3.5 stars

Detective Erika Foster is back! When a suitcase stuffed full of a dismembered body shows up she gets called to the scene.


Then another body turns up in a suitcase.

*these people have some cash..dang suitcases are expensive!

Erika starts working on the case, trying to piece the two murders together. What she doesn't realize is that there are two killers.
(Parts of the story are told from one of the killer's perspective.) The killers in this book just kinda seemed like they really were not smart enough to pull off the events that were happening. I wanted to just thunk them both in the head for the biggest part of the book.
(It could just be that I felt shorted on my time with Erika Foster)

I love these books and will definitely keep reading this series, but I think you could miss this one and not miss much from it. Erika is always great...but dang-the woman never gets a break. Some of the stuff happening to her kinda wore on me because her luck is worse shit than mine.



Bless her.

She does have her moments though:
'You fucking bitch!' he said through the balaclava.
Erika angled the taser down to his crotch and fired it at his balls. He screamed and went rigid, hitting the ground.
"That'll teach you to call me a fucking bitch."

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review

Another absolute cracker of a book from Robert. The pace of the book was relentless from the start and I didn't want to stop reading. Hard to comprehend how Max and Nina can be so cruel and heartless - Robert has a fantastic imagination to think up their vile actions. Fab to catch up with Erika Foster again and so looking forward to the next installment.

ACE! I love Erica! Thought this book was fab! Thank you Net Galley for my copy. Robert, you have done it again and given us a great read and wove a great tale. Can't wait for the next one.

<p>Just a few short months ago I decided it was time to start a new series. I saw many wonderful reviews for Robert Bryndza’s books and I was simply memorized by the cover of book one, The Girl in the Ice. This is where my love affair for the Detective Erika Foster series began.</p>
<p>Erika Foster is a no-nonsense, confident, and independent woman/detective. She doesn’t always play by the rules and often finds herself in trouble with her superiors, but she gets the job done and that is what she lives for, “the job”.</p>
<p>Book five of the series, Cold Blood, is just as fantastic as the previous four! If you haven’t already read the synopsis for this book please take my advice and don’t. This book, as well as the previous four, are even more fun when you have no idea what is going to happen. This is my motto in general, go in as green as you can, it really helps to keep the element of surprise alive.</p>
<p>This book has two storylines. The story opens current day (Monday, October 2nd, 2017) with DCI Erika Foster and her team investigating the mystery behind a suitcase that has washed up on the beach with a body inside. The second storyline is the story of Nina and Max. We are first introduced to Nina and Max in August of 2016. Nina gets a job at Santino’s fish and chip shop and that is where she meets fellow employee Max. This meeting would set Nina’s life on a course that she never would have predicted.</p>
<p>This book, particularly the storyline of Nina and Max, is much darker, more violent, and graphic than his previous books. Some readers may find this to be a turn-off, but I feel like Robert Bryndza may have been spreading his wings a bit and took a different approach. I actually appreciate when a series grows and starts to evolve and isn’t exactly the same format time and time again.</p>
<p>I have had a blast binge reading this series and will probably be on the hunt for a new series to fill hole that has been left because there are no more books at my fingertips to read in this series. That is until book six is released!</p>
<p>*Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Robert Bryndza for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.</p>

Wow, wow, wow, Robert Bryndza has done it again with another fantastic thriller. Full of intrigue and anticipation throughout, you certainly won't be disappointed. This most definitely gets the thumbs up from me.

COLD BLOOD (Detective Erika Foster, #5) by Robert Brynzda had me turning the pages as fast as I could read them. This installment not only gave me my usual intense detective story, but more character development involving Erika, her personal life decisions and the contrasting study of the downward spiral of personal life decisions of an average young woman. This book alternates between the present investigation and the past evolution of the evil responsible for all of this violence.
Erika and her team begin working a gruesome case of dismembered bodies being found washed up on shore in suitcases in the present. Erika works the case with Moss at her side, while still dealing with guilt over Peterson, who is still on medical leave. The whole force must also, at the same time, deal with a major betrayal by one of their own which can have major ramifications far into the future.
As you follow the case in the present, you alternately follow Nina in the recent past. Every decision in her life moves her along a path of no return. Our lives change paths with every decision or fork in the road, every person we meet or fall in love with and this author has written a character that you cannot stop wishing for her to get a break or have someone intervene even with all the death and violence.
Mr. Brynzda has added more character development, moral and ethical decisions and depth to each main character in book #5 besides an interesting and fast moving investigation. This book is fast paced and engaging, but it is also more graphic in its violence than previous books in the series. He will definitely have me coming back for more.
Another great addition to this series!
Thanks very much to Bookouture and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so pleased when a much anticipated book lives up to expectation! Robert Bryndza seems to get better & better. It's always nice to meet Erika Foster & her team but this book seemed to be even more gripping.

A body is found cut up in a suitcase. For Erika, used to some grisly sights, this is particularly shocking. When a week or so later another suitcase turns up with similar contents it certainly looks like they are the work of the same killer. Are they just the beginning?

In this story we see the opposite side to the police as we follow Nina and her obsessive relationship with the darkly charismatic Max. Is there anything she won't do to keep him loving her?

I really enjoyed this book. The narrative is fast paced with short chapters, switching from one area of the story to another. This is the best Erika Foster book yet. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this- can't wait till the next on!

Outing number five for Erika Foster and she goes from strength to strength! Another excellent read from Robert Bryndza. As well as a good plot, the author continues to develop the characters of Erika and the team around her.
Cold Blood sees Erika and her team on the trail of bodies found washed up in suitcases in the Thames. It’s a bit dark and weaves in various plot threads with skill.
As we learn who the murderers are, we are with Erika in a race against time, especially when the crimes become personal and she must try and save two small girls from a killer with no conscience. Against a background of drug dealing, kidnapping and benefit fraud, combined with insights into Erika’s personal life, make for another excellent read with a few twists along the way to add to the story!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a review copy.

Every time I finish an Erika Foster novel, I think, surely Robert can’t do any better than that, but I’m always proved wrong. Cold Blood is his best yet, but I know I’ll be saying the same when I finish the next one. A terrific plot, excellent characters and terrific writing. All the ingredients that you need for a great thriller.

When the dismembered bodies of a man and a woman are found in a suitcase after it is pulled from the bed of the Thames, Erika and her team have their work cut out in trying to identify them and their killer. But as the investigation progresses it becomes clear that this isn’t the only time the killer has killed. Is the killer working alone? How many more have they killed and will Erika and her team find them before they are too late?

What I love about Robert’s writing is his ability to hook me right from the start. With each new case I am always rooting for Erika and her team to get the results that they want. As the series has progressed we get to learn more and more about Erika, particularly in the last two books Robert has revealed more about her family in Slovakia. In Last Breath we were introduced to Erika’s sister and her two children but in the latest instalment we meet the rest of her family when she travels to Slovakia.

There was one particular scene in this book which really had me on tenterhooks. Robert Bryndza is a master of tension when it comes to putting his characters in a sticky situation. I was glued to the page. I don’t want to say anything about what happens as I don’t want to spoil the story but you’ll know the scene I mean when you read it. Another example of brilliant writing.

The Erika Foster series just keeps getting better and better, I can’t wait until the next one is released and I’m sure I’ll be the first in the queue to read it. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy to read.

This is not my first Erika Foster book, and this one fully lived up to my expectations. I love the characterisations of Erika and her team, and she has yet another serial killing to solve. When a suitcase is washed up with a dismembered body inside the team are aware they have a murder on their hands. When a second body is found in the same way they realise it's a serial killer and the full team is rallied. As the murders continue, Erika and the team struggle to solve the crime and this is complicated by Erika being taken out of the action for a while. Once the commander's twins are kidnapped for ransom, she soon finds herself back in the thick of matters, and in a race against time to find the children before it's too late. As usual Robert Bryndza writes well, and believably, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end.

Love Robert bryndza's work, great writing style that makes every novel a page turner.
The story is well developed and can be read as a stand alone.
There is graphic violence in the content, as well as disturbing situations that forms the thread of thought of a psychopath killer.
Would love to see more from this author.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and of course Robert Bryndza for a copy of number 5th in the Erika Foster series..

One series of books I am up to date on, and read all of them !

A good start !

The suitcase was badly rusted, and took Erika several attempts, but it yielded and sagged open as she unzipped it. Nothing could prepare her for what she would find inside…

When a battered suitcase containing the dismembered body of a young man washes up on the shore of the river Thames, Detective Erika Foster is shocked. She’s worked on some terrifying cases but never seen anything like this before.

As Erika and her team set to work, she makes the link with another victim – the body of a young woman dumped in an identical suitcase two weeks ago.

Erika quickly realises she’s on the trail of a serial killer who’s already made their next move. Yet just as Erika starts to make headway with the investigation, she is the victim of a brutal attack.

But nothing will stop Erika. As the body count rises, the twin daughters of her colleague Commander Marsh are abducted, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Can Erika save the lives of two innocent children before it’s too late? She’s running out of time and about to make a disturbing discovery…there’s more than one killer.

She fell in love with a killer, now she’s one too.

Brilliantly gripping, Cold Blood will have you hooked from the first page and holding your breath to the heart-stopping and shocking ending.

Erika is a character, if you have read the series, you get to know her so well. A loner with few friends outside of work and a dedicated, stubborn, strong minded, powerful woman, who just does not know when to stop.

With memories that will always be in her head, some tough cases in the past...

Here she comes across one of the nastiest serial killers, with some gory and violent parts of the book. Erika has a tough case.

A great paced, as always, gritty, gory story, with shocks, violence, and as usual Erika with great support from Moss, Peterson, Marsh.

A great detective series. A clear four stars

Erika Foster is back in book 5 of this fantastic series. A suitcase washes ashore off the river Thames and the police discover a gruesome sight - the dismembered body of a man. Another suitcase, this one containing the body of a young woman, is found shortly afterward. Erika works with her tireless team to figure out the connection between the two murdered people. The maze of evidence is tough to follow considering the river washed away key clues. Slowly, the evidence is coming together but not quickly enough as the death toll rises. Erika rushes against the clock as the attacks become more personal and people she loves are put at risk.

This book, like all of the others in the series, is just fantastic. Robert Bryndza is a brilliant author and has quickly become one of my all time favorites. Highly recommended!

3.5 stars

I'm on a 3 star roll lately.. 😕

I'm a big fan of this author and this series, which features Detective Erika Foster and her investigative team. I have loved books 1-4, but did find myself struggling with this one from the start, and it took me awhile to finally figure out what was missing for me....more Erika!

Erika seemed to take a backseat to the protags story line (Nina and Max). Told from Nina's POV, there were so many chapters dedicated to how she met Max, up through present day. I usually enjoy getting into the minds and backgrounds of the protags, but for some reason it didn't work for me here. I would have liked to have had more chapters dedicated to Erika, whether it was work related or personal. One of the many things I love about this series is the tight knit working relationship Erika has with her team and this was seriously lacking for me this time around.

I think the best way for me to sum up how I feel is this: I could have completely missed reading book 5 and I don't think it would have any impact on the rest of the series for me.

It's not all bad, as the mystery was good and the short chapters helped to keep the story line moving. And what chapters were focused on Erika and her team certainly kept me entertained.

Moving on and looking forward to the next case for this team. My expectations are high!

ARC provided by NetGalley

Brilliant. A dark, psychological thriller with great characters and depth. The story is told from the perspective of both Detective Erika Foster, who is struggling with both her work and personal relationships and also partially narrated by one of the killers, a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship with the man she loves. The first Detective Foster book I have read (fifth in the series), it stands alone as a great read with no need to have read the previous books. Extremely well written. A pleasure to read. Recommended.

3/5 Stars
I was anxiously waiting for this book, but it a bit disappointing.

Overall, the "mystery/thriller" story was pretty well written - kept me guessing and wondering how the story would unfold. I also enjoyed the sub-plot with Nils Akerman, however, I wish it had been explored a little bit more. I found the Erika/Marsh and Erika/Peterson stories both a little disappointing.
Still looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book. I have read all of the Erika Foster series and I think this may be the best yet! The premise is simple enough: how far would you go for love? Nina is a teenager who develops an obsession with 30 year co-worker Max. She ignores her better judgement and disregards his moods, violent tendencies and alienation of her friends and family. But when Max involves her in murder does she come to her senses?? I read this book in two.days and highly recommend.

‘Cold Blood’, the fifth instalment in the Erika Foster series doesn't disappoint. If you enjoy well thought out and well written police procedurals, this is the series for you. Each time I read one of these books, it’s like revisiting old friends. I love Erika and her team, the characters feel real. I felt that ‘Cold Blood’ took on a more sinister storyline than previous books and the series is developing so well. I was hooked from the beginning until the end. Looking forward to the next instalment immensely

My thanks to Bookoutre and Netgalley for this copy for review

There was a lot of grimness to the book - an horrific attack on Erika , a rising body count and the abduction of two innocent children, not to mention the bodies in the suitcases dismembered...

The strength of this series for me is Erika and her relationship with her fellow officers. It’s commander Marsh’s children who have been taken so this takes on a very nice angle to the whole proceedings.

I did feel the book went a little too far in the gore factor and the nasty taste in my mouth around the Nina/Max storyline was something I just didn’t get on board with. I’ll still read the next book in the series though but might have to read a few romantic or Christmas books in the meantime to recover.

It is with great sadness that I struggle to give this book 3stars. I read Robert Bryndza's previous 2 Erica Foster books and think they decrease in appeal from the first to the current one. The dialogue is unbelievable and the descriptions are sketchy in important places and too verbose in unnecessary places. I struggle to see why this book is called a 'thriller' as we knew what, who, how and why from the start. A great disappointment and I'm sorry I won't be reading anymore in this series.