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DC Mel Cotton Crime Series #1
Fatal Trade (DC Mel Cotton #1) The First Gripping Novel in a British Detective Thriller Series
Fatal Trade is the first, gripping DC Mel Cotton crime thriller from the brilliant Brian Price.
Glasgow, 1999
Reaching the point of no return, Martina is ready to make her move. After years of being the victim, it’s now time to turn the tables.
Mexton, 2019
The small grey-haired woman grimaced as she entered the police station, dragging a tartan shopping trolley containing her husband’s head.
‘What are you useless buggers going to do about this?’
DC Melanie Cotton’s fledgling career is about to take an interesting turn. Freshly promoted to CID, Mel is excited by this disturbing and mysterious case – her first murder investigation as a detective.
She’s determined to make her mark.
But as she discovers, there’s far more to this case than a gruesome killing, and Mel’s skills and courage are about to tested to the limit.
Glasgow, 1999
Reaching the point of no return, Martina is ready to make her move. After years of being the victim, it’s now time to turn the tables.
Mexton, 2019
The small grey-haired woman grimaced as she entered the police station, dragging a tartan shopping trolley containing her husband’s head.
‘What are you useless buggers going to do about this?’
DC Melanie Cotton’s fledgling career is about to take an interesting turn. Freshly promoted to CID, Mel is excited by this disturbing and mysterious case – her first murder investigation as a detective.
She’s determined to make her mark.
But as she discovers, there’s far more to this case than a gruesome killing, and Mel’s skills and courage are about to tested to the limit.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2021
25 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Brian Price
96 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
I am a chemist and biologist. I worked for many years in the environmental field and as an Open University tutor. I am also an avid crime reader.
I turned from science to crime when I attended Crimefest in Bristol, in 2016. I found the crime writing community open and friendly so I resolved to use my knowledge of science to help authors get scientific details correct. I have advised a number of leading crime writers on scientific topics. In 2019 my website www.crimewriterscience.co.uk metamorphosed into the book Crime Writing: How to Write the Science.
In the same year, I won a competition, run by the Facebook group Crime Fiction Coach, to find the best opening line for a crime novel. I then had no option but to write the book to go with that line! The result was Fatal Trade, published on 14th September 2021 by Hobeck Books. Fatal Beginnings, a free novella introducing some of the characters, is available at www.hobeck.net
Fatal Hate followed in April 2022 and Fatal Dose in January 2023.
Several of my short stories are published in the Writers in Stone anthologies Cuckoo, Lock and Key and Seventy Three. One of my stories appears in The Dark Side of Christmas, a charity anthology produced by Hobeck Books, and another in the Crime Writers Association anthology Music of the Night. I also contributed a recipe and short story to the Hobeck 2022 charity collection Cooking the Books
I am a chemist and biologist. I worked for many years in the environmental field and as an Open University tutor. I am also an avid crime reader.
I turned from science to crime when I attended Crimefest in Bristol, in 2016. I found the crime writing community open and friendly so I resolved to use my knowledge of science to help authors get scientific details correct. I have advised a number of leading crime writers on scientific topics. In 2019 my website www.crimewriterscience.co.uk metamorphosed into the book Crime Writing: How to Write the Science.
In the same year, I won a competition, run by the Facebook group Crime Fiction Coach, to find the best opening line for a crime novel. I then had no option but to write the book to go with that line! The result was Fatal Trade, published on 14th September 2021 by Hobeck Books. Fatal Beginnings, a free novella introducing some of the characters, is available at www.hobeck.net
Fatal Hate followed in April 2022 and Fatal Dose in January 2023.
Several of my short stories are published in the Writers in Stone anthologies Cuckoo, Lock and Key and Seventy Three. One of my stories appears in The Dark Side of Christmas, a charity anthology produced by Hobeck Books, and another in the Crime Writers Association anthology Music of the Night. I also contributed a recipe and short story to the Hobeck 2022 charity collection Cooking the Books
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 5, 2024
With probably one of the best openers in the crime fiction business, this gritty police procedural rattles along nicely with short chapters and sardonic one-liners.
Although it’s billed as the DC Mel Cotton series, this is an ensemble piece with several police officers, victims and criminals given viewpoint chapters. Despite this, there’s no padding with angst-ridden private lives. The book, instead, sticks to plot and moves through a gripping investigation with plenty of gore and gallows humour. There are graphic killings galore in a case that takes in drug running, prostitution and police corruption. (Fans of Michael Wood’s DCI Matilda Darke series should definitely give it a go.) There is also close attention to accurate forensic detail, no doubt a reflection of the author’s scientific background.
My favourite characters were Ellen and Marnie, and I sense we are going to meet at least one of them again in the series, hopefully both. I won’t have long to wait to find out as I bought a boxset and am poised to plunge into book 2, Fatal Hate.
Although it’s billed as the DC Mel Cotton series, this is an ensemble piece with several police officers, victims and criminals given viewpoint chapters. Despite this, there’s no padding with angst-ridden private lives. The book, instead, sticks to plot and moves through a gripping investigation with plenty of gore and gallows humour. There are graphic killings galore in a case that takes in drug running, prostitution and police corruption. (Fans of Michael Wood’s DCI Matilda Darke series should definitely give it a go.) There is also close attention to accurate forensic detail, no doubt a reflection of the author’s scientific background.
My favourite characters were Ellen and Marnie, and I sense we are going to meet at least one of them again in the series, hopefully both. I won’t have long to wait to find out as I bought a boxset and am poised to plunge into book 2, Fatal Hate.
July 21, 2021
The first in a new series, DC Mel Cotton Thrillers, and what a great start. This is one of the best police procedurals I have read this year. The writing is excellent and there is a brilliant storyline. The characterisations are fabulous, I really loved all the different people in the police team and the way they interacted with each other.
Briefly, Glasgow 1999 and Martina kills her pimp and steals from a wealthy punter. Leaving for a new life in London she vows revenge on the men who brought her from Poland and forced her into prostitution. In Mexton, 2019, Ellen Wilkins finds the head of her former husband, George in a box outside her flat. George has known connections to organised crime and the case is handed to DI Fiona Gale and her team, including DC Mel Cotton, newly promoted to CID. The more the team investigate the more disturbing the case is, and the more people are implicate. With more bodies piling up can the team prevent more deaths? Why are the criminals always one step ahead?
This is a faced paced book with plenty of action. Lots of threads that all interweave and written in such a way that the reader will have their suspicions about some characters before the police do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely will look out for book 2. This is a clear ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Briefly, Glasgow 1999 and Martina kills her pimp and steals from a wealthy punter. Leaving for a new life in London she vows revenge on the men who brought her from Poland and forced her into prostitution. In Mexton, 2019, Ellen Wilkins finds the head of her former husband, George in a box outside her flat. George has known connections to organised crime and the case is handed to DI Fiona Gale and her team, including DC Mel Cotton, newly promoted to CID. The more the team investigate the more disturbing the case is, and the more people are implicate. With more bodies piling up can the team prevent more deaths? Why are the criminals always one step ahead?
This is a faced paced book with plenty of action. Lots of threads that all interweave and written in such a way that the reader will have their suspicions about some characters before the police do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely will look out for book 2. This is a clear ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
September 13, 2021
“Fatal Trade” is the debut novel by Brian Price in the DC Mel Cotton new crime drama series, published by Hobeck Books - an independent family run publisher.
- Glasgow, 1999. Reaching the point of no return, forced sex worker, Martina is ready to make her move. After years of being the victim, it’s now time to turn the tables.
