Thank you Netgalley, the Publisher and the Author, I have read all the books in the Erika Foster series and this one was just as good. Cannot wait for the next installment.

I love Robert Bryndza books, all of them, especially the DCI Erika Foster series but this was a bit disappointing. It just seemed too far fetched, especially the ending. Having said that though I did enjoy the book overall and will definitely be queuing up when the next in the series is released.

Erika Foster's latest case starts with a dismembered male body in a suitcase washed up on the banks of the Thames in central London. It could be drug related, but then why is the man's stomach packed with condoms containing thousands of dollars worth of cocaine that could have been retrieved by the killer? The discovery of a second female body in a suitcase in the Thames only thickens the plot. Erika is as tenacious as ever trying to find the identity of the bodies and hunt down whoever killed them but she's finding it hard to get a handle on the case.
As the investigation unfolds, parallel chapters tell the tale of Nina, a sweet naive girl who becomes besotted with an older man called Max who gradually draws her in to his depraved world of drugs and crime. In Max, Robert Bryndza has created a very unpleasant psychopath who doesn't hesitate to kill someone who gets in his way or can be used to his advantage.
As with the earlier books in this series, this is a fast paced, thrilling read. I love this series and I love Erika Foster. She's a tough no-nonsense cop, never gives up and takes all the crap that's dealt out to her. Her love life is a mess since Petersen was hurt and their affair has cooled. She has few friends and her social life is a desert. I'm really hoping Robert Bryndza gives her some breaks in the next book - she could do with a little happiness to stop her becoming bitter and twisted.

The fifth excellent book in this great series. I really like Erika Foster. She speaks without thinking and often offends people but at least she says what she feels and stands up for herself. Maybe not a comfortable person to have around in real life but great for a book character!
Bryndza always enjoys the macabre and in this book the bodies are chopped up and fitted into suitcases. We have the usual horribly descriptive pathology scenes and then we have lots and lots of competent police work resulting in the end with an edge of the seat discovery and capture. Tense, exciting and very enjoyable.
I hope the author has lots more good ideas up his sleeve to continue with this series:)

Once again, I'll make a pitch for half-stars in book ratings. Because once again, my "real" rating is 4.5 stars - and that's only because I enjoyed it a teensy bit less than the others (this is the fifth in the author's Detective Erika Foster series).

It stands well on its own, but as those who follow my book reviews well know by now, I always advise starting any series at the beginning, as I did. The bottom line, I guess, is that any time you've got emotionally scarred but likable heroes and heroines, murder and mayhem and an investigation that never loses steam from start to finish, what's not to like? My only reservation here is that in a few spots, the exposition almost seemed like an afterthought - something that wasn't written into the story where it should have been.

That said, the plot is unique, intriguing and fast-paced. Erika is called in to check out an old suitcase that's washed up on the banks of the Thames in London. To everyone's horror, it contains the body of a young man - not only dead, but chopped into smaller pieces so he'd fit inside the container. As Erika gathers her team to get the investigation going, another suitcase turns up - this time with the body of a young woman. She, too, has been whacked to fit, leading to the conclusion that a serial killer is on the loose. Small packets of drugs were found in the stomach of one of of the bodies - another confusing detail but one that ends up not only nearly bringing the police department to its knees, but an end to Erika's career (and very nearly her life).

From the beginning, readers see flashbacks that introduce two far less than upstanding characters named Nina and Max - misfits who have found each other (they're happy, but others who meet up with them are not so much). Chapters told from their perspectives offer highlights of their new life as a couple and are interspersed with those detailing what's going on with Erika and the investigation, all building to an exciting finish as everything comes together. I admit I'm not a fan of this perspective-shifting technique, but that's mostly because it's been done to death (so to speak). But when it's done well, as it is here, I also admit it's very effective.

Overall, this is nothing short of another winner. Many thanks to the publisher (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read and review it in exchange for an honest review. Over the course of the series, Erika has become one of my favorite characters. Already, I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Infatuation that developed into murder has Foster and team searching for a murderer or murderers. Erika Foster is a seasoned detective, preferring to beat the streets and avoid paperwork she rejected a promotion. Her boyfriend was seriously injured in the previous book and her boss might be harboring feelings for her. But Foster is a no nonsense sort of woman and doesn't dwell on her personal life but lets her work consume her. She needs to find out what happened to the victims stuffed into suitcases, there seems to be a pattern but her team is running in circles. There is a serial killer on the loose and Foster will definitely find him/them. Bryndza is a master storyteller weaving the story of the killer and the police into an intricate timeline and series of events. We have multiple points of view from a young woman, Erika, various police officers and it all comes together beautifully. Each of Bryndza's books can standalone as the crime is unique to each one but the relationships are an ongoing story. As an American I find a bit of humor in his terminology and phrases of his London characters, I had to look up a few things. Always one of my favorite authors I was thrilled to receive a galley copy and have voluntarily written my review.

As in the past, Det Erika Foster does not disappoint. Although the beginning was a bit disjointed, it quickly picked up the threads of the story and wove them in such a way to hold my attention from beginning to end! When's the next one?

This ARC was presented from NetGalley. My thanks. Gratitude sent to Bookouture for making this pre-release available.

Mutilated bodies are turning up in the busy streets of London. A deranged serial killer is on the loose. My heartbeat quickens at the thought. I'm off to the races. Only a couple of pages into the narrative and already the author had me on pins and needles. Though, that's what I signed up for. This book could be enjoyed as a stand-alone even though it's fifth in the Detective Erika Foster series. Her character was well-developed. The actions throughout the scenes did not fail to perform. The ending landed with a punch to my gut.

Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster and Detective Inspector Kate Moss had been called to the scene. Another gruesome murder in London. A mutilated body of a man had been carefully packed into a large suitcase. Found in the sand. Just a stone's throw from the Thames River. It was time for them to roll up their sleeves. It would be another sleepless night. I could feel the tension mounting in the air. I wanted to look away. But couldn't.

It was only a week ago a woman's body had been found in a suitcase. Also dismembered. Ghastly sight. The detectives were working feverishly. The killing spree didn't let up. A few weeks later. Number three. Another suitcase. This time it was that of a male identified as twenty-eight-year-old Daniel de Souza. Their first real lead. Found at a subway station. This time a note was left in the suitcase. It taunted the police saying, "This is our fifth victim. Do you clowns even know that we've killed four people?" "We've!..." The killer's not alone. More troubling knowing two maniacs working together. Hopefully no more than that - they prayed. Now the manhunt was on for a team of murderers. All the more difficult.

Early into the investigation, it was learned that another body had been found in a drainage pipe. It had been mummified. It had been there for several months. Again, the face had been beaten to a pulp with a large rock. It fit the profile of the other murders. The body count was growing. When was this insane savagery going to stop?

In a final act of desperation, the serial killers had decided to kidnap twin girls, Mia and Sophie from a high-profile figure. Their father, Paul Marsh was Commander of the police station. Big bucks. So they thought. This would be their payoff that would get them out of the country. Begin life with a clean slate. New opportunities. Sick!

One of the killers posed as a nanny of Mrs. Marsh. From a daycare center she abducted the children and led them to a parked van where her partner had been nervously awaiting. Once inside, they set out for a long ride out of town. After a few hours, the girls knew they were in serious trouble. They cried. They were not in safe hands. Would the police get to them in time?

I've been a huge fan of Robert Bryndza’s Erica Foster series. With each book, I wonder if the streak will continue. I'm pleased to say it does.

This time round Erika is investigating a double murder, two bodies chopped up and stuffed into suitcases sent floating down the Thames. One body has over 50 packets of cocaine in the stomach. Was this some sort of drug deal gone wrong? If so, why were the drugs left in the body?

The book moves along at a good clip with lots of intertwining stories to keep you engaged. I wasn't totally sold on the idea of a journal by one of the criminals as a means to move the plot along, but that's a minor quibble.

This series is one of the best if you like a strong police procedural. Edge of your seat thrills, grab you by the lapel scenes. Erika just can't stay in the good graces of her superiors. She is not a good girl known for sharing or being tactful. She's a gal that lives for her job and her personal life bears the brunt. Here's hoping she eventually finds a man that can truly appreciate her.

My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

Excellent book - Great characters and plot. I would highly recommend this book.

Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster and Detective Inspector Moss are on their way to a section of the South Bank where a suitcase containing the naked, decapitated and dismembered remains of a male had been found.

With DI James Peterson still on sick leave after being shot on their last big case, DS John McGorry is assigned to Erika's team and informs her of a recent case file he had seen where a female had also been found in a suitcase, decapitated and dismembered in a similar way to the male victim.

But just when things seem to be coming together , an horrific attack on Erika , a rising body count and the abduction of two innocent children leave the team desperately searching for a solution and time running out.

I love that with each new novel- this is the 5th in the series, Robert gives us further insight into the private life and background of Erika and her relationship with her fellow officers, Isaac Strong the Forensic pathologist and other work colleagues.

Another addictive , captivating and superb read as yet again Robert Bryndza deftly weaves all the different plot strands seamlessly to create a richly layered and totally engrossing story. Absolutely loved it and look forward to many more #ErikaFoster catch ups in the future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Has you hooked from the beginning right through to the end. You cannot put the book down until the dramatic conclusions.

This is the 5th in the series and while I really enjoyed the previous ones I wasn't all that crazy about this one. Could of been my frame of mind but it wasn't what I was expecting. Detective Erica Foster and her team are back at it again. An old suitcase has washed up onto shore and upon opening it they find a dismembered body of a young man, a few weeks later another body washes up onto the same river but with a young female. Are the murders connected, are the bodies found connected or are they just random. As the body counts rise Detective Foster realizes that she's dealing with a serial killer because of the similarities with the murders. Can Erica find the serial killer before something happens to her fellow colleague Commander Marsh's two beautiful daughters who have been abducted?

Considering all the action that was going on I felt let down. It didn't have the oompf that the previous books did. All in all it's a page turning and surprises as you go. I give it 3 stars.

It is a delight to be back with DCI Erika Foster and her team in the fifth book set in Lewisham, London. This is a chilling case which really puts Erika through the wringer, as if she hasn't suffered enough. Her personal life is one of pain and trouble as the past comes back to haunt her here. It all begins with the macabre discovery of a dismembered body in a suitcase in the River Thames. This is followed by another body in a suitcase with the same MO and it is clear they have a serial killer on their hands. Condoms full of cocaine are found in the stomach of one victim. This leads to Erika's boss, Melanie Hudson, attempt to palm off the case to another team, particularly as the police team are being starved of funds and personnel. To cap it all, Erika is violently attacked.

Erika finds herself betrayed from close quarters, and it is not until a note is sent that she finds herself back in the centre of the action. Part of the narrative features the twisted relationship between the psychopathic older man, Max, and the young, lonely and naive Nina, who is both impressionable and easily manipulated. The pressure on Erika increases exponentially as the twin daughters of Commander Marsh are abducted. Will she be able to save them? Erika is a tough and determined woman, who despite everything, lets nothing stand in her way.

This is a fast paced atmospheric story, with short chapters and twists that make for gripping reading. I have followed this series right from the beginning and it is one of my favourites. The flawed character of Erika is a sure fire winner, her survival and how she still manages to be standing after everything she has gone through is a testament to her inner strength. The author has done a tremendous job in character development with Erika, so good that I am looking forward to the next in the series! Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

Oh. My. Gosh!
They just keep getting better.
If you've never read any books by Robert Bryndza....why not?!
Start now! Start with the 'Girl in the Ice'...go on, do it, do it now!!

I couldn’t wait to get started with this one. What a great plot.
Robert Bryndza has the ability to hook me in straight away.

The character of Max really creeped me out, he was really unhinged and swung from one extreme to the other. Nina was completely bowled over by him though, and would do anything to make him happy.
On to Erika Foster. I love this woman!
She is a great, ballsy and smart character. She speaks her mind…always. It doesn’t matter how superior her colleagues are it makes no difference.
We found about what happened to Peterson after the last book too. Nice to see Moss, a loyal member of her team. Jennifer Knight popped up too. The cast of characters in the force is a good mix. I feel I care about them and that has to be a good thing for an author to do.
A brilliant story, gripping and thrilling. Some unexpected twists and turns that made for an unputdownable book. Really gruesome too in parts.
I couldn’t stop reading, it’s packed with action and is very believable. I feel like it’s something you’d see in the news, one of those horrible things that shocks the nation.
I’ve recommended Robert Bryndza’s books to people all over the world. Everyone loves them, he’s a global superstar!! xx
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of the Erika Foster books. There’s nothing like a fast paced, well plotted book with a female protagonist to whom the author can always do such awful things to keep you transfixed on a book.
Poor Erika doesn’t get an easy ride from her author; when not being physically beaten, she is also emotionally battered and bruised. The cast of regular characters are tautly written and always interesting, from her erstwhile boyfriend, D.I. Peterson, recovering from the injuries he sustained in the last case to Commander Marsh, who plays a central role in this book.
Erika herself is a fearless character. Never afraid to push her point of view with her superiors, she is outspoken and results driven. The path of diplomacy and advancement is not for Erika, she does not mind who she has to step on to close her case and when she sees budgetary constraints or bureaucratic meddling, she is never afraid to speak her mind in pursuit of closing her case or getting what she needs to close it.
This doesn’t always make her a popular detective with the top brass, but she knows how to fight for her officers and is never afraid to do so. Her personal life is pretty shredded, but she is prepared to set that aside in her quest to find the killers she is pursuing.
Bryndza has added complications to the police team this time, by implicating one of their own in a nasty and sordid betrayal which leaves some of their previous cases open to question. Quite what the implications of this betrayal will be on the team is left open and we will doubtless hear more of this in future books.
I didn’t find this plot quite as satisfying as previous books. Max is a dangerous drug dealing psychopath, narcissistic and sadistic, he has targeted the young and vulnerable Nina until she is completely under his spell and driven to please him partly through fear and partly through his having normal human contact. Nina’s story is partially told through her diary extracts and we learn to feel sorry for a young woman whose path in life has not been easy and is about to get a lot harder….
Overall, while I enjoy Robert Bryndza’s characters and writing, and I really like the way his characters engage me in a heart-pounding ride through London, I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as his other books, partly, I think because of the way the plot involved a somewhat implausible focus on Commander Marsh and his family.
Nevertheless, it was still a compelling, gritty read and I will certainly want to read future books in the series.

Just hearing that DI Erika Foster is back, is enough to send me into raptures! I love this series.

This time around, we have a suitcase containing a body, that has washed ashore on the river Thames. The body has been badly beaten and dismembered which makes ID particularly difficult to achieve. When a further body is discovered a few weeks later in exactly the same manner, the investigation begins in earnest.

It soon becomes clear that a serial killer is at work, but just as Erika begins to place pieces of the jigsaw together, she suffers a vicious attack. Well, for those of us who know Erika, we know that even a brutal attack isn't going to stop her.

This storyline brings together two people, who for all the wrong reasons, work really well as a partnership. One convinces the other that they have the same goals in life, that they deserve to have the best things in life, and if that means that others have to die in the process, then so be it.

Events take a really nasty turn when Erika's colleague Commander Marsh, becomes entangled in the case after his twin daughters are abducted. All the stops are pulled to bring the twins home safely, but Erika is dealing with killers who appear to have no moral compass, even though very young children are now involved.

I really enjoyed this as usual, loved the investigation, and the forensics, but if I have one criticism, it's that I think its time that Erika was thrown a lifeline - she really needs something good to happen - some light relief!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Another thrilling installment of the Erika Foster story. Love this authors style and subject matter. Briliant, loved it and a must read

Another fantastic installment in the Erika Foster series. I loved that there was some actual serious doubt in this book about whether she would crack the case or not. She just seemed more human and normal in this book. Anyway, once again Robert Bryndza delivered an amazing story, excellently written.