A quick, fantastic page turner. I figured out the killer about half way through but that didn't stop me from being engrossed in the story. Morgan is a likable cop and you root for her throughout. Another great murder mystery by Helen Phifer. Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Helen Phifer's exciting new crime thriller THE KILLER'S GIRL.

Initially, what drew me to this book was Helen Phifer as I adore her Dr Beth Adams series and while I'm disappointed there hasn't been another since, I was excited by the premise of THE KILLER'S GIRL. Despite it being the second book in the DC Morgan Brookes series, I have yet to read the first. But if Helen's writing is anything to go by from her previous series, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed...even if I did come late to the party. And I wasn't.

The story begins with a compelling prologue taking place in 1999 that drew me in from the very beginning. Janet Marks knows her husband Gary is cheating on her and as she reads the front page of the Cumbrian News, she gets a chill sweeping through her body. The Riverside Rapist has struck again and she now knows without a doubt that it's Gary. He has not been home on any of the nights the rapist struck claiming to be night fishing but Janet knows the truth. And now she wants Gary gone. She packs his things and leaves them in a suitcase by the door as she sees to her sleeping children, 5 year old Taylor and 3 year old Skye. But when Gary returns home, things don't go to plan and it's a bloody end for Janet...as Skye screams from the top of the stairs.

When Gabrielle Stevens leaves her friends in pub one night, she has no idea that it will be her last. She arrives home to a dark and silent house as her parents are holidaying in Madrid and aren't expected back for another few days. But that's OK...Gabby is enjoying the time to herself. But as she climbs the stairs to her room she stops at her bedroom door. Her bed is made. And Gabby is certain that she left it a crumpled mess that morning. Shrugging to herself, thinking maybe she did make it, she draws back the covers to discover a folded piece of paper. As she reads it, a chill runs down her spine and the hair on her neck bristles. She can feel the presence of another in her room. She is not alone. She is grabbed from behind and he begins to squeeze the life from her, she pulls off his balaclava as recognition dawns...and the note he left her is forgotten.

"You look much better naked."

DC Morgan Brookes awakes at the same time every morning - 4.25am - without fail, her troubled dreams becoming shadows. She takes herself off for a walk/run, returning home as her mobile rings. Her boss DS Ben Matthews has just received a call for a woman found murdered in her bed by her parents returning from holiday. Morgan immediately swings into action as she is thrust headlong into a murder investigation that ends up hitting too close to home.

The killer, it seems, made off with Gabby's mobile phone and, with the flip of a coin, decides to start toying with police with random messages. His recipient is Morgan which he finds to be a delicious coincidence. His glee at seeing them cluelessly chasing their tails is almost as gratifying as the killing itself...but not quite.

Then when Morgan's father, Stan, is murdered she is devastated. Although she and her father had had a difficult relationship since the tragic death of her mother some years before, they have been slowly rebuilding their relationship and Stan was now in AA. His murder comes as a brutal shock as the team ponder who would kill Stan...and why?

The case takes a confusing turn when DNA from both crime scenes quickly identifies the killer. But he couldn't have committed the murders. After all, he has the best of all alibis - he's been in prison for the past twenty years! But that's not all the DNA throws up. Something even more puzzling and more baffling than Matthews could ever explain.

Meanwhile, Morgan has been placed on compassionate leave in the wake of her father's murder. The question is why was he killed? All Morgan has to go on is her father's final text which she found puzzling at the time but may have been the catalyst that lead to his sudden death. What did he mean in those final words he sent her? As Morgan delves deeper into the past, beginning with her mother's suicide, she soon discovers some home truths that will rock her foundation to the very core as things take a more personal turn for the young detective.

I must say, it's refreshing to read a police procedural where the team actually get along and the senior officers are not constantly trying to oust the main character. I am tired of the stereotypical and cliched cop that seems to run rampant through crime fiction. So this is a refreshing change. I love Morgan's team as well as Morgan herself. She is not afraid to admit her weaknesses whilst learning from her mistakes. She certainly has the makings of a good detective and I hope we see more of her in the future.

I love the short snappy chapters which always keep the story going at a fast but steady pace, swiping the pages in an attempt to get there quicker. I had quickly figured out the link to the historical case at the beginning to the current one as well as the killer but it certainly didn't spoil my enjoyment for one minute. I always feel a sense of achievement if I've guessed correctly before the book's end.

The only flaw I found was with the death of Morgan's mother, Sylvia. Although it was the catalyst to Morgan's estrangement with her father, it was mentioned more than once that she was 15 at the time of her mother's death and that it was five years before. However, Morgan also said she was 23, being the same age as Gabby Stevens. That would make it eight years since her mother died or, if five years then she'd have been 18 and not 15. I thought it a misprint at first, but when it was mentioned several times I found it to be an anomaly that should have been rectified in editing.

Nevertheless, THE KILLER'S GIRL is an excellent book and a fast paced intriguing crime thriller that I devoured in record time. It really is THAT good. I look forward to book 3 in the series, as the ending in this one has given the reader a teaser for future plots.

Highly recommended for fans of crime fiction with a well-written fast paced story that is intriguing from beginning to end.

I would like to thank #HelenPhifer, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheKillersGirl in exchange for an honest review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gripping book

book 2 in the series about detective morgan brookes and it carries on from where the last book left off...morgan is now a more established detective though still a bit unsure of herself in the group but her knowledge of serial killers helps when she can see a patterns before anyone else

the body of a young student is found at home mutilated by her parents and morgan and the team are investigating, its a particularly gruesome murder that will have far more repercussions for the team than anyone can know

and when the killer starts to leave messages for one of the team, things start to get hairy, but its the murder of someone very close to morgan that tips it all in the balance...

oh my goodness...what a rollercoaster of a ride this one was...brilliantly written and cant wait for the next one in this series to see where the team will be after this book....

The second book in the Morgan Brookes series, The Killers Girl is a excellent crime thriller, but can also be read as a standalone as the history is well explained.
This was not my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it just as much as the last.
The story follows Morgan investagating the murder of a local girl, however she gets more than she bargained for when it becomes evident that she's more closely connected with this case than is comfortable.
The characters in the book are really likeable and realistic, the relationships that play out alongside the plot make it a really well rounded read.
I did work put where things were going pretty quickly but this being a really fast paced, suspenseful read, meant that I really enjoyed finding out how the events would play out.
The short chapters and questions left open, needing answers meant I flew through the book wanting to see what would happen next.
All in all a great crime thriller, I would highly recommend. I look forward to reading the next in the series and would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and Helen Phifer for the chance to read and review.

This book sucked me in from the start.
Gabby is home alone - her parents are on a trip. After working at the bar and drinks with friends after her shift, Gabby goes home. Something feels off. Then he comes out of the shadows.
Morgan, Ben, Amy and their team investigate this brutal murder.
The killer uses Gabby's phone to text Morgan. DNA results come back - showing a link to an incarcerated killer.
Meanwhile Morgan is working on her relationship with Stan, her father. He has been sober for weeks, AA meetings, keeping his apartment tidy.
The suspense and twists were great. Excellent plot. Highly recommend.

The Killer's Girl is the second book in the Detective Morgan Brooks series. Having not read the first book, I found this an easy book to pick up and enjoy. There were some references to her prior experiences but this did not detract from this story. The characters are well written and the clues laid out to the observant followers. So a crime thriller which weaves good investigation and the protagonists' personal backgrounds. The tension is built up nicely and brought to its inevitable climax. Highly recommended with a four star rating.

This is the second book in this series and it is another really good read. I read this in one sitting. I was glued to my seat from start to finish. I love the characters and Morgan's really interesting back story. The storyline was very well thought out and cleverly written. I hope there are more books to come.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A good read with a very satisfying ending. First time reading this author & personally found her a little too British in her writing descriptions & expressions. Enjoyed the plot but found it a little slow paced for my expectations. I will try reading Helen again since I bought her book The Lake House long ago but have not read yet. Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another great read, the books in this series just keep getting better. It's a story that kept me reading till the last page.

Finally back at work, Detective Morgan Brookes is still trying to prove her worthiness of being part of the murder squad. She and her boss, Ben, catch a murder case that baffles them. Someone is strangling people, and the only DNA evidence traces back to an imprisoned rapist. In the meantime, Morgan is also trying to figure out the cause of her nightmares and what they mean. As she attempts to get to know her newly sober dad, she begins to wonder if she has repressed memories. When her dad is strangled, and the DNA also traces to Morgan, she could become a potential suspect, but Ben is working hard to prevent that from happening. As he and Morgan purse leads, more questions than answers arise. How is Morgan connected to the crimes? Are Ben's feelings for her more than just work-related? The book keeps you guessing until the end. I can't wait to see what happens next with Morgan.

Detective Morgan Brookes is investigating a brutal home invasion and murder, that will strike closer to home than she ever imagined.
At its best when speaking from the perspective of the killer, the writing was strong enough in this novel, but unfortunately the book was rife with structural inconsistencies and erroneous DNA science.. That, along with several far fetched coincidences make the story inauthentic and frustrating to read.
The shame is that with some solid structural editing and basic research this could have been a good book. My hope would be that the author's next book would have both these things, and then I would really look forward to reading it.

My thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Another good murder story from Helen Phifer where Morgan Brooks is the central character. Having read the first in the series, I have got to know the characters and it was good to read about them again. The book is told from different perspectives and involves an historical crime. All in all an interesting read which kept the interest up thoughout the book with a couple of twists in the plot along the way .
My one criticism would be the way emotions are described at times. Some characters could be fleshed out a little more (Amy & Tom for example) and there are lots of coincidences. But I am looking forward to the next episode in the lives of These Cumbrian detectives
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

My thanks to Bookoutre, Helen Phifer and Netgalley.
I'm slightly worried about how much I actually enjoyed this book. It's not my usual.
I really liked it. Just me being cautious and all, but I think I'm going to have to check this author out.. Or, at least this series.
Yeah, it's 5 damn stars! I would like more.

I was pretty intrigued after reading the couple of chapters. A young woman is murdered in her bed, then found by her parents a couple days later. Morgan is called to the scene and meets Ben a fellow officer.
I thought the plot of the story was pretty interesting but I found myself not really connecting with the characters. The only thing I was really interested in was about the case from the first chapter and how it was going to relate to Morgan. It took me a couple days to get through the first half of the book. Not because I didn't have time, but I just didn't feel like I needed to pick it up right away. Once I got past the halfway point I did find myself flying through it. Some parts took me out of the story a bit, like the DNA when its an almost but not exact match to Morgan and she becomes a suspect instead of thinking it must be someone shes related to.
The ending did spark some interest in where the next book will be going so I might check that out when its released..

The Killer's Girl , second in the series of Morgan Brookes does not disappoint.

The action is non stop from page one to the final page.

Morgan becomes a stronger character in Book 2 but girl you have no luck!

Morgan and DS Ben Matthews and the team are scrambling to see who murdered Gabby.

DNA leads them to a local prison, how can Gary be a suspect.

Morgan has the best instincts and yet she continues to deal with her past and her nightmares that she cant be explained.

I went back and forth trying to decide who the murderer was .

The pages fly by, I stayed up late to finish The Killer's Girl.

Can't wait for Book 3 in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an edge of your seat thriller.

Non-Stop Suspense! The Killer's Girl by Helen Phifer is a gripping thriller that is the second in the Detective Constable Morgan Brookes series. I really enjoy this series! From the start, all the way through to the ending Morgan is shocked with more than she bargained for in her life and job.
Morgan has sleepless nights with nightmares she cannot remember upon waking. She is called to the murder scene of Gabriella Stevens, a young woman her own age. She is soon dealing with confusing circumstances when she receives texts from the dead girl's phone. I won't post spoilers, but Morgan is shocked to learn horrible things about her family's past. During the investigation, Morgan comes under suspicion of being more involved in the case when Stan is found murdered.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Publication Date: December 10, 2020

Second book in the DC Morgan Brooks series. I was really looking forward to this follow up but came away disappointed. I enjoyed the first book ‘One Left Alive’ more.
The story itself is ok but some of the detail is off - particularly around the DNA.
I also had worked out who the killer was fairly early on.
Easy read but found some of the plot predictable and some of the main police characters were fairly incompetent.
3 Stars ⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.

The Killers girl is the second book in the Detective Morgan Brooks series and is an excellent follow up from the first in the series.
When local girl Gabrielle Stevens is found brutally murdered, tied to her own bed DS Ben Matthews and DC Morgan Brookes are called to the scene. DC Brookes is horrified at the scene which does not help her nightmares and insomnia. When DNA that was taken at the scene is identified it turns out that the persons DNA is still banged up in Strangeways prison so they couldn’t have committed the murder. So, DS Matthews and Dc Morgan Brooked investigate and found out who is the killer really is and what is the connection to Gary Marks.
During the investigation somehow the killer finds out Morgan’s telephone number and starts texting her. Ben and the team investigate to find out the connection between the killer and herself. The team briefly doubted Morgan they thought she might be the killer. But Ben knows the brief time he has known her that she wouldn’t do that. As she has given her all since being with the team and he goes out of the way to protect her.
This is another great episode in the series by Helen Phifer. This had a great storyline and I liked getting to know a little more about each of the characters especially Morgan who is not afraid to get her hands dirty and has something to prove to the rest of her team that she is not just the newbie. Although I guessed the killer towards the end, I think this is another great page turner and I can’t wait for the next book.

A major league suspense written by a master storyteller ! Mesmerizing , with unforgettable characters ! A must read ! Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book ! Opinions are solely my own ! #Netgalley #Bookouture #TheKiller'sGirl

This is such a great book! The plot is hidden behind so many layers and it’s an amazing pleasure to unwrap it little by little.
I was gasping with shock when I started to realise what was going on. I am giving myself a pat on the shoulder for getting part of it before it was revealed and I applaud the author for her brilliant mind, because that’s what is certainly behind this story. Did I mind that I figured some of it out beforehand? No, not in the slightest. It can only mean that great minds think alike LOL (just joking. I would never be able to write such a masterpiece)
I love Megan, I love the series and I think the author still has a lot up her sleeve to keep the thriller fans entertained. I, for sure, am counting the days. The moment when the next book will be released can not come fast enough. 5 big stars.

Thank you, Helen Phifer and Bookouture