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Detective Lucy Harwin #3
Last Light
Lucy watches the doctor leave, then turns to the nameless victim on the table. ‘I promise I will catch whoever did this to you,’ she whispers.
In charge of a new team, Detective Lucy Harwin is called out to attend the discovery of a woman’s body in an abandoned, crumbling church, and is quickly plunged into a case that will test her leadership skills to the limit.
With no leads except the crudely-fashioned crucifix the victim was displayed on, Lucy is at a complete loss. That is, until another body turns an elderly woman who devoted her life to the church.
Faced with a killer stalking the streets of her small coastal town, while also throwing herself into work to forget the love of her life, Lucy’s first case is turning into a nightmare.
Linking the killer to the church where her own teenage daughter volunteers, it seems the threat is quickly drawing closer to Lucy and those she loves. Can she catch this monster and prevent a tragedy that will tear her world apart?
An addictive and unputdownable crime thriller that will hook fans of Patricia Gibney, LJ Ross and Angela Marsons from the very first page.
What readers are saying about Helen
‘WOW... Double WOW... What a fantastic book... I could not put it down… twists and turns throughout and what a brilliant ending... a big fat 5* for this brilliant book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Loved this book so much. I read it in one sitting, it’s such a page turner. It’s a fast paced thriller with plenty of twists in the plot, that keeps you guessing to the end... I would give it 10 stars if I could.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'It hooks you right from the start and doesn't let up until the very end when you are left completely stunned... I was totally shocked and definitely didn't see that coming.' Always With a Book, 5 stars
‘I found myself sitting for hours glued to the screen of my Kindle…’ Nigel Adams Bookworm
‘AMAZING book… really pulls you in with every page… this is a MUST READ.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'Right to the very last few pages we are kept in suspense! I honestly did NOT see that coming!! One that just has to be read!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Kept me hooked all the way through; full of twists… An explosive storyline and really likeable characters provide a great read and I can't recommend this book highly enough.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Captivating and thrilling; this one was a hard one to put down. It was extremely well written, it was dark, suspenseful and the twists just kept coming.’ Bonnies Book Talk
‘It was exciting, it was full of suspense and just plain awesome… Basically, I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
In charge of a new team, Detective Lucy Harwin is called out to attend the discovery of a woman’s body in an abandoned, crumbling church, and is quickly plunged into a case that will test her leadership skills to the limit.
With no leads except the crudely-fashioned crucifix the victim was displayed on, Lucy is at a complete loss. That is, until another body turns an elderly woman who devoted her life to the church.
Faced with a killer stalking the streets of her small coastal town, while also throwing herself into work to forget the love of her life, Lucy’s first case is turning into a nightmare.
Linking the killer to the church where her own teenage daughter volunteers, it seems the threat is quickly drawing closer to Lucy and those she loves. Can she catch this monster and prevent a tragedy that will tear her world apart?
An addictive and unputdownable crime thriller that will hook fans of Patricia Gibney, LJ Ross and Angela Marsons from the very first page.
What readers are saying about Helen
‘WOW... Double WOW... What a fantastic book... I could not put it down… twists and turns throughout and what a brilliant ending... a big fat 5* for this brilliant book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Loved this book so much. I read it in one sitting, it’s such a page turner. It’s a fast paced thriller with plenty of twists in the plot, that keeps you guessing to the end... I would give it 10 stars if I could.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'It hooks you right from the start and doesn't let up until the very end when you are left completely stunned... I was totally shocked and definitely didn't see that coming.' Always With a Book, 5 stars
‘I found myself sitting for hours glued to the screen of my Kindle…’ Nigel Adams Bookworm
‘AMAZING book… really pulls you in with every page… this is a MUST READ.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'Right to the very last few pages we are kept in suspense! I honestly did NOT see that coming!! One that just has to be read!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Kept me hooked all the way through; full of twists… An explosive storyline and really likeable characters provide a great read and I can't recommend this book highly enough.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Captivating and thrilling; this one was a hard one to put down. It was extremely well written, it was dark, suspenseful and the twists just kept coming.’ Bonnies Book Talk
‘It was exciting, it was full of suspense and just plain awesome… Basically, I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2018
1340 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
November 4, 2018
I received a free e-copy of Last Light (Detective Lucy Harwin #3) by Helen Phifer from NetGalley for my honest review.
This is the first book I have ever read by Helen Phifer but it will not be my last. Very happy I had the opportunity to read this book as I was so impressed by the writing, characters and the story line was on point.
This book will hook you in, stir your emotions and have you hooked from the beginning. I even shed some tears on this one. A++ writing! Now I want to go back and read the series from the beginning.
This is the first book I have ever read by Helen Phifer but it will not be my last. Very happy I had the opportunity to read this book as I was so impressed by the writing, characters and the story line was on point.
This book will hook you in, stir your emotions and have you hooked from the beginning. I even shed some tears on this one. A++ writing! Now I want to go back and read the series from the beginning.
May 31, 2022
Detective Lucy Harwin #3
In charge of her new team, Detective Lucy Harwin is called out to the discovery of a woman's body in an abandoned crumbling church, and is quickly plunged into a case that will test her leadership skills to the limit. With no leads except the crudely-fashioned crucifix the victim displayed was displayed on, Lucy was at a complete loss. That is, until another body turns up: an elderly woman who devoted her life to the church. Faced with a killer stalking the streets of her small coastal town, Lucy's first case is turning into a nightmare.
Murders with gruesome and religious undertones are the connections to these crimes, but not the victims. Detective Lucy Harwin has a killer to find. The books gives us an insight into the start of Lucy's career as lead Detective. Lucy is quite a feisty character who is not afraid to get herself involved in any situation. We do not know who the killer is until the end. This is a descriptively written book and I did not want to put it down. I was desperate to see how it would unfold. I wasn't disappointed.
#KindlePurchase
In charge of her new team, Detective Lucy Harwin is called out to the discovery of a woman's body in an abandoned crumbling church, and is quickly plunged into a case that will test her leadership skills to the limit. With no leads except the crudely-fashioned crucifix the victim displayed was displayed on, Lucy was at a complete loss. That is, until another body turns up: an elderly woman who devoted her life to the church. Faced with a killer stalking the streets of her small coastal town, Lucy's first case is turning into a nightmare.
