This is the first book of Stephen’s I have read but it definitely won’t be the last as I thought it was a great book.

The story follows Detective Kate Matthews as she investigates the murders. These murders are extremely similar to a murder from her past, which she holds her self responsible for.

I really liked the way Kate was portrayed as she is so determined to find the killer and nothing, not even her boss, will get in her way. At times I thought that her character was slightly over the top with the way that she wouldn’t let it go, but once I got to know how personal she was taking it I could understand why she was how she was during this investigation.

The book itself is a very fast paced thriller, which I had trouble putting down and read it in a couple of sittings. I really loved the way it was written and it kept me guessing and double guessing all the way through until the end.

Dying day is the second book in the Detective Kate Matthews series, but can be read as a standalone.

Kate is the reason, a young detective Amy is dead. And she is determined to find the killer. Kate is strong, smart and an extremely good detective. She prioritizes her cases and it drives her nuts if a case is unsolved and the killer is not charged guilty.
Amy's death is not the first of its type which makes Kate believe that there's a serial killer on the loose.

The plot involves a series of murders, all along the same lines. This also means a lot of characters and hence, more back stories. This can sometimes get extremely confusing, and hence, a bit frustrating.

The twists and turns, which are an essential part of any thriller, has been dealt with exceptionally well. The plot gets surprisingly interesting, even with all these characters. The plot is fast-paced and has elements that will leave you astonished. The killings are brutal but just enough to make it look like a cold-blooded murder by a serial killer.

As much as I wanted to like this book, it didn't end up as great as I had anticipated. Mostly because the author tried to do something different, with the storyline, but then I feel the original plot somewhere loses its importance.

Would recommend it to the Crime and Thriller lovers. Read it for yourself and find out :)

This is the first book by Stephen Edger that I’ve read. It’s one more police procedural with a damaged DI. Kate Matthews has been unable to get over the loss of her DC, Amy Spencer, a year ago. Amy was involved in an undercover procedure that went wrong. Kate moves from London to Southampton after being blamed for Amy’s death.

Kate is driven and follows her gut and instincts rather than her bosses. She is convinced that the serial killer that took Amy’s life is now targeting girls in Southampton. Despite recovering from a bad car crash, she refuses to take any time off even when ordered to do so. I just couldn’t get into her. I kept expecting her to use a little common sense. Or treat those that care for her decently. She places her job above everyone and everything in her personal life. She is a mother of a young daughter and barely has visitation rights. She says she wants to be more active in her daughter’s life but does nothing to prove it.

The book also offers flashbacks to Amy’s life leading up to her death, told from her POV. They mostly involve the investigation and search for the serial killer of young single women whose only connection seems to be their use of dating websites.

This is an ok mystery but nothing special. I wasn’t torn to drop everything to read it. I didn’t particularly buy into the premise. I had sussed out part of the ending but there were lots of twists at the end I hadn’t seen coming. Unfortunately, several scenes in the end just didn’t come across as believable.

My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

EXCERPT: He pulled back the sheet and for a few cold heartbeats Kate was back in the South London mortuary, and she was staring down at the body of Amy Spencer. She shook her head, and the new victim's face returned to the table. The pale skin clung to the slender frame, save for the patches of yellow and purple bruising around her torso. She couldn't have been much older than twenty-two; such a tragic waste of life.

THE BLURB: Her dark skin looks almost grey; the effect of the elements and death’s touch. Her limp body left pressed against a wire fence like trash. I make a silent promise that I will do everything I can to catch the person who did this to her…

Exactly a year ago, Amy, a young detective on Detective Kate Matthews’ team, was killed when she was sent undercover to catch a serial killer targeting young girls.

Kate never forgave herself for letting the killer slip through her fingers…

As the case is reopened and the campaign to find the culprit begins again, Kate is told to stay well away, and for good reason: another girl’s body has been found.

Kate is determined to connect new evidence to the old to catch this monster before more innocent lives are taken. The trail runs cold when her prime suspect is found dead. But then why is the body count still rising?

The answer is more terrible than Kate could possibly have imagined, and the killer so much closer than she thinks…

MY THOUGHTS: I read Dying Day by Stephen Edger basically in one sitting.

This is a great example of the British crime genre.

The story is told over two timelines and points of view. Amy's starts prior to her death, twelve months earlier, and counts down towards the event. Kate's story is in the present, twelve months after Amy's death, which she is haunted by, her guilt a driving force and coloring all her decisions.

Kate is a very strong character, following her own path irrespective of the restrictions placed upon her by her superiors. But it seems that no matter what she does, the solution to the riddle of Amy's death remains just out of reach.

Dying Day is full of twists and turns, and although I had my suspicions as to the identity of Amy's killer, I had no idea of the motive nor the means, and my suspicions were not confirmed until right at the end.

Fast paced and action filled, Dying Day is a solid ☆☆☆☆ read.

Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Dying Day by Stephen Edger for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.

So our Kate is most definitely haunted. Haunted by the case that got away, the one she couldn’t solve, the one where she let one of her constables get killed.

After reading Dead to Me, the first Kate Matthews book, I was desperate to find out what had happened to her back in the big smoke of London and forced her move south. So when I read the synopsis for Dying Day, my hopes were lifted that I would find out what happened. Would Kate finally put her ghosts to rest and solve this elusive case?

I really enjoy Stephen Edger’s writing. He writes a complex crime story and in this case he interweaves multiple threads seamlessly. Throw in some clues and red herrings and what you are left with is one cracking crime thriller. Even though this is the second in the Kate Matthews series, I personally don’t think you need to read Dead To Me first however that too is a cracking crime thriller, so I do recommend you get your hands on it as well!

Oh My, Oh My, Oh My, can someone find my heartbeat Stephen Edger sent my heart into overdrive with Dying Day, a whooping 5 star read and so much more. Well I never, I  thought Dead To Me the first in the Detective Kate Matthews series couldn’t  be beaten or equalled, but Dying Day has surpassed my expectations.
There’s a serial killer on the loose preying on young women, it has all the defining hallmarks of Amy’s killer, but can Kate get her boss to listen. After being warned away from the investigation Detective Kate begins to tread a path of self-destruction with her insubordination, to the point she is almost villainous in her attempts to catch her colleague Amy’s murderer.
Detective Kate is pushing all the boundaries, how far can she go.
The character of Kate is hard to comprehend, she is a hard nut to crack, but of all her flaws and inconsistencies she is in a sense growing on me. Kate is like a dog with a bone (excuse the pun) once she has her teeth into something she wont let go and its to hell with everyone else. I think if we were to step back and look at Kate, warts and all I think we would all see a tiny piece of ourselves in there.
Dying Day is a fast-paced thriller which had me turning the pages faster and faster, absorbing the intensity of the plot. I felt like I was on a roller coaster, you know the saying scream if you wanna go faster, that’s how Dying Day made me feel, but as always nearing the end of the book, I try to throw on the skids to prevent it ending, ultimately I know it has to, I want to know.
Thank you to Bookouture, Stephen Edger and Noelle for an advanced readers copy of Dying Day allowing me to read and review for the Blog Blitz.

This is the first Stephen Edger book I have read and I loved it. I will certainly be seeking out more from this author.

I really enjoyed the writing style and liked the determined main character Detective Kate Matthews. She has a stubborn streak and often locks horns with her superiors and ignores their directives. She is scarred by the murder of a colleague last year and is determined to bring the person responsible to justice.
She is not adverse to a bit of rule breaking and treading on a few toes. As the number of murders increases the book takes us on a great journey of twists and turns with an ending that surprised me.

This review is written with thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy of Dying Day.
It is a year since Detective Constable Amy Spencer was killed whilst working undercover in DI Kate Matthews' team. Kate was forced to relocate as a result of what happened, and has never forgiven herself for the circumstances in which Amy died. When Amy's case is reopened, Kate finds it impossible to stay away, despite instructions, especially when more bodies are found. Will Kate find the person who killed Amy and bring them to justice?
In the first scene, the reader is treated to high speed car chase, and from this point onwards, the action in Dying Day is never relenting. From beginning to end, I was on the edge of my seat, as Kate found herself in more and more dangerous situations, putting her job and her life on the line.
I'm thrilled that DI Kate Matthews is back. In Dead To Me (which I recommend you read first - as Edger alludes to the previous instalment throughout this novel), the reader is given some insight into why Kate was relocated, but as the case is reopened, the reader is able to learn more about this in Dying Day. The feisty, no-nonsense detective who thinks outside the box is still there, but I enjoyed seeing more of her vulnerable side and learning more about her demons.
The main plot is interspersed with chapters narrated by Amy in the days leading up to her death. Throughout these chapters, I struggled to like Amy: I found her slightly fake and incredibly naive; however, knowing that she was well respected by her team helped me to root for Kate in finding her killer.
I am not sure how I was unable to see the twist at the end coming, but I didn't, and it left me reeling and eager for more from DI Kate Matthews!

Now it’s safe to say that our introduction to Kate Matthews was a memorable one. It certainly made me rethink my breakfast choices that’s for sure. I’ll still be having porridge all of next week, I’m not put off my food that easily, but still … Porridge aside, it also gave us a little insight into Kate’s background and the reasons that she transferred to Southampton from a good job in the Met Police, reasons which come to the fore in blinding fashion in Dying Day.

The discovery of a body of a young woman bears all the hallmarks of a case from Kate’s past, the one which led to her transfer. A serial killer had been plaguing London, murdering young women with no clear motive or connection. One of her young DC’s is sent undercover to try to snare the killer, a decision which costs her life. Faced with the prospect of this being the same killer, and with the anniversary of Amy’s death looming, Kate is determined to find the killer before he strikes again.

Almost from the very beginning of this book you are caught up in fast paced, highly emotionally driven drama. From the discovery of the body in the boot, through to the shocking, almost heart-stopping, edge of the seat tension of the ending, Stephen Edger succeeds in taking the reader on one hell of a rollercoaster ride where the stakes, especially for Kate, have never been higher. I don’t want to talk much about the plot, as I think you need to read and connect all the dots for yourself with this one, but believe me, it’s a cracker and with so many twists, drops, loops and turns that it will keep you guessing right until the very end. Talk about adrenalin pumping. Alton Towers eat your heart out.

Being book two in a series, we already have a history with Kate and her team. I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t entirely sure about Kate and her methods in the last book. She is a complete maverick and it puts people in jeopardy. And yet there is definitely something about her and I think after this story she is definitely on my top Detectives list. She is determined, feisty, willing to go it alone if needs be but ultimately a really good copper with an instinctive nature. Her relationships are difficult, but there is a great camaraderie with DC Laura Trotter, who is perhaps her strongest ally on the team, and a really loving partnership developing with Ben, even if they don’t always see eye to eye. They are characters I can really get behind and am eager to see more from.

Structurally this is an interesting novel. Mostly told in the present day as the investigation moves from the initial discovery through to its conclusion, there are also passages told from the point of view of DC Amy Spencer in the days running up to her murder. It compliments the action, which includes reopening the investigation into her death, and drip feeds in key witness testimony alongside the disclosure and discovery made by Kate. Not only that, but it serves to humanize Kate and highlight the truth of what happened back in London. Amy is a woman not unlike Kate, but her absolute awe of her boss is clear through this particular narrative. In many ways she is similar to Laura and it is clear that Kate is respected by both women for more than just her rank.

I absolutely loved every minute of this book and surprised myself by racing through it in one evening. It really is that kind of book. So if you are looking for heart-thumping, adrenalin pumping action, tension which is at times off the charts, and a great cast of characters who make you both frustrated and happy in equal measure, give this book a go. I’m certainly glad I did and I can’t wait for book three.

