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A Killing Place In The Sun
"BOSCH-meets-BOND-meets-REACHER."
His Place In The Sun may be just a house. But to this Englishman, it’s his castle. And he wants it back.
It began as a simple property dispute. It ended in all-out war.
Ex-soldier and policeman, Peter Murray, returns to the beautiful holiday island of Cyprus to keep the vow he made to his late wife, Kathy, to complete the deal on the ‘Place In The Sun’ that was their shared dream before a tragic accident took her, and their son, from him.
But Murray’s hopes are shattered when he finds the house being lived in by Russian mobster, Valerik Podruznig, and his family, as well as his small army of enforcers. Podruznig already sees the potential in the house Murray built - and has no intention of giving it up.
From Murray’s initial attempts at peaceful negotiation, what begins as a simple property dispute soon escalates, through threats, intimidation and violence, before exploding into all-out war. In the face of Podruznig’s casual disregard for the law, Murray has to call on all his policing experience and military know-how to counter the Russian’s efforts and stay alive.
Equal parts crime novel, heist thriller, and military adventure, and set against the backdrop of the popular holiday resort of Pafos, A Killing Place In The Sun recounts the struggle for supremacy between two determined adversaries, one as ruthless and dangerous as the other is principled and daring, as they each seek the resolution they desire.
Hanging over the action, is the mystery of what happened to the consignment of gold that disappeared during Murray and his team’s last military mission, and its connection, if any, to the house in the sun. Things are complicated further when the local police chief’s vivacious daughter's feelings of sympathy for Murray’s plight start evolving into something deeper. And when her life is threatened, it triggers a nail-biting climax that finally brings Murray and Podruznig face-to-face in a way that is not just unexpected, but puts several twists on all that has gone before. As the new dawn casts its first shadows over what has, by now, become, A Killing Place In The Sun, the shattering truth finally reveals itself. But who will be left alive to witness it? Find out by buying it, today.
Robert F Barker was born in Liverpool, England. During a thirty-year police career, he worked in and around some of the North West’s grittiest towns and cities. As a senior detective, he led investigations into all kinds of major crime including, murder, armed robbery, serious sex crime and people/drug trafficking. Whilst commanding firearms and disorder incidents, he learned what it means to have to make life-and-death decisions in the heat of live operations. His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns that crime-thriller readers love.
5* Praise for Robert F Barker's books
'A gripping read about an exceptional detective and the complexities in his life'(Last Gasp)
'Fabulous writer and solid knowledge of police procedures. Can't wait for more from this writer' -Last Gasp
'A fantastic page turner with a hugely sinister and disturbing villain at its heart' -Family Reunion
'As exciting and ‘real’ as anything I have read in a police detective novel in a long time' - Family Reunion
'Well written and fast paced.... a great read for crime-thriller fans' - Final Breath
'Loved, loved, LOVED this book! Couldn't put it down. Always left on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next!'(Last Gasp)
'A very well crafted mystery that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat'(Final Breath)
'Jamie Carver is a mix of genius... and emotional wreck!' - Out Of Air
'So compelling and well written that I can't wait to read the next in the series' (Final Breath)
His Place In The Sun may be just a house. But to this Englishman, it’s his castle. And he wants it back.
It began as a simple property dispute. It ended in all-out war.
Ex-soldier and policeman, Peter Murray, returns to the beautiful holiday island of Cyprus to keep the vow he made to his late wife, Kathy, to complete the deal on the ‘Place In The Sun’ that was their shared dream before a tragic accident took her, and their son, from him.
But Murray’s hopes are shattered when he finds the house being lived in by Russian mobster, Valerik Podruznig, and his family, as well as his small army of enforcers. Podruznig already sees the potential in the house Murray built - and has no intention of giving it up.
From Murray’s initial attempts at peaceful negotiation, what begins as a simple property dispute soon escalates, through threats, intimidation and violence, before exploding into all-out war. In the face of Podruznig’s casual disregard for the law, Murray has to call on all his policing experience and military know-how to counter the Russian’s efforts and stay alive.
Equal parts crime novel, heist thriller, and military adventure, and set against the backdrop of the popular holiday resort of Pafos, A Killing Place In The Sun recounts the struggle for supremacy between two determined adversaries, one as ruthless and dangerous as the other is principled and daring, as they each seek the resolution they desire.
