Bobbi caught a glimpse of the car, saw the blood splashed across the front seats, and felt the nausea rise up. It should have been her who was working last night, not Harriet. It should have been her.When a social worker is brutally murdered, Detectives Mike Nelson and Lena Overton are straight on the scene. But with a long list of potential suspects, can they work out who’s next before the … out who’s next before the killer strikes again?
It’s Lake Haven’s first murder in eighteen years, and the community is terrified – especially Bobbi, who was not only supposed to be on duty that night, but also has the same long dark hair as Harriet and drives the same blue car. Now Bobbi lives in constant fear that the murderer will be back for her…
When Mike and Lena make a link to a missing-persons case and uncover a wide-spread grudge against social services, they know they’re close to uncovering the killer – but can they connect the last few dots and stop him before he takes another victim?
An addictive, page-turning thriller that will keep you guessing to the very end. If you love Robert Dugoni, John Sandford or Karin Slaughter, Next to Die is for you.
Read what everyone is saying about Next to Die:
‘Wow, what an opening… dragged me screaming and kicking right into the storyline… A whole host of potential suspects and a minefield of clues made for a tense and bumpy ride in this gritty crime thriller… It kept me guessing right up until the end!… A gripping and compelling read.’ Chapter in My Life, 4 stars
‘Woah! What a brilliant opening to this story… dark and full on… It just pulls the reader straight in and then you’re trapped till you’ve finished… A bloody brilliant story with an action-packed, explosive ending that will make your jaw drop… I did not expect the outcome at all, a true shocker… I would highly recommend Next to Die to you all!’ Between the Pages Book Club, 4 stars
‘This is a brilliant book… It is a very dark thriller that I really enjoyed. A real page turner with an exciting plot. Highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer, 4 stars
‘This book is brilliant, you have to read it… I loved it and read it in one sitting because I had to know what was going to happen next… A brilliant read.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘A gripping story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. Would definitely recommend this one!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 4 stars
‘This is my first book from this author, and it won’t be my last. Next to Die is a gripping thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing what’s going to happen next. I would recommend this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 4 stars
‘Excellent book… Totally gripped me from start to finish… I was not expecting the ending at all. Read past my bedtime to finish this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Great book. Brilliant storyline and excellent main characters. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Many twists and turns and theories abounded in this book. It was like peeling away layers and kept me reading and reading more… I really enjoyed this book!’ Goodreads reviewer, 4 stars
‘Twisty plot and almost a surfeit of suspects… Next to Die is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.’ Goodreads reviewer, 4 stars
‘A well written puzzle of a mystery that will have you questioning exactly what is happening and who is the real bad guy.’ Goodreads reviewer, 4 stars
‘This is my second read by this author, and I am really becoming a fan… Well written – solid crime novel.’ Goodreads reviewer, 4 starsmore
From the bloody scene in the beginning of the book to the explosive ending, this book will not disappoint fans of T.J. Brearton. Harriet is found bloodied with multiple stab wounds and now Bobbi, her co-worker is fearful for her life since she is convinced that the killer may have actually been trying to kill her instead. Mike and Lena, the detectives on the case, are racing against the clock of a killer without a conscience, one who has a plan that they have to discover before more die. This is a taut and spine-tingling murder mystery that is hard to put down and horrifying at the same time. The detectives are portrayed as normal people who have their own problems in life but who decide that putting their lives on the line is worth it if they can save another social caseworker from a horrible death. The story of Bobbi is interesting but fades into the background against the ticking clock of the killer versus the detectives. This is a must read for fans of detective thrilllers and should be read with the knowledge that the killer is smarter than the average perpetrator and is absolutely dedicated to fulfilling his mission.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Next To Die by author T.J. Brearton Is about a horribly brutal murder of Harriet Fogarty, a worker with the Lake Haven Child Protective Services. She was working late and an unknown assailant slashes and stabs her twelve times. She is left alone in her car to bleed out.
Bobbi, Roberta Noelle, also works for Lake haven’s DSS and finds out that Harriet was murdered while working on a placement case in her absence due to illness. Is it her fault Harriet was attacked since it should have been her case? Also, Bobbi’s car is the same color blue as Harriets’, Could it have been mistaken identity?
I won’t post spoilers, but the twists and turns in the story will keep you guessing. There is more than one theory Investigator Bill Nelson has to work through. Was Harriet or Bobbi the intended victim? If it is Bobbi, then there may be another attempt. Information through DSS is hard to navigate due to privacy laws. Soon there is information that another DSS caseworker is missing from a neighboring town!
I enjoyed the book and the suspense is written well. I felt Bobbi was a bit naive for her age and experiences. Who is thinking about the possibility of marriage to someone after seeing them four times? I wanted to shake her, sorry. That was my only negative about the story. Bobbi’s quick dependence on Connor. But I loved the fight scene!! Whoop, she kicked Asssssssteroids!
Next To Die is a story which should have readers everywhere feeling more appreciative of the case workes in the Departments of Social Services. My heart was breaking for the children and then again for the caseworkers.
Very good suspense mystery!
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.