In my review of the first book in this series, Dead to Me, I mentioned how DI Kate Matthews didn't like following the rules. Well, in this book, a look back at the murder of her subordinate Amy and the investigation of a current serial killer, she goes even more rogue. This time it went too far and started to bother me. At one point Kate is injured and still forcing herself to work the case. It felt almost Monty Python-ish and I wanted to yell "I'm not dead yet" at the book. In the real world, her further antics would have resulted in her been permanently fired and potentially charged with things like harassment and obstruction of justice. Likewise, the flashbacks to the lead up to Amy's murder, the hero worship of Kate by Amy becomes a bit too much, almost saccharine. I realize Mr. Edger was trying to get across how much Amy looked up to Kate and how strongly Kate felt about catching Amy's murdered; however, I wish this had been done in a somewhat less over the top manner. Other than this issue of extremes, I really enjoyed the overall plot line and how Mr. Edger took his story down the path less traveled. It is his unique twists on what could easily be a cookie cutter genre that makes me want to keep reading his books.

After reading the first book in the Detective Kate Matthews series I was looking forward to the next case. I really enjoyed the fact that Kate has flaws and on occasion makes mistakes as she gets personally invested in her cases making her a more interesting character for it.

This book has an intriguing set of murders and because of the death of Amy a year earlier Kate decides to go all out to finally catch her killer. You can feel Kate's guilt that she feels in connection to Amy's death which makes her even more determined. Kate's behaviour can be erratic so I guess this can make her into a marmite type character. However I always appreciate the flaws that characters have it makes them feel a little more realistic after all no one is perfect.

Dying Day isn't a story that moves at break neck speed it's more simmering with attention to detail that helps to build a strong story. Something that the reader can digest and start to come up with their own theories. Which is what I was doing albeit not very well. I loved the added mystery of not only the current cases but the past cases too. I always try to be as vague as possible regarding the plot as I would hate to ruin the story but it's safe to say that this is definitely a case that gets under Kate's skin and as such I also felt that need to solve the crimes too.

There were plenty of twisty moments along with a few surprises that kept me on my toes wondering which way the story would go next. The ending had me racing through the pages trying to read as fast as I could. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series and finding out what Kate's next case will be!

With thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for the invite to join the tour and for my copy. This  is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I read and enjoyed the first Kate Matthews which left me keen to follow her journey in this next book in the series. I know some people didn’t take to Kate straight away first time round due to her personal circumstances but I really felt I understood her so I was interested to see how she developed further here. And I have to say that although I liked the first book in the series, Dying Day seemed to work even better for me! I loved it!

Kate is still a risk taking, workaholic with a fierce commitment to solving the crimes she’s assigned to (or NOT assigned to as seen with the case here!!). She takes extreme actions, making every step of her investigation part of her own very personal quest to hunt down the truth. Here we are also able to watch the somewhat voyeuristic lead up to Amy’s murder from her own point of view which I actually found quite a harrowing and emotional journey especially as it also added another dimension to Kate, seeing her through another’s eyes and bringing a further understanding of why she does what she does.

This is a fast paced murder enquiry that never quite went the way I was expecting it to go! Just when things seemed to be coming together the direction abruptly changed with a twist I hadn’t seen coming! Stephen Edgar really does love to keep his readers on their toes! The gripping fast paced narrative grabbed me from the start with a storyline that flowed dramatically towards its shocking climax! It suited Kate’s personality perfectly and really brought out her instincts so I think that anyone who didn’t like her so much the first time around will definitely have a change of heart here! I love the way her flaws have now become her strengths making her a much more relatable and likeable character. She’s certainly fought her way onto my favourite female detective list after her gritty and determined battle to bring a serial killer to justice and avenge one of her own team.

Stephen Edger has delivered a top notch crime thriller here that literally had me gasping out loud at one point! He really has outdone himself this time and written a book that became unputdownable with the perfect case for Kate so he could really show what she’s capable of. It worked perfectly for me and it is definitely one I will be recommending! I can’t wait to see what Kate does next!!

