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Anderson & Costello #10
The Sideman
With no evidence against him and no known motive, DI Costello must break the rules if she is to get her man.
Detective Inspector Costello has resigned. No notice, no goodbyes. Convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son despite his cast-iron alibi, Costello has gone solo, determined to expose a ruthless killer without being hampered by police protocol. But is she right about Haggerty's guilt? And where has she disappeared to?
DCI Colin Anderson has no time to ponder the loss of his partner of twenty years. With a badly beaten body found on a remote mountain pass; a woman with a serious head wound who won't communicate in any way; and a substantial pool of blood discovered at the edge of Loch Lomond, Police Scotland have their hands full. Could there be any connection to Costello's disappearance ...?
Detective Inspector Costello has resigned. No notice, no goodbyes. Convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son despite his cast-iron alibi, Costello has gone solo, determined to expose a ruthless killer without being hampered by police protocol. But is she right about Haggerty's guilt? And where has she disappeared to?
DCI Colin Anderson has no time to ponder the loss of his partner of twenty years. With a badly beaten body found on a remote mountain pass; a woman with a serious head wound who won't communicate in any way; and a substantial pool of blood discovered at the edge of Loch Lomond, Police Scotland have their hands full. Could there be any connection to Costello's disappearance ...?
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2018
273 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Caro Ramsay
35 books204 followersCaro Ramsay was born and educated in Glasgow. She has been writing stories since she was five years old, developing a keen interest in crime fiction and a passion for the genre that lead her to write Absolution, her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 2, 2018
Having read this gritty and atmospheric series from the beginning, I love the Glasgow based police procedurals featuring DI Costello and DCI Colin Anderson. This is a stellar addition, but I should warn readers it is likely to be a frustrating read unless they have at least read the previous novel, as it builds on characters and actions from it. DI Winifred Prudence Costello, I am not sure if I have ever known her first names as she is always referred to as Costello, knows in her bones that the creepy, menacing and clapping George Haggerty is a murderer, despite having a cast iron alibi for the murders of Abigail, his wife, and Malcolm, his son. She simply cannot stomach him getting away with it, as she tenders her resignation to Police Scotland. Anderson's lonely home now is busier than ever, particularly since he acquired baby Moses, a grandson he never knew about, but who is connected to George. Anderson is not happy with George dropping by at all hours to his home, ostensibly to see Moses, but doesn't feel he has the right to stop him.
Valerie Abernethy, raging alcoholic, bereft at not having a child, with her significant gaps in memory, is Abigail's sister, and seen as a possible suspect for the murders. Struggling to contain her drinking, she finds some purpose in life after she recognises a woman suffering serious injuries in hospital who has no idea of her identity. A man beaten close to death is found in the Scottish countryside, and there are blood soaked sites and evidence of drugs. PC Donnie McCaffery is missing and being investigated by Professional Standards. Aspersions are cast on Costello as her reputation is trashed by the media, and compromising photographs of Valerie find their way into the hands of the police. Anderson has worked with Costello for twenty years, he doesn't believe a word said against her but where is she? Moreover, he thinks Valerie's photographs have been interpreted incorrectly. DC Morna Taverner, a clumsy woman prone to accidents, contacts Anderson over the cold case rapes he has been looking at, convinced there are connections she has discovered locally.
Anderson takes more of a centre stage than Costello in this riveting novel, though this is balanced with the actions of Morna, Valerie and Isla, the griefstricken wife of Donnie McCaffrey. Caro Ramsay's intricate and complex plotting pays dividends as the tension and suspense is sky high as we wonder whether the police can get close to the slippery, devious and cunning George Haggerty, a ruthless man who will take any steps to wipe out any threats he faces. The characterisation is superb and I loved the ex-military DCI Alastair Patrick, DC Morna Taverner's boss, a man not given to following rules. I am already looking forward to the next in this distinctly moreish series, just hope I do not have too long to wait. Many thanks to Severn House for an ARC.
Valerie Abernethy, raging alcoholic, bereft at not having a child, with her significant gaps in memory, is Abigail's sister, and seen as a possible suspect for the murders. Struggling to contain her drinking, she finds some purpose in life after she recognises a woman suffering serious injuries in hospital who has no idea of her identity. A man beaten close to death is found in the Scottish countryside, and there are blood soaked sites and evidence of drugs. PC Donnie McCaffery is missing and being investigated by Professional Standards. Aspersions are cast on Costello as her reputation is trashed by the media, and compromising photographs of Valerie find their way into the hands of the police. Anderson has worked with Costello for twenty years, he doesn't believe a word said against her but where is she? Moreover, he thinks Valerie's photographs have been interpreted incorrectly. DC Morna Taverner, a clumsy woman prone to accidents, contacts Anderson over the cold case rapes he has been looking at, convinced there are connections she has discovered locally.
Anderson takes more of a centre stage than Costello in this riveting novel, though this is balanced with the actions of Morna, Valerie and Isla, the griefstricken wife of Donnie McCaffrey. Caro Ramsay's intricate and complex plotting pays dividends as the tension and suspense is sky high as we wonder whether the police can get close to the slippery, devious and cunning George Haggerty, a ruthless man who will take any steps to wipe out any threats he faces. The characterisation is superb and I loved the ex-military DCI Alastair Patrick, DC Morna Taverner's boss, a man not given to following rules. I am already looking forward to the next in this distinctly moreish series, just hope I do not have too long to wait. Many thanks to Severn House for an ARC.
August 14, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Sideman is the tenth book in Caro Ramsay’s Anderson and Costello series and the first that I have read. They were previously published by Severn House but are now available as ebooks and paperbacks through Black Thorn.
It may have helped if I had read some of her previous novels because I struggled in the first few chapters to link the characters and the action. To her credit Caro Ramsay did her best to help me by using bold print to highlight a change of location or time and by including a list of central characters at the beginning. Fortunately the easy style and lively action carried me through until I could piece together most of the different strands.
Although I have never travelled up the west coast of Scotland I enjoyed the settings which Ramsay describes well, emphasising the toughness of the terrain and the climate. Some of the characters I found believable but the two principal characters and their actions left me a bit cold. To be fair, Costello was missing for most of the book so there was little chance to warm to her. Anderson I found very dry despite the action following him for most of the book.
By the end of the book I could appreciate how cleverly the author had woven together the various storylines although I was not convinced that all my questions had been answered.
So will I read another of Caro Ramsay’s books? The answer is yes, for the scenic descriptions and to give Anderson and Costello a chance to convince me of their worth. I have awarded The Sideman a sitting-on-the-fence three and a half stars.
The Sideman is the tenth book in Caro Ramsay’s Anderson and Costello series and the first that I have read. They were previously published by Severn House but are now available as ebooks and paperbacks through Black Thorn.
It may have helped if I had read some of her previous novels because I struggled in the first few chapters to link the characters and the action. To her credit Caro Ramsay did her best to help me by using bold print to highlight a change of location or time and by including a list of central characters at the beginning. Fortunately the easy style and lively action carried me through until I could piece together most of the different strands.
Although I have never travelled up the west coast of Scotland I enjoyed the settings which Ramsay describes well, emphasising the toughness of the terrain and the climate. Some of the characters I found believable but the two principal characters and their actions left me a bit cold. To be fair, Costello was missing for most of the book so there was little chance to warm to her. Anderson I found very dry despite the action following him for most of the book.
By the end of the book I could appreciate how cleverly the author had woven together the various storylines although I was not convinced that all my questions had been answered.
So will I read another of Caro Ramsay’s books? The answer is yes, for the scenic descriptions and to give Anderson and Costello a chance to convince me of their worth. I have awarded The Sideman a sitting-on-the-fence three and a half stars.
