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Nine Lives
Will this killer ever run out of luck? When DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin are called to investigate the murder of a young woman, whose naked body is discovered in a river, they realise an old foe is killing again.
The police realise this new death is linked to a spate of cold case murders and the killer is back.
Five years earlier, four young women were found murdered, their bodies left in woody areas, and the new victim shares similar hallmarks.
But why did the killer stop killing for all that time and what has inspired them to start again?
As more young women fall victim to a vicious and calculating murderer, Erica and Beth find themselves chasing their tails.
But when a witness is identified the case takes an unexpected and macabre turn.
Can Erica and Beth bring the killer to justice, or will this case prove too much?
The police realise this new death is linked to a spate of cold case murders and the killer is back.
Five years earlier, four young women were found murdered, their bodies left in woody areas, and the new victim shares similar hallmarks.
But why did the killer stop killing for all that time and what has inspired them to start again?
As more young women fall victim to a vicious and calculating murderer, Erica and Beth find themselves chasing their tails.
But when a witness is identified the case takes an unexpected and macabre turn.
Can Erica and Beth bring the killer to justice, or will this case prove too much?
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2021
121 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Anita Waller
57 books474 followersI live in Sheffield, UK. I am retired and have recently fulfilled my lifelong ambition of becoming a published author with Bloodhound Books.
I am married (almost 50 years to Dave) with three children and seven grandchildren.
I am a patchwork and quilting tutor as well as a writer.
My first book was Beautiful and my second, a sequel to Beautiful, is called Angel.
I am married (almost 50 years to Dave) with three children and seven grandchildren.
I am a patchwork and quilting tutor as well as a writer.
My first book was Beautiful and my second, a sequel to Beautiful, is called Angel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 9, 2021
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
NINE LIVES by Anita Waller is an intricately plotted British police procedural/crime thriller standalone book. I always anticipate getting my hands on the latest Anita Waller thriller because I know I will not be able to put it down and I will be thoroughly surprised and entertained.
DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin are called to the scene of a young woman’s nude body found in the River Porter. While the body is autopsied, the coroner shows Erica the signature of a serial killer who has not been heard of for five years. Erica and Beth worked the previous case and now with more dead women being discovered, they are determined to catch their killer this time around with Erica in charge.
This is a step-by-step police procedural that takes the reader on the hunt right along with the detectives for a serial killer who seems to do everything right to avoid detection. Ms. Waller has written an intricate plot which makes you believe the killer may get away once again, but she also plays fair with red herrings and plot twists that lead you to the surprise killer on closer inspection.
Erica leads a team of smart and dedicated officers that are all brought to life and realistically portrayed throughout the story. I enjoyed viewing the personal home lives of both Erica and Beth and Flick is a wonderful character, also.
I highly recommend this crime thriller and its author!
NINE LIVES by Anita Waller is an intricately plotted British police procedural/crime thriller standalone book. I always anticipate getting my hands on the latest Anita Waller thriller because I know I will not be able to put it down and I will be thoroughly surprised and entertained.
DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin are called to the scene of a young woman’s nude body found in the River Porter. While the body is autopsied, the coroner shows Erica the signature of a serial killer who has not been heard of for five years. Erica and Beth worked the previous case and now with more dead women being discovered, they are determined to catch their killer this time around with Erica in charge.
This is a step-by-step police procedural that takes the reader on the hunt right along with the detectives for a serial killer who seems to do everything right to avoid detection. Ms. Waller has written an intricate plot which makes you believe the killer may get away once again, but she also plays fair with red herrings and plot twists that lead you to the surprise killer on closer inspection.
Erica leads a team of smart and dedicated officers that are all brought to life and realistically portrayed throughout the story. I enjoyed viewing the personal home lives of both Erica and Beth and Flick is a wonderful character, also.
I highly recommend this crime thriller and its author!
March 26, 2021
Another brilliant book from Anita Waller.
This one had me hooked from the first few pages and I loved it.
Erica is called out after the body of a naked young woman is found in the river. Beth is on hand to support her boss but it’s a shocking scene that they are faced with.
Within days another young woman is murdered, and again her body is found by the river Porter.
