Nikki Parekh is dealing with emotional issues of her own when she has an unfortunate accident at a crime scene, thereby compromising any evidence. She is told to go on leave and try to gain help from a police sanctioned therapist.

However, crime doesn't stop, and despite Nikki being on medical leave, she is still drawn into the investigations surrounding the machete attacks that have been targeting the youth of Bradford.

It seems as though the mastermind behind the attacks has inside knowledge to the direction of police inquiry. The mastermind, The Fixer, has a minion (The Headhunter), who then delegates jobs out to the minions (The Eyes).

This book kept me guessing as to the identity of The Fixer until 2/3 of the way through the book. This was such a well written book, I could easily see it being adapted for television.

Would definitely recommend this book, as sadly, nothing in it is beyond the realms of possibility.

Blood Games sees Nikita Parekh at her lowest. Her mental health deteriorates, her eventual breakdown explained in detail and heartbreakingly realistic. And while she is off work, her beloved Bradford is suffering as a series of young people are murdered. From different communities, and with no apparent link, who is behind these awful crimes?

Nikki eventually returns to work and joins up with DC Sajid Malik on the case. But with a new DI leading the team all does not go smoothly. And she is still being contacted by her father ...

The scope of this novel is ambitious, as a secretive Fixer is suspected to be at the heart of events. But who is it? Like all good mystery novels, the clues are there if the reader is clever enough to decipher them. Blood Games is superbly written and is enthralling to the very end. This series gets better with every novel.

I found this book difficult to get into. It wasn’t what I was expecting and although I struggled through it, I really didn’t enjoy it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, especially as I live near Bradford and know that these types of atrocities do happen. It’s a powerful, grim and scary story in parts, and at times I found it a little difficult to read but it certainly kept me engaged. The perpetrator wasn’t who I thought it would be and came as a bit of a shock when I eventually clicked who it was (I don’t understand why they did what they did though!). I love the relationship between Nikki and Saj and look forward to reading more of their adventures. A good well-written read with a brilliant ending! Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

I’m afraid I couldn’t get on with Blood Games at all. I found it overblown, difficult to read and although it deals with important issues, it didn’t engage me at all.

The book opens with DS Nikki Parekh, in a dreadful emotional state after the death of her mother and under threat from her father, having a near-breakdown at a murder scene and, within a couple of chapters, being Taken Off The Case. We are normally spared this monumental cliché of the genre until at least half way through a book. Add to this a pantomimically useless and self-regarding replacement DI, a similarly pantomimically useless but ambitious fellow DS who is “Nikki’s nemesis” (yes, that phrase is actually used) and I began to struggle badly. In addition, I found the prose rather too peppered with stale usage and downright cliché in places. Someone “stands out like a sore thumb”, for example. Seriously?

The issues of youth knife crime, racism and so on which Liz Mistry deals with are important and timely, and I was looking forward to the setting in Bradford, but I’m afraid the presentation of them here just didn’t work for me. I battled on for quite a while, but I just couldn’t be doing with it and gave up in the end. I’m sorry to be so critical; others have plainly enjoyed this far more than I did, but I really wasn’t for me.

(My thanks to HQ for an ARC via NetGalley.)

*4 Stars!!

This is the 4th book in the DS Nikki Parekh series.

Months after the murder of her mother Nikki is still struggling with the guilt and is slowly sinking into depression. When called to a crime scene of a murdered boy who slightly resembles her nephew Nikkki finally has enough and has a breakdown and contaminates the crime scene in the process.

With Nikki now on sick leave its up to DS Sajid Malik to find out who is behind the recent machete attacks which are leaving teenagers dead. When a friend of Nikki’s contacts her to asking for help after his son is abducted and his mother receives his ear through the letter box its upto Nikki and Sajid to unofficially join forces to find Maz before he becomes another victim of the attacks whilst avoiding the new DI send in to lead the team in the absence of Nikki.

