I am so excited whenever Robert releases a new book because I know it will be a 5 star read. This book was no different and I inhaled it! That's my only complaint - I read it too quickly and now I have to wait again! Thank you for the opportunity to read this fantastic book.

The Lost Victim by Robert Bryndza
Raven Street Publishing, 11th July 2024

When schoolgirl Janey Macklin disappeared in 1988, the case went cold, with no body and no witnesses.
Now, 30 years later, PI Kate Marshall is hired by a true crime podcaster to look into it. With little for Kate and partner Tristan to work on, and the landscape where Janey went missing having altered so much, the detecting duo need their wits about them.

The author skillfully brings Kate and Tristan to life from the pages, and as the pace really picks up at the halfway point, shows why he earns such rave reviews from crime readers. The plot is strong, and the surprises along the way are unexpected and brilliant.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Raven Street Publishing and Robert Bryndza for providing an eARC via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

This is book #5 in this fantastic series and I have to hold my hands up and say this is only the third I have read BUT it didn't at all affect the understanding of the storyline or plot. I'll admit it most definitely helps if you have read at least a couple of the previous books though as there are references to past relationships etc.

Ex poloce detective Kate and her business partner Tristan are contacted with a new proposal for a job. A job that could come in at just the right time, Kate is in need of a cash injection for her other business and Tristan is behind on payments.

In 1988 a young girl, Janey Mackin, disappeared whilst on an errand to the local corner shop for her mum. She was never seen again. No body was ever found. What happened to Janey, was she taken or did she run away?

These are the questions that a true crime podcast producer wants answered and feel that Kate and Tristan, with their success at cold cases, can answer.

Investigating, lots of the clues, evidence and testimony of others points to Peter Conway. A man already serving life in prison, also the man that Kate had a relationship and child with, before arresting him for multiple murders, warming him the moniker of the 'Nine Elms Killer'.

The podcast producer puts them up in a flat in London so they are local enough to investigate Janey's disappearance but while there things start happening to make them think that someone is hiding something. As they claw closer and closer to the truth, the danger also feels like it it casting its shadows.

Running around London, trying to uncover all they can, Kate also has the reminder of Peter Conway weighing heavily on her shoulders. Their son has flown back home after being told his Dad is seriously ill. After dental issues which required surgery, he has since been hospitalised after an infection caused him to collapse and cause skull damage. Can Kate put her personal feelings aside to ask him the one question she's desperate to ask.. 'was Janey one of his victims?'

Can they figure it all out before the shadows enclose them completely?

This is th3 epitome of a real crime thriller. Packed with suspense and twists, I found this completely unputdownable.

Thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for the ARC.

This was an interesting case making the book unique, it had the twist you’re looking for in this genre as well. I’m interested to see what’s next.

Kate Marshall & her assistant private investigator Tristan are struggling financially. Kate's campsite that usually tides them over in lean times has been flooded & somehow she needs to find money for repairs. When they are offered a sizable amount from a podcast company it should have been the answer to a prayer. However the case is going to involve digging up things from the past she would really like to forget.! Many years ago Janey Macklin went down the road to buy her mother some cigarettes & was never seen again. The area of King's Cross has changed beyond all recognition. The last person known to have seen Janey was convicted but now has been acquitted & suspicion falls on the notorious Nine Elms Killer, who is also Kate's ex. It will not be an easy case in any way.

I have enjoyed the previous books in the series & have enjoyed watching the characters develop. However this book could easily re read as a standalone. The author captures the settings well & also keeps the reader guessing. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Robert Bryndza is one of my ‘go to’ writers of fast paced thrillers. I always enjoy his writing and his latest ‘The Lost Victim’ is no exception.
Private Detective Kate Marshall and her partner Tristan Harper are hired by a podcast company to look into a cold case, the disappearance of school girl Janey Macklin from the seedy streets of Soho in 1988. The money offered for their services is very tempting and much needed by their little agency but it means Kate coming face to face with a past she would rather forget. As they scour a Kings Cross very different from the run-down seedy side of London that it once was the case becomes complicated and despite everything Kate has to once again cross paths with the notorious Nine Elms Cannibal, who is also an ex-colleague and her son’s father, in the hope that it will solve the case and finally bring some answers and closure for Janey’s mum and sister after all these years.
The case is made more complicated due to the passage of time that has muddied people’s recollections of the case, as well as the fact that the landscape of the area where Janey disappeared has changed so much.
I really liked how Kate’s feelings and those of her son were dealt with and it showed that despite everything in the end Kate is able to push away her personal feelings in favour of those of her son. And in a way her actions concerning Peter Conway hopefully ultimately give Kate some sort of closure to that chapter in her life.
Another great read from Robert which will have you guessing until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza and Raven Street Publishing for another great read.

Kat and Tristan are private detectives who are hired to solve a cold case. The kicker is that Kat's former lover, a famous serial killer, might have had something to do with this victim. Overall the book was well written and filled with details. There's not too much action but twists and turns. Solving a cold case requires a lot of investigation and this book is filled with it. Since this is book 5, Peter who is involved in the previous books is an interesting character I want to learn more about so I will head back to the first book to learn more about his history.

