TRIGGER WARNING: this book involves child murder
Vulnerable children are 'saved' by a killer whose twisted logic makes murder acceptable. Dan Lockhart leads the investigation and once again calls upon psychologist Lexi Green to assist. She profiles the killer but her own boyfriend fits the criteria: is she dating a murderer...?
Lost Souls drops us into Lockhart and Green's world 8 months after the previous book. Dan is still searching for information about his missing wife while Lexi has moved on from their 'spark' and is dating someone new. Lockhart's search for his wife takes unexpected twists in this book leaving questions as to what will happen in this plot line in the next book.
Despite being in the middle of a pandemic in real life, few books have mentioned it so I enjoyed the inclusion of coronavirus to add little details in the story. For example, not shaking hands, being wary about distancing. This added a relevance and realism whilst also being bang up to date.
The majority of the book is told through the perpective of the police team but there are also chapters written from the killer and victim viewpoints. This ramps up the anticipation about the impending actions that we see unfolding. The characters were believable and I enjoyed the natural feel to the relationship dynamics.
The situations for the children are heartbreaking and were difficult to read as a mum. Yet working at a school, I know the terrible experience some children have and fully believe the dreadful statistics cited by the author. The motives of the killer were almost understandable based on the trauma of his past that is revealed over the course of the book. I had no idea as to the identity of the killer and kept guessing until the very end.

**Book Three in a Series**

I love me some Chris Merritt. I love his writing style and the fast pace of his stories make the reading fly by. You want to read quickly to keep up with the pace of the story. 

A murderer is targeting children and with the help of Dr, Lexi agree, DI Dan Lockhart and his team work to solve the case before the body count rises. Lexi helps with profiling the killer, while Dan and his team track down leads. One of the leads takes them to the children’s school, and their teacher, who happens to be Lexis boyfriend. How will she deal with her boyfriend being a suspect, does she start to see him that way too?

Dan is also continuing his search for his missing wife, following leads to determine where she is, or what happened to her. More of that story is told in this book. 

The one thing that I disliked would be the many different perspectives within this book. We see the story unfold as both Dan and Lexi, but also as the killer, his victims, and two detectives on Dan’s team. Narrowing it down would of made the book a little less overwhelming. 

Sign me up for book 4!

Having read the first 2 books in this series I couldn't wait to read this one and it certainly didn't disappoint. 
Meeting the main characters again felt very comfortable but did not detract from this fast paced story line which had me racing to the end.

12 year old Donovan is found murdered in a church. His body has been well cared for and is accompanied by a reading from the bible. Detective Dan Lockhart is leading officer on this case and gains the help from clinical psychologist Lexi who has helped with profiling on other cases. She predicts further murders and this happens with limited clues as to the perpetrator.

A university student is looking at missing children's cases in the London area and his request for information to help him proves a vital link in the solving of this case.

We also see Dan to continue his personal hunt for his missing wife with additional information being uncovered.

Brilliant read....highly recommend

Thankyou to NetGalley,  Bookouture and the author,  Chris Merritt, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Lost Souls in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.  
This author never let's me down.  Absolutely love the roller coaster ride that is promised and always delivered, in my mind at least. 
The storyline was well thought out and written.  The characters were well described and the tense , atmospheric scenes keep you turning the pages. 
Well worth the read.

SUPER police procedural crime thriller dealing with finding a perp committing the devastating act of murdering  children, Dan & Lexi are great characters adding to the depth of the plot. Totally enjoyed this well written storyline blended with lots of suspense,  leading up to a great ending.  Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My 6th read of Merritt, the 3rd in his Lockhart/Green series and another solid entry. Children are being abducted, murdered and then posed in a  praying position inside churches.  Detective Dan Lockhart's initial investigation is frustrating in it's inability to gain traction so, once again, he enlists the help of Psychologist, Dr. Lexi Green,  to try and get into the mind of a serial killer.  Why is the killer doing this ?  What might the victims have in common ?   Why the posing of them at the churches ?  Who might be next ?  As always, the strengths of Merritt's writing are the strong characters and the glimpses we get into a serial killer's mind.  Thanks to Net Galley, Chris Merritt and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is the first time I have met Dan Lockhart and his team, but wow what an introduction to them. This book is the the third in the series but it can easily be read as a standalone, and after reading this instalment I shall definitely be heading off to read the other two.

