Wow, what a brilliant read! It’s the 1980’s and Jamie a new DC is settling in to life in London. He has just joined the Murder Squad and is trying to get accepted into a tight knit team but also there is a killer preying on young men. He is thrown into the deep end, will he cope? Is there a serial killer at large? In true Robert Bryndza style the story was thrilling and fast paced with plenty to keep me engaged and interested. It would be amazing if it wasn’t a stand alone and Robert started this as a new series as I loved it. Highly recommend, it’s a cracking read that will not disappoint. A big fat five stars from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 9 July 2026.

Fantastic police/crime book. What an amazing story. Set in the 80’s when HIV was a big issue and seeing London through the eyes of a new detective who has come up to the “big city” to further his career. If I was being picky I’d say the ending felt a bit rushed.

The characters are, I hope, in for the long haul as I look forward to seeing how they develop and what happens next.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I loved it and I’m sure others will too.

hank you, Raven Street Publishing, for providing the copy of The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza. I loved this standalone thriller! Jamie is a great main character, and I liked how he tried to settle into life in London. He would be fun in a sequel as his relationships with his new coworkers develop more. (Of course, then this wouldn’t be a standalone!) The story was set in the 80s, and I liked the pop culture references. There was so much going on it was hard to put the book down, as the immersive writing kept drawing me deeper into the story. If you love a fast, thrilling thriller, get this book! 5 stars

A gripping and brilliantly paced thriller, The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza kept me hooked from the very first page. The tension builds beautifully, with twists that feel both surprising and satisfying. Bryndza’s sharp writing and vivid character work make this a standout in the genre. Fans of crime fiction will find it hard to put down. As always, highly recommended!

This is a new direction for the author and he nails it. It is listed as a stand alone thriller but I really hope it becomes a series as the characters are so good. Seeing the team form and how they work in the context of 1987 London and the AIDS panic is fascinating. The crimes they investigate are disturbingly relevant today and the plot is cleverly unfolded from the perspective of police, perpetrator and victims. This is an absolute winner from an already proven author and it is so exciting to read his work from such a new angle,

This new standalone from Bryndza is up there with his best.

1987 and 25 year old Jamie Day is on his way to take up his post as a new DC with The Met. Coming from a much quieter Lowestoft, Jamie is both nervous and excited, looking forward to the challenges his new role will bring, but missing his family already. Before he’s even reached his new lodgings, Jamie get a message on his new pager to contact his boss to attend a crime scene. What greets Jamie is not for the faint hearted, and the adventure begins!

As per usual, you know what you are getting with this author. Bryndza writes with flair, sharpness and great skill, the plot flows and characterisation is first class. A very different style than the usual from the author, the book deals with some pretty unpleasant themes and a few of the characters you wouldn’t want to meet on a dark night, but this all adds to the tension.

As just a few years older than the main protagonist, I well remember the myths, naïveté, scaremongering that AIDS/HIV caused, and the author covers those discriminations well.

With the events of 14 Macklin Street and the Dutch man still unfinished, perhaps this could be another story? Come on Robert, let’s have a new series 😉

Dark and tense, a good 5* read.

Thank you NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing.

Excellent book! I read the Erika Foster series and loved it. Robert's characters are credible, the story flows beautifully and the plot is very good. He is one of the authors whose books are easy to read and whose characters ( all of them, good or bad) have flawes, which makes them more credible. Another enjoyable read from Mr Bryndza.

I am a huge Robert Bryndza fan, I love both his thriller series and this one is just as great. (Hoping it also turns into a series) I love the setting of this book. 1987 London is so different to modern day. Jaime is a new DC having moved for a promotion from up north in Suffolk. He starts work with a bang, before even going to the station, having found the dismembered body of a 20 something man. He meets his boss Harry, a no nonsense honest guy and Tracy another police officer on their team. Throughout the book they talk about HIV, and the misinformation often spread about it especially in the late’80’s. Which I thought was incredibly cool. HIV is still often misunderstood and inaccurate information is always given. I’m so glad Robert took the time to be more informative. As the book goes on, there are more murders similar to the original. Jamie and his team hunt for the murderer.
I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more about Jaimie soon.

It’s another triumphant read from Robert Bryndza. Quite different from his other books in that’s its based in London in 1987. He captures the era brilliantly, the atmosphere, the characters all reflect the changing times and the ignorance and fear of HIV and the gay community. I was married to a policeman at the time and he’s also portrayed the culture within the met police exactly as it was.

