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Detective Eden Berrisford #1
The Girls Next Door
One warm spring evening, five teenagers meet in a local park. Only four will come out alive.
Six months after the stabbing of fifteen-year-old Deanna Barker, someone is coming after the teenagers of Stockleigh, as a spate of vicious assaults rocks this small community. Revenge for Deanna? Or something more?
Detective Eden Berrisford is locked into a race against time to catch the twisted individual behind the attacks – but when her own niece, Jess Mountford, goes missing, the case gets personal.
With the kidnapper threatening Jess’ life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety? Or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter...?
Six months after the stabbing of fifteen-year-old Deanna Barker, someone is coming after the teenagers of Stockleigh, as a spate of vicious assaults rocks this small community. Revenge for Deanna? Or something more?
Detective Eden Berrisford is locked into a race against time to catch the twisted individual behind the attacks – but when her own niece, Jess Mountford, goes missing, the case gets personal.
With the kidnapper threatening Jess’ life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety? Or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter...?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2016
754 people are currently reading
1516 people want to read
About the author
Mel Sherratt
44 books531 followersI write police procedurals, psychological suspense and women's fiction with a punch - or grit-lit, as I call it.
I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books.
You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels
I also write women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.
I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books.
You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels
I also write women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
February 28, 2017
I just love this series! I read the second one first because it was a netgalley book and then I had to read this one. I loved this book but loved the second one better.
Eden is a kick ass detective and I really love her. She doesn't always go by the book but then again what fictional police officer does? This is a very gritty gripping suspense series.
The story starts out with a tragic death. Also bad things are happening to the students in the town of Stockleigh.
The characters are done very well. Jess is a teenager whose friends and boyfriend are more important to her than her own family even though they are a bad influence on her. And then there is her best friend Katie who has found out the hard way that being in a wrong crowd can have serious and long lasting consequences.
Four of Katie's friends are attacked, three of them manage to escape the perpetrator but Jess is taken to his house and held prisoner. With the kidnapper threatening Jess's life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter?
This is a book full of twists and turns. Right when you feel like you have figured it out, you realize the author led you down the wrong path.
Eden is a kick ass detective and I really love her. She doesn't always go by the book but then again what fictional police officer does? This is a very gritty gripping suspense series.
The story starts out with a tragic death. Also bad things are happening to the students in the town of Stockleigh.
The characters are done very well. Jess is a teenager whose friends and boyfriend are more important to her than her own family even though they are a bad influence on her. And then there is her best friend Katie who has found out the hard way that being in a wrong crowd can have serious and long lasting consequences.
Four of Katie's friends are attacked, three of them manage to escape the perpetrator but Jess is taken to his house and held prisoner. With the kidnapper threatening Jess's life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter?
This is a book full of twists and turns. Right when you feel like you have figured it out, you realize the author led you down the wrong path.
October 3, 2016
Cracking crime thriller that i'm glad to have broken my 'no-girl-in-the-title' rule for.
The winner in this for me was one of the main characters, Detective Eden Berrisford. She's intelligent and capable, had a positive relationship with her daughter, worked well with and was respected by her colleagues, and was a well rounded, positive example of humanity. This may seem like a strange thing to note but it's refreshing to have a break from these angsty, depressingly broken detectives who are crippled by their past but geniuses at catching killers etc etc. This woman works hard and gets the job done. High five from me.
On top of that, it's a pacey read. I have no idea how long it took me to get through it, but I started reading and then all of a sudden it was done. This is a series that's gone straight on my 'Always Read' list.
Many thanks to Mel Sherratt, Bookouture, and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The winner in this for me was one of the main characters, Detective Eden Berrisford. She's intelligent and capable, had a positive relationship with her daughter, worked well with and was respected by her colleagues, and was a well rounded, positive example of humanity. This may seem like a strange thing to note but it's refreshing to have a break from these angsty, depressingly broken detectives who are crippled by their past but geniuses at catching killers etc etc. This woman works hard and gets the job done. High five from me.
On top of that, it's a pacey read. I have no idea how long it took me to get through it, but I started reading and then all of a sudden it was done. This is a series that's gone straight on my 'Always Read' list.
Many thanks to Mel Sherratt, Bookouture, and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2016
I would like to thank Ms. Mel Sherratt, Bookouture, and Net Galley for an advanced copy of The Girls Next Door in return for an unbiased review.
This novel is definitely Mel being Mel. Mel Sherratt wears a lot of different hats as an author. She can write darn fine thrillers (e.g. Follow the Leader), outstanding crime fiction (as in Somewhere to Hide), and delightful women’s fiction (see The Second Chance Shoe Shop). The Girls Next Door is sort of a combo plate of genres. At its core is a big dose of Ms. Sherratt’s brit grit lit; added to that is a generous overlay of family drama with excellent characterization, a sprinkle of police procedural, and a dash of YA thrown in for good measure. I quite enjoyed the concoction.
Ms. Sherratt introduces us to a new protagonist, DS Eden Berrisford. Eden is a nice person with great social skills--an excellent change of pace from the kickass, deeply scarred, brusque woman protags that I usually seek out. Suffice to say, Eden’s family is under threat in this story, a fact that really ups the stakes for Eden and her colleagues. There are a couple of other subplots, including a murder early on. Ms. Sherratt does a terrific job in exploring the nature of the consequences of these events on the lives and psyches of the people whose families are involved.
Though this isn’t what I would call a traditional thriller, the plot is definitely suspenseful and engaged me right away. It moves well and contains some clever twists. I just have to say that I love Ms. Sherratt’s writings as she has a way of telling a story that strongly speaks to me, though the why of it I find very hard to put into words. I own everything she has written and am so happy I still have several books left to read in the Estate series.
I highly recommend The Girls Next Door to all readers of crime fiction, especially those who value emphasis on the psychological fallout of the crimes on the victims and their families.
This novel is definitely Mel being Mel. Mel Sherratt wears a lot of different hats as an author. She can write darn fine thrillers (e.g. Follow the Leader), outstanding crime fiction (as in Somewhere to Hide), and delightful women’s fiction (see The Second Chance Shoe Shop). The Girls Next Door is sort of a combo plate of genres. At its core is a big dose of Ms. Sherratt’s brit grit lit; added to that is a generous overlay of family drama with excellent characterization, a sprinkle of police procedural, and a dash of YA thrown in for good measure. I quite enjoyed the concoction.
Ms. Sherratt introduces us to a new protagonist, DS Eden Berrisford. Eden is a nice person with great social skills--an excellent change of pace from the kickass, deeply scarred, brusque woman protags that I usually seek out. Suffice to say, Eden’s family is under threat in this story, a fact that really ups the stakes for Eden and her colleagues. There are a couple of other subplots, including a murder early on. Ms. Sherratt does a terrific job in exploring the nature of the consequences of these events on the lives and psyches of the people whose families are involved.
Though this isn’t what I would call a traditional thriller, the plot is definitely suspenseful and engaged me right away. It moves well and contains some clever twists. I just have to say that I love Ms. Sherratt’s writings as she has a way of telling a story that strongly speaks to me, though the why of it I find very hard to put into words. I own everything she has written and am so happy I still have several books left to read in the Estate series.
I highly recommend The Girls Next Door to all readers of crime fiction, especially those who value emphasis on the psychological fallout of the crimes on the victims and their families.
February 6, 2017
THE GIRL’S NEXT DOOR by Mel Sherratt is the first book in a new series, featuring Detective Eden Berrisford that combines both police procedural, thriller with a strong emphasis on family drama. This is definitely an exciting start to a series. I loved it and I am sure it will be well received!
“One warm spring evening, five teenagers meet in a local park. Only four will come out alive.”
Katie Trent, a teenager tries to intercede when one of her friends Deanna Barker is murdered in the local park.
It was just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Six months later Katie is now awaiting trial after she was accused of being involved in the murder or accessory to the murder.
With the trial date getting closer friends of Katie's are warned to “KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT”, and when Katie’s best friend, Jess, is kidnapped her Aunt, Detective Sergeant Eden Berrisford investigates her kidnapping. But is this revenge for Deanna? Or something more?
It is so refreshing to be introduced to DS Eden Berrisford, a single mother with a teenage daughter, a competent strong family-oriented person who gets on well with her superiors and colleagues, but is most of all a real human being. This investigation affects her personally…this is her niece, Jess that has disappeared!
“With the kidnapper threatening Jess’s life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety? Or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter…?”
This was a solid well-paced story. I love the characters in this book. They come alive on the page and I really care what happens to them!
But most of all, this author is able to combine a police procedural thriller with a strong emphasis on family drama. We see the cause and effect consequences of actions taken as well as parent-child relationships and the difficulties faced by teenagers in the midst of peer pressure.
