The Girl’s Last Cry is book two in the Detective Lexi Bennett series by Alison Belsham.
This is a fast moving, gripping, chilling and twisty crime thriller.
A well written police procedural. With great characterization.
Alison Belsham has a way of writing that will have you gripped! Once you start reading this book you will be hooked from the very first few page and you will want more.
The mystery was engaging and I was kept on the edge of my seat.
This was truly a fabulous read and I can’t wait to more from her in the future.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The opening pages had me absolutely terrified and feeling so sad about what was happening, it didn’t bode well for someone at all.

This book is set 5 months after the explosive first book in this fantastic series, I’m wondering if Lexi has recovered and found her feet in her new job after all the heartbreak.

What a story this was, it just kept getting better and better but also more and more heartbreaking as Lexi and her team raced against the clock to stop another horrendous crime happening.

This series is shaping up to be an absolute cracker!.

4.25⭐

Detective Inspector Lexi Bennett and the murder investigation team are back. With another tricky case to solve.

As thirteen year old Olivia "Olly" James falls to her death. But did she jump or was she pushed?

That's what Lexi is intent on discovering. Especially when she learns that Olly was friends with her nephew Sam. Who insists Olly would never harm herself.

Although all the evidence says otherwise. Lexi is sure something else is happening and then the next day another teen dies supposedly by their own hand.

Yet, Lexi isn't convinced and is more sure than ever something far worse is going on.

And she is soon proven right.

But her rash actions and desperation to save lives cause a viable lead to disappear and another teen to be discovered dead.

And now Lexi really wants answers.

However, with little evidence to go on and no signs of murder. How is Lexi and her team going to find who is responsible and stop more teens from dying?

And with a twisted killer to catch, danger, shocks and surprises. This was an engaging and enjoyable follow up to the brilliant The Girls on Chalk Hill and I'd happily recommend this series and author to others.

I am obsessed with this series!! From the way they are written, the way I am obsessed with Lexi, the way I can’t stop thinking of these books and the way this was impossibly better than the first one. I literally can not recommend this book enough to people. People of bookstagram you need to read this series! How I’m going to wait till November till the next one I don’t know!!

Detective Lexi Bennett has her hands full with young teenagers committing suicide. She is determined to find out what is going on and get justice for the victims.
I found the plot of The Girl’s Last Cry to be intriguing from start to finish.
The ending came as a big surprise! At least, to me it did. I had made guesses but never came up with that ending.
All in all, a very well written and engaging police procedural with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I am hoping Lexi will find someone to share her life with.
Alison Belsham is one of my go to authors!
Μany thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another great read in this gripping crime series.
Lexi is suspicious when a teenager apparently jumps to her death off a building. Others think it’s a straight forward suicide but it doesn’t feel right to Lexi.
The girl was a friend of her nephews and he’s adamant that she would not kill herself.
Another teenager is then found hanged and again Lexi does not believe it was suicide.
The investigation is a hard one as they haven’t got much to go on other than a link to the dark web which they can’t access.
Soon danger is very close to Lexi and she has to use everything she has to try and outsmart the killer.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Like the first book in the Detective Lexi Bennet series, this is a fast paced, police procedural novel. The further development of the characters, especially Detective Lexi Bennett made this a worthy successor to The Girls on Chalk Hill. And also like the first book in the series, this is told from two perspectives - the detective and the perpetrator. It moves along at a fast pace and I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced reading copy.

Teenage deaths!

Complex police procedural. Three teenagers have committed suicide. Detective Inspector Lexie Bennett is not convinced. Is someone manipulating/assisting desperate young people to take their own lives?
Lexie is caught up in the chase that leads from a girl who falls or jumps from a tower to the Dark Web. Three suicides and three notes. No phones! It becomes a race against time to identify the protagonist. The search comes too close to home and very personal for Lexie
A page turner!

A Bookouture ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I was excited to see this second book in the Detective Lexi Bennett series, so I grabbed it immediately. The first book, [book:The Girls on Chalk Hill|125657568] was good and I found the character's background and manner interesting.

In this book, there are a series of deaths of young people that look like suicides, but something about each of them tells Lexi to look deeper. This was a difficult investigation and clues were few. I enjoyed following the investigation and the reasoning and search for the truth.

Once again, I was impressed with the character, Lexi Bennett. I like her empathy as well as her determination to find the truth for the victims and their families.

Thanks to Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book is projected to be published on July 11, 2023.

This was the second instalment in the Lexi Bennett series and a first for me, having not read book one didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book however there was a couple of background mentions that made me ponder.

So this made a strong start with a dramatic opening and it kept building throughout.

An insight into the dark web and the potential plights that are faced in the modern world by teens.

Dramatic, intense action packed read that kept me engaged,

Levi is a formidable character with grit and determination.

There is something about the settings I really enjoy in this book. Canterbury works perfect, the atmosphere, and the team, as well as the other characters I have grown fond of in just a short time. There is a brutal person encouraging teenagers to commit suicide, and if they don't, this devil of a person is willing to help. But how do you catch someone on the dark web?

Even though the crimes are horrible I still feel a certain kind of warmth and wholesomeness in this book. It is always a plus when it gets personal for somene in the team. Lexi has had a fascinating life, and there are many layers to her. A great read!

This book had me hooked! Every time I reached the end of a chapter I'd be like "'okay one more" then missed plans and finished this in one sitting. Really intense and a great read

The Girl's Last Cry is the second book in the Detective Lexi Bennett series by Alison Belsham. It is a gripping psychological crime thriller that follows Lexi as she investigates the death of a teenage girl in Canterbury. The story unravels a pattern of connected deaths, revealing a manipulative killer at large. Belsham expertly weaves a complex narrative, blending police procedural with elements of a spy thriller. The book explores the power of influence, particularly online, and delves into themes of mental health awareness. With exceptional character development and a vivid setting, The Girl's Last Cry delivers a suspenseful and multi-layered story.

Despite some potential triggers and moments of implausibility, The Girl's Last Cry is a compelling read. The well-developed plot, fast-paced nature, and unexpected twists keep readers engaged and eager for answers. Belsham's writing style is evocative and heightens the suspense throughout. The exploration of themes and the deepening of characters' backstories add depth to the story, making it more than just a typical crime novel. Whether you're new to the series or a fan of the genre, The Girl's Last Cry is a definite recommendation for those seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

I sat Down to read this book thinking I was going to start this book on a Friday night…..I started and finished it without getting up! I could not stop reading this book! Turn, turn, turn! Wow!! This kept me hanging on page after page! It was one mouth drop after another! I was even biting my lip reading this! I loved this!

The second installment of the DI Lexi Bennett series is just as heart-pounding as the first! Alison Belsham has a knack for intriguing plots and twists as well as smooth writing that you just cannot put down! Another winner!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Pulse Pounding Criminal Innovation. This is the book that cements the Lexi Bennett series as must read, as it starts off feeling a touch like a disaster flick - everything is normal-ish, except that someone has jumped from a tall building seemingly intentionally. Then the deeper into the story we get, we find an almost Kilgrave level villain (though to be clear - just a human, no superpowers)... and this is where the story *really* takes off, becoming ever more inventive, ever more cat and mouse almost perfect spy thriller type... except that this is a police procedural where murders are being investigated. The ending sequences are some of the most inventive and innovative of all, going particularly dark even. As in, I'm not sure even Preston and Child get *this* dark and twisted, even with Diogenese Pendergast. Which is high praise in that particular arena, because if you like that particular style... you *know* how good Preston and Child are there. Belsham here *may* have truly bested them. Seriously.

Ultimately, this is one of those tales that you're going to need and light and funny comedy to bring back your mental balance from, and for those that struggle with suicidal ideation... perhaps not the book for you until you deal with those issues. Still, very much recommended.

Having enjoyed The Girls On Chalk Hill, I was really pleased to be accepted for the 2nd in the series by Netgalley and Bookouture.
At first glance the body of a young girl at the bottom of a tower looks like suicide but tenacious DI Lexi Bennett has her suspicions. These are escalated when another teenager is also found in an apparent suicide. What links them and can any further deaths be prevented. Highlighting the dangers of the Dark Web this is a great Police procedural novel..
If its possible I enjoyed this book more than book 1, although we get to see more of Lexi"s character, she's determined to get justice for her victims and stops at nothing, but we also get to know the characteristics of the other members of the team as well. I think I've found another "go to" author in Alison Belsham

Thank you to Alisons team and NetGalley for sending me the ARC of this fab book!

This is the second book in the Detective Lexi Bennett series and although the themes in these books - with them being detective novels - are horrible to read about, Alison writes them in a way that still makes you fall in love with her characters and care about the cases in the books as though they are real cases.

Lexi Bennett is an absolute superstar - her compassion, drive, determination and quiet love for those around her all make her an amazing character. Seeing her grow from the first book to the second really makes you develop a soft spot for her. Same with the side characters in this series, you find yourself proud of them when they have a breakthrough. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one when it is released!

I highly recommend the Detective Lexi Bennett series especially for readers like myself who are new to the genre because Alison's writing makes the storyline so so easy to follow

The Girl’s Last Cry, by Alison Belsham

DI Lexi Bennett is back and just as brilliant!

Although I read and enjoyed book one, it’s not essential and this book will make just as much sense if you haven’t read it, as there are only small references made to the events of that book.

I really enjoyed how Alison Belsham has continued to develop the back story of Lexi and her family, as well as her colleagues, whilst telling the story in this book, of teenage deaths, apparently by suicide, that Lexi is not convinced aren’t murder.

The book is well structured and fast paced, with each chapter ending drawing the reader in for more. I read it in an evening - I couldn’t put it down as the intensity built to a very gripping and compelling ending, that literally had me holding my breath!

I am very much looking forward to the next Lexi book and I hope it will be a long running series.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book brought to light the power of influence. Specifically, the power of anonymous online influence and it was terrifying. My heart was definitely racing by the end as the stakes were raised and the need to discover the killer became even more intense. This killer preys on the insecurities and vulnerabilities of young kids and that was hard to read but oh was this such a good book. I will be looking forward for the next Lexi Bennett story!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture for a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.