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Beth Adams #1
The Girl in the Grave
Silence falls as the coffin is lifted out of the ground, yesterday’s rain cascading from it like a waterfall. Glancing into what should have been an empty grave, everyone gasps at the sight of blueish-white fingers exposed in the soil below...
When the body of a teenage runaway is found hidden inside someone else’s grave in a small-town cemetery in The Lake District, an urgent call is made to Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. Still traumatised by a recent attempt on her own life, one look at the beautiful girl’s broken body is enough to bring Beth out of hiding for the first time since her attack. She’s the only one who can help her trusted friend, Detective Josh Walker, crack the most shocking case of his career.
Beth struggles to believe it’s a coincidence that the gravesite was scheduled to be exhumed, exposing the evidence. Does this twisted killer want to be caught?
Throwing herself into her work Beth discovers traces of material beneath the victim’s fingernails that sets the team on the killer’s trail. But this critical lead comes at a dangerous price, exposing Beth’s whereabouts and dragging her back into her attacker’s line of fire once again.
With Beth’s own life on the line, the investigation is already cracking under the pressure. Then another local girl goes missing… Can Beth stay alive long enough to catch the killer before he claims his next victim?
When the body of a teenage runaway is found hidden inside someone else’s grave in a small-town cemetery in The Lake District, an urgent call is made to Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. Still traumatised by a recent attempt on her own life, one look at the beautiful girl’s broken body is enough to bring Beth out of hiding for the first time since her attack. She’s the only one who can help her trusted friend, Detective Josh Walker, crack the most shocking case of his career.
Beth struggles to believe it’s a coincidence that the gravesite was scheduled to be exhumed, exposing the evidence. Does this twisted killer want to be caught?
Throwing herself into her work Beth discovers traces of material beneath the victim’s fingernails that sets the team on the killer’s trail. But this critical lead comes at a dangerous price, exposing Beth’s whereabouts and dragging her back into her attacker’s line of fire once again.
With Beth’s own life on the line, the investigation is already cracking under the pressure. Then another local girl goes missing… Can Beth stay alive long enough to catch the killer before he claims his next victim?
266 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
July 20, 2019
EXCERPT: ....all of them were standing in a circle staring down into the dark, sodden grave. There, poking through the soil, a pair of mottled green and blue legs were clearly visible, the remains of a torn pair of tights still clinging to parts of them. Higher up, a hand with green painted fingernails and half a face were also partially exposed; one milky, glazed eye with long eyelashes stared up at the sky.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When the body of a teenage runaway is found hidden inside someone else’s grave in a small-town cemetery in The Lake District, an urgent call is made to Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. Still traumatised by a recent attempt on her own life, one look at the beautiful girl’s broken body is enough to bring Beth out of hiding for the first time since her attack. She’s the only one who can help her trusted friend, Detective Josh Walker, crack the most shocking case of his career.
Beth struggles to believe it’s a coincidence that the gravesite was scheduled to be exhumed, exposing the evidence. Does this twisted killer want to be caught?
Throwing herself into her work Beth discovers traces of material beneath the victim’s fingernails that sets the team on the killer’s trail. But this critical lead comes at a dangerous price, exposing Beth’s whereabouts and dragging her back into her attacker’s line of fire once again.
With Beth’s own life on the line, the investigation is already cracking under the pressure. Then another local girl goes missing… Can Beth stay alive long enough to catch the killer before he claims his next victim?
MY THOUGHTS: I seem to be in the minority for my rating of The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer. It was an okay read for me - nothing more. There were a few things about it that I definitely didn't like. The major thing was the bit by bit reveal of what had happened to Beth prior to the start of this book. If it was meant to ratchet up the suspense it didn't work; mainly because we already know she survived it. Personally, I would have preferred the book to have started off with the attack on Beth, then jumped forward to the exhumation.
Another thing I was disappointed in was the speed at which Josh and Beth's relationship moved. There was no courtship, no easing into it....it was just full speed ahead from a standing start. I would have preferred to see them circling about warily for a while, both having been subject to bad (and that is an understatement) endings in their previous relationships.
I also didn't think that the points of view from the killer added anything to the story.
I didn't get any sense of suspense or trepidation as I was reading. I think the writing style is fairly flat, which I found quite surprising as I have previously enjoyed this author's Lucy Harwin series.
This isn't a series I will follow up on. 2.5*
THE AUTHOR: Helen Phifer is a published author.
Phifer was born in Barrow-in-Furness, a small town. She grew up there and continued to live there as an adult with her husband and children. She says that the town can occasionally receive some not great press, but confirms that it is a nice area to live in. It is surrounded by gorgeous scenic coast line and is fairly close to the Lake District, which is another beautiful area.
Helen confesses that she has always loved reading as well as writing. When it comes to reading, she likes to pick books that make the hair on her neck go up! Helen always has had a penchant for scary stories. When she eventually could not find enough books in this genre to suit her requirements, she decided that she would boost the amount of scary story books out there by writing some of her own!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on my webpage sandysbookaday.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When the body of a teenage runaway is found hidden inside someone else’s grave in a small-town cemetery in The Lake District, an urgent call is made to Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. Still traumatised by a recent attempt on her own life, one look at the beautiful girl’s broken body is enough to bring Beth out of hiding for the first time since her attack. She’s the only one who can help her trusted friend, Detective Josh Walker, crack the most shocking case of his career.
Beth struggles to believe it’s a coincidence that the gravesite was scheduled to be exhumed, exposing the evidence. Does this twisted killer want to be caught?
Throwing herself into her work Beth discovers traces of material beneath the victim’s fingernails that sets the team on the killer’s trail. But this critical lead comes at a dangerous price, exposing Beth’s whereabouts and dragging her back into her attacker’s line of fire once again.
With Beth’s own life on the line, the investigation is already cracking under the pressure. Then another local girl goes missing… Can Beth stay alive long enough to catch the killer before he claims his next victim?
MY THOUGHTS: I seem to be in the minority for my rating of The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer. It was an okay read for me - nothing more. There were a few things about it that I definitely didn't like. The major thing was the bit by bit reveal of what had happened to Beth prior to the start of this book. If it was meant to ratchet up the suspense it didn't work; mainly because we already know she survived it. Personally, I would have preferred the book to have started off with the attack on Beth, then jumped forward to the exhumation.
Another thing I was disappointed in was the speed at which Josh and Beth's relationship moved. There was no courtship, no easing into it....it was just full speed ahead from a standing start. I would have preferred to see them circling about warily for a while, both having been subject to bad (and that is an understatement) endings in their previous relationships.
I also didn't think that the points of view from the killer added anything to the story.
I didn't get any sense of suspense or trepidation as I was reading. I think the writing style is fairly flat, which I found quite surprising as I have previously enjoyed this author's Lucy Harwin series.
This isn't a series I will follow up on. 2.5*
THE AUTHOR: Helen Phifer is a published author.
Phifer was born in Barrow-in-Furness, a small town. She grew up there and continued to live there as an adult with her husband and children. She says that the town can occasionally receive some not great press, but confirms that it is a nice area to live in. It is surrounded by gorgeous scenic coast line and is fairly close to the Lake District, which is another beautiful area.
Helen confesses that she has always loved reading as well as writing. When it comes to reading, she likes to pick books that make the hair on her neck go up! Helen always has had a penchant for scary stories. When she eventually could not find enough books in this genre to suit her requirements, she decided that she would boost the amount of scary story books out there by writing some of her own!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on my webpage sandysbookaday.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 9, 2019
It all began when the exhumation revealed a body under the coffin – the girl in the grave had been there for the weeks since the funeral. Who was it? And how did she get there?
Dr Beth Adams, forensic pathologist to the police of Cumbria in the Lake District was called in. Her good friend Detective Josh Walker was on the scene and with the constant rain, the tent covered the grave site, which was a crime scene. Beth herself had suffered a brutal attack seven years prior and was still coming to terms with her near death. But Josh had been the one constant she could rely on.
As Josh’s team tried to find the perpetrator of the girl in the grave’s death, another young woman went missing. The race was on – but still they couldn’t find where the killer was keeping his victims. With Josh finally getting a little closer, suddenly Beth was in danger once again. Would she escape with her life this time?
The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer is my first by this author and it was gripping, intense and fast paced. I had worked out the killer quite early in the piece, but still enjoyed the tale right to the conclusion. Recommended to fans of psychological thrillers.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Dr Beth Adams, forensic pathologist to the police of Cumbria in the Lake District was called in. Her good friend Detective Josh Walker was on the scene and with the constant rain, the tent covered the grave site, which was a crime scene. Beth herself had suffered a brutal attack seven years prior and was still coming to terms with her near death. But Josh had been the one constant she could rely on.
As Josh’s team tried to find the perpetrator of the girl in the grave’s death, another young woman went missing. The race was on – but still they couldn’t find where the killer was keeping his victims. With Josh finally getting a little closer, suddenly Beth was in danger once again. Would she escape with her life this time?
The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer is my first by this author and it was gripping, intense and fast paced. I had worked out the killer quite early in the piece, but still enjoyed the tale right to the conclusion. Recommended to fans of psychological thrillers.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2019
It’s a first book in the series about forensic pathologist Beth Adams. I will definitely read more about her. Interesting, fast paced criminal thriller. “The girl in the grave” starts with discovering of a young girl body under the coffin of different dead woman which was mysteriously requested to be exhumed. Did the killer want the police to find the girl in the grave? More clues and unpredictable situations to come.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2019
What a great start to a new series from Helen Phifer. The Girl in the Grave is a really fast paced police procedural, but the main character Beth Adams is a forensic pathologist so we get the story from a different angle. Beth is a threat character, broken and damaged but starting to get her life back after being assaulted in her own home. Her friendship with Detective Josh Walker is nice. I am looking forward to learning more about Beth and the people around her.
This book starts with the victim, realising that they are not where they thought they were. Flash forward and a body is being exhumed for further investigation. It is in this process that a second body is found in the same grave- enter Beth Adams and Josh Walker. Beth is horrified by the discovery and tries o help find who would do this. She is still traumatised from an assault and feels that she is being watched. Is she being paranoid or is somebody out to get her?
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
This book starts with the victim, realising that they are not where they thought they were. Flash forward and a body is being exhumed for further investigation. It is in this process that a second body is found in the same grave- enter Beth Adams and Josh Walker. Beth is horrified by the discovery and tries o help find who would do this. She is still traumatised from an assault and feels that she is being watched. Is she being paranoid or is somebody out to get her?
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
April 11, 2021
Firstly I kept hoovering about the rating of this book for me the first half of this book didn't grab my attention,till half way through. That's when I really got into this storyline.Maybe due to being a new series.This book starts with a body of a girl hidden under a coffin in a cemetery.Why was she there? Pathologist Beth Adam's was my favourite character in this book,Detective Josh Walker on the case the killer taken another girl will she be found on time.Beth had a past that haunts her and makes her vulnerable.great start to this series and looking forward to reading book two.recommend.
July 12, 2019
Forensic pathology, a branch of medicine which completely fascinates me. In my alternate lifetime, I hope to become one. This entire story was based on the findings of forensic pathologist Dr Beth Adams.
A dead girl found beneath the coffin of an exhumed body was the start of the investigation which followed the convoluted roads of the past and present where Beth found herself to be in the eye of the storm. But nobody could be safe in the midst of the rampaging winds, and Beth was soon embroiled in a case which brought out the nightmares of the past.
My first book by Helen Phifer, it was nail biting to get to the perp. I was completely blindsided when the truth was finally revealed. I loved how Beth was etched with professionalism along with depths of a personal life. She was a person of contrasts, scared of living, loved the dead. She could fight but was scared enough to have a safe room at home. She lived amongst people but was alone.
Detective Josh Walker was a good support to her, there was trust and a great rapport between them. The hints of love had just started in this book. A common past which bound them together. Then came my infamous niggles, I wanted Beth to have a bigger role in the book. I wanted more of her. But this did not hamper my enjoyment of this book.
Helen's writing was smooth, the chapters short and snappy. There was a freshness in the way they were written. I loved the speed with which I turned the pages, the book was so easy to read. Overall, I want book 2 as soon as possible as Beth made quite an impact on me. A fun midnight read.
A dead girl found beneath the coffin of an exhumed body was the start of the investigation which followed the convoluted roads of the past and present where Beth found herself to be in the eye of the storm. But nobody could be safe in the midst of the rampaging winds, and Beth was soon embroiled in a case which brought out the nightmares of the past.
My first book by Helen Phifer, it was nail biting to get to the perp. I was completely blindsided when the truth was finally revealed. I loved how Beth was etched with professionalism along with depths of a personal life. She was a person of contrasts, scared of living, loved the dead. She could fight but was scared enough to have a safe room at home. She lived amongst people but was alone.
Detective Josh Walker was a good support to her, there was trust and a great rapport between them. The hints of love had just started in this book. A common past which bound them together. Then came my infamous niggles, I wanted Beth to have a bigger role in the book. I wanted more of her. But this did not hamper my enjoyment of this book.
Helen's writing was smooth, the chapters short and snappy. There was a freshness in the way they were written. I loved the speed with which I turned the pages, the book was so easy to read. Overall, I want book 2 as soon as possible as Beth made quite an impact on me. A fun midnight read.
September 25, 2019
Beth Adams is a Forensic Pathologist called out when the body of a teenage girl is found hidden inside someone else's grave.
Traumatized by an attempt on her life several years ago, she has been in hiding in fear behind secure gates and a panic room. Beth decides its time to take back her life, but as she exposes where she is, she's dragged back into her attacker's line of fire once more.
Only Detective Josh Walker knows what this case is causing her. Walker is having his own problems while the case is going nowhere.
And then another girl disappears ....
This is a well-written police procedure featuring Dr. Beth Adams in the first of what I'm hoping for is a long series. The story premise is finely crafted with enough twists and turns to keep the reader taking a gander at what's going to happen next. The characters are credible and memorable. The ending is unpredictable and explosive.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Traumatized by an attempt on her life several years ago, she has been in hiding in fear behind secure gates and a panic room. Beth decides its time to take back her life, but as she exposes where she is, she's dragged back into her attacker's line of fire once more.
Only Detective Josh Walker knows what this case is causing her. Walker is having his own problems while the case is going nowhere.
And then another girl disappears ....
This is a well-written police procedure featuring Dr. Beth Adams in the first of what I'm hoping for is a long series. The story premise is finely crafted with enough twists and turns to keep the reader taking a gander at what's going to happen next. The characters are credible and memorable. The ending is unpredictable and explosive.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 12, 2019
3.5 stars.
July 18, 2019
The body of a young woman is found underneath the coffin of another deceased person during an exhumation. The girl had been dead for weeks and was never reported as missing. Dr. Beth Adams, a forensic pathologist (former A&E physician) is called to do the postmortem. Who used this particular grave as a dumping ground and why? Then, another young woman goes missing and is presumed to be in danger. The police frantically search for clues of where she could have been taken before time runs out and they have another body on their hands.
There are many characters in this introductory novel, but Beth Adams is the main focus. She was damaged both physically and psychologically in a previous assault by a man she trusted and has become quite reclusive and prefers isolation at her highly secure home on the lakefront. Her best friend, DS Josh Walker, rescued Beth during the attack that changed her life, and he's leading the investigation into the missing women. Despite the attempt to dangle extraneous clues and red herrings, I suspected the identity of the perpetrator early on. I didn't really get too attached to Beth and the "romance" angle seemed so obvious. The reader may learn to like the characters as the series develops, so I'd give this another chance with a second book read. I just don't see some of the events, and Beth's participation in the police investigation, as realistic or believable. The author has left quite a few loose ends in the plot with development potential.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
There are many characters in this introductory novel, but Beth Adams is the main focus. She was damaged both physically and psychologically in a previous assault by a man she trusted and has become quite reclusive and prefers isolation at her highly secure home on the lakefront. Her best friend, DS Josh Walker, rescued Beth during the attack that changed her life, and he's leading the investigation into the missing women. Despite the attempt to dangle extraneous clues and red herrings, I suspected the identity of the perpetrator early on. I didn't really get too attached to Beth and the "romance" angle seemed so obvious. The reader may learn to like the characters as the series develops, so I'd give this another chance with a second book read. I just don't see some of the events, and Beth's participation in the police investigation, as realistic or believable. The author has left quite a few loose ends in the plot with development potential.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
July 12, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Beth Adams is a forensic pathologist and has a new case that is disturbing from the very outset. There is a body to be exhumed as there is a case that presented more questions. While the grave site staff are undertaking the task, they are shocked to find another body underneath the casket.
Beth dives right into the case, but is dealing with the aftermath of an attack she experienced in her home previously. While on the current case, she returns home one night only to discover that two of her security cameras are not operating. This makes Beth very nervous and is more than a bit distracted when it comes to her job.
But, answers must be found as to the identity of the woman they found so she dives into her investigation. Beth is working alongside Detective Josh Walker and the two are old friends. I can already anticipate their relationship to surpass the professional one they have now.
When another woman turns up missing, Beth and Josh work hard and as quickly as possible to hopefully save her the same destiny as the first woman. What Beth does not know is that things are much closer to home than she could have ever imagined.
What a great start to a new series! I love Beth. She is broken, yet strong. She experienced a horrific trauma yet made something out of her life. Quite naturally, since she was a pathologist, my mind went to the television show, Quincy. So, I am eager to see other cases she works on so that she can make a difference for survivors of other victims.
Helen Phifer is new to me, but I will definitely follow this series. I love her writing style and the fact that it shows evidence of good research. She gave me characters that I admire and that I want to read more about. This book comes highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Beth Adams is a forensic pathologist and has a new case that is disturbing from the very outset. There is a body to be exhumed as there is a case that presented more questions. While the grave site staff are undertaking the task, they are shocked to find another body underneath the casket.
Beth dives right into the case, but is dealing with the aftermath of an attack she experienced in her home previously. While on the current case, she returns home one night only to discover that two of her security cameras are not operating. This makes Beth very nervous and is more than a bit distracted when it comes to her job.
But, answers must be found as to the identity of the woman they found so she dives into her investigation. Beth is working alongside Detective Josh Walker and the two are old friends. I can already anticipate their relationship to surpass the professional one they have now.
When another woman turns up missing, Beth and Josh work hard and as quickly as possible to hopefully save her the same destiny as the first woman. What Beth does not know is that things are much closer to home than she could have ever imagined.
What a great start to a new series! I love Beth. She is broken, yet strong. She experienced a horrific trauma yet made something out of her life. Quite naturally, since she was a pathologist, my mind went to the television show, Quincy. So, I am eager to see other cases she works on so that she can make a difference for survivors of other victims.
Helen Phifer is new to me, but I will definitely follow this series. I love her writing style and the fact that it shows evidence of good research. She gave me characters that I admire and that I want to read more about. This book comes highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 27, 2019
During an average grave exhumation, a body is found under the casket. Why is the body there? Who put her there? That's how the story starts. Digging for clues of who this girl is, and who put her there. Dr. Beth Adams is responsible for completing the autopsy, while Josh is the detective in charge of finding out who placed the body in the grave. Then Annie goes missing. The case takes on a whole new level to beat the clock and find Annie before it's too late.
4 stars for this read. Fast paced, with plenty of action, plenty of potential suspects, and just enough of a potential love story with the backgrounds of each character playing an integral role. The ending did not have any loose ends, and I have no true complaints.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars for this read. Fast paced, with plenty of action, plenty of potential suspects, and just enough of a potential love story with the backgrounds of each character playing an integral role. The ending did not have any loose ends, and I have no true complaints.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2019
The Girl In The Grave reminded me just why I love Psychological Thrillers so much. There wasn't a dull moment in the book and I breezed through it on the tips of my toes.
I loved how fast paced it was, and yet how it managed to capture the essence of each character. I couldn't stop reading the book and only put it down to catch a few hours of sleep before I was back at it.
Beth Adams was an intriguing character and probably one of my favourites along with DS Joshua. Both of them made an awesome pair and I loved their friendship.
The story itself was nail-bitingly good, and I had a few suspects in mind as to who the killer was and I was pleased to realize I'd been right in my guess.
Overall, The Girl in The Grave is the kind of book I look for when in the mood for a fast paced psychological thriller that would keep me turning the pages until I was done with it.
I loved how fast paced it was, and yet how it managed to capture the essence of each character. I couldn't stop reading the book and only put it down to catch a few hours of sleep before I was back at it.
Beth Adams was an intriguing character and probably one of my favourites along with DS Joshua. Both of them made an awesome pair and I loved their friendship.
The story itself was nail-bitingly good, and I had a few suspects in mind as to who the killer was and I was pleased to realize I'd been right in my guess.
Overall, The Girl in The Grave is the kind of book I look for when in the mood for a fast paced psychological thriller that would keep me turning the pages until I was done with it.
July 26, 2019
The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer is the first in the Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Adams is called when the body of a young woman is found in the same grave as an elderly woman who they were exhuming. Unsure if the two corpses are related, she hopes to discover more after she performs the autopsies.
Detective Josh Walker is in charge of the investigation, and Beth is thankful that her close friend will be handling this.
Meanwhile, Beth is still coming to terms with her own near-death experience. Adding extra security around her home and taking self-defense classes is helping, but she is still on edge. It looks like she may have reason to be fearful.
My Opinions:
I love getting in on the ground floor of a new series. Especially when it has an interesting and fresh character such as Beth Adams. In particular, I like the fact that this series will center around a female forensic pathologist instead of a detective. It's a nice change, and there were even references to Quincy (I'm feeling old) and Kay Scarpetta.
Not only was the premise of a forensic pathologist helping to solve a crime good, but the plot was interesting. I loved Josh Walker as her side-kick, as they seemed to have a natural chemistry, and they've already had a long friendship, so if things develop....I'm okay with it (even though I am not a romance reader). It was action-packed, and a really fast read.
The author has already established herself as a "series" author, so I am sure that starting a new series must be a little scary. This one worked! I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it seemed a little "light", and I am looking forward to more!
June 17, 2019
Dr Beth Adams is called to an exhumation where another body has been found in the grave. DS Josh Walker is in a loveless marriage and harbours feelings for Beth. She is recovering from at attempt in her life and it seems that this new killer wants Beth involved. How far will he go? Oh wow! This is such a gripping read, I was hooked from the first page. Helen has a way to entice the reader and blast them with drama and such a thrilling read.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
July 15, 2019
3.5*
The Girl in the Grave is a thriller novel, the first in the Beth Adams series, following a forensic pathologist named Beth Adams.
During an exhumation the body of a young girl was found under the coffin,which brings a lot of questions: Why was the exhumation ordered in the first place? Is it a coincidence that the girl's body was in a grave about to be exhumed? Or is it part of a plan conducted by a very sick and dangerous individual?
I think my favorite part of this book was Beth's character development. From the very beginning it is obvious that she has suffered some sort of trauma in the past and it made her paranoid, obsessed with security and very lonely. Throughout the novel she starts to realize that she cannot go on living like this as it is not really living. And she finally begins to open up. It was lovely to see that and really rooted for her.
The murder mystery was interesting. I did not guess who the killer was and at one point I suspected three different people. But the ending was rushed and a bit anticlimactic.
My main criticism is the writing style. There were too many perspectives in this book that did not really need to be there. Instead of reading from random people I would much rather spend time reading from Beth,Josh who is the lead investigator on the case,and the killer. That way their personalities could have been better explored. And there were also a few inconsistencies in the first half of the novel. Like for example, one second Beth would be panting, and the next she would let out a breath she was holding, little things like that. But as the novel goes on it does get better.
I will definitely read the next book in this series, there are some aspects of the story that I am interested to see unfold.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Girl in the Grave is a thriller novel, the first in the Beth Adams series, following a forensic pathologist named Beth Adams.
During an exhumation the body of a young girl was found under the coffin,which brings a lot of questions: Why was the exhumation ordered in the first place? Is it a coincidence that the girl's body was in a grave about to be exhumed? Or is it part of a plan conducted by a very sick and dangerous individual?
I think my favorite part of this book was Beth's character development. From the very beginning it is obvious that she has suffered some sort of trauma in the past and it made her paranoid, obsessed with security and very lonely. Throughout the novel she starts to realize that she cannot go on living like this as it is not really living. And she finally begins to open up. It was lovely to see that and really rooted for her.
The murder mystery was interesting. I did not guess who the killer was and at one point I suspected three different people. But the ending was rushed and a bit anticlimactic.
My main criticism is the writing style. There were too many perspectives in this book that did not really need to be there. Instead of reading from random people I would much rather spend time reading from Beth,Josh who is the lead investigator on the case,and the killer. That way their personalities could have been better explored. And there were also a few inconsistencies in the first half of the novel. Like for example, one second Beth would be panting, and the next she would let out a breath she was holding, little things like that. But as the novel goes on it does get better.
I will definitely read the next book in this series, there are some aspects of the story that I am interested to see unfold.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Girl in the Grave, the first novel to feature forensic pathologist Beth Adams, set in the Lake District.
When a young woman’s body is found in a recently exhumed grave DS Josh Walker calls in reclusive forensic pathologist Beth Adams to assist. She finds the case upsetting and determines to some of her own sleuthing but she is distracted by “presents” left for her at her well protected home.
I enjoyed The Girl in the Grave which is a good thriller, full of twists and turns. It is not a particularly profound novel and there are points when I thought “why didn’t they ...?” but it is well thought out with plenty of tension and urgency. It is also full of mystery as there is the mystery of what happened to Beth to make her so reclusive and security conscious, which is teased out over the course of the novel and, of course there is the mystery of the perpetrator and his motive (I was impressed with the ingenuity of these). The novel is mostly told from Beth and Josh’s points of view but there are insights into the killer’s thinking and actions, not enough to give the game away but enough to keep the reader thinking.
As this is a plot driven novel the characterisation isn’t particularly strong. Both Beth and Josh have trauma in the novel but it doesn’t really resonate, seeming more like a device to move the plot forward. Otherwise they are nice people, determined to solve the case and get justice, although the catalyst for this latter requires a fair suspension of disbelief.
Despite this criticism The Girl in the Grave is a good, uncomplicated which I can recommend.
When a young woman’s body is found in a recently exhumed grave DS Josh Walker calls in reclusive forensic pathologist Beth Adams to assist. She finds the case upsetting and determines to some of her own sleuthing but she is distracted by “presents” left for her at her well protected home.
I enjoyed The Girl in the Grave which is a good thriller, full of twists and turns. It is not a particularly profound novel and there are points when I thought “why didn’t they ...?” but it is well thought out with plenty of tension and urgency. It is also full of mystery as there is the mystery of what happened to Beth to make her so reclusive and security conscious, which is teased out over the course of the novel and, of course there is the mystery of the perpetrator and his motive (I was impressed with the ingenuity of these). The novel is mostly told from Beth and Josh’s points of view but there are insights into the killer’s thinking and actions, not enough to give the game away but enough to keep the reader thinking.
As this is a plot driven novel the characterisation isn’t particularly strong. Both Beth and Josh have trauma in the novel but it doesn’t really resonate, seeming more like a device to move the plot forward. Otherwise they are nice people, determined to solve the case and get justice, although the catalyst for this latter requires a fair suspension of disbelief.
Despite this criticism The Girl in the Grave is a good, uncomplicated which I can recommend.
July 13, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc.
I have read the first three books of the Lucy Harwin series by this same author and enjoyed them all very much.
But sadly I was not nearly as impressed with the Beth Adams or Josh Walker characters. The story line felt predictable and stale ("Been there. Done that"). Beth, in particular, felt unreal. She's apparently still traumatized by an attempt on her life seven years ago and yet she goes off to investigate the first and second victim's lives of this story on her own??? All the while locking herself in after dark and jumping at shadows? Oh, she's also apparently very attractive to most all men that come into her orbit and thinks of them often (when she's not busy shaking in her shoes). Josh also has unresolved "issues". The "psychologically damaged" protagonists are really getting to be overdone for my tastes. At some point the story goes from interesting and engaging over to yawning incredulity.
2.0 stars
I have read the first three books of the Lucy Harwin series by this same author and enjoyed them all very much.
But sadly I was not nearly as impressed with the Beth Adams or Josh Walker characters. The story line felt predictable and stale ("Been there. Done that"). Beth, in particular, felt unreal. She's apparently still traumatized by an attempt on her life seven years ago and yet she goes off to investigate the first and second victim's lives of this story on her own??? All the while locking herself in after dark and jumping at shadows? Oh, she's also apparently very attractive to most all men that come into her orbit and thinks of them often (when she's not busy shaking in her shoes). Josh also has unresolved "issues". The "psychologically damaged" protagonists are really getting to be overdone for my tastes. At some point the story goes from interesting and engaging over to yawning incredulity.
2.0 stars
July 13, 2019
This is a great start to a new series.
Beth Adams is still recovering from being attacked in her home and now works as a pathologist.
She’s good friends with Josh, a local detective and is called out to a particularly troubling crime scene.
The body of a young woman has been found in the grave of a woman whose body was being exhumed.
No-one can get to the bottom of why the exhumation was requested and Josh suspects it was orchestrated by the killer of the young woman.
Soon another young woman is abducted and Josh faces a race against time to find her before it’s too late.
Beth is trying to live her life after the attack and is taking small steps to get back to normal when her whole world is turned on it’s head.
Josh saved her life once before but can he do it again?
This is a brilliant read and it will have you on the edge of your seat during the final pages.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Beth Adams is still recovering from being attacked in her home and now works as a pathologist.
She’s good friends with Josh, a local detective and is called out to a particularly troubling crime scene.
The body of a young woman has been found in the grave of a woman whose body was being exhumed.
No-one can get to the bottom of why the exhumation was requested and Josh suspects it was orchestrated by the killer of the young woman.
Soon another young woman is abducted and Josh faces a race against time to find her before it’s too late.
Beth is trying to live her life after the attack and is taking small steps to get back to normal when her whole world is turned on it’s head.
Josh saved her life once before but can he do it again?
This is a brilliant read and it will have you on the edge of your seat during the final pages.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
July 19, 2019
Dr Beth Adams is a forensic pathologist with a past. She was once a doctor in a busy Accident and Emergency Department but a tragic event in her life caused her to rethink her life and she changed career paths to become a pathologist. Throughout the book, pieces of Beth's past are gradually revealed as it becomes entwined with the present and the latest case she'd been tasked to work on.
It began when a exhumation under somewhat odd circumstances revealed a body under the coffin. The girl in the grave had lain there in the months undetected since the funeral. Who was she? How did she get there? And who put her there?
Police were already on scene for the exhumation, but work was suddenly halted as reinforcements were called. Enter Dr Beth Adams. One look at the body and she concluded that the girl was most certainly dead, but a forensic archaeologist was needed to retrieve it without disturbing any trace evidence that may have been left behind. And so the investigation begins...
Beth begins the post mortem on the body of Florence, the 93 year old woman who was said to have died from pneumonia. But information received from a relative of the deceased alleged that she had died in "suspicious circumstances" and requested an exhumation to investigate further. As it turns out, Beth deduces that Florence DID in indeed die of pneumonia and nothing untoward to warrant an exhumation. So who requested it? And why?
It soon becomes clear to Beth and DS Josh Walker, the SIO on the case, that the request was made to lead to the discover of the the girl in the grave...beneath the coffin.
Then another young woman goes missing. And the race is on to find her in time before she too suffers the same fate as the girl in the grave. But with no real leads as to where the killer is keeping his victims time is running out. Are they even any closer to catching the killer?
For Beth, the case should stop after she has finished the post mortem - but it doesn't. Like a modern day Quincy, Beth finds herself drawn to the mystery of the girl in the grave and is saddened that no one has even missed her. She decides to do some digging of her own and when revealing her findings to Josh, she even likens herself to Kay Scarpetta (of Patricia Cornwell fame).
But Beth is even more involved than she knows...
Who has been sending her letters? And who is leaving little "gifts" at her home?
Unbeknownst to Beth, she is being watched by someone with a disturbing compulsion. But despite locking herself up in a secure fortress, Beth is left vulnerable and exposed as someone she thought she could trust has anything but her best interests at heart. I thought I knew who it was...but I was wrong. To be honest, I narrowed it down to a couple of possible suspects and then picked the wrong one...lol Still, this person has serious links to her past. A past she is trying to forget but is unable to.
