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Detective Jamie Day #1
The Quiet Kill
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
6 days and 10:26:52
100 copies available
U.S. only
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.
The Quiet Kill, is the latest page-turner from multi-million bestselling author Robert Bryndza, so gripping it will keep you reading long past bedtime.
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.
The Quiet Kill, is the latest page-turner from multi-million bestselling author Robert Bryndza, so gripping it will keep you reading long past bedtime.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 9, 2026
About the author
Robert Bryndza
40 books7,328 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
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.
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.
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
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
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.
------------------------
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.
------------------------
My 4.38 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gripping, tense, chilling, and suspenseful, The Quiet Kill is another addictive read by Robert Brydza! I have been a fan of his books since I picked up The Girl in the Ice. I have now read 16 of his books and have enjoyed every single one of them. If you have not read one of his books, you are seriously missing out! Besides his wonderful writing, well thought out books, and riveting plots, Robert Bryndza excels at writing characters that readers care about. I love his Detective Erica Foster and Kate Marshall series and highly recommend them. I can now say that I can't wait to read more about what comes Detective Jamie Day's way.
In The Quiet Kill, Detective Jamie Day has moved to London to work for the Metropolitan Police as a plain clothes officer. On his first day, the body of a dismembered young man has been found. Jamie is thrust into the investigation along with his new team and feels the pressure not only to fit in but to prove himself.
This book is set in 1987, and I thought the author did a tremendous job depicting time and place. He also showed various personalities on the police force and how Jamie Day tried to find his footing and become a member of the team. The book also gives readers a glimpse into the mind of the killer and some of those scenes are chilling which had me on the edge of my seat wondering how or if the killer would ever be caught! This book had some great detective work but also showed the assumptions made and prejudices that were around in the 1980's surrounding the gay community and AIDS.
This is another captivating page turner by Bryndza! I loved the tension, the danger, the suspense, and the dread that jumped from the pages! As I already mentioned, I also love Bryndza's writing and riveting plot in this book. I could not help but like Jamie Day and look forward to reading more about him in future books!!!!!
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
In The Quiet Kill, Detective Jamie Day has moved to London to work for the Metropolitan Police as a plain clothes officer. On his first day, the body of a dismembered young man has been found. Jamie is thrust into the investigation along with his new team and feels the pressure not only to fit in but to prove himself.
This book is set in 1987, and I thought the author did a tremendous job depicting time and place. He also showed various personalities on the police force and how Jamie Day tried to find his footing and become a member of the team. The book also gives readers a glimpse into the mind of the killer and some of those scenes are chilling which had me on the edge of my seat wondering how or if the killer would ever be caught! This book had some great detective work but also showed the assumptions made and prejudices that were around in the 1980's surrounding the gay community and AIDS.
This is another captivating page turner by Bryndza! I loved the tension, the danger, the suspense, and the dread that jumped from the pages! As I already mentioned, I also love Bryndza's writing and riveting plot in this book. I could not help but like Jamie Day and look forward to reading more about him in future books!!!!!
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
On a chilly, dreary winter morning in 1987, Detective James “Jamie” Day is headed to work for his first day on the job in London. He’s recently been promoted to the murder squad of the Metropolitan Police, having left his small, seaside town for London. He comes upon a gruesome discovery: a dismembered corpse in a bag at the train station. Welcome to the big city, Jamie Day.
This turns out to be the first of in a series of similar murders, most involving gay men. This was the era when London was the epicenter of the UK’s AIDS crisis. There was a stigma against gay men, and the government attempted to counter the fear by launching a campaign to educate the public about the disease. Throughout the book, Jamie and his police colleagues seem, for the most part, to be highly professional both in public and in private when dealing with the subject. They are highly conscious of public opinion and are protective of the victims’ identities and private information.
Almost from the onset, the reader becomes aware of the identity of the killer. We get a bird’s-eye view of him in action, and the question becomes how and when will he slip up and be caught?
The focus also is on Jamie, the newcomer to the murder squad, how his fellow officers treat him, how he handles himself in the field, and how he relates to the well-to-do family in his bedsit outside the city. He’s not a rookie officer, but he’s out of his element in London. He has good instincts, however, and he learns quickly. Even when mistake lands him in hot water, he recovers and get back in the good graces of his boss.
Bryndza is a master not only at police procedurals but at creating suspense and interesting characters. Jamie Day is a likeable, interesting character, a fellow with ideals and principle. He sees that some of his colleagues who have “been around the block” have learned to take some rather iffy deals to solve cases and make arrests. Having gone through an experience that got him in trouble, it’s unlikely that he will follow suit, it’s likely that he will do his utmost to keep his nose clean. Here’s hoping that Jamie Day will be featured in more novels in the future.
Due to the subject matter, The Quiet Kill may not be a book for every reader. I found the characters, particularly Jamie, to be quite well written. I also appreciated Rob Bryndza’s handling of the subject of HIV/AIDS and of the gay community.
I received a digital copy of The Quiet Kill as an ARC. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley,
And Raven Street Publishing.
4 stars
This turns out to be the first of in a series of similar murders, most involving gay men. This was the era when London was the epicenter of the UK’s AIDS crisis. There was a stigma against gay men, and the government attempted to counter the fear by launching a campaign to educate the public about the disease. Throughout the book, Jamie and his police colleagues seem, for the most part, to be highly professional both in public and in private when dealing with the subject. They are highly conscious of public opinion and are protective of the victims’ identities and private information.
Almost from the onset, the reader becomes aware of the identity of the killer. We get a bird’s-eye view of him in action, and the question becomes how and when will he slip up and be caught?
The focus also is on Jamie, the newcomer to the murder squad, how his fellow officers treat him, how he handles himself in the field, and how he relates to the well-to-do family in his bedsit outside the city. He’s not a rookie officer, but he’s out of his element in London. He has good instincts, however, and he learns quickly. Even when mistake lands him in hot water, he recovers and get back in the good graces of his boss.
Bryndza is a master not only at police procedurals but at creating suspense and interesting characters. Jamie Day is a likeable, interesting character, a fellow with ideals and principle. He sees that some of his colleagues who have “been around the block” have learned to take some rather iffy deals to solve cases and make arrests. Having gone through an experience that got him in trouble, it’s unlikely that he will follow suit, it’s likely that he will do his utmost to keep his nose clean. Here’s hoping that Jamie Day will be featured in more novels in the future.
Due to the subject matter, The Quiet Kill may not be a book for every reader. I found the characters, particularly Jamie, to be quite well written. I also appreciated Rob Bryndza’s handling of the subject of HIV/AIDS and of the gay community.
I received a digital copy of The Quiet Kill as an ARC. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley,
And Raven Street Publishing.
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There’s always a certain anticipation that comes with a new Robert Bryndza release, and as someone who’s read everything he’s written, The Quiet Kill was never going to sit unread for long. Thankfully, it more than delivers.
This time, the reader is transported back to a bleak, wintry London in 1987.
From the start, there is an immediate sense of unease; it’s dark, gritty and quietly menacing from the outset. From the moment Jamie Day steps into his new role with the Metropolitan Police, his first case comes as a shock. It’s horrifying, gruesome, and intense, but little does Jamie know the investigation quickly spirals into something far more disturbing.
What really stood out for me was how vividly Robert Bryndza brings 1980s London to life. The city feels cold, unforgiving, and filled with an undercurrent of danger. From the dark streets to the atmosphere within his team, everything feels claustrophobic and charged, pulling you straight into the heart of the investigation. The inclusion of the AIDS crisis also adds real emotional depth to the story, reflecting the fear, stigma, and misunderstanding that cast such a shadow over London during that time.
Jamie is a strong addition to the authors cast of characters. He’s inexperienced without being frustrating, determined without being overconfident, and that balance works so well. Watching him try to prove himself within a seasoned team while dealing with the growing horror of the case adds a compelling edge to the story. You want him to succeed, even when things start slipping out of control.
And the case itself? It’s chilling. The pattern of the murders slowly emerging, combined with the sense that the killer is always one step ahead, creates the kind of plot that tightens its grip the more you read. Robert Bryndza paces it brilliantly, layering tension with just enough revelation to keep you completely hooked. If you’re familiar with this author’s work, you’ll recognise the hallmarks: sharp writing, short chapters, and that relentless pull to keep reading.
For longtime readers, The Quiet Kill is a really satisfying standalone that shows Robert Bryndza still knows exactly how to deliver a gripping, character driven thriller. Even as a standalone, Jamie Day feels like a character with plenty more stories to tell, and I’d love to see this become the start of a new series. Dark, atmospheric, and completely gripping, The Quiet Kill is another hit from an author who never fails to delivery. Highly recommended.
This time, the reader is transported back to a bleak, wintry London in 1987.
From the start, there is an immediate sense of unease; it’s dark, gritty and quietly menacing from the outset. From the moment Jamie Day steps into his new role with the Metropolitan Police, his first case comes as a shock. It’s horrifying, gruesome, and intense, but little does Jamie know the investigation quickly spirals into something far more disturbing.
What really stood out for me was how vividly Robert Bryndza brings 1980s London to life. The city feels cold, unforgiving, and filled with an undercurrent of danger. From the dark streets to the atmosphere within his team, everything feels claustrophobic and charged, pulling you straight into the heart of the investigation. The inclusion of the AIDS crisis also adds real emotional depth to the story, reflecting the fear, stigma, and misunderstanding that cast such a shadow over London during that time.
Jamie is a strong addition to the authors cast of characters. He’s inexperienced without being frustrating, determined without being overconfident, and that balance works so well. Watching him try to prove himself within a seasoned team while dealing with the growing horror of the case adds a compelling edge to the story. You want him to succeed, even when things start slipping out of control.
And the case itself? It’s chilling. The pattern of the murders slowly emerging, combined with the sense that the killer is always one step ahead, creates the kind of plot that tightens its grip the more you read. Robert Bryndza paces it brilliantly, layering tension with just enough revelation to keep you completely hooked. If you’re familiar with this author’s work, you’ll recognise the hallmarks: sharp writing, short chapters, and that relentless pull to keep reading.
For longtime readers, The Quiet Kill is a really satisfying standalone that shows Robert Bryndza still knows exactly how to deliver a gripping, character driven thriller. Even as a standalone, Jamie Day feels like a character with plenty more stories to tell, and I’d love to see this become the start of a new series. Dark, atmospheric, and completely gripping, The Quiet Kill is another hit from an author who never fails to delivery. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quiet Kill hits us with emotional shrapnel.
Robert Bryndza switches gears and takes us back to the Winter of 1987 in London. Historically speaking, it was the best of times and it was the worst of times. Bryndza doesn't hold back in how he depicts this era. Like in other streets in other cities, racism, misogyny, and homophobic behaviors were rampant. The gay community was dealing with the ground shaking scare of AIDS/HIV and living in the surround sound of misunderstanding and ignorance by those on the outside.
Byrndza introduces us to Detective Jamie Day, a recent newbie to the Metro Police. Jamie lugs his suitcase up the stairs of his new lodgings. He's not even unpacked when the call comes in. A body has been found nearby at a train station. With youth pumping in his veins and the zealousness to please, Jamie is the first one on the scene. But what his eyes behold will stay with him for a lifetime. The station master shines a light on the body of a dismembered young man. And so this story begins with the gruesome discovery of others and into a world that engages with Jamie who seeks answers and justice.
Robert Bryndza is a master of police procedurals and crime novels. Bryndza turns the tables in this one and we actually lock eyes with the killer from the onset. We harbor this knowledge and it elevates the pressures points from within. We view the killer existing in his cozy set-up and we find ourselves squirming as we observe his cold and calculating mannerisms. Will he ever be stopped?
Bryndza has hit on a winning element in the likes of Detective Jamie Day. The majority of crime novels feature tried-and-true detectives who have been on the force for eons. Not Jamie. It is refreshing to come upon a character who has the stamina of youth and who has not yet been tainted by the system. Jamie is one of us......seeking only the facts and seeking only the truth. Please, Robert Bryndza, make this one into a series set in 1987. The avenues will be endless. And, once again, you deserve a standing ovation for The Quiet Kill. Brilliant as always.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Raven Street Publishing and to the talented Robert Bryndza for the opportunity.
Robert Bryndza switches gears and takes us back to the Winter of 1987 in London. Historically speaking, it was the best of times and it was the worst of times. Bryndza doesn't hold back in how he depicts this era. Like in other streets in other cities, racism, misogyny, and homophobic behaviors were rampant. The gay community was dealing with the ground shaking scare of AIDS/HIV and living in the surround sound of misunderstanding and ignorance by those on the outside.
Byrndza introduces us to Detective Jamie Day, a recent newbie to the Metro Police. Jamie lugs his suitcase up the stairs of his new lodgings. He's not even unpacked when the call comes in. A body has been found nearby at a train station. With youth pumping in his veins and the zealousness to please, Jamie is the first one on the scene. But what his eyes behold will stay with him for a lifetime. The station master shines a light on the body of a dismembered young man. And so this story begins with the gruesome discovery of others and into a world that engages with Jamie who seeks answers and justice.