- Mexton, 2019. A small grey-haired woman enters a police station, dragging a tartan shopping trolley containing her husband’s head. Freshly promoted to CID, DC Mel Cotton is excited by this disturbing and mysterious case – her first murder investigation as a detective. But there’s far more to this case than a gruesome killing and Mel’s skills and courage are about to be tested to the limit.
I was very impressed by this debut novel - an opening prologue which sets the tone and a first chapter involving a severed head being brought into a police station. This had me gripped instantly and my intrigue initiated and I knew I was in for a quality read.
I liked Mel and her gutsy demeanour, I can see her going far as the series hopefully develops further. The whole team worked well together and even though Mel was the main protagonist, I thought DI Fiona Gale was a decent leader who equally deserves praise.
There was many a twist and turn, some predictable some not and I enjoyed following the team as they tried to capture the criminals. Due to the layout of the story we are privy to what’s happening before or during events which makes this an interesting read seeing it from both sides. I was shocked by the final revelations of the smuggling operation and saddened by the fact that this does actually happen in the ‘real’ world. The author has obviously carried out a huge amount of research for this novel and imagine him drawing on some of his own knowledge to ensure the story remained realistic.
Excellent and engaging writing, well plotted and with good narrative (and some dark humour to boot) - “Fatal Trade” also has an excellent debut main protagonist in Mel Cotton, which will see me reaching for the next in the series for sure.
4.5 stars
- Glasgow, 1999. Reaching the point of no return, forced sex worker, Martina is ready to make her move. After years of being the victim, it’s now time to turn the tables.
- Mexton, 2019. A small grey-haired woman enters a police station, dragging a tartan shopping trolley containing her husband’s head. Freshly promoted to CID, DC Mel Cotton is excited by this disturbing and mysterious case – her first murder investigation as a detective. But there’s far more to this case than a gruesome killing and Mel’s skills and courage are about to be tested to the limit.
I was very impressed by this debut novel - an opening prologue which sets the tone and a first chapter involving a severed head being brought into a police station. This had me gripped instantly and my intrigue initiated and I knew I was in for a quality read.
I liked Mel and her gutsy demeanour, I can see her going far as the series hopefully develops further. The whole team worked well together and even though Mel was the main protagonist, I thought DI Fiona Gale was a decent leader who equally deserves praise.
There was many a twist and turn, some predictable some not and I enjoyed following the team as they tried to capture the criminals. Due to the layout of the story we are privy to what’s happening before or during events which makes this an interesting read seeing it from both sides. I was shocked by the final revelations of the smuggling operation and saddened by the fact that this does actually happen in the ‘real’ world. The author has obviously carried out a huge amount of research for this novel and imagine him drawing on some of his own knowledge to ensure the story remained realistic.
Excellent and engaging writing, well plotted and with good narrative (and some dark humour to boot) - “Fatal Trade” also has an excellent debut main protagonist in Mel Cotton, which will see me reaching for the next in the series for sure.
4.5 stars
May 6, 2022
I am a sucker for a competition and so when I saw one mentioned in the CRA newsletter concerning the second book in this series, I thought it might be a good idea to read the first,first.
I have to admit that my early impressions of this one werent good. The violence was over my usual acceptable level. However, on reflection, the author had dealt with it well. He didnt go into too much detail and I dont think it could be classed as gratuitous within the boundaries of the story.
The tale built steadily from the rather gruesome start of a severed head delivered in a box and as the story developed so did our knowledge of the various members of the police unit. Unfortunately there were quite a few and I felt as if I was mixing a few on them. I trust that I will have overcome this problem as I move onto the second book.
A good first novel from a promising newcomer to the authors' shelf. On my score system this is a 3.5 but on balance I have rounded it up. Now for the competition book.
I have to admit that my early impressions of this one werent good. The violence was over my usual acceptable level. However, on reflection, the author had dealt with it well. He didnt go into too much detail and I dont think it could be classed as gratuitous within the boundaries of the story.
