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Andrew Barrett

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Stealing Elgar: Second in The Dead Trilogy (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Andrew Barrett (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.3 376 ratings

Book 2 of 3: SOCO Roger Conniston

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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 certainly doesn’t trust the man who kidnapped her. His name is Hades and he’s planning Britain’s largest robbery, and he doesn’t mind erasing anyone who’d like to stop him.

Roger’s wife is surety that he will destroy evidence of Hades’ intentions. She doesn’t know it but she’s literally sitting on a bomb. Roger does know it and is furious. But will his fury get him there in time?

Stealing Elgar is rough ride through hell with nothing going right for anyone, especially Roger.

If you like fast-paced crime thrillers with a forensic slant, raw emotions, and characters that grip you by the throat, you’ll love Andrew Barrett’s Roger Conniston series. To experience Roger's battle against top criminals, buy Stealing Elgar today.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT Stealing Elgar:

~ There are so many stories cleverly woven together here.

~ I'd love to see a film of this book. If you enjoy thrillers, crime fiction and murder, all spiced with a wry humour, this book will enthral you. It did me!

~ Second book in the series of three, keeps you on the edge of your seat to the last page. A must read.

~ This is the sort of book you get stuck into and the time just flies past as you enjoy it so much.

~ There are some very funny one liners/remarks which make you laugh.

~ The twists and turns are excellent and the end when I got there, well I just could not stop, I grabbed the third and continued on.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is an intensely gripping book, though very dark in tone. Being told from the viewpoint of a Scenes of Crime Officer it offers an entirely different focus on crimes and other events. The author's own experience in this field brings a breath of fresh air to the genre and helps us to see much more about each event than we normally would. Scene of crime evidence is generally treated as an adjunct to detective investigations and appears to be added as an afterthought to make the story fit, in this series however, the evidence comes first and the detectives draw their conclusions based upon that evidence. The crime scene evidence is described so well that it is at times necessary to remind oneself that this is a novel and not a report of a crime scene.

This book is strong on action and moves smoothly from scene to scene, taking the story forward as it does. There are no unproductive scenes and no chances to turn up the tension are missed. I found myself torn between wanting to plough on with the story to see how it ended but needing to put it down from time to time to catch my breath as I saw characters charging headlong into dangerous situations, some in the full knowledge of what they were doing and some unwittingly. I did enjoy little vignettes such as a particularly despicable character who thought he was too clever to be caught out, not realising that he was in fact rumbled by someone cleverer than he, who chose not to let on about what they knew, giving him to chance to incriminate himself.

There were several clues throughout the book with regard to the "big job" which was to be undertaken, but I was too caught up in the various strands and tensions to pick up on them, and needed to give myself a good kicking when it was revealed - especially as I have worked, albeit briefly, for an associated company!

This author is not only skilled in the examination of crime scenes, but he puts it all into words beautifully. 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. He also has the great good sense to set it in the Wakefield area of God's own county, which gives him great scope for spreading the story over cities and countryside, and my hometown even got a mention in this one. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.; I try to make it a rule not to start a new book until I have reviewed the one I have just written (if I am going to review it) so that I don't forget what I wanted to say about it, but this time it was a hard rule to stick to as I am itching to get to the next one to see where it takes us.

I heartily recommend this series, but would suggest starting with the first one A Long Time Dead (The Dead Trilogy Book 1) as it will help you to understand some of the references in this one but it isn't absolutely necessary.

About the Author

Find out more about me at andrew-barrett.co.uk where you can sign up for my newsletter and get free books.

I write crime thrillers, and have done since 1996, about the same time I became a CSI here in Yorkshire. All of my books are set in or around our biggest city of Leeds. Sometimes I go wandering into the countryside and drag its beauty screaming into the pages of one of my books where it collides with the ugliness of death.

I don't write formulaic crime fiction; each one is hand-crafted and home-grown to give you a unique flavour of what CSIs encounter in real life. Every book is rich with forensic insight but that insight never drowns the story; it's there to enhance your enjoyment only.

My thrillers live inside the police domain; they have detectives and uniformed officers, but they predominantly feature CSIs (or SOCOs as we used to be known). Come and live with them as they go about their sometimes unenviable tasks, and listen to the language they speak, see the things they see, and experience the emotions they feel.
So pull on your nitrile gloves and your face mask, get comfy, and read on.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0055607V6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Ink Foundry; 4th edition (June 7, 2011)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 7, 2011
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1939 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 558 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1530264421

Best Sellers Rank: #1,792,518 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,243 in Heist Crime
- #2,066 in Pulp Thrillers
- #2,248 in Kidnapping Crime Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.3 376 ratings

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Andrew Barrett

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Andrew Barrett is not your average crime writer. He's also a CSI from Yorkshire who knows how to make dead bodies talk. Since 1996, he has been writing nail-biting novels featuring SOCO Roger Conniston and CSI Eddie Collins, two experts in crime scene investigation who face danger and drama on a daily basis. His books are not for the faint-hearted - they are realistic, gritty and full of surprises.

Andrew's novels are more than just whodunits. They are a glimpse into the dark and twisted minds of criminals and the brave cops who hunt them down, with a dash of humour and wit to lighten the mood. His stories will keep you in suspense, and guessing until the very end.

If you're looking for a thrill, look no further than Andrew's books. To learn more about him visit his website where you can subscribe to his newsletter and get a free starter library. But be warned - once you enter Andrew's world of crime, you may never want to leave.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

376 global ratings

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Kandy

Another great book in this series.

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

Another great book in this series. Wonderful and interesting characters and a story line that grabs your interest and doesn't let go.

One person found this helpful

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Bondi

Bravo Andrew Barrett

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

The second book in Andrew Barrett's trilogy about Roger Conniston is even better than the first and well worth continuing to read the series. Well written, intriguing characters, interlocking plots and an unexpected ending. Bravo Andrew Barrett.

Helpful

annieb13

Andrew Barrett has another first class mystery!

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

I have found a new to me author that I really put on my top ten list. The writing is definitely from someone in England, with local English references, but easy to follow without having ever been there. The characters are so human and written in a style that is engaging. I find, with all of their flaws, I care about them and their experiences. Andrew Barrett writes from such a personal position of knowing the good and the bad about police procedures and the men and woman who have to live by them that you can feel like you are really involved. I have now read all of the Eddie Collins and Roger Conniston books available and highly recommend them.

One person found this helpful

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Mindy H

Excellent story!

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

Although this is part of a series, it’s an excellent stand alone as well. Roger Conniston has managed to get himself in a deep mess ( again!) fast paced and full of twists and turns, this well developed story will keep you glued to the pages. So put on the kettle and your comfy pj’s!

Helpful

Maria-Anne

Book two in the Roger Conniston serries

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

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.

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018

Verified Purchase

Fantastic read. It is a long book but a very interesting book. The book goes back and forth between the characters lives. I can't wait to read the next one

Helpful

Les

Wow--several twists that i didn't see coming, well done!

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is the second book i have read by this author, and all I can say is that I am exhausted from the missing sleep nights that I spend reading. Excellent storyline, rich in details but never giving away yet another plot surprise/twist.

Helpful

bonnie DALE keck

kindle unlimited, used to not be, will have ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2018

kindle unlimited, used to not be, will have to go through his list on goodreads and catch up via ku for any showing not read {some quite a while back were arcs but those started after quite a bit in to his series/different books}

“Examining crime scenes was never supposed to get personal.”
Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He’s up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England’s history. For Hades, the success of this ‘one last job’ is paramount. He’s planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions that will shock the nation, to the selection of his team and the weapons they’ll use. Roger is faced with a decision: continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about. Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites engage the same problem; how they battle their way through conflicting interests to reach – or destroy – their goal, and asks which is more important: family or pride?

Second book in The Dead Trilogy. Roger Conniston is a newly promoted Senior Scenes of Crime Officer with a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He's up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England's history. For Hades, the success of this job is paramount; and he's planned it in meticulous detail, from the explosive diversions to the selection of his team and the weapons they'll use. Roger is faced with a decision: continue working with the police and put faith in the flawed investigative skills of DCI Chamberlain, or cut the ties and venture out alone to stop Hades and secure everything he cares about. Stealing Elgar shows how two opposites approach the same problem, and how they carve their way through conflicting interests to reach - or destroy - their goal

The Third Rule (Eddie Collins #1)
Black by Rose (Eddie Collins #2)
The Lift: An Eddie Collins short story (Eddie Collins #2.5)
Sword of Damocles (Eddie Collins #3)
Ledston Luck (Eddie Collins #4)
The Note: A CSI Eddie Collins short story

A Long Time Dead (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 1)
Stealing Elgar (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 2)
No More Tears (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 3)

The End of Lies
Charlotte's Lodge

The Third Rule - Part One: Atrocities
The Third Rule - Part Two: Running Scared
The Third Rule - Part Three: Sacrifices

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Walter Scott

If it can’t go wrong, it will go wrong.

Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

Before you read Stealing Elgar, I strongly urge you to read the first Roger Conniston novel, A Long Time Dead. Many elements from that novel carryover into this one, and there is closure, of a kind.

In Sword of Damocles (from Andrew Barrett’s series about Eddie Collins, CSI), Collins is pressured into a promotion he doesn’t want. This book has Roger Conniston (SOCO – Scene of Crime Officer) getting a promotion he really, really doesn’t want. There are ruthless Russian Mafia, IRA killers, home grown gangsters, police officers senior to Roger and who do not trust or believe him, and a crooked arms-dealing police officer - all heading on a collision course, and Roger Conniston is square in the point of intersection. Two of these criminal organizations have kidnapped women for the purpose of improving their odds of coming out on top, leading to acts of sheer desperation on the part of the men who love them.
And Roger finds himself powerless, hopeless, and seemingly alone, which really makes the plot compelling and the novel a page-turner.
The dialog is crisp, often laden with subtle humour, and every character feels real and unique. You might not like some of them, but you really get to know them. The criminal mastermind, Hades, is perhaps the most interesting character I have encountered in many years.
Andrew Barrett is the real deal. He has lived the life of a CSI / SOCO, knows the procedures and technologies, and has the gift of being able to use that background to bring a thrilling story to life.
Check out Will Patching (somewhat darker than Eddie Collins) for more great reading.

One person found this helpful

kitten0b

Another nail biter

Reviewed in Germany on March 25, 2013

Verified Purchase

Loved it kept me on the edge of the seat. The character development was great can't wait to read the final book in this trilogy

Ignite

Dark and thrilling

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2012

Verified Purchase

This is the second book in the 'Dead' trilogy and although it's a long book, my attention never flagged. The protagonist Roger Conniston, a Scene of Crime Officer, is doubtful of his abilities in his new role as Senior SOCO. His old adversary Inspector Weston, is still flouting the law he is paid to uphold. There are so many stories cleverly woven together here. Roger's wife is kidnapped by a gang involved in running guns amongst other things. There are flawed good characters, bad ones with some good qualities and a number of people you aren't sure about. The action is fast and exciting but it's not one of those books that's full of tedious cloned fight scenes. I had to go out 5% from the end and I couldn't rest till I'd returned and finished it!

The writing is imaginative and puts you quickly in the frame of the action. It's full of little remarks with the kind of black humour often employed by those whose work brings them up against danger or death; the police, armed services and medical people. I'd love to see a film of this book, or one of those TV programmes shown over several nights. If you enjoy thrillers, crime fiction and murder, all spiced with a wry humour, this book will enthral you. It did me!

3 people found this helpful

Aurora

Compelling and Enthralling

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is an intensely gripping book, though very dark in tone. Being told from the viewpoint of a Scenes of Crime Officer it offers an entirely different focus on crimes and other events. The author's own experience in this field brings a breath of fresh air to the genre and helps us to see much more about each event than we normally would. Scene of crime evidence is generally treated as an adjunct to detective investigations and appears to be added as an afterthought to make the story fit, in this series however, the evidence comes first and the detectives draw their conclusions based upon that evidence. The crime scene evidence is described so well that it is at times necessary to remind oneself that this is a novel and not a report of a crime scene.

This book is strong on action and moves smoothly from scene to scene, taking the story forward as it does. There are no unproductive scenes and no chances to turn up the tension are missed. I found myself torn between wanting to plough on with the story to see how it ended but needing to put it down from time to time to catch my breath as I saw characters charging headlong into dangerous situations, some in the full knowledge of what they were doing and some unwittingly. I did enjoy little vignettes such as a particularly despicable character who thought he was too clever to be caught out, not realising that he was in fact rumbled by someone cleverer than he, who chose not to let on about what they knew, giving him to chance to incriminate himself.

There were several clues throughout the book with regard to the "big job" which was to be undertaken, but I was too caught up in the various strands and tensions to pick up on them, and needed to give myself a good kicking when it was revealed - especially as I have worked, albeit briefly, for an associated company!

This author is not only skilled in the examination of crime scenes, but he puts it all into words beautifully. 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. He also has the great good sense to set it in the Wakefield area of God's own county, which gives him great scope for spreading the story over cities and countryside, and my hometown even got a mention in this one. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.; I try to make it a rule not to start a new book until I have reviewed the one I have just written (if I am going to review it) so that I don't forget what I wanted to say about it, but this time it was a hard rule to stick to as I am itching to get to the next one to see where it takes us.

I heartily recommend this series, but would suggest starting with the first one A Long Time Dead (The Dead Trilogy Book 1) as it will help you to understand some of the references in this one but it isn't absolutely necessary.

4 people found this helpful

Suzanne Hunt

If you like crime thrillers you won’t want to miss this series!

Reviewed in Canada on May 10, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book!!!! I loved this book! But you really should read “A Long Time Dead”, the first Roger Conniston novel, before you read this one ... it “sets the stage” for Stealing Elgar.
Andrew Barrett’s experience as a CSI/SOCO really brings authenticity to his writing, without overwhelming the reader. “Stealing Elgar” grabbed me from the beginning, and I couldn’t put it down! At times the tension and suspense made me stop reading and take a break ... for maybe two seconds! Because I just could not put it down till the last page. And then as soon as it was done I wanted more, so I am moving on to read the next book in this series. Thank heaven it has already been published, and I don’t have to wait!

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Stealing Elgar: Second in The Dead Trilogy (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 2) Kindle Edition

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