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.

A great one for cold case killers. This one starts with a bang and hooks the reader, but also starts with a mystery. I wish I had read some of the previous books, just to have a better background knowledge of the characters but it still completely read as a standalone. There were twist after twist and anything but predictable.

In 1988, schoolgirl Janey Macklin disappeared and was never found. Despite the lack of body, someone was found guilty of her murder although doubt has been cast as to whether this was a safe conviction. Now, private detective Kate Marshall has been approached by a true crime podcast maker to investigate the disappearance after evidence has emerged seemingly linking Janey to the notorious serial killer Peter Conway, also known as the Nine Elms Cannibal. Kate soon discovers that people connected to the case are keeping secrets but who are they protecting?

Peter Conway has been a constant thorn in Kate Marshall’s side and in The Lost Victim, he is back with a bang. With failing health, we get to see a different side to the killer but like Kate, we are always left wondering how involved he really is to the Janey Macklin case – does he know more about what happened or is he using it to his advantage? Throughout this series, I have enjoyed reading how Kate’s attitude towards Conway has changed and it is good to see her strength in this book. Although this could be read as a standalone, it is this connection between Conway and Kate that makes me feel that it would be beneficial to have read the previous books in the series.

One of the things I enjoyed most about The Lost Victim was the superb way Robert Bryndza paints a clear picture of 1988 London. I found it easy to visualise the events leading up to the disappearance of Janey and could almost hear the sounds too. I was transported straight into the scene – a wonderful piece of writing.

The plot is a really good one and I feel that Robert Bryndza has become a master of his craft. Full of twists and red herrings, I was gripped right until the end. This is one of those books that you can definitely see transferring from page to screen.

Thank you for thisARC. I have read all of Robert Bryndza’s books., and this latest one in the Kate Marshall series doesn’t disappoint. Full of twists and turns it’s a riveting read.. Would thoroughly recommend.

Book 5 and this series just gets better and better with each instalment.
Kate and Tristan are this time transported to London, lured by a very attractive paying job to track down the body and the culprits of cold case of a missing girl. The link that draws them being the possibile connection to Kates's old nemesis Peter Conway, the Nine Elms Cannibal.
We jump back and forth between decades not only faithfully depicting the change in police procedures of the time but the changes to a particular area of London which I hugely enjoyed.
A brilliant plot, full of twists and turns. Erika Foster from the author's other procedural series is one of my all time favourite characters but Kate and Tristan are coming a close 2nd.
I am already looking forward to what happens next for Kate and Tristan and now they have a taste for the big city maybe a meet up with my two favourite heroines might be on the cards.

My thanks to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Lost Victim’, book 5 in the Kate Marshall series written by Robert Bryndza, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Private Investigators Kate Marshall and Tristan Harper are contacted by Stafford-Clarke Creative Agency who are working on a project on schoolgirl Janey Macklin who disappeared in 1988. At the time Robert Driscoll was charged with her murder but was then acquitted as a body was never found so they want Kate and Tristan to help by uncovering what happened to Janey thirty years ago.

‘The Lost Victim’ is one of the most exciting thrillers I’ve had the pleasure to read and has had me gripped from beginning to end. The cleverly written plot is complex and full of action, drama and suspense, and the twists and turns have kept me reading well into the night. Kate and Tristan are perfectly described and easy to forget they’re fictional characters, and there are so many suspects I’ve been unable to guess in which direction the story is heading. I’m amazed that an author can write such a thrilling novel that’s made me feel absolutely involved and even brought tears to my eyes during the final pages. This thriller is fantastic, it deserves far more than five stars, and I can’t wait to read what Mr Bryndza has in store for Kate and Tristan in book six.

This is book five in the Kate Marshall series but can easily be read as a stand alone.
When Kate and Tristan are approached by a media agency to look into a cold case of the disappearance of Janey Macklin from 1988 in the Kings Cross area of London, all is not as clear cut as it seems.
Especially as the person convicted of her disappearance has been acquitted and released from prison.
Now the focus is on the notorious Nine Elms Killer Peter Conway, a sadistic individual that enjoyed torturing his victims by biting them but there is history between Kate and Peter, not only was he her boss when she was in the police force but the father of her child and she was the one who caught him and put him in prison.

This case is extremely complex with little evidence to go on but when they uncover some disturbing evidence, it could lead them to losing their much needed contract.
With so many plot twists the story unfolds effortlessly with Robert's unique writing skills.
Another fantastic read by one of the world's best thriller authors.

Another brilliant crime thriller from Robert Bryndza.
Kate and Tristan are asked to investigate a cold case from 1988 when a young girl went missing.
A man was charged with her murder, despite no body being found, but he was released a few years later when he appealed the conviction.
The people who have asked for Kate to investigate think the girl was murdered by Peter Conway, who Kate had a relationship with before realising he had murdered several young girls.
They take on the case but it’s clear not everyone linked to the company who hired them are telling the truth.
This is a gripping crime thriller with a few surprises in store and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is quite an intense thriller centered on Kate and Tristain's investigation of a cold case involving the disappearance of young Janey Makin in 1988. A podcast producer has hired their private detective agency to delve into the old case at quite a lucrative fee. But Kate has a past history with one of the suspects, Peter Conway, currently incarcerated for life. Robert Bryndza has brilliantly woven both the past and present investigations into a whirlwind of long buried secrets, changed identities, and the current ability to use DNA testing. I found the character of Kate to be a strong, determined and quite admirable female character, and enjoyed the interactions between Kate and her partner Tristian, as well as her son Jake. The book has an intricate, complex plot that kept my attention from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of the book.

When an agency wants private detectives kate and Tristen, to do some research for them on a project involving serial killer Peter Conway and Kates former boss, they take on the case. The body of Janey Macklin was never found........ she went to the corner shop to get some cigarettes for her mom and never returned.. can kate and tristen find out what happened to janey? To give her mother and sister closure.. Peter Conway is also Kates son Jakes father.. lots of twists in this, it was great,there were also things I didnt see coming which I liked a highly recommended read.

Kate and Tristan's small private investigation firm is cash strapped and looking for work when they get contacted about a long-time missing person's case. Kate's ex, who is the father of her her grown son, may be implicated in the disappearance of a girl.

Some people want to do a program on the case so they want more information dug up by Kate and Tristan. They travel to London to get more of an idea of what they be required to do. The case sounds troubling, but the money is good and they have a flat to use during the investigation. In addition to the assignment, Kate would like to close this case for the family of the missing girl.

The pair of them do some good digging. They turn up some formerly missing individuals, many different clues, and are fed some red herrings. Working with the police, they have the case reopened.

This is a great story with some interestingly personal leads for Kate. Through good detective work, they pull together some great leads. It's a great mystery story with a satisfying conclusion.

‘Do you want a lift?’

On 23 December 1988, schoolgirl Janey Macklin disappeared from the King’s Cross area of London. She’d been sent by her mother to purchase a packet of cigarettes, and never returned to the pub where her mother was waiting. She was seen getting into a van belonging to Robert Driscoll. And, while Robert Driscoll was tried, convicted and then ultimately acquitted of Janey’s murder, her body has never been found.

In 2018 private detective Kate Marshall is approached by the Stafford-Clarke Creative Agency. They are researching Janey’s disappearance with a view to making a true crime podcast. Could Janey have been killed by Peter Conway, the notorious Nine Elms Cannibal, who is now in gaol and in very poor health? Kate is offered a lucrative contract at a time when she really needs the money, but taking the job means revisiting a painful aspect of her past. Peter Conway is an ex-police detective serving multiple life sentences for the murder and mutilation of five young women. Kate, who was then a young police detective in a relationship with Peter Conway, cracked the case.

Kate and her partner Tristan scour King’s Cross for clues. Those who remember the case provide conflicting information. Peter Conway doesn’t have long left to live, and the agency who has contracted Kate seems to be hiding information. There are others in this story as well, some have things to hide, others see an opportunity to negotiate an advantage.

Cleverly done, Mr Bryndza! There’s plenty of suspense in this fast-moving story and you had me guessing until close to the end. Yes, this novel could be read as a standalone, but I am intrigued and while I’ve read the last three books in this series, I really want to read the first two books.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

A Compelling Case

The Lost Victim is the 5th book in the Kate Marshall series, focusing on the mystery of a girl who went missing without a trace in 1988. 30 years later, Private Detective Kate Marshall and her partner Tristan are hired to solve the case, leading to an intriguing connection between the girl and a notorious serial killer whom Kate knows intimately.

In addition to the case of the missing girl, serial killer Peter Conway is making waves from prison, adding another layer to the mystery. Kate and Tristan travel to London as part of the investigation, and it was fun seeing them in a different environment from the norm.

Not only is the case a page-turner, Kate's character is also compelling. Her character has grown immensely since book #1. The events of this installment make way for further growth in the future as her past demons are finally put to rest. My one gripe is that there was way too little of Tristan.

The plot moves at a slow but steady pace. Tension and suspense build as details of the mystery come to light. The ending is satisfying and sad, opening many possibilities for Kate and Tristan in the future.

Overall, this is a well-plotted, riveting mystery that kept me turning the pages. I can't wait to see what's next for Kate and Tristan. Bryndza hints at a Kate Marshall and Erika Foster crossover, which would blow my mind!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series. Wonderful to be reacquainted with Kate and Tristan. Kate is asked to look into the disappearance of a girl in 1988.

Was Janey the missing girl killed by the Nine Elms serial killer?

Can't wait for the next book. Thanks Robert.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an advanced copy for an unbiased review.

The Lost Victim, the fifth title in the Kate Marshall series, doesn't disappoint. I couldn't put it down.

This time Kate and Tristan have been approached by a true crime podcast producer to look into a 30 year old cold case where schoolgirl Janey Macklin disappeared without trace. There was no body and no witnesses. The last person to see her was tried, convicted and later acquitted of her murder. Their big question is, could Janey have been another victim of Peter Conway, the notorious Nine Elms cannibal who is in jail and in failing health, who also happens to be Kate's former boss, and father of her son Jake.

Although the investigation is likely to take Kate to places she doesn't want to return to, it's hard to turn down the very lucrative fee, and so she faces personal challenges and finds herself in dark and dangerous situations. It's a dark thriller mainly set in the seedier parts of London and full of twists and turns.

Robert is one of these writers who hooks you in right from the start. I love how he sets the scene. He describes locations and atmosphere brilliantly. His books contain several strands that interweave and come together, throwing up the occasional red herring along the way. His characters are believable and he writes great dialogue. I like that there is some continuity from book to book showing the principal characters developing and growing but with new characters introduced.

In the case of Kate Marshall, she is an ex police detective turned criminology lecturer turned private investigator. She has had her issues. She has a great working relationship with her assistant Tristan and sometimes calls on former colleagues and contacts for information.

Although The Lost Victim can be enjoyed as a stand alone read, the series is so good, I would recommend reading it from book 1 (The Nine Elms Cannibal).

Just brilliant!!

Thirty years after schoolgirl Janey went missing, private detective Kate Marshall is approached by a creative agency seeking to turn the story into a lucrative true crime book or podcast. While the money would be helpful, it comes with a price: Kate's complex past could be thrust back into the mainstream press.

The last person seen with Janey spent years in prison before his acquittal; her body was never found. With decades-old evidence, the chance of solving the case seems slim; but this is Kate and Tristan we’re talking about ..

Reuniting with Kate and Tristan was a joy. They make such a great pair, and their relationship and character evolution are evident throughout the series. Kate’s son Jake and his father Peter add real depth and humanity to the story. Their complex and authentic relationships complement the main plot rather than distract from it.

Red herrings and false leads kept me guessing until the end. I read this from start to finish in 24 hours; the short chapters and gripping storyline were addictive. Even when I put it down, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s complex and cleverly written. Bryndza’s wonderfully descriptive writing made it easy to picture London, both now and back in 1988.

The story features a motley crew of sketchy and unreliable characters, each with a strong voice, ensuring none got muddled in my head. Each one is like a jigsaw piece from different puzzles, never quite fitting the theories they developed. Some characters I liked, while others I wanted to punch.

This was my 21st book by Robert Bryndza, and it's incredibly rare to find an author whose every book I’ve loved, especially one who crosses genres. I read my first Bryndza back in 2013 and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey. He’s also a lovely chap 😊

The Lost Victim is the fifth book in the Kate Marshall Private Investigator series, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. While it can be read as a standalone, I wonder why you’d want to limit your enjoyment to just one book!

A huge thanks to Raven St Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for review consideration.  All opinions are my own.

Robert Bryndza returns with the fifth in the Kate Marshall series, The Lost Victim. Kate and Tristan have been asked to investigate a cold case for a creative agency looking to do a book or podcast about Janey Macklin’s disappearance thirty years ago. Her body was never discovered. A man was found guilty of her murder, but acquitted about a decade later. Now, there is a link to Peter Conway, whom Kate has an unfortunate history with. As the story progresses, Kate’s son Jake returns to England. There’s a strong personal element to this story which worked well.
The story moves along at a steady pace and Bryndza throws plenty of red herrings into the mix. There was one question that didn’t get resolved.
The writing is clear and scenes are easy to see play out. The plot was believable and didn’t need an OTT ending to tie it all together.
Despite the past history between Kate and Peter, there’s enough backstory provided that it could be read as a standalone. Although, having read this, I’m sure most new readers will want to go back and play catch up with the prior four books.
My thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for an advance copy of this book.