• Written between November 2023 (first draft), released April 2025.
• Length: About 80k words, about 350 pages.
• Music listened to while writing: I was really into The Cult while writing this book.

“Andrew Barrett writes a cracking story full of drama, twists and turns and pathos.”

Cutting Ties (was The Holy Fox) 

Wow, you made it this far! Well done; it means you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far (I hope), and I sincerely hope you enjoy the story you’re about to read. 

“Gosh, this really ripped my heart out, scenes are presented to us that are so emotionally draining they absolutely took my breath away.”

It’s the last piece of the current story for DS Regan Carter and her cast of friends and foes. You’ll notice I said ‘current’. That’s because I enjoyed writing Regan so much, I could always hop back and write some more stories if the opportunity ever presented itself. And if that opportunity does ever present itself, it had better bring some time with it – preferably a year, maybe 18 months if she’s feeling generous. 

We see in this instalment, everything that’s been in the previous stories wrapped up (mostly), and we see why the things that happened in The Dark Arches happened, and what those events were there to serve. 

Everything is geared towards the character. Everything I’ve written so far is there to illustrate to you what kind of person she is, and how she’s developed from the slightly cranky, definitely clunky, first few chapters in A Random Kill.  

“Once again Andrew Barrett has provided us with another top notch crime story in this series. A gripping tale full of despicable characters.”

As you’re reading the story, please ask yourself if you’d have done what Regan does. Be honest, in her boots (she wears Doc Marten’s, remember?), would you have done things differently? Well, that’s good (either a yes or a no is good) because it’s got you thinking, it’s got you criticising, and it’s got you wondering. And above all else, it’s got you involved. 

I ended the story with a certain amount of sadness. I’d come to like Regan and her world, and to end it left me mourning. She was always poking me in the ribs and telling me to get a move on, asking what happens next, telling me she doesn’t want this character to get away with XYZ, and she really wants to see that character again. 

Above all, when she sees what’s in the final thirty pages, she’ll go absolutely batshit crazy with me. 

ANDREW BARRETT – 25

There’s another post to follow, and it covers the emergence of book 4. 

“Creative writing at it’s very best with brilliant plotting, unscrupulous characters, nerve jangling suspense. it’s a thrilling series to get hooked on. Go for it.”