatum to clean up his act for good or never be allowed to see Ellie again. At the same time, Cal's best friend is found dead. The police believe it to be a suicide but Cal is determined to find out what really happened, even risking losing Ellie by putting off detox and rehab once again.
A unique and riveting novel with many quirky characters.
I look forward to the next book in the "Cal Rogan Mysteries" series.
"Junkie" by Robert P. French is the first book in his "Cal Rogan Mysteries" series. With the many twists and turns provided I was enthralled with the story from page one to the very end.
Ex-cop Cal Rogan is a heroin addict. On one of his supervised visits, with his 7 yr old daughter Ellie, she asks him if he is a Junkie. His ex-wife then gives him an ultimatum to clean up his act for good or never be allowed to see Ellie again. At the same time, Cal's best friend is found dead. The police believe it to be a suicide but Cal is determined to find out what really happened, even risking losing Ellie by putting off detox and rehab once again.
A unique and riveting novel with many quirky characters.
I look forward to the next book in the "Cal Rogan Mysteries" series.
February 17, 2020
I... Gosh - I really don’t know how to describe or rate this, even after letting it percolate in my brain for a day. Veeery brief summary - Cal Rogan is a heroin addict who used to be a cop. He lost his job, his wife and daughter but, although he lives on the streets, he has some mates and tries to retain some dignity. One day his best friend is killed. The cops reckon it was suicide. Cal disagrees and reckons if he can solve this case and get off the junk he may, just may be able to return to the force. Chasing his friend’s murderer opens a can of worms. A real big can of very fat worms. Cal is on the run for his life. Simple plot right? Wrong.
Okay, there was a bit of repetition in the narrative which was told from multiple viewpoints. You got the same information from a few people. But the rest of it was so darn twisty. It was a complicated plot told in a less than simple way and it required quite a lot of concentration. But, oh boy, it was a roller coaster. No, that’s not quite right. A roller coaster goes up as well as down. Poor Cal‘s life just spiralled on down. He dug himself deeper and deeper into trouble. It was hectic, frenetic even and hellishly compulsive reading and never boring. I found the descriptions of life as a drug addict, well I wouldn’t know how accurate they are, but they were interesting and sometimes poignant. The issue and the ‘junkies’ were treated with compassion in this book. With a bit less repetition I could have given it 5 stars.
Okay, there was a bit of repetition in the narrative which was told from multiple viewpoints. You got the same information from a few people. But the rest of it was so darn twisty. It was a complicated plot told in a less than simple way and it required quite a lot of concentration. But, oh boy, it was a roller coaster. No, that’s not quite right. A roller coaster goes up as well as down. Poor Cal‘s life just spiralled on down. He dug himself deeper and deeper into trouble. It was hectic, frenetic even and hellishly compulsive reading and never boring. I found the descriptions of life as a drug addict, well I wouldn’t know how accurate they are, but they were interesting and sometimes poignant. The issue and the ‘junkies’ were treated with compassion in this book. With a bit less repetition I could have given it 5 stars.
October 8, 2021
In the first of six novels in French’s Cal Rogan series, French takes gritty to another level by featuring a Vancouver police detective fallen to a homeless junkie as his main character. Instead of a slow descent into hell, Cal begins on the far side of hell and slowly works his way back to life. Like many homeless, Cal hangs out in alleys and flophouses near his former home, and lives for the brief Saturdays when he changes clothes at the house of a childhood friend from his prior life so that he can have supervised custody visits with his seven year old daughter, who in turn does cartwheels for her time with daddy. If you accept this conceit at the heart of the story, you can enjoy this novel about a man shocked by his best friend’s murder into kicking the drugs and finding his friend’s killer. On the way, he stumbles into the hefty world of pharmaceutical development and stock traders. Yet, the heart and soul of this novel is Cal’s desperate journey to come back from the edge of civilization.
June 4, 2021
Meet Cal Rogan! He's hit the bottom of the barrel .. he's lost his wife and marriage... his relationship with his daughter ... lost his job as an up and rising detective ... he's homeless ..and he's addicted to heroin.
He has only one friend left from his prior life .... and Cal has just found him dead. Local police..and Rogan's former colleagues... call it a suicide. But Cal is determined to prove them wrong.
His search for the truth takes hum through drug-infested streets, drug gangs, and the super wealthy who will do anything ...anything at all .. to keep their secrets hidden from the light of day.
This debut novel is well written, with a clever plot, and characters that are thoroughly developed. This page turner is full of action ... lots of suspects with varied motives.. and an explosive conclusion. Cal Rogan is terrific if you like really flawed characters who wants back what he once had. The story is highlighted by different voices .. the first person telling could be a little confusing, but all in all, this was a super read. This is just the first in a series, and the best thing is .. no waiting. There are 5 subsequent stories .. all available now.
Many thanks to the author / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
He has only one friend left from his prior life .... and Cal has just found him dead. Local police..and Rogan's former colleagues... call it a suicide. But Cal is determined to prove them wrong.
His search for the truth takes hum through drug-infested streets, drug gangs, and the super wealthy who will do anything ...anything at all .. to keep their secrets hidden from the light of day.
This debut novel is well written, with a clever plot, and characters that are thoroughly developed. This page turner is full of action ... lots of suspects with varied motives.. and an explosive conclusion. Cal Rogan is terrific if you like really flawed characters who wants back what he once had. The story is highlighted by different voices .. the first person telling could be a little confusing, but all in all, this was a super read. This is just the first in a series, and the best thing is .. no waiting. There are 5 subsequent stories .. all available now.
Many thanks to the author / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
January 15, 2020
The junkie idea is different. But it was difficult for me to like Cal or any of the other characters. Parts of the first 2/3rds of the book are somewhat boring. But yes Robert P French can write and I might try one of the other Cal Rogan series books in a couple of months to see if I will get more attached to any of the characters. Thank you.
August 21, 2018
I got this from the authors sponsored ad on facebook. It is my first book by this author. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. It would make a good pay tv movie. I hope to read more books by this author.
August 26, 2012
I was very tempted to give this book a single star. Why didn't I? Three reasons: this is a very well-designed whodunnit that keeps you guessing till the end (even though throughout the middle I felt 100% I had my answer), the main character has one of the most compelling flaws I've seen in a long time (ex-cop with heroin addiction), and the author clearly shows talent. Why, then, only two stars? Because of the writing. Sadly, this is one of those indie publications that people refer to, with a shake of the head, as a talented author jumping the gun. The author is talented; as I jus said, the plot itself is a good, perhaps even great, one for its genre. There's a few gems of description, of creative language use, that show the author is one to watch. Two or three books from now he'll be a good candidate for Patterson competition. No, not yet. JUNKIE might have benefited enormously from a professional editor--misspelled words (I stopped counting at twenty the instances of "breath", the noun, used instead of "breathe", the verb; misuse of words like "effect" and "affect", "council" vs. "counsel", etc.), comma misuse, verbosity, repetitious language, filters (like I think, I remember, I feel) that distance the reader from the story. With the right editor, this story might have been a novel to reckon with. It's a matter of time--this author has the potential for greatness. I'll be checking out his other books, reviewing the Amazon samples carefully to check for errors. Admittedly, I'm a literary snob and probably ask too much. But I do like my books to be well-written besides entertaining.
June 29, 2018
A book that reaches so many levels of emotion. Cal "Rocky" Rogan is having a hard time at coming back from the life he got dragged into, a prisoner to his habit. He's lost his career, his wife, his dignity, he's lost himself. Somewhere in there, he is still the man he struggled to become and it will be a battle to bring him back again.
He still has moxy and he still has some friends in high places, when the chips are down. After finding his long time friend dead, life begins to spiral and it's difficult to tell who he can trust.
