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Robin Matthews, Season One #1-5
Chasing Past
A simple package. The head of an infamous serial killer.
Detective Robin Matthews is shocked by her finding.
This is just the beginning.
Dead bodies start showing up with notes that are written specifically for Robin.
All the women resemble her – down to the very tattoo on her body.
It looks like the killer is killing her again and again.
Robin has nowhere to turn to, but to her forgotten memories.
Faced with a nemesis like never before, she must delve into her own past and uncover the truth of what really happened 10 years ago, while she battles a serial killer who seems to be two steps ahead of her.
The Robin Matthews Mystery Thriller Series is perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Robert Crais, David Baldacci, Stuart Woods, and James Patterson.
This standalone Novel can be also read in 5 different parts as a series of Novellas, which are already published under the following titles:
Butcher's Head
One Step Ahead
The Child's Plan
Past Unveiling
The Abandoned Child
Detective Robin Matthews is shocked by her finding.
This is just the beginning.
Dead bodies start showing up with notes that are written specifically for Robin.
All the women resemble her – down to the very tattoo on her body.
It looks like the killer is killing her again and again.
Robin has nowhere to turn to, but to her forgotten memories.
Faced with a nemesis like never before, she must delve into her own past and uncover the truth of what really happened 10 years ago, while she battles a serial killer who seems to be two steps ahead of her.
The Robin Matthews Mystery Thriller Series is perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Robert Crais, David Baldacci, Stuart Woods, and James Patterson.
This standalone Novel can be also read in 5 different parts as a series of Novellas, which are already published under the following titles:
Butcher's Head
One Step Ahead
The Child's Plan
Past Unveiling
The Abandoned Child
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2022
23 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Walker
90 books91 followersAudrey Walker is a young and rising international best-selling Author in the Mystery & Suspense niche.
Walker's books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won't see coming.
Walker lives currently in south Germany with her husband and a newly born daughter. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her climbing up the Alps in Switzerland and walking aroung the Black Forest in south of Germany.
Walker's books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won't see coming.
Walker lives currently in south Germany with her husband and a newly born daughter. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her climbing up the Alps in Switzerland and walking aroung the Black Forest in south of Germany.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 31, 2022
I ordered a copy of this novel included in a trilogy from the author. This is the first of the Robin Matthews novels, included in The Robin Matthews Murder Mysteries Series. All tales are separate and as always, taken together make for a much richer tale. In Chasing Past, Robin has to deal with the angst and anger caused her by The Butcher, a man who held her captive for 5 months in his basement about five years ago. Her first current exposure is facing his head in a box, delivered right to her door. Memories long lost begin to trickle back into her psyche, but without retrieving the complete memory of her time as a captive of the Butcher, she is always a step behind and working at a loss. The only good memories from that time are those moments spent with the eight-year-old son of The Butcher, a child not treated any better than is Robin. They comfort one another, and Robin tells him tales of her experiences with her younger sister when they were girls.
She is being chased again, by whom she supposes is that child grown, out to ruin her life because she didn't keep her promise. Only trouble is, the big memory block spread over her time in the basement will not let her know what she promised the boy.
And things at work are not all sunshine and giggles. Nor is her current relationship with Kyle all that it could be. But Annie and Jim are doing just fine, recently married and providing all the joy Robin needs in her world. Now if she could just remember what she promised the butcher's son...
This is also the title of a series of prequels to the Robin Matthews series, this compilation of shorts brings us into the life that made the Robin we love. I am thrilled to add this to my Matthews collection.
Reviewed on December 10, 2022, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available for review on B&N.
She is being chased again, by whom she supposes is that child grown, out to ruin her life because she didn't keep her promise. Only trouble is, the big memory block spread over her time in the basement will not let her know what she promised the boy.
And things at work are not all sunshine and giggles. Nor is her current relationship with Kyle all that it could be. But Annie and Jim are doing just fine, recently married and providing all the joy Robin needs in her world. Now if she could just remember what she promised the butcher's son...
This is also the title of a series of prequels to the Robin Matthews series, this compilation of shorts brings us into the life that made the Robin we love. I am thrilled to add this to my Matthews collection.
Reviewed on December 10, 2022, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available for review on B&N.
March 19, 2022
Chasing Past - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
An anthology of the first 5 novellas in the Detective Robin Matthews series collated into a standalone novel, Chasing Past includes:
The Butcher's Head:
The eponymous head - of the killer known as The Butcher - is delivered to Detective Robin Matthews, via her sister Abby and fiancé Jim's home, while they sleep. Robin takes the gruesome relic to be analysed while she's debriefed the next day, along with Kyle, her partner on the force.
Who's the mysterious copycat killer?
Why are all the victims like Robin in some way?
What childhood memory leads Robin into danger?
One Step Ahead:
Serial killer copycat 'The Executioner,' leaves a gruesome trail for Detective Robin Matthews to find - then attacks and leaves her unconscious, to be found by her partner Detective Kyle.
After her release from hospital, Robin, her bride-to-be sister Abby and their friends, are at Abby's hen party when another body is found outside.
Undergoing retrograde hypnotherapy leaves Robin prey to frequent nightmare visions and flashbacks to her imprisonment and torture by The Butcher.
What will happen next?
The Child's Plan:
Robin's on the run after being framed for the Butcher's murders.As she tries to find out more about the child hiding in the Butcher's basement, another death is added to the tally against her.
Who tries to help her among her former colleagues?
Will new 'evidence' expose the killer, or is it just a red herring?
As the net closes in, Robin must race against time to save the next victim before it's too late...can she do it?
Past Unveiling:
Detective Robin Matthews' latest case escalates after a killer murders the mayor's daughter.
Meanwhile both Kyle and Robin still can't get solid proof, to convict millionaire Danvers of the murder of Kyle's wife Rose.
Who's watching their homes from the shadows?
Who is killed after Kyle and Robin interview him?
Is the Executioner still tormenting Robin?
The Abandoned Child:
The eponymous child was hiding in the same basement where Robin Matthews was held prisoner for 5 months. When he got Robin free (after she made him a promise), the Executioner caught him and turned him into a copy-cat killer, before he could also escape.
Now there are clues to be solved, before victims who're buried alive (starting with Robin), can be saved from a ghastly fate.
Can you untangle this fascinating web of a tale, with its red herrings and set-backs aplenty?
Each of no less than five, tense, psychological thriller segments of this Robin Matthews collection, Charging Past by Audrey Walker, has a cliff-hanger ending, before drawing all the threads together at the end of the series.
Shocking, spell-binding - and not to be missed, get your copy today!
An anthology of the first 5 novellas in the Detective Robin Matthews series collated into a standalone novel, Chasing Past includes:
The Butcher's Head:
The eponymous head - of the killer known as The Butcher - is delivered to Detective Robin Matthews, via her sister Abby and fiancé Jim's home, while they sleep. Robin takes the gruesome relic to be analysed while she's debriefed the next day, along with Kyle, her partner on the force.
Who's the mysterious copycat killer?
Why are all the victims like Robin in some way?
What childhood memory leads Robin into danger?
One Step Ahead:
Serial killer copycat 'The Executioner,' leaves a gruesome trail for Detective Robin Matthews to find - then attacks and leaves her unconscious, to be found by her partner Detective Kyle.
After her release from hospital, Robin, her bride-to-be sister Abby and their friends, are at Abby's hen party when another body is found outside.
Undergoing retrograde hypnotherapy leaves Robin prey to frequent nightmare visions and flashbacks to her imprisonment and torture by The Butcher.
What will happen next?
The Child's Plan:
Robin's on the run after being framed for the Butcher's murders.As she tries to find out more about the child hiding in the Butcher's basement, another death is added to the tally against her.
Who tries to help her among her former colleagues?
Will new 'evidence' expose the killer, or is it just a red herring?
As the net closes in, Robin must race against time to save the next victim before it's too late...can she do it?
Past Unveiling:
Detective Robin Matthews' latest case escalates after a killer murders the mayor's daughter.
Meanwhile both Kyle and Robin still can't get solid proof, to convict millionaire Danvers of the murder of Kyle's wife Rose.
Who's watching their homes from the shadows?
Who is killed after Kyle and Robin interview him?
Is the Executioner still tormenting Robin?
The Abandoned Child:
The eponymous child was hiding in the same basement where Robin Matthews was held prisoner for 5 months. When he got Robin free (after she made him a promise), the Executioner caught him and turned him into a copy-cat killer, before he could also escape.
Now there are clues to be solved, before victims who're buried alive (starting with Robin), can be saved from a ghastly fate.
Can you untangle this fascinating web of a tale, with its red herrings and set-backs aplenty?
Each of no less than five, tense, psychological thriller segments of this Robin Matthews collection, Charging Past by Audrey Walker, has a cliff-hanger ending, before drawing all the threads together at the end of the series.
Shocking, spell-binding - and not to be missed, get your copy today!
November 16, 2022
Psychological Killer With A Complicated and Terrifying Past!
by Barbara Kelley
Chasing Past consists of the 5 novellas in Season 1 of the Robin Matthews series, written quite outstandingly by Audrey Walker. Before reading this set, please read the prequel to the Robin Matthews series, Deadly Touch. The prequel is about a rookie police detective, Robin Matthews, and her partner, Detective Kyle Granger, who would rather have nothing to do with Robin. By the end of the prequel, he changes his mind. Chasing Past is several years in the future, 10-12 years. The set includes The Butcher's Head, which tells us about Robin's life as a young police detective 10 years before this book begins. She was kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer known only as the Butcher. He would kidnap and torture women for a 6 month period and then brutally murder them and cut off their heads. Robin has constant nightmares about the time she was missing and, because she has selective amnesia, cannot remember all of the events that happened. She managed to escape from the Butcher, but she doesn't remember how until the last book of the series, The Abandoned Child. There is a lot of foreshadowing of both past and current events beginning in the first book of the series, and if you read it carefully, you, too, will figure out who the person is who killed and chopped off the Butcher's head, serving the head in a cardboard box with a ribbon and bow, to Robin. You will figure out who the next serial killer is, labeled the Executioner by the press. You will cry for the victims and their families. You will bite off all of your fingernails, wondering if Robin, her sister, and her brother-in-law, as well as the man she loves, Kyle Granger, will all make it out alive. I read each individual book in Season 1 and gave each a 5 star rating. And I gave this book set a 5 star rating, as well. Audrey Walker is an excellent author, with a talent for creating characters that jump right off the pages of the books she writes, as well as gripping plots, storylines, and subplots that belong in a television series. I recommend this boxset to every person out there who enjoys an astounding mystery.
by Barbara Kelley
Chasing Past consists of the 5 novellas in Season 1 of the Robin Matthews series, written quite outstandingly by Audrey Walker. Before reading this set, please read the prequel to the Robin Matthews series, Deadly Touch. The prequel is about a rookie police detective, Robin Matthews, and her partner, Detective Kyle Granger, who would rather have nothing to do with Robin. By the end of the prequel, he changes his mind. Chasing Past is several years in the future, 10-12 years. The set includes The Butcher's Head, which tells us about Robin's life as a young police detective 10 years before this book begins. She was kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer known only as the Butcher. He would kidnap and torture women for a 6 month period and then brutally murder them and cut off their heads. Robin has constant nightmares about the time she was missing and, because she has selective amnesia, cannot remember all of the events that happened. She managed to escape from the Butcher, but she doesn't remember how until the last book of the series, The Abandoned Child. There is a lot of foreshadowing of both past and current events beginning in the first book of the series, and if you read it carefully, you, too, will figure out who the person is who killed and chopped off the Butcher's head, serving the head in a cardboard box with a ribbon and bow, to Robin. You will figure out who the next serial killer is, labeled the Executioner by the press. You will cry for the victims and their families. You will bite off all of your fingernails, wondering if Robin, her sister, and her brother-in-law, as well as the man she loves, Kyle Granger, will all make it out alive. I read each individual book in Season 1 and gave each a 5 star rating. And I gave this book set a 5 star rating, as well. Audrey Walker is an excellent author, with a talent for creating characters that jump right off the pages of the books she writes, as well as gripping plots, storylines, and subplots that belong in a television series. I recommend this boxset to every person out there who enjoys an astounding mystery.
March 16, 2022
Can Robin suffer any more? With continuing nightmares from her captivity and torture by the Butcher, who escaped, constantly affecting her, it seems things are happening again. When Robin's sister is delivered a package at night, she calls Robin and along with her partner, Kyle go to her sister's house to find a package with the severed head of the Butcher in it with a note meant for Robin. She broke a promise the note said - but what promise? When body after body show up beheaded as well and they all looked like Robin, she needs to find this serial killer who keeps leading her to dead bodies and leaving her notes. Who is this labeled as The Executioner. Robin keeps trying to remember what happened to her when she was captured to hopefully find a clue in the memory that could help lead her to this killer. Why is he toying with her? What does he want with her? The notes keep telling Robin he is coming for her. How is he always one step ahead of the investigating team? With her Captain and Kyle trying to get her off the case since it is starting to affect her psychologically again in a big way, Robin won't let go! With lots of twists and turns you are taken on such a roller coaster ride to a surprise ending! This book is amazing! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
March 16, 2022
I guess I am showing my age, but when the individual stories came out, it seemed like a movie serial. In those days you would go to a movie one day and then would go the next week to see more of the story.
This story combines all of the 5 books in the series and you won't need to wait another week to see more. The story has Robin chasing a serial killer that leaves little notes for her which are associated with her past when she was heln almost six weeks by the Butcher. She has hidden the memories from that episode, but finds that the only way that she will stop the killer named "the Exterminator" will be to bring those memories back.
The searc causes Robin a lot of problems, but with the help of Kyle you struggles on. Things get so bad that she winds up escaping and then has to go into hiding. It seems that a member of the task force has it in for her. She eventually finds a clue which brings her to a final confrontation with the killer.
To discover whay individual on the task force had it in for her, what clues and puzzles Robin had to discover and who the killer was in the end, then you need to read this book. It is well worth it.
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story combines all of the 5 books in the series and you won't need to wait another week to see more. The story has Robin chasing a serial killer that leaves little notes for her which are associated with her past when she was heln almost six weeks by the Butcher. She has hidden the memories from that episode, but finds that the only way that she will stop the killer named "the Exterminator" will be to bring those memories back.
The searc causes Robin a lot of problems, but with the help of Kyle you struggles on. Things get so bad that she winds up escaping and then has to go into hiding. It seems that a member of the task force has it in for her. She eventually finds a clue which brings her to a final confrontation with the killer.
To discover whay individual on the task force had it in for her, what clues and puzzles Robin had to discover and who the killer was in the end, then you need to read this book. It is well worth it.
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 26, 2022
Robin Mathews spent 5 months being tortured and abused by “The Butcher. She manages to escape but only remembers part of the time she was captive. Trying to remember events brings splitting headaches for her. Murders start occurring using the same techniques as the Butcher. While trying to solve these murders, she is arrested for them. According to the Butcher, she has broken a promise to him and he wants to totally destroy her mentally.
The book has some gory details but was a fascinating read. It is not a one night 2 hr read thank goodness because it was so interesting. Robin is a tough woman who cares about her friends and family and will do what’s necessary to protect them.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book has some gory details but was a fascinating read. It is not a one night 2 hr read thank goodness because it was so interesting. Robin is a tough woman who cares about her friends and family and will do what’s necessary to protect them.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2024
Chasing Past by Audrey Walker is a gripping psychological thriller and is book 1 of Robin Matthews novel series. This is also sold as 5 individual novellas titled 1 Butcher's Head, 2 One step ahead, 3 The Child's Plan, 4 Past Unveiling, 5 The Abandoned Child. I enjoyed reading and recommend. In this book Detective Robin Matthews is investigating a case of bodies turning up that resemble her, including a distinctive tattoo, with notes that are written specifically for her. It looks like the killer is killing her again and again. Faced with a nemesis like never before, she must delve into her own past and uncover the truth of what really happened 10 years ago while she battles a serial killer who sees to be two steps ahead.
March 10, 2022
Chasing Past is an intricate mystery with non-stop page turning action. Detective Robin, the main character, is suffering from a memory block from ten years previously and it appears she is now personally involved in a series of murders the few clues all seeming to lead back to her and her missing memories. The story involves gruesome murders, tested loyalties, frightening adversaries and the unusually strong courage of a detective under siege by people and events around her. Audrey Walker's style of writing an intense trip through the world of raw emotion. I received an ARC and this is m honest review if this novel.
March 20, 2022
Meet Detective Robin Matthews. Years ago she had been kidnapped and tortured by The Butcher. Now it seems an apprentice is picking up where The Butcher left off. He is killing women that look like Robin and leaving her messages. This book, originally told in 5 chapters, is now combined for the full story. It is very intense, full of clues and red herrings, and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Robin through all the twists and turns. Very enjoyable and sucks you in to find who is doing all of this.
March 14, 2022
Audrey Walker's darkest story to date is a psychological drama that is tense and emotionally terrifying and embraces one with chilling thrills.
Robin Matthews is a detective with a dark past and terrifying demons in her nightmares. Her story is suspenseful, unpredictable and ultimately a game of cat-and-mouse when the hunters become the hunted.
You will want to sleep with the light on after reading this.
Robin Matthews is a detective with a dark past and terrifying demons in her nightmares. Her story is suspenseful, unpredictable and ultimately a game of cat-and-mouse when the hunters become the hunted.
You will want to sleep with the light on after reading this.
March 22, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
November 20, 2022
What a roller coaster ride of emotions. I was surprised that Robin didn't lose her mind. With the
- nightmares
- lack of sleep
- return of painful memories
- no-one believing in her innocence
a weaker person would have lost it.
I had a feeling that there was more to the FBI agent but when "The Executioner" was finally unmasked, he was the last person I expected it to be.
Never a dull moment. You will want to keep turning those pages and burning the midnight oil.
- nightmares
- lack of sleep
- return of painful memories
- no-one believing in her innocence
a weaker person would have lost it.
I had a feeling that there was more to the FBI agent but when "The Executioner" was finally unmasked, he was the last person I expected it to be.
Never a dull moment. You will want to keep turning those pages and burning the midnight oil.
March 17, 2022
A wild series! This series could be nick named, “More Mayhem, More People Killed!” I don’t think I have ever read a story with a more demented killer. A ghost from Robin’s past chases her. He can’t be caught, even with minor clues left behind deliberately. Everyone in Robin’s life is fair game to him. The only question is, “Who will be next?” I received an ARC review copy for an honest review.
March 17, 2022
"This is a brilliant read ... well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great suspense and action with and wonderful world building. I received this novel through BookFunnel. This is my true and honest review
April 4, 2022
This novel is a story that comes together over the five seperaye short stories the author released separately, but reading them in this set is like one big novel. A police mystery drama with more then a few twists and few red herrings. It's not fast paced but steady paced through out with some depth of characters. A solid read.
May 20, 2022
WOW! This was a gripping story. I’m glad I got to read these all at once instead of individually. The past came back to haunt her even more than it already was. The characters are great and her uncanny ability to investigate is amazing. Definitely a read you won’t want to put down.
I received this as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I received this as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
November 7, 2022
Very disjointed
The story was very disjointed and unbelievable. People don’t get away with telling their boss “no” repeatedly. Clues seemed to appear out of nowhere. The sister breaks open one of the cases?
I finished it only because I was hoping for resolution. Sadly disappointed.
The story was very disjointed and unbelievable. People don’t get away with telling their boss “no” repeatedly. Clues seemed to appear out of nowhere. The sister breaks open one of the cases?
I finished it only because I was hoping for resolution. Sadly disappointed.
November 16, 2022
Detective Robin Matthews was held captive by a man called the Butcher. The experience haunts her daily and has unnerving nightmares. A package is delivered to her sister with a head in it. A number of murders of women looking like Robin. Robin is framed for the murders. A page turning thriller I could not put down.
March 16, 2022
A good read
It's amazing how addicted I became when I began reading this book. I read far into the night, reluctant to stop reading, until my eyes were too tired to focus. Robin was a complex character, and I liked her.
It's amazing how addicted I became when I began reading this book. I read far into the night, reluctant to stop reading, until my eyes were too tired to focus. Robin was a complex character, and I liked her.
September 5, 2022
I'm so glad I stumbled across this author, she's brilliant. I really enjoyed this set of five stories, this book was tough to put down. A few times it did seem a little disjointed and there were a few editing errors but overall amazing. I'm very much looking forward to the next 5.
November 10, 2022
Excellent reading
A good well worth reading novel ,made up with five novellas all making a story with twists and turns to the very end, keeping you wanting to read to find the answer. I would recommend this book very highly .
A good well worth reading novel ,made up with five novellas all making a story with twists and turns to the very end, keeping you wanting to read to find the answer. I would recommend this book very highly .
March 11, 2022
Exciting stories, full of action and edge of the seat page turners.
March 13, 2022
This is a cracking psychological story. Full of intrigue and twists and turns. Highly recommended.
February 3, 2023
First in trilogy I’m reading. Very good story but be warned it is gruesome at times.
July 15, 2023
What did happen in that basement ten years ago??? Robin HAS to remember or more women will die!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews