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gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
Robert Bryndza has become one of my favourite crime authors. Ever since a friend recommended "The Girl in the Ice" to me in 2016 I have pre-ordered his books. DI Erika Foster is the investigator in charge of a very high profile case. She is the first detective on the scene of the death of a politician. However, that case soon gets taken from her. Then a famous soccer star's body is found, in the same position as the politician. This time Erika gets to investigate both cases. In the second case, the killer(s) are seen prominently on CCTV - but all are wearing masks and the same clothes. In this book we get some chapters from the killer's point of view and while I never think murder is the answer to anything, I did have some sympathy for the killer. We get more of Erika's personal life, which I liked. The tension and suspense are palpable and I stayed up too late on many occasions to finish 'just one more chapter'!
kalleigh's review against another edition
4.0
I love this author and I love the Erika Foster series… this book was no exception. The ending gave me chills! All of Robert Bryndza’s books have a way of moving the story and characters around in a way that elicits true feelings, almost like you’re in the story yourself. This was a quick read, and the switch to the suspect’s POV throughout kept me on my toes. These books are more on the graphic side, but make for excellent detective style thrillers. Looking forward to the next one!
rbharath's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I love the Erika Foster series and was eagerly looking forward to this book. This is another good story which is well paced.
Erika Foster is out for dinner with her boyfriend Igor. She goes out for a short break, and re-enters the building from a different entrance by mistake. She is told that a body has been found in the building, and springs into action. The dead man is Neville Lomas, a Conservative member of Parliament. There are 3 polaroid photos in his pocket with ‘Annabelle’ written on the back. There is a lot of sensitivity due to the prominence of his position and Superintendent Dan Fisk says he is taking over from Erika. It is unclear if this was murder. After 2 months, Jamie Teague, a famous football player is found dead. Again, there are polaroid photos in his pocket and he had been visited by a few women. Are these murders, and is Annabelle a real person? Erika is in-charge of this case, and there is pressure on her to check-in at each step.
This is a solid plot and story, without any far-fetched twists, and that is how I liked crime novels. The ending is more open than his earlier books, and it does suit this one. I found the writing around Erika’s relationship to be average, and felt the author was struggling to fit it in the book. While Erika’s fierce independence and lack of sub-ordination are charming, there are instances they are not well explained, and seem excessive. The procedural work is very good, as in all the books in the series.
If crime fiction is a genre you like, this is a great series.
Erika Foster is out for dinner with her boyfriend Igor. She goes out for a short break, and re-enters the building from a different entrance by mistake. She is told that a body has been found in the building, and springs into action. The dead man is Neville Lomas, a Conservative member of Parliament. There are 3 polaroid photos in his pocket with ‘Annabelle’ written on the back. There is a lot of sensitivity due to the prominence of his position and Superintendent Dan Fisk says he is taking over from Erika. It is unclear if this was murder. After 2 months, Jamie Teague, a famous football player is found dead. Again, there are polaroid photos in his pocket and he had been visited by a few women. Are these murders, and is Annabelle a real person? Erika is in-charge of this case, and there is pressure on her to check-in at each step.
This is a solid plot and story, without any far-fetched twists, and that is how I liked crime novels. The ending is more open than his earlier books, and it does suit this one. I found the writing around Erika’s relationship to be average, and felt the author was struggling to fit it in the book. While Erika’s fierce independence and lack of sub-ordination are charming, there are instances they are not well explained, and seem excessive. The procedural work is very good, as in all the books in the series.
If crime fiction is a genre you like, this is a great series.
herthrillingreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Lethal Vengeance is the most recent book in the DI Erika Foster series by @robertbryndza 💙 I absolutely love the character of Erika and this series. In this most recent book, Erika and her team are investigating the murder of a famous footballer. The case is strange and seems to link to another high profile death in London. Are Erika and her team on the hunt for a serial killer?!
I highly recommend this book and series, especially if you love crime fiction with a tough female detective!
I highly recommend this book and series, especially if you love crime fiction with a tough female detective!
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
mvptp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was good
alexis_something_rose's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
debtat2's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced, compulsive, addictive and the best Erika Foster book yet!
The team is faced with what seems like an impossible case where there are five perpetrators that all look identical. As well as that the victim is a high profile member of Parliament.
The case is taken out of Erika’s teams hand’s and cause of death is quickly ruled inconclusive. But when a famous footballer is found murdered in a style that is exactly the same state as the politician, Erika knows the two cases are connected and carried out by the same person.
As the body count rises the team battle around the clock to find a very clever serial killer who is always one step ahead.
This has to be my favourite Erika Foster novel so far. The writing is effortless and glides across the pages and the storyline flows keeping you turning the pages late into the night.
It is a definite must read for fans old and new. If like me you have read all of the other books in the series then you will already know you are in for a real treat, but if this is your first introduction to the series, this book works just as well as a standalone, and you will soon be hooked!
Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza will be published on 8 Feb 2024 and is available to pre order now
The team is faced with what seems like an impossible case where there are five perpetrators that all look identical. As well as that the victim is a high profile member of Parliament.
The case is taken out of Erika’s teams hand’s and cause of death is quickly ruled inconclusive. But when a famous footballer is found murdered in a style that is exactly the same state as the politician, Erika knows the two cases are connected and carried out by the same person.
As the body count rises the team battle around the clock to find a very clever serial killer who is always one step ahead.
This has to be my favourite Erika Foster novel so far. The writing is effortless and glides across the pages and the storyline flows keeping you turning the pages late into the night.
It is a definite must read for fans old and new. If like me you have read all of the other books in the series then you will already know you are in for a real treat, but if this is your first introduction to the series, this book works just as well as a standalone, and you will soon be hooked!
Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza will be published on 8 Feb 2024 and is available to pre order now