I really enjoyed this, it was a bit like a rollercoaster ride which once it got started it was so hard to stop and I’m genius bit sad now it’s ended. The plot flows really well with very intriguing unanswered questions and level of threat which left me quite on edge and contemplating checking my loft before I went to bed. The characters were very likeable and easy to keep track of, I didn’t have to make a big effort to keep track of who is who which sometimes makes books a bit of a headache to follow. There were some very surprising and clever twists which I never would have guessed so full marks for this too. I would definitely read more books by this author and am very happy to recommend.

Wow! Nightmare inducing. Another home run read. This was super creepy and absolutely terrifying. Oozes suspense. This is a fast paced thrill ride that doesn’t quit. I adore the characters and have come to love them. This book kept me up way too late with its rollercoaster of fear and heart pounding anxiety.
I absolutely recommend this

I love Morgan Brook such an amazing character.. This story was paticularly emotional to read as it was close to home.

I would highly recommend this series of everyone.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Detective Morgan Brookes, hardened by years on the force, finds herself confronting a case that shatters her sense of security. The discovery of a young couple, their lips cruelly sealed shut, plunges her into a world of twisted obsessions and unimaginable cruelty. As the body count rises, Brookes must investigate the killer's twisted logic.

Phifer masterfully builds suspense, weaving a complex web of clues and red herrings that will keep readers guessing until the last page. The atmosphere is thick with dread, the idyllic Lake District setting transformed into a haunting backdrop for the unfolding tragedy. Brookes is a compelling protagonist, her vulnerability and resilience shining through as she grapples with the horror of the crimes and the personal demons that threaten to consume her.

One of the things I enjoy most about police procedurals is the interplay and camaraderie among the members of the police force as they work through crimes, and this story has that quality...

Recommended for readers who enjoy gritty police procedurals, psychological thrillers, and stories that delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Being the 14th in a series but the first for me certainly meant a lot of catching up with a lot of characters and their various relationship and attitudes. Quite hard work to get into the story. Gory murder a couple of doors down from DC Morgan Brooks' boss and boyfriend's house (DS Ben someone). A 'nice' street by all accounts. A nosy neighbour, a glamour woman, the hospital pathologist and his partner Theo, a priest, Cain who eats and annoys much of the time, Marc the newish DI not to Mention the apparently perfect couple Rosie and Mat t who were murdered. Morgan is still suffering the aftermath of what must have been a very nasty attack and is having some issues with that; she's a bit gung-ho too which doesn't help. Attics, axes and church door nails are important! A well-crafted story with enough red herrings to keep the reader engaged. Must go and read a few of the earlier ones to broaden out the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Wow! I can't believe this is the first book I've read by Helen Phifer - it looks like she's a prolific author. This is the fourteenth book in the Detective Morgan Brookes series, so I've missed a great deal. The book is easily read as a stand alone though so I didn't feel like I was behind. Although since I enjoyed the detective and the book I will certainly be reading more.

Description:
The book starts with a couple being murdered a couple of houses down from Morgan's home. Apparently no one heard anything happening or had any information. The murder was horrific with some very strange physical evidence. It was hard to know where to start the investigation with few clues. Then Morgan finds a note that says "if you’ve found this, you’re next to die." Well, that's scary. Morgan felt like she was being watched. Morgan finally discovers a couple of leads and begins running them down. This was a difficult investigation to say the least. I would recommend this book to any crime thriller lover.

Thanks to Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Another great book in this series! The characters are well written and easy to like. I've read the whole series so I'm invested in them now. I was a bit worried by some things that happened to main characters in this book (can't say more without spoilers). I think there's enough background that you don't necessarily need to read the whole series in order to enjoy this one. The plot moved along at speed and with enough twists it's not obvious who the murderer is.

‘Their Dying Embrace’ by Helen Phifer is the fourteenth book in the Detective Morgan Brookes series and as always, neither of them ever disappoints her fans!

This newest installment in the series is just as captivating and fast-paced as ever and with the author’s incredible ability to blend suspense, mystery and dark psychology with a gripping storyline, loads of action and engaging police procedural elements, this book was nothing short of a thrilling rollercoaster ride full of electrifying twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat till the very end. Witnessing Morgan’s blossoming relationship with Ben was definitely a treat, as was enjoying the camaraderie between Morgan and her team. The subtle nods to the author’s own gothic inspirations and her favourite places as well as the reference to Lisa Regan’s Josie Quinn series was surely a lovely touch which enhanced the already delightful read.

With ‘Their Dying Embrace’, Helen Phifer delivers another riveting addition to the fabulous Detective Morgan Brookes series. It feels like only yesterday when we first met Morgan, Ben and the rest of the team and here we are, fourteen books in and still hooked!

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Helen Phifer for providing me with an advance copy of this book to read and review.

Another great escapade for Morgan Brookes I love this series and to see what they get up to next. Plenty of twists and turns and suspense to keep me hooked. Well rounded characters. Great writing style. Eagerly awaiting the next adventure. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Well where to start with this one? What else to say other than go and read it!!
This may be book 14 in the series but can be read as a stand alone, however the twists and turns and suspense are so good you will go and read all the others!
There’s never a dull moment, there is always something happening. Even if you haven’t met the regular characters before, you will soon pick up who is who and feel you are a fly on the wall watching the dramas unfold.

Now don’t let this book fool you, you may think it’s drawing to its conclusion, but there are still a few more twists!

It’s a fast paced story, following the police as they try to find out who murdered two people in a house just a couple of doors away from our main characters house. Are the murders some how related to them and their work or just a coincidence??
Ensure you have plenty of time to read this as you will find it hard to put down, especially when you are about 50% through.

What else can I say? Go and buy it, clear your day, read!

Morgan under threat? Twisting suspense🤕

I've been following Helen Phifer's DC Morgan Brookes series through seven books or so and this is a good, suspenseful addition to the series. This small town in the vicinity of Liverpool keeps its detectives hopping. Morgan and her boss/romantic partner Ben get blindsided on their day off by a pair of horrific murders just a few doors away from their home and an ominous note Morgan finds in the murder house. So they're not just invested in finding any murderer; they need to restore security and peace of mind to their neighborhood. And impulsive, instinct-driven Morgan goes off on her own path more than once, to Ben's dismay. But then her gut instinct proves accurate at a crucial moment and all's forgiven.

I admit I did not guess the killer; there were some nice, misleading pieces that led me astray and an attack on a friend particularly had me puzzled: why? Until Morgan finds a clue.

One of my favorite characters is Cain and he didn't disappoint, pilfering snacks and going long on trite, overworked expressions. He may annoy but he is also a loyal team member and supportive of Morgan. I also liked that the story gave a tantalizing glimpse of what makes Marc, the new supervising officer, tick.

I enjoyed it.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared with Goodreads and Barnes & Noble on 1/20/25.

4.5 ⭐️
This is Book 14 in the Morgan Brookes series. You'd think after maybe 14 books I'd be bored but no! I love this series so much. I genuinely don't know what Helen does but as soon as I start reading any of her books I'm addicted straight away and hate that i have to adult and stop reading! The characters in this series and their relationships are just great and I love the way they're written. For the 1st time ever though I actually guessed who the murderer was... maybe I'm reading too many crime books. Definitely recommend this series!

I can't believe we've been following Morgan and Ben through 14 books! It feels like yesterday when we first met Morgan and she got her chance to work with Ben and the rest of the team I've fallen for in the past 13 books.
And here we are again, with Morgan and Ben investigating a double murder, involving their neighbors. It was supposed to be a chill day off when they got the knock on the door, an officer asking if they could step in while waiting for the on-duty detective to arrive. One look at the scene and they know they can't let someone else investigate something this horrendous that happened so close to home.

This case is full of twists and turns right from the get-go, and they don't stop until the killer is revealed which I definitely didn't see coming. Every book in this series keeps me guessing and on the edge of my seat and I can't wait to see whats going to happen next!

This was a strong fourteenth entry in the Detective Mogan Brookes series, it had that element that I was looking for ad enjoyed the overall concept. It continued the story perfectly and that the characters were everything that I was looking for. Helen Phifer has a strong writing style and enjoyed the crime thriller element of this.

A couple just two doors away from Morgan is found murdered, and the team is on the case. It feels almost personal, and then it gets personal, and this gritty and twisty case leaves no one cold. Highly appalling criminals on the move and hitting too close to home. An exciting case, well-plotted, excellent writing. Another excellent book from Helen Phifer - she never lets me down!

Their dying embrace is book 14 in the fabulous Detective Morgan Brookes series.
Ben and Morgan are called the most gruesome murder yet and it is only two doors down from their own home in Rydal falls. Their neighbours which they only met briefly at a neighbourhood barbecue Rosie and Max are found dead in the bathroom. It was later discovered by a friend that there was noises coming from the couple’s attic. But they mistook it for a bird but later found that the killer was above them waiting to strike.
I have been a fan of the authors works since book one and yet again this episode doesn’t disappoint. With its gripping storyline and loads of action. Morgan always seems to be in the centre of it. Yet again involved is the team of loveable characters and the storyline always stays fresh. I can’t wait for the next instalment. 5 stars from me

This is a brilliant series featuring Detective Morgan Brookes, how did we get to number 14? This is just as compelling and fresh as book one in the series, with it's excellent characterisation and clever writing. I really like the character of Morgan and the team dynamics work really well as they investigate a double murder. Readers are in for a treat on publication day in this highly recommended read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Another absolute masterpiece from Helen Phifer.
Book 14 of the Detective Morgan Brookes series and just as thrilling as the last.
To continue a character through 14 books is I imagine, incredibly difficult to keep the reader hooked, Phifer manages it effortlessly!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc.

Fanta as usual, glad of my Morgan fix, this series just gets better, maybe one day Morgan won't get injured and get her happy ever after.

What a joy to read from beginning to end with lots of twists and turns in the middle. I love all the main characters and how they interact with each other and how their relationships have grown and develop even Marc. As ever the team must put all the clues together and go in search of the murderers but this time it’s a little too close to home for Ben and Morgan which then has a knock-on effect to the wider team and even their friends, is anyone safe around them. The plot is good and builds suspension well, I did not see the ending coming!
I first discovered Detective Morgan Brookes in summer 2024 and by early autumn I had devoured the series and her greatest fan. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture as this was my very first ARC and for one of my favorite detectives! Whenever a new Detective Morgan Brookes novel is released, I know to clear my diary for the next 3 evenings as I’m gripped and can’t wait to find out where their next case takes them. I would highly recommend!