Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This was such a good thriller! This author definitely knows how to write a cracking plot; I was gripped from the start and couldn’t put this down, I will definitely look for more from this author

Chris Merritt has a wonderful style when it comes to suspense books with taut writing and an ability to build suspense with every page. Even the title "Who's Next?" is so chilling. Read on to find out what happens.

A really good read, gripping and full of twists. I'm new to the author but will definitely look out for more.

The body of a rich businessman is found just a short way from his home; he's covered in bruises and there's a symbol drawn on his neck. He immediately knows he must try to get into the killer's head and he calls Dr. Lexi Green, Psychologist.

Shortly after, another victim is discovered ... a successful lawyer found with the same bruising and hand-drawn symbol identical to the first victim.

AS the investigation goes forward, Lockhart finds a link to his own wife... who disappeared 11 years ago. Determined to follow this lead, he has to choose whether to chase the serial killer.... or finding his wife.

This is a terrific follow up to the first book in this series. Although this is the second book, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend reading the books in order to get all the backstories.

The reader follows the main characters and also members of Lockhart's team, as well as the killer and more than one victim through one-person points of view. It sounds confusing, but the author has done a good job in keeping it simple and easy to follow. There are two brilliant mysteries to solve.

Be warned -- there is a cliffhanger .. but not to worry, the third book is already available.

Intense suspense starting at the beginning escalates through twists and turns that lead to an unexpected conclusion .. and a cliffhanger.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I made the mistake of reading this book without realising that it would be better to have read book one first. There is an element of continuation that I couldn’t fully grasp. Although I’d recommend reading in order, I was still able to enjoy this thriller. It’s dark, tense and uncomfortable in places, which grabbed my attention. The relationship with Lockhart and Green adds an additional dynamic to the plot and it is for this reason I’d suggest reading in order.

This is a sinister and taut read. I enjoyed the fact it was told from different perspectives (including the killer’s). It’s a great example of a police procedural done well and oh boy, does it end on a cliffhanger!! I will definitely be returning to this series, because there are still things I need to know and I can imagine these books will go from agonisingly gripping story to agonisingly gripping story!

This book is number 2 in the series. It follows on from the last one. This was well written , with a great plot. It was a bit slow paced but the twist at the end has me wanting book number 3. I recommend you read the books in order to get the full story.

The second in the Lockhart/Green series, this book gives you two crimes for the price of one. A serial rapist is attacking women at lonely bus stops while seemingly unconnected people are being beaten to death and marked with a strange symbol. Add the fact that DCI Porter is impeding Dan's progress at every turn and he receives the news that his missing wife's family want to have her declared dead and it is no wonder he is reaching for the cans of Stella in his fridge. This is a fast paced thriller with some shocks in store for the reader. I can't wait for the next one.

Who’s Next? by Chris Merritt is the second in the Detectives Lockhart & Green series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


 Series Background:  (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)

DI Dan Lockhart is a detective in the Major Investigation Team (the Murder Squad).  He doesn't always play by the rules.  He is still trying to come to terms with his wife's disappearance 11 years ago.   Psychologist Dr. Lexi Green,  has been helping him with this.  She, herself, is still trying to get over the loss of her brother.  Lexi helped Dan find a serial killer, and almost lost her own life while doing so.  They have become friends.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Charles Stott's beaten body was found not far from his home, and where he walks his dog every night.  A triangle has been drawn on his neck.   He was a wealthy film director, whose wife was very aware of his many affairs.

Martin Johnson's beaten body was found on the golf course where he plays by himself every Friday evening.  A triangle was drawn on his neck.  He was a successful lawyer who handled mostly compensation cases, but he was a womanizer.

Against his bosses orders, Dan asks Lexi to help draw up a profile of the murderer.

Meanwhile,  DS Maxine Smith is a little annoyed at being called off  sexual assault case she has been working on.  She plans on working both cases, and although she doesn't really like Lexi, perhaps she can help.

More deaths and more sexual assaults have the teams at wits end, but working together.

In his downtime, Dan is still trying to find his missing wife, Jess.


My Opinions:  

I am enjoying this series, although the books seem long.  It isn't that they aren't interesting, and the pace moves along well, so I'm not sure why I am finding fault with their length.  I knew going in that this one was close to 450 pages, but....

I still like both Dan and Lexi, who are proving to be strong-willed, and therefore sometimes at odds with one another.  They are both still working through the loss of a loved one, and are both handling it differently.  However, Lexi seems a little too unsure of herself in this book, and Dan a little judgemental.  I didn't like Max,  just because she was so opinionated..  That being said, my biggest complaint (other than the length), was everybody is pissed at each other, they are constantly bickering, they are constantly drinking....it just got annoying.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, including that of the killer, and that worked really well.  The plot was good, and the writing excellent.  There were a number of suspects for both cases, so this kept my interest.  I absolutely loved the way the two cases tied together.

I did not like the fact that it ended in a cliff-hanger.

Although it sounds like I was quite critical, I really enjoyed the plot and writing, and am definitely looking forward to the next in this series.

I didn’t enjoy this book. I’m not sure what exactly was missing but I found it boring and I wasn’t a fan of Dan or Lexi. Dan’s personality is his missing wife and Lexi’s is that she’s in love with Dan. I don’t understand why Lexi is working for the police again for free when they treat her badly and always reject her ideas anyway. It was also ridiculous that Lexi still thinks she can handle murder cases on her own considering how the first book ended. The book ended with a cliffhanger but I’ve lost the urge to find out what happened to Dan’s wife. Don’t think this series is for me.

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

This is the second book in the Lockhart and Green series. I haven't read the first book in the series, but I don't believe that is a disadvantage as the book contains enough background information to enable it to be read as a stand alone.
I enjoyed reading this as it was a well written thriller that had interesting main characters and supporting characters.
The cliffhanger ending means I will have to read the next in the series.

This is the second book in the series featuring Detective Lockhart and psychologist Dr Green. I hadn’t read the first book but I enjoyed reading this as a stand-alone. Dan Lockhart is still finding it difficult to give his full attention to his work as he is still searching for his wife who went missing a few years ago and also he is still suffering from PTSD from his army days. The body of a wealthy businessman is found on Wimbledon Common and on investigating Dan discovers a symbol has been drawn on the man’s neck making him realise that it wasn’t just a mugging that had gone wrong. When another body of a lawyer is found on the golf course with a similar symbol Dan realises that they are connected and that a serial killer is on the loose. He calls on Dr Lexi Greenwood to help with this case and also the case they have of a man attacking young women at knife point and on investigation realise that the cases could be linked. This was a book I couldn’t put down, with really interesting characters, plenty of twists and turns and an unexpected ending, I really can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I am really enjoying this series. The characters are really well drawn and feel realistic. The story was edge of the seat stuff and I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

This was an excellent mystery and Thriller. The suspense builds throughout and it kept me turning the pages. I think that this installment was a wonderful addition to the series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was another thrilling read by a very talented author. I love Chris's books, and can't wait for the next one. Recommended.
TB

Wow ! Another great read in a brilliant series ! I love the main characters in this book and like how their characters are growing in each book. Great main storyline which kept you gripped along with a smaller one that very cleverly linked in with the main one to a great conclusion. And wow what a cliffhanger the book was left on !! Can’t wait for the next one !!

Who's Next is a brilliant new addition to the Lockhart and Green series! And I LOVED it! I love Chris Merritt's writing style & the way he builds suspense with every chapter. You have no option but to keep turning the pages. Having read the first book in the series made me feel very invested in the lives of Lockhart & Green especially Lockhart. So adding this one to my list was a no-brainer. Who's next is a compelling and dark suspense with all the right amounts of chills & thrills added in. The prologue was creepy & dark just to my liking to have me hooked from the get-go. The plot is well constructed & builds on a good suspense. Lockhart is as always fabulous & I love the way he analyzes a problem & solves cases. Lexi in all her flawed glory too is starting to grow on me. I loved that the book is not just about 1 case but there are quite a few subplots that add to the interest. I am particularly interested in the story of Dan's wife disappearance & hope that the mystery is solved soon. I love this series & look forward to reading the next one!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture & Chris Merritt for an arc!

Terrific SUSPENSE- filled read. The storyline revolves around a police procedural of finding the perpetrator who murdered 3 men & the case of a a bus stop serial rapist. Enjoyed the main characters, Lexie & Dan, who are experiencing their own personal problems. First time reading this author & will backtrack to read Knock, Knock & look forward to more. Recommend totally!! Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for a copy of this book.

When Charle's Stott is brutally murdered on Wimbledon common the police think it's a robbery gone wrong but he has a tattoo on his neck which D.I. Can Lockhart thinks it's more than a robbery so he asks Dr Lexa Green to help. The murders mount up and there seems to be no reason for them. There is also a serial rapist on the !oose.
This is a very good book
Well done Chris
Thanks NetGalley

Book 2 of Dan Lockhart's series, it was interesting when Dan was called to solve dual mysteries. one was to find the killer of the director who collapsed on Wimbledon ground and the other was to find the man who was attacking women at knifepoint.
A different plot with a steady pace, I found the first book slightly faster. This too had its seamless subplots and well-researched topic. It had its twists and interesting moments which kept me engrossed enough to reach the end.
A good investigative read.