The Night Stalker

This is my second Erika Foster book, and I'm hooked.

Erika could be described somewhat as a female Harry Bosch. She's like a dog with a bone and puts 100% into the case she's working on, even when she's ordered to stand down. She's good, but her unpredictability doesn't always go over well with the higher-ups, and that fact doesn't go over well with her. I think she's unfairly treated, much like Bosch.

In this one, she should have been hailed as a hero on at least two different fronts, but was instead just grudgingly acknowledged by those above her, although those below her are always supportive. That's what makes the story interesting.

Erika is a bit of a loner, but she cares about others, sometimes even the law breakers. She even show more understands and feels sympathy for the serial killer and accomplice in this book. show less

The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza
Erica Foster series Book #2
4 ★'s

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 show more 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.

This is a series with characters that for the most part, show a great deal of promise of blossoming into one of the top detective series...IF...the author will consider toning down Erika Foster's disrespect for authority and heading out to carry out her own agenda in blatant defiance of protocol. She's not the only character that needs to be sat on...her supervisors...Oakley in particular...shows such hatred for Erika that it's starting to make the plots unbelievable.

In spite of the character attitude I have to say the book had a lot going for it in the "Must Read" department. It is indeed a real page turner that I didn't want to put down. Erika Foster's character and back story was intriguing enough that I wanted to find out more about her. The serial killer is intriguing as well...but I won't say too much about that. I believe one factor of a good author is the ability to make the reader experience a range of feelings. I diffidently found myself feeling very angry at the way Erika was treated by her bosses and some other police officers and pity at the life of the character known as "Duke". Overall, Mr. Bryndz I enjoyed your book and look forward to the next one. Just please, please make Erika a bit more likable. show less

Great believable characters

Yes, Erika is damaged but she is real. The is written with a consistency that assures the reader they can enjoy the story without making mental leaps to overlook holes in the story or character traits that did not exist in the first chapters. These people can develop friendships, have problems, at work, and feel anguish over familial bonds left to wither.

The story line is intriguing and Robert Bryndza writes a story in the true sense. It makes sense and is complete. The evil doer is flawed but the story flows along taking the reader through the scenes without the story becoming maudlin or trite. Thematically Robert seems to be showing us that not every bad guy is all bad and that we, as humans, can understand show more the darker motives that can come unloosing and propel someone forward into a nightmare. The intelligent part of this theme is that, without hitting the reader over the head with this idea, there is always a choice, a point at which the individual chooses to let the inner turmoil take over and damn the results. show less

This is the second book in the DCI Erika Foster Series and it was just as good if not better than the first. Erika Foster is a woman who trusts in her instincts even when it gets her in trouble. She is impulsive, speaks her mind and is a strong, gutsy character. She engenders loyalty in her co-workers as they see how dedicated she is. Once again, she puts herself, her life and her career on the line to find a serial killer, who becomes known in the press as "The Night Stalker".

This story starts with a bang, as a well-known and respected doctor is drugged and murdered in his home. Erika and her team are called in, but hit a wall. As more murders pile up, it is easier for the higher ups to transfer the cast to another team and pick an show more easy suspect. Erika, although told to take a vacation, once again investigates off the books. The story is told from Erika's perspective as well as from the culprit, a black-clad figure involved in the first murder. I do not want to spoil the plot so that is about all I will say about the story.

The characters continue to evolve (Moss, Peterson, Isaac Strong, Marsh and even Erika). We see a bit more of their backgrounds and home life. Once again the detested Stark shows up in the story and causes Erika more problems. Bryndza does a great job with the serial killer as well. What we find out about the killer's past makes you almost like this psychotic killer. The ending brings everything into the open and ties up any loose ends you might have had. A wonderful addition to the series and I would recommend this book to any and all lovers of Police Procedurals, Mystery/Suspense, and Serial killer stories. show less

Incredibly well written, this is a deep, dark tale of a serial killer who systematically targets specific professionals as she in advance enters their homes to get the lay of the land and then returns at the appointed time.

The methodical planning and execution of her rage is riveting. Another book, though not as dark as Tony and Susan by Austin Wright, it took me a tad out of my comfort zone, yet the story, the characters and the writing were too good to put it down.

The chief detective, of this London based story, is DCI Erika Foster. She gets the cases solved, but is not a rule follower, and this perpetually stops promotions. She is very aggressive, talented, intelligent and likeable.

As death number four occurs, Erika finds the killer show more while placing herself in grave danger.

An exceedingly well-written cliff hanger, I recommend this book highly. show less

The Night Stalker
4 Stars

An excellent follow-up to Bryndza's incredible debut, The Girl in the Ice.

In this installment, D.I. Foster pursues a serial killer who, at first glance, appears to be targeting random victims. However, as the bodies pile up and the clues emerge, it soon becomes clear that the motivation is all to personal.

While the identity of the killer and the reasons behind the murders are revealed quite early on, the police procedural elements make for captivating reading. Although some readers may be turned off by Erika's prickly personality and lone-wolf tendencies, her intelligence, resourcefulness and determination to uncover the truth despite opposition from the power that be make her a very appealing heroine.

One show more small nitpick is the METs eagerness to blame the pathologist despite clear evidence that something else is going on - a plot point that is obviously added to make the case more personal for Erika.

In sum, a well-written and suspenseful thriller. Looking forward to the next installment. show less

First off I would like to thank I would like to thank Net Galley, Bookouture and Robert Bryndza for gifting me an advanced copy of The Night Stalker in exchange for an honest review. I would have bought this regardless I have been waiting for it like an eager kid in a candy store.
Before I go into how fabulous this book is I want to tell everyone who isn’t familiar with DCI Foster to start at the beginning and buy GIRL IN THE ICE when you pick up THE NIGHT STALKER because they both complement each other so well you NEED both books in your life. I truly think that Robert Bryndza gives all crime thriller writers a run for their money.
The story not only shows that his character development is flawless but I had a really hard time show more putting it down in fact I finished it in two days.
If the Night Stalker is watching, you’re already dead…
Just when I thought the story could not get better WOW
In this beautiful continuation we fallow DCI Erica Foster as she heads up the investigation in search of a brutal serial killer. The first few pages pull you into the story that you just have to see how it will unfold. Since Robert’s descriptive narratives are done so well you can actually see the story unfold right before your eyes and that is the best thing for a reader to be able to feel like they can get lost within the pages.
An unknown killer breaks into a man's house and very methodically kills him. I'm talking covers all the bases; drugs him, cuts the power and phone lines while crushing the cell sim card, creeps back upstairs and waits for him under cover of darkness with a bag to complete the mission. After examining the evidence DCI Foster fears it is much worse than the rest of her team. One murder turns to three and the team is left chasing false leads and even accuses one of their own of the crime!
I don’t want to give away too much more of the story so I will say this if you like a strong, independent, intelligent woman working in law enforcement as your lead protagonist then DCI Foster will be a MUST READ. show less