I liked the book I felt like the author was really able to give the reader an insight to the racial tensions that people experience on a daily basis as well as a look at what its like for children in families that believe in arranged marriages even though its against the child’s wishes. It really showed what parents would do to show that they are fail to their religion/cultures including having their own child killed because of their sexual orientation or because they are in a relationship with someone not of the correct gender or of the same religion.

Trigger warnings: Mental health, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, mentions of rape and forced marriage.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.*

I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Blood Games, the fourth novel to feature DS Nikki Parekh of the Bradford police.

Teenagers are turning up murdered in Bradford and it’s surroundings. Nikki and her partner Saj Malik aren’t getting very far in their investigation and then another boy goes missing and the change of method opens things up.

After a bumpy start I thoroughly enjoyed Blood Games. Without giving too much away Nikki is not her usual self and it drags the novel down initially, but only for a short while as she soon gets her mojo back.

This is an imaginative novel, i.e. not much realism in it, and it works really well. I am in awe of the clever scenario the author imagines and it offers the works, pathos, tension, excitement, mystery, “honour” and warmth, all told in natural, realistic language that jumps off the page for its everydayness. I like the way the investigation goes from nothing to full tilt action and investigation in next to no time and I love the breadth of what they uncover. I also like the way the bad guys are taken down and forced to confess. It’s immensely satisfying.

The novel is told from two main points of view. There is Nikki and Saj on the investigative side, doing their best with little to work with, all while breaking in a new DI. On the other side there is a character referred to as The Fixer, whose narrative gives the reader a heads up on events but whose identity is cleverly concealed until the reveal. The contrast of good and bad intentions is stark and adds a certain frisson to the narrative.

Blood Games is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

An outbreak of seemingly unconnected murders of younger people, where machetes were used to brutally mutilate the victims, are happening throughout Bradford. D'S Nikki Parekh, still recovering from a death and threats in her personal life, has a breakdown under the pressure. The crimes, coordinated by the mysterious fixer, continue to battle the police while Nikki seems the psychiatric help she needs to return to work. A well structured thriller that also touches and educates the reader that racism and how different people interpret their religious believe isn't just a black versus white problem.

4.5 stars

Nikki Parekh #4.

I wish I could say it’s a pleasure to return to multicultural Bradford but this Bradford is a roiling, boiling cauldron with fear stalking the streets. Four brutal murders, one missing boy whose parents receive a disturbing package, ‘eyes‘ everywhere and a shadowy fixer. The murders challenge the police team as there seems to be no apparent link between them and with Nikki still struggling with her demons and a new DI in Ahad it gets worse before it gets better.

I’m not going to pretend this is anything other than a dark, gritty, hard hitting and very raw plot but what I can say is that it’s gripping in its intensity and realism. The police team here are excellent characters who are well fleshed out and with accompanying authentic dialogue. I have to give a shout out for DCI Archie Hegley who is fantastic with all his proverbials, thanks for the welcome chuckle! DC Sajid Malik is a perfect sartorial sidekick for Nikki (Lister Mill very posh Saj!) and Nikki’s portrayal in this latest instalment is done with sympathetic sensitivity and you root for her recovery. Initially DI Ahad seems a prize (fill in your own choice of word) but you warm to him as time goes on and you can see he’s a good cop.

This is a very complex, well thought out storyline which is fast of pace. There are so many pertinent issues the author shines the spotlight on from mental health to racism including on social media and fundamentalism with concepts such as ‘honour’ and perceived ‘dishonour’ which is seen as a betrayal. Initially you can’t see how it all links and connects but it does so well. There is a good blend of investigation with a broader picture but also a more personal one of Nikki and her family.

The atmosphere the author creates in Bradford is taut, tense, it feels exceptionally creepy and claustrophobic and very ominous and you really do sense and feel this as a reader. It is very scary in places especially in the latter part and what makes it more scary is you could foresee that some of these things happen could happen if we’re not vigilant enough .

