This is the third book in this series.

This is an excellent crime thriller book and it definitely won't be my last book from this author.

This had me hooked from page one all the way to the end. It was full of suspense and twists and turns.

Highly recommend.

After the cliff hanger of Who’s Next, I was desperate to find out what was going to happen next in the crime saga that is the series of Lockhart and Green.

But first there is a small matter of murder. But not just any old big standard murder (if there is such a thing). No, this is the worst of the sort, the murder of children, teenagers. Those who have their full life ahead of them, those who have been abandoned by their family and in the care system. Why would someone do such a thing? I had to find out.

The sporadic insight to our killer’s mind was chilling. They genuinely believed what they were doing was right. This deranged individual really needs to help…. stat!! I spent the whole book praying Lockhart and the team would crack the case and get justice for these Lost Souls.

This is a hell of a read. With Lockhart battling with his personal investigation by night and the murder case by day lead to some compelling narrative. Another cracking crime thriller from the keyboard of Merritt 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Lost Souls - 5 stars 

This was a good read that kept me intrigued. When I wasn't reading this book, I found myself thinking about it, which tells me the author did an incredible job of making the characters realistic and the plot, engaging. 

The author inserts a lot of possibilities for the identity of the killer (red herrings) throughout the book, and I found myself curious who it would end up being. No spoilers here, though, so if you want to know who turned out to be the murderer, you'll need to read the book.

I enjoyed the chapters from the killer's POV, and could feel his conflict, but also his bit of compulsion. Despite the media giving him the moniker of "Church Kid Killer," this killer doesn't take out the children because he's some deranged lunatic set on violence. To him, he was a maker of angels. I found his thinking to be chilling, interesting, and unique.

This was my first book by this author, but I'd definitely read his work again. I received an advanced reading copy. Thank you to the author, Bookouture, and NetGalley for making this possible.

*4.5 stars *

Around ten thousand under 18’s go missing every year in London alone, this then is (in part) the backdrop for ‘Lost Souls’. 

Two investigations come under the spotlight, in this excellent police procedural, one of them unofficial, (the cold case of Detective Dan Lockhart’s missing wife Jess), which is carried out in his own time, and the other being the distressing case of a serial killer who targets children. There is also a sub plot that adds much to the storyline. 
 
In addition to his usual team, Lockhart brings in psychologist Dr Lexi Green, in order to get into the mind of the killer. The dead children have all been left in a church, and their bodies posed in a praying position. Both Dr Green and Lockhart believe the killer is leaving them a message - but what, and why?

This is a complex plot, with excellent use of smoke and mirrors, lining up many suspects for the reader to consider, and very good reasons why any one of them could be the killer. The investigation constantly hits dead ends, but the tension hots up as the pieces eventually fall into place. Great characters, and a gripping storyline, makes Lost Souls, a must read!

I understand there’s to be a stand-alone from Chris Merritt in September 2021 - look forward to it!

Lost Souls is the third instalment in the Detective Dan Lockhart and Dr Lexi Green series, set in London. It's January 5th and Lockhart is on a stake out outside his brother in law Nick's haulage company on the Darent Industrial Park; something he has been doing for 9 months in his spare time. 11 years ago Dan's wife, Jess, vanished from their home while he was on a tour of duty in Afghanistan and following a sighting matching her description in Whitstable, Kent, Dan had eventually found a trawlerman who recognised her photograph saying he saw her in the harbour 2 years earlier with someone who matched Nick's description. His phone rings and it's DSI Burrows who needs a Senior Investigating Officer at a murder scene in Mortlake. Called to St Mary the Virgin church in south west London where a boy is knelt in front of the altar and beneath a large gold cross. His hands are clasped under his chin as though praying when he was found by verger at the church Eric Cooper. He also has a dark ligature mark around his neck. His name was Donovan Blaire, an innocent 12 year old boy. Dan then discovers that the bible on the altar has a section that has been highlighted. It reads: "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

Donovan had recently stayed with fosterers Roger and Trish Hughes who had brought him along with them to Sunday services but apparently he ran away and had not been the first to do so while under the care of the Hughes'. A week later a girl is targeted with the same posing of the body at a church only a few miles from their MIT base at Jubilee House. This time the victim is Charlotte Mullins and another bible verse referring to children is highlighted next to her body. Now Lockhart, Lexi and team know they have what appears to be a ruthless serial killer on their patch, although the killer sees his actions as "making angels." Can they stop him before he takes the life of another innocent child? This is a compulsive, riveting and action-packed procedural overflowing with tension, mystery, intrigue, twists and reveals. It's pacey and well written and before you know it you're fully immersed in the story alongside the characters. The cast is comprised of fully rounded characters and we get a little more of both Dan and Lexi’s backstories. The plot is complex with Merritt making superb use of smoke and mirrors to pull the wool over your eyes and the large suspect pool is used to great effect to bamboozle us readers, as many people have motive. An enthralling, exhilarating and thoroughly gripping page-turner. Highly recommended.

Book 3 in the Lockhart and Green series and it's the best one so far.

Dan and Lexi are great characters and I love the mix of professional and personal in their stories.

The plot in this book was quite heart breaking. I was hooked from the start until the very last page. I can't wait for the next one.

Will definitely recommend this series to all crime thriller fans.

Another brilliant book in the Dan Lockhart series. 
Dan is called when a child’s body is found posed as if in prayer in a church. The team are shocked that someone would do this to a child so they’re all determined to find the killer. 
Dan calls on psychologist Lexi Green to help out with the profile of the killer as she’s helped on two previous cases. 
Soon another child has been taken and killed, and yet again positioned in prayer in a church. 
Sections of the Bible are highlighted at each scene so they know it’s someone with good religious knowledge. 
Dan and the team investigate local youth groups and schools and seem to be hitting a brick wall until one of the victim’s phones is found and it all pieces together. 
There’s a race against time to stop him taking another life and it was a real nail biter of an ending. 
I love this series as we also follow Dan’s search for his wife who disappeared two years ago. The ending of this book will have ramifications on future books so I look forward to what comes next. 
This is a brilliant book and I highly recommend it to crime fiction fans. 
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the 3rd book in the Lockhart and Green series but the first book I have read by Chris Merritt. I read the book easily as a stand-alone without knowing all the back story and I will certainly be reading more by this author.

This is the first book I have read that mentions covid 19 which is interesting.

When a child is found dead at an altar in a church Dan Lockhart and his team are sent to try and solve the crime. The plot thickens when another child is found in the same way and they have more to deal with than they thought. How many more children will be murdered before the killer is caught?

There are lots of characters in the book who are all believable and work well together. The story twists and turns and goes off at different angles to keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next. 

There is also the subplot as Detective Dan Lockharts wife has been missing for 2 years and he spends all of his spare time trying to find out what has happened to her.

The chapters are short which keeps the book moving at a fast past

Really enjoyable I can’t believe I have never read any of this series before. I will certainly be reading the rest now.

Detective Dan Lockhart is still searching for his missing wife, trying to take care of his children and also track down a potential serial killer.
Dan brings in Dr Lexi Green, a psychologist, to help build a profile of the murderer who is kidnapping and killing children.
They discover links with a local school and investigate potential suspects, including Lexi’s boyfriend.
Dan is under pressure from his wife’s family to declare her dead - something he really doesn’t want to do and is convinced her brother is pushing this for his own reasons. Dan starts to follow him and his contacts determined to find out what happened to his wife.
There is a definite attraction between Dan and Lexi which may develop in future books but he is still desperately trying to find his wife.
Chris Merritt writes believable characters and interesting storylines with lots of twists and turns- setting up a lot of suspects to keep the reader hooked.
Another great book in this series.
4.5 Stars

Chris Merritt has brought us another great thriller with troubled detective Dan Lockheart and physiologist Dr Lexi Green trying to  advise him along the way by helping him track down and catch another killer, this time, one who is targeting vulnerable children. 
The writing is great, as there are lots of well written characters that add to the story and just when you think you have worked out who the murderer is someone else pops up which keeps you engaged and wanting to keep  reading right to the end. 

I also like the will they won't they relationship between Dan and Lexi and the backstory of Dan trying to find his missing wife adds another dimension to the story, my only hope is it's not dragged out through book after book like some writers do as I personally find that becomes annoying to the plot. I

I am definitely looking forward to reading book 4

I received a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily...

Lost Souls is the third book in the Lockhart & Green series. It can be read as a standalone but, after reading this, I am definitely checking out the first two books. It focuses on the murders of children who have all been let down by society in some way. The bodies are staged in churches, all in the prayer position of kneeling with clasped hands. Detective Hart asks for psychologist, Lexi Green's help and they set about trying to find what links the children together. Dan is horrified to find out that all the children passed through the same school where Lexi's boyfriend works. That makes things difficult because it means he can't share much about the case with Lexi due to conflict of interest concerns. On the side, he's also looking for his missing wife and makes a breakthrough in her case.

This book was everything a thriller should be. It moved at a really good pace with little bits of information thrown in which had me suspecting everyone except the police at one point. The surprise reveal was actually a surprise for me which said a lot about how well the author hid the truth throughout the book. 

The police team was made up of good solid individuals whom I liked. Lexi Green also fit in quite well with them and was just as likable. I especially liked the civilian IT worker, Lucy. Read the book and you'll understand exactly why I liked her so much. 

This was an excellent read and I am encouraged to try more books by Mr Merritt. 

Due to very disturbing content, this book should be read by adults and older teens.

This is the third book to feature Dan Lockhart in this ever improving series. Dan is called to a church where a child has been murdered. There is a whole list of suspects which adds to the suspense and increased tension of the plot. I loved the long list of characters and the complex nature of Dan, as he continues the search for his missing wife while trying to do his job. A very skilfully written book with an interesting plot and an ending which leaves me impatiently wanting to read the next in the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Solid mystery with a well-developed cast of characters.  Several sub-plots going on, and all tied in together well.  The characters are believable and have their own stories which blend well with the mystery at hand.  A good number of red herrings thrown in to keep you guessing who the killer is. For those that like well matched crime solving partners and enough suspects to keep you guessing, it's definitely a good read.

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

a creepy one this...with the perp leaving the dead body in a kneeling position with the hands set in prayer position in a church and the fact that the victim was a child makes the murder scene more horrific...

it was nice to catch up with the gang to see where they are, brilliant team that work well together with lexi but with her boyfriend making the list of suspect lexi is kept out of talks as much as possible but as more victims are found in this strange way, dan manages to keep lexi's involvement a secret...

brilliantly written book that kept me hooked right till then end, cant wait till the next in this brilliant series comes out

Death was a fresh start for them, that was how he saw it.’
This is the immediate, introductory level of thrill that Lost Souls posses, we are quickly slapped in the face with how chilling our unknown assailant is and that is only the starter of this deliciously dark literary meal.
Lost Souls is the third instalment of the Lockhart and Green series, but I feel that you could quite happily read it dependent of the first two – but if you’re an all or nothing reader like me, you’ll binge read Knock Knock and Who's There? Like the greedy crime thriller reader that we all know you are! So, we are reintroduced to detective Dan Lockhart and Dr Lexi Green, a duo who both contribute the smarts and gall to their current case. Lockhart is rigid, a mystery wrapped in a conundrum but as his personal life is spotlighted throughout Lost Souls you begin to understand him further and why he appears stand-offish. Lexi Green on the other hand, I feel, balances out Lockhart's bravado with her intellectual take on things, while also appearing to soften our detective, becoming his confident while he works through his search for his missing wife. During the storyline, our antagonists begin to subtly clash over the approach to the case that involves children, on that resurfaces a personal trauma for Lexi while also appearing to close to home. I enjoyed the alternative narratives from both our main characters, I loved delving further into their undercurrent of layers as the plotline begun to sinisterly unravel. I also enjoyed how Chris injected various chapters written from the unknown assailant’s point of view, how by doing so we are able to get a further grasp of the psychology and reasoning behind his actions. This, for me, created a further intensity, where we are reading the sequence of events and justifications for the murderer, while also being able to create ties with evidence found by Lockhart and Green. Multiple narratives are a delicious way to feast upon the events of a book and Chris has balanced, connected and executed them with precision, while leaving us gasping for more after every single chapter. The narratives alternate seamlessly, it really worked.
Lost Souls has an incorporated ribbon of non-fiction laced around the core storyline, Chris Merritt cleverly sews in real life themes and cases into is books, ones that he nods to in the acknowledgements. This is the same for this slice of crime thriller, he has cleverly built upon a foundation of haunting authentic cases and plaited the threads into a shocking fictional read that kept me gripped from start to finish. The writing is great, the plot is gripping and nail biting, a complete roller coaster ride, one that will make you double check what lurks within the shadows.
Do yourself a favour and go grab yourself a copy of Lost Souls, grab a hot drink and some baked goods, hide away and consume! I highly recommend that you do!

Another thrilling instalment in the series starring Dan and Lexi. 

Dan is tasked with catching a murderer - whilst trying to figure out what happened to his missing wife and keeping his officious boss off his back. It seems very stressful trying to keep all those balls in the air but he manages it, somehow. He has a strong and dedicated team around him, which helps.

Lexi has a few things to contend with herself. She has a heavy workload counselling clients through trauma and has no intention of getting involved with one of Dan's cases, since the last one left her with plenty of trauma of her own, but there is something about him that she trusts....

A lot going on in this book and the author once more brings all the threads of the story together beautifully. 

I can't wait to read the next book in the series (although to be honest, I will read anything this author writes since I enjoyed his Zac Boateng series as well).

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

This is book #3 of the Lockhart and Green series.  Whilst part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone book.  I really like these two main characters, DI Dan Lockhart and Dr Lexi Green, and thought they worked well together throughout the book.  Dan is a tenacious detective who doesn’t always play by the rules, and would rather suffer the consequences of this once the job is done.  I loved the side story of him looking into his wife’s disappearance from many years before, with this fitting nicely alongside the main storyline.  Lexi is also dealing with her own past demons and is trying to keep her feelings for Dan purely professional.  I can’t wait for another book in the series to see where both their storylines go!

I was hooked into this story from the very beginning, with the body of 12-year-old Donovan Blair being found posed at the altar of a church.  When another body is discovered in similar circumstances, it becomes obvious that they have a serial killer on the loose who is targeting vulnerable children within the care system.  We hear from the killer in chapters interspersed amongst the main storyline, but given no clue as to who they may be.  I have to admit I think I suspected everyone at some point throughout the book, and loved being kept in the dark until well into the story.  We certainly aren’t short of suspects to choose from, having so many different agencies and organisations working with these children.  The care system storyline I did find particularly heart-breaking, seeing children who already had so much neglect in their lives to fall prey to someone who they trusted.

The storyline flew along at a great pace, bringing all aspects of the police investigation into it.  I loved the civilian analyst, Lucy Berry’s role on Dan’s team, and am wondering where I can find me a job like that!  Her role interpreting and analysing information and turning into useful leads for the team to work on was so interesting, and I loved where Lucy’s storyline went.  The other members of Dan’s team all gelled together so well, and I particularly liked the relationships they had with each other.  

Shamefully this is the first book I’ve read from this series, although I have read books from this author’s previous series which I’ve really enjoyed.  For me to be able to come in at book #3 and read it without any confusion of characters and plotlines is great.  I knew there was an ongoing storyline of Dan’s missing wife, but this didn’t overpower the murder story at all.  It does however make me want to go and read the previous two books, which I will most definitely be doing to catch up on what I’ve missed!  It is also one of the first books I’ve read which includes a Covid-19 storyline, which I suppose is something we will need to get used to!  I absolutely loved this book and it has kept me on the edge of my seat for the last few days.  This was a brilliant serial killer thriller, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to carry on Dan and Lexi’s story. Fantastic!!  Highly recommended!!

Lost Souls is definitely one of those books that once started you just have to keep reading no matter how late it is.

DI Lockhart is still searching for his missing wife Jess even though 11 years have gone by since she went missing but that must be put on hold for the moment when the body of a young boy is found inside a church, kneeling in front of the alter as if in prayer.

This is a case that Lockhart wants solving as soon as possible so as in the past he once again seeks the help of clinical psychologist Dr. Lexi Green, renowned for getting into the minds of serial killers and whose insights into behavior, motives and backgrounds is second to none.

In a race against time before more lives are lost, the suspect list grows and the case becomes more complex and almost impossible to solve.

I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to this totally absorbing and brilliant thriller of a read.
Roll on the next. Loved it !!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC for my honest review.

I finally had the chance to read the first two books of this series last September, and I've been looking forward to meet up with Detective Dan Lockhart and psychologist Lexi Green ever since. I have to say that this third book was well worth the wait! Once again we have a serial killer investigation and a typical detective thriller being mixed with the psychological as well as the personal lives of Dan and Lexi... And it's a thriller cocktail that works remarkably well. Lost Souls is one of those books that will have you in its grip and won't let go until you reach that final page: make sure to clear your schedule beforehand, because it will be very hard to stop reading once you've read the first couple of chapters.

I always love a good serial killer thriller, and we have another twisted mind on our hands in this sequel. Lost Souls uses a multiple POV structure, switching between Dan, Lexi and the killer so we get to experience the things happening from different angles. I would recommend reading these books in order, because you will probably not understand the dynamics between the different members of the team (including Lexi). Especially since there is quite some personal development as well in Lost Souls... And all three books are excellent reads in the first place.

As for the characters... I really like this cast of characters, and although I could have done without the whole jealous boyfriend angle, as a whole it was great to meet up with them again. Each member of the team brings their own little something to the investigation and story, and together they help turning Lost Souls into a success. I'm especially left wanting for more concerning Dan's personal story... What a way to end the story with that development! I'm already craving for the next book, that's for sure.

The plot was another solid one, and the plot development and plot twists were spot on. I was so sure of myself that I had it all figured out early on, only to be proven completely wrong towards the ending. And I always love it when a story is managing to mislead me this way! You will have a nice pool of different suspects and hints to consider in the first place, so there is plenty to keep you busy and on your toes along the way.

In short, Lost Souls is another successful book of the Detectives Lockhart and Green series and without doubt recommended if you enjoy the genre and like your detective thrillers with a little something extra.

This series gets better and better.  The writing, the principal characters and the plot are all excellent; DI Dan Lockhart is a complex character who is looking for his missing wife while facing a heavy workload.  Dan's working relationship with Dr Lexi Green is interesting; she treated him for PTSD following his time in the army and now helps him with complex cases.  Here a series of children are found dead in prayerful poses in empty churches and the mystery is to find what links them and why they are being taken.  Brilliant!