Lethal Vengeance is a tightly written excellent police procedural book featuring Erika Foster.

Erika discovers the dead body of a local infamous politician but is soon taken off the case and can't help but wonder why.

There must be more to it than meets the eye.

The murder is gruesome and soon other bodies are stacking up that seem all to familiar to Erika.

Her and her team are soon racing against the clock to solve the murders before another one occurs.

Erika ruffles more than a few feathers on the way but her standards are high and her and her team are more than ever determined to solve this diabolical case.

Robert Bryndza always writes a taut thriller with the tension mounting with every chapter.

He also leaves you wanting more of Erika Foster and I can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for a page turner of a read.

Excellent
Erika is fast becoming my favourite Detective.
What do two high profile murders and two not so high profile murders have in common?
That’s what Erika and her team have to solve, with a few hinderances on the way.
A very enjoyable book, fast and not over the top. Interesting characters and a really twisted plot.
Thanks to publishers,Author and Netgalley for this eARC. This is my voluntary review, think it might be too long to wait for the next one, hope not.

Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza is an excellent police procedural novel featuring Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster. In this eighth book in the series set in London, Foster finds politician Neville Lomas dead in his own apartment. However, the case is taken from her and quickly ruled as a death from natural causes. The case is closed until two months later when more deaths that are similar in nature occur. Foster isn’t about to let these cases be ignored.

Foster is principled and tends to go against authority if she feels they’re not doing what’s right. She has a direct manner, gets results, and is well respected by her team. However, because she occasionally bucks authority, her career feels stalled. The other characters are well defined as well, with a set of repeat characters from previous books along with new ones related to the cases in this story line. While most of the story is from Foster’s point of view, there are occasionally chapters from the point of view of the killer including some flashback scenes.

The plot is twisty, deeply involved, and intense at times. It quickly builds momentum as the plot twists and turns and higher-ups try to contain the investigation. There are unpredictable moments in the story that are unsettling. It’s well-written and flows well as readers gain insight into the thoughts, behaviors, and actions towards others of both Foster and the killer. My only quibble is that while the main mystery was solved, a couple of items were left open at the ending that I wanted answered. Themes include murder, guilt, revenge, political maneuvering, ethics, relationships, trust, responsibilities, and much more.

Overall, this gripping and complex police procedural has good characterization and a plot that keeps readers turning the pages to see what will happen next. While this is the first book in the series I have read, it worked as a standalone novel for me. However, I’m looking forward to reading more from this author and want to read the earlier books in the series as well as the ninth one when it is available.

Raven Street Publishing and Robert Bryndza provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 08, 2024.

Oh please, Mr Bryndza, keep Erika Foster working. She’s not ready for retirement. Once again, I loved her in Lethal Vengeance. As usual, she’s unrelenting in finding the killer. The many unexpected twists were, again as usual, unexpected. This book was another page-turner, and I hated for it to end.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Robert Bryndza for the opportunity to read and review Lethal Vengeance. It is superb.

I've read others in this series, but it gives enough background that it can easily be read as a standalone book. The characters are well written and at times I even sympathised with everything the murderer had suffered. The way the investigation was hindered by politics also read true. A great addition to the series.

What a gripping, twisting mystery this is! I loved it and found it hard to put down. Detective Erika Foster is first on the scene after a high-profile politician has been brutally murdered. It appears to be random, until a second similar homicide occurs. Erika and her team race against time and internal police politics to find the killer and prevent any other killings. Robert Bryndza's writing style is exceptional, with chapters that alternate between the determined, feisty Erika, and the elusive killer, bent on vengeance and equally as determined to avoid capture. The author has created an exciting-fast paced thriller, that has both an excellent plot and outstanding character development. This is the first of the series I have read, and it works well as a stand-alone. I am looking forward to reading the others! Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

Another year (well, give or take a few months), another installment of a favorite series. And as always, it doesn't disappoint. This time out, Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster is out and about with her main squeeze, Igor, for a rare posh dinner. Worried about why he set up such a special occasion, she takes a time out at the loo and returns by way of a wrong door that puts her up close and personal with a dead body that's been left in a, shall we say, compromising position. Of course, Erika's not one to tiptoe away from a scene like that - but maybe she should have. Turns out the dead dude is a Conservative member of Parliament. Quicker than you can say trussed up, another top cop moves in, claiming the case for himself.

And it's downhill from there. Despite Erika's keen interest in pursuing what clearly was a murder, she's shut out at just about every level; clearly, someone high in the pecking order wants this case squelched. Facing obstacles at every turn, what's a DCI to do? She backs off - mostly - but her interest reignites with the discovery of another well-known body - and then another - both done in with the exact same M.O. Now, it's harder for the powers-that-be to shove things under the rug, although Erika must remain vigilant since she suspects her department has been infiltrated by a puppet whose strings are controlled by the aforementioned powers.