February 27, 2020
Anderson and Costello #10
Costello has handed in her notice and disappeared. Where has she gone? She's convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son despite a cast iron alibi. Anderson is working on cold cases, trying to solve them before they are closed for good. Further developments have Anderson wondering if Haggerty really is innocent, but can they gather enough evidence to prove this.
You do have to have read the last book in this series, The Suffering Of Strangers before you read this book as it is a continuation from that story. There is a ,ot of characters to keep track of. You need to keep a clear mind whilst reading. This story is complex, fast paced and gritty. I was quickly caught up needing to know if Costello was going to get her man. But we don't hear a lot from her. We focus more on Anderson's work and home life. A great read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Cannongate and the author Caro Ramsay for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Costello has handed in her notice and disappeared. Where has she gone? She's convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son despite a cast iron alibi. Anderson is working on cold cases, trying to solve them before they are closed for good. Further developments have Anderson wondering if Haggerty really is innocent, but can they gather enough evidence to prove this.
You do have to have read the last book in this series, The Suffering Of Strangers before you read this book as it is a continuation from that story. There is a ,ot of characters to keep track of. You need to keep a clear mind whilst reading. This story is complex, fast paced and gritty. I was quickly caught up needing to know if Costello was going to get her man. But we don't hear a lot from her. We focus more on Anderson's work and home life. A great read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Cannongate and the author Caro Ramsay for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2018
'The Sideman' is the tenth novel to feature DCI Anderson and DI Costello of Police Scotland and is another stonking success for Mr Ramsay! I recommend reading these books in chronological order as they all follow on from where the previous book concluded. Any reader trying to join the series here will find themselves pretty perplexed as it's pretty essential to have read 'The Suffering of Strangers' beforehand. I live just over the border from Scotland and visit it often for holidays, so the settings and scenery really spoke to me - it was all so wonderfully vivid. There are some imaginative and unpredictable twists throughout, and I found the story intriguing enough that I found it difficult to place it down.
This is a deftly plotted, intelligent and entertaining read which held me captive for the duration. As always the characters are well drawn and watching them evolve over the series means I was really invested in the outcome. I wanted to know what would happen. This book is one that requires you to fully concentrate in order to keep up with what is going on and has the potential to confuse readers due to the large cast of characters as well as more action than you can shake a stick at!
Many thanks to Severn House Publishers for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This is a deftly plotted, intelligent and entertaining read which held me captive for the duration. As always the characters are well drawn and watching them evolve over the series means I was really invested in the outcome. I wanted to know what would happen. This book is one that requires you to fully concentrate in order to keep up with what is going on and has the potential to confuse readers due to the large cast of characters as well as more action than you can shake a stick at!
Many thanks to Severn House Publishers for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
May 19, 2020
Thriller set around GLASGOW and environs
3.75*
This is Book 10 in the Anderson and Costello series, firmly set around Glasgow and environs.
Abigail and Malcolm Haggerty, mother and young son, have been brutally murdered in their house in Balcarres Avenue (a street that exists in Kelvindale). DI Costello is convinced that husband / father George was the perpetrator but her conclusions fall on deaf ears. She seems sufficiently convinced that she resigns her job, in order, it seems to carry out her own, stalkerish investigations. This leaves her partner Anderson very much in the front line, who already has a dubious, familial connection to George Haggerty.
In the frame is Abigail’s sister, who, it is clear early on, has an alcohol problem.
At the beginning and as the story builds, each chapter opens with a descriptive passage, followed up by seemingly random snapshots of some other events unfolding in the vicinity. A woman with wounds and amnesia arrives in hospital to be treated, a body is found in the wilds, and elsewhere in the wilderness there is a massive pool of blood – the ranger believes this derives from some kind of animal killing (after all, the mutilated body of a marsupial, from the colony on Inchconnachan, has recently been found). But does it?
There are plenty of unrelated events which unfold at a breathless pace. It can be a little hard to keep up with everything and keep the events ordered, but if you are feeling bullish and on the ball, this should not be a problem.
I find that when a novel opens with details of the cast of characters, I immediately feel anxious, I worry that I will not be able to keep track of them all. I wonder if other readers respond like this? Yes, the novel is well populated with a diverse array of characters and once the story gets embedded, it is reasonably easy to remember who is who and then follow their stories.
The book is set in the late Autumn, and the weather and short days certainly add a frisson of tension to the overall story as the narrative moves around the city and into the mountains.
You can read this book as a stand-alone but I think that you might well have a richer experience if you build up to this, no. 10, by reading previous books in the series.
3.75*
This is Book 10 in the Anderson and Costello series, firmly set around Glasgow and environs.
Abigail and Malcolm Haggerty, mother and young son, have been brutally murdered in their house in Balcarres Avenue (a street that exists in Kelvindale). DI Costello is convinced that husband / father George was the perpetrator but her conclusions fall on deaf ears. She seems sufficiently convinced that she resigns her job, in order, it seems to carry out her own, stalkerish investigations. This leaves her partner Anderson very much in the front line, who already has a dubious, familial connection to George Haggerty.
In the frame is Abigail’s sister, who, it is clear early on, has an alcohol problem.
At the beginning and as the story builds, each chapter opens with a descriptive passage, followed up by seemingly random snapshots of some other events unfolding in the vicinity. A woman with wounds and amnesia arrives in hospital to be treated, a body is found in the wilds, and elsewhere in the wilderness there is a massive pool of blood – the ranger believes this derives from some kind of animal killing (after all, the mutilated body of a marsupial, from the colony on Inchconnachan, has recently been found). But does it?
There are plenty of unrelated events which unfold at a breathless pace. It can be a little hard to keep up with everything and keep the events ordered, but if you are feeling bullish and on the ball, this should not be a problem.
I find that when a novel opens with details of the cast of characters, I immediately feel anxious, I worry that I will not be able to keep track of them all. I wonder if other readers respond like this? Yes, the novel is well populated with a diverse array of characters and once the story gets embedded, it is reasonably easy to remember who is who and then follow their stories.
The book is set in the late Autumn, and the weather and short days certainly add a frisson of tension to the overall story as the narrative moves around the city and into the mountains.
You can read this book as a stand-alone but I think that you might well have a richer experience if you build up to this, no. 10, by reading previous books in the series.
September 11, 2018
It's actually happened! DI Costello has thrown in the towel along with her badge. Her last case involved a man she 'knows' killed his wife and son ... only no one believes it. He has a rock sold alibi that they haven't been able to break. Her solution ... get rid of the badge and then go rogue and find the proof that he is , indeed, guilty.
Costello didn't even tell her partner of 20 years, Colin Anderson, that she was leaving .. no good bye, no good luck.. nothing.
He's disturbed, but his hands are full. A badly beaten body on a mountain pass, a woman with a serious head would, but won't communicate.
Is this a connection to the disappearance of DI Costello?
There is lots of fast paced action here with credible characters. I did feel a little lost as this is the 10th book in the series. This is a continuance from Book 9, but there's little information here. As always, I highly recommend starting at the very beginning.
The characters are solidly written, human beings with their own flaws and issues. This seems to be an engaging series.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Costello didn't even tell her partner of 20 years, Colin Anderson, that she was leaving .. no good bye, no good luck.. nothing.
He's disturbed, but his hands are full. A badly beaten body on a mountain pass, a woman with a serious head would, but won't communicate.
Is this a connection to the disappearance of DI Costello?
There is lots of fast paced action here with credible characters. I did feel a little lost as this is the 10th book in the series. This is a continuance from Book 9, but there's little information here. As always, I highly recommend starting at the very beginning.
The characters are solidly written, human beings with their own flaws and issues. This seems to be an engaging series.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 6, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House for an advance copy of The Sideman, the tenth novel to feature DCI Anderson and DI Costello of Police Scotland.
Following on from the events of the previous novel in the series, The Suffering of Strangers, Costello is convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son but with no one taking her seriously due to his cast iron alibi she abruptly resigns from the Police and disappears. In the meantime Police Scotland is dealing with several apparently unrelated incidents, a body is found on a remote highland hillside, a woman with amnesia and a skull fracture is found in Glasgow city centre and a large quantity of blood is found on the shores of Loch Lomond.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Sideman with its mixture of clever plotting, suspense and Scottish locations. I have been a longtime reader of this series and always look forward to the latest instalment and this one doesn't disappoint. The blurb would lead you to believe that it is a sequel to The Suffering of Strangers and with the focus on George Haggerty it perhaps is but the novel is self contained and uses Costello's obsession with Haggerty as a starting point to go in a different direction. All the salient points are recapped and the reader won't miss anything if they come fresh to this one.
Initially the novel switches perspective between various characters and events before finally settling mostly on Colin Anderson and his take on events. It is all very mysterious and difficult for the reader to work out the connections. Normally this approach drives me mad as I like to know what I'm dealing with but I found all these seemingly random events very intriguing and compulsive and where they lead is well worth the journey with some good twists and unexpected surprises. In the spirit of honesty it may be my partiality to the series and characters that allows me to ignore any frustration at the constantly shifting perspective, but whatever, I found it a difficult book to put down.
Despite Costello and her crusade being the catalyst for the novel she is very much a background figure with the action centring on Colin Anderson, the Complaints and DCi Patrick of Port Macduff. I missed her sarcastic humour but it's good to see Anderson settled and content after much upheaval in his life. I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of DI Mathieson of the Complaints, narrow minded and apt to jump to premature conclusions, so it is particularly pleasant to see her proved wrong and I love the mystery of what DCI Patrick is up to.
The Sideman is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Following on from the events of the previous novel in the series, The Suffering of Strangers, Costello is convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son but with no one taking her seriously due to his cast iron alibi she abruptly resigns from the Police and disappears. In the meantime Police Scotland is dealing with several apparently unrelated incidents, a body is found on a remote highland hillside, a woman with amnesia and a skull fracture is found in Glasgow city centre and a large quantity of blood is found on the shores of Loch Lomond.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Sideman with its mixture of clever plotting, suspense and Scottish locations. I have been a longtime reader of this series and always look forward to the latest instalment and this one doesn't disappoint. The blurb would lead you to believe that it is a sequel to The Suffering of Strangers and with the focus on George Haggerty it perhaps is but the novel is self contained and uses Costello's obsession with Haggerty as a starting point to go in a different direction. All the salient points are recapped and the reader won't miss anything if they come fresh to this one.
Initially the novel switches perspective between various characters and events before finally settling mostly on Colin Anderson and his take on events. It is all very mysterious and difficult for the reader to work out the connections. Normally this approach drives me mad as I like to know what I'm dealing with but I found all these seemingly random events very intriguing and compulsive and where they lead is well worth the journey with some good twists and unexpected surprises. In the spirit of honesty it may be my partiality to the series and characters that allows me to ignore any frustration at the constantly shifting perspective, but whatever, I found it a difficult book to put down.
Despite Costello and her crusade being the catalyst for the novel she is very much a background figure with the action centring on Colin Anderson, the Complaints and DCi Patrick of Port Macduff. I missed her sarcastic humour but it's good to see Anderson settled and content after much upheaval in his life. I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of DI Mathieson of the Complaints, narrow minded and apt to jump to premature conclusions, so it is particularly pleasant to see her proved wrong and I love the mystery of what DCI Patrick is up to.
The Sideman is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
October 9, 2020
★★★ 2.5 stars
I'm no stranger to Caro Ramsay's gritty Anderson and Costello series, having read the first three some years ago and always enjoying it. So I was excited to read this tenth installment THE SIDEMAN, despite not having read the other seven in between. I don't think you lose a whole lot coming into the series midway though it may seem so when beginning this story.
However, because it appeared to have followed directly on from the previous book "The Suffering of Strangers" (which I have not read), I was feeling my way around the story somewhat blindly. It seemed I had missed out on something major by doing so. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. I went back and checked the description and reviews for the previous book...and there was no mention of the story that seemed to have already happened in this one. I think this is just the way Caro Ramsay wrote it. Which was somewhat confusing.
The story begins with DI Costello's resignation letter in which she states that the man she firmly believes is responsible for the death of his wife and son was in fact getting away with murder and the top brass were basically letting him do so. She pulled no punches in her thoughts, handing the letter in person to the Assistant Commissioner, her resignation effective immediately. Having now done so, Costello feels she can now investigate George Haggerty unofficially and without the constraints she had against her as a serving police officer. Telling no one, not even her partner of 20 years, DCI Colin Anderson, Costello left without a goodbye...and disappeared.
Colin Anderson, on the other hand, is worried about his partner and what trouble she may find herself in if she insists on going after Haggerty. He doesn't like the man, thinks he may well have something to do with the murders but his hands are tied as Haggerty has a cast iron alibi - he was stopped for speeding on the A9 some forty miles away. And he couldn't be in two places at once. But Haggerty and Anderson share a commonality. Baby Moses - Anderson's grandson via a daughter he never knew until DNA proved he was. His daughter from a drunken one night stand over two decades ago was also brutally murdered...though I am puzzled as to how she was killed and who by because although she was the adopted daughter of Abigail Haggerty, the murdered woman, she wasn't found at the scene. It appears her murder was separate but I have no idea how or why or even who. I just know that she had baby Moses who she was apparently trying to sell...but upon her death, Anderson then became the baby's guardian. And George Haggerty regularly visits to see Moses.
In amidst all that, a badly beaten body is discovered on a mountain. He was thought to be dead but authorities were surprised to discover he was still alive. The cold weather was on his side, slowing down the blood flow and preventing him from bleeding out from exsanguination. The cold weather saved his life. But who is he? He is in a coma, he cannot speak and there was no ID on him. Then a woman reports her husband, PC Donnie McCaffrey, is missing...having been called out on a job and never returned. Could this man be him?
The Salvos were out delivering warm blankets and food to the homeless in the approach to winter when they come across a dazed and confused woman. She reeks of alcohol, her eyes are glazed and she appears to have a serious head wound. She doesn't speak, so no one knows whether she is English or Eastern European. But she points to the Salvo's epaulettes which appear familiar to her. She is taken to hospital and medical staff are astonished at the injuries she has sustained - not just her head but slash wounds to her back, bruising to her face and defence wounds on her arms and hands. The nurse who has taken a keen interest in her tries everything to communicate with her. Who is this woman? And why won't she speak? It's not until the nurse goes home and is scrunching up paper for her fire that she sees a face in an old newspaper article...a face that she recognises.
And when a large quantity of blood is found lochside at Loch Lomond, further testing reveals one of the samples to be that of DI Costello. What was she doing at Loch Lomond? And where is she now? Could the missing man and injured woman have something to do with her disappearance?
Slow moving with a complex plot that I found difficult to follow, THE SIDEMAN takes the reader out of the confines of Glasgow city to the remoteness of the highlands. The description of the scenery is atmospheric but the story itself was so discombobulated I was thoroughly lost. What didn't help were the endless lengthy chapters which could have easily been cut down to several chapters where there was only one. Each chapter jumped from scene to scene and character to character. These would have been better off as new chapters and would have made the story easier to follow. I found myself lost several times through an hour long chapter, which in my opinion...is far too long. The story did begin to come together somewhere after the halfway point, which I felt was too long to start to make any kind of sense. And despite my initial confusion throughout most of the story, I was able to figure out who was responsible and a few other reveals as well.
