This is the 2nd book in the Morgan Brookes series, though could be read as a standalone. I had actually forgotten I had read the first book until it came back to me part-way through. Morgan is a brand-new detective who is tasked with solving a gruesome murder of a young woman. Morgan is an endearing character and I liked getting in her head as she learns her way through how to be a detective, and struggles with the scariness of seeing dead bodies and talking to bereaved families.

This book moved at a pretty quick pace, with chapters written by the unknown assailant thrown in throughout the book, which shows some clear ties to Morgan's own life. I had figured out very early who the villain was, but I did occasionally doubt myself, as the author provides a few red herrings; The story is told in mostly short chapters which moves it along quickly.

I had a couple issues with the book that caused me to have to suspend my disbelief- these are the same things I called out during my review of the first book in the series. One is that I don't really understand how Morgan already became a detective at 23 years old and why seasoned cops are always considering her theories pulled from her experience watching crime shows- it just seems unrealistic and the author doesn't give us a good reason as to why she was fast-tracked. Secondly, there appears to be some kind of potential romance brewing between Morgan and her boss, Ben, which seems unprofessional and also out of character for what we know about Morgan. There was also one issue where numbers didn't add up, which I assume will get cleaned up before the final version of the book comes out. The book mentions multiple times that Morgan is 23 years old and that her mom died when she was 15, but there was a line that talked about she and her dad rebuilding their relationship "in the 5 years since her mom died", which doesn't add up.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and I will read the next one in the series. Morgan is likeable and relatable and the book moves quickly, but I rated 3 stars rather than 4 because of how early I figured out the culprit as well as my need to suspend my disbelief about Morgan's role on the police force. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion,

Another great book by this author! I loved her last series and I love this one too. This author has a way of spinning interesting tales into great thrillers with heartfelt and easily relatable main characters and a wonderful cast of side characters. This book is the second in the Morgan Brookes series but it is not necessary to read the earlier book to enjoy this one. I enjoy Morgan’s story and cannot wait to see where it goes in the new time books.

Morgan Brookes is only just recovering from her last murder case when a new killer appears. DNA suggests a culprit but he has been in prison for rape and murder for the past 20 years so who could it possibly be? Meanwhile Morgan is trying to rebuild her relationship with her alcoholic father as they both continue to mourn her mother: can she stay focussed on the murder case...?
The Killer's Girl is the second novel to feature Morgan Brookes. It is not necessary to have read the first book and there are not obvious spoilers so you could go back and read One Left Alive without knowing details of the case and killer.
The police team continues to be hugely likeable. Amy provides some light relief with her positive attitude while Ben and Morgan display their detrmination to solve the case whilst attempting to hide their vulnerability. There continues to be a romantic frisson between the lead characters which build an anticipation in us as readers as we want them both to have a happy ending.
I found myself totally immersed in the plot and engaged with the characters, especially Morgan as her personal involvement in the case becomes more prominent over the course of the book. The chapters are short which drives the story on and makes it difficult to put down when just one more chapter is so tempting!
The murder case is presented in forensic detail and the novel uses police procedures to present graphic and brutal crimes objectively. There were a few 'aha!' moments when I suspected something which then developed as I expected or the plot twisted into something I wasn't prepared for.
The Killer's Girl was a real page turner. The momentum never let up and I can't wait for the next book!

Fantastic twist I did not see coming. Thriller, mystery , suspense a roller coaster of a ride. Thank you Bookouture , Helen Phifer and Netgalley for keeping me up, making me think about this book long after I read it, hence the delay in my review. I tossed and turned last night ! did follow the clues laid out and pretty much had an idea of who the culprit was, but wow, there were more twists I didn't see coming. Some of them are laid out in the blurb which I think detracts, but I was still surprised. This is book 2 and when I bought The Killers Girl I had not read book 1, so I must confess I read 1 before I 2, but 2 was laid out so well you should have no trouble reading it, no feeling of confusion or missing.
I do believe book 1 enhances your enjoyment of 2, lays the ground work. The ending of this book had me tossing and turn also, thinking, man oh man, what is Helen going to do to Morgan next. I freely share my unsolicited opinions.

This book started out with a bang but left me disappointed as I figured out the killer early on. Book two in the Morgan Brookes series and set in the Lake District. It went a bit flat in the middle and lacked in twists and suspense. I liked the short chapters and the character of Megan, the ending was good but overall, just an okay read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

DC Morgan Brookes is back in this second instalment from Helen Phifer. Morgan is called to a gruesome crime scene when a woman, Gabrielle Stevens is found tied to her bed having been brutally attacked. As she checks the house over, she is horror-struck by what she finds...

The reader meets Morgan and her team as she has to deal with events from both her past and present. In this riveting thriller, Morgan is a troubled soul who has had to withstand a lot in her life and various happenings lead to her being granted compassionate leave. There are plenty of police procedural elements incorporated in the story and the action and drama ensured I remained entrenched in the story. The reader is treated to a fully rounded tale which is told in chapters moving between 1999 and the present-day. Helen Phifer's superb writing continues to wow me and it will be interesting to see what's in store for DS Brookes in the next instalment. Overall, a very highly recommended, scintillating page-turner with an excellent ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This book really got under my skin. I actually woke up in the middle of the night thinking I could hear noises in my house (it was just the boiler). I was seriously creeped out by this story. This is the second book in the series but there is enough background on the characters in this book that you could read it as a standalone. If you do however enjoy super creepy police procedurals with an element of psychological thriller thrown in then I'd definitely say jump into this series.

Morgan Brookes recently joined CID and is still recovering from her last case, the murders of The Potters (book one). Morgan is as feisty as ever in this book. She follows her gut and isn't afraid to speak her mind. Even if it does land her in hot water with the bosses. Morgan knows her stuff and her bosses are in denial. The poor girl has been through the mill with these two books and I don't really see a brighter future for her on the horizon.

One character I LOVE is Amy. Oh Amy, I think we would be very good friends. She is sarcastic, witty and forthright. I really hope she gets more spotlight as the series progresses. She's such a fun character.

This case has a lot of twists and turns. Helen keeps you on your toes. I was on edge fearing for all the characters, their friends and their families. Helen is not afraid to kill someone you like so don't get too attached!

The epilogue in this book gives some good insight into where this series is going and I CANNOT wait for book 3!

"To find this killer, she must confront the nightmares in her past"

No! No! No! It can't be over, I can't possibly have reached the final page already!

I generally save my 5 star ratings for literary fiction, with many of the mainstream genres rating 4 stars as a high point. However for this story, it just has to be the full 5, without a doubt. This is book #2 in the DC Morgan Brookes series and whilst from a purely inquisitive perspective, starting with the first story might have fleshed out a few extra odd details about how we get to be where we are today, to be honest, this book works exceptionally well as a stand alone story, providing more than enough detailed background about the characters than I could ever have imagined, and definitely more than I needed to know sometimes!

If I give a little away and mention that the opening lines from Chapter One, are in effect a prologue, once you begin reading further, things should start slotting into place - maybe! But you do need to be good to get one over on this author!

From those gruesome opening lines which couldn't fail to get my attention; the story opened up into one rollercoaster event after another which drew me right in and kept me glued to the pages; right until the explosive ending which had me reaching for book #3 - where is book #3 Helen? I need it now please, if not sooner!

Murder/Mystery, Police Procedural, Psychological Thriller? or in my personal opinion, probably a little of each. From whichever perspective you view this book, the facts remain the same. This multi-layered, well constructed storyline was intense, full of tension, rich in atmosphere and replete with some excellent research about so many of the issues touched upon in its pages. The powerful, fluid writing and short punchy chapters, kept the pace of the action on constant high alert throughout, whilst the descriptive dialogue, observational narrative and gripping, disturbing storytelling, had me right in the middle of the action, as a none too observant bystander, as I only managed to work out the final endgame a few seconds before everyone else did! Helen effortlessly and totally owned this plot from beginning to end, building it with complete authority and great confidence.

The principle characters of DS Ben Matthews and DC Morgan Brookes, each had a desperate intensity about them, which is going to go one of two ways in the following episodes. However they are both 'damaged goods', who come with the excess personal baggage of most fictional detectives, so it's a tough call in which direction Helen will take their personal journey in the future, especially after you experience that bombshell ending to this episode and how it might affect their development as a working partnership. At first glance, the well developed team of detectives operating alongside Ben and Morgan, seemed as though they collaborated together quite well, forming a good unit who looked out for one another and always had each others' backs. They were, on the whole, very supportive of Morgan, despite the fact she was a relative 'newbie' to the team and even though the entire manpower and resources of the department, had been called upon to close down what was so much a personal attack on her, leaving in its wake some devastating collateral damage and lives destroyed beyond repair. However, as events unfolded it turned out that all was not as it had seemed and maybe this small 'family' of co-workers needed to look closer to home to see who their real friends and allies were. Beware the enemy within!

