Barlow Laid Bare

I would like to thank Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for a review copy of Barlow Laid Bare, the third novel set in the early sixties to feature Station Sergeant John Barlow of the Ballymena police.

With two bodies discovered within hours of each other and murder suspected in both cases Sergeant Barlow has his hands full, especially when he comes under suspicion himself. So, with a new romance, a disgruntled daughter, a brush with death and a witch’s curse to contend with, he sets out to clear his name but it won’t be easy as the killer always seems a step ahead.

I thoroughly enjoyed Barlow Laid Bare which is an amusing romp round rural Northern Ireland in the sixties with the bonus of a good mystery thrown in. The novel is told in the third person from Barlow’s point of view so the reader knows what he knows but without his local knowledge and devious mindset the solutions don’t come as readily or easily. I admit to being baffled until the explanations come. The timeline is mostly linear with the odd flashback to the events of Friday night when Ezekiel Fetherton was killed, events that Barlow won’t talk about and add to the suspicion hanging over him but which are so amusing they had me laughing out loud. The plot is fairly convoluted as it relies on the relationships and history of the towns inhabitants but it is easy to follow as everything is explained and seems to evolve naturally.

Much of the joy of the novel lies in the characterisation from the idiosyncratic locals to the larger than life Barlow. On the surface Barlow is a bit of a stereotype, a former Sergeant Major who runs his station with a rod of iron and takes no nonsense from his customers and even less from his superiors but not so still waters run deep and there is much more to him. He has a touching naivety about him in some things, especially his personal relationships where he flounders about uncertainly, hoping for the best and he is definitely not nearly as self confident as he appears. His take on life, however, is amusing as he battles with his boss and sees much through a rather cynical lens.

Barlow Laid Bare is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Barlow Laid Bare is the third novel in the Barlow series set in Northern Ireland, but completely stand alone. I must read the first two in the series for my own edification but they are not necessary to achieve the full picture in this the third book.

Station Sergeant John Barlow does his best to be a true gentleman and to follow the constraints required by law as he tries to keep the peace. Peace would be simpler without the constant fettering of District Inspector Harvey and the extreme base learning curve of Acting Sergeant Gillespie or the nosiness of Constable Wilson but Barlow does the best he can. Laid Bare finds him tilting against local crooks, an imported English police presence, multiple local deaths and what appears to be a coven of witches. Possibly love? And rain, rain, rain....

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are likeable, the crooks have a few saving graces, and the setting in Northern Ireland is well presented. The time frame in this novel is not specific but fits in nicely with those crime novels of the mid-twentieth century that we oldtimers know and love. This is a novel I am happy to recommend to friends and family.

I received a free electronic copy of this English police procedural from Netgalley, John McAllister and BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

This is the first 'Barlow Book' that I have come across. Very well written,good plot, and well drawn characters.
I shall certainly read the other books in the series.

A good military styled mystery with good characters you rooted for and enjoyed. An interesting story so if you get a chance pick up a copy and enjoy