I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Who’s Next?, the second novel to feature DI Dan Lockhart and forensic psychologist Dr Lexi Green.

Charles Stott, a successful film director, is found brutally beaten to death on Wimbledon Common. Called to investigate DI Dan Lockhart would like to think it’s a robbery gone wrong but a crudely drawn symbol on the victim’s neck makes him think otherwise, so he consults with Dr Lexi Green. A second body, a lawyer with no links to Charles Stott, confirms his suspicions.

Who’s Next? is a police procedural with an interesting premise, just what is it that links the victims? It did not, however, hold my attention as much as I would have hoped and I found it easy to put down. The point of view is changeable, mostly Dan and Lexi but it also features the unnamed killer talking about their motivation and the victims’ last minutes alive. I’m not sure what this latter contributes to the story arc. It has the momentary impact of making the victims human but momentary is the word as the novel concentrates on the hunt for a killer and the victims get subsumed into the greater investigation. I dislike, on the whole, hearing from the killer as there is never much depth or nuance in their utterings and this did nothing to dispel my prejudices, violence with convoluted reasoning.

Much of the novel is taken up with Lexi providing theories and potential avenues of investigation and Dan rejecting them. It begs the question, why consult her in the first place? The investigation seems reactive rather than proactive for most of the novel until Dan takes unauthorised initiative towards the end. There is a subplot of the search for a sexual predator and I found it more interesting than the main plot as the perpetrator is much more of a mystery. I must admit that I find it very difficult to identify with either Dan or Lexi. Dan is defined by his hunt for his wife, Jessica, who disappeared 11 years ago And PTSD and Lexi is defined by her attraction to Dan. There isn’t much  character definition apart from that.

Who’s Next? is a solid procedural.

I very much enjoyed the first of Chris Merritt's series featuring DI Dan Lockhart, and this is even better; the combination of Lockhart and psychologist Lexi is fascinating and ever-evolving.  Dan's back-story, his time in the army in Helmand and its effects on his behaviour, adds greatly to what is an excellent plot. A series of murders seem to be linked in some way and Dan and Lexi must work out the connection; the clever twists and turns lead to a thoroughly satisfying denouement.

This is the second book in Lockhart and Green series and it’s a belter of a read, although this book can be read as a stand-alone in my opinion it  would be a shame to miss the first as that one is equally as good as this one.
So we start with the brutal killing of wealthy businessman Charles Stott and Lockhart is called to the scene of what is a really gruesome murder, it looks like a robbery that may have gone wrong but when a symbol is found drawn on the body Lockhart is not convinced. With more murders to follow that have the same MO it seems there is a serial killer on the loose and with another case being investigated at the same time their is a hell of a lot going on in this book !! 
The big thing for me in both these books is the characters of Lexi Green and Dan Lockhart they are both fabulously written and with Dan and his continuing search for his missing wife it all adds to a brilliantly crafted storyline. 
So with the twist at the end of this book that left me gasping for more I can’t wait for the next instalment.
A well recommended read and many thanks to Chris Merritt it’s a wonderful read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Police thriller,quite an original story with lots of twists and turns. Sub plot is interesting and we're left with a teaser.

Charles Stott is a well known businessman living near Wimbledon Common where he regularly walks his dog. Unfortunately sometimes having a strict routine isn't a good thing and one evening he is attacked and his body found the next morning. 

Detective Inspector Dan Lockhart meanwhile has other things on his mind than what is happening in the capital. A lead on his missing wife's whereabouts has him searching the streets in the coastal town of Whitstable in Kent clutching at the straws which have been all he's had to keep him going for the last decade. 

The murder case is disturbing, with the victim well known enough that the publicity savvy DCI Porter is keeping a close eye on everything Dan and his team are doing, while being mainly concerned about his own reputation. The discovery of a strange symbol on Stott's neck leads Dan to friend and psychologist Lexi Green hoping for an insight into the mind of their killer but when a second dead body is found on a golf course he finds her profile hard to accept. 

This is an excellent book, with two first class mysteries to solve. The author's first book in this series is one of my favourite books of the year and once again the storyline is original, the characterisation first class, and the procedural aspects extremely well done. I do want to tell Dan to listen to Lexie, she knows what she's doing and for her to assert herself more but that's a small problem and in no way spoils the experience although if it carries on too much longer it might do.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to fans of Chris Merritt and police procedural fiction in both cases they are in for a treat.

The second book in this series to feature Detective Dan Lockhart and Lexi Green. Dan a fractured man who is still suffering from PTSD In  the form of flashbacks when under excessive stress. He is also searching for his wife who disappeared when he was coming home from a tour in Afghanistan. Lexi Green a forensic psychologist has the ability to get in the mind set of killers and has been helping the police. The main story is about a series of brutal murders with no apparent reason. The side story, a serial rapist who attacks at out of the way  us stops. I must congratulate the author for inventing this killer. Stone cold, feisty and a real ball breaker, say no more. I devoured this book in one sitting, sat on the edge of my seat and constantly holding my breath. Two stories for the price of one and it has definitely left me wanting more as Dan has been given some news which blew me away. MORE PLEASE NOW !!!!
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Who’s next by Chris Merritt is the second book in the Detective Dan Lockhart and Green series. It’s a continuation of the last book. Dan is still suffering from PTSD and searching for his wife that disappeared a 11 years ago. But her family, her brother especially has other ideas. He wants to make it officially that she is gone.
Back at the Major Incident team, Lockhart is investigating two cases. The first of a film director in Wimbledon brutally murdered with a triangular symbol drawn on his neck and the other on a man attacking women at knifepoint at bus stops. Lockhart asks the help of Green to help with the cases. Even though it’s unpaid and secret from his boss DCI Porter. But her help gets results otherwise they would be lost without her. 
This is another well written thriller, with an interesting plot. I thought a bit slower paced than the last one. I would suggest you read the first one before this to get the full picture of the story. And I liked the twist at the end so you will come back for more. 4 stars from me.

When a series of murders occur with no witnesses or forensics, MIT8 - Major Incident Team, are left scratching their heads.  

DCI Marcus Porter believes they are robberies gone wrong but DI Dan Lockhart’s gut tells him he is wrong.  Against DCI Porter’s wishes, Dan contacts Dr Lexie Green for her help again.  

Whenever Dan has some down time, he still looks for his missing wife, can she still be alive after all these years?  

This is the second book in the series and I would suggest reading book 1 first so that you have the background on Dan and the team.  
There is plenty going on to keep you engrossed in the book.  Great characters throughout and it’s interesting learning about them and their problems.  The ending had me gobsmacked and left me desperate for the next book in this exciting series.  

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "Who's Next?" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the Second Book in the Detective Lockhart and Green series. While it would be a great read on it's own, it would be best read in order because there are many references to Book One and it makes the story so much better if you can follow along. 

The story is told between Day One and Day Eighteen, then followed by 10 Days Later and 2 Months Later. The main characters are DI Dan Lockhart, Dr. Lexi Green and DS Maxine Smith. DCI Marcus Porter appears throughout the book - at times he appears to hinder more than help.

A middle aged man is found killed along with his dog in Wimbledon Common. He is found with an interesting symbol on his neck. DCI Porter and certain staff are insisting that this is a robbery turned violent and orders DI Lockhart who has a feeling that there is more to this, to stop bothering the family and friends of the victim. 

The thoughts of the person committing these murders, is spread out through the book, giving insight into what they are planning. Another thread through the book is the continued search by DI Lockhart for his missing wife Jess. He's convinced that given enough time he will find her. Her family has decided that she's been gone for 11 years so they should have her declared legally dead. Something Dan is not prepared to do - ever.

When another body is found this time at the Wimbledon Park Golf Course, DI Lockhart is convinced that they have a serial killer on their hands, which DCI Porter continues to dismiss the evidence before him. 

There is a parallel investigation being run looking into a serial rapist that is attacking women in lonely bus stops at night. Lavender Hill DS Eddie Stagg is leading that investigation. 

The third body is found in Streathan Cemetery. The team is racing to find the link between these people before there is another body. 

There are many surprises in this book. The biggest being the identity of the serial killer and the serial rapist. Dr. Green puts herself in the line of danger to help a team where she doesn't always feel wanted or valued. DI Lockhart and someone near and dear to him also face grave danger.

This book was a true page turner and I honestly did not want to put it down. Chris Merritt wrote a brilliant follow up to "Knock Knock". I can't wait to see where the next book will take the team.

This is the second in the series featuring Detective Dan Lockhart and psychologist Lexi Green, and for the two of them, it's pretty much same old, same old. Lockhart is still wrestling with bouts of PTSD and with finding the beloved wife who disappeared 11 years ago. Green is still being largely ignored by the police department even though her profiling expertise has helped them solve cases, and for the most part ignored by Lockhart as well.

The plot involves two scenarios, the first of which is the gruesome murder of a well-known man in Wimbledon; the other is an attacker of women at bus stops. For the most part, Lockhart concentrates on the former, where the only clue seems to be a strange mark on the victim's neck, while colleague Max Smith follows up on the latter. Lockhart calls on help from Green, but he's called to task for doing so by his boss so has to solicit her advice on the sly (after which he seems to consider her persona non grata, making me wonder why in the heck she keeps going back for more, especially when she's spending hours working for Lockhart but not getting paid a dime). If there's supposed to be any sort of romantic "connection" between Lockhart and Green, I didn't feel it in the first book - nor did I in this one. 

At any rate, two chases are on, with Lockhart inserting a third as he continues to be hung up on finding the wife that her brother and parents insist is long since dead. Green, smarting from being shut out of the police investigation, decides to go off on her own (quick: get her in a cozy mystery series - she's a perfect fit for the typical never-listen-to-reason heroine). Everything comes together nicely in the end (well, except maybe for Lockhart and Green). A cliffhanger, paves the way for the next book, which came as a surprise mostly because it made me wonder why what happens didn't happen years ago. Of the two books in the series so far, I enjoyed the first one a bit more, but this one makes a more-than-decent follow-up. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

A great thriller , lots of suspense and a good, interesting plot. I liked the main characters very much . My one criticism would be that  I found the book dragged a little in places, but having now completed it, I understand why some parts seemed slower. 
This book follows a trail of murders and a side story is a series of rapes at bus stops in London. There is not much to go on because the victims are totally unrelated . The book is written from different viewpoints, including that of the murderer and the motives are gradually revealed. Solving the crimes is a crytic puzzle, very interesting and sometimes using unorthodox methods to get information . No real twists in the murder case, but there are definitely  parts of the story that I did not see coming. 
The main detective, Dan has a past that affects him now. I hope this is further expanded in a future book ... 
Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and Chris Merrit  for a great read . I will certainly read more by this author

A new book by this author: woohoo! A book with 449 pages by this author: double woohoo!

It means spending more time with the amazing characters he created and the captivating, enthralling web he wove around them to entertain the readers. 

I really like Dan, but sometimes I really like to kick his backside too. I am glad that he realized it in the end and gave himself one (mentally). ;)

I also have to applaud the author for inventing such a fierce and feisty killer. It must be very hard to be the victim of injustice. Some people can cope. Others deal with it in a different way...

Although the author started this series with a new detective he reserved (like he did in the first book) a small role for his main character from the previous series. I like it that he did not forget about him.

The book would not let me go. It begged me to read one more chapter, and then one more, and I honestly could not resist its pleas. I listened, I gave in, I read on and I did not regret it one bit. 5 stars. Let the countdown begin again.

Thanks at @netgalley for access to this one! 
•
I needed a good thriller and this delivered huge.
The pacing was fantastic. The change of perspective had me flipping back a couple of times. But I liked getting to know each characters story. You can feel each characters desperation and it’s so easy to empathize with them: Dan and his search for his wife, Lexi and her need to feel validated by the MET, and Max and her need to keep everyone safe. 
The story of the serial killer brings all the characters together but their personalities keep them at odds. The dynamic between them all it entertaining and will keep you up late into the night (yes i’m speaking from experience). 
and what would a thriller series be without a cliff hanger.
excuse me dr meritt, i’m going to need the next one before 2021.

