The complete best-selling collection of The Dead Trilogy, featuring SOCO Roger Conniston. 1500 pages of killer action and suspense that lead to a ‘fast-paced and thrilling climax’.A Long Time Dead. Everyone trusts Roger. He’s got an honest face… for a killer.Two dead women. All the evidence points to Scenes of Crime Officer, Roger Conniston. The real killer uses Roger’s sordid secrets against him … Conniston. The real killer uses Roger’s sordid secrets against him until no one believes he is innocent. He’s about to lose his job, his wife, and his freedom. But the killer wants it all; the killer wants Roger’s life too, and time is running out.
Stealing Elgar.
No one can question Roger’s loyalty. Except those he won’t give it to.
Scenes of Crime Officer, Roger Conniston, ventures out alone to find his wife. He doesn’t trust the police anymore, and he despises the man who kidnapped her.
Hades is a brutal killer who is planning Britain’s largest robbery, and needs Roger’s compliance.
When he found out that she was literally sitting on a bomb, Roger’s compliance turns to fury.
But will his fury get him there in time?
No More Tears.
Roger is about to pull the trigger. And then decides to forgive himself.
SOCO Roger Conniston’s fury hasn’t subsided, and he selects a name from a list of Hades’ ex-gang members. That name is Jess.
A few miles away, a killer reads a name on a letter. That name is Roger Conniston, and that killer is Jess.
But someone even closer has a mind for vengeance, and he wants them both dead.
When fighting a killer becomes a battle for revenge – this is No More Tears
Bonus Material:
- An Introduction from Andrew Barrett
- Reasons and Methodology
- Character Biography
- Things of Note
- The Theme of Each Book
- A Detailed Synopsis of Each book
- A Long Time Dead – the earliest version, from October 2000. This is a link to your own downloadable ebook.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE DEAD TRILOGY:
A Long Time Dead:
- The ending was nerve racking
- So real that I was holding my breath
- I loved this book – so different from a normal police detective thriller
- Be warned, they are so well written and pacey that you will be burning the midnight oil
- I skipped a party to stay home and finish this book
- An intoxicating mix that floods over the reader
Stealing Elgar:
- The writing is powerful, the dialogue gritty and uncompromising
- He seems to have the complete package – the expertise in his field, the great imagination to weave a story together and the ability to write it all in a compelling and enthralling way
- You know how some books have slow parts while the author builds up to something happening? Well, you won’t get that in this book. There is no let-up in the pace. It’s an emotional roller coaster and I was exhausted by the time I finished reading it
- Thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I thought it was brilliant
- I found it a real page turner and spent many nights reading until 2 or 3am because I didn’t want to put it down.
No More tears:
- Dark and relentless, a thrilling climax to the series
- I have seldom read such an exciting and fast paced trilogy.
- This trilogy had it all; emotion, excitement, blood and gore, humour (just a little), great characters and a brilliant plot
- Andrew Barrett’s writing weaves fiction with elements of reality that make for an immersive read in a world that feels very alive and real
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The Dead Trilogy (SOCO Roger Conniston) by Andrew Barrett is definitely three dark, violent, and emotionally draining stories about one detective’s struggle’s to solve cases as well as his search for the truth. Be forewarned, the author describes many violent scenes in graphic and grisly details. He also makes the reader almost feel the wounds and scars inflicted on Roger as well as many other characters as the stories develop. These are also some of the most emotionally heart-tugging stories I have read in a long long time, as the reader is definitely taken on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs as they identify with the characters’ problems. The characters themselves are more than one dimensional as they are given heart and soul and characteristics, not just descriptions. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of these books from Story Origin.
This trilogy is amazing! Just get it NOW. All three books in it will keep you glued and you simply will not want to stop until you finish., This is the type of bundle that keeps you up past your bedtime because you just have to read that “one more chapter.” No spoilers in this review but this is what you need to know: The stories are all wonderful and contain descriptions and characters that put you right into the midst of things! All well developed, easy to follow, giving you the thrills, mystery, suspense, twists and turns and even a little humor, that you look for and expect in your best written books. If murder/detective/mystery is your genre, this is the author for you. If this is your first exposure to Andy, you will want to go back and read his other books, if you don’t you will certainly be missing out! He always has his characters grappling with the common problems that haunt everyday regular people which endear these characters and stories to you even more. So one click now, and hunker down for a roller coaster ride that is sure to please. I received a complimentary copy and the opinion above was unsolicited and is my own.
I’ve made reviews for each book individually and you can read them there.
. Though the author claims it isn’t as good as his later work that features Eddie Collins, I couldn’t find much wrong with this story. Only the part with the key-fob feels a bit forceful, as I think the police would keep it a secret because the killer would certainly dispose of it when it is advertised like that. He certainly would not show it to anyone. But that’s just a minor thing to me. The book is so suspenseful that I stayed up several nights to finish it.
Barrett shows excellent penmanship, even the most tedious moments and actions he can describe in heart-warming prose. His has such a great way with words that involuntary, I have to smile in the midst of an argument, conversation or fight for the manner in which he tells us these things. The only reason he may hang on to his daytime job as a SOCO is for the inspiration he may find there and maybe a way to stay up-to-date and accurate in a quickly evolving field. That first-hand experience is something that very few can attribute to their stories. But I have a faint suspicion that he’s much alike Roger Conniston in this matter, that he just likes what he does.
It’s moving how meticulously and detailed Barrett describes the emotions of his characters, mainly Shelby and Conniston in this last story but also that of the other actors in this drama. One of the things I like about these books is the detailed descriptions he gives about surroundings, procedures, history of places, buildings. You can really picture the book in front of your eyes.
At the end of the book, there’s an extensive bonus part with very interesting items as the very first character outlays and biographies, the author’s own thoughts on the themes and main focus points of the individual stories and on top of that the very detailed synopsis’s of the stories as he wrote them down originally in 1997.
This book wraps up all the loose ends left over from the previous 2 volumes as well as bringing another sleepless nights thriller with edge of your seat tension. This last story is a bit more reflective than the earlier ones. They’re all 3 different subgenres, the first book is in the first place a police procedural, where the second one is full of action and the last one more of a psychological thriller but still full of action and unexpected twists. Together they stand as a complete and perfect blend of genres into something that’s better than the mere sum of its parts.
I received a free ARC from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
Book one:
Having read the Eddie Collins series and really loved them I had a bit of a hard time getting used to Roger Conniston. And no this not the polished version like we watch in the CSI TV series but more closer to reality. Andrew Barrett is a practicing CSI and uses his experiences to write these thrillers that brings us right in the mid of things.
This first book shows Roger as an unfaithful husband while at the same time been a caring & loving husband. Yes a bit of contradiction but you have to read the book to understand. In the meanwhile a lot is going on within the police force and not all good. The biggest danger is coming from where he least expected it. The book has no cliffhanger but it makes you want more to see what is in store for Roger in the future.
Book two:
After having read book one a “Long Time Death” the second one gets you to understand Roger Conniston a bit better. Not only is he struggling with his new job position he can’t let go of trying to proof Inspector Weston is dealing with weapons. The story gets more twisted as we go along involving the local mobsters. Irish freedom fighters and Russian mafia. An explosive mix in more ways then one. A lot of characters in this book so you have to pay attention who is who. The subject matter is a bit on the dark side but very realistic. The more you read about Roger the more he grows on you so book three is on the shortlist to read.
A Fantastic boxset That kept me inthralled through the whole bookset. It had me on the edge of my seat. I love mysteries and this one definitely keeps you thinking. I like the way as I read the book its like solving a puzzle. And this is definitely more than a 5 star read. The Author does a fantastic job at bringing this to fruition with all the twists and turns. I definitely recommend.
Shauna Joesten
*slight spoilers*
Book 1 in Andrew Barrett’s The Dead Trilogy, is A Long Time Dead. A gruesome murder starts the ‘slow burn’ start to the murder investigation SOCO Roger Conniston’s working on with his team. Roger’s life has become much more confusing and stressful as he looks after his wife Yvonne, who’s crippled with rheumatoid arthritis.In line for promotion at work, he must cope with the realisation that one of his superiors DI Weston, is up to his neck in a criminal gun-running cartel. Unable to prove it and reluctantly aware that his colleague Chris is in line for the same promotion and doesn’t care what he has to do to to get it – even if it means the end of his and Roger’s decade long friendship, leads to Roger’s needing therapy to assess if he’s the right man for the promotion. As if his personal life weren’t unhappy enough already, with the stress of a demanding career and being a full-time carer, Roger lets himself begin an affair with the counsellor.
When a second murdered young woman’s body is found, Roger is tainted by suspicion of complicity, due to evidence’ linking him to the victim. Who can he trust and how can he prove his innocence, when the team he’s known and worked with for ten years seems to believe in his guilt? Who stands by him? How does Roger catch the killer? You’ll never guess!
Stealing Elgar is Book 2 .Andrew Barrett, who really knows his stuff when it comes to the expert/inside knowledge required to create such wonderful characters on both sides of the law – he’s lived the same or similar events throughout his ‘other’ career, as a police officer dealing in just such cases.
A suitably villainously-named master-crook, Hades, is Conniston’s antagonist in the conflict, involving both the newly promoted SOCO and his emotionally-estranged wife, Yvonne. This time it’s personal and despite the distance between them, Conniston is still devastated when Yvonne is kidnapped, to ensure his complicity in Hades’ success in his next heist. After all, as he’d been seemingly forgiven for his own recent affair with his therapist, he is hardly in the position to complain – and now it may be too late! Stealing Elgar is definitely NOT to be missed – get your copy today!
Book 3 in Andrew Barrett’s The Dead Trilogy, is No More Tears. Rosie Morgan is the ex-wife of boxer turned criminal mastermind, Mike, better known as Hades. Living alone, she’s dismayed when her abused housewife friend, Debbie, comes to see her having had yet another ‘domestic’. Refusing to report her husband to police, Rosie resolves to do the ‘right thing’ on her friend’s behalf. Realising her phone line’s been cut, she leaves Debbie at the house, while using the nearest phone box.She returns to a scene of carnage – her friend is an almost unrecognisable battered and tortured wreck of a body, amid an abattoir-like amount of blood sprayed around the scene, that will give her nightmares for years to come. Unaware somebody’s spying on her, she rushes back to the red box and dials 999. Newly-promoted SOCO Roger Conniston is having a bad time too. Ostensibly ‘forgiven’ by his wife Yvonne, for a brief fling with his therapist, their marital bliss has yet to be restored to ‘normal’.
Then Yvonne is brutally murdered, after being kidnapped by Hades for Roger’s non-compliance in destroying evidence against him.
At work, his superior is unprovably crooked and when Hades too is found dead, Roger’s on the suspect list, alienating previously sympathetic colleagues.Who is Graham Shelby? What part does Jess play in events – and whose side is he on? Why does he visit Rosie? How did Roger and Yvonne’s daughter Charlotte die?
There are so many unexpected twists and turns in this great book, it’ll almost make you dizzy.
Grab your copy today and lock all the doors and windows while you read it – just in case you have a dangerous visitor!
Three terrific tales from the Master Criminologist of Story-Tellers, Andrew Barrett, that will keep you on the edge of your seat, if not actually scaring the wits out of you at times. Unputdownable dramatic, tense, gritty, shocking, well-written – there just aren’t enough adjectives to describe how great this trilogy is.Make sure you get all three in Andrew Barrett’s stunning box set The Dead Trilogy,that’s not only the best crime-thriller you’ll read this coming year, but also amazing value too!
This is a great collection of the Roger Conniston CSI novels. Each one is a page turning thriller that you do not want to stop reading. Roger goes from the CSI expert to supervisor and finally seeking revenge for his wife’s death. He had to deal with a criminal cop and the criminal element.
The whole story in one boxset. This made me cry and I don’t cry! A great story by real-life CSI Andrew Barrett.
This is the best trilogy out there. I loved these 3 books! The only thing I didn’t like is it appears to be the end of the series and Roger Conniston! I’ve really enjoyed this series and this author! The first book in the Dead Trilogy is Long Time Dead.
What a great thriller! Based on CSI agents , in Britain know as SOCO ( Scene of Crime Officer) The characters were were so in depth you could feel as though you know them flaws and all. Fast paced thriller keeps you guess ing throughout. Thought I had it all figured out until I found out I was wrong. Loved the police procedures and CSI procedures. I’m a big fan of crime drama and mysteries. Roger was the main character and what a character he was. I loved this book and will read this author again. I got this free but would definitely have paid for it.it was that good. Can’t tell the plot without giving it away. It was a great read. I couldn’t put it down!
The second book in the trilogy is Stealing Elgar.
Roger gets promoted to Senior Scene Investigator. He has a lot to prove. He hates the paperwork and wants to do scenes again but is held back by his supervisor DCI Chamberlain. Roger is still out to prove Shelby is dirty and feels he is the only one to expose him! His biggest case is a man called Hades! Who is he? He is planning a huge job and Roger is determined to stop it. There are a lot of deaths, explosions and danger associated with Hades, even one of his CSI’s is attacked. When Roger finally get ahead of him Yvonne is kidnapped! Roger is told to manufacture evidence or else Yvonne will die. He sets up a secret case where he hides the real evidence so Shelby can’t access it. This book was explosive with secrets finally being revealed, peoples true characters being shown and how those in power don’t always know what’s best, and who his true friends really are when it counts! This was a nonstop action, dramatic book!
The last book in the trilogy is No More Tears.
This story picks up right after Stealing Elgar. There was a lot going on in this book. Roger trying to deal with his grief and find answers! There is a myriad of emotions in this book from grief, loneliness, anger, rage, revenge , greed and corruption! We find out more about Hades and his gang and how they operate! There is plenty more killing and innocent people getting hurt. Roger discovers “love letters” written to Yvonne and soon finds the sender trying to kill him. Roger and Shelbys relationship grows tighter and Roger finally realizes he’s not alone. There is so much going on and at such a fast pace it keeps you on the edge of your seat and holding your breathe! We realize everything Roger thought about people was spot on! We also discover the corruption at the police station is far from being weeded out! This was a dramatic conclusion to the series. I’m sad to see it end. But it did end with an ironic twist for old Roger! I really enjoyed this trilogy and series!
If you are a fan of thrillers and police procedurals, you will love The Dead Trilogy. Throughout these three novels, you will join Roger Conniston on a roller coaster ride as he tries to manage his work and his home life, especially when they intertwine. The characters, whether goodies or baddies, are all well written in these dark stories. As a CSI, Barrett does know what he is writing about in these novels, and it shows. Well done! I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
It’s an excellent book and I always look forward to reading his next book
A Long Time Dead
In the first book of The Dead Trilogy , ,A Long Time Dead a woman is found dead and all the evidence points to one Scene of Crimes Officer Roger Conniston. SOCO Roger Coniston is cheating on his wife is about to lose her.
A Long Time Dead is a fast paced read. It pulled me in from the first chapter and never let go. It is filled with suspense and likes to hold on to its secrets in various ways. It will keep you guessing and the pages turning.
Stealing Elgar
In the second book of The Dead Trilogy , Stealing Elgar, mob boss gangster Hades’ daughter has been kidnapped by the people the he stole guns from and now they would like those guns back, the reason for the kidnapping. Hades kidnaps Roger’s wife Yvonne so he can blackmail him into changing a few police records for him.
The action is non-stop in Stealing Elgar with so many murders and the kidnappings. Stealing Elgar has it all like murder, mystery, suspense, kidnapping, action it is intense and so very intriguing and all the crimes are vividly written.
No More Tears
In the third book of The Dead Trilogy , No More Tears, Roger Conniston, SOCO is still grieving the death of his wife Yvonne and sets out to make the people responsible for her death pay. A hit has been put out on Roger’s life from the grave.
The suspense and action alone will keep you glued to the pages. Like its predecessors No More Tears is very descriptively written so much so that you can see everything you are reading in your head like watching a movie.