As a whole, I feel there was far too much going on in THE SIDEMAN to make much sense and while I have enjoyed earlier novels, this one was just too discombobulated to follow smoothly. And please please please...no more lengthy chapters! Readers don't like them and they make it hard to just put the book down if one needs to in a hurry. Shorter chapters make this easier and helps the story flow better.
Having said that, I won't give up on the series, with Book 11 "The Red Red Snow" on my shelf to read also. Maybe I need to go back sometime and pick up where I left off initially. I must admit, while there was a passing mention of Helena (McAlpine), I did wonder what happen to her as the last book I had read "Dark Water" she was still very much on the scene and Colin Anderson was still very much frequenting her abode. Although readers must begin at the beginning to know who she is and where she fits in. In all, I still believe the first book "Absolution" to be the best book that I have read in this series.
A difficult read for me with its discombobulated (I do so love that word...thanks to Carol Wyer...lol) story, THE SIDEMAN would probably make a lot more sense having read the previous book "The Suffering of Strangers" . Although I wouldn't know as I haven't read it.
I would like to thank #CaroRamsay, #NetGalley and #BlackThorn for an ARC of #TheSideman in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I'm no stranger to Caro Ramsay's gritty Anderson and Costello series, having read the first three some years ago and always enjoying it. So I was excited to read this tenth installment THE SIDEMAN, despite not having read the other seven in between. I don't think you lose a whole lot coming into the series midway though it may seem so when beginning this story.
However, because it appeared to have followed directly on from the previous book "The Suffering of Strangers" (which I have not read), I was feeling my way around the story somewhat blindly. It seemed I had missed out on something major by doing so. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. I went back and checked the description and reviews for the previous book...and there was no mention of the story that seemed to have already happened in this one. I think this is just the way Caro Ramsay wrote it. Which was somewhat confusing.
The story begins with DI Costello's resignation letter in which she states that the man she firmly believes is responsible for the death of his wife and son was in fact getting away with murder and the top brass were basically letting him do so. She pulled no punches in her thoughts, handing the letter in person to the Assistant Commissioner, her resignation effective immediately. Having now done so, Costello feels she can now investigate George Haggerty unofficially and without the constraints she had against her as a serving police officer. Telling no one, not even her partner of 20 years, DCI Colin Anderson, Costello left without a goodbye...and disappeared.
Colin Anderson, on the other hand, is worried about his partner and what trouble she may find herself in if she insists on going after Haggerty. He doesn't like the man, thinks he may well have something to do with the murders but his hands are tied as Haggerty has a cast iron alibi - he was stopped for speeding on the A9 some forty miles away. And he couldn't be in two places at once. But Haggerty and Anderson share a commonality. Baby Moses - Anderson's grandson via a daughter he never knew until DNA proved he was. His daughter from a drunken one night stand over two decades ago was also brutally murdered...though I am puzzled as to how she was killed and who by because although she was the adopted daughter of Abigail Haggerty, the murdered woman, she wasn't found at the scene. It appears her murder was separate but I have no idea how or why or even who. I just know that she had baby Moses who she was apparently trying to sell...but upon her death, Anderson then became the baby's guardian. And George Haggerty regularly visits to see Moses.
In amidst all that, a badly beaten body is discovered on a mountain. He was thought to be dead but authorities were surprised to discover he was still alive. The cold weather was on his side, slowing down the blood flow and preventing him from bleeding out from exsanguination. The cold weather saved his life. But who is he? He is in a coma, he cannot speak and there was no ID on him. Then a woman reports her husband, PC Donnie McCaffrey, is missing...having been called out on a job and never returned. Could this man be him?
The Salvos were out delivering warm blankets and food to the homeless in the approach to winter when they come across a dazed and confused woman. She reeks of alcohol, her eyes are glazed and she appears to have a serious head wound. She doesn't speak, so no one knows whether she is English or Eastern European. But she points to the Salvo's epaulettes which appear familiar to her. She is taken to hospital and medical staff are astonished at the injuries she has sustained - not just her head but slash wounds to her back, bruising to her face and defence wounds on her arms and hands. The nurse who has taken a keen interest in her tries everything to communicate with her. Who is this woman? And why won't she speak? It's not until the nurse goes home and is scrunching up paper for her fire that she sees a face in an old newspaper article...a face that she recognises.
And when a large quantity of blood is found lochside at Loch Lomond, further testing reveals one of the samples to be that of DI Costello. What was she doing at Loch Lomond? And where is she now? Could the missing man and injured woman have something to do with her disappearance?
Slow moving with a complex plot that I found difficult to follow, THE SIDEMAN takes the reader out of the confines of Glasgow city to the remoteness of the highlands. The description of the scenery is atmospheric but the story itself was so discombobulated I was thoroughly lost. What didn't help were the endless lengthy chapters which could have easily been cut down to several chapters where there was only one. Each chapter jumped from scene to scene and character to character. These would have been better off as new chapters and would have made the story easier to follow. I found myself lost several times through an hour long chapter, which in my opinion...is far too long. The story did begin to come together somewhere after the halfway point, which I felt was too long to start to make any kind of sense. And despite my initial confusion throughout most of the story, I was able to figure out who was responsible and a few other reveals as well.
As a whole, I feel there was far too much going on in THE SIDEMAN to make much sense and while I have enjoyed earlier novels, this one was just too discombobulated to follow smoothly. And please please please...no more lengthy chapters! Readers don't like them and they make it hard to just put the book down if one needs to in a hurry. Shorter chapters make this easier and helps the story flow better.
Having said that, I won't give up on the series, with Book 11 "The Red Red Snow" on my shelf to read also. Maybe I need to go back sometime and pick up where I left off initially. I must admit, while there was a passing mention of Helena (McAlpine), I did wonder what happen to her as the last book I had read "Dark Water" she was still very much on the scene and Colin Anderson was still very much frequenting her abode. Although readers must begin at the beginning to know who she is and where she fits in. In all, I still believe the first book "Absolution" to be the best book that I have read in this series.
A difficult read for me with its discombobulated (I do so love that word...thanks to Carol Wyer...lol) story, THE SIDEMAN would probably make a lot more sense having read the previous book "The Suffering of Strangers" . Although I wouldn't know as I haven't read it.
I would like to thank #CaroRamsay, #NetGalley and #BlackThorn for an ARC of #TheSideman in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
May 18, 2020
A difficult read for me as I didn't remember the earlier book. I just stuck to the investigation part of it and read those pages.
The plot was complex, quite cleverly written. There were a lot of subplots and characters which quite confused me some ways. That was just due to me not having the concentration in this world crisis.
Overall, a good read.
The plot was complex, quite cleverly written. There were a lot of subplots and characters which quite confused me some ways. That was just due to me not having the concentration in this world crisis.
Overall, a good read.
Read
June 18, 2018I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
I'm abandoning this at 36%. I see now that this is the tenth in a series, but the subtitle "a Scottish procedural" led me to believe that it would stand alone - it really doesn't. It starts in the middle of an on-going narrative involving mysterious events at something called "Blue Neptune" and people who are all related to one another by adoption or having sold their baby or having discovered just recently that they fathered a baby that was sold and then adopted. Many of these people are already dead when the book begins.
There is an enormous cast of characters and I can't tell which are from previous instalments and which are new characters, whose stories will feed into the plot of this book.
It is too exhausting to keep going without starting again and making notes of who everyone is. I found it well-written and I am sure it's great if you're familiar with the previous nine books in the series.