Prepare for some back alley brawls, shocking revelations, botched escape plans, benders, suspense, drama and love.
He still has moxy and he still has some friends in high places, when the chips are down. After finding his long time friend dead, life begins to spiral and it's difficult to tell who he can trust.
Prepare for some back alley brawls, shocking revelations, botched escape plans, benders, suspense, drama and love.
August 26, 2018
Once a rising-star detective,Cal Rogan has reached rock bottom. When he finds the only friend he has left dead, his former colleagues rule it a suicide. Cal is determined to prove them wrong and in the process he pushes himself to limits he never knew existed. Not only does he have to fight the underworld of Vancouver but his own personal demons. He also has a daughter that he wants to keep his relationship with, but he also has an addiction to heroin. There are many things going on in this book that keeps the readers attention and cheering Cal on! There are also different angles to the story, made me think again about addictions. I highly recommend this book!
December 16, 2020
It's always a pleasant surprise to find a new author with a grasp of good suspenseful writing. The main character is ex-cop Cal Rogan who has been hooked on heroin for five years. I thought it might be difficult to feel sympathy for the guy, but clearly his addiction is both controlling and ruining his life. (I didn't know that addicts have to inject heroin every four hours -- what a ghastly way to live). I'm also familiar with the setting, the gritty underworld of downtown eastside Vancouver.
When Rogan's friend is murdered, he has a short time frame to find the killer before he must enter rehab, or risk losing his little girl forever. It's a very competently-constructed crime novel and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book in the series.
When Rogan's friend is murdered, he has a short time frame to find the killer before he must enter rehab, or risk losing his little girl forever. It's a very competently-constructed crime novel and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book in the series.
June 14, 2020
A very compelling first book in the Cal Rogan series. An ex police detective, turned junkie has reached rock bottom when his best friend is murdered and he is determined to find his killer even though tbe coroner ruled it as a suicide. So many twists and turns in this story, including drug dealers, violence, money laundering, more deaths and murders, greed and heartbreak. A solid story to keep you guessing until the end.
September 6, 2024
Excellent read
New author for me. Detective turned junkie, in this thriller. Wife and daughter left him, because he was using.
His family moved in with George.. George was a very wealthy business man. The junkie started investigating George.
That is where this book really gets interesting.
New author for me. Detective turned junkie, in this thriller. Wife and daughter left him, because he was using.
His family moved in with George.. George was a very wealthy business man. The junkie started investigating George.
That is where this book really gets interesting.
January 18, 2020
Really enjoyed, on to the next series
October 8, 2018
Cal Rogan used to be a Vancouver police detective and he was very good at it. He had a wife and a daughter. All of that went out the window when he started sing heroin. Now he is a junkie. When his best friend is murdered, he is intent on sing his skills to solve the case. His problem, other than the fact that he is no longer on the force, is that the death was ruled a suicide. Everybody he talks to tries to convince him of this. The plot goes a lot deeper than Cal finding out the truth about what happened. It is the tip of the iceberg. Finding out what is under the surface can get him his family and his job back. There are lots of bad guys in this one and they show up early. The murderer may very well be a surprise. Different chapters had different people speaking in the 1st person, so that was a little confusing. Good read!
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
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
May 28, 2021
I received a digital copy of “ Junkie” by Robert P. French from Net Galley. My thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to enjoy this fine novel.
The author paints the character of Cal Rogan in dark pigments. The junkie of the title is Cal Rogan who was once a respected police detective in Vancouver,Canada. Now he is a heroin addict who lives on the streets, his existence mandated by the ever constant need to feed his habit. Cal has fallen far. His wife divorced him and he is allowed monthly visits to his daughter only because he has promised to go into detox - which is a promise he never keeps. If there is one thing the reader learns early in the book it is that junkies live for the next fix and only that.
