Book #42 Last Breath

Last Breath by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's Wimbledon fortnight. So what on earth was I doing starting to read the latest DCI Erika Foster? Last Breath? I nearly took mine! How can Robert Bryndza keep getting better? A short while ago I read Dark Water - Foster #3. Robert sure as hell knows how to rack up the tension. But Last Breath truly had me gasping. Until 2:15am in the early hours of yesterday morning. I don't do that! Well, you try putting this down! Those chapters that get shorter and shorter. As DCI Erika Foster chases down a monster - a serial killer who exhibits the most despicable traits as the mutilated bodies turn up.

I am not giving away any of the plot; it's darned clever, there are blind alleys, there are heart-stopping moments when you do catch your breath. You have to carry on. You know who the killer is, one of the most despicable individuals you will encounter in a serial killer, thriller. And Last Breath has thrills galore! I was completely sucked in with the almost unbearable tension.

And completely forgot about Wimbledon. No mean feat. If you haven't read Last Breath, get a copy. And be prepared to stay awake nights. It doesn't get any better!

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Book #38 Dark Water

Dark Water by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read most of Dark Water on EasyJet flights to and from Prague. What an enjoyable way to pass the time! The third in the Erika Foster series is another terrific read from Robert Bryndza. As cold cases go this is right up there with the best. How on earth do you start to investigate an event that happened twenty-six years ago? When the skeleton of a child is found wrapped and weighted down in a disused quarry emerged in 23 metres of water? The identity of which is soon discovered, using modern forensics.

Foster struggles with evidence (or lack of) to try and get from then to now. And matters are exacerbated when her sister turns up unexpectedly from Slovakia, complete with kids and reluctant to explain why.

Twists and turns, red herrings, evidence previously withheld, frustration, determination - all in the fold of DCI Erika Foster. It's a breathless page-turner and another superb police procedural.

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Book #73 The Night Stalker

The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robert Bryndza does it again! I don't usually 'binge' read series but having enjoyed #1 so much, The Girl In The Ice, I did move straight on to The Night Stalker as I was so taken with DCI Erika Foster. In my earlier review I likened her to Helen Grace; that similar damaged past, a dislike of internal politics, superiors who are continually on her case despite the fact that she uses her intuition with remarkable insight. Once again Erika is pitched against a devious serial killer, who earns the moniker Night Owl for fairly obvious reasons. Her team of DIs Paterson and Moss resolutely stand by her even when her actions once again are met with questionable action 'from above' including Superintendent Marsh and ACC Oakley. you are familiar with the term 'wanker'? Yeah, that's Oakley. How did he reach such high office?

The prose is edgy, the pace is quickened with short chapters when required. The protagonists are believable, the police procedures are spot on, the locations are often sinister. I found myself completely immersed in this terrific thriller that really does have everything including a finish that left me breathless!

I loved it!

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Book #72 The Girl In The Ice

The Girl In The Ice by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So pleased that other Goodreaders recommended this. Wow! Helen Grace has a rival in DCI Erika Foster. There are similarities in their background. Both have suffered trauma in their earlier careers with the police. Both take on the establishment, despise internal politics and at times evince a level of insubordination against superiors. I am left to wonder how Chief Superintendent Marsh ever achieved such a high level of rank given his propensity to often ignore the obvious.

Erika will fight her corner to follow the evidence in a case of alarming developments. Her team love her and will do everything to support her in this cracking serial killer thriller. It has everything; short chapters when required to rack up the tension, great dialogue, believable characters and locations. And the feisty DCI Erika Foster.

I loved this debut novel in the series by Robert Bryndza. Raced through it, couldn't put it down.

Highly recommended.

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