Whilst a bit less gory than the previous installments, this one is such a good read! I absolutely adore this series of books. David Fennell has such a dark mind, I truly cringe (in a good way) when reading is gross descriptions of the untimely deaths these poor people endure!!

Police procedural is my fav sub genre and serial killer thriller is an extremely close second, so these books tick all the boxes for me.

Well written, lots of dialogue but not too much that it dilutes the story. Grace is an excellent character, full of backbone and back story. We can empathise with her reality and I think she's written particularly well for a female lead in such a male dominated profession.

Loved it.

This is a great crime series and I loved this latest book.
DI Grace Archer is contacted when a woman’s body is found and when her phone is checked, Grace was the last person she tried to call.
The victim had a troubled past and Grace had helped her a while ago. Through flashback chapters we find out what happened just before she died and it’s clear that Grace regrets missing her call.
Another body is soon found and when it’s discovered that she died the same way, Grace wants to work on both cases.
Her new boss is not keen on this as they are under different areas so Grace has to push to get her own way.
With other victims being linked to the same type of death, it’s clear that the killer needs to be stopped as soon as possible.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bonnier Books UK for the opportunity to read this book.

After devouring the first three books in this series I was delighted when this one landed in my TBR pile. Ever since the very first book 'Art of Death' I have been obsessed with the Archer & Quinn series and couldn't wait to get stuck in.

Firstly, if you haven't dipped your toes in this series previously, this can easily be read as a standalone. Whereas the previous books are connected, A Violent Heart is less about the backstory, it felt like a whole new chapter in Grace Archers development. While not as gruesome and macabre as the previous installments it's just as addictive (some may say preferable)

In the newest addition, DI Grace Archer and DS Harry Quinn are tasked with investigating the discovery of skeletal remains in the attic of an abandoned home. Thought to be of a teenage girl, the injuries show a blow to the skull and a 5mm hole straight through the chest. With no leads on who the victim is and how she ended up in the attic, Archer and Quinn start investigating closer to home... the owners of the property.

Grace is then called to attend another scene. The body of a woman is found concealed near a stream, her phone lies near by and the last person she called was Grace. The body is that of Elena Zoric, a woman Grace saved from Sex Trafficking years previously. The strange thing is, Elena has the same injuries of the victim in the attic. How can that be when the previous murder was over 30 years ago?

When Mallory Jones reappears (See No Evil), Grace is extremely hesitant to give her the time of day, but when Harry gets involved and assists Mallory in setting up a meeting, Grace has to backtrack and listen. The intrepid reporter actually has something extremely helpful, the identity of more forgotten victims. All sex workers, all 'forgettable', all shunned by the police .... can they work together to get the justice these victims deserve and finally find the killer that seems to have been around for over 3 decades?

David Fennell is a master at complexity. His intricate plotting has me constantly questioning every last detail and just when I think I have it all worked out... wham! Another thread of questioning starts up.

Paced perfectly with a real build up of tension as you get near the finale, I honestly couldn't put it down. I cannot wait for book #5. I know already just how heart palpable it will be!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier for the ARC.

A Violent heart is book 4 in the Grace Archer series, and this also doesn’t disappoint.
The story starts with a murder of sex worker Elena Zoric who is personally known by Grace Archer and who she rescued from people and sex trafficking. Elena rang Grace and left a message on her phone just before her death. This spurs her on to find out who the killer is. Then a skeleton remains is found in an abandoned house which has similarities of the death of Elena death. The women they id whose remains it is. Is of a woman that disappeared thirty years previously. This killer has been killing for years. How many more bodies are they going to find?
This is another fast paced read in the series, but I also think it could be read as a standalone. It is putdownable multi layered story full of twists that keep you guessing and guessing. 5 stars from me.

DI Grace Archer is fast becoming one of my favourite detectives, I love this series and always look forward to reading the next one!

When investigating the death of a sex worker and friend Elena Zoric, a Tik tok video uses a skeleton as a prop and it is revealed the skeleton belongs to a young missing girl killed 35 years earlier. The cases are linked when the cause of death is revealed to be similar and unusual.

Several other deaths through out the intervening years are linked by Grace Archer, her partner Quinn and a podcaster Mallory Jones. I liked the mix of Police Procedural and Mallory’s own investigation for her podcast series and love the friction between Grace and Mallory.

Can’t wait for the next one!

As a fan of the previous installments in this series I was looking forward to reading this book. It did not disappoint. Grace is investigating the death of a prostitute who she knows personally. I thought the story was very well written going from past to present when detailing the deaths of previous sex workers. There were quite a few new additions to this book and I did miss some of the usual office banter with reliable administrator Klara. However, the storyline made up for that and I think this is my personal favourite book in this series.

I've read other books in this series, but enough background is given that it could be read as a standalone. Having a victim phone her within moments before her death makes Grace determined to find the person responsible. Soon they discover Elena was just one of this killers many victims over the years and the race is on to prevent any more murders. A fast read due to the pace of the plot and with enough twists it's not obvious who the murderer is. A book well worth reading

Having read and enjoyed the first 3 books, I was delighted to see the fourth was due, and especially so to be allowed an ARC, it can be read as a a standalone, but you would benefit from reading the first 3 books. They are all excellent. Although this one is not quite as macabre and gruesome as first 3 books, which may be a bonus!

