Cosy crime this most certainly is not! Nikki Parekh has suffered more than most fictional detectives--which is saying a lot!-and her life gets worse in this superb novel. Not only is she fully involved in the day job, which involves identifying a body found in a barn, but at the same time she is trying to protect her family from a terrifying threat close to home. Great characters, intriguing plot and the backdrop of West Yorkshire all contribute to this tremendous story.

DS Nikki Parekh is back in this dark, gruesome thrillers.

With her family under threat from the man who brutally killer her mother, Nikki must do everything in her power to keep them safe.

When human remains are found in a deserted barn Nikki and the team are dragged into the dark and dangerous world of illegal dog fighting. Who was the victim and where is the rest of the body?

This is a fast paced page turner that kept me reading late into the night. I highly recommend this fantastic series to all crime loving fans.

This, the 5th book in the DS Nikki Parekh series, takes the reader to a much darker place than before. Not only is her father, Freddie Downey back on the scene and taunting her, her team is assigned a gruesome murder investigation that crosses all sorts of boundaries, mentally and physically. In this book I found it hard to empathise with Nikki, as she tries to keep her family safe, and finally put an end to her fathers threats. At times I felt the story jumped about too much, and this wasn’t quite the police procedural that I was hoping for. That said, it was a book I needed to finish to see where it ended up. The read was fast paced, and has a satisfying ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

So, so, disappointed. I had given the author’s previous book a 4* review, but here I’m really struggling to justify a 2*. I quite liked Nikki before, but in this book she began to get on my nerves, as did the rest of her family – particularly Charlie. Nikki’s family is allegedly the most important thing in her life (except perhaps twanging that wrist band which drove me nuts every time she did it). Really? About half way through the book we learn that Nikki’s kids ‘were happy and well-adjusted’. Don’t think so! Only a few pages later, Charlie is glaring at her mother and telling her to ‘Just butt out of my life, will you? I can’t breathe with you always trying to control me.’ Not long after that, Nikki refers to Charlie as ‘That little bloody cow! I’ll kill her.’
As I read the first part of the book I felt the writing was OK, but then I started noticing things which began to annoy me. For example, the errors. Yes, I know some reviewers will say ‘Ignore them, they don’t matter, it’s an uncorrected copy’, but they matter to me and I can’t ignore them. Missing/wrong words spoil a good smooth read and it doesn’t take more than a week to thoroughly proofread a book. End of that rant. Oh, and the overuse of the word ‘for’ caused me to take a deep breath every time I saw one. Why did we need: ‘for I’m pretty sure …, for his prints weren’t in the system …, for the words spilled out …, for it’s not showing up, for she was determined …, for there, cowering next to …, for the signal had …, for they were straining …, for Charlie’s voice …’ over and over again.
The plot? Enough time wasted on this book and review so I’ll just use the last word that popped into my head as I read the last page. Ridiculous. I am clearly out of step with other reviewers, but have to say how I feel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

This is book 5 in the series featuring DS Nikki Parekh, and I think it is the best yet! As always with this author, it is a brilliantly written dark and disturbing tale, jam-packed with tension and suspense. I will admit that I was apprehensive when I realised the book deals with an underground dog fighting gang, but I am pleased to be able to say that whilst there are allusions to the violence and depravity these gangs subject their animals to, it is not described in-depth.

The ending blew me away, and I am looking forward to finding out what’s next for Nikki and the team. All in all, a gripping read, worthy of all five stars.

WOW, another great book in this series.
DS Nikki Parekh is receiving threatening postcards from her father, promising revenge on Nikki and her loved ones. She is trying to juggle the safety of those she loves and investigate the human remains that were found. The remains seem to be tied in to an underground dog fighting, and get quite dangerous.
Love the characters, as always the plot drew me in immediately. This one was a little more graphic than some of the other books, but a great read. This can be read as a stand alone, but the references to previous books may be better if series is read in order.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book 5 of the Nikki Parekh series is another great read, engaging and thrilling with strong characters and a well developed plot. There are themes running through the series that make it best read in order for full effect, although this novel may also work as a standalone.

The two main story arcs involve Nikki's evil natural father, long missing but still in touch. He has sworn to come after the Bradford detective and occasionally sends her postcards to remind her. A more current case sees a dismembered arm found at the sight of suspected dog fighting. The case is difficult without the rest of the body, but Nikki and her team investigate, and find themselves in a world they have no previous experience of.

The final section of the novel sees many long running themes from the series come together. Without spoilers, it is difficult to say more than that the storylines are compelling, the action fast and the finale is gripping.

This is book 5 in the series featuring DS Nikki Parekh, set in Bradford. This dark and chilling tale is a brilliant addition to the series, which I highly recommend to lovers of the genre. It's tense, fast paced and gripping but be aware of some violent content in this latest addition to the series. Each character is so different and I love trying to figure out all the dynamics in the team. It's an easy 5* from me and I am grateful for my ARC from Net Galley.

Detective Nikki Parekh is on edge. She keeps receiving postcards that she knows are from the man who killed her mother two years ago, Freddie Downey.
All of the postcards threaten that he will come for Nikki or her family next and she knows that at some point he will make good on his promise, and she will need to be ready.
In the meantime, she has a potential murder to solve. A human arm was found at the site of an illegal dog fight, now all the team have to do is find out who it belongs to and what happened to them.
Juggling a murder case and trying to keep her loved ones safe isn't easy, especially as things are changing at work and someone very close to Nikki thinks she is being paranoid and there is no danger.
If you like tense, gripping crime you must read this. Liz Mistry writes with such depth and intensity that I found myself holding my breath at times. The hint of violence and depravity is always there in the background, but it's so well written it doesn't need spelling out.

DS Nikki Parekh is dealing with turmoil in her personal life. She is dealing with her mother's death at the hands of her sadistic, psychopathic father when she starts receiving threatening postcards from him as he inches closer to her. She and her family are given police protection, which her daughter Ali chafes against. Then she and her partner are investigating a strange case where a tattooed, dismembered arm is found at the site of which appears to be an underground dog fighting ring. Nikki works the investigation while simultaneously dealing with the trauma in her personal life. A gripping, tense crime thriller. Highly recommend.

Dying Breath is book 5 in the Nikki Parekh series by Liz Mistry.. Nikki’s father is getting closer to her and determined to get his revenge on her and those dear to her. With his efforts at misdirection, the results could be disastrous. Liz writes so well – you can feel the fear. Even amongst all this darkness and despair, there is humour. While all this is going on, her daughter Charlie is rebelling against the restrictions Nikki put in place to protect her family and keep them safe. The characters are so fascinating and so different from each other. In each book they grow a bit more and we get to know them a bit more. This was a gripping read, racing along at a fast pace and dragging me along with it. Look forward to seeing what happens in the next book..

The latest in Liz Mistry's DS Nikki Parekh series, set in Bradford, is a truly dark and chilling affair, with Nikki and her family under pressure, with the continuing threatening postcards she is receiving from her evil psychopathic father, Freddie Downey. The police protection, along with help from Ali, has her teenage rebellious daughter, Charlie, exploding with frustration at the restrictions and limitations, particularly with her hormones at play over a relationship she is keeping secret from everyone. However, there is nothing Nikki will not do to ensure the safety of her children, Charlie, Ruby and Sunni, and including others, such as her nephew Haqib, and Down's Syndrome Isaac, sweet but vulnerable with his tendency to trust far too easily.

On top of all this, Nikki and the newly promoted DS Sajid Malik find themselves at a troubling scene where illegal dogfighting had clearly take place and where a tattooed dismembered arm, with dog bites and its fingers cut off, is found. Working with other relevant police groups, Nikki and Saj struggle to identify who the arm belongs to, whom they can only logically assume is now dead. It turns out that there is a thriving underground dog fighting scene that has so far managed to elude the police, a financially lucrative business which is organised on the dark web, where there are suggestions that it is heading into worryingly macabre directions under the leadership of a particularly brutal, cruel and sadistic man, referred to as Fugly in the narrative. Nikki has to handle this challenging case, whilst simultaneously she and those in her family come under increasing danger from Freddie.

Mistry writes a dark and atmospheric crime read, full of suspense and tension, with a growing sense of menace, all culminating in a terrifying and horrifying finale. One of the highlights of this series are the relationships that have developed with Nikki and her police team, with her partner, Saj, and her boss, DCI Archie Hegley. However, it's the central character of Nikki, vulnerable, yet tough and resilient, that holds centre stage, and despite all the setbacks and trauma she has suffered, she is a survivor. A crime series I recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Liz Mystry writes such addictive books that once you start you have to finish.This book will have you wanting more as the story and characters make the book 5*

Have enjoyed this Nikki Parekh series very much. Great characters and storyline. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. Not so keen on the subject matter in this one but this is just my personal view. Would definitely read his next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Dying breath by Liz Mistry-Crime fiction police procedural- 5* 20th Sept Rachel NG @HQstories
Nikki Parakh has a rather odd case on her hands. An arm has been found- just an arm no body. From the looks of both the scene and the limb there has been illegal dog fighting. At home things aren't much better as Downey, her father, looks like he is getting nearer. Downey has been threatening Nikki and those around her for a while. Occasional chapters take us to someone being held captive close to the fighting dogs wondering how long they have left to live.
I really enjoy these books. They not only have character- I feel as if I “ know” Nikki having read the series- but they are also incredibly well researched. Yes there are things many of us perhaps don’t realise go on in the criminal world and would perhaps prefer not to know, whilst this is fiction, and yes sadly these things do happen in real life at times. Although part of a series this would stand alone however to get the Downey background the others should be read in order. A stunner of a read that kept me between the pages right to the very end. Love Nikki!

