Book 5 in the Private Investigator Kate Marshall series and the pace continues from the previous novels which I recommend you read for context, although this reads well as a standalone. It is 1988 and teenager Janey Macklin is sent by her Mum to get cigarettes from a nearby shop in the Kings Cross area of London. She is seen getting into a van and that is the last sighting of her. The driver is arrested and found guilty of her murder even though there is no body but 8 years later is retried and acquitted. I don’t know exactly what it is, but once I start reading one of this authors books, I can’t put it down until I’ve finished it, and this was no different.

Briefly, 30 years after Janey Macklin went missing Kate and business partner Tristan are asked by a creative agency to investigate her disappearance for a podcast the agency want to run about the case. Was her nemesis ex DCI Peter Conway, the notorious Nine Elms Cannibal, now well and truly ensconced in HMP Wakefield involved? What are the people from the agency really after and why has the van driver vanished completely?

With twists and turns aplenty and Kate having to finally face up to the reality of Conway and his effect on both her life and that of son Jake, this is another superb thriller. A brilliant fast paced plot and some excellent characters, good and bad, this is a compelling read. I’m sure I’m dreaming but wouldn’t it be great if she met and worked with Erica Foster in the authors next book!

This is book 5 in the PI Kate Marshall series. Because this book refers to a previous character from the series, the ‘Nine Elms’ killer, I would not read this as a stand-alone.
Personally you do yourself a major injustice to not read this whole series in order!
Kate and her trusted partner Tristan travel to London to investigate a cold case from the late 1980’s when a teenage girl disappears the day before Christmas Eve while running to a shop. A modern investigator to on into 1980’s London and a mixture of characters, some who remain in the past, others who try to forget.
Great work yet again!

Having read all the preious books in the Kate Marshall series, I had to pick up this fifth book. It's a really good series.

Description:
When school girl Janey Macklin disappeared from the seedy side of London in 1988, her case went cold, with no body and no witnesses. Now, thirty years later, private detective Kate Marshall has been approached by a true crime podcast producer with an intriguing question they need her help answering: What if Janey was killed by Peter Conway, the notorious Nine Elms Cannibal?

The contract would be the most lucrative of Kate’s career, but it comes with a price of its own, dredging up a sordid, complicated past that she would sooner forget . . . one that the paparazzi are determined to keep in the headlines.

As Kate and her partner, Tristan, scour King’s Cross for clues, no two leads seem to point in the same direction. The last person to see Janey alive has already been tried, convicted, and then acquitted of her murder, Peter Conway is in poor health and fading fast, and the line between their clients and their suspects is blurring with each new revelation about the case.

With little to work from, can Tristan and Kate wade through clandestine phone calls, decades-old secrets, and deteriorating DNA evidence to solve Janey’s murder, or will she remain one of London’s countless missing persons, forever lost to time?

My Thoughts:
Kate and Tristan make a good private investigator team and work together playing off each other's strengths. Kate's history with serial killer Peter Conway comes into play again in this book - seems she will never be free of him even though he's been in prison a long time now. In this book Kate and Tristan are trying to find out what really happened to Janey Macklin who disappeared thirty years ago. A case couldn't get much colder I think. The expertise Kate and Tristan show in their investigation is outstanding and they turn over possible evidence that others missed trying to find the truth. The book held my attention and was well plotted. It build tensino as it progressed. This book can be read as a stand along and will appeal to mystery/thriller lovers.

Thanks to Raven Street Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

4.5 stars

The Lost Victim by Robert Bryndza is the 5th in the PI Kate Marshall series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Raven Street Publishing, 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)
Kate Marshall lost her career, reputation, friends, and almost her life when, as a plain-clothes detective, she unmasked the Nine Elms Serial Killer, Peter Conway - her boss and lover.   Pregnant with his child, Kate suffered. She turned to alcohol, and almost lost her son, but her parents stepped in to become Jake's legal guardian when he was six.  She is now sober, and back in his life, although he is currently in California studying.  She is now a PI, partnered with her old teaching assistant Tristan Harper.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Kate and Tristan have been approached by a media agency to investigate a cold case, thereby allowing the company to produce a podcast, or possibly a true-crime book.

Over 30 years ago, teenager Janey Macklin disappeared.  Initially someone was convicted of her murder, but as no body was ever found, he was eventually acquitted.

Now, the podcasters want to tie her disappearance to legendary Peter Conway, who is currently serving time for other atrocities.  His health is already poor, and he may not have long to live. They figure Kate, having an "in" with the serial killer, will be able to get more details.  Although the podcasters will pay well, Kate is unsettled by the fact that her past with the Nine Elms Cannibal will be dredged up again, and that both she and her son will be center stage with the paparazzi.