Hanging over the action, is the mystery of what happened to the consignment of gold that disappeared during Murray and his team’s last military mission, and its connection, if any, to the house in the sun. Things are complicated further when the local police chief’s vivacious daughter's feelings of sympathy for Murray’s plight start evolving into something deeper. And when her life is threatened, it triggers a nail-biting climax that finally brings Murray and Podruznig face-to-face in a way that is not just unexpected, but puts several twists on all that has gone before. As the new dawn casts its first shadows over what has, by now, become, A Killing Place In The Sun, the shattering truth finally reveals itself. But who will be left alive to witness it? Find out by buying it, today.
Robert F Barker was born in Liverpool, England. During a thirty-year police career, he worked in and around some of the North West’s grittiest towns and cities. As a senior detective, he led investigations into all kinds of major crime including, murder, armed robbery, serious sex crime and people/drug trafficking. Whilst commanding firearms and disorder incidents, he learned what it means to have to make life-and-death decisions in the heat of live operations. His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns that crime-thriller readers love.
5* Praise for Robert F Barker's books
'A gripping read about an exceptional detective and the complexities in his life'(Last Gasp)
'Fabulous writer and solid knowledge of police procedures. Can't wait for more from this writer' -Last Gasp
'A fantastic page turner with a hugely sinister and disturbing villain at its heart' -Family Reunion
'As exciting and ‘real’ as anything I have read in a police detective novel in a long time' - Family Reunion
'Well written and fast paced.... a great read for crime-thriller fans' - Final Breath
'Loved, loved, LOVED this book! Couldn't put it down. Always left on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next!'(Last Gasp)
'A very well crafted mystery that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat'(Final Breath)
'Jamie Carver is a mix of genius... and emotional wreck!' - Out Of Air
'So compelling and well written that I can't wait to read the next in the series' (Final Breath)
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2020
133 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Robert F. Barker
14 books61 followersRobert F Barker was born in Liverpool, England. During a thirty-year police career, he worked in and around some of the Northwest UK’s grittiest towns and cities. As a senior detective, he led investigations into all kinds of major crime including, murder, armed robbery, serious sex crime and people/drug trafficking. Whilst commanding firearms and disorder incidents, he learned what it means to have to make life-and-death decisions in the heat of live operations.
His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns crime-fiction readers love.
His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns crime-fiction readers love.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 25, 2020
An intense read
This book was very different to the normal Jamie Carver books that I have read by this author. It was intense with a complex plot that had lots of different angles and stories involved. At first I found it hard going because I was trying to get to grips with everything that was going on, but as it all became clearer and the threads started to move closer together, I found it intriguing and interesting. The very beginning was definitely puzzling as it was hard to determine who was the antagonist and who the victim, but this was made pretty clear within the next few chapters and it was much easier to focus in which character the reader’s loyalty should lie. As the plot moves on with intensifying twists and turns, there is plenty of excitement. It was hard to second guess what was going to happen next as every time I thought I knew where the story was going, I was proven completely wrong and blown away by what actually transpired. Even at the very end there was a huge twist to the story which made the ending very neat but at the same time very emotional.
It was obvious that this story had been written by someone who knows Cyprus very well and this was shown by the lovely descriptions of the country and the people. It certainly made me wish I could visit this little island as it sounds absolutely delightful. I definitely prefer the Jamie Carver series, however I did enjoy this novel as a one-off as I feel that it is doubtful we will see another Peter Murray tale.
This book was very different to the normal Jamie Carver books that I have read by this author. It was intense with a complex plot that had lots of different angles and stories involved. At first I found it hard going because I was trying to get to grips with everything that was going on, but as it all became clearer and the threads started to move closer together, I found it intriguing and interesting. The very beginning was definitely puzzling as it was hard to determine who was the antagonist and who the victim, but this was made pretty clear within the next few chapters and it was much easier to focus in which character the reader’s loyalty should lie. As the plot moves on with intensifying twists and turns, there is plenty of excitement. It was hard to second guess what was going to happen next as every time I thought I knew where the story was going, I was proven completely wrong and blown away by what actually transpired. Even at the very end there was a huge twist to the story which made the ending very neat but at the same time very emotional.
It was obvious that this story had been written by someone who knows Cyprus very well and this was shown by the lovely descriptions of the country and the people. It certainly made me wish I could visit this little island as it sounds absolutely delightful. I definitely prefer the Jamie Carver series, however I did enjoy this novel as a one-off as I feel that it is doubtful we will see another Peter Murray tale.
April 2, 2024
YET ANOTHER BRILLIANT BOOK!
This was another excellent story from Robert Barker (whom I had not heard of at all until very recently, even though my Amazoned handle is Inveterate Reader), but have now read eight of his books in short order, and if I can find more, then will read those too!
I don’t like writing about the stories themselves, as we all see things differently, so just accept the fact that I’ve enjoyed every one of them enough to be writing this whole commendation for Mr Barker’s books.
This was another excellent story from Robert Barker (whom I had not heard of at all until very recently, even though my Amazoned handle is Inveterate Reader), but have now read eight of his books in short order, and if I can find more, then will read those too!
I don’t like writing about the stories themselves, as we all see things differently, so just accept the fact that I’ve enjoyed every one of them enough to be writing this whole commendation for Mr Barker’s books.
August 9, 2021
Please don’t get me wrong, I found this book quite an exciting read especially when it was set in Cyprus but I just felt that it lacked something. It seemed to all come across as a little contrived with bits added here and there. The story jumped from an apparent falling out over a property deal to all out war with a Russian, falling out over gold bullion and a vendetta from an army investigator. It was all just just a little too much for me at times.
June 3, 2021
A study in stupidity
Poorly written. The main protagonist Murray is about as useful and menacing as the Pufti marshmallow man in ghostbusters.
Doesn't anyone check for a tail or attachment to a vehicle ever, and why spend all the time talking and not doing anything active.
Waiting for action in this load of drivel is like waiting for Godot preaching paint dry..
Poorly written. The main protagonist Murray is about as useful and menacing as the Pufti marshmallow man in ghostbusters.
Doesn't anyone check for a tail or attachment to a vehicle ever, and why spend all the time talking and not doing anything active.
Waiting for action in this load of drivel is like waiting for Godot preaching paint dry..
March 22, 2023
This would make a great movie!
What a great story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be gripping, exciting and I could not put it down. In a way I did not want the story to end. I am looking forward to reading more of this author’s books.
I really think this would make great movie!
What a great story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be gripping, exciting and I could not put it down. In a way I did not want the story to end. I am looking forward to reading more of this author’s books.
I really think this would make great movie!
May 8, 2020
Another gem from this author.
I really enjoyed this book with it's great plot line, strong characters and great descriptions of southern Cyprus. It's a very well written book that kept me gripped to the end.
Thank you Robert, you've done it again.
I really enjoyed this book with it's great plot line, strong characters and great descriptions of southern Cyprus. It's a very well written book that kept me gripped to the end.
Thank you Robert, you've done it again.
June 19, 2020
Twisty and complex
Knowing the island, I wondered where this story would lead me. This is a first read from this author and won't be my last. Make sure you've plenty of time, snacks and drinks because you will not want to leave the story for long.
Knowing the island, I wondered where this story would lead me. This is a first read from this author and won't be my last. Make sure you've plenty of time, snacks and drinks because you will not want to leave the story for long.
June 29, 2020
Beach read
Army guy and wife buy house by the beach, wife dies, Russian gangster legally acquires house. Squaddie develops friendship with police chiefs daughter.Special forces mates come to the rescue, house back to squaddie,
The end
Very predictable read dont bother
Army guy and wife buy house by the beach, wife dies, Russian gangster legally acquires house. Squaddie develops friendship with police chiefs daughter.Special forces mates come to the rescue, house back to squaddie,
The end
Very predictable read dont bother
June 30, 2020
A very enjoyable read. The book has lots of well thought out twists and turns. It kept me fully immersed right up to the very end. Highly recommended and a well deserved 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 23, 2020
Unbelievable storyline couldn't keep me interested
Want to read
September 15, 2021Low pre-order price!
June 9, 2022
Great story well paced and scarily believable
Having read and enjoyed the Jamie Carved 6-book series I picked this standalone novel set in Cyprus and was not disappointed.
Having read and enjoyed the Jamie Carved 6-book series I picked this standalone novel set in Cyprus and was not disappointed.
September 29, 2024
I enjoyed the book but quite a bit went on and not explained leaving you to work out how it fitted into the story
July 7, 2025
unpredictable
Great story with twists and turns and what I especially liked was that I couldn’t predict what was going to happen
Great story with twists and turns and what I especially liked was that I couldn’t predict what was going to happen
April 21, 2020
Lots of action and suspense in this one. A very fast paced tale of revenge and retribution, this story has violence, trickery, suspense, and lots of action. It is a mesmerizing story. Not easy to put it down once you start reading. There is always something going on and the action is non stop. Great action, suspense story, I loved it and surely will read it again.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews