A Long Time Dead (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 1)

Amazing! I really enjoyed reading this book. A fantastic murder investigative novel. The main character has been set up for a murder he did not commit. This book has great detail in the murder scene and fantastic forensic detail too. This book is written very well and the story very clear and easy to follow. The author carries the mystery through this novel really well. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put the book down. I really enjoyed the main character and the challenges he faced. Not only with his career but with his home life. But he is about to face more in part 2. The author has a great Segway at the end of the book. I also liked that you find out who committed the murder and set up the main character in this book and not in book two. A really great book, detailed and true to investigative crime murder scenes. Fantastic!!

Roger Conniston fight crimes with forensic tools. A brutal murder, sets Roger and his colleagues on edge, while trying to figure out who did it. Roger is also, in competition with a fellow employee for the top job in his division. He also has an ill wife. The next brutal murder, much like the first one, puts everyone on edge. When all evidence points to Roger, the game of survival is on for Roger. Can Roger survive the end game?? A VERY surprising ending!! A must read!!

Fantastic Thriller. I already knew that Andrew Barrett was a great Author after reading ‘The End of Lies’ which is an amazing story. This book is just as good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One thing he does really well, is putting the time into each of his characters, and their backgrounds. This certainly shows with so many great characters. Another highlight is, there’s more than one thing happening alongside the main plot, which for me always makes for an interesting and entertaining story. This is definitely a book you could immerse yourself amongst the pages for hours.
Roger Conniston can’t believe that Inspector Colin Weston somehow weaseled his way out of trouble, after he supposedly lost a truck full of guns and ammunition. It baffled Roger that the Investigators fell for Weston’s story. However, Roger isn’t prepared to give up that easily, and he’s certainly confident that he’ll catch Weston in the act of selling illegal fire arms. Meanwhile Roger is competing for the Head of the Department, in the Scenes of Crime area against his friend Chris. They both have extensive experience as civilian crime scene officers, but Chris really needs the pay rise, and besides, he clearly thinks he’s the best man for the job. Rogers’s world is turned upside down when he’s accused of murdering a girl, and there aren’t many that believe he’s innocent. I’m really glad that the Author has made this story into a series, and I’m really looking forward to book 2 after enjoying this one so much.

I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed, Andrew Barrett’s stories involving Eddie Collins, CSI for the London police force.
But long before there was an Eddie Collins, there was Roger Conniston, SOCO (Scene of Crime Officer – which was the forerunner to the present CSI). A long Time Dead was the first Roger Conniston novel – where it all started.
Andrew Barrett certainly had a clear idea of what writing a thriller was all about.
The crime scene investigation process draws you in. There is a skilful mix of description and timing that has the reader standing where the characters are standing, looking where they look, and feeling the stress and tension that builds and builds. And the action is like ballet movements, precise, and flowing, and building the reader’s anticipation.
Roger Conniston #2 – Stealing Elgar – and #3 – No More Tears, are already on my Kindle. And if I run out of Andrew Barrett material, there is always Will Patching (another writer with an Andrew Barrett feel, but by no means a clone) to check out.

OMG! I just finished “A Long Time Dead”, the first Roger Conniston novel! Honestly, sometimes I didn’t think I could stand to keep reading, the tension was so great, and I would think I’d take a little break, but then seconds later I would have to pick it up again! Loved the detail that made the novel richer without overwhelming the reader! I have read and loved Andrew Barrett’s Eddie Collins series and now I am also hooked on Roger Conniston and ready to start the second book in that series.

I really liked this book because it shows how CSI’s think and go about solving crimes. Andrew Barrett is one of the best authors of crime fiction and does a great job at presenting the twists and turns of a case.

roger conniston and eddie collins could become good friends (lolfascinating read and also the details about forensics are well written ,and it is not overloaded with technical details,but also humourous the way the socos do their jobs-i guess you need a special humour to work in this line.