When MIT8 is called in for the homicide of a film director, they find a really gruesome scene. The victim is beaten and kicked to death. On his neck, there’s a strange triangular symbol drawn. Although his wallet and watch are missing, his phone is still present. The DCI Marcus Porter thinks it’s a robbery gone sour but DI Dan Lockhart thinks differently. If you want to mug someone, you don’t hide in the woods of Wimbledon common at midnight to wait for potential victims. With this amount of violence, it’s bound to be something personal. When more murders follow in the course of the week Dan goes against his orders and he asks psychologist dr Lexi Green to help them with a profile. This is not the first nor the last time that Lockhart ignores the commands of his superior
At the same time, Dan’s assistant Maxie Smith works on another case that involves a serial rapist. Halfway, both cases seem to overlap and the investigations are brought together.
We also get regular updates from the murderer’s POV without giving away his/her identity. The murderer had a life-long wish to know what it feels like to kill someone. Now that the first victim has fallen, 4 more people deserve to die according to the killer. The 5th one will be the detective that investigates the case: Dan Lockhart.

Apart from the suspense of the story, there is also much attention to the private lives of the detectives and doctor. All of them have serious issues with things from their past.
Lockhart suffers PTSD from his deployment in Afghanistan that makes him dissociate at times. On top of that, his wife just disappeared into thin air when he was over there and now her family want to have her declared deceased; something that will entitle them to half of Nick’s house. He’s drowning his sorrows several nights in a week.
Maxie also suffers flashbacks from an accident that happened during a previous case when the suspect fell to death.
Even Dr Green has still serious problems after that same case and tends to drink more than is healthy.
DC Khan is pressured by his parents to wed a second cousin from Karachi, but he’s not interested in an arranged marriage. He’s been on a few dates with an atheist girl that he met online but doesn’t dare to tell his family.
Zac Boateng, the protagonist of another series by Chris Merritt also makes an appearance in this book. I like that when different series are set in the same universe. This story is also the second one in this series but can be read as a stand-alone. The references to what happened prior to this book are a prima incentive to read that one as well, but it doesn’t interfere with the story.
It’s an interesting mix of both the private lives and how they impact an investigation or one’s outlook on things.
This is one of the better police procedurals I’ve read recently. It draws your attention in right from the start. The main characters are seriously flawed, which makes them all the more human and sympathetic. I have my reservations about the detective with his missing wife as I’ve encountered that trope far too often over the last few months. But as the book ends with a serious cliff hanger on that topic, I can’t be anything but curious to where that last discovery will lead.
I thank Bookouture for the free ARC they provided through Netgalley; this is my honest, unbiased review of it.

This is the 1st chris mertity book i've read and as its the 2nd of his series it may be best to read the first one first to get more of a background though its not really needed iam going to look for the 1st one now.

I enjoyed it i really like lexi and how her information being a psycologist is underrated but she takes it in her stride i also like lockhart and smithvand fealt sorry for khan

The killer is interesting and the reasoning behing hercattacks i also like how the two seperate cases come together i wasnt  exoecting the busvstop guy to ge who it  was as it pointed you towards a few people throughout the book.

And that end - was likw WHAT????

Very Clever look forward to reading more.

this book sucked me in right from the get go and didn't let go until I finished it. Edge of your seat thrill ride.

I haven't read the first book in the series but it did not affect my reading much as there was enough back story covered in this installment.

A well written thriller and I actually enjoyed reading it. Both Lexi and Dan are strong and interesting characters, with equally enjoyable supporting characters. Both the cases in the plot were engrossing, interesting and filled with twists and surprises. I did try to guess the suspect but was unsuccessful. 

Its's amazing how the book ends on a cliffhanger. I am eagerly waiting for the next book to see what happens.

Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book and will give it a huge thumbs up.  With a great story line and excellent main characters - I would highly recommend this book.

I didn't really care much for this book, found it a bit heavy going, serious and hard to read, a bit boring for me personally.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Second in this series and is more a police procedural than a thriller. The second case lacks some more explanation and the main one felt stretched out. About three fourths of the way the narrative slowed. I liked the first book more. 3.5 stars