The tale built steadily from the rather gruesome start of a severed head delivered in a box and as the story developed so did our knowledge of the various members of the police unit. Unfortunately there were quite a few and I felt as if I was mixing a few on them. I trust that I will have overcome this problem as I move onto the second book.
A good first novel from a promising newcomer to the authors' shelf. On my score system this is a 3.5 but on balance I have rounded it up. Now for the competition book.
September 14, 2021
The story begins in 1999 when a young woman sets her life on a new course of revenge. It isn’t a quick fix, she wants the top men that profit from young girls like her. By 2019 patience is paying off.
DC Mel Cotton’s first case will take her and her team into the heart of gangland Glasgow and the hardened criminals that control the sex trade in the area. Someone is causing quite a stir, especially when a known criminal’s head is brought into the station in a shopping trolley by his ex-wife. No one seems to know anything. Everyone is edgy. The story never loses momentum, even though I often knew what was round the corner.
As the criminal world jumps to wild conclusions about the reasons behind everything that is happening, the bodies keep piling up. The police seem to be one step behind what is going on. It was the anticipation of what I knew was going to happen when the characters didn’t, that makes it such an adrenaline rush.
Once the seeds of doubt were sown, it was a matter of sitting back and watching the show. The writing is brilliant and reeled me in for the ultimate heart in my mouth conclusion.
I am looking forward to joining DC Mel Cotton and her team again soon.
I wish to thank Hobeck Books for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
DC Mel Cotton’s first case will take her and her team into the heart of gangland Glasgow and the hardened criminals that control the sex trade in the area. Someone is causing quite a stir, especially when a known criminal’s head is brought into the station in a shopping trolley by his ex-wife. No one seems to know anything. Everyone is edgy. The story never loses momentum, even though I often knew what was round the corner.
As the criminal world jumps to wild conclusions about the reasons behind everything that is happening, the bodies keep piling up. The police seem to be one step behind what is going on. It was the anticipation of what I knew was going to happen when the characters didn’t, that makes it such an adrenaline rush.
Once the seeds of doubt were sown, it was a matter of sitting back and watching the show. The writing is brilliant and reeled me in for the ultimate heart in my mouth conclusion.
I am looking forward to joining DC Mel Cotton and her team again soon.
I wish to thank Hobeck Books for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
July 23, 2021
Starting out with this book, the cover told me it was a thriller with some police procedural involved and left me wondering what else was lurking inside.
Reading through the book my enjoyment level fluctuated but I felt that, considering it is his first novel, the writing was excellent. I was convinced that he must have previously worked in the police, as there was a lot of detailed knowledge about other police departments so I was surprised to find out that he had been an environmental consultant and, for many years, an Open University tutor. His knowledge of crime scene also shows a good knowledge of locations, forensics, etc which all helped to build up the storyline. The characters were very well depicted and we really got to know some of them through the book
Sadly, I found that the epilogue tied things up a little to much. As this is the first in a series I would have maybe expected some teasers which would then lead into the second book. Having said that I will definitely be looking out for more form this author.
Many thanks to Hobeck Books for providing me with an electronic advanced review copy of the book in return for an honest, unbiased review.
Reading through the book my enjoyment level fluctuated but I felt that, considering it is his first novel, the writing was excellent. I was convinced that he must have previously worked in the police, as there was a lot of detailed knowledge about other police departments so I was surprised to find out that he had been an environmental consultant and, for many years, an Open University tutor. His knowledge of crime scene also shows a good knowledge of locations, forensics, etc which all helped to build up the storyline. The characters were very well depicted and we really got to know some of them through the book
Sadly, I found that the epilogue tied things up a little to much. As this is the first in a series I would have maybe expected some teasers which would then lead into the second book. Having said that I will definitely be looking out for more form this author.
Many thanks to Hobeck Books for providing me with an electronic advanced review copy of the book in return for an honest, unbiased review.
September 16, 2021
A head is delivered to the man’s widow; it should be a straight forward investigation. DC Mel Cotton is determined to make her mark but do all her colleagues feel the same?
