Next to Die is book 6 in the North Country series... of a series I am not familiar with but I have read a few books by this author. This can be read as a stand alone story..

After working late one night a case worker is killed in her car in the car park. The opening chapter of this book is pretty full on and graphic. It comes to light that the victim was covering at work for Bobbi who was off sick...and looks like and drives a similar car to the dead woman. Is Bobbi going to be next?

This book is a page turner but I found there to be so many characters and I had trouble keeping track of them. Maybe if I had read the previous books this wouldn't have been an issue. It is a great story thT gets you in.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions

Wow, what an opening, the brutal murder of a social worker and her colleague's  fear  that she had been the intended target drags, dragged me screaming and kicking right into the storyline. With a whole host of potential suspects and a minefield of clues made for a tense and bumpy ride in this gritty crime thriller based in the USA.

I really liked the fact that the novel had a focus on social work and child protection services, although US-based and I don't know enough about their systems to comment on accuracy, the narrative was sensitive and respectful. It was refreshing to see this area brought into crime fiction and some of the difficulties and tensions that the key workers, as key characters in the book faced. It just seemed to add a different dimension to the book.

I'd also like to make a special mention of attention to the use of appropriate language in relation to mental health and suicide in this novel, the author thankfully takes the time to refer to a completed suicide as opposed to the awful term of committing and I found this a refreshing step forward in fiction. Language is a powerful tool and I really do appreciate it when authors take the time to use theirs thoughtfully, which was certainly the case throughout this novel.

OK, so Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton, I was a little confused by their relationship at times, but I'd not read any of the others in the series so this may have skewed my understanding of their backgrounds. However, it is not a sticking point in the book, I'm just damn nosy and want to know everything! As far as love interests go in a novel this one was written just right! No OTT bodice ripping and thrusting body parts gave the novel the seriousness it deserved and the focus on the crime as opposed to the sexual relationships of the characters. Ha, I sound like a right prude here don't I?! I'm not, I just like my crime fiction to focus on the crime and not the bedroom action!

As a detective, I have to say I'm rubbish and the author was excellent and giving clues but not giving it away as it kept me guessing right up until the end! So many twists and turns in this gripping storyline, it will keep you on your toes throughout! Rising tension and fear inducing moments throughout the book makes for a gripping and compelling read from the author.
my review will appear on my blog for the blog tour

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher, Bookouture, for this review copy given in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Noelle from Bookouture for organising the blog tour!

This is the 6th book in the North County series. It can be read as a standalone, and you don’t need to have read the other books before this one.

A Social Worker is brutally murdered in her car on her way home following working on a difficult child protection case. Bobbi, another social worker, was supposed to be working on the case but was off sick. It’s the first murder in the town in 18 years and the whole town is scared, especially Bobbi who thinks the killer may have meant to kill her. It’s down to Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton to work out who the killer is before there’s another murder.

My 2nd book by this author. For information, it is based in the US. The beginning of this book was great with a gruesome murder right at the beginning. This immediately piqued my interest and I was pulled into the story really quickly. The Detectives, Mike Nelson and Lena Overton, work well together to identify the killer, throwing all different scenarios in the pot! The killer could be one of many people who Mike and Lena may have had a motive and I have to admit I, again, didn’t guess correctly! Social Worker, Bobbi also features strongly in the story, bringing into it her own personal demons. The story is told mainly from Mike and Bobbi’s perspective with small chapters from the killer’s own viewpoint.

A gripping story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. Would definitely recommend this one!

This is my first book from this author, and it won't be my last. Next to Die is a gripping thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat., constantly guessing what's going to happen next. I would recommend this book. I received an ARC copy from NetGalley for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own

Another book by this author, "Dead Gone," I read a while back and liked it a lot. So when I got the chance to read an advance copy of this one (thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley), of course I jumped at the chance. It's No. 6 in the author's North Country series and I haven't read any of the others - but not to worry; it stands alone just fine.

At the heart of this one is finding what may be a serial killer before he (or she) strikes again. Early on, a child services worker in Lake Haven, New York, is found dead in her car in the agency parking lot - the victim of an unusually brutal knife attack. No evidence was left behind, but co-worker Bobbi Noelle has reason to suspect that she may have been the killer's real target (they look somewhat alike, drive similar cars and the victim had been covering for Bobbi the night she was murdered). Local and state police detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton begin an investigation that includes Harriet's no-good estranged brother and Bobbi's ex-boyfriend Jamie, but with almost no clues to work with and a ton of different characters (which, BTW, made it a little hard for me to keep track as well), identifying the culprit seems hopeless.

The chase gains some legs when Mike and Lena learn of another caseworker who went missing, but the trail of that decade-old case has long gone cold. Maybe, just maybe, the killer has a "thing" for social services workers; but in any event, time is of the essence. Will they find the killer in time, or will Bobbi be the [ahem!] next to die?

Nope. No way will you get the answer from me. Good story, good writing, good book worth reading.

Bobbi Noelle works in Child Protection Services and when she is the first to arrive at work she discovers that a co-worker, Harriet Fogarty has been brutally murdered in her car. Not only does Harriet bear a resemblance to Bobbi she also drives a similar car and so, Bobbi’s doubts begin, “Was she the intended victim”.

