I received a complimentary electronic ARC of this excellent British police procedural, part of a series featuring Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster, but completely stand-alone, from Netgalley, author Robert Bryndza, and publisher Raven Street Ltd. I am pleased to add Robert Bryndza to my list of go-to British authors and recommend him to friends and family.

Taking place for the most part in and around London, the time 2018. Erika has sold the country home she shared with her husband Mark before his death four years ago, a home she rented out as she had transferred to London shortly after Mark's death, and bought a small place not far from the job, the first step in getting her life back on track. She is not going to have time to unpack all those boxes, however. She can't even go to the corner chip shop on moving day without stumbling over a body. Finding enough time to locate the forks and spoons, much less her computer will be hard to come by.

A very enjoyable well paced British police procedural novel with great characters and unexpected twists. This is the seventh book in the Erika Foster series but the first one I've read. I didn't feel lost not having read the first six books but I'm sure I've read a bunch of spoilers about the personal lives of the regular characters. I definitely plan of reading the rest of the series. highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

I was thrilled to see that Erika Foster was returning in a new thriller by Robert Bryndza. It’s been a few years now since I read the last book in the series, but it felt as though no time had passed at all, and I really enjoyed Fatal Witness. I also really liked the way how Robert Bryndza is now taking the series.

Robert opens the book with a horrific opening as we witness an attack on a woman. I could feel the fear that she was experiencing as she began to see what was going to happen next. We’re thrown right into an intriguing and complex case when Erika, having recently moved house, stumbles across a crime scene in her local area. The body of a young woman has been found and as Erika and her team begin to peel back the layers, following the discovery, they discover that there was something mysterious going on in her life before she was killed, which could have led to her death.

Robert Bryndza throws in plenty of red herrings as Erika begins to investigate what happened to the young woman. I really liked how he did this, my suspicion on different characters seemed to constantly be changing, and I was never able to work out what had happened to the woman, or who was responsible. It’s what makes the case really intriguing, especially when Robert reveals some of the work the woman was doing with her true crime podcast, as he begins to build a picture of her life.

I liked the development of Erika’s character in this book; I don’t want to go into too much detail here, but I think it’ll be interesting to see how Robert Bryndza chooses to explore this part of her story in future. I’m really hoping that he still has plenty of ideas for Erika. As Robert looked into this part of her life, it provided some lighter moments, I thought, to the novel.

I thought it was really interesting how Robert Bryndza shifted the course of the investigation, as it’s revealed what the woman, who was found dead, was looking into before she was killed. Had she uncovered something that she shouldn’t have come across? I really wanted to get to the bottom of what was happening in her life, and what had led up to this moment. It’s what made her character even more fascinating, and it added to the darkness in the book, as Robert delved into this part of the story.

I loved catching up with Erika Foster and all the other familiar characters in the series again. Fatal Witness is such a clever and gripping read. Erika Foster fans, you are in for a real treat if you haven’t read this book already.

Yipeee. I'm so glad Erika is back. A fantastic story which had me gripped from the start. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

It packs a punch opening with a hysterical woman, a dead body and mutilated cats.An investigative podcaster is linked to the case and fears for her safety. The plot and characters are complex and nothing is what it seems. As the story unfolds the killer must work hard to keep covering their tracks. An explosive ending that I didn't predict.

Well to say this thriller starts with a bang is an understatement. The murder at the beginning is gruesome and the subsequent investigation goes from one suspect to another yet none seem to be connected to the victims..
For some reason I decided to read when I had gone to bed, silly as i then couldn't sleep. I just had to know what the next chapter held. So a few late nights engrossed in Fatal Witness for me.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested right up until the end. Erica Foster is a great well rounded character that I enjoyed getting to know. Her thought processes are spot on and I felt involved in the story..
If you're into police procedural thrillers this and the whole series is definitely one for you.

Very dark and very fast paced so it easily keeps your attention. A good storyline with lots of drama to keep you on your toes!

DCI Erika Foster has moved to a new house in Blackheath. She has moved in but has little in the way of home comforts so she goes out for a meal. On her way back she hears a woman scream & finds her at the doorway of a flat viewing a scene of carnage. A young woman has been brutally murdered. Her sister has discovered her & is able to tell Erika that her name is Vicky, she was an actor & produced a podcast. She was working on one about a sexual predator- how close had she come to unmasking the criminal?

This was a fast paced story with numerous twists & turns that I have come to love & expect from Robert Brynzda! I have followed this series from the start & have really enjoyed watching Erika Foster develop as the series has gone on. I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

As soon as I saw the cover for Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza, it screamed READ ME. It’s awesome and sure does relate to the story inside, suspenseful, dangerous.

Then, I read the Prologue and it grabbed me. I do love a good Prologue and it made me ask myself…How did it come to that? Why?

Erika is a police officer and had been married to one. Her husband, Mark, had died on the job and her new house is to be a fresh start for her.

I like my action fast and furious, but I settled down in the police procedural, gathering clues with Erika, though they seem to be few. Suspects are eliminated as they crop up.

Two murders, seemingly unrelated, yet both are from the same rental building.

Even though Fatal Witness is fiction, it reminds me of how small a world we live in.

Well written. Easy to read. Flows nicely.

I sometimes have difficulty with novels from the UK, but not so here. Some words were unfamiliar, but the book was written in a way they were easy to understand.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza.

If you are looking for dark and fast paced, Fatal Witness is perfect for you.

I have read my fair share of murder mysteries... who am I kidding, it is ALL I read. So to say I am impressed is really few and far between. However, I was completely and utterly overwhelmed AND impressed with Fatal Witness.

This was my first book by Robert Bryndza but there is no way it will be my last. The way this book consumed me was unreal. Talk about literary genius!

Fatal Witness will keep you on the edge of your seat begging for more yet also have you biting your nails in fear for what will happen next.

Do yourself a favor and run on over to your favorite bookstore to buy this book, you will not regret it!

I'd recommend Fatal Witness to any reader who enjoys a suspenseful crime thriller, this book is absolutely brilliant!
Detective Erika Foster and her investigative team work against the clock to solve a gruesome murder. The many characters all play important roles in the mystery of who committed the crime. Erika is determined to ensure that the killer doesn’t strike again, there’s lots of pieces to this puzzle!
A real page turner with plenty of intrigue, connectivity and a superb writing style!

My thanks to Raven Street Publishing, NetGalley and NetGalleyUK for the opportunity to read and review this thrilling book, cleverly written by Robert Bryndza.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing an ARC to review.

Fatal Witness is the first book I have read from Robert Bryndza's Erica Foster series, and it was an easy, enjoyable read. The plot didn't feel overloaded with background info from previous books, and I still understood what was happening. The only complaint was that there were so many red herrings that occasionally I tired of trying to figure out the mystery. I liked this book and would read another from the series. I give this book 3/5 stars

A heinous murder,a grisly crime scene.
Wow this story runs along at a great pace,barely leaving me time to catch my breath.
I read this in one sitting so engrossed was I.
A really excellent read.

I love the Erika Foster series and very happy to read another story with her! The true crime podcast aspect was an interesting take and I really enjoyed it.

Although I haven't read the first 6 in the series, they are going to be on my TBR list now! Fatal Witness is an edge of the seat, powerful turn-pager. I read it in just two days because I HAD to find out what happened. So glad I came across this one!

Thank you so much Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for this book.
Wow, wow and wow again - its great to have Erika back and moving on with her life. What a story so different and twisted I loved it, a new interest for Erika too!!! Highly recommend this book and just need the next one now - thank you xx

Fatal Witness is another solid instalment in Robert Bryndza’s series featuring Slovak-born DCI Erika Foster.

Erika and her team investigate the vicious stabbing murder of actress-turned-podcaster Vicky Clarke, a crime scene Erika herself stumbles across while off-duty. Many twists and turns follow as Erika, Peterson, Moss and their colleagues sift through the details of Vicky's life and her close contacts, under additional pressure due to the relationship one suspect has with a senior police officer. Eventually, the detectives zero in on the subject matter of Vicky's latest podcast, in which she investigates a series of break and enters with an apparent sexual motive, as a likely motive for her killing. But this is a devious villain who's not ready to be brought to justice - can Erika close the case before she becomes the next victim?

