One of my favourite authors and The Trap didn’t disappoint. I read it in one day as I couldn’t put it down…luckily it was yet another rainy day!
The characters are good and the plot interesting, however I still prefer the characters in Things you find in rock-pools series and wish it could have continued.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

This book is a mystery/thriller with different point of views from the characters and beautifully written. The timelines were also very well written.

I read this book in a day and I never looked back! The twist and the plot were pretty easy to identify but the different POV's kept me intrigued to see how everything was going to unfold. A couple of the characters were so unlikable that it made it hard to feel bad or connect with them in any way. I do wish that the ending would've given a little more, I wanted to know how the characters dealt with the aftermath.

Overall I give this 5 out 5 because it really was a great book and I will definitely read more from this Author. I enjoyed the thrill of the plot and its twists.

I've just finished reading this book and have to say how good I found it. The characters are well written and the plot had me guessing and second guessing who and how! I found a couple of places sad but the plot moved on quickly, adding twists (I guessed a couple). A book I will be recommending to my daughters.

I hadn't realised that this was the second of a series, but enjoyed it nevertheless. Well-written, and interesting characters, it's made me want to go and read the first book.

One thing to note - nothing puts most readers off a book more than the the 'Twist you won't see coming' line on the cover. Almost every book I've read seems to have this, and it's becoming tedious. It didn't stop me reading it, but it did make me roll my eyes as it takes some of the shine off - a good book doesn't need it (and this was a very good book).

Really enjoyed this, it’s clever, fast paced and has a lot of depth to it. A perfect thriller!

I love the backstory (I haven’t read book one but I got the jist of it) a good stand alone book but it’s definitely one that I will now look out for.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Trap. This is book two with a female lead. This is set with an eerie feel and written well. I did not expect this book to go in the way it did and some of the detours were u expected.
Good mystery 3 stars

The first time I have read this Author. I enjoyed the style of writing. A solid four star read. Great premise. Good characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing Would definitely read the next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to

It is good to see the return of Erica as the detective who just will not let go and her serial killer father- seemingly still able to manipulate her from his high security prison.
Full of complex twists and turns and chilling discoveries my only complaint was the sometime intense mathematical references that caused the plot to stumble a little for those of us who did not study maths at university level!

This one was even better than the first book. In fact, it blows it away. I love the character of Erica Sands. She's complex and dogged. I'm also a big Golding fan. A suspenseful story that grips you from the beginning and doesn't let go until that jaw dropping ending. I was completely invested and I can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to netgalley and Storm Publishing for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in the series and the second book I read from this author. While I preferred the firest book, I still think this book was a great read. Sure, there were parts that lost me a bit (the maths part) but I felt compelled to read it until the end. So bad that it ended the way it ended !! I'm guessing there will be a 3rd book in the series to know where it takes us. .I'm impatient to read more.

I love that the Erica Sands series is continuing because I loved the first book. I felt like there was way too much math in this book but I stuck with it and I was glad I did. Overall it was a great storyline and really had me going through the whole book.

This is the second book in the DCI Erica Sands series, however, it reads well as a standalone as we get enough of the backstory of all the main characters, so it’s easy to gain an understanding of what had gone before. The host of characters are interesting and well-rounded, the plot flows at a steady pace and there are plenty of twists along the way. I will admit to getting jaded with the highly complex mathematical elements – I didn’t find these sections particularly fascinating (or reader friendly for that matter). The collaboration between the characters and the case was very cleverly written. Charles Stirling is a brilliant character, and I am keen to see where the author will take him next. All in all, a gripping read, which I am happy to recommend.

I do always enjoy a Gregg Dunnett book, full of twists and intrigue. This one is slightly over mathematical at the end but other than that a top class read. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

This is the 2nd in this series. Think this could become a good series. I am starting to warm to the main characters.
The team in this book are working around the clock to catch a killer which appears to be linked to the detectives Father and also makes her think of various events from her childhood especially her math abilities.
A good read and am looking forward to book 3. Thanks for advanced copy.

3.5 Stars
I recently read "The Trap" by Gregg Dunnett and found it to be a decent read, deserving of a 3.5-star rating. Going into this book, I was unaware that it was the second in a series, but surprisingly, that didn't hinder my overall enjoyment. The author provided enough background information about the characters, allowing me to follow the story without feeling lost. However, it's worth noting that there's some confusion surrounding the series name, as it is referred to differently in various sources. In the book, the series is referred to as "DCI Sands," while on Goodreads, it's listed as "DCI Stone." This inconsistency in series naming could be confusing for readers. It would be beneficial for the author to ensure consistent branding for the series across various platforms to make it easier for readers to find and follow the series.

The story centers around Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Erica Sands of the South-West Murder Investigation Department. She receives a tip that a seemingly routine break-in and murder case is more complex than it appears. The murder of Jane Smith, a local woman, initially looks like a botched burglary, but a cryptic note hidden behind a frame leads Erica on a different path. Her estranged father, serial killer Charles Stirling, claims to have vital information about Jane's murder and future killings, offering to share it, but only with Erica. As she grapples with this decision, she must also confront her own past and its connection to the victim. With a sophisticated killer on the loose and her father attempting to get involved, the stage is set for an intriguing story.

Some readers have mentioned that this story felt unique, but personally, I didn't find it exceptionally distinctive. It reminded me of other works, such as "Stillhouse Lake" by Rachel Caine and the TV show "The Following" starring Kevin Bacon. The main difference here is that DCI Sands is a cop, which offers a different perspective on the relationship between a serial killer and a family member.

One aspect that strained my belief was the incredible abilities attributed to 12-year-old Erica Sands, particularly her math skills. While prodigies exist, the odds of such a child possessing these specific talents seemed far-fetched. Additionally, the mathematical elements in the story were a bit complex for the average reader, and some clarification or simplification would have been helpful.

I correctly predicted a major plot twist at around 34% of the book, which was a significant reveal, but not the only twist in the story. However, there were still some unexpected elements, and the ending was particularly engaging, leaving me eager to read the next installment. I'm curious to see how the relationship between Erica and her father develops in the third book.

The overall motive of the killer was somewhat strange, and I wished for more insight and explanation regarding the circumstances that led to it. Despite this, the story had a cool and unique concept.

I did experience moments of boredom while reading, especially at the beginning. However, the introduction of Charles Stirling injected some much-needed excitement into the narrative. There were some surprising twists, especially concerning the victims, which added depth to the story. The inclusion of COVID-19 in the plot was interesting, as it played a pivotal role, unlike some stories that either ignore it or include it for political reasons without using it effectively.

In conclusion, "The Trap" by Gregg Dunnett is a book that has its strengths and weaknesses. It may not be the most unique story, and some aspects may require more reader-friendly explanations, but it offers a compelling narrative and leaves you eager for the next installment. I appreciate the opportunity to read this advance copy, and my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Erica Sands steps into a crime scene, not knowing that this will be the first of several that will take place in this harrowing thriller. As they race the clock to find the killer, her father offers to give up the killer, in exchange, of course, for a few things. Oh, by the way, her father is a convicted serial killer, in prison for life. While Erica does not trust him, there seems to be no alternative. As the clock ticks down, two lives hang in the balance....

This was a fantastic read! I really enjoyed it! I am going to have to find the book in this series now and give it a read. I feel like there is some background that would be good for this one, although I have a feeling that it can stand on its own.

I plan to include this book in my "Thriller Round Up" on my blog within the next few days.

Detective Erica Sands is called in on a murder crime which seemed pretty cut and dry until she saw the picture and the cryptic note written in blood behind the frame. Soon after she is approached by the Director at the prison her father is incarcerated at as he has come forward with info on the case , but he will share it only with his daughter. Erica wrestles with the prospect of seeing her father all these years after he killed her mother and only sister, but only she can stop the killer who has now taken a set of twins.
This fast paced game of cat and mouse between Erica Sands and her father was intense and kept my attention throughout the book. With interesting characters that have you trying to decide their motives and how if possible to stop them. I loved this book and look forward to reading more by Gregg Dunnett.
Thank you NetGalley Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The hype is real. You won't be able to put this book down. I didn't know what to expect because I wasn't familiar with the author or the protagonist. I'm now a fan of both. Erica Sands is a fascinating character with a backstory you'll have to read about in The Trap to appreciate. This was an exhilarating read which grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. The ending is pitch perfect too. All I know is the next installment can't get here soon enough! Thank you to Storm Publishing for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion. This is a publisher to keep your eyes on based upon the two books I've read. #TheTrap #NetGalley

D.I. Erika Sands investigates criminals like the one that raised her. Her dad Charles Sterling is in prison for killing her mom and her little sister but spared her life because he said she was the most like him her family wasn’t his only victims and because of that he has a life Time sentence for years he has tried to get Erica to visit him in prison something she adamantly refuses to do but while investigating the murder of a woman call Jane Smith she learns he claims to have the information but we’re only give it if she does exactly that . Her dad was not only a serial killer but a journalist and a genius. During his trial he became infamous because of that people write him in prison Erica knows this Hass to be the only way he could’ve gotten any information about a murder that happened 27 years after his incarceration. She knows this little game he is playing is some type of manipulation but it will come back to haunt him in a big way before it’s over she will not only catch a murderer but uncovered victims never heard from before. I have left a lot out of my review because I don’t like reading summaries and when I started this book had no idea what it was about but from page 1 was stuck to the dialogue the name of this book the trap is a perfect tidal but in the end who is trapped? I really like Erica Sands quiet yet stoic demeanor I love the respect she has for her fellow detectives and those under her this was such a great book and a book I definitely recommend if you like crime mystery then you definitely don’t want to miss this one it really is a great read! I want to thank storm publishing and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

SO GOOD!
I was surprised by the sheer number of positive reviews on this and couldn't help be intrigued. A lot of books I see with this kind of positive reviews are usually a bit average and it's clear that often the publisher pumps a lot of money into marketing.
Not the case here. I haven't read the first book in the series but after all the storied dropped in about what Sands got up to, I must! Fast paced, amazing twists and a real Silence of the Lambs vibe.
I didn't like the graphic descriptions of murder and assault but that is my preference.