The Night Stalker (Erika Foster, #2)

by Robert Bryndza

[Leah]

Erika Foster is back! Book two of Robert Bryndza’s brilliant D.I. Erika Foster series is The Night Stalker and is just as brilliant, if not better, than The Girl in the Ice. There’s a serial killer on the loose, taking down a doctor and a TV star, just for starters and it’s up to Erika and her team to find the killer before they strike again! The Night Stalker is a brilliant addition to the Erika Foster series and come the end of this novel, I’m faintly curious as to where things go next for Erika and co (and I’ll find out soon enough because I can’t wait to dive into book three!).

First off, let’s get the stuff out the way that I wasn’t a fan of. Namely the fact that after everything Erika goes through in The Girl In The Ice, she goes and does THE EXACT SAME THING HERE. I can’t specify what that is, but it’s damn annoying. Like, girl, learn your lesson! Being a wild cannon works one time, but any more than one time becomes a liability and while I can let it go a second time, if the same thing happens in book three, I am outta there. No, I don’t agree with what led to Erika going all loose cannon on the book, but there has to be a middle ground that doesn’t end up with me rolling my eyes because ERIKA IS GOING TO GET HERSELF IN DEEP TROUBLE.

And breathe. Apart from that minor irritation (and it was minor, but it is also worth pointing out) I loved The Night Stalker. It was a bit same-y in relation to The Girl In The Ice, but I think as Erika and her team find their feet more (???), it’ll allow for more exploration into their personal lives as well as focusing on the case each book. I loved that we saw more of Isaac this time around. I’m also curious if I should be shipping Fosterson!?!??!!?! IS THAT GOING TO BECOME A THING? Especially since I love Peterson, he’s my fave. I can get on board with that ship.

All shipping jokes aside, The Night Stalker was yet another gripping read. I love Erika and her team, I like how they (mostly) gel together (although Marsh needs to get his head in the game! Back your DCI, DUDE) and I just love this team. Which also makes me terrified, because authors can be cruel, cruel people. Don’t be cruel, Bryndza. Keep the team together. I am a massive, massive fan of Robert’s writing – he knows how to keep you hooked with snappy chapters that keep you reading just one more, until you finish the book. I can’t wait to dive into book three and see what Erika gets herself up to this time….