I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and review. The below is my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you, Helen Phifer, the publisher, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.

Take a breath. Pray it’s not your last.
Just a few months after a terrifying case that nearly took her life, Detective Lucy Harwin is back with her squad in the coastal town of Brooklyn Bay – and this time, she’s faced with a case more horrifying than anything she’s encountered.

Along with her partner, Detective Mattie Jackson, Lucy is investigating what appears to be a vicious but isolated murder; a woman found bludgeoned to death on a lonely patch of wasteland.

But when a second victim is discovered strangled in an alleyway, then a young family shot in their own home, Lucy and the team must face the unthinkable reality - a killer is walking the streets of their town.

While Lucy and the team try to find the link between these seemingly unconnected murders, they uncover a disturbing truth – these murders are replicating those carried out by infamous serial killers.

Lucy must get to the killer before he strikes again. But he’s got his sights on her, and is getting ever closer… Can she save herself, before she becomes the final piece in his twisted game?

DYING BREATH is a gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller. The writing is captivating, the twists leave you guessing, and it can be read in one sitting. Basically, this novel is perfect. The setting is unbelievably creepy. While not a horror novel, it left me with an eerie feeling from beginning to end. The character development is some of the best I've ever seen. We witness the victim being stalked in such a way that leaves your spine tingling. While some parts are gruesome, the main aspects of this book are action-packed and dramatically-filled. This cat-and-mouse thriller is one of the best I've read in 2017!

I enjoyed the first novel in the Detective Lucy Hardin Series. I had a few problems with Dark House (aka Lost Children) but it was enjoyable overall.

I was extremely excited about Dying Breath, but I have to say I’m a bit disappointed with it.

The story was interesting but the execution left much to be desired... A lot of telling instead of showing, weird behavior by the characters, a red herring that was painfully obvious and such an abrupt ending that I stared at my kindle for 5 minutes wondering what the hell had happened.

I LOVE this type of book, I’m completely addicted to book series that fit this awesome genre, but I do hope that the Lucy Hardin series get better. I will be giving it a chance if there is a third book, however I don’t think I can do more than that :(

Helen Phifer knows how to write a really good thriller. Lucy is trying to solve a series of murders and is in a race against time as she does not want any one else to die. This book well and truly deserves 5 stars. It is really well written with an action packed plot. It is easy to imagine yourself there. There are plenty of likeable characters and it is easy to feel empathy with them. I hope there are more books featuring Lucy to come.

Well well well. I loved the first one in this series and if anything this one is better. A cracking read.

We are back with Detective Lucy Harwin and her team in the town of Brooklyn Bay.
When a woman’s body is found exposed on wasteland after being bludgened to death Lucy and her team are sent to investigate what seems a random and isolated attack. Soon another woman’s body is found and then a family are found murdered in their home. None of the murders seem related with nothing whatsoever in common.

Lucy is convinced there is a connection somewhere and they soon realise they have a serial killer on their hands. One who is recreating famous serial killlers murders of the past. As Lucy gets closer to finding who the killer is, she puts her life in more danger as the killer leaves clues for her to real her in.

Well I just loved this book. I’ve had a couple of so so reads recently and wasn’t particularly in the mood of starting another book when I opened this one. However, literally from the first page I was drawn in. The story is really good for a start, but more importantly it’s very well told. I mean this book just grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let you go until the last word. I don’t know if the author is a very disciplined writer or has a very good editor, or a combination of both, but this book is the fillet steak of books. There is zero fat on this. There’s just enough characterization without slowing the pace. There isn’t loads of red herrings for the sake of it. It’s under 300 pages long and all the better for it. It’s the perfect length to tell this story and I’m glad the author was able to settle on such lean final draft.

Lucy is a really strong central character and her sidekick Detective Mattie Jackson is a great character also.
Our “baddie” is also a fantastically twisted character whom I loved. Delving into his childhood and his misdemeanors. His visits as a child to prison to visit a serial killer. I just loved it all and lapped it up.

