This is a follow on of the Erika Foster series which I was desperate to begin reading as soon as I received the arc thanks to NetGalley

Opening scene take us back to Erika’s time in Manchester police force working on the drug bust that went spectacularly wrong resulting in the death of her officer husband and work colleagues and forcing Erika to move away to London. We hear more about what happened in this past event and then see how it comes crashing into Erika’s present day.

DCI Erika Foster and Peterson both arrive separately to a scene where a radiator has crashed through a ceiling revealing a body on a bed to the person in the flat below. Following a lead from the drug dog this then takes Erika and colleague Kate Moss to speak with potential suspect/witness. When arriving at the home to ask questions Erika is confronted with the shock of her life. This then takes her on a journey dealing with the traumatic past and epic conclusion.

Corruption and deception that have prevailed over many years hits Erika hard and has her face some tough decision making all in a way she had never expected

Robert again has written another outstanding book and for me as an avid fan this was a read in one session book! Loved every second, the story flowed and joined dots from Ericka’s past and taking us into the future. This I feel has to be read as a follow on but if you hadn’t read any previous you could still follow the story and thoroughly enjoy it.
Excellent 5 star eagerly anticipated read for me.

ARC REVIEW - CHASING SHADOWS BY ROBERT BRYNDZA

Genre - Crime thriller
Book 9/9 in the DCI Erika Foster Series
Release date 5/6/25

To say that this book brought every kind of expression out of my face is an understatement. I was laughing, smiling, biting my nails, picking my jaw up off the floor and frowning all in one sitting. This series is my all time favourite so when I was approved for an arc copy I was absolutely over the moon. The expertly crafted characters in this series is like visiting old friends with every installment.
Chasing shadows takes us back to where it all began, Erika is unexpectedly faced with her demons in a relentless pursuit of her husband's killer. As Erika begins to investigate her next murder case, the connections she discovers open up old wounds, but not only does she have to prove the identity, it seems she has to also break through the strategically placed barriers of the big wigs in the met. As Bryndza takes us back to Manchester, the dots begin to join and armed with her loyal colleagues who we've come to know and love, Erika embarks on the dangerous journey to justice. Erika is thrust into one of her most chilling cases yet in this fast paced, gripping page turner and I won't give any spoilers away but I can say, I think this is a new favourite of the series for me. I love how Bryndza treats us to a dual timeline and we get to see how Erika's life has moved on with wonderful Igor but is still captivated by the pain of her past. If you're a Bryndza fan, you will LOVE this. If you haven't read any others in the series, I can't recommend it highly enough. This book, as with the others, could be read as a stand alone as Bryndza does tread over old ground putting the facts into context for us, but fans of the series will agree, this is never in a repetitive way. I would of course reccomend starting from the beginning for the best experience.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Raven street publishing for this eagerly anticipated arc and of course, Rob, for never ever failing to deliver. I can't wait for my physical copy of this and more from DCI Erika Foster.

A very easy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ten years earlier, Erika Foster was the lead on a drug raid that went horribly wrong, resulting in the death of four officers, one of whom was her husband. The dealer disappeared. Now, she’s come face to face with him. But he has a different name. This starts the incredibly suspenseful ninth book in the series.
The book continues at a fast clip. There’s plenty of tension and suspense. Bryndza doesn’t stint on character development either, as Erika is forced to confront a past she’s tried to avoid dealing with. The plot relies a little too heavily on coincidences but it’s fun entertainment.
Usually I hesitate to say that a book in a long running series would work as a stand-alone. But here, I think it would as a lot of the book harkens back to Erika’s backstory.
My thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

Well what can I say Erica has always been one of my favourite characters right back from the first book, I loved this one, finding out a little more about Mark, and Erica's fight for justice for him and his colleagues, blumming brilliant as usual Rob

Can you imagine me, screaming with joy on the inside because I got approved as ARC Reader for Robert Bryndza's new Erika Foster book called "Chasing Shadows"? Because I did, I might have even applauded for a bit.

I am a huuuuuge Erika fan, from the first book on, this series has been thrilling. It's that good that you want to keep reading.

This being the 9th book in this serie already and is set to be released on the 5th of June.

Erika Foster has been through a lot, her husband and colleagues being murdered and her being shot in the neck 10 years prior, her relocating to a new city and new police station to start anew. This book takes you back to what happened 10 years prior and how a present case is intertwined with that cold case in particular. Getting stonewalled, suspended and threatened.. Nothing stops Erika from finding out what happened, what went wrong all those years ago and how those cases are connected.

How can Jerome, the suspect from the shooting 10 years ago be called Kieron now? Erika is a 100% sure he's Jerome but proving so seems to be very difficult.

You won't see the end coming, I sure as hell didn't.

I really love love loooove this serie BUT when thinking back at the first book, they seem to get a little less action packed and thrilling as the serie progresses. It's still a very good book, but when I look at the whole of this serie, there is a small decline with every book that's been released.

Still a 4 star read though.

Thanks to Robert and NetGalley for allowing me to read Chasing Shadows before the publication date.

