The Lost Children got my senses awakened from the very first page.
It was dark and creepy and made my hairs stand on end. I knew from the first chapter I was in for a thrillingly creepy read and I was disappointed!

The opening scene is at the children's Moore Asylum set in 1975
 It's night time and one girl is awake... she can't sleep... she senses something isn't right...she looks over to the empty bed and realises one of her friends still hasn't returned from treatment.
She wakes up her best friend who tells her off... but something just isn't right... why is there a man with a torch outside dragging a body along.... could it be there friend who hasn't yet returned??
She shoves her fist in her throat to stop herself from screaming.... in case she's next!

We skip forward to present time and the Asylum has been shut down and now up for sale.
The estate agent meets a potential buyer at the property. As she drives up the gates she feels uneasy.
Finally the buyer arrives and she summons the courage to open the doors!

Bang.... there hit by a nauseating strong smell.... a smell of a dead body... They open the door to find a body... a body that has been there a little while and what appears to be a man strapped to a bed with an instrument stabbed into he's eye. It appears a lobotomy has been performed on him. (This was a treatment used in the Asylum to treat mentally ill patients)

Detective Lucy Harwin is currently undergoing therapy from work. Shes off work on extended leave due to a case that went wrong previously.
When she receives a phonecall regarding the Asylum murder. She has no option but to ignore the advice of her therapist and return to work early to help.

As we delve into the story more murders appear and are quickly stacking up.
 It is beginning to look like the Asylum and the murders are connected in some way. Could it be revenge killings? What is the link between the Asylum and the killer?

As Lucy and her partner Mattie start to investigate the murders further they start to realise the horrific extent to the secrets the Asylum walls held.
They become enthralled in a chase to find out who the killer is. But in doing so puts their own lives in danger.

There are flashbacks of the Asylum stories but I would of loved more. I would of liked to of learnt more about the Asylum and the children.
Although this didn't stop the book from bein extremely enthralling and addictive.
It gave you just enough to keep guessing.

Some great little twists and edge of your seat moments.
At times the hairs on my arms stood on end.
This book was fast paced, darkly chilling, great characters, kept me guessing and I thoroughly loved it.

This was the first book in the series so I can only imagine how good the next will be.
Lucy was a great female lead detective and I can see her character going from strength to strength. She has a knack of knowing things and using her judgement. I can't wait to read more.

Thanks Netgalley. Fast paced fully of action great thriller. Recommend

The Lost Children, by Helen Phifer, is the first novel in a brand new crime thriller series that will follow Detective Lucy Harwin.

Although I’ve been struggling with police procedural type novels lately, this one was exciting to me for several reasons. To start, when Bookouture publishes a book, I fall in line. They really are a stellar publisher and I have enjoyed everything I have read by their company. Helen Phifer had also been on my radar for quite some time after I saw a glowing review for her book, The Good Sisters. I was glad to read a novel published by an author I had heard so many things about. Finally, I was filled with relief when I found out that this novel was the first in the Detective Lucy Harwin series. I can never fully connect with a protagonist until I have read the entire series, and unfortunately, I don’t always have the time to do that. So this one was high up on my priority list. It did not disappoint.

The Lost Children had me entertained and on edge. Following a similar formula to the police procedural genre, the novel opens and introduces Detective Lucy Harwin. Coming back from a leave, she is quick to jump in and prove herself. Her “sidekick”, Mattie harbours some serious feelings for her (and I’m thinking this will prove to be some sort story arc eventually). A body has been found in an abandoned children’s asylum and it’s up to Lucy to find the perpetrator.

The narrative style of this one was unique, instead of a back and forth type of narration between the present and the past, Phifer would reveal a tidbit during the investigation in the present and then the novel would flash back to the time of the asylum and tell the story. This was so clever and really held my interest, especially since this didn’t happen every chapter. Phifer is clearly a phenomenal author and I will absolutely go and read more of her work.

However, there were a few moments that I didn’t love about this novel. For one, there were a couple instances where the POV would abruptly shift to another character without much warning or a page break; mind you, this could be an issue with my Kindle edition but I felt it to be very distracting. I also felt as if the ending was rather abrupt. I was right in the middle of the action and then all of a sudden it was over and all wrapped up neatly.

Regardless, of my small critiques, this one was absolutely entertaining and I will be anxiously awaiting the next in the series. I gave it a 3.5/5 stars.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

My thoughts: This is the first book in Helen Phifer's new police procedural series and I absolutely loved it! It's dark, twisty and has a kick-ass lead female character that has tattoos, wears converse sneakers and dyes her hair bright, crazy colors - what's not to love?

Detective Inspector Lucy Harwin is one tough, complicated gal. She's just back on the force after a previous case put her on leave and she has a ton of baggage that at times weighs her down. But I find her fascinating! I think she is going to be a great character study as this series progresses. And her side-kick, Mattie - he's harboring some feelings for her, but won't fess up and I definitely feel this will at some point be explored - at least I hope so! They make a good team, professionally, have each other's backs and when danger comes around, really worry about each other.

The case they are working on is a tough one to swallow. This book is dark and deals with some heavy, disturbing topics. The action is fast-paced and the characters are all intriguing - you want to know more about them all, especially the villian! While I had figured out who was behind things fairly early on, it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this book - I wanted to know how they were going to get caught and what their ultimate motivations and goals were.

This book kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the way every once in a while we got flashbacks to the past - just nuggets of what really happened at the asylum. Even just thinking about it now gives me the chills! I can't wait to see how this series progresses and where our characters go next!

This is the first book that I have read by Helen Phifer and certainly won't be my last. Wow this lady knows how to write a spine chilling, creepy, gripping story that will make the hairs on your neck stand up on end. I freaking loved it.

The story starts off with one hell of a prologue set in 1975 where I knew I was going to love this story. The author certainly knows how to draw you in. Moving forward to the present day we meet Detective Lucy Harwin who is still reeling from a previous case that ended in the devastating murder of a mother and her child, she finds herself on the trail of a killer ruthlessly fixated on avenging wrongs. When an elderly man is found dead. We follow a story that alternates back decades about The Moore Asylum which was home to the forgotten children of Brooklyn Bay. Together with her partner Detective Mattie Jackson, Lucy begins to unearth its terrible history, and the horrors endured by the vulnerable children. As the attacks escalate and a woman is murdered on her own doorstep, Lucy is forced into a terrifying game of cat and mouse with a twisted individual. But can Lucy stop a murderer with nothing left to lose?

OMG I am absolutely blown away this story is so well crafted you will not believe it until you read it. The author has woven one truly dark and twisted story. Where I found myself on the edge of my seat. I loved the alternating chapters each one left me wanting more. I couldn't read this quick enough. And just when I thought I had worked out who the killer was the author throws in about twist!

I loved the relationship between Lucy and Mattie and can't wait to get to know them more, they really work well has a team. This is a brilliant start to a new series. And I can't wait to read the next book.

This is a must read which I highly recommend giving it 5 massive stars.

All Taylor Clark ever wanted was a normal life and a traditional family, but so far she’s had neither. Soon after discovering that her boyfriend was secretly engaged and she moves to Charity, Montana for a fresh start, she realizes she’s pregnant. As her new friendly and sexy landlord helps her settle in, they become friends, although Taylor has to keep reminding herself to keep her distance. The last thing she needs is to start something new.

This is a fast paced, action packed thriller which had me riveted to the very end! It truly is a gripping thriller with superb believable characters brought to life in this enthralling story which is full of unexpected twists and turns. This is definitely a winner to me – I suggest you go read the story yourself rather than reading my review!

I am so impressed with how the author brought the characters to life. The flash backs from the serial killer add to the angst and are a brilliant way of filling in their back story. The lead investigator is Detective Lucy Harwin and the details of her turmoil after her previous case, the adultery of her ex-husband and the rebellious nature of their teenage daughter are all significant factors in the unfolding drama which starts with the discovery of a murdered elderly man, strapped to a gurney in the abandoned Moore Asylum, a so-called hospital where children were imprisoned if thought to be mentally ill until scandal forced it to be closed down. As Lucy returns to work with her partner Matthew (Mattie) Jackson, secrets from the past regarding the mistreatment of children are slowly revealed – but not in time to prevent other people becoming victims of the serial killer . . . . and Lucy, herself, could also be one of the killer’s targets.

Thank you to Bookouture for agreeing to my request by gifting me a copy of this superb novel via NetGalley without any obligations. I chose to read it and this is my honest opinion after doing so. If you enjoy great police investigations, serial murder thrillers or a really well crafted story, don’t miss this exceptional story. I'll certainly be looking out for more in this series or by this talented author in future!

I loved this book, the subject was a hard one but handled so well and I thought it was brilliant and one of the best I've read in 2017!!

The author has put together a fantastic plot with an excellent fast pace that keeps you turning the pages, I didn't want to put it down. The characters are complex and likeable and the settings used in the book all link in and work so well together - I honestly thought that this book was excellent and would give it 6 stars if I could, thoroughly enjoyed every page and was hooked from page one.

The book is out now so you can grab your copy and see if you agree!!!

I do love it when I discover a new author and really enjoy the book, and it is even better when the book is the first in a new series. I am already looking forward to book two!

The Lost Children follows Lucy, a detective who has just returned to work following an enforced absence after an event that we never quite get to understand but that continues to haunt Lucy. On her first day back at work Lucy is thrown in the deep end when a body is found in an old and abandoned asylum, someone has been brutally murdered in a small town where this sort of thing rarely happens. When another body is found Lucy is convinced that the two deaths are linked, but why is someone suddenly killing people and how is the old asylum linked to the murdered people?

The asylum in the story is almost like a character in itself, now derelict it holds the secrets of the horrors in its past. Before being closed down for good it was home to children who were seen as difficult and unruly, or who had learning difficulties. We learn about the treatment of those children through the eyes of one of the children kept there. This added to the storyline and helped the reader to understand why these killings might be taking place.

I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and sucked me in. I liked Lucy as a character and her relationship with her police partner, Mattie. The book reminded me of MJ Arlidge and his Helen Grace books, which is a huge compliment.

The believable characters who are solid and well-written, combined with an intriguing and original storyline make The Lost Children a great read and Helen Phifer an author to watch out for. I look forward to the next book in the Detective Lucy Harwin series and hope to find the time to read Phifer's previous books.

I don't think that I've particularly hidden that I am a fan of Bookouture. They have released some of my favourite books in the past few years and each and every time they announce a new book, I sit up and take note. This is especially true when it comes to anything crime related. I have somewhat of a thing for crime or thriller books. You may have noticed. So when they announced that they were releasing a new series of books by Helen Phifer, I was intrigued and straight on the pre-order and I was right on board when the opportunity came to read and review the book. In a genre already dominated by strong female protagonists, a good number of them coming from the Bookouture stable, could this new Detective, Lucy Harwin, hold her own?

The answer is simply, yes. She can. She is a really interesting character. Just returning to work after a break following a harrowing case which went south, she is immediately drawn into a murder investigation which will test her nerve and prove whether she really is ready to return to work. With her personal life a bit of a mess, she's a divorcee whose seems unable to do anything right in the eyes of her teenage daughter, Lucy lives for work. Her work partnership with Detective Mattie Jackson was brilliantly scripted; a perfect balance of camaraderie and flirtation with the pair skirting around the clear chemistry between them. This is definitely a pairing to watch and once which I will be interested to see develop in the future books.

As for the case. Well, when your first body is found left to rot in an old abandoned asylum, the manner of death very distinct, then you know there is something very sinister afoot. The story bounces back and forth between past and present as we are treated to flashbacks to the asylum when it used to act as a hospital for children with mental health issues. And by that I mean a mixture of seriously disturbed children to those who perhaps have a mild form of disability which would be far better understood in today's society. At the time the historic sections of the book were set, the 1970's, things like ADHD or autism, or even just being a little unruly, were seen as reasons to lock your children away. This led to some unpleasant scenes in the hospital where Doctors and Nurses were not as tolerant or understanding as they perhaps should have been.

Now there are a few twists in this book and on a couple of occasions the author had me wondering between one or two potential characters as to which one might be the killer. It really will keep you guessing. There were also some real edge of the seat moments in which our heroes face great peril. The writing and pacing a solid and it moved along at a fair old gallop at times. It kept me gripped and the characters are relatable, particularly Lucy's relationship with her daughter, the archetypal moody teenager. And having read The Good Sisters I already know that Helen Phifer has a real knack for creating a chilling atmosphere. This was no exception with the scenes in the asylum, both past and present sending a shiver down my spine.

All in all, a great start to the series and I can't wait to read more about Lucy and Mattie

The shifting points of view between several characters (3rd person, except for the murderer in 1st person) really didn't appeal to me. Add to that the flashback/time element, shifting between 1975 and today (at least, those are the only two times so far--I only made it through 10%), and I just couldn't connect with any one character and time long enough to be hooked into the book. I like the author's writing on a chapter-by-chapter or scene-by-scene basis. I especially like the character of Det. Lucy Harwin, who is supposed to be the main character. But at 10% in, I have spent as much time with the children in 1975 and the modern killer as I have with Lucy. I just can't become immersed in the story enough to hold me when the ground is constantly moving under my feet. I'm intrigued by Lucy and her backstory, and I really wish I liked the structure of this novel better!

[Review copy of the novel provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review of the book.]

2.5 to 2.75 star read.

This book read like the script of a police television drama. It's fast paced, a little superficial, and the characters all seem to connect the dots really quickly. There's nothing wrong with that, except that, especially considering this is the first book in a series, I could have used a little more depth. I wish we'd learned more about Detective Inspector Lucy Harwin and her demons.

This book introduces us to Lucy Harwin and her partner Mattie (Matthew) Jackson as they try and solve a murder that happens in The Moore Asylum, a building that has been abandoned for decades. Told mostly from Lucy's perspective, but also tossing in alternating points of view, the team of detectives race to solve the case as the bodies start to pile up.

My issues with this book revolve around the fact that Lucy's gut seemed to connect the dots a little too quickly. Sometimes mysteries and thrillers need to be pruned/ be better edited because they have far too much detail or take too long to get to the point. In this case, I feel that everything was so rushed. Early on in the book we get flashes of the backstory (what happened in the Moore Asylum in the 1970s), and I wish that we would have gotten more of the backstory. Finally, by having the murderer provide a few chapters through their point of view, I was able to figure out who did it prior to the big reveal.

That said, I would give Lucy and her team another shot. I never felt like I was wasting my time reading this book, (it's a nice fast read) and it would be interesting to see how things develop between some of the characters (especially Lucy and Mattie, but also Lucy and Ellie, and Lucy and Steve).

This was a fast-paced story with lots of action. Detective Lucy Harwin is always running around trying to find evidence and talk to forensics and go back to crime scenes. In that aspect, I think the author did a good job in showing the effort and dedication that goes into a career in law enforcement. The chapters switched perspectives, sometimes showcasing the voice of the killer, sometimes taking a flashback to the days when the asylum was still active, even showing the voice of one of the victims! While I found the excerpts from the asylum to be interesting, I found that seeing the perspective of the killer made it really easy to guess who it was. I figured out the identity of the murderer quite early on, which was a bit of a disappointment; I like having that slow thrill and anticipation of finding out who it is at the very end. I also found that everything seemed to happen a bit too easily for Lucy; it was pretty much as if everything fell on her lap and there wasn't as much real detective work as I would have liked. This was a decent detective fiction that had a really fast pace that kept me gripped - but the overall story itself had its flaws.

THE LOST CHILDREN is the debut detective novel by author Helen Phifer, a police procedural series set in the coastal town of Brooklyn Bay featuring DI Lucy Harwin. I found myself totally absorbed in the believable characters and the story. Another winner for Bookouture and this talented writer!

Lucy is called back to lead a murder investigation, after being on an extended medical leave for a case that was not handled well. It has been three months since the tragic incident. As part of her return to work, she had to attend counselling sessions, which she regarded as a waste of time. Lucy never mixed work with pleasure. She is separated from her husband and daughter, Ellie. We are also introduced to her partner, Detective Mattie Jackson, (a little bit of growing chemistry there) who makes a nice compliment to her team.

The novel opens with a scene from an asylum, The Moore Asylum in 1975, a place that was closed down in the 70s, but had been a place where difficult children/forgotten children were dumped and subjected to horrific treatment, to silence their cries.

“Lizzy pulled the covers over her head. Then she realised what was being dragged behind the person with the torch. She rammed her fist into her mouth to stop herself from screaming…”

The story then switches to the present day when an estate agent showing a potential buyer round a former mental asylum discovers a murdered body, on Ward 13 that had been lobotomised.

“An elderly man is found dead, his body strapped to an metal gurney... with a spike through his eye.“

But the asylum had been secure, all locked up…so how did the killer gain access?

DI Lucy Harwin, and Detective Mattie Jackson begin to investigate the horrors that went on behind the walls of the asylum, with the body count rising.

Four brutal murders in four days. Is there any connection between the victims?

This is a game of cat and mouse with a serial killer on the loose!

This is a well written creepy disturbing gripping thriller that will send chills down your spine. The pace doesn’t let up and continues to increase until the end. Don’t miss out on this amazing read. Highly recommend! Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

Many thanks to Helen Phifer, Bookouture and NetGalley, for an ARC.

This one opens with a dark, sinister prologue that instantly reels you in. It’s 1975 and there are children locked up in an asylum and things are happening that will make your hair stand on end. We then flip to present day and are introduced to Lucy, a DI who is assigned to solve a murder case where the victims body was found inside the old, forgotten asylum. Except there’s one person who never forgot the horrors that occurred there, and they want their revenge and will stop at nothing to get it.

Any good, appealing new crime series needs a solid, relatable protagonist and Lucy fits the bill to a tee. She’s freshly back on the job after a rough case forced her to take leave, and she’s immediately thrust into action as the bodies begin to pile up. Her partner, Mattie is a bit younger than her, and they balance each other out perfectly. Their chemistry was amazing and their was a real authenticity to both their personas and their work. Lucy is divorced and has a teenaged daughter, Ellie and their relationship was accurate as Ellie is a typical angsty young woman.

The scenes inside the asylum were very atmospheric, you could feel the malice and tension dripping from the pages. Phifer also shared a few brief chapters from the killer and those really added something dark and menacing. This person is boastful and has no remorse, very chilling stuff. While the case itself was interesting enough, I felt the strong point of this book was that it laid a fantastic foundation for this promising series in terms of characterization. I truly feel like I got to know Lucy, Mattie and the rest of the team which just makes me all the more keen to see what happens to them next.

Meet DI Lucy Harwin and get drawn into a story full of fright, misunderstanding and hate. At times it was hard to read about how mentally ill people where treated not so long ago. And to find out that even children got the same treatment as the adults was really upsetting. How can it be that little children have to live in an asylum, getting no love (due to nurses slapping them around, high on the power they have over their wards) and than forcing into having a lobotomy. I had to stop reading a few times, just to take a deep breath and be thankful for that today medicine has come a long way. In the history of The Moore, the asylum where hundreds of children met their fate, there was at least one girl, deserving to be in that place. After killing her little brother, Lizzy gets placed in the asylum by her parents. And she never talks to them again, until one night 38 years later. A great read and a very good start to a new series. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next with Lucy and her colleagues. especially Mattie. I think there is a lot more to tell about them and I’m looking forward to finding out.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture!

The Lost Children is the first instalment in the Detective Lucy Harwin series. The story goes between present day and 1975 where children have been incarcerated in The Moore, the local asylum and forgotten about.

In the present day, a man's body is found in the asylum strapped to a gurney and Lucy and her tram must find his killer and uncover the disturbing secrets the asylum holds.

This book is really well written with some twists and turns and I was totally absorbed in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Helen Phifer for the chance to review.

In “The Lost Children” we are introduced to Detective Lucy Harwin and her team as she returns to work after a mandatory leave of absence. Her first case revolves around the Moore Asylum, an institution that once housed troubled children from all around the country.

The book goes back and forth between some children that were housed at the asylum in the mid 70s to current day. As the horrors of what the children went through are slowly revealed it becomes clear to Lucy that her case is a revenge mission. As Lucy and her partner Detective Mattie Jackson try to piece together the lost history of the asylum and what went on behind its closed doors more murders are committed. The closer they get to the truth the more their own safety comes into question.

There is just enough backstory so you feel like you know the characters - from Lucy’s husband George to daughter Ellie as we ass Mattie’s Aunt Alice. They all have their place in the story to make it complete.

I received a copy of the book through NetGalley and have given my honest review.

I'm a huge fan of Helen Phifer's books right back to her first, The Ghost House, and have loved every one. Her writing style is gritty and natural, and I love that her background in the police force makes the books so 'real'. I have been truly terrified by some of her earlier work (the mark of a real gifted writer) and I absolutely adore this crossover into non paranormal fiction.

The Lost Children begins in 1975 in The Moore, an asylum used to house children, not insane, but not fitting normal stereotypes, no more than troubled kids. They are treated horrifically in there by the staff and we see an insight into a child that seems more troubled than most, Lizzy Clements.

Back in the present day there has been a brutal murder in the now abandoned asylum. A doctor from back in the day. It's up to DI Lucy Harwin and her team to solve it, but as the body count starts to stack up things become much more difficult, and lives are put in danger as things get personal.

I loved these characters, from the outset you can sense the camaraderie between the team and how far they will go to protect each other. Lucy's character was a particular favourite and I can't wait to read more of her story.

The Lost Children is fast paced and really exciting, there was a few times I was practically shouting at my kindle as I saw them heading into danger, and I was pleased to find out the identity of the murderer.

Fantastic read from Phifer, I eagerly await more of this series!

I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed with a bookouture book yet - this is a strong thriller which although disturbing is another good one to put on your list.
There is something chilling about asylums and mental hospitals - thank goodness we don’t treat fellow human beings in this way anymore but the asylum here operated in the 1970s and introduces you to a world of horror and despair.

There’s always something worse about the ill treatment of children and this did make me screw my face up in disgust on more than one occasion - I admit to skipping a few paragraphs - but the writing was so vivid and strong that I had to keep going. The man found on the gurney, the intricate police work - this is a novel with layers.

The pacing really shone here as present day mixed with flashbacks - perfect for seeing the horrors of the past - you were often ahead of the police but then were you? The writing pulled and pushed me as a reader and seems very different to the police procedure style of reveals.

This is book one. When I’ve managed to settle my stomach, I will definitely be getting book two.

I just love this Author.
Ever since I was introduced to her by a friend I have eagerly awaited the next book. I was a bit dubious about this one as it is new characters, but as usual Helen doesn't fail to impress. The descriptions that Helen gives of her characters makes it possible to imagine them as real people and the description of the scenes are descriptive enough for you to be able to envisage the scenario. I highly recommend this book to all readers, both new to Helen and her old Annie Graham followers. Hopefully there will be more to follow