The murders are somewhat gruesome, best not read as you have your lunch but not so horrible as to keep you awake at night. It was a good ending and could leave it open for a follow up book, I’d like to see how our rookie detective gets on.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I haven't read any books by Robert Bryndza, but liked the description and the book cover. Wow, this book sucked me in from the very first page and I could barely put it down. I liked that it was written in the late 1980's as I remember it quite well. The story was well written and the characters were great. I have since read another 2 books by him and they were just as good. What a great way to find another author.

One of the best crime writers around today - open a Bryndza book and your satisfaction ruin is guaranteed. I particularly like this book, with a rookie cop settling into a new position in London. Not only does he have to acclimatise to city life with new colleagues - one of whom appears to take an instant dislike to him - he is thrown into a murder investigation before he even reaches the workplace. Make a cup of tea and settle in!

There’s always a certain anticipation that comes with a new Robert Bryndza release, and as someone who’s read everything he’s written, The Quiet Kill was never going to sit unread for long. Thankfully, it more than delivers.

This time, the reader is transported back to a bleak, wintry London in 1987. From the start, there is an immediate sense of unease; it’s dark, gritty and quietly menacing from the outset. From the moment Jamie Day steps into his new role with the Metropolitan Police, his first case comes as a shock. It’s horrifying, gruesome, and intense, but little does Jamie know the investigation quickly spirals into something far more disturbing.

What really stood out for me was how vividly Robert Bryndza brings 1980s London to life. The city feels cold, unforgiving, and filled with an undercurrent of danger. From the dark streets to the atmosphere within his team, everything feels claustrophobic and charged, pulling you straight into the heart of the investigation. The inclusion of the AIDS crisis also adds real emotional depth to the story, reflecting the fear, stigma, and misunderstanding that cast such a shadow over London during that time.

Jamie is a strong addition to the authors cast of characters. He’s inexperienced without being frustrating, determined without being overconfident, and that balance works so well. Watching him try to prove himself within a seasoned team while dealing with the growing horror of the case adds a compelling edge to the story. You want him to succeed, even when things start slipping out of control.

And the case itself? It’s chilling. The pattern of the murders slowly emerging, combined with the sense that the killer is always one step ahead, creates the kind of plot that tightens its grip the more you read. Robert Bryndza paces it brilliantly, layering tension with just enough revelation to keep you completely hooked. If you’re familiar with this author’s work, you’ll recognise the hallmarks: sharp writing, short chapters, and that relentless pull to keep reading.

For longtime readers, The Quiet Kill is a really satisfying standalone that shows Robert Bryndza still knows exactly how to deliver a gripping, character driven thriller. Even as a standalone, Jamie Day feels like a character with plenty more stories to tell, and I’d love to see this become the start of a new series. Dark, atmospheric, and completely gripping, The Quiet Kill is another hit from an author who never fails to delivery. Highly recommended.

Robert Bryndza does it again. As a long time fan who has read everything he’s written, I went into this with high expectations and excitement levels and it absolutely delivered.
Set in late 1980s London, this is a gripping, atmospheric crime thriller that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the time. The backdrop of the AIDS crisis adds a powerful and often heartbreaking layer to the story, highlighting the fear, ignorance, and prejudice that defined that era. It’s uncomfortable at times but rightly so ,and it gives the book a depth that really stays with you.
We follow Jamie Day a newly promoted Detective Constable thrown straight into the deep end on his first day with the Met. From the opening scene, the pace is relentless. The case is dark, brutal, and emotionally charged, with victims being targeted in a way that feels both shocking and tragically reflective of the time period.
Jamie is a brilliant lead he’s young, determined, and a little out of his depth, but with a strong sense of integrity that makes you root for him instantly. Watching him navigate a tough, established team while trying to prove himself adds another layer of tension alongside the investigation.
The writing is as sharp and addictive as ever. Bryndza has a way of pulling you straight into the story and not letting go. The twists land well, the tension builds perfectly, and the emotional impact hits hard. It’s one of those books you keep saying “just one more chapter”… and suddenly you’re at the end and sad it’s all over !
This feels like the start of something big. I’m already invested in Jamie and would love to see more from him and this team.
Dark, gripping, and completely absorbing this is Bryndza at his best and I’m all here for it 📚✨

Thank you so much to the publishers for this arc and NetGalley and good luck on publishing date.