Great set of characters, as the murders of sex workers over a 35 year period are investigated. All moves at a good pace The story of the sex workers, their stories and moving back and forth through the years works well.
Lots of twists and a great ending

The fourth in the detective Archer series, sees Grace and the team investigate the murder of a sex worker that is connected to other killings over the decades. Dark and fast paced, it is an enjoyable read. Well written characters and satisfying denouement.

DI Grace Archer is investigating the murder of a sex worker when the skeletal remains of another is found. 2 murders, 35 years apart, but how are they connected? And can she solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?

This is the fourth book following DI Archer, but reads perfectly well as a stand alone. A well paced crime procedural, it has some good twists and an explosive ending.

I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters though and lots of people come and go quite quickly in this book, leaving little time to get to know them (I was expecting Miles Davenport to be more developed as he seemed really interesting).

I enjoyed the flitting between past and present, particularly those of the females that died.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for my advanced copy.

This is the 4th police procedural in the DI Grace Archer series but worked as a standalone read for me. It was a fairly easy read with a mix of interesting characters, Podcasters and sex workers from 3 decades, all targeted by a killer.
There were some quirky characters I wished had developed more (miles davenport) but the book was quite pacey and kept interesting.
I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys strong female police leads.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

This is the 4th book in David Fennell's Grace Archer series and I really enjoyed this read. I've always liked Archers' character and love her pairing with Quinn, they really complement each other and have a good working rapport and friendship. Here they investigate two similar murders that are 30 years apart. I think the authors writing is good and very engaging and I was drawn into the story quickly. The plot line is good, and in my opinion the pacing throughout the story is perfect. I particularly liked how the story moves from past to present times easily and it held my attention and interest right to the last page. If you like police procedurals that grab your attention quickly then this is for you, and I'd recommend this book/series. If you're new to David Fennell as an author, I'd suggest you read the series in order to get to know the characters right from the beginning.

4 stars

Really enjoyed this. Was hooked from he beginning to the end. Def a thrill ride for me and will be recommending to others

Thank you for the opportunity to review

A Violent Heart is the 4th book in the Grace Archer series and it is another excellent addition.

The pacing throughout is spot on and the author cleverly uses all the main characters to keep the pages turning.

A definite recommendation from me.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy.

This is book 4 in the Grace Archer series. After most of the storyline being tied up in the first three books this book felt like it was taking a new path.

As much as I love Archer as a character and Fennells writing I did struggle to enjoy this one as much. Whilst the pacing is great and the writing is brilliant as we have seen in the previous books it was sadly lacking for me.

I missed the slightly macabre and gruesome stories from the previous books.

That said if you've enjoyed the others in the series I think you will still enjoy the next installment and coming back to familiar characters.

If you are a fan of this series, you will know that our protagonist, the brilliant DI Grace Archer, has not had an easy time of it, either through the course of the previous investigations, or even her private life. Much of what has gone before was resolved in the previous book, a closure of various threads as it were, making A Violent Heart, a sort of stand alone investigation. Previous characters, and even investigations, are referenced, but are not central to the plot of the novel, so, in that sense, you don't need to have read the earlier books to enjoy this story. Quite why you wouldn't, I don't know, as they are all fabulous, but I'd be hypocritical to say you shouldn't jump in here, as I start part the way through series all the time. That said, I did come into this book wondering if this would be the case where, at long last, Grace may finally catch a break and have a little bit of good luck for a change. As to whether that does happen or not ... well that's a discussion for a later time, as the case she picks up is far from one that will result in happy endings.

Grace finds herself on the periphery of a murder investigation. I say periphery as she is only called in our of courtesy for having known the victim, The SIO role is handed to a DS from another station, one whose commitment and methods leave a lot to be desired and cause of concern for Grace and her own DS, Harry Quinn. They soon land their own case, with connections to the recent murder - a young woman whose remains have lain undiscovered for several decades. The similarities between the cause of death are undeniable, as much as DS Lee Parry and Grace's new Chief Inspector, Les Fletcher, may wish to deny it. But this is only the start and there are many more macabre facts to be uncovered as a disturbing pciture starts to become clear for both of our favourite detectives and us, as readers.

David Fennell has created a really complex and compelling story here. Whilst the murders are important, and it is inevitable that the details of what has, and does, happen need to be made clear to readers, it is the way in which he highlights the importance of the victims as much as the identity of the murderer, that really hits home. The victims are, by and large, sex workers, and in the time that the majority of the murders take place, their murders are largely dismissed as unimportant, by a community, and a police force, steeped in misogyny. This is all to easily believable, given all the revelations in recent months, and adds a layer of authenticity to a story that is already undeniably tragic. We are shown how easily the people fall victim to a heartless predator, and how easily their deaths are overlooked and forgotten. Cold cases, never resolved and never really given the attention they deserve. A sad indictment of society that we remember the names of murderers far more readily than we do their victims, something Grace is determined will not happen in this case.

I really like Grace as a character, and David Fennell has made her sympathetic and believable in portrayal. There really is a step change in her circumstances in this book, but no difference in her resilience or determination, which is what I like about her. She faces conflict from all angles, and is challenged by incompetence from above and below and the frustration bled from the page, echoed in my own frustrations in relation to the characters. You know the type. The ones where, if the author has done their job, as Mr Fennell has here, make you want to slap your book. It wasn't over done, particularly the disconnect between Grace and her new DI, which can often be the case where authors introduce an antagonistic authority figure, but it was just the right balance to make me want to see all the people getting in Grace's way face their comeuppance, Do they? Well - read the book and you'll know the answer.

The book is paced perfectly, the tension really ramping up as we move towards the end and the final showdown. Just as each thread of the investigation seems to be slowing the detectives down, we are faced with the facts of what happened to each of the victims, a kind of flashback the reinvigorates the investigation, rather than holds it back. And, for once, Grace is helped, sort of, rather than hindered by the involvement of Vlogger, Mallory Jones, someone who she has a checkered history with but develops a new, grudging, respect for as the case progresses. I liked Mallory, as much as I liked Grace, although at times you do just wish the two women would take a few less risks than they do. Then again, where is the fun in that?

With plenty of misdirection, another, unexpected antagonist making an already complex case one that is packed with tension and an overwhelming sense of jeopardy, and a high stakes showdown that will have the adrenalin pumping and had me perched on the edge of my seat, racing through the pages, hoping against hope that there was a chance of a positive outcome, this is a book that ticked all the boxes for me. I had my suspicions about a certain character before the final reveal, but that is all I will say here. The book was packed with emotion and surprising revelations, with a conclusion that was most definitely satisfying. And it's a read that is definitely recommended. What are you waiting for?

A Violent Heart is book 4 in the Grace Archer crime series. I hadn't read the previous three prior to this, and now that I've finished book four, for me, it gave enough background throughput that I was comfortable reading it as a stand-alone. That being said, I now need to go and get them and binge read the series.

This police procedural story had me gripped from start to finish. I loved the depth the characters had and the empathetic way in which the victims were written. I liked how David Fennell gave each of them their own little piece of story. I felt a real sense of who they were. It made me feel compassion towards them. Completely the opposite to how the police had treated them and the crimes committed.

This book had me fully immersed in Archers world, a compelling and addictive read. With a clever plot full of suspense, twists, and turns that had me stumped throughout. A must-read for any crime thriller fan.

Featuring DI Grace Archer, this is an excellent addition to the series. It is well plotted and opens with the murder of a young sex worker with a connection to Grace. I found the intricate plotting to be totally compelling and very addictive, keeping me engrossed to the end. I like the writing style and the empathy which the author has for the victims. Please don't keep us waiting too long for the next installment in this series! thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

My thoughts about David Fennell’s A Violent Heart is a masterful addition to the DI Grace Archer series, delivering an electrifying blend of suspense, intricate plotting, and deep emotional resonance. David Fennell’s Fourth police procedural thriller series, kicks off with the murder of Elena Zoric, a woman who was rescued from sex trafficking and whose final call was to Detective Inspector Grace Archer. David Fennell’s vivid storytelling and intricate plot twists make this book hard to put down, ensuring that fans of crime fiction and new readers alike will be thoroughly engrossed. David Fennell’s portrayal of Grace Archer is both nuanced and powerful. David Fennell’s exploration of themes such as corruption, human trafficking, and the fight for justice is handled with sensitivity and depth. David Fennell’s A Violent Heart story begins with Elena Zoric is murdered, her body concealed beside a stream in North London. Her phone lies nearby, the last number dialled was to the woman who had rescued her from sex trafficking: Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Grace Archer. Archer desperately wants to lead the murder investigation but her new boss, Chief Inspector Les Fletcher, makes it very clear it’s out of her jurisdiction. Then the thirty-year-old remains of a woman are found in the attic of an abandoned house, the victim dying in similar circumstances to Elena Zoric. But Archer's North London colleagues have bigger priorities than the murder of 'a drugged-up prostitute.Archer needs answers. Who killed Elena? Why did she call Archer moments from her death? And what rules must she break to stop a killer in his tracks. Overall David Fennell’s A Violent Heart stands out as a superb entry in the DI Grace Archer series, masterfully combining edge-of-your-seat suspense, deeply layered characters, and a meticulously crafted plot. I would like to say a big thank you to writer David Fennell, and Publishers Bonnier and Zaffre Books, for kindly letting me read and review this brilliant book on netgalley. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

As a fan of the three previous books in this series, I was excited to see where the story would go next.
And I did like that this was a bit of a departure from the previous stories.
It maybe lacked a bit of the creepy atmosphere that the last three books had but it still had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
I also appreciated seeing Grace continue to grow and mature.
Whether you're a fan of David Fennell's previous work or are looking for an absorbing thriller based on a serial killer case, I would definitely recommend picking up A Violent Heart.
I also can't wait to see what the author does next and where the series continues to go.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.