I always feel a slight disappointment when the author of a favourite series produces a new book - and it's not from that series! No! What about Erika?!
Mr Bryndza is a great story-teller, however, so I had no hesitation requesting this when it came up on NetGalley. Unfortunately I was declined the first time (wrong country I suspect) and only approved after publication on the second attempt, so I decided to catch up with my older deadlines and am now finally up to date (until tomorrow, when the next one is due...) Anyhoo, I am happy to report that the start of this new series is just as good as the Erika Foster books but with quite a different kind of heroine.

In 1990, Kate Marshall was a newly promoted DC working in London when she unmasked the twisted Nine Elms Cannibal serial killer, but a serious indiscretion and press hounding cost her her police career. Twenty years on, she lives a quiet life by the sea near Exeter, lecturing in criminology and fighting to keep alcoholism at bay. When a new series of young women are killed in exactly the same way, Kate and her resourceful assistant Tristan are drawn into the case - the original killer is still locked up, so who is the copycat and why is he now targeting victims so close to where she lives?

This was a tense well-written serial killer novel with a heroine who took a while to grow on me. We learn early on that she doesn't have Erika's gumption - her younger self standing by in shock when a kerb-crawler flashes her, rather than arresting his sleazy a**e. The alcoholic detective trope is well-worn but it isn't overplayed here, and Kate's struggles don't take over the narrative. I liked the semi-maternal relationship she has with Tristan, as a surrogate for her actual son, the immature for fourteen Jake. (Do teenagers really want to build sandcastles and look at jellyfish?)

There is some violence and a little gore, but it wasn't excessive for this genre. I felt that some aspects of the police investigation were rather hard to believe, including what Kate and Tristan are allowed to get away with. Perhaps some police forces and secure hospitals really are that incompetent, who knows.
The motivations of the new killer were also a bit thin and the denouement somewhat predictable but overall this was a solid start to the new series and I will definitely want to read about what Kate & Tristan do next. 4 solid stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Nine Elms is available now.

Following on from his popular Detective Erika Foster books, Robert Bryndza has embarked on new series featuring Kate Marshall. Although I have yet to read the Detective Erika Foster novels, I wasn't prepared to let another book or series pass me by from this gifted author, so I dived straight into Nine Elms.

Kate is an admired and respected criminology lecturer based at Ashdean University on England's south coast working with a clever and willing research assistant, Tristan Harper. In Autumn 1995, Kate was a young DC who caught the notorious Nine Elms killer in harrowing circumstances when he tried to make her his fifth victim. However, she left the police in disgrace with her reputation in shreds as she had made a shocking error of judgement. Fifteen years later, Kate is still haunted by her troubled past, although she is tackling her alcoholism and dealing with the loss of custody of her son, Jake.

When Kate receives a phone call from the original medical examiner on the Nine Elms case, and as more bodies are discovered, Kate knows there is a copycat killer at large. Although no longer connected with the detectives who will be working on this new case, Kate and Tristan begin an investigation of their own...

It wasn't long before I became fully caught-up in this novel, and I hurtled through the tense and dark story-line, brimming as it was with menace and suspense. The plot was tightly woven between past and present as thrilling disclosures are revealed throughout that surprised me. The crime scenes were written in some detail and may be considered disturbing, but this antagonist is a cannibal serial killer, as is his copycat, so it was not without need. Kate made a marvellous protagonist, her character having been masterfully developed by Robert Bryndza, and I have no doubt she will prove to be a solid lead solid for the rest of the series. Despite her flaws and testing personality, I still warmed to her character almost immediately and she is one of the reasons why this thriller-mystery worked well for me. I adored the dynamics between her and Tristan and I'm curious to see how this might evolve in future instalments. I am also looking forward to reading how Robert Brynzda handles the character development of teenager Jake in the sequel.

Nine Elms has the perfect twisted thriller concoction, and it was an excellent start to a new series that I already suspect will be a new favourite. I am so pleased to have become acquainted with Kate Marshall.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Nine Elms by Robert Bryndza.

Young police officer Kate Marshall has one of the most exciting cases of the year, but when she uncovers the killer in the most unimaginable way, her career immediately goes south. Now she does lectures with her young assistant and lives a quiet life.

So when signs of the notorious killer start popping back up, a killer that has been tucked away in prison for a long time, Kate can't help but get involved. But is it worth risking her career, and life, in order to capture the same killer?

This was a fresh and enjoyable cop drama. I especially liked how the author staged the story with the beginning, it felt new and different. Not an easy feat when there are so many crime thrillers out there. The characters are compelling and it definitely set you up for many more to come. Looking forward to seeing more of Kate Marshall.

I have been a big fan of Robert Bryndza for years and was very excited to get a chance to read his newest book. I liked many things about this book in particular the main character Kate and her assistant Tristan, who I found made a good combination. I thought it had a good beginning but unfortunately I found as the book went on the storyline became very unrealistic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

I discovered Robert Bryndza with his outstanding Detective Erika Foster series. “Nine Elms” is a new series, featuring Kate Marshall, a young police detective who caught a cannibalistic serial killer but was unjustly forced out of her career due to a scandal. Kate has become a college professor of criminology, but is drawn into the investigation of a copycat killer who is meticulously following the scenarios of the original murders. Although the book was very suspenseful, it didn’t quite meet the high marks of the Foster series. It takes a lot to launch a new series so while the first book in this one may not be stellar, I will definitely be looking forward to the second book. Even better would be if Bryndza also continued the Erika Foster series!

My review was posted on Goodreads on 1/5/2020.

In 1995, Kate Marshall, just promoted to Detective Constable, was assigned to the Nine Elms Cannibal case. A deraigned murderer abducted young women, strangled them with a cord tied with a distinct monkey’s knot, and took bites from their thighs, buttocks, and backs. On the night the fourth victim was discovered, Kate connected the clues and unmasked the killer, but in the process was brutally attacked. In the aftermath, Kate was embroiled in a scandal, was forced to leave the Met Police.

Fifteen years later, Kate, a recovering alcoholic, was finding some peace as a lecturer at a small seaside university where her class was always in demand. Her ordered existence, however, was upended when the local forensic pathologist asked her to consult on a case. The young girl’s body had a cord tied with a monkey’s knot and bites were taken from her backside. A copycat was at work.

With her research assistant Tristan Harper, an insightful ally with a sullied past, Kate becomes caught up in the investigation—but she doesn’t realize that the copycat is determined to succeed where the Nine Elms Cannibal failed and make sure Kate doesn’t survive this time.

An entertaining introduction to a new series, 𝘕𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘮𝘴 has great and disturbing characters, interesting settings rendered in detail (for example, a psychiatric hospital), and poignant moments. However, some aspects of the plot didn’t quite ring true, and some situations seemed resolved too easily (such as a political conflict at the university), and I though the writing was a bit choppy at times. Still, I was very captivated by Kate and Tristan. Their partnership shows lots of promise for future stories, and I and look forward to the second Kate Marshall book.

I am hoping Nine Elms is the beginning of a series. I adore Kate and Tristan.

The book opens with a bang and I should warn you there are some pretty graphic scenes. The storyline flows well and moves fast. I really enjoyed this book.

Okay, now that the holidays are behind us (YAY!) I can finally write this review. This book was my first foray with Robert Bryndza and I was not disappointed.

Right at the beginning of the book you are thrown into a scene where Detective Kate Marshall captures the Nine Elms serial killer. There are, however, certain circumstances and details surrounding the case that ultimately ends her police career.

Fifteen years later and she is now a lecturer at a small university when she is contacted by a family who think that their daughter was abducted and killed by the Nine Elms killer even though her body hasn't ever been found. Kate along with her assistant, Tristan, decide to investigate her disappearance.

As they get closer to finding out what happened to Caitlin it appears that there is a copy cat on the loose and they have their sights set on Kate and that is all I am willing to say.

Kate and Tristan are both likable characters which helped with my enjoyment of this book and while I don't always like getting involved in book series I will say that I would gladly dive back into the world of Kate and Tristan. Recommended! 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book starts with an exciting scene of murder, a serial killer that has avoided capture by leaving no clues on the bodies. Kate tells her boss, "He'll make a mistake soon". Her frustration comes to a head when the killer DOES make a mistake but even she doubts she's right. Yes, she catches the killer with great injury to herself. Fast forward 15 years and Kate's life is radically different. Without giving away anymore of the story....Kate finds herself searching for a serial killer again. The book is good, well worth your reading time...the end is so good!

I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the Erika Foster series that Robert Bryndza also writes. Kate is a flawed character and I couldn't really connect too much to her. I really enjoyed the opening chapters of the novel and how Kate figured out who the Nine Elms killer was. Sadly I didn't enjoy the later chapters (15 years after the early chapters) and again I like my problem was that I didn't enjoy Kate as the main character.

Thank you to Netgallery and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I didn't love this book. It was too over-the-top. I love British mysteries, but this was a thriller that was clearly written in the hopes that it might become a movie or a a tv series. It was just too far-fetched. It read like the 12th or 14th book in a well-established thriller series, not the first in a new series, although I did like Kate.

This was a good mystery. I like that it was about a cold case. Some parts were pretty graphic. The build up to the climax was good but the actual ending was a bit strange. I will be interested in reading more cases featuring Kate and Tristan.

Note: An ARC was given generously in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me the opportunity to review this.

I wanted to like this novel so bad, I mean it was just so made for me.

The summary, the cover. The recs by my friends.

Gah, it was perfect. But then it blew up.

I felt the characters were too weak for my taste, as someone who's dealt with cases before, she was too weak-hearted and the plot was moving too slowly for my taste.

Hence why I DNFed. But still I'd like to try this author's works as I do see some potential.

So yeah, not a recommend.

Until the next read,

TMR

Kate Marshall has settled into a life of morning swims, teaching university classes, and AA meetings after her career as a detective ended in disgrace. Kate solved a high profile series of murders, the Nine Elms killings, but it is discovered she had a brief affair with the killer, Peter Conway.

A decade and a half later, Kate's son by Peter lives with her parents, and young girls are once again being murdered in the same manner as the Nine Elms killings.

Kate takes on the task of locating a missing girl when the girl's parents ask her to look into her disappearance.

This, like other Robert Bryndza books, did not disappoint.

It is raw, gritty, vivid, and everything I look for in a can't-put-downable book.

This book is so good that I found it difficult to leave down. I had heard so much about it on the Fiction Cafe Book Club page that I requested it from Netgalley. Robert Byndrza has a brand new fan and will be waiting for the next book in the series patiently. I had one suspect in mind but as usual, I got it completely wrong. I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased.

This is the first in a series of procedural mysteries featuring a flawed main character. Sound familiar? It might but this story certainly redefines that style of character in Kate. The story starts a bit slow but then starts building the tension in a highly effective way that makes you not want to put this down. This is not for the feint of heart but if enjoy reading about strong and likable protagonists, serial killers and modern procedurals, you will love this book. I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

I like a good female-led crime story. And I have a particular weakness for stories of horrific serial killers. Nine Elms caters heartily to both of those wants.

I do take some slight umbrage with the heavy focus on Kate’s alcohol dependency because it’s come to feel almost like a given in crime novels in the last bunch of years (not necessarily for alcohol, but some kind of chemical vice), but at the same time I can’t be too mad about it because investigators with troubled pasts, especially as troubled as Kate’s, are probably fairly likely to resort to some sort of chemical dependency – at least for a time.

Aside from that one small story “issue” (bunny-eared because I feel hesitant to really call it an issue, it’s more like a mild annoyance with a common storytelling trend), I think this is a really solid start to a new series. I would definitely read more about Kate’s exploits. Although, while we’re on the subject, I find I didn’t really give two shits about Tristan, because I feel like I never really got to know him. So maybe he will warrant a bit of a deeper development in a subsequent entry?

This is a solid first entry into a greater series. It does its job of making me want to know more about the characters. One thing that I think makes Nine Elms stand out as a first entry, however, is that it feels like a standalone. I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrating I have come to find cliff hanger endings in series. IT’S SO ANNOYING. Like, if you end your book on a real heavy, slap-me-in-the-face cliff hanger, I’m probably never going to read your work again. At least not if you get me with that mess more than once. But this one doesn’t do that at all. The story is contained, and I LOVE that.

Nine Elms is the first book in a new procedural series by Robert Bryndza. Released 1st Dec 2019 by Amazon on their Thomas & Mercer crime imprint, it's 385 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a well written procedural with an engaging but flawed protagonist. The story arc develops slowly at first but the tension ratchets up and careens toward the inevitable denouement. There are some rough spots in the dialogue and main character Kate's interactions with others didn't quite ring true for me in some places. That being said, it -is- very well written and the plotting and narrative are very well done.

For readers who enjoy modern procedurals, this is a promising start to a new series written by a proven author. I tend to read more classic golden age type mysteries and admit that some of the descriptions and material in this book were a bit over the top for my taste personally (sexual psychopathology, murder and torture of young girls, body horror, discussion of cannibalism, etc). The language is not egregious and there's no direct sexual content. I would definitely call this more of a thriller than a classic murder mystery.

Four stars. I enjoyed it, but it's worth knowing what's in store to at least a general degree before committing.

As with the Erika Foster series, this is also a fast paced thriller with twists. The psychological aspect could have been dealt in detail. The mystery, police investigation, private investigation were all dealt well. The kid’s actions and age do not correlate. The author does not disappoint. 5 stars

Nine Elms is the first of a series with the main character of Kate, an ex-police detective whose career crashed after the solving of a serial killer case and it's fall-out left her traumatised, vulnerable, and an alcoholic. Fifteen years on she is still struggling but keeping her head above water when a copy-cat killer calling himself The Fan begins re-creating the Nine Elms murders.

This was a taut, well-written thriller that is a perfect blend of police procedural, private investigator, and psychological drama. I really liked Kate with her strengths and flaws, and I hope Tristan develops a bit more as the series progresses as he is a good supporting character.

This is the first book I've read by Robert Bryndza and it certainly won't be my last!