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Theodore Tate #4
Five Minutes Alone
In the latest thriller by the Edgar-nominated author of Joe Victim, someone is helping rape victims exact revenge on their attackers, prompting an edge-of-your-seat, cat-and-mouse chase between old friends, detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroder.
Carl Schroder and Theodore Tate, labeled "The Coma Cops" by the media, are finally getting their lives back into shape. Tate has returned to the police force and is grateful to be back at home with his wife, Bridget. For Schroder, things are neither good nor bad. The bullet lodged in his head from a shooting six months ago hasn't killed him, but, almost as deadly, it's switched off his emotions.
When the body of a convicted rapist is found, obliterated by an oncoming train, Tate works the case, trying to determine if this is murder or suicide. The following night, the bodies of two more rapists surface. It's hard to investigate when everyone on the police force seems to be rooting for the killer.
There's a common plea detectives get from the loved ones of victims: When you find the man who did this, give me five minutes alone with him. And that's exactly what someone is doing. Someone is helping these victims get their five minutes alone. But when innocent people start to die, Tate and Schroder find themselves with different objectives, and soon they're battling something they never would've expected: each other.
Carl Schroder and Theodore Tate, labeled "The Coma Cops" by the media, are finally getting their lives back into shape. Tate has returned to the police force and is grateful to be back at home with his wife, Bridget. For Schroder, things are neither good nor bad. The bullet lodged in his head from a shooting six months ago hasn't killed him, but, almost as deadly, it's switched off his emotions.
When the body of a convicted rapist is found, obliterated by an oncoming train, Tate works the case, trying to determine if this is murder or suicide. The following night, the bodies of two more rapists surface. It's hard to investigate when everyone on the police force seems to be rooting for the killer.
There's a common plea detectives get from the loved ones of victims: When you find the man who did this, give me five minutes alone with him. And that's exactly what someone is doing. Someone is helping these victims get their five minutes alone. But when innocent people start to die, Tate and Schroder find themselves with different objectives, and soon they're battling something they never would've expected: each other.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2014
47 people are currently reading
1278 people want to read
About the author
Paul Cleave
44 books857 followersPaul Cleave is an internationally bestselling author who is currently dividing his time between his home city of Christchurch, New Zealand, where all of his novels are set, and Europe, where none of his novels are set. His work has been translated into fifteen languages. He has won the Ngaio Marsh award for best crime novel in New Zealand, he won the Saint-Maur book festival's crime novel of the year in France, has been shortlisted for the Edgar Award and the Barry Award in the US, and shortlisted for the Ned Kelly award in Australia. When he's not writing, he spends his time swearing on a golf course, swearing on a tennis court, or trying to add to his list of 25 countries where he's thrown his Frisbee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
August 5, 2016
I've been binge reading this series, and I'm having difficulty rating this book. It begins six months after Joe Victim.
Often cops hear a victim's family member angrily state, "Give me five minutes alone with the bastard!" There are characters in this book who are given that chance by Carl Schroder. Due to dying and then almost dying (yes, in that order) in the previous book, Schroder has lost his job, his family, his self-respect, and he's understandably depressed. There is still a bullet in his brain so he's not himself and he's just not thinking straight.
Life for Theodore Tate is looking up. He's back on the force, and his wife has improved immensely. She's home and doing well. Unfortunately a well-liked fellow officer dies, and Tate is made lead detective on the case. His partner is Rebecca Kent. She's a good investigator, but I felt unease with how she acted sometimes with Tate. I want Tate to have a good life and not screw it up by getting involved with Kent.
I had respected Schroder in the previous books. What Cleave did with him in this book was unexpected. For most of the book, I was really worried about Schroder. Through the series, I have felt Tate's sorrow and anguish, but he keeps doing things that are questionable during his investigations. He's on the verge of destroying his life with his actions (but I never had any vibe that he was interested in Kent).
This was a really dark book. Because of Schroder's condition, there wasn't much light banter between him and Tate to offset the darkness. Instead, Schroder had conversations with Warren, a spider, but even those were sad. Once again, the situation came close to bordering on the ridiculous, and again that didn't really bother me. When the book ended, I was glad. I didn't want to be sad, worried, and anxious any more.
Now, after writing this review to this point, I'm ready to award stars. I love books that make me feel something, and this book did that, but I hope the next book I read is a bit lighter emotionally. Since I've already read Trust No One (a standalone), I'm looking forward to Paul Cleave's next book.
Often cops hear a victim's family member angrily state, "Give me five minutes alone with the bastard!" There are characters in this book who are given that chance by Carl Schroder. Due to dying and then almost dying (yes, in that order) in the previous book, Schroder has lost his job, his family, his self-respect, and he's understandably depressed. There is still a bullet in his brain so he's not himself and he's just not thinking straight.
Life for Theodore Tate is looking up. He's back on the force, and his wife has improved immensely. She's home and doing well. Unfortunately a well-liked fellow officer dies, and Tate is made lead detective on the case. His partner is Rebecca Kent. She's a good investigator, but I felt unease with how she acted sometimes with Tate. I want Tate to have a good life and not screw it up by getting involved with Kent.
I had respected Schroder in the previous books. What Cleave did with him in this book was unexpected. For most of the book, I was really worried about Schroder. Through the series, I have felt Tate's sorrow and anguish, but he keeps doing things that are questionable during his investigations. He's on the verge of destroying his life with his actions (but I never had any vibe that he was interested in Kent).
This was a really dark book. Because of Schroder's condition, there wasn't much light banter between him and Tate to offset the darkness. Instead, Schroder had conversations with Warren, a spider, but even those were sad. Once again, the situation came close to bordering on the ridiculous, and again that didn't really bother me. When the book ended, I was glad. I didn't want to be sad, worried, and anxious any more.
Now, after writing this review to this point, I'm ready to award stars. I love books that make me feel something, and this book did that, but I hope the next book I read is a bit lighter emotionally. Since I've already read Trust No One (a standalone), I'm looking forward to Paul Cleave's next book.
July 31, 2017
FIVE MINUTES ALONE is the "best of the best"! A true gripping, riveting, intense, suspenseful fast-paced crime thriller. Brilliantly written, an award-winning author, and predicted "crime thriller of the year!"
Set in Christchurch, New Zealand, someone is helping rape victims get revenge on their attackers. An intense, edge-of-your-seat, holding your breath, cat-and-mouse chase between old friends- detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroder. These two, labeled “The Coma Cops” by the media, are finally getting their lives back into shape (think again). Tate has returned to the police force and is grateful to be back at home with his wife, Bridget. For Schroder; life, not so much.
Meet a few of the main characters:
What if . . . every relative or close friend of a murder victim could be granted five minutes alone with the killer? Would it offer them closure, revenge? If granted, soon after the murder, or say, five, ten, or twenty years later? Would the outcome be any different? Would the anger still be fresh, or would time lessen the obsession? What would happen in those five minutes, if left alone with this murderer?
To further complicate, the new death penalty; will this change the level of violence in the country? The Old Him had been about men like Dwight Smith, and the Christchurch Carver and getting up every morning fighting a never ending fight, dedicating himself to the cause, against violence. What about the New Him?
However, when these criminals get put behind bars, they get out, in a few years, and then are free to kill again. Why should these criminals get a second chance? After all, he never got a second chance.
When rapists and killers begin to show up dead, there seems to be a connection. Could it be a cop or an inside job? It appears someone is one step ahead of the cops. Schroeder and Tate were a team in the past, after all, they have been through the good times and the bad together.
Could Schroeder be behind this madness? Is he playing God, has he completely lost it? He has to stop his friend, as he is out of control, as now the Five Minute Man is involving the past victims. However, one big problem; Schroeder has something on Tate – will he use this information to keep Tate from busting him? Blackmail . . . karma bites!
My first read by Paul Cleave, (was blown away), and could not purchase the previous books in the Christchurch Noir Crime Series, fast enough! Joe Victim, Cemetery Lake, The Cleaner, The Laughterhouse, Blood Men, Collecting Cooper and The Killing Hour, as dying to learn the background of these intriguing characters!
Not only is this suspense complex, it is thought-provoking, with impressive plotting and character development; just when you think it is winding down, bang, another twist is around the corner!
Five Minutes Alone, offers heart-pounding intense and fast-paced suspense, leaving you page-turning desperately, into the wee hours of the morning, dying to learn the fate of these troubled and flawed characters, as you sympathize with them all.
You have to read FIVE MINUTES ALONE. You will not be able to stop with just one. I read this as a standalone; however, if you are like me, you will want to read them all. Crime thriller fans will devour!
Atria definitely knows how to crank out the winners: Forty Acres (7/14) and now Five Minutes Alone (10/14), two of my favorite thrillers for 2014!
A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC and the introduction to this impressive author, in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
TOP 30 BEST BOOKS OF 2014
Be sure and read his upcoming TRUST NO ONE 5 Stars+ Coming 8/4/2015. You are going to love it!
Looking forward to reading A Killer Harvest Coming August 2017. So excited to land an early reading copy.
Set in Christchurch, New Zealand, someone is helping rape victims get revenge on their attackers. An intense, edge-of-your-seat, holding your breath, cat-and-mouse chase between old friends- detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroder. These two, labeled “The Coma Cops” by the media, are finally getting their lives back into shape (think again). Tate has returned to the police force and is grateful to be back at home with his wife, Bridget. For Schroder; life, not so much.
Meet a few of the main characters:
Detective Theodore (Theo) Tate has lived through a nightmare; however, what he is about to experience will be even worse. His daughter Emily has been killed, his wife, Bridget has lost part of her memory; and often thinks she is living in a world - three years prior to the accident. Theo cannot leave her alone, as she still sets a place at the breakfast table for their daughter. Formerly known as the Coma cop, serving time in jail due to a drunk driving accident, he is now back on the force with his partner Rebecca Kent, which has also been disfigured with tortures of her own.
Kelly Summers’ life changed five years ago and will never be the same. Her world intersected with Dwight Smith, a rapist cutting her face, and disfiguring her, inside and out; she still sees him creeping around every corner of her life, day and night. She fears every day and needs to stay numb with pills to keep the evil at a distance. Her worst nightmare comes true – Dwight is now out of prison.
Peter Crowley, was unable to protect his family. Years ago, his wife was brutally raped repeatedly by two brutal brothers, in front of their young daughter Monica. Unable to live with the past, it drove her to suicide. Even though years later, Peter has remarried, while Monica is now a troubled teen. At the time Peter begged for five minutes alone with the killers, willing to even pay for it. He was never granted the request. Now years later, the rapist's are out of prison. Does he still want his five minutes, if given the choice?
Former ex-cop Carl Schroeder has seen it all and a man of many names. Over the last few years, the city has had many criminals and he has been involved with them all. The Christchurch Carver, the Burial Killer, the Gran Reaper, even Melissa X. Every one of them a psychopath, a killer. There is the Old Him before he was fired, lost his job, his family, his life, and before he attained the scar, and a bullet lodged in his brain; a time bomb waiting to explode or dislodged which will kill him). The New Him (numb, he talks to Warren, a spider on his wall, he cannot taste anything, has no emotion, or social skills; he just eats to live, and to be honest, he does not care if he lives). Will getting even, provide him with motivation to move on and will he be a hero?
What if . . . every relative or close friend of a murder victim could be granted five minutes alone with the killer? Would it offer them closure, revenge? If granted, soon after the murder, or say, five, ten, or twenty years later? Would the outcome be any different? Would the anger still be fresh, or would time lessen the obsession? What would happen in those five minutes, if left alone with this murderer?
To further complicate, the new death penalty; will this change the level of violence in the country? The Old Him had been about men like Dwight Smith, and the Christchurch Carver and getting up every morning fighting a never ending fight, dedicating himself to the cause, against violence. What about the New Him?
However, when these criminals get put behind bars, they get out, in a few years, and then are free to kill again. Why should these criminals get a second chance? After all, he never got a second chance.
When rapists and killers begin to show up dead, there seems to be a connection. Could it be a cop or an inside job? It appears someone is one step ahead of the cops. Schroeder and Tate were a team in the past, after all, they have been through the good times and the bad together.
Could Schroeder be behind this madness? Is he playing God, has he completely lost it? He has to stop his friend, as he is out of control, as now the Five Minute Man is involving the past victims. However, one big problem; Schroeder has something on Tate – will he use this information to keep Tate from busting him? Blackmail . . . karma bites!
My first read by Paul Cleave, (was blown away), and could not purchase the previous books in the Christchurch Noir Crime Series, fast enough! Joe Victim, Cemetery Lake, The Cleaner, The Laughterhouse, Blood Men, Collecting Cooper and The Killing Hour, as dying to learn the background of these intriguing characters!
Not only is this suspense complex, it is thought-provoking, with impressive plotting and character development; just when you think it is winding down, bang, another twist is around the corner!
Five Minutes Alone, offers heart-pounding intense and fast-paced suspense, leaving you page-turning desperately, into the wee hours of the morning, dying to learn the fate of these troubled and flawed characters, as you sympathize with them all.
You have to read FIVE MINUTES ALONE. You will not be able to stop with just one. I read this as a standalone; however, if you are like me, you will want to read them all. Crime thriller fans will devour!
Atria definitely knows how to crank out the winners: Forty Acres (7/14) and now Five Minutes Alone (10/14), two of my favorite thrillers for 2014!
A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC and the introduction to this impressive author, in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
TOP 30 BEST BOOKS OF 2014
Be sure and read his upcoming TRUST NO ONE 5 Stars+ Coming 8/4/2015. You are going to love it!
Looking forward to reading A Killer Harvest Coming August 2017. So excited to land an early reading copy.
July 24, 2016
I have said it myself...."just give me five minutes alone with him/her/them".
And there is someone out there, in Christchurch New Zealand, who is determined to give the victims of horrible crimes their five minutes, or however long it takes, with the offenders to exact their revenge.
And really, who is going to worry when a murderer or a rapist is disposed of?
But just how carefully is the Five Minute Man selecting his victims? And what happens when innocent people start being hurt?
Theodore Tate finds himself in a dilemma with this case because he has, in the past, exacted his own revenge. And the Five Minute Man knows....
This is not my favourite Paul Cleave novel, but it is a goodie; one that will keep you reading, and certainly get you thinking.
And there is someone out there, in Christchurch New Zealand, who is determined to give the victims of horrible crimes their five minutes, or however long it takes, with the offenders to exact their revenge.
And really, who is going to worry when a murderer or a rapist is disposed of?
But just how carefully is the Five Minute Man selecting his victims? And what happens when innocent people start being hurt?
Theodore Tate finds himself in a dilemma with this case because he has, in the past, exacted his own revenge. And the Five Minute Man knows....
This is not my favourite Paul Cleave novel, but it is a goodie; one that will keep you reading, and certainly get you thinking.
September 27, 2014
I could not finish this one. Regardless, you will see I still gave it 3 stars. I felt it was well written despite the absurd number of bad luck experiences the protagonists faced. Ultimately,this story used one of my least favourite plot structures. The plot in which the bad guy is known and we get to guess whether he will get away with it. For my money, a book that reveals the killer at the outset needs to have string characterization to keep my interest. This one did not so I had to give up after about 40% completion. I don't want my review to scare away readers as it is well written but simply was not my taste. If you do not share my particular dislike, give this story a go.
