I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Beth is a forensic pathologist who use to work with the living but when she was a attack she withdrew into herself and change career and now she work with the dead.

When she is call to the cemetery a young teen runaway is found hidden in someone else grave as they learn her name is Chantel and she just turn eighteen a another woman name Annie is taken.

The plot was ok but I was more interest in Beth her struggles with her life and how she trying to live it even though she having a hard time doing it even with the man who attack her is in prison.

Beth and her friend Josh work together to find the killer unaware that someone set their sight on Beth. I can also see it that Beth and Josh might become something because his marriage isn't going great and I don't think I want that because I see friendship chemistry not romantic.

The Girl In The Grave Helen Phifer

Introducing Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. A woman in her mid-forties who carries the physical and mental scars of an event that happened 7 years ago.

Beth is a great character, she is living in a big house on a lake, in solitude, avoiding unnecessary contact with strangers. The house has the best of security systems and even a panic room. As the main story unfolds a second story describing the events of 7 years ago are told explaining why Beth is so introvert and reclusive.

Having said that she is beginning to come out of herself with the help of a few trusted friends, and one of her best friends is DS Josh Walker.

So when Beth is sent to the scene of an exhumation of a recently buried woman, where a second body has been found underneath the coffin, she is glad to see Josh is there as the head of the Police team.

The investigation into the death of the young woman found in the grave gives Beth a chance to flex her brain, and ignoring her fears, she starts to look at the girl’s death and how she ended up in the grave.

This leads to a closer working relationship with Josh, and Beth actually starts to feel normal again for the first time in years.

Just like all crime thrillers this peace of mind doesn’t last long. Somebody is stalking Beth and starts to leave her little surprise presents.

This story runs along at a cracking pace. It’s a Police Procedural, with Josh and Beth, being the lead characters. It’s a psychological thriller with the stalking of Beth, and the pressure put on her by the crimes which take place during the investigation.

It’s also an introduction to a series which I can’t wait to develop.

The character of Beth is brilliantly written as a vulnerable yet determined woman.

The story that Josh brings is just as enthralling. I had a lot of empathy for this guy.

There seems to be more crime series than ever on the shelves at the moment, and I have to admit to yearning for more one offs where I could just read-and -forget.

But, there is plenty of room on my shelves for Beth Adams, not only will she always be welcome, but I’m looking forward to meeting her again.

Pages: 264
Publisher: Bookouture
Publishing date: 16th July 2017