Robert Bryndza’s "Chasing Shadows" is a slick, well-oiled thriller that delivers. As the ninth book in the Detective Erika Foster series, it also works perfectly as a standalone, even if you're new to the series, as I was. Ten years after a disastrous drug raid, Commander Erika lives with the lingering guilt and haunting memories of the incident. The operation, which she led, resulted in the deaths of several officers, including her husband. Erika herself was wounded, and the suspects remain at large. Now, during a separate investigation, Erika unexpectedly encounters Jerome Goodman, one of the primary suspects she had been monitoring. Despite his having iron-clad proof of another identity, she is undeterred and arrests him. This leads to his release by the department and raises questions about Erika's judgment, ultimately forcing her to take stress leave. The novel centers on her independent investigation, conducted outside departmental strictures. As she unearths new details, chasing shadows of the past, she starts to doubt her own culpability, suspecting the disastrous raid might not have been entirely her fault and that the suspects could be powerfully connected. The novel maintains a brisk, almost relentless pace, despite its detailed police procedurals, as we rush to the conclusion. While Erika's unauthorized methods and access to cautioned colleagues raise some questions, her spunk and determination are ultimately admirable. “Chasing Shadows” is an almost impossible-to-put-down book, a great way to kill a reading slump. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Chasing Shadows is book number 9 in the Detective Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza and whilst the outcome was fairly predictable the book overall was a good read and a worthy additional to a long running series.

Wow, wow, wow - Chasing Shadows is a cracker of a read. One that grabs your attention right from the start and has you rooting throughout for Erika and her team. What starts off as a murder case becomes something else entirely when Erika recognises a face from her past - the person who murdered her husband and other officers 10 years ago. Can Foster get justice for those that died? The authors writing here is exceptional, it is very engaging, with lots of tension, thrills and suspense. The best book in the series so far in my opinion. The plot line is well thought out with lots of different threads that all start to come together beautifully towards the end. I love how the story moves from past to present times flawlessly and can honestly say there isn't anything I can fault with this read. It really hit the mark with me and I didn't want to put it down. Well done Rob Bryndza. 4.5 stars

Number nine in the Erika Foster series and yet another page turner. In this book we get to know the back story of Erika and the reason for her move from Manchester to working with the Met in London. A really captivating story, fast paced and full of tension, with great characters and a well thought out plot. The books in this series are good standalones, with only the odd reference to other cases. With the background explanations this book is also a perfect standalone, though why not read the others, they are all very good!! An exciting read, roll on the next one!

Full disclosure, I came into this series with this book (#9), but I was able to pick up with the narrative fairly easily. The storyline was fine. I admired Erika for her tenacity to bring her husband's (and her colleagues') justice for their deaths. The villains were especially intelligent and heinous. My only issue in the book was a disconnect with the characters in general...and I don't think that was from joining the cast later in the series. Other than applauding Erika's determination, I really did not relate to her on any other level. She (and basically the ensemble cast) felt one-dimensional, and there was not enough heft/development to their characters' personalities that I felt like I knew and understood them. And as a character-driven reader I felt let down and dare I say a little bored as I had so little invested in them overall. I'm sure that others will enjoy this book, but it just did not meet my expectations. My thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing the free early arc of Chasing Shadows for review. The opinions are strictly my own.