Nine Elms is the first book in a new series by Robert Bryndza and the first book I have read from this author

The story is an unusual one with the killer identified early on but this doesn't distract from the overall book that kept me interested throughout

The only downside was that I felt that the ending was slightly rushed but that was a minor quibble in what is overall a book I would recommend

One of my first reads by this author, and was surprised at how the author was able to keep you engaged with this book. Kate Marshall had it all at one time great job career with the police force and she actually caught the Nine Elms killer who turned out to be her boss and a police officer of rank., and had a somewhat very brief affair that she fell from grace and had to resign. Roll on 15yrs later Kate is now a lecturer at a university and had a son from the said killer which her mother adopted because of her heavy drinking, and she could not dry out, she also has a young research assistant to help her out. She gets a call from a coroner about a murder that he was autopsying and wanted her knowledge and thoughts as it resembled the Nine Elms Killer, it must be a copycat as the real culprit is still in an institution serving life. A very intriguing read, lots of twists and turns and at times pretty gruesome and although the main protagonist which | could not relate and take to, you could almost feel sorry for her. Is this a copycat working for himself or for the real killer of years ago and how is he communicating with him as he is watched day and night and everything he receives is vetted. A must-read, gripping, will the author do another Kate Marshall, hope so.

Another fantastic offering from Mr Bryndza, having read his previous Erika Foster books I was anticipating another good read and I wasn’t disappointed. Robert has a way of drawing a reader in with great storylines and the introduction of Kate Marshall another strong female character I’m sure will be enjoyed by many.

Utterly outstanding! Gruesome and thrilling. Thoroughly enjoyed this installment from Robert Bryndza. I was completely absorbed and submerged into this crime thriller. Characters were engaging, loved and loathed alike. Amazing, a must read!

I absolutely adored this new novel from Robert Bryndza. I was a huge fan of his original crime thriller series and this one has huge promise too. I loved all of the twists and turns and the classic way that Bryndza keeps you guessing as he dangles threads of the mystery in front of you before they all seamlessly come together. What a brilliant novel - I hope to see more from Kate and Tristan!

I am a huge fan of Robert Bryndza’s Detective Erika Foster series, which has become one of my favourite crime series, so was excited to see he had a new series of books out, with a new female protagonist. Kate Marshall is a university lecturer but fifteen years ago she was the detective who caught the Nine Elms Cannibal. Not only did she catch the serial killer but she was the fifth victim who survived, and the fall out cost her her job. Now there is a copy cat killer, using the same modus operandi, and Kate is drawn into the investigation as the killer moves towards his fifth victim, her, to finish what the original killer didn’t. Dark, chilling and completely riveting this book had me hook, line and sinker.

It’s always with a sense of trepidation that I pick up the first book in a new series from an author whose previous books I have loved; will the characters be as engaging, the plot as compelling. The answer to these worries is a huge yes from me. Nine Elms has a very different feel from the Erika Foster series, this is not police procedural but more of a thriller, and the main character of Kate Marshall is very different from Erika Foster. The writing is brilliant as expected, with a chilling and tense opening chapter that sets the scene for the rest of the book. The killings themselves are shocking and brutal, and as the killer moves towards the famous fifth victim Kate the tension rises as they try to stop him before he sets his sights on Kate, his ultimate prize.

You would think that the detective who solved the Nine Elms Cannibal case would be rewarded and go on to have a brilliant career, but not Kate. After the conclusion of the case, she was used as a scapegoat and lost her job, which is how she finds herself lecturing in cold cases, and scarred both mentally and physically from the ordeal. She has battled with alcohol addiction which has a huge impact on her personal and family life. What does shine through is her strength, and self belief when others doubt her. She is not taken seriously by the police when she goes to them with the copycat claims, but she doesn’t back down, and continues to investigate with her university assistant Tristan. Her relationship with Tristan shows the caring side to her character, a maternal side, but together they make a strong team that compliment each other. There are some very disturbed characters in this book, whose actions are appalling but who are integral to the darkness of the plot.

Nine Elms is another tour de force from Robert Bryndza. Kate as the damaged survivor of a serial killer is a formidable and fascinating main character and I can’t wait to find out more about her and see her relationship with Tristan develop as they turn private detective. There are plenty of spine tingling moments that will have you on the edge of your seat and a killer who is depraved and horrifying. This all makes for the perfect thriller, and one you will want to read in one sitting

This book was amazing with strong characters. The book starts with bang and you just want to read more. It has many twists and turns. You can see this going into be an great series from the author. I loved his other series (Erica Foster) and this was just as good. Hoping for more of this series in the future. Thanks to netgalley for letting me review this book.