Besides some important clues found (left) at each crime scene, the best the investigation can turn up is a group of five females, dressed identically in all black, who appear to have been present at or around the time of the murders. But who they are, where they are now and whether they have any real connection to the deaths remains a mystery. With the higher-ups still insisting that Erika and her team back off, finding answers becomes a real challenge. And in between all this, Erika must deal with a boyfriend who isn't terribly happy with taking a back seat to the investigation for a variety of reasons.

It's a scramble to the finish, which leaves an intriguing cliffhanger that likely will carry over to the next one up (at least I hope so). I'll be waiting - and meantime I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done!

Intrigue abounds in Lethal Vengeance, the eighth book in the Detective Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza.
Once again the author presents a complex mystery, but this time detective Foster is seemingly blocked at every turn by higher-ups who should be helping her determine the identity of a disturbing serial killer. Instead, there are secrets that those on a higher pay grade will do everything they can to protect, even if it hinders the investigation. This sets up some interesting possibilities for future books, as Foster may face repercussions for her actions in solving the case; or will she go after those who stood in her way?
Lethal Vengeance is superbly written, with the point of view changing from the detective to that of the killer she seeks, giving an extra depth to the story. It is a fast-paced, complex thriller that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.
I was thrilled to receive an ARC of #LethalVengeance from #NetGalley.

📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#LethalVengeance by @robertbryndza #ravenstreetpublishing

➡️synopsis

This one could be my favourite yet… As always reading Robert’s books are just a joy - while they have enough originality to be a new, interesting and addictive murder mysteries, there is just enough familiarity in returning characters and format to make them feel like a warm hug of read; you can settle down and trust your in for a good ride!

I thought this was an excellent and clever read; your introduced to the killers voice/story quite early on but rather than hate them, I found myself empathic and interested in their plight. Even with the knowledge of who the killer was, I still thought the police investigation side was detailed, full and a great chase to the end (sorta 😉)

Erika’s character continued to develop as did the side characters to her story and I thought there was just enough of the domestic side added in to make it a fully rounded book. I can’t imagine not getting a new instalment from this series! Loved every second of it!

With thanks to author #RobertBryndza, #ravenstreetpublishing and @netgalley for allowing us to read this one early!

RELEASING: Feb 8th

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

Robert Bryndza first gained attention with his series of books about London detective Erika Foster, before shifting his attention in recent years to a new lead character in the form of former police detective Kate Marshall, who is eking out an existence as a PI and lecturer at a small coastal English university. I tend to prefer the Kate Marshall books over those featuring Erika Foster, but I was quite taken with the last Foster book, Fatal Witness.

With Lethal Vengeance Bryndza turns once more to Erika Foster, in what turns out to be a very entertaining tale.

In order to avoid an awkward moment at a restaurant, Erika takes charge at a recently established murder scene. What she discovers shocks her. Prominent, notorious politician Neville Lomas is found naked and hog-tied, with some incriminating photographs, in his own bed in an exclusive residential apartment. Erika's skittish seniors, and some shadowy civil servant types, quickly move to take Erika off the case and arrange for the death to be classified as being from natural causes. The case is closed, until two months later when a star footballer is found murdered and tied with the same knots in his apartment, and there is also a link to another recent death. Erika is pulled back onto the case, and as her team investigate, things take a strange turn when CCTV footage turns up five female suspects, and they’re all identical.

This is a well plotted and very enjoyable detective novel. The pacing is good and Erika is a very engaging character who has grown and matured with the series, and is now a leading figure in the British crime fiction scene. Her private life is complex, but it does not interfere too much with the flow of the story, and Erika ably guides the reader through the various twists and turns. The other characters are also well crafted and credible, particularly the killer, and add good depth to the story. The story goes down some interesting avenues, and builds to a spurt of bloody excitement at a lonely farm. The tension wanes a little in the end, but not enough to undermine what is a very good crime thriller.

This was a good detective story with a shocking ending. With a cover up, multiple murders, and a master criminal…this one is sure to please fans of murder mysteries!

DCI Erika Foster #8

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.

I love this series that introduced me to the fabulous author Robert Bryndza. Although this is book eight in the series, it still has all the redeeming qualities I like.

A naked man has been murdered, hog-tied, he was a high-profile politician. A serial killer is on the prowl in London. The victims are all high-profile. Erika Foster was first on the scene, but the case taken away from Erika, and his death was ruled as natural causes. Then a popular footballer was found dead in similar circumstances.

This book is action-packed, twisted, with a fast moving pace. It's a fantastic chase of cat and mouse. It's also quite a dark read that's been well-plotted. The characters are well-developed, and we learn more of Erika's backstory. The conclusion is thrilling. This book could be read as a standalone.

I would like to thank #NrtGalley #RavenStreetPublishing and the author #RobertBryndza for my ARC of #LethalVengence in exchange for an honest review.

This is the eighth book in the excellent Erika Foster series. This can easily be read as a stand alone but it is such a great series that I recommend you start with the first book, "Girl in the Ice" and read them all in order. This is a British police procedural series with a heavy emphasis on the politics involved in policing. Great characters, fast paced plot, and some unexpected twists. Highly recommended

I like Robert Bryndza’s style of writing police procedurals, and I really like Erika Foster. I’ve enjoyed every book in this series. The book is set 4 years after the last one, which means that Erika recently turned 50. She is still her brilliant and authentic self, however, who speaks her mind no matter who she is talking to. In Lethal Vengeance, Erika and her team investigate a couple of murders of high-profile individuals found naked and hog-tied. Lots of twists and turns, lots of backstabbing characters. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be easily read as a standalone. Recommended read.

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.

I have read all the previous in the series so was happy to see this latest addition. I found it to be a well written mystery which kept me hooked from start to finish.

Oh yes. Erika Foster is back, and what a case. I really love this series and love how Robert Bryndza finds new, and equally twisted ways of creating mystery, tension and intrigue with every fresh case. With brilliant characters in her lead team, a clever and cunning foe to pit herself against and a crime which is set to mislead and misdirect, this book had me hooked from start to finish.

It really does seem that, when it comes to work, Erika is just not going to switch off. Whilst on a fancy night out with her partner, Erika slips away from her partner for a few moments of quiet. It a meal she is never destined to finish. On her way back to the restaurant, she finds herself caught up in a murder scene, the victim a prominent politician. Now it is fair to say that, as with most politicians, the suspect pool is likely to be huge, and there are those in certain quarters who have reason to want to keep the conditions surrounding his death quiet. That may be okay with one victim, but as the body count rises, it's clear that this is not simply a case of a disgruntled voter. It's a case that has Erika and the team stumped, and one that had me turning the pages at speed.

One of the real draws for me about this series are the characters. Robert Bryndza has created such a cast around Erika, from her team of Peterson, Moss and McGorry, her bosses, Superintendent Melanie Hudson and Commander Marsh, through to her wider circle, Forensic Pathologist, Isaac Strong, and her parter Igor. Each adds life and texture to the story, creating the camaraderie and challenge that is needed for a character as head strong as Erika. I have loved her since book one and whilst she has settled more into her role in the Met Police over the years, she is still somewhat of a thorn in the side of her senior officers. No doubting her talents in catching her man, nor her ability to ruffle feathers along the way. It was nice to also see more of her personal situation explored, away from her colleagues, and the progression of her relationship with Igor, whilst hesitant, is lovely to watch. The author has a real knack for creating a bond between the reader and the team, and in allowing us to feel all of the emotions with them, be it joy or trepidation.

This is a book teaming with tension. Most of the story follows the investigation and that deep dive into the private lives of the victims that may just hold the key to the whole case. But there are scenes also told from the point of view of the killer, giving us insight into their character and a slow building picture of the reasons for their actions. The final reveals, when they come, are perhaps not really a surprise as the story has been building from the start, and given the nature of the murders, the motive is perhaps expected. But the author still manages to hide the killer from view until the perfect moment for the reveal, and whilst we know and understand more about their story than the police, the suspense is maintained right to the end of the book. As we near the conclusion of the book, the pace and tension escalate as the team face a race against time to apprehend their killer. Will they make it? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out, won't you?

Another absolute cracker of a case. Definitely recommended.

What an addictive book, page after page, chapter after chapter, Robert is truly talented. I particularly enjoyed the way it reminded me of the 'Night Stalker' in the sense that we have both the perspective of Detective Erika and the villain/criminal. Absolutely fantastic, I think I will never tire of this character.

Regarding the story itself, I was left speechless at the end. What unfolds during the trial? What's the verdict?

Concerning Erika's future, I find it intriguing to envision her collaborating with Kate in investigations due to their big personalities. Another intriguing possibility could be Erika conducting an investigation alongside the Slovak police, offering readers a glimpse of her in her home country. This could evoke a sense of nostalgia and prompt her to contemplate returning, perhaps even just for one book.

This is book #8 in the Detective Erika Foster series. While I have not read them all, the author provides enough background for you to just jump into the series and enjoy it right away.
The story begins with Erika finding a dead body, politician Neville Lomas. His death is ruled that of natural causes but two months later a prominent footballer is found murdered in the same fashion and they must face the possibility a serial killer is on the loose. The case becomes even more strange when CCTV reveals five female suspects, all look alikes and one of them could be the killer.

As usual, this one was fast moving with lots of action and twists. Erika is such an interesting character who likes to veer off script and I enjoyed the second POV running through this one too. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for this gifted review copy.

What a clever plot and storyline that had Erica totally flummoxed. It was really quite ingenious how they knew who the killer was, but they didn’t have and idea how to identify them. Along with the action there was also police and government intervention which hampered Erica’s investigations. The ending was pure genius, and I can’t wait for the next book. Hopefully we will see more of Igor and Tom in the next book.

Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza is book eight in the Erika Foster series, and what a thrilling book it is.
With high profile murders, scandals at ministerial level, a daring killer who leaves no trace, cover-ups and a frustrated investigation team, this book has everything to pull the reader in and keep them reading.
Robert Bryndza knows exactly how to grab the readers attention, and keep them interested. Lethal Vengeance was a truly engrossing read that was hard to put down.
Thanks to Netgalley, Raven Street Publishing and Robert Bryndza for the eARC of this book.