I am really enjoying this series so far, and can’t wait to continue. I love the way they are written and the characters!

A great, thrilling read, which will keep you entertained throughout. A good one sitting read, get the nibbles ready, close the door, and read!

Really enjoyed this book. So gripping and the backstory around Beth was good too. Can't wait for the next one!

This book had many twists and turns. It was beautifully written and had a great ending.
The premise is excellent and evenly paced

This book was very well written with twists and turns along the way. It is #2 in the series but you could read it as a stand alone. I would recommend that you read #1 just so you can see the connection between Beth and Josh. The writing in this book pulls you in one direction and then another. It was definately a page turner which I highly recommend.

This was another great psychological thriller from Helen Phifer. I have never been disappointed by any of her books. They are exciting, suspenseful, terrifying at time, but you can not stop reading the book because you need to know what the truth is and who might die next..
I can not wait to read her next book. No matter the protagonist of the stories they are always well developed characters whom you cheer on to find out the truth.

I really enjoyed the first in the Beth Adams series when it was introduced earlier in the year so I was excited to get my hands on this follow up!

Beth finds herself the pathologist on call when a body is found beside a party yacht moored at the lake. With nothing but a hunch to tell her it’s anything more than an accidental drowning there’s little she, or the local detective Josh Walker can do. However when a second body is found in similar circumstances Beth can’t help but investigate herself.

From the very first pages this book caught my attention, I was eager to find out what was happening with Beth after the events at the end of the last story and I wasn’t disappointed. The plot was well paced, and the shortish chapters means it feels like you absolutely fly through the book.

My only concern with this series is how long the concept can continue on for. There’s a certain suspension of disbelief that you have to apply to the book. Beth does things you just wouldn’t expect a forensic pathologist to do, and surely there’s only so many times she can do that before someone with the police force says something. That said TV shows like CSI have had forensic scientists doing things they wouldn’t normally do for decades! I’m more than happy to keep reading them if Helen keeps writing them.

I feel like we didn’t learn that much more about Beth during this book, despite her having to deal with a lot personally, including a death. I hope that in the next book we see her continuing to grow and gain confidence after everything she’s gone through.

I really liked Josh in the first book, I still liked him in this book but there were quite a few places where I would have liked to give him a good shake and tell him not to be so stupid and risk ruining a good thing. I’m pleased by the ending things seemed more positive and I look forward to finding out what comes next.

Final Thoughts
A great continuation of the Beth Adams series from Helen Phifer. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for Beth so I’m hoping there will be a third book!

I just finished this one this one, and really can't wait to see if there is some more of Beth coming in future. I love the way that Beth helps her boyfriend, and copper investigate crimes, and still keep her personal life separate. She has been through a lot of trauma in her life and tries to deal with it while trying to solve the case of girls being found drowned in the lake. I kept on suspecting throughout the book a certain person as being responsible, and the last twist (no spoilers I promise) still knocked me over! Highly recommended.

Right from the start I was engrossed in this book, a brilliant story that I would highly recommend.

The water is beautiful. The water will also pull you under into its murky depths without a care or a thought about race, gender or social standing. If you don’t grant it the respect it so deserves it will unleash its power and it isn’t a battle you are going to win. The Girls in the Lake is a steady paced police procedural which picks up a few weeks after book 1. I felt that the first half of the novel was slower paced but it took off like a rocket in the second half.

The story is centred around the main character, Dr Beth Adams, a forensic pathologist. She has had an extremely tough life, having been subjected to a traumatic abusive relationship for the past seven years. Fast forward and she has marginally moved forward happy in the knowledge that her ex is in prison but still frozen in the past and being haunted by the effects that relationship has instilled in her. She is now living with DS Josh Walker. Life is good but usually when its that good something comes along and has a habit of turning it on its end. Cue, two dead bodies turning up in lake Windemere and the onslaught of the impending investigation.

Things get even more personal with a third girl being pushed into the water from a troublesome party boat…are the three women connected or was its mere accidents?

I really liked the character of Beth. Although she often participated in the sport of self-depreciation, she was an extremely strong character. She knew her worth and knew what she needed to do to move forward and boy did she go out and do it. She is one hell of a woman! I think to a certain extent she is struggling with the possibility of suffering from PTSD and seeks solace in the bottle more than she should but again we all have our crutches to bear. She navigates the murky waters of following her gut instinct and at points I thought that she was more on the ball as a detective than the actual police were.

The girls in the lake was a haven for geeks like me. I really enjoyed reading about the science behind the pathology of Beth’s work and the other forensic anomalies that popped in her freelance investigating. Call me a weirdo but I love what killed someone and the science that backs it all up even more.

I was mildly frustrated with the avoidable spat that occurred between Beth and Josh. In any relationship, trust and communication is paramount and their issue just seemed like a non-issue. Beth seemed to go a little off the deep end without having any proof and it did feel a little at odds with the character that I had been becoming acquainted to previously. But, overall, The Girls in the Lake was an enjoyable reading experience and I would like to give the first book a go.

I was given a copy of The Girls in the Lake by Helen Phifer in exchange for an honest review. I have read several of Helen's books in the past which I have always enjoyed. This book is the second in the series. This time a girl turns up dead in the Lake, when another body is found Helen and Josh must work out who the murderer is. The book is well paced and easy to read, makes for a very enjoyable story. I like the characters and look forward to finding out what happens in the next book.

Review for 'The Girls in the lake' by Helen Phifer
Read and reviewed via NetGalley

This book is the second book in the Beth Adams series but can easily be read as a standalone. I read it without reading the previous book 'The girl in the grave' with no problem. There is mention of previous cases but anything that was relevant was covered.

I love the fact that the book is set in the Lake District as not only do I live in the UK but I have visited the Lake District and Lake Windermere, so can easily picture it in my head.

I thought the book was well written and had lots of twists and turns and was not expecting the finale, which is a MUST when it comes to crime novels. There is nothing worse when reading a crime novel just to work out who did it before you are even half way through the story!

I loved the characters and thought that their personalities were very strong. Although there is no need for me to I will be trying to read the first book in this series as to read more about Beth's past and to revisit with Josh and Beth. I will also be on the look out for more books by Helen Phifer.

I would recommend this book to fans of crime, murder, suspense and thrillers.

Rated 4/5 on Goodreads and Amazon (I enjoyed it)


£1.99 to buy on Kindle

#TheGirlsInTheLake #NetGalley

Feel free to add me on Goodreads for more reviews

Lots of twists and lots of attempts to mess with the reader. I didn't realise this was a series and I should have read the first book i think as I felt like I was missing things at times. Not sure if I will continue on in the series.

The second in what is promising to be an exciting new series, THE GIRLS IN THE LAKE is an intriguing continuation set just a month after the end of the first book "The Girl in the Grave" . I like the easy flow of this series which doesn't bog the reader down in an overwhelming wealth of information which has us Googling for answers at the same time. And the short snappy chapters keep the story moving along at a steady yet increasing pace throughout.

Dr Beth Adams is a forensic pathologist who, after a working as an A&E doctor until her boyfriend tried to kill her seven years ago, moved to the Lakes District and retrained for her current position. Now her ex is behind bars, despite trying to kill her again from beyond his gaol cell, and Beth is attempting to move on with her life.

DS Josh Walker was first on scene and saved Beth from her murderous ex and since then they have been good friends...the only one Beth had come to trust. He was married until he came home early one morning to find his wife Jodie in bed with one of his colleagues. He packed his bags and left, never looking back.

Now Beth and Josh live together in her beautiful secluded home by Lake Windemere. Although their relationship is still new, they have found a companionship in each other that is safe and comfortable both personally and professionally. Due to the nature of their jobs, both are used to early morning calls. So when the naked body of a young woman is found floating face down in the cold waters of Lake Windemere, Beth and Josh are on the case.

Ethan Scales wakes after a drunken night on his friend James Marshall's boat, hearing something banging against the hull. He climbs to the deck and finds the lifeless and naked body of Leah Burton floating face down in the water. He jumps into the freezing depths, pulls her to safety and tries in vain to save her.

Later that same day, a young boy going fishing sees what he thought to be a discarded sleeping bag in the lake. He wades in to pull the offending article out only to discover it is the bloated face of a dead body starting lifelessly up at him. His scream can be heard around the lake.

At the post mortem, Beth peels back the outer layer of skin from the hand and places it over her own in an attempt to retrieve the fingerprints of their "Jane Doe". The body is then identified as Polish national Julia Bach last seen working for Marcus Johnson in his pub, friend of Ethan Scales and James Marshall.

James owns the boat upon which the first victim, Leah Burton, had been aboard the previous night. Julia worked for Marcus. Coincidence? Beth thinks not.

Tensions rise when the daughter of Josh's partner DC Sally Thomas attends a party aboard the same boat, The Tequila Sunrise, as an unofficial obbo is undertaken by lake wardens. Although Grace appears to be in safe hands, another young woman suddenly falls overboard. She is pulled to safety still clinging to life and reveals that she was pushed. Then against advice, the young woman refuses an ambulance in favour of going home.

Meanwhile, Beth must also deal with the death of her ex who tried to kill her seven years ago as well and Josh's recent questionable behaviour which leads her to his ex-wife Jodie's door. What exactly is he keeping from her?

