The Bartells are back and still dealing with the aftermath of the fallout with the Chillcotts. Also not knowing where Nino is hiding.
Nino and Elena are stuck in limbo and scared of repercussions from both families.
Ruby is worried about her sister Amy and tackles Oscar Maplethorpe. She senses he isn't telling her the truth.
Duncan is a changed man since what happened with the Bartells, but is it a change for the good?
Karl is still in Amsterdam trying to make a new life, but haunted by things from his old life.

Knowing who the characters were made me fly through this book. Lots of twists and turns again and a few things I didn't see coming. Majority of the characters all end up in Amsterdam trying to catch out the others lies, but then still trying to hide secrets of their own. At some points I was on edge and wondering what was going to happen, especially between Ruby and Oscar.

Really hoping there'll be a third installment.3 s Sonja Charters1,316 77

This is the second book in the Bartell Crime Thriller series and follows directly on from book 1, The Feud On Dead Lane which I read earlier in the year and absolutely loved!

Knowing book 2 was on the cards, I've been eagerly awaiting getting stuck right in and was not disappointed!

I would definitely recommend that this be read together and after book 1, as we dive straight back into the action following the clash between the Bartells and the Chilcotts - Nino and Elena are stuck living in fear of reprisals from both sides - Ruby's sister, Amy, has gone missing and she's sure there's something suspicious going on - Barry and Johnny get wind that Karl is living in Amsterdam and head straight over, regardless of the trouble looming at home.

Having so many characters - and it being quite some time since my last read - I had to do a quick catch up on where we left off, but it was pretty easy to slot straight back into the thick of it.
There were some new characters introduced too who added a bit more to each of the storylines - but it was much easier to keep on top of everyone this time, having it all written down in front of me (although, I fee that having had that background from book 1, thia would have worked just as well in audio form too)

This was another gritty story and once again, I loved how down to earth and realistic this all felt.
Following the crime families rather than the police pov, we really do get to see the blunt end of the events and violence - but this works so, so well and makes a nice change from the standard police procedurals on offer.

We again see multiple threads and stories weaving around each other throughout the book, but these come together and culminate in the best way possible as we see how each connects to the other to complete the overall plotline.
I loved this way of writing in the last book and it again works brilliantly here.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Kirby's writing and have been so lucky to be able to read 5 of his books this year!
Definitely an auto-buy author for me - I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us in 2024!2 s Siobhain (whatyoutolkienabout)609 31

The amazing follow-up to The Feud on Dead Lane. This is obviously book two in a series and I would say that it cannot really be read stand alone. Thankfully while there are new characters along the way if you have read the first book this one becomes a lot easier to understand and read through. We already have an understanding of the characters, feuds, lies, crimes and dramas that tie them all together.


You can expect the same degree of realism and interesting characters. I did enjoy the change of scenery from the UK to Amsterdam where a lot of the characters do end up. Once again Kirby’s skill at combining multiple plots and characters in an overarching story shines through where everything is once again connected in a way that may not be obvious to begin with but becomes clear eventually.
A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. A must read for fans of crime thrillers and those who enjoy a brilliantly executed plot.2 s Sue Wallace 6,551 86

A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam by Robert W. Kirby.
A Bartell Crime Thriller Book 2.
A family divided. A sister seeking answers. One man driven by desperation. Whilst the Bartells deal with the fallout from their clash with the Chillcotts, and the betrayal from within their own family, another enemy obsesses over how they can take them down. Nino and Elena are stuck in limbo and living in fear of reprisals from both families. The pair lie low in Brighton, and Elena’s brother tries to mend some bridges on their behalf. But have things gone too far to forgive and forget?
This was a really good read. I did Ruby. Gripping read. I do hope there is more to come. 5*.2 s Hailey 261 62

A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam is the exhilarating and pulse-pounding follow up to The Feud on Dead Lane in the Bartell Crime series. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book and couldn't stop till I reached the crazy breathless ending. I read so many psychological suspenseful thrillers but get surprised at the end of every one. Every book plays line a limited series in my head and I wish more books would be made into limited series.2 s kirsty1,033 73

This was such a good book that I just couldnt put down. I was absolutely hooked right from the start it is such a gripping read.

It is well written and I loved being back with the characters, they are so well developed and i really felt i knew them.

The boon is well paced and full of tension which along with the twists kept me so engaged and kept me guessing all the way through, with a numb bum from sitting on the edge of the seat.

I really enjoyed it2 s Karolyn835 20

Here is my review for A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam by Robert W Kirby

This is a really intriguing book with several threads of stories all in one book, all centred around some families feuding and fighting. It’s very complicated but they are trying to come to a truce but some parts of the families are not happy with what has been agreed and want to go against this and sort it their own way. To complicate matters there is a missing girl and the sister is trying to find her and they come up with a mad idea to take someone to Amsterdam to try and get some answers from them as they don’t think they are being very truthful at the moment. It’s very interesting but you need to concentrate on who’s who in the families and who wants what if you want to follow the story. I enjoyed it as it’s multi-layered and keeps your attention. There are a lot of characters though to remember. It’s a good storyline. I haven’t read this series before and this is book two.

Blurb :

Whilst the Bartells deal with the fallout from their clash with the Chillcotts, and the betrayal from within their own family, another enemy obsesses over how they can take them down.Nino and Elena are stuck in limbo and living in fear of reprisals from both families. The pair lie low in Brighton, and Elena’s brother tries to mend some bridges on their behalf. But have things gone too far to forgive and forget?Ruby Mullard is searching for her sister, Amy. She’s sure her sister’s boyfriend, the smooth-talking Oscar Maplethorpe, isn’t being straight with her, and she becomes hell-bent on finding out the truth.Since his life-changing ordeal with the Bartells, Duncan has become bitter, unstable, and irascible. Now Karl needs his help with a scheme that might lead to more trouble. Nevertheless, Duncan feels obliged to support his best friend.The Bartells receive news that Karl is living in Amsterdam, triggering an immediate response. Barry and Johnny head straight to the city, seeking revenge, even though trouble looms on their own doorstep.Ruby is certain there is something very sinister behind Amy’s disappearance. But what lengths will she go to learn the truth? And what will the consequences be when she delves too deep?As old wounds are reopened, loyalties are pushed to the limits, and when events reach boiling point, nobody is safe in the face of an explosive climax.A Lethal Encounter in Amsterdam is the hard-hitting follow-up novel to The Feud on Dead Lane.
2023-reads2 s Helen ChristmasAuthor 9 books28

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