The sins of the father are definitely visited upon the son!

This was a complex mystery with lots of twists and turns that kept me hooked. The characters are well drawn and realistic. I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters develop going forward.

When Gabby's parents returned from holiday they were devastated to find their daughter had been murdered in her bed. When DC Morgan Brookes sees the body she is determined to find the culprit. This scene stirs up some buried memories & does not help her nightmares & the fact she wakes up early every day. When DNA evidence brings up a match the team briefly think their task is over, but the DNA appears to belong to someone who is already in prison. The DNA found on another body seems to have a link to Morgan-is she now a suspect or in danger? Ben, her DS believes in her but can he stop her from doing something reckless?

I loved the fist book in this series & was delighted to get hold of the next in the series. This was not a disappointment. I love the characters & the story kept me guessing. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. I'm already looking forward to the next in the series- I hope it comes along soon.

Setting is the Lake District. It is the 2nd book in the series but can easily be a standalone. Gabrielle Stevens is found murdered in her bed. DNA is found from Gary Marks who has been in Strangeways Prison for over 20 years. Another close match fo DC Morgan Brooks is also found. We get more information about Morgan's past and family. Is Morgan personally connected to this case?
I found the characters to be well-developed. The plot was suspenseful and kept the pages turning with lots of twists and turns. I thought I knew the killer mid-way but the author surprised me in the end. I am anxiously waiting for the next installment and I would highly recommend this series for those who love mystery-thrillers. I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for a free copy for an honest review.

The body of a young woman is found and Detective Morgan Brookes is assigned to the case. The DNA gives a positive ID and Morgan cannot wait to put the killer behind bars. But, he's already behind bars and has been there for 20 years? Another match comes along and it's a match for Morgan herself. How is this crime linked to Morgan? And how will this end for her?

This is the second book in the Detective Morgan Brooke's series and I went in blind with this not having read the first one. I can easily think this can be read as a standalone book aswell as part of a series!

For me, this book just didn't cut it. I am in no way saying it wasn't enjoyable, as it was. But there was just something missing for me?

Morgan Brookes is a very likeable character. She is a young, 23 year-old woman with her whole life ahead of her, chasing down the career of her dreams: catching killers. I related to her in a variety of different ways throughout the book and I think the author portrayed her character well. However, I think the book lacked character development for the other characters such as Ben and Amy etc.

I loved the short and snappy chapters, that's always a must have in a thriller for me as it keeps me drawn in to know what's going to happen next. However, this book was written in the third person which I felt was something that caused me not to be as gripped as I would be. I can't be the only person who just loves books written in the first person? It just draws me in and makes me so much more involved with the storyline.

Overall, this was an okay thriller. I guessed how it was going to end about half way through the book and there weren't as many twists and turns as I would've liked there to be. I will however definitely be reading another one of Helen Phifers books again!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookoture and Helen Phifer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Detective Morgan Brookes #2

Gabby has just been found murdered and tied to her bed by her parents who've just returned from their holidays. Detective Morgan Brookes and her boss are at the scene. As the investigation progresses, the case seems to be linked to Morgan.

The pace is fast and the twists kept coming in this well written police procedural series. But things don't always go to plan for Morgan, danger seems to lurk round every corner for her. The team have good relationship which makes a nice change. There were lots of little hints to help us solve the case but I didn't see the ending coming.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #HelenPhifer for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Quotes:

Despite him being in love with himself, there was no denying his black hair, tanned skin and brown eyes were easy on the eye. It was no wonder women swooned over him, not that she’d ever tell him that; his head was big enough.

If she did agree to come stay at his house, he was going to have to go shopping and clean up. Living alone meant a different takeaway every night and getting the polish out when the dust was too thick to see the image clearly on the TV screen.

I’d rather shit in my hands and clap…


My Review:

Poor Morgan, she seems to attract trouble as fast as my thighs amass cellulite, which apparently is exponential. I am rather new to police procedurals but I am lapping up this series and developing quite a taste for them while enjoying the devious and conniving wordcraft of Helen Phifer, she is a master of misdirection. She kept me guessing while the killer was front and center the whole time. The storylines were intriguing, interestingly detailed, and thrummed with tension. Her characters are more than a bit fractured and weary, yet endearing and oddly compelling. I am besotted and enamored with Declan and hope he will be featured in greater detail in a subsequent installment.

In addition to an absorbing and gripping read, Ms. Phifer has also provided me with the latest addition to my Brit Words and Phrases list with “I’ll be mother,” which Mr. Google tells me means being in charge of the teapot. Oddly, Mr. Google had no idea what “being father” would mean – I would suspect sneaking off to the pub.

What a great thriller. After loving the first book in the series, I was hoping for another great installment. And that is what I got! Fast, thrilling ride that had kept me gasping out loud as I raced through it!
Amazing character development in this book from the first one, Morgan's background was gritty and eventful!
Overall, another brilliant read and I can't wait for the next one!

A fabulous follow up to the first book in the Morgan Brookes series, I loved it! Having read the first book in this series and being blown away by it I was anxious that the follow up might not be up to the high standard that it set but it's first class Helen doesn't disappoint!

The twists just kept on coming, had me gripped from beginning to end, the suspense had me racing to the end!

A must read by an author who is gathering pace on my favourite list!

I thoroughly enjoy these books the storylines are gripping and fast paced. My only criticism is find the main character Morgan irritating but the storylines always make up for this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Killer's Girl is the second book in the series. We start 20 years ago with a mother being murdered in front of her 3 year old daughter. Flash forward to the present and things are not looking up. A young woman comes home late at night to a not quite empty house. A few days later her parents find her body and our young hero, Morgan, believes she is seeing the work of a serial killer. This small town is pretty darn active in the murder department.

This was a pretty strong second installment in the Morgan Brooks series. Parts were creepy and some were just a little too coincidental. I liked it in spite of that, though. There wasn't much character development, but it has only been a few months since the events of the first book. What we have is a good investigation and a creepy killer. I look forward to the next installment of the series. I'm hoping for more character development in the future.

Second in the series, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend reading them in order.

Detective Morgan Brookes, a rookie assigned to the homicide department, along with her partner/supervisor are called to investigate a death. A young woman is found tied to her bed in her own home. When DNA is collected, they find it goes back to a man who is in prison and has been there many years.

This case is causing nightmares for Morgan all centered around her childhood. She and her alcoholic father have had a contentious relationship but they are working on it. He's the only family she has left.

So she is beyond grief when someone murders her father. But the punches keep coming. When the medical examiner finds DNA and runs it .. it points directly to Morgan.

Trying to find a way to proving her innocence, she becomes the target of someone else... and she's on his "to do list". To solve this crime, she's going to have to confront her past.

This is well written, an excellent addition to the first book. The characters are deftly drawn and work amid the swirling twists and turns that keep the reader glued to the pages. The conclusion is unexpected .. and violent. Here's hoping there's soon to be a third book.

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.

5/5

<b>The Killer’s Girl</b> is the second in the series, but it reads like a stand-alone, in the sense that I didn’t feel lost about things I may have missed. There is some references to the previous novel and cases that Detective Morgan Brookes was involved in, but it is not central to this story.

This story starts off with a flashback and then gets into the present day, with the gruesome murder of a young woman. Detective Brookes is on the case and is set on getting the killer behind bars. Except the DNA found at the scene reveals that it’s a close match to a man who is already in prison. Another finding reveals DNA, very similar to Morgan’s.

A twisted tale no doubt. I had many hunches about who the killer could be, and I was wrong. When we got to the big reveal of who the killer really was, I was shocked. I really didn’t see it coming until it was splayed out before me. I really enjoyed how Phifer spun out this tale of mystery and suspense. I really felt as though I was sitting on the edge of seat, anxious to know what the next clues would reveal, for most of the novel.

I enjoyed how the writing perspectives changed from time to time to shed some light on the other central characters to the story. I found it really added to my reading experience. I enjoyed how the characters wee portrayed and developed as the novel progressed. You really got a feel for each of them without it being too much.

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more novels by this author!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! Upon publishing of this novel, I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada.</i>