I just couldn't put the book down and raced through it desperate to know what would happen. I think it's the best one yet! I'm a huge fan of Erika and was keen to see where the story would take her both professionally and personally.

A suitcase is washed up on the shore along by the River Thames. Inside is a badly beaten dismembered body. A similar case is uncovered and the team realise they must be linked. The race is on to find the killer..

In her line of duty Erika is attacked - is this connected with the murder cases mounting up?

The killers make it personal when the take those Commander Marsh holds dear and the race is on to find them before it's too late..

Fast paced, un-put-downable with twisty storylines. I absolutely love it!

EXCERPT: 'The fingers poking through the hole in the brown material were swollen, with blackened fingernails. Moss gently worked the sand away from the seams, and exposed the rusted zipper. It took Erika several gentle tugs, but it yielded, and the suitcase sagged open as she unzipped. Moss moved to help, and they slowly lifted it open. A little water spilled out, and the naked body of a man was crammed inside. Moss stepped backwards, putting her arm up to her nose. The smell of rotting flesh and stagnant water hit the back of their throats. Erika closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. The limbs were white and muscular. The flesh had the appearance of raw suet and was starting to flake away, in places exposing the bone. Erika gently lifted the torso. Tucked underneath was a head, with black wispy hair.'

THE BLURB: She fell in love with a killer, now she’s one too.

The suitcase was badly rusted, and took Erika several attempts, but it yielded and sagged open as she unzipped it. Nothing could prepare her for what she would find inside…

When a battered suitcase containing the dismembered body of a young man washes up on the shore of the river Thames, Detective Erika Foster is shocked. She’s worked on some terrifying cases but never seen anything like this before.

As Erika and her team set to work, she makes the link with another victim – the body of a young woman dumped in an identical suitcase two weeks ago.

Erika quickly realises she’s on the trail of a serial killer who’s already made their next move. Yet just as Erika starts to make headway with the investigation, she is the victim of a brutal attack.

But nothing will stop Erika. As the body count rises, the twin daughters of her colleague Commander Marsh are abducted, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Can Erika save the lives of two innocent children before it’s too late? She’s running out of time and about to make a disturbing discovery…there’s more than one killer.

MY COMMENTS: The question begs to be asked - how could a young girl with so much promise stumble down such a dark path?

#5 in Robert Bryndza's Detective Erika Foster series, Cold Blood is based on a vulnerable young woman’s need to be loved. Her Dad has died, her Mum has a new man in her life, her friends have all gone off to university, while Nina is working a dead end job in a fish and chip shop because she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. Nina is isolated by her own circumstances and Max spots her vulnerability and uses it to his own advantage. And we all know from experience that the nice but needy girl falling under the spell of the bad boy story is never going to end well. And this one certainly doesn't. But even I certainly didn't predict just how badly it was all going to end.

I have read all of this series, and to be honest, this is the least favorite installment. It just doesn't seem to flow like the previous books did. It didn't leave me breathless with anticipation. It actually took me four days to read it. I'm not saying it is a bad read, because it definitely isn't. It is a good read, as evidenced by my 4☆ rating, just not as good as the rest of the series, which for me have all been 5☆ Am I looking forward to the next installment? Hell yes! Get writing Rob!

Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of Cold Blood by Robert Bryndza for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page for an explanation of my ratings. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

Cold Blood (Detective Erika Foster, #5) by Robert Bryndza has us revisiting the life of Erika Foster and her team months after the case when her colleague Peterson was injured. This time their case involves dismembered bodies in suitcases that are turning up. As in the past, Erika has to prove to everyone that she is capable of the job in front of her – but as more bodies are found, she must face a betrayal in the ranks, an attempt on her life and deal with her emotions when the unthinkable happens to someone close to her.

All of Erika’s support group is back, including Moss and Isaac The pace is a little slower than in the past as we get to see some of Erika’s personal life come into play.

