I thought this was so good! And I was really drawn to it because of the cover. This fast paced, suspenseful murder mystery was well done. It’s my first book by this clearly talented author and now I want to read the other 6 books. By the way it’s a stand-alone in case you’re wondering. This was intriguing with a full cast with cleverly written characters and great plot. I highly recommend this one.
I read and listened to it and found both great. The narrator was Jan Cramer was great!
Thanks Raven Street Publishing via NetGalley.

Having not read anything by this author before I was surprised (good surprises) how the opening went into horrific detail as the first murder was committed. Detective Erika Foster is new to me but I quickly got to like her character and her relationships with those above her and those below in her chain of command, her team.
A podcaster is savagely murdered and found by her sister. The first few chapters introduced me to a team of characters that were well described and understandable, real life people. I didn’t feel that I missed anything necessary by not reading the first 6 books in the series, but after enjoying this read, I will return to catch up, hopefully in order. I guess I’ll learn more about Foster’s past.
Happening in and around South London, I found the local information and descriptions good and helpful, whether they’re true or not!
A free copy of this book found its way to me and I’m pleased it did, leaving me to seek out the remainder of the series to find out more about Foster and her lifestyle in and outside of the police force. As an introduction to this writer by accident, I’m very pleased I’ve completed one of their books.

Disturbing, dark, and exceptionally entertaining!

Fatal Witness is an unpredictable, sinuous thrill ride that takes us back to London, where Detective Erika Foster and her team now find themselves investigating the death of Vicky Clarke, a true-crime podcaster whose own investigation into a slew of sexual attacks on female students may have just made her the latest victim of a callous predator who is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his identity hidden forever.

The writing is bold and crisp. The characters are resilient, impulsive, and troubled. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine seamlessly into a sinister tale full of twists, turns, secrets, surprises, manipulation, coercion, deception, violence, and murder.

Overall, Fatal Witness is another riveting, spine-chilling, engrossing thriller by one of my favourite authors that kept me guessing from the very first page and left me unnerved, impressed, highly satisfied and eager to read whatever his devious mind manages to come up with next.

From my blog: Always With a Book

She’s back!!! Erika Foster is back and I could not be happier! This is the 7th installment in Robert Bryndza’s Erika Foster series and it’s been quite the wait for this book. Yes, he did start another series, the Kate Marshall series, which I do happen to really like, BUT, my true love is really Erika Foster and I am so glad we have her back…and let me tell you what a doozy of a case we get!

This one starts with a bang and doesn’t let up, which is true to form with this author and I love it! It’s dark and gruesome and keeps you on the edge of your seat most of the time. This is one of my favorite police procedural series from the way the story is told to the amazing character development. I love that while most of the story is told from Erika’s point of view, we also get chapters here and there from her colleagues as well as from the guilty party, which is always my favorite perspective to get because while we don’t know who it is until the end, it’s always so creepy hearing their thoughts.

Expertly plotted, with plenty of misdirection and red herrings, this is sure to keep your attention glued to the book, as it did mine. Once I started this one, I had a hard time putting it down – it’s just such an addictive, captivating story, despite how gruesome and dark it is. I do hope that because we got this book after such a long hiatus that this means there are more Erika stories coming!

4.5 stars

Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza is the 7th in the Detective Erika Foster series.


First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DCI Erika Foster has not had it easy.  Her husband Mark and most of her team was killed in a botched drug bust 4 years ago, and she has been trying to get past it.  Her new team consists of DI James Peterson (with whom Erika had a brief relationship), DI Kate Moss, Detective John McGorry, and Detective Crane.  Their boss is Superintendent Melanie Hudson. The forensic psychologist is Isaac Strong, and he has become a good friend to Erika.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Erika has just purchased a fixer-upper in Blackheath, and on her first night there, she goes for a walk, only to discover the brutal murder of Vicky Clarke, a true-crime podcaster.

But nothing is as it seems, and it appears that there was more to Vicky than they originally thought...and to Sophia, another tenant in the building.

Eventually, the team is lead to a podcast that Vicky was working on, and dealt with attacks on young women while they were attending a drama school interview.  Perhaps she was getting too close to the perpetrator.

Meanwhile, Erika seems to be stepping on someone's toes every time she turns around.

In addition to this case, Erika is trying to move on from her relationship with Peterson, and trying to get her new home in a livable condition.


My Opinions:
First, there was a LONG time between series installments....too long Mr. Bryndza!  Hope we don't have to wait another 4 years for the next one.

Okay, let's talk characters.  There's a big case or two of mistaken identities.  Then....there were lots of suspects.  A creepy neighbour (not to mention the bitchy landlord and other tenants), a sketchy boyfriend, rather strange teachers, and a brother-in-law that may need looking into.  No one is quite what they seem.   Anyone of them could have been the perpetrator.   Bryndza always has great characters in his book....love them or hate them, they are always interesting.

The plot was really good, and it moved at a good pace.  I was kept entertained from start to finish.  Speaking of the finish....it felt a bit rushed.

Anyway, if you are a fan, this is a must read...and if this series is new to you....go back and start at the beginning!

So excited to read this latest Erica Foster book by Robert Bryndza and boy it did not disappoint, a brilliantly written crime thriller that once I started I couldn’t put down it kept me guessing to the end. Although this is book 7 in the series you could read as a standalone but I would highly recommend you start from the beginning to get the full Erica Foster experience you will not be disappointed.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in returner my honest review.

I loved this latest instalment in the Erika Foster series. DI Erika Foster is walking back to her new home when she hears a scream. Inside a house, she finds a young woman who tells her that she has discovered her sister’s murdered body. This begins a gripping murder mystery with its roots in events that took place several years ago. I loved the mystery which kept me guessing all the way through and Erika is a brilliant lead detective. All of the characters are extremely well written and there was even a hint of romance in the air. Another great police based crime novel from Robert Bryndza.

A great read, this book just flows.
Another good book in the Erica Foster series. If you haven't read any of the previous books then you have missed out on some good reads but this book also works well as a standalone.
I prefer reading books with short chapters like this one and the good characterisation, action and twists just add to the pleasurable experience.
You are always guaranteed a good read with a Robert Bryndza book.

This is the first book I've read by this author. It's always a little tricky starting a series at some point other than at the beginning but the author did a good job of giving enough information on the recurring characters that I didn't feel lost. The story jumps right into Detective Erika Foster getting involved in a murder investigation. There were a lot of interesting characters throughout the story, the case takes many turns as the team uncovers information, and the satisfaction of a resolution to this complex case.

This is a brilliant book! I'm a fan of Robert and the Erika Foster series. This one did not disappoint me. The plot and the characters were well put together.

Erika Foster has just moved into her new home, a real fixer upper. She's out for a walk in the Blackheath neighborhood when she hears a scream and finds a new murder case.

The victim, a true crime podcaster, is identified by her sister as Vicky Clarke. Was her work the reason for the killing and, if so, where are the files and recordings? The investigation leads Erika and her team on a frustrating trek around the South London area. Interviews are hampered or blocked and the evidence leads nowhere. In a puzzling twist, there's another slaying and Erika is working hard to put the pieces together and find the perpetrator.

I must admit, this was a bit of a disappointment after waiting so long for this installment in a series that I had really liked. Most of it is police procedural and the plot is a little thin with it being fairly obvious quite quickly who the villain was. Erika is the typical genre protagonist, single and a workaholic, who manages to get herself in danger as do all the female detectives who go it alone without their backup. We do not hear much about the rest of the team as they come and go keeping busy. And, I wonder, what was the point of including that bit about the cat mutilation (might be a trigger for some)? I had some other moments of irritation but just glossed over them. I will likely try this author again, but this one was formulaic without the intense suspense, thrills, and excitement that I have come to expect from this type of book. I have read all of Bryndza's previous work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Another cracking read from the excellent, and underrated, Robert Bryndza. It has been a while since we have had a new instalment in this gripping series but the wait was worth it. Erika Foster is a fascinating character and she is in the process of moving house here as well as trying to crack a complex case. The plot,as always, is complex and intriguing, the characters well portrayed and the denouement most satisfying. Brilliant!

It's been a long time in coming, waiting for Erika to come back into my life but boy was it worth the wait.

Fatal Witness is the seventh novel in the Detective Erika Foster series and boy does it pack a punch!
Erika has just purchased a new home which could be said that it is most definitely the worst house on the street!
After unsuccessfully trying to unpack Erika takes a break and walks the short distance the her local fish and chip shop.
But on the way back home Erika hears a blood curdling scream from a nearby apartment block and rushes to assist.
After informing that she is a police officer she is let into the apartment and after discovering the brutalised body of true crime podcaster Vicky Clarke . Tess Vicky's sister is more than traumatised to say the least.

And so begins a very gruesome and complex murder investigation for Erika and her team.

With so many suspects but little evidence to go on and arresting the apartment's maintenance guy Charles Wakefield ,that is suddenly released without charge, how can Erika know who she can trust?

A fantastic and completely hookable read.

This was my first book by this author. I found it to be a very good murder mystery that kept me interested and engaged. There was a level of suspense that kept me turning pages.

Fatal Witness is an excellent police procedural. The police detective, Erika, is a tough cookie and a quick thinker. I love that she questions everything. She isn’t perfect but that makes her all the more realistic. I can’t say much about the actual crime without giving things away but there were some doozy twists. More Erika Foster will definitely be on my To Read pile!

Erika Foster is back again in another installment of her popular detective series. This time she is tracking a killer who has violently murdered a woman in Blackheath, London, near Erika’s new home.
The mystery starts strong with a disturbing prologue and continues as Erika and her team slowly follow the evidence and interview numerous suspects. The author excels at keeping the reader guessing and developing likable, yet imperfect, characters. Even if you’ve missed a few in this series like I have, this can easily be read as a stand alone.

What's the book about?

Erika discovers the heinous murder of Vicky, a true-crime podcaster. She is assigned to the case and learns that Vicky had been working on a new podcast episode about a sexual predator who preys on young female students in South London. The criminal would be scout them out before breaking in at night. Vicky's notes and audio recordings were stolen from her flat during her murder. Erika believes Vicky was on the verge of identifying the attacker.

When Erika discovers a young Bulgarian student doctor murdered in the same building, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about Vicky. With scant evidence, time is running out to catch the murderer before he strikes again.

My thoughts:
I've reread all the Erika Foster series and have grown to appreciate this strong female lead. The story did have me guessing as to what will happen next but unfortunately, it wasn't as compelling a read for me as the previous ones in the series. I do look forward to the next book though and hope I get to devour it in one sitting (as I've done for this entire lot). Thank you for the ARC.

The brilliant, awesome Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster is back after a four year absence and she's back with a cracking case to solve. This is truly a work of crime fiction written by the fantastic Robert Bryndza and it's a great edition to the Erika Foster series. I loved everything about this book, it has plenty of tension, suspense and it's literally unputdownable. I really connected with all the characters and I must admit I have missed Erika and I am so glad she's back with her team, even though she get's herself in some really tricky situations. The plot is gripping and the ending left me breathless and definitely wanting more. The tension builds at a rapid pace and the crime takes on a deadly twist which was completely unexpected. Misdirection plays a part and a little red herring is also thrown in, so if readers think they know who the murderer is they are so wrong. Huge congratulations to Robert for another bestseller. I LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT.

Excellent twisty detective story - an Erika Foster thriller - a woman is brutuly murdered in her apt - a woman is missing - old crimes come to light of rapes at an acting institution - Erika’s past boyfriend and he’s hot turns up on the scene - a podcast devoted to true crime and you won’t be able to figure this page-turner out!!

I’m a huge fan of tough cookie DCI Erika Foster. She and her trusted team face a really tough case in Fatal Witness that at first simply leads nowhere; new information just seems to complicate, not solve, things. For a long time there’s a real sense of hopelessness. Adding to the complexity are politics, nepotism, mistakes and a prime suspect with a highly influential relative in the police force.
Erika is determined to solve the case, and as usual puts herself totally on the line without any thought for her own safety. She’s just moved into a new house, but, typically, is doing very little to make it homely. Her one attempt to get some furniture introduces her to the new man in her life – not, however, before she manages to make him seriously angry.
But Erika’s personal life, although adding an extra dimension to the drama, plays only a small part in this unusual case and Fatal Witness is a compulsive police procedural packed with twists and turns, thrills and spills. I enjoyed it immensely.