I'll kick this review off with the fact that I really enjoyed this story. If I had the time I would have read this in one sitting, it was fantastic.

Kate our central character was good. We learn that she caught the Nine Elms Cannibal Killer when she was a police detective fifteen years ago. But, because of circumstances revolving around that case she had to step down from her role and out of the limelight. We pick up the story where she is now lecturing in a university with help from her assistant Tristan. And one day she gets a phone call that will thrust her back into her investigative duties, with help from Tristan.

This little duo of Kate and Tristan was great. Kate has years of experience, whilst Tristan is new to everything. I liked how they bounced ideas off each other using their own skill sets and expertise in their own fields. I can't wait to read more about these two and see how well they develop their ventures in future books.

I can't fault this book really it had it all. A psychopathic copycat serial killer.A mother who sees no wrong. Investigative storyline that allows the reader to build up evidence and assume everyone. Twists and turns to keep us guessing along the way.

Immerse yourself in the splendid writing of Bryndza, you will not be disappointed. Many thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Group UK, Sphere for gifting me an e-arc of the this book in exchange of an honest review.

I love the Erika Foster books and I was a bit miffed to see this was a new series of books. Despite my initial misgivings I thoroughly enjoyed this book - twists and turns aplenty and an engaging main protagonist. Highly recommended!

"Kate Marshall was a promising young police detective when she caught the notorious Nine Elms serial killer. But her greatest victory suddenly turned into a nightmare. Traumatized, betrayed, and publicly vilified for the shocking circumstances surrounding the cannibal murder case, Kate could only watch as her career ended in scandal.

Fifteen years after those catastrophic events, Kate is still haunted by the unquiet ghosts of her troubled past. Now a lecturer at a small coastal English university, she finally has a chance to face them. A copycat killer has taken up the Nine Elms mantle, continuing the ghastly work of his idol.

Enlisting her brilliant research assistant, Tristan Harper, Kate draws on her prodigious and long-neglected skills as an investigator to catch a new monster. Success promises redemption, but there’s much more on the line: Kate was the original killer’s intended fifth victim…and his successor means to finish the job."

What an incredible journey I have just had throughout this book! I literally loved every minute and struggled to put it down. Very quickly I became attached to Kate and everything that she had been through and everything she was going to go through. I felt different emotions throughout the book from happiness to fear! The book was incredibly well written and I am already looking forward to the next installment of Kate's journey.

A definite 5 star read for me and one of my most memorable reads of 2019!

One of my favourite authors and the start of a new series, I am officially in reading heaven. What a read this book blew me away. I feel as though I have run a marathon. Tension and suspense on every page, not one but two killers and a story that just kept on giving. A real page turner which had me gripped, got my heart racing and definitely had me in the zone. As I said before the start of a new series and I can't wait to read more. This is a crime thriller par excellence that readers of this genre do not want to miss.
Personally I think that this is his best book so far, give it a try I promise you will not be disappointed. Highly highly recommended, a very happy reader and I want now please!!!!!!
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Intense,dark and menacing, there is a strong sense that there is worse to come which is borne out as the story unfolds. Not for the faint-hearted, even a satisfactory finish doesn't end the unease.

Oh my word what have I just read ! This book was totally and utterly fantastic. I have read all this authors previous books and loved them all. When I started this one I was totally blown away by the first few chapters. This was a book that at times I didn't want to carry on reading and not because I wasn't enjoying it. I was enjoying it too much and didn't want it to end. A super start to a hopefully new series by Mr Bryndza. I recommend this book 100%

Kate Marshall has rebuilds her life after a gross error of judgement when she was part of the case surrounding the notorious Nine Elms Murder. She lost her promising career in the police and her life crumbled around her while she sank into alcoholism. She is now rebuilding her life as a renowned lecturer in forensic science as the university when a series of copycat murders commences. She and her young assistant Tristan start sleuthing .
A gruesome and exciting story emerges . The author skilfully builds the background to the troubled Kate ready to take the reader on a roller coaster ride. An excellent start to a new series.

Nine Elms is an excellent start to a new series from Robert Bryndza. Readers of his previous series will be delighted as they start a new journey through his twisted mind. And readers who haven't yet experienced Bryndza, get ready for your new favorite author!

The story is so outstanding with it's creepy, twisted opening. Readers will be unable to put the book down until they get to the very end. Highly recommended to readers looking for their next favorite serial killer series. Be sure to check out Nine Elms today!

There is absolutely nothing like a curve ball at the start of a book to have you gasping out loud and frantically turning the pages to see what happens next. That is what this book will have you doing.

I am just leaving the blurb of the book here, as to say anything else about the plot would lead to spoilers, and I couldn't do that!!

"Kate Marshall was a promising young police detective when she caught the notorious Nine Elms serial killer. But her greatest victory suddenly became a nightmare.

Fifteen years after those catastrophic, career-ending events, a copycat killer has taken up the Nine Elms mantle, continuing the ghastly work of his idol.

Enlisting her brilliant research assistant, Tristan Harper, Kate draws on her prodigious and long-neglected skills as an investigator to catch a new monster. But there's much more than her reputation on the line: Kate was the original killer's intended fifth victim . . . and his successor means to finish the job."

Suffice to say that this is one of the best crime novels I've read, It is highly charged, shocking (with plenty of gasps and OMG moments), intense, creepy, thrilling and quite simply, a brilliant read. With excellently drawn characters, you will run through a gamut of emotions, good and bad, reading about each of them. It has the best opening chapters of a book I have read, I think EVER which was totally unexpected and it is a fantastic start to a new series. Looking forward to the next Kate Marshall installment. Loved it 5/5*

I had not read anything by Robert Bryndza before, although I am aware of his popular Erika Foster series. When I saw that a new series was forthcoming, I thought it was about time I gave him a try and I am pleased I did. The novel begins in 1995 when Detective Constable Kate Marshall discovers that a colleague, and man she had a relationship with, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Conway, is the Nine Elms Cannibal – a discovery which nearly leads to her own murder.

We then rediscover Kate fifteen years in the future. The case she solved left her with a son, as well as a drink problem. Having left the police force, she is now a lecturer in criminology. Having tried her best to put the past behind her, a spate of copycat murders means that she has to address her past and try to solve the crimes.

This is an interesting crime novel, with some good characters. I especially enjoyed the portrait of Conway and his deeply unpleasant, twisted mother, Enid. I also admired the way that Kate decided to face up to her past, rather than become a victim. I would have liked to have seen other characters, especially her assistant, Tristan, be developed. However, it looks as though there will be further books in this series, so I look forward to reading on. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

I really enjoyed this book right from the beginning. I was hooked by Kate and her terrible realisation that the murderer she is seeking is right under her nose. The so called ‘Nine Elms Murderer’ is named for where he dumped the first girl he raped and killed, but there are many more. Kate and her boss Peter are having an affair while desperately trying to find this murderer before he kills again. The murderer ties up his victims with a distinctive ‘monkey knot’. It’s on Kate’s mind as she closes the door on her boss and settles in for the night. Then she notices she has his keys and on his keys is a very distinctive little knot. While her mind is racing there is a knock on the door and she has to decide whether to let him in.

I bought into Kate’s world immediately. We meet her as she’s in the horror of a terrible murder case, and now has to face whether she has been sleeping with the man capable of this violence. When the story moves to the present day, that old case is still very much part of her personal life. She credits her new job working in the Criminology department of a university with saving her life and she certainly seems to have control over her demons. Although she is apart from those she cares about, her job and the home that comes with it overlooking the sea, have brought peace into her life. She is two years sober and lives next door to her sponsor. However, will she be able to stay on an even keel when another case comes her way?

Kate is pulled back into the Nine Elms case when a copycat starts to emerge. I really enjoyed getting into the case with Kate and her assistant, even though I did find it strange that a university lecturer would get the access to crime scenes that she does. She is dogged at finding evidence and very observant for those tiny clues that crack a case. I was interested in her personal struggles too, especially around her son and her concerns about his future. The crime scenes were gory but fascinating and I enjoyed getting into the psychology of both Nine Elms murderers, particularly Peter’s odd relationship with his mother. I had been a fan of his Erika Foster novels and I was glad that this is the first in a series. I look forward to seeing where Kate goes next.

Absolutely loved the Erika foster series so was a little worried starting a new one with a brand new character..BUT .. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and getting to know Kate . A great start to a new series I’m sure to get hooked on . 5 star

Fifteen years ago Kate’s life changed. She was on the hunt with her colleagues for the Nine Elms cannibal as the press were calling him. She always said that he would slip up and slip up he did right in front of her. One small thing gave her suspicion which could have saved her life. Now she has moved away and he is in a high security prison. An elderly couple have contacted Kate hoping that she can help them. She is no longer a member of the police force but now lectures in criminology. They believe that their daughter was taken by the Nine Elms killer many years beforehand and would like closure even though they believe that she is dead. There are also copycat killings beginning to appear and Kate is wanting to help but held back not only by her lack of position but her fear of what happened. Oooh!!! I loved this very early on. Robert has the magic and talent to ensnare the reader and hold them with a tantalising plot and a strong very likeable lead character. A little humour, a lot of intrigue and a little Hannibal Lector-esque. One stunning, brilliant read.
)(ap[ologies for being late- NG had 20th Jan as pub date - lesson learnt)