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A Cooper & Quinn Mystery #5
Dark Edges
A football player in the prime of his life is found dead from an apparent drug overdose. Was it an accident, suicide, or something more sinister?
Detective Charlie Cooper is struggling just to keep awake after some upheaval on the home front. But life is busy for everyone, and Cooper is intrigued from the start with this baffling case. Jimmy Dallas was a rising star with everything to live for � would he really have stuck a needle in his arm the week before the biggest match of his career?
Joel Maguire for one does not believe his best mate would have knowingly injected himself with anything. Reeling from the shock loss, and dealing with some issues of his own, the Rangers� star player struggles to put one foot in front of the other, let alone play finals football.
Australian rugby league takes centre stage in the fifth book of Catherine Lee’s page-turning Dark Series. Strap yourself in as Cooper and Quinn tackle the controversial issue of drugs in sport.
Detective Charlie Cooper is struggling just to keep awake after some upheaval on the home front. But life is busy for everyone, and Cooper is intrigued from the start with this baffling case. Jimmy Dallas was a rising star with everything to live for � would he really have stuck a needle in his arm the week before the biggest match of his career?
Joel Maguire for one does not believe his best mate would have knowingly injected himself with anything. Reeling from the shock loss, and dealing with some issues of his own, the Rangers� star player struggles to put one foot in front of the other, let alone play finals football.
Australian rugby league takes centre stage in the fifth book of Catherine Lee’s page-turning Dark Series. Strap yourself in as Cooper and Quinn tackle the controversial issue of drugs in sport.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2017
69 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Lee
26Ìýbooks84ÌýfollowersAustralian author of fast-paced, mostly clean, crime fiction.
The Detective Charlie Cooper Mysteries tackle some topical issues with crimes at their heart, set in Sydney, Australia.
The Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries feature a charming collection of eccentric locals and visitors working their way through the alphabet of cozy crimes.
Missing, featuring Detective Bonnie Hunter, picks up where Charlie Cooper left off.
The Detective Charlie Cooper Mysteries tackle some topical issues with crimes at their heart, set in Sydney, Australia.
The Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries feature a charming collection of eccentric locals and visitors working their way through the alphabet of cozy crimes.
Missing, featuring Detective Bonnie Hunter, picks up where Charlie Cooper left off.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 14, 2018
Book Five in this excellent and very readable series.
I really enjoy the characters of Cooper and Quinn, our police duo and main characters in the series. Cooper and his wife solve their problems in this book in the best possible way but now there are hints that all is not roses in Quinn's life. I guess this will be pursued in Book Six!
The social issue addressed in is match fixing and drug taking in sport, not an issue that really interests me but it was not hard to follow what was going on. The idea behind the mystery was good and the identity of the murderer was not easy to spot until quite close to the end.
Altogether an interesting and entertaining read and I am already looking forward to the next one - which I believe is already published. Keep writing them Ms. Lee!
I really enjoy the characters of Cooper and Quinn, our police duo and main characters in the series. Cooper and his wife solve their problems in this book in the best possible way but now there are hints that all is not roses in Quinn's life. I guess this will be pursued in Book Six!
The social issue addressed in is match fixing and drug taking in sport, not an issue that really interests me but it was not hard to follow what was going on. The idea behind the mystery was good and the identity of the murderer was not easy to spot until quite close to the end.
Altogether an interesting and entertaining read and I am already looking forward to the next one - which I believe is already published. Keep writing them Ms. Lee!
July 11, 2020
This is an enjoyable series featuring detectives Charlie Cooper and Joe Quinn. In this episode they have the puzzling death of an elite rugby player. Their investigation of whether his death was suicide, accidental or murder leads them into investigating illegal activities within the sport.
Cooper and Quinn make for a great partnership. Both honest and smart hard working cops who never take the easy option. Cooper's home life is back on an even keel, his wife over her addiction to prescription drugs and looking forward to welcoming another child into their family. Written with a good pace and plenty to keep the reader interested this was an entertaining read with a good twist at the end and a hint of something Cooper might be looking into in future novels.
Cooper and Quinn make for a great partnership. Both honest and smart hard working cops who never take the easy option. Cooper's home life is back on an even keel, his wife over her addiction to prescription drugs and looking forward to welcoming another child into their family. Written with a good pace and plenty to keep the reader interested this was an entertaining read with a good twist at the end and a hint of something Cooper might be looking into in future novels.
April 11, 2018
When Jimmy Dallas was found in his apartment with the syringe still in his arm, the conclusion was either suicide or overdose. But was it? His best friend and fellow rugby league star, Joel Maguire was devastated � but knew without any hesitation that Jimmy wouldn’t have done either. Joel’s team was the Sydney Rangers and they were heading into the finals, but Joel knew there was no way he could play football with Jimmy’s death hanging over him. All he wanted to do was find answers�
Detective Charlie Cooper and his partner, Detective Joe Quinn headed the investigating team and gradually they came to suspect there was much more to Jimmy’s death than was first thought. Was there an illegal drugs connection with the Rangers team? Secrets, drugs, crime � Cooper and Quinn had a lot on their hands; they needed to find answers fast. But with no solid evidence to back up their claims, the teams� frustration was high. Could they find the culprits before someone else died?
Dark Edges is the 5th in the Cooper & Quinn series by Aussie author Catherine Lee and I thoroughly enjoyed it, flying through the pages, and finishing in a matter of hours. The twist at the end was totally unexpected but good! Cooper and Quinn are excellent characters and I really hope the author doesn’t stop writing their story for a very long time to come! The inclusion of Cooper’s home life adds to it as well. Highly recommended - #6 soon 😊
Detective Charlie Cooper and his partner, Detective Joe Quinn headed the investigating team and gradually they came to suspect there was much more to Jimmy’s death than was first thought. Was there an illegal drugs connection with the Rangers team? Secrets, drugs, crime � Cooper and Quinn had a lot on their hands; they needed to find answers fast. But with no solid evidence to back up their claims, the teams� frustration was high. Could they find the culprits before someone else died?
Dark Edges is the 5th in the Cooper & Quinn series by Aussie author Catherine Lee and I thoroughly enjoyed it, flying through the pages, and finishing in a matter of hours. The twist at the end was totally unexpected but good! Cooper and Quinn are excellent characters and I really hope the author doesn’t stop writing their story for a very long time to come! The inclusion of Cooper’s home life adds to it as well. Highly recommended - #6 soon 😊
December 16, 2017
Dark Edges is book five in the A Cooper & Quinn Mystery by Catherine Lee. Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and Detective Senior Constable Joe Quinn caught a case that looks at first glance an overdose. However, as the investigation continues Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and Detective Senior Constable Joe Quinn realise that there was more to Jimmy Dallas death. The readers of Dark Edges will continue to follow Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and Detective Senior Constable Joe Quinn investigation into the death of Jimmy Dallas to find out what happens.
I loved reading Dark Edges. I have read others in the A Cooper & Quinn Mystery series, and Dark Edges did not disappoint. Dark Edges engaged me with the plot from the first chapter, and I was so surprised with who the murder was. I love Catherine Lee portrayal of her characters and the way she intertwines them with each other. Catherine Lee does a great job of highlighting the problems and issues that law enforcement families have with the demands of the work of a police detective.
The readers of Dark Edges will learn what the consequences of gambling are to everyone involved. Also, the readers of Dark Edges will learn about the procedures during a police investigation.
I recommend this book.
I loved reading Dark Edges. I have read others in the A Cooper & Quinn Mystery series, and Dark Edges did not disappoint. Dark Edges engaged me with the plot from the first chapter, and I was so surprised with who the murder was. I love Catherine Lee portrayal of her characters and the way she intertwines them with each other. Catherine Lee does a great job of highlighting the problems and issues that law enforcement families have with the demands of the work of a police detective.
The readers of Dark Edges will learn what the consequences of gambling are to everyone involved. Also, the readers of Dark Edges will learn about the procedures during a police investigation.
I recommend this book.
December 10, 2017
‘Jimmy Dallas was good at following instructions.�
Jimmy Dallas, an Australian Rugby League football player, is found dead from an apparent drug overdose. The needle is still in his arm. Is it an accidental overdose, murder or suicide? Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and his partner Detective Senior Constable Joe Quinn are called in to investigate. Jimmy Dallas was the fullback for the Sydney Rangers team, a star performer in their last match, a win which guaranteed them a place in the finals. No one close to Jimmy thinks he’d use heroin, but everything points to a self-administered overdose. Jimmy’s best friend is fellow Rangers player Joel Maquire. Joel is devastated by Jimmy’s death. Joel’s brother Nate is the team captain. Can the Maguire brothers shed any light on events?
As part of their investigation, Cooper and Quinn look at drug use within the Rangers Club. The officials try to assure them that all is fair and above board. ASADA has no adverse results from testing team members, and the team sports scientist Dean Rycroft assures them that the only supplements given to players are vitamins. But Cooper and Quinn are not convinced, and when they find a connection between the heroin used by Jimmy and that supplied by the Chiefs outlaw motorcycle gang, things start to get complicated.
‘He had a bad feeling about this case.�
This is the fifth novel in Ms Lee’s Dark Series, and it is every bit as gripping as the first four. There are some interesting developments in Charlie Cooper’s personal life which add to the tension as Cooper and Quinn try to work out what happened to Jimmy Dallas. There’s also some friction between different police officers involved in the case. And the ending? There are aspects that I didn’t anticipate, disquieting aspects that have served to keep aspects of this novel in my mind.
Note: my thanks to Ms Lee for providing me with a free advance reading copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Jimmy Dallas, an Australian Rugby League football player, is found dead from an apparent drug overdose. The needle is still in his arm. Is it an accidental overdose, murder or suicide? Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and his partner Detective Senior Constable Joe Quinn are called in to investigate. Jimmy Dallas was the fullback for the Sydney Rangers team, a star performer in their last match, a win which guaranteed them a place in the finals. No one close to Jimmy thinks he’d use heroin, but everything points to a self-administered overdose. Jimmy’s best friend is fellow Rangers player Joel Maquire. Joel is devastated by Jimmy’s death. Joel’s brother Nate is the team captain. Can the Maguire brothers shed any light on events?
As part of their investigation, Cooper and Quinn look at drug use within the Rangers Club. The officials try to assure them that all is fair and above board. ASADA has no adverse results from testing team members, and the team sports scientist Dean Rycroft assures them that the only supplements given to players are vitamins. But Cooper and Quinn are not convinced, and when they find a connection between the heroin used by Jimmy and that supplied by the Chiefs outlaw motorcycle gang, things start to get complicated.
‘He had a bad feeling about this case.�
This is the fifth novel in Ms Lee’s Dark Series, and it is every bit as gripping as the first four. There are some interesting developments in Charlie Cooper’s personal life which add to the tension as Cooper and Quinn try to work out what happened to Jimmy Dallas. There’s also some friction between different police officers involved in the case. And the ending? There are aspects that I didn’t anticipate, disquieting aspects that have served to keep aspects of this novel in my mind.
Note: my thanks to Ms Lee for providing me with a free advance reading copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
December 2, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy supplied at no charge by the publisher/author.
This is the newest book in Catherine Lee’s Dark series.
This starts with footballer Jimmy Dallas injecting himself. He is found dead. Is it suicide or an accidental overdose. His friends say he would never use heroin, but everything points to exactly this.
Cooper & Quinn now have the challenge to prove this is a murder. Jimmy’s best friend, Joel Maquire, is one who is sure that Jimmy would not take drugs & finds it hard to accept. Joel’s brother, Nate is the team captain. What does Nate know.
The book takes us through the world of a football team playing for a spot in the finals. Have drugs been used in the team? The team sports scientist, Dean Rycroft assures them he has only provided vitamins & all appears to be clean through the stringent drug testing agency ASADA. All Cooper & Quinn have to go on is assumptions & the fact that the heroin used by Jimmy is the same as that supplied by the Chiefs Motor Cycle gang to the streets. Is there an association between Dean Rycroft & the Chefs MC?
Congratulations Catherine on another interesting twist. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy a good thriller.
This is the newest book in Catherine Lee’s Dark series.
This starts with footballer Jimmy Dallas injecting himself. He is found dead. Is it suicide or an accidental overdose. His friends say he would never use heroin, but everything points to exactly this.
Cooper & Quinn now have the challenge to prove this is a murder. Jimmy’s best friend, Joel Maquire, is one who is sure that Jimmy would not take drugs & finds it hard to accept. Joel’s brother, Nate is the team captain. What does Nate know.
The book takes us through the world of a football team playing for a spot in the finals. Have drugs been used in the team? The team sports scientist, Dean Rycroft assures them he has only provided vitamins & all appears to be clean through the stringent drug testing agency ASADA. All Cooper & Quinn have to go on is assumptions & the fact that the heroin used by Jimmy is the same as that supplied by the Chiefs Motor Cycle gang to the streets. Is there an association between Dean Rycroft & the Chefs MC?
Congratulations Catherine on another interesting twist. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy a good thriller.
May 18, 2020
Teammates can become family.
Things to know: This is the fifth book in an ongoing series. There is violence, some adult language, and mention of drug usage.
As Detectives Cooper and Quinn investigate the death of Jimmy Dallas, an Australian rugby player, they are perplexed by the incongruities. By all accounts, including that of his best friend, Joel, Jimmy had much to live for and knew the risks of drug use. Why would he inject himself with something that would risk everything... or did he?
Ms. Lee did a wonderful job of showing the different depths of feelings for the game of rugby and the teammates who play it.
Things to know: This is the fifth book in an ongoing series. There is violence, some adult language, and mention of drug usage.
As Detectives Cooper and Quinn investigate the death of Jimmy Dallas, an Australian rugby player, they are perplexed by the incongruities. By all accounts, including that of his best friend, Joel, Jimmy had much to live for and knew the risks of drug use. Why would he inject himself with something that would risk everything... or did he?
Ms. Lee did a wonderful job of showing the different depths of feelings for the game of rugby and the teammates who play it.
December 6, 2017
In Dark Edges, Catherine Lee delves deeper into the medical accompaniment of sports people. In view of recent scandals of supplements and state sponsored doping this book very much gives you something to think about how athletes are used as guinea pigs and how much say they have about what happens to their own bodies and their own health. Not to forget that the long-term effects of a lot of these products are very much unknown.
All of this is the setting of a mystery in which it is not even clear whether our detective duo are dealing with a murder case.
All of this is the setting of a mystery in which it is not even clear whether our detective duo are dealing with a murder case.
February 24, 2024
Dark Edges
Had to finish the book,great characters,drugs and gambling goes on in the most unexpected places,along with police intervention,great story.Looking forward to other books.
Had to finish the book,great characters,drugs and gambling goes on in the most unexpected places,along with police intervention,great story.Looking forward to other books.
August 15, 2023
enjoyed reading
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love reading mysteries and I loved the ending with the twins because one of the was named Charlotte which is my name.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love reading mysteries and I loved the ending with the twins because one of the was named Charlotte which is my name.
February 15, 2025
Dark Edges
Really enjoyed reading this book once again just as much as the previous four and highly recommend you read them as well. Onto the next in this series.
Really enjoyed reading this book once again just as much as the previous four and highly recommend you read them as well. Onto the next in this series.
January 17, 2018
Not impressed. Too far fetched, not very well written. Found myself reading just to get finished.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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