Chasing shadows is book 9 in the fabulous Erika Foster series and her most personal case. When a routine 999 call takes an unexpected turn when Erika Foster discovers a dead woman’s body after the ceiling collapses. But the flat itself is empty except of a film of cocaine residue. The drugs dogs are called in, which leads to a locker. When Erika discovers the owner of it. They go and visit them at their home. But Erika is shocked to find the partner of the accused is no other than Jerome Goodman, a drug dealer. Who 10 years ago was response for the murders of four Police officers in a drug raid. One of them that was her late husband, Mark Foster. She immediately arrests him, but when they see his formal I.D., it says his name is Kieron Bagshaw and he has never been arrested. But she swear it’s him and she is going to anything she can to prove them wrong. She wants justice to her husband and the others that have died. With the stress of it all her boss has forced her to take leave. But Erika is not the woman that takes things lying down and she starts her own investigation, with secretly the help of her team to find out the truth. I thank Raven Street publishing for this copy of Chasing Shadows. Mr Brydnza is one of my favourite authors and I always get excited when he writes a new book. This is another fabulous and addicted read by the author. It’s well written, with a great original storyline and the loveable characters of Erika and her team. This is another great page turner that I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait to hear what’s next for Erika. 5 stars from me.

What a roller coaster of a read! Everything you want in an off beat procedural. Erica Foster is an amazing DCI with a great team who support her when she is removed from a case for arresting a supposedly innocent member of the public. She is convinced that he is the gunman who killed her husband and colleagues and severely injured her 10 years ago. But proving it might be impossible. Unbelievably well plotted and written, it is a masterful example of writing and a great read.

I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Erika and her team. I agree with the author that the first book definitely needed a revisit and for this I am grateful. As usual this was a great plot and I couldn’t put it down. Although the first book’s plot is referred to this book does not rely on going over the same ground but is a fast paced mystery. I always enjoy the way these books are written and am thankful that the author will carry on this rather endearing character. I also enjoyed catching up with all her team and family. The twists and ending to this book were very well crafted and kept me guessing. Can’t wait for the next one!

Book 9 in the Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster series, and it remains as fresh and inventive as the first. The storyline begins with a collapsed ceiling in a flat, through which the neighbour below believes she can see a dead body. Erika is first on the scene and finds that the flat has been thoroughly cleaned, the smell of cleaning products being overwhelming. However, forensics discover cocaine residue coating every surface of the ceiling. Erika calls in the drug dogs, who lead her to a mysterious parcel locker on the outside wall of the property. Chasing down the locker’s owner leads Erika back where she never expected to be – staring into the eyes of Jerome Goodman, the drug dealer who murdered her husband, Mark, ten years ago. She arrests him on the spot, but there’s just one problem. His passport and his solicitor say his name is Kieron Bagshaw, and his record is squeaky clean. With top brass demanding she take leave to deal with her PTSD and even her closest colleagues questioning her sanity, Erika decides to use the time off to do some digging of her own. Trawling for clues through old newspapers, encrypted messages, and secret underground passageways, Erika makes a series of shocking discoveries that move Mark’s murder from cold case to active investigation, all while flying under the Met’s radar. The revelations will push Erika to the brink, forcing her to confront the trauma of her past and the truth about what happened the day Mark died – and who among her friends was involved from the shadows. And so it is that we are finally privy to the exact details of what really happened on that fateful day 10 years ago. This is another terrific read in this brilliant series, when Erika is finally able to confront those responsible for her husband’s death and those of her colleagues. We get to see a deeply emotional side to Erika’s personality this time around, and it’s great to witness the support of her dedicated team at this difficult time. Exciting, suspenseful, and one of my favourites in the series so far. Highly recommended.

Filled with frustrations, blind alleys, and absolutely diabolical plot twists, all at a breakneck pace. Definitely unputdownable! I dropped in at book9 but it is done so well it can definitely stand alone. I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital proof from Raven Street Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Jun 05, 2025 #ChasingShadows by @robertbryndza #DetectiveErikaFosterBk9 #NetGalley #RavenStreetPublishing @ibpalovesindies #procedural #crimefiction #britishdetective #departmentpolitics #PTSD