I’m Eddie Collins, a CSI. This is the story of how I saw a dead man die… #TheLock #novella #Review @nholten40 @AndrewBarrettUK @BOTBSPublicity

I’m over the moon to be taking part in the Blog Tour for Andrew Barrett’s novella – THE LOCK. Hugest of thanks to Sarah Hardy and Book on the Bright Side publicity for inviting me and the author for the ARC. A little about the author and this book before I share my review with you all today!

About the Author

Andrew Barrett has enjoyed variety in his professional life, from engine-builder to farmer, from Oilfield Service Technician in Kuwait, to his current role of Senior CSI in Yorkshire.

He’s been a CSI since 1996, and has worked on all scene types from terrorism to murder, suicide to rape, drugs manufacture to bomb scenes. One way or another, Andrew’s life revolves around crime.

In 1997 he finished his first crime thriller, A Long Time Dead, and it’s still a readers’ favourite today, some 120,000 copies later, topping the Amazon charts several times. Two more books featuring SOCO Roger Conniston completed the trilogy.

Today, Andrew is still producing high-quality, authentic crime thrillers with a forensic flavour that attract attention from readers worldwide. He’s also attracted attention from the Yorkshire media, having been featured in the Yorkshire Post, and twice interviewed on BBC Radio Leeds.

He’s best known for his lead character, CSI Eddie Collins, and the acerbic way in which he roots out criminals and administers justice. Eddie’s series is four books and two short stories in length, and there’s still more to come.

Andrew is a proud Yorkshireman and sets all of his novels there, using his home city of Leeds as another major, and complementary, character in each of the stories.

You can find out more about him and his writing at www.andrew-barrett.co.uk

About the Book

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.

Set in Leeds, CSI Eddie Collins introduces us to fear, anger, resentment, inner turmoil, self satisfaction, compulsion, change, thrills, the lack of empathy and morals, all while searching to reveal the truth.

Well O-M-G! What a fascinating and twisted plot this novella delivered – I have to say, I was intrigued and engrossed as I raced through this novella. Told in first person POV from multiple view points, all is not what it seems and it is up to CSI Eddie Collins to unpack this gruesome tale. I enjoyed the fact that you got to learn a lot about the character early on and as the story progresses – it definitely felt more character than plot driven. This was a tense, twisted read that was cleverly delivered – you aren’t left feeling unfulfilled once the novella has ended, that’s for sure!

Character-wise, we have Eddie Collins … he hates change and is not afraid to let every one know it; he is so crass (ha ha), a bit of an a**hole if I’m honest and certainly has his job cut out for him in this book. I’d have to say he is quite an unlikable individual, yet you still find yourself laughing inappropriately ? and caring the more you get to know him.

Frederick and Albert – holy sh*tballs! What a pair of weirdos! I think I will be steering well clear of vicarages in the future. I don’t want to say too much about this gruesome twosome, you’ll see exactly what I mean when you read the novella!

So would I recommend this novella? Ab-so-friggin-lutely, I would! Set your creep factor to the max with this chilling, tense and shocking novella – littered with some awesomely dark humour, and an intensity that has you jumping at every sound, this novella is definitely a unique and cleverly crafted story that will keep you entertained! Make sure you go back and check out the rest of the tour here: