I found this book a bit gruesome for me with a lot of in-depth descriptions of crime scenes and not exactly what I was expecting. I liked the character of Detective Erika Foster and I believe this to be a series of books surrounding her.

Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster is still trying to get back on the Murder Investigation Team (MIT) after being removed due to her abrasive behaviour. When a badly battered body of a woman is found in a dumpster, Erika is the first on the scene and wants the case. She is sure it is connected to a body that was found a few months earlier and wants to investigate. Due to bad luck on the part of Superintendent Sparkes, she gets her team back including Peterson, Moss, and Crane and they are on the case. When a third, then fourth woman is grabbed while on a date, the case heats up. All the victims have long dark hair, are attractive, and are planning to meet with someone they met online. A slash of the femoral artery, following a beating, is the cause of death in each case. Erika and the team needs to find answers fast before they have a fourth dead body on their hands.

The story is written in a way that the reader knows who the killer is and what his motivation is as well. The gripping part of this story is whether or not he will be caught before her kills another woman. The story alternates between the police investigation and the killer's activities. The description of the his step-by-step method of tracking, luring, and torturing his victims ratchets up the tension. The police procedures were also well planned following steps such as cameras (public and private), checking social media, interviews, intuition and a bit of luck. I like that we begin to see a softening to Erika. She is still tenacious and short-tempered, but not quite as abrasive as she had been. A bit or romance might be softening her a bit. This is a fast paced story, that kept me listening most of the day. I like the balance of work and personal, although this investigation kept them working crazy hours as they raced against the clock. Although this crime thriller can be read alone, I recommend you read this series in order to get the full picture of this team and the character development of Erika Foster. I definitely recommend this book and series to those who like detective stories, police procedurals and crime fiction.

Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat threw out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book thrilling the characters were fantastic and well thought out and the little clues all the way threw keep you guessing until the end this book stays with you long after you close the book this book is well worth the read I promise you wont be disappointed

Last breathe by Robert Bryndza.
Detective Erika Foster #4.
Another brilliant read. I loved Erika she's my favourite. I love how she is. Well I didn't expect that. Can't wait for next book. 5*.

I chose to read and review an eARC of Last Breath but that has in no way influenced my review.

It’s no secret that I love this series. I’ve come to realise of late that my true reading passion lies with police procedurals and serial killer novels. If I could only read one sub-genre for ever more, it would be police procedurals. No doubt about it. And the Detective Erika Foster series by the hugely talented Robert Bryndza is one of the best I’ve found.

Always keen to solve the crime, Detective Erika Foster is one of the first officers to respond to the scene of a brutal murder. The only problem is, it’s not her case and she’s most definitely not welcome. No matter how hard she argues. When Erika is the only person to spot a connection to a similar recent murder, and following the sudden demise of one of her colleagues, she fights her way onto the investigation and into the SIO chair. But there’s a sadistic killer stalking the streets of London targeting young woman, and time is running out. Can Detective Foster and the team connect the dots and find out who the mysterious killer is before it’s too late…

I really enjoyed this book (as I have enjoyed all previous books in this series). The author’s writing is absolutely spot-on and it draws you into the story instantly. I have such a soft spot for Detective Foster who is feisty and fearless. Her drive and determination to solve the case know no bounds. I flipping love it! Add to that the support of her outstanding team and Last Breath ticks all the boxes.

You do discover who the killer is fairly early on in the book but that allows the author to paint a much more vivid picture of them, showing the external factors which may have helped mould them into a merciless murderer (or maybe they’re just a psychopath, huh?). I really enjoyed seeing some of the story from their side of things too. The plotting, the planning, the manipulation and the entrapment. All wonderfully compelling and had me on the edge of my seat.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Last Breath and all of the Detective Erika Foster books that came before. This is a great series which crime fiction fans shouldn’t miss out on. I’m delighted to have two more books left to read in the Detective Foster series before I move on to Bryndza’s new Kate Marshall series. Incredibly readable, thoroughly enjoyable and very well-written. Recommended.

I chose to read and review an eARC of Last Breath. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

**4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads, Amazon and Waterstones**

I feel the series has gone from strength to strength. Erica was a strong character in this series right from the start, she’s good at what she does. Not always doing things by the book but certainly getting the job done.
She’s passionate and rides on steam.

This case isn’t hers. She happens upon it but, she wants to be part of it.

I loved how the author not only developed the plot but also the regular characters.

What a gripping read! This thriller really lived up to the genre! Although this book is part of a series, I didn't feel like I had to have any familiarity with the other books. It was a stand-alone book that didn't leave the reader wondering what they'd missed in the previous books.
There was wonderful character development, you found yourself routing for Erica, not only to solve the murders but to succeed! The storyline was very believable.. a murderer who meets his victims online? Very current and adds to the suspense.

I've never been sure if I should leave a negative review on NetGalley or just forget it, since I am so grateful for the opportunity to read the books. To be truthful, I didn't finish this one. It was the first Erika Foster I've read, and I was turned off from the minute the body was found in the dumpster. It was pretty gruesome and never got better. I'm wondering if all of the series is that descriptive, etc, but don't think I'll read to find out.

I really love Erika Foster series - but this one was a bit tepid, hence the 4 stars.
I received a copy of the book from netgalley, thanks to them and the Bookouture team.
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While Erika is fighting to secure her place on the investigation team, she also can't help but get involved in a murder investigation of a young woman's tortured body is found in a dumpster. The issue this time is that this is not Erika's case, she also has to face Sparks and she is not too happy about it - least does Erika know that things are going to change for better and worse!

Erika quickly finds a link with another unsolved murder of a woman 4 months ago, similarity is that both the women have a fatal incision to their femoral artery!
The killer in this book is a stalker who stalks his victims online, he knows what his victims like, share, dislike - all is out on their social media feeds and he uses fake identity to lure them. He also seems to know where the cameras are and is good in escaping from them everytime he has attacked a woman.
Towards the end Erika and her team have a tough task of saving a girl who was abducted while she was waiting for a date - does the killer slip up and leave clues without realizing?
Hoping that the next book would be more gripping and a page turner.

#lastbreath #netgalley #Bookouture

Detective Erika Foster is BACK in Last Breath - the fourth in Robert Bryndza's super series. Yet another the author delivers a slick and gripping storyline and in my opinion should be read in order to fully benefit and get to know all the main characters backstories.

This is the forth instalment in the fantastic mystery thriller series featuring Detective Erika Foster. The series keeps getting better with fresh and original ideas and memorable characters. Highly recommended.

Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster wants her previous job catching murderers back. Even if she has to kiss a little butt to get it. Someone's killing attractive, dark haired young women. Erika is wrestling with her private life and trying to keep it separate from her professional life.
I read the book with no real issues. Everything moved at a nice pace. The killer is identified early and that was a bit different.

When a tortured body of a female is found in a dumpster Detective Erika was the first on the scene and wants the case. Soon Erika finds a link to a previous case where another female body was found in similar conditions . Connecting the dots Erika and her team figure out that the perpetrator is finding his victims on social media. When another girl goes missing it’s a race against time to catch him and save the victim.

Last Breath is the 4th installment in the Erika Foster series is a fast paced action packed thriller. The perpetrator is revealed early on to but it doesn't take away from the story . A thoroughly entertaining , interesting read and a great addition to the Erika Foster series.

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

Hands up for this author's book series that I'm a fan since "The Girl in the Ice". It's so addictive and please do a favour and read his books, i mean each story has becoming even more interesting and I'm gonna finally read the last update book in the serie. nº 6 " Deadly Secrets" .
The Last Breath was fantastic novel where Erika seems to pass through the line to do whatever possible to catch this maniac, who abducts and kills young women in London.

I really enjoyed the first couple of books in this series but I just didnt like this one and I dont think I would go back to this series. I found it so disappointing.

Bookouture and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Last Breath. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

When the mutilated body of a young woman is found in a dumpster, Detective Erika Foster ends up inserting herself into a case that is not within her jurisdiction. As she has bad blood with the superintendent in charge, Erika has no choice but to stay on the sidelines. With the case under her skin, will Detective Erika Foster disobey a direct order to stay out and instead investigate on her own? When circumstances change, will Erika be able to put together the clues in order to prevent more needless deaths?

The author gives away too much in Last Breath, not allowing the reader to discover the perpetrator as the story unfolds. Having the identity a third of the way through, it does not provide the reader sufficient motivation to finish the book. I am a fan of police procedural thrillers when the reader is allowed to uncover the truth along with law enforcement, instead of having a front row seat to the action. That being said, I do like main character Detective Erika Foster and feel as though I have a vested interest in seeing where the author takes her into the future.

My Rating: 5/5

Before I get into my review, I want to send a HUGE thank you to Bookouture for copies of this series on Audiobook. It has been a pleasure listening to them and I’m excited to share my thoughts.

Erika Foster. I hear that name and automatically think of strength. I’ve read a number of detective series and Robert Bryndza’s is one of the best. I can easily put it in my top three. There is suspense and anguish in every book, and just enough clues to keep you guessing the outcome. While I liked some books better than others, it doesn’t change my mind that I highly recommend this series.

Set in London, Erika Foster is a detective oftentimes leading a team of a murder investigation. She lives and breathes for her career, which can hinder her mostly non-existent personal life. Originally from Slovakia, she’s been living in London for a number of years, but hasn’t made any real ties. She is still dealing with the death of her husband two years prior on a drug raid gone wrong. All of this makes up Erika’s struggles. But, even though she struggles in the personal department of her life, she has a glowing track record of solving the most difficult cases.

My favorite of the books is probably Last Breath (and this book didn’t win by much!). This one is told from different points of views, the serial killer who preys on young, beautiful females and the detectives. The story is chilling to the bone! After kidnapping the unsuspecting girl, the man tortures and kills each one, leaving their bodies in a dumpster. It is so disturbing, especially during the moments when hearing it from his point of view and the pleasure he gets from torturing. Last Breath also develops the story line of Erika and a potential love interest. Seeing her alone all these years, I was excited to see her finally finding comfort in another person. I love how the author adds the story line as a minor plot, always keeping the focus on the crime itself.

I’ll emphasize again that while I like every book, The Night Stalker and Cold Blood are tied for my next favorites. Both are also told by alternating point of views (I’ve come to realize I favor this type of story telling). Both involve female killers, and both are equally disturbing. Mr. Bryndza proves his creativity with each book; no two stories are the same and all are intriguing until the very end. His writing is captivating and he provides just the right amount of detail to keep you yearning for more. There is enough recap in each book that they can ultimately be read as stand alones, but I recommend starting from the beginning and diving into each book in order.

I listened to these books on my long commute to and from work every day. The narrator did an excellent job! She didn’t overact, but read the story with enthusiasm. Being American, I also loved the British accent!!

Kudos to the author for writing a series that is not only top notch, but one of my favorites. I can only hope that Mr. Bryndza isn’t finished with Erika yet!!

RATING: 4 STARS
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)

Not only am I loving this series, but you can't help but like the author himself. I wrote a post on Instagram about reading his books and he actually replied! Usually, authors are pretty kind so I am not be surprised that Rob responded, but I wanted to just give a quick shout out for making a fan happy.

After I finish an Erika Foster novel, I am always curious to know what the plot line for the next book will be. And, as always it is better than the last - as in I am in knots till the end. How will it all come together, am I right and what was Erika thinking? I hope this series goes on for a few more books.

Last Breath by Robert Bryndza
Detective Erika Foster Series Book #4
Publisher: Bookouture

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for the ebook ARC of Last Breath by author Robert Bryndza in exchange for an honest review.
A young woman, is found dead in a dumpster; tortured, eyes swollen shut and her clothes soaked with blood.
Detective Ericka Foster was one of the first to the crime scene, but the only thing is, it is not her case. When she fights to secure her spot on the investigation, she has found a link to a murder of a young woman that happened 4 months prior. The women are found both with the same type of injuries and are also both found in dumpsters.
The killer has found his victims through social media, and he sets up a date with his next victim. He first stalks them and then sets up an account using a fake identity using social media, preying on young pretty women.
Ericka and her team are having a difficult time catching the murderer, as he doesn’t seem to exist, and then another woman goes missing while waiting for her date. Will the killer leave behind enough evidence for Ericka and her team to be able to catch him?

Last Breath is book #4 in the series, Detective Ericka Foster. I have not read the previous books in the series. I really wish I would have read the other novels in the series before reading this novel, because it is an excellent book.
This book is action packed, leaving you full of emotion and it is very well written. The book was very hard to put down and it kept me wanting to read more. I rate it 4 stars, and I highly recommend giving this novel and series a chance. I hope there is going to be another book in the series. I might even go back and read the first three novels!

Thank you for approving me of this book! I wasn't actually able to read it in time before it expired. I'm turly sorry!