DS Josh Walker knows Beth and was there in the aftermath of her attack seven years before. They have become good friends and work well together with a trust and great rapport between them that is evident. With a common past that unites them together, there are hints of a romance blooming between them. It doesn't overshadow the main story, which is good, but rather lingers in the background.
A definite page-turner, THE GIRL IN THE GRAVE is a tense uncomplicated police procedural/thriller that is well written with short snappy chapters (my favourite kind) that will have you reading into the night. Addictive and intense, there is a mix of forensic pathology, police procedural and a bitter fear that is somewhat poignant. Will Josh be able to save Beth again?
THE GIRL IN THE GRAVE is the first in a new series by Helen Phifer set in the beautiful Lake District in Cumbria. It is also the first I have read by this author though I'm aware she has written a number of police procedural/crime thriller series. However, it is Beth and Josh I am looking forward to getting to know more and eagerly await the second book.
I would like to thank #HelenPhifer,/b>, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlInTheGrave in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
It began when a exhumation under somewhat odd circumstances revealed a body under the coffin. The girl in the grave had lain there in the months undetected since the funeral. Who was she? How did she get there? And who put her there?
Police were already on scene for the exhumation, but work was suddenly halted as reinforcements were called. Enter Dr Beth Adams. One look at the body and she concluded that the girl was most certainly dead, but a forensic archaeologist was needed to retrieve it without disturbing any trace evidence that may have been left behind. And so the investigation begins...
Beth begins the post mortem on the body of Florence, the 93 year old woman who was said to have died from pneumonia. But information received from a relative of the deceased alleged that she had died in "suspicious circumstances" and requested an exhumation to investigate further. As it turns out, Beth deduces that Florence DID in indeed die of pneumonia and nothing untoward to warrant an exhumation. So who requested it? And why?
It soon becomes clear to Beth and DS Josh Walker, the SIO on the case, that the request was made to lead to the discover of the the girl in the grave...beneath the coffin.
Then another young woman goes missing. And the race is on to find her in time before she too suffers the same fate as the girl in the grave. But with no real leads as to where the killer is keeping his victims time is running out. Are they even any closer to catching the killer?
For Beth, the case should stop after she has finished the post mortem - but it doesn't. Like a modern day Quincy, Beth finds herself drawn to the mystery of the girl in the grave and is saddened that no one has even missed her. She decides to do some digging of her own and when revealing her findings to Josh, she even likens herself to Kay Scarpetta (of Patricia Cornwell fame).
But Beth is even more involved than she knows...
Who has been sending her letters? And who is leaving little "gifts" at her home?
Unbeknownst to Beth, she is being watched by someone with a disturbing compulsion. But despite locking herself up in a secure fortress, Beth is left vulnerable and exposed as someone she thought she could trust has anything but her best interests at heart. I thought I knew who it was...but I was wrong. To be honest, I narrowed it down to a couple of possible suspects and then picked the wrong one...lol Still, this person has serious links to her past. A past she is trying to forget but is unable to.
DS Josh Walker knows Beth and was there in the aftermath of her attack seven years before. They have become good friends and work well together with a trust and great rapport between them that is evident. With a common past that unites them together, there are hints of a romance blooming between them. It doesn't overshadow the main story, which is good, but rather lingers in the background.
A definite page-turner, THE GIRL IN THE GRAVE is a tense uncomplicated police procedural/thriller that is well written with short snappy chapters (my favourite kind) that will have you reading into the night. Addictive and intense, there is a mix of forensic pathology, police procedural and a bitter fear that is somewhat poignant. Will Josh be able to save Beth again?
THE GIRL IN THE GRAVE is the first in a new series by Helen Phifer set in the beautiful Lake District in Cumbria. It is also the first I have read by this author though I'm aware she has written a number of police procedural/crime thriller series. However, it is Beth and Josh I am looking forward to getting to know more and eagerly await the second book.
I would like to thank #HelenPhifer,/b>, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlInTheGrave in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
June 23, 2019
DAISY on the COVER does not mean that this is a bright, cute, and cozy book. It is although a very intense crime drama with many twists and turns that challenge Beth Adams - - the Forensic Pathologist. LOOK FORWARD TO This Series Continuing. Beth's home life is that of fear, security gates, and constant anxious episodes. But... when a teen girls body is located under an exhumed coffin; Beth cannot let this one stay buried without answers. Phifer has a host of characters that keep the reader flipping pages because of their fleshed out personas. Any Fan of the OLD QUINCY TV show will enjoy this too. "A copy of this book was provided by Bookouture via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."
June 12, 2019
What a fabulous start start to a new series featuring forensic pathologist Beth Adams. It starts with a body buried beneath a coffin that is about to be exhumed and from that point the pace just doesn’t let up and as with her previous novels the wonderful Helen Phifer has a knack of drawing you in to a story with characters that are interesting and a good solid plot line that for the life of me I couldn’t work out who the perpetrator was!!
I particularly liked the character of Beth and her struggle to overcome a vicious attack that has left her withdrawn, insecure and living her life as best she can while filling her house with security measures, I thought this really added to a great story and look forward to the next in the series as I think this is definitely going to be a winner and many thanks to Helen Phifer for a wonderful 4+ stars that I can well recommend.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I particularly liked the character of Beth and her struggle to overcome a vicious attack that has left her withdrawn, insecure and living her life as best she can while filling her house with security measures, I thought this really added to a great story and look forward to the next in the series as I think this is definitely going to be a winner and many thanks to Helen Phifer for a wonderful 4+ stars that I can well recommend.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 19, 2019
I so enjoyed this book Helen is one of my fav authors never disappoints Beth is one sassy lady . Beth is fighting her own demons and she is a pathologist a runaway teenager is found in someone else ;s grave she is called in buy josh who is in charge of the case but someone has not finished with Beth yet will say no more its a must read so recommend
Merged review:
I so enjoyed this book Helen is one of my fav authors never disappoints Beth is one sassy lady . Beth is fighting her own demons and she is a pathologist a runaway teenager is found in someone else ;s grave she is called in buy josh who is in charge of the case but someone has not finished with Beth yet will say no more its a must read so recommend so cant wait for book 2
Merged review:
I so enjoyed this book Helen is one of my fav authors never disappoints Beth is one sassy lady . Beth is fighting her own demons and she is a pathologist a runaway teenager is found in someone else ;s grave she is called in buy josh who is in charge of the case but someone has not finished with Beth yet will say no more its a must read so recommend so cant wait for book 2
August 8, 2019
Well if you’re looking for a blooming good crime thriller then don’t look any further, The Girl in the Grave is just that and it’s a fantastic start to a new series.
When the body of a young girl is found dead under a coffin in a grave that’s being exhumed, Detective Josh Walker and Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams find themselves in a race against time to catch a Killer and what follows is a fast-paced story that had me totally and utterly gripped.
The Girl in the Grave starts off at a fast pace, it had me hooked and gave me spine tingles in the first few pages and it didn’t let up and I flew through this story basically sitting on the edge of my seat.
Beth and Josh are old friends, Josh is a good detective and his friendship with Beth is a close one. We know at the beginning that something terrible happened to Beth a few years ago, she struggles to feel safe, always looking over her shoulder, taking security to the extreme but we don’t know why until further on in the book, the author slowly reveals the mystery which I found frustrating (cause I’m nosey) but it had me totally intrigued.
Both Josh and Beth are fantastic characters and although there is a mystery to Beth’s past it was very easy to get to grips with both characters, they felt quite real and I really enjoyed getting to know them.
The author really brings the story to life, set in the Lake District it was very easy to imagine the story playing out, almost like a wee film in my head. I had vivid images of not only the beautiful setting but also of the horrors that the investigation entailed. I still get shivers thinking about it.
The Girl in the Grave is honestly an absolute cracker of a story that had me biting my nails, trying to figure out the who’s, the why’s and the what next. It has many twists and turns and all the way through I had that horrible feeling in my stomach, the feeling where the tension builds and you know you can’t put the book down until you get the answers you need.
So I’ll definitely be recommending this absolute cracker of a book and I honestly can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Hopefully we won’t have too long to wait.
When the body of a young girl is found dead under a coffin in a grave that’s being exhumed, Detective Josh Walker and Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams find themselves in a race against time to catch a Killer and what follows is a fast-paced story that had me totally and utterly gripped.
The Girl in the Grave starts off at a fast pace, it had me hooked and gave me spine tingles in the first few pages and it didn’t let up and I flew through this story basically sitting on the edge of my seat.
Beth and Josh are old friends, Josh is a good detective and his friendship with Beth is a close one. We know at the beginning that something terrible happened to Beth a few years ago, she struggles to feel safe, always looking over her shoulder, taking security to the extreme but we don’t know why until further on in the book, the author slowly reveals the mystery which I found frustrating (cause I’m nosey) but it had me totally intrigued.
Both Josh and Beth are fantastic characters and although there is a mystery to Beth’s past it was very easy to get to grips with both characters, they felt quite real and I really enjoyed getting to know them.
The author really brings the story to life, set in the Lake District it was very easy to imagine the story playing out, almost like a wee film in my head. I had vivid images of not only the beautiful setting but also of the horrors that the investigation entailed. I still get shivers thinking about it.
The Girl in the Grave is honestly an absolute cracker of a story that had me biting my nails, trying to figure out the who’s, the why’s and the what next. It has many twists and turns and all the way through I had that horrible feeling in my stomach, the feeling where the tension builds and you know you can’t put the book down until you get the answers you need.
So I’ll definitely be recommending this absolute cracker of a book and I honestly can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Hopefully we won’t have too long to wait.
July 21, 2019
When the body of a teenage girl is found in an exhumed grave, Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams and Detective Josh Walker are determined to find the killer. But, the killer now has Beth in his sights. Can Beth and Josh find him first or will Beth become his final prize?
Wow! I have been searching for such a long long time for a series that rivals that of the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cromwell and I have finally found it! Helen Phifer has captured my attention right from the first page. I also love love love the reference to Kay Scarpetta in the story and I’m not going to lie. I may have even done a little fist pump...Jersey style! Heh!
Helen Phifer has such a knack and is such an amazing writer who will easily draw you right into a story where I had a very hard time putting the book down. I can not express just how much I LOVE Beth Adams and Josh Walker. Beth is going through her own traumatic experience that took place seven years ago and she has never really fully recovered from and just when she is starting to get her life back. Josh has been a good friend of hers for many years and he too is going through his own hardship in a marriage that has lost its spark years ago. Beth and Josh are brought together in a grisly case that has left them stumped and when a second victim goes missing it is a race against time to find a killer with little clues as to his/her identity.
The Girl in the Grave is so engaging and the storyline is tightly written. There are a few suspects and a lot of secrets will be exposed. I really was not sure who the killer was and went back and forth quite a few times. I love when a story can really keep you guessing until the final reveal. I do wish there was a tiny bit of more action towards the end and found it wrapped up a little too neatly, but in all honesty The Girl in the Grave is nothing less than a five star read.
I am definitely needing the second book in the series ...like immediately! I am hooked!
Wow! I have been searching for such a long long time for a series that rivals that of the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cromwell and I have finally found it! Helen Phifer has captured my attention right from the first page. I also love love love the reference to Kay Scarpetta in the story and I’m not going to lie. I may have even done a little fist pump...Jersey style! Heh!
Helen Phifer has such a knack and is such an amazing writer who will easily draw you right into a story where I had a very hard time putting the book down. I can not express just how much I LOVE Beth Adams and Josh Walker. Beth is going through her own traumatic experience that took place seven years ago and she has never really fully recovered from and just when she is starting to get her life back. Josh has been a good friend of hers for many years and he too is going through his own hardship in a marriage that has lost its spark years ago. Beth and Josh are brought together in a grisly case that has left them stumped and when a second victim goes missing it is a race against time to find a killer with little clues as to his/her identity.
The Girl in the Grave is so engaging and the storyline is tightly written. There are a few suspects and a lot of secrets will be exposed. I really was not sure who the killer was and went back and forth quite a few times. I love when a story can really keep you guessing until the final reveal. I do wish there was a tiny bit of more action towards the end and found it wrapped up a little too neatly, but in all honesty The Girl in the Grave is nothing less than a five star read.
I am definitely needing the second book in the series ...like immediately! I am hooked!
August 3, 2019
Wow, oh wow!
There is a good reason for the fact that I read this book in one go - Helen Phifer is an incredible author!
Poor Beth has been through the mill, being attacked some years ago but slowly getting her confidence back. She is now a forensic pathologist, working closely with Josh and his team in the police force. Josh happened to come to her rescue when she was attacked, and they have been good friends ever since but now there are a series of murders which are baffling all and sundry who are associated with them.
Bit by bit, the case unravels and Josh finds himself chasing leads with the help of his team and Beth, and despite his marriage being in a very bad place indeed.
I didn't pick who the "baddie" was at all - it was definitely a surprise!
Loved this book and hope there will be another one, starring Beth and Josh.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
There is a good reason for the fact that I read this book in one go - Helen Phifer is an incredible author!
Poor Beth has been through the mill, being attacked some years ago but slowly getting her confidence back. She is now a forensic pathologist, working closely with Josh and his team in the police force. Josh happened to come to her rescue when she was attacked, and they have been good friends ever since but now there are a series of murders which are baffling all and sundry who are associated with them.
Bit by bit, the case unravels and Josh finds himself chasing leads with the help of his team and Beth, and despite his marriage being in a very bad place indeed.
I didn't pick who the "baddie" was at all - it was definitely a surprise!
Loved this book and hope there will be another one, starring Beth and Josh.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
July 12, 2019
The Girl in the Grave is a promising start to the Beth Adams series. Beth is a Forensic Pathologist who has had a traumatic event in her past that she’s trying to get over. She’s trying to help Detective Josh Walker solve a horrific murder. I found it to be a little slow in the beginning. But when it picked up, I didn’t want to put it down. I really enjoyed Beth gaining her confidence through the book. Looking forward to learning more about these characters.
*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
June 19, 2019
The Girl in The Grave by Helen Phifer is a great first book in a new series featuring Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams and DS Josh Walker.
I'm a massive Helen Phifer fan so I was super excited to read this one, thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher Bookouture for the ARC.
A bit of background. Beth used to be an emergency room doctor but after being attacked in her own home she lost all confidence and starting living her life in fear. She pretty much shut herself away from society and retrained as a forensic pathologist. Now she deals with the dead who can't hurt her. Her only real friend that she lets get close is DS Josh Walker who saved her life on the awful night she was attacked. That’s all I'm going to say on that because I don't want to give any spoilers away.
I loved this book, the characters were so likable straight away I wanted to know more about them. Helen has a way of writing that sucks you in on the first page and doesn't let you go until the climatic end. The plot was fast paced and interesting, full of tension and suspense which kept me hanging on to every word. I truly had a hard time putting this book it was really good.
I totally recommend this book it was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't hesitate in giving it 5 stars it deserves it.
I'm a massive Helen Phifer fan so I was super excited to read this one, thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher Bookouture for the ARC.
A bit of background. Beth used to be an emergency room doctor but after being attacked in her own home she lost all confidence and starting living her life in fear. She pretty much shut herself away from society and retrained as a forensic pathologist. Now she deals with the dead who can't hurt her. Her only real friend that she lets get close is DS Josh Walker who saved her life on the awful night she was attacked. That’s all I'm going to say on that because I don't want to give any spoilers away.
I loved this book, the characters were so likable straight away I wanted to know more about them. Helen has a way of writing that sucks you in on the first page and doesn't let you go until the climatic end. The plot was fast paced and interesting, full of tension and suspense which kept me hanging on to every word. I truly had a hard time putting this book it was really good.
I totally recommend this book it was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't hesitate in giving it 5 stars it deserves it.
July 23, 2019
WoW.....WoW.........what a brilliant book..........The Girl in the Grave by Helen Phifer was...........I just Loved it and was hooked from the very first few pages. This is the First book in the new series featuring Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams and DS Josh Walker.
This book starts with a body buried beneath a coffin that is about to be exhumed. 😲
Who are they?
What a brilliant start to a book............
I loved Beth's character and wanted to read more about her. Beth is a very strong woman. She was once a doctor in a busy Accident and Emergency Department but a tragic event in her life caused her to rethink her life and she changed career paths to become a pathologist. She survived a horrific attack where she nearly lost her life and is struggling to overcome a vicious attack that has left her withdrawn, insecure and living her life as best she can while filling her house with security measures. She is excellent in her new job role, but is always looking over her shoulder.
Beth works closely with Detective Josh Walker, they're old friends and have a brilliant relationship.
Can they find out who was buried underneath the coffin?
Another woman turns up missing, Beth and Detective Josh Walker work together and hopefully they find her before the same destiny as the first woman happens.
I'm a massive Helen Phifer fan and her books just get better.
I highly recommend all her books especially this one. It's a cracking read.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Bookouture for the ARC.
This book starts with a body buried beneath a coffin that is about to be exhumed. 😲
Who are they?
What a brilliant start to a book............
I loved Beth's character and wanted to read more about her. Beth is a very strong woman. She was once a doctor in a busy Accident and Emergency Department but a tragic event in her life caused her to rethink her life and she changed career paths to become a pathologist. She survived a horrific attack where she nearly lost her life and is struggling to overcome a vicious attack that has left her withdrawn, insecure and living her life as best she can while filling her house with security measures. She is excellent in her new job role, but is always looking over her shoulder.
Beth works closely with Detective Josh Walker, they're old friends and have a brilliant relationship.
Can they find out who was buried underneath the coffin?
Another woman turns up missing, Beth and Detective Josh Walker work together and hopefully they find her before the same destiny as the first woman happens.
I'm a massive Helen Phifer fan and her books just get better.
I highly recommend all her books especially this one. It's a cracking read.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Bookouture for the ARC.
July 17, 2019
This book starts with a bang when what should be a routine exhumation turns into something far more sinister when they find a body that had been under the now removed coffin. Detective Josh Walker is called to investigate the unexpected body, aided by Beth Adams, the pathologist who will examine the body.
Things quickly take a turn for the worst when another young woman goes missing and it is clear that the two were taken by the same man. Will they manage to find the second woman before it’s too late?
We quickly find out that there is more to Josh and Beth than a working relationship, after Josh helped rescue Beth from an attack that changed her life in many ways.
I really liked Beth as a character, there was something about her that I really liked and identified with. We found out less about Josh but he seems to be a promising character.
As always with Helen Phifer books, The Girl In The Grave is fast paced, easy to read and thrilling. It always takes a few books in a new series to properly settle in and become part of a the readers lives and for the characters to feel like part of our world, but I can see Beth settling into my character family very quickly.
I will most definitely be reading more books in this series and pretty much any book by Helen Phifer.
Things quickly take a turn for the worst when another young woman goes missing and it is clear that the two were taken by the same man. Will they manage to find the second woman before it’s too late?
We quickly find out that there is more to Josh and Beth than a working relationship, after Josh helped rescue Beth from an attack that changed her life in many ways.
I really liked Beth as a character, there was something about her that I really liked and identified with. We found out less about Josh but he seems to be a promising character.
As always with Helen Phifer books, The Girl In The Grave is fast paced, easy to read and thrilling. It always takes a few books in a new series to properly settle in and become part of a the readers lives and for the characters to feel like part of our world, but I can see Beth settling into my character family very quickly.
I will most definitely be reading more books in this series and pretty much any book by Helen Phifer.
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