Someone is breaking into the homes of the elderly at night. He doesn’t steal anything of any value, he doesn’t hurt anyone, he just wants to talk. This rather odd case takes a sudden turn for the worse, though, when 87-year-old Florence Briarly is found neatly tucked up in bed, cold to the touch. D.C. Charlie Stafford realises that the man’s crimes have escalated and there are concerns that Florence won’t be his only victim…

It is my pleasure to be one of the blogs featuring on the tour for the latest in Sarah Flint’s Charlie Stafford series, Daddy’s Girls. This is the fifth book and long-time fans of the series are going to be incredibly happy with this one! Similarly, if you have never read one of Sarah Flint’s before, then don’t be put off that you are joining in mid-series as this can definitely be read as a standalone.

In Daddy’s Girls, we have two main plots. As readers, we can see that they are not connected but Stafford and her fellow officers are unsure whether this can be the case. This leads to wrong decisions being made and the perpetrators being able to continue their crimes. In books such as this, we are used to the police being at the top of their game so it was a great idea to show how they are not infallible and how one wrong decision can completely change the course of an investigation.

Both plots contain particularly heinous crimes, namely the murder of the elderly and the rape of a woman. What I especially liked was the fact that we were in the dark as to who was committing the murders, but, from the outset, we knew who the rapist was. It was horrifying seeing this story slowly develop, knowing that something terrible was about to happen, the poor woman completely oblivious as to her fate. It was good to see her strength of character, however, and this was also shown in the case involving the elderly with one person in particular showing the sort of mettle that this generation are known for.

In Daddy’s Girls, we begin to see a different side of Charlie, as she decides that it is time she put the past firmly behind her and look towards the future. The ending of the book, however, threatens to thwart her plans, and sets up the next installment nicely! This is an action-packed read and a great addition to the Charlie Stafford series. With those revelations, I’m already looking forward to book six!

Daddy’s Girls by Sarah Flint
DC Charlotte Stafford #5

At the graveside of his wife a man walks away leaving his 18 year old daughter and three generations of family to bury the coffin. A year later the story is picked up and at this point Charlotte and her team become involved in the murder case of an older female pensioner. The fact that this murder case might tie into to an ongoing case that sees the thief invading homes of the elderly to “talk” then steal from them is a bit different. With the murder there has been an escalation and the need to find the perpetrator has increased. At the same time Charlotte and her team are working this case there are side issues that deal with a rapist, drug dealer, dysfunctional family situation and more. The violence level is lower in this book than previous books in the series but though there was less gore there was still trauma to the victims.

All in all this was more police procedural than a glimpse into the lives of Charlotte and her team. We do see the team, a night out on the town, camaraderie, problem solving sleuthing and such. I was surprised by a twist I hadn’t seen coming so that was good...even though I thought I knew who was doing what I was proven wrong and for a person that often reads the end of the book first...that is saying something. Add in the final twist...a secret that comes to light...and a hook for the next book and well...I am eager to read what comes next in book 6.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Someone is targeting elderly people in their own homes. Breaking in at the dead of night when they are asleep, dressed all in black with a mask covering his face, he sits by their beds and talks to them. He leaves them hours later traumatised but alive.The police are struggling, he doesn't physically harm his victims, only steals items that mean something to them but are not really valuable and he doesn't sell them on. They set up Operation Greystream but with no DNA or anything else to go on they are stuck.
Then DI Hunter and DC Charlie Stafford are called to the suspicious death of an elderly lady which has all the hallmarks of an Operation Greystream case, has their "Talker" suddenly escalated to murder? Hunter and Stafford have to find out if this death is linked to the other cases and if it is how soon will it be before he kills again.
When a woman is raped at knifepoint in her home there are many similarities to the Greystream cases but also many differences.
Will linking the cases lead them on a wild goose chase that could put more lives at risk or are they on the right track.
I love trying to guess who the killer is but love it even more when I can't guess. This was one of those books, the reveal of the killer stunned me!

This one really got into my head. I am very much a creature of habit and routine and reading this makes me think I need to switch things up a bit even though I’m not quite in the age bracket for the victims of Operation Greystream. The idea of someone breaking into your house just to talk to you gives me chills. I’m sure I’ve said this with previous books in this series but there is an authenticity to them that obviously stems from the author’s lengthy police career and I never have doubts about procedures. Charlie is a great central character and the glimpses into her personal life really brings her to life. The ending certainly suggests that there will me more books to come and I welcome that idea.

Daddy’s Girls
by Sarah Flint

Aria

General Fiction (Adult) , Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 05 Sep 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Daddy’s Girls through Aria and Netgalley:

Before he was a killer, all he wanted to do was talk.

D.C Charlie Stafford has a strange case on her hands, this case must be her toughest one yet.

This case has to deal with a burglar who has no interest in valuables, the subject of Operation Greystream is a strange but smooth operator. In the dead of the night, gloved and masked, he visits the elderly. He doesn’t hurt them and, if they beg, he won’t take anything of real value. All he wants is conversation… and they have no way to refuse him.

After 87 year old Florence Briarly is discovered by her friend cold to the touch and to nearly tucked in to her bed. Charlie comes to the realization that this case has taken a sinister, urgent turn…Now that this burglar had had a taste for murder. It’s only a matter of time until he craves it again…

I give Daddy’s Girls Four out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

This is a solid police procedural following a team of detectives in London trying to solve the strange case of a burglar who just seems to want to talk to old people, until he escalates and kills his next victim. On top of this they have the case of a woman raped in her home, and wonder if the two cases might be linked. I found the investigation to be interesting and Sarah Flint certainly seems to know her stuff where police procedures are concerned. Shendeals with the difficult subjects of mental health, drug addiction and grief sensitively and realistically.


Daddy's Girls is the fifth DC Charlotte Stafford book, but is the first in the series that I have read. I felt it read perfectly well as a standalone, though I will read the others in the series. I liked the character of Charlie, though didn't feel I got to know enough about the rest of her team, but this may have been due to the fact that I hadn't read previous books.


This book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am now waiting impatiently for the next in the series to see what happens!

Dc Charlie Stafford and the gang are back in this book. Basically it's about someone who is murdering pensioners and a widow with mental health problems. While I did enjoy this book somewhat, for some reason I just couldn't get lost in it like I do with other books. Because of this it took me a while to read. Charlie and the gang believe widower is the one killing the oaps but is it really him? He believes his wife has come back from the dead and is stalking the woman he thinks is his dead wife. Its an OK story I really don't know why I couldn't enjoy it more.

At first he wants to talk then he kills and he likes it. Meanwhile a man claims to have seen his dead wife in town and starts making plans to bring her home . This tale deals with mental health, paranoia and drug addiction. How depression can lead to something darker if help is not received. The police are going round in circles and in the middle is a teenager who only wants her father's love. I read this book in one sitting, tapping my kindle faster and faster. This book is distressing in places and the author has done a really sympathetic job. A REALLY GOOD CRIME thriller and almost five stars.
I would like to thank the author, Aria and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Fifth book in the series but first of mine, this was a slow burn thriller and a police procedural. D. C. Charlie had to investigate a different case entitled Operation Greystream where the perp visited the elderly apparently just to talk to them till one such day where murder occurred in its stead.

My first book by Sarah Flint was a slow moving thriller which gained its momentum in the latter half. There were 2 plot lines which moved in tandem, parallel to each other, supposedly unconnected till it all made sense.

The book had its thoughtful moments with multiple POV even of the perps. The tension in the plot raised considerably only in the latter half. The team of cops were entertaining, characters different and etched well.

A prose which slightly missed its sparkle and a faster moving plot was needed to capture my interest thoroughly.

A good read, I would say. Though I think I would have to read the earlier books to get an in depth feel for the characters.

Daddy's Girls is the 5th book in the series featuring DI Charlie Stafford by Sarah Flint. I have read all of these books and have enjoyed them all. Charlie is DI on the tough streets of London. I would recommend reading these books in order so that you can really understand the characters and their lives.

Operation Greystream is working to find a burglar who breaks into the homes of the elderly in the night for a chat and to take a souvenir. Only this time he has escalated and killed Florence Bierly. Charlie and her team are called to help with the investigation. At the same time Thomas is desperately grieving the loss of his wife Catherine when she sees a woman that looks just like her and he believes she has come back. He follows her and breaks into her home to be close to her. Are the cases connected? Charlie needs to figure this out before more people are hurt. She is also going through a lot personally and is struggling to keep all her balls in the air.

Thanks to Aria and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

There are two cases running alongside each other in this book. There is the burglary/murder and then there is a break in/ rape. The police think these may be linked but as a reader, we are led to believe they are two separate cases. This makes it more tense and interesting as you get to see how and when the police will work out that there should be two suspects.

This is the 5th book in the Charlie Stafford series and I would recommend reading them all as they add some background on the characters and they are all really good reads. However, this one can be read as a standalone and you don’t miss out. I love getting to know Charlie and seeing a glimpse into her personal life, even if this book broke my heart a little bit.

Daddy’s Girls is a bit of a slow starter but the explosive ending definitely made up for it. The story is told from multiple POVs including the bad guys which did get a bit confusing but it gave an added perspective on the crimes.