Edited to add that I see that I did in fact read the ninth instalment last year, although clearly I have forgotten all about it... (I gave that one four stars and enjoyed it).
I'm abandoning this at 36%. I see now that this is the tenth in a series, but the subtitle "a Scottish procedural" led me to believe that it would stand alone - it really doesn't. It starts in the middle of an on-going narrative involving mysterious events at something called "Blue Neptune" and people who are all related to one another by adoption or having sold their baby or having discovered just recently that they fathered a baby that was sold and then adopted. Many of these people are already dead when the book begins.
There is an enormous cast of characters and I can't tell which are from previous instalments and which are new characters, whose stories will feed into the plot of this book.
It is too exhausting to keep going without starting again and making notes of who everyone is. I found it well-written and I am sure it's great if you're familiar with the previous nine books in the series.
Edited to add that I see that I did in fact read the ninth instalment last year, although clearly I have forgotten all about it... (I gave that one four stars and enjoyed it).
February 19, 2021
This one was a nail-biter for me from page one. I was emotionally exhausted by the book's end, but what a wonderful ride this story was.
September 18, 2019
I took this from the New Book shelf at library without having read any other books from this series so my appreciation was probably limited and not what it could have been if I was familiar with the characters. Costello, a female, turns in her resignation after 20 years of service without telling her partner, Anderson, and stays under the radar to catch a killer. She could not get over the sight of a murder and knowing the guilt of one individual who was playing games. Things get complicated and dangerous.
Library Loan
Library Loan
June 9, 2018
The Sideman follows on The Suffering of Strangers, which I've not read. Usually, I don't have any trouble beginning in the middle or at the end of a series, but The Sideman gave me fits initially because it was so obviously connected to a previous story, and I was not familiar with the previous books or the plot. Most authors manage to give enough background to make it easy to follow, but The Sideman was like beginning a book in the middle with no correlations to rely on. There were so many characters that it seemed the reader was expected to know...and I didn't.
That said, I was intrigued enough to persevere and eventually found myself engrossed. Caro Ramsay is a new author to me and The Sideman is the 10th in a series of the Anderson and Costello novels set in Glasgow.
Brief description from blurb: "Detective Inspector Costello has resigned. No notice, no goodbyes. Convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son despite his cast-iron alibi, Costello has gone solo, determined to expose a ruthless killer without being hampered by police protocol. But is she right about Haggerty’s guilt? And where has she disappeared to?"
Expecting Costello to have a large role, I was puzzled when she failed to actually show up. Her partner and friends are concerned about her, but Costello is a notable absence in what was (for me) at first a hugely puzzling plot. Gradually, I was drawn in and picked up enough of the previous story to have some background with which to work. About a quarter of the way in, I was completely invested.
In spite of my initial confusion, I think this is a series I'd like to pursue--but beginning with the first book!
Read in June; blog review scheduled for Sept. 17.
NetGalley/Severn House
Mystery/Thriller. Oct. 1, 2018. Print length: 256 pages.
That said, I was intrigued enough to persevere and eventually found myself engrossed. Caro Ramsay is a new author to me and The Sideman is the 10th in a series of the Anderson and Costello novels set in Glasgow.
Brief description from blurb: "Detective Inspector Costello has resigned. No notice, no goodbyes. Convinced that George Haggerty murdered his wife and son despite his cast-iron alibi, Costello has gone solo, determined to expose a ruthless killer without being hampered by police protocol. But is she right about Haggerty’s guilt? And where has she disappeared to?"
Expecting Costello to have a large role, I was puzzled when she failed to actually show up. Her partner and friends are concerned about her, but Costello is a notable absence in what was (for me) at first a hugely puzzling plot. Gradually, I was drawn in and picked up enough of the previous story to have some background with which to work. About a quarter of the way in, I was completely invested.
In spite of my initial confusion, I think this is a series I'd like to pursue--but beginning with the first book!
Read in June; blog review scheduled for Sept. 17.
NetGalley/Severn House
Mystery/Thriller. Oct. 1, 2018. Print length: 256 pages.
October 10, 2018
Caro Ramsay’s Costello and Anderson series goes from strength to strength. With each new book the characters absorb a different dimension as they grow which keeps them fresh and us, the reader wanting more. Their narratives evolve and respond to each investigation and that, I think, is the secret of their longevity. The Sideman follows on from last year’s powerful The Suffering of Strangers and I would advise that you read this first.
Still reeling from the previous novels revelations, DCI Colin Anderson is adapting to life as the grand father and carer of his grandson, whilst trying to make sense of the murders that happened at the end of the previous novel and debating how much faith to invest in DI Costello’s allegations that his grand child, baby Moses’, step grandad is the perpetrator. Meanwhile Costello has resigned from the police and is pursuing her own investigation which seems to link into a murder on the banks of Loch Lomond.
One of the main strengths of this novel is the way that Ramsay weaves her intricate storylines relentlessly to a dynamic conclusion. Her attention to detail is strong and her characterisation at times left me gasping – she isn’t one to pull punches as her description of an alcoholic’s life will uphold. She has an incisive style that cuts to the chase and often shocks.
Alongside that, she paints a realistic vision of the versatility and contrasts of the Scottish landscape from city life to the highlands to the countryside.
For me this is a series well worth reading. Ramsey’s quirky narratives and unflinching plots deserve a place on even the most well stocked book shelf.
Still reeling from the previous novels revelations, DCI Colin Anderson is adapting to life as the grand father and carer of his grandson, whilst trying to make sense of the murders that happened at the end of the previous novel and debating how much faith to invest in DI Costello’s allegations that his grand child, baby Moses’, step grandad is the perpetrator. Meanwhile Costello has resigned from the police and is pursuing her own investigation which seems to link into a murder on the banks of Loch Lomond.
One of the main strengths of this novel is the way that Ramsay weaves her intricate storylines relentlessly to a dynamic conclusion. Her attention to detail is strong and her characterisation at times left me gasping – she isn’t one to pull punches as her description of an alcoholic’s life will uphold. She has an incisive style that cuts to the chase and often shocks.
Alongside that, she paints a realistic vision of the versatility and contrasts of the Scottish landscape from city life to the highlands to the countryside.
For me this is a series well worth reading. Ramsey’s quirky narratives and unflinching plots deserve a place on even the most well stocked book shelf.
May 5, 2020
This starts with Costello’s letter of resignation. She is troubled by the murders of Abigail and her son, Malcolm. She knows, George Haggerty, Abigail’s husband and Malcolm’s father is responsible, but he’s got away with it.
Costello’s partner, Anderson is upset she didn’t tell him of her plans, after 20 working together he thought he knew her. He’s worried about her, but is busy with events in his personal life and at work with new cases.
But then Costello disappears……is this linked to the new cases or something else?
The Sideman is an absolutely compelling read, the plot is complex and twisty, but gradually builds to a thoroughly satisfying ending. As always there are great, well rounded characters with all their flaws and a nail biting tension from start to finish. A fantastic addition to the series.
Thank you to Amber at Midas PR for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and a free copy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Costello’s partner, Anderson is upset she didn’t tell him of her plans, after 20 working together he thought he knew her. He’s worried about her, but is busy with events in his personal life and at work with new cases.
But then Costello disappears……is this linked to the new cases or something else?
The Sideman is an absolutely compelling read, the plot is complex and twisty, but gradually builds to a thoroughly satisfying ending. As always there are great, well rounded characters with all their flaws and a nail biting tension from start to finish. A fantastic addition to the series.
Thank you to Amber at Midas PR for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and a free copy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
August 2, 2018
While I have read other books from Caro Ramsay - and liked them - I really had a hard time with this one. I think the main problem is that I haven't read all other books in the series.
From page one on there is a lot going on. DI Costello resigned and disappeared. Colin Anderson meanwhile is very happy to have found a grandson. But Costello wants Haggerty for the murder of his wife and son, while said Haggerty befriends Anderson because he adopted Andersons daughter. Anderson didn't even know he had a daughter.
And then there are other people: the murdered woman, her son, her sister, who despite the fact she is an alcoholic tries to find out what happened, a policeman, another policeman and and and...
I'm sorry. I've read the whole book and in the end it was clear who murdered who and why. But the road to the solution to the mystery was way too long and too complicated. Furthermore there are way too many coincidences, and almost all characters apparently are family members or the have a history together.
I finished the book because I wanted to give it a chance, but for me, it just didn't work out as I hoped.
Thanks to NetGalley for this book.
From page one on there is a lot going on. DI Costello resigned and disappeared. Colin Anderson meanwhile is very happy to have found a grandson. But Costello wants Haggerty for the murder of his wife and son, while said Haggerty befriends Anderson because he adopted Andersons daughter. Anderson didn't even know he had a daughter.
And then there are other people: the murdered woman, her son, her sister, who despite the fact she is an alcoholic tries to find out what happened, a policeman, another policeman and and and...
I'm sorry. I've read the whole book and in the end it was clear who murdered who and why. But the road to the solution to the mystery was way too long and too complicated. Furthermore there are way too many coincidences, and almost all characters apparently are family members or the have a history together.
I finished the book because I wanted to give it a chance, but for me, it just didn't work out as I hoped.
Thanks to NetGalley for this book.
October 14, 2018
Costello quits to go after the villain who got away - but seems to disappear altogether, meanwhile Anderson has become related to the suspect, another police officer is killed in strange circumstances and Costello is the main suspect. It's all very complicated and following up on the last book in the series - but everything is finally solved.
April 20, 2020
Well, don't I feel like a prize plonker? What on earth was I thinking agreeing to read this book. Such a mistake. Now I need to go back and read the first nine because I now know what I always suspected - I've been missing out on a heck of a series. Still ... There are worse situations to be in, don't you think? And yes, you can argue it was completely self inflicted as it's always a risk when reading late in a series, but hey. The gamble paid off as I loved it and am actually looking forward to playing catch up. Word to the wise though, if you are thinking of joining the series late, I'd probably suggest starting with an earlier book as this contains some what I assume to be spoilers for prior books, so if you want a complete surprise, start at least a few books in advance.
Well, the book certainly started in quite dramatic fashion. it's not every story that starts with the resignation of one of its major characters, that's for sure. The whys and the wherefores of the decision are what we are here to find out, but it follows a pretty dramatic case that takes a real emotional toll on DI Costello. And it has to be said that whilst this is a book very much about Costello and her boss, DCI Anderson, it features her a lot less than you might expect, a decision that works perfectly for this complex and twisted thriller.
I''ll be honest, it is hard to talk about the story without knowing giving too much away. What you need to know is in the blurb. Costello is determined to prove the guilt of a man she believes to be behind a very vicious murder, but who appears to have the perfect alibi. Alongside that, the victim's sister is now the prime suspect and focused on proving her innocence. Both women have the same goal but very different approaches. It was hard to get to know anything about Costello from the way the story played out, but I learned a lot about Valerie, the victim's sister. I particularly enjoyed the way in which Caro Ramsay built her character up within the story. You weren't always sure of her motives and her actions were sometimes dubious to say the least, but the intention was, on the face of it, good. I think ...
Anderson, on the other hand, I got to learn a lot more about and I really liked him as a character (even if I really did want to call him Abbott more often than I should). He has a very complicated home life, something that feeds into the story perfectly with careful treatment. It both hinders and helps the progression of the investigation into the murders, although how is not immediately apparent. His personal circumstances preclude him from being actively involved in the investigation, but it doesn't stop him from finding an angle he can legitimately follow to try and help his former DI. His loyalty, although sorely tested, was very endearing. although I could feel his weariness (both physical and mental) bleeding from every page.
This is a very dark and twisted story, with several threads for the readers to follow. The wayin which the author pulls them all together, the final picture that starts to emerge as they draw tighter, is both surprising and satisfying. There are so many scenes that will leave readers on edge, moments when you draw in a quick and sharp breath as you think you realise what has happened, and that will leave you a little stunned by the potential repercussions of that upon certain characters. But this is very much an ensemble piece - it is neither Anderson nor Costello who solves this case on their own. It takes the combined wits os many characters to get to the real truth and to find is what is suspected is actually true.
I loved the way in which the author develops both characters and landscape. Little of the story takes place in the heart of suburbia, the greatest action taking place in more remote settings which adds to the creeping tension and atmosphere, as well as that overwhelming sense of isolation and danger that feeds the narrative. And there are two characters who really stood out for me - the mysterious DCI Alistair Patrick, a man who is led to a rather grim discovery in a very isolated location and whose stoic, very guarded nature makes him feel as much of a suspect as a potential saviour, and DC Morna Taverner. Morna I really liked if only because of her tenacity. She had a gut feeling about a set of cases and how they may be linked as wasn't afraid to follow them whether she had the full backing of her Bosses or not. She was a little naive, but I really did like her focus and the fact that she wasn't prepared to give up until somebody, in this case Anderson, listened.
As I said earlier, I am a plonker. I should have read the earlier book in the series long before now, but it's something I intend to remedy moving forward. If you are a fan of the series I have absolutely no doubt you will love this book. It has a dark heart, a really atmospheric setting, and the way in which the truth slowly emerges is pretty perfect. It slowly but surely builds to a crescendo, a dramatic showdown that will push readers to the very edge of their seat. Definitely recommended.
Well, the book certainly started in quite dramatic fashion. it's not every story that starts with the resignation of one of its major characters, that's for sure. The whys and the wherefores of the decision are what we are here to find out, but it follows a pretty dramatic case that takes a real emotional toll on DI Costello. And it has to be said that whilst this is a book very much about Costello and her boss, DCI Anderson, it features her a lot less than you might expect, a decision that works perfectly for this complex and twisted thriller.
I''ll be honest, it is hard to talk about the story without knowing giving too much away. What you need to know is in the blurb. Costello is determined to prove the guilt of a man she believes to be behind a very vicious murder, but who appears to have the perfect alibi. Alongside that, the victim's sister is now the prime suspect and focused on proving her innocence. Both women have the same goal but very different approaches. It was hard to get to know anything about Costello from the way the story played out, but I learned a lot about Valerie, the victim's sister. I particularly enjoyed the way in which Caro Ramsay built her character up within the story. You weren't always sure of her motives and her actions were sometimes dubious to say the least, but the intention was, on the face of it, good. I think ...
Anderson, on the other hand, I got to learn a lot more about and I really liked him as a character (even if I really did want to call him Abbott more often than I should). He has a very complicated home life, something that feeds into the story perfectly with careful treatment. It both hinders and helps the progression of the investigation into the murders, although how is not immediately apparent. His personal circumstances preclude him from being actively involved in the investigation, but it doesn't stop him from finding an angle he can legitimately follow to try and help his former DI. His loyalty, although sorely tested, was very endearing. although I could feel his weariness (both physical and mental) bleeding from every page.
This is a very dark and twisted story, with several threads for the readers to follow. The wayin which the author pulls them all together, the final picture that starts to emerge as they draw tighter, is both surprising and satisfying. There are so many scenes that will leave readers on edge, moments when you draw in a quick and sharp breath as you think you realise what has happened, and that will leave you a little stunned by the potential repercussions of that upon certain characters. But this is very much an ensemble piece - it is neither Anderson nor Costello who solves this case on their own. It takes the combined wits os many characters to get to the real truth and to find is what is suspected is actually true.
I loved the way in which the author develops both characters and landscape. Little of the story takes place in the heart of suburbia, the greatest action taking place in more remote settings which adds to the creeping tension and atmosphere, as well as that overwhelming sense of isolation and danger that feeds the narrative. And there are two characters who really stood out for me - the mysterious DCI Alistair Patrick, a man who is led to a rather grim discovery in a very isolated location and whose stoic, very guarded nature makes him feel as much of a suspect as a potential saviour, and DC Morna Taverner. Morna I really liked if only because of her tenacity. She had a gut feeling about a set of cases and how they may be linked as wasn't afraid to follow them whether she had the full backing of her Bosses or not. She was a little naive, but I really did like her focus and the fact that she wasn't prepared to give up until somebody, in this case Anderson, listened.
As I said earlier, I am a plonker. I should have read the earlier book in the series long before now, but it's something I intend to remedy moving forward. If you are a fan of the series I have absolutely no doubt you will love this book. It has a dark heart, a really atmospheric setting, and the way in which the truth slowly emerges is pretty perfect. It slowly but surely builds to a crescendo, a dramatic showdown that will push readers to the very edge of their seat. Definitely recommended.
February 9, 2020
#TheSideman #NetGalley I had read the previous book in this series 'The Suffering of Strangers' and I was keen to know what had happened where the previous book left off. However, I found the cast of characters and the relationships between them totally confusing and I was left scratching my head on many occasions. When the author has to list a very long list of characters and heir relationships at the beginning of the book, it did ring some alarm bells. I would say that this definitely could not be read as a stand alone. The chapters are extremely long which personally, I always find off putting and within the chapter the book switches from scene to scene without any real links and it all seems very disjointed. I persevered with this book and the underlying storyline is a good one but I did not really enjoy it and I didn't think it was up to the previous books standard. I am now torn as to whether to read the next in the series.
September 4, 2021
The tenth book in an excellent series, following on directly from the events in #9.
This isn't so much Anderson & Costello as Anderson tries to work out where the hell Costello is. Much of the action takes place far north of Glasgow, moving Anderson well outside his comfort zone. The usual team is only peripherally involved as a whole new cast of characters is introduced. This makes things complex in places, with a new case, the immediate past case and several very old cases colliding.
Perhaps not as gripping as many in the series, but still well worth a read - but it is imperative to read The Suffering Of Strangers first.
This isn't so much Anderson & Costello as Anderson tries to work out where the hell Costello is. Much of the action takes place far north of Glasgow, moving Anderson well outside his comfort zone. The usual team is only peripherally involved as a whole new cast of characters is introduced. This makes things complex in places, with a new case, the immediate past case and several very old cases colliding.
Perhaps not as gripping as many in the series, but still well worth a read - but it is imperative to read The Suffering Of Strangers first.
February 25, 2020
Maybe this was too high brow for me, but I found it difficult to get into. There are many characters to keep track of. Granted there is a list with a brief description of how each character relates to another person but that’s 25 people to keep track of. The story is written with small vignettes that are sometimes seemingly unrelated but of course they culminate into a whodunit ending. I did persevere and did appreciate the storytelling but this is not a quick casual read.
I received a copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
I received a copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
February 21, 2020
I hate to say this but I didn't enjoy this book. For me there were just too many characters that were just "there" without any introduction and too much going on that I couldn't follow. This is part of a series and I wouldn't say that it read well as a stand alone book. Had I read the previous books I suspect that I would have enjoyed it more.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this boo in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this boo in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2023
It’s only the 2nd book of this series I’ve read (the other being 9) and I’m not sure I’ll read another. To many characters so makes it really confusing and hard to follow who they are; I know their listed at the beginning but reading this on a Kindle makes the flicking back and forward a nightmare! Even through I’ve read the book before this I’m still not sure I followed the plot as it just seemed to convoluted 😐
June 29, 2019
tip: it really helps if you have read the previous book in the series (The suffering of strangers) not that long ago before you start on this one
August 26, 2019
quite confusing as the characters are so interrelated. I got there in the end
March 29, 2022
Costello played such a small part in this novel it was almost a non event.
The author has Anderson walking around with his head up his backside for the bulk of the book.
The author has Anderson walking around with his head up his backside for the bulk of the book.
October 1, 2018
The events in this book do follow directly from what happened in the previous one - The Suffering of Strangers - so, if you haven't been with this series from the beginning, you would really be better off reading that one first at the very least. I feel you would probably struggle with this one if you don't although there are some recaps, they are really only memory joggers. Obviously it is better starting from book one but as this is the tenth, that might be a step too far for some!
So, with Costello still convinced of Haggerty's guilt, and her "interest" in him bordering on stalking and harassment, her superior officers frown upon her behaviour so she does the only think she can do: quit and go off grid. Anderson's own "relationship" with Haggerty isn't helping things either and he is also getting a bit tired of it all. Meanwhile, the rest of the force have a couple of, on first look, unrelated incidents, a body is found on a hillside, a woman presents herself with amnesia and some blood is also found, without any signs of where it came from. But it soon becomes transparent that there is more to these than first meets the eye.
This is a book best read when you have all your wits about you. There is a lot going on and, initially anyway, things really aren't too clear as to what is really going on. Don't get me wrong, it is not confusing, although there are quite a few perspectives given, you just have to hold some things until later when it all finally comes together; and it does come together, very nicely in fact!
Obviously, with Costello out of the picture for a while, the emphasis for the majority falls firmly at Anderson's feet, and we follow him as he, alongside the reader, tries to make sense of what he is being presented with. There are also quite a few bit part players in this book but, as with all this author's books, all the characters, however prominent, are well described and easy to differentiate.
When Costello does eventually resurface, with a vengeance, her part is played out perfectly. Whether she does "get her man", well, you'll just have to read to find out.
As already mentioned, jumping in cold to this book is not really a good idea, what with it being very busy and convoluted initially. As a bit of a fan of the series, I loved the ride it took me on, but I can well understand how it might confuse others not to familiar. Me, I can't wait to see what happens next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So, with Costello still convinced of Haggerty's guilt, and her "interest" in him bordering on stalking and harassment, her superior officers frown upon her behaviour so she does the only think she can do: quit and go off grid. Anderson's own "relationship" with Haggerty isn't helping things either and he is also getting a bit tired of it all. Meanwhile, the rest of the force have a couple of, on first look, unrelated incidents, a body is found on a hillside, a woman presents herself with amnesia and some blood is also found, without any signs of where it came from. But it soon becomes transparent that there is more to these than first meets the eye.
This is a book best read when you have all your wits about you. There is a lot going on and, initially anyway, things really aren't too clear as to what is really going on. Don't get me wrong, it is not confusing, although there are quite a few perspectives given, you just have to hold some things until later when it all finally comes together; and it does come together, very nicely in fact!
Obviously, with Costello out of the picture for a while, the emphasis for the majority falls firmly at Anderson's feet, and we follow him as he, alongside the reader, tries to make sense of what he is being presented with. There are also quite a few bit part players in this book but, as with all this author's books, all the characters, however prominent, are well described and easy to differentiate.
When Costello does eventually resurface, with a vengeance, her part is played out perfectly. Whether she does "get her man", well, you'll just have to read to find out.
