The Girl's Last Cry: A totally gripping and addictive serial killer thriller (Detective Lexi Bennett, #2)

by Alison Belsham

• ISBN10: 1837901139
• ISBN13: 9781837901135
• Publish Date: 11 July 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Bookouture
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 394
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Girl’s Last Cry by Alison Belsham is the second book in her gripping Detective Lexi Bennett series. The well-developed mystery within this latest installment will hook readers of thrilling police procedurals.

Since her return home to head up Canterbury’s Major Investigation Team, Lexi has been inundated with case after case. While her team is tying up loose ends on a current investigation, another bizarre case lands at her feet. One of those rare moments when she got some time to relax, Lexi took a leisurely walk on the Canterbury streets. While enjoying her walk, she heard screams. Following the sound of the screams led her to a gruesome discovery: the body of a female teenager lying on the ground.

The victim’s parents say she had everything to live for and would not have jumped to her death. Lexi’s nephew was friends with her and he refused to believe she would take her own life. But then how do you explain the suicide note? However, the death of another teenager and the accompanying suicide note prompts Lexi to dig deeper.

The story in this installment touches on the dangers of the internet, with emphasis on the dark web. It also touched on mental health. Lexi works hard to solve the mystery behind the apparent suicides. The fact it involved teenagers hit her hard given her past and which made her determined to discover the truth. The case took on a personal nature when her nephew got caught in the middle of the disturbing events.

Lexi’s determination and diligence once again came to light. Although she made a few questionable choices, one would not expect from an experienced investigator. The mystery kept me on my toes. It took most of the story to figure out the identity of the mastermind. However, as the clues came together, both the identity and motive became clear.

The Girl’s Last Cry delivered a clever, suspenseful and engaging tale with some interesting twists. Fans of police procedurals will want to pick up this latest mystery by Belsham.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Jeff Sexton]

Pulse Pounding Criminal Innovation. This is the book that cements the Lexi Bennett series as must read, as it starts off feeling a touch like a disaster flick - everything is normal-ish, except that someone has jumped from a tall building seemingly intentionally. Then the deeper into the story we get, we find an almost Kilgrave level villain (though to be clear - just a human, no superpowers)... and this is where the story *really* takes off, becoming ever more inventive, ever more cat and mouse almost perfect spy thriller type... except that this is a police procedural where murders are being investigated. The ending sequences are some of the most inventive and innovative of all, going particularly dark even. As in, I'm not sure even Preston and Child get *this* dark and twisted, even with Diogenese Pendergast. Which is high praise in that particular arena, because if you like that particular style... you *know* how good Preston and Child are there. Belsham here *may* have truly bested them. Seriously.

Ultimately, this is one of those tales that you're going to need and light and funny comedy to bring back your mental balance from, and for those that struggle with suicidal ideation... perhaps not the book for you until you deal with those issues. Still, very much recommended.