DI Grace Archer is back and as great as ever!
Faced with a murder investigation of a sex worker and then the skeletal remains of another body this case will stretch Grace Archer and her team.
It’s not long until they make a connection between the two bodies increasing the tension of the investigation taking them down some twisty paths.
Even though this is the forth book in the series it can still be read as a standalone as there is enough of a backstory in it to make it as enjoyable. I do highly recommend the other books in the series as well as they are all good and you get a good connection from Grace reading them in order.

DI Grace Archer book 4.

Absolutely brilliant! I flew through this in two sittings and stayed up way past my bedtime because it's just too good to put down. Some characters wanted to make me scream and others I wanted to slap. When you get emotionally involved in a plot you know you're on a winner. Brilliant book in a brilliant series. Loved it!

Elena Zoric, a sex worker and addict, is murdered, her body concealed and left near a stream in North London. Her phone lies nearby, the last number dialled was to a former NCA Investigator, a woman who had saved her from sex trafficking: Met DI, Grace Archer.

When questioned by North London police, a devastated Archer has no answer to why Elena would call her moments from her death. Archer wants to lead the investigation but its out of her catchment area and she is warned off it by her new boss, the charmless old school copper, Chief Inspector Les Fletcher.
The thirty year old remains of a woman are found in the attic of an abandoned house. Archer takes over the case and discovers the victim died in similar circumstances to Elena Zoric. Archer pushes for an alliance with her North London colleagues but it seems they have other priorities than looking into the murder of "a drugged up prostitute". An incensed Archer goes rogue and searches for proof that both women were murdered by the same man.

Another fantastic addition to the DI Grace Archer series. I've read the previous books in series and they just keep getting better. The DI Archer series has quickly became one of my favourites, filled with twists and turns to keep you reading well beyond bedtime.

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

4.5⭐

DI Grace Archer returns in an unflinching crime thriller. That is not only compelling but unafraid to go where very few crime stories go and highlight just how shitty the police can be when it comes to crimes against women, particularly sex workers and those on the fringes of society.

As Grace and DS Harry Quinn are in the midst of investigating a series of murders that span over thirty years. When a decomposing female body is found wrapped in a rug in the attic of a London home.

But just as the investigation gets underway, Grace and Harry are called to another crime scene. Where Grace is heartbroken to find a victim from an old trafficking case and friend Elena Zoroc murdered. And the cause and manner of death are similar to those of the body in the attic. Despite the fact that she was killed at least thirty years ago.

However, Grace and Harry have a new boss, and he has no interest in linking the two cases. So he assigns a DS who is wet behind the ears to handle Elena's case and instructs Grace to concentrate on the body in the attic.

But Grace and Harry are determined to continue their investigation. As the similarities are too significant to ignore and when podcaster Mallory Jones contacts Harry with another possible victim, Grace realizes she is right to follow her instincts and ignore her boss.

Yet the more Grace, her team, and Mallory dig, the more they realize just how letdown these victims were. As every linked disappearance or murder, they uncover just seems to have been ignored and forgotten about. With friends and loved ones dismissed and derided for bothering to care about missing young women who were living rough or working on the street.

But now Grace and Harry are determined to change that and get justice for them and their families. As well as hopefully shaming all those police officers who stood by and did nothing.

And with big twists and turns, including a killer I did not see coming. This was a riveting read. That was perfectly paced and extremely hard to put down. Which is why I would happily recommend it to all.

The fourth book in the Grace Archer series and they just keep getting better. Navigating the path after the tragedy in book 3 (not going to spoil it if you haven’t read it) Grace is facing uncertainty at home and with changes at work which aren’t very welcome. When. When a sex worker calls Grace late at night fearing for her life and a 30 year old skeleton turns up could these cases be linked?
This was an absolute belter of a read. I love Grace and Harry as characters and I really hope Mallory and Boo get more in the next book- fingers crossed.
Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve never read a David Fennell book that I didn’t enjoy, he’s a superb storyteller with a knack for creating characters with great depth and stories that keep the reader turning those pages into the late hours. A Violent Heart is another such book. I can’t recommend him and these books highly enough!

The story opens with the murder of Elena Zoric, a sex worker whose final call was to DI Grace Archer. Soon after, the remains of another woman, similarly killed, are found.

As Archer and her team investigate, they uncover links to a series of older cases, revealing a serial killer who has operated undetected for decades. Throw in some unhelpful police politics, and Archer has her work cut out!

It was great to be back with Archer, who remains a strong and determined detective. Her partnership with DS Harry Quinn is always a highlight, providing something solid amidst the investigation’s complexities.

There’s some maddening characters too - like Archer’s Boss and some rather inept and misogynistic colleagues. The introduction of these antagonistic forces within the police adds tension to Grace's situation. It was great to see investigator / podcaster, Mallory Jones again :)

I thought the pacing was spot on; the perfect balance of suspenseful investigation and action. I love a then and now timeline, and this shifts well between the two, without causing confusion or feeling forced.

Fennell also explores the impact of unaddressed violence against vulnerable women. The police treatment of sex workers for example, is incomparable to those in supposedly more accepted jobs. Are ‘drugged up prostitutes’ somehow less deserving of justice?!

This is the fourth in the series, and while it works well as a standalone, I’d recommend reading in order to benefit from character development. The strong pacing, plot twists and emotional depth made it another favourite for me.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and to Zaffre, for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own. A Violent Heart is out August 29 (UK)

There are so many Crime detective series on the market that it’s almost impossible to keep up with them all. But there are a few series that come high or hell water I wouldn’t miss. David Fennel’s Grace Archer series is one of them! So much so that I didn’t even read the book description for A Violent Heart. But then I have such faith in this author’s ability to deliver a riveting read. Was my faith misplaced? Hell no! Despite this being the fourth book in the series, David Fennel has only gone and written another worthy nail biting addition to what is an unmissable series.

A Violent Heart is a dark tale fuelled by a sense of malevolence. The plot focuses on the gruesome murders of sex workers spanning thirty years. I liked the fact David Fennel gives his victims a voice, creating characters who are victims, rather than victims lacking character! This allows the reader to learn more about the girl’s background. We learn about the unfortunate and heartbreaking events that led them to take a dangerous and often a violent and abusive path. Sadly, their murders appear to be low down on the police’s list of priorities because of their deeply ingrained prejudice against sex workers.

Grace Archer is a likeable character with an intriguing back story. She’s resilient and persistent, paired with her sharp intuition, which earns her the respect and support of her team. Her partner DS Harry Quinn is a likeable character. This book isn’t as gruesome as the other books in the series, but that’s not a bad thing. I prefer it when an author mixes things up a bit, it keeps us readers on our toes. David Fennell ensures A Violent Heart is packed with tension, misdirection which certainly heightened my enjoyment of this book. Highly recommended

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