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janeywaneyb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Another good DCI Erika Foster instalment. This case is fast paced but also has the slow burn of police investigations. Foster is such a formidable character and I love her bluntness that gets the job done. This case has some twists and "but why?" moments that keep you engaged.
I have one complaint....but I will leave that for the spoilers section.
The killer is a childhood victim of abuse and I get fed up with the killer having a traumatic background. This creates a stereotype for survivors of abuse which I struggle to stomach. Not everyone who has been abused or experiencedtrauma will go on to commit abuse or violence against others. Crime writers need to move away from this overused trope.
I have one complaint....but I will leave that for the spoilers section.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug abuse and Suicide
beth_books_123's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love DCI Erika Foster - 4*
I never enjoy a murderer's POV so I always skip that.
I love Erika. I really enjoyed the corruption angle. I loved its fast pace. The CLIFFHANGERS!!
I have binge read this and now I'm going to have to wait AGES for #9.
I never enjoy a murderer's POV so I always skip that.
I love Erika. I really enjoyed the corruption angle. I loved its fast pace. The CLIFFHANGERS!!
I have binge read this and now I'm going to have to wait AGES for #9.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Drug use, Sexual violence, and Rape
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
DCI Erika Foster is back with another twisty, brain busting murder to solve. This time she not only has 1 murder to solve but several interlinked murders, spanning years. There are politics afoot, murky fixers, possible s3x worker involvement and the very real possibility that someone high up in politics or even the Met itself is involved!
Footballers and politicians don't exact move in the same circles so finding out the kinks between these murders is not going to be easy. Erika is a straightforward kinda woman - she doesn't do posturing, politicking or backroom deals. So now she is having to work with one hand tied behind her back by having to run everything past her Superintendent and even her former friend/colleague and now Commander! As the murder enquiry progresses we get to see some of the goings-on through the killers POV.
All the while Erika is trying to make her new relationship with Igor and her friendship with his son Tom work. I felt Erika gave Igor a bit of a hard time sometimes and leapt to some assumptions but I do like the fact that they actually talk things through - when they get the time, and she truly seems to enjoy her time with Igor and Tom doing family things.
I can't tell you how much I enjoy it when writers actually get things right (okay with a little bit of embellishment). But since I actually work for a police force, with people not unlike Erika, it's nice to see HOLMES actually get mentioned!
Footballers and politicians don't exact move in the same circles so finding out the kinks between these murders is not going to be easy. Erika is a straightforward kinda woman - she doesn't do posturing, politicking or backroom deals. So now she is having to work with one hand tied behind her back by having to run everything past her Superintendent and even her former friend/colleague and now Commander! As the murder enquiry progresses we get to see some of the goings-on through the killers POV.
All the while Erika is trying to make her new relationship with Igor and her friendship with his son Tom work. I felt Erika gave Igor a bit of a hard time sometimes and leapt to some assumptions but I do like the fact that they actually talk things through - when they get the time, and she truly seems to enjoy her time with Igor and Tom doing family things.
I can't tell you how much I enjoy it when writers actually get things right (okay with a little bit of embellishment). But since I actually work for a police force, with people not unlike Erika, it's nice to see HOLMES actually get mentioned!
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture and Sexual assault
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.25
Finished reading: January 20th 2024
"Fear was the greatest weapon you could use to control someone."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I've been with this series since the first book was published back in 2016, so I'm very excited to see new sequels popping up more regularly again. The Detective Erika Foster series is easily one of my favorite detective series, both because of the cast of characters and the writing itself. The books tend to be fast-paced, extremely engaging and suspenseful, and Lethal Vengeance is no exception to that rule. It turned out to be yet another successful detective slash serial killer thriller!
Before I continue, I have to stress that while you can technically read Lethal Vengeance as a stand-alone without missing out on too much information, I personally wouldn't recommend it. The previous books are all excellent detective thrillers, and you won't fully appreciate the little nuances in Erika's character as well as the dynamics with the rest of the team otherwise... The case in this sequel stand on its own though, and it's another serial killer murder investigation; although this time with a conspiracy-vibe twist.
Lethal Vengeance uses a POV structure that switches between our detective Erika Foster and the killer: Annabelle. I always love a good serial killer POV, so I was especially intrigued to learn more about Annabelle and her motivations to do what she does. This doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy spending time with Erika though, and I liked what both POVs contributed to the plot. There is quite some focus on child abuse, abuse in general as well as rape along the way, so make sure to brace yourself for some trigger warning worthy content as well as the usual dose of murder.
There is something about the writing that makes it incredibly easy to fly through the story, and the only reason I didn't read Lethal Vengeance in one sitting was because I simply didn't have the time. The banter helps balance everything out, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged... In a way it was a shame you already know who is behind it all with Annabelle's POV being so prominent, but since you don't know her 'real' identity there is still some speculation possible. There is also the conspiracy vibe to consider, and the mysterious man and threats popping up to keep you on your toes.
If you are looking for an engaging, suspenseful and twisted serial killer slash detective thriller, Lethal Vengeance is a great choice! I can highly recommend the whole series for that matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Death of parent, Infidelity, Rape, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Confinement, Murder, Violence, and Sexual assault
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