Sleeping Dolls — Helen Phifer

The beam shines around the dark room, lighting up the woman in sky-blue pyjamas lying on the couch. But she doesn't wake under the bright glow, she isn't sleeping at all... When a concerned neighbour reports a woman missing, Detective Morgan Brookes squeezes through the stiff front door to find the woman dead. At first, the case appears unsuspicious, but something about the scene unsettles Morgan. Every clock in the house has been stopped, every mirror covered, and the woman seems physically unharmed except for one missing lock of hair. Shirley Kelly was loved by her friends and hated by her ex-husband and his new wife, but they have an iron-clad alibi, and Morgan is certain that the scene-staging holds a vital clue. She's devastated to be proved right when another woman is killed, and her home arranged in the same way. The only difference is that the second victim has been stabbed, using a knife from Shirley's own kitchen... The team can't find a connection between the two women, but Morgan is sure that there is a deadly pattern to the killer's actions. She hunts through each woman's past until she finds the link: years ago, they both worked for a woman called Evelyn Reynolds, before tragedy struck her young family. But what has made them targets now? Morgan knows this twisted case is far from over, can she find the final clue before the clock stops for the next name on the killer's list? An absolutely gripping, mile-a-minute read. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Lisa Regan and Rachel Abbott! Readers love the Detective Morgan Brookes series: 'WOW WOW WOW!! What a hair-raising rollercoaster of a read this is! WOW!... just sensational!!... My stomach felt as if it were tied in a knot throughout and at one point my jaw dropped onto my chest and it took me quite a few seconds to pull it back in place! OMG!! What the...?? The ending couldn't be more breathtaking and surprising... A terrific crime thriller and I highly recommend it.' Relax and Read Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'My heart is still pounding hours after the last page. Oh my god what a heart-stopping read... I had chills... Easily in my top 10 for this year.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I read this book in one sitting... I was hooked from the first page... OMG what a case... a real rollercoaster of a read... will get your heart pumping. I absolutely loved it.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Literally blew me away... Another one-sitting book with tension and suspense, chilling and with plenty of heart-in-your-mouth moments. Yes this book is that good. A must-read.' Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'One of those rare books that really is unputdownable.' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Wow oh wow!!... How can I possibly write a review which shows how much I have enjoyed this book?... I devoured this gem in just one sitting. It completely pulled me in and was utterly impossible to put down... At points I literally shivered... loved it!! A definite strong five star read and one which is deserving of higher.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