The story starts with Dan still trying to find out what has happened to his wife, Jess. She disappeared years ago but he needs to find out why and whether her own brother is involved.

His personal life has to take a back seat when the body of a teenager is found, posed in a church. A quote from the bible is found next to the body. To understand the killer’s thinking he consults Dr Lexi Green, a psychologist. They have worked together before and he knows her knowledge will assist the case. So when her prediction comes true he knows he can rely on her.

His new boss, however has new ideas, she is reluctant to let him bring in outside and makes it very clear, it is her way or no way.

When the killer strikes again, the team have to use all their combined skills to find them. The trouble is there are so many suspects that all fit the profile that Lexi gives. I found myself thinking it is them, only to be wrong a few times. The author is very clever with his red herrings, as at one point any of them could have done it.

This is a very well written thriller, it is quite a bold move to write about the murder of children, however the author shows the reasoning of the killer which I think helps create a more rounded character. This helps to show although they commit atrocious acts, they truly believe that they are perpetrating a greater good.

A great ending sets the scene for the next book and whether Dan will finally find out what happened to Jess.

Highly recommended.

Lost Souls by Chris Merritt is the third installment of a series focused on Detective Dan Lockhart and Dr Lexi Green.  Having unintentionally missed the second book of the series, I was concerned about feeling a little out of step, but this one can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel.

A young boy is found dead in a church, his hands clasped as if in prayer.  Dan is immediately on the case, setting aside the work he is doing to solve his wife's disappearance.  Attempting to glean an understanding of the killer, Dan calls in friend and colleague Dr Lexi Green to help cobble together a working profile of the suspect.  When a second child is found murdered at another church, also posed as if in prayer, Dan and Lexi must race to find links between the two victims before a killer can strike again.

This is another propulsive read, and the door is left wide open for an ongoing continuation of this compelling and highly appealing series.  The relationship between Dan and Lexi continues to develop, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves as we move forward.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

Lost Souls is the 3rd in the Lockhart and Green series by Chris Merritt, but also works well as a stand-alone. It’s a nail-biting page-turner of a thriller, with suspense that draws you further into every character, the deeper you go…

There’s a philisophical truth in the beginning of the book about life, death, new choices, new resolutions that’s pertinent to everyone and indeed the characters in Lost Souls. The philosophy being presented is almost lyrical in style and then it digs a little deeper and the intrigue builds. It’s a well-written book full of intrigue and suspense, with interesting and good turns of phrases to be found here and there. It culminates into a nail-biting conclusion.
This is book 3, in the series but it is also okay to read it as a standalone, that works fine too.

The book tackles issues of the care system a little within it and how, especially killers may interpret The Bible. There is a clear insight into the victim’s life and a picture of who Donovan was is soon built. The thought of who a person was is valuable to not just the case, but takes into account of human life and isn’t swept away and helps progress the detailed case along and adds another layer.

Throughout the book the emotions of Lockhart are revealed as is his determination to solve the case and the reasons why this is so apparent come to light in the backstory. Lockhart’s personal life is also complex, which is also very interesting to see unfold and gives readers an understanding of his character/personality and cause and effect.

There are insights, perhaps, some unsurprising ones, into the NHS, through Dr. Lexi Green of how things can be quite tight within the NHS and how hard it is with all that red-tape. The character Dr. Lexi, because of her job, brings much more of a unique psychological perspective to the book, which is incredibly fascinating as she delves into people’s lives. The book also recognises current events ie. Covid, but this is not the crux of the plot, but does give a bit of insight into some of the psychological effects and more.. It makes it all a very timely piece of writing as it just pokes through just enough to not over do it, but shows how serious it is and weaves nicely and neatly into the storyline; yet each time, moving swiftly back to the murder case and deducing who the murderer is, in this in-depth, page-turning case, which is very compelling and has a lot at stake and the force cannot afford to make any mistakes.
The entire book with its many components that create a rounded look at all that’s going on with the case and within the lives of the main recurring characters that make up the team. It all builds up to a very tense, page-turning, nail-biting final few chapters…

EXCERPT: Death was a fresh start for them; that's how he saw it. Others might not agree, but they were wrong. He could understand why some would think of dying as the end though. In one sense, that was true. It was an ending. But it was also a beginning. A chance to go on to a better place. Somewhere you no longer had to suffer the torments that your earthly body had endured.

Somewhere everything would be okay for evermore.

ABOUT 'LOST SOULS': Standing at the school gates, he waits until the last child leaves the safety of the playground. And then he follows at a distance, keeping to the shadows. Only he knows what’s going to happen next.

In a quiet church, on a busy London street, 12-year-old Donovan Blair is found dead. His hands are clasped together as if in prayer. Just hours ago, he was happily playing with his friends at school, but now his body is lifeless, and his killer is long gone.

Detective Dan Lockhart is working alone on his wife’s missing person’s case when he receives a call telling him to get to the crime scene at St Mary’s Church immediately.

Bringing in psychologist Dr Lexi Green to help profile the murderer, Dan is convinced that the killer has provided a clue by leaving the body in a prayer position, and Lexi agrees. As they try to get into the mind of the person responsible, another victim is found. A 13-year-old girl, left in a different church, posed in exactly the same way.

Fearing the murderer may already have another child in his sights, Dan and Lexi work together to establish links between the two deaths, and soon discover that not only were both children in care – they had attended the same school. And when it emerges that Lexi’s new boyfriend works there, things become difficult between her and Dan. How much can he tell Lexi about the case? And could she be at risk?

As Dan makes a breakthrough in the investigation, he receives devastating news about his wife, Jess. But with children’s lives at stake and Lexi in danger, Dan must put his personal emotions aside and chase the killer. Can he and Lexi work out who is behind the murders before another vulnerable child is taken?

MY THOUGHTS: I have been a little disappointed in Chris Merritt's Lockhart and Green series. I love this author's Zac Boateng series, and I was looking forward to more of the same. WRONG. The Lockhart and Green series is very different. Where I found the Zac Boateng series to be fast paced, suspenseful and thrilling, Lost Souls seems to be drawn out and, to be quite honest, I found passages where the author seemed to be pontificating/procrastinating, and repeating himself. Don't get me wrong - this is not a bad read, but it needs to be tightened up, to be not quite so bogged down in repetitive psychological analysis.

I liked the characters: Dan, Detective Lockhart whose wife has disappeared without trace; Maxine Smith, a strong character inclined to follow her instincts; Lexi Green, psychologist, who also has trauma in her past. Even the lesser characters, the supporting cast, are an interesting if not always likeable bunch.

The basic plot is sound, and there are a few interesting twists and misdirections, but I didn't find the read particularly suspenseful or thrilling. I did have fun trying to guess the killer - I didn't. There are plenty of suspects to choose from. I thought the chapters written from the POV of the murderer were a little repetitive and didn't, after the initial insight, add much of value to the book.

And I do have just one small quibble with the blurb where it states 'with children's lives at stake (true enough) and Lexi in danger'......wait - did I miss something?

Lost Souls is a good read, just not a great one.

⭐⭐⭐.5

#LostSouls #NetGalley @cjmerritt81 @DrCJMerritt @bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction

THE AUTHOR: Hello! I'm a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

All my novels are set in London, where I live.

I began writing fiction in 2014, after previous careers as a diplomat, based in Iraq and Jerusalem, and later as a psychologist working with victims and perpetrators of crime. I specialised in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which sparked my interest in telling stories about how people cope when faced with extreme adversity.

Now, I spend most of my time writing novels and drinking coffee while 'thinking' about writing novels. When I'm not writing, I love climbing and playing basketball.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Lost Souls by Chris Merritt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

This was a great read. I had read the first in the series, Knock Knock and really enjoyed it, but somehow missed the next installment "Who's Next" so I was a little trepidatious going into this one, wondering if it would limit my enjoyment and understanding of the story so far. It definitely didn't. Merritt does a fantastic job of reminding readers of the back story of the detectives and the side plot of the disappearance of Dan's wife, Jess. I am a sucker for missing persons' stories (fact or fiction) and this was a great addiction to the series. 
The characters Lockhart and Green are like old friends, and still complemented each other perfectly. I now wish I'd read them in order to see their full character development!
The last quarter of the book was incredibly gripping and I raced to the end with barely a breath! 
Excellent installment!

We once again join Detective Dan Lockhart, where this time he’s faced with the awful choice of putting his energy into finding his missing wife or solving the murders of two vulnerable children. Can he catch the killer before they strike again and can he trust Dr Lexi Green who has a link to the murders through her new boyfriend. Dan has always come through for us in the past, but is this horrific situation the one that finally breaks him?

Chris Merritt is back with this 3rd instalment in the Detective Lockhart and Green series and this one just chills you right down to the bone! Its subject matter very dark and gets under your skin and what I enjoyed the most, it is not predictable. There are many players that could be the killer and plenty of twists and turns to take you off course, just when you think you have it figured out!

The leads and recurring cast in this series, as well as the new players in this book, are first class and just fantastic. Not one to play by the rules and who is one you wouldn’t want to mess with, Dan Lockhart is a formidable force that I love more and more with each book. He is one of a kind and is what makes this series one of the best out there. Lexi Green is another great character and I enjoy the working relationship she has with Dan.

As always Chris Merritt brings to the table a well plotted, thrilling tale that is perfectly written and expertly executed. It is so hard to tear yourself away when reading his work and daily life is put to side. What I loved in this book was how deep he goes into the killers mind, right down into the deepest part of their soul. As twisted as this sounds, my favourite parts of this book were when it was told through their point of view.

Lost Souls is a sinister and complex crime thriller that is gripping and very compelling. The level of suspense that is built up along the way with palpable tension, makes this such an heart pounding and thrilling read. I can’t wait to see where Chris Merritt takes the series next. It was an absolute pleasure to read and review Lost Souls, which I highly recommend. 

Thank you to Chris Merritt, Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Lost Souls which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley.  This is the third book in this series but they can be read as stand alones. 

Detective Dan Lockhart is a real gritty detective. He's not one to beat around the bush. He gets thing done, even if it's not the 'right' way it will be for the right reasons. I love Dan and Lexi's working relationship. There's clearly some sort of chemistry there but circumstances mean that I don't expect a relationship any time soon. Dr Lexi Green is an excellent psychologist and has provided some very accurate profiles in the past for Dan. I love the profiling element. It's really fascinating. 

The story is very realistic. Dan has to chose what resources he can use. He has the restraints from the top brass, he's not allowed to use expensive resources due to his thin evidence. I like that Dan is determined and creative in how he catches the killer. The case is very complex, the killer's motives are not what you might expect from a killer. 

I liked seeing Lucy get a bigger role in this book. It was nice to see more of her. She is clever, passionate and hard-working. Lucy has been a good background character so far in this series and seeing more of her was a nice touch. I hope we get to see more of other team members. 

One thing I didn't like about this book were the COVID references. I thought they felt a bit clunky and awkward. It's a real damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario with COIVD. I have seen so many people complain that it's not been in recent books but then also complain if it is. I don't expect authors to put it in and here it didn't add to the story so it felt like it was added unnecessarily. 

Chris has me hooked from the very beginning and I can't wait to read more of his work.

Lost Souls is a book that takes the reader on the ride together with Dan and Lexi. It switches among three perspectives, Dan's, Lexi's and the killer's. What I enjoyed most about this book was that I thought I knew who the killer was about halfway through the book and was matching all the clues to him. However right at the end, I was unfortunately proved wrong. For me, there is nothing better than a thriller which can make me so confident about one theory and then be able to completely prove another.

The writing style was simple and easy to read. I really enjoyed the overall pacing because enough clues were dropped  at the right timings to keep threader interested but at the same time, enough information was kept from the reader to ensure the final plot twist.

I am very curious about the overarching storyline about Dan's wife Jessie and I hope that the storyline continues in the next book. I would definitely pick up the first book and the subsequent books to figure out the whole storyline about this plot.
Overall, I gave the book 4 stars and would definitely recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller read.

After the dead body of a young boy is discovered,posed in front of the alter in a church, Detective Dan Lockhart and his team find themselves investigating a complex maze of dead ends,red herrings and multiple suspects in this, the third instalment in this addictive, police procedural series.

As the team race against time to uncover the identity of a very clever,twisty killer, Dan not only has to deal with being acting SIO but also with his every move being scrutinised by DSI Burrows. She has made is abundantly clear that she doesn't approve of Dan's rule breaking during previous cases and it is common knowledge around the station that she is just biding her time and waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself so she can get rid of him. As the twists and turns of the investigation lead Dan and the team into the world of the underprivileged,missing, misplaced and exploited, Dan is shocked when it emerges that one of their suspects is dating his close friend Dr Lexi Green. 

Dan Lockhart is one of my favourite fictional detectives, I love him and his loyal, dedicated team who work really well together and each have their own unique personality and character traits. I love how every member of the team was given the opportunity to contribute in some way to the investigation. In this book, even analyst Lucy Berry gets her chance to shine when her investigation into a report into missing people uncovers some shocking secrets and causes her to behave completely out of character.

Whenever he has had the opportunity, Dan has been continuing his investigation into the disappearance of his beloved wife, Jess. He has always suspected that his brother in law Nick knows more about her disappearance than he is letting on. By the end of this book it appears that Dan's patience and perseverance is finally starting to pay off when he learns some shocking information.

Meanwhile, Dr Lexi Green is dealing with her own personal demons as well as her conflicting feelings for Dan. She has been dating Tim for the past eight months and the relationship appeared to be going well. But him being a possible suspect not only jeopardizes Lexi's involvement in the investigation but also her friendship with Dan. The reader can't help noticing during Lexi's interactions with Tim that he has some issues but is he a killer like Dan suspects and is Lexi's life in danger?

Interspersed throughout the book was chapters that were voiced from the perspective of the killer and gave the reader insights into their thoughts, backstory and the reasons why that person targeted their victims. I couldn't help feeling a tiny bit of sympathy for this person as their story unfolded. Although that person's actions were most definitely wrong and two wrongs don't make a right, in a twisted way,the motive behind their actions kind of made sense.



This is a gripping,addictive,twist packed thriller that had me hooked in from the first page and glued to my kindle. The story was intricately plotted,there was numerous suspects and had a breath taking, intense conclusion. The author has created a fantastic cast of recurring characters, individuals that the reader takes to their heart and enjoys investing their time with. Despite this being the third book in the series and the continuing storyline of Jess's disappearance, this book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I love this series and can't wait to find out what the author had planned for Dan, Lexi and the team in book 4.

Back with book 3 in the series of Lockhart and Green and things are getting real now! Yes, we have the horrific murders of the lost souls occurring but the real story is Lockhart’s missing wife, and boy is there a clanger in the works there!!

We see the investigation unfolding not just through Lockhart’s frustrations or Green’s profiling but also through Lucy’s and the sadistic murderer. I really did enjoy Lucy being more at the forefront, the investigation had become more personal for her with the children that were targetted that, shockingly she oversteps the mark. However, I liked this side of her because she was acting as any mother would have done. Protection of your children is key, above all else. I do worry however that her actions may just come and haunt her later on in the series.

Lockhart struggles more in this book, we feel the intensity of the case ramped up here because his personal life is trickling through. He has a boss breathing down his neck, which never helps but the lack of belief they hold is shocking. Lockhart yes does operate sometimes by his own rules but he gets the results we need. Although, that ending, well it might have just pushed him too far.

Each story by Chris gets darker and darker, and here he tackles a solemn subject. One that would worry parents, carers and people generally. The killer’s mindset is off-kilter, believing that they are working for the greater good when that clearly is not the case. It feels that in this chapter everyone is battling some kind of demon, where it be religious, history or just present-day relationship. Each character takes a battering in some way and has decisions to make that could and will alter their future. Always makes for an interesting read for us the reader. The conflict that these characters here and the decisions they make in effect make us the jury on their decisions. We hold the power in our minds to decide if what they are doing is right or wrong, and if it is wrong is it for the right decisions. As you can see this book offers a lot more than just a murder investigation, we have thinking to do!

One thing I loved is the number of red herrings that are thrown in here. I had someone in mind for the murders, I would have in fact happily pinned my money on them, but nope I was proven wrong and I fell at the last hurdle. The scary thing to take away from this story, is sometimes they hide in plain sight!

This story begins and ends with Dan Lockhart, I do worry for the people who are about to enter his crosshairs because he is not someone you want to be on the wrong side of for sure. It is another strong instalment in the series and I can’t wait to see where we go next. Hopefully Lockhart and Green might get a nice sunny holiday at some point!

# Lost Souls # Netgalley 

Wow what a read absolutely fantastic I stayed awake all night because I genuinely couldn’t put the book down, the character where good it’s like you get to know them personally. At one point I thought I knew who the killer was. That soon changed with so many twist and turns the numbers of potential people who was the murder. Yet when it was revealed not once did he cross my mind. I am normally pretty good at guessing who it was but definitely not in this book. It’s the first book I have read by Chris Merritt and definitely will not be last absolutely bloody brilliant. Fantastic reads. So now I am going to find very mystery thillers and psychological thrillers by him. Also I will have to read all books with DSI Lockhart. Fantastic book

I very much enjoyed this book.  It has a good story and excellent main characters.  I would definately recommend this book.

He did AGAIN!

This is the second book I have read from the author and the third book of the Detective Lockhart and Green series. The story begins with a murder of a eleven-year-old, Donovan who is in the foster care system and who was found murdered inside a church with a Bible verse next to him. While finding out what happened to his wife, Detective Lockhart along with his MET team and Dr. Green sets out to find this deranged killer who is targeting children in the foster care system. 

The story was well written, and again, I loved reading the parts, going into the minds of the killer (I know it's creepy but wouldn't it make the story juicier?) and the story was fast paced with thrills going on and twists and turns. Too many suspects with questionable backgrounds in the books that you don't really know which one of those suspects can be the killer and that makes it more and more interesting! Not predictable which I like about the thrillers. Overall, it was a great thriller, unputdownable and fast paced. Worth five stars in my opinion!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is solely based on my honest opinion.

Lost Souls is the 3rd book featuring Chris Merritt's detectives Lockhart and Green.

The story begins with the killing of a schoolboy found in a church on a busy London street. At St Mary the Virgin church in south-west London, Donovan Blair, 12, wearing clean-looking clothes, is knelt in front of the altar beneath a gold cross on the wall, with his hands clasped under his chin as though he is praying. Called to the scene, DI Dan Lockhart notices the ligature markings on the victim's neck, underneath white ribbon. Dan alerts a member of his team, DC Mohammed Khan who is house-sharing with psychologist Dr Lexi Green. Dan, realising he needs to get inside the perpetrator’s mind, contacts Lexi. A week later a girl is targeted with the same positioning of the body at a church a few miles away.

With its steady pace, Lost Souls had a terrific plot and I had plenty of time to become re-invested in the main characters. An ex-soldier, Dan Lockhart is working as part of the Major Investigation Team (MIT) in London, as well as continuing with the search for his wife Jess who disappeared seven years ago. The characters of both Lexi and Dan are fabulously crafted by Chris Merritt and the two have a great working relationship. I also enjoyed the contributions from civilian analyst Lucy Berry, examinating data compiled by a graduate student’s algorithm, who was easy to like.

This is a tense, exciting and superbly crafted police procedural, and I appreciated the MO of the serial killer as it made for compelling reading. The use of a psychologist to create a probable profile of the killer was captivating and there are some shocking twists in this dark tale. Chris Merritt managed to keep me guessing right up to the riveting conclusion. A remarkably good story I can confidently recommend that will have you reading late into the night. Lockhart and Green make a brilliant duo and I can't wait to read more of them.

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