I was given an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review

I don't normally enjoy police procedurals/series, I prefer to see the target save herself, but Erika Foster is the exception. I would read about Erika checking her mail and doing her laundry, she is a wonderfully complex character. This book is a bit of a return to form as the last one was starting to dip into 3.5 star category (this one is 4.5)- with the usual ghoulishness and the delightfully three dimensional supporting cast - police and suspects I've come to expect from Bryndza. Did not see the twist coming. A treat.

Once again another superb book in the series featuring DCI Erika Foster. I read this book in two sittings in under 24 hours, it sounds cliched but I genuinely did not want to put it down. The series just continues to get better and better and I am grateful for the opportunity to read it early.

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 and finding me a space on what was always going to be a very popular Blog Tour!!

If you know me, you’ll know how much I love Robert Bryndza! This is book six of the Erica Foster series and I have read and become absolutely hooked with every single one of them. I remember reading book #1 The Girl in the Ice and thinking that it was a fantastic piece of writing. Some series start to go a bit stale, but six books in and these are still going strong, if anything they are getting better and better.

For those who haven’t read the other books (where have you been???), Erica Foster is a Detective Chief Inspector in the Metropolitan Police. Formerly from Slovakia, Erica moved from the Greater Manchester Police following the death of her husband, who was also a policeman. Erica leads a fantastic team of detectives, who all give her the loyalty that she deserves. A young woman is murdered on her doorstep on Christmas Eve. Erica and her team are given the task of finding the killer, but with few clues and no witnesses it looks like they are coming up against a brick wall. As they delve into the investigation, reports come in of several attacks involving an assailant wearing a gas mark. Could the cases be linked? Alongside this, Erica is still having her own personal demons to deal with and finds that she needs to confront the past to be able to move on.

So, did I enjoy it? Hell yeah, it was absolutely brilliant! As with all of Robert’s books, I started it as soon as I got it (putting aside all the other books I need to read!) and didn’t put it down until I’d finished it just over a day later. I love Erica Foster, and now we are at book 6 begin to feel that she is some sort of old family friend! The book starts right in at the action with the murder of Marissa, a burlesque dancer with high ambitions. There are no clues as to why or who committed the murder and I love the way how all the little pieces of information slot into place as the book goes on.

Again, the book mixes business with pleasure. Erica is fantastic as the boss, but is still finding it difficult to cope with aspects of her own personal life. Her late husband features a lot in this book, and Erica finds that she needs to confront the memories that she has obviously pushed to one side. I love the personal side of Erica, she shows she’s not this ‘big, bad detective’ all the time and underneath that stony exterior she has a heart of gold. All my favourite characters are back and on fine form, some with more secrets than others.

With regards to ‘whodunit’, the story keeps you in suspense right to the end with more red herrings than you can shake a stick at. I honestly didn’t guess who it was until the reveal actually happened, and loved the twist towards the end – very cleverly done!

I have to admit that this is probably the best book of the series so far! I also have to admit that the series goes up there as one of the best series I ever read, and I really hope there are many more Erica Foster books to come. I work in a library and am always recommending this series to my borrowers who are stuck for something to read! This book gets a huge thumbs up and five big fat stars from me!! Thank you Robert for my Erica Foster fix…..when’s the next one!!

Deadly Secrets may be the sixth book in the brilliant Erika Foster series but the author has written it so that he gives enough background so that anyone wanting to dive straight into this one can easily do so.

The story is set at Christmas time. There is no festive spirit or Christmas cheer in this book though. Set at the coldest time of the year, the author takes us on a dark and chilling journey in the hunt for a killer.

Erika never fails to surprise me. I enjoyed there being a bit more of her personal life as it reminds you of how human she is. She very much comes across as being some kind of super woman and constantly pushes people away and lot letting anyone in.

The case is a truly intriguing one. Someone going around in black wearing a gas mask. You can't help but get creeped out. I love how the author doesn't give anything away and kept me guessing throughout. I truly had no idea who could be behind the killings and when all is revealed it, with some shocking twists, it won't be what you are expecting! 

Deadly Secrets is a thrilling and addictive read that chilled me to the bone. The author ensured he commandeered my attention right from the start and didn't let me go until the very last page.  I am proud to admit that I am an Erika Foster junkie who is on a high now having her fix. Please Mr Bryndza, don't leave me hanging too long until my next one.

Erika Foster is and will be my favourite detective along side Logan McRae. These books are always a treat to read! Every story is full of action and twists and will keep you interested until the last page

This is the 6th book in the Erika Foster series and once again it’s a fantastic read, read in one day and had a major book hangover afterwards! When a mother awakes Christmas morning to find her daughter has been brutally murdered on their doorstep during the night Erika and her team once again start to try and unravel the case. But the more they speak to the girls’ friends and family the more confused things get. With two suspects dead and not much to go on Erika must leave London when a family emergency calls her and hands the case over to our beloved Moss.
I love this series; the characters are very well developed and relatable. Each member of the team is like an old friend. This book is full of well-placed misleading morsels that send you off on a “I bet it was such and such……… but he wouldn’t make it that easy” tangents. As the story unfolds I had serious and possible life-threatening heart palpitations when poor Moss fell into danger. And I love the will they won’t they story with Erika and Peterson. As the story wraps up and you slowly begin to understand what is being laid out well……as always you never even saw it coming!!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review

4.5 Stars

This is the latest in what has been a terrific series. Detective Erika Foster is back with her team. Several people have been assaulted by a man wearing a gas mask. One woman has been brutally killed by the same man.

Erika is running into a wall concerning the murdered woman. Speaking to her friends, family, people she worked with in a burlesque show, Erika learns that the woman was not well liked. She also learned that the woman was blackmailing a man she had an affair with ... was planning on running away with another married man ... and leaving her mother with nothing.

When Erika has a family emergency, she leaves the case in the hands of DI Kate Moss ... who almost immediately stumbles into a danger closer than she knows.

I really enjoy following the investigation ... it certainly is not CSI. There are house to house investigations, interviewing all possible suspects searching for a motive. I like the mix of professional life and personal life of Erika, plus those of her team.

This is a well-written book with memorable characters. Although 6th in this series, this one reads easily as a stand-alone. However, I always recommend starting at the beginning .... treat your self to a reading marathon ... you'll love it!

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture, Netgalley for the advance digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.