As Kate and Tristan delve deeper into the case, they become more suspicious about their clients, who have lied on more than one occasion, and may be more involved in the cold case than they should be.


My Opinions:
Well, this was really good.

It was interesting to see how differently Kate and her son deal with Peter.  Both felt "right".

Plot-wise, there were enough twists to keep me interested.  Character-wise, I love the friendship between Kate and Tristan -- they really care for each other.  They make a good team.

There were a couple of things I would have liked to see expanded:  Jake asked Kate to get her mom's opinion before taking this case, but unless I missed it, nothing was said either way.  What happened with Tristan's possible room-mate?  What happened with the media agency?  What happened with Jake's idea of selling the story themselves?  None of these things were "needed" in the book, they were just questions I still have.

That being said, Bryndza is an amazing author, and this was another fast and compelling read.

The Lost Victim by Robert Bryndza was another superb book in the excellent Kate Marshall series and this is the fifth book. This series is one of the best you can get your teeth into especially as it just grips you from the beginning till the end. I found this book hard to put down just like Robert's other books.
I love Kate Marshall and Tristan character's they work really well together.

School girl Janey Macklin disappeared from the seedy side of London back in 1988, her case went cold, there was no body found and no witnesses. But, now, thirty years later, private detective Kate Marshall has been approached by a true crime podcast producer with an intriguing question they need her help answering: What if Janey was killed by Peter Conway, the notorious Nine Elms Cannibal?

The Lost Victim is more personal to Kate especially as Peter Conway, the Nine Elms Cannibal is the father to her son, he reappears his ugly head again, still in prison, may have all the answers they are looking for..........But did he kill Janey Macklin?

Wow this book is so good, especially as it can be read as a standalone. But, I do recommend you read the other four books within this series. They will not disappoint they are excellent.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for my ARC.

Kate Marshall is back, asked to help in a 30 year old disaperence of a young girl, for a media company. With little to no leads to go on can Kate and Tristan solve this case. Kate also has to confront her nemesis Peter Conway. Lots of twists and lies. A well plotted thriller that keeps you guessing. Thanks to Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for a review ARC.

Grips you from the beginning. This one meant another late night for me. I couldn't put it down. I enjoy Kate and Tristan and their dynamic. I felt like I was right beside them, solving the case. There are plenty of surprises, action, and what just happened moments. I am never disappointed by this author. This is a must read.

Once again the author has delivered a excellent story. I do like the Kate Marshall Private Detective Series,flawed but decent hardworking mum trying her best in maybe not the best of circumstances life throws at her. And this book is no exception.. A taut and gripping read right to the end.

Stunning..
The fifth in the P.I. Kate Marshall series and a stunningly well crafted thriller where the author makes clever use of media in podcast form and weaves an immersive and tension fuelled narrative. Cleverly plotted and perfectly paced with characters that veritably leap from the page and a plot littered with red herrings aplenty. Perhaps, the best of the series to date.

This is book 5 of another cracking series, and you know I am about to suggest that you go back and play catch-up first! Kate is a bit complex so it makes sense to meet her properly. And they are all great reads, so...
We start back in 1988 when Jane Macklin went missing. No witnesses, no further sightings, and no body. The only suspect, the last to see her alive, had already been convicted and then acquitted, leaving the case to go cold. Back in the present and a true-crime podcast producer wants to re-examine the case and approaches Kate for insight and assistance, as it is possible that Jane could have been a victim of the Nine Elms Cannibal. Peter Conway, who is pretty much on death's door in prison. Kate is in need of a lucrative contract so reluctantly agrees. But at what price...?
I love this author - this series, the Erika Foster series, and the wonderful Coco Pinchard, as well as his stand alones. And this book was no exception to that. Kate is a cracking character, with just the right amount of backstory and baggage and her partner Tristan really does complement her in every way. The plot is both interesting and intriguing and held my attention all the way through. Fast paced and with no superfluous waffle or padding it gets on with itself very well indeed. Containing some cracking twists and turns, and ramping up at the end to deliver a perfectly satisfying ending.
All in all, a brilliant addition to an already cracking series and impressive back catalogue. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I was extremely lucky to be given an advanced copy of this book which I devoured as I was really looking forward to reading the 5th Kate Marshall book. I love the way Robert writes but always end up reading his books so quickly I wish I’d read it slower so the wait for the next one isn’t so long!
This book is fast paced and kept me turning the pages well into the night. Kate is approached by a true crime podcast producer to look into the case of Janey Macklin who went missing in 1988, there is no body and seemingly no leads. Kate and Tristan take a gamble on the case and locate to London to investigate. The case moves at a fast pace and takes us back to Peter Conway, the Nine Elms Cannibal, and Kate’s ex partner. There are so many twists and turns to this book you’ll feel breathless reading it. A solid 5 stars and I can’t wait for book 6!