Oh my goodness me, what a book!!!!! Detective Kate Matthews' past has come back to bite her on the backside. She knows it. Her boss knows it, and because of that, he orders Kate to stay away from a new investigation for her own sake. Doers she listen? Does she heck and to be perfectly honest, you can't really blame her as guilt really does override logical thinking. After all, she's only human.

Despite not listening to her boss's orders, Kate still goes ahead and tries to piece everything together. Is the investigation from the past linked with the newest murder, or is Kate wishful thinking? Something isn't sitting right for the Detective and she is determined to get to the bottom of it, regardless of how much hot water she lands herself in.

Even though I could see where Kate's boss was coming from, I loved how determined Kate Matthews was, even if she did end up playing with fire a lot of the time. For me, her determination made the storyline have fire in its belly. Armitage's ignorance was annoying me and whilst I understood his hands were tied to a point, he still didn't give Matthews a chance to talk properly and I found that a little bit arrogant. Although to be honest, because of the way he was acting throughout the storyline, part of me did suspect him!

When another body is found murdered in a similar way, Kate's determination goes up yet another notch, but instead of it making her think logically, it ended up building her frustration. She knew deep down that all of the murders were linked and nobody was listening to her due to her connection with a previous investigation. I felt her frustration - Stephen Edger has done a brilliant job of making Kate's character come alive in more ways than one. I really would be surprised if readers turned around and said that they couldn't connect to Detective Matthews because in all honesty, Kate is the most relatable character in the entire book.

I had to admit defeat whilst reading 'Dying Day' as I just couldn't seem to work out who had done what. I tried but once again, I failed. Please remind me NEVER to go for a job as a detective. I would be absolutely shocking! I didn't suspect the actual person who had done it - my jaw hit the floor when it came to light!

I am so impressed by the strong storyline which Stephen Edger has written. Everything flowed flawlessly, and the red herrings were a very clever addition to an already complex storyline. 'Dying Day' is a fast paced, rollercoaster ride of suspense, intensity and truly genius writing from the outstanding Stephen Edger.

I absolutely loved this book and everything it stood for. I cannot wait to read more from this author! Highly recommended, 'Dying Day' is a book that needs to be devoured because once you 'pop', you really can't stop. Absolutely brilliant.

Thanks Bookouture.

Stephen Edger - not an author I was familiar with, but how on earth I've missed him I don't know! If 'Dying Day' is anything to go by then I've been missing a treat.

'Dying Day' refers to the day a year ago when young detective Amy, was killed whilst working undercover trying to lure a serial killer, who'd been targeting young women. DI Kate Matthews was head of the investigation team, and she just can't forgive herself for Amy's death, she feels she failed her, and of course it will bring her great pleasure to bring this particular killer to justice.

A year on and another girl is found murdered in much the same way as those earlier victims, and the investigation is given fresh impetus. Detectives now look at the murders anew. Kate however, has been told to stay well clear after her failure to catch the killer previously, but we know she's not going to take any notice of that, not when she has a second chance to avenge Amy's death.

Well my oh my! This was such a gripping storyline, where, (much like a magician) sleight of hand was used in an attempt to divert attention elsewhere, whilst the answer was right there before your very eyes!

I haven't read the first book in the series, but that wasn't a problem as it read perfectly well as a standalone. I actually guessed who the killer was, but it wasn't blindingly obvious, and it didn't spoil the journey one little bit, because right up until the end I could have been wrong, and there was always a slight niggling doubt. If you enjoy a well written, fast paced thriller that's hard to put down, then 'Dying Day' will fulfil all your wishes!

*Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Stephen Edger for my ARC in exchange for an honest review*

A gripping thriller that I could not put down. I was kept guessing right to the end. It wa fast paced from the first page and kept me enthralled all the way through. Red Herrings galore kept me engaged constantly.

