I would like to thank Bookouture Publishing (I love what you publish) and the Netgalley website.

I loved the first volume, but the one even more so.

There is Melissa, the perfect wife and mother who loves her daughter, except that her neighbours find that something strange is going on in this house. Some people think she's cheating on her husband, others think she's into alcohol. Until the day the police and fire department woke up the neighborhood. She's dead. She's dead.

A breathtaking thriller, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns, eager to read on.

Her Final Hour by Carla Kodach is the second in the Detective Gina Harte series. This one takes place after the first one and the author did not hold back on this one either. After reading The Next Girl I was hooked. I truly did not think that another book would captivate me as much as the first one. Boy was I wrong. This one is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you enthralled in the book for hours. Melissa Sanderson is the perfect wife and mother. Or is she? Something is happening in her home that has the neighbors questioning everything. One night though sirens wake up her neighbors. What could have happened to Melissa, her daughter, or her husband? You really should read 5his one to find out. Hold on because you are going on a ride you won’t soon forget.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

5+++ stars ⭐️ out of 5

Thank you to Netgalley, the Publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion and review.

This is the second book in the Detective Gina Harte series, this book seems to take place not long after the last book but you in no way need to read the first book to follow this book; I wpuld recommend it though because the first book was great. This was an enjoyable read, I really enjoy the way the author portrays DI Harte. It's a good police procedural, well written with a great storyline, we seem to learn a little more about DI Harte in each book and she is a compelling character, I cannot wait to read further books to learn more about her.

In this book, housewife, Melissa has what appears to be a perfect life, a nice house, lovely little baby girl, and a wealthy husband who appears to take care of her every need; but that is what you see on the outside, on the inside, Melissa is a very unhappy woman who feels trapped in her life, she drinks too much and has a lover on the side. When Melissa is found murdered, tied to a chair in her dining-room, the suspect list seems pretty short, her husband has an airtight alibi but her lover, has none. The detectives soon discover this case is not as simple as it seems when another body shows up. Ellie, who was raped in the early 90s and tried to seek revenge for herself, is found murdered and a piece of evidence at the scene connects our two murders; but what could these women have in common? Then, when Detective Harte gets attacked and almost dies while trying to solve this case, things turn even more sinister.

This book is about things not being on the inside what they seem to be on the outside, a community of men who have one thing in common, keeping their wives submissive. I was surprised by some of the plot twists in the storyline but others seemed less surprising. Overall a good book, I would like to learn more about Detective Harte and her fellow detectives in the future. This book is very storyline driven and not as much character driven, but there will be more books for that, and I will be reading them.

DI Gina Harte returns in this second installment of the series. Carla Kovach has created a likable, genuine character, flaws and all. Her tenacity and determination to bring the offenders to justice is the power that kept the pages turning for me. This is a series and an author that I will definitely keep on my radar.

This book is the second in the series but can be read alone as there are catch up snippets throughout but I do recommend the first book as it is a brilliant starter.
I enjoyed this fast paced crime/murder, lots of interesting subplots including domestic abuse, coercion/control, PTSD and conservativism explored really well in the story and written authentically. There were moments where it seemed to lag a little but the ending was superb

