Lexi Winter is an ace hacker, former prostitute, Jack Daniels drinker and part-time vigilante. She's also a probationary police constable who is fearless, outspoken and out for revenge, hence the book's title.

I loved this book! It has everything I enjoy - great banter, interesting characters and plenty of action. An easy, entertaining read that somehow manages to be a lot of fun and edge-of-your-seat all at once.

I didn't realise this was the second book in the Lexi Winter series, so of course I now need to get my hands on the first instalment. And not all the loose ends were tied up in this book, so I'm also hungry for book three. Sarah Barrie could be my new favourite crime author.

Book Review: Retribution by Sarah Barrie
Retribution, the second book in the Lexi Winter series by Sarah Barrie, is a thrilling follow-up that sees our protagonist transition from a troubled hacker and prostitute to a probationary constable. Set in the city of Wyong on the Central Coast of NSW, this setting added a personal touch, making the story even more engaging.

The book opens with an adrenaline-pumping chase as Lexi and her partner pursue two drug dealers through a tunnel. This intense start sets the stage for a deeper investigation into the Hanukkahs, a crime family involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

As the plot unfolds, a body is found impaled on scaffolding at a work site. The victim, Jeremy Altimeter, was the boss of the site. Detectives Rachael Langley and Finn Carson join forces to solve the mystery of his death. The stakes rise dramatically when one of their own is murdered, pushing Lexi, who has a penchant for bending the rules, to dig deeper into the case.

Barrie’s writing is top-notch, delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense with each page. The twists and turns are masterfully woven, keeping readers guessing and eagerly flipping pages. Lexi Winter’s character development is compelling, making her a relatable and formidable protagonist. Her transformation from her troubled past to her new role adds a rich layer to the narrative.

Retribution is a gripping thriller that doesn't disappoint. It’s filled with complex characters, a meticulously crafted plot, and a sense of urgency that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and new readers will quickly find themselves immersed in Lexi's world. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

This is the second book about Lexi Winter, now a cop, but still doing things her way. It’s an action packed story that begins with a couple of crimes that seem unrelated until it all comes together. For me this book wasn’t as good as the first one (I really missed Dawny!). Fast paced and well written, another enjoyable read.

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

Ok, I definitely have a new fave crime series with these Lexi Winter books! Love her character, and love Finn and Rachael as well. Some great team members she works with. I like how some things carry through from the previous book, but at the same time its a whole new different set of cases and circumstances. Lexi is like a dog with a bone, she won't let go, and she's determined to do things her way. She learns some things in this one - there's definitely some character growth. Also, that ending, the last couple of lines? Can't wait for the next one! Highly recommend.

A nitty, gritty and twisty journey filled with suspense. Lexi is my heroine and I would love to have a friend just like her or be her myself. Lexi once again takes us through adrenaline fuelled action and she kicks bad guys butts.

Wyong, which is not far north of where I am in Sydney, is where Lexi is based. I enjoyed seeing all the well-known geographic names. The book is an action-packed roller coaster, starting with the murder of a police officer and continuing with numerous further killings, shootings, beatings, and even explosives.

Lexi's swagger and persona were appealing to me, and they blended nicely with that of D.S. Finn Carson and Inspector Rachael Langley. I enjoy watching police procedurals, and they become much more compelling when a computer whiz like Lexi is involved.

I'm eager to read Lexi's continuing adventure because this novel was excellently written and really intriguing.

I appreciate the chance to read and review this book, which is thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

Retribution by Sarah Barrie is the second in the Lexi Winter series, which I was unaware of at the time of reading. However, I feel like the first book will need to be read to understand better where the characters are and how they came to their current position.

Having not read the first book, I found myself annoyed at Lexi, but as the story progressed she slowly grew on me, but I was still annoyed by her character. While overall I found the book interesting, I would recommend readers to read the first book to get a better understanding of the book, along with forming a better 'relationship' with the characters as well.

I really enjoyed this book, I hadn't read the first book in this series however, I still enjoyed this crime novel. First Sarah's ability to make the location come to life and really could sense the darkness of the location. Also, the main character was really interesting and found their back story was unique and could feel the motivation for why they behave the way they do. Another great example of the Australian Crime/Thriller genre.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia and NetGalley for this advanced digital copy.
There have been some fantastic Australian thrillers in recent years, and this is definitely one! Fast paced and a twisty story line with the descriptive scenery is what makes this a great read.
I had not read the previous book by Sarah Barrie so I feel like I missed some of Lexi’s depth and character development because of this.

4.5 stars
Retribution is book two in the Lexi Winter series and opens with Lexi newly graduated from the Police Academy. Even though Retribution can be read as a stand-alone I would recommend reading Unforgiven as it will give you a good grasp of who Lexi is and where she has come from.
 
Currently assigned to Wyong Police Station, Lexi is hell bent on bringing down a notorious drug family, single-handedly if need be.
 
Retribution isn't quite as disturbing and hard-hitting as Unforgiven and starts off as a bit of a slow burn. I was wondering if it was going to match up to Unforgiven. I needn't have worried. As the story progresses the pace quickens and the tension rises, along with the body count.
Lexi plays by her own rules and everyone else has to fall in line. She gets results!
 
I really enjoyed the setting of Wyong, Woy Woy and Wondabyne, on the New South Wales central coast, as I know these areas and could picture them.
There are two cases under investigation; one is the murder of a building company owner and the other is bringing down the drug empire.
 
I thought it would be hard for Barrie to follow with another crime thriller that's as gritty and suspenseful as Unforgiven but when the tension in Retribution hits out of nowhere and the twists start coming all I could think was, Sarah Barrie has done it again!  
*I received a copy from the publisher

She’s smart and capable, an ex prostitute, a hard core JD drinking, anti establishment vigilante who is also an expert computer hacker….and now she is also an invaluable Probationary Constable.
Lexi Winter is not your average probationary cop, she is mouthy, ballsy, and opinionated and likes to run her own race.
Lexi has been partnered up with a more experienced cop and finds it difficult to tow the line when things get active…but she proves herself to be invaluable in times of difficulty, where sometimes a more unconventional method of policing is required.

Retribution is the second book in the new Lexi Winter series by Sarah Barrie and is not your average cop procedural.
Lexi’s feisty no nonsense, kick ass attitude and unconventional ways gets her into all sorts of deep messes, but she gets the job done. Hers will be a fascinating journey to follow in future books and I look forward to going down that rabbit hole with her!

5⭐️s

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

Having loved Unforgiven (Lexi Winter #1, 2021) early last year, I was excited to read author Sarah Barrie's follow-up, Retribution, which I found to be a worthy successor and the next instalment in what will no doubt become a much-loved new Australian crime-thriller series.

After the thrilling events of Unforgiven, in which Lexi's phenomenal talents were put to work as a civilian consultant, she's now a serving probationary Constable, having aced her studies at NSW's police academy. She's based at Wyong Police Station, on NSW's Central Coast (although the town of Wyong is actually situated slightly inland, on Tuggerah Lake). Lexi's paired with Sergeant Christian Rico, whose forbearance and humour in the face of Lexi's gung-ho attitude and lack of respect for the police hierarchy are admirable.

The book opens on the evening of Friday 4th March 2022, with train commuter Daisy witnessing an apparent altercation between a female fellow-passenger and a male assailant at isolated Wondabyne train station, located on the banks of Mullet Creek, an offshoot of the Hawkesbury River. The following day, Lexi defies Rico's orders by pursuing a suspected drug dealer into the nearby Woy Woy train tunnel, narrowly escaping an approaching passenger train.

Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Finn Carson is deputising for Inspector Rachael Langley, as the senior officer of the Sydney homicide squad. They're called to a suspicious death at a Hornsby building site - Jeremy Latimer, owner of Latimer Constructions, has been found impaled on scaffolding - but did he fall from the upper floors of the building site, or was he pushed?

After an operation gone disastrously wrong, Wyong's investigation into several drug-related crimes becomes intertwined with the Sydney case, as Lexi's after-hours pursuit of the notorious Hamill crime family uncovers links between the crimes and victims. Several dangerous pursuits and gruesome deaths later, a link to an historical crime is revealed, with the abrasive Lexi once again an unlikely heroine in the fight for truth and justice.

While there was plenty of action at the start and conclusion of the book, I felt that the plot lagged a little in the second quarter, and I struggled to maintain interest as the story seemed to become bogged down in somewhat repetitive police procedural dialogue and an overly-detailed narrative. That said, the pace and excitement certainly lifted again after the half-way point and I was thoroughly engrossed right up to the last page. I was quite content to suspend disbelief at some details of the police procedure that defied reality - such as an officer being allowed to continue working a case after direct involvement in the deaths of not one, but two, suspects!

Sarah Barrie's character development is excellent, with Lexi Winter an unusual, complex and fascinating creation as series lead character and flawed heroine. The large cast of supporting characters, both new and recurring, were also well-drawn and believable. While I'm not particularly familiar with the area north of Sydney, the setting in and around the Central Coast was evocative and had me regularly consulting Google Earth, which is always a sign I'm completely absorbed in a book!

I'd recommend Retribution to readers who enjoy action-packed, complex mystery-thrillers, and are comfortable with some dark themes and gruesome crime scenes. I'd strongly recommend reading Unforgiven prior to embarking on Retribution, as there are significant plot and character arcs which continue on from the previous book.

My thanks to the author, Sarah Barrie, publisher Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Retribution (Book 2, Lexi Winter series) – Sarah Barrie

I was given a copy of this story by the publisher in order to provide an honest review.



Sarah Barrie is an Australian author who predominantly writes thriller novels. However, she used to work as a vet nurse, horse trainer, teacher and a magazine editor. Some of her other works are “Secrets of Whitewater Creek”, “Devil’s Lair” and “Unforgiven”.



Lexi Winter isn’t your typical cop. Ex-prostitute turned hacker extraordinaire turned vigilante, just through in some Jack Daniels and you get someone who doesn’t quite always follow the rules but achieves her goals – with a few bumps along the way.

Now her mission is to bring down the local Sydney crime family with links to paedophile, Damon Vaughn. So, when Detective Sargeant Finn investigates a death on a construction site that has ties to a case that Inspector Rachel Langley is working on – well that’s something Lexi definitely wants in on. As Lexi – holds the key to solving both cases, if she can behave and follow the rules that is.

Though Lexi may not realise it – her enemies are closer than she thinks and are circling waiting for a chance to strike and take her out.



“Retribution” is an amazing and captivating read. I just love the way the character of Lexi Winter was written. She’s an unsung hero, definitely rough around the edges and someone you definitely don’t want to get on the wrong side, but someone who will fight for you with everything they have once you are in their corner. And despite the past and who she may appear to be is definitely someone with a strong sense of justice. She also is not one who can easily forgive and forget when she has been wronged or a wrong has been delivered to someone she cares about. Thought the story was a little short it was written in such a way that really kept the reader invested in the story and the fate of the characters. I really enjoyed the ending and expect big things from the next instalment in this series.

Reviewed on 22nd November 2022 and must have forgotten to post here in NG. My apologies.

Lexi Winter was now a probationary police officer, partnering with a seasoned cop so he could guide her as she moved forward. Lexi had had a raw and harsh upbringing and her life before embarking on her current career had been one which saw her living on her wits, her intelligence and her uncanny ability with technology. So doing things "by the rules" was hard for Lexi. Chasing one of the Hamill twins down an active train line, in a tunnel, alone, was one of those rules she should have taken note of. The Hamill's evil family were into selling drugs, recruiting young and innocent kids into their web, and killing anyone who was in their way. Lexi was determined to take down the whole family.

With Inspector Rachael Langley overseeing the investigation into the Hamill family, and DS Finn Carson in charge of the case at a Sydney building site where the boss fell to his death from high up on the scaffolding, it soon became obvious that the two were linked. With Lexi doing her best to follow the rules, but quietly, at home, following her leads, would it be possible for the perpetrators to be brought to justice? How many more lives would be lost before it happened?

Retribution is the 2nd in the Lexi Winter series by Aussie author Sarah Barrie and I loved it! Lexi is a brilliant, gritty, intense and perfect character and I can't wait to see what she gets up to next! Unforgiven is the first in the series, and should be read before Retribution as the need to read and learn Lexi's character is paramount. I've always enjoyed Ms Barrie's books, and this one is one of her best yet! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The second installment in the Lexi Winter series is just as fast-paced and thrilling as the first. Lexi is now a probationary police officer but still chooses to not play by the rules. The hunt for Vaughn and Debbie is still on but this time round the Hamills, a dangerous crime family, are after Lexi too. Inspector Rachael Langley and Detective Sergeant Finn Carson are busy conducting investigations of their own that soon appear to be connected. I highly recommend reading Retribution but suggest that Unforgiven is read first to understand where it all began. I'm looking forward to Lexi Winter #3. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my digital copy of Sarah Barrie's latest book.

Retribution is a very worthy second installment in Lexi Winter (victim - vigilante - cop) series. It is a very good police procedural if you are interested in such crime sub-genre.
Lexi Winter is still on the hunt of notorious pedophiles all the while going through the ropes of becoming a full-fledged cop. She gets annoyed with restricting rules and gets hurt when her friends and loved ones are mistreated. She is fire and ice, hacker and soft soul who feeds a homeless man. Lexi Winter is a contradiction onto itself.
Retribution is a bit dark, gloomy and philosophical But it is a good continuation of the story that is not finished yet.
Enjoy

Great sequel to her first book but I felt the first book had the edge over this one. If you like the dragon tattoo books this book is for you!! The characters and story line are good. Worth Reading

Retribution is the thrilling sequel to Unforgiven, in which Sarah Barrie introduced Lexi Winter.

Once a lone vigilante, after the events of Unforgiven, Lexi, the survivor of pedophile network that included her parents, has joined the police force and now is a probationary Constable. Working within the rules is not easy for her, but she’s doing her best to honour the commitment she made, at least during work hours. Lexi is still hunting for Damon Vaughn, the sociopath who delivered Lexi to the orchestrator of her childhood abuse, and is secretly playing a dangerous game designed to find him.

Lexi’s two worlds collide after she and her training officer chase a pair of teenage drug dealers. Tightly plotted with plenty of action that includes plenty of tense situations, violence, and several murders, Retribution is fast-paced and exciting. Set between the central coast area of NSW and Sydney, three seperate investigations, plus Lexi’s personal project, eventually intertwine, reuniting Lexi with Detective Inspector Rachael Langley and her Homicide squad, which includes Detective Sergeant Finn Carson.

Working with the team in an official capacity is a challenge for Lexi. Given her extraordinary talents, Lexi’s struggle humanises her, and I liked the role it plays in her personal growth. Barrie also provides more insight into the lives of Rachael and Finn, and I’m liking the hint of a possible relationship developing between Finn and Lexi.

Retribution is a gripping page turner and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

I love a good Sarah Barrie thriller and this one had my spine tingling after just a few paragraphs. Set in Sydney And the NSW Central Coast, Retribution reintroduces readers to newly minted plice Probationary Constable Lexi Winter, who is trying to take down a major crime family. Lexi is a brilliant character. Not only is she whip-smart, but she also prefers o operate outside the law. There is plenty going on as this story unfolds and I found it hard tostop reading as the story progressed. This is one for my keeper shelf.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Love Sarah Barrie's books but this new series about Lexi Winter is especially good. Lexi is such a quirky character and I absolutely love Finn. Lexi's relationship with Rachael continues to grow. Looking forward to the next one with one or two important characters returning to wreak havoc on Lexi!