I loved this book! It was interesting and engaging. I couldn't put it down!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is the fifth book in the Kate Marshall series by one of my favourite authors Robert Bryndza.

“The Lost Victim” is another gripping and intricately woven thriller by author Robert Bryndza that follows private detective Kate Marshall as she tackles one of the most challenging cases of her career, the disappearance of schoolgirl Janey Macklin from London’s seedy underbelly in 1988.

Kate is approached by a true crime podcast producer thirty years after Janey vanished without a trace. The producer wants to know if Janey could have been a victim of the notorious Nine Elms Cannibal, Peter Conway? This case has added difficulties for Kate as she must confront a past she’d rather leave behind and one that the paparazzi are eager to exploit.

Kate is determined to solve Janey’s case but must face her own demons as well as the media frenzy that is bound to follow. There are some good supporting characters such as Kate’s partner Tristan as well as the Nine Elms Cannibal Peter Conway.

“The Lost Victim” is an excellent addition to this series but can be read as a standalone but why miss out on the others in this series. Well crafted plot, developed characters and lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The third Robert Bryndza book I have read and the first in the Kate Marshall series of which this is the fifth. As with the other books I have read this was a brilliant piece of writing that had me totally gripped and it's twists and turns were awesome. Looking forward to more books in this series and I must find time to read Dark Water that I bought in May.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to ARC this book.

This story was gripping, and didn’t let go! I finished it too quickly, because I couldn’t wait to find out who was responsible! Loved it!

I've only read this book and the first in the series and I found I was glad I knew the origins of Kate and Tristan as there were quite a few references to what happened in the first book. I liked this story and these characters and will go back to read their other cases.

The Lost Victim is book 5 in the seriously good PI Kate Marshall series by Robert Bryndza.
In short, a true crime podcast producer approaches Kate to investigate the cold case disappearance of school girl Janey Macklin and the last person to see Janey alive has already been tried, convicted and then acquitted for her murder.
I simply love anything written by Robert, his books are always fast paced, twisty and addictive…The Lost Victim is just another brilliant page turner, a must read for all crime fiction aficionados.
Big thanks to Robert Bryndza, Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

Thirty years ago schoolgirl Janey Macklin disappeared without a trace. Robert Driscoll was the last person to see her alive and was arrested, convicted and later acquitted of her murder but, with no body and no further clues, the case went cold. Now, Kate Marshall has been approached, by a creative agency, for her private detective agency to look into the cold case, but they want to know if she could have been killed by Peter Conway, the Nine Elms Cannibal. Kate and her partner Tristan decide to take on the contract, even though it will dredge up the history Kate has with this evil man, hoping that it will bring the answers they need to solve this case and closure for Janey's mum Doreen and her sister Maxine.

The Lost Victim is the fifth in the Kate Marshall series by Robert Bryndza and this series just keeps getting better! Set in the Kings Cross area of London the author tells us the story across two timelines; 1988 and 2018 about the tragic disappearance of this vulnerable young girl and I was gripped from the first page to the last. Just as Kate thinks she's beginning to piece her life back together, finally rid of the man that has caused so much upheaval to her life, he's back with the possibility that he claimed one more victim that nobody knew about before he was caught. This is a tense and compelling read, well crafted with short chapters and so many twists. I love the working relationship between Kate and Tristan which has developed so much since book one and I know that there's still so much more to come from these two characters. There are some uncomfortable moments during this story with the scenes centred around the prison, these are sadistic killers with a tale to tell about their crimes and Bryndza portrays them so well. Another fantastic five star read. As previously, this book can be read as a standalone but to get the background of the characters they're best read in order.

I'd like to thank Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Kate and Tristan are asked by a creative agency in London to investigate a cold case that they have been given some fresh evidence on.
When they meet with the agency it is clear that it is because the evidence points to Peter Conway, the son of Kate's son Jake, who is currently serving his sentence in HMP Wakefield.
As they investigate the case it gets murkier and murkier and when Peter is in hospital close to death after surgery goes wrong, she has to face him to ask him about the missing girl they are seeking.
In the meantime, the Police have agreed to reopen the investigation and Kate gets uneasy about the people who hired them. Strange things are happening and it makes her even more determined to solve it.
Very readable and easy to get yourself lost in the story as usual with this author.

Over 3 decades ago a young girl went missing. She wasn't the only one so was it the work of a serial killer or a secret kept all this time?
Kate and her partner Tristan were hired to re open this cold case for a podcast. Strange things happen and clues go missing, are they getting close?
The plot in this book moves slow but I was still engrossed in the story. The input of 2 criminals who gave clues that led to what? A death of someone of interest. A few red herrings, I gave up trying to work it out and just enjoyed the ride.
Intriguing story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.