I read and reviewed Carla Kovach’s first novel in the DI Gina Harte series ‘The Next Girl’ earlier this year. I absolutely loved it and I couldn’t wait to read the sequel. Well I didn’t have too long to wait because ‘Her Final Hour’ was released just last week. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy and dive right in. I am so glad that I did because bloody hell it is one fantastic read.
DI Gina Harte is allocated her first case as SIO (Senior Investigating Officer) and she is determined to do a good job and impress her boss , DCI Briggs. Her boss is also her secret lover, although the beginning of the book sees her call time on the relationship for personal and professional reasons. It’s clear that Gina has experienced trauma in her past in the form of an abusive husband. The husband died and Gina feels as though everything was her fault. Personally I don’t blame her for what happened. To protect her privacy she doesn’t like anybody getting too close and asking about her past. If anybody does get close, then the shutters come down and she closes them out. Getting together with her boss is a big no, no professionally and if the relationship was discovered one of the couple would have to transfer to another town and neither of them want that. Despite her past experiences and her present troubles, Gina is still one feisty, determined and ambitious career woman, who strives to do the best that she can for the victims of crime and their families. Gina is popular with her colleagues and she wouldn’t ask her team to do anything that she wasn’t happy to do herself. She definitely mucks in to do her fair share of the workload. Will Gina put her personal demons behind her? Will Gina and her team solve the murder of Melissa Sanderson? Will any further lives be lost? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
All I can say on finishing the book is bloody, bloody hell what a flipping fantastic read this truly is. The story starts with a bang, hits the ground running and maintains the fast pace throughout the book. The crimes are certainly shocking in nature and I found myself rooting for Gina and the team to arrest the killer before any further lives were lost. I became addicted to reading this book from the moment I picked it up, never mind from when I began to read. The more I read, the more I got into the story and the quicker I read. The pages were turning over at speed and it was almost as if they were turning themselves. For me ‘Her Final Hour’ really is a ‘CPID’ (can’t put it down) book. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand because it came everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to be parted from the book and if I had to break off from reading it, then I was counting down the time until I could pick it up again. I read long into the early hours of the morning because I was so hooked on the story and I was dying (pardon the pun) to find out who was the killer, what their motivation was and whether or not there was a shocking sting or twist in the tale. I had decided that sleep was for wimps anyway. Before I knew what was happening, I finished the book, which I was so disappointed about. I was enjoying everything about the book- the storylines, the characters, the gritty drama and the author’s writing style so much that I just wanted the story to continue. Reading ‘Her Final Hour’ was much like being on one of the scariest and most unpredictable rollercoaster rides you could ever imagine. There were moments that I didn’t see coming until they were on me so to speak and the effect was the same as if I had been punched in the gut. There were more twists and turns to the story than you would find on a Snakes & Ladders board. On more than one occasion I almost had to read through my fingers because I genuinely feared what was going to happen next, only to realise that I had to read on if I had any hope of finding out what was going to happen. There was definitely an abundance of grit and drama within the pages of ‘Her Final Hour’.
To conclude and if you haven’t already gathered, I absolutely, totally and utterly flipping well loved reading ‘Her Final Hour’. In my opinion this this is one of those series that you really should read. Carla Kovach has shot up my list of most favourite and must read authors. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. ‘Her Final Hour’ just has to be one of my favourite books of 2018 so far. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board just has to be 5* out of 5*.

A beautiful read!

Gina Harte is a fantastic detective! The book is written wonderfully and the characters really come alive. I really enjoyed reading this!

This is the second Gina Harte book. I have not read the first one but it wasn't necessary as the book works on its own. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and there was a twist at the end I hadn't seen coming! Can highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.

This is the second in the Gina Harte series - I have not read the first, but this did not impair my enjoyment of this book as it works pretty well as a stand-alone murder mystery.

I would recommend this book, it was a thrilling story. It would be nice to learn more about the detectives in Gina's team and her relationship with her DCI. Hopefully this is something that can be explored in future series, though I will be visiting the first book to see if this goes into the lead characters in more depth.

I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book. Very engaging and fast paced. Did not want to put this book down. The ending had a very unexpected twist to it. There were a lot of characters to remember, which was a little confusing at first, but I read the book quickly so it wasn't a problem for me. Would definitely recommend to friends and I will have to go back and read the first book in this series as I now want to read more by this author!

Her Final Hour by Carla Kovach this is the 2nd book in the Detective Gina Harte series. This was my 1st book of Carla's that I have read and I will be picking up the first in this series just so I can get Gina's full background story. By no way must you read the 1st to know what is going on in this book this definitely stands on its own! The characters are compelling and interesting, plot is great I had a hard time putting this down to do the things I was supposed to be doing! Detective Harte has her hands full trying to find the killer/killers of a young mother and housewife that was brutally murdered as her young daughter cried for her, as she is hunting for this killer the killer has Det. Harte in sight and does not like how close she is getting. .....thank you Netgalley and the Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC book and give my own personal opinion!

"Her Final Hour" is the second book of the Detective Gina Harte series by Carla Kovach and all I can say it was a brilliant read.
So after reading Carla's first book The Next Girl, I was excited to see the second book of this series was available to read and review.

It all started in 1993, when a young girl was drugged and raped. She knew she would get revenge one day..........she will find him and she will get justice. It make take years but she will get justice!!!

Melissa Sanderson has her perfect Home with a perfect family, a husband and a young beautiful daughter........
But has she? Something is wrong in her perfect life. To everyone, It looks like she has everything,
However, She thinks her husband is having an affair and Melissa drink's alone as her daughter sleeps upstairs whilst her Husband goes out most nights.
Her husband comes home from the pub, one evening and hears her daughter screaming up stairs and then finds Melissa tied to a chair and dead in the kitchen.
Detective Gina Harte has just returned from her vacation and drops everything to go to the murder scene.

Detective Gina Harte has a lot of skeletons in her cupboard and this case may be hard for her hide her feelings.
Is she going to solve this case. Before someone else is murdered?!

It was gritty, fast paced and will have you gripped from the first few pages. What I also liked about this book it can easily be read as a standalone. as well.

Highly recommended series of books and looking forward to read more by this brilliant Author.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Carla Kovach the author for this arc.

Wow, when you start this book make sure that you have some time eked out so that you can keep on reading because this one from the first word wraps you up and it's impossible to put down! Don't worry if you haven't read the first book in the series. I had not (although I plan to soon) and I'm sure there's a bit of back story with Gina that would have been helpful it didn't seem to impede the story at all.

This book starts off with a wife and mother who is found dead tied up in her kitchen while her husband was at the nearby pub with his buddy, offering a solid alibi... or is it? From Melissa's death the story weaves along the streets of this not-so-sleepy town twisting its way through the darkness that is hidden in the seemingly perfect homes.

While some of the "whodunit" is easy to sort out pieces will still take you by surprise and keep you on your toes until the last minute.

I look forward to more stories about Gina and intend to start the first one soon!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Oh wow, what a find! This was such a gripping book, full of suspense and twists, it made great reading and I didn't want to put it down! I was hooked. Will most definitely be reading mote from this author. I liked her style of writing and the characters gelled well together as well. Very well thought out.

Her Final Hour – Carla Kovach
I was fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley and Bookouture as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.
DI Gina Harte is back as, fresh from a quick holiday, she is called to investigate a homicide - a woman is found tied to a chair and strangled in her own home, while her child is left crying upstairs. Found by her husband when he returns home from a night out with friends, he offers an iron clad alibi, and the hunt for the killer begins, starting with the young woman’s lover, Jimmy.
Meanwhile, a young woman who was drugged and assaulted 25 years ago, continues to struggle with her demons and with alcoholism; yet is determined to take back her life. She sees a picture of her assailant in a newspaper photo, now a successful businessman, and decides to return to Cleevesford to learn more and perhaps confront him once and for all. Then she disappears.
As DI Hart and her team investigate both cases, the Angel Arms Pub seems to play a central part as they vet possible suspects. And as they dig deeper still, the killer becomes very unsettled – setting his sights now on Gina…
This was my second ‘Gina Harte’ novel, and I loved it as much as the first one! Gina has her own demons to fight, and as a flawed hero, she just becomes more credible. More of her backstory is explained here, and I anticipate we’ll learn even more about her, and what makes her tick, as the series continues. A great read, and I look forward to lots more from Carla Kovach!!

4 Bold Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the second book in the Gina Hart police procedural series... although I think you would be fine to read it as a standalone... these books are more plot driven then character driven.... although admittedly I am hoping to get to know Gina better in future books... I think her character has tremendous potential for some major character growth.... i’m guessing there are some pretty major secrets we are yet to learn!

So what does a sexual assault in 1993 and a murder in 2018 have in common? That is what Gina and her team need to figure out... told from many different points of view we really got a clear picture of this crime.... and bonus, we also got into the minds of the criminal as well, I always love this! Once again my amateur detective skills were put to the test, and once again I was foiled! There are a few twists and turns that caught me off guard, that is for sure!

Recommend to those of you who enjoy a good police procedural or crime thriller...

*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

What a shocking couple of chapters to open. Her Final Hour definitely got my attention straight away!

You never know what happens behind closed doors. Peel back the layers and you get an idea. This group of suspects that Gina Harte and the team need to worry about really are playing their cards close to their chest. Letting nothing slip and a united front. What are they hiding?!

Gina is not making any friends in her suspects and is putting herself right in the firing line. I really liked her as a character. she got herself totally immersed in the investigation despite on just returning from annual leave. She was trying her damnedest not to let her personal feelings get in the way of the investigation but it’s very hard sometimes in the fallout of an office romance!

I’ve got to say I loved the omnipresent character of Mrs O. She’s like the “12th man” of the team giving her support by way of home baked sustenance. She manages to send the right goods at the right time!

I loved the climax and the capture of the culprit! But then just when it seemed to be all sown up and then bam 💥 there comes a wee (!) bit of a plot twist 😲😲 Oh my goodness!!!

I loved the writing, I felt I knew Gina straight away even though I’ve not read the first book. I will be making up for not reading The Next Girl very soon. Her Final Hour is an excellent police procedural that’ll keep you guessing right to the end. And don’t worry, you don’t need to read The Next Girl to enjoy Her Final Hour.

