Děti ohně

Detectives King and Lane #3

by Victoria Jenkins

Neuvěřitelně strhující thriller plný zvratů, které vás nenechají spát. Tato kniha vás upoutá hned na první stránce a neodložíte ji ještě pozdě do noci. Jednoho deštivého říjnového dne je v opuštěné nemocnici nalezeno tělo. Je tak spálené, že ho nelze identifikovat. Vyšetřovatelka Alex Kingová však ví, že každá oběť je něčí dcera nebo syn. Alex musí svoje vlastní problémy odložit stranou a všechno dát do hledání vraha. Když je však nalezena další oběť, začne tušit, že vražda v nemocnici byla jenom první z mnoha.
Zrovna, když Alex objeví tragickou spojitost mezi oběťmi, ocitá se sama v ohrožení. Stojí za tím osoba z její minulosti, nebo je vrah blíž, než si myslela?
Alex nezbývá mnoho času. Dokáže dopadnout pachatele, než přijde o život někdo další, nebo se k ní pachatel dostane dřív, než ona k němu?

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary

264 pages, Hardcover

First published June 13, 2018

About the author

Victoria Jenkins is a Welsh author who has made a name for herself writing the highly popular Detective King and Lane series of novels. The first novel in the series was “The Girls In The Water” that Jenkins first published in 2017, to much critical acclaim and popularity among crime fiction fans.
The series of novels features Detective Constable Chloe Lane and Detective Inspector Alex King, who are the lead investigative characters that solve some mysterious murders in their hometown.

Jenkins lives with her husband and daughter in South Wales, where her series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another series I can recommend to fans of a good police procedural. Book three in the King and Lane series continues to deliver. DI King and DS Lane are two strong women. The story here starts with a burned body found in an abandoned hospital. A parallel story involves the burning of a store owned by Muslims.

This is a very realist storyline with lots of current topics - homelessness, hate crimes, spousal abuse. “Attacks such as this seemed to be on the rise, but the news reports that filled the TV and radio with an ever increasing sense of bleakness at the State of mankind always consisted of stories plucked from other places: the big cities that lay miles from the supposedly sleepy hills of the south of Wales valleys.”

And someone has also set Alex in their sights and their attacks are escalating.

As with other strong books in this genre, part of the appeal is in watching the dynamics of the team. Alex is struggling with the tasks of being a leader, not just a team player. And I can sympathize with her struggles over how much friendship can be added to the team dynamics. And then the dynamics really get pushed up several notches.

This book keeps the tension going full steam and I was shocked at the end. Looking forward to book four to see where Jenkins takes us next.

My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Twisty Crime Thriller

Nobody's Child is the third book in the series. But my first book.
I do feel it best to read the previous books to get a feel for the characters.

I really enjoyed this pacy crime thriller.
My only gripe was that I found it a lil confusing with the amount of characters involved. Although they were necessary in order to join the dots.

When a body is found in a hospital fire. So badly burnt and unidentifiable. One has to wonder just who and why has this mystery person been burnt alive. Was it an accident or was it murder?

That is what detectives Alex and Chloe set out to discover!
What follows is a rollercoaster ride of danger and twists as the truth is uncovered.

Nobody's Child is a thrilling and gripping crime thriller. The Characters are multi layered and well written, although at times hard to follow, I didn't particularly connect with them.
There are plenty of twists and suspense to keep the reader turning pages.

Thank you to Bookouture for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my Blog Website:-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Tense Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another fabulous police procedural series with a couple strong female detectives... this is the third book in the series and I would recommend starting with book one, just so you get all the wonderful character development.... in this series you get two detectives for the price of one... Alex King and Chloe Lane.... this book focused on Alex more than Chloe and I have to admit I find Chloe a little more relatable... really do like the friendship between these women, although it was put to the test in this book....

A burned up body found in an abandoned hospital... The discovery of several more bodies... a hate crime... and somebody is after Alex herself.... this book was tense from prologue to the end.... A couple reveals that definitely caught me offguard.... this book will absolutely appeal to all you crime thriller lovers, it was filled with a lot of twists and turns...

Strongly recommend to fans of police procedurals with strong female detectives...

*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

NoBodys Child by Victoria Jenkins is book 3 in the Detectives Alex King and Chloe Lane series. Having read the previous 2 books I knew that I was in for another great read and I was not disappointed at all. This book was great, and moved along the relationship between the 2 women nicely.

It is October, and a body is found in an abandoned hospital. The body is so badly burnt that they struggle to identify the victim. When more bodies are found the police start to look for a connection between the murders. Meanwhile Alex is struggling with living alone and finds herself the target of somebody who wants her dead.

Cant wait for book 4!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read and enjoy in exchange for my honest opinions

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book number three of the Detectives Alex King and Chloe Lane series by Victoria Jenkins, it was previously released under the title COUNTING THE DEAD. I have read both of the other books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Jenkins is a real talent!

Detective King and her team are called to investigate a body found in an abandoned hospital. It is too burned to be identified. Not long after, another person is found dead and King begins to believe that the two instances are related. Alex then finds herself in danger. Could it be the murderer? Or someone else from her past?

I read fiction to relax, so a large cast of characters being introduced simultaneously really doesn't float my boat. In NOBODY'S CHILD, especially at the beginning this made it quite confusing and, although I did very much enjoy this read, I would've appreciated it more had there been fewer people to keep straight.

Having loved the previous two books, I will be continuing with this series. I just hope the next one has less characters. This issue is the only thing letting the title down, in my opinion. The pace and storytelling is excellent and the plot, interesting and engaging. There are twists galore and the way it is written means that the killer is kept under wraps until the finale.

I would like to thank Victoria Jenkins, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cor! Talk about a gripping crime story! WOO! What a corker!

If there’s a class somewhere that teaches an author how to write a prologue that will hook a reader from the get-go and leave them wanting more, I’m pretty sure Victoria Jenkins graduated with the highest honours. Those first few pages already had me on the edge of my seat and I knew I should strap myself in for yet another thrilling ride with Detectives King and Lane.

What to say about the case the detectives are working on. Good grief! Any attack is of course incomprehensible but these are even more vile and reprehensible because while they seem random, the victims are all vulnerable in one way or another. A body is found badly burned after a fire in an abandoned hospital. Identification is impossible. Who was this person and why were they targeted? Meanwhile someone also seems to have their sights set on Alex King. Plenty going on then in this story!

This third instalment in the series also sees tensions rise between Alex and Chloe, putting their friendship to the test. I must admit that this time around, both these fierce ladies managed to get on my nerves somewhat. Alex with her need to try and hide things, knowing fully well she’s not very good at it and Chloe with her incessant questions that made me want to slap her and tell her to let it go already.

I quite quickly had a potential suspect in mind but the ultimate reveals, yes plural, left me utterly reeling! And also quite sad because a lot of lives are affected and it takes a cold person not to become invested in them. That ending nearly broke me and left me with a huge lump in my throat.

Once again, Victoria Jenkins manages to come up with an insanely compelling and addictive page-turner. I remember telling myself when I picked up the first book that I needed to get hooked on another series like a hole in the tooth but within those first pages, I knew I was on to a good thing and now, three books in, I know I made the right decision. This series keeps getting better and better and the author yet again delivers an amazingly well crafted plot with interesting and fabulous characters and a multi-layered, suspenseful investigation. Bring on book four! I can’t wait!

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had my brain rattling in my head! It kept being thrown from left to right and back again in order to be able to follow this story and I mean this in a very positive way! There were so many characters and storylines that you were wondering how all this was going to come together., but it was never confusing. An author who can pull that off is a genius in my eyes.
You were focused on one thing and due to the short chapters, you were suddenly absorbed by another one. Sometimes my mouth fell open and a few OMG's escaped.
I will be counting the days untill I can put my hands on part 4. I suppose it's clear : I loved it!
Thank you, Victoria Jenkins, Bookouture and Netgalley.

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex and Chloe the DI’S in this series are really such strong females. Each one struggling with things in their own lives.

In this investigation there has been found a burnt body in a building, yet the body was burnt beforehand. Then more things are discovered.

One thing I’ve discovered with this author is that she does like a lot of characters in her stories.

I’ve read book 1, book 2 now book 3. All with many varied characters.

The story is good, you follow along with the investigation every step of the way with many thoughts of your own.

A very good suspense.

[Denise]

"Monsters come in all shapes and forms...sometimes there is no explanation for evil."

Arson and murder with no end to the list of possible suspects and the lingering question of how they are all related. It seems the perpetrator is attacking the vulnerable. The case is complicated and it's been very hard to get a real feel for any motive behind these senseless killings. I had my "ah-ha" moment just a bit before the revelations, but this was very cleverly written and I enjoyed the pace and details of the investigation.

Excellent police procedural featuring Detective Inspector Alex King and Detective Constable Chloe Lane working out of the area around the Rhondda valleys. Although this is the third in the series, this is the first one I have read -- much to my chagrin. I'm sorry to have missed the first two and hope to correct that at some point. I would love to know more about the main characters on the police team and all the backstory.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review. Note that this book was initially titled COUNTING THE DEAD.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to settle with a 4 star rating but the more I thought about it, it deserves a 5 star.

Well, Alex King certainly put her bitch pants on for this book! She was very nasty to her co-workers that's for sure, especially Chloe Lane. Slap-slap!! Right away we're met with a gruesome crime committed. King and Lane have practically nothing to work with because they can't even tell if the victim is a man or woman--its that gruesome. As other crimes are committed they need to work fast before things escalate. But with hardly anything to work with its proving difficult to solve the crimes. We get several pov's throughout this book. King and a few side characters lend their voice to this story. Quite a few red herrings until the explosive ending is revealed. Which I enjoyed. Another great installment in this series.

* Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a chilling prologue! Here’s me thinking I’m in for a police procedural featuring a serial killer, when I’m greeted with a terrifying opening! Totally gave me the goosebumps!

To start with, the story jumped around a bit setting the scene and introducing the characters but as I ticked off the chapters, the story settled down.

My mind was all over the shot trying to fathom out what was going on. And it’s no wonder with the amount of secrets Ms Jenkins has packed into this story. The more I read, I got hooked into the team and I was holding my breath as the story climaxed.

I’ve not read the previous King and Lane stories so reading this from a standalone perspective, it totally works as one. The author has put in enough that I didn’t feel I was missing out by joining the series three books in. But I have to say, I will be going back to start and reading The Girls In The Water and The First One To Die.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nobody’s Child is the third book in a series that I am really enjoying. It was though a very short read and I think if this was a paperback it wouldn’t even reach 300 pages. Sometimes I think when authors release two books a year it can result in them feeling a bit rushed or doesn’t give them enough time to really flesh a story out. That said it does contain a good story, it just lacked depth in places.

The story here is a little bit of a drama as well as a crime novel and I could easily see it being made into one of those BBC or ITV dramas. It deals with a multitude of issues, one of the main ones being hate crimes and crimes against victims who perhaps can’t defend themselves or perhaps who an explanation of why they were killed cannot be found easily. Alex King and Chloe Lane return but here their relationship is more strained and doesn’t flow as well as it has in previous stories. I do like this duo though and felt that their friendship, despite Alex being her superior, felt real and perhaps the way they both acted was because of this working relationship also being a friendship.

The storyline I won’t say too much about except to say that a lot of it felt like a lot of the situations were just too coincidental for me to get on board with. I also didn’t fully understand one of the storylines that obviously wasn’t connected to the main thread of the murders and kind of just felt like it had been thrown in to make the story longer than it was. It all just felt a bit random and I struggled to connect with some of the characters and the story at times. I did work out who the killer was from very early on in the story and as seems to be the case in a lot of stories I am reading lately, the ending was rushed and all over the place and didn’t offer a lot of closure to the characters not was the psychology of a killer explored well enough for me. If you are going to have a killer that is meant to be so shocking and rare, take the chance to explore why and how rather than just a few lines and going for that shock value story. All that said I did enjoy the story and I am looking forward to continuing this series further.

[Elvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a favourite of mine by this author. I found the early chapters tough going with a lot of characters involved in various attacks and suspicious deaths with little investigative success by the detectives we’ve come to rely on. It’s pretty clear Alex is struggling to get her act together and the ensemble detective work we are used to seeing in this series is absent thanks to the awkward working relationship between Chloe and Alex. The red herrings spread over the initial suppositions by the detectives seem heavy handed, so much so that when the detectives finally sort out legitimate suspects it’s too little, too late. It doesn’t help when a blurb for a novel indicates a killer twist coming. It lets the reader know that everything they are led to believe is suspect.

I still have hope for this pairing of Alex King and Chloe Lane and hope their next case has them acting instead of reacting to the evidence they find.

ARC received with thanks from Bookouture via NetGalley for review.

[Kaisha (The Writing Garnet) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com

Wow – this is a cracking novel! I have read Victoria Jenkins’ previous novels and even though they contained a high level of suspense, I think that the author has totally blown the suspense level out of the window with her latest read. Personally, ‘Nobody’s Child’ is the best book of the series so far.

Without giving too much away, this storyline is jam packed with intense moments, chilling characters, and an overall theme which will have you checking every single lock in your house, time and time again. And yes, I did do that! The slightest noise in my house made me jump out of my skin!

As weird as this sounds, the content of ‘Nobody’s Child’ made me stop and think about how the youth of today have pretty much anything at their fingertips due to the growth in technology. Whatever they wish to know, Google will tell them the answers. Unfortunately that also means that people can become victims after being groomed via computer games they thought were safe, when in fact talking to like minded folk isn’t always as it seems. It is incredibly scary as the adults using such technology for possible illegal activities, should know better. I thought that the author wrote about that particular topic incredibly well, even if it did put the fear of christ up me!

‘Nobody’s Child’ is a fast paced, highly suspenseful read which made my jaw drop in shock. There were moments whilst reading this book where I found myself frozen to the spot, unable to digest the words that were jumping out at me, creating scary and vivid imagery in my mind. This is definitely an intense read, and you are in for a rollercoaster of a ride with every single page that you turn. Very well thought out, I hope we see more From Alex and Chloe!

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good read from Victoria Jenkins.
Alex and Chloe are thrown straight into the deep end when a body is found burned in a fire at a derelict hospital. From the post-mortem it’s clear the person was badly beaten before the fire started.
Soon other attacks are happening in the area and Alex and the team are struggling to find a link.
There’s quite a lot of characters in this book and at times it gets a bit confusing, but it all comes together in the end.
This booked had me gripped from the first few pages and I highly recommend this series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Barbara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Really enjoying this series!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

Oh my goodness the prologue for this book is soooo good!! After reading it I was completely hooked and I knew it had to be a book I read there and then... I'd only planned to have a sneaky peak but I sat and read it straight away!!

The plot is very good and whilst I found the book jumped a round slightly at the beginning I was soon well in to the story and I have to say that I raced through the pages to the end. I love the characters in this series and the writing style was excellent again.

This is the third book in the series and the third I've read, I'd say it is fine to read as a stand alone but if you want to read an excellent crime series then I'd recommend reading them all in order.

Four stars from me for this one, its a very good story and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

[Kelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favourite out of the series. It had quite alot going on in the book which is great for me as it distracts me from always trying to guess the ending haha.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Nobody's Child, the third novel to feature DI Alex King and DC Chloe Lane, set in the Rhonda valleys.

Alex and the team fear they have a serial arsonist on their territory when two arsons occur in short order. The less serious one destroys the Hassan family business, the more serious one in an abandoned hospital uncovers a dead body. In the meantime Alex is being harassed by an unknown someone but whose identity she can take a good guess at.

I enjoyed Nobody Child which has several good twists and a resolution I didn't see coming. It is, however, one of those novels with an ever shifting point of view so it didn't hold my attention as much as a more straightforward narrative does. I find it difficult to get totally absorbed in a novel when every chapter concentrates on a different character because there is no continuity. To give Ms Jenkins her due this approach allows her to spread the suspicion around and conceal the real perpetrator well. She has plotted her novel thoughtfully with periods of frustration and a sense of spinning their wheels for the team interspersed with just enough developments to propel it forward and keep the reader interested.

I think the author is on less sure ground with her characterisation. Alex King is lonely with nothing in her life but her work and this leads to her to make some unwise decisions. I find it impossible to believe that a detective inspector would not formally report the attacks on her or confide willingly in her closest friend, DC Chloe Lane. None of it makes sense.

Nobody's Child is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending. 3.5*

I have titled the Novel Nobody's Child as this is what it will be titled on Amazon.

[Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! Now that is how you write a prologue and draw your readers in right from the start! There's often a debate within the reading community as to whether to read the prologue or not - I am most definitely in the reading camp and I am of the opinion that you are missing out if you skip past this prologue!

Detectives Alex King and Chloe Lane are back and have one hell of a complicated investigation upon their hands when a body is found in a derelict hospital which has been burnt beyond recognition delaying a positive identification. When another body turns up in quick succession, the team have to determine whether these form part of the same investigation.

On a personal level, Chloe has moved out of Alex's home and things are going well in her relationship. Chloe's absence is making Alex feel a little lonely and when she arrives home to find it has been graffiti'd she starts to also feel uncomfortable - and possibly a little vulnerable not that she would admit that! Whilst Alex has her suspicions as to who the offender is, she is struggling to prove it.

What I enjoyed about this book was the exploration into Alex and Chloe's friendship when they disagree on something which brings tension to both their personal and working relationship. This was an interesting side of their friendship, to demonstrate how they can rub each other up the wrong way and how they each deal with this tension.

I really liked the pace of this book and the fact that for most of the book I literally did not have a clue as to the perpetrator - the only point I started to get some suspicions is when Jenkins started introducing little snippets to get the reader thinking. All very cleverly and deliberately crafted by the author - this is helped by the number of characters and different families and connections within the book, it was difficult to try and establish the linkages and the red herrings which added to the overall mystery to the book. Jenkins has woven together the various strands very well and kept up with all the character storylines brilliantly.

I enjoyed books 1 and 2 in the series so started book 3 with high hopes - I was not disappointed, Nobody's Child is another brilliant investigation from Alex, Chloe and the team. I hope this series continues for a long time to come :)

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book. Despite not having read the prior two novels, I was still ready to pick up this book. It can be read as a stand alone novel. This is not the issue I had with the book. My issue is that it seemed to move slowly, even though the chapters are only a few pages and therefore makes reading this book fast.

The other problem I had with the book is that I was not feeling the main female leads, Alex and Chloe. They didn't really show their strong personalities. Thus when you combine the fact that the story was moving at a slow pace and the two main leads were not very interesting, this made for some difficult reading. I did stick with this book to the half way point. This is because somewhere, I was hoping that these issues were improve for me. When it was apparent that this was not going to be the case, I did jump ahead to the last several chapters in this book. I didn't feel like I had missed anything great in thee last several chapters. I might give this author another try in the future but for now, this book did not do it for me.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody’s Child by Victoria Jenkins is book 3 in the Detectives King & Lane series.

Bam! Straight out of the starting gate this had me totally hooked. It was fast paced all the way through, hit after hit of tension, excitement and horror. There are plenty of twists to keep you guessing who the bad guy is, and no I didn’t guess, it was a complete shock actually.

There is a lot going on between Alex and Chloe in this book which adds another layer of angst in the story heightening the feeling of tension. The whole team are jumpy and uneasy as the crimes ratchet up in intensity and severity. Will they catch the bad guy before he will kill again? You will have to read the book to find out!

I really enjoyed this book, the first two in the series were also great (The Girl in the Water and The First One to Die). I recommend that you read the series in order but of course you can read this as a stand-alone but you will miss out on a lot of history between Alex, Chloe and the rest of the team.

I don’t hesitate in giving this 5 stars, it had me captivated and on the edge of my seat, devouring the pages. It was a great read and I highly recommend it.

As you know by now I don’t like to give any spoilers away, just my opinion on the book, so here is the publisher blurb:

An absolutely gripping mystery thriller with a jaw-dropping twist. This book will hook you from page one and keep you reading ‘just one more chapter’ late into the night.

On a damp October day, a body is found in an abandoned hospital, too burnt to be identified, but Detective Alex King knows that every victim is someone’s daughter or son.

Pushing aside her own troubles, Alex puts everything into finding the killer, but when someone else is found dead, she begins to suspect that the body in the hospital was just the first of many.

Just as Alex uncovers a heartbreaking link between the victims, she finds her own safety under threat. Is this a figure from her past hell-bent on revenge, or could the murderer be even nearer than she thinks?

Alex is running out of time. Can she catch the killer before they take another life, or will they get to her first?

A completely unputdownable detective thriller that will keep you up all night. Readers of Robert Bryndza, Karin Slaughter and Angela Marsons will love this.

[Inn Auni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I come across many mystery/thriller with same sex partner as investigator. It was refreshing for once. But this was not the book where only these two people doing the investigation. It was a team.

The book was written in multiple third person pov. So, rest assure there were many characters to keep track of. To build the story, I can't help but feel bored at times because it dragged, Jenkins may have tought it was necessary to introduce them.

When I reached the end, I wasn't as surprised anymore. I had guessed it was done by teens, only I couldn't figure out who. The biggest question trying to raise by this book was, are monsters born or made. Scientist came up with theory that just like cancer cells, there's also monster cells in us. And we have the choice to feed it or kill it.

It all came down to being remorse. If you have it, then the monster in you lose.

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this police procedural by Victoria Jenkins.

It was certainly thrilling, well-written and kept me on my toes, as I had no clue until the author revealed it, who was responsible for all the murders on Alex's patch.

Alex has to deal with murders, threats to her own life and discord in her team in this book. It all works and it indeed had me up later than it should have!

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

A solid 4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this arc from Netgalley.

Enjoyed reading this for the most part. There a few spots that were a little long-winded. I didn't see that ending coming at all. Overall a good read.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Nobody's Child is the third book in the Detectives King and Lane series. This story did not disappoint- another great addition to the series. Looking forward to more!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a fire is reported to emergency services, Detective Alex King and Chloe Lane come upon a gruesome scene of an unidentified victim beaten and burned. Then another fire strikes a local shop that night. As if juggling multiple and possibly related arson cases isn’t draining enough, Alex’s safety is threatened by an unknown assailant with a clear grudge against her. Before long the stress begins to take its toll, threatening her relationship with her team and her friendship with Chloe.

As I noted in my previous review for The First One to Die, I would highly recommend reading this series in order. The character development in this series is very subtle, and especially in this book, will probably be frustrating for new readers who will miss nuances of the characterization if they are not familiar with the first two novels. The cases themselves stand independently, but Alex and Chloe’s motivations rely heavily on their experiences in the previous books.

I feel this is the first book in the series to really explore the setting; it's obvious that Mrs. Jenkins is very familiar with this part of Wales and since I'm not, I found it was kind of fun to look up the places mentioned on Google Maps and orient myself with the characters. I felt like this novel more than the other two really brings the surrounding area and history to life, as the locations become far more integral to the characters and the case.

Like her previous novels, Mrs. Jenkins edges us into the lives of several characters involved in the case on different levels. Not all of them are always directly related to the case, but their stories are often interconnected in unexpected ways, and always offer an interesting insight into how lives are changed and affected by the crimes committed. Nobody’s Child appropriately revolves around the lives of three families, all who are struggling with troubled children, abusive histories, and attempts at redemption. While the number of characters in this story feels a little more overwhelming than in the previous books, their paths weave together quite well. Mrs. Jenkins is excellent at navigating through a variety of characters with varying personalities and voices, and the various points of views offer a surprising number of twists and turns that make putting the book down difficult.

Outside of the case, this installment continues to expand on Alex’s journey. Changes at work mean Alex is adjusting to new members of her team. Chloe, feeling more confident and secure after the traumatic events of Girls in the Water, has moved out of Alex’s house and into her own place. Left alone in a big, empty house, Alex’s insecurities and loneliness continue to plague her, making her feel as if she is watching everyone move on with their lives as hers remains at a stand-still. Compounded with the stress of the threats made against her, we begin to see a new side of Alex emerge out of her fear and desperation; it’s a side that is not very warm, or likable. Her struggle with her personal identity and the anxiety she battles is a motif that parallels many of the other characters within the story.

Nobody’s Child touches on several themes such as racism, abuse, neglect, and ableism; but, perhaps, the most prevalent theme is that of vulnerability. All the characters are defined by some vulnerability and often suffer at the hands of someone who exploits it. They are all victims at one point or another: whether it is of an aggressor, or simply of the darkest parts of themselves.

Alex becomes enveloped in her vulnerabilities as well, and by the end of the book is pushed to confront the ugly parts of herself, the parts she’s tried to hide away so she doesn’t have to forgive them - both metaphorically and physically. The ending is a twist, of course, but it is gut-wrenching; in a way, it’s a betrayal, made bearable only because the reader does not have to suffer it alone. The characters are just as devastated, just as aghast at the turn of events as we are.

Nobody’s Child is certainly the most ambitious of the series to date, and I can’t help but respect the risks Mrs. Jenkins has taken with the narrative and the characterization. It’s a journey that successfully upsets the status quo of the Detectives King and Lane universe, but it manages to ramp up the interpersonal drama in a way that isn’t forced or trivial, while still delivering on a complex crime story that is both shocking, distressing… And yet, hopeful. Nobody’s Child has set up some serious changes for Alex and Chloe, and it will be exciting to see where Mrs. Jenkins intends to go with the next installment.

I was given an advanced copy of Nobody’s Child by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This review has also been posted at my blog.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the bestselling series featuring Detectives King and Lane. Continuing the third idea – it’s the third book that I have had the distinct pleasure of reading and reviewing and it’s the third book by Victoria Jenkins that I have absolutely, totally and utterly loved but more about that in a bit.
I just love the characters of Alex King and Chloe Lane. Both are feisty, courageous and determined young female police officers. They were living together but Chloe has recently moved out of Alex’s house and she has gone to live with her partner. The relationship is in its early stages but I couldn’t help but hope that things worked out and that Chloe had found her happy ever after ending that she so deserves. It took a little while for Chloe to get used to living with her colleague but eventually they got along like a house on fire (that isn’t a pun given the nature of the crimes featured in the book). Chloe is pleased to be able to spread her wings and move on with her life. Alex is pleased for Chloe but at the same time she can’t help but feel vulnerable as she is now living on her own. Alex’s uneasiness isn’t helped by the fact that she seems to have acquired her own stalker, who has been leaving personal messages on her front door. Both King & Lane are well liked and respected within their teams and the feeling of respect is mutual although Alex is unsure of one of the detective constables under her leadership. It’s taking her a while to suss him out. Both ladies work well together, as part of a team or on their own and using their own initiative.
Blimey oh riley I was literally hooked on reading this book from the moment I read the synopsis. The book starts off with a prologue that you are not going to forget in a hurry. The story hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. I had to ration myself as to how much of the book I read at any one time. I was enjoying reading the book, the story and the characters so much that I just wanted to keep reading on and on. The flip side of that is if you read as much as you want to, what are you going to do when you have finished reading a fabulous book? I know that doesn’t make sense to some but other bookworms will know exactly what I mean. I couldn’t keep to my ration as I have no willpower or patience so I binge read the book over a couple of days. This really worked in this case because I got a sense of the intensity and at times desperation of a police investigation. I really did feel as though I was a member of the investigating team and at times I found myself asking questions out loud but then I had to remind myself that it was fiction and I wasn’t a real police officer , no matter how many crime books I read or television series I might watch- boo! The quality of the writing in ‘Nobody’s Child’ is so good that I began to ‘live’ the story and I was picturing the action taking place right in front of me. The book seemed to come alive. Reading this book was much like being on a very unpredictable and occasionally scary rollercoaster ride with lots of twists and turns and moments that you don’t see coming and which when they happen, they hit you like a punch to the gut and leave you feeling breathless.
In conclusion I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED reading ‘Nobody’s Child’ and I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. Victoria Jenkins is one hell of a writer and the series featuring Detectives King and Lane is one hell of a series. It’s safe to say that Victoria Jenkins has another winner on her hands. This series just keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Diane Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody’s Child by Victoria Jenkins another instalment in the Detectives King & Lane, Book No.3. I’ve read the first 2 books by Victoria and never thought the series could get any better but boy was I wrong, Nobody’s Child is even more a flawless thriller which will have you hanging off ever page, how do you do it Victoria…

Opening Nobody’s Child we are swamped with the horror and intense crime of the discovery of the body of a man burned to death in an old abandoned hospital, King has her work cut out for her trying to identify the man. Someone has to be missing him, someone must know who he is, identification is going to take time, time King may not have as another body is discovered, are there more to come, is there a serial killer on the loose.

The common denominator between each victim becomes imperative, finding the link, will it capture the killer, King and her team, trawl through many aspects, doubling back, coming full circle, the trail becomes a tangle of deception, lies and secrets.

Follow the path, turn here, turn there, look right, look left, the barricades building higher and higher, just when I think I’m at a loss and I don’t know which clue to follow a chink of light, a spark pulls me in a different direction and the chase begins again.

King has troubles of her own, is the past coming back, King tries to concentrate on the case but someone wants Alex, are they trying to harm Alex or worse still……

You know I’m actually still sitting here looking at the cover and I’m in awe at how captivating it is, its certainly true that a picture tells a thousand words, in Victoria’s case the cover tells the story of crime, suspense and also in a heinous way beauty, open the cover, turn the pages and find your words.

Okay there was no kiss and tell for Nobody’s Child its an absolute must to read yourself, go on grab yourself a copy, it could be reads as a standalone but why would you want to, grab the series and enjoy.

Thanks to Bookouture, Victoria Jenkins and Noelle Holten for the chance to read and review an advanced readers copy of Nobody’s Child. It is a pleasure to be part of the Blog Tour, thanks Noelle x.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the month of October, and a body, burnt beyond recognition, is found in an abandoned hospital. A Muslim shop has been destroyed by fire. Are these two crimes related? DI Alex King works feverishly to determine whether or not this could be possible. I have gotten to know Alex, and her partner DC Chloe Lane quite well in the previous two books in this series. Knowing Alex's dedication to her work goes a long way, especially in this book, as she is going through some serious personal trials.

Alex and Chloe, incredibly close since they began working together, are now in a strained relationship. But, being the professionals that they are, they work tirelessly hard to solve, not only the first two crimes, but other horrific crimes that occur in quick procession. Just as Alex realizes that there is indeed a link between the victims, someone from her past is intent on taking her life. At least, that is what she is fairly certain of.

This story is told from several perspectives, and this is done remarkably well. Each and every person is completely understandable, and, in some cases, elicited compassion. This led to making it utterly impossible to coming close to guessing whoever was responsible for all of the crimes being committed. What a fast-paced story. Boy did I get the chills more than once.

This book was incredible. Simply said. I could not put it down, except to take a brief break. I read the first 61% in less than a couple hours, and it took no time to finish the rest of the book. I cannot say enough how captivating this book was. From the brutal attacks, from the investigation, from what Alex was experiencing, from the characterization...well, it all worked amazingly well. I eagerly read all three books back-to-back and am incredibly impressed with the talented Victoria Jenkins. I am eagerly awaiting book 4 in this engaging series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.