A very easy five star review. This series is up there now with the best in the genre and there are some really strong female detective series out there at the moment.

Do yourself a favour and check out this series. It’s brilliant and I can nearly guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Helen Phifer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Helen Phifer’s Dying Breath follows seasoned detective Lucy Harwin, who is on the case to solve what appears to be a spree of possibly related killings. The killings are horrific and, at first, seemingly unrelated. The initial targets are women who are displayed in a lewd manner to be found by members of the public. The murderer (or murderers? I don’t like giving away spoilers in my blog!) then targets family friend’s of a detective in Lucy’s unit, leaving the detectives to document a horrific crime scene involving a child.

The story is told from multiple points of view: from the killer’s vantage point, Lucy’s point of view, and from Toby’s, a new detective in Lucy’s department. Sometimes I struggle to follow a book when there are multiple points in view at play, especially if I feel a certain closeness to a character and don’t want that character’s point of view to end. However, all of the point of views were well fleshed out, allowing me to develop an interest in all of the characters no matter how repugnant they were.

I am a fan of mystery books with strong female leads, which was certainly the case for Dying Breath. Detective Lucy Harwin is a single mother going through a gnarly divorce, yet is still able to keep things together enough to solve the case of a serial murderer. She’s smart, savvy, and knows how to keep her employees working at a fast pace. She has her weaknesses like any human being, but for the most part they don’t make an appearance in the workplace. She treats every victim as if they were a loved one, and works tirelessly to uncover the individual or individuals responsible for their untimely deaths.

I also really enjoyed how the book took the reader in different directions. Just when you assume you know where the book is going and who is responsible for the murders, a wrench is thrown your way!

Thank you to the author, Helen Phifer, the publisher, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Dying Breath.

This book was absolutely excellent - I could not put it down, it was fantastic!  I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I was really keen to pick up this book and I wasn't disappointed!  

The storyline was really good, the pace was spot on and I loved everything from the front cover to the ending.  Lucy is a great character and I really like her style and attitude.  The plot is really gritty and gripping with some gruesome murders taking place - there are plenty of twists and turns and the build up and suspense really made it an exceptional read.

5 stars from me, one of my top reads of the year!!

I actually can’t believe it for the second in the series of Detective Lucy Harwin, Dying Breath blew me away, Bloody WoW, blood, guts and gore, couldn’t ask for more, could I, yes I can the next in the series please.

I don’t know what’s been happening lately but, there has been astounding amount of exceptional books that I’ve got my teeth into and found unquestionably phenomenal, what makes Dying Breath just as special……lets have a look shall we.

Dying Breath opens with a belter, the discovery of a woman on waste ground bludgeoned to death, it seemingly looks like an isolated incident until a surge of other murders occur, a strangulation, then the shooting of a family in their home. What’s the connection, Detective Lucy Harwin struggles to find a reason behind it, no obvious signs of a link to each victim, the evidence is weak at best. As the investigation progresses it becomes evident that there is a pattern emerging, who ever is committing theses crimes imitating previous serial killers. Can Harwin apprehend the culprit before more abhorrent deaths occur.

Now I have the jist of the plotline I want to look a bit more at Lucy, during the investigation her boss becomes ill and DI Baker steps into a temporary role as Acting DCI, Lucy finds him incorrigible and demanding even during the critical case they are trying to unravel. I really like Lucy she is a sensitive, spunky but dedicated all in one bundle, perfect for this book. Its been a nice change not to read about a Detective who has no major personality issues.

Dying Breath has a complex plotline fleeting backwards and forwards in time, but not so much you would notice, as the actual book holds your attention so much I never really noticed it, it did work well as it was imperative to understanding the plot. Helen has a written an infallible plot which is macabre, unsettling and downright spine-chilling raising goosebumps as I turned each page.

As I ploughed my way through Dying Breath trying to unravel the clues, hurdle the red-herrings which seemed to trip me up at each cut and turn, the sheer intensity had me snatching for breath. Dying Breath doesn’t rip roar but rather unfolds at a sedate pace, building the story piece by piece, leaving the feeling of anticipation cascading through my imagination. I’m gobsmacked at how much Helen twisted the plot, fulfilling my need for an adrenaline rush.

Thanks to Noelle, Kim and Bookouture for arranging the Blog Blast for Dying Breath and an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thanks also to Helen Phifer for taking me down a road that had me looking over my shoulder, trembling but thrilling at the same time with every turn of the page.

Detective Lucy Harwin just might be on her hardest case ever. There is a serial killer in her area and he is killing women that really don't seem to have anything in common and they are all killed in a different manner. What? How is Lucy suppose to be able to tie them together if nothing is the same? This book will have you making a pot of coffee or tea and having a "read-a-thon" until the end....which is quite an ending! Fascinating story you won't want to miss if you are a fan of murder mysteries!!!! I would like to thank Net Galley for my copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the review is my own opinion.

This is a gripping read, book two in the Lucy Harwin series. Every bit as excellent as book one. It is a fast paced psychological thriller which will appeal to lovers of the genre. Twists and turns and murders galore, with a bit of tension thrown in, which keeps the reader engrossed to the end. My thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for my copy. I would recommend this book.

I really enjoyed Helen Phifer’s first book, Dark House (previously called The Lost Children) that introduced readers to Lucy Harwin, a feisty detective who feels the pain of murder victims so deeply, so when I heard that the second book in the series was coming out I knew that I had to read it.

And it did not disappoint. In fact, I think that it is an even better read and story. I just loved how the story played out, there were twists and turns aplenty and I often thought that I knew who the baddie was but couldn’t be quite sure. I just loved reading Dying Breath and enjoyed getting to know the characters a bit more, especially Lucy and her sidekick Mattie.

I really don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll keep it simple. Read this book. That is all that you need to know unless you haven’t read Dark House yet, in which case read that first as although this book is absolutely fine to read as a standalone, it’s always better to start at the beginning. I cannot wait for book three to come out now!

Wait....What!?!?! My jaw just dropped. Did I even had this person on my suspect list. No! How could I not have thought about him, even a little? Well, I loved “Dying Breath” and as the description reads, it really was unputdownable. I hope there are a lot more books to come starring DI Lucy Hawkins. She’s likable, human, with problems and fears, just like everybody else. And I cross my fingers that she and Mattie will take things one step further. They know they want to, just saying. Oh, and please, can we get rid of Stephen. Ugh. He’s just so controlling and I hope there won’t be any problems when he’s not getting Lucy back. Assuming he’s not. If you want a brilliant read for these dark, cold November nights, this series is what you should give a try. Highly recommended. I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture!

I have often seen a book described as “jaw-dropping” before but never actually experienced it….until Dying Breath by Helen Phifer. At points throughout the book I could have done with a hammock for the aforementioned dropped jaw! The story is super tense and fast paced and one of those books where I could be caught speaking aloud to. “Whaaaat!?” and “No way” being some of the favourite phrases used.

I recently read and enjoyed the first in the Detective Lucy Harwin (Dark House) and it was great to be reacquainted with her. I love her professionalism, dedication and that gut feeling she follows. This often leads her into a dangerous situation but she would rather follow leads at her own risk than endanger her team.

The interaction between Lucy and the team is great and I am enjoying her blossoming relationship with Mattie. I’m not one for hearts and romance but would like to see Lucy have a little happiness after the trauma of the last two books!

DYING BREATH is book # 2 in the Detective Lucy Harwin series, a riveting serial killer fiction by Helen Phifer. Having loved her debut detective novel, THE LOST CHILDREN, a police procedural series set in the coastal town of Brooklyn Bay featuring DI Lucy Harwin, I couldn’t wait to read book 2. I found myself totally absorbed in the believable characters and the story. Another winner for Bookouture and this talented writer!

“He watched and waited, playing his favorite guessing game. Who was going to die tonight?” He waited outside a working-class pub…for his victim…she came out of the pub, smelling like a distillery, and accepted his ride as it was pouring rain. Big mistake!

After a few months and a petrifying case that nearly took her life, Detective Lucy Harwin is back with her squad in the coastal town of Brooklyn Bay – and is faced with a case like no other!

Along with her partner, Detective Mattie Jackson, Lucy is investigating what appears to be a vicious but isolated murder; a woman found beaten to death on the playing fields.

But when a second victim is discovered strangled in an alleyway, then a young family shot in their own home, Lucy and the team must face the unthinkable reality - a killer is walking the streets of their town.

Was there a link between these unconnected murders? Lucy and her team soon discover that these murders are replicating those carried out by infamous serial killers.

Lucy must catch the serial-killer before he strikes again. This is a game of cat and mouse with a serial killer on the loose!

This is a well written creepy disturbing gripping thriller that will send chills down your spine. The pace doesn’t let up and continues to increase until the end. Don’t miss out on this amazing read. Highly recommend! I cannot wait for more from this talented author.

Many thanks to Helen Phifer, Bookouture and NetGalley, for an ARC.

Oh my GOD!!!!! How the heck did I miss the first book in this series?! More importantly...WHY DID I MISS THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS SERIES! Luckily 'Dying Breath' can be read perfectly fine as a standalone, it just means that I now have another book making its way onto my TBR pile as I type. Yes, I did just buy the first book! I might even need to set an alarm on my phone so that I don't miss the next book!

Can you tell that I absolutely fudging loved this book?! If you haven't got Detective Lucy Harwin on your radar already, you must rectify that immediately! I'm assuming the first novel contained more of Lucy's history, as it was clear from the onset in this book that Lucy has had a bit go a difficult time of late. Seeing as I had no idea what Lucy's past entailed, I was intrigued to see what she was going to be like when it came to investigations. Would Lucy make her past known? Was the past going to hinder her work? Either way, I couldn't wait to find out more.

'Dying Breath' has the type of storyline which requires careful reviewing to ensure that no spoilers are accidentally given. I realise I do say that a lot where this genre is concerned, but it's true. I wouldn't want to give away anything, nor do I wish to ruin the authors hard work, hence why I may end up being vague. This storyline is incredibly complex and fast paced. Each piece of information in the book is entwined with another piece, whether it's a character's personality trait, a piece of information regarding the investigation, or even something which could go unnoticed to the 'untrained' eye as it were. Never has the phrase 'the smaller things matter the most', been more accurate.

Honestly? I had absolutely no idea what to expect with 'Dying Breath', nor did I have any idea what the book was about before I started reading it as I don't read blurbs. I just knew from the cover and the title of the book that I wanted to read it. Gut instinct. Seriously, one of the best decisions I have ever made. No joke.

By far one of the best books I have ever read, 'Dying Breath' literally took my breath away more than once. Ever had a moment where you've been far too engrossed in something that you realise you've been holding your breath? Yeah, me too - WHILST I WAS READING THIS! There was a certain part of the storyline which literally made my mouth hang wide open, gasp, and then cover my mouth with my hand in shock. Oh, and holding my breath. Y'know, just incase I didn't feel shocked enough. I couldn't believe my eyes and oh my god I still can't. How did I not see it coming? I am SO glad that I didn't see it coming, but after reading the book I wondered whether I had missed something to reach the same conclusion.

I could not recommend this book more if I tried! Helen Phifer has written an absolute BELTER of a book - I couldn't put it down! (To be honest, I didn't want to either!). There was nothing about this book I didn't like, yet there was everything about the book I absolutely flipping loved. 'Dying Breath' really is a jaw dropping, spine tingling, and intense storyline which takes you on a rollercoaster ride the entire time.