Murders with gruesome and religious undertones are the connections to these crimes, but not the victims. Detective Lucy Harwin has a killer to find. The books gives us an insight into the start of Lucy's career as lead Detective. Lucy is quite a feisty character who is not afraid to get herself involved in any situation. We do not know who the killer is until the end. This is a descriptively written book and I did not want to put it down. I was desperate to see how it would unfold. I wasn't disappointed.
#KindlePurchase
October 28, 2018
Detective Lucy Harwin is back and in charge!! I just love this series by Helen Phifer and was very excited to read the next instalment.. and I was not at all disappointed. This book should had me hooked from the first gruesome murder and didn't let go until the very end.
A tough case for her first one in charge of new faces... a woman found strung up to a crucifix in an abandoned church. Who is she and who could have done such an awful thing. Lucy is stumped, and then another body is found, brutally murdered. This body is closer to home but also with connections to the church.. the church that her daughter has just started to volunteer at. She literally throws herself into this case as a distraction from her personal life which is falling apart. She will not stop until her stops this killer.
A fantastic book 3 in this series and can't wait for book 4. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
A tough case for her first one in charge of new faces... a woman found strung up to a crucifix in an abandoned church. Who is she and who could have done such an awful thing. Lucy is stumped, and then another body is found, brutally murdered. This body is closer to home but also with connections to the church.. the church that her daughter has just started to volunteer at. She literally throws herself into this case as a distraction from her personal life which is falling apart. She will not stop until her stops this killer.
A fantastic book 3 in this series and can't wait for book 4. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
April 2, 2022
LAST LIGHT is book # 3 in the Detective Lucy Harwin series, a riveting serial killer fiction by Helen Phifer. Having loved her debut detective novel, THE LOST CHILDREN (DARK HOUSE), a police procedural series set in the coastal town of Brooklyn Bay featuring DI Lucy Harwin, and her second book, DYING BREATH, I couldn’t wait to read book 3. I found myself totally absorbed in the believable characters and the story. Another winner for Bookouture and this talented writer! This is the review of Last Light.
The Books in the Detective Lucy Harwin Series Include:
1. Dark House aka The Lost Children (2017)
2. Dying Breath (2017)
3. Last Light (2018)
DI Lucy Harwin, in charge of a new team arrives at the crime scene for the discovery of a woman’s body in an abandoned church. The dead body was hanging upside down on a handmade crucifix and had been discovered by some young teens that had gone ghost hunting in a church.
Lucy has her hands full being recently separated and the mother of a teenage daughter, Ellie…juggling work and home life hasn’t been easy. Also, Lucy's regular partner, Detective Sergeant Matthew Jackson (Mattie) is taking off on a pre-scheduled vacation, leaving her with a new partner with whom she has little confidence.
With no leads except the crudely-fashioned crucifix the victim was displayed on, Lucy is at a complete loss. That is, until another body turns up: an elderly woman, her bosses’ mother, whose body was found at the back of a retirement home, hung upside down with her throat slit. This victim had devoted her life to the church.
There were no clues nor evidence pointing to a motive.
Both murders have connections to the church where her own teenage daughter volunteers.
She must catch this monster before there is another killing.
This was an addictive and unputdownable crime thriller.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
The Books in the Detective Lucy Harwin Series Include:
1. Dark House aka The Lost Children (2017)
2. Dying Breath (2017)
3. Last Light (2018)
DI Lucy Harwin, in charge of a new team arrives at the crime scene for the discovery of a woman’s body in an abandoned church. The dead body was hanging upside down on a handmade crucifix and had been discovered by some young teens that had gone ghost hunting in a church.
Lucy has her hands full being recently separated and the mother of a teenage daughter, Ellie…juggling work and home life hasn’t been easy. Also, Lucy's regular partner, Detective Sergeant Matthew Jackson (Mattie) is taking off on a pre-scheduled vacation, leaving her with a new partner with whom she has little confidence.
With no leads except the crudely-fashioned crucifix the victim was displayed on, Lucy is at a complete loss. That is, until another body turns up: an elderly woman, her bosses’ mother, whose body was found at the back of a retirement home, hung upside down with her throat slit. This victim had devoted her life to the church.
There were no clues nor evidence pointing to a motive.
Both murders have connections to the church where her own teenage daughter volunteers.
She must catch this monster before there is another killing.
This was an addictive and unputdownable crime thriller.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
November 15, 2018
Last Light, the third novel published to feature DI Lucy Harwin of Brooklyn Bay police, is actually the prequel to this series and was released before the first two novels. That said, this series can be read in any order as plenty of background is given. It tells the tale of Detective Inspector Harwin's first case as Senior Investigating Officer on an investigation that is both grisly and harrowing. It shows that the killer was determined, cold-blooded and calculating, and police hope it will not take too long to find the evidence to put this evil, unknown killer away.
It moves at a swift pace and presents some entertaining twists. Unfortunately, there is little evidence on which to rely, and I found myself feeling much admiration for Harwin's team who do all in their power to chase what is effectively a ghost. It definitely felt authentic and the way in which police investigations play out in the real world. I appreciated that the author decided to make the crucial evidence that leads to the identification and capture of the suspect very different to what we usually come across in the crime genre, saying more would spoil it for potential readers. Lucy is a character who is developed well, and Phifer's black humour, interspersed throughout the novel, is the icing on the cake for this captivating, page-turner.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
It moves at a swift pace and presents some entertaining twists. Unfortunately, there is little evidence on which to rely, and I found myself feeling much admiration for Harwin's team who do all in their power to chase what is effectively a ghost. It definitely felt authentic and the way in which police investigations play out in the real world. I appreciated that the author decided to make the crucial evidence that leads to the identification and capture of the suspect very different to what we usually come across in the crime genre, saying more would spoil it for potential readers. Lucy is a character who is developed well, and Phifer's black humour, interspersed throughout the novel, is the icing on the cake for this captivating, page-turner.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
September 22, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc.
