This is the first book in another series by Helen Phifer. This book was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was intriguing and kept me guessing the whole way through the book. I like books where it isn't easy to figure out who the killer is, and this was written very well.

A promising new series, with an engaging protagonist and a beautiful, inspiring setting. Look forward to reading more books from this author.

My first book by Helen Phifer, it was nail biting to get to the perp. I was completely blindsided when the truth was finally revealed. I loved how Beth was etched with professionalism along with depths of a personal life. She was a person of contrasts, scared of living, loved the dead. She could fight but was scared enough to have a safe room at home. She lived amongst people but was alone.

It’s a first book in the series about forensic pathologist Beth Adams. The body of a young woman is found underneath the coffin of another deceased person during an exhumation. This is such a gripping read, I was hooked from the first page.

Absolutely enjoyed from start to finish, u didn't want the book to end. Highly recommended, if you like books that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

A great new series begins and off with a bang from the beginning.  This new series features a pathologist that has to deal with her own demons while helping the police investigate the death of a young girl.  This was a thrilling read, and I can't wait to read some more of Beth Adams! Recommended. 
TB

"I'd rather look an idiot and be wrong than be too afraid to make the call and be right"                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                 - Josh Walker

Review 

The girl in the grave is the first book in the Beth Adams series by the author. It is a spine-chilling psychotic crime thriller which has the power to make the readers have sleepless nights. The book was extremely terrifying and gripping. Since it the first book in the series, it took some time to get into the plot. But after the first few chapters it became unbelievably fast moving. The book has a well plotted storyline supported by strong characters and dialogues. It had a solid plot and that was crystal clear and flawless. The author has simply mastered the plot with her efficient thinking. There was no shortage for twists and turns, every chapter had something unexpected to reveal. It had all the elements that are essential for a thriller to be thrilling. The way the killer had hidden the body of his victim under someone else's grave was sick and sadistic but at the same time one cannot deny how brilliantly genius it was.   

The character development of every character was highly outstanding, the manner in which the author has penned down these characters will make them stay in the reader's minds forever. Helen Phifer has clearly elaborated the character of Beth Adams, most importantly her work life as a Forensic Pathologist was explained in greater detail. This brought the life of Forensic Pathologist into broad day light. It was quite interesting and also scary at times. Josh Walker is the knight in the shining armor of this book, his sincerity towards his work was commendable and the charismatic aura surrounding him was contagious. The rapport between Josh and Sam Thomas was enjoyable, despite the seriousness of the plot this combo will make the readers laugh and smile. 

The multiple perspective narration was superbly executed. Though at a couple of places it was mildly confusing but except that everything was fine. The language was easy and reader friendly. The climax could've been a bit more heroic, after all who doesn't love more action ?

My View

It is a very gripping novel and I totally loved it. It literally scared the shit out of me at many places. My expectation was raising higher and higher with every passing page. It's completely worth the read. I particularly liked Beth Adam's house with a lake view, it was beautifully described and the image of her house is still in my mind's eye.                    I would definitely recommend this book to everybody who loves thriller. If you aren't into thrillers then I suggest you should start with this one. Do read this book and tell me how you feel about it in the comment section below.

My rating for this book is 3 / 5 

Click here to get hold of this book 

Happy Reading Folks!!

~Meenu

Loved this. New series with relatable characters that you know just have lots more to give and oh the plot!

I was given a copy of The Girl in The Grave by Helen Phifer by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have read several books of Helens before so was pleased to be given the chance to read this one. This is a fast paced crime story, Beth and Josh must find the serial killer. The stories although crime have a hint of romance and we see Beth begin to trust and fall in love. Definitely a series I will be looking out for in the future.

Wow, wow and wow again!

This book was everything and more.

Gripping….. Exciting…..  Gritty….. Page turning….. And worth every minute of my time!

I loved every single page of this book, I was hooked just from the title (I do love a grabbing title) and Helen didn’t let me down. I love how Beth and Josh work together, they seem to get one another on a different level. I enjoyed their chemistry together and maybe a little grown soft spot for Josh .

The story line never let up, I was turned every which way and was constantly on my toes.

The girl in the Grave seems to have it all and Helen has certainly set the bar high for this series. This is only book one, I can’t wait to see where this series and Beth Adams takes us. I’ll definitely be stalking the release date for book 2.

Another triumph from Helen Phifer. She writes so beautifully, and has the ability to completely scare and thrill you to death!

Beth Adams is a Forensic Pathologist called out when the body of a teenage girl is found hidden inside someone else's grave.   

Traumatized by an attempt on her life several years ago, she has been in hiding in fear behind secure gates and a panic room.  Beth decides its time to take back her life, but as she exposes where she is, she's dragged back into her attacker's line of fire once more.

Only Detective Josh Walker knows what this case is causing her.  Walker is having his own problems while the case is going nowhere.

And then another girl disappears ....

This is a well-written police procedure featuring Dr. Beth Adams in the first of what I'm hoping for is a long series.  The story premise is finely crafted with enough twists and turns to keep the reader taking a gander at what's going to happen next.  The characters are credible and memorable.  The ending is unpredictable and explosive.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my  own.

Good story, excellent plot and really great author I will add to my list of my reads.  Would highly recommend to others!

I absolutely adored this book. This was my introduction to Helen Phifer and it did not disappoint. I need to get my hands on her other series asap. The girl in the grave is the first instalment of a new series featuring Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams as the lead and I cannot wait to see where it goes. 

This book is written well with well fleshed out characters. I loved Beth and Josh and their friendship was beautiful and so nice to read. Their chemistry really added to the plot. With regard to the mystery part, I literally had no idea. I was hooked and could not put it down. I needed to know the who and the why. The ending was the perfect end to the build of tension and I’m so glad that it wasn’t rushed. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be picking up any future books in this series as soon as I possibly can. 

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I really liked Lucy Hardin. That was the first book I’ve read by this author and last in that series, abut it was so good, and I wasn’t lost. Great stand alone which is rare. 

This was good too! It wasn’t as good, but I think this may be due to the fact that it is a new series and you have to lay some groundwork. It’s tricky to know how much to put out there. 

The writing is solid and the characters are well fleshed out.  I liked them and I am curious how their stories evolve so I guess I’m on for the ride! 

I liked the story from this perspective (forensic pathologist) and I was happy to see the Beth’s evolution; so I guess I’m invested. 

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a review.

The first in a series with Beth Adams who is a Forenisc Pathologist. As a main character I find she is kind of mediocre. I only found that her personality blossomed near the end of the book, the rest of the time I wasn’t overly fond of her. Detective Josh Walker on the other hand I really enjoyed his narrative. I like the concept of a small Scottish town that doesn’t have a lot of major crime so finding a dead body underneath an exhumed grave is big news! 
The story was good and I will definitely read the next book in the series to see how the characters and the authors style strengthen.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it won’t be the last. 
I really enjoyed the story, it gripped me from the start and keeps you guessing throughout. 
Recommended to any psychological thriller fans. 
Looking forward to the next in this series.

A great start to a new series, Helen Phifer gives us Beth Adams, a forensic pathologist who has had her own experiences with personal violence.  With her past affecting her every decision, Beth receives a request to assist in the investigation of an unusual murder.  The evidence suggests a serial killer who is staying one step ahead of the investigation.  
The back story here is very detailed.  The characters all have their own complicated background so there are many avenues open for the next book, and the next one.  Lucky for us, as this looks to be a series well worth following.

When Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams is called to a gruesome scene at a cemetery, she is determined to do all she can to help her good friend, Detective Josh Walker, solve the senseless murder of the teenaged girl found buried in the grave, under someone else’s coffin.

When another local girl goes missing, the investigation picks up in urgency. Are the cases coincidences or is this the start of a serial kill? 

Beth has a haunting traumatized past, trapping her in a cycle of suspicion and fear. What she does not know yet, is that the missing murdered girls are traps set by someone who ultimately, wants to hurt her.  The police investigations are deliberately led in circles, but each turn of events is meant to reopen and unravel Beth’s past, to terrifyingly crash into her present. 

Beth and Josh have a bond that can easily and hopefully go beyond the friendship and respectful workplace, into something more personal. I will be looking forward to seeing that develop. All the characters are relatable, have a great rapport and, everyone has their own story which engages you throughout the book. 

Cleverly written with a sharp plot, the first in the Beth Adams series opens with a riveting scene, and it is fast-paced action right from go, to the shock end-reveal.

Very much enjoyed and highly recommend this crime mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the read of Helen Phifer’s, The Girl in the Grave.

My expressed opinions are my own.

A new series from Helen Phifer teams a forensic pathologist Beth Adams with lead detective Josh Walker. The duo are investigating a murder after a woman’s body is discovered under a coffin during an exhumation. The body has been deliberately hidden and then revealed due to the unnecessary exhumation, meaning the murderer is cleverly acting as puppet master.
The anticipation is ramped up by the author’s narrative device of letting us see a variety of perspectives so we are made suspicious of some named characters and some mystery ones. However, there are other secrets that have nothing to do with the murder investigation…
The main characters of Beth and Josh have a wonderful chemistry as he once saved her life. He is enduring an unhappy marriage and Beth is facing her own demons which are gradually revealed over the course of the book.
Featuring a forensic pathologist, there are obviously some graphic details of an autopsy but these are delivered in a clinical way so are not gratuitous or overwhelming. The methodical police procedure is also at the forefront of the plot.
I felt that the explanation of the killer’s motives did not fully explain his choice of earlier victims, and instead focussed on his final act of violence which was the culmination of the clues dropped earlier in the book.
The style of writing was fast paced and the chapters were mostly short, making it tempting to keep reading just one more even when you are desperate to go to sleep! The main characters are really easy to like and the ending gives lots of potential for sequels to develop their friendship.