Overall it was a great read and I would definitely recommend checking out this series.

I received a free copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I have not read any of her previous books but that did not deter from this one. A good storyline but not mind blowing. Some twists and turns to keep me interested until the end. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I never repeat the blurb...excellent instalment of this series...great characterisation as usual, two intertwining stories and beautifully poised for the next one...loved he mystery...didn't guess the unknown perpetrator. Excellent.

*HERE BE SPOILERS*

It's a no from me when the only gay character in the book is a deranged killer. Plus, the writing was pedestrian, full of tired phrases and a lot of telling, such as, what someone was feeling rather than actually showing it. As a mystery, it wasn't bad. Actually, there were two cases running side by side, that the reader knew weren't connected, but the police didn't, so it was rather interesting to see the legwork that goes on in these cases. The identity of the murderer too was a surprise. With good editing and by not mentioning the sexuality of the murderer, this could have been a decent 3.5 stars.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Aria for an advance copy of Daddy’s Girls, the fifth novel to feature DC Charlie Stafford of the Met.

Operation Greystream, the hunt for a burglar who breaks into homes of the elderly at night to chat and take a souvenir, is in full swing when he ups the ante by murdering Florence Brierly.

I didn’t particularly enjoy Daddy’s Girls until the last quarter which is tense, action packed and fast moving. The novel has two plot lines, the hunt for the burglar and another one not mentioned the blurb so I won’t describe it. The police view the two as linked and act accordingly but the reader has reason to believe they might not be. The reason for this is the multiple points of view. I found it distracting and never really settled in to the read. There isn’t enough police investigation and too much of the bad guys who really don’t interest me and their motivations. I have been reading this series from the start and found this to be a disappointing read until the final gung ho chapters.

Charlie Stafford is subdued in this novel for bolt from the blue personal reasons so the novel lacks the pep of the previous ones. The circumstances for this state of mind are mysterious and don’t make much sense to me but I’m sure it will be continued in the next novel.

Daddy’s Girls is a solid read with a psychological bent so I’m sure it will appeal to many readers, just not me.

This is the 5th in the series and I had not read any of the prior books. It was a solid police procedural and you could follow this story even without having read the previous ones. There are two mysteries a rape and a series of burglaries of elderly people. The main character is solid if a but dense about some things. I had no connection to any of the rest of the team. So overall enjoyable but not enough to make me run out and get the rest of the series.

This is book five in the DC Charlie Stafford series but can be read as a stand alone. Charlie is called to investigate the death of a serial killer who targets elderly victims. Tense and original, with good character development and a gripping plot makes this a good read which I would recommend to crime thriller lovers. A very good series from Sarah Flint.Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This was my first introduction to the author and I will definitely be checking out more of their work. There is a burglar going around terrorising elderly people but it all changes when he progresses to murder.

There's also Thomas and his daughter Emma. It has been a year since his wife's death and he has been struggling all year, nothing like he used to be. He has descended into trouble and Emma is desperate to help him out of it. Despite the fact that you aren't meant to like Thomas, especially because of horrid things he does in the novel, I couldn't help but feel sympathetic towards him - he was lost and in being so lost, he pushed away his only child.

The police were great characters and I would love to see more from them. I loved the reveal though, a fitting end to the whole saga - until we end on a cliffhanger for a further book which had me gripped.

A fantastically gripping read.

I’d like to thank Aria and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Daddy’s Girls’, the fifth in the Detective Charlie Stafford series written by Sarah Flint, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

DC Charlie Stafford is investigating a series of burglaries where the perpetrator sits and talks to his elderly victims but when he changes his strategy and strangles them Charlie realises they need to act fast to identify and arrest him. Meanwhile, Thomas Houghton desperately misses his wife Catherine who died a year ago of MS. When he sees a woman he believes to be his wife Thomas follows her home, breaks in when she’s gone to bed and attacks her. Are both cases the work of just one person or are there two criminals on the loose?

I’ve read Sarah Flint’s previous four books and although ‘Daddy’s Girls’ has all the makings of another excellent addition to the series I found it a bit disappointing. I thought both threads in the story to be insubstantial in themselves and expected them to build up to a crescendo but when they finally caught their man in the final chapters it was a bit of a let-down. Nevertheless, it’s been well-written with a lot of action and drama especially during the hostage situation, and we learn more of Charlie’s private life and her boyfriend Ben, not to mention the cliffhanger we’ve been given in the last page, but I didn’t think it worthy of the five stars I’ve given each of the other four books.

Daddy's Girls is a story that will keep you turning the pages. The plot has lots of twists that will keep you guessing. The characters are complex and you'll be dealing with their psychic. You'll enjoy the suspense.