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False Start
DS Rakesh Siyal is an idealist. Frustrated as an Edinburgh human rights lawyer, he joins the police, determined to solve the problems he sees with the criminal justice system from the inside, rather than out.
His first day as a cop sees him sent down to Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, where he’s given a simple task – return a suspect to Glasgow to face justice.
But when the suspect escapes on Rakesh’s watch, can he track down a brutal murderer in countryside he’s never visited in his life? Will his first day on the job prove to be a false start?
His first day as a cop sees him sent down to Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, where he’s given a simple task – return a suspect to Glasgow to face justice.
But when the suspect escapes on Rakesh’s watch, can he track down a brutal murderer in countryside he’s never visited in his life? Will his first day on the job prove to be a false start?
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
192 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 15, 2023
Another chance to introduce myself to Ed James’ writing.
Next month a new series set in the Scottish Borders is being released. Significant, as it is his first new detective series for 6-7 years. It therefore carries more trepidation than writing within the same genre with established and well known characters. The author unsurprisingly must wait to see how ‘The Turning of our Bones’ is received. Not one to rest on previous success and a true creative writer this new venture is both a risk and just part of author’s art.
By joining Ed’s newsletter I was offered ‘Fresh Start’ free. It is a prequel to this long awaited new series. The DI Rob Marshall mysteries - so here was a chance for some background without breaking the timeline or chronology of these novels.
A new series is a fresh start. Penning new characters in a fresh location and a different approach to police work. Fresh Start is a clever title and it does not disappoint in setting the scene and establishing a team of officers with inherent stress and tension. The biggest tease and reveal is that Marshall does not arrive until the end of the book. We learn so little about him, another reason to get the next novel.
The premise of this novella is putting together a new team. Into this situation walks a new graduate detective, fast tracked to a DS with the a background as a human rights lawyer. Becoming a copper to “make a difference”; sadly his naivety and lack of experience leaves him generally disliked and the butt of jokes - quite hurtful humour, suck it up and shut up seems to be only means to survive. His integrity and best intentions are worthless against the prejudice towards his lack of experience and general lack of acceptance since he hasn’t done the hard years in the force.
An interesting dilemma we can identify from our on work experience and first day mishaps. When you’re a police officer mistakes can leave an escorted prisoner on the run and his boss intent in passing him off to another team.
Rakesh Siyal is the new boy who’s day goes from bad to worse. Readers will warm to him not as the chump he appears initially, but for his outlook and empathy for those he used to defend. Loved this vivid dynamic of shared suspicion between him and his colleagues - real tension here. His intentions are made harder as Ed James writes believable crooks with qualities of humanity we too can identify with and for whom we will have degrees of sympathy.
All is beautifully set up in this background bonus novella, with characters at odds with each other and new DI Marshall now taking over. Can’t wait.
Next month a new series set in the Scottish Borders is being released. Significant, as it is his first new detective series for 6-7 years. It therefore carries more trepidation than writing within the same genre with established and well known characters. The author unsurprisingly must wait to see how ‘The Turning of our Bones’ is received. Not one to rest on previous success and a true creative writer this new venture is both a risk and just part of author’s art.
By joining Ed’s newsletter I was offered ‘Fresh Start’ free. It is a prequel to this long awaited new series. The DI Rob Marshall mysteries - so here was a chance for some background without breaking the timeline or chronology of these novels.
A new series is a fresh start. Penning new characters in a fresh location and a different approach to police work. Fresh Start is a clever title and it does not disappoint in setting the scene and establishing a team of officers with inherent stress and tension. The biggest tease and reveal is that Marshall does not arrive until the end of the book. We learn so little about him, another reason to get the next novel.
The premise of this novella is putting together a new team. Into this situation walks a new graduate detective, fast tracked to a DS with the a background as a human rights lawyer. Becoming a copper to “make a difference”; sadly his naivety and lack of experience leaves him generally disliked and the butt of jokes - quite hurtful humour, suck it up and shut up seems to be only means to survive. His integrity and best intentions are worthless against the prejudice towards his lack of experience and general lack of acceptance since he hasn’t done the hard years in the force.
An interesting dilemma we can identify from our on work experience and first day mishaps. When you’re a police officer mistakes can leave an escorted prisoner on the run and his boss intent in passing him off to another team.
Rakesh Siyal is the new boy who’s day goes from bad to worse. Readers will warm to him not as the chump he appears initially, but for his outlook and empathy for those he used to defend. Loved this vivid dynamic of shared suspicion between him and his colleagues - real tension here. His intentions are made harder as Ed James writes believable crooks with qualities of humanity we too can identify with and for whom we will have degrees of sympathy.
All is beautifully set up in this background bonus novella, with characters at odds with each other and new DI Marshall now taking over. Can’t wait.
August 5, 2025
A good start to a new set of characters, looking forward to reading more!
December 6, 2022
Really enjoyed False Start set in the borders of Scotland near Galashiels tells of a new cop Rakesh on day one of his new job as a police Sargent. The first day he loses the murder suspect and totals a police car. How can he make good his poor start.
