*** THIS SERIES DESERVES A NETFLIX ADAPTATION ***
I absolutely love this series and I am totally hooked!!! Morgan Brookes is now a character well developed which I have great affection for. The Lake District backdrop is very enjoyable and I want some more please! I have visited the Lakes just once and this series makes me long to returning there again.
The love interest between Morgan and Ben is long overdue and in my opinion adds a beautiful softening to crime stories every time. It is a proven successful aspect to all top selling series in this genre and I really welcome it. The mystery as ever leaves you holding your breath right till the end.
I really will miss them and I am sad to leave the Lakes and Morgan's world.
I can't wait for next book!!!

I enjoy this series! But seriously Morgan has got to stop getting hit in the head.

Being from America I always find the wee bit of differences in slang great fun. This was another fast paced story and I was honestly worried about the new guy. Still not sure I like him. I’m looking forward to the next book.

I'm a huge fan of Helen's Dr Beth Adams series as well as this one and always eagerly await the next installment. She can always be counted on to deliver a spine-tingling thriller that has readers on the edge of their seats gripped by the unfolding events with every page. SLEEPING DOLLS is no different in that it is gripping, addictive and fast paced from start to finish. But for me, I found it surprisingly lacking the usual elements that draw readers in at the start and leave them breathless by the end. Don't get me wrong, I still loved it but I was a little disappointed at the same time.

DC Morgan Brookes is back after her near fatal attack at the end of the last book which saw her biological father and escaped serial killer Gary Marks die in her arms. Finally relinquishing her tenancy on her flat, Morgan has moved in with Ben as the two have finally stopped dancing around the inevitable. I have to say I missed Morgan's quirky neighbour from upstairs (whose name escapes me just now). She was always an interesting addition to the story.

After arriving at the station and the newly rebranded CID to CAST to find the office empty, Morgan hears about a call to check on the welfare of a woman after a neighbouring rang in complaining about a smell emanating from her flat. She advises Control that she is also enroute and she fears what she is about to walk into. Squeezing through the small opening of the door that has a rug preventing it from opening fully, Morgan finds the lifeless form of Shirley Kelly laying on her sofa. At first glance, nothing appears suspicious but something in Morgan's gut tells her that something is off. Something about the scene unsettles her. Then she see the clock has stopped at six and the mirror has been covered. And although the woman seems physically unharmed, a patch of hair that has been cut from her head. Very unsettling indeed.

A short time later, a second woman is killed. Even more chilling is that her house is arranged in the same way. But what is troubling is this woman had called police just an hour before believing there to be someone in her house but everything was deemed sound and the house clear of intruders. So what had happened to this woman in the short time between when the police had left her and when they returned? Was someone hiding somewhere in the house after all? And, more importantly, what connects these two women?

Morgan and Ben are baffled by the unfolding events and who could possibly be behind them. They question friends and witnesses in an effort to glean any information about the two women they can. Whilst in the midst of everything they are dealing with comes their new DI, Marcel Howard (Marc), who arrives a week before he is due to start as well as in something of a flurry. All the women in the nick are immediately drawn in by hus charm and good looks whilst Ben isn't so sure. And the Marc ruffles a few feathers and steps on some toes leaving Ben livid. Who is this man and where has he come from? And who the hell does he think he is?

Just when Morgan and Ben think they are never going to catch a break, they are thrown a lifeline in some intel Morgan has garnered in passing. Then it's all systems go as the team take their places in the respective takedown of the person behind these unsettling murders. But nothing is as it seems and of course nothing goes according to plan in this fast paced twisted tale that is both chilling and creepy.

With plenty of red herrings and twists, SLEEPING DOLLS is an addictive fast paced thriller that is the sixth installment in the brilliant Morgan Brookes series. There is plenty going on but with Helen's easy style it is still very easy to read and follow the story. It does differ to her previous books in which there is little from other aspects, which I missed greatly from this installment. I love how the reader is usually given glimpses from other perspectives throughout and with the exception of one of the victims prior to her death, a few flashbacks to 1989 and the killer themselves near the end, the book is mostly from a procedural perspective. It is the one aspect I found disappointing in this book. The only other disappointing factor was the identity of the killer. Without revealing any spoilers, I felt it was a bit out of nowhere with nothing really linking them to murders or the story. Maybe if there were more of the various aspects peppered throughout, like in previous books, the loose ends that lead to the killer would make more sense.

Despite my disappointment, I did enjoy SLEEPING DOLLS and it certainly reflected Helen's usual fast paced addictive writing complete with her easy style. Not to mention her element of creepy undertones she likes to throw in now and again. The old house that features in this story reminded me Lake View House in her standalone thriller of the same name.

With its creepy undertones, SLEEPING DOLLS will definitely pique readers' curiosity and have fans cheering for their heroine. And although I was a little disappointed, it didn't ruin my enjoyment of what it is essentially another spine-tingling thriller from this talented author!

I would like to thank #HelenPhifer, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SleepingDolls in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Sleeping Dolls’, book 6 in the Detective Morgan Brookes series written by Helen Phifer, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Shirley Kelly’s neighbour is concerned about her and calls the police in Rydal Falls. When DC Morgan Brookes and DS Ben Matthews arrive they find the body of Shirley wearing blue silk pyjamas lying on the sofa in her flat with the clocks stopped at 6 o’clock and mirrors covered. Morgan is suspicious as it doesn’t feel normal and she’s proved right when another woman is found dead, and although she knows there must be a connection between them she hasn’t what it is yet.

The story begins at the present time when the two women are found dead, with chapters that revert back to 1989 when a boy is forced to live with his grandmother in her old secluded house. I’ve been reading this series since the first book and enjoyed them all but I thought ‘Sleeping Dolls’ isn’t quite as exciting as the others, possibly because there’s too much of Morgan and Ben’s relationship and not enough drama and intrigue. Nevertheless, it’s well-written, easy to read and gripping in places and I’m hoping there’ll be another in the series.

Absolutely Amazing.
This series keeps getting better. A great story line with believable characters. I'm looking forward to reading more.

SLEEPING DOLLS is the Sixth book in a police procedural series featuring Detective Morgan Brookes by Helen Phifer. I have read all of the books in this series and this book is a definite winner! Although this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the books in order to get a full history.

The books in the Detective Morgan Brookes Series:
BOOK 1-ONE LEFT ALIVE
BOOK 2-THE KILLER’S GIRL
BOOK 3-THE HIDING PLACE
BOOK 4-FIRST GIRL TO DIE
BOOK 5-FIND THE GIRL
BOOK 6-SLEEPING DOLLS
This is my review of Sleeping Dolls.

This is DC Morgan Brookes first day back at work in the CID office, in Rydal Falls, known as CAST, Crime and Safeguarding Team, after a run-in with The Travelling Man. She had been abducted and injured by a serial killer named The Travelling Man, who now was in jail.

The cast of the small control team includes:
Sergeant Ben Matthews
Detective Morgan Brookes
DC Amy Smith
DC Des Black

Detective Morgan Brookes and her boss, Sergeant Ben Matthews are a couple, and Morgan has finally moved in with him.

Morgan attends the scene, after a call had come in from a tenant in a housing-association building, about a bad smell coming from next door, and the occupant, a woman, Shirley Kelly hadn’t been seen for some time. When Morgan entered the flat, she found the woman dead, physically unharmed except for one missing lock of hair. Every clock in the house had been stopped at 6 o’clock and every mirror had been covered. It was later determined that her neck had been broken. Very suspicious!

But then another woman is killed, and her home arranged in the same way, but she had been stabbed, using a knife from Shirley’s own kitchen.

What is the connection between these two victims? Morgan must figure out this link before it is too late and there are more targets.

This is a fast-paced crime thriller with intriguing characters with a plot filled with twists and turns.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.

Sleeping Dolls is another very exciting episode in the Morgan Brooke’s series. How Detective Brooke’s survives is beyond me. She literally won’t give up. I’m really enjoying this series but if I had one small criticism it’s I could do without all the lovey dovey stuff between Ben and Morgan. Saying that though the story line is brilliant, full of action which keeps me wanting to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Sleeping Dolls (Detective Morgan Brookes Book 6) by Helen Phifer. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an ARC to review.

There are several things I enjoyed and several I did not. To start with the things I liked, Detective Morgan Brookes was a well thought out protagonist. The mystery and murders were well written, and the writer did a great job of bringing the crime scenes to life.

What I didn't enjoy as much were the stilted conversations between the various characters. I felt there was a lot of yelling and feelings thrown out without much development to back it up. That is why I am giving this book 3/5 stars. Sleeping Dolls was worth reading, but I probably won't read future books in the series.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Sleeping Dolls, the sixth novel to feature DC Morgan Brookes of Cumbria Police.

Shirley Kelly is found dead in her flat. It is presumed to be a natural death, but Morgan is uneasy with the staging, the mirrors are covered and the clock has stopped. The post mortem confirms she was murdered, but who would want to kill a woman with no obvious enemies. Then a second woman is murdered with a knife from Shirley’s home. The team have to find a link between the women to prevent further killings.

I enjoyed Sleeping Dolls, which has a good mystery and a well concealed perpetrator. It should be stressed that the novel is designed for entertainment and it fulfils that criterion well, and not for reality or realism. I don’t know much about real life policing, but I’m pretty sure that it looks nothing like what goes on in Rydal Falls.

The plot is absorbing, if not particularly profound. It is mostly told from Morgan’s point of view with other officers chipping in as necessary and there are a few chapters told from an unnamed boy’s point of view in 1989, which hint at instability and potential mental illness. These don’t point the reader in any tangible direction so don’t add much to the story. The plot builds gradually towards the identification of the perpetrator and is well paced in terms of developments, misdirection and reveals. I like the way the does this as it keeps me turning the pages. I did ponder some of the practicalities of the plot, especially the resolution, but decided to go with the flow and was rewarded with an entertaining read with a moreish plot, a lively writing style and a dash of humour.

Morgan and her boss, DS Ben Matthews are now an item. Personally I can’t see the attraction as she’s so much smarter than him and he’s such a Neanderthal. I hope that the verbal love notes are not going to become a feature of the series, because they’re cringeworthy at best.

Sleeping Dolls is a good read that I can recommend.

When Detective Morgan Brookes squeezes through the door to see the body of Shirley decomposing who would have thought it would lead to more death and disturbances in the Fells.
Now living with Ben and a new D I on the scene nothing is ever easy for Morgan and the team.
Another whopper from Helen, its fast paced and gripping just what I expect from this series.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

When DC Morgan Brookes returned back to work after her encounter with The Travelling Man she was the only one in CID when a call comes in about a bad smell indicating a death in a flat. Morgan attends the call and after uniform Police broke the lock on the door it opened just enough for her to squeeze through.. On entering a rug had become rolled up against the door stopping it from opening fully, Morgan then went into the room with a sofa and the body complete with writhing maggots of a female occupant. Not sure whether the death was suspicious until other seemingly unrelated deaths happen.
A great read with clues and red herrings that keep you guessing until the end . Highly recommended.

Thank you to #NetGalley for my advance copy of #SleepingDolls by #HelenPhifer

Although this book is the 6th in the series, it can be read as a stand alone
Hen a woman is found dead in her flat, it looks like a natural death but Morgan knows it’s not.
Why are all the mirrors covered and the clocks stopped.
Another dangerous investigation for Morgan, Ben and the team.

After a recent traumatic case DC Morgan Brookes is hoping for a little down time for herself and her small team. Both her private and working life have changed recently and it's taking time to get her head around it all. Everything gets put on hold though when she gets called to a local flat where the smell alone tells her what she will find behind the locked door.

To Morgan the scene doesn't look quite right, there are inconsistencies which put all her senses on alert but convincing her colleagues this is murder won't be easy. When another body is quickly found in circumstances which could result in more unnecessary deaths Morgan, her boss, DS Ben Matthews, and their team find themselves once again in a traumatic investigation when time is slipping away and clues are hard to come by. They know their perp will kill again if they can't put everything together as speedily as possible.

