I am completely gripped with the DCI Erika Foster Series series and this fifth instalment certainly lived up to my hopes for it. I was elated to find out Erika would be back after finishing the fourth book in the series, and I was impressed at how fast the turn around of Cold Blood came!

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading any of the Erika Foster books yet, I sincerely recommend downloading the whole series and reading them in order. If you enjoy gripping crime thrillers, you will not be disappointed.

Cold Blood starts with the discovery of a dismembered body in a suitcase along the River Thames....swiftly followed by a second suitcase and dismembered body. DCI Erika Foster is charged with investigating the horrific findings and the hunt for the serial killer ensues. Poor old Erika gets horribly beaten up, but we all know that that will not stop her! The tough as nails woman she is.

The book delves back and forward between Erika and her team, and the relationship between Max and Nina, the other central characters. This is easy to follow and serves to keep your mind on track and familiar with the various parts of the story. It also gives you a kind of investment in one of the perpetrators as well, allowing you to see things more objectively.

The book takes an even more sinister turn when the young twin daughters of Police Commander Marsh are brought into the story. This is a horrifying twist and the build up to it made my heart race. The language and pace of the story builds emotion and suspense incredibly well. I wont add any further about the story so as not to spoil it but its certainly a frightening and gripping tale.

The depth and strength of Erika's character is portrayed brilliantly once again in this book. I loved seeing the development of her personal life, even if it wasn't in the way I wanted! She has a unique way of grabbing investigations by the horns and despite her abrupt and unusual manner, she is a very likeable character. I was also pleased to hear more about the other familiar characters in the series, such as Moss and Peterson. Though I’d certainly like to get to know these guys even better!

Bryndza's writing is compelling. The descriptive way he writes is incredible. He adds so much detail to the pages that you can clearly imagine scenes, people and places. It's one of the things I love about his writing. I also love the fast paced nature of his narrative, which was present throughout Cold Blood. It makes his stories leap of the page, has your heart pounding and your thoughts racing! A truly great writer.

I have to say, this book is pretty gruesome reading in parts, and it did give me nightmares for a couple of nights after reading! (I do wholly admit I am a wimp though!) This absolutely does not prevent me from wanting to read the next book in the series when it comes! I’m too attached to Erika. I can’t wait for book #6!!

Well done Mr Bryndza. Another excellent piece of writing. It left me feeling euphoric, exhilarated and most definitely wanting more!

this is such a good story, one that throws you right into the action with the finding of a body in a suitcase, washed up on the side of the River Thames in a not too pleasant state. Enter Detective Erika Foster, whose career is back on track after a bumpy few books where she found herself locked out of the murder investigation team due to her tendency to speak her mind and not necessarily get on with the powers that be. It’s good to see her back where she belongs….and still saying what she thinks!

She needs to as well as more senior officers can’t see what she and her team can. That this isn’t a one of murder, that it’s linked to others and the killer will likely strike again (which they do, leading to a tense ending). I like how Erika puts together the pieces, slowly, so you – as the reader – have those “ahhh” moments, where something fits into place.

I also liked reading from the killer’s point of view, which sometimes annoys me in books as they tend to be the anonymous “big bad” but here made them seem real and, whilst totally evil, meant I could understand what their motivation was and where they were heading. It made the plot more complex that it might otherwise have been and definitely helped keep me reading and turning the pages.

And turn the pages I did, over the course of a day or so, not wanting to put the book down. For me, this was another excellent book by Bryndza which I really can’t fault. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a good piece of crime writing and can’t wait for book number six. Loved it!

This was another unputdownable book, by Robert. Erika as a character, gets stronger and stronger and I like her more each outing.

Keep them coming!!!

I'm always excited to see a new Detective Erika Foster book, and as always this didn't disappoint.

Erika is a wonderful, strong lead characters (although she has her fair share of flaws too!) and the supporting characters are fascinating too. There are also some big shocks in regards to a character from previous books.

The case this time around is dark, and It was fascinating seeing things from Nina's point of view.

I would highly recommend reading this book, but if you haven't already, suggest you read the other books in the series first. The plot works as a stand alone book, but the interactions between the recurring characters is best understood having read them all.

Boring bit first... This is book five of the series and, although the main story is wholly contained within and, as such would work as a stand alone, to get the very best from the main characters, especially Erika, it is best to start from book one and read in order. In my opinion, all the previous books have been first class so, why not!?
Erika's latest case is that of a dismembered man found washed up in a suitcase along the Thames. She links it with another almost identical case and suspects more to come. Links to drugs are found and Erika's net of suspects widens rather than narrows. As things escalate, they get rather personal as one of Erika's colleagues is targeted when his daughters are taken. With the body count already high, can Erika stop the perpetrator before more lives are lost.
So, already on book five and where some series go a bit stale at this point, this one is definitely showing no signs of this at all. In actual fact, this series keeps getting better, this author impressing me time after time with each new book of his I read. I absolutely love Erika. Despite being still a bit wounded and indeed flawed, she is feisty and a total survivor. Ok so she does take a few more risks than maybe she should but she has to, it's her character, despite all she has been through she is strong and her strength is key to her almost indestructibility.
The rest of the gang is all here again in this book. Some of the interaction between them, especially the banter, does add a bit of well needed respite for the reader. Quite necessary especially in this book given the somewhat heinous nature of some of the crimes depicted herein.
All in all, another solid addition to an already great series, my thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Erika Foster has seen many dead bodies but the one that has just been found, dismembered, in a suitcase is particularly gruesome. When a link is made to a similar discovery a few weeks before, the detective realises that she has another serial killer on her patch. With limited clues as to the identity of the culprit, Erika’s task is made even more difficult when she is, herself, the victim of a brutal attack. When the loved ones of someone close to the case are threatened, will the reign of terror end or will another family be mourning a loss?

It is hard to imagine a time when Erika Foster did not exist but it has been less than two years since we were first introduced to her in The Girl in the Ice. During this time, we have grown to love the damaged detective who, since the untimely death of her husband, has made work her focus, often to the detriment of her personal life. In this, the fifth instalment, Erika is struggling to define the relationship she has started with a fellow officer whilst putting all of her energy into finding the killer of the man in the suitcase.

Cold Blood shows, once again, how Robert Bryndza has quickly become one of the writers of police procedural novels with a tight storyline and characters that genuinely come to life. The antagonists in this book are particularly well-written and are probably the most heinous to date. Some of the crimes that are committed are truly horrific but by telling the story, in part, from the point of view of one of the killers, we also develop empathy for what they, themselves, are enduring. Whereas Max was more experienced with definite psychopathic tendencies, Nina was younger and more easily manipulated. I spent most of the book willing her to escape his evil clutches but you will have to read the book yourself to see if she succeeds!

Cold Blood is an unpredictable page turner that you definitely don’t want to put down once you have started. The Erika Foster books are fast becoming one of my favourite series and I hope it won’t be too long until the sixth book!

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza, and Bookouture for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

DCI Erika Foster is back, and none too soon for series fans. As Robert Bryndza continues to impress with his dark police procedurals, his fan base grows exponentially as chatter of the series calibre. When Foster and her team discover a suitcase submerged in the water, no one could have predicted what might await them. The dismembered body of an unidentified male sets the stage for the latest macabre case that Foster will head up, though there are nothing but questions surrounding it. Turning up blanks, Foster eventually discovers that a woman’s body was found stuffed in a suitcase a few weeks before. Could there be a serial killer on the loose? When the team learns that the male victim was carrying drugs in his stomach, the narcotics mule angle seems the most likely, though there is still nothing to point towards a killer or whether they will come looking for their stash in the coming days. As the story progresses, the narrative explores the personal struggles of one team member, where the seedy underbelly of London comes to light. The blowback from these struggles put Foster inadvertently in the crosshairs and leads to a brutal assault. Forced off the case, Foster returns to her native Slovakia to reassess her work and personal life, but there is a burning in her belly to remain in her job, protecting others from the world of killers out there. Once Foster is back, more bodies turn up and a clue turns the investigation on its head. Meanwhile, in a parallel narrative, the reader learns of the development and grooming of a pair of young people, whose down and out lives take a spin the closer they become. Their dislike of society spirals out of control and soon they have committed numerous crimes, with no end in sight. The kidnapping of twin girls proves to be the climactic event that pushes the case to the edge and a collective breath is held. Will Foster and her team stop the killings before top brass turn it into a cataclysmic event? Only time will tell in this gripping, dark thriller that will keep readers flipping pages well into the night. Series fans can rest assured the calibre of the writing is high and Bryndza’s genius remains firmly rooted.

I have long been a fan of Bryndza’s work and find myself rushing to get hold of any books he releases, which seems to occur with some regularity. Some have vocalised a concern that the stories are too closely tied to a ‘traditional cookie-cutter English police procedural’, but I would deflect that by saying that the caliber remains high and the stories thoroughly interesting as to distract from what might seem repetitive. Character development is high on Bryndza’s list of essentials for each novel, offering newness to most who grace the page. Erika Foster receives particular development, as her proverbial plate has been heaped high over the past four novels. There are many threads left bowing in the wind, some of which Bryndza ties off while others are tugged and lengthened a little more. I enjoy the balance between the professional and personal struggles that Bryndza presents in his novels, as well as the ever-evolving narrative that involves the eventual killer, another form of character development. Paralleling these storylines creates more of a cat and mouse game, leaving the reader to wonder when and how forcefully the two will collide. Bryndza may publish a new novel regularly, but he does not skimp on quality. The novels are always fresh and give the reader a sense of ongoing continuity, if that makes any sense. Always a treat when a new DCI Erika Foster novel hits the literary radar and I seek to dodge the numerous books that haunt my ‘to be read’ pile to get my hands on it. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys police procedurals, but one ought to begin at the series start, to get all the nuances delivered throughout the narrative.

Kudos, Mr. Bryndza for another stellar piece. I love the rush I get reading one, though will have to get ahold of my emotions as I wait for more news.

I just have to say... I love this series!
This is the fifth book in the Erika Foster series and they get better and better!
I really feel that her character comes to life when I read this series and I'm always rooting for her to come out on top.
In this book bodies are discovered in suitcases and Erika Foster and her team are tasked with finding out who the victims are and who killed them.
You also get an insight into the killer's mind and whilst sometimes you feel some empathy for what they've been through, in this case I didn't!
I was on the edge of my seat at times and gripped by the story throughout.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a top-rate crime thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me an advance copy.

Robert Bryndza has done it again; Cold Water lives up to the great writing and utterly addictive storyline of the previous four novels... and, side note, I can't believe there have been that many already, it only seems like 5 minutes since the brilliant The Girl In The Ice came out! (Scroll to the bottom of the page to read my reviews for each previous novel).

Of course, Erika is a great character - one of my favourite detectives, and even better than she's a strong female character! She's back on great form here, as usual disregarding the rules when she feels it's necessary (or just wants to), but she has some personal problems that are causing her some worry and is another layer of heartache on top of the constant sadness for her ex-husband's death.

The story itself is dark and gritty, featuring a serial killer who Erika and the team must link to the string of dead bodies turning up, all the time working against the clock. It takes a dark turn when the children of someone Erika knows well are kidnapped. This definitely adds a menacing touch to the story, and the writing is as gritty and tense as always.

I finished this novel in no time - the next instalment can't come quickly enough! Cold Water is another great release in this stellar series and I'd highly recommended it!

Another solid entry into Bryndza's Erika Foster series set in London. This time around Foster and her team have a particularly deranged killer to find......a killer who dismembers his victims before stuffing the body parts into a suitcase and throwing it into the Thames River. By good police work and a dogged determination they move closer to the serial killer only to have the stakes rise even higher when they get near.

Once again, some very nice movement forward with this entire roster of characters, but especially with Erika as with each book in this series, I kind myself feeling everything along with her more and more.......her successes and failures as well as her hopes. I look forward to continuing with this series.

Thanks to Net Galley, the author and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I want to thank Bookouture Robert Bryndza and Netgalley for a copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Erika Foster, so I was really excited to receive this.
Erika’s new case starts when a male’s body turns washed up dismembered in a suitcase, off the river Thames. There first thought was, that it may be drug related as the body is filled with condoms full of drugs but, when another suitcase and another body turns up, this time a female, Erika knows that they have a serial Killer on their hands. Erika is leading the case with old friend Kate Moss and her team. Whilst Peterson is still on sick leave recovering from his gunshot to his stomach. They agreed that their relationship is over and they going to be ‘just friends’
As the investigations goes on, the story tells then tells of vulnerable teenager Nina who starts working in a chip shop. Where she meets Max, an older guy. Who introduces her to a life of crime and drugs. He is a violent thug who has no hesitation in hurting or killing people. Nina at first was in love with him. But she gets scared of him as he starts locking her in the flat and there is no a way of escaping.
This is a fast-paced, gripping read. It’s very addictive and I like how although some parts of the story are complex, it still flows very easily. This story, like the others in the series doesn’t disappoint. I liked how in this episode Robert has also included part of Erika’s personal life, her sister and her life at home in Slovakia and also how lonely she is. I also liked her ballsy character and the way she doesn’t stop until she gets the work done. It made the story more believable.
I can’t wait for the next book.

Book 5 in the Detective Erika Foster series, I felt this one was a little weaker than its predecessors. That being said, the author knows how to weave a good yarn. Foster remains a flawed and somewhat lonely figure, whose life is primarily taken up by the demands of her job. The opening scenes when a gruesome discovery is made in a battered suitcase immediately grabbed my attention, but I felt the story strayed off track from time to time and there were a couple too many murders which distracted from the core narrative. Still, it was an entertaining read and I hope maybe Mr Bryndza will toss a crumb or two of happiness in Erika's direction next time!

Book five! Can you believe it? Was it really only last year that I was sat in my car trying not to go into work as I’d rather listen to The Girl In The Ice? Incredible really what a journey Erika and us poor readers have been on since then. An emotional and turbulent roller-coaster of a ride which continues at break neck speed with this latest offering, Cold Blood.

Starting with a body in a suitcase and ending with the kidnapping of Commander Marsh’s children, this is a story which from the very off pulls you in. The body in the suitcase is grim enough, but when a second body is found in a very similar condition, it falls to Erika to determine if there is a serial killer on the loose and to find what it is that connects these two seemingly random people who have no cause to know each other.

Interspersed amongst the police investigation are passages told by a young girl, someone who has found the love of her life. A man who both excites and scares her. A man who is about to set them both on a collision course where there can be only one possible outcome.

I don’t want to go too much more into the plot than that as to do so would be to spoil the story for new readers. Needless to say it is as twisted and tension filled as all of its predecessors. You know that when you pick up an Erika Foster novel that you are going to be hooked and that you also need to be prepared to forego sleep. This one was no different. I wanted to know more about the young woman. To understand how her story fitted into the investigation? Was she the young woman in the second suitcase? If not, then how were they connected? To find the answer to that you’ll have to read for yourself but by golly, the answer is a doozy.

All of the usual suspects are back in this story, although I have to say, with some sadness, that following his injuries at the end of the last book, Petersen doesn’t feature quite as much in this story. He is still there, his relationship with Erika soured, and it will certainly be interesting to see how his imminent return to duty affects things moving forward, but his absence does change the team dynamic somewhat. Moss is still as direct as always and her pairing with Erika is both direct and work focused but fun at the same time. Erika is as tough as ever, and having turned down promotion, having to break in a new Superintendent which it goes without saying is far from straight forward.

And Marsh is back. Cleared of charges of corruption, he is grateful to Erika for her friendship; gratitude which puts them in a compromising position. It certainly impacts upon Erika’s investigation from the moment his children are taken, but this is not something our DCI will let stop her.

There are so many elements to this story that I could go on for hours, but I’ll spare you. What I will say is that this is a really intense story at times, the powerful impact of the various relationships always bubbling just under the surface somewhere; mother to child, husband to wife, lover to lover. It makes you question nature verses nurture and the lengths people will go to in the name of love, and the point at which love is no longer enough. There are moments of real tension, moments when our heroine’s life hangs in the balance, moments where you think there can be no way of a positive outcome. Moments that will make you both curse and smile as Mr Bryndza pulls off another blindingly excellent story.

If/when you pick up the book, make sure you have plenty of time on your hands. These books should come with a disclaimer as once you start reading you aren’t going to want to walk away. This is a book you are going to want to feast upon and devour as fast as you can. Woe betide anyone who dares to distract as you do so.

Wow! Amazing! What an author! What a book! Heart thudding, spine tingling, page turning, absolutely awesome! Robert Bryndza gets better and better with every book - I don't know how he does it. I think every Erika book is my favourite so far - until the next one! This is an absolutely addictive, unputdownable, rollercoaster of a read. Loved it and cannot wait for the next.

I am not surprised that this was another amazing Erika Foster book. This one is my current favorite one of the series. With each book comes more suspense and mystery that keeps me intrigued from beginning to end. I look forward to the next one.

Book five in the DI Erika Foster series. This series really doesn't disappoint. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, if you're a fan of police crime thrillers.

Absolutely fantastic. I have loved all the books in this series and this one was no exception. Great plot and characters, thrilling plot. I could not have asked for more. Never disappointed!!

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookoutre, and Robert Bryndza for this ARC. What can I say that I haven't already said before in my reviews ? Erika is a great protagonist and I Iove that about this character. With every book, we dig deeper into her life and what makes her tick. I love all the story's that are told In this book. These characters come to life for me and I share every adventure. Thank you !

This review is written with thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy of Cold Blood.
W hen a dismembered body is found in a suitcase washed up by the River Thames, it falls to Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster and her team to identify both the victim and the perpetrator. But this is not an isolated murder, as Erika discovers when a similar suitcase is found a few weeks later. Erika is dealing with a serial killer, who is almost certainly not working alone, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. Can Erika and her team find the perpetrators and bring them to justice?
DCI Erika Foster is back! I was over the moon when Bookouture gave me the opportunity to read the fifth instalment of this brilliant series and I was not disappointed. From the very first page, Bryndza creates a chilling atmosphere and I could not help but be drawn in to the novel.
DCI Erika Foster is among my favourite fictional detectives. She can be abrupt, but she is feisty and speaks her mind, and she always puts her heart and soul into catching the perpetrators. There is a small part of Cold Blood where Erika is out of action, and at times, I was not sure where this would leave the investigation and the resulting plot, but it only means that she comes back more determined than ever.
The reader is aware of who the perpetrators are from approximately half way through Cold Blood, and I was slightly worried that this would mean that there was little to get excited about in the final stages. It is here that I should admit that I should have had more faith in Bryndza, and offer him a full apology. As Cold Blood builds to a climax, there are so many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and the blood, guts and gore had me holding my breath throughout. I am also pleased that Bryndza did not opt for a tidy ending, as this felt more realistic and leaves the series open so that characters and situations can develop in future instalments.

The Erika Foster series is one of the best in contemporary crime fiction and Robert Bryndza always produces a story of the highest quality. The author manages to balance Erika's private and professional life to produce a fascinating and entertaining read; long may this series continue!