Having read a number of Robert’s previous books, I was pleased to receive the arc of the latest in the Erika Foster series and it does not disappoint.
The tension is there from the first page. DCI Erika Foster is living with PTSD from the drugs raid in which a number of her colleagues, including her husband, were murdered. The pressure which she experiences in this book are understandable as she doubts (is made to doubt) herself.
With so many people who have their own interests at heart, who can she trust?

Three timelines are interwoven, giving the reader insight into the characters and their relationships, before the truth is revealed.

Robert Bryndza returns with another gripping installment in the Erika Foster crime thriller series, Chasing Shadows. This highly anticipated book is fast paced and engaging.

Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster is thrust into one of her most chilling cases yet. It ties into her tragic past. This is a must read! If you have not read any of the Ericka Foster books, you are missing out.

This latest in the DCI Erika Foster series is amazing! After ten years, Erika may finally have a break in the case that took the lives of four of her colleagues and her husband. After a strange series of events concerning a deceased nun-to-be and an old radiator, Erika is brought face to face with Jerome, the leader of the gang responsible for the murders in the failed raid. He goes by another name now, but she would bet her life it’s the same man – I mean, really, you don’t forget the face of someone who took your whole world away. Even though her team isn’t quite as sure of his identity, they back her up and help dig into the case again.

She has to be even more careful than usual, as there are some big (and shocking!!!) names implicated in the case with crooked officers engaged with Jerome and his gang for years. Luckily, nothing gets in Erika’s way and the team make some crazy discoveries that not only answer lingering questions but take away any liability Erika may have had for the raid going sideways all those years ago. But will they be able to get the solid evidence they need before someone tries to silence Erika for good?

I love that there are finally answers for Erika and hope that her character stops carrying the guilt that’s burdened her for years. And I still can’t get over the high-ranking crooked official – I wonder if that was the author’s plan all along or if he just came up with it while writing this book. I don’t know how he’s going to top this one, but I’m so glad this wasn’t the end of the series and that there will be more to come for Erika and her team!

I absolutely love the Erika Foster series and this one certainly did not disappoint! Erika finally has to face her past of what happened in Manchester prior to her moving to London. During their latest investigation into a suspicious death she stumbles onto something which opens up old wounds and leads her down a path she has no choice to follow. An absolute page turner and would recommend to anyone who enjoys investigative books.

I’ve waited eagerly for this next instalment and when I saw it was on Netgalley I was so excited! It certainly hasn’t disappointed, every book Robert Bryndza writes is full of heart, mystery, thrills and page turning wonder. There’s been enough written about the plot so all I’ll say is go and buy it, you’ll not be able to put it down. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Chasing Shadows", the ninth book in Robert Bryndza's brilliant and suspenseful Detective Chief Inspector Erika Frost series (all of which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed).
While investigating a very strange death - was it suicide or was it murder? - Erika comes face-to-face with her past; the case that resulted in the death of her husband and most of her team, and left Erika near to death.
So how is it that no one believes that Jerome Goodman, conman and drugs dealer - is still alive and once again wreaking havoc on her 'patch'. According to records, and the top brass, Goodman is dead and has been for some time. But Erika doesn't believe this and goes to such extremes to prove her point that she's put on forced leave and can only return after her upcoming physical (providing a) she passes, and b) no one higher up fudges the results).
To give them credit, her team is fully behind DCI Foster, and they all work tirelessly to get to the bottom of things. Digging into the past re-opens the trauma that Erika suffered after the loss of her team and husband, and leads her to wonder just who of her friends and higher-ups she can trust.
The book moves seamlessly from the present to the past, as readers (and DCI Foster) will finally find out the truth of what happened all those years ago.
Highly recommended. Can work as a standalone, but reading the series is also recommended.
If you love Angela Marsons's 'Kim Stone" series and books like that, you will certainly like the Erika Foster series.

I knew, after reading the first 3 chapters, that this would be a sprint not a marathon. I was right. I finished this book in 8 hours!
Brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant!
More to come after publication
Now, I eagerly await Erika’s next instalment

Ten years ago, on a drug raid in Manchester that Erika Foster was in charge of, her husband and some of her colleagues were killed and the murderer, Jerome Goodman, escaped. Now a DCI in London, inquiries into the death of a young woman find Erika face to face with Goodman whom she promptly arrests. The only problem is, the man she arrests has a different identity and Goodman supposedly died in an accident some years ago. She is placed on leave but cannot resist further investigation. With the surreptitious help of her team, she is determined to find out what really happened those ten years ago and bring Goodman to justice. As she unravels the truth, there are shocking revelations.

This is yet another riveting, can’t put down mystery/thriller from Bryndza. You always know with him that there will be a well plotted story that will hook you from the beginning. I like fifty two year old Erika, despite her propensity to being rather brash and often annoying to her superiors. A testament to her character, though, is the willingness of her team to assist her even when she is on the outs with her superiors. In this book, the suspense was heightened by Erika’s precarious job situation and her foreshadowing of possible doom.