This is the sixth in the DC Morgan Brookes Mysteries and it is a welcome return to the great group of protagonists. The first book in the series was one of the rare times every box was ticked for me and I have loved these ever since. Situations have changed in this installment and they all worked brilliantly for me especially as in some scenes we begin to see a very welcome new side to Megan.

My one problem with this book is quite possibly purely down to my reading of certain scenes but I wasn't sure if the murderer was sloppy or purposefully cunning. There were occurrences where the police were definitely hampered by what their killed had done but whether it was by accident or design I still don't know.

The killer's story history slotted neatly between the current day chapters and once again Helen Phifer has crafted a storyline which works on every level. I just need to see what happens next to everyone.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is absolutely brilliant, an easy read but a case to leave you guessing. Highly recommended.

Another fab book from Helen Phifer. Love following Morgan Brookes it was gripping and loved the twists.

A deliciously intense and addictive thriller that you just can't put down ! Not to be missed ! I highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book ! All thoughts and opinions are my own ! #Netgalley #Bookouture #SleepingDolls

Sleeping Dolls is an intense buckle up, the lights stay on as you hold your breath read.

Morgan Brookes, Ben and team are racing against the clock to find out who is brutally murdered Shirley and then another woman with Shirley's kitchen knife.

Morgan never does anything easily or by half measures.

I love this series and Helen Phifer never lets you down.

The pace is fast and the pages turn quickly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for another great read.

Detective Morgan Brookes #6

When a concerned neighbour reports a woman missing, Detective Morgan Brookes squeezes through the stiff front door to find a woman dead. At first, the case seems unsuspicious, but something about the scene unsettles Morgan. Every clock in the house has stopped. every mirror covered, and the woman seems physically unharmed except for one missing lock of hair. Morgan is certain that the scene-staging holds a vital clue. Then another woman is killed, and her home arranged in the same way. What is the connection between the two women?

Detectives Morgan Brookes and Ben Matthews are investigating the case of a woman who was found dead in her own home. This is just the beginning of this rollercoaster read. We have a new DI, Marcell Howard (Marc), and he's ruffling some feathers already. With red herrings and twists, this well written addition had me addition had me engrossed from the first page. There's lots going on. but it's still an easy book to follow. We get a few chapters told from 1989 telling us about a young boy who was brought up by his grandmother in a mansion. This is a fast paced and creepy thriller.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #HelenPhifer for my ARC of #SleepingDolls in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐

Detective Morgan Brookes is back now living with her Sergeant Ben Matthews after the ordeal she suffered in Find the Girl. But she's back at work which is mercifully quiet, that is until the pair are called to a house on their street, where a body has been found and with the arrival of a new Detective Inspector who couldn't be more different to the last - the team has real trouble on their hands. Especially when a second body is found in distressing circumstances and nothing in the case seems to make sense.

Yet, Morgan is sure they are related and is determined to do everything possible to catch a killer who appears almost ghost like, and with flashbacks to 1989 and plenty of twists as well as a moment that had me literally questioning everything this was a brilliant read.

But it was a little slow to begin with however the second half more than made up for it and had me so I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Which is why I would happily recommend it, especially if you love a good police procedural as this is that and so much more!

Book six in this series and it’s good to catch up with Morgan and Ben again.

A dead body, the mirrors covered, the clock stopped at 6. When another body turns up with similar crime scene, it’s up to Morgan and Ben to sift through the evidence to discover the killer.

Another good instalment in this series. An easy and enjoyable read.

Detective Morgan Brookes is at it again, solving mysteries that seem impossible. When a woman is discovered dead in her apartment with the door blocked from the inside, it seems like someone may have committed the perfect crime. Leaving no evidence, the murderer seems to have disappeared into thin air, but Morgan is not satisfied with that answer. She and her boss/lover are on the case, and before it's over, there will be danger and suspense. We are left wondering what will happen next for Morgan.