The cause of death and marks on the body are the same as those on four victims back in 2014 so they need to work out why there has been a gap of five years before the killing started again.
We get to know Beth and Erica and find out about their lives outside of the station. Erica is very happy with her wife Frannie and Beth is happy to be separated from her awful ex boyfriend.
This is a gripping crime thriller that will have you racing through the pages.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
This one had me hooked from the first few pages and I loved it.
Erica is called out after the body of a naked young woman is found in the river. Beth is on hand to support her boss but it’s a shocking scene that they are faced with.
Within days another young woman is murdered, and again her body is found by the river Porter.
The cause of death and marks on the body are the same as those on four victims back in 2014 so they need to work out why there has been a gap of five years before the killing started again.
We get to know Beth and Erica and find out about their lives outside of the station. Erica is very happy with her wife Frannie and Beth is happy to be separated from her awful ex boyfriend.
This is a gripping crime thriller that will have you racing through the pages.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
March 27, 2021
When the body of a naked woman is discovered it becomes apparent quite quickly to DI Erica Cheetham that a serial killer is active again after a five year hiatus. The hunt is on to find the killer and Cheetham is determined not to let the killer slip through the net this time.
Anita Waller ķnows how to keep the suspense going in a book and does so quite superbly on this fast actioned thriller. As the body count increases so to does the suspense. This is a tremendous read and one which will keep you gripped from cover to cover. A nice touch by the author in using the names of some of her online friends as characters in this book.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily
Anita Waller ķnows how to keep the suspense going in a book and does so quite superbly on this fast actioned thriller. As the body count increases so to does the suspense. This is a tremendous read and one which will keep you gripped from cover to cover. A nice touch by the author in using the names of some of her online friends as characters in this book.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily
April 5, 2021
This stand alone story starts in 2014 with a prologue in which a fourth young woman is left by her killer in the woods, after carving a number and taking a trophy. Now it is 2019 and unsolved, these cases have gone cold. Student friends Katie and Becky meet up in a pub hoping their other two housemates Susie and Clare will join them after seeing Macbeth at the drama studio. Only Clare arrives and fears grow for diabetic Susie who seems to have completely vanished in the space of a mere five minutes. DI Erica Cheetham is called out of her lovely warm bed next to her lovely warm wife Frannie to attend a crime scene. A dead body has been found in the River Porter. Erica is amazed to be told the river actually runs under Sheffield’s Midland Station but sure enough that’s where it is, under platform 5, lodged between huge stones and with the near constant rain they have had for the last week, flooding and the fast flowing water is going to make access difficult. DS Beth Machin is waiting for her and together with their team of good solid DCs Ian Thomas and Mike Nestor, they are led to the body of a young naked girl. It doesn’t take long for the body to be identified as Susie, reported missing by her friends that same morning, and it looks like she was killed elsewhere, the river being a dump site. The full results of the post mortem show horrifying links to a series of cold cases. The so called L-killer who killed four girls in just a few months, leaving them naked and displayed in woodland, injected with a sedative in their necks before being strangled with tights brought for the purpose, a finger snipped off and the numerals I to IV carved into their palms. Susie was number V. Some details were never made public and Erica fears the killer is back and will almost certainly strike again. As the teams search the River Porter, they make two important discoveries. One is the true dump site, and the second is even worse. As Becky and Katie panic over the whereabouts of Clare who went to the gym the previous night and didn’t return home, her body is found at the river. The post mortem confirms their worst fears. Has an old killer found a new hunting ground? And what has been happening for the last five years? When a third body is found on day three of the case, it looks like this killer is on a spree and is not even stopping for breath. Erica is determined the killer will not evade justice again but with no traces of the murderer or witnesses progress is slow. Eventually small breakthroughs are made but the body count is still rising and then finally that all important witness is found, but no one is prepared for what it will lead them to as the detectives hurtle towards a twisted shocking and devastating ending.
There are some lovely touches of humour and affection between the main characters and the whole team of great detectives, including PC Sam King and DCs Flick Ardern and Will Bramwell, who are all skillfully drawn, and come to life as you feel you immediately know them. The descriptions in this book are so vivid you can almost feel the relentless rain dripping down your neck, and thanks to some marvelous youtube videos you can easily imagine the gloom and the noise of the rushing water in the culverts. I loved the way Erica’s and Beth’s home lives are also portrayed, giving a gentler and more rounded feel to the characters and their normality of down to earth home life and relationships. Erica is warm and empathetic and is just like the rest of us with her insecurities, rather than some sort of unbelievable kickass superwoman detective. The clues are all there but so are the red herrings, and the author’s skilled writing completely blind sides the reader to the truth, producing a jaw dropping ending and a book I loved and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending. The author has created such superb characters that it would be a shame not to see them again in another story – please!!! 5*
There are some lovely touches of humour and affection between the main characters and the whole team of great detectives, including PC Sam King and DCs Flick Ardern and Will Bramwell, who are all skillfully drawn, and come to life as you feel you immediately know them. The descriptions in this book are so vivid you can almost feel the relentless rain dripping down your neck, and thanks to some marvelous youtube videos you can easily imagine the gloom and the noise of the rushing water in the culverts. I loved the way Erica’s and Beth’s home lives are also portrayed, giving a gentler and more rounded feel to the characters and their normality of down to earth home life and relationships. Erica is warm and empathetic and is just like the rest of us with her insecurities, rather than some sort of unbelievable kickass superwoman detective. The clues are all there but so are the red herrings, and the author’s skilled writing completely blind sides the reader to the truth, producing a jaw dropping ending and a book I loved and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending. The author has created such superb characters that it would be a shame not to see them again in another story – please!!! 5*
April 1, 2021
I know when I pick up a book by Anita Waller that I am in for a truly wonderful but murderous time.
Nine Lives tells the story of a serial killer on the loose who is picking up beautiful young girls and displaying their naked, DEAD bodies by the River Porter. Erica Cheetham and her team are on a mission to find the perpetrator, even more so than normal because they think it is linked to an earlier case that was never resolved.
The River Porter plays the biggest part and this along with the constant mention of rain it made me feel I was actually at the crime scene wearing waders and getting drenched, so much so that when I finally put my Kindle down, I was surprised to see that it was bone dry.
It is only when I reached the end that I truly appreciated the skill and wealth of knowledge that had gone into the writing of this book. Every character comes to life with their unique personality and traits which makes it so easy to remember who they are. I could feel the tension and frustration of Erica and her colleagues when no headway was being made and their dread when yet another body was uncovered. I felt as though I was a part of the investigation, so when I guessed who the murderer was quite early on it did not in any way detract from the rest of the story, in fact it just made me examine every clue a little bit more closely just in case I was to be proved wrong.
There are lighter moments in the form of Anita’s Witticisms! One of which was so inspirational that it gave me a beautiful laugh out loud moment. I don’t want to give it away, but you will know when you come across it!
This book is superb. Mrs Waller’s storytelling is extraordinary.
Nine lives, dark, twisty, gut wrenching but most of all believable!
What more can I say, I LOVED EVERY WORD!
Nine Lives tells the story of a serial killer on the loose who is picking up beautiful young girls and displaying their naked, DEAD bodies by the River Porter. Erica Cheetham and her team are on a mission to find the perpetrator, even more so than normal because they think it is linked to an earlier case that was never resolved.
The River Porter plays the biggest part and this along with the constant mention of rain it made me feel I was actually at the crime scene wearing waders and getting drenched, so much so that when I finally put my Kindle down, I was surprised to see that it was bone dry.
It is only when I reached the end that I truly appreciated the skill and wealth of knowledge that had gone into the writing of this book. Every character comes to life with their unique personality and traits which makes it so easy to remember who they are. I could feel the tension and frustration of Erica and her colleagues when no headway was being made and their dread when yet another body was uncovered. I felt as though I was a part of the investigation, so when I guessed who the murderer was quite early on it did not in any way detract from the rest of the story, in fact it just made me examine every clue a little bit more closely just in case I was to be proved wrong.
There are lighter moments in the form of Anita’s Witticisms! One of which was so inspirational that it gave me a beautiful laugh out loud moment. I don’t want to give it away, but you will know when you come across it!
This book is superb. Mrs Waller’s storytelling is extraordinary.
Nine lives, dark, twisty, gut wrenching but most of all believable!
What more can I say, I LOVED EVERY WORD!
April 8, 2021
Anita Waller has never failed to engage me with her writing - and she's done it again!
When DI Erica Cheetham and her Sergeant, Beth Machin, get an early morning call out to the discover of a body, it doesn't take long for them to realise that they've encountered the killer before. Four murders, five years previously, all with similar methods. As the bodies begin to pile up at an alarming rate, the team are struggling to keep ahead of the game. Can Erica and Beth work it out in time to stop this killer for once and for all?
Well this is quite a whirlwind of murder and the author has so much happening and so quickly that I almost missed the clues as to who the killer was; in fact, for a big part of the book I was convinced it was someone else. Once I got that suspicion out of the way, I wavered a bit on the culprit, spending valuable time trying to persuade myself I must have got it wrong. It's hard to keep your brain ticking over on the information when so much is happening and so quickly! Smartly plotted and - as always - so cleverly written, this is a gripping whodunnit and one I thoroughly enjoyed. 4.5* and my definite recommendation.
When DI Erica Cheetham and her Sergeant, Beth Machin, get an early morning call out to the discover of a body, it doesn't take long for them to realise that they've encountered the killer before. Four murders, five years previously, all with similar methods. As the bodies begin to pile up at an alarming rate, the team are struggling to keep ahead of the game. Can Erica and Beth work it out in time to stop this killer for once and for all?
Well this is quite a whirlwind of murder and the author has so much happening and so quickly that I almost missed the clues as to who the killer was; in fact, for a big part of the book I was convinced it was someone else. Once I got that suspicion out of the way, I wavered a bit on the culprit, spending valuable time trying to persuade myself I must have got it wrong. It's hard to keep your brain ticking over on the information when so much is happening and so quickly! Smartly plotted and - as always - so cleverly written, this is a gripping whodunnit and one I thoroughly enjoyed. 4.5* and my definite recommendation.
April 5, 2021
Overall 4.5*
What I really liked about the story is the detail of the geography around Sheffield especially the rivers where the dead bodies are found. Many cities around the UK have old hidden rivers which most of us are unaware of...until something happens. The story combines the murders of local women with 4 older cases which have the same hallmarks other than the killer has been "quiet" fro the last few years. Lots of questions to be answered by the team throughout, some of which may lead you up the wrong path so to speak!
Only reason I was unable to give it 5* is that I did work out the killer however that may be due to me reading too many crime novels.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
What I really liked about the story is the detail of the geography around Sheffield especially the rivers where the dead bodies are found. Many cities around the UK have old hidden rivers which most of us are unaware of...until something happens. The story combines the murders of local women with 4 older cases which have the same hallmarks other than the killer has been "quiet" fro the last few years. Lots of questions to be answered by the team throughout, some of which may lead you up the wrong path so to speak!
Only reason I was unable to give it 5* is that I did work out the killer however that may be due to me reading too many crime novels.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
April 1, 2021
Wow, Anita Waller does it again !!!! Yet another fantastic thriller that has you hooked from the very first page to the very last page. One not to be missed.
DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin are called out when a young woman’s body is found in the river. They soon realise that the murder has very strong similarities to a cold case five years earlier ...... could this be the same killer ? The killer leaves no evidence and if it is the same killer as five years ago this is the 5th victim.
Soon a call comes in and there is another victim. Erica and Beth soon discover it has to be the same killer but why did the killer not take any victims for five years ? Can Erica and Beth discover the killers identity before any more young women are killed ?
This is a great police thriller with some fantastic lead characters. You really feel as through you are there investigating the murders along with the detectives. If you love any of Anita’s previous books then you won’t be disappointed by this one and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for ?
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for a digital copy of this book.
DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin are called out when a young woman’s body is found in the river. They soon realise that the murder has very strong similarities to a cold case five years earlier ...... could this be the same killer ? The killer leaves no evidence and if it is the same killer as five years ago this is the 5th victim.
Soon a call comes in and there is another victim. Erica and Beth soon discover it has to be the same killer but why did the killer not take any victims for five years ? Can Erica and Beth discover the killers identity before any more young women are killed ?
This is a great police thriller with some fantastic lead characters. You really feel as through you are there investigating the murders along with the detectives. If you love any of Anita’s previous books then you won’t be disappointed by this one and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for ?
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for a digital copy of this book.
March 31, 2021
What can I say except another fantastic read from Anita Waller who has become a firm favourite of mine. Nine lives does not disappoint a very well written book with such great detail about parts of the city I call my home town. Body’s are appearing thick and fast along the river Porter, but this is not the first time this murderer has enjoyed a murderous spree. Our leading lady is a fantastic character surrounded by an amazing team, they are all likeable and while reading you felt part of that team. I have to say though I did have a soft spot for Sam, a character who took a little piece of my heart bless him. I don’t write too much about the storyline in my reviews as I believe this is the job of a blurb but I will say a fantastic police procedural with great storyline and great characters.
April 3, 2021
It started out a little slow for me but picked up before the middle of the book. Around the middle I had an idea of who the killer was but it wasn't confirmed until the end. It is well written and you can easily follow along with the characters. It is definitely on my liked/loved list of books! Pick this up and read it today! You won't regret it!
April 6, 2021
Anita Waller does it again! Absolute no-brainer, Nine Lives is so well written with great characters, I could not put this book down. It is full of mystery and suspense that leaves you wanting to know more.
I do recommend reading all of Anita's books, you won't be disappointed, I never am, and looking forward to reading more from this great author.
I do recommend reading all of Anita's books, you won't be disappointed, I never am, and looking forward to reading more from this great author.
April 15, 2021
Wow how I thought it was going to end , what a finale sand as usual Anita draws you in straight away so much do I read this in less than 48 hours .Blooming brilliant book .
February 6, 2025
Just what I have come to expect from Anita Waller, another taut thriller, with an absolutely unexpected ending.
April 2, 2021
Another brilliant read from the amazing Anita Waller.
She dropped a star due to my sleuthing and investigative powers working out who the killer was !!!
I won't retell the story as it is detailed in the synopsis, only to say that as with all Anita's books, it's yet again well worth reading. Love her work.
Please let this be the start of a new series.
She dropped a star due to my sleuthing and investigative powers working out who the killer was !!!
I won't retell the story as it is detailed in the synopsis, only to say that as with all Anita's books, it's yet again well worth reading. Love her work.
Please let this be the start of a new series.
March 31, 2021
This is another great read from Anita Waller.
Anita builds the tension and excitement from the very first chapter, and there are some twists all the way through.
Having never visited Sheffield, I am very keen to take a trip there some day - the details of all of the rivers really sold it for me.
I was super pleased with my investigative (guessing) skills, as I did manage to figure out who the murderer was.
A fantastic read!
Anita builds the tension and excitement from the very first chapter, and there are some twists all the way through.
Having never visited Sheffield, I am very keen to take a trip there some day - the details of all of the rivers really sold it for me.
I was super pleased with my investigative (guessing) skills, as I did manage to figure out who the murderer was.
A fantastic read!
March 21, 2021
As the river Porter enters Sheffield it goes underground with its many culverts ..Sometimes flowing gently , other times the river flows fast and dangerous..The thing about rivers is they never give all their secrets up at once ...When DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin are called out to the River Porter in the early hours of the morning, a young woman has been found at the Midland Railway line under the station in the water.There are no possessions about her , she is young ,beautiful and unclothed ..The dead woman bears the same markings and the same MO as those of four young women murdered five years ago all left in wooded areas , when Erica Cheetham was a sergeant ..In the days that follow as Cheetham and her team do a search on the river and all its banks in the unrelenting rain and cold , it's almost as though the dark water is mocking them as other bodies are found ..Exhausted but determined Cheetham gives her team free rein to persue all avenues, when a cruel and senseless act shakes them to the core...But what kind of evil lurks by the waters edge ...? ..I have read almost all of Anita Wallers books ...Silent waters run deep ...I couldn't breathe..Nine lives is A Dark Screaming read ...One of those books that when you have finished you sit for a while to take it all in ... Chilling ..Dark Storytelling that bites deep into your soul ...Absolutely Stunning..
April 6, 2021
Another excellent book from this author. Had me hooked from the start
March 28, 2021
Stunning! In a rare feat for me, I read this book in one day. It wasn’t a case of I wanted to know how the book ended, I needed to know.
I loved the characters, and in particular the way DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin work so well together.
Nine Lives is a brilliant read which had me gripped from the very first page, never letting go until the last.
Yet again, Anita Waller has shown exactly what an amazing author she is and I can only hope this isn’t the last I see of Erica and Beth.
I loved the characters, and in particular the way DI Erica Cheetham and DS Beth Machin work so well together.
Nine Lives is a brilliant read which had me gripped from the very first page, never letting go until the last.
Yet again, Anita Waller has shown exactly what an amazing author she is and I can only hope this isn’t the last I see of Erica and Beth.
March 22, 2021
Oh my goodness what an exciting read. Very addictive, and I am so glad that I chose to read it on a day that I had no jobs to distract me because I wasn't budging any time soon!
The weather is not being kind in Sheffield and with it's many hills and rivers torrential rain can be a nightmare. No-one likes going out and getting soaked to the skin do they? Much better to stay indoors. But someone likes the quietness of the streets when it's raining. Someone needs the rain, someone doesn't want to be seen......
The naked body of a young attractive female has been discovered wedged under a platform in the River Porter at Midland Station. DI Erica Cheetham has been woken in the early hours and asked to investigate. A cold case needs to be reopened from five years ago because of similarites and with the body count rising quickly the pressure to solve the case is paramount.
A intriguing storyline and well plotted. Had me gripped and guessing throughout.
The weather is not being kind in Sheffield and with it's many hills and rivers torrential rain can be a nightmare. No-one likes going out and getting soaked to the skin do they? Much better to stay indoors. But someone likes the quietness of the streets when it's raining. Someone needs the rain, someone doesn't want to be seen......
The naked body of a young attractive female has been discovered wedged under a platform in the River Porter at Midland Station. DI Erica Cheetham has been woken in the early hours and asked to investigate. A cold case needs to be reopened from five years ago because of similarites and with the body count rising quickly the pressure to solve the case is paramount.
A intriguing storyline and well plotted. Had me gripped and guessing throughout.
March 28, 2021
I have followed this author since her first book years ago and she has just got better and better. A great well written book with good characters, I think this is her best yet and what an ending, I can thoroughly recommend.
March 20, 2021
Sometimes it is just really nice to read a good police procedural/thriller that is just a great story without lots of blood and gore peppering each murder. This is it. A really good main storyline, lots of bodies (I’ll let you guess how many) and a good side story. I enjoyed this book immensely.
Briefly, DI Erica Cheetham, her DS Beth Machin, and the team are investigating a spree of murders linked to four cold case murders five years earlier. Young women, beautiful young women, are found murdered and posed naked with no signs of sexual assault. Why is the murderer striking again and can the police find them this time? Alongside the investigation Beth is dealing with the break up of her relationship and her former partners aggressive behaviour...
Plenty of suspects and a shock ending leaves the police officers reeling. A thoroughly enjoyable book from one of my favourite authors. I’m hoping we haven’t seen the last of Erica and Beth. 5*
Briefly, DI Erica Cheetham, her DS Beth Machin, and the team are investigating a spree of murders linked to four cold case murders five years earlier. Young women, beautiful young women, are found murdered and posed naked with no signs of sexual assault. Why is the murderer striking again and can the police find them this time? Alongside the investigation Beth is dealing with the break up of her relationship and her former partners aggressive behaviour...
Plenty of suspects and a shock ending leaves the police officers reeling. A thoroughly enjoyable book from one of my favourite authors. I’m hoping we haven’t seen the last of Erica and Beth. 5*
March 13, 2021
Sheffield is known for its hills amongst other things. It also has several rivers. What many may not know is that two of these rivers join up underneath a platform of the railway station and it is there that the first body is found. A student has been swept by the fast flowing river due to the endless rain and has become lodged- fortunately for DI Erica Cheetham and her team otherwise it could have been swept out to sea, no-one any the wiser. When another girl is found and clues point to a cold case from 2014 Erica and her DS Beth have their work cut out. There must be a link other than the endless rain but what is it and why the 5 year gap and how is the killer so elusive? A brilliant story from beginning to end that had me gripped within the pages. Anita has that rare gift of making characters seem like old friends which envelopes you and draws you in with warmth and a little backstory or two. I liked Erica and Beth and hope that there is more to come from this duo. A wonderful read to curl up with and enjoy. Highly recommended.
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March 20, 2021
I've never been disappointed by any book I've read by this author and Nine Lives is no exception. I was hooked from the start. I liked the characters of DI Erica Cheetham and her colleagues. The intriguing plot which centred around the murders of beautiful women which appear to be copycats of previous murders in the area. I was engrossed throughout the book and had no idea who the murderer was. I couldnt get this book out of my mind and it took a few days before I could start another book.
March 19, 2021
When bodies of beautiful, young women start showing up it becomes a race against time and weather to capture the killer who has suddenly resurfaced after 5 years of hiatus. This story was quite well written and left me guessing as who it could be as there were quite a few add-ins to lead you to the killer, or who you think is the killer. I honestly would give this book a full 4 stars, maybe more but there is an arc in the book that ruined it for me and that's when I knew exactly what I was looking for and the rest of the book was just waiting to see how it all tied together. Happy reading!!
April 8, 2021
In 2014, four young women were murdered and posed with distinct markings across Sheffield. Now, five years later, more young women begin to die and Erica, Beth and their team need to track down the culprit before even more young, promising women die. But the killer leaves behind no clues and no witnesses, making their killer almost impossible to track down.
This book was incredibly intriguing because the premise was great: what would cause a killer to stop all of a sudden for five years? And how do you even begin to track down someone who leaves almost no trace? As Erica and Beth begin to tackle these questions, I really grew to like them and I really hope that we get to see more of them in the future. I don’t know if this is a planned series, but I enjoyed getting to know them.
There were some great twists in there too. I did not see some of it coming at all. I was really blown away at some of it. I can’t say too much more, but wow, this one really packed quite a punch.
As I said, I would definitely read more about these characters and I hope we see more of them in the future. This is a great read for anyone interested in a good police procedural, but one with good characters and a well-developed human storyline.
This book was incredibly intriguing because the premise was great: what would cause a killer to stop all of a sudden for five years? And how do you even begin to track down someone who leaves almost no trace? As Erica and Beth begin to tackle these questions, I really grew to like them and I really hope that we get to see more of them in the future. I don’t know if this is a planned series, but I enjoyed getting to know them.
There were some great twists in there too. I did not see some of it coming at all. I was really blown away at some of it. I can’t say too much more, but wow, this one really packed quite a punch.
As I said, I would definitely read more about these characters and I hope we see more of them in the future. This is a great read for anyone interested in a good police procedural, but one with good characters and a well-developed human storyline.
May 2, 2021
Absolutely magnificent
Absolutely brilliant book I read it from start to finish in two sittings, I was hooked and Jacob not fallen asleep I doubt I would have put the book down of my own free will.I hate having to put a really good book down ..There are so many twists and turns that it leads you in so many different directions.It was only the last few chapters I though who it was .or guessed should I say.It was something she said unintentional or without thinking I wonder if anyone else has spotted the !told him of not however I guessed corectly. Must admit although I had guessed I was still surprised it defiantly keeps unthinking all the way through the book it certainty did me a extremely well.written book and was sat I. The edge of my bed I couldn't move as it got closer to the end I found myself hold my breath blood brilliant it's a book anyone into thrillers and mystery should definitely read even if your not really into this genre I definitely would say still read it you will not be disappointed. I have yet to find a book by Anita Waller that as not had me at the hedgehog my seat totally breath taking
Absolutely brilliant book I read it from start to finish in two sittings, I was hooked and Jacob not fallen asleep I doubt I would have put the book down of my own free will.I hate having to put a really good book down ..There are so many twists and turns that it leads you in so many different directions.It was only the last few chapters I though who it was .or guessed should I say.It was something she said unintentional or without thinking I wonder if anyone else has spotted the !told him of not however I guessed corectly. Must admit although I had guessed I was still surprised it defiantly keeps unthinking all the way through the book it certainty did me a extremely well.written book and was sat I. The edge of my bed I couldn't move as it got closer to the end I found myself hold my breath blood brilliant it's a book anyone into thrillers and mystery should definitely read even if your not really into this genre I definitely would say still read it you will not be disappointed. I have yet to find a book by Anita Waller that as not had me at the hedgehog my seat totally breath taking
June 17, 2025
The city of Sheffield is once again plunged into fear with the return of a serial killer in this breathtaking and utterly unmissable mystery thriller from Anita Waller.
Anita Waller transports the reader deep into the investigation, having you work alongside its lead, DI Erica Cheetham, in a race to catch a killer. Played against a backdrop of one of Sheffield’s rivers, the river Porter, its own frigid waters are as cold as the killers heart and really is a character in itself.
I throughly enjoyed Di Erica Cheetham’s character. A strong female protagonist, she just brings the story to life. It’s secondary characters have also been very well developed and each leave their own stamp on the story good and bad.
Once again Anita Waller brings the reader a masterfully written, first class mystery thriller with a jaw dropping twist that will leave you speechless. This book still plays around in my mind and has most definitely left me with a long lasting impression! It was a pleasure to be able to read and review Nine Lives, which I highly recommend.
Anita Waller transports the reader deep into the investigation, having you work alongside its lead, DI Erica Cheetham, in a race to catch a killer. Played against a backdrop of one of Sheffield’s rivers, the river Porter, its own frigid waters are as cold as the killers heart and really is a character in itself.
I throughly enjoyed Di Erica Cheetham’s character. A strong female protagonist, she just brings the story to life. It’s secondary characters have also been very well developed and each leave their own stamp on the story good and bad.
Once again Anita Waller brings the reader a masterfully written, first class mystery thriller with a jaw dropping twist that will leave you speechless. This book still plays around in my mind and has most definitely left me with a long lasting impression! It was a pleasure to be able to read and review Nine Lives, which I highly recommend.
April 13, 2021
I have read many of Anita Waller's books and all have been amazing, and this was no different. She really is a genius author with fabulous storylines, characters and with this book a very descriptive setting of Sheffield which I loved.
The story centres on the reappearance of a killer targeting beautiful young women for no apparent reason. DI Cheetham along with her team try to find the killer and link what connects the victims.
There is nothing about this book I could find fault with. The storyline, shocking ending, characters, setting are all perfect. This is a must read for fans of crime thrillers.
The story centres on the reappearance of a killer targeting beautiful young women for no apparent reason. DI Cheetham along with her team try to find the killer and link what connects the victims.
There is nothing about this book I could find fault with. The storyline, shocking ending, characters, setting are all perfect. This is a must read for fans of crime thrillers.
April 16, 2021
Flows along nicely
So it starts .After a break of 5 years it seems an old serial killer has returned, when the body of a young female student is found in the local river porter in Sheffield. A DI Erica Cheetham is called out who happened to be on the original case as a young DS . That's all I'll say of the storyline I don't want to give any spoilers. What I will say its a book that you need to keep reading you put it down then you have to read another chapter , the characters are easy to get into and the story flows along nicely. Just like the river porter ,and the twist at the end is brilliant so if you need a new book to read try this one and you'll be in for a treat
So it starts .After a break of 5 years it seems an old serial killer has returned, when the body of a young female student is found in the local river porter in Sheffield. A DI Erica Cheetham is called out who happened to be on the original case as a young DS . That's all I'll say of the storyline I don't want to give any spoilers. What I will say its a book that you need to keep reading you put it down then you have to read another chapter , the characters are easy to get into and the story flows along nicely. Just like the river porter ,and the twist at the end is brilliant so if you need a new book to read try this one and you'll be in for a treat
April 23, 2021
Anything written by Anita Waller...I am all over it! 😁📖👍🏼❤️ Her latest novel, Nine Lives, was a brilliantly crafted novel full of complicated characters who were all scrutinizing and closely inspecting everyone else to see whom among them was the killer. Each character that Anita creates has such a unique and poignant tale behind who they are - which lends itself seamlessly to provide the most skillfully designed plot that readers can't help but get caught up in. An AWESOME MUST READ novel for mystery/suspense/thriller book lovers on all continents! You won't regret picking up any of Anita Waller's books...she is a writing genius! 🤗⭐️
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