It's the third murder in the space of a few weeks and they've all been because of machetes used on teenagers. DS Nikki Parekh and DC Sajid Malik are amongst the first to arrive on the scene at Chellow Dene Reservoir on the outskirts of Bradford. Only, this time, it's going to be different. The body appears to Nikki to be that of her beloved nephew, Haqib, and she has a very public meltdown. It isn't Haqib: there are similarities but the body is clad in designer clothes and comes from an obviously monied background. What it does mean though is that Nikki is going to be on sick leave for some time with anxiety and depression.

Then another boy goes missing only this time it works out differently. There's no body to be found but the boy's ear is sent to his mother in a jiffy bag. In Nikki's absence, the cases are taken over by DS Felicity Springer, Nikki's nemesis but Sajid finds that she's more absent than present and he's left to deal with the new DI, Ahad Zain, which he's not finding easy. When the son of the Lord Mayor of West Yorkshire is found murdered - yet another machete attack - the perception in the Asian community is that Jamie Jacob's murder will take precedence, simply because he's a gora - and, incidentally, homeless and a druggie.

It's a great story but there are two external factors that make it something special. The evocation of anxiety and depression is excellent. I know - I've been there and Liz Mistry captures that bottomless feeling perfectly. The other factor is Bradford. Somehow, around this part of the world, it's always thought of as the poor cousin of Leeds, but it's a city with a great heart, wonderfully varied cultures - and a lot of problems. Once again Mistry has it perfectly.

There is someone known as The Honourable Fixer who is behind the killings and various other disruptions in the city. Until that person is caught, the problems are not going to stop. What is happening fanned the flames that, prompted by fear, smouldered just below the city's surface. It's been like that in Bradford for as long as I can remember and the perception that the police do more for white victims is a major factor. It's unfortunately perpetuated by the newspapers, possibly accidentally because they think that white victims will matter more to their readership.

I did work out the identity of The Honourable Fixer but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story. I'll be interested to see where Liz Mistry takes DS Nikki Parekh next and I'd like to thank the publishers for making a review copy available to the Bookbag.

When a body is found at the edge of Chellow Dene reservoir Detective Nikki Parekh and DC Sajid Malik are quick to arrive. This is the third murder in the space of a few weeks. Each murder has a completely different MO, but there is one common theme all the victims are teenagers. The dead boy reminds Nikki of her nephew, and she feels more helpless than ever. But then another boy goes missing. And this time his parents have been sent a threatening package too.
This is the fourth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own events from previous books do have an impact. Nikki is struggling personally but her strength of character comes through. This isn’t a light read but it is an engrossing one. It’s dark, it’s scary, it’s gripping. I could have done without the text speak as I felt it added nothing to the story. A well written book with strong believable flawed characters & a fast paced story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

🔪About DS Parekh or her case?!🤔

3.5-4 🌟 stars
I was of two minds about this story. The deadly crime spree among Bradford's teen population and the investigation were really gripping and kept me reading. There's a good deal of realism to these characters; even many of the characters involved in the crime spree have good and bad sides to them and the racism and intolerance was horrible but totally believable. I also liked the inclusion of chapters told from the criminal mastermind's POV.

On the other hand, I am not really a fan of crime novels where the investigators and their problems become the focus rather than solving the crime. Blood Games started almost entirely focused on lead Nikki Parekh's difficulties and that really did not work for me. But fortunately the investigation heated up and eventually her turmoil and the case dovetail into each other so I understood why the author focused so much on Nikki's mental issues.

I do not think it's easy to read this book as a standalone, regardless of the ultimate upshot from the case, because there are too many veiled references to Nikki's past and things that just never get explained. For instance, I kept asking myself, what is the deal with Marcus, Nikki's life partner? Does he work? is he her children's father? He always seems to be there for her. Does he have an life apart from that? And what was the traumatic story with Nikki's father? I just felt I was supposed to know without being told. Rather frustrating.

This is the second book I've read in the series. I liked the earlier one better, largely because the book focused more on the investigation and not the investigating officers. I haven't decided to give up on the series at this point, hoping that Nikki's personal issues will be less prominent in the future.

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This is the first book I have read in this series and feel like I should have read the previous books first as it doesn't really work as a standalone novel. However, it is a gripping and fast paced thriller and I enjoyed reading it.

Nikki Parekh has a breakdown at work after fearing her nephew was the victim of a vicious crime. She is determined to find out who is responsible. This is a fast paced book that will keep you gripped. Although it is part of a series you don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this. I hadn't and I did. 4 🌟 read for me.

Thank you to HQ for an ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a new Author to me but having looked at the blurb and read a few reviews, plus checking out the previous 3 books, I was looking forward to discovering a new series.

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get on with this book at all. I found it quite difficult to read, especially with all the text and IG speak and cultural language. I appreciate that it is because of the age and setting of the story, but it really put me off.

