The Girls on Chalk Hill by Alison belsham is the first Lexi Bennett book and it is fabulous. I found myself driving slower so I could stay in my car and keep listening to it. Lexi is a police officer and when she comes across two twin dead girls dressed as princesses, it hits much closer to home. Turns out the girls are triplets who had been kidnapped. Just like Lexi and her sisters 17 years before. Join Lexi as she fights to save the third girl and come to terms with her own past. Very well done. Really liked this! Thanks NetGalley and the publisher.

The Girls on Chalk Hill had an engaging cast of characters and a decent plot. There were a lot of coincidences that made it a little too neat, but I enjoyed the mix of British policing and FBI training. I think I would like to see where this one goes so I will definitely be reading more in the series as they are written.

The Girls On Chalk Hill by Alison Belsham draws you in from the first. A suspenseful mystery thriller that you won't be able to put down! Follow as Detective Lexi Bennett is forced to face her past to solve her case and stop a killer.Book one in the Detective Lexi Bennett series, and I can honestly say I can't wait for the rest!

This is a fantastic mystery, with definite BBC procedural vibes. Fans of Broadchurch and the like will easily be able to envision this one as their next favorite miniseries.

On her morning run, Lexi Bennett stumbles upon a horrifying sight: two dead teenage girls. Luckily, she is a seasoned investigator who can stomach the worst sights imaginable, and she immediately jumps into action. As more details of the victims and the circumstances of the murders emerge, Lexi struggles with the wisdom of leading this investigation when her own past trauma is frighteningly similar. Is this just a crazy coincidence or has the past come back to haunt her?

This book was excellent! I wouldn’t go into this expecting twists to knock your socks off. But that’s actually a good thing. This book is a breath of fresh air among many tired tropes. Protagonist Lexi Bennett is delightfully intelligent and tough. If you’ve read as many thrillers as I have, you’ll keep expecting her to do something stupid, but then she….doesn’t do that thing! It’s amazing.

The author also avoids dropping a million hints and red herrings on every page, which can be exhausting, frustrating, and overdone. This investigation unfolds methodically and avoids those cheap tricks that are so easy for authors to overuse.

I acknowledge that Lexi’s personal history is a huge conflict of interest in this murder case. In the real world, this probably would never fly, I admit. But in our little fictional detective world, I’m willing to suspend disbelief for a few hours in order to enjoy a good novel. You should too! It’s worth it!

This is a solid 4 stars from me. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air among the same old thing, do yourself a favor and grab this one. I’ll definitely read the next Lexi Bennett installment!

*4 5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"Not all siblings are created equal. Not all siblings like each other."

Siblings are the theme in the all consuming book 1 of the new Detective Lexi Bennett series, The Girls of Chalk Hill, by crime writer Alison Belsham.

Lexi hasn't even started her first day back in England after a stint honing her profiling skills with the FBI in the U.S. when she's called to a country hillside where two girls look like they are sleeping in their matching white dresses, wearing tiaras, each clutching a rose. It would be a peaceful scene except for their slit throats.

When they are identified Lexi goes into overdrive because the girls aren't twins...they are triplets. So where's the third triplet?

Now this plot would be satisfying enough but this skillful author isn't done yet. Seems Lexi is a triplet too and was abducted with her sisters when they were teens. Her and one sister survived but Rose was never found...him that's the second time rose has been used in this murder mystery. Connection? Lexi's captor was never caught.

One of my favorite parts of listening to superb narrator Sofia Zervudachi
was hearing the methodical whispered voice of the killer. It was effectively chilling compared to Lexi's overwrought adrenaline fueled nervousness knowing that it isn't a coincidence that triplets were taken, two murdered, and one missing on the same day she comes back home.

I hope book 2 isn't too far away. I was just a bit bummed over the profession of the killer in their everyday life. No spoilers but I refuse to believe this career has a history of murder!

QOTD: what profession seems overrun with killers?
AOTD: in my reading experience lots of lawyers!

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Bookouture Audio via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

My thanks to Bookouture Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘The Girls on Chalk Hill’ by Alison Belsham. The audiobook was narrated by Sofia Zervudachi.

This is Book 1 in Belsham’s new series of police procedurals featuring Detective Inspector Lexi Bennett, who has just been appointed to lead the Major Investigation Team based in Canterbury, Kent.

During her regular morning run D.I. Lexi Bennett is shocked to find the bodies of two teenage girls, lying side-by-side on the chalk hillside close to the Wye Memorial Crown. They are wearing matching white dresses, tiaras, and clutching a red rose. When the victims are identified as Lucy and Eden Carter, Lexi’s blood turns cold as she learns that they were triplets and the third sister, Paige, is still missing.

The case feels increasingly personal given that Lexi was also a triplet and seventeen years ago she and her sisters had been abducted. Two of them escaped yet Lexi’s dreams are still haunted by memories of the faceless man who took them, and of her sister Rose, who she never saw again.

While her boss thinks she’s too close to the case, Lexi is determined to solve it especially given her belief that the same man is responsible for both crimes. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I liked that D.I. Lexi Bennett had just returned from four years with the F.B.I. at Quantico studying criminal behaviour. How will her time in the USA impact on her relationships with the British police system? There was some exploration of this here as Lexi settled into her new role.

With respect to the audiobook edition, Sofia Zervudachi is an experienced narrator and has a lovely voice. I have enjoyed her readings of a number of audiobooks and hope that she continues with the series.

Overall, I always enjoy a good police procedural in which the identity of the Unsub is discovered through diligent police investigation. I felt that ‘The Girls on Chalk Hill’ was a promising opening to this series. Two further books in the series are being published this year and I am planning to read them.

Enjoyed this thriller that kept me guessing. Like most ‘who-dun-it’s” the story followed the similar roadmap, however it was an interesting premise/crime that was being solved. The ending was not shocking or something that caused me to question everything, but it brought the whole story to a close and wasn’t too predictable. Overall, I enjoyed it and it was a great book to listen to on summer vacation.

If you enjoy a great detective mystery I highly recommend this book. This book focuses on Detective Lexi Bennett who has returned back hi,e to England after spending time in the United States learning forensic methods. The FBI. Unbeknownst to Lexi that this case will hit close to home and the similarities to a case Lexi was involved in. This mystery of a set triplet girls being kidnapped, held hostage and murdered. This books allows the read to go into the mind of killer and here his conversation with himself which at times can be quite riveting. Can Lexi solve this case and finally catch this psychopath killer and his sickening obsession with Lexi.
If you love a good murder mystery and thriller this is the book for you. I enjoyed getting to know Detective Lexi Bennett and I am looking forward to reading more books with her character.

Detective Lexi Bennett has just returned to Canterbury from the US where she worked with the FBI for a few years learning and honing her profiling skills. Now she is back on the job as detective for Canterbury police. On her very first day, Lexie takes a run before reporting to work and stumbles upon the bodies of two young girls who have been murdered. The girls are part of a set of triplets that had gone missing and one may still be alive. Using all of her new knowledge as well as her past experiences, Lexie vows to find the killer before he can kill again. But this is no ordinary case for Lexie. She and her sisters had been kidnapped and one of them killed 17 years ago. Could this just be a coincidence? A copycat killer? Or is it the man that was never caught so many years ago. It’s a race against time for Lexie and her team to find the remaining girl and catch a killer. But the suspect is waiting in the wings, hiding in plain sight and trying to recapture his “princess” Lexie. This was a great audio book that had me on the edge of my seat. Excited for more books to come in this series!

The Girls on Chalk Hill was a fun thriller that kept me engaged. Lexi is a character you can appreciate because she’s complex. She values her work, albeit at the expense of other parts of her life. We discover what drives her ambition as more of her background is revealed. I enjoyed the action and mystery of the book, although I do have one critique. Knowing who the culprit is took away from the thrill of the last third of the book. This may not bother a lot of other readers though; I’m a huge fan of twists and turns!

4.5 stars

Review & Happy Pub Day!

I’m all for a detective series! DI Lexi Bennett finds the bodies of two teenagers on her morning run, her first day back as a detective in the UK. Then she finds out the girls were triplets, and the third girl is still missing. Lexi was also a triplet, and was abducted as a teen with her sisters. Is this a big coincidence or is her abductor coming back for her?

The narrator in this audiobook did a great job! I loved Lexi, and her character’s backstory was very complex and set up the series really well. I was invested in the story from very early on, and it kept me captivated throughout. While I had guessed at a few things, I did not see the killer’s identity coming.

I’ve also never read a mystery/thriller with a POV from the killer before, it was very intriguing. The story flips from the POV of Lexi to the killer and back. I think having a POV from the killer adds a little something extra to the character. I’m very excited to continue the series and learn more about Lexi and her past!

Thank you @Netgalley & @Bookouture Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook ARC!

A riveting detective mystery/thriller with a like ale main character and high emotional stakes!

I really enjoyed this book and it was a first from this author for me! I liked the fast paced intro as well as the hard-hitting, no nonsense detective. It felt genuine to a real department and procedure which led me to enjoy the details!

There were a few times when the main characters doggedness was a little annoying, but it was logical within the context of the case. I also felt as if there was something that happened toward the end, where the agents break into a house without a warrant, that seemed very out of character. Up until that point the detective has been very careful not to break protocol, and in this case, it seemed as if she threw caution to the wind, and it paid off. It made for a dynamic seen, but it felt a little untrue.

All in all, an excellent story with tripping details that had me listening as often as I could!

My rating : 4*

——
Thanks NetGalley for this gifted audio copy. All opinions on my own.

This is a gripping story told in two distinct points of view. First, you have Lexi, the new hot shot detective straight out of behavior science training out of Quantico. Second, you have the cold-blooded and calice killer.

This tale embarks on past and present. We enjoy the emotional journey that Lexi endures and see her personal growth. I love thisnis the first we are seeing of Lexi but not the last.

The pacing is spot on, and the narrator did an excellent job of character differences and vocals.

Special thank you to @NetGalley and @Bookouture Audio for my advanced listening copy.

Absolutely love this book nothing like having to face your past like a serial killer coming back and targeting another set of triplets. Full of action and suspense that will grip till the end keeping you on the end the of your seat

Loved this one! The narrator was perfect and the story was very creepy. I will definitely be waiting for the next book in the series! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a good mystery.

Absolutely amazing! Fast paced, creepy, atmospheric, and an ending that I could have never guessed!

DI Lexi Bennett just might be my favorite new fictional detective, ever. Alison Belsham has created a serial killer procedural like no other I've read before with her "Triplet Killer", a unique and totally evil villain. FIVE GIANT STARS! I'll be picking this one up in print to add to my shelf.

I also cannot say enough how much I enjoyed listening to Sofia Zervudaci narrate. She narrated at just the right pace and her tone/pitch changes for each character made them easily distinguishable and believable as individuals.

Run, don't walk, to your nearest book shop to get a copy of The Girls on Chalk Hill!

PS. A huge thank you to NetGalley (as well as Alison Belsham and Bookouture) for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

#TheGirlsonChalkHill # NetGalley

“They lie on the hillside, wearing matching white dresses, tiaras in their blonde hair. Each of them clutches a red rose. They could be sleeping, but frost shines on the lashes of their wide blue eyes, frozen open forever...”

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words (insert reel here); I don’t even have the words to describe how brilliant The Girls on Chalk Hill is!

This was my first book by @alison and I can assure you it will not be my last (I’ve already requested book two, The Girl’s Last Cry on NetGalley, and am crossing my fingers and toes that I am lucky enough to be selected!

One word to describe the start of this magnificent series, 𝙂𝙊𝙊𝙎𝙀𝘽𝙐𝙈𝙋𝙎. I did the audio for The Girls on Chalk Hill and the narrator, Sofia Zervudachi, was incredible. I was audibly gasping throughout, and white knuckling my portable speaker! (I might have also been double checking my doors were locked)

If you like police procedurals, I highly recommend this series. I felt like I was walking through a CSI episode, trying to solve the cases alongside Detective Lexi Bennett and team. And I can assure you, I had zero clue as to the whodunnit.

Be sure to add The Girls of Chalk Hill to your summer reading list. I cannot recommend the Detective Lexi Bennett series enough!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

All opinions are my own.

A solid 4 out of 5 stars. For a first book in a series, I enjoyed it. Lexi Bennett is an interesting character and watching the team come together is always fun to read. However, there were a few points that I struggled with. Lexi never has an emotional response to what is happening around her. Yes, she is disgusted that someone would commit these crimes but besides that, this is an average Tuesday. With the grisly nature of the killings and the youth of the main character, I expected a bit more. Even Robert Langdon has more emotional connection than Lexi.

The plot had a great pace and focused on interesting details. The Wrap up was a bit messy, a few pieces didn't seem tied in so neatly. However, as this is the first book as a series, maybe these strings are meant to be pulled at later.

I did enjoy this book and recommend it to my thriller, detective fans. It will be interesting to see where the series goes.

Thank you Netgalley for the audio arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very well written and played out like a PBS mystery in my head! I loved the connections Detective Lexi Bennett made and the plot twists kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend reading The Girls on Chalk Hill if you love a good mystery. I cannot wait to read more of Detective Lexi Bennett's adventures in the future.

The Girls on Chalk Hill was my first chance to enjoy Alison Belsham and in this instance it was an an audiobook advance copy from NetGalley. I’m very happy to have been able to get the opportunity to start out with book one of this series and am looking forward to the upcoming books that are due later this year. The lead detective is very engaging and when she gets swept up in a murder and missing persons case on her first day that resembles the kidnapping case of her and sisters years before I was not able to stop listening. I honestly had a hard time figuring out who the villain was and so I definitely loved how this book kept me on my toes guessing. I would recommend this if you love British mysteries but I also think you will love this if you love books by Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliott, or Helen Durant.