#blogtour

An amazing addition to the Nicky Parekh Northern crime series. Nicky is still coming to terms with the death of her mother who was murdered by her sadistic and evil father, . He has vowed to kill Nicky as well as any family members that stand in his way. When she starts receiving threatening post cards first from the other side of the world but gradually getting nearer to her home in Bradford, Nicky knows that the protection of her family must come first at all costs.
If this was the only thing that needed her attention she might have been able to deal with it but she has a serious case running after finding human remains in an isolated barn on the Yorkshire moors. The book contains scenes of inhuman barbarity, it is tense, gripping. and a thrilling read.

Phew. I read this in a day, I just couldn’t put it down! Nikki faces her worst terrors and everyone and everything she hold dear is threatened. A gripping story which had me on the edge of my seat.

DS Nikki Parekh #5

Nikki has a Demon breathing down her neck, the most evil person she has ever known and that is her father Freddie Downey. His threats are sickening and he’s getting ever closer and stringent police protocols are put in place for the families protection but until he is caught they will get no peace. Meanwhile, Nikki is called to a crime scene where all kinds of ugly have taken place as human remains are discovered.This is the start of a horrifying and potentially deadly enquiry for the Bradford-based team.

There are a lot of good police procedurals out there right now and I count this series among them. The team is terrific and Niki is an excellent central protagonist whose issues are very well portrayed. The impact of Downey on her family are done well to, especially on Charlie her teenage daughter who though she tests many a boundary she has a good heart.

The themes in this latest instalment are dark, harsh and will make your blood boil and churn your stomach as it’s cruel beyond belief. The situation that Nikki et al face is further reinforced by some terrific bleak settings especially in Yorkshire and the adverse weather provides an ever greater chill factor. The scenarios become creepy, exceptionally dangerous and there are some vivid, violent and colourful confrontations and dangerous traps as evil nets close in and the tension becomes very taut. It builds and builds and twists and turns to a nailbiting conclusion and how it all pans out is very fitting.

This is a dark novel and I’m very grateful to the author for the infusions of humour so her readers can breathe again! This is a multi layered mystery thriller told via several narrators and Liz Mistry does really well with all the fast paced plot ‘plate spinning’ to bring it all together seamlessly. I’m looking forward to what Nikki gets up to next!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Dying Breath is another excellent crime thriller in the DS Nikki Parekh series. Hold onto your hats as it’s a rollercoaster of a ride, so much is happening from the gruesome to the downright evil.
Never having a quiet life on the personal front or professionally Nikki is having police protection for herself and family after receiving death threats from her evil father. Adding to the mix is a crime scene that raises so many questions. A tattooed arm is found at a site on the moors with no body attached to it or to be found. At the site there is evidence that illegal dog fighting has taken place which raises lots of alarms of horrifying and cruel scenarios.
With the strong support of her husband at home, and her lovely colleague Sajid we have a gripping story where the action never stops.
My thanks to netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

If you believe the story books it's the stepmother who is evil, and good always wins in the end. For DS Nikki Parekh life has never been like a fairytale instead it made her the strong woman she has had to become but even she couldn't have imagined the fear which has gradually enveloped her entire family.

As Nikki and partner DS Sajid Malik are tasked with the almost impossible task of reuniting a severed arm with the rest of its as yet undiscovered body they are also drawn into the shady world of illegal dog fighting and the secrecy surrounding it. Working almost permanently on empty Nikki has problems at home and work to contend with but knows if she loses focus for even a minute her family will be caught up in everything she is struggling to prevent.

This is the fifth Nikki Parekh book and things are moving at pace towards a confrontation which has been coming for the last few storylines. The main protagonists are all there, although some in name only, and each play their part in what happens throughout.

Although the two plot lines were entertaining and exciting I didn't feel the heart stopping jeopardy I'd expected. I think this was in the main because a prologue was used to show something from during the story rather than beforehand and so was repeated in its correct place later on. This spoilt the story for me as the impact of whatever was happening was lessened because I knew what was still to come.

I hope there will be more books in this series as, even with its limitations this time around, Nikki and Sajid are great main protagonists and their backstories still have a way to go. The writing is also excellent and without the prologue this would have been a definite 5.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this and will definitely keep reading any new books in this series. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.