One thing that I noticed while reading and which struck me as being the funniest thing in this series is that apparently before the events of the first book this was all set in a nice quiet rural village. However, from the moment Fry joins the police force there is murder all around I think there have been by now 6 bodies at least coincidence? Or is Fry actually the boss of a ruthless pack of deranged murderers? This third novel in the Cooper and Fry series is a long book at pages.

It's definitely a step up from the prior book in the series. This novel would have been much faster paced This third novel in the Cooper and Fry series is a long book at pages. This novel would have been much faster paced and much more engaging then. Definitely the best one I've read so far. They should make a TV program out of the books. A well plotted story but I'm having some difficulty giving the Diane Fry character any redeeming points. I find the character of Ben highly likeable and Diane not so.

However, the contrast between their personalities and relationship in general is enthralling throughout the series as a whole. The minor characters such as the Canadian woman and the book shop owner did annoy me somewhat! Also in my opinion, having read other books in this series I found the plot slower to develop in this installment.

Overall, a solid read, with engaging main charaters and awesome setting. Aug 25, Lisa J rated it really liked it Shelves: If you are a fan of British police mysteries, I would highly recommend this series. The main characters are fleshed out but have a complicated work relationship which adds to the mystery. The mystery itself is very well researched by the author and takes many twists to reach the conclusion. The story does at times get bogged down with scenery description, but is understandable given that the author is writing about where he was born and li If you are a fan of British police mysteries, I would highly recommend this series.

The story does at times get bogged down with scenery description, but is understandable given that the author is writing about where he was born and lives and has a true love of his place. These are long books and not a quick read but well worth the time. I really enjoyed this entry in the series. It had been several years since I read one, but Cooper and Fry and pretty unforgettable she's the hard case and he's the compassionate one The setting is a huge presence in the story and I never had the whole picture clear until the last pages.

Mar 28, Jovdb rated it liked it. I read this as part of the three story set. Maybe I was too saturated in Cooper and Fry - ness, but I found this one a little slow and a bit tedious. There are a couple of bodies on the moors buried in the snow. One, a woman, dies a slow death, alive but weak and in no condition to get out from under the cold weather. The other, a man, is found by a snow plough as it clears the roads. Mixed in with these two investigations, a baby disappears and a young Canadian woman comes looking for the truth a I read this as part of the three story set.

He was an RAF pilot. His plane, along with six crew members, crashed into the Irontongue, a local landmark. The pilot and one crew member walked away from the crash.

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The pilot was never seen again; the other survivor, a Pole, still lived in the village. Cooper is his usual compassionate self, going around trying to help all and sundry and stumbling across important clues in the process. Fry is, as normal, dictatorial, snide, and organized. There is some growth in the relationship between Ben and Diane. Slowly, they are coming to realize that the two of them together make a good investigative team. And there is a glimmer of warmth from Diane. The Derbyshire countryside is described beautifully and plays an important role in the story.

There is lots of information about the RAF wrecks strewn around the area and the interest of collectors in the memorabilia associated with these wrecks. Oct 30, Keri rated it it was amazing Shelves: Booth is such a talented writer. He brings in such emotions into his characters that you actually feel like you are standing right there, ready to give a hug. He is well thought of guy, who is easy person for people to talk to. Diana Fry is now Ben's boss and they have history.

I shall not say anymore about that, you will have to read the first two books for that history. Diana is not so well liked The whole thing begins when a body is found in the snow outside the turnpike, then another one turns up out on the moors by an old wrecked RAF plane. Oh and if that isn't enough we have a missing baby and a missing man. Are they all connected or not?

As we watch Ben and Diana try and solve these crimes, we realize that maybe history doesn't always stay buried in the past. We also see where Ben is working toward becoming more independent from his family and become his own person. My feelings for Diana has softned by the end of the book, but not much. She is such a hard person sometimes, but I know why and I am giving her some leeway.

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It does a good job of standing alone. You don't have to read the other two books to read this one. Jun 16, Kirsty Darbyshire rated it it was amazing. Stephen Booth, who wasn't at all bad to start with, is going from strength to strength. This is one of the best mysteries that I've read for quite some time. It's the dead of winter in Derbyshire's E-Division and DS Fry and DC Cooper have more than enough to deal with on top of the snow and ice without a Canadian girl investigating a second world war air crash on their patch too.

