This series is shaping up to be a great one! I loved The Cove, but it left me wanting to know more about the main character Erica Sands. The Trap definitely helps fill in some of those gaps as it delves deeper into her childhood. The Trap also further develops the relationship between Erica and her serial killer father Charles Sterling. I was happy to see that Erica's relationship with her partner Golding has continued into this second book. This book is suspenseful, thrilling and cleverly written. I am looking forward to book number 3 to find out what happens next!

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm not sure how I feel abut this book. I enjoyed reading it. It got to be a real page turner at the end. You think it's over at one point then when it does end your left hanging. There's no resolution, unless, there will be another book.

Book: The Trap ( Detective Erica Sands Book 2)
Author: Gregg Dunnett
Publisher: Storm
Publication Date: 30/11/23
My Rating:

Detective Erica Sands is called out to a lonely cottage in Dorset, England. A local woman, Jane Smith, has been found murdered in her home. At first, it looks like a burglary gone wrong until Erica’s attention is grabbed by a seemingly minor detail. A framed photograph of Jane’s two cats – one black and one white – triggers a strange disquiet in Erica, which turns to shock when she discovers a cryptic note written in blood tucked beneath the frame.

Erica’s curiosity deepens when she's summoned to a meeting with the Director General of Highmoor Prison, who reveals an unsettling twist. Her estranged father, Charles Sterling – a convicted killer himself – claims to possess crucial information about Jane’s murder. He's willing to share it only with her, leaving Erica torn between anger and a nagging suspicion that he might hold a key to the case.

✨My Thoughts✨
I’m being totally honest with you when I say that I’ve not stopped thinking about the first book in this series since I read it back in July ( Link in Bio) so I was over the moon when I got auto approved to read The Trap!

This case involves Erica’s father who is a notorious serial killer, could he hold the key to the murder or could it just be a ploy to see Erica?.

In this instalment we got to learn more about Erica’s past and what the relationship with her father was like before he committed his horrific crimes, he’s just so creepy and manipulative.

What I want expecting was the huge twist and shock! It was so harrowing, I couldn’t believe what I was reading!.

I hope we get a book 3 because I need to found out what happens next.

Without reading the first detective Erica Sands book I feel this one could easily stand on its own. We get a lot of background information on Erica in this book, but I still plan on reading the first. The book hooks you from the beginning, but it did get a little sluggish at times. I liked how the story ended and look forward to reading book three.

In "The Trap," Detective Erica Sands faces a chilling murder in a remote Dorset cottage, leading her to a disturbing connection with her past, a cryptic message, and a shocking twist. As she grapples with her estranged father's involvement, a race against time ensues when two schoolgirls are abducted. A riveting thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat. A must read for all.

What a wild ride this book was. It took me a while to get into but once it got going it held my attention and I wanted to finish reading it. I haven't read the first one but this one was pretty good. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. I liked the fact that I could read it alone and it didn't seem like I had to read the first one to understand this one.

Very well plotted and paced. This had me invested throughout and that cliffhanger ending is just too good! I'll definitely be waiting for the next installment but as for this one, I don't want to give any plot points away but it definitely surpassed my expectations and was an intense and action packed. Very cleverly written

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Detective Erica Sands notices an obscure clue that triggers her to resolve a plot in this well-written, enthralling mystery..

I will watch for more from this author.

The Trap by Gregg Dunnett is a Detective Erica Sands book #2 in the series. It is indeed an unputdownable thriller with a twist you won't see coming.

The story held my interest and was exciting and page-turning through the first 2/3 of the book, but then the story got a bit tedious to wade through, such as some of the information and details in the last 1/3.

However, it is a good overall read and a good twist at the end. I really like Erica, and the characters are developed into realistic personalities.

#TheTrap #NetGalley @Stormbooks_co

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. It was fast paced and kept me engaged until the last page.

Here I am, up past my bedtime again to finish a DCI Sands story and i’m already desperate for the next one! I was started this series due to netgalley allowing me access to this book, but it really exceeded my expectations. I’m not going to give anything away, but this storyline was even better than the first! I did think the last 15% of the book was slightly rushed, as it took a LOT of time and detective work to get any sort of idea how Erica’s serial killer father is involved with the string of murders she is investigating. Once the clue was out there it almost felt like an abrupt arrive-at-destination-and-CUT!!!! Honestly that is about as much of a critique as i can provide, because i did really enjoy this from start to finish. This book kept me hooked and the amount of detail was, literally, perfect. Like i said, i’m already waiting for the next book because that ending was a BRUTAL cliff hanger!

This was an Erica Sands thriller. I hadn't read any of the other books featuring this protagonist, but I probably would read another one. I was interested in Erica as a protagonist, and entered by the storyline. The motives of some of the other characters sparked my interest too, even if the characters themselves didn't seem particularly likeable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

The Trap is an action packed, intense, and well thought out thriller. There were a few very good twists that were not to over the top, which I enjoyed. The only issues I had with it was that the ending took a turn that I don't think really fit with the book. It was a tad out there and unrealistic. I was also disappointed that Sands seemed to lose her quirky personality. It wasn't as funny or as entertaining as the first book in the series. There were also some inconsistencies with her from the first book to this book i.e. her not being able to read facial expressions or understanding social queues, as well as her being blunt and to the point. These issues are easily able to be overlooked because the writing and plot were so good. I would definitely recommend and will probably read again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC of this book.

It is not an easy reading ..., but it is an evolving reading. I got myself trying to understand all the math behind the actions of Detective Erica Sands's father. Fantastic! I loved it!

Book 2 in the Erica Sands series is a rollercoaster of suspense, drama and emotions! This is an exciting new series with believable characters and clever plotting. I really like the clever writing style and the twisty plot, with the ending leaving it open for book 3! It's an easy 5* from me. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Intelligent procedural with a fabulously written female protagonist. I liked that when you thought it was all over, it actually wasn’t. Would love to read more books featuring this character.

This was an exciting read, as in I couldn't quite bear to put down the book such was my 'need to know what happens'. I didn't read the first instalment in the series but don't think it's mandatory that you do, it's easy to understand just where Erica Sands is coming from and where she stands. I liked her character very much, and loved the interactions between her and her estranged psycho father. Especially loved that some things seemed rather evident to me - and oh, that blissful moment when my suspicions are finally vindicated! - while others, I couldn't be more wrong about them! The dynamics between characters and the very case was very interestingly woven, making this an easy but compelling read in the manner of most great thrillers/mystery novels that tend to keep me at the edge of my seat. Will be looking further into this author's work, because I really did like this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.

The Trap by Gregg Dunnett

A Dorset lead detective, Erica Sands is called with questions from her boss regarding a case one of her detectives is handling. With odd inquiries about animals and chess having her curiosity peaked, she goes out to reinvestigate the crime scene herself. Erica finds a clue and when presenting it finds out it was provided by her serial killer father from his ultra air tight prison cell.

The title and Erica’s spot on intuition lets the reader know it’s a trap but when lives are on the line she must deal with the devil she knows all too well. This is the 2nd book in a series and I have not read the first.

I would go back and read it and continue with the series. Erica is a multifaceted lead. I like how the author explains why and how characters act and react, not just Erica. She talks out what she knows with her fellow police with sound reasoning and thought process. She admits what she doesn’t know. She is balanced in her emotions and impulses yet able to make split second decisions. Real time decisions in this book were the most compelling because you wonder what you would do and would you do it in time.
The characters remaining in the series have much more to reveal especially Erica. I thank NetGalley for the advanced copy and look forward to more from this author who is new to me.

The second book in the series featuring Detective Erica Sands.
When Erica is called out to what seems to be a burglary gone wrong, she finds a cryptic note written in blood at the scene. After receiving a message from Highmoor prison to say her estranged father, a convicted killer, has information about the case, she discovers connections between the murder victim and her own past.
This was a gripping story with great twists, and an unexpected ending - if a little abrupt…
I felt it could easily be read as a standalone novel, as the backstory was detailed within the plot. Saying that however, I do very much look forward to reading the next Erica Sands book in the future.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

A second strong outing for Detective Erica Sands. In The Trap we learn a lot more about her family history and meet her devilish sociopathic father. A cast of interesting characters, plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I'm looking forward to book #3!