Reviews

Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza

ilses's review against another edition

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mysterious

gabmc's review against another edition

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3.0

I really liked this book - 3.5 out of 5. The story was just as gripping as previous books in this series but I felt that the editor might need to have another look over the book as there were a few minor errors with names and details. After a few years living in London, Detective Erika Foster buys her own place. She's on her way to the local fish and chip shop to get dinner when she hears screaming coming from a flat. She goes in to find a woman, Tess, standing over the dead body of another woman. The dead woman is Tess' sister, Vicky, a true crime podcaster. All of Vicky's notes and recordings have disappeared so Erika and her team are left with very little to go on. They find a thumb drive at the bottom of a backpack which has interviews from three young woman who were all sexually assaulted when they were staying in dorms belonging to a London drama school, the same school that Vicky herself attended. When Vicky's body reveals a big secret, the team is back to square one. I love that in each book in this series we get to know Erika and her team more.

liannak95's review

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fast-paced

3.5

smassht's review against another edition

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dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

jucamindscape's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5⭐️

bonnae's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

bookdarling1987's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Fast Paced Fun Ride

 
Robert Bryndza has once again captivated me with "Fatal Witness," reaffirming my unwavering love for his work. As a dedicated follower of his series, I was disheartened to realize I hadn't yet delved into this seventh installment. Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited, swiftly remedying my oversight.

Within the pages of this latest entry, Bryndza delivers a riveting crime narrative, masterfully weaving Chief Detective Erika Foster into a web of perilous situations, including ones where her life hangs in the balance. From start to finish, the story gripped me, leaving me eagerly flipping pages. However, the only drawback was the agonizing four-year wait for its release.

The tale commences with Erika's return to her Blackheath abode, interrupted by chilling screams emanating from a nearby flat. Investigating, she discovers a gruesome murder scene, the victim identified as Vicky Clarke, a true-crime podcaster. Suspicion arises that Vicky stumbled upon a dangerous secret, triggering her demise.

As the plot thickens, intricate relationships take center stage—between the victim and her acquaintances, as well as within Erika's own circle. Complications arise with Erika's former flame and colleague, Detective Inspector James Peterson, whose presence ignites discomfort amid romantic entanglements. Sibling dynamics unravel amidst fierce rivalry, while a suspect with influential ties complicates the investigation.

While the brisk pace of the case enthralls, what truly resonates is the portrayal of Erika as a multifaceted woman, not merely a law enforcer. Bryndza adeptly balances the personal and professional aspects of his protagonist, deepening her complexity.

As I eagerly anticipate the next chapter, I remain an ardent fan of Bryndza's series and his skillful storytelling. "Fatal Witness" not only satisfies my craving for gripping crime fiction but also offers a compelling portrayal of its protagonist's humanity. With anticipation, I look forward to sharing the excitement of what lies ahead, for as I compose this review of book seven, I find myself already engrossed in book eight—a testament to Bryndza's undeniable talent.

judithdcollins's review

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4.0

After a four-year break, Detective Erika Foster is back in FATAL WITNESS –a chilling new serial-killer case in bestselling British author Robert Bryndza's multimillion best-selling crime-thriller series. (Book #7 of 7)

#ErikaFosterReturns | #SerialKillerThriller

If you have read the other books in the series, you know Detective Erika Foster is fearless, dedicated, and unstoppable. Plus, she is so much fun. I loved the scene with the salesperson when buying the bed, among others. Bloody Good.

We met Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster in [b:The Girl in the Ice|28233082|The Girl in the Ice (Detective Erika Foster, #1)|Robert Bryndza|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1450369120l/28233082._SY75_.jpg|48263544] (2016) and have been a big fan since. The book was a HIT, selling over 1.5 million copies in English and was translated into 30 countries. I would say she is pretty popular, and the author is not so shabby either.

Erika has purchased a new home and trying to get settled in. Without any furniture or food, she steps out for a late-night walk near her new house in Blackheath when she discovers a scream - a brutal murder. The sister is frantic and finds the body of her sister, Vicky Clarke, a true-crime podcaster.

Assigned to the case, she learns Vicky had been working on a new podcast episode about a sexual predator who preys on young female students around South London, staking out his victims in their halls of residence before breaking in at the dead of night.

However, her notes and recordings were stolen from her flat at the time of the murder. How are they supposed to solve a case when the murderer steals all the evidence? Maybe she knew too much or was getting too close to discovering the identity of the murderer.

Then another disturbing twist. The body of a young Bulgarian student doctor is discovered in the same building.

The tension builds quickly, and the crime takes on a deadly twist. In a race against time, they must find the killer before he strikes again.

The author is definitely a pro at complex multi-layered, character-driven police procedurals, forensics, and engaging crime thrillers

With many twists and red herrings, the author keeps you glued to the audio/pages. Erika is a relatable flawed character which makes her human with a balance of workaholic and crazy personal life, which we get to be a part of. We also get to catch up with other characters from the series.

A satisfying conclusion; however, I hope the author will bring Erika back in a spin-off series for appearances so we can catch up with her (personally and professionally). She is too good to end.

The author is a master at creating suspenseful crime scenes and intense police procedurals with vivid descriptions and settings. These are pretty gritty, grisly, and gripping. I definitely would be closing my eyes if these scenes were on the widescreen.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Jan Cramer, delivered an excellent performance. I enjoy her accent and perfect voice, as always for Erika.

I have missed reading a few books in the series; however, FATAL WITNESS can be read as a standalone. If you love intelligently written crime thrillers, this is a series you will want to read.

Also, check out the author's new Kate Marshall crime thriller series: [b:Devil's Way|61373849|Devil's Way (Kate Marshall, #4)|Robert Bryndza|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1656613258l/61373849._SY75_.jpg|96811259] January 26, 2023. (#4 of 4).

A special thank you to #RavenStreetPublishing and #NetGalley for an advanced audio copy to listen to, enjoy, and review.

Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: July 7, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars ✨✨✨✨
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lesterb09's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

3.5

lexlucifor's review against another edition

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5.0

A little more predictable than the rest but I still loved it. I can’t wait for the next Erika Foster installment!