Full of suspense, high intensity and some of the most well-defined characters I have ever come across in a book, I would use my 'Dying Breath' to tell you to go and get a copy of Helen Phifer's novel right now.

F'awesome. I cannot WAIT to read the next instalment.

Thanks so much Bookouture.

I write this knowing full well I’m surrounded by 5 star reviews so please file this in your 🚨 Danger, Will Robinson! Unpopular Opinions Ahead! 🚨 category.

I’m so conflicted about Dying Breath. By the time I’d finished the first chapter I’d searched Amazon for the first book in the series. By chapter five I no longer wanted to read it and wondered if I’d even make it through this book. By halfway through I wanted to read the first one again. Then partway through the second half I no longer wanted to and could have DNF’ed it (and would have if I hadn’t committed to reviewing it). Now? I honestly don’t know.

Before I go any further, a word of warning. If you plan on reading this series I highly recommend reading them in order. During the course of this book I learned the name of book 1’s killer and what happened to them, so any suspense I would have had if I decide to read The Lost Children has gone bye byes.

What mostly ruined any potential for suspense for me in Dying Breath was that the blurb gave away way too much. Before reading the first sentence of this book I knew how the first two victims were going to die and I knew that this was a copycat killer using infamous serial killers as their inspiration. While reading I kept waiting for the cops to work this out and it takes until after 70% for this to happen. Had I not known that the killer was copying famous murder scenes I imagine I would have wondered along with the police and there would have been some satisfaction upon uncovering the truth instead of me muttering, “Finally!” under my breath.

I enjoyed reading about the killer’s upbringing and pivotal moments in their life that influenced their development down the dark, twisty murder path. The sections from their perspective were my favourite scenes and I wanted more of those.

Part of my problem is that I always compare books in this genre to Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles series. I love the banter between the characters. I love the intricacies of the murders and subsequent investigations. I love the baddies with their own backstories and foibles. I love that the ‘minor’ characters are so well thought out that you feel like you know them as well and can figure out who’s speaking without an “X said”.

Knowing that this is what I’m looking for, here are some of my observations about this book:

* The banter between characters - there wasn’t the ease in conversations that comes with people who have worked together and seen each other at their best and worst. I didn’t feel like I was being included in inside jokes or that there really were any.

* I actually found some of the conversations too polite (“I prefer to believe it’s because you’re so good at your job.”) and others cringeworthy (“Aren’t we lucky that we’re all so bloody good at working this stuff out and catching the bad guys and girls.”)

* No one seemed to have a specific ‘voice’. I couldn’t tell who was who from the way they spoke and sometimes I didn’t even know who was speaking after I was told their name because there wasn’t a personality, quirk or feature I could attach to some of the characters to be able to tell them apart for a long time.

* The characters didn’t have the confidence in their abilities that I would have liked to have seen. “Catherine smiled at Lucy, making her feel a whole lot better. If the doctor thought she was on to something, there was a good chance she really was. She didn’t often agree with anyone.” And another. “Is that okay?”

* Some of the wording was awkward. “It’s not for me to say for definite.”

* The main character’s controlling is he or isn’t he boyfriend. “She wasn’t sure whether she was flattered by his persistence or annoyed that he hadn’t taken any notice of her telling him she wasn’t interested.” Please, girl, grow some self esteem!

* Apparently in Brooklyn Bay the ambulance service are seriously underfunded. “One of the paramedics looked up at Mattie. ‘We need to get him to the hospital now but we both need to work on him - is there someone to drive the ambulance.’” Ooh! Pick me!

There was a sentence in Chapter 21 that gave away who the murderer was. There were red herrings but I’d already fixated on this person. The murderer takes pride in everything being absolutely perfect, well planned and executed. However, there’s one murder in particular that they don’t copy exactly because they don’t want to have to deal with the clean up of blood. Don’t just not stab the person. If you want to be a copycat you either stab the person and deal with the blood or choose another murder to copy that doesn’t involve so much blood.

For most of the murders it’s vital that the victim matches the original one as closely as possible. Then there’s a murder where it doesn’t matter to the killer if the victim is male or female. With the personality of the killer and their meticulous planning, these things are simply incongruent. So, did we catch the murderer because of our brilliant logic, deductive reasoning and pure brilliance? Nope, we found them by accident.

My favourite character was Toby’s nan. She may have only been in a few pages but that woman has attitude, grit and I loved her. You don’t need to feature in a book to be memorable to me. I just want people to have distinct personalities.

Just a few burning unresolved questions ...

* What happens to Mal? Did what Lucy tell him make things better or worse for him?

* What eventually happens to the murderer? The end of the book just cut off before that character was resolved enough for me.

After all of this it may sound like I hated this book. I didn’t. It’s just it had so much potential and with some further editing it could have been a superstar, so I’m mostly disappointed by what could have been. I still enjoyed reading it. There were times I could forget about my question marks and simply enjoy the ride but not as often or as long as I would’ve liked. I’m still thinking about whether I’ll read the first book or not. I’m interested in reading the next instalment because despite what I’ve said above I do believe there is a gem to be found here. It just needs to be polished.

Please note that the quotes above are from the advanced copy and as such may be altered prior to publication.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.

Another breathtaking book from Helen Phifer.
I think this is even better than the first in the series and I can’t wait for the next one!
In this book you get an insight into the killer’s mind and when he comes into contact with a convicted murderer, his admiration for him becomes more and more twisted.
Detective Lucy Harwin has an improved relationship with her daughter and you get a sense that she’s more level headed going into this investigation.
However, events soon take a turn for the worst and she’s left fighting for her life again.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend Helen’s books to anyone who enjoys a gripping crime story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me a copy to read and review.

We are back with Lucy Harwin and her team, who have a new case to crack. Unfortunately, it turns out to be more than one murder and they are very short on leads. The author throws out a heap of red herrings and I am pleased to report that I didn't figure out who the murderer was quite a long way into the book, which is how it should be :)

Having read the first book in this series, I was wondering if this book was going to reach its dizzy heights, because that book was one of the most thrilling and clever books I have read this year. Thankfully, this is a very good book as well, complex but with lots of light and shade. I enjoyed learning about Lucy and her colleagues and their various temperaments, which influenced how they solved their cases. It will be interesting to see how all the characters develop in future books.

Looking forward to the next book in the series! 4.5 stars from me.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

WoW.....Double WoW............What a fantastic book. Dying Breathe by Helen Phifers, This is the second book in this series of Detective Lucy Harwin and the first one I've read in this series. I found it very easy to read Plus, I could not put it down.
This book had lots of twists and turns throughout and what a brilliant ended. Looking forward to read the next Dectective Lucy Hawin book.
I can highly recommend this book. A big Fat 5* for this Brilliant book.

This is a gripping, fast paced psychological thriller involving a pretty cold and creepy psychopath. Detective Lucy Harwin has just returned to work after nearly being killed on her last case, when a strange series of killings starts to happen on her patch. They don't seem to have much in common with different types of people targeted and different modes of death but something makes her think they might be linked, so the race is on to find out who the killer is and what links his victims. The author releases snippets of information from the past and present day to help us work it out, but I didn't guess the killer until near the end of the book. I liked Lucy Harwin's character; unlike many of the current fictional female detectives she doesn't seem to have had a tortured past and self destructive habits. Her partner Mattie is lovely and supportive and I like the way their relationship is heading.

Dying Breath is the second book on the Detective Lucy Harwin series. I really enjoyed the first book just found this one to be even better. It’s billed as unputdownable serial killer fiction and it definitely lives up to that.

There’s a serial killer on the loose in Brooklyn Bay and Lucy and the team race against the clock to catch him before he kills again. Gruesome, gory and with some nice little twists, it’s everything you want in a book. I can highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review. I look forward to reading book 3!!