A review by rbharath
Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza

dark slow-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? No

3.25

 I started reading Erika Foster books less than a month back, and this is my third book featuring her. I love her strong well-developed character. This book nevertheless is the least satisfying of the three I have read. 

 Erika Foster has moved homes and is just about settling in. One night, as she is out near her house, she hears screaming in a nearby block and finds a lady who identifies herself as Tess crying and distraught. There is blood all over and the body of a young lady who Tess says was her sister Vicky is on the mattress. There were only a few neighbours around and the behaviour of one of them is somewhat odd. Vicky worked at her sister & her husband’s restaurant part-time and also freelances as a podcaster. Her laptop hard disk has been wiped clean and it seems that a podcast she was working might have brought danger to her doorstep. There are complications of a suspect’s connections, mistaken identity and others to follow. 

It is nice to see continuity of characters with Kate Moss, James Peterson and Isaac Strong. Though I jumped from book 2 and book 7, had no trouble reading along. The story is just about average and the pace is slow. The last sections introduce an unexpected twist but feel force-fitted. In all the books, Erika faces a life threating attack at the end – feels very repetitive and unavoidable. 

 My rating: 3.25 / 5. 

 Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free electronic review copy. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings