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Lacey Flint #3
Like This, For Ever
*The American version is published under the name ‘Lost’.*
Like everyone reading the newspapers these days, 10-year-old Barney Roberts knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy, just like him. The body will be drained of blood, and left somewhere on a Thames beach. There will be no clues for London detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury to find. There will be no warning about who will be next. There will be no real reason for Barney's friend and neighbor, Lacey Flint, on leave from her job as a London police detective, to become involved…and no chance that she can stay away. With the clock ticking, the violence escalating, and young lives at stake, Lacey and Barney both know they can't afford a single wrong step if they hope to make it through alive.
Please note, this title is published in the UK as Like This For Ever.
Like everyone reading the newspapers these days, 10-year-old Barney Roberts knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy, just like him. The body will be drained of blood, and left somewhere on a Thames beach. There will be no clues for London detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury to find. There will be no warning about who will be next. There will be no real reason for Barney's friend and neighbor, Lacey Flint, on leave from her job as a London police detective, to become involved…and no chance that she can stay away. With the clock ticking, the violence escalating, and young lives at stake, Lacey and Barney both know they can't afford a single wrong step if they hope to make it through alive.
Please note, this title is published in the UK as Like This For Ever.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
225 people are currently reading
5672 people want to read
About the author
Sharon J. Bolton
44 books4,552 followersSharon's newest book The Split is now available in both hardback and paperback in the UK!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Split-grippi...
Sharon J Bolton was born and brought up in Lancashire, the eldest of three daughters. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an actress and a dancer, studying ballet, tap and jazz from a young age and reading drama at Loughborough University.
She spent her early career in marketing and PR before returning to full-time education to study for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Warwick University, where she met her husband, Andrew. They moved to London and Sharon held a number of PR posts in the City. She left the City to work freelance, to start a family and to write.
She and Andrew now live in a village in the Chiltern Hills, not far from Oxford, with their son and the latest addition to the family: Lupe, the lop-eared lurcher. Her daily life revolves around the school run, walking the dog and those ever-looming publishing deadlines.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Split-grippi...
Sharon J Bolton was born and brought up in Lancashire, the eldest of three daughters. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an actress and a dancer, studying ballet, tap and jazz from a young age and reading drama at Loughborough University.
She spent her early career in marketing and PR before returning to full-time education to study for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Warwick University, where she met her husband, Andrew. They moved to London and Sharon held a number of PR posts in the City. She left the City to work freelance, to start a family and to write.
She and Andrew now live in a village in the Chiltern Hills, not far from Oxford, with their son and the latest addition to the family: Lupe, the lop-eared lurcher. Her daily life revolves around the school run, walking the dog and those ever-looming publishing deadlines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 881 reviews
February 9, 2017
Well, I just love Lacey Flint. My heart was pounding until the very end.
June 29, 2020
It hurts to write this review, but I have to give 2.5 stars to this book. I really like Sharon Bolton and gave 4 stars to the first two books of the series a few years ago, but maybe I waited too long to read this one.
There were too many characters and absolutely no reminders of their background and relationships. I didn't feel anything for them and was completely... lost. (yes, how ironic!)
I was more enthralled by the second half of the story but wasn't satisfied with the ending. I think the explanations were too poor...
Not gonna read the next one in the series :( I'm gonna stick to her standalones!
There were too many characters and absolutely no reminders of their background and relationships. I didn't feel anything for them and was completely... lost. (yes, how ironic!)
I was more enthralled by the second half of the story but wasn't satisfied with the ending. I think the explanations were too poor...
Not gonna read the next one in the series :( I'm gonna stick to her standalones!
July 18, 2018
“Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!” Dracula
Lost, known in the UK as Like this For Ever, is Sharon J. Bolton’s third Lacey Flint thriller. How I wish I remembered more about the previous books, because there are references to Lacey’s past with little explanation, which I found to be a great disadvantage. Lacey is on leave from her police job in this story. As it begins, she is in therapy, courtesy of her employer after a traumatic experience in Cambridge (book 2). But we already knew that Lacey is one complex person, did we not?
Lacey lives next door to a ten-year-old boy named Barney Roberts. Barney is a highly intelligent lad who lives with his father. He hangs out with a group of his pals after school and in the evenings, playing football (soccer), riding his bike, skating, and doing typical kid stuff. But lately, ten and eleven-year-old boys have been disappearing and turning up dead. The boys’ parents have forbidden them to be out alone after dark; this doesn’t prevent them from sneaking out now and then. Barney becomes the focus of this tale, mainly because he lives next door to Lacey, and because he is a very sharp kid who becomes fascinated – obsessed – with the murders. We learn details of his past, and we learn his fears. He knows that Lacey is with the police, and he’s not sure how much he should tell her.
Meanwhile, Lacey visits someone in prison – Ms. Bolton does not name her, and leaves it to the reader to know who this is. I’m sorry, but I don’t recall from the previous books. I would have appreciated these portions more had I known who this person was. It does point out the nature of Lacey’s personality, however. She seems more at home with the darker side of society sometimes than she does with policing, yet she wants to help the boys. However, she tells Mark Joesbury that she does not want to and cannot become part of the case. There is so much conflict here between Lacey and Dana, who is lead on the investigation. There is tension between Mark and Lacey – professionally and personally, and finally, there is tension within Lacey herself.
That doesn’t even begin to cover what is happening in the outside world! Imagine the media frenzy! Missing boys! I won’t spoil anything by giving away anything of the media coverage or the investigation, but Sharon Bolton does her best to convince the reader that the killer is X, which made me think that it wasn’t – or maybe it was after all? But then I became fairly certain that she was leading me in another direction. No. That wasn’t it either. It was a relief to be wrong.
I zipped through Lost in two days. It was intense, heart-pounding, and creepy. My complaints are listed above, but the thrills far outrank them. Overall, I rate it 4 of 5 stars. I won’t wait so long to read the next one so that I remember the details!
Lost, known in the UK as Like this For Ever, is Sharon J. Bolton’s third Lacey Flint thriller. How I wish I remembered more about the previous books, because there are references to Lacey’s past with little explanation, which I found to be a great disadvantage. Lacey is on leave from her police job in this story. As it begins, she is in therapy, courtesy of her employer after a traumatic experience in Cambridge (book 2). But we already knew that Lacey is one complex person, did we not?
Lacey lives next door to a ten-year-old boy named Barney Roberts. Barney is a highly intelligent lad who lives with his father. He hangs out with a group of his pals after school and in the evenings, playing football (soccer), riding his bike, skating, and doing typical kid stuff. But lately, ten and eleven-year-old boys have been disappearing and turning up dead. The boys’ parents have forbidden them to be out alone after dark; this doesn’t prevent them from sneaking out now and then. Barney becomes the focus of this tale, mainly because he lives next door to Lacey, and because he is a very sharp kid who becomes fascinated – obsessed – with the murders. We learn details of his past, and we learn his fears. He knows that Lacey is with the police, and he’s not sure how much he should tell her.
Meanwhile, Lacey visits someone in prison – Ms. Bolton does not name her, and leaves it to the reader to know who this is. I’m sorry, but I don’t recall from the previous books. I would have appreciated these portions more had I known who this person was. It does point out the nature of Lacey’s personality, however. She seems more at home with the darker side of society sometimes than she does with policing, yet she wants to help the boys. However, she tells Mark Joesbury that she does not want to and cannot become part of the case. There is so much conflict here between Lacey and Dana, who is lead on the investigation. There is tension between Mark and Lacey – professionally and personally, and finally, there is tension within Lacey herself.
That doesn’t even begin to cover what is happening in the outside world! Imagine the media frenzy! Missing boys! I won’t spoil anything by giving away anything of the media coverage or the investigation, but Sharon Bolton does her best to convince the reader that the killer is X, which made me think that it wasn’t – or maybe it was after all? But then I became fairly certain that she was leading me in another direction. No. That wasn’t it either. It was a relief to be wrong.
I zipped through Lost in two days. It was intense, heart-pounding, and creepy. My complaints are listed above, but the thrills far outrank them. Overall, I rate it 4 of 5 stars. I won’t wait so long to read the next one so that I remember the details!
October 1, 2014
Another Trip to the Dark Side of London - 4.5 Stars
Ahh. The all important third book in a series. The book where patterns emerge and where this reader can lose interest in the series. Is the author sticking with their formula or are they challenging their characters and their reader? While "Like This For Ever" falls prey to some recognizable patterns over the course of the first three books, the sheer strength of author's storytelling and writing rules the day.
After my review of the first in the series, Now You See Me , I referred to S.J. Bolton as "Tana French Lite". After three books in the series, I am now referring to S.J. Bolton as "Tana French Dark". Fans of both Tana French and Dark Psychological Thrillers will find the Lacey Flint series enjoyable.
Plot summary
Within a short period of time, Lacey Flint has been involved in a Jack the Ripper copycat investigation and part of an investigation into the a rash of suicides at Cambridge University. After the latter, Lacey's fragile emotional health has begun to interfere with her day to day life. London and the surrounding communities are again living in fear as young boys are being abducted and killed. While the police chase shadows, Lacey is drawn into the investigation and the darkness of the human mind.
The Good
Just When you have it Figured Out...
The author wants to think you have the mystery figured out. While the plot is important to the novel it is also driven by the fears, insecurities and pasts of the characters. Throughout the story you ask yourself if the story is a peek into the mind of a killer or mystery in which you have to wade through the proverbial "red herrings" until we discover the killer. The answer is that it is both. The author skillfully weaves these two themes into one. From page to page you will change your mind as to the identity of the killer. At the same time you are provided a glimpse in the mind of a killer while coming to the conclusion you were approaching the story from the wrong perspective.
Personally, I enjoyed the form of storytelling. While there were a significant number of coincidences (which is pet peeve), they served to further the story and keep the taunt atmosphere of Lacey's world.
The Bad
Spot the Pattern
This book currently stands as one of the best audiobooks I have listed to in 2014. Despite my praise, there were a few issues that kept me from giving the book a full 5 stars.
The investigation in each of the these books have involved the main character is some personal way. For a police constable that is not on the murder squad, she finds herself investigating them quite often. I'm not sure how many times the character can stumble into a murder or a have the murderer take a special interest in her before it becomes formulaic.
In addition to this, there are a couple of other patterns that I will not mention for fear of spoilers. I hope in future novels the author makes some adjustments before this wonderful series begin to feel repetitive.
Final Thoughts
This is a wonderful and dark psychological thriller. While the authors showed used many of the devices that made her previous novels successful, she did add a few new elements to the mix. A large portion of the story was told from the perspective of a young boy who is likely suffering from some undiagnosed mental health issue. This time around, the new mixed with the old resulted in a exceptionally readable novel.
Audiobook Notes
The audiobook continues to be narrated by Lisa Coleman. She does an exceptionable job of narration. 5 stars for the series narration.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
There is mention of sex as part of the investigation. The murders in this installment are not sexual in nature but it is discussed in small amounts. There is sexual tension between two characters which is a recurring plot. The discussion on this is not graphic in nature.
Language - 2.5
The amount of adult language continues to be low. There are a few mild obscenities and a few f-words in the story. A large portion of the story is told from the perspective of a young child and he did not use adult language.
Violence - 3.5
The violence is noticeable decreased from the previous novels. While murder is the focal point of the novels, it is considerable less graphic than in previous installments. There is a minor amount of gore. The thrills come less from the descriptions of violence but the psychological cat and mouse game.
Ahh. The all important third book in a series. The book where patterns emerge and where this reader can lose interest in the series. Is the author sticking with their formula or are they challenging their characters and their reader? While "Like This For Ever" falls prey to some recognizable patterns over the course of the first three books, the sheer strength of author's storytelling and writing rules the day.
After my review of the first in the series, Now You See Me , I referred to S.J. Bolton as "Tana French Lite". After three books in the series, I am now referring to S.J. Bolton as "Tana French Dark". Fans of both Tana French and Dark Psychological Thrillers will find the Lacey Flint series enjoyable.
Plot summary
Within a short period of time, Lacey Flint has been involved in a Jack the Ripper copycat investigation and part of an investigation into the a rash of suicides at Cambridge University. After the latter, Lacey's fragile emotional health has begun to interfere with her day to day life. London and the surrounding communities are again living in fear as young boys are being abducted and killed. While the police chase shadows, Lacey is drawn into the investigation and the darkness of the human mind.
The Good
Just When you have it Figured Out...
The author wants to think you have the mystery figured out. While the plot is important to the novel it is also driven by the fears, insecurities and pasts of the characters. Throughout the story you ask yourself if the story is a peek into the mind of a killer or mystery in which you have to wade through the proverbial "red herrings" until we discover the killer. The answer is that it is both. The author skillfully weaves these two themes into one. From page to page you will change your mind as to the identity of the killer. At the same time you are provided a glimpse in the mind of a killer while coming to the conclusion you were approaching the story from the wrong perspective.
Personally, I enjoyed the form of storytelling. While there were a significant number of coincidences (which is pet peeve), they served to further the story and keep the taunt atmosphere of Lacey's world.
The Bad
Spot the Pattern
This book currently stands as one of the best audiobooks I have listed to in 2014. Despite my praise, there were a few issues that kept me from giving the book a full 5 stars.
The investigation in each of the these books have involved the main character is some personal way. For a police constable that is not on the murder squad, she finds herself investigating them quite often. I'm not sure how many times the character can stumble into a murder or a have the murderer take a special interest in her before it becomes formulaic.
In addition to this, there are a couple of other patterns that I will not mention for fear of spoilers. I hope in future novels the author makes some adjustments before this wonderful series begin to feel repetitive.
Final Thoughts
This is a wonderful and dark psychological thriller. While the authors showed used many of the devices that made her previous novels successful, she did add a few new elements to the mix. A large portion of the story was told from the perspective of a young boy who is likely suffering from some undiagnosed mental health issue. This time around, the new mixed with the old resulted in a exceptionally readable novel.
Audiobook Notes
The audiobook continues to be narrated by Lisa Coleman. She does an exceptionable job of narration. 5 stars for the series narration.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
There is mention of sex as part of the investigation. The murders in this installment are not sexual in nature but it is discussed in small amounts. There is sexual tension between two characters which is a recurring plot. The discussion on this is not graphic in nature.
Language - 2.5
The amount of adult language continues to be low. There are a few mild obscenities and a few f-words in the story. A large portion of the story is told from the perspective of a young child and he did not use adult language.
Violence - 3.5
The violence is noticeable decreased from the previous novels. While murder is the focal point of the novels, it is considerable less graphic than in previous installments. There is a minor amount of gore. The thrills come less from the descriptions of violence but the psychological cat and mouse game.
February 10, 2017
Okay, granted this has nothing to do with the plot of the novel, but I absolutely love Mark Joesbury and his little boy Huck. Seriously, if Lacy does not get her act together quickly, I may have to make Joesbury my new literary crush. Anyway very entertaining, suspenseful, though I felt the resolution could have been connected a little better, felt it was a little loose. In fact boys kind of stole the show in this one, the living and the dead, so some may find this a little graphic. Lacy herself is a very complicated character and I did like the turn her life takes at the end of this book. Will be interesting to see where this author goes from here.
April 14, 2019
Number 3 in the Lacey Flint series.
Well, what a nail biter of a tale this turned out to be, absolutely brilliant.
There is someone, very twisted, killing young 10 year old boys and the people who have to find this killer have more than their own share of problems. First among many is Lacey Flint. After having survived, by the skin of her teeth, a near death experience at the hands of some very sick people just a few months ago Lacey is on sick leave from the London Metropolitan police force. To say her life is fractured to the point where she might never mend would be an understatement. Even whilst on sick leave Lacey becomes, unwittingly, involved in this case by befriending her next door neighbours 10 years old son. The boy, Barney, has his own issues that need to be dealt with, OCD being one of a few other problems.
As the story evolves Barney becomes an integral part of the hunt for the killer.
This truly is a nail biter. The tension is unrelenting. The killer could be one of any number of suspects and there are twists and turns galore. The main protagonists are such broken souls that I became totally involved in their struggle to pull it together before the killer struck again.
A great read with engaging characters. 5/5 stars entertainment.
Well, what a nail biter of a tale this turned out to be, absolutely brilliant.