July 7, 2022
Paul Cleave, a New Zealander has written six novels - two of which are part of one series while the other four are in a second series. The fact that they are all part of one continuous story can make them a little difficult to follow if a long interval divides your read of one of the books from another. In my case, that interval was more than five years. In fact, I read five of his books between 2011 and 2017 with the majority in 2013. The result is that I did not remember many of the facts from previous books that he referenced in Five Minutes Alone. There is little doubt that this detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Theodore ¨Theo or Teddy¨ has been a cop in Christchurch, NZ for many years with his career having significant ups and downs including a number of promotions, having a great partner, Carl Schroeder, who is now, somewhat deranged having been shot in the head where the bullet still resides, cracking countless cases but not being about to track down his nemesis, the Christchurch Carver, being in a coma at the same time as Schroder with the newspapers labeling them the Coma Cops, and having his wife and daughter murdered. Most of these have happened in previous books which shows why it is important to read Cleave´s books in the order in which they were written.
In Five Minutes Alone, Theo finds himself in search of a killer who, apparently, is out to kill bad guys, rapists, murderers, and the like. Unfortunately, each of these well-meant executions somehow goes wrong. Somebody thought to be a murderer actually did not commit the offense. A rapist is turned over to his victim who kills but does that give her peace? Along the way, Theo's boss dies of a heart attack, and Theo is put in charge of the case but he knows too much to avoid a conflict of interests.
Five Minutes Alone contains a fair amount of brutality, tons of twists and turns, suspense, and clever dialogue. It´s engaging and populated with interesting characters, some of whose circumstances have changed so dramatically since their initial appearance in the series, that they are unrecognizable.
If you´re up for that kind of book, by all means, start with the first book in the first series. You will quickly find out if you´re a Paul Cleaves fan or not - I am.
Fini
Theodore ¨Theo or Teddy¨ has been a cop in Christchurch, NZ for many years with his career having significant ups and downs including a number of promotions, having a great partner, Carl Schroeder, who is now, somewhat deranged having been shot in the head where the bullet still resides, cracking countless cases but not being about to track down his nemesis, the Christchurch Carver, being in a coma at the same time as Schroder with the newspapers labeling them the Coma Cops, and having his wife and daughter murdered. Most of these have happened in previous books which shows why it is important to read Cleave´s books in the order in which they were written.
In Five Minutes Alone, Theo finds himself in search of a killer who, apparently, is out to kill bad guys, rapists, murderers, and the like. Unfortunately, each of these well-meant executions somehow goes wrong. Somebody thought to be a murderer actually did not commit the offense. A rapist is turned over to his victim who kills but does that give her peace? Along the way, Theo's boss dies of a heart attack, and Theo is put in charge of the case but he knows too much to avoid a conflict of interests.
Five Minutes Alone contains a fair amount of brutality, tons of twists and turns, suspense, and clever dialogue. It´s engaging and populated with interesting characters, some of whose circumstances have changed so dramatically since their initial appearance in the series, that they are unrecognizable.
If you´re up for that kind of book, by all means, start with the first book in the first series. You will quickly find out if you´re a Paul Cleaves fan or not - I am.
Fini
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2020
This is part detective, part thriller. A retired cop is executing paroled rapists and others he thinks were not sufficiently punished. His former partner is investigating the crimes. He figures out the identity of the killer fairly quickly, but he also has skeletons in his closet which the killer blackmails him with. There was quite a bit of very improbable scenes. But the action kept the story moving and the reader somewhat engaged.
January 11, 2022
3,5 / 5
Finalini çok sevmesem de sıkıcı olmayan, iyi bir seriydi.
Bazı olayları anlayabilmek için yazarın bağlantılı serisi Cleaner ı bu seri ile paralel okumak gerekiyormuş (orjinal basım yılı sırasıyla). Ben böyle yapmadım, pişmanım 😏
Finalini çok sevmesem de sıkıcı olmayan, iyi bir seriydi.
Bazı olayları anlayabilmek için yazarın bağlantılı serisi Cleaner ı bu seri ile paralel okumak gerekiyormuş (orjinal basım yılı sırasıyla). Ben böyle yapmadım, pişmanım 😏
December 13, 2014
Excellent entry in the Theo Tate series from Cleave, a very underrated thriller writer. Worth 4.5 stars with just a few moments of excessive credibility stretching keeping it from 5 stars. The story of a former police officer deciding to give victims of crime their "5 minutes" with the criminals moves at a fast pace and never lets up, with characters that you really find yourself caring about. The ending leaves several questions unanswered for the next entry, to which I am already looking forward. Highly recommended.
February 15, 2015
Another winner for Paul Cleave (“Cleave”). I absolutely loved “Five Minutes Alone.” If a series could garner a rating I’d give this one ten big stars.
I have a handful of go-to authors that never disappoint and Paul Cleave (“Cleave”) is one of them. Being a huge fan of his, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his latest installment, “Five Minutes Alone.” Seriously readers, if you’ve never read any works by this author, and you’re a lover of the mystery/suspense/thriller genre, you’re missing out on what I believe to be is some brilliant storytelling, and the “Theodore Tate” series is no exception. Cleave delivers an in-depth and well-written novel that’s intriguing as it engages the reader from beginning to end. A dark thriller that includes the most in-depth and complex array of characters. These same characters will evoke various thoughts and emotions, a lot of them not good. To fully comprehend the story, to see where it all began and to learn and understand each character, who they are, how far they’ve come, and what each one has endured, to appreciate it all I highly recommend you start with book 1, “Cemetary Lake.” What I absolutely love about this series is that it’s unlike so many others out there. When you pick up one of Cleave’s novels, you have no idea which direction the story and/or character(s) is going to lead you, especially with all the twists and turns throughout. Like any good book it’s about good vs. evil. But who’s good? Who’s evil? Who gets to judge? Without giving too much away, let me end this review by telling you that “Five Minutes Alone” is a thrilling ride from beginning to end. I really hope that there will be a lot more of Detective Theodore Tate to come.
I have a handful of go-to authors that never disappoint and Paul Cleave (“Cleave”) is one of them. Being a huge fan of his, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his latest installment, “Five Minutes Alone.” Seriously readers, if you’ve never read any works by this author, and you’re a lover of the mystery/suspense/thriller genre, you’re missing out on what I believe to be is some brilliant storytelling, and the “Theodore Tate” series is no exception. Cleave delivers an in-depth and well-written novel that’s intriguing as it engages the reader from beginning to end. A dark thriller that includes the most in-depth and complex array of characters. These same characters will evoke various thoughts and emotions, a lot of them not good. To fully comprehend the story, to see where it all began and to learn and understand each character, who they are, how far they’ve come, and what each one has endured, to appreciate it all I highly recommend you start with book 1, “Cemetary Lake.” What I absolutely love about this series is that it’s unlike so many others out there. When you pick up one of Cleave’s novels, you have no idea which direction the story and/or character(s) is going to lead you, especially with all the twists and turns throughout. Like any good book it’s about good vs. evil. But who’s good? Who’s evil? Who gets to judge? Without giving too much away, let me end this review by telling you that “Five Minutes Alone” is a thrilling ride from beginning to end. I really hope that there will be a lot more of Detective Theodore Tate to come.
July 13, 2014
I'd highly recommend this book, and as it's the first I've read by this author, I m about to read all his previous mysteries. That said, I must specify the complexity of this novel. Even after turning the final page, I find myself asking, "Were there really.ANY good guys here??" I've heard of "flawed heroes" and "anti-heroes," but I think the characters here deserve their own, New, category.
June 24, 2018
Finally Theo and Schroder are back together for another wild ride! I love the concept of this book -- how many times have people asked for five minutes alone with the perpetrators of terrible crimes?
Paul Cleave is so adept at making his readers accessories to murder and all other sorts of crime, because I've got to say, I often question if I'm a horrible person for rooting for characters who are doing bad things! I find myself just going along for the ride and saying, "Yep, uh-huh, that's exactly what you should do and I would do that too."
Theodore Tate is one of my absolute favorite characters ever. If any books featuring him are ever made into a film, I can only hope they choose an actor who can capture the character in the way he's written-- when you want him to succeed even when you know you shouldn't because maybe he hasn't always done the straight and narrow thing.
