Book 1 in the DS Helen Carter series . A good start to the series. A police procedural based in the 1970’s shows a huge difference to the force today. Looking forward to seeing how the main character develops.

This really hit home for me as I could relate to it on so many levels. It was a good story and I connected quite quickly to it.

Always enjoy finding a new British Police Procedural, especially with a strong woman lead. This did not disappoint. Looking forward to the next!

Set in 1970s Edinburgh, Jodie Lawrance’s The Uniform is a fast-paced crime thriller that is a struggle to put down.

Helen Carter has just been promoted to detective from WPC, however, she has her work cut out for her working in the male-dominated Edinburgh CID. Her superior, Inspector Jack Craven makes it clear that he doesn’t want women on his team, so she has to work twice as hard as her male counterparts to prove that she has what it takes to be a detective. However, that proves to be far easier said than done with her colleagues refusing to take her seriously and treating her like she doesn’t belong. Having just been given her first case, Helen needs to pull out all the stops to prove to all her doubters that she is just as good as any man. However this case will test her mettle and end up pushing her to limits that could very well end up crushing her. But Helen is a fighter and a survivor and she refuses to quit – even in an environment when there are dangers round every corner.

A dead body has been found in an abandoned cinema . The only clue Helen has is a clock-like symbol drawn on the wall – in blood! But that isn’t even the strangest thing Helen finds on the scene. Stranger still is a business card belonging to a former cop. Is there a connection between the two? Why did the killer leave this business card behind? Helen needs to get to the bottom of this mystery because time is not on her side, the pressure is relentless and another body has been found in a sweet shop with a pocket watch shoved in his mouth!

In a race against time, can Helen stop this serial killer before another body is found? Or is she already far too late?

A fantastic police procedural set in Scotland during a time where life was completely different, Jodie Lawrance’s The Uniform is an action-packed thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers completely glued to the book’s pages. DI Helen Carter is a terrific heroine who is relentless in her quest for justice and who keeps fighting on even when all the odds are stacked against her.

Absorbing, addictive and impossible to put down, Jodie Lawrance’s The Uniform is the first in what promises to be a fantastic new series set in the 1970s featuring DI Helen Carter readers will not want to miss.

This book is set in 1970's Edinburgh with young DC Helen Carter is the only female detective on the team. In 1970's being a female cop wasn't the thing to do, and it was before all the political correctness of today. I loved the Scottish settings, and I think this make for a nice television series.

I loved the blurb of the book but when I started reading the book I couldn't get into the story, not sure if it was different to other crime books or the decade it was set in but I wasn't able to finish it. Though I loved the blurb and the cover is perfect for the type of book.

Was drawn to this book as it was based in Edinburgh. The book was well written. As the book was written when I was a baby it gave a different detective perspective to what you get these days. Helen was an interesting character. In a mainly male dominated work force she did well to hold her own. Definitely recommend this book. Will be looking out for more in the series

A Twisted Case..
The first in the Detective Helen Carter series finds Helen landing her first case as a detective. Unfortunately this case is as twisted and as perverse as they come. Will she make her mark and can she get the team to take her seriously ? With a deft hand for characters and an immersive plot this is an excellent start to a new series.

I really enjoyed that this was set in the 70's. It added an added interest to the story and set it apart from lots of the other police procedural I have been reading.

I have long enjoyed reading mysteries set in Scotland so was very interested when this title came to my attention. Fans of police procedurals may also want to read this one.

The story is set in 1970s Edinburgh where Helen Carter is a women on the police force. Of course, given the time and culture, she is not always treated with respect. Nonetheless, Helen is assigned to a murder that took place in an old theater. There is an interesting calling card next to the victim. What will happen in solving the case? For one thing, more than one murder takes place as readers follow the investigation.

This is the first in a series. Keep an eye out for the following ones. Right now this book is just ninety-nine cents on Amazon so definitely worth a try.

This title can be contrasted with Val McDermid’s 1979. Both feature women in what was then called a “man’s world,” both are set in Scotland and both involve crimes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Lawrence's debut novel is a gripping triumph! The plot is full of twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout and I found the setting in the 1970s to be fresh when compared with all of the current crime novels set in modern day. I am looking forward to seeing what Lawrence writes next.

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
A Police procedural set in seventies Edinburgh with a brave clever feisty heroine newly promoted Detective Sergeant in a male dominated world. Authentic atmospheric descriptive intelligent, an attention grabbing addictive story from first to last page, with several plot twists and some quite gruesome violence. As a sixty three year old, I also enjoyed the seventies nostalgia which some reviewers complained about.
Completely totally recommended.

This is the first book of the author that I have read and would certainly read another. The setting of the book is interesting it is somewhat historical in that fact that it is not set in the presence. Also the book is set in Scotland which is refreshing. The story centres around a WPC and the barriers that she faces being a woman in the job. The plot line is interesting it is not too far fetched and the author concentrates on character development and by the end of the novel you really get to know her and want to read more. I would certainly recommend this to lovers of crime and its difference means that it is not just another samey crime novel.

This was a really good first book in the series, I devoured it in no time . It was a police procedural the main character was Detective Helen Carter . It was based in the 70's before female police women were taken seriously . The main story was based in Edinburgh although going to other parts of Scotland throughout the story . It was fast paced and gripping and we'll written . If you haven't read this I would recommend it .

I was intrigued that it was a book written present day, but set in the past. I love British/Scottish mysteries. I liked the main characters and the side characters. The case was interesting and the perpetrator not obvious until the end. I liked the side personal stories to the characters, they didn’t overshadow the crime and instead enhanced free story.. I think it being set in the 70s is a interesting choice and so far has added to the story.. It was well flowing, and not too simple. I look forward to reading the next books in the series.

It’s a strong 3,5 stars for this first instalment in a series.

I loved the way the plot was built and the fact that it is set in another time when women were slowly taking their place in « unusual » jobs for them. I liked most of the characters and their fault but the fiancé was the one character that tapped on my nerves whenever he popped up. Then again, the mentality of men back then was different and it’s well reflected.

I will be recommending this book to my mystery reading friends.

A good start and hopefully it will get better. The storyline was interesting and the characters will, I am sure, develop in future books. I liked the references to the Bay City Rollers etc. I suppose I am saying that I was underwhelmed but am prepared to read another in the series.
Thank you Jodie Lawrance, Joffe Books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion

This is the first installment in the new series of DS Helen Carter as she begins her career in the Edinburgh CID.

Helen is a wonderful feisty character faced with the 1970s attitude/stigma of the police force being a man's world but despite the male dominance and chauvinistic attitudes that surrounds her Helens passion, determination and strength shines though.

A promising start from a talented author, look forward to seeing where this series goes.

Slow moving police thriller featuring a young female detective in a time when women were supposed to stay a home. Every cliche regarding make chauvinism is used. An ok read.

At the beginning I didn’t think I was going to like this book but I stuck with it and enjoyed it, mainly because the 1970s attitude to women was irritating. Unfortunately it was very accurate and shows how far times have changed. From her male colleagues to her wet, overbearing boyfriend Helen has an uphill struggle to make her mark. I will look out for the next in the series,I love Scottish crime novels. Not quite Rebus standard but a promising start