Before the days of the National Health Service and modern psychiatry, common wisdom called for brain paste - a mash of the pituitary glands of cow - as a remedy for mental illness. Doctors have forgotten; the general public has forgotten; but Bartholomew Garrod, of East London s Garrod s Family Butchers has not forgotten, and he is using more than just animals to treat his brother . . . he is murdering people.When a body is found, ripped apart and torn, although the slashings appear random, Detective Inspector Alison Dexter recognizes that the marks are actually butchers cuts of meats: the primal cuts.Meanwhile, in Cambridgeshire, a vicious bare-knuckle fight, results in a dead body, complete with bite wounds. Are the cases linked?As Alison Dexter investigates, she starts receiving threatening letters and body parts - human body parts. Time is running short and Dexter desperately needs to find the murderer . . . before he finds her.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Review
'Remarkable... Consider it a combination of Thomas Harris, Ian
Rankin and Reginald Hill' -- Deadly Pleasures
'The writing is assured, with first-rate characterisation and
narrative drive'
-- Susanna Yager, Sunday Telegraph --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Rankin and Reginald Hill' -- Deadly Pleasures
'The writing is assured, with first-rate characterisation and
narrative drive'
-- Susanna Yager, Sunday Telegraph --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
From the Inside Flap
Eight years ago, the national tabloids had a feeding frenzy
over the `Primal Cut' killings. The Garrod brothers, East End butchers, had
turned their expertise to rendering human flesh.
over the `Primal Cut' killings. The Garrod brothers, East End butchers, had
turned their expertise to rendering human flesh.
The case made DS Alison Dexter notorious. She identified the murderers and
ended their orgy of killing, but in the process took what Bartholomew
Garrod most valued: his brother's life. With her career in ruins and her
personal safety in jeopardy, Dexter was transferred to Cambridgeshire.
Now Dexter finds herself drawn into an investigation probing the underbelly
of the area's crime scene - bare-knuckle boxing, dog fights and murder. As
she gets closer to the truth, it's clear Garrod hasn't forgotten the debt
she owes him - he wants his pound of flesh and will do whatever it takes to
get it.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Yvonne Gray
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Interesting read, would Highly recommend, will definitely be buying more from this author. Characters interesting and believable. great author .
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By BTS
Format:Paperback
After reading the glittering reviews I thought I would give this a try.
Ed O'Connor is a new writer to me and this is the first book of his I have read - and I think it may be the last. Mr. O'Connor is clearly a talented chap. The opening of the book fairly crackles with energy but soon degenerates into a 'and then-and then-and then' style of novel. It is absolutely crammed full of 'something exciting happening' and you know what - it just does work.. There is: a serial killer, a rapist, human flesh eating, torture, a cop with cancer, mental illness, bare knuckle-fighting, illegal dogs fights etc etc (excuse me if I missed anything). The heroine of the piece is Alison Dexter a no-nonsense DI who is a lesbian (not that that fact is important. I think that was just chucked into the mix when the author was thinking about the film rights). The book is definitely in the 'never mind the quality - feel the width' area.
The very odd thing is just how boring and dull the book actually is. All this blood and mayhem leave you knowing nothing about the main character (though the serial killer guy is written with more skill). it's really strange how a writer like Mark Billingham can enthrall you with what his characters eats and drinks for lunch but Mr. O'Connor can bore the backside off me with this sort of thing.
I did laugh out loud however at the exchange between Dexter and her East-End boss ('Guv'). All I can say is Dick Van Dyke made a more authentic cockney in Mary Poppins than these two. The dialogue is hilarious. I think Mr O'Connor has been watching a bit too much early Sweeney. I half expected a 'lets go up the apples and pears for some nice jellied eels - gor blimey'.
Sorry. just not for me.
Ed O'Connor is a new writer to me and this is the first book of his I have read - and I think it may be the last. Mr. O'Connor is clearly a talented chap. The opening of the book fairly crackles with energy but soon degenerates into a 'and then-and then-and then' style of novel. It is absolutely crammed full of 'something exciting happening' and you know what - it just does work.. There is: a serial killer, a rapist, human flesh eating, torture, a cop with cancer, mental illness, bare knuckle-fighting, illegal dogs fights etc etc (excuse me if I missed anything). The heroine of the piece is Alison Dexter a no-nonsense DI who is a lesbian (not that that fact is important. I think that was just chucked into the mix when the author was thinking about the film rights). The book is definitely in the 'never mind the quality - feel the width' area.
The very odd thing is just how boring and dull the book actually is. All this blood and mayhem leave you knowing nothing about the main character (though the serial killer guy is written with more skill). it's really strange how a writer like Mark Billingham can enthrall you with what his characters eats and drinks for lunch but Mr. O'Connor can bore the backside off me with this sort of thing.
I did laugh out loud however at the exchange between Dexter and her East-End boss ('Guv'). All I can say is Dick Van Dyke made a more authentic cockney in Mary Poppins than these two. The dialogue is hilarious. I think Mr O'Connor has been watching a bit too much early Sweeney. I half expected a 'lets go up the apples and pears for some nice jellied eels - gor blimey'.
Sorry. just not for me.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading Hit and Run (Blue Murder by Cath Staincliffe
22 Jan 2007
By Andy Capp
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed reading Hit and Run (Blue Murder) by Cath Staincliffe. DCI Janine Lewis I thought was a fair but tough DCI and as you know the TV role of Janine was played by Caroline Quentin.
As I read the book I could sense the toughness of the characters and the background of events.
The way Janine Lewis juggled the family life at home as well as the police work I thought was very good and I think that Cath Staincliffe is great at describing events as they happen in the book. I would imagine that Cath did a lot of research for the book.
The plot was very fast paced and I think it takes the reader on a journey.
Janine's colleague Richard I think is very good, in the first book Richard I believe was a very quite character but in this novel I think he is a lot sharper.
The first book BLUE MURDER I wasn't keen on but I saw the ITV series and liked it. I missed HIT AND RUN on ITV but I have to say I enjoyed this book.
I hope that Cath Staincliffe writes a third book about Janine and her team but we'll have to wait and see. Well done Cath!
As I read the book I could sense the toughness of the characters and the background of events.
The way Janine Lewis juggled the family life at home as well as the police work I thought was very good and I think that Cath Staincliffe is great at describing events as they happen in the book. I would imagine that Cath did a lot of research for the book.
The plot was very fast paced and I think it takes the reader on a journey.
Janine's colleague Richard I think is very good, in the first book Richard I believe was a very quite character but in this novel I think he is a lot sharper.
The first book BLUE MURDER I wasn't keen on but I saw the ITV series and liked it. I missed HIT AND RUN on ITV but I have to say I enjoyed this book.
I hope that Cath Staincliffe writes a third book about Janine and her team but we'll have to wait and see. Well done Cath!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Helen Simpson
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Another brilliant page turner featuring DS Alison Dexter & DI John Underwood. The story begins with a flashback to the east end of London in 1995 where we discover the grim and disturbing Garrad brothers...'family butchers'. They featured in an earlier case of Dexters and back in the present (2002) she finds something to suggest there is a link between one of the brothers and a body that has turned up on a railway track. Meanwhile, DI Bevan is trying to collect evidence of an illegal dog fighting ring who meet secretly on local farm premises.
Dexter's personal life moves up a notch as she meets someone she'd like to start a relationship with...but is unaware she's being watched!
This is good from start to finish, and the various storylines tie up well and plausibly. Looking forward to his next book.
Dexter's personal life moves up a notch as she meets someone she'd like to start a relationship with...but is unaware she's being watched!
This is good from start to finish, and the various storylines tie up well and plausibly. Looking forward to his next book.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By book king
Format:Paperback
I loved the way this heroine is struggling to balance the pressures of home and work, it makes her a fine character and definitely makes this book stand out amongst other ones. I really enjoyed and would definitely recommend it.
3 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Dr.C.
Format:Paperback
When I picked up Ed O'Connor's "Primal Cut" I wasn't sure what to expect. The title and cover implied a story that left nothing to the imagination and I didn't know if I was up for that.
However, as soon as I got started my worries vanished and I couldn't actually stop reading.
Although at times very explicit, the story is gripping, told well and there is enough room for the pictures a reader wants to develop for himself. The sudden twists in the plot make the reading a delight as they act as a counterbalance to the parts of the story a reader can (or better) thinks he can anticipate.
There are obvious parallels between this story and the real cannibalistic events that took place in Germany a few years ago, which makes the story even more believable and thus scary.
I think Ed O'Connor has created a new type of fiction that is very gory but refined at the same time and is therefore able to open up a new dimension of feelings and thoughts within a reader.
I read the book about a month ago and I know I will not forget about it anytime soon, which is a definite proof of its impact on me and therefore quality.
A book to be recommended!
However, as soon as I got started my worries vanished and I couldn't actually stop reading.
Although at times very explicit, the story is gripping, told well and there is enough room for the pictures a reader wants to develop for himself. The sudden twists in the plot make the reading a delight as they act as a counterbalance to the parts of the story a reader can (or better) thinks he can anticipate.
There are obvious parallels between this story and the real cannibalistic events that took place in Germany a few years ago, which makes the story even more believable and thus scary.
I think Ed O'Connor has created a new type of fiction that is very gory but refined at the same time and is therefore able to open up a new dimension of feelings and thoughts within a reader.
I read the book about a month ago and I know I will not forget about it anytime soon, which is a definite proof of its impact on me and therefore quality.
A book to be recommended!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
He wants his pound of flesh - Literally!!
PRIMAL CUT is violent.There are themes in the book that many probably couldn't stomach; dog fighting, and bare-knuckle fighting two name just two. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2008 by Sunnie Gill
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best book of the three
I've read all three of Ed O'Connor's books and this is the best. It's well plotted and the characters are vividly drawn. Read more
Published on 30 April 2007 by Sean Farrell
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