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Detective Jamie Day #1
The Quiet Kill
The thrilling start of a brand-new crime series from Robert Bryndza, the multi-million bestselling creator of Detective Erika Foster and P.I. Kate Marshall series
Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
As winter deepens, young men are being killed late at night across London, their bodies discovered in eerily similar circumstances. The detectives soon realise they may be hunting a serial killer.
Working alongside a tough and experienced team, Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
As winter deepens, young men are being killed late at night across London, their bodies discovered in eerily similar circumstances. The detectives soon realise they may be hunting a serial killer.
Working alongside a tough and experienced team, Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Robert Bryndza
42 books7,377 followersRobert Bryndza is an international bestselling author of crime and thriller novels, with more than seven million books sold worldwide. He is best known for the Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster series, which began with The Girl in the Ice (2016), a global bestseller that sold over 1.5 million English-language copies.
He has since published numerous bestselling novels in the Erika Foster series, as well as the bestselling Kate Marshall series, featuring a former police officer turned private investigator. Both series have achieved international success and been translated into 31 languages.
Born in the U.K, Robert began his career as an actor and playwright before turning to writing. After self-publishing a bestselling series of romantic comedies, he moved into crime fiction and now writes full-time from Slovakia, where he lives with his husband.
For more information, visit www.robertbryndza.com
He has since published numerous bestselling novels in the Erika Foster series, as well as the bestselling Kate Marshall series, featuring a former police officer turned private investigator. Both series have achieved international success and been translated into 31 languages.
Born in the U.K, Robert began his career as an actor and playwright before turning to writing. After self-publishing a bestselling series of romantic comedies, he moved into crime fiction and now writes full-time from Slovakia, where he lives with his husband.
For more information, visit www.robertbryndza.com
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May 20, 2026
Jamie Day #1
30-11-1987
At Leyton Train Station, an elderly man discovers a dismembered male torso and recently promoted DC Jamie Day is first on the scene. He’s newly transferred from Suffolk Constabulary to Savile Row Station. Another body is also discovered, similarly dismembered and it may not be the last. The varied team led by DCI Harry Dean have a grim inquiry in prospect as it seems they are hunting a very ruthless serial killer.
This is hopefully the start of a new series from Robert Bryndza and is one I really enjoy. First of all, the context of the 1987/8 setting is excellent. Here, there’s a major focus on AIDS with all the accompanying fear, ignorance, and misunderstanding alongside homophobia, sexism and prejudice. The author does a very good job with this and the storytelling is very balanced. In addition, the author creates an excellent London of the 1980s atmosphere, such as the forthcoming changes in the East End with the emergence of Canary Wharf and this provides a good contrast with Jamie’s background in Lowestoft, Suffolk. He really is a bit of a rabbit caught in the headlights but by the end of the book, there’s a strong sense of him fitting in.
The characters are excellent, especially Jamie and there’s good banter between them, not always friendly! When he arrives, he’s thrown in at the deep end, he’s a bit green and naive and definitely makes mistakes but he’s persistent, honest, hard-working and extremely likeable. His boss DCI Harry Dean is a good mentor, he’s a bit gruff but also very likeable as is WPC Tracy Steel who is a very good officer but comes up against the glass ceiling. There is one character in the control room who isn’t so likeable, but maybe he serves to sharpen Jamie up. As for the perpetrator, we know who he is from the start via his point of view and oh boy, that is very dark, gritty and chilling and which it makes my blood run cold. It seems to make for a more intense read having the killers perspective and you hope the net closes in before there are more victims.
This is a tense and suspenseful read, it’s well paced and the writing flows. In places it’s graphic but that is integral to the storyline.
Overall, this is another good read from Robert Bryndza and I look forward to reading more of this team from n future.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Raven Street Publishing for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
30-11-1987
At Leyton Train Station, an elderly man discovers a dismembered male torso and recently promoted DC Jamie Day is first on the scene. He’s newly transferred from Suffolk Constabulary to Savile Row Station. Another body is also discovered, similarly dismembered and it may not be the last. The varied team led by DCI Harry Dean have a grim inquiry in prospect as it seems they are hunting a very ruthless serial killer.
This is hopefully the start of a new series from Robert Bryndza and is one I really enjoy. First of all, the context of the 1987/8 setting is excellent. Here, there’s a major focus on AIDS with all the accompanying fear, ignorance, and misunderstanding alongside homophobia, sexism and prejudice. The author does a very good job with this and the storytelling is very balanced. In addition, the author creates an excellent London of the 1980s atmosphere, such as the forthcoming changes in the East End with the emergence of Canary Wharf and this provides a good contrast with Jamie’s background in Lowestoft, Suffolk. He really is a bit of a rabbit caught in the headlights but by the end of the book, there’s a strong sense of him fitting in.
The characters are excellent, especially Jamie and there’s good banter between them, not always friendly! When he arrives, he’s thrown in at the deep end, he’s a bit green and naive and definitely makes mistakes but he’s persistent, honest, hard-working and extremely likeable. His boss DCI Harry Dean is a good mentor, he’s a bit gruff but also very likeable as is WPC Tracy Steel who is a very good officer but comes up against the glass ceiling. There is one character in the control room who isn’t so likeable, but maybe he serves to sharpen Jamie up. As for the perpetrator, we know who he is from the start via his point of view and oh boy, that is very dark, gritty and chilling and which it makes my blood run cold. It seems to make for a more intense read having the killers perspective and you hope the net closes in before there are more victims.
This is a tense and suspenseful read, it’s well paced and the writing flows. In places it’s graphic but that is integral to the storyline.
Overall, this is another good read from Robert Bryndza and I look forward to reading more of this team from n future.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Raven Street Publishing for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
July 3, 2026
It’s winter 1987, set amongst the fear of AIDS, and homophobia. New Detective, Jamie Day is on his way to London from his small seaside town, to begin his new career with the Metropolitan Police. On his way, he receives a call telling him that a body has been found, meaning he has to start his first shift, a day earlier than planned. Once he arrives at the destination, he finds a dismembered, male body, hidden by the bins of a train station. New to London, Jamie is soon thrust into a major murder investigation, involving young, male victims, being found all over London.
This is the first book in a new series, and man, I CANNOT wait, to read more. This was my first Robert Bryndza book, and I had heard tons of praise for this author, which after reading this very tense and suspenseful police procedural, I can 100% fully agree. This was addictive, atmospheric and kept me awake until the early hours, and can highly recommend.
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Robert Bryndza, Raven Street Publishing, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 7 July 2026
This is the first book in a new series, and man, I CANNOT wait, to read more. This was my first Robert Bryndza book, and I had heard tons of praise for this author, which after reading this very tense and suspenseful police procedural, I can 100% fully agree. This was addictive, atmospheric and kept me awake until the early hours, and can highly recommend.
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Robert Bryndza, Raven Street Publishing, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 7 July 2026
July 17, 2026
EXCERPT: . . . she saw what looked like a pair of bare feet protruding from a thin sleeping bag against the back wall of the living room.
'Is that someone homeless?' asked Caroline, noticing at the same time.
Donna stepped over a low piece of the collapsed front wall and moved closer. The charred remains of the rafters cast the interior in a gloom. In the shadow of the half-collapsed back, Donna could see that the person's legs weren't sticking out from a sleeping bag; it was a thick blue plastic bag. When she nudged it with her foot, the plastic neck of the bag opened, revealing . . . . '
ABOUT 'THE QUIET KILL': Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
As winter deepens, young men are being killed late at night across London, their bodies discovered in eerily similar circumstances. The detectives soon realise they may be hunting a serial killer.
Working alongside a tough and experienced team, Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
MY THOUGHTS: More intriguing than thrilling IMHO, but a great start to a new series from one of my favorite authors.
I love the 1987 setting - no mobile phones - and lots of good old-fashioned detecting.
Jamie is a fresh-faced and ambitious newly minted detective who soon finds himself a little out of his depth. He is intelligent and determined, but also rather naive.
A compelling and rewarding read. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#TheQuietKill #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: ROBERT BRYNDZA was born in the UK and lived in America and Canada before settling in Slovakia with his Slovak husband Ján.
When he's not writing Rob is learning Slovak, trying to train two crazy dogs, or watching Grand Designs all in the hope that hell be able to understand his mother-in-law, build his dream house, and get the dogs to listen.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Raven Street Publishing via Netgalley for providing a DRC of The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my own personal opinions.
'Is that someone homeless?' asked Caroline, noticing at the same time.
Donna stepped over a low piece of the collapsed front wall and moved closer. The charred remains of the rafters cast the interior in a gloom. In the shadow of the half-collapsed back, Donna could see that the person's legs weren't sticking out from a sleeping bag; it was a thick blue plastic bag. When she nudged it with her foot, the plastic neck of the bag opened, revealing . . . . '
ABOUT 'THE QUIET KILL': Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
As winter deepens, young men are being killed late at night across London, their bodies discovered in eerily similar circumstances. The detectives soon realise they may be hunting a serial killer.
Working alongside a tough and experienced team, Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
MY THOUGHTS: More intriguing than thrilling IMHO, but a great start to a new series from one of my favorite authors.
I love the 1987 setting - no mobile phones - and lots of good old-fashioned detecting.
Jamie is a fresh-faced and ambitious newly minted detective who soon finds himself a little out of his depth. He is intelligent and determined, but also rather naive.
A compelling and rewarding read. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#TheQuietKill #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: ROBERT BRYNDZA was born in the UK and lived in America and Canada before settling in Slovakia with his Slovak husband Ján.
When he's not writing Rob is learning Slovak, trying to train two crazy dogs, or watching Grand Designs all in the hope that hell be able to understand his mother-in-law, build his dream house, and get the dogs to listen.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Raven Street Publishing via Netgalley for providing a DRC of The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my own personal opinions.
August 3, 2026
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE QUIET KILL (Detective Jamie Day Book #1) by Robert Bryndzna is the beginning of a new murder mystery series set in 1987 London and featuring a newly minted detective from a small English seaside town thrown into a big city murder investigation with an already cohesive group of seasoned detectives. I was excited to dive into this chilling criminal murder investigation set in the 1980s with a new group of characters from one of my favorite authors and I was not disappointed.
Detective Jamie Day is on his way to his new position as a plain clothes detective in London when he is detoured to go to the location of a discovered dismembered body. Immediately thrown into a major murder investigation, Jamie knows he must prove himself, but he is having trouble fitting into the already tight group of murder detectives. DCI Harry Dean takes him under his wing and helps him navigate his new position, colleagues, and the big city.
Dismembered bodies of young gay men continue to be discovered, and the detectives soon realize they have a serial killer in London. Can Jamie help find the killer and prove he belongs in his new job to his colleagues?
This is a fast-paced, intense introduction to a new group of characters from Mr. Bryndza that kept me engrossed in not only the gritty murder mystery, but also the differences in investigation techniques and technologies from the 1980s. It does not seem that long ago to me, but the differences in criminal investigations and technology have been immense in the last 40 to 50 years. While the killer is known in this story, the chase to catch him is what pulls you in. It is an intense, dark story that highlights the fear and ignorance of AIDS and the immergence of a more open gay culture in 1980s London. The investigative plot is realistic and leads to a satisfying conclusion. I am looking forward to seeing how these characters progress in future books in the series.
I highly recommend this suspenseful start to a new murder mystery series!
THE QUIET KILL (Detective Jamie Day Book #1) by Robert Bryndzna is the beginning of a new murder mystery series set in 1987 London and featuring a newly minted detective from a small English seaside town thrown into a big city murder investigation with an already cohesive group of seasoned detectives. I was excited to dive into this chilling criminal murder investigation set in the 1980s with a new group of characters from one of my favorite authors and I was not disappointed.
Detective Jamie Day is on his way to his new position as a plain clothes detective in London when he is detoured to go to the location of a discovered dismembered body. Immediately thrown into a major murder investigation, Jamie knows he must prove himself, but he is having trouble fitting into the already tight group of murder detectives. DCI Harry Dean takes him under his wing and helps him navigate his new position, colleagues, and the big city.
Dismembered bodies of young gay men continue to be discovered, and the detectives soon realize they have a serial killer in London. Can Jamie help find the killer and prove he belongs in his new job to his colleagues?
This is a fast-paced, intense introduction to a new group of characters from Mr. Bryndza that kept me engrossed in not only the gritty murder mystery, but also the differences in investigation techniques and technologies from the 1980s. It does not seem that long ago to me, but the differences in criminal investigations and technology have been immense in the last 40 to 50 years. While the killer is known in this story, the chase to catch him is what pulls you in. It is an intense, dark story that highlights the fear and ignorance of AIDS and the immergence of a more open gay culture in 1980s London. The investigative plot is realistic and leads to a satisfying conclusion. I am looking forward to seeing how these characters progress in future books in the series.
I highly recommend this suspenseful start to a new murder mystery series!
July 7, 2026
Another new series from a favourite crime author. Robert Bryndza is the author of one of my favourite police procedural series in the Erika Foster books and is is an author that I can always count on for an addictive, fast paced story that takes you away from the real world for a while. The Quiet Kill was an easy 5 star book for me, I cannot wait for more Jamie.
One of the things I loved about this story was its setting and time period. London in 1987. No mobile phones, faxes are being used, phone boxes and pagers are everywhere and people actually got their news from the newspapers. For the police it was all about talking to people, visiting the homes and workplaces to try to find the evidence. Jamie Day is a newly promoted detective, moving to London at 25 years old for a new role and a fresh start. He is thrown into the spotlight immediately when he is called to a crime scene where a dismembered body has been found. It is the first of many while he tries to find the killer with his new teammates.
If you have read this author before then you will know that he doesn’t hold back on details of the crimes or the crime scenes. It is not over the top, it is realistic and really shows the depravity of the killer and the tragedy of the victims.
If you love a good police investigation, a serial killer on the streets of London, then I highly recommend you read not only this book but Robert Bryndzas other incredible books.
Thank you so much to Raven Street Publishing for allowing me to read this early.
One of the things I loved about this story was its setting and time period. London in 1987. No mobile phones, faxes are being used, phone boxes and pagers are everywhere and people actually got their news from the newspapers. For the police it was all about talking to people, visiting the homes and workplaces to try to find the evidence. Jamie Day is a newly promoted detective, moving to London at 25 years old for a new role and a fresh start. He is thrown into the spotlight immediately when he is called to a crime scene where a dismembered body has been found. It is the first of many while he tries to find the killer with his new teammates.
If you have read this author before then you will know that he doesn’t hold back on details of the crimes or the crime scenes. It is not over the top, it is realistic and really shows the depravity of the killer and the tragedy of the victims.
If you love a good police investigation, a serial killer on the streets of London, then I highly recommend you read not only this book but Robert Bryndzas other incredible books.
Thank you so much to Raven Street Publishing for allowing me to read this early.
July 20, 2026
The start of a thrilling new crime series from Robert Bryndza, the multi-million bestselling author of the Detective Erika Foster and P.I. Kate Marshall series, both are great series, and this new series starts of well.
Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world. Especially in the early 80's, all the gay clubs, the very huge worries of aids and HIV. I think a warning should go out at this is a stronger than his over two series. But remember this is London in the 80's.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Every character fits in this story perfectly, the pace is good, and the feel of the 80's is all around, some great leads and a strong, powerful, well paced, gritty story
Four stars for me
Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world. Especially in the early 80's, all the gay clubs, the very huge worries of aids and HIV. I think a warning should go out at this is a stronger than his over two series. But remember this is London in the 80's.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Every character fits in this story perfectly, the pace is good, and the feel of the 80's is all around, some great leads and a strong, powerful, well paced, gritty story
Four stars for me
July 7, 2026
Ooooooh, this was an excellent one! It's the first of a new series featuring Jamie, a rookie detective joining a London based team and I surely will follow every step of Jamie's adventures in the future.
The pacing is quick, the writing sharp and the setting of London in 1987 is just perfect.
I got engulfed in an "old skool" vibe, not only because we are in 1987, but also because it reads as a procedural of that time. I certainly was reminded of The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid and I'll consider this high praise.
One trigger warning though: just as the first book in the Tony Hill series, this one also has some gruesome scenes. But nevertheless, I raced through the pages to know how it would end.
If you are looking for a fast paced procedural with a very likable protagonist, do not look any further: this is it.
A very heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
The pacing is quick, the writing sharp and the setting of London in 1987 is just perfect.
I got engulfed in an "old skool" vibe, not only because we are in 1987, but also because it reads as a procedural of that time. I certainly was reminded of The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid and I'll consider this high praise.
One trigger warning though: just as the first book in the Tony Hill series, this one also has some gruesome scenes. But nevertheless, I raced through the pages to know how it would end.
If you are looking for a fast paced procedural with a very likable protagonist, do not look any further: this is it.
A very heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Moving from a fairly quiet police town in Suffolk to the Met Police in London was always going to be daunting but DC Jamie Day really is thrown in at the deep end as his first case is a dismembered male left behind some dustbins.
It's 1987 and talk of Aids and HIV is rife, people are worried but it was refreshing to see that the Boss was modern in his thinking and putting his team right when they expressed their views.
If this is going to be a new series for Robert Bryndza he's certainly made a cracking start.
It's 1987 and talk of Aids and HIV is rife, people are worried but it was refreshing to see that the Boss was modern in his thinking and putting his team right when they expressed their views.
If this is going to be a new series for Robert Bryndza he's certainly made a cracking start.
July 8, 2026
Looking for your next gripping crime fiction obsession?
The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza is an excellent series starter that transports us back to the gritty, atmospheric winter of 1987 London.
This is a vividly drawn era where investigations rely on traditional police work, landline phones, and the newly remarkable addition of the office fax machine.
The story introduces us to newbie Detective Constable Jamie Day, whose very first night is upended by the gruesome discovery of a dismembered body at a railway station.
Jamie is a refreshing protagonist, naive and gullible on the surface, but possessed of a quiet intelligence that allows him to put difficult colleagues firmly in their place when required. He is paired with Harry, an old-school detective who is gruff but fair, pragmatic, and deeply empathetic. Alongside the team they find themselves on the hunt for a calculating serial killer.
In a brilliant narrative twist, we lock eyes with the killer from the very onset, watching his cold movements from his sinister set-up, which beautifully elevates the tension.
Bryndza is exceptionally talented at creating excellent, multi-dimensional characters, and he deftly injects touches of humour to balance what is a heavy, dark storyline.
As the investigation intensifies, it is pure determination, relentless police work, and Jamie's growing willingness to operate within the grey areas that ultimately drive them toward a result.
An absolute must-read for crime fiction fans and I can't wait to see what's next for Jamie and the team.
My thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza is an excellent series starter that transports us back to the gritty, atmospheric winter of 1987 London.
This is a vividly drawn era where investigations rely on traditional police work, landline phones, and the newly remarkable addition of the office fax machine.
The story introduces us to newbie Detective Constable Jamie Day, whose very first night is upended by the gruesome discovery of a dismembered body at a railway station.
Jamie is a refreshing protagonist, naive and gullible on the surface, but possessed of a quiet intelligence that allows him to put difficult colleagues firmly in their place when required. He is paired with Harry, an old-school detective who is gruff but fair, pragmatic, and deeply empathetic. Alongside the team they find themselves on the hunt for a calculating serial killer.
In a brilliant narrative twist, we lock eyes with the killer from the very onset, watching his cold movements from his sinister set-up, which beautifully elevates the tension.
Bryndza is exceptionally talented at creating excellent, multi-dimensional characters, and he deftly injects touches of humour to balance what is a heavy, dark storyline.
As the investigation intensifies, it is pure determination, relentless police work, and Jamie's growing willingness to operate within the grey areas that ultimately drive them toward a result.
An absolute must-read for crime fiction fans and I can't wait to see what's next for Jamie and the team.
My thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
July 13, 2026
At this point, Robert Bryndza could probably publish his shopping list and I'd give it a go. I've thoroughly enjoyed his previous series, so I was excited to see he’s starting a new one. Thankfully, this was another reminder of why he's one of my auto-read authors. The 1980’s London setting was such a vibe. No mobile phones, no Google, no CCTV doing half the work. Just some old fashioned policing.
I also loved that Jamie Day isn't the typical detective who already has all the answers. It's his first day with the Met and the poor man barely has time to find the coffee machine before there's a dismembered body waiting for him. Talk about a rough first day. He's genuinely likeable though. He's eager, a bit out of his depth, and occasionally puts his foot in it but I rooted for him. His team was great too, and I loved DCI Harry Dean looking out for him.
Bryndza also continues to prove that he isn't afraid to go dark. The murders are brutal, the investigation is addictive, and the chapters are delightfully short. I flew through this and now I'm already impatiently waiting for Jamie Day's next case.
I also loved that Jamie Day isn't the typical detective who already has all the answers. It's his first day with the Met and the poor man barely has time to find the coffee machine before there's a dismembered body waiting for him. Talk about a rough first day. He's genuinely likeable though. He's eager, a bit out of his depth, and occasionally puts his foot in it but I rooted for him. His team was great too, and I loved DCI Harry Dean looking out for him.
Bryndza also continues to prove that he isn't afraid to go dark. The murders are brutal, the investigation is addictive, and the chapters are delightfully short. I flew through this and now I'm already impatiently waiting for Jamie Day's next case.
June 28, 2026
What a brilliant start to a brand new series. Multiple murders, somewhat macabre although kept largely off the page, a police team stuck in late 80s hell with all the prejudices and assumptions of the time, and a corrupt press who will do anything to get a story. The bad old days, but ones which make for a hell of a lot of conflict, without even bringing into account the various crises of the day and an unintentional snafu by Jamie Day that almost ends his career before it can begin. It's the kind of book that pulled me in slowly, but certainly, capturing my attention, shocking and surprising me in all the best ways that you might expect when it comes to crime fiction. Just what I've come to expect from Robert Bryndza.
I like Jamie Day. He's got that kind of fish-out-of-water charm and a terrible sense of honesty and integrity that almost makes him too clean to be successful in his new role as a Detective with the Met Police. Certainly compared to one of his colleagues he has a much more appealing personality, and his occasional naivety and mistakes borne of best intention do make him rather endearing as a character, one I'm glad is now part of a recurring series. Alongside his colleagues, DCI Harry Dean and (W)PC Tracy Steel they make a tight team and Robert Bryndza has quickly set up a really great dynamic, if not always one that runs harmoniously. You get the feeling that Dean is looking out for Jamie, and despite a few hiccups between him and Tracy, that has the makings of a brilliant friendship too. We get to witness some of Jamie's former life too, which really helped establish his character and give context to the really big life changing decision he made to leave for London.
This is not the kind of book where the killer's identity remains hidden until the dying pages. In fact we learn their identity, sort of, but more importantly their motive, rather early on. I say sort of as a few key details are kept hidden until just the right moment, making the revelation all the more shocking in the moment, but perhaps rather fitting for the time in which the book is set. I liked that this is not a modern day thriller, shockingly being set in 1987 it actually qualifies as historical fiction, a depressing thought for those of us old enough to remember the 80s ...
The pacing is pitched perfectly, the suspense and the tension just right for this kind of complex investigation. It's not a high action story, but it still hits home. There are scenes that provoke shock and anger, and whilst not overly graphic in description, still have the ability to make the skin crawl. It is a familiar story, but with a less common angle and that is something that really struck me here. Switching up between the perspective of the police and that of the killer is something that is particularly effective in this story, and their abhorrent actions are all the more impactful because of their clear duplicity.
As a start to a brand new series this one ticked all the boxes and i'm really excited to see where Robert Bryndza leads us and the slightly less innocent than he was Jamie Day next.
I like Jamie Day. He's got that kind of fish-out-of-water charm and a terrible sense of honesty and integrity that almost makes him too clean to be successful in his new role as a Detective with the Met Police. Certainly compared to one of his colleagues he has a much more appealing personality, and his occasional naivety and mistakes borne of best intention do make him rather endearing as a character, one I'm glad is now part of a recurring series. Alongside his colleagues, DCI Harry Dean and (W)PC Tracy Steel they make a tight team and Robert Bryndza has quickly set up a really great dynamic, if not always one that runs harmoniously. You get the feeling that Dean is looking out for Jamie, and despite a few hiccups between him and Tracy, that has the makings of a brilliant friendship too. We get to witness some of Jamie's former life too, which really helped establish his character and give context to the really big life changing decision he made to leave for London.
This is not the kind of book where the killer's identity remains hidden until the dying pages. In fact we learn their identity, sort of, but more importantly their motive, rather early on. I say sort of as a few key details are kept hidden until just the right moment, making the revelation all the more shocking in the moment, but perhaps rather fitting for the time in which the book is set. I liked that this is not a modern day thriller, shockingly being set in 1987 it actually qualifies as historical fiction, a depressing thought for those of us old enough to remember the 80s ...
The pacing is pitched perfectly, the suspense and the tension just right for this kind of complex investigation. It's not a high action story, but it still hits home. There are scenes that provoke shock and anger, and whilst not overly graphic in description, still have the ability to make the skin crawl. It is a familiar story, but with a less common angle and that is something that really struck me here. Switching up between the perspective of the police and that of the killer is something that is particularly effective in this story, and their abhorrent actions are all the more impactful because of their clear duplicity.
As a start to a brand new series this one ticked all the boxes and i'm really excited to see where Robert Bryndza leads us and the slightly less innocent than he was Jamie Day next.
July 22, 2026
THE QUIET KILL is the brand-new crime series, featuring Detective Jamie Day, by Robert Bryndza, the multi-million bestselling creator of Detective Erika Foster and P.I. Kate Marshall series.
Detective Jamie Day
1. The Quiet Kill (2026)
2. The Burning Lie (2027)
Detective Constable Jamie Day, 25 years old, arrives in London in the winter, after working in a small seaside town. He now has been promoted to Detective at the London Metropolitan Police. He is now part of the murder investigation team at West End Central Police Station.
On his first day of his new job, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left outside a Train Station. This finding soon becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
Then more young men are being killed late at night across London, their dismembered bodies discovered in similar circumstances. Was this the work of a serial killer?
The experienced team consisted of:
Harry Dean-Boss
DC Liam Cole (skipper)
DC Ravi Singh
DC Jamie Day
Tracy Steel
Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
This was a strong, dark, well paced, gritty story with realistic characters and short, sharp chapters. The pacing is excellent, and clues are revealed on need-to-know basis. The tension builds gradually throughout, ending in a surprising but satisfying conclusion. This was a great start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
Many thanks to the author, Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for my digital copy
Detective Jamie Day
1. The Quiet Kill (2026)
2. The Burning Lie (2027)
Detective Constable Jamie Day, 25 years old, arrives in London in the winter, after working in a small seaside town. He now has been promoted to Detective at the London Metropolitan Police. He is now part of the murder investigation team at West End Central Police Station.
On his first day of his new job, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left outside a Train Station. This finding soon becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
Then more young men are being killed late at night across London, their dismembered bodies discovered in similar circumstances. Was this the work of a serial killer?
The experienced team consisted of:
Harry Dean-Boss
DC Liam Cole (skipper)
DC Ravi Singh
DC Jamie Day
Tracy Steel
Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
This was a strong, dark, well paced, gritty story with realistic characters and short, sharp chapters. The pacing is excellent, and clues are revealed on need-to-know basis. The tension builds gradually throughout, ending in a surprising but satisfying conclusion. This was a great start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
Many thanks to the author, Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for my digital copy
August 5, 2026
3.5 stars from a long-time Bryndza reader and sometimes fan.
If you are not already familiar with the author's works, you should read someone else's review.
I do not do long, detailed reviews because I cannot do them well... other provide that.
This new series is a welcome improvement over Robert's last work that I read, Chasing Shadows, (opinion) which I felt was a quickie for the publisher and not done to his usual quality.
Robert brings us yet another new character, DC Jamie Day... him after Kate Marshall and Erika Foster series.
Jamie is a country bumpkin, new to London and his assigned police unit. Robert does a pretty good job of describing 'the new guy' issues and problems that go along with that scenario. He develops a good cast of characters on Jamie's team... Not Barney Miller level personalities, but a good start.
Vile crimes and logical police procedural to solve the case. Be forewarned, you are told the criminal up front, then follow the steps taken to solve it. I liked the second half better than the first, and look forward to the one promised for next year in anticipation of further improvement.
Recommended for Bryndza fans.
If you are not already familiar with the author's works, you should read someone else's review.
I do not do long, detailed reviews because I cannot do them well... other provide that.
This new series is a welcome improvement over Robert's last work that I read, Chasing Shadows, (opinion) which I felt was a quickie for the publisher and not done to his usual quality.
Robert brings us yet another new character, DC Jamie Day... him after Kate Marshall and Erika Foster series.
Jamie is a country bumpkin, new to London and his assigned police unit. Robert does a pretty good job of describing 'the new guy' issues and problems that go along with that scenario. He develops a good cast of characters on Jamie's team... Not Barney Miller level personalities, but a good start.
Vile crimes and logical police procedural to solve the case. Be forewarned, you are told the criminal up front, then follow the steps taken to solve it. I liked the second half better than the first, and look forward to the one promised for next year in anticipation of further improvement.
Recommended for Bryndza fans.
July 9, 2026
Jamie is a small town copper promoted to Detective who upon arriving in London is asked to investigate a murder at an almost forgotten train station. A man has been slaughtered and left at the premises. He knows little of the big city, has no friends, and believes his ates at the police station are not very keen on his presence but as a result of his determination and work he discovers clues that leads to the identification of the deceased. But a second corpse is found and then a third one. In 1987 the AIDS pandemic was made worse in view of prejudice and little information retained by the public and London was on a chase against the gay community. It is the link among the dead man or is there something else? Jamie will work relentlessly with the support of his boss (Harry) and a team mates to uncover the truth. A very good start to a new series, Jamie is young and naive enough to encompass the face of young adulthood in the '80s. Looking forward to reading the second book in this series!
I thank Mr. Bryndza, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
I thank Mr. Bryndza, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
July 12, 2026
I love all of Robert Bryndza’s thrillers. He writes alot of police procedural thrillers.
All have very different settings and characters. And this one felt like an episode of criminal minds set in 1980s Britain. So I was locked in the entire book.
We know who the killer is the entire book because not only are we getting the POV of Jamie Day the young new cop but also the killer and his sick sick mind.
We are also set in the 1980s when the AIDs scare was going around and the misinformation.
Genre: Thriller / Police Procedural
APK: Ebook
Pages: 378
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Book 1 in the Detective Jamie Day Series.
All have very different settings and characters. And this one felt like an episode of criminal minds set in 1980s Britain. So I was locked in the entire book.
We know who the killer is the entire book because not only are we getting the POV of Jamie Day the young new cop but also the killer and his sick sick mind.
We are also set in the 1980s when the AIDs scare was going around and the misinformation.
Genre: Thriller / Police Procedural
APK: Ebook
Pages: 378
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Book 1 in the Detective Jamie Day Series.
July 17, 2026
First in a new series by a favourite author. This novel took me right back to when I moved to North London at the same time as the story is set. The main character is DC Jamie Day, newly transferred to the Met Police from Lowestoft - Bryndza's previous protagonists have been female so this makes a refreshing change. This was apparently going to be a standalone thriller and I'm so pleased he decided to turn it into a series. Can't wait for the next one!
July 23, 2026
Interesting setting, but less suspenseful compared to other Bryndza books because . Nonetheless, the series has a lot of potential, and I will be following it.
August 9, 2026
Robert Bryndza always keeps me gripped (& up too late, not wanting to stop reading!)
Jamie is an interesting new character, and I’ll follow his career (as it were!)
A few inaccuracies niggled me a bit (but I am a bit of a pedant!)
Jamie is an interesting new character, and I’ll follow his career (as it were!)
A few inaccuracies niggled me a bit (but I am a bit of a pedant!)
July 10, 2026
This was such a great start to a new crime series. The 1987 London setting adds a great atmosphere and the pacing never let up. I really enjoyed getting to know Jamie and can't wait to see where this new series goes. A gripping crime thriller that's hard to put down!
July 17, 2026
An easy enough read and kept you interested in the storyline/characters. I did think it was a bit rushed to end the book, which is why it gets 3 rather than 4 stars.
July 9, 2026
Jamie is looking for a killer who kills people with the illusion of a "free massage" another great nook by Robert and im looking forward to another series by him!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2026
So many people like this book ! For me it’s just exploitive and tacky. Carved up bodies and graphic autopsy. Wimpy young copper transfers to London yadahyadah.
I won’t be reading any more of this authors stuff.
I won’t be reading any more of this authors stuff.
May 4, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
Rob Bryndza is back with a brilliant new standalone.
The author does a fantastic job of describing life in the 80's and he handles the HIV/gay community topic really well. Jamie the rookie detective was a hit from the start as he is plunged into a murder case on his first day with the Met. I do like the fact the author chose not to go with a seasoned detective. Rob pulls no punches in this gritty and dark plot with some gruesome and graphic scenes. We already know who the killer is and the story revolves around how Jamie and the team work out who it is. This is a well crafted police procedural, nicely paced and very well written. The short sharp chapters add to the intrigue. Although this is a standalone I for one would love this to turn into a series and Rob has another winner on his hands
July 9, 2026
Detective Jamie Day arriving in London in The Quiet Kill honestly has the exact energy of a freshman showing up to college orientation only to accidentally wander into a Mindhunter episode. He’s got his suitcase, his little promotion, his dreams of making it in the Metropolitan Police, and London immediately responds by throwing a dismembered body at him before the man has even unpacked his socks. Incredible hospitality. Five stars for efficiency.
And Jamie is so painfully earnest that you immediately know this city is about to put him through a woodchipper emotionally. He comes from a quiet seaside town where I assume the biggest crime was someone stealing a bicycle outside a pub, and now he’s standing in a freezing train station trying not to throw up while veteran detectives chain-smoke around body parts like this is just a mildly inconvenient Tuesday. Which, to be fair, for them it kind of is.
The setting absolutely rules. Bryndza captures 1987 London with this cold, grimy specificity where you can practically smell wet wool coats, stale cigarette smoke, and the inside of a pub carpet that has seen actual crimes. Everybody smokes like they’re personally trying to keep the tobacco industry alive through sheer determination, the cops communicate through pagers and vibes, and the atmosphere is so bleak it feels like the weather itself needs therapy.
What really worked for me though was how the book handles the AIDS crisis and the treatment of gay men during that time. Because this could have gone very wrong very fast. Instead, there’s this constant undercurrent of sadness and rage beneath the procedural stuff. The victims feel human. The fear feels real. The ignorance feels infuriating in that deeply recognizable way where people decide empathy has terms and conditions. Some of the cops are decent. Some are absolutely not. And the book never lets you forget how ugly that era could be for queer people just trying to exist.
Also, the Met in this book feels less like a professional workplace and more like HR violations stacked on top of untreated trauma wearing trench coats. There’s sexism everywhere, casual homophobia flying around the squad room, and one female officer doing the emotional labor of six men while getting approximately none of the credit. So basically…the 1980s.
Jamie himself really carries the whole thing because he’s not some brooding genius detective with a divorce and a jazz record collection. He’s young and eager and trying so hard to prove himself that sometimes you want to grab him by the shoulders and yell, “Stop telling journalists things, sweetie, they are carnivorous.” The poor man makes mistakes with the confidence of someone who still believes competence alone will save him, and watching London slowly beat that optimism out of him is weirdly emotional.
I also loved that this isn’t really a whodunit in the traditional sense because we know who the killer is pretty early. Which somehow makes everything more stressful. The killer has this horrifying calmness to him, like the kind of guy who could discuss dismemberment in the same tone someone uses to explain air fryer settings. Meanwhile Jamie and the team are scrambling around trying to connect dots with 1980s technology, which honestly means actual detective work instead of somebody zooming in on a blurry security camera image until the reflection in a spoon reveals the murderer’s dental records.
The pacing is ridiculously addictive too. Bryndza writes short chapters like a man actively trying to destroy your sleep schedule. Every chapter ends with either emotional devastation, new evidence, or Jamie having another deeply humiliating professional experience, so naturally I kept reading like an absolute idiot at midnight telling myself “one more chapter” seventeen consecutive times.
And underneath all the murder and procedural tension, there’s something genuinely sad about Jamie trying to hold onto his decency in a system that seems determined to sand it off him piece by piece. That emotional thread sneaks up on you because the book never lingers too long. It just hits you with something upsetting and keeps moving, which honestly makes it land harder.
This feels very much like the beginning of a series and I genuinely hope it is because Jamie Day has massive “guy who will eventually look exhausted in increasingly compelling ways” potential. I need at least six more books of him stress-walking through London while terrible men continue ruining his week.
Easy four stars. Dark, tense, atmospheric, and compulsively readable in the exact way a good winter crime thriller should be.
Whodunity Award: For Making “Free Massage” Sound Like the Beginning of a Dateline Episode Absolutely Nobody Survives
And huge thanks to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, which completely annihilated my plans to behave responsibly or sleep at a reasonable hour. Truly sinister behavior on your part.
And Jamie is so painfully earnest that you immediately know this city is about to put him through a woodchipper emotionally. He comes from a quiet seaside town where I assume the biggest crime was someone stealing a bicycle outside a pub, and now he’s standing in a freezing train station trying not to throw up while veteran detectives chain-smoke around body parts like this is just a mildly inconvenient Tuesday. Which, to be fair, for them it kind of is.
The setting absolutely rules. Bryndza captures 1987 London with this cold, grimy specificity where you can practically smell wet wool coats, stale cigarette smoke, and the inside of a pub carpet that has seen actual crimes. Everybody smokes like they’re personally trying to keep the tobacco industry alive through sheer determination, the cops communicate through pagers and vibes, and the atmosphere is so bleak it feels like the weather itself needs therapy.
What really worked for me though was how the book handles the AIDS crisis and the treatment of gay men during that time. Because this could have gone very wrong very fast. Instead, there’s this constant undercurrent of sadness and rage beneath the procedural stuff. The victims feel human. The fear feels real. The ignorance feels infuriating in that deeply recognizable way where people decide empathy has terms and conditions. Some of the cops are decent. Some are absolutely not. And the book never lets you forget how ugly that era could be for queer people just trying to exist.
Also, the Met in this book feels less like a professional workplace and more like HR violations stacked on top of untreated trauma wearing trench coats. There’s sexism everywhere, casual homophobia flying around the squad room, and one female officer doing the emotional labor of six men while getting approximately none of the credit. So basically…the 1980s.
Jamie himself really carries the whole thing because he’s not some brooding genius detective with a divorce and a jazz record collection. He’s young and eager and trying so hard to prove himself that sometimes you want to grab him by the shoulders and yell, “Stop telling journalists things, sweetie, they are carnivorous.” The poor man makes mistakes with the confidence of someone who still believes competence alone will save him, and watching London slowly beat that optimism out of him is weirdly emotional.
I also loved that this isn’t really a whodunit in the traditional sense because we know who the killer is pretty early. Which somehow makes everything more stressful. The killer has this horrifying calmness to him, like the kind of guy who could discuss dismemberment in the same tone someone uses to explain air fryer settings. Meanwhile Jamie and the team are scrambling around trying to connect dots with 1980s technology, which honestly means actual detective work instead of somebody zooming in on a blurry security camera image until the reflection in a spoon reveals the murderer’s dental records.
The pacing is ridiculously addictive too. Bryndza writes short chapters like a man actively trying to destroy your sleep schedule. Every chapter ends with either emotional devastation, new evidence, or Jamie having another deeply humiliating professional experience, so naturally I kept reading like an absolute idiot at midnight telling myself “one more chapter” seventeen consecutive times.
And underneath all the murder and procedural tension, there’s something genuinely sad about Jamie trying to hold onto his decency in a system that seems determined to sand it off him piece by piece. That emotional thread sneaks up on you because the book never lingers too long. It just hits you with something upsetting and keeps moving, which honestly makes it land harder.
This feels very much like the beginning of a series and I genuinely hope it is because Jamie Day has massive “guy who will eventually look exhausted in increasingly compelling ways” potential. I need at least six more books of him stress-walking through London while terrible men continue ruining his week.
Easy four stars. Dark, tense, atmospheric, and compulsively readable in the exact way a good winter crime thriller should be.
Whodunity Award: For Making “Free Massage” Sound Like the Beginning of a Dateline Episode Absolutely Nobody Survives
And huge thanks to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, which completely annihilated my plans to behave responsibly or sleep at a reasonable hour. Truly sinister behavior on your part.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza
Synopsis /
Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
As winter deepens, young men are being killed late at night across London, their bodies discovered in eerily similar circumstances. The detectives soon realise they may be hunting a serial killer.
Working alongside a tough and experienced team, Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and author, Robert Bryndza for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
As a long time fan of Robert Bryndza's fiction, I was thrilled to be reading his latest, The Quiet Kill.
Even more exciting, it's the start of a brand new historical crime series which introduces the reader to Detective Constable Jamie Day.
In a major departure from his previous works, The Quiet Kill shifts from the contemporary settings of the Erika Foster and Kate Marshall books, to a series that places the reader firmly on the ground of 1987 London. There are no modern forensics in 1980s London, it's down to old school instincts and boots on the ground investigating.
The plot follows DC Jamie Day, who has just transferred to the Met Police after years of working in a quiet coastal town.
The story opens as the rookie DC is travelling to London from his home county of Suffolk. Arriving at his lodgings, Day barely has time to unload his luggage before receiving a call to attend a crime scene at Layton Station in East London. Upon arrival, he's met by the Station Master who informed him that while performing his usual rounds of the station he came upon the grim discovery of a dismembered body.
As the story continues, more young men are found dead under eerily similar circumstances across London, and DC Day and his new team realise they are hunting a calculated serial killer.
My first instinct was to rebel at this change in scenery. This reader is used to the seasoned, battle-hardened protagonists, DCI Erika Foster and Kate Marshall, whose mere presence commands a room. By contrast, DC Day is a rookie, a naïve 'outsider' learning how to be a detective while trying to survive the toxic working environment of the 1980s Met Police. Portrayed as out of his depth and seriously questioning his decision to apply for this position. However, it's his vulnerability and less experienced nature that make him appear as a more realistic protagonist and someone with whom the reader wills to succeed. Ultimately, it was the combination of well-crafted characters, a deeply atmospheric mystery, and razor-sharp writing that finally won me over.
In what this reader has come to realise is Bryndza's signature style, The Quiet Kill features short, punchy chapters that consistently end on cliffhangers, making it an addictive, "just-one-more-chapter" experience.
With thanks to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and the very talented Robert Bryndza 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 09, 2026.
Synopsis /
Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day arrives in London determined to prove himself. After years policing a quiet seaside town, his promotion to the Metropolitan Police feels like the opportunity he has been waiting for.
But the capital is a very different world.
On his first day in plain clothes, Jamie makes a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man, left in a dark corner of the city. What should have been a routine first shift quickly becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation.
Then another victim is found.
As winter deepens, young men are being killed late at night across London, their bodies discovered in eerily similar circumstances. The detectives soon realise they may be hunting a serial killer.
Working alongside a tough and experienced team, Jamie must prove he belongs while navigating the pressures of a high-profile investigation. But as the case grows darker, the killer’s pattern begins to emerge. And if they don’t stop him soon, another body will be waiting in the shadows.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and author, Robert Bryndza for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
As a long time fan of Robert Bryndza's fiction, I was thrilled to be reading his latest, The Quiet Kill.
Even more exciting, it's the start of a brand new historical crime series which introduces the reader to Detective Constable Jamie Day.
In a major departure from his previous works, The Quiet Kill shifts from the contemporary settings of the Erika Foster and Kate Marshall books, to a series that places the reader firmly on the ground of 1987 London. There are no modern forensics in 1980s London, it's down to old school instincts and boots on the ground investigating.
The plot follows DC Jamie Day, who has just transferred to the Met Police after years of working in a quiet coastal town.
The story opens as the rookie DC is travelling to London from his home county of Suffolk. Arriving at his lodgings, Day barely has time to unload his luggage before receiving a call to attend a crime scene at Layton Station in East London. Upon arrival, he's met by the Station Master who informed him that while performing his usual rounds of the station he came upon the grim discovery of a dismembered body.
As the story continues, more young men are found dead under eerily similar circumstances across London, and DC Day and his new team realise they are hunting a calculated serial killer.
My first instinct was to rebel at this change in scenery. This reader is used to the seasoned, battle-hardened protagonists, DCI Erika Foster and Kate Marshall, whose mere presence commands a room. By contrast, DC Day is a rookie, a naïve 'outsider' learning how to be a detective while trying to survive the toxic working environment of the 1980s Met Police. Portrayed as out of his depth and seriously questioning his decision to apply for this position. However, it's his vulnerability and less experienced nature that make him appear as a more realistic protagonist and someone with whom the reader wills to succeed. Ultimately, it was the combination of well-crafted characters, a deeply atmospheric mystery, and razor-sharp writing that finally won me over.
In what this reader has come to realise is Bryndza's signature style, The Quiet Kill features short, punchy chapters that consistently end on cliffhangers, making it an addictive, "just-one-more-chapter" experience.
With thanks to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and the very talented Robert Bryndza 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 09, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza, and Raven Street Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Robert Bryndza has long established himself as one of the most dependable and accomplished voices in modern crime fiction. Whether through his bestselling Erika Foster novels, the gripping Kate Marshall series, or his standalone thrillers, Bryndza consistently delivers intricate investigations, compelling characters, and expertly crafted suspense. With this latest release, he takes readers back to the late 1980s and introduces an entirely new detective in what promises to be another standout series. Atmospheric, intelligent, and relentlessly engaging, this is a police procedural that showcases Bryndza at the height of his storytelling powers.
Winter, 1987. Detective Constable Jamie Day arrives in London eager to prove himself after time policing in a small community. Fresh-faced and ambitious, he expects challenges, but nothing prepares him for what awaits on his very first day. The discovery of a brutally dismembered body thrusts him into the centre of a major murder investigation that quickly escalates when a second victim is found. As panic spreads across the city and sensational headlines dominate the newspapers, it becomes increasingly clear that a serial killer is stalking London’s streets. Working alongside a seasoned investigative team, Day must learn quickly, navigate the pressures of big-city policing, and help stop a killer before more lives are lost.
Bryndza excels at constructing layered investigations, and this novel is no exception. The mystery unfolds with precision, revealing clues and connections at exactly the right moments while never surrendering too much information. Every lead raises fresh questions, every discovery deepens the intrigue, and every chapter propels the reader further into the darkness of the case. The pacing is exceptional throughout, balancing procedural detail with mounting suspense and ensuring there is never a lull in the narrative. The short, sharp chapters make the story almost impossible to put down.
Jamie Day emerges as an outstanding new protagonist. Thrust into unfamiliar surroundings and under immense pressure, he combines intelligence, determination, and vulnerability in ways that make him immediately relatable. Watching him adapt to the demands of the Metropolitan Police while confronting a complex and horrifying investigation creates a compelling emotional core that strengthens the novel at every turn. Bryndza surrounds him with an equally strong supporting cast, each adding depth, personality, and authenticity to the story while laying the groundwork for future installments.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its unpredictability. Bryndza remains a master of misdirection, carefully controlling the flow of information and keeping readers perpetually off balance. Just when the investigation appears to be moving toward clarity, another revelation emerges to challenge assumptions and raise the stakes even higher. The tension builds steadily throughout, culminating in a conclusion that is both surprising and deeply satisfying.
As with Bryndza’s finest work, this is a thriller that effortlessly captures the reader’s attention and refuses to let go. Rich in atmosphere, sharp in execution, and driven by a superb central mystery, it is a stellar introduction to Jamie Day and an outstanding beginning to what should become another highly successful series. Fans of crime fiction, police procedurals, and serial killer investigations will find themselves completely engrossed from the opening pages to the final twist.
Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for taking us back in time but never sacrificing the quality of the policing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Robert Bryndza has long established himself as one of the most dependable and accomplished voices in modern crime fiction. Whether through his bestselling Erika Foster novels, the gripping Kate Marshall series, or his standalone thrillers, Bryndza consistently delivers intricate investigations, compelling characters, and expertly crafted suspense. With this latest release, he takes readers back to the late 1980s and introduces an entirely new detective in what promises to be another standout series. Atmospheric, intelligent, and relentlessly engaging, this is a police procedural that showcases Bryndza at the height of his storytelling powers.
Winter, 1987. Detective Constable Jamie Day arrives in London eager to prove himself after time policing in a small community. Fresh-faced and ambitious, he expects challenges, but nothing prepares him for what awaits on his very first day. The discovery of a brutally dismembered body thrusts him into the centre of a major murder investigation that quickly escalates when a second victim is found. As panic spreads across the city and sensational headlines dominate the newspapers, it becomes increasingly clear that a serial killer is stalking London’s streets. Working alongside a seasoned investigative team, Day must learn quickly, navigate the pressures of big-city policing, and help stop a killer before more lives are lost.
Bryndza excels at constructing layered investigations, and this novel is no exception. The mystery unfolds with precision, revealing clues and connections at exactly the right moments while never surrendering too much information. Every lead raises fresh questions, every discovery deepens the intrigue, and every chapter propels the reader further into the darkness of the case. The pacing is exceptional throughout, balancing procedural detail with mounting suspense and ensuring there is never a lull in the narrative. The short, sharp chapters make the story almost impossible to put down.
Jamie Day emerges as an outstanding new protagonist. Thrust into unfamiliar surroundings and under immense pressure, he combines intelligence, determination, and vulnerability in ways that make him immediately relatable. Watching him adapt to the demands of the Metropolitan Police while confronting a complex and horrifying investigation creates a compelling emotional core that strengthens the novel at every turn. Bryndza surrounds him with an equally strong supporting cast, each adding depth, personality, and authenticity to the story while laying the groundwork for future installments.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its unpredictability. Bryndza remains a master of misdirection, carefully controlling the flow of information and keeping readers perpetually off balance. Just when the investigation appears to be moving toward clarity, another revelation emerges to challenge assumptions and raise the stakes even higher. The tension builds steadily throughout, culminating in a conclusion that is both surprising and deeply satisfying.
As with Bryndza’s finest work, this is a thriller that effortlessly captures the reader’s attention and refuses to let go. Rich in atmosphere, sharp in execution, and driven by a superb central mystery, it is a stellar introduction to Jamie Day and an outstanding beginning to what should become another highly successful series. Fans of crime fiction, police procedurals, and serial killer investigations will find themselves completely engrossed from the opening pages to the final twist.
Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for taking us back in time but never sacrificing the quality of the policing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: June 29th 2026
"Jamie didn't like this at all. This wasn't why he'd signed up for the police."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
July 12, 2026
A Killer in Plain Sight<\b>
The Quiet Kill was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I discovered Robert Bryndza when I took a chance on The Girl in the Ice, and I’m so glad I did. I immediately became a huge fan of his Erika Foster series, along with everything else he has written. As soon as I learned he was starting a brand-new series, I preordered the first book and eagerly counted down to its release. I’m delighted to say it exceeded my expectations.
Robert Bryndza is an expert at crafting gritty, hard-hitting crime fiction that feels both authentic and emotionally engaging. From the opening chapters, the novel contains some horrifying and disturbing scenes involving abuse and violence, yet these difficult subjects are handled with great sensitivity and compassion. His characters are wonderfully believable, whether they are people you instinctively root for or those you quickly come to despise.
Set in the late 1980s, the novel perfectly captures the atmosphere of the period. Having lived through that era myself, I found the details remarkably authentic, and the familiar London locations brought back many memories of a time when life felt so much simpler. The historical backdrop is more than just a setting; it becomes an integral part of the story, particularly as the plot explores the AIDS crisis and the prejudice, fear and misunderstanding experienced by many homosexual men during that time.
There are moments that some readers may find upsetting, but they are never gratuitous. Instead, they serve to highlight the harsh realities of the period while driving a compelling and deeply absorbing investigation. Although the identity of the killer is known to the reader from an early stage, the tension comes from watching the police painstakingly close in on him. Time and again, just when I was convinced he was finally about to be identified and arrested, his slippery nature allowed him to evade suspicion and slip through their fingers. I found those moments both frustrating and utterly compelling, and they kept me eagerly turning the pages to see when, and indeed if, justice would finally catch up with him.
I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting DC Jamie Day. He is an engaging and likeable protagonist whose introduction to both the reader and his new team is handled brilliantly. There is already enough depth to his character to make me eager to follow his future investigations, while still leaving plenty to discover in the books to come.
The conclusion was both cleverly executed and surprisingly satisfying, with a touch of humour that I wasn’t expecting but thoroughly enjoyed. It also sets the stage perfectly for the next instalment in what promises to be another outstanding series. Needless to say, I have already preordered the next book and cannot wait to join Jamie Day on his next investigation. If I could award this novel more than five stars, I most certainly would.
The Quiet Kill was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I discovered Robert Bryndza when I took a chance on The Girl in the Ice, and I’m so glad I did. I immediately became a huge fan of his Erika Foster series, along with everything else he has written. As soon as I learned he was starting a brand-new series, I preordered the first book and eagerly counted down to its release. I’m delighted to say it exceeded my expectations.
Robert Bryndza is an expert at crafting gritty, hard-hitting crime fiction that feels both authentic and emotionally engaging. From the opening chapters, the novel contains some horrifying and disturbing scenes involving abuse and violence, yet these difficult subjects are handled with great sensitivity and compassion. His characters are wonderfully believable, whether they are people you instinctively root for or those you quickly come to despise.
Set in the late 1980s, the novel perfectly captures the atmosphere of the period. Having lived through that era myself, I found the details remarkably authentic, and the familiar London locations brought back many memories of a time when life felt so much simpler. The historical backdrop is more than just a setting; it becomes an integral part of the story, particularly as the plot explores the AIDS crisis and the prejudice, fear and misunderstanding experienced by many homosexual men during that time.
There are moments that some readers may find upsetting, but they are never gratuitous. Instead, they serve to highlight the harsh realities of the period while driving a compelling and deeply absorbing investigation. Although the identity of the killer is known to the reader from an early stage, the tension comes from watching the police painstakingly close in on him. Time and again, just when I was convinced he was finally about to be identified and arrested, his slippery nature allowed him to evade suspicion and slip through their fingers. I found those moments both frustrating and utterly compelling, and they kept me eagerly turning the pages to see when, and indeed if, justice would finally catch up with him.
I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting DC Jamie Day. He is an engaging and likeable protagonist whose introduction to both the reader and his new team is handled brilliantly. There is already enough depth to his character to make me eager to follow his future investigations, while still leaving plenty to discover in the books to come.
The conclusion was both cleverly executed and surprisingly satisfying, with a touch of humour that I wasn’t expecting but thoroughly enjoyed. It also sets the stage perfectly for the next instalment in what promises to be another outstanding series. Needless to say, I have already preordered the next book and cannot wait to join Jamie Day on his next investigation. If I could award this novel more than five stars, I most certainly would.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was really interested to see that Robert Bryndza was starting a brand-new crime series, especially as I’d enjoyed some of his earlier books, so I was keen to see what direction he would take this one in. Overall, I think this has the potential to become a really solid series, and it certainly left me wanting to read the next instalment.
One of the things I loved most was that Bryndza didn’t hold back when it came to the murders. They were gruesome, unsettling, and described in full detail without ever feeling gratuitous. There was no tiptoeing around the horror of the crimes, and that made the investigation feel much darker and more impactful. It definitely isn’t a book for the squeamish, but I appreciated that it committed fully to the tone it was aiming for.
I was also excited when I realised the story was set in the late 1980s. I’ve really been enjoying books and television set during that era recently, and I was looking forward to being immersed in all that nostalgia. Unfortunately, I do think this was where the book missed the mark slightly. There were moments that reminded you of the time period, particularly the police having to find a physical telephone rather than simply pulling out a mobile, but beyond that, I never truly felt transported back to the 80s. I wanted more of the music, culture, attitudes, and little everyday details that really bring a setting to life. It wasn’t bad by any means; it just never quite captured the nostalgic atmosphere I was hoping for.
The investigation itself kept me engaged throughout, and I thought Bryndza did a great job of laying the foundations for what could become a strong, long-running series. With a first book, there’s always a balancing act between introducing the characters and telling an engaging mystery, and I think this managed that well. I particularly liked Jamie as a lead. At first he comes across as quite inexperienced, but every so often he surprises both the people around him and the reader by showing a quiet confidence and instinct that suggests there’s much more to him than first impressions would have you believe. I’m interested to see how his character develops over future books.
The ending, however, felt a little rushed. After such a steady build-up, the killer suddenly started making decisions that didn’t quite ring true to me, and it all wrapped up rather quickly. It wasn’t enough to spoil my enjoyment, but it did leave me wishing the final confrontation had been given a little more time to breathe.
Despite those few niggles, I still really enjoyed this. It was a gripping crime novel with some genuinely disturbing moments, an engaging investigation, and enough character development to make me want to continue with the series. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where Bryndza takes Jamie next.
One of the things I loved most was that Bryndza didn’t hold back when it came to the murders. They were gruesome, unsettling, and described in full detail without ever feeling gratuitous. There was no tiptoeing around the horror of the crimes, and that made the investigation feel much darker and more impactful. It definitely isn’t a book for the squeamish, but I appreciated that it committed fully to the tone it was aiming for.
I was also excited when I realised the story was set in the late 1980s. I’ve really been enjoying books and television set during that era recently, and I was looking forward to being immersed in all that nostalgia. Unfortunately, I do think this was where the book missed the mark slightly. There were moments that reminded you of the time period, particularly the police having to find a physical telephone rather than simply pulling out a mobile, but beyond that, I never truly felt transported back to the 80s. I wanted more of the music, culture, attitudes, and little everyday details that really bring a setting to life. It wasn’t bad by any means; it just never quite captured the nostalgic atmosphere I was hoping for.
The investigation itself kept me engaged throughout, and I thought Bryndza did a great job of laying the foundations for what could become a strong, long-running series. With a first book, there’s always a balancing act between introducing the characters and telling an engaging mystery, and I think this managed that well. I particularly liked Jamie as a lead. At first he comes across as quite inexperienced, but every so often he surprises both the people around him and the reader by showing a quiet confidence and instinct that suggests there’s much more to him than first impressions would have you believe. I’m interested to see how his character develops over future books.
The ending, however, felt a little rushed. After such a steady build-up, the killer suddenly started making decisions that didn’t quite ring true to me, and it all wrapped up rather quickly. It wasn’t enough to spoil my enjoyment, but it did leave me wishing the final confrontation had been given a little more time to breathe.
Despite those few niggles, I still really enjoyed this. It was a gripping crime novel with some genuinely disturbing moments, an engaging investigation, and enough character development to make me want to continue with the series. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where Bryndza takes Jamie next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quiet Kill
by Robert Bryndza is the first book in a new historical police procedural set in London, England during the winter of 1987. Detective Constable Jamie Day is on his way from Suffolk to London the day before he’s supposed to start work when he is paged. There’s a report of a dead body near a train station and he’s supposed to go there. His promotion to the Metropolitan Police is starting a little early.
Jamie finds there’s the dismembered body of a young man at the scene. This becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation with another victim being found soon afterwards. The detectives some realize they may be hunting a serial killer. Working alongside an experienced team, can Jamie prove he belongs while dealing with a high-profile investigation?
Jamie is smart, insightful, and stands up to bullies without being confrontational. He relies on intuition and methodical footwork. He also treats the victims with dignity and respect. However, he is also a people-pleaser and somewhat gullible and too trusting which can cause problems in his job. His colleagues have adequate depth for the first book in the series.
The author does a great job of setting an atmosphere that worked well with the book. The bleak and icy winter worked well with the disturbing murder scenes. He also does a great job of illustrating realistic police work of the times. The lack of computers and cell phones makes a marked difference in speed of communication and data as well as the status of DNA profiling. The AIDS crisis of the times is heavily portrayed and the author captures the fear, ignorance, and tension well. Also highlighted is the 1980s police culture.
Readers of the novel learn who the antagonist is well before the police, but that doesn’t take away from the excellent novel. The scenes with this killer are dark and gritty as they unfold. Additionally, the novel explores systemic police corruption and internal hostility. The author uses the flaws and limitations of the times to increase the suspense and making the investigation feel realistic and high-stakes despite the slower narrative pacing.
Overall, the novel is compelling, dark, and feels authentic. It has a gripping dual perspective between the killer and Jamie that adds psychological suspense. Some scenes are graphic and could be unsettling to some readers. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Raven Street Publishing and Robert Bryndza provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 09, 2026.
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My 4.38 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Jamie finds there’s the dismembered body of a young man at the scene. This becomes the beginning of a major murder investigation with another victim being found soon afterwards. The detectives some realize they may be hunting a serial killer. Working alongside an experienced team, can Jamie prove he belongs while dealing with a high-profile investigation?
Jamie is smart, insightful, and stands up to bullies without being confrontational. He relies on intuition and methodical footwork. He also treats the victims with dignity and respect. However, he is also a people-pleaser and somewhat gullible and too trusting which can cause problems in his job. His colleagues have adequate depth for the first book in the series.
The author does a great job of setting an atmosphere that worked well with the book. The bleak and icy winter worked well with the disturbing murder scenes. He also does a great job of illustrating realistic police work of the times. The lack of computers and cell phones makes a marked difference in speed of communication and data as well as the status of DNA profiling. The AIDS crisis of the times is heavily portrayed and the author captures the fear, ignorance, and tension well. Also highlighted is the 1980s police culture.
Readers of the novel learn who the antagonist is well before the police, but that doesn’t take away from the excellent novel. The scenes with this killer are dark and gritty as they unfold. Additionally, the novel explores systemic police corruption and internal hostility. The author uses the flaws and limitations of the times to increase the suspense and making the investigation feel realistic and high-stakes despite the slower narrative pacing.
Overall, the novel is compelling, dark, and feels authentic. It has a gripping dual perspective between the killer and Jamie that adds psychological suspense. Some scenes are graphic and could be unsettling to some readers. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Raven Street Publishing and Robert Bryndza provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 09, 2026.
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My 4.38 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
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