After a long break, it was great to return to the DCI Foster universe. She's a complex and tenacious character, not always willing to abide by the instructions of her superiors in the MET hierarchy. The supporting characters are also well-developed and memorable, both recurring characters in the shape of Erika's police and forensic colleagues, and those to whom we're introduced through the plot of this book. True crime podcasters have become a fairly frequent feature in the crime-mystery-thriller genre over recent years, and certainly provide fertile territory for plots featuring amateur detection, the exploration of "cold cases" and/or the device of the stalker/investigator becoming an unwitting target. Robert Bryndza's execution is effective as ever in Fatal Witness, with a well-paced plot, several unexpected twists and a surprising but satisfying conclusion.

I'd recommend Fatal Witness to any reader who enjoys gritty, character-driven crime thrillers. While I believe the book would read well as a standalone, I wholeheartedly recommend Robert Bryndza's whole DCI Erika Foster series to those who are yet to discover it. There are significant character arcs over the course of the series, although these are deftly alluded to in the narrative of Fatal Witness for the assistance of readers new to the series.

My thanks to the author, Robert Bryndza, publisher Raven Street Publishing, NetGalley and NetGalleyUK for the opportunity to read and review this title, released 7 July 2022.

An absolute cracker of a book!!!

I haven't read any of the Erika Foster series before so I was a little worried that I would struggle coming in this late but having read the author's Kate Marshall series, I should have known this wouldn't be an issue. I definitely feel this can be read as a standalone even though I know I will have missed the character development and back story but it really wasn't an issue for me.

With excellent characters, a really good plot and written at a great pace, this is a riveting read and one which I thoroughly enjoyed and couldn't put down.

Thank you Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read Fatal Witness and share my thoughts.

Another winner by Robert Brundtland! Loved everything about the characters, plot and twists and turns.

Fatal Witness is another solid instalment in Robert Bryndza’s series featuring Slovak-born DCI Erika Foster.

Erika and her team investigate the vicious stabbing murder of actress-turned-podcaster Vicky Clarke, a crime scene Erika herself stumbles across while off-duty. Many twists and turns follow as Erika, Peterson, Moss and their colleagues sift through the details of Vicky's life and her close contacts, under additional pressure due to the relationship one suspect has with a senior police officer. Eventually, the detectives zero in on the subject matter of Vicky's latest podcast, in which she investigates a series of break and enters with an apparent sexual motive, as a likely motive for her killing. But this is a devious villain who's not ready to be brought to justice - can Erika close the case before she becomes the next victim?

After a long break, it was great to return to the DCI Foster universe. She's a complex and tenacious character, not always willing to abide by the instructions of her superiors in the MET hierarchy. The supporting characters are also well-developed and memorable, both recurring characters in the shape of Erika's police and forensic colleagues, and those to whom we're introduced through the plot of this book. True crime podcasters have become a fairly frequent feature in the crime-mystery-thriller genre over recent years, and certainly provide fertile territory for plots featuring amateur detection, the exploration of "cold cases" and/or the device of the stalker/investigator becoming an unwitting target. Robert Bryndza's execution is effective as ever in Fatal Witness, with a well-paced plot, several unexpected twists and a surprising but satisfying conclusion.

I'd recommend Fatal Witness to any reader who enjoys gritty, character-driven crime thrillers. While I believe the book would read well as a standalone, I wholeheartedly recommend Robert Bryndza's whole DCI Erika Foster series to those who are yet to discover it. There are significant character arcs over the course of the series, although these are deftly alluded to in the narrative of Fatal Witness for the assistance of readers new to the series.

My thanks to the author, Robert Bryndza, publisher Raven Street Publishing, NetGalley and NetGalleyUK for the opportunity to read and review this title, released 7 July 2022.