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A young family is found murdered inside their home, all the doors and windows locked, and no sign of forced entry. Who is responsible for the deaths? Could someone inside the house have committed this terrible act? Detective Ryan Chase is struggling through his own dark times, with his OCD steadily getting worse. But he refuses to allow his personal problems to affect his focus on the case. Together with his partner, DS Lawson, he won’t rest until the killer is brought to justice. A man is out there, one who can see into people’s lives. And he has another family in his sights...

278 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2021

93 people are currently reading
141 people want to read

About the author

M.K. Farrar

40 books146 followers
M K Farrar had penned more than ten novels of psychological noir and crime fiction. A British author, she lives in the countryside with her three children and a menagerie of rescue pets. When she’s not writing—which isn’t often—she balances out all the murder with baking and binge-watching shows on Netflix.

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5 stars
409 (61%)
4 stars
192 (28%)
3 stars
53 (7%)
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9 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews498 followers
October 19, 2021
Detective Ryan Chase has returned with a case that has everyone discomposed, off balance, and intrigued. A family of four have all been murdered, in a locked, alarmed house! All windows locked from within, no signs of forced entry anywhere, the alarm set and working...WHAT?! Did a family member murder the others and then commit suicide...No sign of that happening, but what did?!
Detective Chase and his partner, DS Lawson, are determined to find the answers, no matter what they have to go through to locate any clues. Chase has a problem with OCD that he tries to keep from his squad, but boy is it getting worse. The tension and need to solve the case sure isn't helping, and after investigating Chase has an idea that the killer was In the house, but how to prove That! And is that even possible?
What a thrilling story that will send a chill up your back as a perpetrator comes to light, but this person may have time to continue the trail of terror if not caught soon!! I can not wait for the next time Detective Chase hits the streets!!!
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,711 followers
October 30, 2021
A family of 4 are murdered inside their own home. The house is locked from inside and alarmed. There is no sign of forced entry.

So who wanted these people dead ... and why? And how did it happen? Detective Ryan Chase, along with his partner, DS Lawson, are called in to investigate.

Chase is having some problems ... both personal and professional. He's been off work due to treatment for severe OCD and this case may have him coming back too soon. His partner is trying to take the heavy lifting ... but this case may be the last one for them. The character development shows the reader a believable and realistic protagonist. It's an action-packed page-turner with twists and turns leading toward an unexpected conclusion.

Although second is this series, it is easily read as a stand alone. I highly recommend reading them in order, just to get a better grip on the backstories of these characters. I'm looking forward to see what happens next in the lives of Chase and Lawson.

Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction / police procedural. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Jazz Webb.
401 reviews93 followers
October 28, 2021
Love love love. My review is simple if you like crime fiction read every crime book written by MK Farrar she's a genius and I was once again hooked from start to finish. I love the characters in this series read the prequel and installment one before diving in.

The case was an interesting one to follow and I found myself guessing for most of the book until I worked out the killer. It was a gruesome murder of an entire family. The question is dis the son kill his family otherwise how did the killer get in the house? What made this book so great is its scary enough that it feels like something that could happen. I have found that with all MK Farrar's books.

Along side the case Chase's past comes back to haunt him. To truly understand you must read the prequel I loved this side story. His ocd is worsening by the second with the past being brought back to the present.
The thing about the way MK Farrar writes gives each character a voice and allowed the reader to connect with everyone equally

All in all this series is amazing a must read for my fellow crime fiction lovers. Plus ifs based in my hometown and place references were all correct!! Farrar writes so well and this is why I love all her books. Also it's rare to find great English crime fiction so those of you who prefer to not read yet another unrealistic americsm based crime thriller then this is for you. Easy 5 stars 🌟
2,999 reviews44 followers
January 24, 2022
This is book two of the Detective Ryan Chase series and sees him and his team having to deal with the deaths of a family of four, found murdered in their own home, with all the doors and windows still locked and the alarm set. Some initially believe it could have been an inside job and that one of the children killed everyone else and then themself, but further investigations and evidence finally lead them to look elsewhere. Why this family were targeted is unknown. If there was a problem with one of the family, why did the killer murder the others as well? Chase is still dealing with the demons his OCD causes, both at home and work and it is only Mallory that seems to have cottoned on to his odd behaviour so far luckily. He is also helping out with his ex-wife Donna, after her partner deserted her as soon as she faced a cancer diagnosis. DS Mallory Lawson has her own issues at home with looking after her younger brother who has Downs Syndrome and has been scared after a fire in their kitchen when she was working. His confidence in his own independence has bombed and he is keeping her awake with his nightmares. This new case is a difficult one, with very little in the way of clues to help them solve it at the start, so lots of long hours and extra manpower required.
Another family is being targeted by this invisible killer. How they are getting into the family’s homes and seemingly knows all of their routines is staggering. It’s as if they have been stalking the family for months and know exactly where the family leaves things like keys to the locked windows an even their mobile phones when they go to bed. Spooky! They know everything about the targeted family’s lives and seemingly all of their secrets too. There is so much going on in the lead detective’s life and in his partners that you wonder at times how they can cope with the pressure. Chase has to face the medical examiner after he ran away from her during their first date, as his OCD went haywire, and he has been trying to avoid her ever since. Now he has to face her and figure out how to talk to her as a normal person and as a man who likes her, but without letting her know what he is struggling with. We don’t get to see his OCD flare up too much in this book thankfully, apart from one night time episode, where his elderly neighbour comes round with a nightcap for the two of them! The finale exposes two very worrying aspects of the case, how the killer knew so much about the house and those in it and how they knew exactly wen to strike. The killer brought two methods I have read about in real cases, into one and used them to get into the homes and kill all the inhabitants. The clock is ticking on whether the police can stop this person, before they kill again. They have an enormous task to undertake if they are to be able to narrow down the number of families and homes to check, when they can find no trace of their main suspect at home or work, after the first killings. Another great read, that has you pacing along with Chase and Lawson, as the net gets smaller, but also takes so long to narrow down enough to be effective, in their hunt for the killer. It leaves you guessing until the last minute, as to whether they will be in time or not. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for Lynda.
2,227 reviews123 followers
October 25, 2021
Book 2 in the Detective Ryan Chase Series set in Bristol and I’m really enjoying them. Although some reference to the events in the previous book this could easily be read as a stand-alone. Well written with a very easy read style I read this book at one sitting.

Briefly, when a family of four are found murdered in their own home and the property is secured Chase and his team think one of the family was responsible. But with too many issues around how this could be possible they start to look for someone else. Can they find the killer before anyone else dies. Alongside the case both Chase and his partner Mallory Lawson are dealing with personal issues that could impact on their jobs.

A good solid storyline and a good strong police procedural. Quite a quick read and not full of loads of red herrings but I really am loving this almost simple, back to basics series and await the next instalment eagerly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
522 reviews3 followers
May 31, 2022
Open house.

How many people come into your house?
Tradesmen, deliveries, and more. If you have home improvements done, plan to sell your place & move - lots more. They can take pictures of the inside - before & after - to advertise their work, your property.
Do we check them all? Look closely at the photos? Ring their employer if the picture doesn't look right!?
No we don't - we assume too much.
With two families in the Bristol area, they were trusting and five people lost their lives. They were warned, well the second family were - things that went bump in the night, stacks of heavy boxes that fell over by themselves. Someone moving in peripheral vision, the daughter heard it first, then mother and daughter.
Mother reassured her children everything was okay, despite having nagging doubts herself. Mother paid with her life.
So which of the 'invisible' callers was guilty? You have got a really good read ahead of you to find out!
Profile Image for Bev.
3,272 reviews98 followers
November 1, 2021
Was the family killed by a stranger or was this a murder/suicide case? That is what Detective Ryan Chase and his team have to find out. Somehow, the evidence seems to show something else? Or does it? But why kill the entire family? What could be the reason for that, after all there were children killed. Chase also has somethings going on in his own life. But he isn't the only one of his team having personal issues while working this case. Can they all work around this and find the killer? A well written story that keeps the reader's attention to the very end. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,783 reviews72 followers
October 31, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.6k reviews28 followers
November 25, 2021
Detective Ryan Chase and his partner DS Lawson are back in this suspenseful, murder mystery. Just when I thought I figured out what happened, I realize I was wrong. The story is a page turning as the locked house mystery left me a bit creeped out. Chase Down is book two and a great addition to the series. I look forward to reading the next great mystery by this author. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
303 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2022
I guessed it right!

Another very original plot by M K Farrar! This one will have me looking up for a long time of I hear noises! So twisty and turny, it kept me thinking! Bit in the end I was right about who the villain was! I'm really liking DI Ryan Chase, and his DS Mallory. They have a lot going on in their lives and still take the time to care and help others. Now the wait is on for the next book in this series. Ugh!
Profile Image for Amy Peck.
190 reviews6 followers
March 25, 2022
Good but formulaic

Just as in the first book in the Ryan Chase series, Book 2 features a couple of different threads is addition to a police investigation, eventually weaving them all together. One turns out to be of the next victim, the other is of the murderer. The story is good and main characters are given more depth, but the formula is getting old. Hopefully the third book will be different.
Profile Image for Julie Powell.
Author 72 books324 followers
July 8, 2023
A gruesome crime, multiple murders, but who is the killer?

I do find these stories predictable, though engaging. The writing style is good and I like the in-depth look into Ryan's and his partner's lives because it brings reality into the story. It can't be easy being a detective alongside family life and health issues, and these dilemmas are portrayed well.

A disturbing tale, yes, but told well. Great plot and characters.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Simon Prior.
67 reviews
April 1, 2024
Another gripping read in the DI Chase series. The authors writing style is easy to read and really draws you in.

I liked the characters of Ryan and Mallory, their personal stories and the chemistry between them.

I was perplexed when we were so close to the end before the pieces started coming together but in the end, the conclusion was solid.

A great read and already have book three “Paper Chase” ready to go!
Profile Image for Denise.
4,119 reviews12 followers
October 30, 2021
A really tough puzzle involving the murder in this book. The mystery of the who being the largest part. Ryan will have a added obstacle due to his own personal issues. Ryan and his partner need to though before he decides to do it again. Turn the pages as they delve in the dark to find the killer.
28 reviews
October 31, 2021
I’m loving this series and the 2nd book is not a let down. Brilliant storyline that keeps you guessing and turns out fantastic in the end. Couldn’t put the book down and loved the ending

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Simon Farrant.
20 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2022
fab fast paced and a great read.

I knew I was in for a treat before I started this book.
Farrer has done it again, an excellent book that pulls you along to the shocking action scene. I can’t say any more and risk spoilers.
I’ll be buying the next in the series for certain.
6 reviews
December 26, 2021
Read in one setting

Enjoyed that he book. Waiting to read the next book to come. Hope the author write slot more in this series.




19 reviews
August 17, 2022
gripping to the end

I really enjoyed reading this and looking forward to book 3 I love the story line in these books but also like how you follow the personal lives as well
9 reviews
December 2, 2022
2 down

This is the third MK Farrar book I’ve read all good fast moving
Looking forward to the next (3) and the other series
Profile Image for Katelynn Chase.
63 reviews
February 12, 2023
Murder Thriller

Makes you second guess what goes on behind closed doors...The fact this book had 38 chapters, and saved the very last one to tie all the remaining details up 🧐
6 reviews
April 20, 2024
good read

Easy to follow and flows pretty well. A few parts keep you clinging to the book. Character line is well developing at this point.
1,246 reviews8 followers
August 12, 2024
Good story

Lots of suspense and a real challenge to figure out who the head guy was and then to try and stop him. The characters are interesting and getting more so with each book.
Profile Image for T.M. Payne.
Author 37 books92 followers
October 28, 2021
Book: Chase Down (Detective Ryan Chase #2)
Author: M.K. Farrar
My Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Tammy - Book Nook Nuts

REVIEW
Another great thrilling mystery to solve.
He is hiding in their homes, right in plain sight.
Why?
Who?
Can Detective Chase get out of his head long enough to figure it out?
Or will the killer strike again?
This one is chilling, and you have no clue until boom!
The author weaves a tale that keeps you trapped until the very end! Kudos for such a fantastic thriller!


M.K. Farrar
311 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2022
Great read

Loving this new series and this book was better than the first, I couldn't put it down. I had an inkling who the killer was but that didn't stop the suspense and the ending was nail biting with me shouting out. Looking forward to the next Instalment.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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