Lethal Vengeance, by Robert Bryndza, is an exciting police procedural, the 8th entry in his Detective Erika Foster series.
In this story, DCI Erika Foster is confronted with a series of gruesome murders involving politicians and football celebrities. As always, she is both analytical and intuitive as she leads her team of investigators to solve the crimes. There are several threads to the story which come together with intensity and wonderful detail. The complexity of the storylines are so compelling, I was loathe to put this book down until the final startling conclusion.
Also interesting, in this volume we learn that Erika is 50 years old. With this maturity, she has become more introspective as she mulls her life, including love interest Igor, and her career, which seems to be stalled since she refuses to play politics with her higher-ups and is passed over for promotions. As always, though, her strength of character and humanity shine as she follows her innate sense of right and wrong, both in the criminal investigation and in her sometimes messy personal life.
This is a complicated tale of murder, abuse, and revenge. While it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone, although I believe the reader will benefit from getting to know the characters and the arcs of their relationships, beginning in book 1.
With enthusiasm, I recommend this excellent police procedural, a joy to read for its strong prose, great pacing and rich characters.

Thank you to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Detective Erika Foster is back in the eigth installment of Robert Bryndza's exciting series. This one will keep you guessing.

Description:
The man lay on his front, his arms and legs bound and pulled up with a rope connecting the two. His head was arched back, so he faced the curtains, and there was masking tape over his mouth. Erika gingerly reached out and checked his pulse.

Yep. Dead all right.

When Detective Erika Foster finds politician Neville Lomas naked, hog-tied, and dead in his own bed, skittish higher-ups at the Met quickly rule the death from natural causes. Case closed . . . until two months later when a well-known casting director and a star footballer are found murdered and tied with the same knots. The Met can no longer ignore what’s staring them in the face: there’s a serial killer loose in London, and they’re out to settle a score.

As Erika and her team investigate, things take a strange turn as CCTV footage turns up five female suspects . . . and they’re all identical.

In the hunt to identify the women, Erika is outpaced at every turn by an elusive sex worker with dirt on enough powerful men to make the Met’s top brass nervous – and desperate.

As time ticks away until the killer strikes again, it’s up to Erika to untangle the web of evidence and answer the critical questions: What ties the victims together, who else is caught up in this scandal, and how far are the higher-ups willing to go to protect their own?

My Thoughts:
This one has a dramatic and fast-paced plot. The hidden political agenda adds to the tension. Erika is having trouble keeping up as it seems she is always one step behind. I really enjoy this series, and it just keeps getting better as we know more about Erika's life and her cases. It is difficult to tie the victims together in this investigation and Erika is thwarted by political roadblocks that are difficult to circumvent. Definitely an engrossing read.

Thanks to Raven Street Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!
This is the eighth book in the Erika Foster series and was totally worth the wait. I enjoy how Erika Foster's character has developed over time and how lovely it was to follow her relationship with Igor and Tom. I love the continuation of the same characters in her team, especially Moss and Peterson. As always, the action, intrigue and mystery does not stop from start to finish, and the unfolding of the investigation of catching a serial killer is a gripping page-turner and beautifully done. The opening line made me smile and the last line made me want more. Yet again, Robert Bryndza writes another book that delivers. If you have not read Robert Bryndza before, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give his work a try, you will not be disappointed.

No surprises here: Lethal Vengeance is another brilliant instalment in the much-loved Detective Erika Foster series, and I loved every page!

I've really enjoyed reading Robert Bryndza's other crime series, about a troubled investigator Kate Marshall, but I have to admit that Erika Foster is my favourite! Although background information from having read previous books in the series does add an extra richness to the story, this book could absolutely be read as a standalone too.

Every book in this series is well-paced, entertaining and utterly addictive, and Lethal Vengeance is no different. The story is twisty and well-plotted, with great characterisation as always. Erika has to fight against cover-ups elsewhere in the Force and government, which adds extra intrigue, and we see more of her personal relationships play out adding extra depth to her character. I would happily read a thousand more books in this series, so I hope Robert Bryndza keeps them coming!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Detective Erica Foster is in a post hotel restaurant with her on again/off again boyfriend when she goes outside for some air, returns to the hotel by the wrong door and stumbles on a murder scene. The body, that of a controversial PM, is found posed in an obscene position, the facts are quickly covered up and the death ruled by natural causes. But when the second and third bodies are found in the same position, it is hard to deny that there is serial killer in London. It doesn't help that the second body is that of a popular soccer star, whose many fans demand answers.

But what links these three men? And who is Annabelle? Who were the five identically dressed women who spent most of the evening with the soccer star? And who is the one who stayed behind when the others left? Does someone actually have a "dossier" of compromising photos of prominent men? And who is the "man in gray" who seems to show up everywhere?

Alternatively, the chapters tell the harrowing story of children in a care home who are treated poorly and brutalized in many ways. But does any of that tie in to the murders?

Yes! Love Erika Foster!!! Another great installment in this series by Robert Bryndza. Fast-paced, gritty,dark crime thriller with great characters - everything I need in a book.

Thank you #netgalley and #ravenstreetpublishing for the eARC.

The best book so far.

Erika is a firm favourite with me. I love her bluntness and she is a complete badass.

Full of twists and turns and definitely kept me guessing till the end.

Loved it.

Highly recommended, 5 stars from me.

Detective Erika Foster is investigating the murder of a high profile politician when she is taken off the case. When a similar murder happens people in very high places are putting road blocks in her way. As information leads to dead ends and the killer seems to one step head of them Erika is pulling out all the stops to find the killer before it’s too late. There are a few twists in this story, the ending wasn’t a complete surprise, but the book will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next shoe to drop. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A absolutely brilliant storyline from one of my favourites.
The latest Erika Foster book gripped me in straight away.
Dark and tense, I couldn't put it down.
As with all books by this author, I recommend them hugely!

When Detective Erika Foster finds politician Neville Lomas naked, hog-tied, and dead in his own bed, skittish higher-ups at the Met quickly rule the death from natural causes. Case closed . . . until two months later when a well-known casting director and a star footballer are found murdered and tied with the same knots. The Met can no longer ignore what’s staring them in the face: there’s a serial killer loose in London, and they’re out to settle a score..........

Lethal Vengeance is book number 8 in the DCI Erika Foster series and although it can be read as a standalone I totally recommend reading the previous books in the series for the back story. Erika is one of my favourite fictional detectives and I have read every book in the series. How is she 50 years old already?!!!!

This could possibly be the best in the series so far, it has a clever, well paced plot, well drawn characters and enough twists to keep you engaged from the beginning.

Highly recommend!

Lethal Vengeance is the 8th book in the Erika Foster series from Robert Bryndza - one of the best yet.

"Erika and her team investigate the murder of a popular footballer. He was found naked and hog-tied in his luxury apartment. They find an odd sight on the CCTV - five women dressed alike and looking alike headed into the condo with the footballer and his mates. When Erika ties this to two other murders they begin looking for a serial killer. One murder could have some political fallout and Erika is warned off. But she is determined to find the truth."

You find out pretty quickly that this is a revenge story, but Bryndza puts his own spin on it. There is great pace in this story, even with all of the obstacles thrown at Erika. Even threats from high levels of government to stay away from certain inquiries.
Bryndza gives us a character that makes us ask "What would I do if those were my circumstances? Would I go that far? Was it wrong?" There's a surprise at the end - more of a curveball than a cliffhanger. It'll be interesting to see how Bryndza resolves that.

A great crime fiction story with my favorite Bryndza character.

DCI Erika Foster is back with another twisty, brain busting murder to solve. This time she not only has 1 murder to solve but several interlinked murders, spanning years. There are politics afoot, murky fixers, possible s3x worker involvement and the very real possibility that someone high up in politics or even the Met itself is involved!

Footballers and politicians don't exact move in the same circles so finding out the kinks between these murders is not going to be easy. Erika is a straightforward kinda woman - she doesn't do posturing, politicking or backroom deals. So now she is having to work with one hand tied behind her back by having to run everything past her Superintendent and even her former friend/colleague and now Commander! As the murder enquiry progresses we get to see some of the goings-on through the killers POV.

All the while Erika is trying to make her new relationship with Igor and her friendship with his son Tom work. I felt Erika gave Igor a bit of a hard time sometimes and leapt to some assumptions but I do like the fact that they actually talk things through - when they get the time, and she truly seems to enjoy her time with Igor and Tom doing family things.

I can't tell you how much I enjoy it when writers actually get things right (okay with a little bit of embellishment). But since I actually work for a police force, with people not unlike Erika, it's nice to see HOLMES actually get mentioned!

Whilst on a night out with her partner, Erika happens upon an incident involving politician Neville Lomas who is found dead, naked and tied up in bed but the powers that be throw Erika off the case and rule it as death by natural causes, two months later another body is found with the same MO, this time famous footballer Jamie Teague and soon they learn of a third victim, well known casting director Terry DeVille. Erika is determined to prove that they are all linked and that they have a serial killer in their midst, then CCTV uncovers five possible suspects in the Teague murder and she thinks they've made a breakthrough, except all five women are identical and there's nothing to determine who they are. Outwitted by the perpetrator at every turn, Erika knows this won't be an easy case to crack.

Erika Foster is back and she means business! She falls headlong into this new case with some highly controversial murders and is not letting go of the bit between her teeth until she's caught the perpetrator and put them behind bars and her team are right behind her. This is another fast paced thriller with some great twists along the way that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout and I would have read it a lot quicker if real life hadn't got in the way! Lethal Vengeance is the eighth book in the Erika Foster series and Bryndza shows no signs of ending them any time soon which I, for one, am very pleased about, as this is one of my favourite detective series by this fabulous author. This one, like all the others, can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading them in order.

I'd like to thank Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Having read and loved all the books in the Erika Foster series, I was keen to get my hands on this latest instalment and it didn’t disappoint! (It goes without saying that the books should be read in order to fully appreciate them.) Once again, this very talented author masterfully presents the reader with suspense, intrigue, and a race against time to catch a brutal and clever killer. All in the, the plot is gripping, the pace is relentless and there are twist and turns aplenty – a brilliant addition to an already outstanding series.

This is my second Robert Bryndza book, but my first Erika Foster book. Although the book references Erika's past, this book does not require the reader to have read previous books. It is an exciting murder detective story. Erika is a smart, tenacious detective with a nose for digging out tidbits and tying things together.

As two, three and more murders are discovered, with a common theme, Erika sinks her teeth into the investigation. But she's warned off of certain aspects. There seems to be some sort of desire to keep some secrets buried.

Great story, very well told. I was reading as fast as I could to get through the last 2 hours of the book to see how Erika solves it. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Absolutely brilliant another great book in the series, just keep getting better and better, loved the story AAA

A Very Difficult Investigation For Mostly Wrong Reasons

DCI Erika Foster is dining in a posh restaurant with her boyfriend. She is afraid that he is going to propose to her. She tells him she must use the restroom as he reaches across the table for her hand. She goes out to smoke. When she returns, she enters through a different door. She takes the elevator, but it stops early. It is a residential floor. A cleaning woman is yelling for help and calling for the police. Foster identifies herself and enters the apartment with the cleaning lady. She discovers a conservative member of Parliament trussed up and dead in the bedroom. As soon as the police arrive from the local district, things go downhill quickly for jurisdictional and apparent political issues. From this ominous start, the novel proceeds.

The novel has two main storyline threads. First is a complex, ever-growing investigation. New murders occur, and old murders are discovered. The only link between the victims is the method of killing is the same. The most significant obstacle arises in the MP’s death investigation. A press release announces his death was not suspicious. A shadowy man in a grey coat shows up quickly with a Met Superintendent who pays much deference to him without identifying him. This man appears several times in the novel, always the harbinger of warnings not to bring attention to the MP’s death. Lastly, DCI Foster has what she believes is a spy assigned to her team. The second thread is a very extensive thread narrated by the perpetrator herself. The reader is provided with the story of a young girl, Annabelle, developing into a psychopath. At a very young age, she shows a substantial lack of empathy. When this thread becomes concurrent with the first thread, the reader learns her motives before DCI Foster. This main storyline captured my interest quickly.

This novel is the first of the series that I have read. I am very pleased by the level of background provided for DCI Foster. She and Muck were childhood sweethearts in Slovakia until Erika moved to Manchester to be an au pair when she was eighteen. They recently found each other, and the relationship is becoming serious. I would call this relationship a B-storyline as it is extensive and leads to conflict between her private and professional lives. Professionally, she is a bit of a loose cannon. She follows her gut and ignores her superiors a little too often. This private side and her somewhat prickly relationship with her superintendent and commander portray a fully developed character. These aspects are very robust for an eighth novel in a series.

Some aspects are present in this novel that can cause some readers to stop reading. There are no intimate scenes, but there are many references to them. The victims were murdered in a manner that would bring much scorn upon them. Vulgar, rude, and impious language are present, but a little less than I usually see in novels I read. The description of violence is mostly less edgy after the fact but is still edgy in nature. Three violent acts are described as they occur and demonstrate her psychopathic personality. While these aspects are not over the top for me, they are approaching it. Therefore, let the readers be forewarned. The last element is that some readers dislike jumping into a series after it is well-established. This is precisely what I did, and I did not find I missed anything. There was adequate background on anything that required information from a previous novel.

My biggest issue with this novel is that DCI Foster ignored her first and second-level bosses more than I thought would be tolerated in this situation. This is a typical troupe among protagonists, just a little excessive. What I liked the best is the complex police procedural in which the protagonist suffers from professional and personal issues. Also, I like the depth of the antagonist’s portrait. I have only seen the same depth in some antagonists that spanned several novels in a series.

My previous experience with this author is reading and reviewing two earlier novels in a different series. This novel solidified the author’s standing as a Will-Read author for me. I rate this novel with four stars, and I recommend reading this novel with the caveats provided earlier about violence. I am looking forward to reading further novels by the author.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Raven Street Publishing. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Raven Street Publishing, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Really inventive thriller. I love this series of books and find Erika and her team very believable. Enjoyed the intrigue at the end and can’t wait for the next book.

The new Erika Foster book and as we've come to expect it's brilliant. Erika is such a tenacious character you'd think the "Top Brass" would know telling her to back off just makes her more determined!! I devoured this book in one sitting as it's just too good to put down. Loved it and can't wait to read more.

The man lay on his front, his arms and legs bound and pulled up with a rope connecting the two. His head was arched back, so he faced the curtains, and there was masking tape over his mouth. Erika gingerly reached out and checked his pulse.

Yep. Dead all right.

When Detective Erika Foster finds politician Neville Lomas naked, hog-tied, and dead in his own bed, skittish higher-ups at the Met quickly rule the death from natural causes. Case closed . . . until two months later when a well-known casting director and a star footballer are found murdered and tied with the same knots. The Met can no longer ignore what’s staring them in the face: there’s a serial killer loose in London, and they’re out to settle a score.

An intensely gripping and highly enjoyable read. I was left breathless by the twists in this book, and throughly enjoyed the storyline. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, but enjoyed the story nonetheless.