I think Eden’s quote sums it all up…
“We all make mistakes. It’s how we learn from them and move on that makes us who we are.”
“One warm spring evening, five teenagers meet in a local park. Only four will come out alive.”
Katie Trent, a teenager tries to intercede when one of her friends Deanna Barker is murdered in the local park.
It was just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Six months later Katie is now awaiting trial after she was accused of being involved in the murder or accessory to the murder.
With the trial date getting closer friends of Katie's are warned to “KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT”, and when Katie’s best friend, Jess, is kidnapped her Aunt, Detective Sergeant Eden Berrisford investigates her kidnapping. But is this revenge for Deanna? Or something more?
It is so refreshing to be introduced to DS Eden Berrisford, a single mother with a teenage daughter, a competent strong family-oriented person who gets on well with her superiors and colleagues, but is most of all a real human being. This investigation affects her personally…this is her niece, Jess that has disappeared!
“With the kidnapper threatening Jess’s life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety? Or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter…?”
This was a solid well-paced story. I love the characters in this book. They come alive on the page and I really care what happens to them!
But most of all, this author is able to combine a police procedural thriller with a strong emphasis on family drama. We see the cause and effect consequences of actions taken as well as parent-child relationships and the difficulties faced by teenagers in the midst of peer pressure.
I think Eden’s quote sums it all up…
“We all make mistakes. It’s how we learn from them and move on that makes us who we are.”
September 25, 2016
Well...I absolutely loved this book. I have read all of this author's crime novels and have been captivated by them all but the character of Eden is on a whole new level for me. I love the gritty reality that permeates everything this talented lady writes to the degree that I actually feel like the drama is unfolding before me in my living room. I found qualities in every character that intrigued me and made me want to continue reading and the story line was so tautly written that at times I was holding my breath and didn't even realise it. I was up at 7am this morning to write and made the mistake of reading just another couple of chapters. I tore myself away with about 20% to go which was my second mistake as the story and characters would not leave my mind. So, back I went and didn't come up for air until I'd finished it. This is a definite 5* read for me and I can't wait for Eden's next adventure which I hope is coming soon.
October 9, 2016
The Girls Next Door is a tightly woven thriller that kept me on edge.
One night at a local park, Katie Trent attempts to intervene in the murder of Deanna Barker. Six months have passed since the crime, and Katie is now awaiting trial for not intervening sooner. As the trial date nears, Katie’s friends are warned to keep their mouth’s shut. Katie’s best friend, Jess, is kidnapped for what appears to be her role in the situation, and her Aunt Eden Berrisford, who is a Detective, investigates her kidnapping.
I honestly wasn’t sure where The Girls Next Door was going until I was about halfway finished. which I appreciated. It seemed to be going in one direction, but abruptly switched direction and surprised me. Eden is a likeable character, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
One night at a local park, Katie Trent attempts to intervene in the murder of Deanna Barker. Six months have passed since the crime, and Katie is now awaiting trial for not intervening sooner. As the trial date nears, Katie’s friends are warned to keep their mouth’s shut. Katie’s best friend, Jess, is kidnapped for what appears to be her role in the situation, and her Aunt Eden Berrisford, who is a Detective, investigates her kidnapping.
I honestly wasn’t sure where The Girls Next Door was going until I was about halfway finished. which I appreciated. It seemed to be going in one direction, but abruptly switched direction and surprised me. Eden is a likeable character, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2016
What a great book this was. One night five teenage friends get together in a local park but something terrible happens and one of them, Deanna Barker is killed. Months after Deanna's death the other four teenagers involved are targeted by somebody in different ways. Who is behind these attacks and are they linked to the murder of Deanna? Detective Eden Berrisford becomes involved in the case and soon it becomes personal when her own niece disappears. Eden is now on a mission to find her niece and to find out what else is going on. A well crafted story that moves at a fast pace, highly enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2016
I've read quite a few of Mel Sherratt's books and have always enjoyed the hard hitting stories and also her thrillers.
This one I'm happy to say has a mixer of both....
Kate Trent is a witness to a murder. But unfortunately for her she is pulled into the case and is awaiting trial along with 4 other teenagers.
Jess Mountford is Kate's friend. She then just disappears one evening and her friends are involved in terrifying events.
Are these all linked to the murder? Or is there a more sinister reason.
Detective Eden Berrisford is brought in to investigate, this case will have a personal note, Jess is Edens niece.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed this story and found it both realistic and gritty.
I didn't particularly like some of the characters but I was fascinated on watching their lives unfold.
There were alot of real life issues within this book, but the author dealt with them convincingly.
I was never quite sure how the twists and turns were all going to link everything together.
Another good writer now added to the Bookouture team and I look forward to reading about Detective Eden Berrisford's next case.
***ARC provided by Netgalley via Bookouture in return for an honest review***
This one I'm happy to say has a mixer of both....
Kate Trent is a witness to a murder. But unfortunately for her she is pulled into the case and is awaiting trial along with 4 other teenagers.
Jess Mountford is Kate's friend. She then just disappears one evening and her friends are involved in terrifying events.
Are these all linked to the murder? Or is there a more sinister reason.
Detective Eden Berrisford is brought in to investigate, this case will have a personal note, Jess is Edens niece.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed this story and found it both realistic and gritty.
I didn't particularly like some of the characters but I was fascinated on watching their lives unfold.
There were alot of real life issues within this book, but the author dealt with them convincingly.
I was never quite sure how the twists and turns were all going to link everything together.
Another good writer now added to the Bookouture team and I look forward to reading about Detective Eden Berrisford's next case.
***ARC provided by Netgalley via Bookouture in return for an honest review***
October 11, 2016
Since my very first book by this author I have been hooked on her style of writing. Each book I have subsequently read has made me feel the same way.
The realistic approach and the realism of her stories, plots and characters become so insightful and real that it plays out in my minds eye.
This one is of no exception.
This is a fabulous start to a new series. What I also loved was that she drew in The Estate which although isn't a carry on saga it added an indepth meaning because we already learnt about the 'area'.
So between the run down council estate and the 'upper class' [compared] you somehow feel you are in familiar surroundings. I loved that.
Deanna is the girl that was killed.
The wrong person is being detained.
The crimes and events that happen afterwards, are they connected?
The abduction of Jess, the person who did this, the entire character of him was so well portrayed that at the end I almost felt sorry for him. I certainly understood him [if that's not warped of me to say so]
As the author leaks out more and more of what the parents find out about their children is jaw droppingly good!
My favorite books is when there is a lot of dialogue going on as loads of narration seems to make me yawn and skip a few pages, so that is another reason I love books by this author.
The chit chat, the dialogue the intense feelings it brings about within me whilst reading one of Mel Sherratt's books.
I really cannot wait for book 2
I would like to give special thanks to Bookoutour, the author and Kim Nash.
October 18, 2016
This is the first book in the Detective Eden Berrisford series by author Mel Sherratt.
Teenager Katie Trent tries to intervene when one of her friends Deanna Barker is murdered in the local park. Six months later Katie is now awaiting trial after she was accused of not trying to stop the murder earlier. With the trial date getting closer friends of Katie's are warned to keep quiet and when Katie’s best friend, Jess, is kidnapped for what appears to be her role in the situation, her Aunt Eden Berrisford, who is a Detective, investigates her kidnapping.
A good solid read that appears to be the start of a successful new series for the author.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying me with a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
Teenager Katie Trent tries to intervene when one of her friends Deanna Barker is murdered in the local park. Six months later Katie is now awaiting trial after she was accused of not trying to stop the murder earlier. With the trial date getting closer friends of Katie's are warned to keep quiet and when Katie’s best friend, Jess, is kidnapped for what appears to be her role in the situation, her Aunt Eden Berrisford, who is a Detective, investigates her kidnapping.
A good solid read that appears to be the start of a successful new series for the author.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying me with a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
March 17, 2017
Minor spoilers ahead based on some of the subjects addressed in this book.
This story covers multiple crimes within one book, and while it could have all turned into a jumbly lump, the author pulled them all together quite nicely. Having read the whole book in one day, I have to say it's quite a page turner!
It may just be me, but the introduction of many characters in the beginning of the book left me a bit confused. It took me awhile to get everyone straight, but once I did and the plot began to unfold, it was a very interesting read.
There are many strong subjects taken on here - bullying, kidnapping, petty crime, grief, abandonment, eating disorders, and suicide just to name a few. It was a bold move by the author to cover so many issues, but I feel they were handled with grace. There is a lot of potential here for the beginning of a strong series.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story covers multiple crimes within one book, and while it could have all turned into a jumbly lump, the author pulled them all together quite nicely. Having read the whole book in one day, I have to say it's quite a page turner!