A definite read, even if you missed the others books in the series. I can’t wait to see what is next. I received a copy through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Well, Robert Bryndza has done it again! I am astounded by his ability to keep producing books in this series at such an alarmingly quick rate whilst keeping them fast-paced, interesting and thrilling. I fell in love with DCI Erika Foster and her team way back with Girl in the Ice and every time I pick up a new book in the series I fall straight back in love with them all. Cold Blood does exactly what the title says; it will make your blood run cold.

There will be no spoilers, do not fear!

DCI Erika Foster and her trusty team (including Moss, my FAVE) are on the tracks of a merciless killer. One who dismembers bodies, puts them in suitcases and disposes of them. Whilst trying to piece together the jigsaw and track down the killer, Erika herself is the victim of a brutal attack, she is also deceived by someone she trusted implicitly. With it soon becoming clear that they are searching for more than one killer, to what lengths with Erika and team have to go to get these murderers off the streets?

This case is by far the creepiest and most chilling of the series so far and I’m SO glad. I enjoyed the previous book but didn’t find the case to be as creepy as I had wanted; well Cold Blood certainly makes up for that. As per usual, we as the readers know who the killers are from fairly early on in the book, which is something I have grown to really like in this series. I really liked that there were two killers because it was interesting to read the dynamics between them and there was a really complex relationship between them. One of them I was absolutely terrified of, they are cold-hearted and my skin would crawl just wondering what they may do next. The other killer I actually had a huge amount of sympathy for after coming to know more of their background and seeing how things played out. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way that will keep you gripped and flipping those pages until the very end!

As well as a really chilling case, Cold Blood opened up even more doors into Erika’s personal life and I really enjoyed that. Erika is so work-driven that it was refreshing to get a bit more of a peek into her emotional side and there were some moments in this book where I wanted to wrap her up in cotton wool and care for her. My love affair with Kate Moss (I kid you not) continues, I just love how sassy and funny she is. I would have liked to see more of Peterson but it’s understandable that he wasn’t so present in this book, I’m keeping fingers and toes crossed he will make more of an appearance in the next one! Once again, Bryndza has written a whole host of characters who feel so real and layered, I love the way he writes them all.

Cold Blood is chilling, fast-paced and full of suspense. With a whole host of layered, interesting characters and mysterious, thought-provoking writing, this book is sure to keep your gripping the edge of your seat from beginning to end!

Intricate, riveting, and creepy!

Cold Blood is an engrossing, chilling police procedural that highlights just how easily some people can be swayed and manipulated into doing the most horrific things and reminds us that desperate people will do almost anything, at any cost to protect themselves.

The writing is bold and crisp. The characters are resilient, impulsive, and troubled. And the plot, told from differing points-of-view, keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish as it whips you through well-timed twists, unforeseen surprises, deception, abuse, violence, corruption, and murder.

Overall, Cold Blood is a gripping, highly entertaining, harrowing thriller that proves once again Bryndza is a talented, natural storyteller with a vivid imagination.

Cold Blood is the fifth novel in the Erika Foster series and all I can say is if you’re not already reading this series, you should be!

Having read all the books in this series I knew when I picked up Cold Blood I had to have plenty of time to read it, you can’t pick up one of Bryndza’s books and say I’ll just read a couple of chapters before bed time. No, you just can’t because before you know it the sun is rising and the birds are tweeting. I know this from experience.
Cold Blood opens with Erika being called out after a suitcase is found washed up on the shore of the River Themes, when it’s finally opened Erika is shocked to find the dismembered body of a man. With no identification Erika and her team are set to work and when their investigation leads them to a similar case Erika knows she’s on the hunt for a serial killer.
While investigating the murder, Erika’s life is as complicated as ever. Her love life especially, I was really hoping Erika had found her match but then that would probably be boring, wouldn’t it. Things aren’t helped when she is the victim of a brutal attack and ends up having to take time off work. Erika is so head strong, determined and it’s a nightmare for her not being able to lead the investigation. I feel really sorry for Erika, she never seems to get a break, but she never lets it get her down. If anything it makes her more determined. She’s just such a great character, I think I can safely say she’s one of my favourite detectives.
Like expected this isn’t a comfortable read, in fact it really gave me the chills. Max and Nina especially, Max is a right psychopath and I certainly wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark ally. At times I felt sorry for Nina, as we got to read some chapters from her it gives us an insight to how things have unfolded and how she became involved. At times I could have given her a kick up the bum for being so naïve.
Cold Blood is another absolute cracker from Robert Bryndza, it’s tense, gripping and had the hair on my arms on end yet again. I’m not sure how Bryndza does it, I wonder if he gives himself nightmares the way he does his readers. So would I recommend Cold Blood, I certainly blooming would. I wouldn’t recommend it as a stand alone though, you really need to follow the story from the beginning and honestly you wont be disappointed at all.

Another stonking addition to the Erika Foster series. If you have enjoyed the other books, you will love this one and if you haven't read them, you really should!! Erika's character with her unorthodox methods, continues to put her on the wrong side of the establishment but gets her results. It is difficult to do the book justice without giving the plot away but suffice to say its is very cleverly constructed, the characters are extremely well drawn and the regular ensemble cast continue to develop. I was very fortunate to read an advance copy of the book, courtesy of Netgalley & Bookouture however I have still bought the book on Amazon as an acknowledgement of my gratitude for Rob Bryndza for his excellent writing.

5th book , 5 stars . I love this series and it honestly just keeps getting better! Thought this one is his best to date . I love Erikas character and hope Robert is planning on sending a little happiness her way . Cannot wait til book 6th . Thanks to bookouture and netgalley for my copy !

Cold Blood is only the 5th in this series (it feels like it's been a round a lot longer) but could definitely be read as a standalone. However, in view of how fabulous this series is I would recommend reading it from book 1. Erika is back and as ever as determined as always to solve her cases.

Two bodies found dismembered in suitcases on the Thames is the basis for their newest case and Erika has her team surrounding her (all of whom I love). As usual this is no ordinary killer but the work of what looks like a serial killer and Erika is up against it, especially when her colleague Commander Marsh's two daughters are abducted. Max and Nina are two characters at the centre of the storyline and I must say that I really liked Nina but loathed Max. This element of the story was the bit I liked the least and I don't even know why but I just didn't like reading those chapters which is unusual for a Bryndza book!

As usual there is no scrimping on the descriptive nature of the crimes and the book is packed with turns that will have the reader on their toes. I couldn't help but feel that Erika is always up against it though and wish for once she had some good luck! Overall another fabulous installment in this cracking series. For me this wasn't necessarily my favourite but a fabulous read as always and one that it seems his fans absolutely love.

I've read every single one of the Erika Foster novels and besides the first one, (The Girl in the Ice) this is my absolute favorite! I truly cannot wait to read the next installment in this series and am so thankful to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC!!! XOXO

Cold Blood is the fifth book in the DCI Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza. Although this can be read as a standalone, I recommend that you read the entire series in order. This will help you get to know the characters better especially the MC, DCI Erika.

The story begins with the discovery of two bodies in suitcases. The detectives have little to go on and so they start piecing together the evidence. Unlike most cases where killers escalate their crimes and body count goes up, this one is a bit different in that it sorts of goes backwards. It takes time for detectives to realize who they are dealing with.They have to look into the killer’s past to understand the nature and extent of their crimes.

The story is told through different POVs. DCI Erika is the main narrator. However, there are chapters narrated by the killer. In these chapters, we get to learn how the crimes began and the motives. I really liked this second narration. It is darker, thrilling and gives insight into the making of a killer.

What I loved most about this book is that the focus is not solely on the investigation. There are other things going on. DCI Erika has changed so much through the series. I disliked her in the second book, Night Stalker and thought she was kinda mean. Now, I feel like I know her better and so I really enjoy reading about her. I wish certain parts of her life would have stayed the same as in the previous book tbut it is okay, the changes are good even though some broke my heart. Once you read the series, you will get to know what I mean. I like how we get to know more about the characters outside the investigation.

Bryndza has done it again with this book. It’s a crime thriller masterpiece that has everything that makes this genre so enjoyable. A murder mystery, serial killer, twists and lots of suspense and of course a lead detective that readers can root for, DCI Erika Foster. This was a gripping, thrilling, addictive read. I can’t wait to see what Robert Bryndza comes up with next. Honestly, I can’t recommend this series enough.

Despite only finding Robert Bryndza's 'Detective Erika Foster' novels rather recently, I could not wait to get stuck into the latest from Detective Foster. Even though I was pretty shocked by the graphic nature of Bryndza's previous novel, 'Last Breath', nothing could have prepared me for what lay behind the cover of 'Cold Blood'...
People usually associate suitcases with going on holiday, moving home, or storing seasonal clothes up in the loft. Not many people would associate a suitcase with a dismembered body, let's be honest! However, coming across situations like that are all in a days work for Detective Erika Foster. After all, she is used to seeing multiple dead bodies. Whilst it's still incredibly shocking, adult dead bodies Erika can cope with but, as soon as a child becomes involved in a life or death situation, that's when Erika Foster realises she is in fact human after all.
I'm not going to lie, I was on edge for the duration of this novel. I honestly thought my heart was going to force through my chest wall with the way it was pounding. One dead body is gritty enough, but more than one? Geeeez!!! There was so much meat on the bones of the storyline, I was able to sink my teeth into it straight away. I didn't have time to go 'ew' when certain situations arose as I was far too occupied with the killer, as well as everything else that surrounded the investigation.
I've said this before and I have no qualms saying it again; Detective Erika Foster is by far one of my most favourite Detectives to read about. Her sassy, fiery and black and white nature is perfect for the storylines in which Robert Brynzda creates.
I wish I could sit here and go 'OMG LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE PART WHERE.....', but I can't. All I will say is make sure you aren't eating or drinking whilst reading this book, because your attention is guaranteed to be on the storyline and NOT you drink. Don't do what I did....please; I ended up not paying attention to my cup of tea, it fell and it looked like I had wet myself. Now if a book can stop me paying attention to my nightly cup of tea, it MUST be doing something right.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Robert Bryndza's latest offering, and the pace was absolutely spot on considering how full the storyline actually was. However, there was a part of the book which I found rather uncomfortable to read as it involved children of a similar age to my daughter. Don't get me wrong, the premise worked with the rest of the storyline for sure, I just personally found it a teeny bit hard to read.
That said, I didn't need to come off the rollercoaster ride I was on from the start of the book because of it, I held on for dear life until the very end. And yes folks....what a conclusion.
Fast paced, thrilling and totally jaw dropping; Robert Bryndza has written yet another spine tingling novel which will leave your blood running cold for a very long time. Intense, uncomfortable, yet absolutely spot on; 'Cold Blood' is such a fantastic read, and so not perfect for reading before a blood pressure test. Seriously; it's that good.


Thanks Bookouture.

So where do you like to do it? I like to do it in bed (obviously), in the kitchen, on the sofa. Also in the bath, oh and the bus. At work, despite the funny looks I occasionally get. Walking down the road (trip hazards an issue), well I like to do it everywhere and over the last two days I have. Of course I'm talking about reading Robert Bryndza. My kindle has been glued to my hand for two days, and pity the fool who interrupted me.

In this instalment Erika is working hard as usual, still coping with the guilt of Petersens in service injury that she feels wholly responsible for. Distraction comes in the form of two bodies, neatly dismembered and packed in large suitcases (which apparently you can't get anymore). It becomes apparent she is dealing with a potential serial killer. But as usual Erika literally gets everything thrown at her, dodgy colleagues, car jackings, kidnapping, office politics and of course her usual dose of heartbreak before she can even begin to crack the case.

I loved this book. It's a bit different from previous books in this series in that Erika is sidelined from the investigation in quite a dramatic fashion so we see a more physically vulnerable Erika than we have previously. And for me this was a refreshing change. Personally I think Bryndzas strength is he isn't afraid to mess with the dynamics of Erikas character and story. She must be very much his baby so it would be easy for him just just join the dots and he would still be churning out good books. But every one of them isn't good - they're bloody brilliant. Erika Foster has been cemented as my very favourite detective. Can't wait for part 6.

Wow! Absolutely brilliant, the first book I've read by this author, and it certainly won't be the last. The storyline was easy to get into, the characters were believable and draw you in from the start. I couldn't put it down and would have finished the book a lot earlier had work not got in the way. Highly recommended.

Robert Bryndza is fast becoming a favourite author of mine, only discovering him fairly recently I have now read 6 of his novels and enjoyed everyone of them. This is the 5th book in the Detective Erika Foster series and this is again right up there, keeping up the high standard achieved in the other books. Fabulous characters, excellent plot and a thoroughly entertaining read.

A suitcase containing the dismembered body of a young man washes up on the shore of the river Thames and Detective Erika Foster sets to discover if she can make a connection to another victim, a young woman who was dumped in an identical suitcase two weeks ago. Erika is on the hunt for a serial killer when she herself becomes a victim of a brutal attack. With the body count rising the twin daughters of her colleague Commander Marsh are abducted, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Erika is running out of time as she tries to save the lives of two innocent children.

This is another page turner and I cannot recommend it high enough.

I would like to thank Bookouture and Net Galley for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

DCI Erika Foster seems to be a little lost and confused in the 5th installment of a favorite series of mine. She may or may not be in a relationship with one of her subordinates. There is a hint of a relationship with a supervisor. And, as always, there is the normal issue of disliking the political side of police work. Sadly, it felt like the writing somewhat mirrored Erika's disjointed emotions. I felt like the book wasn't quite sure where it was going with Erika or the brutal murder trying to be solved. And while it was nice to see Erika take a break and go visit her sister, it didn't feel like it added anything to the story or to Erika herself. But, as the rest of the series has been improving with each installment, I guess I was due for one that didn't quite hit the mark for me. I'm looking forward to the next!

Another solid addition to this excellent series. Not my favourite but very good nonetheless.

Erika Foster and her team return for their fifth outing. A suitcase is found along the banks of the Thames with a body inside. Erika is sent to investigate and finds the remains of a man very badly beaten around the head and chopped up into pieces and neatly packed into the suitcase.

When the body of a woman is found soon after, further down the river and in a similar state, Erika knows she has a serial killer on her hands and rarely has she come across one so vicious.

As she finally starts to make some inroads into the investigation Erika is brutally attacked and left badly injured. But she fights her way back as she realises that the killer may be in fact killers and are already ahead of the police as they make their final move. Can Erika solve the case and track down the killer(s) before it is too late and more lives are lost?

So, let me start by saying I really enjoyed this book for the most part. Erika as always is a great central character and is as strong as ever here when she is featured. We alternate between her investigation and the killer or killers and this is where the book falls down a little for me. Now the device is perfect of course. Spend a chapter or two with Erika and her investigation and then a couple with the killer or killers as they plot their crimes and we get some back story.
The slight problem I had was, our killer or killers(all is revealed so Im trying to avoid any spoiler territory, no matter how minor)are just a bit one dimensional for me and also cartoon characters with the extreme violence. The(ir) story wasnt all that interesting and they werent all that believeable for me. A lot of time was spent with the murderer(s) in this book and I felt seeing as they werent that well written, it was a bit of a waste, considering it isnt a long book to begin with.

Having said all that I did enjoy the book, hence, despite my reservations, a four star review. The rest of the series I have read I have rated five stars but I feel four is a fair rating for Cold Blood. My criticisms of the book dont detract enough from it to rate it down to three and obviously stop me from rating it five stars.

Its a very very good read with some slight reservations. I would hate to think I am putting anyone off reading based on the criticism of it because the good certainly outweighs the bad in this one. Erika Foster is fantastic to spend time with and at the end of the day Mr Bryndza has an extremely readable writing style so you are in safe hands.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Robert Bryndza for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Erika Foster is back!!!! My favourite female detective is back for her fifth outing and I have to say that I think every book she appears in makes me love her even more! Each case seems to bring out more of her personality, peeling back the layers of her chararcter as it would be if we actually knew Erika in real life! It’s like getting to know a friend -it’s only when you see how they react in different situations that you feel you really understand what makes them tick! I know that every time I pick up an Erika Foster book, I will come away with something new, be it an unexpected character trait or a shocking insight into the mindset of this intriguing woman!

There was a very topical feel to Cold Blood. I have always been fascinated by real life cases of women who become involved with men who are serial killers. Are these women already on that path themselves and recognise someone with the same urges so are attracted to that side of them? Would these women have lead a very different and moral life if they had never met their partner? Are they coerced into their crimes or a willing participant? Does saying they were terrified of it happening to them excuse what they do? As I said before , I’m fascinated by human nature and whether we all have these urges but are able to control them until we meet someone who brings that side hurtling towards the surface. So the partners in crime committing the atrocities here really did send shivers down my spine, evoking memories of real life cases that were explored in the media. It made the case Erika becomes involved with seem very authentic to me and the chapters told from the perspective of the criminals became very chilling indeed.

The last third of Cold Blood had me on the edge of my seat feeling physically sick! I thought I could trust this but now I wasn’t quite so sure! There were some VERY difficult to read moments and I didn’t know how much more I could take as the plot twisted its way towards that shocking finale! And let’s talk about that ending! Actually, no let’s NOT!!! Because then I will be desperate for book 6 and I’m not sure Robert Bryndza can write fast enough to keep me in my Erika addiction!

This is another fantastic addition to the series and (as I say EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!) possibly my most favourite one yet! My girl crush continues……

Great to have Erica back for the 5th installment in the series. I sometimes think that the longer a series goes on, there must be a time when things start to dip. This certainly isn't the case with this series. This story moves along at a great pace and reels you in with every page. It does play with your emotions at times. Again no nonsense Erica and her team are brilliant in this but i do wish that Robert would give her a bit of a break! Once more another cracker of a book by Robert.

Detective Erika Foster and her team have been put on yet another investigation when a suitcase is found and when opened it’s found to contain a dismembered body. Before long it’s found that their investigation leads to yet another body that has been found in a similar state leading them to believe there is another serial killer on the loose. As Erika and her team begin to uncover more and more it begins to look as if there isn’t one but possibly two killers on the loose.

Nina is a young woman who after taking a job at a local establishment finds herself with a bit of a crush on a fellow employee named Max. One night after working together for a while but with Max ignoring Nina she finds herself out in her mother’s car when Max hops in asking for a ride. After that night the two become close spending more time together which leads the pair to an event that will bond them together for better or worse.

Cold Blood by Robert Bryndza is the fifth book in the police procedural Detective Erika Foster series. Having followed along with the series from the beginning myself I will suggest that it would be best to start this one from the beginning just for the carry over of the personal lives of the characters in each read. But each book does contain a completely new case for Erika and her team to solve so it is possible to read them out of order or as standalones if one chose to do so.

Erika herself is a bit flawed but still a strong, gritty female detective that goes a bit off the book and does whatever it takes to solve her cases. Others around her also reoccur in each of the books and all are an interesting bunch to follow along with as they work on each case. This particular edition the reader is let in on who the killers are as the team searches to find them with the chapters switching between Erika and her team to the backstory of Nina and Max and what led them to kill. As usual I would highly recommend checking out this thrilling detective series by Robert Bryndza, always an exciting read from start to finish.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.