Review of "Cold Blood: A Detective Erika Foster Mystery" by Robert Bryndza

In this 5th book in the 'Detective Erika Foster' series, Erika is after a killer who dismembers victims. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

As the story opens, DCI Erika Foster and DI Kate Moss hurry to the scene when a suspicious suitcase washes up along the Thames River. The suitcase contains the body of a man who was beaten to death, decapitated, and dismembered. The man's stomach is found to contain fifty condoms filled with cocaine, apparently left there by the killer.



The crime is similar to an incident the week before, when the Thames chucked up a suitcase containing the body of a woman who was beaten, decapitated, and dismembered. The cases are clearly linked, and Erika's boss - Superintendent Melanie Hudson - wants to kick them both over to the narcotics unit. But Erika, who's like a bulldog when she gets a case, persuades Melanie to let her head the investigations.



This turns out to have unfortunate consequences for Erika. A leak from law enforcement circles results in gang-bangers trying to steal the cocaine-filled condoms, and Erika is seriously injured as a result.



During her recuperation the DCI visits relatives in her native Slovakia: her sister Lenka, brother-in-law Marek, and their three children. We see a softer side of Erika as she plays with her nephew and nieces, who adore her. I find it amusing that Marek works for the Slovakian mafia, but Erika turns a blind eye because 'she's not a copper in Slovakia.' LOL 😊



After Erika returns to London another dismembered body shows up, and the DCI gets back on the case. I enjoyed the police procedural details of the investigation, which point the detectives in the right direction.

In a parallel story line we follow Nina Hargraves and Max Kirkham, who meet while working at Santino's fish and chip shop. Eighteen-year-old Nina is immediately infatuated with Max, a 27-year-old 'bad boy' with a muscular body and a sexy facial scar. Unfortunately Max is also a murderous psychopath who draws Nina into his life of crime. Max bullies and abuses Nina, and 'persuades' her to commit serious felonies against her better instincts.



Nina and Max have an extensive storyline and we see them interact with their families; engage in a threesome; hit a pedestrian with their car; shack up in a small apartment; commit murders; carry out a double kidnapping; go on the run; and more.

When Erika's health permits, she works the homicide cases with her murder team; consults with the forensics unit; visits her boyfriend, DI James Peterson - who's recovering from a bullet wound; interacts with her former mentor, Commander Paul Marsh - who's being reinstated after a year-long suspension; and thinks about her unfulfilled life. Thus we get to know a little more about Erika - a capable detective who doesn't always use good judgment in her personal affairs. This has repercussions in the story.



The book ends with a dramatic climax that's satisfying and believable. (I think a certain villain should have suffered more....but mum's the word about that.)

I have a comment which isn't a criticism.....just an observation. I've read a LOT of books lately where abusive men mistreat females. I wish the gals would show more backbone and fight back. It's deflating to see them just quake and take it. 😌

This addition to the series is well-written - with a compelling plot - and I'd recommend it to readers who like mystery/thrillers....especially fans of Erika Foster.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Robert Bryndza), and the publisher (Bookouture) for a copy of the book. 

Rating: 3.5 stars