“Retribution” is an excellent crime novel, continuing a series that has so far proved to be very enjoyable.

Barrie’s work hasn’t always hit the mark with me in the past, but the first novel in the Lexi Winter series was very readable. Some loose ends were left at the end of that novel, and “Retribution” picks them up while also introducing a new story.

Essentially this works on two levels. On the one hand there’s the ongoing story of Lexi’s hunt for the paedophile who helped ruin her life. That story began in “Unforgiven” and continues, but doesn’t end, in this novel. There is also the story of a new investigation, and that storyline is largely complete in “Retribution”.

Lexi is now a probationary Constable, hoping to use her unusual life experience and her outstanding computer skills to bring paedophiles to justice in a more legal way. Unfortunately Lexi’s history hasn’t exactly conditioned her to follow rules, and so she’s not having the smoothest ride in the police force.

Lexi hasn’t given up her side gig either. She’s been targeting the Hamill crime family. One by one she’s been setting them up for arrest (for things they genuinely did). She’s trying to blackmail the family into giving up someone who can help her with her greater plan… and I don’t want to say more than that for fear of plot spoilers if you’re thinking of starting with the first book before you read this one.

Lexi soon finds herself pulled into a large scale investigation, and in turn that soon starts to show signs that it’s connected with her off duty activities.

Readers of “Unforgiven” will enjoy seeing the developments in Lexi’s life. There is definite change, and early signs of character growth too. Barrie has left herself a lot of room to work with Lexi, and that feels very realistic – people of Lexi’s age do often change and grow a lot. Then too, Lexi is believably damaged by her early experiences. The changes are a natural and believable progression. Although crime readers are going to enjoy the procedural part of the novel, Lexi is going to be a big drawcard for ongoing readers.

In fact, the procedural part of the novel is the only part where I had real problems. Mostly this was around some details that didn’t feel realistic. Many of the details that niggled at me were things that might well have been excised to keep the story moving along at a good clip. If so, Barrie has succeeded in that goal – this is a fast paced novel. Unfortunately, I snagged on several of those details: they distracted me enough to (temporarily) throw me out of the story.

Many readers won’t be overly bothered by these issues. They’ll be swept up in the story enough to either not notice, or notice and immediately move past them. But if you read a lot of crime fiction, and have an eye for background detail, it might bother you.

Mind you, despite this minor problem, I enjoyed this novel immensely. Lexi is an attractively interesting character, as are many of the officers she works with. Characterisation is generally strong and it really engages you in their work and personal lives. The investigation is definitely the main focus of the novel, but there’s enough about the police officer’s personal lives to help bring them to life.

The crime plot is well worked out and fairly credible. Yes, a number of investigative strands come together in a way that some might find too coincidental. However, that’s a common feature of crime novels and Barrie handles it in a way that makes it feel pretty believable.

There are some obvious flags for a future novel – a character who’ll clearly be significant, investigative avenues left incomplete, and most obviously, the last minute introduction of a new plot. None of these impede enjoyment of this novel, although I found the character mildly annoying because they were so blatantly sowing the seeds for some future harvest.

In short, readers who enjoyed “Unforgiven” will be pleased with this – it’s similarly highly readable, and continues Lexi’s story in a believable and interesting way. New readers won’t find it too hard to step into, and should also enjoy a strong crime plot with an interesting character.

You may also be interested in my reviews of other novels by Sarah Barrie:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog/2021/12/09/unforgiven/
www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog/2019/05/29/devils-lair/
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog/2019/05/29/devils-lair/
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.

A well plotted and tense thriller. The main character, Lexi, is a lovable badass. I'll be reading more books in this series.

The first book in this, the Lexi Winter series was a tour-de-force which I absolutely loved. After being used and abused, Lexi turned vigilante vowing to bring down those who had hurt her. She also helped the police bring down a paedophile ring. Police Inspector Rachel Langley, impressed with Lexi’s computer (hacking) skills suggests she train as a police officer. So that’s what she does.

As a newly minted probationary constable stationed at Wyong she is partnered with Rico, an experienced Sergeant. But Lexi also has a little side project where she maps out the layers and connections of the Hamill crime family.

This one started a little slowly and then took off like a rocket. Rico is killed (this happens early in the book so not a spoiler) and Lexi is also injured. After that there is no stopping Lexi. She is on a mission to bring down the whole rotten nest of vipers.

Rachel tries to temper her drive and get her to rest but eventually Rachel and the other detectives in the team realise that she is going to do this with or without them so she gets drawn into a very complex and dangerous game. The police characters are all so well portrayed they are caring and warm but tough as nails. There is even a darling cat to whom no harm comes!

The story was tautly plotted and got very tense and twisty towards the end. I’m pretty sure there will be more to come in this series and I will be very keen to read more. Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

I really enjoyed Retribution as a great crime mystery. Lexi is an exceptional hacker and has joined the police as a probationary constable. Lexi however doesn't like playing by the rules and gets stuff done by following her own rules. Not everyone likes what Lexi gets away with.

I think the book works best if you have read Unforgiven, the first book in the series. As it gives background knowledge about the main characters - Lexi, Finn and Rachel, and the backstory of Lexi. This really added to my enjoyment of the story.

I loved the relationships formed between the characters and I loved how the cases linked together.
The swapping of 1st and 3rd person was a little annoying to get used to, but as I enjoyed the story so much I pushed that aside. I loved the mysteries and twists and turns. Overall a great book to read.

‘Retribution’ is a powerful, gritty thriller. Lexi Winter is a probationary police officer with an interesting backstory. I haven’t read the previous book ‘Unforgiven’ but had no problems understanding Lexi’s motivations and actions as a result of her prior experiences. Lexi is a complex character – she is strong and driven. The story is carefully crafted and seemingly routine details in the first part of the book become obviously important towards the end of the book. I liked that there were unexpected twists. The story involves a crime family, disappearances, police investigations and gruesome murders. There are separate investigations into several crimes. These investigations converge because it becomes apparent that they are related.
I enjoyed the diversity of people in the story and some of the characters, particularly DS Finn Carson and Inspector Rachel Langley.
‘Retribution’ is an entertaining read.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ Fiction for this ARC.

Retribution is the second instalment of the Lexie Winter series, set in Central New South Wales, Australia, about a young hacker/vigilante who survived childhood abuse and a serial killer and has now become a probationary police officer - but struggles with following the rules. You definitely need to have read the first book, Unforgiven, to understand Lexie’s back story and her relationships with Finn and Rachael. This is a dark, violent story about the dangerous underbelly of Australian society and while plenty of suspension of disbelief is required, the fast paced action had me gripped to the end.

After a police operation targeting the younger members of a notorious family of criminals goes horribly wrong, Lexie, injured but resolute, vows to take them down by any means necessary. Meanwhile Rachael is helping the federal police who are still pursuing the violent paedophile who escaped custody in Unforgiven, and his partner, and Finn is called to a suspicious death on a building site. As links between the cases begin to emerge, the villains always seem to escape formal justice, so maybe Lexie’s unconventional methods are the only way?

I do enjoy female vigilante stories, and Lexie, with her sarcastic humour and out of the box thinking is a great addition to the genre. This was a great twisty thriller with well developed and likeably flawed central characters. I had a few minor issues: Lexie’s POV is told in first person present, while everyone else’s is third person past, and the perspectives sometimes shift quite abruptly. Also the dialogue is written in a way that often made it hard to know who was saying what. There’s a lot going on here, and a high body count that made me sceptical that this would all have been left in the hands of the local police - and that Lexie would get away with as much as she does, but this didn’t stop me enjoying it immensely. I look forward to reading more of Lexie’s adventures - and the return of one of the best characters from the first book! 4.5 rounded down for the present tense.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Retribution is published on November 30th.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and couldn’t wait for this one to be released.
It doesn’t disappoint and is a real page turner.
I can’t wait for the next one to be released.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book

We first met Lexi Winter in ‘Unforgiven’, where she is a vigilante tracking down child abusers on the dark web. Abused herself as a child by the notorious pedophile nicknamed the Spider she supports herself as a prostitute with a regular set of safe clients. After helping the police to break up a pedophile ring and impressing them with her hacking skills, she has taken up their suggestion to train as a police officer. Now, a rookie constable she has been assigned to Wyong police station on the NSW central coast for her probationary training. However, when she and her partner catch two drug dealers and discover they are junior members of the notorious Hamill crime family, she becomes involved in a wider, high level investigation, working once again with DI Rachael Langley and DS Finn Carson.

Wow, this is an action packed, fast paced thriller that never slows down. Very gritty and occasionally violent, there are some very tense moments – for Lexi as well as the reader! I was wondering how Lexi, an independent spirit, who doesn’t live by the rules and is wary of the police and those in authority, would cope as a police officer. She does find it challenging as she is not a team player, preferring to keep information close to her chest and trusting only in herself, so being part of a team in an investigation is a challenge. However, it is one she is gradually rising to and she is lucky Rachael and Finn are there to guide her and keep her safe from her more reckless actions. Lexi is just as snarky as ever and I enjoyed the banter between her and Finn, as they grow closer. I did miss her old neighbour Dawny, but it looks like she might be back in the next episode. Highly recommended!

Lexi Winter is a probationary constable who resents rules and procedures when they interfere with her idea of what it takes to achieve justice. And Lexi is determined to achieve justice or, more likely, retribution, against the crime family who have been sheltering a paedophile that she is obsessed with tracking down.

Lexi's idea is to take down the mobsters one by one until the kingpins are forced to hand over the person that she desperately wants to get hold of - the former cop who can lead her to her ultimate target. But the casualties keep piling up in the course of her unofficial investigation, until her bosses are forced to try and rein her in.

This was a really good crime thriller, with an interesting twist in the resolution. It is the second in the series, and I really recommend reading Unforgiven first, because I did feel that I was missing some things that gave better background to Lexi's story, and the grounds for her obsessions.

EXCERPT: The cold envelops me. It takes a moment to figure out up from down, then the boat propeller kicks in too close to me and I push my arms out and kick my legs to send me backwards, out of the way. I push up for air, but my sleeve has caught on something. I exhale sharply at the unexpected jolt. I fling my body in all directions trying to get free from whatever it is I'm attached to. Something shifts. I feel the bump as it rises level with me then I'm staring as two cloudy eyes gaze sightlessly back at me from a damaged, discoloured face. The body it belongs to hovers inches from me, hair floating around the face, reaching out to mine, surrounding me with death.

ABOUT 'RETRIBUTION': Ace hacker, ex-prostitute, Jack Daniels drinker and part-time vigilante Lexi Winter returns, now working with the police - mostly - with a new enemy in the target and an old foe at the back of her mind.

Most probationary constables would baulk at chasing a drug dealer into a train tunnel in the dead of night. Not Lexi Winter. She emerges injured but alive, to face the wrath of her boss. Lexi may now be in uniform, but she has as much trouble with authority as ever, and is quietly using her hacking skills to investigate a notorious drug-dealing Sydney crime family with links to her old prey, the paedophile Damon Vaughn.

Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Finn Carson investigates a death on a Sydney building site ... which oddly enough, leads him to the picturesque Wondabyne station on the Hawkesbury River, and Inspector Rachael Langley oversees an investigation that could tie it all together. Lexi holds the key ... if only she'll toe the line ...

MY THOUGHTS: Whew! I feel like I have just run a marathon after reading the second half of Retribution in one sitting. Talk about intense and action packed - I couldn't put it down, not until I knew, for sure, what the outcome was.

I have to admit that during the first half of this book Lexi's being a cop didn't sit easily with me, but then she also struggles with the change in her profession - often. She finds it hard to 'play nice' with the others, to be part of a team. She doesn't like to share unless she's getting something in return. But I have to admire her grit, her determination; but the things she does, the lengths she goes to, the risks she takes, scare me.

I also missed Dawny, who only makes a remote appearance in the very last paragraph. But I am predicting that she will make a reappearance in the next book.

There's also a lovely cat rehomed after his owner disappears, called Gizmo. We'll also be seeing more of him.

The setting of this book, the Central Coast in New South Wales, is an area I am familiar with and I enjoyed those, 'Oh, I've been there!' moments.

There is a lot of violence in Retribution, but there are also some beautifully touching moments, like when Lexi discovers a memorial site at an abandoned dam in the bush. Slightly creepy, but touching. There are also some humorous moments, most of them coming from Lexi's mouth. She has a wicked sense of humour.

I can't wait to see where Sarah Barrie is going to take Lexi next, because this is not over yet. Not by a long shot.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.6

#Retribution #NetGalley

I: @authorsarahbarrie @harlequinaus

T: #AuthorSarahBarrie @HarlequinAUS

#australiancrimefiction #contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #murdermystery #mystery #policeprocedural #suspense #thriller

THE AUTHOR: Sarah Barrie is a bestselling Australian author writing suspense in rural settings, with a generous splash of romance. Her debut bestselling print novel, Secrets of Whitewater Creek, earned her a spot as one of the Top 10 breakthrough authors of 2014, and her next three books, the Hunters Ridge series, also reached best seller status. She has finaled in several major awards, twice in the RUBY, the Romance Writers of Australia’s premier award, and three times in The Australian Romance Readers Award for favourite Romantic Suspense.

In other incarnations, Sarah has worked as a teacher, a vet nurse, a horse trainer and a magazine editor. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her ferrying children to soccer or gymnastics, or trudging through paddocks chasing cattle, sheep, chickens or the Houdini pig that never stays put very long. Occasionally, she’ll attempt to ride her favourite horse who’s quite a bit smarter than she is, and not always cooperative.

Her favourite place in the world is the family property, where she writes her stories overlooking mountains crisscrossed with farmland, bordered by the beauty of the Australian bush, and where, at the end of the day, she can spend time with family, friends, a good Irish whiskey and a copy of her next favourite book. (Australianfictionauthors.com)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ, for providing a digital ARC of Retribution by Sarah Barrie 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 is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Retribution is full of mystery and danger and the hits keep coming throughout the whole story. This story followed on from Unforgiven and focuses on Lexi trying to track down Debbie and Vaughn who escaped at the end of the last book. The main characters Lexi, Rachael and Finn have a great dynamic which has evolved since the first book.
I devoured this book in 2 days! Would have done it in one sitting but life got in the way. Sarah Barrie knows how to write a story to suck you in and keep you on the edge of your seat reading. I didn't have a single moment of boredom while reading as the story had me on alert for the next attack. I loved it and can't wait for the next instalment.

Lexi Winter returns with another interesting Australian mystery along with a touch of romance. We get to see Lexi again along with sergeant Finn Carson.

Now a probationary constable, Lexi gets involved with one of Finn’s cases set in Central coast NSW. This book has a great start and continues to keep the pace throughout. An interesting mystery that anyone would finish in one sitting because it’s too good!

This is my first time trying this author and I didn't realise at the time of requesting this there was a book prior. So after having read this I quickly went to the Kindle store to buy the first one! Can't wait to start it.

Suspenseful gritty crime novel but best read in sequence as this is the second book in the series. Whilst prior knowledge of previous book isn’t essentially there are multiple references to the earlier storyline. I’m intrigued enough to go and read it now however. Lexi Winter is fresh new dynamic female in crime and I hope there’s more books featuring her being manned. . Highly recommend.

Retribution is book 2 in the Lexie Winter series by Sarah Barrie.
Lexi Winter is not a vigilante anymore but is now a probationary constable. One night Lexi and her partner were chasing down two young boys, and Lexi Winter did a silly thing that coursed a chain reaction that involved her in one of Detective Sergeant Finn Carson's cases. The readers of Retribution will continue to follow Lexi Winter and Detective Sergeant Finn Carson's investigation to find out what happens.

Retribution brings Lexi Winter and Detective Sergeant Finn Carson together again in this enjoyable crime mystery. I always enjoy books by Sarah Barrie, and Retribution did not disappoint. I engaged with the plot of this book from the first page, and it continues to the end. I love Sarah Barrie's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Retribution is well-written and researched by Sarah Barrie. I like Sarah Barrie's description of the settings of Retribution, which allow me to imagine being part of the book's plot. The readers of Retribution will understand the consequences of revenge and greed. Also, the readers of Retribution will learn about some of the issues law enforcement officers face.

Lexi. Vigilante, villain or police woman? I’ll let you decide on that.
Lexi is a probationary police officer with a not so typical past, one might say very questionable for a police officer.
I haven’t read Lexi’s before story, but you do get a reasonable picture of it, and one I will be reading.
Lexi will quiet often go off on her own, and that leads her into a lot of trouble, not just for herself but also her fellow colleagues.
Very well written and a few surprise’s along the way.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a free arc of this novel.

This is my first Lexie Winter book from Sarah Barrie but it won't be my last. A great female lead with all the qualities that make every move a winner ( although not necessarily for Lexie). She is gritty, an accomplished computer hacker and she loves a JD or alternatives if available. Barrie has insider knowledge of how investigations work and the tensions that live in any team forced to work together. Her real strength is in the story, which has just the right amount of page turning twists and turns right to the end. Set beautifully in the Hawkesbury area with a supporting cast of caring sensitive cops and the odd challenger. Lexie is up against a totally believable family crime syndicate who radiate pure evil at every turn. The fast paced action has the counterpoint of close to home life dramas with her co workers managing just 'day to day' stuff, all of which make the whole story all the more engaging and believable. I'm now determined to read the prequel to this and I'll be looking for the next one. Sarah Barrie , such a great writer, so readable and so smart. With nine novels to her credit she is a leader in the cadre of strong female Australian writers of crime. Thanks to @netgalley for the copy to review and to @harpercollins for publishing.

I couldn’t put this down. Devoured it in 3 days around work and the kids.

I received this as an ARC via NetGalley (thanks) and admittedly didn’t realise when I signed up to read it that it is the second book in a series, so I came to it without the background knowledge the first book would have provided. That said, it read well as a stand-alone novel and I think I got up to speed on important characters and events pretty quickly.

Lexi Winter is basically the Australian female answer to Jack Reacher. In this book she is now a probationary constable, but she’s still a bit of a loose cannon vigilante who struggles with the rules. There were a few times I wanted to shake her, but she’s still very likeable. The worst thing about this book was the cliffhanger. Now I’m going to have to wait for the next one!

Wow, what a great story. Sarah Barrie has done a wonderful job in creating a memorable character in Lexi Winter. It’s not just the characters that make this a good story, it’s the interesting and surprising plot that really grabbed my attention. My favourite thing is to pick up a book and still be sitting there hours later, until life gets in the way. Lexi is an absolute legend. She just never gives up, and has the smarts to back it up. With a complicated background Lexi has done well to make it into the police force, however she really wants to do things her way, which might not always be the safest way. With plenty of things happening in the story, it easily held my attention and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5/5 Star Rating.

This is my first exposure to Sarah Barrie. It’s a fast moving thriller that I really enjoyed reading.

Lexi is an excellently drawn, dauntless character. There’s a previous Lexi book that I will now have to hunt down. The plot is engaging. It drew me in swiftly and my attention did not wane at all as I read the book in one sitting.

Lexie, who used to be a vigilante, is now a probationary police constable. She is chasing down the Hamills, seeking revenge. She bends the rules in her attempts to hunt them down and seek retribution.

Raymond, a drug lord, is at the top of the Hammills’ pyramid “having spawned seven sons and a daughter”, all chips off the old block. Lexi wants them all gone, one way or the other. Two of the sons are already gone: one from drugs and the other in a gangland hit.

This is an action packed read set primarily in Sydney, and also on the Central Coast.

I recommend this engrossing read to others.

Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.