Fry is dismissive but Cooper gets drawn into the historical mystery. I've got a definite penchant for mysteries that a Stephen Booth, who wasn't at all bad to start with, is going from strength to strength. I've got a definite penchant for mysteries that are set in the present day but delve into happenings in the past and this one is wonderful stuff. I would also have never expected a Peak District story to be full of so much interesting Polish culture but Booth brings all kinds of fascinating elements into his story. The two central police characters are developing nicely through the series, they've definitely moved on from where they were in the first couple of books and I'm looking forward to following them into the future.

Diane Fry is losing her rough edges and it seems Derbyshire is becoming more a home and less of an escape for her. Ben Cooper is breaking away from his family and building more of a life for himself. The changes in these people are gradual rather than sudden and this makes them highly believable. More of the same please! Feb 06, Mary Gilligan-Nolan rated it really liked it. That way, you can get to grips with the relationship between Ben Cooper and Diane Fry and also, their backgrounds and how they effect and impact on their lives and work. This one was centered on an incident in WW2 and a plane that crashed into the Peak District back nearing the end of the war and a Canadian grand-daughter of one of the pilots who went missing after the crash and her need to find out what happened her grand-father and the need to clear his name when it was thought he deserted.

A body is found murdered near the Crash site and then a series of events starts to throw up links between the past and present. Again, some good detective work and following the clues and joining the dots, makes for a great story. Diane Fry is also giving Ben a hard time, as usual and Ben makes a move towards independence in his personal life and moves out of his family home and into his own flat.

It's another big book, over pages, but I managed to read it in two days as I was so engrossed in the tale and just wanted to find out what had happened to all those involved. Can't wait for the next one. Mar 01, Carol Jean rated it it was amazing. Very very engrossing, with great atmosphere and fascinating characters. Aug 22, Sandie rated it really liked it Shelves: Winter is always a challenging time for the police in Edendale, Derbyshire. The blizzards and chilling winds make the bleak landscapes and twisting roads even more difficult to traverse and investigate in. But crime always goes on, regardless of the weather and the Edendale police have several cases in play.

A young woman is found buried in the snow. At first it appears she just got tired and lay down and was killed by exposure but the post mortem reveals bruises that are evidence of a beating. T Winter is always a challenging time for the police in Edendale, Derbyshire. The case is reclassified as a murder and even more critically, it appears she had a young baby who is now missing.

Then a man's body is discovered when a snowplow hits it. Again, it appears to be a murder and the police don't even know who he is. His clothing shows a well-dressed man who should have been missed. Why isn't someone looking for him? Then another strange event distracts attention from the recent murders. A woman has traveled to Derbyshire from Canada. She identifies herself as the granddaughter of a military pilot who crashed his plane into the mountains during WW II.

All aboard were killed except for one Polish crew member and the pilot who supposedly survived only to vanish. He is blamed for the wreck and his granddaughter has come to clear his name. She is very determined but the police are already overwhelmed with work. She tries to enlist Ben in her search but his superiors have already forbidden anyone to help with the police force already spread thin. When the cases all start to look as if they are connected, the police scramble to find out what all three have in common. Ben is the hometown boy who knows everyone and who is a town favorite.

But his superiors, including Diane Fry, see him as a man who is easily distracted from the orders he is given. Will Ben's obstinate nature help to solve the crimes or is standard police procedure the way to go?

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This is the third in the Cooper and Fry mystery series. In this one, Diane has just gotten the promotion that everyone assumed would go to Ben and is now his boss. This ratchets up the interplay between the two who come at every problem in a diametrically opposed fashion.

Readers of the series will enjoy this further case and the unfolding of the relationship between the two. This book is recommended for mystery readers. A body is found in the snow on Irontongue Hill and the police are trying to find out who he his and how he died. The investigation is hindered by a Canadian, Alison Morrissey, who has flown over to England to find out what really happened to her grandfather who was a pilot who crashed his Lancaster bomber killing nearly all of his crew 57 years ago in the 2nd World War.

Those problems start rushing at Sydney in waves. The hunt leads to big-picture conspiracies and into the deadly lair of white supremacists and ultimately into a terrifying confrontation with a predator during a snowstorm in Wiggins. In the end, there is blood on the tracks and many other places, too. Sydney Rose is a terrific character. Her demons feel real. She broods about them but keeps pressing forward, too. She quotes Hemingway and Shakespeare not Bob Dylan?

