*4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A good read with great characters. Kate and Tristan were very determined to find out what happened to Janey. Pointed to a few different people, eliminating one at a time. Good ending. Would recommend.

Both of Robert Bryndza's murder mystery series feature strong female protagonists. This, the Kate Marshall series, features a private investigator, while his Erika Foster series is a police procedural. Both are excellent.

A true-crime podcast company hires Kate and her partner Tristan to try and solve the thirty-year-old disappearance of thirteen-year-old Janiey Macklin. As they begin their investigation, leads are pointing toward Peter Conway, a convicted killer with ties to Kate's past. Digging deeper, they find three friends, one of whom has already been acquitted of her death may hold the key to her disappearance--but can they be believed?

This is a twisty, compelling read—one of Bryndza's best. Red herrings, subplots, and unreliable characters make this an intricately plotted book that sizzles from start to finish. Although it is the fifth Kate Marshall book, it can be read as a standalone. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 11, 2024.

This is another exciting book in the PI Kate Marshall series.
When Kate is contacted by a creative agency to investigate the disappearance and probable murder of a young girl 30 years ago, it looks likely that the case is linked to the Nine Elms Cannibal, Peter Conway.
Kate has history with Conway, including a son together. The investigation twists and turns, giving us a taste of the seedy underbelly of London.
I couldn't put it down!

Kate enters the world of true crime podcasts, when she is asked by producer to investigate the murder of a girl called Janey in 1988 – a body was never found, someone was convicted, but then released on appeal, AND there may be a link to Peter Conway, the Nine Elms Cannibal.
She is wary of taking it on because of her and her son’s link to Conway, but is persuaded that she is the right person for the case.
Much of the action takes place in London, around King’s Cross, which has certainly changed immensely since the 80s. The life of Janey and children like her was vividly drawn, and the effects of such a loss can have long term on the people around them.
The resolution is not straightforward, the interested parties are not all as they seem, Peter Conway, and another long-term prisoner have their own agendas.
But Kate and Tristram come through, the case is solved and the relationship between Kate and her son is strengthened.
I look forward to the next book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the latest gripping thrill ride in Robert Bryndza's wonderful crime series featuring PI Kate Marshall, aided by her trusted Tristran Harper, both of whom are experiencing financial struggles, Jake is home from California, visiting his mom, Kate, with his girlfriend. So when Fidelis from the London Stafford-Clarke Creative Agency offers what initially appears a lucrative contract for some months investigative work for a true crime podcast, they are relieved, particularly as it offers them the opportunity to live in London to carry out the day to day delving that the case requires at King's Cross and other nearby locations. 3 decades ago in 1988, young Janey Macklin purchases cigarettes for her mother, and is offered a lift, which she accepts, given the freezing cold weather.

Janey is to disappear, never to be seen again, her body never found, although the man who gave her a lift is convicted and imprisoned, although he is later released. Into this cold case quagmire are voices that raise the unwelcome possibility that the Nine Elms Cannibal Killer, Peter Conway, may have been responsible for her death. This sets Kate's teeth on edge, as it guarantees she will once again become the focus for intense media scrutiny, having ensured that Conway was caught, but not without paying a heavy price. Conway is not in good shape physically, he is getting older, and his teeth are giving him big problems, leaving him physically weak and vulnerable, will he talk to Kate? There are further issues with regard to their clients..

Bryndza writes a cracking, well plotted, fast paced thriller that his big fan base and new readers are likely to enjoy and appreciate. He throws a light on the suffering endured by Janey Macklin's family through the years, the ambiguous feelings experienced by Jake as the health of his problematic father deteriorates, and the financing of the cold case when serious issues with the Creative Agency arise. Keeping my attention throughout is Kate and Tristan's tenacity, determined in the face of the coldest of cases and the surprising twists and turns it generates. Already looking forward to the next chilling addition to the series! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I'm a big fan of this series, so I was excited to see another Kate Marshall book. I think Kate is such a relatable character, and I love her relationship with her partner Tristan and her son Jake. She's had an interesting life, and although the previous books go deeper into her background, you don't need to read them to enjoy this book.

Kate is contacted by a podcast to help investigate the disappearance of a girl 30 years ago that might be linked to the Nine Elms Cannibal, who she has a connection to. As Kate starts digging into the case, it quickly appears that people are lying. What are they hiding? Is there a connection to Nine Elms?

This is a fast-paced book with a lot of great characters, some of them pretty shady. There are quite a few twists that keep you guessing even if you're pretty sure you know who done it. A great series that's always fun to read!

I have really enjoyed all the books in the Kate Marshall series, so was looking forward to reading this new one. It certainly didn't disappoint. In this story Kate and Tris are asked to investigate a cold case. A young teenager went missing from a seedy part of London. Her body was never found but a local lad was charged with her murder. He has now been acquitted after an appeal. It seems that there may be a connection to Peter Conway, the serial killer who Kate pit away and who is the father of her son. This is a real page turner that will keep you guessing to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

As always with Robert Bryndza books, you are kept guessing all the way through.

Set in 1988, Janey Mackin grew up in the Kings Cross area of London which at that time was rather rough. Janey's mum worked as a cleaner in the local pub and on Friday evenings Janey and her sister used to meet her mum there after work. On this particular night Janey had gone to the newsagents for cigarettes for her mum and never came back. One teenager was charged with her murder and jailed but released a few years later when retried because there was still no body of the victim.

Back to present day, Kate and Tristan are hired by a creative company who are wanting to create a podcast about the cold case around missing Janey Mackin. They want the pair to investigate to see if they can get to the bottom of the story. The finger is being pointed at Kate's ex, the Nine Elms Cannibal for Janey's murder as he was "active" in the same area at the same time. But is someone trying to deflect?

There are lots of twists in this tale, but I did guess where the body was! However I didn't guess the killer correctly. Great story in the series and I hope there are many more to come!

Usually when reading a review book, I take quite a lot of notes in order to keep track of everything and to be able to write my review afterwards. Only with some particular authors, I quickly stop making notes, because the story carries itself and no explanatory notes are required, and not having to note things down obviously makes reading a book much more comfortable, especially when not reading in my native speech. And yes, of course this also applies to 'The Lost Victim' by Robert Bryndza.
Once again the story grabs me nearly immediately, maybe not in a action-story way, but with nice characters, who continously evolve both in their job as in their personal lives.
'The lost victim' is a sensitive mystery being uncovered layer by layer, in a nearly serene way. Two storylines come together in a no so obvious way, which slightly makes me wonder, in a positive way.
Also this time I give a maximum score to this book, thank you @Robert Bryndza for writing yet another great chapter into Kate Marshall's live.
I also like to mention the author's note at the end of the book, which always make me, as a reader, feel more involved, I highly appreciate this.
I sure look forward to the next chapter, after this game-changing 5th book in the series !

As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Bryndza’s work. The mystery, eventually solved of course, wound around with plenty of did-he-do-it? and no-maybe-he-did situations to make it a page-turner. I enjoyed Kate and Tristan and their professional relationship, and I was glad about Peter Conway.
I did find a mistake in chapter 42. (Maybe it’s been corrected by now.) When Kate and Tristan are talking with Robert about Roland, instead of saying “Robert leant forward …” or “Robert sighed …”, Roland is mistakenly used instead of Robert.
Thank you to NetGalley and Robert Bryndza for the opportunity to read and review The Lost Victim. I loved it!

Book 5 in the Kate Marshall series. By the amazing author Robert Bryndza, he never fails.

Investigating another cold case from the late 1980’s, was this another previously unidentified victim of the 9 Elms killer? A subject close to Kate’s heart. Involves some soul searching and difficult decisions.

Personally, I found this one more difficult to read as I got confused with all the various men involved the night victim disappeared. I enjoyed the elements of the investigations and developments in the general storyline. But struggled a bit with the issue. Probably just me. Still can’t wait for next instalment

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This author never disappoints i have loved everything i have read by him! Another Great read and i cannot wait to see what he writes.

This book has everything for a lot of the genres. Suspense, Mystery, serial killer, murder, and revenge. A great read to keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat. Keep up the great work from the author. This will definitely be purchased for my shelf and will be reading his backlist of books.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

In 1988 just before Christmas, schoolgirl Janie Macklin went missing in the seedy backstreets of Kings cross but she was never found. Robert Driscoll was arrested for her murder but later acquitted as they was no body. 30 years later Kate and Tristan has been contacted by a media company who releases true crime podcasts to investigate the case and recently news she may have been a victim of the Nine Elms killer Peter Conway who is now locked up in prison. They agree to take the case as it would help with the mounting of debts that the caravan park is producing.
As the pair delve into the case, and they interview old witnesses, more suspects appear and even a dead body. Will they ever find out who killed Janey Macklin?
Robert Bryndza has written another winner with ‘The lost victim’. Book 5 in the series involving Kate Marshall ex Police detective now Private investigator with partner Tristan Harper. This is another suspenseful, gripping tale as the layers of the story unfold. Kate putting her own feelings a side to find out the truth of what happened to the schoolgirl all of them years ago. This is another fabulous read from the author from start to finish.

Another excellent novel by Robert Bryndza that I was lucky enough to read early with a copy from NetGalley.

I have found all of his Kate Marshall novels excellent and this one is as good as the others.
With a cold case to solve in London this time, Kate is forced to confront her past but manages to not succumb to her former vices.

This has enough characters to keep you guessing to the reveal and closes a chapter of her life.

A great read, highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, once again another brilliant read. I haven't read the other books in te series, but I'm now going to go read them now. Such a great series. A must read.

I love all Robert Bryndza novels and have gobbled up both the Erika and Kate series.
This one I found to be enjoyable but at times a wee bit samey.
I guessed the outcome quite early on, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
I really like the partnership of Kate and Tristan, but I'd love if Jake would move back to the UK and join the team. I think he'd be a great asset.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

What a thrill ride !

Kate is back on a case with her trusted partner Tristan, to try to solve a cold case which may be linked to her nemesis Peter Conway. The case develops into a chase for the killer and I kept being wrong footed all the time - and how I love that! Is it one of the old serial killers? Or is it one of the youths? Or is it closer to home? It's a whirlwind of possibilities and Robert Bryndza manages to weave a perfect tapestry of characters and plot with central London as a backdrop. It felt like a good old classic whodunnit, but with a modern twist to it.

I really think that the concept of having PI's doing the investigation is such an added value to the genre, as it cuts away all the police politics and the title and ego boosting that I so often see in police procedurals. As PI's, Kate and Tristan have the ability to cut to the chase (literally) without all that hassle that drowns down the traditional police investigations and it makes for a much more enjoyable and fast paced read.

I was glued to the pages, the short chapters making it even more addictive and I now will have to catch up on several much needed tasks that I have been neglecting just to finish this nail biting story.

A very big thank you to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this splendid ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Robert and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Lost Victim before the publication date.
Robert has created another page turner full of secrets and lies……and that is the least of the issues.

The author is a master at creating atmospheric stories.
The icy cold flat, which the client has provided to Kate and her partner, Tristan, and the locked storage cupboard immediately creates a sense of unease.

The storyline takes the reader into the prison world of 2 of the most hated men, Peter Conway ( aka The Nine Elms Cannibal) and Robert Black, a terminally ill paedophile. The description of the despicable pair and their conversations left me feeling that I should scrub my hands after reading it.

Once again, Robert has created an uppity character in Fidelis Stafford, a woman who is just begging to be taken down a peg or two.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the previous four books in the Kate Marshall series, I was keen to get my hands on this latest instalment and I can honestly say it is the best in the series! As other reviewers have observed, it can be read as a standalone but to fully understand the backstories, and to appreciate the character development, I really would recommend reading them in order, especially as this book takes us back to the beginning with Kate dealing with Peter Conway – ‘The Nine Elms Cannibal’ again. Conway really is a vile man and the chapters featuring conversations between Peter and another prisoner were particularly hard-hitting.

The author perfectly blends the past and the present, I got a real sense of the atmosphere of some of the shadier parts of London in 1988. The tale also highlights how much has changed in the world of forensic science over the last 30+ years. There are so many ways this story could have played out, and the need to find out what happened to Janey kept me turning the pages at a rapid rate!

All in all, this a very clever and interesting tale, with a host of well-developed characters and more than a few twists and turns. Very highly recommended.

Kate Marshall is back!!
Janey Macklin disappeared from a town in London in 1988. The case went cold as no body to be found and supposedly no witnesses. But was Peter Conway involved. He’s at deaths door. Will he confess on his death bed? There are so many tests and turns it’s a marvel and I don’t want to give any spoilers but it’s a must read book.
A true genius author. More please 🙏