It does deal with some important issues, it didn’t feel engaged at all. I struggled through to 35% before DNF. Nearly gave up at 6%! I appreciate I am in the minority as many others seem to love this series, but it is not for me.

This is the fourth book in the series featuring Nikki Parekh, but the first one I have read. It was a fairly interesting read but I found the mental health issues and racist violence quite hard to deal with. It makes it a dark read. I feel that this book suffered from being the first one I read in the series and that the earlier books should be read in order as there is a lot of significant information about Nikki Parekh's background that isn't given in this book. As the book starts with her mental breakdown, it was difficult to engage with her as a detective when she is off on sick leave. The plot was good but maybe stretched the limits of credibility at times. The characters weren't well-drawn, one in particular I found rather silly.
This series is obviously one that many readers enjoy, but it's not one I will be returning to.

I have been aware of Liz Mistry as a crime writer for some time, and have finally decided to try her series after reading so many great reviews. This is the fourth offering, and whilst there were obviously backstories, I still found it a reasonable, if complex and multilayered, standalone that touches on some very dark and sensitive issues, set in Bradford. It begins with DS Nikki Parekh and DC Sajid Malik at the scene of the latest machete murder of a Asian young male at Chellow Dene Reservoir where a traumatised Nikki with mental health issues has an almighty public meltdown that contaminates the crime scene when she makes the error of thinking the victim is her beloved nephew, Haqib. Her boss, DCI Archie Hegley has no choice but to put her on sick leave, knowing the police will miss her able presence.

A new DI Ahad arrives to take over the cases at Trafalgar House, and it has to be said that initially he does little to inspire confidence in a Sajid who keeps in close contact with Nikki, providing much needed support as she slowly begins to pick up the pieces with the help and therapy provided by Dr Mallory in whom she confides her innermost secrets, issues and problems. She has 3 children, Charlie, Ruby and Sunni and it is her partner, Marcus, who is a rock solid when it comes to picking Nikki up as she hits an all time low, keeping the family together, whilst monitoring her closely. Taxi firm owner, Ali Khan's son, Maz, has been abducted, his ear sent in a parcel to his distraught parents. Ali asks Nikki for help, in a city where the young people live in fear and terror of the 'eyes' enforcing a fundamentalist set of rules. Overseeing the killings and deadly mayhem is 'The Honourable Fixer', getting rich without getting their hands dirty, convinced they will never be caught.

Some of the reasons I loved this novel is Mistry's superb skills in characterisation, Nikki is a wonder and so human, and I adored Sajid, who has Nikki's back at all times, whilst mental health issues are depicted with great sensitivity. Contemporary issues of race, religion and relationships are seen through the eyes of the young, often communicating through social media. This is a wonderful crime read, that features deeply troubling dysfunctional families, and the worryingly problematic prevalence and application of the unacceptable concept of 'honour'. A brilliant crime read that I recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I can see that this is a great read for those who like their crime dark and sinister but it was a bit too much so for me and, in common with other reviewers, I struggled to follow the storyline in parts as I am new to the series. Sometimes I get impatient when there is too much back-filling on characters in the middle of a series but here, I think, more explanation was needed. However, its a gripping read with good, relevant characters.

A great police procedural read!
It’s the first Nikki Parekh book I have read and it won’t be the last.
Nikki is a complex character and there is enough back story to explain her complexities .
The story is gritty and compelling , the team based in Bradford are investigating a series of incidents involving machete attacks , they are seemingly random , but are they connected?
The protagonist has a mental breakdown whilst investigating the machetes attacks , but she bounces back stronger than before and it makes her methods of investigation more astute.
The writing is of an excellent calibre and I found the book an engrossing read , the characters are well rounded and amiable and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ.

You can't help liking Nikki Parekh, a DS in Bradford but poor Nikki is not firing on all cylinders and for some of this novel she is fighting her demons under the gaze of psychiatrist Dr Helen Mallory. Parekh is keen to get back to work as soon as she is able because her team now has a new DI and she fears for the cohesiveness of her work mates. There's lots to get back to as well with a growing murder rate usually involving assailants using machetes. But there's a dark force controlling events, known as The Honourable Fixer amongst the clients and henchmen, hidden from view within the Dark Web, we rarely get an insight in to who it can be. Eventually we do get to know the full CV of this 'Fixer' and this is where the story loses its credibility because it seems so unlike most criminal careers, this one was once huge and now gets by on a few targetted hits. So, from influencing the overthrow of governments, corporations and politicians, to enabling a handful of Bradford's low life to instil fear in to the population of the all-seeing 'Eyes'. It's all a bit comic book and marred an otherwise good novel. Liz Mistry sets a good scene though and her characters give the readers plenty of variety. In Blood Games, Liz Mistry IMHO makes the mistake of bestowing on one critical individual 'The Honourable Fixer' just too may talents. A bit like thinking Bill Gates writes Windows.

