This is the fourth book in the series featuring Detective Amanda Steele and does read well as a stand-alone but there are links to the previous book. Amanda and her partner Trent are called out to investigate the body of a naked woman on the banks of a river but mysteriously a black orchid has been left on her. They identify her as a student Chloe Summer but they are baffled by the lack of suspects and motives for the murder. Her friends and classmates are interviewed and Amanda begins to suspect that there may be a connection to a case from twenty years ago. But when one of Chloe’s housemates is found dead also with a black orchid they realise that they are now looking for a serial killer. Amanda has had a tragic personal life with her husband and daughter being killed in a car crash and she finally seems to be getting over their deaths as she is fostering, and hoping to adopt, a young six year old girl. This was another riveting story in the series, full of drama and twists and turns. A highly recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

In this first installment in the Detective Maria Miller Series, set in NYC, I went in expecting a kick-butt female Homicide Detective, an intriguing Police Procedural, and Mystery. What I found was a Supernatural and Occult Generational Mystery, ExtraDimensional Otherworldly Evil, and characters by turns charming, vulnerable, strong (several female characters), victimized, certifiably insane [not all adjectives apply to all characters!] The upshot is that I found an exciting, adventurous, terrifying, story, and I am excited to leap headlong into reading this entire series! Thank you, author Helen Phifer!

The fact that I followed a case back in 1989 about a lawyer, Joel Steinberg who beat (tortured) his step daughter Lisa to death at this address was enough to make me want to read this. I am also a New Yorker, another reason.

I had never read Helen Phifer before but I assure you this won’t be my last read. I will indeed follow this series. Helen spins a dark atmospheric tale of murder and the occult. It takes place between present day and the 50’s. As another murder just as gruesome occurred in the same apartment back then.

*book description *

Roses and vines run delicately across her skin, snaking from her chest to the top of her thigh. On any other day the tattoo would look beautiful. But this was her last…

When Detective Maria Miller walks up creaking stairs into the attic of the old brownstone she senses this isn’t an ordinary crime scene. The brutality of the murder is enough to shock even an experienced detective like Maria. But there’s something else. An unsettling presence seems to lurk in the shadows sending a chill through Maria’s bones, making her desperate to run back down the stairs and never return…

The killing is identical to the murder of a young woman sixty years before, a crime that tore a family apart and sent shockwaves through New York City. In both cases, a satanic ritual was performed inside the attic. Candles surrounded the body. Satanic markings stained the walls.

Has the killer returned all these years later? Is there a copycat? Maria won’t let fear stop her from finding answers. But just when she makes a breakthrough in the case, her relentless pursuit of the truth brings evil to her own door…

I highly suggest this book which I would categorize as sticky horror. A perfect Halloween read.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for giving me the chance to read this awesome book. All thoughts are my own.

Hugely enjoyable haunted house yarn that is part thriller, part horror, part supernatural and part police procedural.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

I chose this book for my holiday as I enjoy scary or mystery stories so thought this looked ok to go with. I did enjoy it, although I did not really find it as terribly scary as I had hoped. Having said that , it was a decent read and kept my attention page and page

The Haunting on West 10th Street was an interesting supernatural thriller. I really liked Maria and Frankie and thought the author handled the supernatural elements well. I look forward to continuing the series.

I really enjoyed the intricate storyline that spanned a 60 year time frame. The scenes from the killer's perspective were really interesting. This was the sort of book that you had to really pay attention to; couldn't do a fly by night on this one. The characters were well sketched out. A good read.

When Detective Maria Miller walks into an old brownstone she senses that the crime scene is far from ordinary. The killing is identical to the murder of an actress sixty years before, a crime that tore a family apart. In both cases, a satanic ritual was performed. Body parts were taken from the victims and never found. Is this the work of a copycat killer from years ago or is it something more sinister?

A story with a dual timeline alternating between the past and the present. I loved the duel prospective. It brought depth and captivated me. This story has so many great genres melded perfectly together. Be ready to be creeped out!

A perfect read for the spooky season. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys thriller, horror, mystery, and/or crime novels.

I want to thank NetGalley, Helen Phifer and Storm Publishing for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

Literally cannot upset put this book down it gave me the creeps in the best way, Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this title.

Another brilliant story from Helen, it had me on edge throughout . I'm looking forward to reading more

A Crime Horror Thriller
This book is a crime horror thriller, but it fell flat in many places. It could had much more potential, but the paranormal horror element just did not work for me. Sorry this book just did not do it for me. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF at 50%. I wasn't engaged with our characters and felt the story moved very slowly. While atmospheric, the plot was stilted and I simply was unable to finish.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

This is a really unique mix of crime and supernatural story that I think is done really well and makes a good series. The characters are well developed and the story is fast paced. I would recommend this! Special Thank you to Storm Publishing, Helen Phifer and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this one. I was really glad to know that there is another books after this so I can follow them a bit longer.

The story itself was pretty good, too. It was a fun creepy story and I loved how everyone came together to solve the case and problem.

Brilliant read I had chills reading it, but didn't make me stop. I was hooked from the first page until the very last page.

This wax a strong thriller read, by an author new to me. I liked the paranormal element, the tight writing style and the characters. I would really recommend this.

I went into this book blind and was pleasantly surprised that it was everything I wanted. A paranormal mystery, work colleagues who secretly adore each other, and evil that must be banished to the depths of hell. I devoured this book in 2 days! Considering I work part-time and am a full-time mom, that's quite a record. I'm looking forward to the detectives' future adventures.

I had such high expectations for this one as I have read another of her books. I just dont think this book was right for me as Im not a huge paranormal fan.

In the Big Apple, Maria Miller works as a homicide detective with Frankie Conroy. They get called out for a horrible case one day; the corpse is just the torso, covered in blood, and missing its head and limbs. Maria then opens the refrigerator.

The case is still open three years later. Their employer summons them into their office one day. It seems that the boss's daughter is researching and writing a paper on cold cases, such as this one. Oh, and the same house was the scene of a virtually identical murder in 1952. It appears that a demonic rite was carried out during a death. Is that the same individual? Or is the house itself the only thing that seems off?

This was a fantastic narrative, with elements of mystery and horror. The multiple timeframes from 1952 and the present were first too much for me, but in the end, they were just what the story required. The characters grew on me, and I hope to see them again. Overall, a fun read!