I really enjoyed this book. It plunges straight into the action and even when the pace of the action slows down a little there is still plenty happening. There are lots of twists and turns, a smattering of red herrings, characters to care about, layers of story to be unpeeled and delved into – highly recommended.
I’d also recommend that you read ‘Fatal Beginnings’ by the same author (available from the publishers) first as it gives a little bit of background to some of the characters in Fatal Trade – but no spoilers!!
Thanks to Hobeck Books for a review copy
I really enjoyed this book. It plunges straight into the action and even when the pace of the action slows down a little there is still plenty happening. There are lots of twists and turns, a smattering of red herrings, characters to care about, layers of story to be unpeeled and delved into – highly recommended.
I’d also recommend that you read ‘Fatal Beginnings’ by the same author (available from the publishers) first as it gives a little bit of background to some of the characters in Fatal Trade – but no spoilers!!
Thanks to Hobeck Books for a review copy
May 1, 2022
At the heart of this novel is a story of revenge that has been building for 10 years. Plenty of time to plan Meticulously and to reach the gangland boss who thinks he is untouchable. However, plans can go Awry when a new DC, Mel Cotton is working her first murder case and determined to get to that same mob boss. It's a race against time as to who will get there first. I liked Mel and enjoyed the two angles of the crime story moving towards an exciting conclusion. However I just didn't feel a connection to any of the characters very much and don't think it will stand out in my memory for long.
July 25, 2021
One of the best starts to a novel, ever. So good.
Great working out the criminal gang scene from there with great shocks and twists.. Worked out some of it, but definitely not all. Great Police characters too. Intriguing and exciting.
Great working out the criminal gang scene from there with great shocks and twists.. Worked out some of it, but definitely not all. Great Police characters too. Intriguing and exciting.
September 14, 2021
In Mexton, early one morning, an elderly lady received an unpleasant delivery on her doorstep. It was the decapitated head of her husband George Wilkins who she hadn’t seen for about four years. She took the head in the box to the police station so they would investigate her complaint and take her seriously. DC Melanie Cotton took her statement and checked if there had been any strangers or people hanging around but Ellen Wilkins couldn’t think of anyone. Mel got as much background from Ellen on George as she could then made sure she was safely escorted to her daughter’s.
Martina had been a working girl in Glasgow in 1999 but had managed to escape from there under bad circumstances and managed to rebuild her life to where she was now. A successful business woman. She had opted for cosmetic surgery so looked totally different whilst now living in Mexton, twenty years later. She still had some unattended business to finish but she could see her plans coming to fruition and one target was in sight. She was out for revenge! There was just another person to locate.
There were two people from her past in Mexton working together as well, so let the fireworks begin….
It was an absolute pleasure to read. A fantastic story covering the twenty years with a plotted and strategized revenge plan by concerned parties. The police aspect was terrific with them being able to track it back making the writing amazing with the amount of plotting and intriguing twists and turns involved. I so loved this book, one of the best I have read this year. This is a debut not to be missed and an author I would like to continue to follow. Hopefully there will be more DC Mel Cotton books.
Martina had been a working girl in Glasgow in 1999 but had managed to escape from there under bad circumstances and managed to rebuild her life to where she was now. A successful business woman. She had opted for cosmetic surgery so looked totally different whilst now living in Mexton, twenty years later. She still had some unattended business to finish but she could see her plans coming to fruition and one target was in sight. She was out for revenge! There was just another person to locate.
There were two people from her past in Mexton working together as well, so let the fireworks begin….
It was an absolute pleasure to read. A fantastic story covering the twenty years with a plotted and strategized revenge plan by concerned parties. The police aspect was terrific with them being able to track it back making the writing amazing with the amount of plotting and intriguing twists and turns involved. I so loved this book, one of the best I have read this year. This is a debut not to be missed and an author I would like to continue to follow. Hopefully there will be more DC Mel Cotton books.
