Sixth book in this series featuring Detective Rachel King,just back to work she is faced with the murder of an elderly lady. A twisty thriller.

Helen H Durrant is at the height of her storytelling powers with her latest thriller, Lost Victim.

Detective Rachel King is back at work after three months off and her latest case is certainly a baptism of fire as she finds herself right in the thick of it with a gruesome murder that is going to require all of her skills and attention. An elderly woman has been found brutally murdered on the altar in a church. There is gaffer tape over her mouth, her hands are crossed over chest and a single white rose has been laced between her fingers. The victim is quickly identified as Mary Dunn, who arranges the church flowers. Mary didn’t have a single enemy in the world. She was universally loved by the community and wouldn’t hurt a fly. But who would want to kill her? Was this a senseless and violent attack? Or could Mary’s secrets have got her killed?

Rachel certainly has got her work cut out for her – especially as she is juggling the demands of single motherhood with her job. When forensic evidence unearths a shocking result, Rachel is left baffled and perplexed. Why was there notorious serial killer The Slasher’s DNA on Mary’s clothing? What links these two people who seemed to inhabit very different worlds? And how could The Slasher’s DNA have been on that crime scene when he had been killed in prison well over a decade ago? Can Rachel get to the bottom of this case and ensure that justice is served? Or will Mary Dunn’s murder remain unsolved?

Helen H Durrant’s books never fail to keep me reading all through the night and Lost Victim is certainly no exception. Nail-biting, action-packed, creepy and unsettling, Lost Victim is crime fiction par excellence and once I started reading it, I knew by the end of page one that putting it down is simply not an option.

A dark, tense and twisted thriller that kept me guessing till the end, Lost Victim is another triumph for the queen the addictive crime chiller: Helen H Durrant.

This is the sixth book in the series featuring detective Rachel King and it was a gripping as the previous books. We find Rachel back at work after having a three month enforced leave after her last case. She is struggling to cope being back at work with a small child and two teenage girls and is wondering whether to retire. On her first day back she is thrown in at the deep end with the murder of Mary Dunn an eighty four year old woman. The most upsetting aspect is that she was left posed on the church altar, her mouth covered in tape , her hands tied with a white ribbon and clasping a white rose. Mary was a well known member of the local community and arranged the flowers in the church. Who would want to murder her? When another victim turns up in the church, forensic evidence links the murders to a well known serial killer, the slasher, who was thought to be dead. There are many suspects, one of whom being the vicar who Rachel distrusts. As well as trying to solve this case Rachel is struggling with her personal life. Her ex boyfriend and father of her youngest child is a former gangster, who keeps reappearing in her life and who she suspects has returned to a life of crime, I am enjoying this series of books and already looking forward to the next one in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book,

Another thrilling murder mystery read from Helen Durrant. Detective Rachel King has returned from her 3 month absence and Is immediately faced with a murder of an elderly woman. . A cleverly woven plot with so many suspects , I couldn't read this book quick enough to discover who the murder was. . A great read!

DCI Rachel King is back from a long leave and thrown straight into a bizarre murder. She's trying to cope with a young baby too. Some good detection, rather too much angst and personal "stuff" and I'm wondering whether it's time for Rachel to hang up her warrant card. Well written as usual, but not quite the impactful story I expect from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I think this series might be really good, but I jumped in late with this book. As it is, I am not a fan of most police procedurals, but people should give the series a chance.

I have read all of the books in this series except the last two, and I was still confused about some of the things that had taken place in the time I had missed. And while I do fully intend to go back and read those two (the perks of having KU), for now, I'm just going to tell you my honest thoughts without having read them first.

Rachel has changed from the last book I read until this one. Given the circumstances (which aren't entirely explained other than she has been in something akin to witness protection during or since the last book), would be understandable if it wasn't to the point that it started to feel like she was neglecting her duties not only as a police officer but as a mother as well. How can you be an officer with years of experience, in the middle of a complex investigation nonetheless, and still entrust a stranger with your young child without checking their references? She hires this girl strictly based on the recommendation of her ex-husband's new lady and a brief interview, accepting the girl's CV at face value. Of course, these choices come back to bite her, but that doesn't stop Rachel from not only forgiving Sophia but also giving her a second chance.

At the same time, how can you be all of those things and not see what was right in front of you the whole time? It was baffling and not a good look, in my opinion, on this series. I also found it pretty far-fetched that her criminal ex-boyfriend was able to sneak into her house twice without being caught, not just because of the fact that he is on their most wanted list, but also the fact that her house was supposed to be being watched by other officers to keep her safe. Surely, if he could get in that easily, the man who meant to do her harm could as well?

Throughout this novel, Rachel goes back and forth, thinking that maybe it is time she hangs up her warrant card and move on, and I think she might be right. However, I AM looking forward to the next group of investigators that comes from this author and would definitely read more from them.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

DCI Rachel King is returning to work after a few months hidden away at a remote cottage recovering from a case that was traumatic on a personal and work level. However, she is hoping for a quiet time to ease back in to the job as she is feeling far from confident. That is not to be. An elderly woman is found dead in a Church and Rachel and her team are thrown into the thick of it trying to solve one of the hardest cases ever. Their job is made no easier by the obstacles that are put in their path.

As always with Helen's books this is an adrenaline pumping read that grips the reader from the first page and doesn't let go. Suspense in bucketloads especially when work and personal lives get intertwined.

It was nice to catch up with the characters we know from old and also some new ones. Good to see the author constantly developing the characters and their lives so that they bring something to the story.

An absolutely brilliant read that will appeal to anyone who loves detective stories or any kind of crime fiction.

Another great episode in the Rachel King series. Set in Manchester, this one is about murders and the drugs world. Lots of investigation which is interesting but seems to bring more questions than answers.
Rachel's personal life is also far from easy ., she is questioning her commitment to the jiob after an enforced break and is also struggling with childcare. Nit all issues are sorted, so I look forward to the next episode.
All in all a great read with plenty of interest and action. The crimes make sense and are believable.
Thanks to Net Galley &Joffe books for the ARC in exchange for an honest reviee

DCI Rachel King is back at work after three months staying away and keeping safe in the aftermath of her last gruelling case and has vowed to have nothing more to do with criminal turned property developer Jed McAteer, the father of baby Len and on the run again, but lacks confidence in herself now and feels the pressure of long hours and finding childcare weighing her down. She is still stationed at East Manchester CID running her small loyal team of DS Elwyn Pryce and DCs Jonny Farrell and Amy Metcalfe, unfortunately now with new Supt Mark Kenton who Rachel knows from old and dislikes. The body of an elderly lady, Mary Dunn, is found stabbed and posed in a church. What motive could there be for the murder of this well-loved lady? Did she know something she shouldn’t? The creepy vicar points the detectives in the direction of local drug dealers but what secrets is he hiding in the crypt? DNA on Mary’s body shows a staggering link to the infamous Ancoats Slasher serial killer but surely he perished in prison years ago? As they delve further, all sorts of shocking discoveries are made in a race to catch a brutal killer as the case explodes into one full of ruthless rivals, drug dealing, people trafficking and a ghost.
As with all the books in this series, a real favourite of mine right from the start, it’s a story with a complex and fast paced plot, loads of twists and surprises, and a host of smashing suspects and red herrings along the way up to a stunning conclusion. This book could be read as a stand-alone but I would definitely recommend reading the series in order as many of the characters have a lot of history between them. More please!

Thank you to #Netgalley and #JoffeBooks for my copy of #LostVictim by #HelenHDurrant

I’ve really enjoyed this series of books featuring Rachel King, but I must admit this last one stretched credibility somewhat.
It was a good read but the series should probably end here.

LOST VICTIM by Helen H Durrant.
Detective Rachel King Thrillers Book 6.
After three months off, a gruesome murder throws Detective Rachel King back into the thick of it. But can she cope? The pressures of the job and of being a single mum are taking their toll.
A brilliant read. I love this series. Twisty and gripping. Love Rachel. 5*.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book from a first-class author. Full of surprises plenty of suspense. A recommended read.

Lost Victim by Helen H. Durrant is the sixth in the Detective Rachel King series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books, 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)
DCI Rachel King is with the serious crime squad for east Manchester. Her team consists of: DS Elwyn Pryce, her long-time colleague and friend; DC Jonny Farrell, whose father is disappointed in his career choice; and DC Amy Metcalfe, who is a bit unreliable, and is not sure she is suited for the job.  Their boss is Mark Kenton.  Rachel has two daughters from her ex-husband Alan, and a new baby from Jed McAteer, a man with a criminal past, but the love of her life.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Rachel has been off work for three months, and her first day back has her viewing the dead body of Mary Dunn, an 84-year old woman who was posed on the altar of a church, her mouth taped shut, and her arms tied over her chest with white ribbon.  A white rose is in her hands.

Rachel is feeling a little "off".  She is worried that she may have lost her touch after being at home for three months, and dealing with being a single parent.  She decides to take on an au pair so that she can continue to work.    She is also considering selling the rather large house and moving closer to the station house.  With all this running through her mind, she worries about her current case.

Then forensic evidence finds evidence on Mary's clothing that says her murderer is The Slasher, a serial killer who was around fifteen years ago, but who died in prison.  More confusion.

And then they find the body of a young girl in the church's crypt.


My Opinions:
Another fast-paced and easy read from this author.  This, actually, may be the best of the series - thus far.  Maybe because Jed was not front and center.

The plot was really good, with plenty of suspects, and plenty of twists.  Although I had easily guessed the perpetrators early on, it was still a fun ride.

I continue to love Elwyn, Jonny, as well as Alan and Belinda.  I still have problems with Amy.

I repeat (from other reviews of these books), the appendix of British slang at the back of every book should either be scrapped, or entered as foot-notes.

Lost Victim is the sixth instalment in the DCI Rachel King series, set in and around the Greater Manchester area. Rachel has just returned to work after an extended leave of absence of three months which she spent in Wales with her children and is hoping to ease back into her caseload slowly but surely. However, on her first day at the station, she is thrown back in at the deep end when elderly eighty-four-year-old Mary Dunn is murdered.

No one can understand who would look to murder the well-known community member and church flower-arranger but especially not in the way she is discovered: posed in a ritualistic manner on the church's altar with her mouth gagged with gaffer tape, hands bound with white ribbon - a colour used to represent purity - and with a single white rose blooming through her clasped hands. But the killer doesn't stop there. This killer seemingly has a message to send and it is up to the police to decipher it.

Durrant has written a compulsive and skilfully-plotted addition to this series with an engaging mix of killer/case shenanigans and the family/personal aspect of the plot featuring King and her trials and tribulations. Both add richness to the story. There are plenty of twists and turns that aren't foreseeable, enough high-stakes scenes to bring the thrills and enough characterisation to make us love the return cast more than we already did before.

Great to see Rachel back to what she does best, solving murders. This book is set 3 months after the previous book and Rachel is now a single mum juggling a murder enquiry, drug pushing and illegal migration. Quite the welcome back to work. As usual it was very well written , and is quite the page turner. Although it is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone

DCI Rachel king returns to work after having three months off .
An elderly woman is found dead in a church , left posed on the altar.
The vicar of the church Henry Neville is odd and Rachel knows he’s not telling all that he knows .
Drugs , murder and people trafficking are the main themes and the story moves at a fair pace .
DCI king has troubles in her personal life which she is trying very hard to separate from her job.
A great read. Looking forward to DCI King’s next case .
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books.

Lost Victim is the sixth book in the DCI Rachel King series.

This book picks up three months after the previous book ended. Rachel has been off for three months and has returned just as the murder of an elderly woman was murdered. The body has been posed on the altar with tape over her mouth, hands tied with a white ribbon and a white rose in her hands.

Forensic evidence adds a shocking twist early on when a hair is determined to be from a man who has died in prison fifteen years ago. While looking for evidence at the church another body has been found. How many more will turn up before they can solve the case.

This was a fun follow up to the previous book. It has many twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Another run around the block in Rachel’s world and another good read.
Rachel returns to work after a three month break in North Wales and is immediately thrown in the deep end with the murder of an old lady in a church. While still trying to get her personal life on an even keel she’s beginning to question if her heart is still in the job especially when her professional and personal lives overlap to the threat of those she holds closest. A good twisty main plot and brilliant developments in the subplot which has so much more to offer as we leave Rachel back at another crossroads at the end

DCI Rachel King #6

After three months off, a gruesome murder throws Detective Rachel King back into the thick of it. But can she cope? The pressures of the job and being a single mum are taking their toll. It's a horrifying sight. The body of an elderly woman is carefully posed on the altar. There's gaffa tape over her mouth, her hands are crossed over her chest, tied together with white ribbon, A single white rose is placed between her fingers. The victim is quickly identified as Mary Dunn, whose turn it was to arrange the church flowers. Everyone loved Mary. The motive for her murder is a mystery.

I always enjoy reading books by this author. The pace is steady, there's lots going on to keep your interest, I read this book in one sitting ai I could not put it down. We get a mixture of DCI Rachel King trying to solve the crime while still dealing with things in her personal life, The characters are strong, the plotline gripping and there's plenty of twists along the way, This book can be read as a standalone.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #HelenHDurrant for my ARC of #LostVictim in exchange for an honest review.