Robert Bryndza is a master of police procedurals and crime novels. Bryndza turns the tables in this one and we actually lock eyes with the killer from the onset. We harbor this knowledge and it elevates the pressures points from within. We view the killer existing in his cozy set-up and we find ourselves squirming as we observe his cold and calculating mannerisms. Will he ever be stopped?
Bryndza has hit on a winning element in the likes of Detective Jamie Day. The majority of crime novels feature tried-and-true detectives who have been on the force for eons. Not Jamie. It is refreshing to come upon a character who has the stamina of youth and who has not yet been tainted by the system. Jamie is one of us......seeking only the facts and seeking only the truth. Please, Robert Bryndza, make this one into a series set in 1987. The avenues will be endless. And, once again, you deserve a standing ovation for The Quiet Kill. Brilliant as always.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Raven Street Publishing and to the talented Robert Bryndza for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
London in 1987 is freezing, gray, and foul. Robert Bryndza takes us into this concrete wasteland with The Quiet Kill. We get Detective Jamie Day. He left a boring seaside town for the Metropolitan Police, looking for a challenge. He gets one immediately. His first shift turns up a young man cut to pieces in a dark alley. Then another body appears. This is not a cozy mystery with tea and puzzles. It is a story about bleak urban streets, bad light, and a serial killer hunting before DNA testing existed.
The book moves like an express train. Chapters are short. Sentences stay brief and blunt. Bryndza writes for speed, but that speed costs something. Jamie Day adapts to London too quickly. His new partners look like typical grumpy TV cops at first, then they just become helpful tools for the plot. The investigation relies on finding new bodies rather than smart detective work. The machinery runs fine, but you can see the tracks. The twists land exactly when you think they will. Some moments require you to close your eyes to the logic gaps just to keep reading.
Beneath the gore, Bryndza hits an ugly, permanent human truth. The killer targets young men who live on the margins, people the big city ignores. It shows a society too cold and busy to care about the missing. Institutional neglect feels heavier than the winter weather.
This is basic, functional genre fiction. It gives you a high body count and zero pretense. It will not change how you view literature. The clues drop into the plot a bit too perfectly, and the setup feels lifted from old British television cop shows. Still, Bryndza has a lean, direct way of handling a story. The book stays minimal and sharp enough to work. It is a solid, dark distraction for a rainy afternoon, satisfying a basic craving for a street thriller before you forget it completely.
A fast, basic retro crime novel for readers who want a dark British procedural with short chapters and no complex literary experiments.
The book moves like an express train. Chapters are short. Sentences stay brief and blunt. Bryndza writes for speed, but that speed costs something. Jamie Day adapts to London too quickly. His new partners look like typical grumpy TV cops at first, then they just become helpful tools for the plot. The investigation relies on finding new bodies rather than smart detective work. The machinery runs fine, but you can see the tracks. The twists land exactly when you think they will. Some moments require you to close your eyes to the logic gaps just to keep reading.
Beneath the gore, Bryndza hits an ugly, permanent human truth. The killer targets young men who live on the margins, people the big city ignores. It shows a society too cold and busy to care about the missing. Institutional neglect feels heavier than the winter weather.
This is basic, functional genre fiction. It gives you a high body count and zero pretense. It will not change how you view literature. The clues drop into the plot a bit too perfectly, and the setup feels lifted from old British television cop shows. Still, Bryndza has a lean, direct way of handling a story. The book stays minimal and sharp enough to work. It is a solid, dark distraction for a rainy afternoon, satisfying a basic craving for a street thriller before you forget it completely.
A fast, basic retro crime novel for readers who want a dark British procedural with short chapters and no complex literary experiments.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s 1987 in London, and there may be a serial killer on the loose. On his very first day as a city detective, Jamie arrives at the scene of a body found at a train station. Well, more like body parts, as it was dismembered. What a welcome to the job! And because it’s 1987, the rest of his team are pretty old school in how they treat the investigation. The lone female on the team is given the easy work and the coffee-fetching tasks. There’s plenty of racist and homophobic behavior among the grizzled veterans on the force, worse than usual for this case, because it’s smack in the middle of the AIDS hysteria.
People still think they can catch it just from being in close proximity to someone infected, and it’s a wonder the police are even giving the case attention when male escorts are some of the top suspects. It’s only when more dismembered bodies are found that the investigation is given serious scrutiny and higher priority because of the lure of a possible serial killer.
The reader is introduced to the killer early on, and there are some graphic scenes of sexual assault. We know what’s going on, but we can tell it will be a tough one for the detectives to piece together because this predator is good at covering his tracks. Doubly so because this was decades ago, when DNA profiling was in its infancy, and cops had to rely on pagers to communicate.
I love those days when it wasn’t just a matter of pinging cell phone locations or tracing someone electronically. Jamie is a perfect example of an ambitious young detective determined to prove his worth with solid research and following leads around the city. I know it’s supposed to be a standalone thriller, but the author is so good with characters that I could easily see more 1980s adventures for Jamie!
My thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
People still think they can catch it just from being in close proximity to someone infected, and it’s a wonder the police are even giving the case attention when male escorts are some of the top suspects. It’s only when more dismembered bodies are found that the investigation is given serious scrutiny and higher priority because of the lure of a possible serial killer.
The reader is introduced to the killer early on, and there are some graphic scenes of sexual assault. We know what’s going on, but we can tell it will be a tough one for the detectives to piece together because this predator is good at covering his tracks. Doubly so because this was decades ago, when DNA profiling was in its infancy, and cops had to rely on pagers to communicate.
I love those days when it wasn’t just a matter of pinging cell phone locations or tracing someone electronically. Jamie is a perfect example of an ambitious young detective determined to prove his worth with solid research and following leads around the city. I know it’s supposed to be a standalone thriller, but the author is so good with characters that I could easily see more 1980s adventures for Jamie!
My thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quiet Kill, is the first book in a new series by Robert Bryndza. I already read the Erika Foster and Kate Marshall series so was anticipating another winner with this one. Set in London 1987, a world not yet as high tech as today and centres on Detective Jamie Day, an ambitious young cop who has just transferred to the Metropolitan Police after years of working a quiet, predictable coastal beat. For Jamie, a move to plain-clothes duty in the capital is the ultimate opportunity to prove he belongs among the elite.
But 1987 London is the complete opposite to the slower-paced seaside town he left behind. Day’s idyllic ideas of big-city policing are instantly shattered on his very first shift. Guided toward a dark, forgotten corner of the city, he stumbles upon a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man. What was supposed to be a routine orientation quickly transforms into the grounding zero of a massive homicide investigation.
Before the department can even fully identify the first victim, a second body is discovered. As the winter of 1987 deepens and blankets the city in ice, a terrifying reality sets in for the Met: they are hunting a serial killer who is targeting young men late at night across London. The bodies are all left in eerily similar circumstances, pointing to a cold, calculated methodology. Thrust into a high-profile, high-pressure case, Jamie has to hunt down a killer hiding in plain sight before another body is left in the shadows.
This looks like it is going to be another series I will be reading, Set in the 1980’s, it is a change from the other two series. 1980’s British policing, where policing featured more bobbies on the beat and less DNA technology.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
But 1987 London is the complete opposite to the slower-paced seaside town he left behind. Day’s idyllic ideas of big-city policing are instantly shattered on his very first shift. Guided toward a dark, forgotten corner of the city, he stumbles upon a grim discovery: the dismembered body of a young man. What was supposed to be a routine orientation quickly transforms into the grounding zero of a massive homicide investigation.
Before the department can even fully identify the first victim, a second body is discovered. As the winter of 1987 deepens and blankets the city in ice, a terrifying reality sets in for the Met: they are hunting a serial killer who is targeting young men late at night across London. The bodies are all left in eerily similar circumstances, pointing to a cold, calculated methodology. Thrust into a high-profile, high-pressure case, Jamie has to hunt down a killer hiding in plain sight before another body is left in the shadows.
This looks like it is going to be another series I will be reading, Set in the 1980’s, it is a change from the other two series. 1980’s British policing, where policing featured more bobbies on the beat and less DNA technology.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Robert Bryndza does it again. As a long time fan who has read everything he’s written, I went into this with high expectations and excitement levels and it absolutely delivered.
Set in late 1980s London, this is a gripping, atmospheric crime thriller that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the time. The backdrop of the AIDS crisis adds a powerful and often heartbreaking layer to the story, highlighting the fear, ignorance, and prejudice that defined that era. It’s uncomfortable at times but rightly so ,and it gives the book a depth that really stays with you.
We follow Jamie Day a newly promoted Detective Constable thrown straight into the deep end on his first day with the Met. From the opening scene, the pace is relentless. The case is dark, brutal, and emotionally charged, with victims being targeted in a way that feels both shocking and tragically reflective of the time period.
Jamie is a brilliant lead he’s young, determined, and a little out of his depth, but with a strong sense of integrity that makes you root for him instantly. Watching him navigate a tough, established team while trying to prove himself adds another layer of tension alongside the investigation.
The writing is as sharp and addictive as ever. Bryndza has a way of pulling you straight into the story and not letting go. The twists land well, the tension builds perfectly, and the emotional impact hits hard. It’s one of those books you keep saying “just one more chapter”… and suddenly you’re at the end and sad it’s all over !
This feels like the start of something big. I’m already invested in Jamie and would love to see more from him and this team.
Dark, gripping, and completely absorbing this is Bryndza at his best and I’m all here for it 📚✨
Set in late 1980s London, this is a gripping, atmospheric crime thriller that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the time. The backdrop of the AIDS crisis adds a powerful and often heartbreaking layer to the story, highlighting the fear, ignorance, and prejudice that defined that era. It’s uncomfortable at times but rightly so ,and it gives the book a depth that really stays with you.
We follow Jamie Day a newly promoted Detective Constable thrown straight into the deep end on his first day with the Met. From the opening scene, the pace is relentless. The case is dark, brutal, and emotionally charged, with victims being targeted in a way that feels both shocking and tragically reflective of the time period.
Jamie is a brilliant lead he’s young, determined, and a little out of his depth, but with a strong sense of integrity that makes you root for him instantly. Watching him navigate a tough, established team while trying to prove himself adds another layer of tension alongside the investigation.
The writing is as sharp and addictive as ever. Bryndza has a way of pulling you straight into the story and not letting go. The twists land well, the tension builds perfectly, and the emotional impact hits hard. It’s one of those books you keep saying “just one more chapter”… and suddenly you’re at the end and sad it’s all over !
This feels like the start of something big. I’m already invested in Jamie and would love to see more from him and this team.
Dark, gripping, and completely absorbing this is Bryndza at his best and I’m all here for it 📚✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If this is the foundation for Robert Bryndza’s new detective series, he’s started strong.
The Quiet Kill is a grim, atmospheric crime novel that feels as much about 1980s London as it does the murders at its centre.
The premise is dark from the outset: dismembered bodies appearing across London, each killing linked by unsettling similarities. Bryndza keeps the investigation moving at a sharp pace, balancing procedural detail with mounting tension as Jamie struggles to prove himself within an experienced and often unforgiving team. It’s a fast, compelling read that rarely loses momentum.
What elevates the novel beyond a standard serial killer thriller is its treatment of the HIV/AIDS crisis and the gay community during the late 1980s. This could easily have become sensationalised material, but Bryndza approaches it with empathy and care, grounding the story in the fear, prejudice, and silence of the era without exploiting it. That attention to humanity gives the book far more weight than the mystery alone.
Jamie Day makes for an engaging lead: inexperienced but determined, vulnerable without becoming naïve, and easy to invest in. There’s plenty of room for growth, which makes the prospect of future books genuinely appealing. The supporting cast also shows promise, giving the novel the sense of a series still finding its rhythm in a good way.
A strong four stars. Not one for every reader given the subject matter, but for those who can engage with it, The Quiet Kill is a confident and compelling start.
Content warnings: graphic violence including dismemberment, rape, historical homophobia, HIV/AIDS themes.
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Quiet Kill is a grim, atmospheric crime novel that feels as much about 1980s London as it does the murders at its centre.
The premise is dark from the outset: dismembered bodies appearing across London, each killing linked by unsettling similarities. Bryndza keeps the investigation moving at a sharp pace, balancing procedural detail with mounting tension as Jamie struggles to prove himself within an experienced and often unforgiving team. It’s a fast, compelling read that rarely loses momentum.
What elevates the novel beyond a standard serial killer thriller is its treatment of the HIV/AIDS crisis and the gay community during the late 1980s. This could easily have become sensationalised material, but Bryndza approaches it with empathy and care, grounding the story in the fear, prejudice, and silence of the era without exploiting it. That attention to humanity gives the book far more weight than the mystery alone.
Jamie Day makes for an engaging lead: inexperienced but determined, vulnerable without becoming naïve, and easy to invest in. There’s plenty of room for growth, which makes the prospect of future books genuinely appealing. The supporting cast also shows promise, giving the novel the sense of a series still finding its rhythm in a good way.
A strong four stars. Not one for every reader given the subject matter, but for those who can engage with it, The Quiet Kill is a confident and compelling start.
Content warnings: graphic violence including dismemberment, rape, historical homophobia, HIV/AIDS themes.
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The year is 1987, and Jamie Day is about to begin a new phase of his career after being promoted to London’s Metropolitan Police. It’s a far cry from his previous role as a uniformed cop in a small seaside town where nothing major ever happened.
Day one, and Jamie finds himself first on the scene, after being called to a railway station out of town. The crime was called in by the stationmaster, and it’s the gruesome sight of a dismembered young man that awaits Jamie. However, this won’t be the only one, and Jamie and his new colleagues will have to pull everything out of the hat to find the perpetrator, but the one thing that appears to initially link the victims is that they are all gay.
Besides these horrific crimes, Jamie is finding it difficult to slot into his new role. He’s definitely not used to working such high profile cases, and the rest of this tough and experienced team have worked together for some time, so he’s doing his best to perform to the best of his abilities without stepping on anyone’s toes. Naturally, there’s always one who refuses to help a new colleague settle in, and that comes in the form of Liam, who takes an instant dislike to Jamie.
This is a stand-alone crime thriller, and with Robert Bryndza at the helm, we’re assured a terrific, heart pounding read. It’s a book that is difficult to describe without giving away too much. So I won’t bother. Is it a good, fast, thrilling read? Undoubtedly, and although this is advertised as a stand-alone, I’d love to see Jamie work a few more cases.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Day one, and Jamie finds himself first on the scene, after being called to a railway station out of town. The crime was called in by the stationmaster, and it’s the gruesome sight of a dismembered young man that awaits Jamie. However, this won’t be the only one, and Jamie and his new colleagues will have to pull everything out of the hat to find the perpetrator, but the one thing that appears to initially link the victims is that they are all gay.
Besides these horrific crimes, Jamie is finding it difficult to slot into his new role. He’s definitely not used to working such high profile cases, and the rest of this tough and experienced team have worked together for some time, so he’s doing his best to perform to the best of his abilities without stepping on anyone’s toes. Naturally, there’s always one who refuses to help a new colleague settle in, and that comes in the form of Liam, who takes an instant dislike to Jamie.
This is a stand-alone crime thriller, and with Robert Bryndza at the helm, we’re assured a terrific, heart pounding read. It’s a book that is difficult to describe without giving away too much. So I won’t bother. Is it a good, fast, thrilling read? Undoubtedly, and although this is advertised as a stand-alone, I’d love to see Jamie work a few more cases.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first in a new series featuring Jamie who has moved forces from the coast to London. It’s set in the late 1980’s so technology wasn’t quite as advanced as it is now. Whilst Jamie may have been promoted, crime by the sea is very different to the amount of crime in London so there is still a lot to learn. A new member to a team isn’t the easiest and Jamie has his work cut out to fit in and prove his worth. In the main, I liked the other team members and it looks set to be a great series.
The story highlights the aids pandemic of which whilst I was still a child, I was at an age where I was more aware of what was going on in the world. I remember the hard hitting adverts and it was sad to be reminded of how ignorant people were and can still be. The killings were very uncomfortable to read and seeing young men losing their lives in such an awful way had my emotions going into overdrive, and I was eager for the team to find out who the killer was and put a stop to them.
The Quiet Kill was a pulse pounding read that had me racing through it’s pages. Whilst London is a wonderful city, it is rife with crime and the author highlights the darker side to it. I enjoyed the story being set back in the eighties with the cars and people still using phone boxes and landlines. It’s another reminder to how far technology has come. The first book in a new series can get weighted down but the author has done a fantastic job in giving enough building of the characters with plenty of chills that had me gripped. I loved my first introduction to Jamie and the team and can’t wait for more in the series. A dark and compelling page-turner!
The story highlights the aids pandemic of which whilst I was still a child, I was at an age where I was more aware of what was going on in the world. I remember the hard hitting adverts and it was sad to be reminded of how ignorant people were and can still be. The killings were very uncomfortable to read and seeing young men losing their lives in such an awful way had my emotions going into overdrive, and I was eager for the team to find out who the killer was and put a stop to them.
The Quiet Kill was a pulse pounding read that had me racing through it’s pages. Whilst London is a wonderful city, it is rife with crime and the author highlights the darker side to it. I enjoyed the story being set back in the eighties with the cars and people still using phone boxes and landlines. It’s another reminder to how far technology has come. The first book in a new series can get weighted down but the author has done a fantastic job in giving enough building of the characters with plenty of chills that had me gripped. I loved my first introduction to Jamie and the team and can’t wait for more in the series. A dark and compelling page-turner!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set against the icy backdrop of late 1980s London, this novel introduces Detective Jamie Day, a newcomer to the Met whose first week on the job is anything but ordinary. After years working quiet coastal cases, he’s suddenly thrust into the heart of a city gripped by fear as young men begin turning up brutally murdered. The author, long established as a powerhouse in crime fiction, once again demonstrates an incredible command of procedural storytelling. The tension is immediate, the atmosphere thick with unease, and Jamie’s struggle to find his footing within a hardened investigative team adds a compelling emotional layer. From the moment he stepped onto the page, I could tell Jamie Day is a character built to anchor a long running series.
What elevates the story even further is its grounding in the social climate of the era, particularly the fear and stigma surrounding the AIDS crisis. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the cruelty and ignorance of the time, making the victims’ stories hit even harder. Watching the body count rise while the detectives race to stop a killer who seems to vanish into the night kept my pulse up the entire way through. Even though readers get early glimpses into the murderer’s perspective, the suspense never loosens its grip. This is a dark, gripping, emotionally charged thriller that showcases the author at their best and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If this is Jamie Day’s introduction, I’m already eager for whatever comes next in his journey.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
What elevates the story even further is its grounding in the social climate of the era, particularly the fear and stigma surrounding the AIDS crisis. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the cruelty and ignorance of the time, making the victims’ stories hit even harder. Watching the body count rise while the detectives race to stop a killer who seems to vanish into the night kept my pulse up the entire way through. Even though readers get early glimpses into the murderer’s perspective, the suspense never loosens its grip. This is a dark, gripping, emotionally charged thriller that showcases the author at their best and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If this is Jamie Day’s introduction, I’m already eager for whatever comes next in his journey.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having read and loved the full Erika Foster series, I was beyond excited to see a new book by Robert Bryndza. I was curious to see how the author would conduct an investigation set in London in 1987 – and he does it really well! There is an abundance of social references that took me back to being 10-years-old. The world was slowly becoming aware of HIV/AIDS, and the prevalent misunderstanding of the disease resulted in the spread of fear and homophobia. We also have pagers and payphones, and a misogynistic Metropolitan police force.
To say this is what I hope will be the first in a new series, the characters are all well developed and believable, acting in a manner fit for the era. Jamie having recently moved to London in his first role as a plain clothes officer, has a certain naïve charm, and as a rookie we see him making mistakes from which he must learn and learn quickly. I really enjoyed the interactions between Jamie and his boss, Harry – who has just the right amount of ‘Gene Hunt’ vibes about him.
The case is absolutely chilling, and I think the fact that the culprit isn’t hidden is a very clever touch and allows the reader to fully engage with the fact that the killer is always one step ahead without trying to work out whodunnit. The murders themselves are gruesome, and the author doesn’t hold back, although his descriptions of the acts are graphic they not gratuitous or simply there to shock. All in all, this is a dark and gritty police procedural – the pacing is excellent and the writing is sharp and addictive. I couldn’t put this book down.
To say this is what I hope will be the first in a new series, the characters are all well developed and believable, acting in a manner fit for the era. Jamie having recently moved to London in his first role as a plain clothes officer, has a certain naïve charm, and as a rookie we see him making mistakes from which he must learn and learn quickly. I really enjoyed the interactions between Jamie and his boss, Harry – who has just the right amount of ‘Gene Hunt’ vibes about him.
The case is absolutely chilling, and I think the fact that the culprit isn’t hidden is a very clever touch and allows the reader to fully engage with the fact that the killer is always one step ahead without trying to work out whodunnit. The murders themselves are gruesome, and the author doesn’t hold back, although his descriptions of the acts are graphic they not gratuitous or simply there to shock. All in all, this is a dark and gritty police procedural – the pacing is excellent and the writing is sharp and addictive. I couldn’t put this book down.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quiet Kill is another brilliant mystery from one of my favourite authors. In this first book of a new series, Robert Bryndza takes us back to 1980s London when fear of Aids was at its height and modern technology just a far fetched dream.
The dismembered body of a young man is discovered early one morning and this is followed by another although the two victims appear to have nothing in common. The reader is made aware quite quickly of who the murderer is and we see the police investigation take place at the same time as the murderer is carrying out his attacks. Seeing the two perspectives unfold in parallel made this a fascinating read.
Newly transferred Detective Constable Jamie Day is a likeable protagonist struggling with finding his feet in a new city and a new job as well as being plunged straight into a murder investigation on his first day at work. I enjoyed seeing him at first out of his depth in the big city but then gradually finding his feet and showing his skills as a detective. That is of course, until everything goes wrong.
The author’s portrayal of London in 1987 was brilliant and he handled the Aids topic and the fear that surrounded it really well. This is definitely not a cosy crime and some of the descriptions are quite graphic but never out of place. Cold blooded murder is not a cosy subject and some of the scenes show that clearly. The grim atmosphere is also heightened by the story being set in freezing winter weather.
This was a great read and I will definitely look out for further books in this series. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Raven Street Publishing, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The dismembered body of a young man is discovered early one morning and this is followed by another although the two victims appear to have nothing in common. The reader is made aware quite quickly of who the murderer is and we see the police investigation take place at the same time as the murderer is carrying out his attacks. Seeing the two perspectives unfold in parallel made this a fascinating read.
Newly transferred Detective Constable Jamie Day is a likeable protagonist struggling with finding his feet in a new city and a new job as well as being plunged straight into a murder investigation on his first day at work. I enjoyed seeing him at first out of his depth in the big city but then gradually finding his feet and showing his skills as a detective. That is of course, until everything goes wrong.
The author’s portrayal of London in 1987 was brilliant and he handled the Aids topic and the fear that surrounded it really well. This is definitely not a cosy crime and some of the descriptions are quite graphic but never out of place. Cold blooded murder is not a cosy subject and some of the scenes show that clearly. The grim atmosphere is also heightened by the story being set in freezing winter weather.
This was a great read and I will definitely look out for further books in this series. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Raven Street Publishing, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in London in the winter of 1987, we join Detective Constable James (Jamie) Day when he arrives in to take up his promotion to the Metropolitan Police. But on his first day in London, he has to work a murder case when the dismembered body of a young man is discovered. And then further victims are found in similar circumstances.
Struggling to find his feet in London and viewed as an outsider by some members of the team, Jamie wants to prove himself. The investigation is under a lot of pressure, especially when a possible connection is found between the murder investigation and another police enquiry. There is political pressure as well, and when Jamie makes an error, it looks as though his career in policing might be over.
The treatment of gay men, the hysteria about AIDS, as well as a touch of misogyny, all form part of the story. And while we learn early in the story who the murderer is, the focus is on the work required to catch him.
As the story moved to its conclusion the pace increased and while I found the ending satisfying, there were a couple of loose ends I would have liked to have seen tied off.
There are some well-developed characters in this novel and although this novel is marketed as a standalone thriller, I really hope that it might become the first book in a new series.
Another terrific novel Robert Brynzda!
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Struggling to find his feet in London and viewed as an outsider by some members of the team, Jamie wants to prove himself. The investigation is under a lot of pressure, especially when a possible connection is found between the murder investigation and another police enquiry. There is political pressure as well, and when Jamie makes an error, it looks as though his career in policing might be over.
The treatment of gay men, the hysteria about AIDS, as well as a touch of misogyny, all form part of the story. And while we learn early in the story who the murderer is, the focus is on the work required to catch him.
As the story moved to its conclusion the pace increased and while I found the ending satisfying, there were a couple of loose ends I would have liked to have seen tied off.
There are some well-developed characters in this novel and although this novel is marketed as a standalone thriller, I really hope that it might become the first book in a new series.
Another terrific novel Robert Brynzda!
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quiet Kill is a gripping, frost‑bitten plunge into late‑80s London, where the cold seems to seep into every alleyway, every shadow, every crime scene. Robert Bryndza opens this new series with a wonderfully atmospheric sense of unease — the kind that settles in your bones.
Detective Jamie Day arrives in the capital eager to prove himself, but London greets him with brutality. On his very first day in plain clothes, he stumbles across a dismembered body tucked into a dark corner of the city. What should have been a steady introduction to the Met becomes the start of a chilling investigation, one that only grows more sinister when another young man is found.
Bryndza captures the era beautifully: the grit, the tension, the sense of a city both sprawling and claustrophobic. Jamie, still trying to find his footing, is thrown into the deep end alongside a seasoned team who aren’t sure what to make of him yet. Watching him navigate the pressures of a high‑profile case while trying to earn his place gives the story a compelling emotional thread.
As winter deepens, the murders take on a disturbing pattern, and the dread builds with that slow, relentless certainty Bryndza does so well. The killer feels close, the city feels smaller, and every night carries the threat of another body waiting in the dark.
A tense, atmospheric series opener — sharp, moody, and utterly absorbing. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you turning pages long after you meant to switch off the light.
With thanks to Robert Bryndza, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Detective Jamie Day arrives in the capital eager to prove himself, but London greets him with brutality. On his very first day in plain clothes, he stumbles across a dismembered body tucked into a dark corner of the city. What should have been a steady introduction to the Met becomes the start of a chilling investigation, one that only grows more sinister when another young man is found.
Bryndza captures the era beautifully: the grit, the tension, the sense of a city both sprawling and claustrophobic. Jamie, still trying to find his footing, is thrown into the deep end alongside a seasoned team who aren’t sure what to make of him yet. Watching him navigate the pressures of a high‑profile case while trying to earn his place gives the story a compelling emotional thread.
As winter deepens, the murders take on a disturbing pattern, and the dread builds with that slow, relentless certainty Bryndza does so well. The killer feels close, the city feels smaller, and every night carries the threat of another body waiting in the dark.
A tense, atmospheric series opener — sharp, moody, and utterly absorbing. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you turning pages long after you meant to switch off the light.
With thanks to Robert Bryndza, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having previously read and enjoyed Robert Bryndza's novels I was please to get an early copy of The Quiet Kill. Set in London, just before Christmas in 1987, DC Jamie Day begins his new job with the Metropolitan police. He is thrown in at the deep end when he is called in a day early is the first officer on the scene at the discovery of a dismembered body. As another dismembered body and then another are discovered it appears there is a serial killer loose in London and the case is spiralling away from the police control.
The book is set against the background of the surge in HIV/AIDS cases and the huge stigma that surrounded gay men and the panic mixing with them evoked in many people. As people get ready to celebrate Christmas with lights and decorations, London's dark underside is exposed in these crimes. Bryndza wonderfully brings to life the period, the cars, the food, the housing, the Docklands development and for the police, the early development of DNA testing. Things that we take for granted now are only emerging in this novel. As the police use pagers and phone boxes to communicate, the killer appears to be one step ahead of them, quietly carrying on with his gruesome crimes, the tension and the pace encouraging readers to keep turning the pages to find out just how far he will get.
Some excellent and believable characters, great setting and good historical touches. A very enjoyable read.
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Raven Street Publishing for an early copy in return for an honest review.
The book is set against the background of the surge in HIV/AIDS cases and the huge stigma that surrounded gay men and the panic mixing with them evoked in many people. As people get ready to celebrate Christmas with lights and decorations, London's dark underside is exposed in these crimes. Bryndza wonderfully brings to life the period, the cars, the food, the housing, the Docklands development and for the police, the early development of DNA testing. Things that we take for granted now are only emerging in this novel. As the police use pagers and phone boxes to communicate, the killer appears to be one step ahead of them, quietly carrying on with his gruesome crimes, the tension and the pace encouraging readers to keep turning the pages to find out just how far he will get.
Some excellent and believable characters, great setting and good historical touches. A very enjoyable read.
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Raven Street Publishing for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
❄️ Winter, 1987. Detective Jamie Day moves from a small town to London to join the Homicide Unit. Before he even has the chance to unpack, the dismembered body of a young man is discovered at a London train station. It soon becomes clear that the police may be hunting a serial killer targeting young gay men, against the backdrop of the fear and ignorance surrounding the early AIDS crisis.
I read my very first thriller when I was 12, and that's when my love for the genre began. Mary Higgins Clark and Agatha Christie were my comfort reads, and this book gave me that exact same feeling-it reminded me why I fell in love with classic crime fiction in the first place.
I honestly can't believe I hadn't read Robert Bryndza before. This is the start of a brand-new series featuring Detective Jamie Day, and I already can't wait for the next book.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel were the chapters told from the killer's perspective. They were incredibly chilling, disturbing, and so well written that they gave me goosebumps every single time. They added another layer of tension and made the story even more gripping.
The atmosphere is dark, shocking, and impossible to put down. By chapter 44, I was literally shouting, "No! No, that can't be happening!" and during the final chase, I felt like I was right there with Jamie, my stomach in knots.
If you enjoy classic crime novels, serial killer investigations, and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this one is definitely worth picking up. 🖤📚
A huge thank you to NetGalley for approving me for this ARC ❤️
I read my very first thriller when I was 12, and that's when my love for the genre began. Mary Higgins Clark and Agatha Christie were my comfort reads, and this book gave me that exact same feeling-it reminded me why I fell in love with classic crime fiction in the first place.
I honestly can't believe I hadn't read Robert Bryndza before. This is the start of a brand-new series featuring Detective Jamie Day, and I already can't wait for the next book.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel were the chapters told from the killer's perspective. They were incredibly chilling, disturbing, and so well written that they gave me goosebumps every single time. They added another layer of tension and made the story even more gripping.
The atmosphere is dark, shocking, and impossible to put down. By chapter 44, I was literally shouting, "No! No, that can't be happening!" and during the final chase, I felt like I was right there with Jamie, my stomach in knots.
If you enjoy classic crime novels, serial killer investigations, and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this one is definitely worth picking up. 🖤📚
A huge thank you to NetGalley for approving me for this ARC ❤️
April 30, 2026
Review of ‘The Quiet Kill’ by Robert Bryndza, due to be published on 9 July 2026 by Raven Street Publishing.
This new standalone thriller follows DC Jamie Day who has just been promoted to the Met from his previous force in his hometown of Lowestoft.
Set in late 1987/early 1988, Jamie is thrown in at the deep end on his first day when a stationmaster finds a dismembered body in Leyton Train Station. Whilst the team quickly get to grips with who the victim is, they can’t find a motive and with no evidence left behind, they are unable to come up with any suspects.
Soon the bodies are piling up, with the only connection being that they are all gay men. The story tells us quite early on who is carrying out the killings, although they are hiding their actions from everyone and leaving no trace of their crime to be found.
The story is fast paced, with Jamie and his fellow officers in a race against time to apprehend the perpetrator whilst coming up against reluctance and prejudices of the time from both those connected to the victims and members of the police force themselves.
There are numerous dark and gritty scenes depicted on the page, all relevant to get you inside the mind of the antagonist. Left with an ending that suggests that we may see more of DC Jamie Day in future books, which would be a welcome addition to Bryndza’s vast collection of previous novels.
This new standalone thriller follows DC Jamie Day who has just been promoted to the Met from his previous force in his hometown of Lowestoft.
Set in late 1987/early 1988, Jamie is thrown in at the deep end on his first day when a stationmaster finds a dismembered body in Leyton Train Station. Whilst the team quickly get to grips with who the victim is, they can’t find a motive and with no evidence left behind, they are unable to come up with any suspects.
Soon the bodies are piling up, with the only connection being that they are all gay men. The story tells us quite early on who is carrying out the killings, although they are hiding their actions from everyone and leaving no trace of their crime to be found.
The story is fast paced, with Jamie and his fellow officers in a race against time to apprehend the perpetrator whilst coming up against reluctance and prejudices of the time from both those connected to the victims and members of the police force themselves.
There are numerous dark and gritty scenes depicted on the page, all relevant to get you inside the mind of the antagonist. Left with an ending that suggests that we may see more of DC Jamie Day in future books, which would be a welcome addition to Bryndza’s vast collection of previous novels.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is described as a standalone thriller, but it seems to me to have all the makings for the start of a series. That would make me happy because I found the main character, police detective Jamie Day, to be quite interesting. To be sure, I enjoyed this one, although I’d describe it as gritty and sexually explicit.
The year is 1987, and the “star” of the show, Jamie Day, is a police detective who’s just come to West End London Central Police from a relatively quiet seaside town. Not only must he learn to navigate a huge city with which he’s unfamiliar, his first day on the job, the 22-year-old runs smack dab into a dead body – one that’s been chopped up in pieces, no less. Worse, more dead bodies turn up in relatively short order – a clear sign a serial killer is having a gay old time.
Readers follow Jamie as he finds housing, works on not getting lost in and around the city and on the developing relationships with department co-workers (some decent, others a bit shaky, at least at the start). In between those chapters are those that focus on the victims and the killer, so readers know what’s going down long before Jamie and his team get a clue.
Things work out in the end in a way that, as I mentioned before, hints at more to come – so I’ll be watching to see if that happens. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in at the beginning by way of a pre-release copy. Thoroughly enjoyable!
The year is 1987, and the “star” of the show, Jamie Day, is a police detective who’s just come to West End London Central Police from a relatively quiet seaside town. Not only must he learn to navigate a huge city with which he’s unfamiliar, his first day on the job, the 22-year-old runs smack dab into a dead body – one that’s been chopped up in pieces, no less. Worse, more dead bodies turn up in relatively short order – a clear sign a serial killer is having a gay old time.
Readers follow Jamie as he finds housing, works on not getting lost in and around the city and on the developing relationships with department co-workers (some decent, others a bit shaky, at least at the start). In between those chapters are those that focus on the victims and the killer, so readers know what’s going down long before Jamie and his team get a clue.
Things work out in the end in a way that, as I mentioned before, hints at more to come – so I’ll be watching to see if that happens. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in at the beginning by way of a pre-release copy. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bryndza has once again created a great main character. It’s Jamie Day’s first day on the job as a DC in London. He’s literally just arrived from Suffolk, hasn’t even made it to the office, when he’s called to the scene of a dismembered body at a train station.
I liked that the story dates to 1987. No cell phones, GPS, internet or any of the modern conveniences. The office’s fax machine is just a few weeks old and Jamie is the only one using it. Figuring out a MISPER’s identity means calling around. Also, 1987 is when AIDS was really in the public eye, with all the prejudice and fear coloring public perception.
It's always interesting to read the first in a series, to be introduced to the team. Here, the team is also being introduced to Jamie and it’s not all happy families as egos come out to play. Bryndza does a great job of describing a character in just a few sentences. Jamie’s DI, Harry, had been a Met officer for 25 years. “Harry had heard a saying that you can age like vinegar or wine. He’d chosen to do the latter.”
Bryndza’s MO is to give the reader insights the investigative team aren’t privy to. The suspense is watching them figure it out who the killer is. The book moves at a nice brisk pace as there are more murders.
This is the opposite of a cozy mystery and readers should be aware of trigger warnings, including violent sex scenes.
My thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
I liked that the story dates to 1987. No cell phones, GPS, internet or any of the modern conveniences. The office’s fax machine is just a few weeks old and Jamie is the only one using it. Figuring out a MISPER’s identity means calling around. Also, 1987 is when AIDS was really in the public eye, with all the prejudice and fear coloring public perception.
It's always interesting to read the first in a series, to be introduced to the team. Here, the team is also being introduced to Jamie and it’s not all happy families as egos come out to play. Bryndza does a great job of describing a character in just a few sentences. Jamie’s DI, Harry, had been a Met officer for 25 years. “Harry had heard a saying that you can age like vinegar or wine. He’d chosen to do the latter.”
Bryndza’s MO is to give the reader insights the investigative team aren’t privy to. The suspense is watching them figure it out who the killer is. The book moves at a nice brisk pace as there are more murders.
This is the opposite of a cozy mystery and readers should be aware of trigger warnings, including violent sex scenes.
My thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of uncorrected Netgalley proof
In the winter of 1987, newly-promoted Detective Constable Jamie Day arrives in London to join the Metropolitan Police. On his first day, he answers a call and discovers the dismembered body of a young man and is thrown into a major murder investigation.
Then there’s the discovery of a second victim, and then more victims.
Are they hunting for a serial killer?
=========
Set in 1987 London, this story pulls readers into the telling of the tale from the outset. With well-defined, interesting characters and a strong sense of place, the unfolding narrative is sure to keep those pages turning as fast as possible.
As Jamie settles into London life and tries to find his place in the team, readers will discover how his relationships develop with those around him.
Short tension-filled chapters keep the story moving as the suspense builds; there are some surprising plot twists as the murder squad investigates.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals, intriguing mysteries, and captivating tales set in the past will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheQuietKill #NetGalley
In the winter of 1987, newly-promoted Detective Constable Jamie Day arrives in London to join the Metropolitan Police. On his first day, he answers a call and discovers the dismembered body of a young man and is thrown into a major murder investigation.
Then there’s the discovery of a second victim, and then more victims.
Are they hunting for a serial killer?
=========
Set in 1987 London, this story pulls readers into the telling of the tale from the outset. With well-defined, interesting characters and a strong sense of place, the unfolding narrative is sure to keep those pages turning as fast as possible.
As Jamie settles into London life and tries to find his place in the team, readers will discover how his relationships develop with those around him.
Short tension-filled chapters keep the story moving as the suspense builds; there are some surprising plot twists as the murder squad investigates.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals, intriguing mysteries, and captivating tales set in the past will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheQuietKill #NetGalley
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