My only negative is there are a lot of characters to keep track of but it’s a small criticism of what is a very well written crime thriller which is hard to put down. It’s also very topical covering relevant and thought provoking issues.

With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

My thoughts about Liz Mistry’s Blood Games, the fourth book in the DS Nikki Parekh’s series,The book lives up to the genre of a thriller with all the departments of the book firing on all cylinders. When the story of a suspense thriller, is written in such a way that you keep on reading it generously alongside enjoying the spellbinding mystery embedded in the story, then the suspense available are nothing but the cherry on the cake. They are to be considered by the reader’s as the bonus received with a handsome salary by some employee. Liz Mistry’s Blood Games is one such book only. Talented writer Liz Mistry, does an excellent job with its breathtaking story, and the characters are brilliantly-plotted and well written. The story of Blood Games begins When a body is found at the edge of Chellow Dene reservoir Detective Nikki Parekh and DC Sajid Malik are quick to arrive. This is the third murder in the space of a few weeks. Each murder has a completely different MO, but there is one common theme… all the victims are teenagers. The dead boy reminds Nikki of her nephew, and she feels more helpless than ever. But then another boy goes missing. And this time his parents have been sent a threatening package too. The pattern is different again – is the killer just playing a game. Can Nikki find the strength to uncover the shocking truth before the killer strikes again. Overall, Liz Mistry’s Blood Games has proven to be a very competent and skillfully balanced thrill, and a Rollercoaster ride with special attention given to characters, plot. Blood Games is spellbinding. I would like to say thank you to Author Liz Mistry, and Publishers HQ Stories and Netgally,for kindly giving me a chance to read and review, this brilliant edge of your seat thriller I’ve enjoyed reading.

After her previous case ended in tragedy, DS Nikki Parekh is pretty much running on empty. With three teenagers having been killed over the last few weeks however their investigation is running both Nikki and her partner DC Sajid Malik ragged and, when she thinks she recognises their latest victim, Nikki finds herself closer than ever to breaking point. There is also a new Detective Inspector to deal with meaning Sajid is second guessing himself as he tries to work with them both, and then another teenager goes missing but this time his father has no intention of leaving things to the police.

This is the fourth Nikki Parekh mystery and once again Liz Mistry has written a brilliant, multi layered book which covers the main investigation and so much more in a shocking and thrilling way. Through the main protagonists however, there is also a caring and hopeful response to the victims and those unintentionally caught up in this compelling storyline. This is a first class read while also offering a glimpse into areas usually only discussed via the cold, hard facts of a news report.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent addition to a brilliant series. Highly recommended.

Another excellent read from Liz. I really felt for Nikki after the events of the last book, and how traumatised she must have been. At the start of the book she is on sick leave and having therapy.

This time, there are teenagers being murdered and no one seems to know why, or who is behind it. They really need Nikki’s imput to find out who is behind it all. It seems that it is all an elaborate game, and Nikki’s team must find the killer before it’s too late.

I thought this book was excellent, and Nikki did really well considering what had happened in the previous book. It’s a game of cat and mouse and someone who knows exactly what’s going on.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to the next one.

My thanks to Liz, Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

This one started a little awkwardly for me, I can’t explain why, but luckily it soon became engrossing. This book is very gritty and raw. Unlike many thrillers where you have to suspend disbelief, I can, unfortunately believe such things can and do happen.

The story is set in Bradford, England. I don’t know if it has a particularly high Asian population but many of the characters were Asian (Indian and Pakistani). DS Nikita Parekh is a mixed race police officer and has been investigating a series of machete attacks on young people. At one scene she immediately thinks the victim is her nephew Habiq and she breaks protocol by weeping and clutching at his body. It is not her nephew but she is forced to take time off and get counselling.

