Another gripping book in the DCI Erika Foster series.. she don't half get herself into some scrapes, when her husband Mark and 4 of her colleagues were killed in an operation, it fell to Erik's to take the blame as Years later Erika and the team get a case, but this one one could definitely be trouble Why? In the line of inquiries she comes across someone who looks very much like the man who shot her husband and colleagues....... who is it that is passing information, to the people the team are investigating?.... great read. ....

Bryndza at His Best: A Haunting Mystery That Blends Past and Present

Chasing Shadows by Robert Bryndza is a taut, emotionally gripping thriller that dives deep into Detective Erika Foster’s most personal and painful case yet. Ten years ago, a drug raid in Manchester went tragically wrong—her husband, Detective Inspector Mark Foster, and four of her team were gunned down. Erika survived, but was left physically and emotionally shattered, taking the fall for the operation’s failure. Erika has never stopped searching for the truth.

Now, a seemingly unrelated case leads Erika straight back into the shadows of that day. When she comes face to face with the man she believes was responsible, he claims to be someone else entirely—setting off a relentless investigation that forces Erika to confront the past head-on.

Bryndza’s writing is razor-sharp, packed with emotion, suspense, and expertly timed twists. The flashbacks to the fateful raid are woven seamlessly into the present-day narrative, adding layers of complexity and heartbreak. The pacing is relentless, the tension palpable, and the psychological depth of Erika’s journey is compelling.

This is not just a procedural—it’s a story about grief, justice, guilt, and the strength it takes to face the truth. With a strong supporting cast and a cleverly constructed plot, Chasing Shadows is one of the most powerful installments in the Erika Foster series. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, this book will keep you hooked until the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Robert Bryndza and Raven Street Publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

This really is crime thriller writing of the highest order. Robert Bryndza never disappoints and with this new novel he once again affirms his position in the very top tier of contemporary thriller authors.
This is surely the author's most complex and compelling plot to date. It's a dark, sophisticated gem, with intense characterisation and many heartbreaking moments. I always find it easy to have empathy for Erika Foster and her colleagues but never more so than here with the flashbacks to the awful events in Rochdale in 2014.
The author continues to explore the dire horrors of our modern world where drugs and violence have become endemic making an important statement of the perils we all face in an age rapidly losing its moral compass.
The plot is an absolute rollercoaster of nail-biting tension with shocks, surprises and twist after twist keeping up the relentless momentum.
I didn't get to sleep until the middle of the night...but what a night!

Yeah! Erika Foster is back! I can't believe we're up to number nine in this fantastic series. Erika is pursuing an old enemy in Chasing Shadows and lets nothing gets in her way in her hunt for the man who killed her husband and most of her team in Manchester 10 years before. Her battle takes her up against people she never imagined but she has a great team on her side. The storyline has twists and turns over every page and an explosive finish. A great read that had me on the edge of my seat more than once.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Erika is a cop whose husband, also a cop, was murdered during a takedown of some nasty criminals. Ten years later she is called to a crime scene and comes face to face with the drug dealer who killed her husband, Jerome Goodman. But he appears to be a completely different person with a different identity. But Erika is sure he is Jerome. So she starts to investigate. But her boss feels Erika is overstretched, orders her to take leave and takes her off the case. But Erika finds a way to go ahead with her investigation and the ending is very satisfying.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was over the moon to be granted an advance reader's copy of Robert Bryndza's latest Erika Foster novel! As a fan of all of his works, I had feared we would hear no more from this brilliant police detective, but thankfully, I was wrong.

Erika has a strange encounter that leaves her with an unpleasant feeling of deja vu. This compels her to go back and re-investigate a 10-year old, unsolved drug-bust gone wrong that took the lives of her colleagues and her husband, a fellow police officer.

She doesn't always have the support she needs to dig into the past, but if you know Erika, nothing will stop her! I was pleased to read that the series will continue. Very enjoyable read and recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza and Raven Publishing for the ARC.

It’s been 10 years since Detective Inspector Erica Foster was injured and 4 other members of her team, including her husband Mark, were killed.
No one was ever arrested, but Erica knows who the killer is.
When Erica is investigating another crime she comes face to face with the man that ruined her life. Stunned she arrests him, but no one believes her that he is the killer.
The author takes us on a twisted ride as Erica’s tenacity pushes her and a select few of her team to prove the guilt of the killer. There are many other scenarios in play and even Ericka cannot believe how high up the duplicity extends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for another excellent eARC from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed this fast paced advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a great story! I really loved the characters and they were relatable. The story was well written and interesting. I would definitely recommend!

When a ceiling collapses in a rundown flat, a body is found. The last thing DCI Erika Foster expects is for the trail to lead to the man responsible for the death of her team a decade earlier. Most notably amongst that team, her husband Mark.

Showing an incredible presence of mind, she arrests the man on the spot. But when is Erika’s life ever that simple? The man she arrested supposedly died years ago, and this man has no police record. His passport and solicitor prove he’s not the man Erika thought.

When her bosses fear she won’t leave this well enough alone, Erika is put on involuntarily leave; told to get a handle on her PTSD once and for all.

But this is Erika we’re talking about ..

Another absolute corker from Robert Bryndza. I joked that life would be on hold once I turned the first page - it was no joke. I devoured this in less than a day. Conflicted as I couldn’t put it down, but also didn’t want it to end. It’s intricately plotted, suspenseful, and filled with clever twists. The definition of a page-turner.

It’s always a joy being reunited with Erika, Moss and the wider team. Their relationships and interactions feel as authentic as ever. Their camaraderie a respite against the tension throughout the book. That said, not everyone is on the side of justice!

Such a great and satisfying story - that ties up so many of the big questions from as far back as book one (The Girl In The Ice). I’m relieved to hear that there are no plans to end the series!

Whilst this is book nine - and I would definitely recommend reading this series in order - enough back story is provided for this to work as a stand alone. But I’d question why you want to limit your enjoyment to just one book.

This marks 21 books and 12 years of reading Rob’s books. Here’s to another 20!

A huge thanks to Rob and Jan at Raven Street Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for review consideration.  All opinions are my own.

I regret that I had so many technical issues with this that I read less than 1/2 the book - because of the digital? issues.

Erica foster is back with a bang.

Can she convince the powers that be that her husbands killer is still alive?

A fantastic read

4 stars

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc

I like to thank netgalley and Raven house publishers and the Brilliant author Robert bryndza for an early copy of his book to read.

This is book 9 in this brilliant series,And one of my favourite authors this read was addictive and worth a five star review..A body of a woman was found in the flat it should of been an open and shut case but who is this woman..Erika Foster and her team investigating...Erika past comes to light years ago her husband and her team were killed she carried the guilt as she was the lead.she knew who the culprit is but there is lack of evidence to prove it.she meets the culprit again his name is jerome Goodman but when he is arrested his Identity has been changed how that possible...now she needs evidence to convict him will she find it. With the help from her team.Another brilliant read so engaging and roll on book 10..

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon and waterstones.

Chasing Shadows by Robert Bryndza is book 9 in the Detective Erika Foster police series, and this storyline goes back to the early days in Manchester and one particular case that Erika was in charge of that ended badly.. This was 10 years ago when amongst other officers, her husband Mark was shot and killed by Jerome Goodman, a drug dealer
What began with a dead woman’s body being found in a flat with all dna scrubbed away and no means to identify her. Then it was discovered that all of the ceiling was coated in cocaine. Which lead to the police dogs being called in and then an outdoor parcel collecting being found to be a drop off point for cocaine. Then the owner of the drop off service being recognised by Erika, as Jerome Goodman who is then arrested only to be identified as Kieron Bagshaw, whose record is squeaky clean.
Erika is then placed on immediate leave in the belief she is suffering from PTSD and is now longer allowed to contact her team. Then Erika and her team investigate anyway.
The storyline is very complicated with many twists and turns and then everything all comes together and Erika and her murder team are once again successful.
Highly recommended.

Once again Robert Bryndza has produced another fabulous installment in the Erica Foster series, if you are a fan, you are going to love this one.

This will be the most personal case Ericka has had to face as she is on the hunt to chase her arch nemesis, Jerome Goodman, the killer who got away after shooting dead her husband Mark and four other officers in a sting that went terribly wrong. It was so good to go back to this first book in the series and I was rooting for Erica all the way through.

It begins with a woman who is found dead in an apartment, her body only discovered when a ceiling fan falls through the roof of the apartment above. On arrival Erica soon realizes this death is not by natural causes even though no apparent cause, the whole apartment has been cleaned with bleach and hence no DNA is found, however traces of cocaine residue are found on the ceiling. So, who is this woman that apparently led a very quiet life and did not seem to have many visitors. Then a suspicious parcel on leads the team down another path all adding to the mystery of events occurring.

Exciting, suspenseful and just what you come to expect from this excellent author. I was so excited to read at the end of this book that Robert will continue with more books in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

Another fantastic Erica Foster book. It was a very compelling storyline going back to the murders of her husband and police colleagues during a failed drugs bust. Ten years on and Erica and her team get another chance to capture and convict the criminals who murdered so many people and bring down a corrupt member of the metropolitan police force. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review..

The past comes back for Erika Foster when while investigating a murder, she crosses paths with the man who murdered her husband and several members of her team, as well as injuring her, 10 years ago. He is using a different name and no one but Erika believes he is the murderer. Due to accusations she directed at this man, Erika ends up on leave and has to investigate covertly.

Robert Bryndza is a must read for me. Both this series and the Kate Marshall are excellent. Although this book gave us closure to Erika’s husband’s murder, it wasn’t my favorite in the series. I found myself a little confused at how some of the connections were being made although I may have just not have been paying enough attention at certain points. Regardless, not my favorite from this author is still really good and I look forward to his next novel.

This is my first book by the Author, my loss for sure. From beginning to the very last words,
the story feels so absolutely real and happening in my head, it’s hard to describe. Being
invested in the perfectly crafted character is likely evident in the entire series, so if you
want to have the perfect background / build-up to this fabulously realistic and gripping
book, you can start at the beginning with the first book.
If, like me, you are new to the lives of DCI Erika Foster and her team, this is a rare book
to catch. I am always aware of spoiling the goods for others, so I will say that several
events had me gasping aloud, I tried to decide who the bad guys were going to be
and was spot on a few times, but the cataclysmic conclusion is so well planned
and written that figuring out the conclusion in all of its parts is a challenge. I am
looking forward to the next story, and since the conclusion in this book is,pretty
big, I’m guessing the next book could have more romance included!
My thanks to Raven Street Publishing via NetGalley for the download copy
of the book for review purposes.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza, and Raven Street Piblishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always excited to get my hands on Robert Bryndza’s work, I gladly accepted the latest DCI Erika Foster book. Full of gritty action and a dedicated plan to right some evil, Erika Foster makes it a point of never holding back. In this instance, she is sure she sees someone who made her life hell, though no one around her is quite sure it’s the same man. Even when she is forced on leave, DCI Foster continues her pursuit to bring a sense of justice and provide one more reason she always gets the criminal element. A great story that got my blood pumping, Robert Bryndza knows his stuff!

After going to investigate word of a dead body found in an apartment building, Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster and her team realise there is more to the story than meets the eye. The flat below had a radiator drop through the ceiling and the crime scene is scrubbed clean, as though someone was trying to hide something. Minute drug residue hints that this might be another type of crime scene and drug dogs send the team on a chase to a parcel locker with other worrisome evidence.

While trying to locate the locker’s owner, DCI Foster comes face to face with a man everyone thought dead; Jerome Goodman. He was the drug dealer responsible for the death of her husband, Mark, a decade ago. Might this victim be the latest in an ongoing list of others Goodman has killed and how has he evaded the police all these years?

An immediate arrest proves troubling, as Goodman’s identification is in the name of Kieran Bagshaw and there is no criminal record of any kind. A case of mistaken identity? DCI Foster thinks not and latches on to prove it, even as she is forced on leave for her troubling actions. DCI Foster’s PTSD and memories of the murder of Mark sends her in a spiral and fuels her hunt for Jerome Goodman, hoping he will slip up a show his true colours. She is on a mission and her dedication will soon yield sole surprising results as she searches the shadows and tries to process the loss of Mark once again. What she uncovers could rock the Met and those in her line of command. Robert Bryndza delivers another strong novel in this series that never gives up!

I remember discovering the work of Robert Bryndza a number of years ago and being highly impressed. He knows how to spin a tale and keep things edgy from start to finish. The narrative moves things along, preparing strong direction to settle matters in a timely manner. Characters serve to deliver their perspectives throughout and keep the reader wondering. Bryndza develops a great plot to keep the reader guessing as things progress in two time periods. Surprises prove effective and help pave the way for future installments of the series.

Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for a great addition to the collection for all to enjoy.

When Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster attends what appears to be a routine 999 call, she never envisaged that this could be the case to nearly end her career. After the discovery of the body of a woman in a house where all DNA evidence has been scrubbed away, forensics find cocaine residue completely coating the ceiling. Clues lead Erika to the home of Kieron Bagshaw, a face she instantly recognises. Erika knows that this is not his real identity – he is really Jerome Goodman, the drug dealer who killed her husband, Mark, ten years ago. After arresting him, she is forced to take time off work when her superior officers fail to believe what she knows is true. For Erika, there is only one thing to do: solve the case herself, even if it means putting her own life in danger.

Ever since reading the first in this series, The Girl in the Ice, I had always wondered if the unsolved murder of Erika’s husband would form part of a later book and so I was pleased to see that it was finally going to be addressed. I feel that the author has waited until the perfect time to reintroduce this story as we see Erika settling down with a new partner, the first serious relationship she has had since the death of Mark.

We have been used to seeing Erika as a tenacious, resilient officer who will do anything to solve a crime and bring a criminal to justice but in Chasing Shadows we see her more vulnerable side as she is forced to face the trauma from her past head-on, without the support of her bosses. In true Erika-style, however, she is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means putting her own life, and the lives of those she loves, in danger.

The pace of the plot never lets up as we see Erika travelling across the country, chasing leads and uncovering long-forgotten secrets with the aim of finally bringing a murderer to justice and being able to bury the ghosts of her past. I was gripped from beginning to end, not wanting to put the book down.

This is Erika’s most personal case to date and probably my favourite of the series so far. Erika Foster is a true tour de force and if you have never read any of this series, I urge you to do so!

Chasing Shadows is book number 9 in the Detective Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza and whilst the outcome was fairly predictable the book overall was a good read and a worthy additional to a long running series.