The novel begins with Cal , sleeping by a dumpster in a fetid alley, being awakened by his street buddy Roy , who shakes Cal awake, reminding him that he has to get cleaned up to visit his daughter. Cal has few friends left from his former life. Kevin is one and he allows Cal to shower at his apartment and put on the change of clothes he stores there. As always,Kevin gives him some money so he can take his daughter for ice cream or lunch. Hours later, when Cal returns to Kevin’s apartment he finds him dead, a knife thrust into his heart. From this point on, Carl’s existence which was already scraping bottom, gets much, much worse.
In the author’s hands his anti- hero character Cal is deeply fascinating. We watch his self-loathing at the need that drives his existence from fix to fix, as he lies so easily to his wife , lies to his loving child and when he sees the look in the eyes of former friends. Only when he questions the police/ coroner’s verdict that Kevin’s death was suicide, does he manage to dredge up self resolve to use all his experience as a detective to find his friend’s murderer. It is a decision that puts not only Cal’s life in danger, but everyone else’s.
Cal ,for all his many faults, becomes a sympathetic character as he struggles to find the killer despite formidable barriers. There are a number of suspects ( and to the police, Cal is one) , but the motive for the murder is the heart of his efforts to find the killer. The story is tightly plotted and the suspects’ motivations are left to Cal to clear up. There are no surprise, twisty, endings in the book, just Cal using his old skills to overturn rocks and see what is hidden beneath. The climax was exciting and satisfying.
I noticed that Mr. French has a number of further adventures of Cal, but this book is a completed story, with and the reader is not left hanging. I hope that theyare as good as “ Junkie”.
Notes: sometimes a subsequent chapter will be written from the point of view of a different character, so be sure to read the name is at the top of the page as you begin a new chapter. It does not often happen, but it can be disconcerting for a moment . Just a bit of stylistic choice from the author, offering a look into what another character is thinking of this addict across the table.
No sex, some violence( it is a murder mystery, after all.) Depictions of forum use and cravings maybe disturbing.
Recommended to all who love dark novels.
The author paints the character of Cal Rogan in dark pigments. The junkie of the title is Cal Rogan who was once a respected police detective in Vancouver,Canada. Now he is a heroin addict who lives on the streets, his existence mandated by the ever constant need to feed his habit. Cal has fallen far. His wife divorced him and he is allowed monthly visits to his daughter only because he has promised to go into detox - which is a promise he never keeps. If there is one thing the reader learns early in the book it is that junkies live for the next fix and only that.
The novel begins with Cal , sleeping by a dumpster in a fetid alley, being awakened by his street buddy Roy , who shakes Cal awake, reminding him that he has to get cleaned up to visit his daughter. Cal has few friends left from his former life. Kevin is one and he allows Cal to shower at his apartment and put on the change of clothes he stores there. As always,Kevin gives him some money so he can take his daughter for ice cream or lunch. Hours later, when Cal returns to Kevin’s apartment he finds him dead, a knife thrust into his heart. From this point on, Carl’s existence which was already scraping bottom, gets much, much worse.
In the author’s hands his anti- hero character Cal is deeply fascinating. We watch his self-loathing at the need that drives his existence from fix to fix, as he lies so easily to his wife , lies to his loving child and when he sees the look in the eyes of former friends. Only when he questions the police/ coroner’s verdict that Kevin’s death was suicide, does he manage to dredge up self resolve to use all his experience as a detective to find his friend’s murderer. It is a decision that puts not only Cal’s life in danger, but everyone else’s.
Cal ,for all his many faults, becomes a sympathetic character as he struggles to find the killer despite formidable barriers. There are a number of suspects ( and to the police, Cal is one) , but the motive for the murder is the heart of his efforts to find the killer. The story is tightly plotted and the suspects’ motivations are left to Cal to clear up. There are no surprise, twisty, endings in the book, just Cal using his old skills to overturn rocks and see what is hidden beneath. The climax was exciting and satisfying.