Paul Cleave is so adept at making his readers accessories to murder and all other sorts of crime, because I've got to say, I often question if I'm a horrible person for rooting for characters who are doing bad things! I find myself just going along for the ride and saying, "Yep, uh-huh, that's exactly what you should do and I would do that too."
Theodore Tate is one of my absolute favorite characters ever. If any books featuring him are ever made into a film, I can only hope they choose an actor who can capture the character in the way he's written-- when you want him to succeed even when you know you shouldn't because maybe he hasn't always done the straight and narrow thing.
September 19, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
October 18, 2014
My View:
Would benefit from reading previous instalments.
This is a review that is causing me to wrestle with my response to the book – I had so many! Let me explain – I hadn’t read any others in this series but the premise of revenge drew me in. The first few chapters I found really engaging, tense, and dramatic. I empathised with the first murderer – I think anyone would. And hence starts the first of many moral dilemmas in this narrative.
The theme of revenge, of ‘doing the right thing by doing the wrong thing’ is a theme I have noticed weave its way into a few contemporary reads lately. The question is raised, would you do the ‘right thing’ when ‘the right thing’ isn’t necessarily the ‘legal thing’. And responds and provides scenarios that address the comment so many victims of crime or their close friends, family or partner may say after a horrific act – “Give me five minutes alone with the perpetrator.” We have all heard it before or maybe even responded the same way. What would you do with that time? Cleave provides some very interesting outcomes to stir your thoughts. (Some progressive gaols do encourage victims to meet with the perpetrator – whether that be to vent and rage or to try understand the “why” and help the victim deal with their loss of power.)
I really liked the characterisations in this novel – flawed but very human cops, the main protagonists’ being cops who are also victims/perpetrators of crimes themselves. This put a very interesting spin on the narrative and this is where I wish I had read the previous novels to get a better understanding of what made Theo and Carl the people we encounter in this book.
However the amount of bad luck that Carl Schroder experiences was a little difficult to believe; I could almost see the actions exaggerated just a little to fit the script of a very black slapstick comedy…The strength of the writing kept me reading.
So I am conflicted on how I feel about this book, would I recommend it to others? Maybe with the proviso you read the earlier books first and get a good understanding of the history that created Theo and Carl as depicted in this book. Was I engaged with this narrative? Yes I was, I wanted to know how Theo and Carl could possibly get themselves out of such a difficult situation and I wanted these flawed good /bad guys to win. It is too hard, I will leave this one for you to decide what you think about it.
Would benefit from reading previous instalments.
This is a review that is causing me to wrestle with my response to the book – I had so many! Let me explain – I hadn’t read any others in this series but the premise of revenge drew me in. The first few chapters I found really engaging, tense, and dramatic. I empathised with the first murderer – I think anyone would. And hence starts the first of many moral dilemmas in this narrative.
The theme of revenge, of ‘doing the right thing by doing the wrong thing’ is a theme I have noticed weave its way into a few contemporary reads lately. The question is raised, would you do the ‘right thing’ when ‘the right thing’ isn’t necessarily the ‘legal thing’. And responds and provides scenarios that address the comment so many victims of crime or their close friends, family or partner may say after a horrific act – “Give me five minutes alone with the perpetrator.” We have all heard it before or maybe even responded the same way. What would you do with that time? Cleave provides some very interesting outcomes to stir your thoughts. (Some progressive gaols do encourage victims to meet with the perpetrator – whether that be to vent and rage or to try understand the “why” and help the victim deal with their loss of power.)
I really liked the characterisations in this novel – flawed but very human cops, the main protagonists’ being cops who are also victims/perpetrators of crimes themselves. This put a very interesting spin on the narrative and this is where I wish I had read the previous novels to get a better understanding of what made Theo and Carl the people we encounter in this book.
However the amount of bad luck that Carl Schroder experiences was a little difficult to believe; I could almost see the actions exaggerated just a little to fit the script of a very black slapstick comedy…The strength of the writing kept me reading.
So I am conflicted on how I feel about this book, would I recommend it to others? Maybe with the proviso you read the earlier books first and get a good understanding of the history that created Theo and Carl as depicted in this book. Was I engaged with this narrative? Yes I was, I wanted to know how Theo and Carl could possibly get themselves out of such a difficult situation and I wanted these flawed good /bad guys to win. It is too hard, I will leave this one for you to decide what you think about it.
December 24, 2018
It has been 2 years since I joined the Goodreads family , and the very first friend I made was Brenda Best- it was her recommendation that I picked up my first Paul Cleave book... and my goodness I have been hooked ever since!! One thing that I should mention (thanks to Brenda) is that in this one case you should read his book by "publication order" Paul has a unique style of writing and most of the times he takes the characters from his previous book and adds then to his current books... ( be it good guys, bad guys or somewhere in between!)
How many times in our lives something bad happened to a person we love? So bad that you will here someone say " Just put me in a room with this bastard, and just give me 5 minutes alone with him" Well, this book is based on that saying ..... I will leave your imagination run wild with that saying , for this is what this book is all about.
Perhaps this is a 4 star read- but I am such a huge fan of Paul's writing and I have now read every book that he wrote I added another star " just because!"
If you love to read psychological thrillers, along with some CrAzY characters ... and I'm mean psycho, nutty, off the charts type people.....( oh and yes, at times you get to LIKE this crazy people too !! ) - Well I suggest picking up his books ..... I will now have to wait (un)patiently for his next book to come out.... Come on Mr. Cleave- get writing .... PLEASE!!! Your fans are 'dying' for a new book !! (well, not really dying.... but you get the idea!)
How many times in our lives something bad happened to a person we love? So bad that you will here someone say " Just put me in a room with this bastard, and just give me 5 minutes alone with him" Well, this book is based on that saying ..... I will leave your imagination run wild with that saying , for this is what this book is all about.
Perhaps this is a 4 star read- but I am such a huge fan of Paul's writing and I have now read every book that he wrote I added another star " just because!"
If you love to read psychological thrillers, along with some CrAzY characters ... and I'm mean psycho, nutty, off the charts type people.....( oh and yes, at times you get to LIKE this crazy people too !! ) - Well I suggest picking up his books ..... I will now have to wait (un)patiently for his next book to come out.... Come on Mr. Cleave- get writing .... PLEASE!!! Your fans are 'dying' for a new book !! (well, not really dying.... but you get the idea!)
February 11, 2016
As usual, I can't put a Paul Cleave down.
I was wrestling with the title and just wasn't concise
in my explanation.
Tony (Chadds Ford, Pa) captured it so well....Check out his quote.
"Here’s the premise: People who have been violated in one way or another all wish for some kind of payback, or revenge against their assailant. What if there was a person who facilitated that payback, and helped to permanently eliminate that threat?"
I was wrestling with the title and just wasn't concise
in my explanation.
Tony (Chadds Ford, Pa) captured it so well....Check out his quote.
"Here’s the premise: People who have been violated in one way or another all wish for some kind of payback, or revenge against their assailant. What if there was a person who facilitated that payback, and helped to permanently eliminate that threat?"
August 13, 2014
FIVE MINUTES ALONE
by Paul Cleave
Scheduled for release on October 4th, the latest thriller by bestselling author Paul Cleave is a benchmark in crime fiction. FIVE MINUTES ALONE is a stand alone novel followed closely by last year's great read JOE VICTIM.
Christchurch, New Zealand has seen it's share of violence covering every aspect of criminal behavior. Someone is allowing rape victims to have 'five minutes alone' with the people responsible for crimes committed against them. A body is found along the railroad tracks destroyed by an oncoming train. Was it suicide? Murder? As the body count rises and the common thread between all of the murders begin to form a dark logical answer the reader is plunged into the lives of not only the victims but the rapists/now victims as well.
A few months after the dramatic ending of JOE VICTIM, the two detectives on the case dubbed 'the coma cops' by the social media, Detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroeder are in a personal race against time to get their lives back together. Both cops were wounded, shot in the head, One by the notorious Melissa X who stalked the pages of JOE VICTIM and the other on another case. Tate's wife Bridget is recovering from a drunk driving accident that claimed their daughter.
One of the great things about all of Mr. Cleave's characters is all of their flaws are front and center for viewing by the reader. Real life doesn't get anymore realistic or dangerous.
The person behind all of the vigilante style killings is addressed early on in this perfectly written thriller. The reader finds themselves beginning to root for the bad guy this time. At least this reader did. What would one do if they were the victim of a brutal rape that left them physically and emotionally scarred for many years and once their rapist(s) was released would 'five minutes alone' bring one some closure? To brutalize and torture them in ways that have been slowly creeping up in the back of your mind? Mr. Cleave has created a literary platform for a wishful debate.
Jim Munchel
by Paul Cleave
Scheduled for release on October 4th, the latest thriller by bestselling author Paul Cleave is a benchmark in crime fiction. FIVE MINUTES ALONE is a stand alone novel followed closely by last year's great read JOE VICTIM.
Christchurch, New Zealand has seen it's share of violence covering every aspect of criminal behavior. Someone is allowing rape victims to have 'five minutes alone' with the people responsible for crimes committed against them. A body is found along the railroad tracks destroyed by an oncoming train. Was it suicide? Murder? As the body count rises and the common thread between all of the murders begin to form a dark logical answer the reader is plunged into the lives of not only the victims but the rapists/now victims as well.
A few months after the dramatic ending of JOE VICTIM, the two detectives on the case dubbed 'the coma cops' by the social media, Detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroeder are in a personal race against time to get their lives back together. Both cops were wounded, shot in the head, One by the notorious Melissa X who stalked the pages of JOE VICTIM and the other on another case. Tate's wife Bridget is recovering from a drunk driving accident that claimed their daughter.
One of the great things about all of Mr. Cleave's characters is all of their flaws are front and center for viewing by the reader. Real life doesn't get anymore realistic or dangerous.
The person behind all of the vigilante style killings is addressed early on in this perfectly written thriller. The reader finds themselves beginning to root for the bad guy this time. At least this reader did. What would one do if they were the victim of a brutal rape that left them physically and emotionally scarred for many years and once their rapist(s) was released would 'five minutes alone' bring one some closure? To brutalize and torture them in ways that have been slowly creeping up in the back of your mind? Mr. Cleave has created a literary platform for a wishful debate.
Jim Munchel
September 20, 2014
I received an advanced copy of Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave from NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest review.
Think what it would be like if crime victims were granted 5 minutes alone with their attackers. It is a common request that police receive. "If you find the person who did this, please give me 5 minutes alone with them..."
When the body of a recently released convicted murder is found hit by a train, Theodore Tate, tries to determine if it is a suicide or a murder. Theo consults with his friend, Carl Schroeder, an ex-cop who was shot in the head six months ago, leaving him emotionless. Carl was the investigator on the case of the rapist who was killed. Once it is determined that the rapist was murdered, Theo begins to think that the murderer was the woman who had been raped but also that she had help. While following leads, two more rapists are killed, and everyone on the police force seems to be cheering on the killer, whom the media has dubbed, The Five Minute Man.
When The Five Minute Man actually kills an innocent man, Theo and Carl find themselves battling each other.
This tense thriller had me on the edge of my seat and found me giving up my precious sleep time to race to the stunning end.
Is the Five Minute Man a good guy or a bad guy? Read the book and let me know what you think.
Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave is set to be released on October 21, 2014. Buy a copy or check it out at your local library.
Thanks for reading.
Think what it would be like if crime victims were granted 5 minutes alone with their attackers. It is a common request that police receive. "If you find the person who did this, please give me 5 minutes alone with them..."
When the body of a recently released convicted murder is found hit by a train, Theodore Tate, tries to determine if it is a suicide or a murder. Theo consults with his friend, Carl Schroeder, an ex-cop who was shot in the head six months ago, leaving him emotionless. Carl was the investigator on the case of the rapist who was killed. Once it is determined that the rapist was murdered, Theo begins to think that the murderer was the woman who had been raped but also that she had help. While following leads, two more rapists are killed, and everyone on the police force seems to be cheering on the killer, whom the media has dubbed, The Five Minute Man.
When The Five Minute Man actually kills an innocent man, Theo and Carl find themselves battling each other.
This tense thriller had me on the edge of my seat and found me giving up my precious sleep time to race to the stunning end.
Is the Five Minute Man a good guy or a bad guy? Read the book and let me know what you think.
Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave is set to be released on October 21, 2014. Buy a copy or check it out at your local library.
Thanks for reading.
November 8, 2014
I have not read the prior three novels in this series. Although I do own another book by this author. I just have not had the chance to pick it up and read it. Well after reading this book, I am going back and picking it up. I could not stop reading this book. I totally got the reason for the killings. Luckily and I hope that I never had to ask for my "Five Minutes". There was no secret about who was responsible for the killings. Which I liked. All I could think was would that person be caught and if so what would happen? The dymanics of Tate and Schroder's relationship was complex but it added to the story. Not only because I could not get enough of this book do I want to go back and read the prior novels but I also want to read more about the incident that happened years ago to tear Tate and Schroder apart. Also, if don't be afraid to check this book out as the killings are not talked about in gruesome details. I would say that author brings out the more human aspect of the reason for the killings and does not mainly focus on the killings.
December 4, 2014
This is one of the reasons I am proud to be a New Zealander. There is a lot of home grown talent on this small Island.
Five minutes alone is what the friends or relatives of victims want to have with the offender. Of course by law that cannot happen...or can it. Someone is doing just that, and Theodore Tate is on the case to hunt this person down. Things start to go wrong when innocent people die, and as I neared the end of the book each page was turned with trepidation as the only possible outcome was one I didn't want. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, you really need to read the others to follow the back story of the characters as they all overlap in the books.
A fantastic read from one of the best
Five minutes alone is what the friends or relatives of victims want to have with the offender. Of course by law that cannot happen...or can it. Someone is doing just that, and Theodore Tate is on the case to hunt this person down. Things start to go wrong when innocent people die, and as I neared the end of the book each page was turned with trepidation as the only possible outcome was one I didn't want. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, you really need to read the others to follow the back story of the characters as they all overlap in the books.
A fantastic read from one of the best
May 10, 2016
Another dark novel... seems to be my time for dark novels. MAybe I should read something like Winnie the Pooh next - lol
Tate is a policeman in Christchurch New Zealand.
Schroeder was a policeman who was shot in the line of duty. It has effected his brain. Maybe because there is still a bullet in this brain. He does not feel like himself and so decides to start giving the victims their "5 minutes". It seems that whenever someone is murdered the victims loved one always beg the police officer for "5 minutes" alone with the murderer. Schroeder decides to give the love ones of the victims their "5 minutes" alone with the murderers. He want to find balance for society. Tate - Schroeder's ex-partner - gets put right in the middle
Tate is a policeman in Christchurch New Zealand.
Schroeder was a policeman who was shot in the line of duty. It has effected his brain. Maybe because there is still a bullet in this brain. He does not feel like himself and so decides to start giving the victims their "5 minutes". It seems that whenever someone is murdered the victims loved one always beg the police officer for "5 minutes" alone with the murderer. Schroeder decides to give the love ones of the victims their "5 minutes" alone with the murderers. He want to find balance for society. Tate - Schroeder's ex-partner - gets put right in the middle
December 30, 2014
I really enjoyed this one by Paul cleave. I know when I am reading one of his books I am going to get a good story, well thought out and diverse characters and a true thriller mystery.
In Five minutes alone its no exception and Tate and Schroder are back. Two of my most favorite characters.
in order to appreciate this book, these characters and the ending (not that the ending is confusing but being OK with it), its best to read Cleave's books in order. I am definitely interested to see what Paul Cleave has coming out next. It will be a must read for me!