Another Lucy Harwin story! This was another non-stop read for me. Very tightly paced and great, great characters. Oh sure, there were a couple of false trails that had to be followed as well as Lucy's on-going relationships (personal and professional). But that's what makes these books "must reads" for me.
Most of my questions were answered by the end and left me fairly well satisfied. Only a couple of big questions that I hope will be addressed in the next book of this series (what about Tom? Are he and Lucy going to be able to work together in the future?? What about Ellie and Bella?)
Please continue writing Ms. Phifer!
Another Lucy Harwin story! This was another non-stop read for me. Very tightly paced and great, great characters. Oh sure, there were a couple of false trails that had to be followed as well as Lucy's on-going relationships (personal and professional). But that's what makes these books "must reads" for me.
Most of my questions were answered by the end and left me fairly well satisfied. Only a couple of big questions that I hope will be addressed in the next book of this series (what about Tom? Are he and Lucy going to be able to work together in the future?? What about Ellie and Bella?)
Please continue writing Ms. Phifer!
Read
November 7, 2018DI Lucy Harwin and her colleague DS Mathew (Mattie) Jackson have a serial killer on their hands in Brooklyn Bay. This is the first case that Lucy leads since her promotion and she is pulling out all the stops to prove that she can handle the new job. The first body is found in a derelict church and the scene is as gruesome as any that Lucy has ever seen. The second one shows all the signs of being a victim of the same killer. And then comes a third...Lucy is trying to hold it all together and racing against the clock to discover the identity of the psychopath. She suspects that there is a religion element as an underlying motivator and knows that the killer is likely someone connected to the local vicarage. When Lucy herself is attacked she realizes that she can't be sidelined even though she's taken off the case. Can she figure out the killer's identity before more people are murdered?
This is a fast-paced crime thriller, the third in a series, and the second one that I have read. Lucy has some personal problems that she refuses to let distract her from her main passion in life -- her job. She lives for her work and it's been the source of the breakdown of her marriage. She's headstrong and determined but she is also vulnerable to self-doubt and loneliness since all she wants to do is focus on the case. The narrative is told from Lucy's point of view with some backstory in the killer's words. There are red herrings, but a reader will likely figure out fairly quickly who is doing the crimes. The supporting characters are thinly drawn and I'm hopeful that they will develop further as the series continues.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I am looking forward to book #4 to see if Lucy is able to make some real changes in her life.
This is a fast-paced crime thriller, the third in a series, and the second one that I have read. Lucy has some personal problems that she refuses to let distract her from her main passion in life -- her job. She lives for her work and it's been the source of the breakdown of her marriage. She's headstrong and determined but she is also vulnerable to self-doubt and loneliness since all she wants to do is focus on the case. The narrative is told from Lucy's point of view with some backstory in the killer's words. There are red herrings, but a reader will likely figure out fairly quickly who is doing the crimes. The supporting characters are thinly drawn and I'm hopeful that they will develop further as the series continues.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I am looking forward to book #4 to see if Lucy is able to make some real changes in her life.
November 1, 2018
I really enjoyed the first two Detective Lucy Harwin stories when I read them earlier this year and so I was very excited to read Last Light which is a prequel to the series however for whatever reason I think I enjoyed this more with it being a prequel then if I’d read it before the first two books.
Lucy is a fantastic character and reading Last Light only helped me to understand her even more as a character. It was interesting to see this ‘early’ Lucy, though it wasn’t all that long ago it made everything in the other two books make more sense and she was already a character that I felt invested in emotionally. As a character and detective she’s really enjoyable to read about and this is a series I hope to follow for a long time. I love the setting of Brooklyn Bay and how it has been used to tell these stories. I love the other characters that feature in the series, namely Mattie and Browning, the latter of which playing a bigger role in this story. And I enjoy reading about Lucy’s home life with her daughter and the challenges that brings to her job and life in general. On paper this sounds just like another crime series but it’s one that I am thoroughly enjoying.
In terms of the plot I felt that it was strong however having read over 100 books since the first two in this series I can’t remember everything about those stories nor what they revealed about the events that happen here. This is why I have struggled with my rating because ordinarily this would be a strong four star rating but it was too obvious from the minute I met a certain character that it was going to be them responsible for the murders. Everything else about this book was just what I love in a crime story, and it was descriptively brutal which is something I enjoy also. Characterisation was extremely strong but there wasn’t ever anybody else in the frame so to speak and so it was obvious where the story was heading and because the killer was so obvious some of the shock value was lost meaning so too was the enjoyment factor and the rating is lessened because of that. All that said it was a highly charged and emotional ending that left me thinking about and going back over everything that I had read and this is certainly a memorable story and one that I can highly recommend. And I also highly recommend the series itself and eagerly await the next instalment.
Lucy is a fantastic character and reading Last Light only helped me to understand her even more as a character. It was interesting to see this ‘early’ Lucy, though it wasn’t all that long ago it made everything in the other two books make more sense and she was already a character that I felt invested in emotionally. As a character and detective she’s really enjoyable to read about and this is a series I hope to follow for a long time. I love the setting of Brooklyn Bay and how it has been used to tell these stories. I love the other characters that feature in the series, namely Mattie and Browning, the latter of which playing a bigger role in this story. And I enjoy reading about Lucy’s home life with her daughter and the challenges that brings to her job and life in general. On paper this sounds just like another crime series but it’s one that I am thoroughly enjoying.
In terms of the plot I felt that it was strong however having read over 100 books since the first two in this series I can’t remember everything about those stories nor what they revealed about the events that happen here. This is why I have struggled with my rating because ordinarily this would be a strong four star rating but it was too obvious from the minute I met a certain character that it was going to be them responsible for the murders. Everything else about this book was just what I love in a crime story, and it was descriptively brutal which is something I enjoy also. Characterisation was extremely strong but there wasn’t ever anybody else in the frame so to speak and so it was obvious where the story was heading and because the killer was so obvious some of the shock value was lost meaning so too was the enjoyment factor and the rating is lessened because of that. All that said it was a highly charged and emotional ending that left me thinking about and going back over everything that I had read and this is certainly a memorable story and one that I can highly recommend. And I also highly recommend the series itself and eagerly await the next instalment.
November 13, 2018
Let's get the good stuff out of the way early on: This is a fantastic book; giving it the top rating of 5 stars is a no-brainer.
Apparently, this is the third book in the series featuring Detective Lucy Harwin (although in the author's notes, she mentions that it's a prequel, presumably to the first two books, neither of which I've read). In any event, I had zero problem following along with nary a "Huh?" along the way, so it stands alone perfectly. And did I mention that it's a fantastic book?
Lucy, who's recently split with her husband because of his philandering and is the mother of a teenage daughter, is called to an abandoned church. There, she finds a dead woman, the victim of an horrific murder. The cause of death is evident, but there are no clues nor evidence pointing to a motive. Conventional thinking is that it could be the work of a devil worshipper, but none of the investigators are buying into that theory at this point. Lucy intends to give it her all, though, if only because it's her first major solo case.
Lucy's regular partner, Detective Sergeant Matthew Jackson (Mattie) takes off on a pre-scheduled vacation, leaving her to partner up with an officer in whom she has little confidence. As she's grousing about that, another woman, a church volunteer, turns up murdered in similar grotesque fashion. This one, however, hits close to home: She's the elderly mother of Lucy's police force boss. Sympathy aside, that adds another dimension to the case; like it or not, her boss must be added to any list of potential suspects.
Hints as to the killer's identity are slowly revealed through flashback chapters that reveal a child and his mother horribly abused by a Bible-thumping father/husband. Back in the present, Lucy's daughter reluctantly gets involved in volunteering at the church, where she lands a job babysitting the daughter of another volunteer - a beautiful woman who's caught the eye of the vicar, whose spouse is married to a truly wretched person. As the investigation continues, Lucy becomes worried not only for the future of her career, but for her daughter - who just might be on the killer's hit list.
The action-filled story moves along quickly, and I have no doubt that those who really can't put it down will be able to start and finish it on the same day. Personally, I'm delighted not only to have read such an enjoyable book, but also to have found a new series. Already, I'm looking forward to the next one. Meanwhile, many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this one.
Apparently, this is the third book in the series featuring Detective Lucy Harwin (although in the author's notes, she mentions that it's a prequel, presumably to the first two books, neither of which I've read). In any event, I had zero problem following along with nary a "Huh?" along the way, so it stands alone perfectly. And did I mention that it's a fantastic book?
Lucy, who's recently split with her husband because of his philandering and is the mother of a teenage daughter, is called to an abandoned church. There, she finds a dead woman, the victim of an horrific murder. The cause of death is evident, but there are no clues nor evidence pointing to a motive. Conventional thinking is that it could be the work of a devil worshipper, but none of the investigators are buying into that theory at this point. Lucy intends to give it her all, though, if only because it's her first major solo case.
Lucy's regular partner, Detective Sergeant Matthew Jackson (Mattie) takes off on a pre-scheduled vacation, leaving her to partner up with an officer in whom she has little confidence. As she's grousing about that, another woman, a church volunteer, turns up murdered in similar grotesque fashion. This one, however, hits close to home: She's the elderly mother of Lucy's police force boss. Sympathy aside, that adds another dimension to the case; like it or not, her boss must be added to any list of potential suspects.
Hints as to the killer's identity are slowly revealed through flashback chapters that reveal a child and his mother horribly abused by a Bible-thumping father/husband. Back in the present, Lucy's daughter reluctantly gets involved in volunteering at the church, where she lands a job babysitting the daughter of another volunteer - a beautiful woman who's caught the eye of the vicar, whose spouse is married to a truly wretched person. As the investigation continues, Lucy becomes worried not only for the future of her career, but for her daughter - who just might be on the killer's hit list.
The action-filled story moves along quickly, and I have no doubt that those who really can't put it down will be able to start and finish it on the same day. Personally, I'm delighted not only to have read such an enjoyable book, but also to have found a new series. Already, I'm looking forward to the next one. Meanwhile, many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this one.
September 25, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Last Light, the third novel to feature DI Lucy Harwin of the Brooklyn Bay police.
Newly promoted to detective inspector Lucy undergoes a baptism of fire when her first murder investigation has ritualistic aspects to it and when another body turns up she is facing the possibility of a serial killer.
I enjoyed Last Light which is a fast moving procedural with some unexpected twists. It is mostly told from Lucy's point of view although there are several chapters devoted to the unnamed killer's past. There is not much new to read in the killer's accounts, just more of the mistreated as a youth which causes deviant thoughts and behaviour. I've read it all before elsewhere so I can't say it held my attention and there is enough detail to get a good grasp of the motive and guess the perpetrator. The investigation is much more to my taste as Lucy and her team battle desperately to stop the killer with little to go on. I found the critical evidence that leads to identification unusual and interesting and makes a change for it to hinge on something out of the way. I like the sense of tension and urgency that Ms Phifer builds around the investigation.
I really enjoy Ms Phifer's characterisation which always seems natural and realistic from the grumblings about colleagues' weaknesses to the inappropriate dark humour. Lucy is the lynchpin in the novel so her character is more developed. She's devoted to her job to the extent that her husband has left her for another woman and her teenage daughter flits between the two households. Her emotions in this upheaval are natural and understandable, some of her digs at her ex made me laugh.
Last Light is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Newly promoted to detective inspector Lucy undergoes a baptism of fire when her first murder investigation has ritualistic aspects to it and when another body turns up she is facing the possibility of a serial killer.
I enjoyed Last Light which is a fast moving procedural with some unexpected twists. It is mostly told from Lucy's point of view although there are several chapters devoted to the unnamed killer's past. There is not much new to read in the killer's accounts, just more of the mistreated as a youth which causes deviant thoughts and behaviour. I've read it all before elsewhere so I can't say it held my attention and there is enough detail to get a good grasp of the motive and guess the perpetrator. The investigation is much more to my taste as Lucy and her team battle desperately to stop the killer with little to go on. I found the critical evidence that leads to identification unusual and interesting and makes a change for it to hinge on something out of the way. I like the sense of tension and urgency that Ms Phifer builds around the investigation.
I really enjoy Ms Phifer's characterisation which always seems natural and realistic from the grumblings about colleagues' weaknesses to the inappropriate dark humour. Lucy is the lynchpin in the novel so her character is more developed. She's devoted to her job to the extent that her husband has left her for another woman and her teenage daughter flits between the two households. Her emotions in this upheaval are natural and understandable, some of her digs at her ex made me laugh.
Last Light is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
January 5, 2019
3.5 stars. After finishing this book I realised it is a prequel to the first two in the series (even though it is labelled as no. 3) which were utterly gripping and unputdownable. This one not so much. It was really weird, I was wondering where Lucy's confidence was and hadn't she been an inspector in the previous books? Here she was just promoted. All is explained now. But I still didn't think it was quite as good as the earlier books.
Brooklyn Bay is beset by a vicious killer who slashes the throats of his victims then hangs them on a cross upside down. First a worn out drug addict and sometime prostitute, next an old lady who volunteers at the local church and charities. Who would want to kill such a person? She is also the mother of the current DCI so this killer MUST be found. Lucy Harwin starts to suspect the vicar as he is a strange one indeed. And there is clearly a religious aspect to these murders. But when the the vicar too is killed she realises who it must be. Can she stop him before he kills again?
I figured this one out pretty early so it was lacking a bit of suspense for me. Also, as I said, Lucy didn't seem her normal confident self. It was her first case as a DI and a tricky one at that. I'm guessing we'll be back to full throttle in the next book which should be available fairly soon I'm hoping.
Brooklyn Bay is beset by a vicious killer who slashes the throats of his victims then hangs them on a cross upside down. First a worn out drug addict and sometime prostitute, next an old lady who volunteers at the local church and charities. Who would want to kill such a person? She is also the mother of the current DCI so this killer MUST be found. Lucy Harwin starts to suspect the vicar as he is a strange one indeed. And there is clearly a religious aspect to these murders. But when the the vicar too is killed she realises who it must be. Can she stop him before he kills again?
I figured this one out pretty early so it was lacking a bit of suspense for me. Also, as I said, Lucy didn't seem her normal confident self. It was her first case as a DI and a tricky one at that. I'm guessing we'll be back to full throttle in the next book which should be available fairly soon I'm hoping.
November 3, 2022
I recently read books one and two in this series so already had some background. When I started reading this I realised it was a prequel which is fine I just had to check I wasn't going mad and had read them in order! It was nice to see Lucy in this earlier book and the reasoning behind her leave from work in book 1! Lucy is enjoyable to read as a character and I also like her coilleagues Browning and Mattie. In all honesty I felt like the first few chapters I was a little thrown as this was a prequel but it makes for easier reading for people who pick this up as a stand alone.
In terms of the plot I felt that it was pretty decent but for some reason it just didn't have the same pace or flow as the other two books. In addition as much as the plot was decent I saw it coming a mile off and I think that combined with my close reading of the other two books this was leaning towards a more middle of the road book for me. Although this book maybe wasn't as enjoyable as the other two I would be very keen on reading another book back in present day with Lucy as I would love to see what is next for her and the team. I feel like books one and two gave such good groundwork that I was expecting more from book 3 but in the present day. This is definitely a series I would like to continue!
In terms of the plot I felt that it was pretty decent but for some reason it just didn't have the same pace or flow as the other two books. In addition as much as the plot was decent I saw it coming a mile off and I think that combined with my close reading of the other two books this was leaning towards a more middle of the road book for me. Although this book maybe wasn't as enjoyable as the other two I would be very keen on reading another book back in present day with Lucy as I would love to see what is next for her and the team. I feel like books one and two gave such good groundwork that I was expecting more from book 3 but in the present day. This is definitely a series I would like to continue!
November 17, 2018
Although this is the 3rd book in a series, I did not have any problems picking the story up. Of course, you always wonder what happened before, but this story can be read as a stand alone.
The author tells us what is going on in the present and alternates it with the past of the killer. This way we know what he has been through without his identity being given away.
The book shows us how traumatic events can deeply influence ones mind and lead to severe consequences.
I have read this one in one go. It was very hard to put it down and I thought it was wonderfully structured. And than that climax ... It brought tears to my eyes. 5 stars.
Thank you, Helen Phifer, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
The author tells us what is going on in the present and alternates it with the past of the killer. This way we know what he has been through without his identity being given away.
The book shows us how traumatic events can deeply influence ones mind and lead to severe consequences.
I have read this one in one go. It was very hard to put it down and I thought it was wonderfully structured. And than that climax ... It brought tears to my eyes. 5 stars.
Thank you, Helen Phifer, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
October 7, 2018
Last Light is book 3 in the Detective Lucy Harwin series.
I am a big Helen Phifer fan so was super excited to read this, and boy it didn’t disappoint. Explosive straight out of the gate it captured my attention and kept me engaged right the way through the book.
I loved everything about this book, the characters, the relationships Lucy has with her team, the well thought out and executed plot and the explosive finish. It was captivating and thrilling and the twists kept coming leaving me hanging onto every word rapidly turning pages hungry for more, reading late in to the night.
Lucy is faced with her toughest case to date, as the bodies start mounting up can she find the killer before it’s too late and someone else dies? This time it’s a little bit close to home as the killer is linked to the church where Lucy’s teenage daughter volunteers, will she be the next victim? You had better buy the book to find out!
This is a seriously good book, and a great series, I highly recommend it. I would suggest you read from book 1 so that you get the full background story on Lucy, however you could read this as a stand-alone is you really wanted to.
I don’t hesitate in giving this 5 stars, this is in my top 5 of my favourite books of 2018, I loved it, it was really good. If I could give it more stars I would. Go and buy this book when it’s released you won’t regret it!
I am a big Helen Phifer fan so was super excited to read this, and boy it didn’t disappoint. Explosive straight out of the gate it captured my attention and kept me engaged right the way through the book.
I loved everything about this book, the characters, the relationships Lucy has with her team, the well thought out and executed plot and the explosive finish. It was captivating and thrilling and the twists kept coming leaving me hanging onto every word rapidly turning pages hungry for more, reading late in to the night.
Lucy is faced with her toughest case to date, as the bodies start mounting up can she find the killer before it’s too late and someone else dies? This time it’s a little bit close to home as the killer is linked to the church where Lucy’s teenage daughter volunteers, will she be the next victim? You had better buy the book to find out!
This is a seriously good book, and a great series, I highly recommend it. I would suggest you read from book 1 so that you get the full background story on Lucy, however you could read this as a stand-alone is you really wanted to.
I don’t hesitate in giving this 5 stars, this is in my top 5 of my favourite books of 2018, I loved it, it was really good. If I could give it more stars I would. Go and buy this book when it’s released you won’t regret it!
November 1, 2018
A body has been discovered in an old abandoned church. Detective Lucy Harwin is assigned the case, her first murder inquiry as the lead detective. Is this just a one off or will more bodies be found. Although most of the book is told from Harwin's point of view there are chapters which relate the childhood of the unknown killer.
Although it was an interesting, well-written story I just didn't take to the character of Harwin or some of her actions.
A NetGalley Book
Although it was an interesting, well-written story I just didn't take to the character of Harwin or some of her actions.
A NetGalley Book
September 27, 2018
4 and 1 / 2 stars
DI Lucy Irwin and DS Matthew “Mattie” Jackson respond to the call of a body found in an old abandoned and burnt out church. They see a horrific scene of a poor woman hanging upside down on a crude cross made of burned timber. The victim’s name turns out to be Sandy Kilburn.
This is my first Helen Phifer novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. I have discovered a new author! I truly enjoyed this book. The reader gets an excellent picture of newly promoted DI Lucy Irwin; from her home life to how she does her job. There is not so much information given that it distracts from the story, however. Lucy has a great attitude and a great team. I especially liked her partner DS Mattie Jackson. This novel is both well written and plotted, interspersed with little vignettes on the killer’s life story. There are a few twists in this novel, so be prepared to be surprised. I really appreciate books with twists in them as I love to be kept guessing as to what is going to happen next.
I want to thank NetGalley and Boookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great novel for me to read, enjoy and review.
DI Lucy Irwin and DS Matthew “Mattie” Jackson respond to the call of a body found in an old abandoned and burnt out church. They see a horrific scene of a poor woman hanging upside down on a crude cross made of burned timber. The victim’s name turns out to be Sandy Kilburn.
This is my first Helen Phifer novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. I have discovered a new author! I truly enjoyed this book. The reader gets an excellent picture of newly promoted DI Lucy Irwin; from her home life to how she does her job. There is not so much information given that it distracts from the story, however. Lucy has a great attitude and a great team. I especially liked her partner DS Mattie Jackson. This novel is both well written and plotted, interspersed with little vignettes on the killer’s life story. There are a few twists in this novel, so be prepared to be surprised. I really appreciate books with twists in them as I love to be kept guessing as to what is going to happen next.
I want to thank NetGalley and Boookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great novel for me to read, enjoy and review.
November 17, 2018
GNab Newly promoted Detective Inspector Lucy Harwin is an excellent protagonist who with her sidekick Detective Sergeant Mathew Jackson - Mattie to his friends - solves crimes and do their best to keep the little seaside town of Brooklyn Bay safe and secure. Last Light is the third in this series and completely stand alone, but I will search out the first two for my own satisfaction.
In Last Light, beginning in mid-February 2016, the story is fast and flowing, but the actual killer is hard to pinpoint until very near the end of the book. We travel back to the childhood of this man beginning in 1987 when he is eight or nine and up through his mid-teens. And we see just how a serial killer is formed.
I found this novel engrossing. Helen Phifer is an author I will follow. She brings to us an excellent set of protagonists and a nice little backwater town that proves interesting and vibrant. I want more. Many more.
I received a free electronic copy of this British police procedural from Netgalley, Helen Phifer, and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Nov 16, 2018
Bookouture
In Last Light, beginning in mid-February 2016, the story is fast and flowing, but the actual killer is hard to pinpoint until very near the end of the book. We travel back to the childhood of this man beginning in 1987 when he is eight or nine and up through his mid-teens. And we see just how a serial killer is formed.
I found this novel engrossing. Helen Phifer is an author I will follow. She brings to us an excellent set of protagonists and a nice little backwater town that proves interesting and vibrant. I want more. Many more.
I received a free electronic copy of this British police procedural from Netgalley, Helen Phifer, and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Nov 16, 2018
Bookouture
October 29, 2018
Last Light is the third book in the Detective Lucy Harwin series by Helen Phifer I enjoyed this book however, I found it a slower read to her two other books. I was not hooked like I was the others.
Detective Lucy Harwin is in charge of her new team, was called out to a woman's body that was crudely- fashioned crucifix the woman was displayed on. was abandoned in a crumbling church. Lucy and her team started to investigate this murder, this case will test her leadership skills to the limits. Especially as Lucy and her team has no leads. who she is.
Another body turns up and this time its an elderly woman who devoted her life to the local church.
Are these both connected? and in what way?
Now, faced with the Killer or Killers stalking the streets of her coastal town, Lucy first case is turning into a nightmare
Lucy has linked the killer to the church and it's where her own teenage daughter volunteers,
Will Lucy and her team catch the killer before they strike again?
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Last Light by Helen Phifer.
Detective Lucy Harwin is in charge of her new team, was called out to a woman's body that was crudely- fashioned crucifix the woman was displayed on. was abandoned in a crumbling church. Lucy and her team started to investigate this murder, this case will test her leadership skills to the limits. Especially as Lucy and her team has no leads. who she is.
Another body turns up and this time its an elderly woman who devoted her life to the local church.
Are these both connected? and in what way?
Now, faced with the Killer or Killers stalking the streets of her coastal town, Lucy first case is turning into a nightmare
Lucy has linked the killer to the church and it's where her own teenage daughter volunteers,
Will Lucy and her team catch the killer before they strike again?
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Last Light by Helen Phifer.
August 7, 2019
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book
this author is fast becoming one of my all time favourites...
this book is full on action, murder and red herrings... a priest a prostitute and a murderer what more can one ask for...
some pretty gruesome murders and a few funny moment add up to one interesting and hard to put down book...one i would recommend
this author is fast becoming one of my all time favourites...
this book is full on action, murder and red herrings... a priest a prostitute and a murderer what more can one ask for...
some pretty gruesome murders and a few funny moment add up to one interesting and hard to put down book...one i would recommend
December 7, 2018
I absolutely love the series featuring Detective Inspector Lucy Harwin. There are currently three books in the series and the most recent one called ‘Last Light’ was released on 16th November. I couldn’t wait to read it and boy I was not to be disappointed. I absolutely loved ‘Last Light’ and for me it is easily the best book of the series so far but more about that in a bit.
I love DI Lucy Harwin and I have great admiration for her. She is a career police officer, who is very understanding and compassionate. She can be as hard as nails when she has to be but she is also a very caring woman and in ‘Last Light’ she promises the initial murder victim that she will find out who killed her and why. Harwin can be extremely diplomatic, very tactful, very firm and very strong when she has to be. This case challenges her like no other that she has come across before. At the same time, Harwin has personal issues bubbling. She has broken up with the father of her child, only the child isn’t taking the split too well. Her daughter has hit the tricky teenage years and she is testing the boundaries somewhat. Not only that but she is also playing her mother off against her father. Will her personal problems overshadow and have any effect on the case? Will Harwin and her team solve the murder case? Who is the murderer and what is their motivation? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my golly gosh ‘Last Night’ was one hell of a fast paced, thrilling and shocking read. The story opens with a scene that will stay fresh in my memory for a long time to come and it certainly grabbed my attention. The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn in and bam before you know it you are hooked on the book and you simply can’t bear to be parted from it. That’s what happened to me anyway. I binge read the book over the space of a couple of days which worked well in this case because it gave me a real sense of how intense the police investigation was. The author uses such powerful and detailed descriptions that I really did feel as though I was part of Lucy’s team. I found that I began interacting with the book in the sense that I was ‘living’ the story. I find that if the story is well plotted, convincing and well written then I tend to ‘live’ it and believe that it is real. The book is written well and in different time periods. This way of telling the story works in that the chapters interlink and the story flows seamlessly. Reading ‘Last Light’ was much like being on an extremely scary and unpredictable rollercoaster with not much of an idea in which direction the ride/ read will take you next. There were also twists and turns aplenty- some of which I was expecting and others crept up on me and left me stunned and breathless.
In short I absolutely loved reading ‘Last Light’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to read more from Helen Phifer. Here’s hoping we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I love DI Lucy Harwin and I have great admiration for her. She is a career police officer, who is very understanding and compassionate. She can be as hard as nails when she has to be but she is also a very caring woman and in ‘Last Light’ she promises the initial murder victim that she will find out who killed her and why. Harwin can be extremely diplomatic, very tactful, very firm and very strong when she has to be. This case challenges her like no other that she has come across before. At the same time, Harwin has personal issues bubbling. She has broken up with the father of her child, only the child isn’t taking the split too well. Her daughter has hit the tricky teenage years and she is testing the boundaries somewhat. Not only that but she is also playing her mother off against her father. Will her personal problems overshadow and have any effect on the case? Will Harwin and her team solve the murder case? Who is the murderer and what is their motivation? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my golly gosh ‘Last Night’ was one hell of a fast paced, thrilling and shocking read. The story opens with a scene that will stay fresh in my memory for a long time to come and it certainly grabbed my attention. The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn in and bam before you know it you are hooked on the book and you simply can’t bear to be parted from it. That’s what happened to me anyway. I binge read the book over the space of a couple of days which worked well in this case because it gave me a real sense of how intense the police investigation was. The author uses such powerful and detailed descriptions that I really did feel as though I was part of Lucy’s team. I found that I began interacting with the book in the sense that I was ‘living’ the story. I find that if the story is well plotted, convincing and well written then I tend to ‘live’ it and believe that it is real. The book is written well and in different time periods. This way of telling the story works in that the chapters interlink and the story flows seamlessly. Reading ‘Last Light’ was much like being on an extremely scary and unpredictable rollercoaster with not much of an idea in which direction the ride/ read will take you next. There were also twists and turns aplenty- some of which I was expecting and others crept up on me and left me stunned and breathless.
In short I absolutely loved reading ‘Last Light’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to read more from Helen Phifer. Here’s hoping we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
November 16, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Wellllllll, I'm glad that my heart rate has calmed down enough to write this review! This book is creepy as.....f!!! And no, not in a bad way!
There's nothing like being thrown in the deep end, something which Detective Lucy Harwin finds out rather quickly as she is called out on a job where a woman and a crucifix are having a close encounter. This time, yes, in a bad way! Will Lucy and her team find themselves dealing with a killer who is likely to strike again? When another body turns up in a similar state, the likelihood of the killer re-offending is incredibly high...but at what cost?
Lucy is clearly good at her job. She has the ballsy nature, the confidence to listen to her gut instinct, and the work ethic a lot of people would never be able to match. However, her personal life has collapsed around her and whilst I did feel sorry for her, I felt that her bitterness overshadowed her job at times, especially when her marriage and the murders had diddly squat to do with each other.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed 'Last Light', I did feel as though there were a couple of inconsistencies in the storyline. That said, they weren't related to the main topic of the book and because the read was so fast paced, I was soon swept up by one thing or another.
'Last Light' is a very creepy, highly detailed read which I sped through in one sitting. I will admit that I saw the ending before it happened, but due to the red herrings and brilliant distractions in the story, the fact i worked out the 'whodunnit' long before the end didn't bother me as much as i thought it would. Usually it would, but Helen Phifer is very clever at gripping her readers with unsavoury details!
An addictive, dark and twisted tale - creepy as hell but an awesome read!
Wellllllll, I'm glad that my heart rate has calmed down enough to write this review! This book is creepy as.....f!!! And no, not in a bad way!
There's nothing like being thrown in the deep end, something which Detective Lucy Harwin finds out rather quickly as she is called out on a job where a woman and a crucifix are having a close encounter. This time, yes, in a bad way! Will Lucy and her team find themselves dealing with a killer who is likely to strike again? When another body turns up in a similar state, the likelihood of the killer re-offending is incredibly high...but at what cost?
Lucy is clearly good at her job. She has the ballsy nature, the confidence to listen to her gut instinct, and the work ethic a lot of people would never be able to match. However, her personal life has collapsed around her and whilst I did feel sorry for her, I felt that her bitterness overshadowed her job at times, especially when her marriage and the murders had diddly squat to do with each other.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed 'Last Light', I did feel as though there were a couple of inconsistencies in the storyline. That said, they weren't related to the main topic of the book and because the read was so fast paced, I was soon swept up by one thing or another.
'Last Light' is a very creepy, highly detailed read which I sped through in one sitting. I will admit that I saw the ending before it happened, but due to the red herrings and brilliant distractions in the story, the fact i worked out the 'whodunnit' long before the end didn't bother me as much as i thought it would. Usually it would, but Helen Phifer is very clever at gripping her readers with unsavoury details!
An addictive, dark and twisted tale - creepy as hell but an awesome read!
November 13, 2018
This is one of those books that has you hooked from the first few pages.
A body is found upside down on a cross and from this point onwards Detective Lucy Harwin’s feet don’t touch the ground.
An elderly woman is then found dead and her body found in a similar fashion, so Lucy and the team start to take a look at the local church and all those involved.
Lucy’s daughter is friends with one of the church helpers and provides a vital clue to the identity of the killer.
Lucy is struggling with the break up of her marriage and trying to lead her team when a brutal attack leaves her helpless.
We also get an insight into the killer’s mind and find out why they’re killing these people, but their identity is not revealed until the final few chapters.
This is a gripping read, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A body is found upside down on a cross and from this point onwards Detective Lucy Harwin’s feet don’t touch the ground.
An elderly woman is then found dead and her body found in a similar fashion, so Lucy and the team start to take a look at the local church and all those involved.
Lucy’s daughter is friends with one of the church helpers and provides a vital clue to the identity of the killer.
Lucy is struggling with the break up of her marriage and trying to lead her team when a brutal attack leaves her helpless.
We also get an insight into the killer’s mind and find out why they’re killing these people, but their identity is not revealed until the final few chapters.
This is a gripping read, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
September 26, 2018
Having read this authors books before I was looking forward to this one.
This book gives us an insight into the start of Lucy Harwins career as lead detective. The case she finds herself on puts her at risk of violence herself as she attempts to solve several crimes which may, or may not, be linked.
The story is fast paced and I loved reading about the relationships between Lucy and her fellow officers as they tried to stay focused on the job at hand.
A brilliant read. Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
This book gives us an insight into the start of Lucy Harwins career as lead detective. The case she finds herself on puts her at risk of violence herself as she attempts to solve several crimes which may, or may not, be linked.
The story is fast paced and I loved reading about the relationships between Lucy and her fellow officers as they tried to stay focused on the job at hand.
A brilliant read. Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
April 19, 2020
The three stars are for effort. There is hardly any investigation happening in a novel which calls itself 'A Detective Lucy Harwin novel'. Well, the detective does very little except drink coffee and the crime gets solved by itself. There is very little character development and more than 85% of the book is spent in describing the boring stuff the police do and the making of a wannabe psychopath. The resolution happens all a sudden with no buildup.
October 17, 2018
Last Light (A Detective Lucy Harwin Novel) by author Helen Phifer Is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. The plot has good characters, suspense, and Detective Lucy Harwin makes me want to cheer for her! In Last Light, Lucy has a strange case of serial murders in which the victims are connected to the church and this will add some eerily posed crime scenes. Oh Wow, poor Lucy gets attacked in one scene which made my head hurt just reading about the beating!
Now I'm going to look for the previous two Detective Lucy Harwin novels.
Publication Date November 16, 2018
Now I'm going to look for the previous two Detective Lucy Harwin novels.
Publication Date November 16, 2018
November 20, 2018
This novel has a well-crafted story of how a terrified, abused child morphs into a monster. It's enough to curl up your toes at times. The cost of anger and hate is clearly defined as you read the boy's tale of growing up and the effect it had on him and later his victims. Lucy is the detective in charge of unravelling the gruesome killings. She has to contend with her demons too as a single mother with a stressful, time-consuming job. As a cat and animal lover, I did find some of the story unpalatable. Otherwise, it was an excellent read. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
December 18, 2018
I'm enjoying this series and I particularly liked this latest book. It was a good story and I liked the flashback aspects. I'm interested to see how the characters develope in future books.
August 20, 2019
Slow start until half way through. Little bit predictable but an ok read, looking forward to the next one in the series
January 12, 2021
I'm not sure why it's listed as the third book when it's actually a prequel. There were so many spoilers in the other books that it kinda ruined the end for me.
October 12, 2018
As I have never read a Lucy Hawin thriller series, I was expecting a character having the same eccentric and perceptive traits that Elizabeth George’s Barbara Havers and Sally Spencer’s Monkia Paniatowski had in their mystery series; however, I ended up disappointed. I found Lucy, despite her promotion to leader of the crime finding group, to be lacking in knowledge and understanding of the crime scenes and of the persons involved.
A novice fan of mystery and thriller novels may enjoy this book more than a well-read enthusiast, since the storyline was simple: an abused mother and child along with no surprising killer.
My critique was based an ARC that was provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
A novice fan of mystery and thriller novels may enjoy this book more than a well-read enthusiast, since the storyline was simple: an abused mother and child along with no surprising killer.
My critique was based an ARC that was provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
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