I noticed that Mr. French has a number of further adventures of Cal, but this book is a completed story, with and the reader is not left hanging. I hope that theyare as good as “ Junkie”.
Notes: sometimes a subsequent chapter will be written from the point of view of a different character, so be sure to read the name is at the top of the page as you begin a new chapter. It does not often happen, but it can be disconcerting for a moment . Just a bit of stylistic choice from the author, offering a look into what another character is thinking of this addict across the table.
No sex, some violence( it is a murder mystery, after all.) Depictions of forum use and cravings maybe disturbing.
Recommended to all who love dark novels.
May 19, 2021
Junkie
A Cal Rogan Mystery
by Robert P. French
3 .75 out of 5 Stars
Cal Rogan is a man who has lost it all: lost his wife, his daughter, his job, house, even most of his friends. -Scratch that- He didn't lose it all so much as he traded it away. Traded everything for a spoonful of white powder, a rubber tube, and a sharp syringe; a chance to get high four times a day or get knee-deep sick in withdrawals to the point of crying for death.
Cal didn't lose just any job either; he was a cop. Now he's got to make furtive deals, beg, borrow or steal from the same gangs he worked so hard to put away. Not an easy life.
And now someone has gone and killed his best friend. Okay, maybe his only friend. And Cal would do anything to solve the murder. He even has pipe dreams that, if he solves the murder, he can get back on the police force. Wait. Pipe dreams are for meth, right?
All that, ostensibly, is what the story's about (barring incidental plot points).
Down on his luck
Pull himself up by his bootstraps
Become a hero & save the day
Get his old life back.
Oh yeah, and all this takes place in Canada. Which is a good thing because, at least to my understanding, in the US, they wouldn't allow a felon within 6 ft of a detective's badge unless their hands were cuffed behind their back.
So... there is the surface story, and then there is the under story: that junkies are people, alcoholics are people, and street people are PEOPLE. Oh, and drugs should be legal because then doctors can treat the symptoms and corporations and lawyers would stop getting rich from all the unfortunate addicts in the world. The author is really, really good at getting these points across.
In another place and another time, heroin used to be called Horse. Maybe that is why this book reminds me so much of that song, Streets of Loredo:
“Oh beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly,
“and play the death march as you carry me along.”
French is good at putting names to the faces of junkies, pimps, and thieves, back-stories to the beggars, heart to the homeless; saying drugs are a problem but Greed and Avarice ride on their backs and that is why nothing ever gets better.
“Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me,
“For I'm a young cowboy and know I've done wrong.”
A Cal Rogan Mystery
by Robert P. French
3 .75 out of 5 Stars
Cal Rogan is a man who has lost it all: lost his wife, his daughter, his job, house, even most of his friends. -Scratch that- He didn't lose it all so much as he traded it away. Traded everything for a spoonful of white powder, a rubber tube, and a sharp syringe; a chance to get high four times a day or get knee-deep sick in withdrawals to the point of crying for death.
Cal didn't lose just any job either; he was a cop. Now he's got to make furtive deals, beg, borrow or steal from the same gangs he worked so hard to put away. Not an easy life.
And now someone has gone and killed his best friend. Okay, maybe his only friend. And Cal would do anything to solve the murder. He even has pipe dreams that, if he solves the murder, he can get back on the police force. Wait. Pipe dreams are for meth, right?
All that, ostensibly, is what the story's about (barring incidental plot points).
Down on his luck
Pull himself up by his bootstraps
Become a hero & save the day
Get his old life back.
Oh yeah, and all this takes place in Canada. Which is a good thing because, at least to my understanding, in the US, they wouldn't allow a felon within 6 ft of a detective's badge unless their hands were cuffed behind their back.