After reading the first book in the Detective Gina Harte series I couldn't wait to see what would be in store for Gina next. Now don't worry if you haven't got around to reading the first book as I think you would probably be fine starting with this one as Gina's backstory is shown to a point. However you may benefit from getting the full character background if you do start at the beginning. So what did I think...

First of all what you will find in this book is a very dark and twisty tale as Gina finds herself right in the middle of things. The prologue to this book made me so curious and then wow those first chapters I don't think Carla Kovach could have ramped up the tension anymore, I was glued to my Kindle!

The great thing about the Detective Gina Harte series is that you get a great balance of Gina's personal life and also the investigation side. Both combining to bring an extra depth to the story as Gina has a darker past than anyone knows. It really makes her not only an engaging character but a great detective too with her strong and tough attitude hiding a few secrets below the surface.

In Her Final Hour the past collides with the present and I really enjoyed seeing the different threads to this story. Now to start with there are a few but stick with it because it was so interesting seeing the characters lives play out leaving you with quite a few suspects. There are plenty of secrets, lies and shocking situations to keep the reader gripped. Carla Kovach writes with ease and was able to pull me in straight away and hold my interest throughout.

The short and snappy chapters were a hit with me and made reading this book so easy. Although I learned my lesson not to start this book in the evening, I was constantly telling myself just one more chapter. Well that clearly didn't work as I ended up finishing it in one go!

Tension filled with some dark and gripping moments!

With thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for my copy via Netgalley.

WOW! This is book two in the DI Harte series, but does read well as a standalone. Back to a brilliant team and a series I am throughally enjoying. Carla knows how to write a belter of a book, I was well and truelly hooked…

Things are about to get personal in Her Final Hour… DI Harte is one determined, powerful and brave woman. I did feel sorry for Natalies character though the poor woman. This story does contain a few twisted, evil, devious and sick male characters… Which I instantly despised. Also a murderer who thinks they’re clever. Very clever. Can DI Harte solve the case?

I lost myself into this case. It is a crafty, cleverly written, fast paced, page turner of a brilliant story. It contains short chapters and if I had my way I would have stayed up all night to finish it (KIDS!). I also did not expect that outcome at all… Total shocker. You got me. I look forward to book 3 in the series.

I awarded a well deserved five stars and would highly recommend Her Final Hour and this series as a whole.

EXCERPT: ...his knees buckled as he saw his wife tied to one of their carver chairs under the light of the cooker hood. A piece of blue cord was looped under her chin and the raw marks around her neck told him exactly what had happened.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Melissa Sanderson is the perfect wife and mother. She dotes on her daughter, and lives in her dream home in a quiet cul-de-sac in the suburbs.

But looks can be deceiving.

Something is amiss in that house – all the neighbours think so. Some say Melissa is having an affair. Others say she’s been drinking too much.

Then one night, sirens wake up the whole neighbourhood.

Melissa Sanderson is dead.

MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Next Girl. I forgave the author her use of the stereotypical caricature of most major female detectives currently being written - heavy drinking, hard-nosed, has been in an abusive relationship, estranged from family, as her character developed through the first book. But there is absolutely zero further character development in Her Final Hour.

I also commented that 'some of the investigative techniques left something to be desired, but it does develop into a good crime thriller'. I stand by the first part of that comment as it is also true of Her Final Hour. Unfortunately Her Final Hour does not develop into a good crime thriller.

This book is clumsily written, as though it was dashed off in a hurry. The dialogue is mostly stilted. As I said earlier, there is zero character development. It was repetitive, and the characters constant dwelling on and rehashing of their traumatic pasts became extremely wearing.

There were times when I considered abandoning this read. The only thing that kept me reading was that I had enjoyed The Next Girl. I skimmed pages in an effort to get to the end, and heaved a sigh of relief when I closed the covers.

This was not 'AN ABSORBING THRILLER WITH AN ENDING YOU WON’T SEE COMING'. It didn't even come close. I won't be recommending this book to others, and I probably won't bother reading any further books in this series. 😕😕.5

I understand that reading is an entirely subjective experience and that, while this book wasn't one I enjoyed, you may well love it. So if the excerpt piques your interest and you like the sound of the plot synopsis, please get a copy Her Final Hour by Carla Kovach and read it. I sincerely wish that I had enjoyed this more than I did.

THE AUTHOR: Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama 'Flame,' psychological thriller 'To Let,' crime thriller 'Whispers Beneath the Pines, and romantic comedy 'Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.' Carla also writes stage and screen plays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Her Final Hour by Carla Kovach for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.

This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com