**this review includes a health warning**

Robert Bryndza is a danger to my health, that’s a fact! I read Nine Elms the first instalment in a brand spanking new crime series, whilst on holiday in Greece I became so engrossed whilst reading it I forgot to reapply my sun tan lotion and ended up with slightly sunburnt legs! Very painful let me tell you! Was Dark Elms worth restless and uncomfortable nights sleep because of my burnt legs? You bet it was! I loved the Erika Forster series but Dark Elms Takes the authors writing to a whole new level of amazing. Dark Elms ticks all the boxes for me it’s dark, gory (I grimaced at more than a couple of the authors descriptive crime scenes) and features a serial killer who will send shivers down your spine, if Hannibal Lecter gave you nightmares, be prepared for a few disturbed nights!

I’m sure lovers of the Erika Forster series will be wondering how the author could top this series, rest assured if Nine Elms is anything to go by, this will be a hell of a series. I instantly connected with Kate, the complexity of her characters lies deeply seated in her dreadful past, there’s an air of fragility about her, but at the same time she is determined not to let her past define her, which is easier said than done especially when her past comes back to haunt her in the most horrifying way.

Luckily for Kate she has a cast of supportive and very likeable characters to help her on her journey. As for the serial killer, there perfectly depicted, chilling, cunning and yet you can’t help but become drawn into their backstory story, its one that’s original and disturbing to say the least. As to their killing techniques Robert Bryndaza, has come up with something stomach churning (best read on an empty stomach) Without giving too much away the killer in question is surrounded by evil forces, who tap into their disturbed psyche, urging them on to commit even more horrific crimes. These evil people are in need of serious therapy, but such a brilliant combination. I won’t deny I found them fascinating, but at the same time I felt sickened by their behaviour.


I really liked the fact that Nine Elms isn’t a regular police procedural novel, Kate has the skill set of a police detective but isn’t hindered by procedures or led by rules and regulations, so she’s more likely to bend the rules making her unpredictable. At every turn of the page Nine Elms crackles with apprehension and a growing sense of dread, it's a fast-paced, exhilarating read that I found impossible to put down even for a few minutes. Robert Bryndza can transport the reader to the crime scenes with vivid descriptions, that make you realise just how depraved the killer is, although some scenes are stomach churning, they never felt superfluous. Once again Robert Bryndza has confirmed why he is one of my favourite crime thriller authors EVER, Nine Elms is a cracking book and an exciting start to a compelling new series, I’m definitely looking forward to the next book and the one after that..... Highly recommend to all crime thriller lovers

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

Compulsive reading. A twisted story of the worst of devious acts. It starts with a bang and doesn’t let up. Kate’s career is left in tatters but she finds a way to carry on and fight her demons. Some heart racing moments as this story gallops along at quite a pace and doesn’t let up. Highly recommended for fans of deranged serial killers.
ARC copy.

I have read all the novels written by Robert Bryndza, he is a brilliant writer and always entertains whatever the genre. I struggled for the first few pages to get used to Kate Marshall . However, this story soon set off at a pace with some truly horrible characters. The plot was at times graphic and as someone who is quite squeamish it made me gasp until the end. Look forward to the next one I can see this duo of Kate and Tristan being a success.

Exciting and fast-paced thriller. Whilst this wasn't an earthshattering whodunnit it did keep me entertained for the most part. No need for me to go into the details too much as the blurb covers it...Kate is a disgraced ex-detective who now lectures in Criminology at university and finds herself drawn into solving a cold case, which has connections to her own past. The characters were fairly fleshed out and the plot was believable - up until the prison incident, which I thought was highly improbable, but I'll say no more lest I drop a spoiler or two. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

After 6 successful crime novels featuring Erika Foster, Robert Bryndza comes with a new series, introducing private investigator Kate Marshall.

As a young detective with great potential and a promising career, Kate had an affair with one of her colleagues only to discover soon after that he was the notorious Nine Elms serial killer. Kate manages to put him behind the bars but realises too late that she is pregnant with his baby. Fast forward 15 years and this is where the book #1 mystery starts. Kate is no longer with the police. She teaches criminology at a university and tries to get sober for her son who is in the custody of Kate's parents.The Nine Elms serial killer has been in prison the whole time when girls start disappearing and being murdered in almost identical way to the Nine Elms murders. Police seem to be clueless and so Kate and her uni assistant decide to do some investigation on their own.

I have a soft spot for Erika so it was always going to be hard for a new detective to compete with her. Like Erika, Kate has an eventful past that still haunts her. Is a bit too much going on there - alcoholism, child with a serial killer? That's what I was thinking at first but as the story progressed I was slowly swayed and pretty much onboard with everything by the end of it.As per the author's usual style, this is a gripping but gruesome novel with a number of unexpeted twists.

Overall, 4 stars for Kate Marshall and her first novel!

Many thanks to Little Brown Books for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Robert Bryndza is an outstanding author. I have read all of his books in the Erika Foster series and was interested to read his new book featuring a new lead character Kate Marshal. Would this book be as interesting and addictive as his previous book? The answer is YES!! Oh my goodness Nine Elms was outstanding! Kate is totally different to Erika but a very interesting character. The plot was fantastic and as scary as ever. I seriously could not put the book down. The serial killer she is investigating is viscous, evil and will give you nightmares and her past is entwined with this callous killer. Loved the book and cant wait to read more Kate Marshal stories. This will definitely be another well deserved best seller.Crime at it's best and I really hope Robert's work will one day be made into a film or TV series as he deserves a wider audience who will appreciate just how talented he is.

I am a huge fan of this author.
I couldn’t wait to get started with this one. What a great plot.
Robert Bryndza has the ability to hook me in straight away, and I sat outside in the sun and just indulged myself.
I like the fact that it isn’t actually a police procedural, rather more of a private investigation from characters who just couldn’t let it lie. Kate Marshall is now lecturing in Criminology at a University on the South Coast. She has an assistant, Tristan Harper. I like Tristan, early 20’s, tall, cropped hair, tattoos. I had a good visualisation of him. They made a good team. Forensic pathologist, Alan Hexham, was a guest lecturer at the University and provided valuable information to Kate.
Since her days in the force are behind her she’s tried live a peaceful life.
A body is found and the forensic pathologist Alan contacts Kate due to the injuries he finds, as they are just like a previous case. When another body is found Kate feels like a copycat killer is at large as the similarity to her last case is alarming. She just can’t help getting involved.
She receives a message from the parents of Caitlyn Murray about their daughter who went missing in the 90’s and she feels something isn’t quite right so offers to look into it.
A brilliant story, gripping and thrilling. Quite seedy subjects too. Unexpected twists and turns made for an unputdownable book. Really gruesome in parts, it made me cringe. But I just couldn’t stop reading, it’s packed with action. I feel like it’s something you’d see in the news, one of those horrible things that shocks the nation.
There was a horrible description of a waxy-faced redhead who, bizarrely, I felt I’d seen in my dreams/nightmares.
Towards the end I felt I could see the direction I thought it would take starting to unfold, I was panicking big-time!!
Thanks to Sphere and NetGalley for the review copy of this this fabulous book in which I give my honest opinion.
I'll post to my blog on publication day.

I started to read this book with a certain amount of trepidation having loved all the Erika Foster series from this brilliant author. I need not worry as the new character of Kate Marshall is equally interesting and engaging. Coupled with a horrifying serial killer and thills a plenty, I will be looking out for more books with Kate Marshall as the central character, although I also hope that Erika will be back.
If you like a great serial killer crime thriller I would highly recommend this book.

Cracking read! Straight into the action from the beginning and never stopped. I liked the characters ... not sure why every detective has to be a full blown alcoholic, but that aside, really enjoyed learning the background and story behind each one. I know there’ll be many more instalments and I’m looking forward to them. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review.

Absolutely brilliant loved it I have read all his books and this certainly was one of his best, I thought I would miss Erika but Kate and Tristan more than made up for it couldn’t put it down it was so exciting and kept me up until the late hours and felt sad when I finished it . So looking forward to the next chapter with Kate and Tristan what an a amazing duo.

I think this is one of the best books I've ever read. Robert has proved himself with his Erika Foster series but this is another level. Beautifully written it had me captured from the beginning and there were some nights when I had to remind myself to go to sleep so that I could go to work the next morning. I loved the twists and really hope this is the beginning of a new series.

A highly dramatic and complex if somewhat unrealistic read. I'd be interested to see what happens next for Kate, Tristan and co.

Wow what a read ! I was gutted when RB retired Erika Foster but now we’ve got Kate Marshall :). There isn’t a dull moment in this book, fantastic author. I’m looking forward to the next one already! Five big stars from me. Highly recommended.

* spoiler alert ** We weren't very far into this book and our hero Kate figured out who the serial killer was,in a very easy way,despite having no suspicions at all prior to this.
This set the tone for the book for me,things that were a little too easy and a little too hard to believe.
Despite that,it was fast paced and good fun to read,with the odd wince inducing moment thrown in for good measure.
Slightly over the top finale,but why not???

Also,don't label the book Kate Marshall #1 and expect too much concern if she will survive .😁

Wow Robert Bryndza has done it again. A brilliant book, this had me gripped from the first few pages with a brilluant opening that lasted to the end . This was fast paced,gripping and thrilling . I loved the storyline and the partnership between KAte and Tristian. I have found my new favourite series. Can't wait for the next book

I loved the Erika Foster series by Robert and thought it would be hard to match that but he has certainly done that with this book. It was a brilliant read with believable characters and a great storyline. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book. Bring on the next one!!!

Based on publication date this should be the last to read on my growing list but I could not wait and jumped into it upon receiving. What an amazing read! I was not sure Robert Bryndza could find a character to compete with Erika but he has created another wonderful one with Kate. I loved the relationship between Kate and Tristan. This is a dark story of a serial killer thankfully captured due to Kate in her previous life as a police officer. Then 16 years later her life is thrown into array bringing back the darkest of memories. A gripping, nail biting, fist clenching read with fantastic characters. I am envious of anyone who is still to read it and can't wait for Book 2 of Kate Marshall.

Amazing, fantastic, brilliant, all the things I knew it would be. Loved the Erika Foster series and this new one is going to follow in the footsteps. I will be recommending this to everyone I know. Can't wait for the next one.

I never repeat the blurb.
Just loved this - and so another awesome series from this writer dawns. Great plot, credible characters who act in a (rare) believable and authentic manner with everything set up for future instalments which look likely to have traces of this plot history interspersed. Yay! Keep writing...and fast!

A new Detective/ex detective to rival Detective Erika Foster series and this does not disappoint

After retiring from the force after a major case Kate Marshall hopes to live a quiet life but when asked to help a couple trace their nissing daughtet she begins to once again start counting the bodies