It may just be me, but the introduction of many characters in the beginning of the book left me a bit confused. It took me awhile to get everyone straight, but once I did and the plot began to unfold, it was a very interesting read.
There are many strong subjects taken on here - bullying, kidnapping, petty crime, grief, abandonment, eating disorders, and suicide just to name a few. It was a bold move by the author to cover so many issues, but I feel they were handled with grace. There is a lot of potential here for the beginning of a strong series.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2016
The Girls Next Door is a gripping thriller packed with realistic characters,plenty of twists and short chapters that are not padded out with usless information that added nothing to the story.The chapters end in ways that cause the reader to have a bad dose of just one more chapter syndrome.
I loved doc Martin wearing Detective Eden Berrisford and her team,I loved the banter between them and way that Eden`s boss Sean treated her with respect and they had a close working relationship.There was none of the backstabbing and character undermining that you get in a lot of police procedural thrillers.
The story is told in alternating chapters by a number of different characters in the third person,it would have been helpful if the chapters had been headed so you knew who the chapter that you were reading was about but the story was easy to follow and flowed along nicely.I thought I had worked out who was behind the kidnapping but I was wrong which was a pleasant surprise.I know you are not supposed to feel sympathy for someone who has committed a terrible crime but sometimes when you find out about the circumstances leading up to the event it is hard not too.
I haven't read any other books by Mel Sherratt and I really enjoyed reading this one and look forward to reading more of her books in the future especially if they involve Eden and her team.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review
I loved doc Martin wearing Detective Eden Berrisford and her team,I loved the banter between them and way that Eden`s boss Sean treated her with respect and they had a close working relationship.There was none of the backstabbing and character undermining that you get in a lot of police procedural thrillers.
The story is told in alternating chapters by a number of different characters in the third person,it would have been helpful if the chapters had been headed so you knew who the chapter that you were reading was about but the story was easy to follow and flowed along nicely.I thought I had worked out who was behind the kidnapping but I was wrong which was a pleasant surprise.I know you are not supposed to feel sympathy for someone who has committed a terrible crime but sometimes when you find out about the circumstances leading up to the event it is hard not too.
I haven't read any other books by Mel Sherratt and I really enjoyed reading this one and look forward to reading more of her books in the future especially if they involve Eden and her team.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review
November 21, 2016
I thought I had the plot figured out while reading this book when everything suddenly takes a turn I did not expect and I was really taken by surprise about the change. That pretty much summons up my feeling about this book. That and that Mel Sherratt really knows how to write an intriguing story which pulls you in right from the start. This is, by the way, the first book I have read by Mel Sherratt and I'm quite looking forward to reading her other books.
The Girls Next Door is a book about women, that's how I feel, sure there are men in the book, both good and bad. But, I strongly felt that this story was about mothers, sisters, cousins, best friends. We have the mother who has lost a daughter, the other mother who is waiting to know the faith of her daughter. The sisters that are joined in heartache when one of their daughters is kidnapped. Cousins that were one's close, but then a secret tore them apart. And we have the two best friends that share secrets and now has to live with the consequences of their actions.
I found this book to be intriguing to read, and I like that not everything is how it seemed and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series to find out more about the characters, and what the actions in this book will do to their lives.
I want to thank Bookouture for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
The Girls Next Door is a book about women, that's how I feel, sure there are men in the book, both good and bad. But, I strongly felt that this story was about mothers, sisters, cousins, best friends. We have the mother who has lost a daughter, the other mother who is waiting to know the faith of her daughter. The sisters that are joined in heartache when one of their daughters is kidnapped. Cousins that were one's close, but then a secret tore them apart. And we have the two best friends that share secrets and now has to live with the consequences of their actions.
I found this book to be intriguing to read, and I like that not everything is how it seemed and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series to find out more about the characters, and what the actions in this book will do to their lives.
I want to thank Bookouture for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
November 10, 2016
Quick read that felt very reminiscient of Mary Higgins Clark in some areas. I would be interested in reading the next book in the series. I felt that Mel Sherratt kept the plot moving, there wasn`t chapters of useless information, the character of Eden Berrisford was one that enticed me to keep reading. If I had one complaint, it was that the ending wrapped up a little awkwardly for my sense of justice.
October 26, 2016
Full review on www.novelgossip.com
Sherratt wastes no time and immediately jumps straight into the action with this one. A teenage girl, Deanna is murdered one evening in a park. Her killers? Other teenagers. Just typing that out gave me the chills. Now six months have passed and the teens involved are being held until their trial. But other local kids are suddenly and swiftly being terrorized and humiliated days before the trial is to begin. One even goes missing, is there a connection between all of these events? It’s up to Eden Berrishford to figure it all out.
This is the first book in a new series featuring Eden and I’m already fascinated by her character. She’s a single mom with a teenaged daughter, Casey. She’s not your typical detective character, she’s very family oriented and really cares about her community, she has a vested interest. Her ex husband Danny isn’t in the picture anymore, but there is definitely a big story there and one that I’m hoping Sherratt explores as this series continues. Eden has a sister, Laura, who also has a teenage daughter named Jess. She’s a widow and also has another older daughter, Sarah. When Jess goes missing, Eden is bound and determined to stop at nothing in order to bring her back home safe and sound.
This one is definitely more thriller than mystery, however I was still dying to know what would happen next. Will Eden find Jess before it’s too late? Is this case too personal for her to keep a clear and objective head? You get many various perspectives here, from Eden and Laura to Jess and more. The scenes with Jess during her ordeal were full of tension and anticipation and I felt like I was right next to her cheering her on and hoping she would stay safe. I really couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, I was utterly absorbed.
As I don’t want to discuss the plot too much, I’ll say that this is an excellent start to what I hope is a long series. I love the feeling I get after reading the first book in a truly enthralling new series and I felt it in spades here. Eden is such a relatable character, yes she’s a cop but she’s also a mom, sister and aunt just trying to do right by her family. Her and Laura are very close and their sisterly relationship was very honest and identifiable. I loved the relationships between her and her coworkers, they have a great and engaging rapport.
I really cannot wait to see where Sherratt takes this series next, there are so many possibilities here and so much to delve into. This is definitely a series with substance that you can sink your teeth into and the brisk pace coupled with the elaborate and well written plot make for one hell of a read.
Sherratt wastes no time and immediately jumps straight into the action with this one. A teenage girl, Deanna is murdered one evening in a park. Her killers? Other teenagers. Just typing that out gave me the chills. Now six months have passed and the teens involved are being held until their trial. But other local kids are suddenly and swiftly being terrorized and humiliated days before the trial is to begin. One even goes missing, is there a connection between all of these events? It’s up to Eden Berrishford to figure it all out.
This is the first book in a new series featuring Eden and I’m already fascinated by her character. She’s a single mom with a teenaged daughter, Casey. She’s not your typical detective character, she’s very family oriented and really cares about her community, she has a vested interest. Her ex husband Danny isn’t in the picture anymore, but there is definitely a big story there and one that I’m hoping Sherratt explores as this series continues. Eden has a sister, Laura, who also has a teenage daughter named Jess. She’s a widow and also has another older daughter, Sarah. When Jess goes missing, Eden is bound and determined to stop at nothing in order to bring her back home safe and sound.
This one is definitely more thriller than mystery, however I was still dying to know what would happen next. Will Eden find Jess before it’s too late? Is this case too personal for her to keep a clear and objective head? You get many various perspectives here, from Eden and Laura to Jess and more. The scenes with Jess during her ordeal were full of tension and anticipation and I felt like I was right next to her cheering her on and hoping she would stay safe. I really couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, I was utterly absorbed.
As I don’t want to discuss the plot too much, I’ll say that this is an excellent start to what I hope is a long series. I love the feeling I get after reading the first book in a truly enthralling new series and I felt it in spades here. Eden is such a relatable character, yes she’s a cop but she’s also a mom, sister and aunt just trying to do right by her family. Her and Laura are very close and their sisterly relationship was very honest and identifiable. I loved the relationships between her and her coworkers, they have a great and engaging rapport.
I really cannot wait to see where Sherratt takes this series next, there are so many possibilities here and so much to delve into. This is definitely a series with substance that you can sink your teeth into and the brisk pace coupled with the elaborate and well written plot make for one hell of a read.
October 18, 2016
First published on my blog http://thebookreviewcafe.com
I know when I pick up a Mel Sharratt book I know I’m in for a rivetting read and The Girls Next Door was no exception, personally I would say this is her best book to date. From the first chapter the author works her magic and I found myself immersed in this gritty tale. The Girls Next Door begins in the most disturbing way when a sixteen year old girl is murdered, the first chapter alone makes for a difficult read, but unfortunately the events surrounding the stabbing are very credible, such stories are in the tabloids most days and that’s what made this book all the more chilling. As the trial approaches bad things start happening to the teenagers of stockleigh, and when it appears teenager Jess has been kidnapped it’s up to Detective Eden Berrisford, (who just happens to be Jess’s aunt) to solve the case and bring Jess home.
Mel Sharratt has created an array of very authentic characters Eden wasn’t your stereotypical kick ass Detective, she’s a single mother trying to juggle a career, a stroppy teenager and have some sort of life. She’s very family oriented and as Jess goes missing this becomes very apparent, I found her to be a very likeable and credible character. Jess and her friend were characters I couldn’t really take to due to some of the things they got up to, but like lots of teenagers they don’t think of the consequences of their actions and unfortunately events spiral out of control. It was also intriguing to read about the families and the different ways the crimes affected them, and how they coped with the fall out, which for me made the plot even more convincing. The author has a style of writing that makes her books come alive, they are gritty and very realistic and that’s something which draws me to Mel Sherratt’s books every time.
The Girls Next Door made for a quick read as it was so compelling, it’s well paced and although there weren’t any real twists and turns in the plot, this in no way spoilt my enjoyment of this book. This is a story of revenge, teenage troubles, and the consequences of making bad choices and that’s what made for a very disturbing and gritty read. The author pulls no punches and although some of the subjects she touches on are difficult ones it’s done with finesse. This is definitely a book for fans of crime and police procedural, thrillers….. If you’ve never read Mel Sherratt before, where have you been?
I know when I pick up a Mel Sharratt book I know I’m in for a rivetting read and The Girls Next Door was no exception, personally I would say this is her best book to date. From the first chapter the author works her magic and I found myself immersed in this gritty tale. The Girls Next Door begins in the most disturbing way when a sixteen year old girl is murdered, the first chapter alone makes for a difficult read, but unfortunately the events surrounding the stabbing are very credible, such stories are in the tabloids most days and that’s what made this book all the more chilling. As the trial approaches bad things start happening to the teenagers of stockleigh, and when it appears teenager Jess has been kidnapped it’s up to Detective Eden Berrisford, (who just happens to be Jess’s aunt) to solve the case and bring Jess home.
Mel Sharratt has created an array of very authentic characters Eden wasn’t your stereotypical kick ass Detective, she’s a single mother trying to juggle a career, a stroppy teenager and have some sort of life. She’s very family oriented and as Jess goes missing this becomes very apparent, I found her to be a very likeable and credible character. Jess and her friend were characters I couldn’t really take to due to some of the things they got up to, but like lots of teenagers they don’t think of the consequences of their actions and unfortunately events spiral out of control. It was also intriguing to read about the families and the different ways the crimes affected them, and how they coped with the fall out, which for me made the plot even more convincing. The author has a style of writing that makes her books come alive, they are gritty and very realistic and that’s something which draws me to Mel Sherratt’s books every time.
The Girls Next Door made for a quick read as it was so compelling, it’s well paced and although there weren’t any real twists and turns in the plot, this in no way spoilt my enjoyment of this book. This is a story of revenge, teenage troubles, and the consequences of making bad choices and that’s what made for a very disturbing and gritty read. The author pulls no punches and although some of the subjects she touches on are difficult ones it’s done with finesse. This is definitely a book for fans of crime and police procedural, thrillers….. If you’ve never read Mel Sherratt before, where have you been?
August 6, 2019
A 5★ Adrenaline Rush!
Katie watched them sneaking up on the figure. Just as he was about to disappear into the subway, she saw Nathan punch him in the side of the head. The boy, taken by surprise, dropped to his knees before scrambling up and turning to face them. Nathan punched him in the face this time. So did Craig. Tom drew back his foot and aimed a kick at him when he dropped to the floor for a second time.
As if they were a pack of wild dogs, they rained punches and kicks down on the boy as he tried to curl up into a ball. For a moment Katie froze, unsure how to stem the rage that was coming from them. Then she saw Nathan flick out a knife.
‘No,’ she whispered.
Rigid with fear, she watched Nathan thrust the knife into the boy’s stomach. It was as if time stood still as he pulled it out and then stabbed him repeatedly.
‘Stop! Please!’ Katie screamed and ran down the bank towards them as they continued their attack. Finding courage she didn’t know she had, she pushed first Craig and then Tom away as hard as she could, hoping it would snap them out of the red mist that must have descended.
Nathan glared at her but dropped the knife.
She scrambled across to the boy and knelt down beside him. There was blood coming from his mouth and he was making gurgling noises as he fought for breath. His hood fell from his face, and Katie recoiled. It wasn’t a boy. It was a girl.
And Katie knew her.
********
The Girls Next Door by Mel Sherratt is the first book in the Detective Eden Barrisford series and my first by this author and it packs a wallop! Fast paced, loaded with twists, and fizzing with tension, I couldn't get enough! Having finished it in one sitting, I'll be reading the second in this series next! Stay tuned!
Katie watched them sneaking up on the figure. Just as he was about to disappear into the subway, she saw Nathan punch him in the side of the head. The boy, taken by surprise, dropped to his knees before scrambling up and turning to face them. Nathan punched him in the face this time. So did Craig. Tom drew back his foot and aimed a kick at him when he dropped to the floor for a second time.
As if they were a pack of wild dogs, they rained punches and kicks down on the boy as he tried to curl up into a ball. For a moment Katie froze, unsure how to stem the rage that was coming from them. Then she saw Nathan flick out a knife.
‘No,’ she whispered.
Rigid with fear, she watched Nathan thrust the knife into the boy’s stomach. It was as if time stood still as he pulled it out and then stabbed him repeatedly.
‘Stop! Please!’ Katie screamed and ran down the bank towards them as they continued their attack. Finding courage she didn’t know she had, she pushed first Craig and then Tom away as hard as she could, hoping it would snap them out of the red mist that must have descended.
Nathan glared at her but dropped the knife.
She scrambled across to the boy and knelt down beside him. There was blood coming from his mouth and he was making gurgling noises as he fought for breath. His hood fell from his face, and Katie recoiled. It wasn’t a boy. It was a girl.
And Katie knew her.
********
The Girls Next Door by Mel Sherratt is the first book in the Detective Eden Barrisford series and my first by this author and it packs a wallop! Fast paced, loaded with twists, and fizzing with tension, I couldn't get enough! Having finished it in one sitting, I'll be reading the second in this series next! Stay tuned!
October 23, 2016
Katie Trent tried to stop her friend Deanna Barker from bleeding to death after being repeatedly stabbed in the local park.
Six months later Katie is on remand waiting the trial for Deanna's murder. The trial date is only a few days away and some of Katie's friends are warned to keep quiet. Then her friend Jess disappears. Everyone thinks it is linked to the murder case.
Detective Eden Berrisford has to race against time to catch the individual behind the attacks but then it gets personal when her niece, Jess, goes missing. Will Eden bring Jess home or will the death of another Stockleigh girl be moerned?
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Mel Sherratt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Six months later Katie is on remand waiting the trial for Deanna's murder. The trial date is only a few days away and some of Katie's friends are warned to keep quiet. Then her friend Jess disappears. Everyone thinks it is linked to the murder case.
Detective Eden Berrisford has to race against time to catch the individual behind the attacks but then it gets personal when her niece, Jess, goes missing. Will Eden bring Jess home or will the death of another Stockleigh girl be moerned?
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Mel Sherratt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2016
When I reviewed Mel Sherratt’s Written in the Scars about a year ago, I concluded: “Tho’ I think Mel Sherratt is really flourishing in the detective story genre . . . the Mitchell Estate remains closest to my heart as a place to meet characters whom I love, speaking a bit differently but whom I’ve come to recognise almost as neighbours & friends.” So now Mel has merged the police procedurals with her Estate series, giving us a new police officer, DS Eden Berrisford, who covers the town of Stockleigh (clearly Stoke) including the Mitchell Estate, so one of my favourite principal characters from the Estate series, Josie Mellor the housing officer, puts in a cameo appearance here. Eden is on the verge of middle-age and has a teenage daughter Laura, & a broken relationship with Laura’s father. Like Mel Sherratt’s other principal characters, Eden has to offer strong support for others whilst carrying a lot of emotional baggage—one of the reasons they inspire us so much. We also have gang violence amongst teenagers that has led to the death of one girl & another, Katie, being banged up in prison awaiting trial accused of her death. Then another of Laura’s friends, her cousin Jess, who has been involved with a gang stealing mobile phones, is abducted. So Eden gets involved investigating the disappearance of her own niece. As in the Estate series, the women characters form a support system for each other. This one is organised by Josie & called SWAP, Stockleigh Working to Achieve Potential. The characters whom I find most inspiring in Mel Sherratt’s stories are those who can use community support & social services not as an excuse to sink into dependency (tho’ the Mitchell Estate is well stocked with skivers too) but to improve their lives, for whom being able to take a vocational course or learn to run a small business opens new opportunities, a better home, a better life. We see that a police officer such as Eden doesn’t just maintain order, but has an important social function. Tho’ I don’t recall the term’s being employed, The Girls Next Door shows us through Eden how community policing can work at its very best, just as Cath Mason exemplifies role modelling and mentoring in Somewhere to Hide and Josie Mellor supervising social housing in Behind a Closed Door, not checking boxes but helping their clients have better lives.
Both parents and teens are nicely portrayed in a few strokes & the teens in particular learn how to take responsibility for their careless & wrong choices. It took me about half way though to start feeling comfortable with so many characters but once they were firmly established for me they felt very real. Mel Sherratt’s literary career has been an awesome inspiration, from multiple reject relying on self-publishing to get Allie Shenton before the public to best-sellerdom. Here I think she handled a complex plot beautifully. I kept wondering how Jess’s disappearance and the mobile phone theft ring could work together & was pleased with the outcome. Still, that fifth star blinks a bit. The story behind Jess’s disappearance did not ring for me with total conviction & the denouement felt deliberately postponed, whilst the plot involving Katie was wrapped up almost perfunctorily. But our time spent with Mel Sherratt’s principal characters is passed with imaginary best friends. I listen to Radio Stoke on the internet to imagine their voices.
Both parents and teens are nicely portrayed in a few strokes & the teens in particular learn how to take responsibility for their careless & wrong choices. It took me about half way though to start feeling comfortable with so many characters but once they were firmly established for me they felt very real. Mel Sherratt’s literary career has been an awesome inspiration, from multiple reject relying on self-publishing to get Allie Shenton before the public to best-sellerdom. Here I think she handled a complex plot beautifully. I kept wondering how Jess’s disappearance and the mobile phone theft ring could work together & was pleased with the outcome. Still, that fifth star blinks a bit. The story behind Jess’s disappearance did not ring for me with total conviction & the denouement felt deliberately postponed, whilst the plot involving Katie was wrapped up almost perfunctorily. But our time spent with Mel Sherratt’s principal characters is passed with imaginary best friends. I listen to Radio Stoke on the internet to imagine their voices.
March 30, 2017
I really liked The Girls Next Door by Mel Sherratt it was a real page turner & kept me wondering the whole way through, There are a lot of issues in this novel which was written superbly by Miss Sherratt that Teenagers today are dealing with Anorexia Nervosa & suicide which I think helped the plot move well.
One warm sunny evening five teenagers meet at a local park, only four will come out alive. Deanna Barker was stabbed & left in the arms of her friend Katie who spent time in a juvenile detention but vehemently denies doing it.
As the trial approaches the Girls of Stock Leigh are being targeted by someone unknown to them & are given a warning TO SHUT UP OR ELSE!!
In comes DS Eden Berrisford & DC Amy Nichols to find the perp as the plot deepens we find out that Jessica Eden's niece gets kidnapped & has been involved in a mobile phone scam run by Damien & Travis barker who were unscrupulous characters & made the story come to life.
Laura Mountford Jessica's mother finds out & is terrified her daughter will be next, so its a race against time to find the killer before Jessica is harmed. then all of a sudden Laura gets a call from the person holding Jessica telling her ITS NOT HER I WANT ITS YOU!! & she finally realises why?
I wont go any further as it will involve spoilers & wouldn't be fair to future readers, lets just say it hit me for 6 in the end I felt sorry for the perp in the end.
I really enjoyed the first in this well written series Amy & Eden were tough ass characters that jelled well together &we found out a bit of the family side of things which I think worked well. 4 Stars
One warm sunny evening five teenagers meet at a local park, only four will come out alive. Deanna Barker was stabbed & left in the arms of her friend Katie who spent time in a juvenile detention but vehemently denies doing it.
As the trial approaches the Girls of Stock Leigh are being targeted by someone unknown to them & are given a warning TO SHUT UP OR ELSE!!
In comes DS Eden Berrisford & DC Amy Nichols to find the perp as the plot deepens we find out that Jessica Eden's niece gets kidnapped & has been involved in a mobile phone scam run by Damien & Travis barker who were unscrupulous characters & made the story come to life.
Laura Mountford Jessica's mother finds out & is terrified her daughter will be next, so its a race against time to find the killer before Jessica is harmed. then all of a sudden Laura gets a call from the person holding Jessica telling her ITS NOT HER I WANT ITS YOU!! & she finally realises why?
I wont go any further as it will involve spoilers & wouldn't be fair to future readers, lets just say it hit me for 6 in the end I felt sorry for the perp in the end.
I really enjoyed the first in this well written series Amy & Eden were tough ass characters that jelled well together &we found out a bit of the family side of things which I think worked well. 4 Stars
October 22, 2016
Katie Trent really doesn’t like Nathan Lucas. She’s only going out with him as a favour to her best friend Jess and her boyfriend Cayden, and now, because Jess is ill, she must go and see him on her own. To put up with his bad moods and worse breath. And to make matters worse, he has two of his thuggish mates with him. They are waiting for something. Or someone. In a few short horrifying moments, Katie watches as Nathan and his mates lay into someone they think is neighbourhood bad boy Travis Barker. Nathan pulls a knife and before Katie knows what is happening he has stabbed the stranger twice.
But it’s not Travis they attacked, and the fallout from this awful case of mistaken identity is something that will haunt not only Katie, but her family and many of her friends for months to come. Because just days before the teenager’s trial, someone starts to attack the teenagers of Stockleigh. Young girls attacked by two strangers, scaring them by leaving them with the ominous warning, ‘Keep Your Mouth Shut.’ Is this a warning about the trial or is there some other reason for people to be terrorising the youth of Stockleigh?
When Cayden is attacked while on his meet Jess, it is easy for the police to dismiss as another of these mystery attacks. As Jess’s mother Laura receives a text message saying that Jess is staying at a friend’s house she is annoyed but thinks little of it, dismissing it as another of Jess’s typical acting out. But when Jess doesn’t come home as promised the following morning, Laura begins to worry. And when she calls Jess’s friend, her whole world begins to crumble around her. Because Jess didn’t go to her friends, and never made it to meet Cayden.
Detective Sergeant Eden Berrisford oversees the Community Intelligence Team, aka the ‘Sticking Plaster Team’, a job she loves. With her team assigned the case of the attacks on the teenagers, she needs to find out what has been going on before anything escalates. But when she is told that her niece Jess has gone missing, the case becomes far more personal than she could have expected. Is she another victim of these random attacks or has something more sinister happened? When Laura receives a call from a man claiming to be holding Jess, it becomes a race against the clock to find her before the community must mourn another lost child.
Well. Wow. What can I say? If you are looking for nerve-wracking and nail biting tension then look no further. From the opening chapter, you can tell that ‘The Girls Next Door’ is going to be a brilliant story. As each chapter unfurls you get a gradual building of tension, initially a catch up with the main protagonists and what has been happening in the months since that awful, fatal attack. And at the point at which you are introduced to Cayden Blackwell, the sense of foreboding really picks up, as does the tension. You know that he is up to no good but the level of brutality in the attack upon him seems out of proportion. Until Jess receives a text from his phone asking her to meet him rather than him pick her up. Uh-oh. That’s not good, now is it?
As each individual attack occurs on the girls, Sherratt creates such heart-thumping action and narrative that I’m pretty certain my cat could hear mine beating in my chest. He was certainly giving me funny looks. As each girl is captured and terrorised I was on the edge of my seat. What do they want from the girls? How far will they go? With Jess being abducted, is another one of them about to become a second victim … Well you’ll have to read for yourself, but it’s truly gripping and compelling writing which makes you want to read on and not look away. It was nail biting stuff and Sherratt creates such confusion for both police and reader, tantalising twists in the plot which won’t get straightened out until about two-thirds through.
At this point, when the kidnapper reveals himself to Laura, and what it is that has triggered him becomes a little clearer, I did wonder how, and if, it would be possible to keep up the tension. But Sherratt manages this beautifully. While you know how he has justified the kidnapping to himself, you still don’t know exactly why he did it or what his end game may be. And as Eden and her team follow some false leads, while Laura keep secrets from her sister, secrets that could jeopardise both her and Jess, I was every bit as gripped and engaged as I had been at the start.
The structure of this book is also very clever. Interspersed with the present-day action, which takes place over just a couple of days, are letters from Katie to her mother Maxine, letters in which she talks about what happened on the night that changed her life, and what is happening to her in the secure unit that she has been forced to call home. It all adds to the mystery and makes you question why has Jess been taken, the man blaming ‘her’ for the loss of his precious daughter.
The characters were equally compelling. Both the likeable and the reprehensible because even those who were victims were not entirely innocent. Jess has kept many secrets from her mother, but none of them justify what happens to her. And Eden’s relationship with her daughter, and her reluctance to let go of her ex-husband Danny, is something that I will be interested to see developed in subsequent books as this really feels like a ghost of a relationship which will definitely come back to haunt Eden in time. And the team dynamic among the detectives is great, some fantastic banter between them, but with overwhelming support for each other. And even the perpetrator is not an entirely unsympathetic character. You cannot forgive his actions, but can perhaps understand a little of what drove him to this place.
Full of misdirection, fast paced, short chapters and nail biting action, this was a great start to a new series from Mel Sherratt. She has a very likeable character in Eden Berrisford; a real note of authenticity about her, the single mother juggling work and home to keep her daughter on the right track. She is down to earth with a real community spirit and in somewhere like Stockleigh, this is bound to lead her into many an exciting adventure. I look forward to reading more.
A nerve wrenching, nail biting 5 stars.
I received an ARC of ‘The Girls Next Door’ by Mel Sherratt from publishers BookOuture and NetGalley.
But it’s not Travis they attacked, and the fallout from this awful case of mistaken identity is something that will haunt not only Katie, but her family and many of her friends for months to come. Because just days before the teenager’s trial, someone starts to attack the teenagers of Stockleigh. Young girls attacked by two strangers, scaring them by leaving them with the ominous warning, ‘Keep Your Mouth Shut.’ Is this a warning about the trial or is there some other reason for people to be terrorising the youth of Stockleigh?
When Cayden is attacked while on his meet Jess, it is easy for the police to dismiss as another of these mystery attacks. As Jess’s mother Laura receives a text message saying that Jess is staying at a friend’s house she is annoyed but thinks little of it, dismissing it as another of Jess’s typical acting out. But when Jess doesn’t come home as promised the following morning, Laura begins to worry. And when she calls Jess’s friend, her whole world begins to crumble around her. Because Jess didn’t go to her friends, and never made it to meet Cayden.
Detective Sergeant Eden Berrisford oversees the Community Intelligence Team, aka the ‘Sticking Plaster Team’, a job she loves. With her team assigned the case of the attacks on the teenagers, she needs to find out what has been going on before anything escalates. But when she is told that her niece Jess has gone missing, the case becomes far more personal than she could have expected. Is she another victim of these random attacks or has something more sinister happened? When Laura receives a call from a man claiming to be holding Jess, it becomes a race against the clock to find her before the community must mourn another lost child.
Well. Wow. What can I say? If you are looking for nerve-wracking and nail biting tension then look no further. From the opening chapter, you can tell that ‘The Girls Next Door’ is going to be a brilliant story. As each chapter unfurls you get a gradual building of tension, initially a catch up with the main protagonists and what has been happening in the months since that awful, fatal attack. And at the point at which you are introduced to Cayden Blackwell, the sense of foreboding really picks up, as does the tension. You know that he is up to no good but the level of brutality in the attack upon him seems out of proportion. Until Jess receives a text from his phone asking her to meet him rather than him pick her up. Uh-oh. That’s not good, now is it?
As each individual attack occurs on the girls, Sherratt creates such heart-thumping action and narrative that I’m pretty certain my cat could hear mine beating in my chest. He was certainly giving me funny looks. As each girl is captured and terrorised I was on the edge of my seat. What do they want from the girls? How far will they go? With Jess being abducted, is another one of them about to become a second victim … Well you’ll have to read for yourself, but it’s truly gripping and compelling writing which makes you want to read on and not look away. It was nail biting stuff and Sherratt creates such confusion for both police and reader, tantalising twists in the plot which won’t get straightened out until about two-thirds through.
At this point, when the kidnapper reveals himself to Laura, and what it is that has triggered him becomes a little clearer, I did wonder how, and if, it would be possible to keep up the tension. But Sherratt manages this beautifully. While you know how he has justified the kidnapping to himself, you still don’t know exactly why he did it or what his end game may be. And as Eden and her team follow some false leads, while Laura keep secrets from her sister, secrets that could jeopardise both her and Jess, I was every bit as gripped and engaged as I had been at the start.
The structure of this book is also very clever. Interspersed with the present-day action, which takes place over just a couple of days, are letters from Katie to her mother Maxine, letters in which she talks about what happened on the night that changed her life, and what is happening to her in the secure unit that she has been forced to call home. It all adds to the mystery and makes you question why has Jess been taken, the man blaming ‘her’ for the loss of his precious daughter.
The characters were equally compelling. Both the likeable and the reprehensible because even those who were victims were not entirely innocent. Jess has kept many secrets from her mother, but none of them justify what happens to her. And Eden’s relationship with her daughter, and her reluctance to let go of her ex-husband Danny, is something that I will be interested to see developed in subsequent books as this really feels like a ghost of a relationship which will definitely come back to haunt Eden in time. And the team dynamic among the detectives is great, some fantastic banter between them, but with overwhelming support for each other. And even the perpetrator is not an entirely unsympathetic character. You cannot forgive his actions, but can perhaps understand a little of what drove him to this place.
Full of misdirection, fast paced, short chapters and nail biting action, this was a great start to a new series from Mel Sherratt. She has a very likeable character in Eden Berrisford; a real note of authenticity about her, the single mother juggling work and home to keep her daughter on the right track. She is down to earth with a real community spirit and in somewhere like Stockleigh, this is bound to lead her into many an exciting adventure. I look forward to reading more.
A nerve wrenching, nail biting 5 stars.
I received an ARC of ‘The Girls Next Door’ by Mel Sherratt from publishers BookOuture and NetGalley.
February 6, 2017
Three teenage boys and a teenage girl are hanging out in a park. The boys spy someone they know ..someone that needs taken down. The boys rush the hooded person and one of the boys winds up stabbing the person. As the girl reaches them, she starts screaming ..they have just killed another teenage girl ... not their target at all.
Six months later, those 4 teens are in jail, waiting to go to court.
There begins attacks and assaults on three girls. One has paint thrown all over her. One has her beautiful long hair cut off. One girl is abandoned miles from home without her pants or coat. They all were told .... Don't Tell Or We'll Hurt You ...
And then one girl is kidnapped and it becomes personal for Detective Berrisford ... the victim is her niece, Jess Mountford.
Who are attacking these girls? Who kidnapped Jess? The same people .. or is there something more sinister going on?
This books introduces the reader to the detective and her team of crime fighters. Eden is an interesting character, as she is a single mom of a teenage girl. Her husband disappeared 2 years ago and only she knows the real reason why. I'm hoping to see more character development as books are added to this series.
There is not a lot of suspense, no twists or turns, nor any major surprise. As a reader, I was expecting a lot more action, it just wasn't there.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley who provided a digital copy of this novel. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
3.5 Stars
Six months later, those 4 teens are in jail, waiting to go to court.
There begins attacks and assaults on three girls. One has paint thrown all over her. One has her beautiful long hair cut off. One girl is abandoned miles from home without her pants or coat. They all were told .... Don't Tell Or We'll Hurt You ...
And then one girl is kidnapped and it becomes personal for Detective Berrisford ... the victim is her niece, Jess Mountford.
Who are attacking these girls? Who kidnapped Jess? The same people .. or is there something more sinister going on?
This books introduces the reader to the detective and her team of crime fighters. Eden is an interesting character, as she is a single mom of a teenage girl. Her husband disappeared 2 years ago and only she knows the real reason why. I'm hoping to see more character development as books are added to this series.
There is not a lot of suspense, no twists or turns, nor any major surprise. As a reader, I was expecting a lot more action, it just wasn't there.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley who provided a digital copy of this novel. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
3.5 Stars
October 31, 2016
The first in a new series by British author Mel Sherratt introduces Detective Eden Berrisford who is different from the clichéd police detectives found so often in this genre. A single mother with a teenage daughter, Eden gets on well with her superiors and colleagues and is very family-oriented. The investigation she becomes involved with affects her personally as her teenage niece has disappeared.
This wasn't just a police procedural or a thriller but also crossed into family drama with an emphasis on parent-child relationships and the difficulties faced by teenagers with regards to peer pressure and the consequences of one's actions.
It was a solid and innovative storyline. The character of Eden is interesting and has potential. I liked this, but I can't say that I loved it. I think I was hoping for something more gritty and with a bit more action, but it ended up being quite 'cozy' almost, with a lot of interior monologue and reflection. The regularly changing perspectives also led to some repetition. The story is more or less set over the duration of one weekend, but it dragged in parts. However, the author did a good job of misdirecting the reader initially and it didn't go the way I had expected it to for the first half. I actually failed to feel any empathy for "the girls" and have to admit the only one I felt somewhat sorry for in the end was the perpetrator, which made this into a bit of a strange reading experience for me.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
This wasn't just a police procedural or a thriller but also crossed into family drama with an emphasis on parent-child relationships and the difficulties faced by teenagers with regards to peer pressure and the consequences of one's actions.
It was a solid and innovative storyline. The character of Eden is interesting and has potential. I liked this, but I can't say that I loved it. I think I was hoping for something more gritty and with a bit more action, but it ended up being quite 'cozy' almost, with a lot of interior monologue and reflection. The regularly changing perspectives also led to some repetition. The story is more or less set over the duration of one weekend, but it dragged in parts. However, the author did a good job of misdirecting the reader initially and it didn't go the way I had expected it to for the first half. I actually failed to feel any empathy for "the girls" and have to admit the only one I felt somewhat sorry for in the end was the perpetrator, which made this into a bit of a strange reading experience for me.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
September 14, 2016
The cover promises an edge of your seat thriller and does not fail to disappoint. From the first few pages, I knew I was in for a treat. I'm a massive Mel Sherratt fan, and her latest offering carries the same gritty style of writing that I have come to know and love.
This story features Eden Berrisford, a scooter driving Dr Marten wearing Detective Sergeant who is a popular member of her team. But when her niece goes missing six months after teenager Deanna Barker is stabbed, Eden is determined to bring her home safely. As she delves deeper, she is shocked by what she discovers.
Mel Sherratt is a truly unique voice in crime writing, and I would recognise one of her books anywhere. Her previous occupation as a housing officer shines through in The Girls Next Door. With authentic true to life characters, and a twisty-turny plot, this book will have you turning the pages into the wee hours. A heart-pounding, breath holding, twisty-turny read. I highly recommend this book.
This story features Eden Berrisford, a scooter driving Dr Marten wearing Detective Sergeant who is a popular member of her team. But when her niece goes missing six months after teenager Deanna Barker is stabbed, Eden is determined to bring her home safely. As she delves deeper, she is shocked by what she discovers.
Mel Sherratt is a truly unique voice in crime writing, and I would recognise one of her books anywhere. Her previous occupation as a housing officer shines through in The Girls Next Door. With authentic true to life characters, and a twisty-turny plot, this book will have you turning the pages into the wee hours. A heart-pounding, breath holding, twisty-turny read. I highly recommend this book.
November 5, 2016
The Girls Next Door starts off with the murder of a teenager by a group of friends, one innocently involved. All are arrested and charged including the innocent Jess Mountford, sixteen year old niece of our main character in this book, Detective Eden Berrisford.
After the arrests, girls in the community are being attached and warned about keeping quite which leads us to believe that it is all connected to the murder, but all is not as it seems.
Eden investigates both the murder and the attacks on the girls,and what starts off as a seemingly single investigation soon turns out to be two separate cases with the second one closer to home than Eden would like.
This is the first outing for Eden Berrisford and what a breath of fresh air she is. A well written character, a strong female lead with plenty of depth as she works tirelessly to solve the crimes on her patch.
The star of the novel itself is the story. It's a well thought out and beautifully written tale, paced extremely well and just a joy to read. It goes on tangents you don't expect and may end up being a story you didn't expect at the start but it's all the better for it.
My only real criticism would be that there was quite a large cast of characters early in the book, and quite a few of them minor characters which I found hard to keep track of and who was who. It's only a minor gripe though as they were there for a reason and served their purpose.
I really enjoyed this read. I was transported into the world of Stockleigh and it's characters for the duration of this novel and it was a totally believable and real world and story. I really found the pacing of this novel spot on. I spent longer than I had anticipated reading this due to personal circumstances, so I had some large gaps between reading sessions but it's a credit to the author and the story that I just jumped straight back into it. I really hope this is the first in a long series for Detective Eden Berrisford as this one hit the bullseye for me and I want to read more about Eden and her colleagues and family.
I would like to thank Mel Sherratt, Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance copy of The Giros Next Door in return for an honest and unbiased review.
After the arrests, girls in the community are being attached and warned about keeping quite which leads us to believe that it is all connected to the murder, but all is not as it seems.
Eden investigates both the murder and the attacks on the girls,and what starts off as a seemingly single investigation soon turns out to be two separate cases with the second one closer to home than Eden would like.
This is the first outing for Eden Berrisford and what a breath of fresh air she is. A well written character, a strong female lead with plenty of depth as she works tirelessly to solve the crimes on her patch.
The star of the novel itself is the story. It's a well thought out and beautifully written tale, paced extremely well and just a joy to read. It goes on tangents you don't expect and may end up being a story you didn't expect at the start but it's all the better for it.
My only real criticism would be that there was quite a large cast of characters early in the book, and quite a few of them minor characters which I found hard to keep track of and who was who. It's only a minor gripe though as they were there for a reason and served their purpose.
I really enjoyed this read. I was transported into the world of Stockleigh and it's characters for the duration of this novel and it was a totally believable and real world and story. I really found the pacing of this novel spot on. I spent longer than I had anticipated reading this due to personal circumstances, so I had some large gaps between reading sessions but it's a credit to the author and the story that I just jumped straight back into it. I really hope this is the first in a long series for Detective Eden Berrisford as this one hit the bullseye for me and I want to read more about Eden and her colleagues and family.
I would like to thank Mel Sherratt, Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance copy of The Giros Next Door in return for an honest and unbiased review.
February 9, 2022
This starts off with a whole lot all at once and I wasn't sure how it would all come together.
I was pleasantly surprised how it did.
To be honest, the whole Katie story line could have been left out of the book and the only loss would have been pages. It did not have an impact on the rest of the plot, and actually muddled it a bit.
This author has a HUGE back catalogue, so I am excited to check out more of her work to see if I find a plot that fits me better.
I was pleasantly surprised how it did.
To be honest, the whole Katie story line could have been left out of the book and the only loss would have been pages. It did not have an impact on the rest of the plot, and actually muddled it a bit.
This author has a HUGE back catalogue, so I am excited to check out more of her work to see if I find a plot that fits me better.
October 29, 2016
I loved the start to this novel. It just grabbed me straight from the off and didn’t let me go.
I am a huge fan of this authors The Estate series, so I absolutely loved that this new crime series is set on an estate with a totally believable storyline.
Through circumstances, poor Kate is basically in the wrong place at the wrong time. Un fortunately for her and her family, what happens that evening is something that will change their lives for ever. Through Kate’s character I could really feel the emotions that she was going through. I felt just as scared and frightened as she did when she gets sent to prison to await trial for a murder that she didn’t really have any part in.
If anything this whole storyline as a parent really made me worry about what can happen when your children get in with the wrong crowd. It’s frightening to think what they could easily get mixed up in and what the consequences could be.
I had so much empathy for Kate’s mum as well as Jess’s. Being a parent can be hard work but being a parent to a teen can be even harder. To these two women, their girls are still very much their babies and the worry and concerns they have about them is totally relatable.
Eden I really liked. The fact that it is her niece that has been kidnapped, makes the case even more emotionally harder for her. She does her best to remain focused though and to ensure she returns her niece back home safe and well.
The Girls Next Door is a gripping and chilling read. As a parent it will make you want to lock your teens up and keep them safe from the outside world. There is plenty of twists that just added to the whole build up of the story and I literally daren’t breath until I saw how it was going to end. Fantastic start to another new crime series.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of this authors The Estate series, so I absolutely loved that this new crime series is set on an estate with a totally believable storyline.
Through circumstances, poor Kate is basically in the wrong place at the wrong time. Un fortunately for her and her family, what happens that evening is something that will change their lives for ever. Through Kate’s character I could really feel the emotions that she was going through. I felt just as scared and frightened as she did when she gets sent to prison to await trial for a murder that she didn’t really have any part in.
If anything this whole storyline as a parent really made me worry about what can happen when your children get in with the wrong crowd. It’s frightening to think what they could easily get mixed up in and what the consequences could be.
I had so much empathy for Kate’s mum as well as Jess’s. Being a parent can be hard work but being a parent to a teen can be even harder. To these two women, their girls are still very much their babies and the worry and concerns they have about them is totally relatable.
Eden I really liked. The fact that it is her niece that has been kidnapped, makes the case even more emotionally harder for her. She does her best to remain focused though and to ensure she returns her niece back home safe and well.
The Girls Next Door is a gripping and chilling read. As a parent it will make you want to lock your teens up and keep them safe from the outside world. There is plenty of twists that just added to the whole build up of the story and I literally daren’t breath until I saw how it was going to end. Fantastic start to another new crime series.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2016
I'm going to be in the minority with this one, so far anyway. The story starts off with a bang and just keeps going. Murder, random attacks on teenagers, abduction, etc. The story just exploded with tension....at first. You definitely want to keep reading to see who's doing what and how its all going to end. The things that happened with the teens seemed very believable, especially in this day and age. For me, though, the story didn't continue with the tensity. You really know who's doing what and to me that doesn't interest me. I want to have some surprises. That's why I read thrillers/mysteries, to have that build up of who the culprit is and then being wowed because I didn't see this coming. So the story lost its WOW factor really quick. I also didn't like the characters too much. Usually, this doesn't bother me (unless the main character is REALLY awful), but if I like the story, then the personalities aren't a problem. Also, the story switches pov's every chapter. It seemed like every character that was introduced had a chance to have something to say, with the exception of a few. Maybe, I just wanted more from Eden since this is going to be her series. Who knows? In the end, I just didn't like the overall story and the why's--why the teens were being attacked, why that person was killed, and why there was an abduction. I was going to give this a 3 star rating but the more I think about it, the more I just didn't like the story. It wasn't awful but not something I would recommend either. So just a 2 star rating from me.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2017
As a community prepares for the trial of four teenagers involved in the death of sixteen year old Deanna Barker, a spate of assaults on teenage girls puts the Stockleigh police on alert. When the best friend of one of those on trial goes missing, all hell breaks lose. The missing teenager is Jess Mount, niece of Detective Eden Berrisford. Eden will stop at nothing to find her beloved niece and bring her safely home to her mother Laura, Eden's sister. Meanwhile teenager Katie Trent is having a tough time in Juvenile Detention while awaiting trial for her part in Deanna's murder, will the court believe her or will she end up in prison? Now her best friend is in peril and she is unable to help her. Will Eden find Jess before it's too late, and will Katie be sentenced for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? The tension mounts in this edge-of-your-seat crime novel.
This is the first book I have read by popular author Mel Sherratt, and it's also the first book in the Detective Eden Berrisford series, and I really enjoyed it. Mel Sherratt has a great down to earth writing style, and this book was full of interesting characters and her portrayal of the teenagers involved - none of whom is whiter than white - is particularly interesting. I look forward to reading future books in this series.
I received this e-book for free from the publisher Bookoutour via Netgalley.
This is the first book I have read by popular author Mel Sherratt, and it's also the first book in the Detective Eden Berrisford series, and I really enjoyed it. Mel Sherratt has a great down to earth writing style, and this book was full of interesting characters and her portrayal of the teenagers involved - none of whom is whiter than white - is particularly interesting. I look forward to reading future books in this series.
I received this e-book for free from the publisher Bookoutour via Netgalley.
October 27, 2016
Also read my review here: http://bookbum.weebly.com/book-review...
NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!
There was nothing exceptional about the story, the characters or the crimes involved in this detective novel. Reading through the current reviews of this, I can’t understand how people thought this was gripping from the start, because for me, this was a little boring. A lot was happening, but at the same time, nothing was happening. Personally, I prefer heavier and darker reads, this felt a little too cosy for my liking.
Props to Sherratt for creating a detective novel where the detective has a normal life and no depressing baggage to carry around. Eden’s husband walked out on her, but that’s the only sad thing we learn about her! She has a daughter who loves her, and a new man on the scene. She also has a really close relationship with her sister who lives down the road and she likes all of her colleagues! Is that a first? Very possibly!
The other characters in this novel were pretty forgettable, and being as there were hundreds of different people involved in the story, I did forget who each one was most of this time! The Barker family were supposed to be the rough ones of the area, the kind of people you wanted to avoid, yet Sherratt named the main one Travis… Travis Barker… so all I could imagine was a cute, funny and extremely quiet drummer.
Laura was an irritating character. I know her daughter was missing, but she was a complete nutcase and considering her sister was a police detective, she seemed to have no idea how reporting a crime and being question by the police worked. E.g. When Eden asked for a list of all the people she knew, Laura was like “WHAT? WHY?” … um so they can narrow down suspects maybe? And when she gets a call from Jess’ kidnapper and tells Eden not to get too involved???? I mean, your daughter has been taken by a mysterious, dangerous man, and you’d rather not have the police look into it as quickly as possible?
The language of this novel felt a little “young adult” for me. I’m not really sure how to describe what I mean, but sentences just felt a little too simple, speech seemed a bit to-the-point and unrealistic. Also, some of the characters acted overly juvenile for their age. I know 16 years olds aren’t always so mature, but these one’s felt really oblivious to adult life. Such as, when Katie was writing home, she wrote about how Deanna’s “never never going to wear nice clothes or fancy shoes again” as if that’s the main concern here. Surely Sherratt doesn’t think 16 year old girls are really that obnoxious? If I was 16 and involved in a murder trial, I wouldn’t be thinking about how the victim couldn’t dress up nicely anymore, I’d be thinking about how her future was taken from her, how she could have grown up to be a world renowned scientist etc.
This needs some serious proof reading before it’s published! Chapter 48 and 49 were all over the place! First they were just finishing up questioning Travis and then going to question his brother Damien, then Eden got distracted by a phone call before she was going in to talk to Travis (again, or did it mean Damien???), then they went into the questioning room and were talking to Damien, but halfway through the conversation he turned into Travis! Very confusing. I had no idea who they were actually speaking to.
This wasn’t great for me. It felt a bit childish and some of the characters actions got on my nerves. I didn't quite get how Katie's story and Jess' story were connected either, it just seemed a bit vague and I wouldn't have personally connected the two plot lines together. I very much doubt I’ll be keeping up with this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!
There was nothing exceptional about the story, the characters or the crimes involved in this detective novel. Reading through the current reviews of this, I can’t understand how people thought this was gripping from the start, because for me, this was a little boring. A lot was happening, but at the same time, nothing was happening. Personally, I prefer heavier and darker reads, this felt a little too cosy for my liking.
Props to Sherratt for creating a detective novel where the detective has a normal life and no depressing baggage to carry around. Eden’s husband walked out on her, but that’s the only sad thing we learn about her! She has a daughter who loves her, and a new man on the scene. She also has a really close relationship with her sister who lives down the road and she likes all of her colleagues! Is that a first? Very possibly!
The other characters in this novel were pretty forgettable, and being as there were hundreds of different people involved in the story, I did forget who each one was most of this time! The Barker family were supposed to be the rough ones of the area, the kind of people you wanted to avoid, yet Sherratt named the main one Travis… Travis Barker… so all I could imagine was a cute, funny and extremely quiet drummer.
Laura was an irritating character. I know her daughter was missing, but she was a complete nutcase and considering her sister was a police detective, she seemed to have no idea how reporting a crime and being question by the police worked. E.g. When Eden asked for a list of all the people she knew, Laura was like “WHAT? WHY?” … um so they can narrow down suspects maybe? And when she gets a call from Jess’ kidnapper and tells Eden not to get too involved???? I mean, your daughter has been taken by a mysterious, dangerous man, and you’d rather not have the police look into it as quickly as possible?
The language of this novel felt a little “young adult” for me. I’m not really sure how to describe what I mean, but sentences just felt a little too simple, speech seemed a bit to-the-point and unrealistic. Also, some of the characters acted overly juvenile for their age. I know 16 years olds aren’t always so mature, but these one’s felt really oblivious to adult life. Such as, when Katie was writing home, she wrote about how Deanna’s “never never going to wear nice clothes or fancy shoes again” as if that’s the main concern here. Surely Sherratt doesn’t think 16 year old girls are really that obnoxious? If I was 16 and involved in a murder trial, I wouldn’t be thinking about how the victim couldn’t dress up nicely anymore, I’d be thinking about how her future was taken from her, how she could have grown up to be a world renowned scientist etc.
This needs some serious proof reading before it’s published! Chapter 48 and 49 were all over the place! First they were just finishing up questioning Travis and then going to question his brother Damien, then Eden got distracted by a phone call before she was going in to talk to Travis (again, or did it mean Damien???), then they went into the questioning room and were talking to Damien, but halfway through the conversation he turned into Travis! Very confusing. I had no idea who they were actually speaking to.
This wasn’t great for me. It felt a bit childish and some of the characters actions got on my nerves. I didn't quite get how Katie's story and Jess' story were connected either, it just seemed a bit vague and I wouldn't have personally connected the two plot lines together. I very much doubt I’ll be keeping up with this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
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