The machete attacks are very worrying. There is a person who refers to themselves as “the Honourable Fixer” who takes murder for hire commissions on the dark web. Nobody knows who this person is as they work though another person called the Headhunter. The Headhunter recruits disgruntled teens to do the dirty work. These teens are referred to as the Eyes (with a nod to The Handmaid’s Tale). They are keeping everyone very scared!

When another family close to Nikki receives a gruesome object through their letterbox Nikki takes it personally and, although still off duty, starts to investigate behind the scenes. It is astounding when you learn who has commissioned some of these killings. It is even more astounding when you realise who the Fixer is, although I did have an inkling by the halfway mark.

The story was written in a very menacing way, top marks to the author for scaring the pants off me! The story highlights many aspects of racial tensions and concepts of honor among immigrant families where young people struggle to straddle two very different cultures. Many thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

Blood Games is the latest book in the DS Nikki Parekh series and in my opinion the best yet. Once again Liz Mistry has given us a fast paced, exciting and extremely gripping story. The characters of (and relationship between) Nikki and DC Sajid Malik are so well written. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Liz Mistry for giving me the opportunity to read and honestly review this book.
Eagerly awaiting Nikki Parekh#5.

This book, set in Bradford, is the 4th in the series featuring the partnership of DS Nikki Parekh and DC Sajid Malik. Their characters complement each other so well, Nikki needs all the support she can get, as she is still grieving the loss of her mother, and not coping at all well. They are dealing with 3 murders, of teenagers, all gruesome, and Nikki doesn’t seem to be able to handle it. This is a very topical and relevant story, about racism, bereavement and mental health, and how social media plays it’s part, not always in a good way. It’s a fast paced, well thought out story, with great writing. It had me right from the start and kept me reading late into the night. The ending was also very satisfying. Roll on the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another gripping book in this series. Fast paced, and filled with mystery. This one really captured me from the start. Looking forward to the next book in the series, although this one will be hard to top.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DS Nikki Parekh #4

When a body is found at the edge of Chellow Dene reservoir, DS Nikki Parekh and DC Sajid Malik are quick to arrive. This is the third murder in the space of a few weeks. Each murder has a completely different MO, but there's one common theme.... all the victims are teenagers. The dead boy reminds Nikki of her nephew, and she feels more helpless than ever. But then another boy goes missing. And this time his parents have been sent a threatening package too.

The pace is fast from the beginning. The story covers mental health issues, loss and grief. The book is descriptively written. The team have to work fast to find out who is behind the murder of the teenagers without the help of Nikki. It can be difficult to read in places. Someone is killing teenagers with a machete. Is there more than one attacker? This is the best book, in my opinion, in the series so far.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQDigital and the author #LizMistry for my ARC of #BloodGames in exchange for an honest review.

Can you imagine if your 18-year-old son was kidnapped and you received a package with his ear in it?
This book had me totally cringing!

Warning: This book is not for the faint at heart!!

"Blood Games" by Liz Misty is the fourth book in the "DS Nikki Parekh" series. Nikki is grieving the loss of her mother when she and DC Sajid Malik are called to the scene of a murder. It is a young boy who has been attacked with a machete and succumbed to his massive injuries. This is the latest of several similar teenage murders in the area. The investigators are still reeling from the murders, when an 18-year-old boy named Mazin is abducted, his ear is cut off, and sent to his mom Jane, in a bone-chilling package. Can Nikki and Saijd find Mazin in time to save his life?

I really enjoyed reading the book. The social media elements made the plot even more interesting. I have not read the other books in the series. It was a great stand alone read, but, I do look forward to reading the previous books for the back story. "Blood Games" will be published January 26, 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital for this e-book in exchange for my honest review. I really appreciate it.

I loved reading this book i was gripped from the start.This Author has never disappointed me with her books that have great plots and characters that go so well together.I will be looking forward to her next book.Excellent 5*

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Once again the Bradford author has come up with another cracker. She never disappoints. Great believable characters. Good plot, with plenty of thrills and scares. Looking forward to the next one.