While THE GIRLS IN THE LAKE doesn't have a complex or intricate plot it is certainly an exciting read with a solid narrative throughout. Told from various perspectives, mostly Beth and Josh's, it is compelling, fast paced with a wealth of information to keep you intrigued.

I really enjoy the format of this series. It is incredibly easy to follow and enjoyable to read and the recurring characters, alongside Beth and Josh, are all extremely likable. I am not a fan of procedurals that must throw in all that constant angst, overly strong female leads and alpha male crap. I want a mystery, a thriller, something to sink my teeth into and not get my blood pressure boiling because of station politics or who's better than who.

I wasn't surprised by the villain as it seemed the most logical of all that was on offer. I think the downfall of this book is that there weren't enough red herrings to throw us off the scent, making the villain extremely easy to pick out. And the ending wasn't the best as I didn't see a lot of reason why. And as a reader, it is always preferable to know the why instead of just the who and the how.

But having said that, I still really enjoyed THE GIRLS IN THE LAKE and eagerly await Beth and Josh's next case together.

I would like to thank #HelenPhifer, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlsInTheLake in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. Have been to a lot of the places it mentions so can picture them. Not read any of Helens books before but will definitely read some now. Great story and I didn't guess who the murderer was.

Fabulous book, I so enjoyed this and I can’t wait for the next one already.
The body of a young girl washes up in Lake Windermere. Beth Adams is the pathologist and Josh Walker the DS dealing with the case,
Another body is washed up and whilst on the face of it, Beth can’t find any evidence of foul play, something bothers her about the similarities.
The notorious party boat, The Tequila Sunrise, seems to be at the centre of it all, especially when a third girl falls into the water from the boat, alleging she was pushed.
Can Beth and Josh work out who the killer is before anyone else dies?
Running alongside the crime story, is the new relationship between Beth and Josh and the complications that present themselves when Josh’s ex-wife gets back in touch.
The book had a great unexpected ending, and I’m sad I’ve finished it!

The idyllic setting of this crime thriller is quickly broken when there is a body found in the lake, followed shortly by another one. I appreciated that the main character in this book is a Forensic Pathologist, as it allowed the reader to follow the investigation from a different perspective. I thought that the case was well-thought-out, and the author did a good job of throwing out some red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I definitely recommend it. For more thoughts, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of this book.

OMG this book! There is so many thing I want to say that I dont know where to start. After loving the first one so much I had high expectations for this one and I sure has hell wasn’t disappointed. Helen has totally nailed it and left me hanging with that ending!!! I so can’t wait for the third book.

With an OMG start and an OMG ending what more can I say this book is utterly brilliant. I read it in a matter of hours, I simply couldn’t put it down.

It is addictive, nail biting and action packed and totally kept me on the edge of my seat.

I have said this before and I will say it again I love the fact that Beth is a Forensic Pathologist making her a unique character. She is determined and will go the extra mile has show in this story. We also see an emotional side with the goings on in her personal life. Come on Josh sort it out!

This can be read has a standalone when though it is the second book in the series. But this is to good a series to miss which I cannot recommend enough. Giving it all the stars.

Thank you to Noelle at Bookouture for the blog tour invite. Grab your copy today on the link below……

The Girls in the Lake by Helen Phifer is book 2 in the series featuring forensic pathologist Dr Beth Adams, but could easily be read as a standalone. Having said that, though, I do feel that reading the first book and knowing the background of the characters does add to the richness of the story.

I loved the first book in the series, so was incredibly excited when the opportunity arose to be part of the blog tour for this second book which, in my opinion, is even better than the first. Beth is a character I warmed to from the first time she was introduced and it’s wonderful to see the progress she’s made following the harrowing events of the previous story.

This time Beth and Detective Josh Walker, who are now in a relationship, are investigating the discovery of two dead bodies in Lake Windermere. Are the deaths related or is it just a sad coincidence? But then another girl is found, only this time she is clinging to life. She tells them she was at a party on a boat, but then she was pushed...

As more bodies surface, all with tiny traces of boat paint present, Beth and Josh must try to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Faced with a killer hungry for revenge, and with her personal life beginning to spiral out of control, Beth will need to use every ounce of skill and determination she has to catch this monster before he takes another innocent life.

The Girls in the Lake is a fast paced and exciting thriller that once started is impossible to put down. With a cast of memorable characters this is a series of books I hope will continue for a long time to come. Helen Phifer has written yet another addictive thriller that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. I loved every word of it and can’t wait to see what she has planned for Beth Adams next!

Highly recommended.

This book is the second in a series and it did not disappoint. The author creates rich characters in a well detailed atmosphere. Girls bodies are being pulled out of the lake, are they connected? If so how? This needs to be solved fast before one of Dr Adams friends daughters get to close to someone dangerous. This was an edge of your seat ride start to finish that keeps you guessing till the very end. Great read