He’s acidic and twisted; a prince of sarcasm who hates people. Not ideal qualities in a CSI. But what CSI Eddie Collins lacks in people skills, he more than makes up for in crime scene expertise. But this time, Eddie has doubts; this time, the evidence is wrong.Jessica Ripley didn’t kill her ex-husband. But everyone thinks she did. After serving twelve years for his murder, it’s time to get her … murder, it’s time to get her own back on those who put her inside.
It isn’t long before she learns what it’s like to really murder someone. She’s becoming whole again, incrementally rebuilding herself by stealing the lives of those she blames for stealing hers.
But things aren’t always how they appear; sometimes old friends aren’t friends at all. Sometimes, it’s just business.
And sometimes the evidence lies.
Can CSI Eddie Collins trust the evidence, or is someone out to get even? And if Jessica didn’t kill her ex, who did?
If you like fast-paced and gripping crime thrillers with a strong forensic element, you’ll love Andrew Barrett’s Black by Rose. It will appeal to fans of authors like Kathy Reichs, Robert Bryndza and Angela Marsons.
What people say about The Death of Jessica Ripley
- This has to be one of the best and most original crime thrillers that I have read.
- Exquisite and totally believable.
- Another stunning instalment in the fantastic Eddie Collins series.
- The Death of Jessica Ripley will haunt you for a long time to come.
- A suspenseful revenge thriller.
- Everything about this book is enthralling.
- The Death of Jessica Ripley starts at 100 mph and then speeds up!
- The action does not pause for a second and when you find yourself at the end of the book, it’s quite a shock that you ended up there so quickly.
- The story around Jessica Ripley is desperately sad, brilliantly executed and full of compassion.
- It’s a book you wish you hadn’t read so you could read it afresh again.
- Whilst the story, and the plot, are great, the real star of this book is Eddie and the way Andrew Barrett continues to develop his character.
- I love books where I can tell that the author had great fun writing it.
- As usual with Andy Barrett’s books, once you get into this, you lose the use of your legs, sitting in one place until you have finished it.
- Send the family out for the day, forget the chores, nothing should get in the way of this one.
- Pure brilliance and a Masterpiece.
Also available by Andrew Barrett:
The Third Rule – CSI Eddie Collins 1
Black by Rose – CSI Eddie Collins 2
Sword of Damocles – CSI Eddie Collins 3
Ledston Luck – CSI Eddie Collins 4
The Death of Jessica Ripley – CSI Eddie Collins 5
This Side of Death – CSI Eddie Collins 6
The Lift – An Eddie Collins Short Story
The Note – An Eddie Collins Novella
The Lock – An Eddie Collins Novella
The Crew – An Eddie Collins Novella
A Long Time Dead – Roger Conniston 1
Stealing Elgar – Roger Conniston 2
No More Tears – Roger Conniston 3
The End of Lies – a psychological thriller with teeth
more
Andrew Barrett has a way with words. Seems obvious enough since he’s a writer, but I mean he REALLY has a way with words. Words that will keep you up reading and then keep you thinking about them long after you’ve finished the book. Eddie Collins is a train wreck, but an honorable one. I have loved every single one of the Eddie Collins books and I’m always ready for the next one!
This is the first book I read in this series and that was not really a big handicap as most things were clearly explained. Obviously, some storylines build on things that happened in earlier stories. I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading and I’m gonna read the other books as well.
Eddie Collins, a senior CSI gets an awful lot on his plate in this book. First, his live-in dad is smitten with a lady he met on Facebook and she is disliked by Eddie the moment they met. Secondly, at his workplace, he’s confronted with 4 new colleagues, who aren’t much to his liking neither. At last, there are a lot of crime-scenes and murder victims to be investigated. It has to be said that Eddie is not exactly a likeable character. He’s a bit bigheaded and arrogant, rude and stubborn but you also get some background where that acid stems from. Also above all, he’s got integrity.
What I like most in this book are the careful details of true CSI-work (squirrel hair brushes), way, way more realistic and credible than CSI tv-series. Not that I don’t watch those, but often they’re not very credible t(something the book mentions as well). The politics, banter frustration and conflicts of a workplace are also extremely well depicted. We ‘ve all encountered people at work with whom it just doesn’t click. But for the sake of justice and policing in England, I hope that the politics described in this book aren’t realistic of real life. But somehow I fear the worst, as here in Belgium we recently had some severe cases of the failing police and justice departments.
I thank the author for a free copy and this is my honest review.
Jessica Ripley has spent 12 years in jail for a crime she didn’t commit. Her son is now 14 and doesn’t want to know her, all she has is revenge in mind. You can’t help but feel for Jessica in some parts of the story, the injustice is truly awful but to kill for revenge is shocking. CSI Eddie Collins is back and has his mind on more than just his job. Life in general is getting him down, work has ongoing problems that have Eddie reacting in anger – no surprise there! Does he want a girlfriend or does he still prefer his own company? There is a lot for him to think about. I do wonder how Eddie manages to do his job with all the turmoil going through his head! This is one of my favourite series, I really enjoy the Forensic side and learning things from the different jobs they go to. I found myself feeling sorry for Eddie as he struggles with life in general. He hasn’t however, lost his wit! Many times I have howled at his offensive responses to his colleagues and Dad. I enjoy the writing in this series, from the humour and sarcasm to the explanations of forensics. The author has written another fantastic instalment in the Eddie Collins series and I highly recommend this book.
The star of this series by Andy Barrett, Eddie Collins, is a sarcastic, misanthropic Crime Scene Investigator who loves solving crimes – but hates the bureaucratic police hierarchy. Andy is himself a CSI, adding authority and authenticity to his crime stories, with Eddie’s frustrations possibly reflecting some of his own! A brilliantly written, enthralling crime thriller.
I recommend this book.
Although The Death of Jessica Ripley is the most recent in the Eddie Collins series it stands on its own two feet. Even if you’ve never read any of the other books in the series you can still understand this whole story easily. Eddie Collins is a likeable character who is also a despicable person at times. Andrew Barrett has depicted a masterful character in Eddie. Seeing how the story unfolds from one event to the next is a suspense filled time that will keep you guessing about how all the storylines wrap up in the end.
Review of The Death of Jessica Ripley.
Once again we meet up with the irascible, lovable Crime Scene Investigator Eddie Collins. This time we see a few cracks in Eddie’s armor and find that he actually cares about some of the people in his life, albeit in a very finesse-less Eddie way. For those of us who have loved Eddie, we find that we can actually adore him.
This chapter in the Eddie Collins saga starts out with his being a bit over the top confrontational and unpleasant and I was concerned that this was going to continue through out the book. It didn’t. His brilliance as a CSI remains and we lose none of our beloved old Eddie.
Jessica Ripley has been released from prison after 10 years. For 10 years she has continued to proclaim her innocence and has charged everyone involved in her case with gross incompetence and with malice. She is anxious to resume a relationship with her son, only two years old at the time of her conviction. He is now a tween and it is unlikely that he will have any memory of her. We will learn how this vulnerable, wounded victim tries to adapt to live on the outside and whether or not she finds a place for herself in society in spite of her disadvantages. We will also find out if those responsible for her wrongful incarceration are brought to justice.
If this is your first Eddie Collins book, don’t worry about it. You will like it, so much so that you will soon be seeking out the previous novels.
Finally, Andrew Barrett is a brilliant writer. He is a CSI, himself, so comes well equipped to write about he world of crime and irascible CSIs.
This book is a wild ride. From investigating murders to office politics to family issues, Eddie takes care of it all. I only stopped reading when I could no longer keep my eyes open.
Insightful! What could drive a person to commit murder and/or self-implode?
Welcome into the CSI world of Eddie Collins, an intriguing character. I’ve followed him from the series onset and frankly, I would love to read more. Andrew Barrett is by far one of my favorite authors – oh, not because of his raw use of language but rather his real use of language in order to accurately depict his characters. These are not just words on a page – they are creatively crafted to depict images and to connect with feelings. They just happen to be relating the story of an imperfect, non-social human being with a keen talent for discerning the cause of death and by whom in an often dark and unyielding arena of CSI work – an arena in which Eddie Collins thrives.
As is usually the case, Mr. Barrett weaves a multi-faceted plot with twists and turns that keep you drawn to the page, after page, after page. The formatting greatly helps too. It’s easy on the eyes, chapters are short and impel you to keep going. You’ll be confronted with mystery, angst and emotion. Little by little we get a glimpse under the skin at what makes Eddie tic and so do other personas but then, it is quickly gone – he’s a creature of old habit that you grow attached to. There is an array of characters that add color and complexity to the plot and draw out Eddie’s own thoughts and feelings. If you can withstand “fresh” talk and gruesome crime scenes than don’t miss out on this series.
I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Another sure winner, this gripping saga engages you from the very first page! Twists and turns galore, in a murder mystery that will keep you guessing, even when you are ‘sure’ you know what’s about to happen! What a wild ride! If you are a fan of Eddie Collins books, this one will certainly live up to your expectations! No spoilers, just know that a woman convicted of murder finally gets out of prison and is out to exact her revenge for a wrongful conviction! Enter Eddie, likable even though sometimes you really don’t want to like him, to help right the devastation that has been bestowed upon this woman and her estranged son and their lives. Even if you haven’t read any Eddie Collins books before, this book does fine as a stand-alone, but will certainly make you want to go back and read the others!
Another thrilling story of Eddie Collins. Jessica Ripley is sent to prison for 12 years for a murder she did not commit. Her son was taken from her. A number of murders for Eddie and his team to investigate. This novel leads you through a lot of happenings. In typical Eddie Collins fashion the banter and comical retorts along the the investigation into the murders will keep you wanting to read to the end.
Another stunning instalment in the fantastic Eddie Collins series, this overturns all the usual crime storytelling conventions, and delivers a suspenseful revenge thriller about a woman’s transformation, from falsely accused prisoner, to bloodthirsty killer. I definitely recommend reading these books in order as the recurring characters are a crucial part of it, as is Eddie’s evolution through the series.
Jessica Ripley has just been released from prison after serving twelve years for the murder of her abusive ex, when he actually stabbed himself in the heart to get back at her for leaving him. When her teenage son wants nothing to do with her, and her lecherous probation officer demands sexual favours, she chooses to take revenge on the people who put her away, starting with her incompetent lawyer – but someone else gets there first… Eddie Collins is trying to run the CSI department of Leeds’ Major Crime Unit, but has been saddled with two dreadful new employees – an entitled junkie, and a flirt who’ll stop at nothing to get a promotion. With bodies piling up, Eddie and Benson must team up once again to solve the forensic clues, even when his colleagues force Eddie to walk off the job.
What was so clever here was that this was not a whodunnit – we follow each gory kill from the murderers’ perspective – and neither is it a classic righteous vengeance story: my sympathy for Jessica started to evaporate as soon as she started going after people who were just doing their jobs. The suspense comes from not knowing just how far she will go, and whether she will get away with it, and there are still plenty of twists to keep us on our toes.
Eddie is as much off an @r5e as ever, although we’re still on his side, as he goes out of his way to help a colleague bent on self-destruction. We get to cringe through his awkward dates with Moneypenny, and sympathise as he tries to protect his father from a gold digger. I liked that for once Eddie doesn’t always get it right – women are always his Achilles’ heel, and he is blinded by his own sexism as to who is guilty, but in the end his brilliant deductions win through. One of the standout features of this series is the detailed descriptions of forensic procedures which are never boring, and add a realism to the story, however grim, that makes them completely believable.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the author by joining his Advance Review Team, which allowed me to provide an honest review. This is one of my favourite series and I can’t wait to see what happens to Eddie next.
The Death of Jessica Ripley is available now.
This has to be one of the best and most original crime thrillers that I have read. Andrew Barrett always seems to come up with a different take on what constitutes a book in this genre, and each book is written in a different style, so you never know quite what you’re going to get when you pick up an Eddie Collins story, except that it will be brilliant, and that Eddie will be his usual awkward, bloody-minded, brilliant self. Despite this variety of approaches there are a number of characters that provide continuity from one book to the next, and they are all brilliantly depicted.
This book defies the usual crime thriller style by telling us exactly who does what to whom and how, but the really clever aspect of the writing is that despite this there is tension and excitement in bucketfuls, mainly from not knowing where the story is going to go next, and just how far each character will go to achieve their ends.
It almost goes without saying that the descriptions of the CSI procedures are brilliant and very realistic, the author has been doing the job for real for a long time now, and this definitely shows.
There aren’t that many books that I consider to be genuine ‘page-turners’, but this is firmly in that group, I found that I’d plan to just read a few pages, and then be shocked at how long I’d been reading for, it really is difficult to put down, and I found it very disappointing that I’d finished it, I just wanted more!
I am fortunate enough to receive advance copies of Mr Barrett’s books and I have voluntarily written this honest review.
I think this might be the best of the Eddie Collins CSI books. This becomes a part of this man’s life in more than one way. The actions taken in this book seem to have hit Eddie deep in his soul. He isn’t a “hero”. He’s an everyday guy who takes pride in his work no matter where it may lead him and it isn’t always to a happy place.
Jessica Ripley divorces her wealthy but abusive husband to start over with her 2 yr old son! When her ex, Sebastian shows up at her house and threatens her that he will kill himself if she doesn’t return to him. When she goes to check on the crying baby she comes back to find him dead! Locked up for 12 yrs for a crime she didn’t commit and having her baby boy taken from her she gets out looking for revenge! Her own son doesn’t remember her, her parole officer is a letch, her dirtbag boyfriend wants to pick up where they left off and she has no money!
This book takes us through Jessica’s life past and present. It has plenty of twists and turns starting when her ex Tony kills her lawyer! He has a list of all who helped convict her and he wants to help her make them pay! When he son rejects her she goes off the rails determined to get him to love and accept her again! Just when I thought Andrew Barrett couldn’t write a book as good as the last one I’m proven wrong! This book was exceptionally written! There was plenty of action, drama, mystery and twist! The emotions were all over the place for Eddie and his co workers as well as Jessica,Michael and Tony! The ending ending I never saw coming!
I love Eddies sarcastic banter with Benson, Kenny and Sid! When Jeffery is pushed out the whole team is outraged! Soon they realize the new boss is also the new CSI’s father and has her sites on Eddies job it’s nepotism at its best. When all the CSI’s walk out refusing to work under her she doesn’t see the problem. With no CSI’s to work the cases Benson and the detectives get frustrated! Benson going to Eddie to do work for him behind Nikki’s back. Eddie has his own problems as his dad starts dating!
This was a complex but very rewarding book to read! I highly recommend this book as a stand-alone or even better as part of the series!
OH! MY! STARS! I have read every Eddie Collins book that’s out there and up until now I didn’t think anything could top The Lock, but The Death of Jessica Ripley gives it a tight run for its money. And it’s probably not a fair comparison since The Lock is a novella and as such is a tighter, more condensed story, which tends to keep the tension at a higher level. With Ripley, Mr. Barrett has greater leeway to fully develop and flesh out his story. Two great wins; just for different reasons. Ripley has it all – suspense, tension, great, awesome characters, laugh-out-loud spots, and events that will bring tears to your eyes (if you have any human feeling at all). I guess the easiest way to say it is that Ripley has more twists than a plate full of spaghetti! And I was never sure where the next twist was going to take me. I would love to tell you all about it, but it would be too easy to ruin the book by saying too much. Suffice it to say, just as every situation is covered in Ripley, so is every character. There are the old favorites that we love – Eddie, Charles, Benson, Sid, Jeffrey, Moneypenny, and Kenny. Then there are the ones we love to hate – I won’t name them; you’ll figure it out. We also get a more introspective look into Eddie’s personality, which I loved and hated at the same time. He is harder on himself than anyone else could ever be and it makes him the great CSI that he is, but at the same time, it hurts my heart to see him hurt. (I know; I sound like I’m talking about a real-life person that I know personally. After reading all of these stories that’s kind of the way I feel. Please don’t send the men in white coats after me!)
Now I must warn some of you (because this is, not a pet-peeve, but not my favorite part of this or any other book) Mr. Barrett believes in writing “realistically”. In other words, the profanity flows pretty freely here; but it’s not lewd or graphic. (Remember that Mr. Barrett is from the U.K. which means the f-word is just part of the vernacular.) But please don’t let this one semi-negative detail scare you off. You will really be missing out if you do. Oh, I thought of one more little warning I best give you – don’t plan on getting anything constructive done once you start reading this. It’s just not going to happen. You will keep lying to yourself, saying just one more chapter. Don’t even try and kid yourself. Just go ahead and finish it.
This is a Fantastic read. That grabs you from the first page. A Mystery of who is committing these murders and Eddie is the one in charge of the investigation. This read is epic. Its fast paced and action packed, a real thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, It also has some real humor that will have you laughing at times. This is one read that you definitely want to read if your a mystery lover.
Shauna Joesten
Jessica Ripley is charged, jailed, convicted of killing her ex-husband. After spending 12 years behind bars for a murder she didn’t commit, she only wants two things… to be reunited with her son who is now a teenage .. and vengeance against those who ruined her life.
Eddie Collins has his hands full. His father has entered the dating game … via Facebook. He has two new team members … one is unreliable due to the drugs he takes … and the other one wants his job. He’s also dealing with a new supervisor.
First a lawyer is found axed to death in his car. Then an elderly retired coroner is stabbed to death in his home.
Can Eddie trust the evidence, or is someone out to get even? And who did kill Jessy’s ex?
Eddie is at his sarcastic best in this, the fifth book in the series. He’s basically a loner, and he’d much rather be in the field looking at dead bodies and crime scenes than being a supervisor and doing paper work and dealing with people … most of whom are nitwits according to Eddie. He’s a fabulous character .. he’s fair and honest, as long as those people do their jobs and don’t question him. He’s witty, sometimes humorous, sometimes insulting, but he remains true to his character.
His team members are quite memorable and I really enjoy how they all relate to each other …or not. Despite the diversity of attitudes, they all have one thing in common … they trust Eddie completely.
This is, as the first books in this series, well written with an engaging story premise and a number of murder mysteries that are partially concealed, and unexpected twists and turns. Although fifth in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone … but I highly recommend starting at the beginning … it’s well worth the time to read them all.
Many thanks to the author / TBC Reviewer Request Group (FB) for the opportunity to read this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Eddie has his hands full in this book! First, he has two new employees, neither one he trusts. There are Nicki and Troy. Nicki, he can’t quite get a grip on her yet, Troy is on drugs and Eddie isn’t going to have someone like that on his team. When the murders start, things really get moving. First to die is a lawyer, then a retired pathologist and then a probation officer. What or who do they all have in common? Then there’s the big blow up at the office. Everyone walks out when Nicki tells the new boss how Eddie is running his department. Things really hit the fan when everyone learns the relationship between Nicki and the new boss. Oh, let’s not forget Eddie’s father who has a girlfriend that Eddie can’t stand! How will things end up? You will have to read the book to find out. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how things happened and why. I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.