A chilling and distrubing read from the very first chapter. I read this within 24 hours it was that outstanding.

Yet again, Book 3, is an outstanding police procedural that is fast paced and edgy. Lockhart searches for a child killer whilst continuing to find answers to his long missing wife. The intricate details and the realistic in depth descriptions of trying to solve this distrubing case and the process that Lockhart and team go through is amazing. Whilst this is a new case, Merritt still continues elements from the previous two books making each character well rounded and intriguing.

With a strong subject matter linked with the foster care system and children, book 3 packs a punch as it's terrifying yet very true, in some regards to the way the care system is. Working in the foster care system, the attitudes and approaches of characters like Griffin is understandable and realistic.

Fast chapters where each one makes you want to keep reading and not let you go meant I read this on such a short time. It is deeply dark, distrubing, graphic and a chilling police procedural that is an astonishing page turner.

Having read the previous two, the third installment doesn't disappoint.

Characters are so well developed, you feel as if there real. You feel there pressures and stress as they race against time to find a killer.

The only query - What happened to Meade? What happens next in the search for Jess?

Eagerly awaiting book 4.

Donovan Blair was twelve when he was found in a local church, his body posed to look as if he was quietly praying. A boy with a troubled history but a talent for football he was known to a few of the local groups designed to help youngsters in the care system in Wandsworth.

Shocked by what he sees Detective Dan Lockhart calls on his friend and sometime therapist Dr Lexi Green for assistance. Trying to draw up a profile and break alibies while their private lives and official protocols cause them to keep secrets they try to find anything, however small, which will prove decisive but then another child is found.

Once again Chris Merritt has written a thriller you need to finish almost as soon as you begin. Having the killer’s thoughts included throughout doesn't always work as it can lessen the impact of their crimes but not here! Knowing why is chilling and although their reasoning is flawed it is also perfectly logical when read about from their perspective.

Dan's hunt for his missing wife also takes centre stage on occasion, his pain and desperation still raw and the steps he takes understandable in the circumstances.
Lexi is stronger this time, still needing to help but far more on her own terms which made her more rounded and enjoyable to read about.

All the regular members of the team are present and once again the author realistically includes problems for both Dan and Lexi which signpost trouble in the future and hopefully means there will be a few more adventures for the pair to come. He also shows how one major investigation can result in success in other areas which made this so much more than just the highlighted cases which I loved.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is highly recommended as are other two books in this series so far.

About four months ago I read the previous part in the Lockhart and Green series. That’s not a lot, but it feels like a lifetime when you are counting the days. 😊
Now that I finally had a new book in my hands, it was a case of ‘don’t call me, I’ll call you’ as soon as I finish the story of course. 😉 So goodbye world, hello Detective Lockhart.
The thing with a good book is that you know when you start, but you don’t know when you will be able to stop. You just don’t want to. The short chapters seduce you time and time again to read one more and when you finally decide to call it a day, there is that teaser at the and of the chapter and off you go again.
Dan and his team have a lot to deal with and not much to go on. The author gives us a whole bucketload of possible culprits to chose from and honestly I did not have a clue who to pick. The profile Dr Green made fitted them all.
Suddenly an important clue is found and you think YES, now it’s all going to be crystal clear until you realize that the author was one step ahead again and I still did not come one tiny bit closer. It made me smile, because it’s when the penny drops and I never noticed it. Clever idea 😊
Who is finally cracking the case wide open and is responsible for a race against the clock? And more important, who will be the winner? To get the answers, you will have to read this incredible book.
Dan is not ready to slow down though. He has some personal matters he has to take care of. He had to postpone them because his job happened, but now it’s time to go and get some answers.
I was very pleased to see a little bit of Belgium in the story. Lovely.
Another amazingly good book. 5 stars.

Thank you, Chris Merritt and Bookouture

Detective Lockhart and Dr Green are back and better than ever.

Chris Merrit grabbed my attention again almost immediately and I dove in this book and only managed to stop once I finished reading it.

Another gripping and twisty book with a lot of disturbing, creepy and thrilling twists.

This book is fast paced and the tension is palpable from the first chapters. I keep thinking the last boom is my favourite book and then another book comes out and I like it even better.

I am really looking forward to further books and would highly recommend all this series to anyone who enjoys reading mystery, thriller, crime books.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review