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vondav's review
5.0
Eddie Collins is a CSI, you know who they are. They get sent to suspected scenes of crime, look for evidence and document the scenes. When an elderly man is found dead in his home, he has to check it out to see if there was any sign of foul play. Everything looked ok until he finds an ancient key grasped in the deceased’s hand. Knowing he has to investigate, he searches around the house, although he wishes he hadn’t.
Whilst I have not read any of this series, I took to Eddie straightaway. He was not a people person and had a quirky sense of humour, who else would walk around an unknown house in the dark, playing horror movies in his mind, waiting to be scared.
Written from Eddie’s POV, it is easy to follow him around whilst he was looking for clues. Added to this were memoirs from the deceased, helping explain what had happened in the house. Without giving anything away, I did not see any of it coming and was surprised with what had happened and it showed just how good Eddie was with deciphering the evidence.
It was a pleasant change to read a thriller that did not involve a police officer or private investigator. I enjoyed how the evidence was explained in layman’s terms and you do not need a good understanding of the science behind it.
As this is a standalone novella in the series, I did not have to read to any of the previous books to know what was going on and I am going to check out the other books in the series. If you like your thrillers a bit on the dark side than pick up this book.
Whilst I have not read any of this series, I took to Eddie straightaway. He was not a people person and had a quirky sense of humour, who else would walk around an unknown house in the dark, playing horror movies in his mind, waiting to be scared.
Written from Eddie’s POV, it is easy to follow him around whilst he was looking for clues. Added to this were memoirs from the deceased, helping explain what had happened in the house. Without giving anything away, I did not see any of it coming and was surprised with what had happened and it showed just how good Eddie was with deciphering the evidence.
It was a pleasant change to read a thriller that did not involve a police officer or private investigator. I enjoyed how the evidence was explained in layman’s terms and you do not need a good understanding of the science behind it.
As this is a standalone novella in the series, I did not have to read to any of the previous books to know what was going on and I am going to check out the other books in the series. If you like your thrillers a bit on the dark side than pick up this book.
sarahs_bookish_life's review
5.0
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.
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.
coffeedogsbooks's review
5.0
Wow! another great installment in the Eddie Collins Series. This time we meet Eddie at a crime scene where he is attending to an elderly man found dead. Eddie is bored waiting for the body to be picked up and during his processing of the body, found a key. Well, we know Eddie... He decides to find out where this key goes to. Meanwhile, he hears a banging from what he assumes is the basement... escorted by the on duty police officer they go investigate. Well lets say things don't go as planned for Eddie... do they ever? Serial killers and basement torture chambers are just the beginning! Will Eddie make it out of the basement? Why did he ever open The Lock?
While this is a novella in the Eddie Collins series, it can be read as a standalone, although I highly recommend reading them all!
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
While this is a novella in the Eddie Collins series, it can be read as a standalone, although I highly recommend reading them all!
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
jessica42980's review
5.0
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.
~~~~
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.
booklady72's review
4.0
CSI Eddie Collins is investigating what is supposed to be an open and shut case of an elderly man found dead in his home with a key in his hand. He takes the key and starts looking for the lock. On the way he hears noises which lead him to a cellar.
I can’t say anymore really, in case I spoil this short story. I can say that the descriptions are excellent with excellent characters. I felt like I was walking along next to Eddie, and stayed with him the whole time until the ending.
Many thanks to TBC reviewer group and Andrew Barrett for a copy of this super novella.
I can’t say anymore really, in case I spoil this short story. I can say that the descriptions are excellent with excellent characters. I felt like I was walking along next to Eddie, and stayed with him the whole time until the ending.
Many thanks to TBC reviewer group and Andrew Barrett for a copy of this super novella.
claudia_is_reading's review
4.0
This is a short, quick read, but nevertheless another very interesting one. Part of it is, as always, the fact that Eddie is such a great character, and part the author's writing style.
The story is told from multiple POVs, although at first we only get Eddie's... which is fine by me. I love his sarcastic self.
The story is creepy and will keep you glued to the pages; and if you haven't read yet any book in this series, this will be a perfect introduction.
The story is told from multiple POVs, although at first we only get Eddie's... which is fine by me. I love his sarcastic self.
The story is creepy and will keep you glued to the pages; and if you haven't read yet any book in this series, this will be a perfect introduction.
lagadema's review
5.0
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
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
jessicamap's review
4.0
Thanks to the publisher and author for the free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review.
This continues my long line of Andrew Barrett novels and I have yet to be disappointed. The Eddie Collins series has been an entertaining one and this novella is no exception!
Lots of action and suspense like we have come to expect and the same wit and sarcasm from Eddie. We are brought to a crime scene and as Eddie waits for the coroner to come remove the body, he hears a noise coming from the basement. What CSI wouldnt investigate?
I don’t want to give away much more because it is a novella, but if you want a fast paced thriller then I highly recommend this one! Fans of the Eddie Collins series definitely need this one on their TBR .
This continues my long line of Andrew Barrett novels and I have yet to be disappointed. The Eddie Collins series has been an entertaining one and this novella is no exception!
Lots of action and suspense like we have come to expect and the same wit and sarcasm from Eddie. We are brought to a crime scene and as Eddie waits for the coroner to come remove the body, he hears a noise coming from the basement. What CSI wouldnt investigate?
I don’t want to give away much more because it is a novella, but if you want a fast paced thriller then I highly recommend this one! Fans of the Eddie Collins series definitely need this one on their TBR .
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