Blood Games is the third book in the DS Nikki Parekh series by Liz Mistry and it is another fast moving police procedural with plenty of sub plots to keep the reader entertained.

Parekh and colleagues end up investigating a series of murders that appear to be connected but also random.

Other than the social media chapters the book moves along at a good pace and will definitely appeal to followers of the series.

3.5 stars
This is a good crime thriller in the Nikki Parekh series.
Nikki and Saj are investigating a case where someone is killing teenagers with a machete in Bradford.
Nikki has a breakdown at one of the crime scenes as she has not dealt with her grief from her mother’s death, and is removed from the case.
Nikki seeks psychiatric support and is coming to terms with things but is still not ready to return to work.
She’s then approached and asked to help when another teenager goes missing and his parents are sent his ear through their door.
Nikki finds she can cope most of the time and wants to help find the missing boy.
This is a good crime thriller.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am very pleased to have been given the chance to read the next DS Nikki Parekh book in the series having enjoyed the previous books .Set in Bradford this is a gritty story of multiple murders of young teenagers mostly with a machete .Nikki and her Team are put on the case to solve it .Fast paced this is a page turner crime thriller with a satisfying ending .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for my free copy in return for an honest review

An excellent addition to the series. Reading about mental health problems being addressed in a realistic manner in fiction is helpful in normalising the situation. Showing that even the strongest of people have a breaking point but it is possible to make something stronger and beautiful after repair, just like Japanese Kintsugi, is a concept we should deal with more often.

The story is brutal and bloody, but that is what is to be expected from a book called Blood Games, it is also sad in that people are unable to accept others just as they are and see differences as strengths. Ultimately it is hopeful, showing that recovery from trauma, either mental or physical, is possible.

I’m looking forward to the next instalment in this series and hoping I will not have to wait too long for it to appear.

DNF. This is the first book I’ve read from the DS Nikki Parekh series but I don’t think it works as a standalone book. The protagonist is in the throes of a mental breakdown from the beginning of the book and very little information about her life prior to that is offered, so I had no sense of how she usually worked as a DS. I gave up reading a third of the way through as I simply couldn’t engage with the plot and found the characters very flat. While I appreciate that the book is dealing with the important issues of mental health and racism, there wasn’t anything that made me want to keep reading. Sorry for a negative review but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

With 3 murders of teenage boys taking place Nikki knows she needs to get to the bottom of this case and fast; however having arrived at the 3rd crime scene and seeing the familiarity of one of the boys who looks exactly like her teenage nephew Nikki has a complete breakdown and is pulled off the case and referred to a police psychiatrist.

Whilst Nikki is off another murder takes place like the others they all have their similarities and Nikki is convinced they are all the same killer however with a 4th murder happening and an ear being delivered to the teenage boys devastated family Nikki knows she needs to pull herself together and get back to work quickly.

What pushed Nikki to go back to work is an attack on a local vigil that is being held. At a time where the local community comes together to unite over the terrible events that have happened the attackers loaded with their machetes reap havoc on the event which incidentally gives Nikki and her team a few much needed clues to solving the case.

This book is book 4 of a series of crime thriller with the lead character being detective Nikki Parekh it was the first one I’ve read from the series and at first I did find it a bit difficult to catch up on but once o got my head round who was who I really enjoyed reading this book and will be certain to read more books from this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advance readers copy of this book in exchange for this review 🙂

This is the first of Liz Mistry's novels I have read and, not having read any of the previous ones, I struggled with it a bit in the beginning, It wasn't because of the MC's backstory, although I could have done with a little more 'character-establishment' for the new reader. The problem was that the Parekh was introduced to me as someone who was going through a nervous breakdown. I got no sense at all of what she was like as a police officer or a mother and was quite a way into the book before I could appreciate her as a strong, fearless policewoman. In retrospect, the mental health issues she went through only served to muddy the waters, although I appreciate there was a literary device wrapped in there. I just feel it clouded my perception of the MC for too long.
The plot itself was a little muddled and the occasional patches of 'textspeak' didn't seem to serve any real purpose in moving the plot along. Parekh came into her own at the end, although a large slice of important information was handed to her on a plate. I did finish the book because a few of the minor characters were nicely drawn and held my interest but I don't think I will seek out another Mistry novel. I acknowledge that the author has a large, enthusiastic following. It just wasn't for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I struggled at the start of this book, as I had not read any previous books by the author, so knew nothing about the history of the characters. I was also finding it excessively bloodthirsty; to be expected, really, with a title “Blood Games”. However, I persisted, and was so glad I did. The plot was enthralling and the characters engaging and complex. I was gripped and couldn’t put it down. Different, but immensely satisfying. A well written book and a thoroughly good read.

I love this series and the way the main characters progress. Great to see mental health being presented in a positive way. I can’t wait for the next book, which is the highest praise I can give.