So... there is the surface story, and then there is the under story: that junkies are people, alcoholics are people, and street people are PEOPLE. Oh, and drugs should be legal because then doctors can treat the symptoms and corporations and lawyers would stop getting rich from all the unfortunate addicts in the world. The author is really, really good at getting these points across.
In another place and another time, heroin used to be called Horse. Maybe that is why this book reminds me so much of that song, Streets of Loredo:
“Oh beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly,
“and play the death march as you carry me along.”
French is good at putting names to the faces of junkies, pimps, and thieves, back-stories to the beggars, heart to the homeless; saying drugs are a problem but Greed and Avarice ride on their backs and that is why nothing ever gets better.
“Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me,
“For I'm a young cowboy and know I've done wrong.”
January 5, 2019
Book Review
Junkie
Robert P. French
Junkie is the first book in a series about Cal Rogan. I admit to some reluctance to read a book where our hero was in fact a Junkie. Encouraged by my friend Judith Baxter I turned to the first page and was hooked.
What’s makes Cal our true hero is the clear crisp writing, realistic and believable, without any of the self pity and whining and moaning often associated with first person addiction stories.
His path from functioning valued member of society to loss, homelessness, and recovery of sorts, whilst solving obvious and less obvious mysteries makes this a story difficult to put down.
His love/hate relationship with himself and those around him, particularly Roy, and his dead best friend whose relationship with him may or may not have been what he interpreted it as, strikes a chord of the reality we live with every day.
French puts a human face to a population in the shadows. Successes, failures, and in this case mysterious deaths.
The easy path to substance addiction is chilling and leaves one with a ..there but for the Grace of God...type of reaction, and an awareness that all that can change in a moment.
His relationship with his daughter and ex, his desire to be more, to be better is woven through out, partnered with the inability to succeed.
This is a story about perseverance, struggle, being right, being wrong, succeeding and failing. Failing is not the end of the story. This story is more than anything, about HOPE. The thing that drives all of us.
The humanness of the tale, and the characters, the truths both recognized and not recognized are the the truths of our own lives.
French is an excellent story teller, weaving suspense and surprise twists in a delicious fashion that is sublime.
Junkie
Robert P. French
Junkie is the first book in a series about Cal Rogan. I admit to some reluctance to read a book where our hero was in fact a Junkie. Encouraged by my friend Judith Baxter I turned to the first page and was hooked.
What’s makes Cal our true hero is the clear crisp writing, realistic and believable, without any of the self pity and whining and moaning often associated with first person addiction stories.
His path from functioning valued member of society to loss, homelessness, and recovery of sorts, whilst solving obvious and less obvious mysteries makes this a story difficult to put down.
His love/hate relationship with himself and those around him, particularly Roy, and his dead best friend whose relationship with him may or may not have been what he interpreted it as, strikes a chord of the reality we live with every day.
French puts a human face to a population in the shadows. Successes, failures, and in this case mysterious deaths.
The easy path to substance addiction is chilling and leaves one with a ..there but for the Grace of God...type of reaction, and an awareness that all that can change in a moment.
His relationship with his daughter and ex, his desire to be more, to be better is woven through out, partnered with the inability to succeed.
This is a story about perseverance, struggle, being right, being wrong, succeeding and failing. Failing is not the end of the story. This story is more than anything, about HOPE. The thing that drives all of us.
The humanness of the tale, and the characters, the truths both recognized and not recognized are the the truths of our own lives.
French is an excellent story teller, weaving suspense and surprise twists in a delicious fashion that is sublime.
November 4, 2022
The book is written in first person perspective, and each chapter designates which character we are following. Most of the book is written from Cal’s perspective. Like the other Cal Rogen novel I read, I like this style of writing for this book. It keeps the story moving at a nice pace while uniquely revealing the story through the eyes of various characters.
Robert P French did an excellent job of incorporating Cal’s addiction into the book respectfully. It highlights how people with addiction are still intelligent and hard-working individuals impacted by mental illness. Robert shares how difficult it is to live with an addiction and how there is a cycle of wanting to get help but knowing it will be a long and challenging path.
There were many times when I thought I knew who the murderer was, but I was frequently wrong. There were some exciting twists to keep me reading along with colourful characters.
I highly recommend reading all of the Cal Rogen series – even if you don’t read them in order!
Robert P French did an excellent job of incorporating Cal’s addiction into the book respectfully. It highlights how people with addiction are still intelligent and hard-working individuals impacted by mental illness. Robert shares how difficult it is to live with an addiction and how there is a cycle of wanting to get help but knowing it will be a long and challenging path.
There were many times when I thought I knew who the murderer was, but I was frequently wrong. There were some exciting twists to keep me reading along with colourful characters.
I highly recommend reading all of the Cal Rogen series – even if you don’t read them in order!
September 21, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to read the next one.
Cal is such a well developed character. He stirred up so many emotions in me, empathy, sympathy, irritation, pride, happiness, you name the emotion, this character makes you feel it in this book. You absolutely can’t not like him but you also can’t help being irritated at his choices especially where his child is concerned. I admit I found myself rooting for him though. I also like Sam and Ellie and I hope things work out there.
There are several supporting characters that are pretty well developed so I’m thinking they’ll be making appearances in future books.
This was one well thought out, involved story. I mean WOW. Every time you thought maybe Cal could catch a break or maybe he was on the right track, BOOM, something else went haywire, but it wasn’t overbearing. It just made the story more exciting.
5 stars from this reader !
Cal is such a well developed character. He stirred up so many emotions in me, empathy, sympathy, irritation, pride, happiness, you name the emotion, this character makes you feel it in this book. You absolutely can’t not like him but you also can’t help being irritated at his choices especially where his child is concerned. I admit I found myself rooting for him though. I also like Sam and Ellie and I hope things work out there.
There are several supporting characters that are pretty well developed so I’m thinking they’ll be making appearances in future books.
This was one well thought out, involved story. I mean WOW. Every time you thought maybe Cal could catch a break or maybe he was on the right track, BOOM, something else went haywire, but it wasn’t overbearing. It just made the story more exciting.
5 stars from this reader !
June 5, 2020
Picking JUNKIE from a list of freebies was a cool move on my part!
I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to Cal Rogan, ex-detective and current drug-addict
He has two desires - to regain the position in the police that he threw away with his addiction, and to regain the trust of his ex-wife to remain in the life of his seven-year-old daughter.
His only remaining friend Kevin lets him leave the street to clean up so as to visit his daughter every Saturday, until Kevin commits suicide. Or so it is ruled, but Cal cannot believe it. In between fixes, he sets out to prove it, but he begins to expose a powerful man's links to drugs and murder. His mouth needs shutting...
I cannot believe that Robert French's horrifying description of the fiercely cruel grip of drugs on addicts is imagination. It must be first hand, it is so intensely real. Brilliantly written.
Thanks for the freebie, Prolific Works and the author. Highly recommended. My honest review is payment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to Cal Rogan, ex-detective and current drug-addict
He has two desires - to regain the position in the police that he threw away with his addiction, and to regain the trust of his ex-wife to remain in the life of his seven-year-old daughter.
His only remaining friend Kevin lets him leave the street to clean up so as to visit his daughter every Saturday, until Kevin commits suicide. Or so it is ruled, but Cal cannot believe it. In between fixes, he sets out to prove it, but he begins to expose a powerful man's links to drugs and murder. His mouth needs shutting...
I cannot believe that Robert French's horrifying description of the fiercely cruel grip of drugs on addicts is imagination. It must be first hand, it is so intensely real. Brilliantly written.
Thanks for the freebie, Prolific Works and the author. Highly recommended. My honest review is payment.