Robert Bryndza’s book The Quiet Kill is another great murder mystery that has depth and mystery. Jamie Day is beginning a career as a detective and as a young man he has a lot to prove. Set in the 1980’s, there is no social media and things are shared by fax machine. Sadly, Jamie’s first case involves a murder victim who has been decapitated and dismembered, which is hard for a first case. But then, there is another decapitated and dismembered victim. Jamie has talent as a detective, but he runs into issues of being new in London and being preyed upon by journalists. It all proves almost too much for him. Add to all that, the victims appear to be gay. Many people don’t seem as concerned when that comes to light. The era around HIV AIDS is happening and there is a lot of misinformation being spread about that. The story is true to the 80’s era.

The Quiet Kill is hard to put down, it is exciting and suspenseful. It is fun to go behind the scenes of a murder investigation. Especially when it is fiction and hopefully no one truly got hurt.

Thanks to Netgalley for the prepublication copy to read and review.

Once again, Robert Bryndza did not disappoint. The Quiet Kill is a murder mystery packed with twists, all of them plausible. I always enjoy a book like this that is filled with details but not the kind that make the book feel like a textbook.

The characters, Jamie and Tracy, young detectives, seemed inexperienced but not exactly newbies, so I’m hoping we see more of them in future books where they can gain experience and develop their skills. Their working together was a comfortable partnership that got to the heart of solving the murders.

The action kept me very interested throughout with smooth writing, great storytelling, and a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Quiet Kill. I enjoyed it immensely and always looked forward to getting back to it after having had to put it away temporarily when life got in the way.

Fabulous new story from this talented author. He never fails to deliver and I particularly enjoyed the time period it was set which differs from his other series.
Based on a newly promoted detective who had moved to a new area, working with colleagues to hunt down a killer. Looking forward to the next one!

A new book by Robert Bryndza is always a treat, I was very happy to be able to read this before it is even published. Bryndza introduces a new character, Detective Jamie Day. I love the way the author creates the wintery atmosphere of London in the 80's. The story itself is suspenseful and captivating. Another great read by my favourite author!

This was a really great book with lots of incredible detail. I love that it was set in the 1980's and the author did really well to keep all mentions of things in line with how they were back then.

I enjoyed Jamie and Harry and how this all played out. A very well crafted mystery with lots of things happening you wouldn't have expected.

I thought the author did an amazing job around HIV and aids and how it was back then. The was very written with the characters being memorable and made me feel like I was sat in each scene with the people.

Well crafted, well written and I'll definitely check on more books by this talented author.

Robert Bryndza ironed of my favourite authors and I have read everything he has written. He is top of my list whenever he releases a new book and I am happy that this seems to be the start of a new series.
The story is set in the latest 80s when AIDS is misunderstood, misogyny os common and homosexuals are treated appalling by the police.
This is the background to a serial killer who is dismemebering his victims.
Written in the authors usual addidictive style I could not put this down

As ever, a gripping story that keeps those pages turning. This serial killer likes to chop up his victims before dumping them.

This time we have a new police character Jamie Day who has just relocated to central London on a promotion. He hadn't even got as far as the station when he receives his first call. Settling into a new job, station and area and becoming involved in a murder case so quickly overwhelmed him. Nothing like being thrown in at the deep end.

As with Bryndza's style, you get snippets of different parts of the story that your brain tries to pull together, and this story does not disappoint. Hooked to the very last page.

I have read all of Robert Bryndza's books. I fully expected A Quiet Kill to be excellent, and I was not disappointed. As always, the character development was thorough and I quickly became vested in the protagonist's story. The plot was realistic and interesting, and the timing was perfect. Best of all, I really enjoyed that this book was set in 1987. I was a teenager then, so it was nostalgic. It was also encouraging to see how far we've come regarding homophobia and paranoia over the AIDS epidemic. I strongly recommend A Quiet Kill and thank NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I I enjoyed this book.I will recommend this to my friends. Excellent read. I read all of this author’s works. Never a disappointment.

