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.
This book is definitely loaded with sarcasm and I love it. It’s how I imagine a frustrated member of the force to be thinking so I find this character to have been portrayed perfectly. This book had a raw and gritty edge to it that I really enjoyed.
This is one of those books that will grab you and not let go until you have finished the book in its entirety. Cannot wait to read more from this author.
After my initial disappointment because I was looking forward to reading more about Eddie’s interaction between his father and coworkers I really enjoyed this short story. Written a bit in the style of Andrew Barrett’s other short story “The Note” You will finish this in a couple of hours and be amazed how many twist and turns you encounter in that short time. Some of it you will suspect but not all of it.
Andrew Barrett does it again! Each Eddie Collins CSI book just keeps getting better and better! This book has Eddies usual sarcasm and wit. This is the first time we see Eddie truly scared! His keen eye is as sharp as ever and almost gets him killed. I love these books. They are realistic and the crime procedure is spot on! I can’t wait for the next book! I highly recommend this book and this series! What a fantastic author!
Disturbingly realistic CSI drama which keeps you turning those pages. I loved the setting, the characters, the story, everything really except that it was a novella. I would have loved to keep reading this sinister tale.
I was given this book as an ARC for an honest review.
Wow!! Talk about a roller coaster ride? One minute I’m holding my breath, nervous about what Eddie will encounter when he turns the corner, the next I’m literally laughing out loud at his “smart-arsed” humor. I don’t know of anyone who is able to do that as well as Mr. Barrett. It is awesome. Granted, The Lock is darker than the majority of the Eddie Collins’ stories, but in my opinion, that only makes the instances of humor that much more enjoyable. I mean, really, here I am in the middle of a story about a truly warped serial killer and I’m laughing so hard tears are running down my face. The true definition of juxtaposition. Luckily, you don’t have to have read any of the other Collins stories to plunge headfirst into this one, but I promise once you do you won’t be able to resist getting them all. Good luck to you; these stories are addictive.
A nice touch of macabre to spice up an afternoon, PG13 and reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe. I read an Advance Reader Copy and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
Dang.
This was one of those twisted thrillers that really throws you for a loop. I have to admit I didn’t see some of that coming. There’s also plenty of sarcasm from Eddie, so you’ll get that rare laugh too. This was a great novella that I would recommend to any thriller fan. Though it is a tad gruesome, so fyi. I always enjoy Andrew’s stories featuring CSI Eddie Collins!
Final Rating: 5 Stars
If you go down to the cellar today, you’re sure of a big surprise…
This is a short novella featuring our favourite CSI, grumpy, sarky but eagle-eyed Eddie Collins. As with the other two (The Note and The Lift) they can be read anywhere in the series without spoiling the full-length books, or as a taster even if you have not tried this author before, although this one is more horror than thriller so don’t let it put you off the series (which is fabulous) if that’s not your genre.
Called to the scene of a sudden death case in a large isolated decrepit house, Eddie finds the body of an elderly man on the floor, with no evidence of foul play. Finding an ornate key in the corpse’s hand, and with time to kill while he waits for the “body snatchers” (undertakers) curiosity gets the better of him and he and the policeman standing guard venture down into the cellar – and end up wishing they hadn’t…
This was the darkest and creepiest of Barrett’s novellas, an homage of sorts to the classic horror films of the 70s and 80s, but with nuggets of trademark Eddie humour. As ever the writing is flawless, the length perfect for the plot, and the twists got me every time.
Highly recommended for both horror and thriller fans.
I’ve read all the Eddie Collins books and this one is the sickest and I mean that in the best way. Eddie shows why he’s the best at what he does when he spots something “not quite right” about the prisoner in the basement. Needless to say, you need to read this book for yourself because I will never ruin your experience by saying too much. Just enjoy Eddie for as long as Andrew Barrett writes about him.
Another great short story with Eddie Collins. I just love his sarcasm and wit.
Andrew Barrett is a CSI in real life. It reflects in his books and makes them awesome.
Another Great Eddie Collins, CSI Story! No spoilers here, so let me tell you, this is certainly a great thriller/nailbiter that you come to expect and appreciate from this uber-talented author! Edge of your seat story immersed with humor and sarcasm that has you laughing out loud while you are swiping away at your Kindle because you just don’t want to put it down! You will certainly read this in one sitting and if this is your first Eddie Collins book, it is a great place to start and it certainly won’t be your last! Twists and turns and some gore as well will certainly maintain your interest till the last word. Although I received an ARC of this book, I loved it so much I purchased it! One click right NOW!
CSI Eddie Collins is smug. But he’s so much more. You’ve got to like a guy who when his boss tells him he’s intimidating sits there silently untill his boss apologizes.
The Lock is a very enjoyable tale about about a pair of octogenarian brothers who are serial killers. The story has great pacing and a nice twist. Recommend
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
A great smaller book from the person I believe is one of the finest authors we have today writing about one of the all-time fantastic literary characters!
Great short novella. I, too do not read novellas but this short book was a page turner!
Eddie is called to a ‘sudden death’ of an 80ish year old gentleman. Some of the things about the gentleman doesn’t sit well with Eddie. While he is waiting for the ‘body wagon’ to pick him up, he goes snooping around with Officer John Scattergood. Together, they get into things much deeper and sinnister than anyone imaged. Problem is, things aren’t what they seem. Can they get out alive? Someone is betting against them….and he has an excellent record of winning! I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.
Andrew Barrett really has a hit with this novel. Eddie Collins is the CSI guy that is above all else. This time his investigating in an old house where a dead body is found. He finds a person locked in a room in the basement. It is not what it appears and Eddie figures it out too late. He and his partner get locked up in this dungeon. Is this the last case for Eddie? This is the best one of the series so far.