There is someone, very twisted, killing young 10 year old boys and the people who have to find this killer have more than their own share of problems. First among many is Lacey Flint. After having survived, by the skin of her teeth, a near death experience at the hands of some very sick people just a few months ago Lacey is on sick leave from the London Metropolitan police force. To say her life is fractured to the point where she might never mend would be an understatement. Even whilst on sick leave Lacey becomes, unwittingly, involved in this case by befriending her next door neighbours 10 years old son. The boy, Barney, has his own issues that need to be dealt with, OCD being one of a few other problems.
As the story evolves Barney becomes an integral part of the hunt for the killer.
This truly is a nail biter. The tension is unrelenting. The killer could be one of any number of suspects and there are twists and turns galore. The main protagonists are such broken souls that I became totally involved in their struggle to pull it together before the killer struck again.
A great read with engaging characters. 5/5 stars entertainment.
November 14, 2022
FANTASTIC!!
I cannot remember enjoying a series so much! Ever!
Lacey Flint is back in London, and dealing (poorly) with the events that occurred in Cambridge only weeks earlier. And of course, despite the fact she wants to leave police work all together, she somehow manages to get herself involved with trying to find a new serial killer in old London Town...
I found this to be the best in the series so far. In the last book the chopping and changing of points of view often had me a tad confused. She seems to have dealt with that, because there is none of that here. I loved the characters. Barney!! What an awesome character! Most of the book is told through his eyes, his experiences, as a young boy struggling in London... Lacey is as dark and disturbed than ever, probably more so, and her relationship with Mark is just as frustrating. Dana's character is given a new complexity in this book. And Marks son Huck is introduced, and is cleverly weaved into the storyline.
All of her characters are so disturbed. So fragile. But Bolton manages to create such a rich, complex atmosphere through all of them, their interactions and their thoughts. Each character just blows me away.
London is as dark and depressing as the earlier books, yet she still manages to convince the reader of its timeless beauty.
The river Thames seems to be a major focus in the series. The water being cleansing, yet dark and dangerous, and has almost majestical qualities. I'm looking forward to the next book which I have heard focuses on the river even more.
Oh the twists and turns! Bolton is extremely talented. She manages to take you in one direction, get you almost certain about what is happening, and then twists you around when you are totally not expecting it, to a different focus. And then, just when you are sure now about the answer, she manages to blindfold you and lead you to a completely different path all together. I love this about her books. I'm not saying they are not somewhat predictable, but the way you get there is often difficult, and extremely satisfying.
My only criticism about this book is not about the book, but about me. I read too fast, it was over too quickly, and I was unable to savor it for long enough.
I cannot remember enjoying a series so much! Ever!
Lacey Flint is back in London, and dealing (poorly) with the events that occurred in Cambridge only weeks earlier. And of course, despite the fact she wants to leave police work all together, she somehow manages to get herself involved with trying to find a new serial killer in old London Town...
I found this to be the best in the series so far. In the last book the chopping and changing of points of view often had me a tad confused. She seems to have dealt with that, because there is none of that here. I loved the characters. Barney!! What an awesome character! Most of the book is told through his eyes, his experiences, as a young boy struggling in London... Lacey is as dark and disturbed than ever, probably more so, and her relationship with Mark is just as frustrating. Dana's character is given a new complexity in this book. And Marks son Huck is introduced, and is cleverly weaved into the storyline.
All of her characters are so disturbed. So fragile. But Bolton manages to create such a rich, complex atmosphere through all of them, their interactions and their thoughts. Each character just blows me away.
London is as dark and depressing as the earlier books, yet she still manages to convince the reader of its timeless beauty.
The river Thames seems to be a major focus in the series. The water being cleansing, yet dark and dangerous, and has almost majestical qualities. I'm looking forward to the next book which I have heard focuses on the river even more.
Oh the twists and turns! Bolton is extremely talented. She manages to take you in one direction, get you almost certain about what is happening, and then twists you around when you are totally not expecting it, to a different focus. And then, just when you are sure now about the answer, she manages to blindfold you and lead you to a completely different path all together. I love this about her books. I'm not saying they are not somewhat predictable, but the way you get there is often difficult, and extremely satisfying.
My only criticism about this book is not about the book, but about me. I read too fast, it was over too quickly, and I was unable to savor it for long enough.
September 28, 2013
The third book in the series- LIKE THIS, FOR EVER- picks up a few months after Lacey's investigation at Cambridge University. She is on leave from her job, and recovering from the traumatic events that took place (in Dead Scared). The last thing she wants to do is get involved in another case, but there is a serial killer on the loose, and this one is murdering children- 4 boys have been found with their throats cuts, their bodies dumped near different areas along the River Thames. Another boy is missing...
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The police have a few theories- Could it be a woman? A coach or teacher? A parent?
The media has a theory- Is it a case of Renfield's Syndrome-A person obsessed with blood?
Lacey Flint doesn't have a theory yet...but she is drawn to the boy next door- Barney Roberts, an 11 year old boy who has his own reasons for looking into the case.
LIKE THIS, FOR EVER is another excellent addition to this series! S.J. Bolton hasn't let me down yet...but if stories about murdered children bother you, you might want to avoid this one.
The police have a few theories- Could it be a woman? A coach or teacher? A parent?
The media has a theory- Is it a case of Renfield's Syndrome-A person obsessed with blood?
Lacey Flint doesn't have a theory yet...but she is drawn to the boy next door- Barney Roberts, an 11 year old boy who has his own reasons for looking into the case.
LIKE THIS, FOR EVER is another excellent addition to this series! S.J. Bolton hasn't let me down yet...but if stories about murdered children bother you, you might want to avoid this one.
May 12, 2019
The police procedural/suspense portion of this story is exceptionally well done, as are all of the Sharon J. Bolton books I've read so far. Personally, I am not enamored with the almost-romance between two of the main characters, but it's not enough of a deterrent to take the joy out of reading, that's for sure.
November 20, 2023
My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly entertaining another great addition!!
Barney Robert’s is 10, he is smart and a little bit weird, but he knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy just like him. The body will be drained of blood and left somewhere near the Thames.
London Detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury will find no clues. There will be no warning of who is next and no real reason for Barney’s next door neighbour, Lacey Flint to get involved. But no way she can stay away.
Lacey is on leave after a harrowing case struggling with demons of her own and the last thing she needs is to be worried about her kid neighbour, but is she worried about him for the wrong reasons.
So this is my third full length Lacey Flint novel back to back and I am flying through this series with no end in sight. I will say up front… are these novels pieces of artwork, with zero plot holes, zero reason to throw your disbelief into the Thames… absolutely not… but are they entertaining and keep you reading to the very intense end… DEFINITELY!!!
That is what I like about these books, Bolton’s standalone books are meh (well the one I read was) but these are different. They have a grittiness to them that I enjoy. The characters are flawed, and the sexual tension between Lacey and Mark is on fire… I cannot think of a single reason these two shouldn’t get together… except all the reasons that they probably shouldn’t but who cares about those… time to kiss please!!!
Lacey is very flawed, she dives into situations without much regard for her own personal safety, doesn’t think things through, sometimes actively gets in the way of a case… but I like her… I dunno I can’t help it. And in this one she is really going through it. The last case (2nd book) really rattled her and she is questioning if she can even stay on the force.
Lacey isn’t in this book as much… but enough that it still features her. Concerns were raised with me (thank you Leigh) that the kid would be the one fighting/solving the crime, I would like to rest everyone’s mind to ease that, that is not the case… He is very interested in the case and his mates and he make some questionable decisions HOWEVER they are a group of 10 year old boys (and one girl) so lets face it… anyone who has even met a kid knows they are going to get into everything and be curious AND they are always going to make questionable decisions… kids are like that… its the worst 🤣 (says a mum to two teenage boys who try my patience on a daily basis)…
Barney (said kid) was not annoying he was inquisitive and intelligent but innocent and his story was sad. The other kids in the story are kind of on the periphery but don’t take anything away from the story.
There are a tonne of red herrings and I found myself guessing this and that or no that cant be the case… when in fact ohhh that was the case… so to me that was good storytelling. And the writing is good quality… like I said earlier there are some plot holes or storylines that go no where or seem irrelevant but not enough for the story to be ruined…it does feel like from time to time Bolton is trying to cram in as much as possible and normally that would piss me off… but I honestly don’t mind.
I never seem to get lost and I just really enjoy this series. I didn’t give it 5 I am still holding out on the 5 star winner… we shall see if the next one gets it.
Overall… like I have said with the other books if you are keen to give a series a go that that has some decent characters with good development, don’t mind chucking your disbelief into the river, love a bit of sexual tension that will have you screaming into the abyss just kiss already… then give this a go. This one can definitely be read as a standalone… you may miss some of the references but I would say it won’t ruin the story for you… if you can’t handle any of the above and you hate kids in stories then just skiparoo this one.
Barney Robert’s is 10, he is smart and a little bit weird, but he knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy just like him. The body will be drained of blood and left somewhere near the Thames.
London Detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury will find no clues. There will be no warning of who is next and no real reason for Barney’s next door neighbour, Lacey Flint to get involved. But no way she can stay away.
Lacey is on leave after a harrowing case struggling with demons of her own and the last thing she needs is to be worried about her kid neighbour, but is she worried about him for the wrong reasons.
So this is my third full length Lacey Flint novel back to back and I am flying through this series with no end in sight. I will say up front… are these novels pieces of artwork, with zero plot holes, zero reason to throw your disbelief into the Thames… absolutely not… but are they entertaining and keep you reading to the very intense end… DEFINITELY!!!
That is what I like about these books, Bolton’s standalone books are meh (well the one I read was) but these are different. They have a grittiness to them that I enjoy. The characters are flawed, and the sexual tension between Lacey and Mark is on fire… I cannot think of a single reason these two shouldn’t get together… except all the reasons that they probably shouldn’t but who cares about those… time to kiss please!!!
Lacey is very flawed, she dives into situations without much regard for her own personal safety, doesn’t think things through, sometimes actively gets in the way of a case… but I like her… I dunno I can’t help it. And in this one she is really going through it. The last case (2nd book) really rattled her and she is questioning if she can even stay on the force.
Lacey isn’t in this book as much… but enough that it still features her. Concerns were raised with me (thank you Leigh) that the kid would be the one fighting/solving the crime, I would like to rest everyone’s mind to ease that, that is not the case… He is very interested in the case and his mates and he make some questionable decisions HOWEVER they are a group of 10 year old boys (and one girl) so lets face it… anyone who has even met a kid knows they are going to get into everything and be curious AND they are always going to make questionable decisions… kids are like that… its the worst 🤣 (says a mum to two teenage boys who try my patience on a daily basis)…
Barney (said kid) was not annoying he was inquisitive and intelligent but innocent and his story was sad. The other kids in the story are kind of on the periphery but don’t take anything away from the story.
There are a tonne of red herrings and I found myself guessing this and that or no that cant be the case… when in fact ohhh that was the case… so to me that was good storytelling. And the writing is good quality… like I said earlier there are some plot holes or storylines that go no where or seem irrelevant but not enough for the story to be ruined…it does feel like from time to time Bolton is trying to cram in as much as possible and normally that would piss me off… but I honestly don’t mind.
I never seem to get lost and I just really enjoy this series. I didn’t give it 5 I am still holding out on the 5 star winner… we shall see if the next one gets it.
Overall… like I have said with the other books if you are keen to give a series a go that that has some decent characters with good development, don’t mind chucking your disbelief into the river, love a bit of sexual tension that will have you screaming into the abyss just kiss already… then give this a go. This one can definitely be read as a standalone… you may miss some of the references but I would say it won’t ruin the story for you… if you can’t handle any of the above and you hate kids in stories then just skiparoo this one.
March 14, 2016
Young boys are kidnapped and then found drained of blood. There are no clues nor witnesses to be found. And, at any time could a boy be taken and killed. For Detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury is this a frustrating case and for Dana is it hard to see the bodies of the little boys left on a Thames beach. She has never thought about being a mother, but this case stirred emotions in her she never thought she would have. For Lacey Flint is the case nothing she wants to get involved in, she hasn't recuperated from her ordeal in Oxford and getting involved in a new case is the last thing she wants unless she involuntary gets dragged into it...
Like This, For Ever is the third book in the Lacey Flint series and it's a dark story, just like the other books. The killing of children is, in my opinion, the hardest kind of crime books to read. That and killing of animals. There is just something unthinkable about hurting the innocent that reading books about it is really hard.
The interesting thing about this book is that we beside Mark, Dana, Lacey, the usual characters involved in the book's narrations we also get the narrative of a young boy Barney through the book. He is a neighbor to Lacey, and she is worried when he is out late. He meanwhile is also studying the case of the missing boys and he discovers there are patterns to the murders...
There are a lot of potential suspects in this book, but the story took a different turn than I had expected. I always love the part of the book when everything starts to come together and make sense and in this book. In this book, it's like getting a bucket of ice cold water emptied over your head. The kind of conclusion when you're are taken with the story, but there is also a dread in reading it because you are figuring it out...
Beside the case we Mark trying to get through to Lacey, one would think that the ending of the second book would have solved some things in their relationship, but Lacey seems to be hell-bent on pushing Mark out of her life, despite her feelings for him. I'm however glad that the case from the last book seems to have been closed, I did feel that the previous book ended with some questions never answered when it came to the case in Oxford. I'm pleased that's over. It was also great to have Dana back since she was absent in the previous book and also it was really great to finally meet Huck, Mark's son. Love that name. Huckleberry Joesbury. I think it's probably good that I don't have children...;)
You can read the books as stand-alone, but personally, I feel that you will understand the story and especially understand Lacey Flint better if you read the series from the beginning.
4.5 stars
Like This, For Ever is the third book in the Lacey Flint series and it's a dark story, just like the other books. The killing of children is, in my opinion, the hardest kind of crime books to read. That and killing of animals. There is just something unthinkable about hurting the innocent that reading books about it is really hard.
The interesting thing about this book is that we beside Mark, Dana, Lacey, the usual characters involved in the book's narrations we also get the narrative of a young boy Barney through the book. He is a neighbor to Lacey, and she is worried when he is out late. He meanwhile is also studying the case of the missing boys and he discovers there are patterns to the murders...
There are a lot of potential suspects in this book, but the story took a different turn than I had expected. I always love the part of the book when everything starts to come together and make sense and in this book. In this book, it's like getting a bucket of ice cold water emptied over your head. The kind of conclusion when you're are taken with the story, but there is also a dread in reading it because you are figuring it out...
Beside the case we Mark trying to get through to Lacey, one would think that the ending of the second book would have solved some things in their relationship, but Lacey seems to be hell-bent on pushing Mark out of her life, despite her feelings for him. I'm however glad that the case from the last book seems to have been closed, I did feel that the previous book ended with some questions never answered when it came to the case in Oxford. I'm pleased that's over. It was also great to have Dana back since she was absent in the previous book and also it was really great to finally meet Huck, Mark's son. Love that name. Huckleberry Joesbury. I think it's probably good that I don't have children...;)
You can read the books as stand-alone, but personally, I feel that you will understand the story and especially understand Lacey Flint better if you read the series from the beginning.
4.5 stars
July 18, 2016
5 Words: Brutal, twisting, dark, intriguing, amazing.
It's official, I'm a Sharon Bolton fan. Freaking love Lacey Flint and I can't wait to get on to the next book. Yaaaaaay for wonderful publicists and ARCs.
This book was so dark and so twisting.
If you've read the first Lacey Flint book then you know how unreliable she is, and this book really plays on that. It leads you on and makes you doubt everything before finally coming to a wholly unpredictable climax.
Full review to come.
It's official, I'm a Sharon Bolton fan. Freaking love Lacey Flint and I can't wait to get on to the next book. Yaaaaaay for wonderful publicists and ARCs.
This book was so dark and so twisting.
If you've read the first Lacey Flint book then you know how unreliable she is, and this book really plays on that. It leads you on and makes you doubt everything before finally coming to a wholly unpredictable climax.
Full review to come.
February 9, 2017
Oh, how I hate for an S.J. Bolton novel to end. I am as happy sitting down to one of her books as I am to any favorite meal. Bolton is simply a genius in writing crime/mystery. The complex characters, the edge-of-your seat plot, the artful dialogue, the dramatic settings. The suspense is so palatable that I found myself simultaneously grimacing and squirming. This novel is simply put everything that a fan of intense mystery could want. I fairly groaned as I finished the last page, not because the story wasn't sufficiently resolved, but because I didn't want it to end.
Lost is the third novel featuring Lacey Flint and Mark Joesbury. Lacey is on sick leave from her job as a detective on the London police force, and she is having major issues in recovering from her recent undercover stint in Cambridge. She is ignoring Joesbury's efforts to be there for her, and she is being less than honest with her police-appointed therapist. The last thing that Lacey is looking for is to become involved with a murder case, but in befriending her next-door neighbor Barney, who is ten-years-old and having problems of his own. When boys the same age as Barney start disappearing and ending up dead on the beaches of the Thames River, Barney becomes an amateur sleuth and unwittingly places himself in the killer's path. Lacey is drawn in by association, as it becomes more personal than she had ever imagined it could. Of course, Mark Joesbury is in the mix, too, and, as previously in his and Lacey's relationship, becomes part of the resolution to the investigation.
When Bolton returned after the first Flint/Joesbury novel, Now You See Me, with the second in the series, Dead Scared, I wasn''t sure what I thought about Bolton doing a series. I had enjoyed her stand-alones so much, that I was just hesitant to embrace a series, even though I love reading series mysteries. However, shortly after starting on the second book, I was completely hooked and captivated by the characters and storylines. By the time Lost came out this year, I had been counting the days until its publication. So, I am waiting with great anticipation for next June and another exceptional story.
Lost is the third novel featuring Lacey Flint and Mark Joesbury. Lacey is on sick leave from her job as a detective on the London police force, and she is having major issues in recovering from her recent undercover stint in Cambridge. She is ignoring Joesbury's efforts to be there for her, and she is being less than honest with her police-appointed therapist. The last thing that Lacey is looking for is to become involved with a murder case, but in befriending her next-door neighbor Barney, who is ten-years-old and having problems of his own. When boys the same age as Barney start disappearing and ending up dead on the beaches of the Thames River, Barney becomes an amateur sleuth and unwittingly places himself in the killer's path. Lacey is drawn in by association, as it becomes more personal than she had ever imagined it could. Of course, Mark Joesbury is in the mix, too, and, as previously in his and Lacey's relationship, becomes part of the resolution to the investigation.
When Bolton returned after the first Flint/Joesbury novel, Now You See Me, with the second in the series, Dead Scared, I wasn''t sure what I thought about Bolton doing a series. I had enjoyed her stand-alones so much, that I was just hesitant to embrace a series, even though I love reading series mysteries. However, shortly after starting on the second book, I was completely hooked and captivated by the characters and storylines. By the time Lost came out this year, I had been counting the days until its publication. So, I am waiting with great anticipation for next June and another exceptional story.
November 12, 2016
5*s Pretty perfect- very cleverly written plot, suspense, a lot of interesting characters-old and new, twists, red herrings, ending that did not "jump the shark".
I must admit my detection prowess was in perfect form-as I was able to identify the guilty party right at the point that they, he or she was identified by the author as the guilty party. (Had to edit -original made it seem like I had skills)
PS Only qualifier is-these 5* were well-earned for this genre -but different from the 5*s I gave to Let Him Go by Larry Watson. Had to qualify as giving both the same rating made me feel a little"love the one you're with-ish".
I must admit my detection prowess was in perfect form-as I was able to identify the guilty party right at the point that they, he or she was identified by the author as the guilty party. (Had to edit -original made it seem like I had skills)
PS Only qualifier is-these 5* were well-earned for this genre -but different from the 5*s I gave to Let Him Go by Larry Watson. Had to qualify as giving both the same rating made me feel a little"love the one you're with-ish".
January 13, 2022
I eagerly anticipated "Lost" and was definitely not dissapointed. I read this one slowly savoring every chapter like a fine milk chocolate melting in my mouth. Sharon Bolton is one of my favorite authors. This one is highly recommended!
July 3, 2016
Dear reader,
This is the third full length book in the Lacey Flint series and is centred around the disappearance of ten year old boys. The police are baffled,Lacey is undergoing therapy,due to what she experienced when undercover in Cambridge and Joesbury is trying to spend more time with his own ten year old child,Huck.
Taking a keen interest in the mystery of the disappearance of these young boys is Barnaby,Lacey's eleven year old neighbour. He regularly checks the Facebook page detailing the boys' disappearance and is mystified by the very accurate postings of one Peter Sweep.
As the body count increases and families across London fear the latest news update, we not only have to contend with an increasing number of red herrings,but are privy to the police suspecting one of their own!!
Barnaby,a highly intelligent and,in some ways special child,comes to the conclusion that,given all the facts that he has garnered, he has identified the murderer!!
Scared of the repercussions of highlighting his fears to Lacey,he flees,and we are immediately plunged into a scenario where not one,but two young children are missing.
This was an amazingly good thriller that kept me on my toes! I believed,quite smugly,that I had identified the killer,and was happily reading away until the impossible happened!! Yip! I was wrong!! The twist,at the end,was something that I never expected!
I really loved this book and the fact that we could see the killer undergoing therapy with its counsellor and hear their conversations,added a certain element of fear and intrigue!
Highly recommended to all Lacey Flint fans and like minded crime buffs!
This is the third full length book in the Lacey Flint series and is centred around the disappearance of ten year old boys. The police are baffled,Lacey is undergoing therapy,due to what she experienced when undercover in Cambridge and Joesbury is trying to spend more time with his own ten year old child,Huck.
Taking a keen interest in the mystery of the disappearance of these young boys is Barnaby,Lacey's eleven year old neighbour. He regularly checks the Facebook page detailing the boys' disappearance and is mystified by the very accurate postings of one Peter Sweep.
As the body count increases and families across London fear the latest news update, we not only have to contend with an increasing number of red herrings,but are privy to the police suspecting one of their own!!
Barnaby,a highly intelligent and,in some ways special child,comes to the conclusion that,given all the facts that he has garnered, he has identified the murderer!!
Scared of the repercussions of highlighting his fears to Lacey,he flees,and we are immediately plunged into a scenario where not one,but two young children are missing.
This was an amazingly good thriller that kept me on my toes! I believed,quite smugly,that I had identified the killer,and was happily reading away until the impossible happened!! Yip! I was wrong!! The twist,at the end,was something that I never expected!
I really loved this book and the fact that we could see the killer undergoing therapy with its counsellor and hear their conversations,added a certain element of fear and intrigue!
Highly recommended to all Lacey Flint fans and like minded crime buffs!
August 22, 2014
Would have rated this higher had Bolton made the child characters older then 9-13 years old OR had written them as less precocious and euridite. As it is, I can never swallow overly intelligent-speaking and adult-acting tweens. IMO, these types are never believable, and as a result the overall story suffers.
In addition, I think I'm one of Bolton's fans who enjoy her stand-alone novels much better, and don't quite see the appeal of Lacey Flint and her weird mental issues and lack-luster romantic appeal to (and with) Mark Joesbury.
Alternate UK title:
Like This, For Ever
In addition, I think I'm one of Bolton's fans who enjoy her stand-alone novels much better, and don't quite see the appeal of Lacey Flint and her weird mental issues and lack-luster romantic appeal to (and with) Mark Joesbury.
Alternate UK title:
Like This, For Ever
July 27, 2021
This is the third book in the Lacey Flint series by author Sharon Bolton. Having been completely underwhelmed by the previous two books it was good to get back to the standard I expect from this author. Admittedly it helped already knowing the characters but generally the novel was a lot better. Full of suspense and lots of twists made this a far better read.
The search is on for a killer who is targeting young boys in London. The bodies are drained of blood and left by the Thames. Following the events in Cambridge covered in the last book Lacey Flint is on medical leave but yet still manages to play a role in this case. Lacey’s young neighbour Barney Roberts is fearful of the killer like most of the locals but wants to solve the case. With a next door neighbour working for the police Lacey is the obvious choice for Barney to confide his suspicions in.
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous two, lots of suspense, well written and plenty of twists.
The search is on for a killer who is targeting young boys in London. The bodies are drained of blood and left by the Thames. Following the events in Cambridge covered in the last book Lacey Flint is on medical leave but yet still manages to play a role in this case. Lacey’s young neighbour Barney Roberts is fearful of the killer like most of the locals but wants to solve the case. With a next door neighbour working for the police Lacey is the obvious choice for Barney to confide his suspicions in.
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous two, lots of suspense, well written and plenty of twists.
May 10, 2013
Crime and Literature
This is the second S.J. Bolton book I’ve read. I’m declaring myself an official fan. In “Lost” she had me guessing who done it almost to the very end. There are lots of twists and turns as the series protagonist Lacey Flint is re-united with her fellow law officer and love interest Mark Joesbury. Bolton sure knows how to spin out a love affair! She manages to do it without coyness. I loved all the literary references and her love for and understanding of kids was apparent. She’s dedicated this book to her young son. It reads like a labor of love.
Someone is abducting young boys and there’s a facebook page that’s frequented by friends of the victims. The children are scared. There are also concerned parents and of course the errant lunatic posting to the site as well. In this case one sick poster calls himself Peter Sweep and he has uncanny knowledge of the killer’s next move. The police watch the site closely especially since the killer seems to always be a step ahead of them. Then the case becomes more personal when one of their own goes missing. Lacey is still recovering from the trauma of her last case but of course manages to become drawn into this investigation. You won’t believe all the twists and turns in this gritty, streets of London, thriller. Very satisfying.
This review is based on an advanced reading copy received from the publisher.
(Disclaimer added as required by the FTC.)
This is the second S.J. Bolton book I’ve read. I’m declaring myself an official fan. In “Lost” she had me guessing who done it almost to the very end. There are lots of twists and turns as the series protagonist Lacey Flint is re-united with her fellow law officer and love interest Mark Joesbury. Bolton sure knows how to spin out a love affair! She manages to do it without coyness. I loved all the literary references and her love for and understanding of kids was apparent. She’s dedicated this book to her young son. It reads like a labor of love.
Someone is abducting young boys and there’s a facebook page that’s frequented by friends of the victims. The children are scared. There are also concerned parents and of course the errant lunatic posting to the site as well. In this case one sick poster calls himself Peter Sweep and he has uncanny knowledge of the killer’s next move. The police watch the site closely especially since the killer seems to always be a step ahead of them. Then the case becomes more personal when one of their own goes missing. Lacey is still recovering from the trauma of her last case but of course manages to become drawn into this investigation. You won’t believe all the twists and turns in this gritty, streets of London, thriller. Very satisfying.
This review is based on an advanced reading copy received from the publisher.
(Disclaimer added as required by the FTC.)
January 4, 2025
LIKE THIS, FOR EVER is the third book in Sharon Bolton’s Lacey Flint series, and the fourth one I’ve read. I’ve now completed the series, albeit out of order.
Overall, I think that this was the weakest book in the series, mainly because both Lacey and DI Dana Tulloch are unlikable. Lacey is depressed and sluggish in this one, and her mind is foggy. Likewise, Dana doesn’t appear to be thinking as clearly as she normally does. On the other hand, I did appreciate better the strengths of DI Mark Joesbury, Lacey’s romantic interest in the series; in previous books I’ve found him annoying.
The strength of ”Like This, For Ever” lies in the fact that much of the story is told from the perspective ten-year-old Barney Roberts, an intelligent boy who lives next to Lacey. He has become obsessed with a string of serial killings that have occurred nearby—boys near his own age who have been slaughtered by someone who seems able to get close to them without appearing to be threatening.
It was with this book, too, that I was finally able to discern Bolton’s underlying theme for this series. In each novel, there is a killer who became a killer because of a trauma that occurred in early childhood—Lacey’s sister, for example, who was a main character in Book #1, and briefly appears again in this one. But, concurrently, there is another character who also underwent a traumatic experience in childhood and still overcomes this background to become a functioning member of society—e.g., Lacey in Book #1, Dr. Oliver in Book #2, etc. Bolton doesn’t give a reason for why one individual will be traumatized by the childhood incident so badly as to become a killer whereas another will be able to overcome the ordeal and become a useful member of society; that is why I have given each a four-star rating rather than a five-star one.
But I found all four books to be better than average, albeit a bit flawed in their concluding sequences.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for other novels in this series:
Now You See Me (Lacey Flint, #1)
Dead Scared (Lacey Flint, #2)
A Dark and Twisted Tide (Lacey Flint, #4)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Overall, I think that this was the weakest book in the series, mainly because both Lacey and DI Dana Tulloch are unlikable. Lacey is depressed and sluggish in this one, and her mind is foggy. Likewise, Dana doesn’t appear to be thinking as clearly as she normally does. On the other hand, I did appreciate better the strengths of DI Mark Joesbury, Lacey’s romantic interest in the series; in previous books I’ve found him annoying.
The strength of ”Like This, For Ever” lies in the fact that much of the story is told from the perspective ten-year-old Barney Roberts, an intelligent boy who lives next to Lacey. He has become obsessed with a string of serial killings that have occurred nearby—boys near his own age who have been slaughtered by someone who seems able to get close to them without appearing to be threatening.
It was with this book, too, that I was finally able to discern Bolton’s underlying theme for this series. In each novel, there is a killer who became a killer because of a trauma that occurred in early childhood—Lacey’s sister, for example, who was a main character in Book #1, and briefly appears again in this one. But, concurrently, there is another character who also underwent a traumatic experience in childhood and still overcomes this background to become a functioning member of society—e.g., Lacey in Book #1, Dr. Oliver in Book #2, etc. Bolton doesn’t give a reason for why one individual will be traumatized by the childhood incident so badly as to become a killer whereas another will be able to overcome the ordeal and become a useful member of society; that is why I have given each a four-star rating rather than a five-star one.
But I found all four books to be better than average, albeit a bit flawed in their concluding sequences.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for other novels in this series:
Now You See Me (Lacey Flint, #1)
Dead Scared (Lacey Flint, #2)
A Dark and Twisted Tide (Lacey Flint, #4)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 21, 2015
You know, I haven't seen any reviews which discuss this, but I'm really starting to wonder if Lacey is TSTL. I really loved the first book, and the second book was not quite as good to me but still really good, but this one - seriously? Seriously? Those are some very aggressive steps to put herself into danger, and I'm starting to become tired of the blatantly ridiculous decisions she's making. She's a cop, for Lord's sake, but that's the kind of reasoning you would expect from a 12-year old.
Like some other reviewers are commenting, she's becoming more and more fragile emotionally, which makes her far less compelling.
If she's that oblivious, she obviously doesn't have the right skill-set to be a cop.
I will say that S.J. Bolton is excellent at bringing the suspense and building up the tension. For that, I enjoyed the book. However, in spite of that enjoyment, I think I'm going to have to stop with the Lacey Flint books because of all of the above. Creating drama by having your lead make a series of absolutely foolish decisions is too much frustration for me.
Like some other reviewers are commenting, she's becoming more and more fragile emotionally, which makes her far less compelling.
If she's that oblivious, she obviously doesn't have the right skill-set to be a cop.
I will say that S.J. Bolton is excellent at bringing the suspense and building up the tension. For that, I enjoyed the book. However, in spite of that enjoyment, I think I'm going to have to stop with the Lacey Flint books because of all of the above. Creating drama by having your lead make a series of absolutely foolish decisions is too much frustration for me.
January 14, 2015
These books are SOOOO uneven. 70% of each Lacey Flint thriller is compelling, intriguing, atmospheric. 30% of each volume is tiresome, redundant, dull. The sad part is that they are interleaved. You can't just know that pages 230-329, say, are skippable.
Add to that the fact that Lacey Flint never gets redeemed. Each of the three books I've read so far (there are presently four) has her descending farther and farther down into brokenness. I'm bored with it.
I'm bored by these books and bored by their devices.
Add to that the fact that Lacey Flint never gets redeemed. Each of the three books I've read so far (there are presently four) has her descending farther and farther down into brokenness. I'm bored with it.
I'm bored by these books and bored by their devices.
February 3, 2025
‘Lost’ (the title in America, or ‘Like This For Ever’ in England) by Sharon J. Bolton has a twist I did not see coming. I feel sort of sucker punched? Wow. This bleakish mystery is book three in the Lacey Flint series, which, if you, gentler reader, have been keeping up with, you already know is violent and often graphic. Not unrealistically in my opinion, mind you. But Flint gets involved mostly with awful people since she is a police detective who gets involved in homicides, including of children, and the author lets it all happen in front of you without any literary filters.
I have copied the book blurb:
”Like everyone reading the newspapers these days, 10-year-old Barney Roberts knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy, just like him. The body will be drained of blood, and left somewhere on a Thames beach. There will be no clues for London detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury to find. There will be no warning about who will be next. There will be no real reason for Barney's friend and neighbor, Lacey Flint, on leave from her job as a London police detective, to become involved…and no chance that she can stay away. With the clock ticking, the violence escalating, and young lives at stake, Lacey and Barney both know they can't afford a single wrong step if they hope to make it through alive.
Please note, this title is published in the UK as Like This For Ever.”
The books follow Flint’s life, who is undergoing massive shocks in each book in the series, so I do not think the books are standalone. I’d start with book one, Now You See Me. I thought this novel was off in its pacing, but oh well. It’s a beach read, not a Great Book. The books do seem to teeter into gothic territory, even grand opera, on occasion, with their emphasis on insanely violent antagonists.
I have copied the book blurb:
”Like everyone reading the newspapers these days, 10-year-old Barney Roberts knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy, just like him. The body will be drained of blood, and left somewhere on a Thames beach. There will be no clues for London detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury to find. There will be no warning about who will be next. There will be no real reason for Barney's friend and neighbor, Lacey Flint, on leave from her job as a London police detective, to become involved…and no chance that she can stay away. With the clock ticking, the violence escalating, and young lives at stake, Lacey and Barney both know they can't afford a single wrong step if they hope to make it through alive.
Please note, this title is published in the UK as Like This For Ever.”
The books follow Flint’s life, who is undergoing massive shocks in each book in the series, so I do not think the books are standalone. I’d start with book one, Now You See Me. I thought this novel was off in its pacing, but oh well. It’s a beach read, not a Great Book. The books do seem to teeter into gothic territory, even grand opera, on occasion, with their emphasis on insanely violent antagonists.
January 8, 2014
Bright red. Like rose petals. Or rubies. Or balloons. Little red droplets.
Barney knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy, just like him. He will drain the body of blood, and leave it on a Thames beach. There will be no clues for detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury to find. There will be no warning about who will be next. There will be no good reason for Lacey Flint to become involved… And no chance that she can stay away.
This is crime writing bang at the top of its game and I’ve come to adore Lacey Flint (and Mark Joesbury) and have been getting quite fond of Dana Tulloch as well so one of the very best parts of my holiday reading this year was knowing I could settle into my chair and read this without disruption…
So here we are, the third of Lacey’s stories and we find her recovering from the events of Dead Scared (frankly I was right there with her I needed to recover as well!) and trying to come to terms with her life and what is next for her. Meanwhile her neighbour, Barney, is struggling with his own demons – children are going missing and Barney knows more than he is saying. So Lacey gets drawn into an investigation she wanted no part of…and it may well end up being kill or cure.
For me these get better and better and never fail to surprise me. Sharon Bolton changes the game somewhat each time and with Lacey Flint she has created a truly compelling heroine. Lacey is enigmatic – its a bit of a cliche way of describing a main character in a crime novel but in this case it is EXACTLY the right word. You never know quite where you are with her and she keeps you on your toes. Add to that a very clever and intelligent mystery and you have a perfect storm.
I love the mix of psychological thriller and crime mystery that Ms Bolton brings us each time - and the way the clues to solving the tale are subtle and yet fair. You won’t get a convoluted work around of a reveal moment to offset various plot holes here because the plot is complex yet tight and well thought through. The police procedural element feels authentic and is obviously well researched. Thrown into the mix are an eclectic and often unusual bunch of people that you can get truly involved with and therein lies the beauty of the storytelling.
As I said before, some readers were disturbed when the author moved away from the more Supernatural into straight up crime writing but now I’ve read three in this series I’m not entirely convinced that is true. While it IS true that this is crime fiction and you won’t find ghosts here, for me there is still an other worldly hint to these stories – along with enigmatic I would also call Lacey ethereal…and certainly the haunting evocative tone of her previous novels such as Sacrifice is still very much in evidence here.
Highly Recommended.
Barney knows the killer will strike again soon. The victim will be another boy, just like him. He will drain the body of blood, and leave it on a Thames beach. There will be no clues for detectives Dana Tulloch and Mark Joesbury to find. There will be no warning about who will be next. There will be no good reason for Lacey Flint to become involved… And no chance that she can stay away.
This is crime writing bang at the top of its game and I’ve come to adore Lacey Flint (and Mark Joesbury) and have been getting quite fond of Dana Tulloch as well so one of the very best parts of my holiday reading this year was knowing I could settle into my chair and read this without disruption…
So here we are, the third of Lacey’s stories and we find her recovering from the events of Dead Scared (frankly I was right there with her I needed to recover as well!) and trying to come to terms with her life and what is next for her. Meanwhile her neighbour, Barney, is struggling with his own demons – children are going missing and Barney knows more than he is saying. So Lacey gets drawn into an investigation she wanted no part of…and it may well end up being kill or cure.
For me these get better and better and never fail to surprise me. Sharon Bolton changes the game somewhat each time and with Lacey Flint she has created a truly compelling heroine. Lacey is enigmatic – its a bit of a cliche way of describing a main character in a crime novel but in this case it is EXACTLY the right word. You never know quite where you are with her and she keeps you on your toes. Add to that a very clever and intelligent mystery and you have a perfect storm.
I love the mix of psychological thriller and crime mystery that Ms Bolton brings us each time - and the way the clues to solving the tale are subtle and yet fair. You won’t get a convoluted work around of a reveal moment to offset various plot holes here because the plot is complex yet tight and well thought through. The police procedural element feels authentic and is obviously well researched. Thrown into the mix are an eclectic and often unusual bunch of people that you can get truly involved with and therein lies the beauty of the storytelling.
As I said before, some readers were disturbed when the author moved away from the more Supernatural into straight up crime writing but now I’ve read three in this series I’m not entirely convinced that is true. While it IS true that this is crime fiction and you won’t find ghosts here, for me there is still an other worldly hint to these stories – along with enigmatic I would also call Lacey ethereal…and certainly the haunting evocative tone of her previous novels such as Sacrifice is still very much in evidence here.
Highly Recommended.
June 8, 2016
After reading book one of the Lacey Flint series, I came to the third with some trepidation, having been disappointed with the last one. I knew Like This, For Ever, had been written slightly differently, with different narratives, more involvement from other characters, so I entered not really expecting much. How wrong could I have been?!! This book was brilliant, yes brilliant!! I loved it. Right from the off it had me hooked. I'm not a massive fan of Lacey Flint as a character, I can understand why she is the way she is, but she's difficult to warm to. However, I do love the way she interacts with different characters, namely her 'friend' in prison. Even though the book can be read as a standalone, I think an awful lot is missed if they're not read from the beginning. Characters from previous works begin to interplay and re-emerge. Was good to see the perpetrator from book one back, an insightful interesting relationship that works I feel.
I'm not going to say what the book is about, read the blurb; but for me what really set this book apart was the narratives of different characters being more prevalent. It wasn't all about Lacey which I found refreshing. They were well written and developed and I can see Dana in particular playing a bigger role. If I had my way though I would like to see a lot more of Evi, from book two, I think there could be some interesting developments there!
The book itself is very well written by Ms Bolton. It's really pacy, full of more twists and turns than a maze in a stately home's grounds! I was practically in knots from one page to the next, suspecting everyone. I even threw in the postman for good measure, there was no postman!!! That's how cleverly written this was. I did guess the perpetrator, there was one particular line during a conversation that I thought was a really big clue!
If I do have a couple of negatives it would be that I'm not sure about how many coincidences Lacey's involvement can take without it becoming predictable. And I would like to see Lacey moving on and getting at least some of the help she needs. Other than that I'm quite excited about where it's all going with the regular characters, seeing how their stories develop.
Rippergate was really good in book one, but this, I think, surpassed that one, which has genuinely taken me surprise. I didn't expect to love this book at all.
This is what gets me excited, crime fiction at a really high level, that keeps me interested enough to stay up reading all night until 6:30 in the morning!!
One I highly recommend.
Enjoy!