Thank you @netgalley & @robertbryndza and #RavenStreetPublishing for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.

When Private Detectives Kate Marshall and Tristan Harper are hired by the producer of a true crime podcast to delve into the cold case of a young girl who went missing in 1988, Kate is aware that this case links to her past.

The missing girl is believed to be the victim of vicious serial killer, Peter Conway, otherwise known as the Nine Elms Cannibal. Conway, a former police officer, is now serving time in prison. Kate, who had actually been having an affair with Conway when she solved the case, also discovered she was pregnant with Conway’s child!

As Kate and Tristan question Conway’s friends and other interested parties, a truly ugly (and sad) story starts to reveal itself.

This page-turner takes place primarily in London, which is a change of venue for Kate and Tristan. Kate’s ties to this particular case provide for an interesting look into her character, as she must also consider the feelings of her son, Jake.
The story moves along at a good pace and unfolds primarily through the third person perspectives of Kate and Tristan, with occasional chapters devoted to other characters.

Robert Bryndza always presents a well-written and intricate mystery with a compelling storyline, well-developed characters, and a conclusion worth waiting for! I really enjoyed this one! Thriller lovers, don’t miss this chilling story!

This is the first book of Robert Bryndza that I have read and really enjoyed it. There were enough characters to pick from to make them the murderer, so I had a fine time honing my detective skills which kept me busy trying to tie everything together. The main characters, Kate and Tristen, were a good duo and hope to meet them again in another of Robert Bryndza's books. The author's knowledge and description of London and surrounds allowed readers to feel they were there.

All in all a book well worth reading with enough twists and turns to keep you busy working on who the killer was.

Kate and Tristan are asked to try and solve the coldest of cold cases... one that might have ties to Peter Conway.

The story is compelling and moves along quickly. I began to rethink who "did it" about half way through. (And I was right, in part... wow what a great ending!)

We see Tristan and Kate really working brilliantly together and their partnership really is one I enjoy!

I very much recommend this series, Bryndza is a masterful writer and keeps you on the edge of the page!

Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for the advanced digital copy. This book was published July 11, 2024.

Thank you Netgalley, #partner, for the advanced copy of The Lost Victim in exchange for my honest review. I purchased the audiobook for my own collection.

This is the fifth book in Robert Bryndza’s Kate Marshall series and I just love this series. I have been a fan of this author ever since discovering his other crime fiction series, The Erika Foster series, which I also really like, and I have to say, it’s a really close tie as to which series I love more!

As I typically say when reviewing books in a series, this latest book of course can be read without reading the earlier books, but I HIGHLY recommending reading the series in order. Yes, the author does give some bare-bones highlights of what has come before, but of course I always think it is best to have read the earlier books in order to have a richer reading experience. And while each book is a self-contained case, this one does have some threads to tie to plotlines that potentially could spoil what happened in earlier books.

I loved the direction this book took. I loved that Kate and Tristan’s case led them back to the beginning – Peter Conway and the Nine Elms Cannibal. But more importantly that this installment saw Kate and her son together in a most vulnerable way. This book had so many twists and turns and I could not get through it fast enough to see how it would all play out! As fast-paced and adrenaline-fueled as the book was, it also hit that emotional level once again that Bryndza seems to write so well.

I can’t wait to see what is next for Kate and Tristan…especially with them in London this time – maybe they will cross paths with Detective Erika Foster sometime? Oh how I’d love that and apparently that is something the author is already considering! Oh, please so…I am already loving the idea!!!

Another Great Read
Reading has been a bit hit or miss for me lately, but when I need a guaranteed dose of joy, I turn to Robert Bryndza. His latest Kate Marshall installment, The Lost Victim, did not disappoint. From the first word to the last page, I was completely captivated.

As a devoted fan of Bryndza, initially through the Erica Foster series, I eagerly followed him to the Kate Marshall series. Each book in this series is immensely enjoyable, and The Lost Victim is no exception. The story is absorbing, filled with suspense, and the characters are as engaging as ever. Kate and her partner, Tristan, are well-developed, and the supporting characters add depth to the narrative.

The Lost Victim sees Kate and Tristan running a holiday park when they are approached by a team of true crime podcasters. They ask Kate to investigate the cold case of Janey Macklin, a London teenager who went missing in the late 80s. Although a man was initially convicted of her murder, he was later acquitted, leaving Janey’s case unsolved. The podcasters believe there might be a link between Janey and the infamous Nine Elms Cannibal, a case that ended Kate's police career and made her infamous.

For fans of the series, the Nine Elms Cannibal needs no introduction. If you're new to Kate Marshall, starting at the beginning of the series will provide valuable context. However, Bryndza ensures that The Lost Victim can be enjoyed as a standalone mystery. He provides enough background to understand the characters' history, but knowing the full backstory enriches the experience, especially with the twists and tribulations along the way.

The opening chapter sets a tense tone that keeps you on edge. Even without immediately connecting it to Kate’s past, the narrative draws you in. The story’s 80s setting, with its distinct risks and naiveté, adds a layer of nostalgia and tension. I was fully invested in Janey’s story and the investigation, making it hard to put the book down.

Bryndza masterfully uses misdirection and misinformation. Despite the decades since Janey’s disappearance, Kate and Tristan’s determination shines as they navigate through old witnesses and records. Their ability to get under people's skin proves crucial in solving the case. The investigation touches on personal and emotional elements, especially for Janey’s family and Kate herself, adding depth to the narrative.

I had my suspicions about certain characters, but Bryndza’s pacing and clue placement kept the story’s revelations perfectly timed. The narrative is tense yet balanced, with characters that are both frustrating and endearing. The ending, though contemporary and authentic, is inevitable and satisfying.

In summary, The Lost Victim is another absorbing case in the Kate Marshall series, filled with characters I love to spend time with. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await the next installment.

So enjoyed this return to Kate & Tristan’s world. They are complex and interesting characters with a close, trusting relationship between them. It’s a great read, fast paced and very addictive. I particularly found the inclusion of Peter Conway fascinating. I didn’t want it to end and I really missed it once I’d finished! It certainly kept me guessing right to the finish. All in all, I’d thoroughly recommend this title. The series keeps getting better and better with each book. I can’t wait for the next instalment!

Another brilliant novel that I couldn’t be put down. I really enjoy Kate and Tristan's relationship and how they interact. The characters are so realistic and interesting that strengthen the storyline. Robert Bryndza never fails to deliver quality writing and exciting novels that leave eager for the next novel to be written. I am a big fan of Robert’s work as I know that I will never be left disappointed. It is getting a little predictable from me, but again a well-deserved 5-star from me.

A gripping read !
Kate and Tristan are private investigators and are asked to look into a cold case of a missing girl .
If the pair are successful in reaching a conclusion to the case it will be the agency’s most lucrative contract to date and the money is much needed.
The investigation moves on and Peter Conway the Nine Elms cannibal killer puts in himself in the middle of the case from his prison cell.
The history between Conway and Kate runs deep.
Not only did she bring him to justice he is also the father to her son , so this stirs memories in Kate which she would rather forget.
The book moves on at a fair pace and the writing style makes for an easy and enjoyable read.
Plenty of twists and turns and it certainly kept me guessing.
This series gets better and better !
Thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing

The Lost Victim is the latest excellent investigative thriller by talented author Robert Bryndza, and the fifth entry in his Kate Marshall series. Kate is a private investigator, formerly a police detective in London, whose career become tangled with the dark doings of fellow cop and boyfriend, Peter Conway, aka the Nine Elms Cannibal. After the notoriety of the case, the subsequent years saw her dismissal from the police force for her behavior and reaction to the trauma of realizing she was having a child by this monster. Now, years later, Kate has a modest PI business and son Jake is a young adult pursuing a career in Los Angeles, California.
In need of cash, Kate agrees to look into the cold case of a school girl, Janey Macklin, presumably murdered 30 years before, and whose body was never found. A team of national podcasters are willing to pay Kate well to discover new information and solve the case.
The plotting of this story is intriguing, complex, and well-paced, with several threads involving predators, prisoners, and victims. It becomes quite a cat and mouse game, and the intensity and excitement mounts toward the conclusion.
Bryndza is very skillful at juxtaposing the dark reality of contemporary criminal activity with the human drama and feelings of the victims and their survivors. So this is also a character-driven story, as world-weary Kate struggles with her past but rises to defend against the real world evils. Her partner, Tristan, is a younger and more optimistic defender of right, and a complimentary character to Kate.
This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, yet I would encourage new readers to go back to books #1-4 to enjoy the richness of the arc of Kate Marshall’s story.

Thank you so much to Raven Street Press, the author, and NetGalley for the ARC. It is a pleasure to read and review Mr. Bryndza’s new thriller.

I always look forward to the nine elms series, and this didn't dissapoint!
Kate and Tristan are as real, and likeable as ever. The plot is intricate enough to keep you guessing while drawing you in.
I thought how it tied in to the previous books was super clever and added another dimension to the book, to really make you think.
As always you are there in these pages, the setting and its description on point and adding another level of atmosphere and murkiness, that ties in beautifully.
An absolute triumph of a read!

This one was off as compared to the other books. I lost interest when Peter Conway was brought in just as a red herring. Surely the author could create a new character for the purpose. A cold case investigation with new characters would have worked better.

Kate Marshall is trying to keep her new detective agency afloat and is offered a lucrative cold case. She and her partner Tristan are hired to look into the 1988 disappearance of Janey Macklin. They discover that their client may have ulterior motives because they are trying to connect Janey's disappearance to Peter Conway who is an infamous serial killer and also the father of Kate's son. As Kate and Tristan investigate the events of 30 years ago, it seems as though none of the stories are adding up. Was Peter involved in another murder? Is he still trying to manipulate Kate? Or is someone else much closer to the case trying to influence their investigation? This book hooked me from the beginning and kept me turning pages to find out what really happened to Janey. #NetGalley #TheLostVictim

Best one yet! I already loved this series, but this newest addition cemented it for me! Well done!

Thank you #netgalley and #ravenstreetpublishing for the eARC.