June 24, 2020
Cal's life is out of control. His wife tried to help him set things straight many times. She's had enough. Thinking if Cal lost visitation with their daughter he'd get his head on straight, she tells Cal she's moving away. Worried he'll never see his daughter again, Cal gives himself a time limit to get things right. Now, will he be able to do it?
Well written, meticulously plotted and life like characters will draw you into this book. Mr. French has developed a story line that will have you loving and hating the characters you'll meet. I enjoyed this fresh take on the subject of junkies. I found myself reassessing who-dun-it with every page. I'm excited to read more of this author's work. You will be too.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because of the fresh take. copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.
Well written, meticulously plotted and life like characters will draw you into this book. Mr. French has developed a story line that will have you loving and hating the characters you'll meet. I enjoyed this fresh take on the subject of junkies. I found myself reassessing who-dun-it with every page. I'm excited to read more of this author's work. You will be too.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because of the fresh take. copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.
September 23, 2018
A Gritty debut novel, From the opening chapter, you are thrown into the awful reality of life on the streets as a drug addict.The main character is an ex-cop with a heroin addiction who has lost the wife and daughter that he loves because of his addiction.His is to get his old job back but he can't seem to take that first step to go into re-hab. The death of his best friend which the cops and everyone else thinks it is suicide but Cal thinks differently and sets out to find the killer of his best friend. Put together possible suspects, more twists and turns and him battling withdrawal symptoms. Family secrets all added to the mix. I definitely want to read the next two books in Cal Rogan series.
May 14, 2024
Set in Vancouver. 404 pp. Excellent, fast-moving murder mystery. Cal Rogan is a fascinating character; I don't know of any other junkie detectives (well, Sherlock, but he's a bit less obvious than Cal). I'd read Oboe last year; I'm so glad I came back to this series for more!
Junkie (Cal Rogan Mysteries #1) by Robert P. French
Junkie (Cal Rogan Mysteries #1) by Robert P. French
August 4, 2018
Junkie is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It captivated me from start to finish. I experienced many emotions while reading it. Cal "Rocky" Rogan is someone you would love to hate, but can't. This book takes you on the journey of an ex cop turned junkie. His struggles with addiction, his ex wife, daughter, friends, and police force. Complex characters and well thought out plot. You will get a look into life on the streets, junkies, drug dealers, cops, murder, the wealthy, addiction. Though it is a work of fiction, one can image the reality of it. I highly recommend this book and the author. Mr. French is a rising star with Patterson potential. I am currently reading OBOE, and thus far, am not disappointed.
November 10, 2018
This is the first novel I read from this author and I really enjoyed it. Cal Rogan, the protagonist, is a former police detective now turned junkie who has every reason in the world to get himself straightened out but even the love for his daughter doesn’t seem enough to save him. You want this guy to beat his addiction, you want him to get his life back. It’s a very long first book but it is well written, the characters have depth, and the plot and sub-plots create a cohesive story. And there are some great twists that I didn’t see coming so to me that speaks of the author’s creativity and abilities. I look forward to reading the next book. Great read.
June 24, 2020
This book is incredible. The main character, ex-policeman Cal, is a heroin addict who, while dealing with his dependence and homelessness, investigates the death of one of his last remaining friends. That may sound simplistic, but that does not take into account the relationships between characters, family members, good guys and bad guys. The story unfolds beautifully, in a calm and orderly way, yet involves serious and intense situations. I kept wanting to turn to the end of the book to make sure that Cal was okay. Luckily, this book is the first of a series. Please, do yourself a favour and read this book.
July 29, 2018
This book gets three stars from me. The general storyline was good: man got into trouble, men came after him, he had to save himself and his family. What made the book juicy: the main character (Cal Rogan) had an addiction to heroin and he had to battle those demons while solving a murder case, AS AN EX-COP!! I don’t care to read about corrupt corporations and the politics that go along with it, but this book wasn’t too bad—it was very tolerable. It’s sad there was no huge, breathtaking ending, which would have really made this book stand out.
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