In Five minutes alone its no exception and Tate and Schroder are back. Two of my most favorite characters.
in order to appreciate this book, these characters and the ending (not that the ending is confusing but being OK with it), its best to read Cleave's books in order. I am definitely interested to see what Paul Cleave has coming out next. It will be a must read for me!
November 11, 2025
8/10 Thriller fosc, molt tens i emocionalment incòmode (en el bon sentit). La història gira al voltant d'en Theo Tate, un exdetectiu turmentat per decisions del passat, i segueix la investigació d’una sèrie d'assassinats connectats amb víctimes de crims violents. El títol fa referència a la pregunta que es fan molts familiars de víctimes: què passaria si tinguessin cinc minuts a soles amb el criminal? Cleave recull aquesta idea i la porta fins al límit.
És una novel·la amb un ritme ràpid, directe, i escrita amb una veu molt crua. No edulcora res: les emocions són aspres, els personatges estan plens de ferides i ningú surt il·lès, ni físicament ni moralment. Hi ha moments molt durs, especialment si ets sensible als temes de violència, però alhora la novel·la és molt absorbent i ben estructurada.
És una novel·la amb un ritme ràpid, directe, i escrita amb una veu molt crua. No edulcora res: les emocions són aspres, els personatges estan plens de ferides i ningú surt il·lès, ni físicament ni moralment. Hi ha moments molt durs, especialment si ets sensible als temes de violència, però alhora la novel·la és molt absorbent i ben estructurada.
September 7, 2017
Great series. Not a "true" spoiler, but... Only Paul Cleave can make me feel so much about the unexpected death of a spider! Ha! (Aside from EB White, of course.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2015
The 4th Theodore Tate novel, FIVE MINUTES ALONE sees author Paul Cleave continuing to pull together connections from many of his previous novels - this series and the Christchurch Carver books. Must admit some of these connections, and the continuation in these books fascinate this reader. But then I've been amazed, fascinated, confronted, discomforted and flat out frightened by most of them.
The FIVE MINUTES ALONE of the title is a reference to that oft-quoted reaction of loved ones, and victims of, violent offenders. It's a hard sentiment to argue with - five minutes alone with an offender to even some scores. Whilst it's more normal for cops to politely deflect the request, this time, an ex-cop is only too happy to oblige, even instigate.
"And that did it. At the mention of the Carver he felt something stir inside him. It was like an old car that hadn't run in years was being started. Only the fuel was bad, the engine was half-seized, there was enough juice for the engine to try and turn over, but that was all, a hint of life and then nothing."
Perhaps it's the bullet lodged in Schroder's head that's made him lose his moral compass, then again, there's only so much depravity, cruelty and downright nastiness that some people are able to deal with. Schroder's reached his limit and given he's out of the police, and living a lost life he's quite "content" to take up a cause.
"There they were. Two small words. Why should, and a future opened in front of him, just like that, a doorway to a world of possibilities. That was the moment he realized he was a man searching for something."
Tate, on the other hand, has returned to the job. His own injuries healed, he's dealing with two major problems - his wife has not recovered fully from the car crash that killed their daughter, and her memory is patchy. Dangerously so for him. Somebody is also killing violent and nasty rapists and whilst initial suspicion seems to indicate victims or their families, it's not long before Tate has other ideas.
"Four weeks after joining the land of the living, Bridget's memory came back. All of it - minus the few hours before and during the accident. Then two weeks ago the problems started. Small problems. Painful problems. My wife wakes up into the morning of the accident. She thinks that everything is as it was three years ago. It's the school holidays and she's taking Emily to the movies and Schroder is my partner and the world, to her, hasn't moved on."
There's such strength in the portrayal of these characters. Whilst the reader knows from the start who the killer is, and why they are doing it, there's much that is sympathetic about him. There's something real and sympathetic about all of these main characters - all of them battle-weary, many morally ambiguous, these people have things to admire about them, as much as things to dislike.
There's also a powerful sense of pace, and action, and some memorable confrontation scenes - particularly in the Gothic old asylum where you'd be tempted to say "only in a Paul Cleave novel". That sense of pace is part of the strength of all these books, as are the flawed characters and the slightly crazy scenarios.
Because of the complicated connections that FIVE MINUTES ALONE is drawing together it's obviously going to work a lot better if you've at least read the earlier Tate novels. Having said that, readers who are willing to accept that "stuff happens in the past" even without knowing the ins and outs, will still get a lot from this book. Especially if that reader is interested in the outsider, the why, the "what happens when the wheels fall off", the ambiguous, and the "not everything always ends up happy ever after".
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-five-minutes-alone-paul-cleave
December 8, 2016
This is a gripping suspense thriller. My Rating 4.5.
Detective Inspector Theodore Tate has recently come back on the force after a suspension and an injury that left him in a coma. He has his own sorrows at home as he and his wife are still grieving the death of their young daughter by a drunk driver. Although three years has passed, Tate’s wife is unable to stay in reality and accept their daughter’s death. But personal troubles can’t keep Tate home when murder comes calling.
Tate gets the call from his partner, Rebecca Kent, advising that a recently released rapist has been found on the railway tracks. Although this death might be a suicide, there are some details that don’t fit. Tate and Kent agree that the world is better with this man dead, but they suspect foul play. Unfortunately, the first suspect is the young woman who was brutally assaulted and raped by the dead man. When they visit her at home she responds reasonably but Tate finds clues that he doesn’t share right away. Even if she was involved, she would have had to have help.
Soon there are more deaths involving other criminals. No one will miss these miscreants but that doesn’t mean the police can ignore the crimes. It appears there is a vigilante killer and some clues make them suspect that a police officer may be involved. Tate and Kent are a good team working to unravel the mysteries while providing emotional support for each other.
I have never thought I would want ‘five minutes alone’ to confront someone who hurt a person that I loved, but, thank goodness I have never been in that position. I know many people, particularly men, who have threatened violence if someone hurt their spouse or children. That is the premise of this book and it is interesting how different victims respond when offered the opportunity to hurt the men who hurt them or their loved ones.
The vigilante who is giving this opportunity is an interesting character. He starts as a person who has lost all sense of living until he hears that a former criminal is out on parole and back in the neighborhood. Slowly his involvement with the criminals and victims brings him a new purpose, even though he feels some guilt and anger as he knows what he is doing is not legal. He continues partially seeking redemption and partly because he figures he is living on borrowed time anyway.
The story is told in alternating voices which I found worked well. Tate speaks in first person when he is active in a scene while other scenes are told in third person. Mr. Cleave does a good job developing the characters and sharing their inner conflicts as they weigh legal right and wrong, and legal justice against private justice. There is some violence woven in the twisting plot. I admit I began to worry that the story would not end well for Tate. I won’t say more except that there were more twists and a suitable, if not fully satisfying, ending. (Of course it’s hard to have a HEA for a murder thriller!)
The pacing and details of the story made it move along well even though it is more police investigation than chase and action. There is plenty of suspense and I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy this genre. This was fine as a standalone as I hadn’t read any of the prior books in the series. I would like to read more by Mr. Cleave.
Audio Notes: Paul Ansdell does a spot on job with narration. He manages to convey the pathos, anguish, anger and doubt that run through the story. His accent fits the setting and characters and makes for an enjoyable listen experience.
I received this audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.
Detective Inspector Theodore Tate has recently come back on the force after a suspension and an injury that left him in a coma. He has his own sorrows at home as he and his wife are still grieving the death of their young daughter by a drunk driver. Although three years has passed, Tate’s wife is unable to stay in reality and accept their daughter’s death. But personal troubles can’t keep Tate home when murder comes calling.
Tate gets the call from his partner, Rebecca Kent, advising that a recently released rapist has been found on the railway tracks. Although this death might be a suicide, there are some details that don’t fit. Tate and Kent agree that the world is better with this man dead, but they suspect foul play. Unfortunately, the first suspect is the young woman who was brutally assaulted and raped by the dead man. When they visit her at home she responds reasonably but Tate finds clues that he doesn’t share right away. Even if she was involved, she would have had to have help.
Soon there are more deaths involving other criminals. No one will miss these miscreants but that doesn’t mean the police can ignore the crimes. It appears there is a vigilante killer and some clues make them suspect that a police officer may be involved. Tate and Kent are a good team working to unravel the mysteries while providing emotional support for each other.
I have never thought I would want ‘five minutes alone’ to confront someone who hurt a person that I loved, but, thank goodness I have never been in that position. I know many people, particularly men, who have threatened violence if someone hurt their spouse or children. That is the premise of this book and it is interesting how different victims respond when offered the opportunity to hurt the men who hurt them or their loved ones.
The vigilante who is giving this opportunity is an interesting character. He starts as a person who has lost all sense of living until he hears that a former criminal is out on parole and back in the neighborhood. Slowly his involvement with the criminals and victims brings him a new purpose, even though he feels some guilt and anger as he knows what he is doing is not legal. He continues partially seeking redemption and partly because he figures he is living on borrowed time anyway.
The story is told in alternating voices which I found worked well. Tate speaks in first person when he is active in a scene while other scenes are told in third person. Mr. Cleave does a good job developing the characters and sharing their inner conflicts as they weigh legal right and wrong, and legal justice against private justice. There is some violence woven in the twisting plot. I admit I began to worry that the story would not end well for Tate. I won’t say more except that there were more twists and a suitable, if not fully satisfying, ending. (Of course it’s hard to have a HEA for a murder thriller!)
The pacing and details of the story made it move along well even though it is more police investigation than chase and action. There is plenty of suspense and I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy this genre. This was fine as a standalone as I hadn’t read any of the prior books in the series. I would like to read more by Mr. Cleave.
Audio Notes: Paul Ansdell does a spot on job with narration. He manages to convey the pathos, anguish, anger and doubt that run through the story. His accent fits the setting and characters and makes for an enjoyable listen experience.
I received this audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.
November 2, 2014
Five Minutes Alone is the fourth book in Paul Cleave's crime thriller series set in New Zealand, featuring private detective turned police officer, Theodore Tate.
I didn't realise when I chose to read Five Minutes Alone that it was fourth in the series, I was simply intrigued by the synopsis. Six months previously, Detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroder were badly injured in a confrontation with a serial killer. Now, while Theodore has all but recovered and is back on the force, Carl, fired for his role in the case, is left with a bullet in his brain and a death sentence hanging over his head.
When a newly paroled rapist is found, in pieces, along the railway tracks, Theodore is happy to dismiss the case as 'suicide by train' but a post mortem proves the man was already dead. Just a day later the bodies of two more rapists are discovered at an abandoned asylum along with the husband of their victim and it becomes obvious there is a vigilante hunting these criminals and giving their victims the chance for 'five minutes alone' to extract their revenge.
Personally Tate would be happy to let the anonymous killer continue, he knows better than most how consuming the need for retribution can be, but as a police officer he has no choice but to investigate the crimes, even if they lead him to his old partner's door step.
Tate is caught between his professional and complicated personal life in Five Minutes Alone. As he investigates the vigilante, he has to re examine the decision he made when his daughter was killed by a drink driver. Meanwhile his wife, severely injured in the same incident, is struggling with her recovery and inadvertently places Tate in a difficult situation.
As the identity of the killer is known fairly quickly the suspense in the novel stems largely from his confrontations with his victims and his attempts to evade the law. Due to Carl's brain injury he makes a lot of mistakes in the commission of his crimes which leads to some black humoured slapstick and violent scenes.
The central question of the novel, is Carl a good guy or a bad guy? Cleave explores the grey areas between justice, law and vengeance in a manner that is exaggerated, but with a pointed edge. It is difficult to begrudge victims their desire for their 'five minutes alone' when, as Carl points out, the perpetrators go on to live their lives after destroying so many others. Yet it isn't that simple and all of Carl's 'good deeds' have unintended consequences. Playing out in the background of the story is the vote for reinstating the death penalty in New Zealand.
From what I can tell, this book also ties in with Cleave's The Cleaner series, I think I probably would have found Five Minutes Alone more compelling had I been familiar with the characters. The pace felt a little uneven but it was a fairly quick read and I enjoyed the mix of action, suspense and drama.
April 9, 2015
I won a paperback copy of “Five Minutes Alone”, a crime thriller by Paul Cleave, on Goodreads.com and am posting an honest review. I gave it a rating of 4 stars.
This book is the fourth in a series about Detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroder, the Coma Cops. It’s set in gritty Christchurch, New Zealand but in reading it, I can see the story taking place in almost any mid-size city.
A woman is raped, her assailant caught and jailed. After his release from prison, he turns up dead, his body parts scattered alongside a railroad track. Was his death a suicide? Did the rape victim kill him and cover up the murder? If so, did she have help?
Three years ago, a drunk driver killed Theo Tate’s daughter Emily and left his wife Bridget in a coma. A month ago Bridget returned to life. Now she’s back home, with memory lapses and associated problems. While Bridget was comatose, Tate started drinking heavily and caused an accident himself. Kicked off the police force, he shot and killed the man who murdered his daughter. He’s also been in an induced coma after incidents with two different killers involving blows to his head. Now he’s back on the force.
As Tate begins to investigate the case, two more rapists disappear. Are the cases related? Is a vigilante at work wiping out bad guys? Public sentiment seems to favor the person exacting vengeance, if that’s what’s happening. A number of cops also look to be rooting for the so-called ‘Five Minute Man’.
Schroder, Tate’s old partner, was shot six months ago, briefly comatose, and left with a bullet lodged in his head. It’s made him emotionless and he’s a ticking timebomb who could die at any time. He’s off the force permanently, and has decided to occupy his remaining days ‘doing good’ as a vigilante. (Wow! Three characters with comas in one book....gotta be a record!)
Tate begins to suspect Schroder is the Five Minute Man, and he must deflect suspicion from Schroder, as his new partner Rebecca Kent and the police department investigate. Meanwhile, Schroder starts to wonder if Tate murdered his daughter’s killer. Each man has to decide whether his old partner is guilty and whether he condones the suspected actions of his ex-partner.
This is a suspenseful page-turner that won’t let go until the very end. Alternating the point of view works well in moving the plot along at a breakneck pace. All the characters have flaws. There are no clear-cut heroes. A reader wonders if one or both of the ex-partners will be caught. It definitely makes me want to read all of Paul Cleave’s other books.
This book is the fourth in a series about Detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroder, the Coma Cops. It’s set in gritty Christchurch, New Zealand but in reading it, I can see the story taking place in almost any mid-size city.
A woman is raped, her assailant caught and jailed. After his release from prison, he turns up dead, his body parts scattered alongside a railroad track. Was his death a suicide? Did the rape victim kill him and cover up the murder? If so, did she have help?
Three years ago, a drunk driver killed Theo Tate’s daughter Emily and left his wife Bridget in a coma. A month ago Bridget returned to life. Now she’s back home, with memory lapses and associated problems. While Bridget was comatose, Tate started drinking heavily and caused an accident himself. Kicked off the police force, he shot and killed the man who murdered his daughter. He’s also been in an induced coma after incidents with two different killers involving blows to his head. Now he’s back on the force.
As Tate begins to investigate the case, two more rapists disappear. Are the cases related? Is a vigilante at work wiping out bad guys? Public sentiment seems to favor the person exacting vengeance, if that’s what’s happening. A number of cops also look to be rooting for the so-called ‘Five Minute Man’.
Schroder, Tate’s old partner, was shot six months ago, briefly comatose, and left with a bullet lodged in his head. It’s made him emotionless and he’s a ticking timebomb who could die at any time. He’s off the force permanently, and has decided to occupy his remaining days ‘doing good’ as a vigilante. (Wow! Three characters with comas in one book....gotta be a record!)
Tate begins to suspect Schroder is the Five Minute Man, and he must deflect suspicion from Schroder, as his new partner Rebecca Kent and the police department investigate. Meanwhile, Schroder starts to wonder if Tate murdered his daughter’s killer. Each man has to decide whether his old partner is guilty and whether he condones the suspected actions of his ex-partner.
This is a suspenseful page-turner that won’t let go until the very end. Alternating the point of view works well in moving the plot along at a breakneck pace. All the characters have flaws. There are no clear-cut heroes. A reader wonders if one or both of the ex-partners will be caught. It definitely makes me want to read all of Paul Cleave’s other books.
October 7, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the Goodreads: First Reads giveaways (it is a paperback uncorrected proof)
I have somewhat of a love/hate with this book. I was interested in the story and the characters yet the pacing was off and it seemed to drag.
I was unaware that "Five Minutes Alone" was part of a series which many of the same characters but Cleave's writing made it read almost as a standalone novel and I never really felt like I was missing important plot points or should have read the previous books before starting on this one.
I kept putting the book down and finding things to fill my time but I continuous went back and picked it back up to see what was about to happen. Cleave's writing is well done, pretty concise and to the point. However, something strikes me as off. I would be sucked into the story and then just as sudden, I was bored and the story seemed to be going nowhere. Almost as if for every page that I turned, 2 more took its place. I don't think that I have ever been this conflicted about a book before. I normally love it or hate it but never both at the same time. So, for that alone, I believe Cleave accomplished something that no other writer has. (At least not with me before now)
Part of me would like to read previous books to see where the characters started out and how they got to this point, but I am worried that I would have the same reaction to them as I did to "5MA".
As for the actual story line: I was disappointed to be able to figure out who "The Five Minute Man" was so quickly, especially never have read Cleave's work before. This was my introduction to these characters yet, it was, at times, too tiring to even pretend that I didn't know what was about to happen. I can see where someone that has read every book would be annoyed by the extra details that I am guessing give summary to previous events that occurred in the other books, but those details rounded out the characters to me and kept me from feeling lost. I was expecting more dead rapists and was disappointed that the story turned from that arc and became more about the cops themselves and their home lives.
I did like the book. For the most part. Plus, the typo on page 180 that said Achilles was "shitless" due to his shirt being used as a bandage made me laugh out loud.
I have somewhat of a love/hate with this book. I was interested in the story and the characters yet the pacing was off and it seemed to drag.
I was unaware that "Five Minutes Alone" was part of a series which many of the same characters but Cleave's writing made it read almost as a standalone novel and I never really felt like I was missing important plot points or should have read the previous books before starting on this one.
I kept putting the book down and finding things to fill my time but I continuous went back and picked it back up to see what was about to happen. Cleave's writing is well done, pretty concise and to the point. However, something strikes me as off. I would be sucked into the story and then just as sudden, I was bored and the story seemed to be going nowhere. Almost as if for every page that I turned, 2 more took its place. I don't think that I have ever been this conflicted about a book before. I normally love it or hate it but never both at the same time. So, for that alone, I believe Cleave accomplished something that no other writer has. (At least not with me before now)
Part of me would like to read previous books to see where the characters started out and how they got to this point, but I am worried that I would have the same reaction to them as I did to "5MA".
As for the actual story line: I was disappointed to be able to figure out who "The Five Minute Man" was so quickly, especially never have read Cleave's work before. This was my introduction to these characters yet, it was, at times, too tiring to even pretend that I didn't know what was about to happen. I can see where someone that has read every book would be annoyed by the extra details that I am guessing give summary to previous events that occurred in the other books, but those details rounded out the characters to me and kept me from feeling lost. I was expecting more dead rapists and was disappointed that the story turned from that arc and became more about the cops themselves and their home lives.
I did like the book. For the most part. Plus, the typo on page 180 that said Achilles was "shitless" due to his shirt being used as a bandage made me laugh out loud.
October 21, 2014
Five Caffeinated Reasons to grab a copy of Five Minutes Alone
Cleave weaves a clever tale of suspense as a killer helps rape victims get revenge against their attackers. The plot is tight, and moves between perspectives as Cleave builds his spider web and characters find themselves trapped.
Carl Schroder and Theodore Tate known to the media as the “Coma Cops” are finally recovering. Tate is back on the duty, and he and his wife are working to recover from their loss. His life is complicated and messy. Carl however is walking around with a bullet lodged in his head. He’s alive, but it’s a ticking time bomb. He now finds himself permanently retired. Cleave did an excellent job of fleshing out these characters and exposing their flaws and weaknesses. While I didn't care for either of them, I did find myself completely immersed in their stories.
If you or your loved one was attacked by someone and forever changed, would you want your five minutes? Cleave presents an interesting question as victims are afforded the opportunity to seek revenge.
The plot was well-paced, with twists and turns that closed the characters in. Secondary characters added depth to the story and gave it believability. Five Minutes Alone was a nail-biting, page-turner, and I found myself holding my breath as the cops closed in on their suspect.
Cleave allowed us perspectives from both the killer and Theodore notching up the tension. We are privy to what each knows. The final chapters were none stopped action as the tension increased.
Copy received from publisher, full review on blog.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Cleave weaves a clever tale of suspense as a killer helps rape victims get revenge against their attackers. The plot is tight, and moves between perspectives as Cleave builds his spider web and characters find themselves trapped.
Carl Schroder and Theodore Tate known to the media as the “Coma Cops” are finally recovering. Tate is back on the duty, and he and his wife are working to recover from their loss. His life is complicated and messy. Carl however is walking around with a bullet lodged in his head. He’s alive, but it’s a ticking time bomb. He now finds himself permanently retired. Cleave did an excellent job of fleshing out these characters and exposing their flaws and weaknesses. While I didn't care for either of them, I did find myself completely immersed in their stories.
If you or your loved one was attacked by someone and forever changed, would you want your five minutes? Cleave presents an interesting question as victims are afforded the opportunity to seek revenge.
The plot was well-paced, with twists and turns that closed the characters in. Secondary characters added depth to the story and gave it believability. Five Minutes Alone was a nail-biting, page-turner, and I found myself holding my breath as the cops closed in on their suspect.
Cleave allowed us perspectives from both the killer and Theodore notching up the tension. We are privy to what each knows. The final chapters were none stopped action as the tension increased.
Copy received from publisher, full review on blog.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
October 20, 2014
"Five Minutes Alone" is Paul Cleave's latest edition, eighth in the Christchurch Noir series. It follows Detective Theodore Tate as he unravels vigilante-like crimes in Christchurch, New Zealand. While working on the case, he is also struggling to support his wife after her
"return to the living" after spending three years in a coma.
"Five Minutes" was chockful of layered relationships between Theodore Tate and his wife, his relationship with former partner Carl Schroeder, and his current working relationships in the department. Cleave managed to build enough explanation into the storyline that I was not lost by not reading his previous 7 books, although they have quickly gone onto my reading list.
The characters are all heartfelt and move from the motivations that reasonable people would. The level of violence in "Five Minutes" is pretty high, but is absolutely necessary to the plot. The storyline itself hums right along, and there are surprises in every chapter.
I highly recommend this book series to readers and friends who like edgy suspense.
The other books in the Christchurch Noir series (in order)
Cemetary Lake (Chirstchurch Noir #1)
Blood Men (Chirstchurch Noir #2)
Collecting Cooper (Chirstchurch Noir #3)
The Laughterhouse (Chirstchurch Noir #4)
The Cleaner (Chirstchurch Noir #5)
The Killing Hour (Chirstchurch Noir #6)
Joe Victim (Chirstchurch Noir #7)
** I was provided the opportunity to read "Five Minutes Alone" via Netgalley, and would like to thank them, author Paul Cleave, and publisher Simon & Schuster for bringing interested reviewers together with great books.
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