I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. This is book 9 in the Erika Foster series of books and it is no less gripping than the first book, it drew me in from the first page and didn't let go until the end. I am looking forward to the next one.

Anyone who follows The Book Review Café knows I’m a huge fan of Robert Bryndza’s Erika Foster series, so you can imagine my excitement when Chasing Shadows landed in my hands. And WOW, it did not disappoint. This one grabs you instantly, and honestly, it’s a contender for the best book in the series yet. Robert Bryndza delivers everything fans have come to love and more: tension, twists, and emotional depth, all packed into one of those rare, read-in-one-sitting thrillers that refuses to let you go.

A routine 999 call turns dark when a body is found in a spotless flat, no evidence, no clues. But for Erika Foster, the real shock is recognising the face of the man who killed her husband ten years ago. Only his ID says he’s someone else, and his record is spotless.

Cut off from the case and running out of allies, Erika digs deeper on her own. What she uncovers is a dark web of secrets, lies, and betrayal, forcing her to confront the past she’s never been able to let go. It’s her most personal case yet, and the most devastating.

Robert Bryndza has truly outdone himself. Chasing Shadows is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that blends gripping police work with the raw intensity of a psychological drama. The tension is sharp, the twists are masterfully delivered, and the pacing is relentless. There are no wasted chapters here, just expertly crafted suspense. What truly sets this story apart is its emotional weight. Erika isn’t just solving a case, she’s confronting the deepest wounds of her past, and Bryndza captures her grief, resilience, and vulnerability with care.

I absolutely loved Chasing Shadows. It’s a standout in an already brilliant series. Whether you’re a devoted fan or a newcomer, this is one you won’t want to miss. Dark, twisty, and deeply personal, this might just be Erika Foster’s most disturbing case yet.

At last the next book in the Erika Foster series is almost with us - publication date is 5 June 25. Book 9 in the series does not disappoint, it’s set over multiple timelines starting with the incident that left Erika’s husband Mark and several of her team dead. It’s a twisty emotional story with raw emotions. Will Erika nail her husband’s killer? Technically this could be read as a stand alone novel but honestly the whole series is so good I would start at book one. Loved this book it was excellent, I read it in one sitting! Totally deserves five stars …. Bring on the next one! Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for this ARC in return for my honest review.

This ninth entry in the Erika Foster series starts well enough, with an original premise, an ugly crime scene and a murder victim. Interesting, entertaining and engrossing. Soon, though, a small detail turns it into one of the biggest cases of Erika’s career and life. It can be read as a standalone, but longtime readers will be highly satisfied. Bryndza manages to find the happy medium where he recaps enough information as needed to understand what’s going on without making it repetitive. I’m not a fan of the common plot in procedurals in which the hero is sidelined and has to work the case as a civilian, but these characters are strong enough to keep the momentum going without neglecting anyone. Erika may be out, but she’s not giving up and her team has her back, as usual. I missed Isaac, the pathologist and Erika’s best friend, who only appears for a few scenes, but everyone else is there and their chemistry is stronger than ever. The novel is well written, twisty and addictive. It made me fear for Erika’s welfare. When I thought where this was going, a twist made me gasp out loud, changing everything. After this, I couldn’t read fast enough. The suspense grows and grows to almost unbearable levels. To say that this book will change everything is no exaggeration. I’m glad to learn that the author hopes to keep writing more about Erika because I really want to know what happens next.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Raven Street Publishing.

5/5 stars! This is one of my favorite thriller authors, so I screamed a bit when I got the chance to read this. This is the 9th book in the Detective Erika Foster series and we finally get to unravel the moment in time 10 years ago that changed the trajectory of her life. This was masterfully written. I loved the twists and turns and was raging, needing Erika to get closure. Great story!

I could not put this down - I finished it in one day and it is easily in my top 5 books of 2025!

Reading Erika is like coming home - it's so comforting to know that once I start reading it will pull me in from the beginning and not let go.

Please keep writing Robert!!

Did I drop everything and move this book to the top of my TBR as soon as I received it.. you bet I did!! this is the book that Erika Foster fans have been waiting for and my goodness it was worth the wait. Outstanding once again Robert Bryndza, you never let me down!!

In book 9 of this amazing series we finally get the details of what happened on that day 10 years ago. Ow, when Erika’s husband Mark and her team were killed in a police raid in Manchester. That day changed her life and the way she sees the world. Now on an investigation into a murder, she comes face to face with the man responsible, only he claims to be someone else. Then she is told that the man who killed Mark is dead.

Now if you know Erika at all you know that she is not going to take this. She knows it was him and she wants justice for her husband. Even being put on stress leave isn’t going to stop her. And her loyal team and partner are there to help her.

This book was so good!! i just love Erika and her way of doing what is right, even when she is told otherwise. She is smart, determined and snarky and I love it. I cannot recommend this series more for those who love a good gritty police procedural.

Thank you so much to Raven Street Publishing for my early copy to read. Always such a joy to read these books. Easy 5 stars.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Robert has done it again, this time we follow Erika to a house for information where she sees a man she thinks is from her past, the man responsible for killing her husband co workers. He claims he is not that person and right from then we follow Erika who will not stop until she finally gets the truth. Great read, finished in one sitting.

Thank you,Raven Street Publishing, for providing the copy of Chasing Shadows by Robert Bryndza. If you have been following Erika Foster’s adventures you know what a treat her stories are. This is book nine and I love how she deals with her past trauma. The character development of the characters is amazing and he multiple timelines add so much to the story. Do not miss this book, and while you can read it as a standalone after you finish it you will want to read them all! 5 stars!

An exciting story and excellent well drawn characters, especially Erika. I read it at one sitting it was such a page turner. Highly recommended.

Thanks for allowing me to read and review this book. One of my favourite series, I have read and enjoyed everyone! Erika is one of my favourite characters, I am interested in her personal and professional life,

This was a fast paced book, with an interesting storyline, which left me guessing, especially because it solved a mystery from Erika’s past!

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

This author is yet to write a book which is less than stellar and the Erika Foster is perhaps his best work. In this extremely satisfying read, we finally get to the bottom of Foster’s back story and find out what happened on the day her husband died. Bryndza misses no steps in unpicking the past while also progressing the plot in the present day. His sensitive story-telling allows us to appreciate Foster’s growth as a character and the depth of the relationships she has built both personally and professionally over time. I absolutely loved his handling of Igor’s efforts at detective work, not to mention the nail biting surveillance through London by the team. As always, the writing itself is impeccable, with tight dialogue and clear descriptions to really place the reader in the story. A genuine rave review for a fantastic book!