‘It’s going to be slow,’ he said, ‘but they’re saying I’ll make a full recovery. Who’d have thought that you can live without forty per cent of your stomach?’ He shifted awkwardly in the bed and grimaced.
‘I would kill to have forty per cent of my stomach removed. Have you seen the size of my arse!’ said Moss. There was another awkward silence. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘But you’re my best friend, and I’m just relieved you’re going to be okay, and I make jokes cos I don’t know what else to say.’ She pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes.
Erika reached over and took Moss’s hand. ‘It’s okay,’ she said. Moss grinned.
‘Stop it, I’m fine,’ she said. ‘Now, what did you bring him? I was told no grapes, now he has less room for stomach acid.’
‘I brought my favourite book,’ she said, taking the copy of Wuthering Heights from her handbag and giving it to Peterson.
‘Thanks,’ he said.
‘I know it might seem an odd choice, but it was the first proper book I read when I learned to speak English, and it blew me away. The love story, the atmosphere. I thought you could do with a little escapism. I know I could. I was thinking of rereading it.’
‘Then I don’t want to take your copy,’ he said, going to hand it back.
‘No, that’s new. I bought it for you.’
‘Maybe we should read it together, at the same time,’ he said. ‘Sort of like a convalescent book club.’
‘Sounds good.’ She smiled.
* * *
When Peterson grew tired, Erika and Moss said goodbye, promising to visit him the following day. When they emerged from the hospital into Goodge Street it was busy with traffic, and they decided to walk down to Charing Cross.
‘I’ve been formally offered superintendent,’ said Erika, as they passed a coffee shop where several women sat shivering outside at tables smoking cigarettes.
‘Bloody hell! That’s great,’ said Moss.
‘Is it? I don’t know.’
‘You don’t know!? You quit in protest the last time you were overlooked for promotion, and now you don’t know?’
‘Of course I want it, but what about life?’
‘What about life? Life is what happens when you’re making other plans. Take the promotion. You’ll be the first non-arsehole that gets to that rank for a long time.’
Erika laughed. ‘What if I turn into an arsehole?’
‘Then I’ll tell you.’
‘Okay. Deal,’ said Erika.
‘Right, now we’ve got that sorted, let’s have a drink. A big fat bloody drink. We’ve certainly earned it.’ Moss took Erika by the arm and led her into the first pub, adding: ‘And as my new superintendent, you’re buying the first round.’
A Note From Rob
First of all, I want to say a big thank you to you for choosing to read Last Breath. If you did enjoy Erika’s latest adventure, I would be very grateful if you could write a short review. It needn’t be long, just a few words, but it makes such a difference and helps new readers to discover one of my books for the first time. As with all stories, I started this with only a vague idea of how things would pan out. I didn’t intend to write about social media, but I think it’s changed the world in so many ways that it’s something that will always fuel my imagination. So much of social media is great: we can keep in touch with relatives and friends thousands of miles away, it forms opinion, and it’s often an outlet for how we are feeling. But there’s a dark side, which I think we are all still trying to understand. Just be very careful what you put out there for people to see. You don’t always know who’s watching…
Now, speaking of social media, you can get in touch on my Facebook page, through Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads or my website, which you’ll find at www.robertbryndza.com. What do you think should happen next? Do you want Erika and Peterson to settle down and live happily ever after? And what about Erika’s past, surely that should come back to haunt her in future books? There’s still some unresolved stuff going on there, don’t you think? I love hearing your thoughts, and read every message and will always reply, but I promise not to snoop around your social media profile… Well, I’ll try not to :)
* * *
Robert Bryndza
* * *
P.S. If you would like to get an email informing you when my next book will be released, you can sign up to my mailing list using the link below. Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Rob’s Email Sign Up
@RobertBryndza
bryndzarobert
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The Girl in the Ice
Detective Erika Foster Book I
Out now…
* * *
Her eyes are wide open. Her lips parted as if to speak. Her dead body frozen in the ice…She is not the only one.
* * *
When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation.
* * *
The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London.
* * *
What dark secrets is the girl in the ice hiding?
* * *
As Erika inches closer to uncovering the truth, the killer is closing in on Erika.
* * *
The last investigation Erika led went badly wrong… resulting in the death of her husband. With her career hanging by a thread, Erika must now battle her own personal demons as well as a killer more deadly than any she’s faced before. But will she get to him before he strikes again?
* * *
A page-turning thriller packed with suspense. If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter, discover Rob Bryndza’s new series today – at a special launch price.
* * *
What people are saying about The Girl in the Ice:
* * *
‘I freakin’ LOVED it! . . . Once in a while a book stops you in your tracks . . . this is THAT book!’ Crime Book Junkie
* * *
‘I loved, loved, loved this book and Erika Foster is most definitely my kind of heroine. She is smart, tenacious, direct and passionate…I found the writing tight, evocative and enthralling. I CAN NOT wait for the next installment.’ Angela Marsons
* * *
‘A non-stop, edge-of-your-seat, rollercoaster of a thriller! The ending, oh the ending! My mind is still blown! This book does not disappoint!’ The Book Addicted Boy
* * *
‘Oh my gosh!...gripping, grimy, hardcore, thrilling…I was hooked!!!...I loved this book…You Have GOT To Read This!’ A Page of Fictional Love
* * *
'An intriguing web of lies, secrets and suspense. I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Foster and am already looking forward to the next book.' Mel Sherratt
* * *
'A compelling read – once you’ve started, it’s hard to put down.' Rachel Abbott
* * *
'Hands-down, one of the most exciting, dramatic, tense and compelling thrillers that I think I have ever read.' Bookaholic Confessions
* * *
‘Absolute perfection!…Boy are there some sharp turns! There were a few moments when I felt like I had it all figured out and I was so wrong! Fantastic book!…’ The Eternal Optimist
* * *
‘The Girl In The Ice is a brilliantly clever crime thriller…Had me hurtling at full speed, until WHAM!!!! with an ending that just totally blew me away! An absolute must read for all you crime fanatics out there.’ By The Letter Book Reviews
* * *
‘Engaging, thought provoking, full of suspense this is one murder mystery you won't want to miss.’ Erisea Magazine
* * *
‘With a g
reat plot that really digs into the depths of human nature and some fascinating characters that really were excessive shades of light and dark…The book keeps you guessing and on edge, you will think you have it ALL worked out, but the twisty reveal was very impressive, loved it.’ Book Lover Cat Lady
* * *
‘I found myself racing through the chapters…it has plenty of twists and turns, with enough red herrings to keep the reader captivated to the very last page, it's addictive, compulsive and much more.’ The Book Review Café
The Night Stalker
Detective Erika Foster Book 2
A chilling serial killer thriller…
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 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.
The global bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice is back with a heart-racing, electrifying thriller. If you love Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter, you’ll be hooked on Robert Bryndza.
Watch out for more from DCI Erika Foster.
Buy here!
Dark Water
Detective Erika Foster Book 3
Get the third Erika Foster book here!
Beneath the water the body sank rapidly. She would lie still and undisturbed for many years but above her on dry land, the nightmare was just beginning.
* * *
When Detective Erika Foster receives a tip-off that key evidence for a major narcotics case was stashed in a disused quarry on the outskirts of London, she orders for it to be searched. From the thick sludge the drugs are recovered, but so is the skeleton of a young child.
* * *
The remains are quickly identified as seven-year-old Jessica Collins. The missing girl who made headline news twenty-six years ago.
* * *
As Erika tries to piece together new evidence with the old, she must dig deeper and find out more about the fractured Collins family and the original detective, Amanda Baker. A woman plagued by her failure to find Jessica. Erika soon realises this is going to be one of the most complex and demanding cases she has ever taken on.
* * *
Is the suspect someone close to home? Someone is keeping secrets. Someone who doesn’t want this case solved. And they’ll do anything to stop Erika from finding the truth.
* * *
From the million-copy bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice and The Night Stalker, comes the third heart-stopping book in the Detective Erika Foster series.
* * *
PRE-ORDER NOW!
* * *
Watch out for more from DCI Erika Foster.
* * *
She’s fearless. Respected. Unstoppable. Detective Erika Foster will catch a killer, whatever it takes.
* * *
1. THE GIRL IN THE ICE
2. THE NIGHT STALKER
3. DARK WATER
* * *
Read what everyone is saying about the Erika Foster series:
* * *
‘I freakin’ LOVED it! . . . Once in a while a book stops you in your tracks . . . this is THAT book!’Crime Book Junkie
* * *
‘A non-stop, edge-of-your-seat, rollercoaster of a thriller! The ending, oh the ending! My mind is still blown! This book does not disappoint!’ The Book Addicted Boy
* * *
‘Oh my gosh!...gripping, grimy, hardcore, thrilling…I was hooked!!!...I loved this book…You Have GOT To Read This!’ A Page of Fictional Love
* * *
'An intriguing web of lies, secrets and suspense. I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Foster and am already looking forward to the next book.' Mel Sherratt
* * *
'A compelling read – once you’ve started, it’s hard to put down.' Rachel Abbott
* * *
'Hands-down, one of the most exciting, dramatic, tense and compelling thrillers that I think I have ever read.' Bookaholic Confessions
* * *
‘Absolute perfection!…Boy are there some sharp turns! There were a few moments when I felt like I had it all figured out and I was so wrong! Fantastic book!…’ The Eternal Optimist
* * *
‘The Girl In The Ice is a brilliantly clever crime thriller…Had me hurtling at full speed, until WHAM!!!! with an ending that just totally blew me away! An absolute must read for all you crime fanatics out there.’ By The Letter Book Reviews
* * *
‘Engaging, thought provoking, full of suspense this is one murder mystery you won't want to miss.’Erisea Magazine
* * *
‘The Night Stalker is dark, fast-paced and shot through with wit and psychological insight. I couldn't put it down.’ Mark Edwards
* * *
‘Erika is fast becoming one of my favourite detectives…I absolutely loved this heart-pounding, fast-paced, chilling crime thriller.’ The Book Review Café
* * *
‘Just when I thought it couldn't get any better...From the first page, we're sucked in with tension that had me holding my breath.’ The Suspense is Thrilling Me
* * *
'Intense, suspenseful, and clever... a gripping page turner that is disturbingly real, and I highly recommend it.' What's Better Than Books?
* * *
'A truly fantastic and exciting serial killer chiller!' Booklover Catlady
Also by Robert Bryndza
The DCI Erika Foster crime thriller series
The Girl in the Ice
The Night Stalker
Dark Water
Last Breath
* * *
Standalone Romantic Comedy Novels
Miss Wrong and Mr Right
Lost In Crazytown
The Coco Pinchard romantic comedy series
The Not So Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard
Coco Pinchard’s Big Fat Tipsy Wedding
Coco Pinchard, the Consequences of Love and Sex
A Very Coco Christmas
* * *
Coco Pinchard’s Must-Have Toy Story
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Oliver Rhodes and the fantastic team at Bookouture, you are all such a joy to work with. Thank you to Kim Nash for all your amazing hard work promoting our books, and for being there for all us authors, with your love, kindness and good humour. Special thanks to my brilliant editor, Claire Bord. I love working with you, and your notes and ideas always take my work to the next level, and help make it the best it can be.
Thank you to Henry Steadman for another incredible cover, and special thanks as ever to former Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett at www.policeadvisor.co.uk, for advising me on police procedure, and for ensuring I tread the fine line between fact and fiction. Any liberties taken with fact are mine.
Thank you to Maminko Vierka for all the love and support and lots of laughs, and a mahoosive thank you to my husband, Ján, who keeps the wheels turning so I can concentrate on writing, and to Ricky and Lola for keeping my feet on the ground, and toasty warm. I couldn’t do any of this without your love and support.
And lastly, a great big massive thank you to all my wonderful readers, all the incredible book groups, book bloggers and reviewers. I always say this, but it’s true, word of mouth is such a power
ful thing, and without all your hard work and passion, talking up and blogging about my books, I would have far fewer readers.
Published by Bookouture
* * *
An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
Last Breath Page 29