This is the second in the series and, as per usual, I would recommend that you read Dead To Me first. Although the story contained in this volume is to all intents and purposes complete, Kate Matthews is a very complex character and I really believe that you would get more from her second outing here if you have read her first.
Firstly I have to admit that I really don't like Kate. I think her work ethic leaves a lot to be desired especially with regard to working within the law. I fear that she must have so many cases thrown out of court by defense lawyers questioning the legality of her practices and to be honest I really can't understand why she is still in a job! That said, I really found it easy to put this prejudice aside cos the story that she is involved in here in this book is a right cracker!
Again like the first book, although containing all the usual things you can pretty much tick off for a book of this genre: red herrings, twist & turns, dead ends, curve balls etc etc, there is something a little different about the story the author weaves here; refreshingly so. Kate returns to the case which nearly broke her as she feels responsible for the death of a young colleague who went undercover. Someone has been killing young women and it appears that this killer is striking again. Supposed to be on the sick after a nasty car chase (again whilst not following instructions) Kate refuses to lie down and goes off investigating things herself. Teaming up with the brother of one of the victims, can Kate prove her worth and get the perpetrator and thus lay her own demons to rest?
As already mentioned the story is a cracker and moves along at a fair lick. It's tightly plotted and several times along the way, I thought I had it all worked out only for Mr Edger to throw in another piece of the puzzle and send my thoughts and musings off in a completely different direction keeping me on my toes throughout and holding my attention nicely.
The big question now is whether I keep going with a series where, although the storylines are great, the main character irks me a little too much? I am not sure what the author has in store for Kate next time round but with her past perceived failure now resolved, I think she may calm down a bit. Not too much, I hasted to add, as I do love her gritty determination, but I do think she does need to reel herself in a tad though. I think on balance she does deserve a last chance from me so I will definitely have a crack at book three and revisit my decision thereafter.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I loved this book and will definitely read more of this series.
Detective Kate Matthews has a strained relationship with her superiors but she’s determined to find the murderer responsible for her colleague’s death.
Despite being told to stay out of the investigation she refuses to listen and throws herself headlong into the case and steps on a few toes!
More women are being murdered and Kate is certain they are linked so continues to investigate.
I was really surprised at the identity of the killer and loved the ending of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me a copy to read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Matthews is back! She has a difficult case to solve and this is made more difficult by her personal ties to the case. It is a challenging investigation with very few leads, but when things start happening, they happen fast! This an excellent, twisty serial killer book.

I was not very impressed with Kate Matthews' character in the first book in the series. She has grown leaps and bounds since that first book and has matured considerably especially when it comes to her relationship with her daughter. This looks like it will be a really good series, I am very excited to see what Stephen Edger has in store for us in the next instalment. Cannot wait to read the next one!

I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Dying Day’ by Stephen Edger in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
A year ago one of DI Kate Matthews’ team, DC Amy Spencer, is killed whilst working undercover tracking down the killer of three young women. Kate holds herself responsible for Amy’s death and although on sick leave following a car chase, re-opens the files determined to find the killer the press have nicknamed the “Metropolitan Killer”. So begins Kate’s hunt for the killer and possibly putting her own life at risk.
Why haven’t I heard of Stephen Edger before? He’s a first-class writer who brings suspense and tension into this novel. I love the character of Kate Matthews who is feisty and strong-willed. ‘Dying Day’ is fantastic, it has an elaborate plot which is both convincing and exciting, there are twists and turns, dubious suspects, and an unbelievably thrilling conclusion. I found it impossible to stop reading and finished it in twenty-four hours. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel; if you don’t read it you only have yourself to blame for missing what could be the thriller of the year!

Talk about twisty, this certainly was it took me a while to work out that one of the narrators was the dead police officer Amy the book was told in two voices one being Amy, I have read another book where the story was told from the point of view of a dead woman and it is strange but I think very effective, for me anyway it gives her a personality and makes her more real and you care about what happened to her.The other voice was Kate the troubled detective who had never forgiven herself that Amy died on her watch.Kate was the typical troubled over drinking and over self medicating police office with a determination to solve the murders but at odds with her superior officers .What a case it was too, plenty of red herrings and twists.I did manage to guess part of it, but wasn't sure until very close to the end and other parts had me completely flummoxed . I thought it was clever and complex and it kept my interest all through the book, the pace was good and I really enjoyed it.thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.