The Lost Victim by Robert Bryndza

 

Both of Robert Bryndza's murder mystery series feature strong female protagonists. This, the Kate Marshall series, features a private investigator, while his Erika Foster series is a police procedural. Both are excellent.

A true-crime podcast company hires Kate and her partner Tristan to try and solve the thirty-year-old disappearance of thirteen-year-old Janiey Macklin. As they begin their investigation, leads are pointing toward Peter Conway, a convicted killer with ties to Kate's past. Digging deeper, they find three friends, one of whom has already been acquitted of her death may hold the key to her disappearance--but can they be believed?

This is a twisty, compelling read—one of Bryndza's best. Red herrings, subplots, and unreliable characters make this an intricately plotted book that sizzles from start to finish. Although it is the fifth Kate Marshall book, it can be read as a standalone. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 11, 2024.

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Profile K by Helen Fields

Helen Fields is a master at capturing a killer's dark, twisted mind. Be it her DI Callanach or Connie Woolwine series, she consistently delivers captivating characters and unique plots. This standalone book is no exception.

Midnight Jones, a profile analyst at the highly structured and client-confidential Necto Corporation, is startled to find a Profile K applicant file--K indicating killer. When she brings the file to management's attention, she is told it is an anomaly and that there is no such thing as a Profile K.  Then a murder occurs whose killer fits the Profile K applicant's profile. Midnight is conflicted: go against company confidentiality rules and contact the police or keep her much-needed job. Knowing the killer is likely to strike again, Midnight faces not only a moral dilemma but also the real possibility of putting herself in the path of the killer.

Although this plot seems futuristic, the author's notes state that this profiling technology is already available, bringing thoughts of Big Brother to mind and the dilemma Midnight faced very real. This is a fast-paced psychological thriller with a murderer whose twisted thoughts are brilliantly captured in a dark and fascinating plot. If you have not read a Helen Fields book, "Profile K" is an excellent introduction to her complex characters and plots. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 25, 2024.

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The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood

 I think Michael Wood is the master of psychological thrillers. His DI Matilda Darke series is excellent, and this start of a new series promises to be just as good.

Olivia Winter is not a profiler; she is a world-famous forensic psychologist who studies serial killers. The twist is that her father is a convicted serial killer who killed her mother and sister and attempted to kill nine-year-old Olivia before he was captured. Now he is in a London hospital after heart surgery, and he wants to see Olivia--this is just when a new killer is stalking women using a similar killing method as her father. Is there a connection? When the killer strikes close to home, Olivia agrees to help the police investigation despite dredging up painful memories and putting her own life in danger.

I found Olivia to be an engaging character with a strong personality despite her emotional baggage. The story is dark and twisty, just the way I like them. I'm looking forward to this new series. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 28, 2024.

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Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza

 I enjoy Robert Bryndza's Kate Marshall and Erika Foster murder mystery series, and this Erika Foster offering is one of the best so far.

Erika stumbles upon a murdered politician who is hog-tied and suffocated, but before she can get her team together, she is taken off the case, and the death is quickly ruled as natural causes. When another high-profile victim is found, killed in the same manner, Erika digs in her heels and battles upper management to take charge of the case. During her investigation, she uncovers another similar killing, and the hunt for the serial killer is on. The only thing known about the perpetrator is that she is a sex worker who leaves explicit photos at each crime scene, signed "Annabelle." What she looks like, and her motivation is another mystery the team needs to solve to catch the killer before she strikes again.

As usual, Bryndza does an excellent job of plotting and pacing to keep up the tension throughout the book. The reader follows Erika and Annabelle in their cat-and-mouse game, with Annabelle seemingly one step ahead. The more I got to know Annabelle, the more I was rooting for her--odd, I know, but she is so well drawn it was hard not to. Although this is the eighth book in the series, there are sufficient details to read this as a standalone and not feel lost. However, I recommend reading the entire series because it is so good.

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for furnishing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is February 8, 2024.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble