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Crane & Anderson #2
Basic Element
He’s not a killer. He’s ordinary. It’s just that he has an addiction.
The papers call him the Choker. Crane and Anderson call him a sadomasochist. But whatever his name is, the Major Crimes team have to find him. And fast. Because time is running out. It won’t be long before he kills again.
The papers call him the Choker. Crane and Anderson call him a sadomasochist. But whatever his name is, the Major Crimes team have to find him. And fast. Because time is running out. It won’t be long before he kills again.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2016
53 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Cartmell
65 books169 followersI was a Primary School Teacher before leaving England to settle in Spain nearly five years ago. I previously worked in Sales, Marketing and Public Relations for large and small companies. I now write crime novels featuring Sgt Major Crane a detective in the Special Investigations Branch of the British Army, based on Aldershot Garrison. My inspiration for Sergeant Major Crane was my love of crime writing and my husband’s 22 years service in the British Army.
I attend a lively Writing Group who unashamedly meet at beautiful beach side cafes on the Costa del Sol.
I attend a lively Writing Group who unashamedly meet at beautiful beach side cafes on the Costa del Sol.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 21, 2016
This is book 2 in the Crane and Anderson series (if you’ve not read the Sgt Major Crane series, I highly recommend them prior to picking up the Crane/Anderson series. You will not be disappointed!).
Crane, previously with the military police, now works beside his friend and fellow police officer in the major crimes unit. A sadomasochistic killer is on the loose and the Crane/Anderson team must find him before he strikes again.
As always, Ms. Cartmell weaves a complicated mystery with plenty of twists and turns, and I had trouble putting the book down. I’m looking forward to book 3 in the series.
Typically I receive books for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, however this is a verified purchase. See all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/ or on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Crane, previously with the military police, now works beside his friend and fellow police officer in the major crimes unit. A sadomasochistic killer is on the loose and the Crane/Anderson team must find him before he strikes again.
As always, Ms. Cartmell weaves a complicated mystery with plenty of twists and turns, and I had trouble putting the book down. I’m looking forward to book 3 in the series.
Typically I receive books for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, however this is a verified purchase. See all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/ or on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
February 22, 2017
A gripping crime thriller
In the second of the Crane and Anderson series, the Major Crimes Unit are investigating a spate of murders involving strangulation. Someone is picking his victims from a dating website specialising in BDSM sex and Crane and Anderson are involved in a race against time to find the killer. Basic Element is a real page turner of a thriller and I am looking forward to reading more of this excellent series.
In the second of the Crane and Anderson series, the Major Crimes Unit are investigating a spate of murders involving strangulation. Someone is picking his victims from a dating website specialising in BDSM sex and Crane and Anderson are involved in a race against time to find the killer. Basic Element is a real page turner of a thriller and I am looking forward to reading more of this excellent series.
June 13, 2017
Having already read a couple of the Sgt Major Crane series of books – I wanted to check out the Crane and Anderson series, which follows Crane after his departure from the military police. He is now working in a civilian major crime unit alongside DCI Anderson. After a young woman is strangled, shortly afterward a young man is also brutally killed. It soon becomes apparent that they have a serial killer at large, dubbed the Choker. Pick a copy up and enjoy.
August 24, 2020
This is the seventh book I have read by Wendy Cartmell and the word for all of them is brilliant, no long boring bits like a lots of books have, and I am always surprised when I reach the end having been so immersed in the story, in fact I'm having difficulty reading other authors and have got 30° through two other books before starting this one, and gave them up because I got bored, I really enjoy the Crane, Anderson, Holly and Ciaran team.
December 9, 2016
Well done police procedural
Well written, intelligent procedural with believable characterizations of main protagonists. Satisfying read with a lack of gore ( which I appreciate). Will definitely seek out author's other e books!
Well written, intelligent procedural with believable characterizations of main protagonists. Satisfying read with a lack of gore ( which I appreciate). Will definitely seek out author's other e books!
January 10, 2017
A fetish that can kill you!
Diane Chambers has been made the editor of the Aldershot News Online. DI Derek Anderson and his new colleague Sgt Major (Retired) Tom Crane, who have had some unpleasant dealings with her over the years, so when they see the article written by her saying; “An unknown male, dubbed the Choker, is being sought by police, after a body was found yesterday in an apartment in Aldershot”, they both know that she will continue to hound them until the murderer is caught. This type of sensational journalism, as has been proved in the past, always causes extra work for the already overstretched team.
The team, consisting of Derek Anderson, Tom Crane with two new members, DC Ciaran Douglas and Holly, their computer analyst start the painstaking search for the murderer whose method of killing is known as “scarfing” or to use the proper name; asphyxiophilia. When this first murder; that of a young woman is quickly followed by two more murders; a single man and another woman, the team realise that they need to use every means available to stop him as it appears that he is addicted to the pleasure of killing using this extremely dangerous fetish.
Well, this was an education! Wendy Cartmell has, as usual, researched her subject matter. If truth be known, these murders made for some quite difficult reading, because of the very nature of how they have been committed. Derek Anderson and Tom Crane make an excellent team and their feisty computer analyst Holly; is a joy in the way she manages to work with these two detectives, especially as Tom Crane is going through tough times of his own, with the leg injury that he sustained and forced him to retire from the army.
I’ve read all of Wendy Cartmell’s books featuring Tom Crane and Derek Anderson, so reading this book felt like I was catching up with “old friends” (hmmm! I think Tom Crane would be surprised to know that I’ve grown to like him, as he is quite a cantankerous individual!) However, Wendy Cartmell is able to write her novels as standalones; a gift that not many authors are able to do.
And……….. the other reason I love Wendy’s storylines is that they are concise and quick reads, still managing to cram so much information and tension ‘til the very last page. So, if you’re looking for a good crime, with some interesting protagonists, then join me and all her other fans as we eagerly await the next complex murder which I’m sure she has already dreamt up!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Diane Chambers has been made the editor of the Aldershot News Online. DI Derek Anderson and his new colleague Sgt Major (Retired) Tom Crane, who have had some unpleasant dealings with her over the years, so when they see the article written by her saying; “An unknown male, dubbed the Choker, is being sought by police, after a body was found yesterday in an apartment in Aldershot”, they both know that she will continue to hound them until the murderer is caught. This type of sensational journalism, as has been proved in the past, always causes extra work for the already overstretched team.
The team, consisting of Derek Anderson, Tom Crane with two new members, DC Ciaran Douglas and Holly, their computer analyst start the painstaking search for the murderer whose method of killing is known as “scarfing” or to use the proper name; asphyxiophilia. When this first murder; that of a young woman is quickly followed by two more murders; a single man and another woman, the team realise that they need to use every means available to stop him as it appears that he is addicted to the pleasure of killing using this extremely dangerous fetish.
Well, this was an education! Wendy Cartmell has, as usual, researched her subject matter. If truth be known, these murders made for some quite difficult reading, because of the very nature of how they have been committed. Derek Anderson and Tom Crane make an excellent team and their feisty computer analyst Holly; is a joy in the way she manages to work with these two detectives, especially as Tom Crane is going through tough times of his own, with the leg injury that he sustained and forced him to retire from the army.
I’ve read all of Wendy Cartmell’s books featuring Tom Crane and Derek Anderson, so reading this book felt like I was catching up with “old friends” (hmmm! I think Tom Crane would be surprised to know that I’ve grown to like him, as he is quite a cantankerous individual!) However, Wendy Cartmell is able to write her novels as standalones; a gift that not many authors are able to do.
And……….. the other reason I love Wendy’s storylines is that they are concise and quick reads, still managing to cram so much information and tension ‘til the very last page. So, if you’re looking for a good crime, with some interesting protagonists, then join me and all her other fans as we eagerly await the next complex murder which I’m sure she has already dreamt up!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
February 17, 2017
Book two in the newest series pits Sgt. Major Crane and DCI Anderson against a sadist serial killer who strangles both female and male victims. It may be a dark subject but the author handles it with care, building the suspense through the gripping novel. I admit I was an early fan of Ms. Carmell's fiction and now I'm adicted. She writes in a unique style, fleshing out the day-to-day life of military investigators in England in a realistic manner. She really knows her subject. Any book is a standalone story, but the whole series is fascinating.
December 11, 2016
Having read Rules of the Earth it was easy to slip into this read. We’re back with the Major Crimes Team – Crane, Anderson, Holly and new member Ciaran. There’s one horrific murder. A young woman is tied up with silk scarves and brutally strangled. Shortly afterwards a young man is found dead under similar circumstances. Crane and Anderson know this means they are looking for a serial killer. One the media is calling The Choker – an individual who knows their way around a crime scene, cleansing the area with bleach before they leave. A nervous wife becomes involved, ringing Anderson, sure her husband, Tim Dennison, Professor of Criminology at Reading University is involved. At first Anderson is convinced she’s a timewaster but when a third murder occurs in Southampton on the same evening Tim Dennison is attending a dinner there, it’s got to be more than a coincidence, hasn’t it?
An entertaining read with lots of twists, turns and red herrings which will leave you guessing right to the end.
An entertaining read with lots of twists, turns and red herrings which will leave you guessing right to the end.
February 7, 2017
I recommend reading Sergeant Major Crane novels and the previous book in this spin-off series. I suppose you could read this as a stand-alone if you really wanted to.
This is a Police Procedural.
Crane is now part of the Major Crimes team but the pain from his previous injuries are causing him almost as much trouble as catching the latest killer. Will he be able to get both issues under control?
I enjoyed how Ms. Cartmell shared what Crane was really going through while he showed his stoic side to everyone else.
Warning: There is violence as well as adult language and situations.
This is a Police Procedural.
Crane is now part of the Major Crimes team but the pain from his previous injuries are causing him almost as much trouble as catching the latest killer. Will he be able to get both issues under control?
I enjoyed how Ms. Cartmell shared what Crane was really going through while he showed his stoic side to everyone else.
Warning: There is violence as well as adult language and situations.
February 14, 2017
Thrill of the kill
A very enjoyable read. Like the way Ms Cartmell allows all of the police team's involvement in solving the crime. Kept my attention throughout and, as in other books by Wendy, gave a 5 star rating because they contain mystery and suspense. Anyone who enjoys this will love this book too.
A very enjoyable read. Like the way Ms Cartmell allows all of the police team's involvement in solving the crime. Kept my attention throughout and, as in other books by Wendy, gave a 5 star rating because they contain mystery and suspense. Anyone who enjoys this will love this book too.
April 5, 2017
A great read! Interesting characters and a suspenseful plot. Very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews