Book Description
They are picture perfect. A young, happy family sat around the kitchen table. But no one moves as wisps of smoke filter into the room and the house becomes a burning grave around them…
When reports come in of a family trapped in a burning house, Detective Morgan Brookes rushes to the scene. But as soon as she enters the ruined home, she is devastated by what she finds. Tied to the kitchen table, Sally and David Lawson, and their young son, had no chance of escaping the flames and the smoke…
Neighbours all agree the Lawsons were the perfect family, and CCTV shows nothing suspicious. Morgan’s only clue is the silver crucifix necklace around Sally’s neck. Because according to friends, she wasn’t religious. Was someone passing divine judgement on this mother and her family?
Focusing on Sally’s last steps, Morgan gets the breakthrough she needs – just days ago Sally had confided in a friend that she felt someone was watching her. And when Morgan finds photos of Sally on her neighbour Luke’s phone, all the pieces slot together.
Only then another local woman reports feeling watched. Nothing seems to link her to Luke, but Morgan can’t ignore it. Could the killer still be out there? Going deeper into Sally’s past and uncovering the killer’s motivations is her only chance to save more innocent lives, but can she solve the twisted puzzle in time?
BOOK REVIEW
Review for 'Their Burning Graves' by Helen Phifer.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Helen Phifer, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 19th December 2022.
This is the tenth book I have read by this author. It is also the eighth book in the 'Detective Morgan Brookes' series but can be read as a standalone. I have also read 'Silent Angel' (book 7 in this series), 'Sleeping Dolls' (book 6 in this series) 'Find The Girl' (book 5 in series), 'First Girl To Die' (book 4 in this series), 'The Hiding Place' (book 3 in this series) , 'The Girls In The Lake' (book 2 in the 'Beth Adams series),' The Killer's Girl' (book 2 in this series) and 'One Left Alive' (the first book in this series) and 'LakeView House' (standalone) and would recommend them all.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A completely addictive and gripping crime thriller! Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.' I am a huge fan of all three of this authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Helen and if this is half as good as 'Silent Angel' (book 7 in this series), 'Sleeping Dolls' (book 6 in this series) 'Find The Girl' (book 5 in series), 'First Girl To Die' (book 4 in this series), 'The Hiding Place' (book 3 in this series) , 'The Girls In The Lake' (book 2 in the 'Beth Adams series),' The Killer's Girl' (book 2 in this series) and 'One Left Alive' (the first book in this series) and 'LakeView House' (standalone) it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 51 chapters. The chapters medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Cumbria, UK 🇬🇧 The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually been on holidays to Cumbria so it will help me picture everything.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Detective Constable Morgan Brookes and Detective Sergeant Ben Matthews The benefits of third person perspective with multiple perspectives are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
Wow!!! Just Wow!!! I did not see that one coming!!! Yet another absolutely unputdownable page turning book from the extremely talented Helen Phifer!!!
This book is fantastically written and such an addictive and compelling read. Excellent descriptions making it so easy to imagine what's going on. The book cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
The storyline is an absolute roller-coaster ride filled with suspense, crime, drama, red herrings and is an absolutely explosive psychological thriller that kept me up until late at night. I just could not put it down!!! I completely blame Helen for the bags under my eyes!! This is just one of those series that I have no idea how as each of them have been explosively addictive but Helen manages to make each one better and better!!! This is such a high accomplishment and it is exactly why I cannot wait for each of these fantastic books to be released. Whether part of this fantastic series or standalone Helen completely sucks her readers in to the depths of each storyline and manages to completely captivate them until the very last page!! . Helen completely emerges the reader into the storyline and there is just no escaping so be warned!! Do not start this if you have plans for the day 😂 It gets harder and harder to surprise me when it comes to crime books after reading so many yet Helen manages to do it absolutely every single time!!! Helen please let me into your secret as I have no idea how you do it but each book gets better and better!! The storyline itself was very realistic and Helen's police experience shines through when your reading. I loved the Lisa Rigan and Josie Quinn reference especially as I've not long finished 'The Innocent Wife', book 16 in the series, myself. To see my review of that page turner check out my blog. I couldn't wait to get stuck in to this book after the absolute bombshells Helen left at the end of 'Silent Angels'. On one hand I couldn't wait and yet on the other I was practically peeping through my fingers after Marc split the team up after they had already suffered the huge blow with losing Detective Des. Thankfully, the team manages to get back together after Morgan is in the right (or wrong?) place at the right (Or wrong?) time. This is another storyline that tugs on the heartstrings as we say farewell to Des at his funeral and see how the team coped with saying goodbye to Des while also investigating a murder of a family many of the team knew the mum of. This book really does go to show how one small mistake can have such a huge ripple effect and can ruin so many lives and affect others. It is always a strange experience reading one of Helen's books as her storyline and writing skills make you want to keep flipping the pages until the end but then when you get there your absolutely gutted as you have to wait for the next book in this absolutely fantastic series that ticks each and every box!!
Congratulations Helen on yet another absolutely addictive, unputdownable explosive success!! Your books keep getting better and better which is incredible as I have loved each and every one of them. As always, looking forward to the next installment in this epic series!!
Although this is the eighth book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
Clear your schedules as you won't be able to do anything else the second you turn the pages on this explosive action packed psychological thriller that will tick absolutely every box!!
I loved meeting all the characters again. They have definitely become like friends to me over these books and it's always sad to say goodbye to them. The characters are all very strong and the fact that Morgan and Amy are such strong females was definitely a bonus with me being female myself. I love Amy and Morgan and her relationship with Ben and would love to read more about her as always. I'd love to read more about Ben, Morgan and a few others actually. I am looking forward to seeing the relationship between Ben and Morgan progress and I liked the way they had quite similar histories. I also enjoyed the progression of friendship between Morgan and Cain who I really liked and enjoyed getting to know more in this book. I absolutely adore Cain who is such a sweet and kind hearted, not to mention sexy part of the team!! He has the perfect qualities of a police officer. I have always had fun watching the sarcasm and snipes between Amy, Morgan and previously with the late Detective Des. Although Cain will not replace him It I loved that Cain will be taking his place in the team. I've always liked Cain and am landed that we will get to see more of him. However, with Morgan's reputation is he going to be safe? Let's hope so!! After Marc made a stupid mistake in the previous book it was intriguing to see how he dealt with Morgan and the team in this one and I'm pleased that he admitted to messing up but he has a long way to go before he will gain my trust again. I absolutely LOVE Amy with her sarcastic say it as it is, larger than life personality and I loved meeting her again. I am looking forward to seeing her work along with Cain more. Declan the pathologist is another big character for me and I really love his funny yet caring and compassionate personality and always look forward to seeing him. I love him more and more with each epic, suspense filled addictive page turning novel in this series!! As always, I hate saying Goodbye to this amazing team whenever I come to the end of any of Helen's fantastic books and here's to hoping the next one will be out very soon!! Hint hint Helen 😉!!
Well done on yet another massive success Helen and here is to the next success in an amazing series 🥂 🎈 💐. This is EXACTLY why your one of my favourite authors and this is one of my top 3 series'!!! 😍
Overall another action packed, page turning, gripping, suspense filled edge of your seat must read by the legend that is Helen Phifer!!
Genres covered in this novel include Romance Novel, Thriller, Mystery, British Detective Stories, Suspense, Serial Killer's, Women's Detective Fiction, English Crime, Psychological Thriller, Hardboiled, Noir Fiction, Women Sleuths, Psychological Fiction, Police Procedural and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni, Rachel Caine, Carol Wyer, CL Taylor, Tess Gerritson, Lisa Regan, Rachel Abbot and anyone looking for an epic read.
284 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £7.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio
Helen Phifer is the Bestselling writer of the hugely popular Annie Graham, Lucy Harwin, Beth Adams and her current series featuring Detective Constable Morgan Brooks published by the fabulous Bookouture.
She lives in the busy town of Barrow-in-Furness surrounded by miles of coastline and a short drive from the glorious English Lake District.
Helen loves reading books that scare the heck out of her and is eternally grateful to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Graham Masterton for scaring her senseless in her teenage years. Unable to find enough scary stories she decided to write her own and her debut novel The Ghost House released in October 2013 became a #1 Global Bestseller.
She has written over twenty books in various genres, and you can follow her over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helenphifer/
Or find her over at www.helenphifer.com
Social Media
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Purchase Link
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BH52VYK9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1672319930&sr=8-3
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