I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
First Girl to Die by Helen Phifer Also by this author: Last Light, One Left Alive, The Killer's Girl , The Hiding Place
Series: Detective Morgan Brookes #4
Also in this series: One Left Alive, The Killer's Girl , The Hiding Place , Find the Girl
Published by Bookouture Genres: Crime, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 207
Format: eARC
Source: from Netgalley
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Morgan shudders as she leans out of the window and takes in the familiar blonde curls and clear blue eyes of the fallen girl below. She knows this woman, and she realises with sickening certainty that her friend is now gone forever…
When Detective Morgan Brookes is called to the scene of a suicide, she’s devastated to recognise the young teacher sprawled out on the grass like a broken doll. She hasn’t seen Brittany for years. Not since the tragic death of Morgan’s high-school boyfriend ripped their friendship group apart. But when witnesses describe Brittany’s erratic behaviour and jumbled speech that morning, Morgan is convinced the fearless, life-loving girl she once knew didn’t jump of her own accord.
Traces of poison found in Brittany’s blood prove Morgan’s theory right, but no one can find the source. Then Morgan uncovers a distinctive jar in Brittany’s home filled with toxic herbs, and the sight of it turns her blood to ice. She has a jar just like it, a handmade gift from her aunt. Is this a coincidence, a set-up, or could the only person she’s ever trusted with her damaged past be capable of murder?
Then another woman from Morgan’s past is found, close to the scene of that fatal teenage party. Has Morgan been looking at this all wrong? Are these deaths connected to that deadly night? And how could someone from her own family possibly be involved?
With her aunt’s freedom and more innocent lives at stake, Morgan must dig deep into her painful memories for answers. Who else was there that night, and what exactly did they see? She must stop this twisted killer before any more of her old friends become new victims – but at what cost?
An absolutely heart-stopping and unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Lisa Regan and Rachel Abbott.
Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. This is the 4th book in the series but all can be read as standalone. I have read a few of Helen’s books now and I really like her writing style it’s so easy to be drawn into her books.
Trouble seems to follow Detective Morgan Brookes. I don’t know if she has a nose for it or if she’s just damn unlucky. I like Morgan because she’s so genuine and determined to find the truth. She has good instincts but always seems to get herself in such dangerous situations!
This case was such a shocker. I did not see the final twist coming at all. Helen did an excellent job of dropping clues and red herrings throughout the book. It was so hard to work out what was going on and why. Helen had me hooked from very early on in this book. I loved flicking between now and 5 years ago, weaving the past into the story to give us the context and background.
Morgan seemed to have turned a corner at the end of this book and I wonder what is going to be in stock for her next!
About Helen Phifer
Helen Phifer lives in a small town called Barrow-in-Furness with her husband and five children.
Helen has always loved writing and reading. Her love of horror films and novels is legendary. Helen adores reading books which make the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Unable to find enough scary stories to read she decided to write her own.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
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