This is a very compulsive thriller. It is full of twists and turns. The plot is very original. The cast of characters are very engaging.

Another good case and I love the dynamics between Freya and Robin. A gripping read with some good twists and turns.

Wishing he was at work on Christmas Morning with no plans to celebrate is exactly what comes true when DS Robin Butler is called to the beach following the discovery of 5 people on the beach but only 4 are still alive

What happened seems to be something that the remaining 4 do not want to discuss and further investigation leads DS Robin Butler and his team to a cold case ...

A very fast paced and enjoyable story

Thank you to netgalley and Canelo for the advanced copy

Another episode in the series of Detectives Butler and West. A group of previously estranged university friends are found mostly unconcious on a beach in sub zero temperatures on chritmas day, early in the morning. One is foubd to be dead. Nobody knows what happened, but all are cagey about the evening and shared history.

The story is revealed gradually and there is lots of personal stuff going on too, in the lives of the detectives and the suspects. I like the characters . The plot was slow going at times but all in all a good read.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Blink of an Eye is a well written mystery by Louisa Scarr. I saw this ARC on NetGalley and had no idea it was part of a series. Upon reading, I was glad that the plot and backstory of certain characters weren’t hard to follow. I found the story to be quite long and certain parts were drawn out, but overall I would recommend to mystery/thriller lovers. Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Crime for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West are called to a scene on Christmas Day where they find 1 dead body and 4 other people passed out from hyperthermia. 5 friends gathered but not explain why. Meanwhile, Freya’s boyfriend, and colleague, Josh is looking at a cold case of a missing pub owner and the team realise there is a connection with the current investigation. The group of friends try to keep past secrets, but forensic evidence starts to pain a different picture. Freya is smitten with Josh and wants to tell him everything of her past but Butler has grave reservations over revealing their own past actions. A turbulent time for Butler and West.
This can be read as a standalone but much more beneficial to read as a series. Another gripping instalment and can’t wait for the next.

A gripping and compelling thriller that kept me on the edge and guessing. It's set around Christmas and the festive atmosphere is not part of the story, quite dark and twisty.
I loved the solid plot and the fleshed out characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

It's Yuletide but it's not a happy Christmas for five people found on the beach, one of whom is dead. DS Robin Butler is a called to the scene. DC Freya West assists though she has to alter the plans she made for herself and boyfriend, Josh.

Set in Southern England, this compulsive thriller contains more than enough to keep the reader fully invested. With dramatic turns, wicked twists and oodles of tension, its addictive narrative rockets along. The plot is original, superbly woven and the cast of characters are engaging individuals. Very highly recommended.

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

Christmas day but no rest for detectives Freya West and Robin Butler when 5 bodies are discovered on a beach. Four recover, one doesn't. The four have dark secrets, as did the dead man. Plenty for the police to follow and a tense story until the final page. Bit too much about Freya and boyfriend Josh. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Five friends meet. Only four come home. On Christmas morning, DS Robin Butler has no plans to celebrate. He’ll be glad to get back to work – a wish that comes true sooner than he anticipates. A dog walker at a local beach has discovered five unresponsive people strewn across the shingle. By the time Robin arrives, one is pronounced dead, and the other four are being treated in hospital. DC Freya West is less than pleased when the romantic day with her boyfriend is scuppered, but duty calls. As she and Butler speak to those involved, it’s clear something is being left unsaid. They claim they are friends, and that they don’t know how one of the group was killed. But why are they so cagey? A cold case investigation unlocks some answers about the history between the beach-going gang, yet they’re tight-lipped about what prompted them to meet on Christmas Eve. Butler and West are getting nowhere, and their partnership is about to face another test. When Freya wants to come clean about events in her past, it’s not just her neck on the line, but Robin’s too. Can their relationship survive if their pact of silence is broken?

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary

I have not read the other books in the series. I did not feel I needed to in order to enjoy this book but I assume it will impact upon my enjoyment to go back to the earlier books due to snippets from those being revealed. I enjoyed the two main characters and their relationship, and would look forward to reading future books. It did feel to me that the book was more about this relationship rather than the murder mystery, although of course that was there too, and this was equally interesting.

Wow another great story and the developing relationship between Freya and Robin . Ive read every book in the series and they just keep getting better . This book has a great murder mystery with some interesting characters all developing after their time at university. It’s a fantastic love triangle with Josh and now a new love interest for Robin and I can’t wait for the next instalment . 5 starts from me

Good book! Ugh I've been having a rash of mediocre books lately! This one helped! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, great police work and a good who done it! I definitely enjoyed reading this book, it still wasn't an omg great book! But its still was very interesting and flowed nicely and was definitely worth reading! I will recommend reading this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Now this is the kind of book I spend all year waiting to be released. I have already gone and downloaded the rest of the hooks by Louisa Scarr before I even finished this one so that tells you everything you need to know. Such a well written and captivating thriller!!! Absolutely everything about this book was top quality, the well written, 3d characters the interesting plot, the good pace, the intelligent characters, the ending that ties everything together and doesn't leave massive plot holes or contradictions...... it was just such a good book. Definitely one for the summer reading list

I loved this third book in the series featuring DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West so much that I rushed to buy the first two, even though this is a perfectly good stand-alone read. I’m hoping there will be many more capers for this likeable duo. Highly recommended! I was allowed to read an ARC through netgalley.

Scrumdiddlyumptious! 😳😯😳🤯🤯

Cotton tails & tutus! Wholy Toledo torpedo! Frick-frackin'-what?! I always love a good police procedure thrilling suspense novel and this has to be one of the best ones I've read in a while. The entire plot was so delish & the suspense kept amping up. The unveiling of secrets, deceit, the characters involved were so well executed and thought out. I have to say during the entire novel I really couldn't guess who because of the four suspects and when all was revealed I was shocked! An excellent delivery of it all!
It's Christmas morning and DS Robin gets a call of a case involving five people having been found on the beach, one of them dead. DS Robin brings in the help of DC Freya, with the case. As they start to question and investigate, they realize none of the four friends are saying mum about anything, yet haven't seen each other since university and decided to have a party Christmas Eve all together. As suspicions increase and more digging ensues, they realize a cold case comes to light involving this same gang years ago. If that's not enough, DC Freya has something she wants to come clean about which could jeopardize not only her job, but also DS Robin as well. What could have possibly happened that night on the beach, none of the friends claim to remember?
I loved how I didn't need to read the two previous books in this series. It can totally be read as a stand-alone!
This novel was so perfectly paced and boy do the jaw-dropping moments never cease. Superbly done. Wonderfully fantastic. You won't be disappointed. Now excuse me while I try to re-energize myself with a lovely iced coffee after this brilliant mind fluffer!

Thank you to NetGalley & Canelo for this ARC.
Release Date: May 19, 2022

I give this 4.5 / 5 Lily's! 🪷

It begins with a dog walker discovers five people lying unconcious on the beach. DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West begin an investigation. By the end of the day, One is dead and the other four are being treated at the hospital. As the detectives speak to the four people, they feel secrets are being kept. The four people claim that they were all friends and have no idea why one of their friends were killed. The story was well written and I enjoyed reading the book.

Five friends meet. Only four come home. Through amazingly fluid writing and a great story line, you get engulfed in the storytelling until the end! A steady pace, nothing slow and nothing rushed. Perfect!
I loved this book!

I have enjoyed all the books in the Butler/West series and this one was no exception. Great characters. Immersive storyline. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

A page turner to say the least and very enjoyable with twists and turns throughout galore, would recommend..