Nickless no doubt put a ton of research into finding just the right credible details about railway cops and freight trains and all the flashbacks to Iraq, but nothing bogs this story down.

Nickless gives "Blood on the Tracks" a chugging, relentless appeal. You will long remember this spectacular debut, especially after they make the movie.

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More on my book review page including an interview with Barbara: View all 3 comments. More than five stars. This author must have been studying the eyes of everyone since birth, she is more mature than her years on this earth. Description of places, cold, blowing desert sand short, but you feel like you were there with her characters. Marine Sydney Parnell back from Iraq, she is strong and haunted by the ghosts of soldiers she picked up, sometimes just the few body parts, so they come back home. Gripping story, beautifully written, suspenseful book.

Can't wait to read more books w More than five stars. Can't wait to read more books written by this author, and I will be reading this book again and again. Once in a while, a book turns up that right from the start sucks me into the story and makes me fall in love with its characters. Blood on the Tracks is a book like that. I was instantly hooked with the story and I could not for my life figure out the truth about the young woman death before Syndey Rose herself figured it out.

Her past in the army has left her with a broken heart and awful memories that plague h Once in a while, a book turns up that right from the start sucks me into the story and makes me fall in love with its characters. Her past in the army has left her with a broken heart and awful memories that plague her every day. And she sees ghosts, they don't talk to her, but they are with her. A constant reminder of the war and not only that soon she sees the murdered woman as well Blood on the Tracks is Barbara Nickless debut book and the first in a series and I just can't wait to read the next book.

I was impressed both with the story and the writing and I found Sydney Rose Parnell to be such a wonderful character, damaged both from childhood traumas and from the war when her lover Dougie died during a mission. I found myself loving Dougie as well, despite him hardly being in the story, just memories.

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The link to the war in Iraq is fascinating and I can't wait to find out more in the next book because something clearly isn't right with the "secret mission and events around it" and it seems that there are people who don't want Parnell to investigate it. I also found Parnell's relationship with Detective Mike Cohen interesting, and it will be interesting to see if he will be able to break down her walls. In a way, they cling to each other after losing the one person that they love the most; Dougie. Blood on the Tracks is a truly remarkable book, it's never dull, the characters are well-developed and flawed and I just love that Parnell sees ghosts.

It feels like this was a book written for me with all the bookish ingredients I love. I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! Sep 23, Shelley rated it liked it. The temptation is to star the book and leave it at that. But most critical objections I've seen were to the language and subject matter of the novel, the less-than-angelic depiction of American troops, and the heroine's ETOH and drug use.

While not to everyone's taste, surely, those are silly reasons to object to a book. If you don't like these things, don't read the book. What on earth are you doing reading in this genre? Those things don't bother me at all. I had a brother in Iraq. I may look The temptation is to star the book and leave it at that. I may look sweet, but I can cuss the paint off the walls, and I know far too much about sex crimes and aggravated murder thankfully secondhand and professionally, but that was close enough.

My objections stem from the writing itself, from a craft POV. The beginning is overwrought, full of strained metaphors. For every simile, take a drink and see if you're not more f-ed up than the heroine. The connection between the heroine and the love interest cop is based on what seems to be a previous novel, although this is billed as the first in the series.

The middle is usually the weakest part of the novel, but it's the most interesting part of this one, complete with conspiracy theories that are more than just that. IMHO the conspiracy doesn't seem to merit the fear of exposure associated with it--I suspect it may have been toned down. Sadly, the end is a hot mess.

You know, because that's attractive and exactly what people want to do when they're in acute pain. Also, the murder detective thing? The guy's a city detective and the heroine's a RR cop, and in addition to the predicable turf wars, there is this endless, pointless, wasting of words on calling him a "murder cop" instead of, I don't know, a cop. Again, sloppy editing and a waste of words. Illegal, unethical, and unsafe for an RN to do. And that's after the heroine has already taken a bunch of Tylenol and other pills. Perhaps this is too nitpicky, and putting aside the alcohol some reviewers found objectionable--why does this woman still have a functioning liver?

It only takes 9 grams of Tylenol in a 24 hour period to whack a liver. I didn't count, but when "Sydney Rose" or "Detective Cohen" or any other name is used with two words instead of one, you've used words that would have better been spent on plot or weeded out, preferably with the over-the-top attempts at hard-boiled tone in the first third of the novel. Major spoilers will ruin the plot for you, perhaps: That's limited to one of two people, and it is. In fact, in some ways, it's both of the likely but not on police radar possibilities. It's not hard to imagine that Nik is an asshole who'd kill someone, especially since he spends the beginning of the novel tramping around where he is very much not supposed to be, trying to kill the main suspect, and there are plenty of hints that he doesn't value his nieces as much as he does his son.

The theme of the book seems to be that in war, good people do bad things because of expediency or some other reasons, that they come home and are damaged, and whether or not they are redeemable is up for grabs, but it's implicit that they are, in the main, redeemable. Having Nik as the murderer--I suppose the flip side of the "good" Marine--is predicable and boring, because he was clearly trying to interfere with the investigation from the start and the heroine allowed it; another strain at credulity and a mark against professionalism.

Three people would have made better murderers: Having a bad civilian bonus: So, unlike most Kindle First books, I didn't hate it. I wasn't in love with it. It's not something you lightly read. It didn't particularly read like a thriller on the main--the main--the scale was too small or military fiction not enough military. Oct 06, Theresa Alan rated it it was amazing. This is great writing. The story and characters grab you right away and the pace is unrelenting.

Railroad cop and Iraq veteran Sydney Parnell is brought in to help track down The Burned Man, a man known for riding the rails and suspected of a vicious murder of a woman who reached out to people in need, including those who ride trains. The Burned Man is an Iraq vet who has burns over thirty percent of his body, including his face. He should be easy to find, but when Sydney and her canine, Clyde w This is great writing. Sydney still sees the ghosts of the people she put back together during her time in mortuary affairs in Iraq.

Even before her two tours of duty, she had a rough childhood. She is a complex individual, and both Sydney and her dog are likeable characters. The snowy, cold Denver weather and setting play an important role in this story as well. I highly recommend this suspense-filled story. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

For more of my reviews, please visit: Jul 21, Donna rated it really liked it Shelves: This book was a solid 4 stars. I liked the MC. She is not the normal MC for this genre. She was flawed and a little broken, but she was also strong. Her side kick is a dog which in some way makes her even more likable. The story line meandered a bit, but I loved the plot points and there were some great twists. The thing that I liked the most was the creative writing of the author. She has a g This book was a solid 4 stars. She has a great way with words regarding the descriptive strokes.

I would definitely read more by her. Nov 26, Bill rated it it was amazing. Excellent book, following former Marine and current railroad policewoman, who gets involved in tracking, with her K9 partner, another former marine and current hobo. Feb 15, Joann rated it really liked it Shelves: Special Agent Sydney Rose Parnell is introduced as a railway cop. I never knew we had such cops but we do and that intrigued me along with the story line of the homeless people who catch out on rail cars. I enjoyed the railroad angle and looking into the subculture of the hobos that is seldom talked about today.

Another great part of this book is Sydney's canine partner, Clyde. He is a dog to love, for sure. This novel also has a very high body count but I still enjoyed this book. The only negative thing for me, was that I thought there was an excessive amount of curse words - some I felt could have been left out. I will anxiously await the other book in this series. Nov 30, Pam rated it it was amazing. This Author kept me engaged and excited about the story from the first page! Highly recommend this one!

I'm not a fan of 1st POV but I thought this book was really well written. Secondary characters aren't always well developed in 1st POV and in this book, there were a number of well developed secondary charters as well as a few ghosts. We also have Clyde, a very well developed service dog who is an excellent side kick and integrated into the many scenes very well.

Sydney has come back from the war in Iraq somewhat damaged but with a inner core of strength that keeps pushing her forward. Sydney is a marine vet that sees ghosts from the war and now from the crimes that are currently being investigated. The initial investigation is the murder of a friend from her past which pulls her in different directions as she supports the detectives who are trying to solve the murder.

There is more than one crime, more than one guilty party and a few overlapping relationships. The plot is complicated and it drew me in fairly quickly. May 06, Audra B rated it it was ok Shelves: It didn't hold my interest and I ended up skimming a lot of it. I was never able to picture or connect to the characters or the setting.

There was no concept of time for me I had no idea this all took place in about 48 hours. Do people really say "murder cop? I also didn't like her descriptions and metaphors of things. It was way too much and didn't fit. Nov 21, Paula Adams rated it really liked it Shelves: Lots of action, based in Colorado during the winter mostly in the railyard. People go missing every year from the railyard at the same time every year. It's a combined effort between the Denver PD and the railyard police to find out what is happening. View all 4 comments.

Jul 30, Lauren rated it it was amazing Recommended to Lauren by: Blood on the Tracks 4. Sydney is a wonderful heroine and her relationship with her canine partner, Clyde, is truly special. The author's research into PTSD and the mental health issues plaguing veterans is thorough and well written.

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The mystery is engrossing Blood on the Tracks 4. The mystery is engrossing with several red herrings along the way. Nevertheless, it is possible to figure out the culprit due to a number of inconsistencies in their actions.


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There are hints at a romance between Sydney and the investigating detective, and it will be interesting to see where the author takes in light of Sydney's past and some of her actions in this book. While the murder is solved and the culprit justly punished, there are still unanswered questions pertaining to Sydney's experiences in Iraq that make me eager to read the next book. Looking forward to it. Oct 17, Chris rated it it was amazing. Blood on the Tracks is riveting, rapid-fire, and relevant.

From the very first page I was hooked by the writing: Blood on the Tracks is a stunning debut novel by a brilliant author. Highly recommended for fans of John Hart, Jeffery Deaver, Robert Crais, and for anyone who loves a beautifully written, suspenseful, engaging mystery. I loved this book. You have those books that you don't want to finish, because it is that good. My husband was a Marine and this book served a special place in my heart as I lost him two years ago. Once a marine, always a marine. This book so honored this special band of heroes. When Sydney comes back from the war, she has secrets that she must keep about what when on over there.

She was with the Mortuary divis Best book ever! She was with the Mortuary division which was in charge of the bodies of the Marines that were killed. Now back home and being with the railroad as a special agent, she sees ghosts. Sydney also lost her boyfriend as he was killed in Iraq and she has come home with his K9 partner, Clyde. When a woman is found brutally murdered in her town, she finds that a Marine, who rides the tracks, the burned man, is suspected of killing her.

Sydney knows the marine and in true fashion cannot believe that he committed the murder. This was one book that I didn't want to put down. The writing was wonderful. So turn off your tv, get this book and you will be in for the adventure of your life. Loved Clyde and this strong woman, Sydney. Can't wait to read more about these two. I especially enjoyed the intimate play-by-play of a woman dealing with her past and her PTSD. Well drawn characters that scared the crap out of me reading as I did in the dark, alone, in the night.

Oct 02, Judy Collins rated it really liked it Shelves: Outstanding I read it of mysteries and thrillers. This has been one of the best. I can hardly wait for her next one. Nov 29, Martha b rated it it was amazing. Wow what a great first novel. Very exciting and interesting. Sydney rose is a really good character. Looking forward to the next book.


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Jan 29, Harold Kasselman rated it it was amazing. This is one of the best mystery police procedurals I have ever read. You know a book is great when you feel depressed that it has ended. But I will buy Barbara Nickless' next book in this series. This is a gripping, and intelligently written masterpiece. The lead character Sydney Rose, a railroad cop and ex-marine, is a fascinating figure. She is a product of her experience both as a child and as a war veteran who served in a gruesome role in the Mortuary Affairs department. She literally scrap This is one of the best mystery police procedurals I have ever read.

She literally scraped up the body fluids and body parts of her own troops. She is tough, resilient, and hardened but vulnerable, insecure,and haunted by insecurities and ghosts of the past simultaneously. This is no run of the mill mystery. This is a philosophical work about war-what it does to its combatants, and how the effects of war permanently fashion that soldier's civilian life. It raises questions of the blurry line between morality, truth, honor, duty, and loyalty.

These issues play out for Sydney Rose in an intriguing and unique setting near the railway tracks of Denver amidst hobo camps whose inhabitants often ride the trains. It is near those camps that a horrific murder has occurred which will reach across the world to Iraq and then bring the reader back to a gang of neo-Nazis.

Sydney Rose and her K-9 partner Clyde a combat tracker, the most endearing dog since Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, must solve this murder and other secrets that threaten to bring both of them down if the full truth is disclosed. The characters are wonderfully drawn-Cohen and Bandoni as well as Nik and Melody, This novel is thought provoking, creates an atmosphere that makes you feel you are there, and still manages to be a thrill ride. I am a fan for life. I'm no stranger to crime fiction, but this is one of, if not the first, book that I've read that so closely follows someone who's returned from Iraq.