I'm not going to say what the book is about, read the blurb; but for me what really set this book apart was the narratives of different characters being more prevalent. It wasn't all about Lacey which I found refreshing. They were well written and developed and I can see Dana in particular playing a bigger role. If I had my way though I would like to see a lot more of Evi, from book two, I think there could be some interesting developments there!
The book itself is very well written by Ms Bolton. It's really pacy, full of more twists and turns than a maze in a stately home's grounds! I was practically in knots from one page to the next, suspecting everyone. I even threw in the postman for good measure, there was no postman!!! That's how cleverly written this was. I did guess the perpetrator, there was one particular line during a conversation that I thought was a really big clue!
If I do have a couple of negatives it would be that I'm not sure about how many coincidences Lacey's involvement can take without it becoming predictable. And I would like to see Lacey moving on and getting at least some of the help she needs. Other than that I'm quite excited about where it's all going with the regular characters, seeing how their stories develop.
Rippergate was really good in book one, but this, I think, surpassed that one, which has genuinely taken me surprise. I didn't expect to love this book at all.
This is what gets me excited, crime fiction at a really high level, that keeps me interested enough to stay up reading all night until 6:30 in the morning!!
One I highly recommend.
Enjoy!
May 6, 2013
DC Lacey Flint shares with Tana French’s Cassie Maddox in The Likeness the honour of being far and away the most lovable, affecting, and in some ways infuriating police detective in contemporary fiction, and now that Cassie has disappeared from Tana French’s recent novels, Lacey rules alone, though Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan and Harry Bingham’s Fiona Griffiths may well develop form. All of them draw the reader into their complicated and difficult relationships and make us really care what happens to them not only physically but emotionally. That they also solve crimes seems an add-on.
Like Cassie in The Likeness, Lacey has to operate with a borrowed identity But the traumas of her previous life continue to haunt Lacey. If you have not yet encountered Lacey’s initial appearance in Now You See Me, you absolutely must before reading Like This For Ever. Not only does S. J. Bolton avoid mention of most of Lacey’s backstory, which has left her incapable of intimacy and sharing, especially with DI Mark Joesbury, whom she jerks around mercilessly, but sharing with the reader. Specifically we are never told in Like This For Ever the precise connexion between Lacey and the serial murderer she visits in Durham; we have to have read Now You See Me for this vital information.
I thought it was a good touch to make Lacey a cutter in this book, though fortunately her self-mutilation never reaches the extremes of Gillian Flynn’s Camille Preaker. And it makes us realise just how damaged her ordeal in Dead Scared has left Lacey before this book begins.
Even knowing Lacey’s story and why Lacey is so fragile within, though kick-arse tough on the outside, I still cannot quite forgive her failure to be candid with Mark, as he is clearly a very trustworthy man who loves her very much. Indeed I hope in the next instalment in the series that Lacey will have him over to her basement flat, have a few few glasses of wine, tell him the whole story, and they’ll go to bed together. A real man would have no problem with Lacey’s past, nor would the rest of the police force need to know a thing.
Like Cassie in The Likeness, Lacey has to operate with a borrowed identity But the traumas of her previous life continue to haunt Lacey. If you have not yet encountered Lacey’s initial appearance in Now You See Me, you absolutely must before reading Like This For Ever. Not only does S. J. Bolton avoid mention of most of Lacey’s backstory, which has left her incapable of intimacy and sharing, especially with DI Mark Joesbury, whom she jerks around mercilessly, but sharing with the reader. Specifically we are never told in Like This For Ever the precise connexion between Lacey and the serial murderer she visits in Durham; we have to have read Now You See Me for this vital information.
I thought it was a good touch to make Lacey a cutter in this book, though fortunately her self-mutilation never reaches the extremes of Gillian Flynn’s Camille Preaker. And it makes us realise just how damaged her ordeal in Dead Scared has left Lacey before this book begins.
Even knowing Lacey’s story and why Lacey is so fragile within, though kick-arse tough on the outside, I still cannot quite forgive her failure to be candid with Mark, as he is clearly a very trustworthy man who loves her very much. Indeed I hope in the next instalment in the series that Lacey will have him over to her basement flat, have a few few glasses of wine, tell him the whole story, and they’ll go to bed together. A real man would have no problem with Lacey’s past, nor would the rest of the police force need to know a thing.
January 21, 2016
Third book in the Lacey Flint series, Like This, For Ever is a solid read for fans of crime fiction. Particularly liked the fact that Lacey, while maintaining a presence, takes a less prominent role in this book. Thought the plot was well crafted and the ending not impossible to figure out, but not obvious either. Thoroughly enjoy Bolton's style of writing.
August 4, 2020
Setting: London. Dana Tulloch is lead investigator in the search for a killer who is targeting young boys from a small area of London, leaving the bodies by the Thames virtually drained of blood. Lacey Flint is on medical leave following on from the traumatic events in Cambridge in the previous book and wondering if she is really cut out for police work anymore. Much of the story is told by Lacey's neighbour, Barney, a young boy living with his father but dreaming of his missing mother and also wanting to solve the child murders affecting the area. As the police investigation falters, various characters are suggested as the murderer, only for the 'evidence' to turn out to be misleading.
A brilliantly twisting and convoluted tale which ends with Lacey reluctantly involving herself in the investigation and yet again putting herself in peril - 9/10.
A brilliantly twisting and convoluted tale which ends with Lacey reluctantly involving herself in the investigation and yet again putting herself in peril - 9/10.
February 6, 2018
Geweldig.. Spannend tot aan het eind. Kan niet wachten op het vervolg.
June 9, 2016
I can honestly say that the Lacey Flint books are by far my favourite crime books. Ever since reading ‘Dead Scared’ I’d been hoping for another book, to pick up where the last left off, and upon getting hold of this book I sat and read it from start to end in one sitting (which I will admit was not the smartest of ideas considering how I didn’t start reading it until just before one in the morning). It isn’t my favourite Lacey Flint story, but it is another great piece of work by Bolton.
Whilst this book didn’t focus quite as much on Lacey as before she was still a prominent character, and to be honest I was rather surprised by the path that the character had taken. It was not the route I’d expected of Lacey but as I continued on through the book it made further sense and I completely understood why the character moved on in the way that she did. I will admit that to begin with I was a little bit frustrated with Lacey but as the story continued on I warmed up to the change. Moreover, this book wasn’t written in the first person as the other Lacey Flint stories have been. As I’ve already said, the focus isn’t just upon Lacey and it is due to this that this book is in the third person. It was written just as beautifully (as you would expect of Bolton) yet it did take a while to get used to whenever Lacey popped up. My mind would just slip back into the other books and I’d need a moment to remind myself that I wasn’t going to completely enter Lacey’s inner most thoughts.
The one thing I will say is that there were some predictable moments within the book which is rare for Bolton. Quite early on I worked out one of the major aspects of the plot before it was introduced. Despite this you are second guessing throughout the books in regards to other aspects, with the usual cleverly planned out progressions. As a whole it was yet another great Bolton book that I would suggest to anyone who has been following the Lacey Flint stories (honestly, there is so much development across all the characters within this books) and any general lover of crime books.
Whilst this book didn’t focus quite as much on Lacey as before she was still a prominent character, and to be honest I was rather surprised by the path that the character had taken. It was not the route I’d expected of Lacey but as I continued on through the book it made further sense and I completely understood why the character moved on in the way that she did. I will admit that to begin with I was a little bit frustrated with Lacey but as the story continued on I warmed up to the change. Moreover, this book wasn’t written in the first person as the other Lacey Flint stories have been. As I’ve already said, the focus isn’t just upon Lacey and it is due to this that this book is in the third person. It was written just as beautifully (as you would expect of Bolton) yet it did take a while to get used to whenever Lacey popped up. My mind would just slip back into the other books and I’d need a moment to remind myself that I wasn’t going to completely enter Lacey’s inner most thoughts.
The one thing I will say is that there were some predictable moments within the book which is rare for Bolton. Quite early on I worked out one of the major aspects of the plot before it was introduced. Despite this you are second guessing throughout the books in regards to other aspects, with the usual cleverly planned out progressions. As a whole it was yet another great Bolton book that I would suggest to anyone who has been following the Lacey Flint stories (honestly, there is so much development across all the characters within this books) and any general lover of crime books.
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