Couldn't finish it sadly, found the point of view of criminal a bit too obvious or grating. The dalliances with classical music a bit too on the nose alas

Thank you to @hqstories for letting me be a part of the blog tour for this title. I found this one quite interesting; the character of Christine was a polarising one for me - someone who is dogged in their determination but also someone who knowingly breaks the rules. The chapters flits back and forth between characters, which adds to the suspense of a ‘who dunnit feel’ and kept me turning the pages. I do love a crime thriller and this was a good one.

Maidens of the Cave is a multi-faceted crime thriller with a dynamic female protagonist and a cast of characters that add authenticity, depth and suspense to the story. As the tale progresses, the conspiracy element deepens, and the driven forensic anthropologist must fight to carry out her role effectively. The antagonist is a disturbing character. The contrast with the naivety of their victims is stark. I like the plot's complexities, the characterisation and the vividly portrayed protagonist and antagonist. It's an immersive and intense story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A fast paced and gripping story that kept me hooked and on the edge since the beginning. Well plotted, tense, fast paced.
There's a lot of empathy toward the victims and I liked the MC
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Maidens of the Cave is the sequel to TikTok sensation Lloyd Devereux Richards's critically acclaimed spy/action/crime thriller Stone Maidens, though it stands perfectly well on its own, and boy, what a follow-up it is. FBI Agent and Chief Forensic Anthropologist Christine Prusik, of the Chicago field office, is back and when her assistance is requested by the medical examiner in a nearby Illinois town, Christine takes the opportunity to go back out into the field without having to always have prior permission from her overbearing new supervisor. A female college student has been discovered deceased with no obvious cause of death near a cluster of caves. Christine soon finds that the case is not a unique one and that there have been similar bodies found in similar locations. Ignoring calls to return to the office for mandatory meetings she aggressively pursues the case.

A second body is then found in a cave in nearby Indiana; the victim carries a strikingly similar neck wound to the first. Fearing a serial killer is on the loose she continues to put all her focus into immersing herself in the relevant details of the case and aggressively pursuing the perpetrator much to the chagrin of her superiors. With many people unwilling to talk and give up any information for fear of ruining the college's reputation she finds herself with very little evidence to work with. A breakthrough finally happens when she finds that an exotic poison may have been involved in the deaths; a poison that originates from a breed of South American frog. Coincidentally, it is the poison that is currently being targeted for research by one of the local universities and a pharmacology company with ties to the National Institute of Health.

It seems that Christine has found herself investigating a conspiracy with widespread and highly damaging consequences for the elite/those in power. Can she survive long enough to discover the killer's motive and put them away? This is a riveting, action-packed and utterly compelling thriller from first page to last with none of the filler often found within some. I admire Christine as she is a rule breaker (for all the right reasons) and a rebel when it comes to standing up to her superiors; I cannot help but adore a fierce female protagonist, especially in such a male-dominated environment. It's fast-paced and told from a multitude of perspectives which adds depth to the narrative, and there is a plethora of twists and turns and aspects that take you by surprise. I recommend setting aside some time to read it in one sitting as once you get going you struggle to put it down as you are eager to unravel the mystery and pinpoint those involved.

Maidens Of The Cave by Lloyd Devereux Richards is an absolutely marvellous contemporary crime suspense that had me glued and guessing from the start.
The plotline is intricate, well thought out and executed. It is definitely a thinking man’s novel. There is no time to sit back and relax as the reader is immediately plunged into the action. We know the nickname of the perpetrator from the start but we do not know who it is.
We see that our upbringing shapes the adults we become – for good or evil.
The leading lady is well drawn, likable and realistic. She is tenacious in her search for the truth, preferring to go against her boss rather than have a death on her conscience.
This is a book with heightened tension throughout as the reader fears for the safety of the characters. I read with baited breath and rapidly rising heartbeat!
Lloyd Devereux Richards draws the reader in from the start. We care about the victims and the leading lady as we fear for the safety of the innocent – although some are not always as innocent as we thought.
Maidens Of The Cave was a thrilling read that I just could not put down and read in just two sittings. It would make a fabulous television series.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5

Thank you Netgalley and HQ Stories for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book from the Tik Tok sensation Lloyd Devereux Richards! This is the second book in the series but can definitely be read as a standalone.

In this story, FBI agent Christine Prusik hunts down a serial killer who has been leaving his vicitims in caves with peculiar marks.

I loved this even more than the first one! It’s a classic book which gets more and more addictive and complex as you read on. The book is mainly set from FBI agent Christine Prusik’s performance but there are parts where the POV is from the serial killer. Knowing his name and profession just made the read so much more intoxicating.