This is the fifteenth in the Morgan Brookes series. Helen Phifer is one of those authors for whom when I see her name, I request the title without reading the synopsis. She writes books I have to force myself to put down or I would accomplish nothing until it is finished. This latest entry in the series does not disappoint. It can be read as a standalone as important background for the repeating main characters is filled in as part of the story.

When Morgan’s Aunt Ettie discovers a body hung up in a tree on the side of a river, Morgan and her team have questions about manner of death and time of death. Then they discover at least one other woman is missing and, as the case progresses, one of her colleagues is placed in grave danger. There are a number of suspicious suspects, which one is it?

This well plotted story combines a bit of horror with keep you guessing suspense. I like Morgan, a smart, capable, empathetic protagonist and the convivial, teasing relationships among her team. Interspersed with the tension of the case is some biting humor.

If you enjoy fast moving, suspenseful police procedurals, check out the Morgan Brookes series or any of Phifer’s other books.

Another thrilling read from Helen Phifer. One of my favourite characters in this series has been Morgans Aunt Ettie, so I really enjoyed this one.
Aunt Ettie lives in a cottage in Covel Wood. Unfortunately Ettie has found a dead woman in the river near her home. Morgan rushes to be by her aunts side and is soon caught up in another serious crime.
I can’t believe I’ve just read book 15 in this series and I’m enjoying it just as much as the first one. I would highly recommend reading the whole series, it’s definitely worth reading.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another day, another book by Helen. It seriously amazes me how many books this woman publishes in a year and how good each any every one of them are.

This time, it's another book in the Morgan Brookes series, we're already at the 15th one and it still excites me when a new one comes out.

This book will be published on the 21st of May.

I won't have to tell you who we're following, right? Since it's a Morgan Brookes series book, we're obviously following Morgan and company. Meaning her partner Ben, best friend Declan, vicar Theo and colleagues Cain, Amy and Mark.

When Ettie is out looking for fresh pine, she spots something poking out of the river. Upon closer inspection she sees its actual bones of fingers, but the rest attached isn't skeletonized.. She calls it in and within hours the police protocols are in place. But who is she? She doesn't match any resent missing person reports..

When the identity is uncovered and doing some digging, they have a date from when she went missing and had contact with the detective that handled the case. A year after JD (Jane doe) went missing, another girl was taken in the same city.. Morgan thinks there is a connection but the others don't see it. The girls couldn't be even more opposite from each other.

There are some good surprises in this book, and I really love reviewing and detailing some further details and a bit more about the story but I don't want to spoil it.

You won't see the perp coming. Seriously. I went with the story and the ones who the police thought where the one, I could actually see it.. But the actual perp. No, really did not see it coming.

"forgive me father, for I have sinned"

I really enjoyed this one. Morgan is such a cool character. And the characters around her are so fun, their interactions make me laugh. I was gobsmacked at who was the killer. I did feel like the end was a bit rushed but all in all a very good addition to series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

When a dead body is found in the river, detective Morgan Brooks and her partner and boss Ben Matthews are called in to investigate. When Declan discovers the body was previously frozen, they are on a race against time to find other victims. Then when one of their own goes missing, panic sets I. As they do everything to solve the case!

Love this series. I feel like I really know these characters and I love them all. The good natured banter to the sweet loving interactions are well written and I really believe in these characters. The suspense in this book was almost too much (never!) and I felt like I was on the edge of my seat, reading as fast as my brain could process the words just tot get to the conclusion. I did not see the killer coming at all. Love when I am just as surprised as Morgan! It was nice that she didn’t almost die in this book too. I highly recommend this whole series. Must read.

Book fifteen Detective Morgan Brookes.
When a call out to aunt Etties cottage, Coval Woods, Morgan does not hesitate and leaves the spa break she is taking.
Ettie while out collection pine, finds the chilling remains in the icy water of a woman, could she have been a Walker and falling in?
There's more to this in a shock horror story that Morgan once again is involved.
This is the most gruesome case yet with a lot more following.
Oh my word, unputdownable, chilled through to the bone, dynamic in every way.
Absolutely spot on read.
Fabulously loved it all.

Another quick paced and action packed case for Morgan Brookes. It is always good to catch up with the Rydall Falls team and supporting cast. They are still reeling from the last case when this women is found.
I zipped through it and was kryponite to anything else I needed to do. This series is addictive

I love Morgan and the team, and love the little bits of humour even in a serious situation. Like the Church ladies doing a calendar....
Giggled in quite a few places.
The whole team are great... although Amy is the odd one out. Cain is cool, and tolerates Amy's less than friendly personality.
Morgan is a strong, but determined detective. She loves her job and is passionate about her work, even being a crime book fan!
I totally recommend this book, number 15 in the series, and can't wait for the next one!

Fast paced and I was hooked from the first page.

Another amazing book by Helen Phifer
I absolutely adore this series picking up a book from Morgan’s series is like catching up with old friends
I can’t explain how much the team mean to me they really do feel like real people.
This was a disturbing crime i actually thought i had it I was completely wrong i definitely followed them read herons
A brilliant thriller with amazing characters thought out crimes with some fab twists
Loved it

This is the 15th book in the series, and for the 15th time it’s a bull’s‑eye.


The police team the author assembled for this series is fantastic. They work together exceptionally well, and some of them are even more than colleagues. They’ve become close friends who would walk through fire for one another. But what I also really love about these books is that there’s room for a joke and some good‑natured teasing.

There’s no doubt about the main character. Morgan is one hell of a woman with guts, but she also has a soft side. For a long time that was hidden beneath her gothic exterior, and although she still clings to that image, she occasionally gives in to her more sensitive self.

Did this story have everything needed to make it a great book? Absolutely!


I always love it when all the puzzle pieces fall into place at the end to create a perfect picture. Fantastic work again from this amazing author. Bring on the next installment—I’m ready for it ;) 5 stars.

Thank you!

Another one sitting read in this series. I don't necessarily think you need to read them all, but I highly recommend them. This time Morgan doesn't get into too much trouble, but there are still several dead bodies and a couple of suspects. Once again my suspect was a red herring and a final twist made for a great ending. I can't wait for the next book!

This book was nail-biting, addictive, gripping and jaw-dropping. It was everything that was promised and more and kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end!

This will certainly won’t be my last Helen Phifer book I really loved the suspense and twisty narrative of this book. I enjoyed it and I read it in less than a day. I was hooked from page 1, it’s a really well written psychological thriller you’ll never guess what’s coming next no matter how hard you try!

Ben and Morgan are a great duo! The many twists and turns brought the story together and lead to a surprising finale!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!

I almost feel its an injustice to an author who's taken lots of time to write their novel when I read it in one day. But when the books are as riveting as this series is its hard to put them down.
Morgan, Ben and the team are only just catching their breath from the last bout of murders in Rydal Falls when Morgans Aunt Ettie finds a body in the river beside her remote cottage. Theo is slowly recovering from his injury but is called upon to identify the body and give information about her life.
I absolutely love this series, all the characters work well together, and their softer sides are slowly brought out.
I love the banter between them all there are a few lighthearted moments in this novel which are welcome as the case and tension heighten. Another cracker from Helen Phifer