I adore Roberts writing and this looks like being the start of a great new series.
Newly promoted DC Jamie Day is moving to London to take up his position with the Met when he's called to a crime scene, and there he meets his new boss DCI Harry Dean.
I loved both characters and hope they will carry on working together WPC Tracy Steel.
The novel is set in the 1980s in the midst of the Aids crisis when so much was misunderstood.
I raced through the book and now I sit here bereft wondering how long I'll have to wait for the next one.
BRILLIANT!!!

#NetGalley #RavenStreetPublishing #RobertBryndza #TheQuietKill

Great start to a new series by Robert Bryndza!! Was engaged from the start from the setting to the overall story. Looking forward to seeing more about Jamie day

Always thrilled to be able to read a book by Rob Bryndza, at first I thought this would be a stand alone, but apparantly this is the kick off for a new series ... great news !
Major difference with other books by Bryndza is the time setting, 1980's, so this obviously reflects on the daily stuff. I was in my early twenties at that time, so it's kind of a trip down to memory lane : faxes -phone boots - paper files, but unfortunately not only that, but also people's attitude towards homosexuality and the fear of the new killer HIV, I would say our world has improved on that over the last couple of years.
About the story itself, as expected, I am being dragged into the story nearly immediately. I can relate to the newcomer on the force, adapting to live in the big city. Even though this book might be slightly more detailed than the other series, I really enjoyed reading 'The quiet kill' a lot.
Thanks a million @RobertBryndza for allowing me to preread via Netgalley !
I am absolutely looking forward to the next chapter of the Jamie series !

Thanks to NetGalley for the free advance copy. This review is honest and unbiased i literally read it in 2 days can't put it down.

Rob Bryndza returns with a brilliant new thriller that nails 1980s London and handles the HIV/gay community storyline with care. Rookie detective Jamie gets thrown into a murder case on day one with the Met, and having a fresh, unseasoned lead works really well. Bryndza doesn’t hold back - the plot is gritty, dark, and includes some graphic scenes.

We know the killer’s identity early on, so the tension comes from watching Jamie and his team piece it together. The result is a well-crafted, tightly paced police procedural with short, sharp chapters that keep the intrigue high. It works perfectly as a standalone, but I’d love to see it become a series. Bryndza’s got another winner here.

One of the most amazing crime thriller books i read in a while! This book got me from the start, i love his writing style. This author is on my favorite authors list now!

Such a great book! A fast paced, tension building tome!

Set in 1980s London and the feel and trappings of that time were brilliantly illustrated. It also portrayed the confusion and misinformations surrounding the emergence of the AIDS epidemic.

All this atmospheric backing supports a very well paced storyline, which progressed perfectly and hsd a well rounded finale.

How I've never read any of Robert's books before I have no idea, but I will be picking out more! Excellent read 👌

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this excellent E-ARC

First in a new series featuring newly promoted Detective James Day Having arrived in London for a new job from Suffolk James is thrown headfirst in a dismembered corpse investigation.

A good police procedural depicting London of the 1980's and all that came with it, from homophobia and sexism in the police and public,and the AIDS epidemic.
A good read

What a brilliant start to a brand new series. Multiple murders, somewhat macabre although kept largely off the page, a police team stuck in late 80s hell with all the prejudices and assumptions of the time, and a corrupt press who will do anything to get a story. The bad old days, but ones which make for a hell of a lot of conflict, without even bringing into account the various crises of the day and an unintentional snafu by Jamie Day that almost ends his career before it can begin. It's the kind of book that pulled me in slowly, but certainly, capturing my attention, shocking and surprising me in all the best ways that you might expect when it comes to crime fiction. Just what I've come to expect from Robert Bryndza.

I like Jamie Day. He's got that kind of fish-out-of-water charm and a terrible sense of honesty and integrity that almost makes him too clean to be successful in his new role as a Detective with the Met Police. Certainly compared to one of his colleagues he has a much more appealing personality, and his occasional naivety and mistakes borne of best intention do make him rather endearing as a character, one I'm glad is now part of a recurring series. Alongside his colleagues, DCI Harry Dean and (W)PC Tracy Steel they make a tight team and Robert Bryndza has quickly set up a really great dynamic, if not always one that runs harmoniously. You get the feeling that Dean is looking out for Jamie, and despite a few hiccups between him and Tracy, that has the makings of a brilliant friendship too. We get to witness some of Jamie's former life too, which really helped establish his character and give context to the really big life changing decision he made to leave for London.

This is not the kind of book where the killer's identity remains hidden until the dying pages. In fact we learn their identity, sort of, but more importantly their motive, rather early on. I say sort of as a few key details are kept hidden until just the right moment, making the revelation all the more shocking in the moment, but perhaps rather fitting for the time in which the book is set. I liked that this is not a modern day thriller, shockingly being set in 1987 it actually qualifies as historical fiction, a depressing thought for those of us old enough to remember the 80s ...

The pacing is pitched perfectly, the suspense and the tension just right for this kind of complex investigation. It's not a high action story, but it still hits home. There are scenes that provoke shock and anger, and whilst not overly graphic in description, still have the ability to make the skin crawl. It is a familiar story, but with a less common angle and that is something that really struck me here. Switching up between the perspective of the police and that of the killer is something that is particularly effective in this story, and their abhorrent actions are all the more impactful because of their clear duplicity.

As a start to a brand new series this one ticked all the boxes and i'm really excited to see where Robert Bryndza leads us and the slightly less innocent than he was Jamie Day next.

Just one catch from Robert Bryndza is absolutely brilliant! I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended this one.

In a nutshell, the book follows newly promoted Detective Constable Jamie Day as he leaves behind a quieter life to join the Metropolitan Police. Before he has even settled into his new role, he is thrust into a disturbing murder investigation involving a killer targeting young men. As the body count rises, Jamie must prove himself to a sceptical team while navigating a city gripped by fear, prejudice, and uncertainty.

Bryndza keeps the tension high from the very first chapter. The short, punchy chapters and steadily escalating stakes made this incredibly difficult to put down. Every revelation pushed the investigation forward, and the balance between police procedural detail and suspense was expertly handled. I was thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading it - which wasn’t for long as I binged it across two days ..

Jamie Day is a fantastic protagonist - determined, relatable, and believable as a young detective finding his feet in a demanding new environment. The supporting cast is equally strong, with relationships that feel authentic and layered. The team dynamic develops naturally throughout the story, and I quickly became invested in their futures. I can’t wait to see what happens next for these characters.

It’s a gripping, atmospheric crime thriller that showcases Bryndza at his very best. The vivid portrayal of 1980s London, combined with the sensitive exploration of the AIDS crisis and the prejudices of the era, gives the novel real depth beyond the central mystery. Dark, compelling, and brilliantly written, The Quiet Kill hooked me from start to finish. There’s also mention of a kid (Felix) with a ZX Spectrum and computer magazines - that was basically me in the late 80s 😂

I’m thrilled that this is the start of a new series, and I'll be first in line for the next instalment 🙋🏻‍♂️

This is my 22nd Robert Bryndza book and it’s another cracking story. Again, massive thanks to Rob and Jan at Raven Street publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - I’m so grateful 🙏🏻

This was an unexpected find it is the first in a series and it is set in the 1980's at a time when AIDS was not as we know it today, it was a time I lived through so some of the information I could relate to.

It is quite fast paced and I really liked the main character, the police dialogue was very well written and would not cause offence today.

I am looking forward to book two.

It's 1987 and Detective Jamie Day is on his way to start his new job in London working for the Metropolitan Police, a far cry from his job with the police in his home county of Suffolk. Before he can even start his first shift the following day, he gets a call from the station to attend the discovery of a dismembered male dumped in the city and Jamie finds himself thrown in at the deep end on his first murder investigation. When more are discovered in similar circumstances, the team know they need to work quick as it seems they may have a serial killer on their hands.

When I heard this author was starting a new detective series I was so excited. Bryndza has long been one of my favourite crime thriller authors since I first discovered his Erika Foster series followed by the Kate Marshall series, so I was certain that I was going to be getting something special with this new one too and I was definitely not disappointed. Taking us back to the late eighties was a bonus as it brought back memories of being a teenager back then, with fax machines and cassette recorders the height of technology. The subject of AIDS and HIV was talked about a lot but people were ignorant as to how it was spread so it heightened the issue of homophobia which plays a major part in this book. The characters are well written, mainly likeable, apart from Liam, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them all better in future books. The crimes against these young men were hard hitting and the author didn't hold back with his descriptions, leaving nothing to the imagination. Once again Bryndza had me hooked fron the first page of this dark, chilling and compelling read and I can't wait for book 2!

I'd like to thank Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.