Read and be impressed
Recommended Read
Read and be impressed
Recommended Read
July 20, 2024
Human rights lawyer, DS Rakesh Siyal, has joined Police Scotland to make a difference, but first he has to survive his first day as a fully fledged member of the force. He finds himself not in Edinburgh as he had been told to expect, but in the border town of Galashiels where a recent case has gone badly wrong. As a direct entry member of the force, he is immediately confronted by hostility from others who have gained experience through the ranks. His first assignment is to escort a suspect to Glasgow, a seemingly straightforward task which soon goes sideways in the snowy winter weather. A first day at work which he won't ever forget. I've enjoyed the series and this introduction fills in a bit of the backstory in an enjoyable read.
November 9, 2022
Enjoyed the Rakesh story, offbeat ex Lawyer becomes a direct entry Detective Sergeant and is then launched on an unsuspecting Police Community and its citizens. Very quickly Rakesh seems to think he has got to grips with his new role in life and almost as quickly he discovers he hasn't. Tells the story of a murder suspect awaiting repatriation from the borders to Glasgow and his subsequent loss, re arrest and the background to the Murder. Rakesh is involved in it all quickly learning that he has a lot to learn. I only gave it 3 stars as felt some of the characters were a bit "washed out" however as a tale about Rakesh it was good.
November 22, 2022
Master storyteller Ed James once again delivers with "False Start", a fast paced prequel staring D.S. Rakesh Siyal. I read this exceptional 158 page Kindle novella (?) in just one sitting. For Rakesh it's his first day in his new career as a cop sees this former lawyer get tagged with the nick name "Shunty". That's what happens when you let a prisoner escape while on a bathroom break. Chock full of action including wrecked police cars, explosions, and police chases this one sizzles from first to final pages. I'm excited for the near future for when this new Ed James series explodes onto the scene. Five stars. Check it out.
December 5, 2024
ANOTHER 5 STAR OF COURSE!
When you have a new series by the wonderful Ed James you just have to go to it. A great story highlighting how difficult it is for new police officers who bypass the experience of being PC's in uniform to go straight in as a DS. Great story, very strong likeable characters and a great start to a promising series. Thanks Ed, looking forward to reading more. BP Sheffield.
When you have a new series by the wonderful Ed James you just have to go to it. A great story highlighting how difficult it is for new police officers who bypass the experience of being PC's in uniform to go straight in as a DS. Great story, very strong likeable characters and a great start to a promising series. Thanks Ed, looking forward to reading more. BP Sheffield.
January 8, 2023
I received this ebook free when I signed up to Ed James mailing list.
I thought that the characters were an interesting mix of old school and wet behind the ears police attitudes. I look forward to reading more about them as the stories develop and their differing points of views colour how they handle other situations.
I thought that the characters were an interesting mix of old school and wet behind the ears police attitudes. I look forward to reading more about them as the stories develop and their differing points of views colour how they handle other situations.
June 11, 2023
Great prequal
Great getting to know Shunty from start and shows how easily assumptions can be made without having the full picture. Gritty story and great writer an will be following his work
Great getting to know Shunty from start and shows how easily assumptions can be made without having the full picture. Gritty story and great writer an will be following his work
July 24, 2023
Great book with new Detective. Will be reading next one starting today. I loved his other books too. Different genre for Ed James but very good. Will Definately keep on reading this author. His Fenchurch series was great too
January 23, 2024
Have read most of the Rob Marshall series and this prequel hit the mark as it introduces DS Rakesh Siyal and gives some understanding of his place on the team moving not the main series.
Good characterisation and a fast paced read
Good characterisation and a fast paced read
January 10, 2023
A good preview of some of the characters involved in the new DI Marshall Mysteries, well worth a read on a wet January afternoon.
January 13, 2023
novella prequel
August 17, 2023
Always so good!
I had no idea what to expect but learning more about Siyal and his beginning was brilliant! Another marvellous read so thank you again!
I had no idea what to expect but learning more about Siyal and his beginning was brilliant! Another marvellous read so thank you again!
September 20, 2023
Although strong characters and ineptitude style antics, it was good but not great
November 22, 2024
A false start.
I found it hard to get into at first. But after the first chapter I could not put it down and finished reading it at 4.30am this morning. I just love your books.
I found it hard to get into at first. But after the first chapter I could not put it down and finished reading it at 4.30am this morning. I just love your books.
May 28, 2025
DNF 30%
definitely woke
definitely woke
July 25, 2025
it was a ok book
The story was ok it took a while to get into it , I will wait to see that book 2 is like
The story was ok it took a while to get into it , I will wait to see that book 2 is like
May 29, 2023
New series
Very much looking forward to a new series from Ed James, based on this prequel. Looks like another great set of characters.
Very much looking forward to a new series from Ed James, based on this prequel. Looks like another great set of characters.
July 16, 2024
Prequel introducing some of the characters of the Rob Marshall series
November 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It gave me a much better understanding and admiration for Shunty.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews