The Lock

Eddie Collins #4.5

by Andrew Barrett

I'm Eddie Collins, a CSI. This is the story of how I saw a dead man die.

I was finishing up at a sudden death in an old house, waiting for the body snatchers to arrive, when I heard a noise from the cellar.

I had time to kill, so I went to investigate.

Turns out I wasn't the only one with killing on his mind.

If you like fast-paced crime thrillers with a forensic slant, raw emotions, and characters that reach out of the book and grab you by the throat, you’ll love Andrew Barrett’s CSI Eddie Collins series.

To find out what's in that cellar, buy The Lock today.

Andrew Barrett is the best-selling author of the Eddie Collins Series. It will appeal to fans of authors like Ian Rankin, Robert Bryndza and Kathy Reichs.

What people are saying about The Lock.

Andy Barrett, you know how to snatch the breath from a reader’s chest.

This book is dark and ugly but has just enough humour dotted around to make you giggle when you know you really shouldn't.

The writing, as strong as always, is crisp, immediate and loaded with sarcasm.

This novella sucks you right in from the first page.

Barrett is the master of tension with laugh out loud moments interspersed throughout.

I had to remind myself to breathe. The Lock is graphic, imaginative, and brilliantly written. Truly breath-taking.

I love how the tension escalates.

Try to stop reading....you can’t!

Andrew Barrett is a master of his game!

“The Lock” by Andrew Barrett is a macabre little thriller of a novella.

With the class of Alfred Hitchcock, a seriously disturbing black and white story that will keep you awake after you hit the sack.

This is my favourite Eddie Collins CSI novella yet!

I love the way Andrew Barrett adds the wit and humour into the story.

Brilliant story, great humour and very scary! Loved It!

Had me scared out of my wits one minute laughing myself silly the next!

Oh how I love Andy's writing!

This book is dark and twisted; it will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

Although this book is a novella it packs a mighty punch and will keep you hooked.

Genres: Novella, Thriller, Mystery

122 pages, ebook

First published January 21, 2019

About the author

Hi everyone,

My name is Andrew Barrett and I live and work in West Yorkshire.

My CSI Eddie Collins and SOCO Roger Conniston books focus on the world of the crime scene investigator. I've been a CSI for over twenty-eight years, and try to inject an element of authenticity into each story.

And if you enjoy detectives with a difference, search out the new series featuring a sharp female lead character called DS Regan Carter.

Thanks for looking,

Andy

Reviews

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old house... a dead body... a key... a cellar... A spine tingling thriller with a horror vibe!

What a crazy, gritty, dark story this was... certain to make you fear the things that go bump in the night.... my friend Kenzie told me I’d needed to keep the lights on for this book, and she was SO right! Eddie Collins has sure gotten himself in one frightening pickle in this book!

This is a novella in the Eddie Collins CSI series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone... this book leaned a bit more towards the horror genre than I was expecting, but it still was Full of Eddy humor... Full of plenty of grit and Eddie sarcasm... and just enough forensic investigation to quench my CSI thirst!

A little gem in the Eddie Collins series that should not be missed! Recommend!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lock by Andrew Barrett is a standalone crime thriller novella that packs a punch. This story is vivid in its imagery and detail with well-developed characters and plot lines.

“This is the story of how I saw a dead man die.”

The story begins with the day in the life of a CSI, Eddie Collins, while he was completing the investigation of a sudden death in an old house, when he heard a noise from the cellar. He had time so he went to investigate. But he wasn't the only one with killing on his mind.

The novella starts out in first person narrative, but soon switches to other characters. Lots of sarcasm in the script. The imagery is vivid and enables you to sense the atmosphere of the scene. The writing is strong, with believable characters and a fast-paced plot. Well worth the read!

Many thanks to the author and the TBC reviewer Request Group (Facebook) for my digital copy.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Eddie Collins,CSI..You are at it Again!! A story that grabs your attention with the opening scene as Eddie is forced to work outside in bad weather, but gets a call for a 'sudden death/natural' in an old house. He quickly chooses this scene and the tension begins..An old man is found lying on his bedroom floor,noting nothing suspicious in the scene, Eddie sees a key grasped in the man's hand. He gets it free, then looking around the murky halls and many rooms of the building, decides to find what it goes to...Eddie is one of us, says what comes to mind immediately, regardless of the consequences! As he stumbles his way around the old home, he hears a noise...it does Not stop as Eddie searches...
A suspenseful, on the edge of your seat story, as unbelievable cruelty and evil acts are revealed,but there is still quick wit and the steadfast Eddie, just trying to get by...You are immersed in the action, my heart beating as I crawled along with Eddie, jumping at every little noise!!
I received an ARC of this story from author Andrew Barrett, who I thank for my heart stopping more than once, and I put my thoughts in this review so you may notice Mr.Eddie Collins, a regular person just like you, trying to get by in life...

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are not familiar with the Eddie Collins series, you're in for quite a treat with this novella. Eddie Collins is what's known as a CSI (Crime Scene Investigator). It is his job to identify, collect, and document the physical evidence of the crime.

Called to investigate the death of an elderly gentleman, Eddie finds a key wrapped in the old man's fist. Naturally Eddie wants to know what that key fits. So going above and beyond, he starts searching the house for a particular lock.

When he starts hearing noises from the cellar, he takes a local policeman with him ..and sure enough he finds the lock that the key fits.

From this point on, I wasn't sure if I was still reading a crime thriller .. or a horror story. I was intrigued enough to keep reading. The story premise is terrific... complex, but easy to follow...lots of surprises along the way. As this author is a real-life CSI, his experience in the field lends a lot of credibility to the story.

Eddie is brash ... intense ... tackles authority head on. Eddie likes his job ...he really does. Just ask him. But it's the office politics, lack of resources, and the constant changing of the rules that drive him 'round the bend'... and confronting his supervisors at every opportunity. He is irreverent to the point of being flippant ... but he does it with a great sense of humor and sarcasm. In other words, he's an unforgettable character.

Many thanks to the author / TBC Reviewer Request Group (FB) for the advanced digital copy of THE LOCK. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lock by Andrew Barrett.
This is the story of how I saw a dead man die.
I'm Eddie Collins, a CSI. I was finishing up at a sudden death in an old house, waiting for the body snatchers to arrive, when I heard a noise from the cellar.
I had time to kill, so I went to investigate.
Turns out I wasn't the only one with killing on his mind.
This was a fantastic read. So creepy and eerie. Loved it. 5*.

[Anna Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! I must say this author always surprises me. This short story is well written and it is gripping, it keeps you "Locked on the pages"!! While I was reading the other day, my daughter told me: "That must be a very gripping book because you haven't said a word for an hour or more". Well she was certainly right.
I recommend you to read it and follow this author, that is so clever at keeping the attention of the reader on the book!!

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you go down to the cellar today, you’re sure of a big surprise...🎶

This is a short novella featuring our favourite CSI, grumpy, sarky but eagle-eyed Eddie Collins. As with the other two (The Note and The Lift) they can be read anywhere in the series without spoiling the full-length books, or as a taster even if you have not tried this author before, although this one is more horror than thriller so don’t let it put you off the series (which is fabulous) if that’s not your genre.

Called to the scene of a sudden death case in a large isolated decrepit house, Eddie finds the body of an elderly man on the floor, with no evidence of foul play. Finding an ornate key in the corpse’s hand, and with time to kill while he waits for the “body snatchers”, curiosity gets the better of him and he and the policeman standing guard venture down into the cellar - and end up wishing they hadn’t...

This was the darkest and creepiest of Barrett’s novellas, an homage of sorts to the classic horror films of the 70s and 80s, but with nuggets of trademark Eddie humour. As ever the writing is flawless, the length perfect for the plot, and the twists got me every time.
Highly recommended for both horror and thriller fans.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I have read quite a few books by this author and one thing I will say is that he never disappoints – I love his writing style and his quirky main character, the CSI Eddie Collins is definitely one of my favourite characters about!

I was hooked by the story line in this book by the first few pages. I loved the suspense and drama that builds up as the book progresses and you aren’t really sure where it is going and what will happen. There is quite a lot packed in to this one considering it is a novella, you get a lot of action and content for your pages.

Five stars from me for this one, well written with an enjoyable and addictive story that had me hooked to the end – very highly recommended and another brilliant story from Andrew Barrett!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read more than a few of this authors books, he still never fails to shock and surprise me and this little gem of a novella was no different.

Eddie is a love him or hate him type of guy. His mouth is like a sewer and if you are easily offended by swearing, then this may not be the book for you. For me though, this is who Eddie is. There are no airs and graces, what you see is what you get. There is a certain amount of humour in this book which comes directly from Eddie and it really makes for a highly entertaining read.

It’s hard to say to much with it only being a novella, which means you pretty much get into the thick of things as soon as the story gets going. I have to admit, even though I read the blurb, it still didn’t prepare myself for the horrors that were about to unfold. What I also love is that you can really see the authors own background shining through the story. I felt like I learned a bit more about this profession than I did before and certainly picked up some interesting facts.

The Lock is a highly engaging read that will chill the bones off the reader. Definitely makes you never want to go down into a basement on your own! Thankfully there is no basement/cellar in my house so I can rest easy. A dark and chilling read that will give you goosebumps.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit to being a big fan of this author, especially with regard to all things Eddie Collins. He ticks all the boxes for everything I need for a good read but the icing on the already delicious cake he serves up has to be the wit and humour that is peppered throughout the tightly plotted narrative.
In this book Eddie's goose is nearly cooked when his curiosity gets the better of him at the scene of a sudden death when, well, let's just say that the cellar gives up more than he bargained for. We start off with first person narration from Eddie himself, delivered in his own inimitable irreverent, sarcastic and often very funny way, then later on we also hear from other characters as the story unfolds.
To say any more about the story would ruin it and that's a big no-no. Suffice to say that even though this is only a novella, there are absolutely no wasted words, no superfluous padding so you do get quite a bit more than you might expect from a story of this length.
Plotting and attention to forensic detail are, as always, second to none and the gruesome is offset nicely by some wicked black humour and interesting observations, which keeps the overall tone of the book from getting too dark, although it is a bit "heart in mouth" at times.
What it also is, if you haven't already met him, is a good introduction to the great man himself. What I noticed about this and other of Eddie's shorts are that they do not contain anything that places them in a particular spot in the series timeline. They are pure stand-alones which basically means that they can be read at any time.
All in all, another winner which will keep me going until the next time - hopefully soon.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lock is the latest in the CSI Eddie Collins series. A novella which just gives you the fix you need. Not everything is as it seems in the house Eddie is called to. Eddie is his normal people hating, sarcastic self, which is what makes these books so good, in my opinion. I went from my heart feeling like it was going to come out of my chest due to the tense circumstances, to laughing very loudly at Eddies inappropriate wit. This has a lot packed into it for a novella and I would highly recommend it.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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I previously read The Note which also features Eddie Collins. Barrett himself is a CSI and you can see that he takes what he knows from experience and puts them into his stories. And this novella is superb! It is creepy, suspenseful, and you have absolutely no idea how it is going to end! You know what they say about ‘curiosity killed the cat’…. Will curiosity be the end of Eddie Collins, CSI?

This novella makes me now think twice before I will go into a basement or cellar again. You never know who or what might be there! Reading both The Note and now The Lock has me wanting to read more of the Eddie Collins series and more crime books in general!

I received a copy for the blog tour.

[Judith Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book by Andrew Barrett. From my earlier posts, you may remember Andrew’s protagonist is Eddie Collins, a CSI who’s a bit of a loner and. may I say, a bit of a moaner?

Eddie is at a scene of a suspected abduction of a 15-year-old schoolboy when he is called to investigate a sudden death. Grumbling at being disturbed, Eddie goes to the house of an elderly gentleman, where he finds what appears to be a natural death. Albert Crabtree apparently was well named – he was a crabby old guy.

A twin brother who shares the house with Albert hasn’t been seen for several months and the carer is concerned about his whereabouts.

Eddie comes to the conclusion that is was a natural death; the old man was 82 after all and he doesn’t look particularly healthy, deadly white skin and ribs sticking out through his clothes. The only thing strange that Eddie finds is the key clutched in the dead man’s hand.

While he waits for the “body snatchers” to arrive and remove the body, Eddie fills in time by looking around the house. It is fairly substantial, sitting in an acre of land and he thinks it may well have been a vicarage at some time. He takes the key from the dead man’s hand and decides to pass some more time by finding the lock to which it belongs. So begins probably the worst few hours of Eddie’s life.

He is aided in his search for the door and the sounds emanating from somewhere in the empty house, by PC John Scattergood a humourless individual who doesn’t want to be involved. What he finds when he discovers the door to which the key does belong and opens the door, is way beyond anything he has seen before.

Two old bachelors, murder, mayhem, torture and betrayal, abound in this short novel. Sit down with your tea, coffee or a gin and tonic and settle down to read it in one sitting. It’s a gripping tale, well told and it will keep you involved with Eddie, John and the Crabtree brothers to the very end.

I was given an advanced copy of the book by the author. It will be published and available on all your usual reading platforms on 21st January and is currently available to pre-order on Kobo.

And to keep up to date with Andrew Barrett and Eddie Collins, go to Andrew’s website.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but my recommendation comes with a warning. Don’t read this book just before going to bed. It may well keep you awake all night.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good grief Andy Barrett, you know how to snatch the breath from a reader's chest and I don't suppose it helped much with the blood pressure! I was really beginning to wonder how on earth Eddie was going to sort this situation out.

You do realise that he is going to be even more grumpy and arrogant than ever now don't you?

I love Eddie's mental chunterings and sometimes weird, thought processes, i.e. "His ribs stuck out like someone had laid a white sheet over a toast rack".

Even when things seem like an obvious natural death, Eddie takes no chances. Sometimes he has to do battle with himself over whether he can take a short cut or if he needs to be methodical and thorough. In the end though, the one thing Eddie can't bring himself to mess up is his work which sometimes leads him into difficult situations but never any as difficult as this one.

In the end, despite his contrary inclinations, Eddie is, and always will be, a professional at heart. He just doesn't do the expected pleasantries to show it.

This story works perfectly well on its own and can be read and appreciated as a standalone but works even better after reading some of the previous books in the series when the reader has more understanding of Eddie's character.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensational story, I loved it. It’s not very often that I can say that a book has me on the edge of my seat, but this one definitely did. I’ve really enjoyed everyone of Andrew Barrett’s stories, and this one is no exception. The characters are great, and the plots are always captivating and clever. You can’t help but like Eddie Collins, he’s far from perfect and he gets himself into all sorts of situations.
CSI Eddie Collins can’t believe he’s been called out to the death of an old man who had died in his home. Sure, it may have been sudden, but he did look to be in his 80’s, and not a healthy 80 at that. Of course, Eddie is stuck at the house for hours while he waits for someone to come and collect the body, although he does have the Police Officer John Scattergood to keep him company. So, John and Eddie spend their time looking around the big house. You get the feeling they would have been better off waiting in the car. Hands down this is a great story, and well worth a read. 5/5 Star Rating.

Verified Purchase - Amazon Australia

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another Eddie Collins short story though it’s actually novella length, so it’s long enough to get your teeth into. It begins as a first person narrative from Eddie himself but soon we hear the story of other characters – and it’s not at all what I was expecting. The writing, as always, is crisp, immediate and loaded with sarcasm, yet Eddie finds himself in the kind of trouble he can’t joke his way out of. I had my heart in my mouth there for a few pages. Eddie Collins fans will love this. If you’ve not read any of the series previously, this is a good place to dip your toes in. I loved this. It made me laugh and wince by turns.
I received an advance review copy of the book.

[Paul Dubbelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Barrett is one of the most consistent authors I know. Every book is rich in detail with well crafted characters and plot lines. This latest novella is no exception. I received a copy through the author's ARC scheme but this no way detracts or influences my review of a book from one of my alltime favourite authors.

Andrew builds the suspense well, to the point where I had to remind myself to breathe, and uses clever methods to tell this story from different viewpoints to tell the full story. As is so typical of Andrew's books. you become Eddie Collins as you read, seeing the world through his eyes, feeling the cold Yorkshire rain, experiencing everything our favourite CSI experiences. The Lock is graphic, imaginative. and brilliantly written. Truly breathtaking.

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Lock” is a fast read that “grabs” you and doesn’t let go. I love how the tension escalates, from a ho-hum callout for a “sudden death by natural causes” to an active serial killer who knows the CSI (Eddie) has figured him out, with more surprise twists.

This story starts out as a totally realistic “day in the life of a CSI,” then, following Eddie as he searches for the source of a mysterious noise, everything changes!

If you are already a fan of Andrew Barrett, you will definitely want to read this novella. And if you aren't yet a fan, what are you waiting for?

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This novella sucks you right in from the first page. The tension is palpable throughout the book and there is an absolutely cracking twist part way through. I loved this book and read it in one sitting. Barrett is the master of tension with laugh out loud moments interspersed throughout in a way that is totally appropriate within the story. Eddie Collins is an asshole and is so much more believable as a character for being an asshole and not being a saint. If you haven't read Barrett yet you are missing out.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie is called to a 'sudden death' of an 80ish year old gentleman. Some of the things about the gentleman doesn't sit well with Eddie. While he is waiting for the 'body wagon' to pick him up, he goes snooping around with Officer John Scattergood. Together, they get into things much deeper and sinnister than anyone imaged. Problem is, things aren't what they seem. Can they get out alive? Someone is betting against them....and he has an excellent record of winning! I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.

[Carys Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

The best thing about this book is that we are reunited with Eddie Collins. The author, Andrew Barrett, provides us with the typical ( if you are familiar with Eddie Collins)dry humour in the face of such horror beautifully combined with his meticulous forensic mind. The worst thing about this book is that it is a novella and was all over too soon!! Fast paced, clever twists to keep you on the edge of your seat to the last page! I cannot wait for the next instalment of Eddie Colin’s CSI!

[Diamondbabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's short but boy does it grip you. I'm not a big fan of novellas but this one really had me gripped from the start. You really feel as if your in the house with Eddie, the scene setting & descriptions pull you in & spark the imagination. A few heart stopping moments & then a twist or two & you have a fantastic short read. Roll on the next full length book.

[Karen greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy! Andrew Barrett has done it again. I love this series and Eddie Collins. This story really grabbed me from the first page. This was a murder mystery with a killer twist or two or three. As I’m reading I’m hoping that Eddie Collins is jus having a really, really bad nightmare. But it’s not. Try to stop reading....you can’t! I won’t give anything away. You really have to experience this yourself. Wow!

[Marija · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short but packed novella kept me on the edge of my seat...
I was enjoying reading this complex and a bit horror story that even it is darkish it simply force you to read more...I was just sad that it ended very fast and I can't wait to read the next Eddie Collins book

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another CSI Collins Novel. Fine, fine reading. Outstanding. I received an ARC copy of the book prior to printing AND purchased a copy. That certainly tells you of what I think of The Luck and Andrew Barrett.. Andrew Barrett is a master of his game! Five stars do not do justice to this one. This is one book you'll read at one sitting. I've read all of his Eddie Collins thrillers and just when you think this cant be beat, Author Barrett does it again only better. CSI Eddie Colliins is not your usual smart technician. Yes, he's good at his work but he doesnt let charm get in his way of doing a fine job.

[David Gilchrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie Collins at his very best, certainly fast paced not sure which way the plot was heading. Great to read a new Eddie book.

[Rudi Pan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't read this if you're claustrophobic!

CSI Eddie Collins is out on a routine call but his nosiness may cost him his life. To make things worse, he's shut off from the outside. In this cat-and-mouse game Eddie has to rely on his wits and survival instinct like never before against an adversary who makes John Wayne Gacy look like an altar boy.

Evil is like wine: the older, the meaner it gets.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of the Eddie Collins series for a little while now. I have read a couple of the books but I also have another couple on my ever increasing ‘TBR’ (to be read) mountain. I had forgotten just how bloody good the series is and I can guarantee that the unread books will certainly be read before too much longer. I absolutely, totally and utterly loved reading ‘The Lock’ even if it did creep me out a bit but more about that in a bit.
What can you say about CSI Eddie Collins? For a start he is certainly one of a kind. He’s a man of a particular age, who has a lot of life experience. Eddie has an uncanny knack of saying exactly what he thinks and at times this gets him into trouble in more ways that one. Eddie doesn’t seem to have all that much respect for those in authority and I get the impression that he is a rebel at heart. Collins has a gut instinct that is right almost all of the time. Eddie is very inquisitive and if something doesn’t sit right with him then he will not hesitate to investigate further until his own curiosity has been satisfied. His inquisitiveness certainly gets him into some sticky situations and that is certainly the case in ‘The Lock’. I don’t want to go into specifics as I would hate to spoil it for other readers.
Chuffing Nora, ‘The Lock’ was one hell of a read that had me gripped all the way through. The author grabbed my attention from the first word onwards and kept it all the way through the book. I didn’t dare put the book down because I thought I might miss something. There were shocks and surprises over every page. On more than one occasion, I actually gasped out loud at something I had read and had to re-read certain paragraphs to make sure that I wasn’t imagining things. You could say that reading ‘The Lock’ became seriously addictive reading. It was if the book had a hold over me. This book is a novella and it didn’t take me long to get through the story. I did wonder if the author would be able to fit an entire story in such a small book but I needn’t have worried because the story fits perfectly.
‘The Lock’ is fantastically written with one hell of a great storyline and a great deal of authenticity to boot. The author uses such powerful descriptions that I really did think that I was part of the story and I got a real sense of the claustrophobia that Collins and a colleague felt at certain times. This book also made me jump on more than one occasion and by the end of the book I felt like a nervous wreck.
Reading ‘The Lock’ certainly felt like being on a rather scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. Just when I thought that things had settled down, then off the story would go again.
For me, ‘The Lock’ had a bit of everything- there’s grit, drama, suspense, murder, intrigue but there is also the occasional dash of humour. The humour is ‘dark’ and what you might call ‘gallows humour’ (using humour as a coping mechanism).
In short I absolutely loved reading ‘The Lock’ and I would definitely recommend this book, the Eddie Collins series and this author to other readers. My only complaint was that the book had to end. I can’t wait to read what this author comes up with next. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. Whilst I wait for the next book, I will definitely be making time to read Andrew’s other books – both in this series and the series featuring Roger Conniston. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board just has to be 5* out of 5*.

[Susan Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author and blog tour organiser for the ARC in return for an honest review.

What can I say about this auctioned packed, perfectly formed Novella? Just that it is exciting and packed with tension, which rolls through the story like a breaking wave on the beach. It takes great skill to write a novella, to keep the pace and story exciting enough, yet perfectly paced for this shorter book form, but the author does it with great skill.

So why did I like it so much? For me, it was the humour that just popped up at unexpected moments. I knew I probably shouldn’t, but I found myself giggling at what felt like inappropriate moments and that is because the humour is deliciously dark. I work in an environment where humour is found in the oddest moments, often in the darkest of situations and acts like pressure valve that releases tension and that is what of the humour this book does so well, giving us the readers a window into and a world which is full of unimaginable acts.

The characterisation is superb as we once again get the chance to spend time with CSI Eddie Collins. He is clever, witty, sarcastic, with a withering sense of humour and has a healthy dislike of his managers and colleagues. He is very likable and you just can’t help wanting to spend time with him, even though as a reader, you spend half your time terrified he won’t survive the frightening situations he gets himself into. It’s his cleverness that warms you to him, he stands out from the crowd as a character and is forever surprising you with his skill and bravery.

His counterpoint in this novel is the killer of course. Seriously this is a mastermind of a creation. It’s hard to say too much without ruining the plot, but his motives and thought processes, the pleasure found in the suffering of others, is evil personified. Yet I couldn’t help be fascinated by Andrew Barrett’s character, he terrified me, but was such a well crafted creation, I read on and on to know his fate as much as Eddie himself.

This book is a real page turner and I whipped through it in one sitting. You’re gripped by the tension, the story that never relents and a compulsion to get to the end. It left me breathless and I’m even more of a fan of this series than I was already.

You can purchase The Lock from Amazon.

[Julie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read any of the other Eddie Collins books, so this was a short, sharp introduction to the character and the writing of Andrew Barrett, and I have to say it was a bit like getting a fast punch in the face that gave me the shock of my life and took my breath away.

This is only a short novella which took me around an hour to read, so perfect if you are wanting a quick, satisfying fix. However, I would not advise reading this if you are at all faint of heart. I made the mistake of reading it late at night just before going to sleep and it scared the pants off me.

This is only going to be a short review to give you a flavour of the book, as it is jam-packed with action from start to finish but I don’t want to include any spoilers in my review. What I will say is that it is a clever combination of forensic crime novel and an interesting dash of horror to go with it, which is quite different to my usual fare. I really liked the main character of Eddie Collins, who is a CSI rather than a policeman, so he brings a fresh and fascinating eye to a crime scene. Although this is a short book, the author does a great job of injecting a lot of Eddie’s personality in to the writing quickly and seamlessly. He does it very cleverly through his actions, thoughts and language, rather than telling us about him, which makes it an easy way to pick it up without slowing the pace of the story.

Eddie gets himself into a pickle by being a nosy parker, to be honest, and as the book goes through the tension becomes almost unbearable and you will feel ready to jump out of your skin. I liked the fact that the author is quite tongue in cheek about the horror aspect, as he has Eddie making references to the various slasher movies throughout which made me laugh a little, but didn’t lighten the tension.

It’s hard to say much more about the book without giving the plot away so I won’t. If you fancy a quick read with a gripping plot and a touch of horror thrown in that will make you jump out of your skin, this is a good choice.