This is the ninth in the Erika Foster series. As someone who has read and enjoyed some of the earlier installments, I liked learning more of her backstory. This would, however, work well as a standalone. I cannot wait for the next in this outstanding series.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. This is book 9 in the Erika Foster series of books and it is no less gripping than the first book, it drew me in from the first page and didn't let go until the end. I am looking forward to the next one.

Anyone who follows The Book Review Café knows I’m a huge fan of Robert Bryndza’s Erika Foster series, so you can imagine my excitement when Chasing Shadows landed in my hands. And WOW, it did not disappoint. This one grabs you instantly, and honestly, it’s a contender for the best book in the series yet. Robert Bryndza delivers everything fans have come to love and more: tension, twists, and emotional depth, all packed into one of those rare, read-in-one-sitting thrillers that refuses to let you go.

A routine 999 call turns dark when a body is found in a spotless flat, no evidence, no clues. But for Erika Foster, the real shock is recognising the face of the man who killed her husband ten years ago. Only his ID says he’s someone else, and his record is spotless.

Cut off from the case and running out of allies, Erika digs deeper on her own. What she uncovers is a dark web of secrets, lies, and betrayal, forcing her to confront the past she’s never been able to let go. It’s her most personal case yet, and the most devastating.

Robert Bryndza has truly outdone himself. Chasing Shadows is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that blends gripping police work with the raw intensity of a psychological drama. The tension is sharp, the twists are masterfully delivered, and the pacing is relentless. There are no wasted chapters here, just expertly crafted suspense. What truly sets this story apart is its emotional weight. Erika isn’t just solving a case, she’s confronting the deepest wounds of her past, and Bryndza captures her grief, resilience, and vulnerability with care.

I absolutely loved Chasing Shadows. It’s a standout in an already brilliant series. Whether you’re a devoted fan or a newcomer, this is one you won’t want to miss. Dark, twisty, and deeply personal, this might just be Erika Foster’s most disturbing case yet.

At last the next book in the Erika Foster series is almost with us - publication date is 5 June 25. Book 9 in the series does not disappoint, it’s set over multiple timelines starting with the incident that left Erika’s husband Mark and several of her team dead. It’s a twisty emotional story with raw emotions. Will Erika nail her husband’s killer? Technically this could be read as a stand alone novel but honestly the whole series is so good I would start at book one. Loved this book it was excellent, I read it in one sitting! Totally deserves five stars …. Bring on the next one! Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for this ARC in return for my honest review.

This ninth entry in the Erika Foster series starts well enough, with an original premise, an ugly crime scene and a murder victim. Interesting, entertaining and engrossing. Soon, though, a small detail turns it into one of the biggest cases of Erika’s career and life. It can be read as a standalone, but longtime readers will be highly satisfied. Bryndza manages to find the happy medium where he recaps enough information as needed to understand what’s going on without making it repetitive. I’m not a fan of the common plot in procedurals in which the hero is sidelined and has to work the case as a civilian, but these characters are strong enough to keep the momentum going without neglecting anyone. Erika may be out, but she’s not giving up and her team has her back, as usual. I missed Isaac, the pathologist and Erika’s best friend, who only appears for a few scenes, but everyone else is there and their chemistry is stronger than ever. The novel is well written, twisty and addictive. It made me fear for Erika’s welfare. When I thought where this was going, a twist made me gasp out loud, changing everything. After this, I couldn’t read fast enough. The suspense grows and grows to almost unbearable levels. To say that this book will change everything is no exaggeration. I’m glad to learn that the author hopes to keep writing more about Erika because I really want to know what happens next.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Raven Street Publishing.

5/5 stars! This is one of my favorite thriller authors, so I screamed a bit when I got the chance to read this. This is the 9th book in the Detective Erika Foster series and we finally get to unravel the moment in time 10 years ago that changed the trajectory of her life. This was masterfully written. I loved the twists and turns and was raging, needing Erika to get closure. Great story!

I could not put this down - I finished it in one day and it is easily in my top 5 books of 2025!

Reading Erika is like coming home - it's so comforting to know that once I start reading it will pull me in from the beginning and not let go.

Please keep writing Robert!!

Did I drop everything and move this book to the top of my TBR as soon as I received it.. you bet I did!! this is the book that Erika Foster fans have been waiting for and my goodness it was worth the wait. Outstanding once again Robert Bryndza, you never let me down!!

In book 9 of this amazing series we finally get the details of what happened on that day 10 years ago. Ow, when Erika’s husband Mark and her team were killed in a police raid in Manchester. That day changed her life and the way she sees the world. Now on an investigation into a murder, she comes face to face with the man responsible, only he claims to be someone else. Then she is told that the man who killed Mark is dead.

Now if you know Erika at all you know that she is not going to take this. She knows it was him and she wants justice for her husband. Even being put on stress leave isn’t going to stop her. And her loyal team and partner are there to help her.

This book was so good!! i just love Erika and her way of doing what is right, even when she is told otherwise. She is smart, determined and snarky and I love it. I cannot recommend this series more for those who love a good gritty police procedural.

Thank you so much to Raven Street Publishing for my early copy to read. Always such a joy to read these books. Easy 5 stars.