As already mentioned, jumping in cold to this book is not really a good idea, what with it being very busy and convoluted initially. As a bit of a fan of the series, I loved the ride it took me on, but I can well understand how it might confuse others not to familiar. Me, I can't wait to see what happens next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 21, 2018
DI Costello has resigned from the Scotland Police force to spend all her time bringing suspected murderer George Haggerty to justice. He has an alibi, but Costello knows Haggerty is hiding something. Her former partner and friend DCI Colin Anderson is reeling from the news, but has to focus on a group of related cold cases he’s working on before they’re closed for good. Further developments has even Anderson questioning Haggerty’s innocence, but finding proof could be impossible.
“The Sideman” is the tenth book in this series. I don’t know if any of the earlier books in the series can stand alone, but this one really requires first reading “The Suffering of Strangers”, the book right before this one. It’s basically a continuation of the storyline in that book and although some basic information was given at the beginning, so many other important details aren’t included. I read “The Suffering of Strangers” and still found there to be a lot of characters to keep straight in this follow-up and the plot to be very confusing. There are a lot of different people investigating a lot of different things. Eventually, those seemingly disjointed subplots do come together, but I was confused and frustrated through most of the middle of the book.
I really enjoy the character of DCI Anderson when he’s on the job and at home. His personal life is chaotic when the book opens, due to developments in the prior book. I also like the intense DI Costello, but even though she plays a large role in the book, I missed her during the bulk of the book when she wasn’t actively investigating. Former prosecutor Valerie Abernethy is in the middle of the investigation. George Haggerty is suspected of killing her sister and nephew. Valerie is also related to an official involved in the investigation and is a suspect herself. She was in the house the night of her sister’s murder, but because of her alcoholism can’t remember anything about that night. She is a hard character to figure out, which adds some tension to the story.
The beginning and the ending of the book are engaging. I like the Scottish setting as well as the main characters of Costello, Anderson, and public prosecutor Archie Walker. However, the most I can give the book is 3.5 stars because of the complicated and confusing plot and subplots and overabundance of characters.
I received this books from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
“The Sideman” is the tenth book in this series. I don’t know if any of the earlier books in the series can stand alone, but this one really requires first reading “The Suffering of Strangers”, the book right before this one. It’s basically a continuation of the storyline in that book and although some basic information was given at the beginning, so many other important details aren’t included. I read “The Suffering of Strangers” and still found there to be a lot of characters to keep straight in this follow-up and the plot to be very confusing. There are a lot of different people investigating a lot of different things. Eventually, those seemingly disjointed subplots do come together, but I was confused and frustrated through most of the middle of the book.
I really enjoy the character of DCI Anderson when he’s on the job and at home. His personal life is chaotic when the book opens, due to developments in the prior book. I also like the intense DI Costello, but even though she plays a large role in the book, I missed her during the bulk of the book when she wasn’t actively investigating. Former prosecutor Valerie Abernethy is in the middle of the investigation. George Haggerty is suspected of killing her sister and nephew. Valerie is also related to an official involved in the investigation and is a suspect herself. She was in the house the night of her sister’s murder, but because of her alcoholism can’t remember anything about that night. She is a hard character to figure out, which adds some tension to the story.
The beginning and the ending of the book are engaging. I like the Scottish setting as well as the main characters of Costello, Anderson, and public prosecutor Archie Walker. However, the most I can give the book is 3.5 stars because of the complicated and confusing plot and subplots and overabundance of characters.
I received this books from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2020
Having previously read the excellent standalone novel, Mosaic by Caro Ramsay, I decided to take a chance and read this book, The Sideman. Although diving in headfirst at book ten was probably, with hindsight, a little reckless, nevertheless, I still liked this taut story but I would probably have appreciated it more had I read at least book nine in the series first.
This gritty police procedural is set in Glasgow and features DI Costello and DCI Colin Anderson. George Haggerty is a murderer and DI Winifred Prudence Costello knows it, despite him having a cast iron alibi for the murders of Abigail, his wife, and Malcolm, his son. Unable to let the matter rest, she decides to go solo to bring about his arrest, tendering her resignation. Meanwhile DCI Anderson has his own set of tribulations going on. Police Scotland is dealing with several apparently unrelated incidents: a body is found on a remote highland hillside, a woman with amnesia and a skull fracture is found in Glasgow city centre and a large quantity of blood is found on the shores of Loch Lomond.
With its mixture of clever plotting, suspense and atmospheric Scottish locations, The Sideman is an exhilarating read. There is some switching of perspectives from different characters and events until the story settles mainly on DCI Colin Anderson's viewpoint. With a sizeable chunk of good twists and unexpected surprises I have been inspired to read more from this series and accomplished author.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Canongate/ Black Thorn via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
This gritty police procedural is set in Glasgow and features DI Costello and DCI Colin Anderson. George Haggerty is a murderer and DI Winifred Prudence Costello knows it, despite him having a cast iron alibi for the murders of Abigail, his wife, and Malcolm, his son. Unable to let the matter rest, she decides to go solo to bring about his arrest, tendering her resignation. Meanwhile DCI Anderson has his own set of tribulations going on. Police Scotland is dealing with several apparently unrelated incidents: a body is found on a remote highland hillside, a woman with amnesia and a skull fracture is found in Glasgow city centre and a large quantity of blood is found on the shores of Loch Lomond.
With its mixture of clever plotting, suspense and atmospheric Scottish locations, The Sideman is an exhilarating read. There is some switching of perspectives from different characters and events until the story settles mainly on DCI Colin Anderson's viewpoint. With a sizeable chunk of good twists and unexpected surprises I have been inspired to read more from this series and accomplished author.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Canongate/ Black Thorn via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
June 10, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
Was I glad I had read The Suffering of Strangers; it made it easier to follow this book. That said, it was still a story to be read carefully and with concentration. Not that I'm complaining...I loved it. Caro Ramsay is such a great writer and Costello and Anderson marvellous characters.
Costello has resigned the force; no goodbyes, not a word to anyone. Not even Anderson and after having worked together for 20 years, he's more than a little hurt and worried. No one knows where she is, but she's following George Haggerty, convinced he killed his wife and son, despite the fact he has a solid alibi. Costello cannot work on that closed case anymore, it's done and dusted - the only solution was for her to quit and spend her own time following and observing him.
Most of the book she's missing and we meet many other familiar and unfamiliar characters. That's when I really had to pay attention, because it wasn't apparent what was going on till later in the story. But what a story! I loved it and have just ordered the first in the series as I really want to start from the beginning, to get to know the backstory, especially of Costello and Anderson. The setting, Glasgow, is another plus for me, having spent time there. I would like to be up to date with the series so I'll enjoy the follow up to The Sideman. Caro is definitely a great find for me; added to my list of favorite Scottish authors whose books I know I will love.
Was I glad I had read The Suffering of Strangers; it made it easier to follow this book. That said, it was still a story to be read carefully and with concentration. Not that I'm complaining...I loved it. Caro Ramsay is such a great writer and Costello and Anderson marvellous characters.
Costello has resigned the force; no goodbyes, not a word to anyone. Not even Anderson and after having worked together for 20 years, he's more than a little hurt and worried. No one knows where she is, but she's following George Haggerty, convinced he killed his wife and son, despite the fact he has a solid alibi. Costello cannot work on that closed case anymore, it's done and dusted - the only solution was for her to quit and spend her own time following and observing him.
Most of the book she's missing and we meet many other familiar and unfamiliar characters. That's when I really had to pay attention, because it wasn't apparent what was going on till later in the story. But what a story! I loved it and have just ordered the first in the series as I really want to start from the beginning, to get to know the backstory, especially of Costello and Anderson. The setting, Glasgow, is another plus for me, having spent time there. I would like to be up to date with the series so I'll enjoy the follow up to The Sideman. Caro is definitely a great find for me; added to my list of favorite Scottish authors whose books I know I will love.
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