November 3, 2021
Entertaining read .
Wow some really nasty villains in this remarkable debut novel . I will definitely be reading more of this authors work . Cleverly constructed crime novel that kept me turning the pages .
Wow some really nasty villains in this remarkable debut novel . I will definitely be reading more of this authors work . Cleverly constructed crime novel that kept me turning the pages .
June 13, 2023
This is more than a police procedural story, as we hear plenty from the villains too - practical drugs queen Marnie, psychopathic George and a huge cast of lowlives. It's an enjoyable read with plenty of twists.
April 12, 2024
Captivating
This high quality suspense thriller starts off with captivating and fast paced mystery. Both the characters and the dialogue are well written. I'll definitely check out more books in the series!
This high quality suspense thriller starts off with captivating and fast paced mystery. Both the characters and the dialogue are well written. I'll definitely check out more books in the series!
July 24, 2021
A great read - with slightly more twists and turns than it maybe needed but well plotted, Mel cotton is a great protagonist and I’d happily read the next in the series - 4* from me
February 25, 2022
Fatal Trade by Brian Price has received a Chill with a Book Readers' PREMIER Award
www.chillwithabook.com
www.chillwithabook.com
March 10, 2022
What a great read if you read just one book this year highly recommend fatal trade
November 7, 2022
I found the detectives a bit irritating , but enjoyed the story and plot.
July 24, 2025
I really enjoyed it! It reminds me of something that could be a 6 part drama on ITV!
January 7, 2026
Really badly written.
September 20, 2021
Here we are introduced to DC Mel Cotton and what an introduction, certainly hits the ground running. As much as this is a Police procedural it also has the elements and feel of a thriller.
The story centres around one womans quest for revenge against those who have done her wrong in the past, there are plenty of shady characters and characters who you would not wish to meet on a dark night, in someways this makes for a complex plot, however it is crafted and written in such a way as to not make it feel complex.
The book is well plotted and the story flows and interweaves between the past and the present day so that you have an understanding as to why decisions are made and alliances formed, overall this makes for a fast paced story. As the body count increases the Police are left pondering why they always seem to be one step behind.
Filled with strong characters, characters who you can take either an instant like or dislike to, they come at you almost fully formed thanks to the way they are written on the page each relatable, each with a freshness and ones who I look forward to reading and finding out more about
Packed with plenty of twists and turns and with an explosive finale, this is a highly satisfying read
This is an excellent debut novel and a cracking start to a series, an author I will be looking forward to reading more off
The story centres around one womans quest for revenge against those who have done her wrong in the past, there are plenty of shady characters and characters who you would not wish to meet on a dark night, in someways this makes for a complex plot, however it is crafted and written in such a way as to not make it feel complex.
The book is well plotted and the story flows and interweaves between the past and the present day so that you have an understanding as to why decisions are made and alliances formed, overall this makes for a fast paced story. As the body count increases the Police are left pondering why they always seem to be one step behind.
Filled with strong characters, characters who you can take either an instant like or dislike to, they come at you almost fully formed thanks to the way they are written on the page each relatable, each with a freshness and ones who I look forward to reading and finding out more about
Packed with plenty of twists and turns and with an explosive finale, this is a highly satisfying read
This is an excellent debut novel and a cracking start to a series, an author I will be looking forward to reading more off
August 20, 2025
Hooked me from the very first sentence! Well paced and informed crime thriller as Brian Price is very knowledgeable about scientific concepts involved in crime and crime detection. He won a competition for the best opening line too! Looking forward to meeting him in person with my bookclub soon. Some inclusion of ethnic minorities at least by name and ethical issues raised about prostitution, the slave trade, drug smuggling and live animal smuggling and slaughter plus sexism. The seeds of a possible romance are evident in this novel (but I could be wrong, will have to read the books that follow in from this). There is a useful glossary of the acronyms used at the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews