Thank you for the advanced copy of this book and I just wished I had read it sooner!
This as an interesting take on a detective story which kept me hooked from the start. Lots of twists and turns.
Well written and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Not the
Most exciting book ever read but it is enjoyable and worth a read. I do think a. Detective without any issues would be quite a novel idea .

Written by Robert Jeffreys — In recent years, crime fiction set in Australia has been a huge hit with readers worldwide – think The Dry by Jane Harper, Chris Hammer’s Scrublands and Helen FitzGerald’s The Cry, to name but three. All are set in modern-day Oz. Now along comes Man at the Window, chucking a slice of historical crime into the mix.

It’s October 1965, which may not seem that long ago to some of us but feels a world away from the fast-moving crime fiction genre of the digital age. The setting is Perth, and at a prestigious private school a master is preparing for bed. Captain Edmund runs the cadet force at St Nicholas College and he is a man feared by the pupils there. Soon you will find out why…

But first, as Edmund takes a last look out of his window at the quadrangle below, a shot rings out. Pupils and staff don’t think much of it – the farmers across the river are often out at night, shooting kangaroos. The following morning, Edmunds is found dead on the floor, the top of his head blown away by a hollowed-out bullet. Remnants of the ammunition cannot be found.

We know it was taken by a pupil, a nameless young boy who was the latest in a long line of victims, chosen by Edmunds to particulate in his sordid sexual fantasies. The youngster had an ‘appointment’ with the master and stepped on the bullet when he arrived, barefoot, in his pyjamas. He picked up the offending object and ran. Now he can’t hand it back for fear of his shameful acts being discovered.

Which is a bit of a problem for Detective Sergeant Cardilini, called to the school to investigate the shooting. But he has a long list of problems to consider, so what’s one more? Cardilini is a drunk. Once he was a promising police officer, but these days he does the bare minimum, keeping his head down and counting the hours until he can have his next drink. His 18-year-old son despairs of his father. There’s just the two of them since Cardilini’s beloved wife died and they’re not getting along at all. Paul wants to get away, his father wants to drink himself into oblivion.

However, something about the Edmunds case sparks a weeny bit of interest in Cardilini. The school is a posh one, and both the staff and pupils look down on the detective as he tries to put together the details of Edmunds’ demise. He’s hampered by their snobbery, and by the old boys network that wants to keep things quiet – and that includes individuals high up in both the police force and judiciary. So probably best to let this one go, yes?

Errr, no actually. And as the old Cardilini gradually emerges from his alcohol-induced hibernation, it becomes clear he’s not able to let this one be swept under the carpet. Unfortunately, his decision could mean disaster, both for him and for his son. They say you should choose your battles wisely – has Cardilini made a massive misstep?

Man at the Window is a tautly scripted debut novel that captures the imagination and holds on tight. The mid-60s setting makes the narrative all the more complex, as Cardilini and his reluctant sidekick Salt use good old fashioned nous to get to the heart of the investigation. The developing narrative is interspersed with chapters from the viewpoint of the unnamed boy and they’re so poignant that you’ll want to reach into the pages and give him a friendly hug.

Cardilini is a great new character, flawed and failing but with some of the fight left in him. This is the first of a series and I’m looking forward to seeing him develop as we get to know him more. There’s a dazzling sense of time and place here, from the gum trees and incessant smoking to the dialogue, which thankfully steers clear of any modern-day idioms. If there’s any failing to this excellent book, though, it is that aforementioned dialogue. Everyone speaks in short, staccato style and it doesn’t quite ring true.

That aside, Man at the Window will appeal to fans of Aussie crime and police procedurals with a side order of historical novel. Give it a go!

Take a look at our pick of Australian Noir, or why not try some New Zealand crime fiction, as chosen by author Craig Sisterson?

Echo Publishing
Print/Kindle/iBook
£0.99

CFL Rating: 4 Stars

Set in 1965 I suppose the tone, dialogue and speed of the book was indicative of the speed of police work at the time however I found it a little bit tedious. I did finish the book to see if there was more to it than first appeared but it was a bit of a struggle. A real shame as I really liked the sound of the book blurb.

this is the first in a series about an old fashioned, damaged 1960s detective who is called out to investigate the death of a teacher at a boarding school. He is not convinced with the official version of the story and digs deeper for the truth. Strong characters and a gripping story. I read it in one sitting.

I must be in the minority that found MAN AT THE WINDOW by Robert Jeffreys to be slow and drawn out. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the first half of the book but it just seemed to lose tangent and just be odiously long and drawn out. Which was a shame, because I was thoroughly enjoying the mystery before it went all nonsensical that by the end I was left wondering who actually pulled the trigger. To me, that is a loose end...and I hate loose ends.

Perth, Western Australia, 1965: The opening prologue sees a master of all-boys school St Nicholas, perusing over what he obviously see as his dominion. Before he knows what hits him, he is hot with half his brain over the wall behind him and he falls to the floor. Then enters an anonymous young boy of indeterminate age, who I took to be around 12 or 13, knock hesitantly on the master's door. The master, Captain Edmunds, does not answer and upon hearing no response the boy quietly moves into the dark room, inadvertently stepping on a bullet. He picks up the bullet and silently places it in his pocket before leaving the room, leaving bloodied footsteps in his wake.

Enter Detective Sergeant Cardilini. Before his wife Betty died a year ago, Cardilini was a good detective. But now, he is a lazy drunken slob that even his 18 year old son is disgusted by him. So when his boss sends him off to write up a report of accidental shooting, it was meant to be a mere formality. But from the moment he stepped into St Nicholas' College things just didn't sit right with Cardilini. And for once, against all expectations, he actually makes an effort.

What begins as an apparent accidental shooting, with a rather implausible theory in my opinion, turns into a complex case that continues to darken as the story deepens. And admittedly, I was bored and frustrated with yet another drunk cop with a chip on his shoulder - how many times have I read something like this? However, the case is an interesting one and the investigation is both raw and invasive, and under Cardilini's eye, relentless. But...he was not meant to investigate it, but to simply write up a report and file it. Against his Superintendent's wishes he continues to probe, uncovering secrets that the prestigious school would have preferred remain buried. And then it becomes clear - his super and the deputy commissioner are old boys of the school. The brass have spoken and Cardilini is hauled over the coals on more than one occasion for stepping out of line.

So herein lies his dilemma - do his job to the letter of the law who has sworn to uphold in pursuing a murderer and possibily losing his job, or allow the old boys' network to hold his balls in a vice and keep his job and his son's prospects of joining the academy.

Despite this, Cardilini is determined to get to the bottom of the matter for the sake of the boys who have been abused...though now no one is coming forward admitting to that fact. And Cardilini looks like a prize idiot.

Added to this, Cardilini then finds out that the constable that was assigned to "work the case" alongside him, Salt, is a former St Nicholas boy himself! It seems the long arm of the old boys' network reaches far and wide. But Cardilini refuses to be swayed. And this puts his job in jeopardy.

But Cardilini eventually works out what is essentially a plausible theory of the shooting...despite the fact allegations of indecent behaviour have been made against him regarding a student of St Nicholas'...but what to do about it? How to prove it? And yet the only way to refute the allegations against him is to drop the investigation and agree on the accidental shooting theory.

And yet he has a theory of who was responsible when he receives a confession from another...

A complex case that showed immense promise in the beginning, MAN AT THE WINDOW sadly ended up a confused and tangled web by its conclusion. I re-read the last part of the final chapter several times wondering what was really written between the lines and who really killed Captain Edmunds.

On the plus side, MAN AT THE WINDOW was cleverly written in its portrayal of the era - when ballistics was pretty basic and DNA, CCTV, GPS and mobile phones are all to come decades later. How notes are written in a notebook and hours can be spent retrieving records from filing cabinets or archives. The use of phone boxes and calls being made from one's desk rather than in the car or at the scene. I remember thinking why Cardilini didn't use his mobile phone before realising it was 1965 and there were no mobile phones. And then there was the social attitudes. A child's word against that of an adult - especially against one who has status and authority - is rarely believed. People turned their backs. These things never happened...until it happened to your child.

Cardilini is quite often abrasive and almost always opens his mouth just to change feet. The way he spoke and interacted with his superiors had me wondering why he hadn't been fired long ago. But his super was an old friend, they went through the academy together, and everyone it seems was giving him some extra leeway after the death of his beloved wife.

MAN AT THE WINDOW is a good debut, despite its long-winded off tangent complexities that left me scratching my head by its end. I enjoyed the first half but struggled with the second. I won't dismiss this series or the author on the basis of one book and look forward to the next one to see where that takes us. But please, no more drunk cop!

I would like to thank #RobertJeffreys, #NetGalley and #EchoPublishing for an ARC of #ManAtTheWindow in exchange for an honest review.

Glad I am too old for school now. This book kept me on the edge of the seat. I could not put down and not a book I will forget. Hope it is the first of a long series.

Man at the Window is the first in the Detective Cardilini series, set in 1960s Western Australia and an atmospheric crime novel with a burning moral dilemma at its heart. When a boarding master at an exclusive boys’ school is shot dead, it is deemed accidental. A lazy and usually drunk detective is sent to write up the report. Cardilini unexpectedly does not co-operate, as he becomes riled by the privileged arrogance of those at the school. He used to have instincts. Perhaps he should follow them now. With no real evidence he declares the shooting a murder and puts himself on a collision course with the powerful and elite of Perth. As he peels back layers, the school’s dark secrets being to emerge. But is his dogged pursuit of justice helping or harming those most affected by the dead?

This is a complex and sometimes overly busy story with an unsettling topic at its core. There is a lot of extremely descriptive passages detailing abuse so be warned that this is absolutely not for the faint of heart or those who are easily disturbed. At times, it felt slightly gratuitous and unnecessary which made me feel dirty after reading it; on a positive note it's not often an author can make me feel like I need to take a shower after reading so kudos as it definitely deeply impacted me. This is the darkest, most perturbing and downright harrowing thriller I've picked up all year and the cast of characters seem to have myriad problems. I hope that the upcoming instalments are a little more polished and less voyeuristic. I will be picking them up out of curiosity. Many thanks to Zaffre for an ARC.

This novel is set in Perth in the 1960’s. A fictional Boarding School for boys close to Swan River. A boarding master is found dead., shot. Detective Sergeant Cardilini is sent to the school to write up the incident as an accident, but when he gets to the scene, Cardilini going on his gut instinct thinks there is more to this and rules it as murder.

Cardilini is a man with troubles, he is struggling to cope with the death of his wife Betty, he is an alcoholic, and he is not really there for his son Paul. Not many redeeming features. However he is a man who believes in justice, no matter what.

There is a thread that runs through the story , which is that of the perspective of a schoolboy which does give some insightful glimpses. Despite his need for alcohol Cardilini is determined to get to the bottom of this case despite the opposition he faces.

Cardilini starts digging into the history regarding the school, which leads him to find some dark secrets regarding the ‘old boy’ network, of the wealthy, influential people. Who want things left as they are. How far does Cardilini want to go though when digging up old truths? Who could get hurt in the process?

At times this is a difficult read, covering the subject of sexual abuse, at times it is fairly graphic and not for the faint hearted, or for people who find this disturbing. The crimes are being covered up by the hierarchy, who can Cardilini trust? How far does this go back? Who ordered the death to be ruled as an accident? Being an honest Detective Sergeant Cardilini is determined to get to the bottom of the case and see justice served.

This is a well paced novel, Cardilini comes across as a good guy, despite his drinking and other problems, he is fighting for the truth. I believe this is to be the start of a series. It will be interesting to see where the author will take the characters next. At times this reads a bit like a play. For a debut novel it is a good start. There is some dry wit in the story at times, which helps to lighten it a little.

I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Man at the window is a crime mystery book where nothing is as it seems. This book turned my stomach in places due to the nature of the victims behaviour at the all boy boarding school his murder takes place in. However the story was fantastic for the first book in a soon to be series (I hope).
The main character - a detective called Cardilini is a complex character but very likeable. He puts his foot in things alot and at times made me laugh out loud. I can't wait to read more of him and his son Paul.

Set in Perth Hooray in a (luckily fictional) Boarding School for boys near the Swan River. A teacher ends up dead. The cop on call heads out to investigate. Needless to say, nothing is as it seems.

It's a complex case and one that continues to darken as the book goes on. The cop in charge Cardilini doesn't seem up to the effort of the case at first. He's got a set of serious problems himself plus he's a drunk (yawn) How is he going to solve this case and not only that, get to the bottom of it? I was immediately bored with the drunk cop I admit (how many times have I read about this?) but then he has got more complex issues about a sense of justice that just about redeemed him by the end.

IT's an interesting case and the investigation is raw and invasive. There are some scenes where the descriptions of abuse etc went a bit far. I think we can imagine the rest! And this, although, visceral and raw, was a bit too voyeuristic. There's a thread of thoughts from the voice of a young boy it would seem and this is effective, but boy does it bring it home that young boys are abused here.

A good first novel. I will read the next one. The setting, set up and complex case yet easy to immerse yourself in writing style wins it for me. The subject matter here was hard to read though. And please no more drunk cop.

tforward to more.

What a fantastic well written book I have Really enjoyed it in places it was heart wrenching would recommend to others.

A very interesting take on a detective story. Keeps you hooked from start to finish with all the twists and turns before the answer I’d revealed. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of story.

A brilliant story. Really heart wrenching at times. The story was fast paced and full of tales. Amazing xx

This is the first book in a series and I really liked it
The story was fast paced and page turner. I didn’t really like the main character but I think that was supposed to be the case

The Man at the Window is a crime novel set in 1965 involving the sensitive topic of sexual abuse and pedophilia and it was disturbing and quite difficult to read in some parts. I liked the main character and detective of the murder, Cardilini. Even though he is recently widowed and has become an alcoholic, through this difficult case he realises that he needs to be better for his son and for the police force and tries his best to stay off the drink and find out the truth to the case. He gets a lot of resistance, both from the school and the superior officers as the truth could ruin the reputation and they want to mark it as an accident. The plot of the book sounds good, dealing with extremely tough topics, but the overall presentation and dialogue doesn’t really do it justice and it ends quite abruptly.