THEIR LAST WORDS (Ray Paterson #1)
Available from AMAZON
Discover a crime thriller full of shocking twists by one of the most exciting new authors you’ll read this year.
A VICTIM. A MUTILATED BODY. A SINGLE WORD.
A young woman is found dead on the streets of London. Her throat slashed, her body mutilated, and one word carved into her flesh: “DON’T.”
Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson is assigned to the case. Young, handsome, and from a well-off background, he’s tipped for the top. He joins a team based out of Bermondsey, South London. It’s meant to be a stepping stone to his next promotion, but this case will threaten to bring down his career and everything he thought he knew about policing.
Paterson is put in charge of the dead girl’s investigation and quickly discovers he must rely on his friend and mentor, Detective Sergeant Dave Jordan to guide him through.
THEN ANOTHER BODY IS DISCOVERED. ANOTHER WORD CUT INTO THE VICTIM’S CHEST.
The police realise they may have a depraved serial killer on their hands. The murderer is trying to send them a message carved in his victims’ bodies. But who’s the message for?
How many more must die? Detective Paterson may be the only man who can stop this vile killer . . . if he can survive long enough.
This is the first in a series of action-packed, edge-of-your-seat crime thrillers, with an ending that will have your heart in your mouth.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A HEAVILY REVISED EDITION OF A BOOK FIRST PUBLISHED AS “THE SKY IS CRYING.”
My Review
I am a big fan of Joffe Books. Their books are usually fast paced with a minimum of padding and that suits me perfectly. I was very excited to hear Steve Parker was joining their talented team and was looking forward to reading this new release.
I wasn’t disappointed the book starts with a gruesome murder and zooms along at a very fast pace with plenty of action and insight into the characters along the way. Very human characters and Steve has skillfully managed to build curve balls into the characters as well as the story. The end result is an adrenaline pumping page-turner that I couldn’t put down.
As far as tick lists go this ticked every one of my requirements and some I didn’t know I had. Ray Paterson is a rich ladies man who is fast tracking up the career ladder. His life is a car crash. They say money can’t buy you happiness, well it seems to be buying Ray a whole lot of trouble and heartache. Some members of the team doubt his ability to be SIO of such a sadistic murder case which adds a new dimension to the story.
The team is made up of some very unique characters some I like and some I don’t but what I do like is the way the author has developed the characters so that they grow on the reader. I particularly like Clocks behind the clown exterior lies a very perceptive detective and this comes across perfectly. Jordan is the loveable one. The team comprises a very healthy mix of different personalities that MAKE the story.
I read a lot of crime fiction but I have never read one where you get about half way and wonder what is in the second half of the book only to find that it ain’t over yet the twists and turns and shocks continue right to the very end which is an edge of the seat breath-taking ending – WOW
An absolutely stunning read and I am really looking forward to the next book.
What the bloggers thought:
On the Shelf Reviews
This also has a little twist on the usual crime books, as the superintendent is one of the main characters investigating the murder. I can honestly say I haven’t seen before, usually they’re in the background making it harder for people to do their jobs. Also Ray Paterson is a bit flash, driving round in an Aston Martin wearing Gucci shoes and posh suits, coming from money he doesn’t really have to work either unlike your usual copper. Read more here
Linda Strong Book Reviews
This is the first in a series of action-packed, edge-of-your-seat crime thrillers, with an ending that will have your heart in your mouth. Read more here
Joanna Larum’s Reviews
Ginger Book Geek
Blimey oh riley, this was one hell of an unpredictable and scary rollercoaster ride of a read. The story hit the ground running and maintained the pace throughout. As soon as I read the first sentence I just knew that I was going to become addicted to reading this book and so it proved. For me ‘Their Last Words’ really is a ‘CPID’ (can’t put it down) book. Read more here
The Bookworm Drinketh
I loved getting to know the characters and Steve Parker did a great job at really getting you to feel the weight that the work puts on these officers and how they deal with it. Will they shut down? Will they deal with it with dark humour? Will they take to the drink? From the very beginning you wondered how these officers could go out there and do their jobs, seeing what they see. Read more here
Donna’s Book Blog
I really, really enjoyed this book – it was well written and it completely captivated me. I am a massive crime fiction fan and I love reading book from new authors to me and this one was a complete delight for me. Read more here
Robin Loves Reading
The first half of the book was a bit difficult for me as I am rather sensitive. But, once they had a bead on the killer, it then became a matter of locating him before he could continue to murder people. This fast-paced book truly became a page turner from this point on. I had a surprisingly emotional reaction to the shocking conclusion. Haven’t not read much crime fiction before, I was impressed. Read more here
Turn the Page Blog
My turn to tell you how brilliant this book is! I must admit it’s a bit got in places compared to some books I have read, but i think that’s what makes it interesting. Read more here
Orchard Book Club
A gruesome body on the first page and I was hooked. This book never takes its foot off the gas, as bodies turn up left right and centre Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson and his team have their work cut out for them. Read more here
Black Books Blog
I really got into this story very quickly with the murders as they were done in such a way that you would assume it was personal, or the killer is some deranged character who will kill more and lead the police on a merry chase, so I knew I was going to be in for a good ride with Paterson as he and his little team investigate everything. Read more here
Beth in a Box: Guest Review by Margaret Russell
You need your wits about you with this book. It is fast paced and the author has developed a strong cast of characters and a good plot, all dealing with a particularly gruesome crime that develops into a series of crimes. They are all committed by the same pertpetrator who leaves no forensic clues behind to help the Police out. Read more here
THE DETECTIVES
Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson, is a young and (thanks to family money) wealthy womaniser, separated from his model wife and tipped to be the youngest ever commissioner of police. He knows he’s weak when it comes to practical policing and struggles to find a place among his peers, desperate to be a good policeman and not just a ‘climber’.
Detective Sergeant Johnny Clocks is a foul-mouthed, working-class officer. He grew up surrounded by rogues and villains to become a first-class thief taker with the Met police. However, his childish attitude has short-circuited his career and he spends his days antagonising as many people as he can.
Detective Sergeant Dave Jordan is an old-school copper who trusts his instincts but relies on evidence. He is typical in that his marriage has broken down and he’s been unable to form a relationship since.
THE AUTHOR
Steve Parker is a retired police officer who served for 20 years in numerous high-profiles squads.
THE SETTING
Bermondsey is an area of London nestled on the banks of the River Thames. It once had a reputation for housing more armed robbers, murderers and career criminals than anywhere else in the country. Now one of the most upmarket places to live and work in London, it has all but severed itself from its working-class roots. Home to the iconic Tower Bridge and crammed with expensive apartments, art galleries, fancy restaurants and famous residents. But for the police, those who truly know, Bermondsey never lost its roots . . . or its reputation.
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