Chris Merritt

Natasha Mayston wasn't expecting anyone to knock on her door so late at night. And she has no idea that the face staring back at her is the last one she'll ever see... As Detective Dan Lockhart is called to a wealthy London street to investigate Natasha's death, he's startled by the similarity to a previous case. Noticing the cable-tie restraints and the tiny scratches on Natasha's wedding finger, Dan already knows what he will find if he looks in her mouth - the metal ball which choked her to death. He knows Natasha isn't the killer's first victim and is certain that he will strike again. Months earlier, Kim Hardy was found in the same position in a run-down hotel across the city - an identical silver ball in her throat. But Kim's murderer was caught and sent to prison - did they arrest the wrong man? And what connects the two victims? Fearing that he's dealing with a psychopathic serial killer, Dan calls in psychologist Dr Lexi Green to help him to get into the perpetrator's mind. Tough and smart, Lexi will stop at nothing to hunt down the man responsible for the deaths. Then, another body is discovered, just as Lexi finds a clue online leading to the killer. Dan's team aren't convinced, but in pushing Lexi away from the investigation, they force her to dig further into the case on her own. Convinced that she's on to something, she puts herself in unthinkable danger... but can Dan piece together the clues and identify the killer before it's too late? Fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Cara Hunter will love this thrilling new series from Chris Merritt. From an explosive start to a heart-stopping finale, you will not want to put this book down What readers are saying about Chris Merritt: 'Eeee. OMG! Ahhh! Where do I start? I have a new favourite author... a belter of a book!... I was so impressed, gripped, hooked and immersed. I don't have the words to describe how much I loved this book!' Between the Pages Book Club, 5 stars 'Brilliant... I absolutely loved... Addictive reading... You can't tear your eyes away... I was totally gripped... Absolutely blew me away... One of my top reads of 2018.' Ginger Book Geek 'Loved the book. It's edge of your seat reading.' Goodreads reviewer 'Had me hooked from the first chapter.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Chris Merritt can add me to his list of fans, as I loved this book, the plot, characters and most of all his writing... I couldn't put the book down, even when I was tired and wanted sleep, a sign of a terrific book!' Zoo Loo Book Blog

Knock Knock: An Absolutely Pulse-racing, Heart-stopping Crime Thriller

Freya loves her new home on a quiet suburban street. And her beautiful neighbour Emily is everything she’s ever wanted in a best friend. Finally, she has somebody to share her secrets with over a glass of wine. But as Freya watches her new friend setting the table for dinner one evening, she sees something shocking that makes her think that Emily’s life might not be as perfect as it seems. Days later, Emily and her daughter vanish… When you meet Emily’s husband, you will think you know what he’s hiding. You will ask yourself whether Emily and Freya really did meet by chance. You will think you know what happened to Emily and her little girl the night they went missing. But when you discover the truth, it will shake you to your core and you will lie awake at night wondering if you can ever really trust the people in the house next door… Fans of Claire McGowan, Shalini Boland and Lisa Jewell will love the gripping tension and unexpected twists of The New Home. Once you start reading, you’ll be hooked! What readers are saying about The New Home: ‘Wow!!! Wow!!!! Wow!!! This book is a total page-turner and will keep you guessing with every page. Halfway through I thought I had it figured out and then BAM! The ending floored me… I just loved this book.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘A heart-stopping read of determination against all odd… Had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath. Hang on for the ride!’ Nicki’s Book Blog ‘This wild ride took me surprise so many times. You think you know what's going on.... Then BAM it’s not what you're thinking!… WOW! Amazing, great, wonderful read!’ @oh.happy.reading, 5 stars ‘I absolutely loved this one. I was on the edge of my seat until the last page.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘So very, very good.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars What readers are saying about Chris Merritt: ‘I read this within 24 hours, it was that outstanding… An astonishing page-turner.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘I literally had shivers down my spine… Phenomenal and exciting!’ Carla Kovach, 5 stars ‘A totally gripping page-turner that crackles with tension – get ready to stay up late!’ Lisa Regan ‘Kept me gripped from start to finish… Gripping and nail-biting, a complete roller-coaster ride.’ The Reading Closet ‘I absolutely loved this book… Kept me on the edge of my seat… Fantastic.’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars ‘Utterly Fantastic.’ Carol Wyer ‘One of those books that once you start, you just have to keep on reading no matter how late it is… I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough… Totally absorbing and brilliant thriller.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book will have you in its grip and won’t let go until you reach that final page.’ It’s all About Books ‘Compulsive… Enthralling, exhilarating and a thoroughly gripping page-turner.’ Avid Readers Retreat ‘Brilliant!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Kept me hooked right till the end.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘An Incredible book.’ B for Bookreview, 5 stars ‘This is a hell of a read.’ A Knight’s Read ‘Another gripping and twisty book… I keep thinking the last book is my favourite and then the next one comes out and I like it ever better.’ The Enthusiastic Book Worm, 5 stars ‘A thriller you need to finish almost as soon as you begin.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘Another brilliant episode. Five stars from me.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist

The New Home

Stumbling to the ground, he claws at the earth around him, trying to stabilise himself, but his attacker is on him in seconds. As he stares at the lights of the bustling streets on the other side of the park gates, he doesn't even have time to shout for help before everything goes black. When the body of wealthy businessman Charles Stott is found dead on Wimbledon Common, covered in bruises just feet away from his luxury home, Detective Dan Lockhart is called to investigate the shocking scene. Examining the sickeningly disfigured body before him, Lockhart knows he's dealing with a brutal killer. Looking more closely, he notices something on the victim's neck: a small, crudely drawn symbol in black ink. It seems the murderer has marked his victim, but why? Dan needs to get inside the perpetrator's mind, so he contacts psychologist Dr Lexi Green. As the ensuing media circus puts pressure on Dan and Lexi's investigation, another victim is found and the headlines are quick to report a serial killer is on the loose. The body of a successful lawyer has been discovered in a park with the same bruising and hand-drawn symbol on his neck. Dan fears that more victims will follow. As the case intensifies, Dan uncovers a new lead on his missing wife, Jess, who disappeared eleven years ago. Determined to follow it up, he must choose between tracking down a serial murderer and finding Jess. Can he make the impossible decision before the killer strikes once more? Fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Cara Hunter will love this thrilling new series from Chris Merritt. From an explosive start to a heart-stopping finale, you will not want to put this book down! What readers are saying about Chris Merritt: 'Eeee. OMG! Ahhh! Where do I start? I have a new favourite author... a belter of a book!... I don't have the words to describe how much I loved this book!' Between the Pages Book Club, 5 stars 'Gripping from the get go... Impossible to put down once you start... A compelling read.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'My heart beating so fast! I couldn't believe what I was reading. It had me in shock. Every page, every chapter was a page turner... What a rollercoaster.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Oh wow... I am a huge fan of this author's work... These are the books that I love!... This book is just great, greater, the greatest!' B for Bookreview, 5 stars 'Loved the book. It's edge-of-your-seat reading.' Goodreads reviewer 'Wow! This is one of the best books I have read this year... Incredible!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Oh, this was good, very, very good... I was blown away... It's one hell of a good thriller.' Goodreads reviewer

Who's Next?: A Completely Gripping and Unputdownable Crime Thriller

Please forgive me for what I'm about to do... Standing at the school gates, he waits until the last child leaves the safety of the playground. And then he follows at a distance, keeping to the shadows. Only he knows what's going to happen next. In a quiet church, on a busy London street, 12-year-old Donovan Blair is found dead. His hands are clasped together as if in prayer. Just hours ago, he was happily playing with his friends at school, but now his body is lifeless, and his killer is long gone. Detective Dan Lockhart is working alone on his wife's missing person's case when he receives a call telling him to get to the crime scene at St Mary's Church immediately. Bringing in psychologist Dr Lexi Green to help profile the murderer, Dan is convinced that the killer has provided a clue by leaving the body in a prayer position, and Lexi agrees. As they try to get into the mind of the person responsible, another victim is found. A 13-year-old girl, left in a different church, posed in exactly the same way. Fearing the murderer may already have another child in his sights, Dan and Lexi work together to establish links between the two deaths, and soon discover that not only were both children in care - they had attended the same school. And when it emerges that Lexi's new boyfriend works there, things become difficult between her and Dan. How much can he tell Lexi about the case? And could she be at risk? As Dan makes a breakthrough in the investigation, he receives devastating news about his wife, Jess. But with children's lives at stake and Lexi in danger, Dan must put his personal emotions aside and chase the killer. Can he and Lexi work out who is behind the murders before another vulnerable child is taken? This nail-biting crime book is perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Lisa Regan and Robert Dugoni. Once you pick up Lost Souls, you won't be able to put it down! What readers are saying about Lost Souls 'A totally gripping page-turner that crackles with tension - get ready to stay up late!' Lisa Regan, author 'I read this within 24 hours... It was outstanding... An astonishing page-turner.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'An Incredible book.' B for Bookreview, 5 stars

Lost Souls: An Absolutely Gripping Crime Thriller with Nail-biting Suspense

The lifeless body sat, hands bound, silver tape over his mouth. Patches of blood had soaked into the cheap carpet around him. Zac had spent years gaining scientific insight into the mind: human motivation and behaviour. And this scene wasn't right... It's been five years since Detective Zac Boateng's daughter was murdered and her killer was never found. Now Zac is back working for the Metropolitan Police and is more determined than ever to bring the city's killers to justice. When a man is found brutally murdered in a rundown south London shop, all fingers point to the highly intelligent and manipulative Darian Wallace. Two years ago, the victim helped send him to prison. And he's just been released. Still grieving, Zac knows it will take everything he's got to catch this dangerously clever killer. But just as he feels he's getting closer, he realises all is not quite as it seems and he makes a devastating personal discovery. Zac has a choice to make - risk letting this killer escape or watch his daughter's murderer get away again... An absolutely gripping thriller for fans of Mark Billingham, Peter James and Lee Child. The Murder List is one fast-paced thriller you won't be able to put down. What readers are saying about The Murder List: 'Wow, what a fantastic book. It started out with absolute tragedy for Zac and the tension just kept building right throughout the book. It was the kind of book that kept me turning the pages not wanting to put the book down because I had to see what was going to happen next. I loved the characters in this book and the plot line was interesting and captivated me. A really good read, can't wait for the next one in the series.' Bonnie's Book Talk 'It goes beyond being just another crime novel and is more like an action-packed thriller at times. There's a lot going on in The Murder List and I loved it all. It was a fantastic and gripping read from start to finish, and I am truly excited to continue with this series to see what Chris Merritt comes up with next.' Goodreads Reviewer 'It is the character and flaws of Boateng that set The Murder List above the average thriller.' Goodreads Reviewer 'An exciting read with plenty of twists and turns. I like nothing better than a good police procedural so I loved those aspects of the novel where the search for Darian marries modern policing with instinct and experience. They don't always get it right but it makes for fascinating reading as it seems a very realistic portrayal of modern policing.' Goodreads Reviewer

Chris Merritt

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