Books by Chris Merritt

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

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

';I honestly can't give this book enough praise without doubt being added to my top ten of 2018 an absolute must read I couldn't put it down.' A Booking Good Read, 5 stars As he watches his daughter turn the corner and out of sight, he hears the shots. He'd know that sound anywhere. He shouts her name. Silence. All he can do is run. It's been five years since Zac's daughter was murdered. Her killer was never found. Now he's back working as a detective for the Metropolitan Police, and he's 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. He's just been released, and two years ago the victim helped send him to prison. 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 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. Bring Her Back is one fast-paced thriller you won't be able to put down. This book was previously published as The Murder List What readers are saying about Bring Her Back: ';Wow What a brilliant debut. A fast paced, captivating thriller that will have you hooked throughout. What an opening to this story! Poor Zac! made me keep reading, kept me intrigued.' Between the Pages Book Club ';A fast-paced, action packed and exciting novel if you like Tania Carver, Stuart MacBride or Jane Casey then you must read this!' Goodreads Reviewer ';Exhilarating a pacy and tense ride... hugely gripping and exciting If you enjoy dark crime thrillers with plenty of suspense and intrigue then I highly recommend this book.' Hooked From Page One ';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 ';Amazing! Gripping from start to finish, with spectacular writing, pacy and tense, this book is nothing short of a masterpiece, carefully crafted to transport and mesmerise. A sublime story from one of the best new crime writers of today

What if you made one mistake and it came back to kill you? Detective Zac Boateng's old friend, Troy McEwen, is found dead in his home. The official verdict is suicide. But Boateng believes it was murder. And he thinks he might be next on the killer's list.If Troy didn't take his own life, then who did? As he investigates, Boateng discovers a link to an incident from decades earlier. Mistakes were made that day. Lives were lost and secrets kept. Until now…As more people who were there on that fateful day are found dead, Boateng knows that the killer is closing in on him…A tense crime thriller for fans of Lee Child, Mark Billingham and Mark Dawson. Last Witness is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that will have you hooked from the first page. What readers are saying about Last Witness:'I honestly can't give this book enough praise… without doubt being added to my top ten of 2018… an absolute must read… I couldn't put it down.' Goodreads Reviewer'This was an epic read. Tense, suspenseful and thoroughly gripping from first page to last. I loved the plot which was taut and intricate but not overly so… There were several effective twists and the pace was ideal… Dark and full of intrigue, a simply fantastic novel.' Goodreads Reviewer'A brilliant novel from Chris Merritt that I couldn't put down and I can't wait for the next part.' A Booking Good Read'A tense, fast paced procedural full of mystery and several good twists. It held my attention throughout and I raced through the pages, desperate to know the details of the 1998 incident… a compelling read. The plotting is skilful, the pacing excellent and the twists unexpected.' Goodreads Reviewer