Mile Nelson and Lena Overton are brought in to investigate the case. During these investigations they have to decide whether Harriet was murdered in a case of mistaken identity; whether a case involving a missing case-worker from a different district is part of this case; and whether this is all tied up with a drug operation. The cast of suspects widens and this almost lost me, as so many names were introduced I had trouble keeping track, who was who, what had they done to arouse suspicion, and ….. For me this did spoil the book which was well written with a well-structured plot. The plot was revealed through Mike & Lena’s storyline, Bobbi’s storyline and the killer’s thoughts (these I found a bit predictable and did not add much to the story).

What I found to be most interesting was the background story of the child protection services and I thought this was handled well, not sensationalising things but laying bare all the problems that case-workers have to contend with, lack of funds, too many cases and last but not least angry parents and damaged children. This was dealt with sensitively.

I also liked the characters of Mike and Lena and their developing relationship.

All in all, a quite satisfying read which I would recommend with the caveat regarding the preponderance of names which left me confused.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Next to Die, a stand alone thriller set in upstate New York.

When Child Services case worker Harriet Fogarty is stabbed to death in her car in front of the office Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are on the case. They wonder if it has something to do with her work or if, perhaps, it's a case of mistaken identity as Rita was covering for Bobbi Noelle who bears a superficial resemblance to her and drives the same colour of car.

I enjoyed Next to Die which has a twisty plot and almost a surfeit of suspects. It is told mainly from Mike and Bobbi's points of view with the occasional injection of the unnamed killer's thoughts. I must admit that the latter did nothing for me and I don't feel they added much to the read as all they confirm is that his thought processes are less than normal. I didn't find it convincing and even less so by the end of the novel.

Apart from this the novel is a good read. The mechanics of the investigation as Mike and Lena toss around ideas as they try to develop a motive and suspect are the backbone of the novel. It is interesting to see that, in the end, it is gut feel rather than forensics that set them on the right course. It's a bit old fashioned but none the worse for that. Bobbi, on the other hand, is having a hard time as the killer fixates on her. Mr Brearton does a good job of her uneasiness and tension.

Next to Die is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Being such an avid reader, I am always on the lookout for new authors and I can honestly say that I've found a new one after reading this book. I really enjoyed Next to Die and look forward to reading more of this author's books!

Thanks a million Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book. Absolutely brilliant. My heart was racing from start to finish! Full of twists and turns throughout. The final twist was a complete surprise! I would highly recommend it.

#NextToDie by T.J. Brearton
#NetGalley
16 Feb 2018

The book is a thriller that starts with every woman’s nightmare, getting into the car and get ready to drive off when she is suddenly attacked by someone in the backseat and being cut over and over with a knife until life finally gives way to darkness. The beginning sets the tone for the rest of the book. The murdered woman drives an almost exact copy of the coworker who finds her in the parking lot the following morning and looks eerily alike except for a couple of decades. Detective Mike Nelson from the State Police and Detective Lena Overton from the town police work together to solve the case which of course starts out with determining who really was intended to be killed. Since the murdered woman and those involved work for Department of Social Services there is a lot of sensitive material involved which slows the whole case down. I agree with other reviewers that there are so many characters that I searched the name on Kindle to remind me who was who. All in all I sincerely liked the book and will recommend it to others. I thank #NetGalley and the author for this advance copy so I could review it. It was a pleasure to read.

Many twists and turns and theories abounded in this book. It was like peeling away layers and kept me reading and reading more. A touch of the personal really added to the story.. There were a lot of people’s names used which could confuse someone who is not good with names. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

A well written puzzle of a mystery that will have you questioning exactly what is happening and who is the real bad guy.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Next to Die is the sixth book in the North Country series written by author T. J. Brearton. Good mystery with many characters which made it difficult to follow the storyline at times. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Next to Die by TJ BREARTON. This is my second read by this author, and I am really becoming a fan.
A woman enters her car. She is a caseworker with DSS and she's worked late. Suddenly, she is brutally attacked and murdered. The woman is found in the morning when the other case workers are coming in to work. This is a small office in upstate New York; this doesn't happen here - but it does!
Bobbie Noelle just started the job as a caseworker in this office, and she is immediatlely alarmed because she brings alot of personal baggage and she drives the same car as the victim. Was she the intended target? Bobbie has a crazy ex-boyfriend, and has broken up many families as a result of her job.
The police, Mike Nelson and Lena Overton, investigate this murder. There are alot of suspects that are close to the victim and some that are not. It is Mike and Lena's job to find the killer before he kills again.
The plot takes the reader to this small hamlet that has its own secrets and when the police discover another case worker has been missing for several months, Mike and Lena must connect the dots. Someone has it out for the DSS - and they have to find out before someone else gets hurt. Then another caseworker goes missing. The killer is starting to escalate and no one is safe. I see this is written as a series book, but it is a stand alone book.
Well written - solid crime novel.

Excellent book. Very interesting characters and story. Totally gripped me from start to finish. A caseworker is murdered. Was she the target? The characters and their involvement are well thought out. I was not expecting the ending at all. Read past my bedtime to finish this book. Thank you NetGalley, Bookoutre and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

Great book. Brilliant storyline and excellent main characters. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.