Today I am delighted to be one of three stops on the blog tour for the fabulous second novel in the Erika Foster series, The Night Stalker. For my stop I have my thoughts on this brilliant novel as well as a quick Q&A with the very talented author also. Make sure to also check out the other stops today over on Chelles Book Reviews and Beccas Books.
Book Description:
If the Night Stalker is watching, you’re already dead…
In the dead of a swelteringly hot summer’s night, Detective Erika Foster is called to a murder scene. The victim, a doctor, is found suffocated in bed. His wrists are bound and his eyes bulging through a clear plastic bag tied tight over his head.
A few days later, another victim is found dead, in exactly the same circumstances. As Erika and her team start digging deeper, they discover a calculated serial killer – stalking their victims before choosing the right moment to strike.
The victims are all single men, with very private lives. Why are their pasts shrouded in secrecy? And what links them to the killer?
As a heat wave descends upon London, Erika will do everything to stop the Night Stalker before the body count rises, even if it means risking her job. But the victims might not be the only ones being watched… Erika’s own life could be on the line.
The global bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice is back with a heart-racing, electrifying thriller. If you love Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter, you’ll be hooked on Robert Bryndza.
My Thoughts:
The Night Stalker is the second novel in the Detective Erika Foster series. Fear not if you haven’t read The Girl In The Ice which is the first, as it reads extremely well as a stand alone. Of course as this is a great series and I loved The Girl In The Ice also, I highly recommend reading both.
With a stunning cover, I couldn’t wait to get started. It almost felt like I had been holding my breath since The Girl In The Ice and a huge contented sigh was released as I settled down to read it.
I actually feel like I know Erika a whole lot better after reading this novel. Even though Erika has her work cut out on a new case, the author still allows the reader the time to get to know more about her as well as the horrific event that has left her a damaged woman.
Erika is such a great character. She is strong yet flawed. She throws everything into her work and in to furthering her career. I think she needs her job more than it needs her at times. It’s like her safety blanket to give her something to get up for on a morning and to keep her busy to take her mind off what has happened in the past.
Even though the story is set during a heat wave, there is plenty to chill the reader as well as Erika and her team.
The Night Stalker has a great storyline that throws in a couple of surprises. Through the authors wonderful writing, he draws the reader in so that time seems to stand still in the outside world. He managed to fully captivate me, so much so that I was dragging my heels towards the end as I didn’t want to finish it.
This is a truly brilliant crime series that I can’t recommend highly enough. The Night Stalker made me feel like I had been swept up in a whirlwind and had me clinging on for dear life, only letting me go right at the very end. Only problem is, is that as I enjoyed the ride that it took me on so much, it has left me wanting more. It is proving to be one addictive series!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads rating 5/5 stars.
The Night Stalker is out NOW and available from:
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Quick Q&A:
The Night Stalker has yet another gripping storyline with a serial killer carrying out some pretty gruesome murders. Where do you get your ideas from as the way the victims get killed certainly had me gasping for air?
When I had the idea for The Night Stalker, I wanted to write about intruders, or as they’re called in America, Home Invasions. I also wanted to do something a bit different with the victims, make them male instead of female. This threw up all kinds of questions, as to how a man could be overpowered and killed.
There is a character called Stephen who just happens to be a crime writer in the story. Are you worried that people might think you have based him on yourself as he wasn’t very likeable was he?
That hadn’t crossed my mind. I created Stephen as a reaction to the kind of horror fiction I loathe, the exploitation, and torture porn. The stuff written with a sick enjoyment of pain and suffering. The character, Stephen gets off on writing in this way, and, well you’ll have to read the book to see what happens to him!
I was quite surprised with how ambitious Erika seemed as she is very eager to be promoted. She seems to be moving on with her life, is this what you wanted to get across to the reader?
Yes, I think it’s important for Erika to move forward with her life. There is also the conflict within her. Her commitment to the job is almost like a disease. She can let things go and becomes obsessed with solving her cases.
Have you started on the third novel and if so can you give us a sneak peak as to what we can look forward to?
I am sworn to secrecy! All I can say is that it will be another gripping case for Erika, and we will find out more about her personal life…
There were a few surprises in The Night Stalker, would you ever consider writing a psychological thriller?
Yes. I would love to. I enjoyed exploring the mind of a murderer in this book.
Writing a crime series must be quite tense work, what do you do for fun?
It’s very odd, I finish my writing day feeling a lot more positive and happy after a day of writing crime fiction. It’s the comedy writing that leaves me grumpy and tense. I love to go to the cinema, cook, and spending time with friends. I really enjoy hiking too.
bytheletterbookreviews 
I just finished The Girl in The Ice and really enjoyed it. If this is half as good it’ll be great and I’ll be reading it.
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its even better, you will love it x
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