If you can't trust your team who can you trust? Hillary Greene is a retied DI that works as an consultant for the Crime Review Team and she runs a tight ship. She has found out that one of her team has been digging into her computer and she wants to know why. She has always though that there was more to Jake Barnes than his money and his change in career. She really hopes that it isn't something that will reflect badly on her team and they do really important work. When she questions him it all comes out and they find out that he can really cause problems for another investigation. Can she find the answers that he is looking for before he lands up dead? Hillary has an idea to find Jake's step sister and to catch the biggest crime boss around. They will need to start looking into the cases of missing young women and to make sure that everyone knows. Can her team find these young women and give the families some closure? All their disappearances related or are they looking for different killers? Hillary knows that they might all have lost their way but they still deserve justice. Will Jake be able to live with the knowledge of what his step sister might have done and the truth is even worse than they thought? Will Hillary be able to close these missing persons cases and bring the killer to justice before even more girls disappear?
Really liked Hillary she is a strong woman that knows what she wants and yet she is still vulnerable to her boyfriend's charms. She is making a big change in her life and I am certain that they will be happy together.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review .A really great read.

This has been a lovely series to read and I really enjoyed every book. The final book did not disappoint and had plenty twists to keep the reader engrossed. Faith martin has created a great character in Hillary Greene and I do hope we are not at the end of her journey. Many thanks to Net Galley for my copy. I can highly recommend the author and the series. Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Facebook.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A REVISED EDITION OF A BOOK FIRST PUBLISHED AS “THE WORK OF A NARROW TRAJECTORY.”

It's time to say good-bye to retired DI Hilary Greene, DS Steven Crayle and all the various members of her teams since she first appeared in print in 2004. This has been a super series, one I highly recommend.

Now retired, Greene is working for the Crime Review Team, taking a second look at cold murder cases. She has a new supervisor since Crayle is leaving to lead another team. ... and she's been keeping an eye on one of her interns, Jake Barnes.

Jake has been pretty secretive, even going so far as to snooping through Greene's computer. And now is the time she and Crayle are going to confront him.

What Barnes tells them leads them into one last case to work together. Girls / ladies have gone missing. Prime suspect is one of their most wanted crime lords.

This is a crime mystery, action-packed, a real page turner. The characters are unforgettable. The story line is gripping, leading to an unexpected ending.

And importantly on its own, Hilary must answer a question put to her by Steven Crayle.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

4.5 Stars for HILARY'S FINAL CASE .... 5 stars for the SERIES.

Oh bitter sweet feelings on this one! A great story for tying up all the loose ends but I really wish the fantastic Hillary Greene series isn't ending. Hillary's lover and former boss Superintendent Steven Crayle is off to head up a new department investigating gangs who are grooming teenage girls whilst still awaiting the answer to his marriage proposal. Hillary has the job of to breaking in new boss Supt Rolland Sale with the help of retired ex-sergeant Jimmy and her latest two new civilian trainees, goth girl and sociology graduate Wendy, and Jake Barnes, an older wealthy IT and property entrepreneur. There is no murder investigation for the CRT in this book, but now Jake has been unmasked as having his own agenda, that being wanting to investigate the disappearance of his step-sister, Hillary is persuaded to add this cold case to a number of other similar missing girls. Ones that might also have tie-ins to Steven's suspects in his new enquiries as he works his week with Hillary. Thoroughly enjoyable.

This book is even better than the last one in the series, with a great plot and the descriptions more to the point. Like the other books, it's very well written and with very good characters, like the lovely Lucy and her man.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
This is supposedly the last in the series, Hillary is involved in as case of missing girls in order to bring the most dangerous gangster in Oxford to justice. The police has tried to nab him for years without success. At the same time she finally decides to leave her beloved Mollern, the canal boat she has lived in for so long, to live with her lover and current boss, Steven.
As usual, this is a gripping read and a little sad as well, because Hillary is a great character in a very good series. I have enjoyed every single one in the series and will definitely miss her. But you never know, there might be another book; I mean, what is she going to do with her days? I can't see her being a happy little homemaker, she must want to solve more cases - it's been her life for so long and she's so good at it! So here's keeping our fingers crossed...

This is the seventeenth in the series featuring former Detective Inspector Hillary Greene and sadly it’s the last in the series. Of course I wanted to read it to see how the series ended but I also didn’t want to read it because it meant that I would have to say goodbye to Hillary. I gave myself a talking to, picked the book up and began to read. Oh my goodness me, ‘Hillary’s Final Case’ is a fantastic read and I absolutely loved it but more about that in a bit.
‘Hillary’s Final Case’ sees Hillary having to make some tough decisions. Her boyfriend, who also is her current boss, has asked her to marry him and although she is serious about him, she is dragging her heels over giving him an answer. Hillary also has to decide whether or not she can bear to give up life on her narrowboat and move into her boyfriend’s house. I was pleased that Hillary had finally got something nice and a dose of happiness in her life again. Hillary was married to a bent policeman called Ronnie Greene. He sadly (not) died in a car accident. There was some query as to whether or not Hillary was bent too but an investigation exonerated her. She retired from the police force but was eventually tempted back to take a role in the Cold Case Squad. She isn’t a police officer anymore but she can apply some of the skills she developed whilst she was a police officer. Hillary is an intelligent, clever, quick thinking, honest and at times sneaky woman. Hillary has a gut instinct which is almost always accurate. If something doesn’t feel right to her, then it usually isn’t and she endeavours to investigate the matter until her curiosity has been satisfied and until she gets a conclusion. In the CCS, Hillary has a former detective sergeant who is viewed as being her work partner and second in command. She also has two civilians working for her and she has question marks over one of them, as he has been displaying some odd behaviours and poking his nose into matters that don’t concern him. He has even hacked into her computer. Hillary has his number and she is on to him, although to start with he doesn’t know that. Will Hillary be able to find out what happened to the missing girls? Why has a civilian staff member been hacking into her computer? Will Hillary say ‘yes’ to her marriage proposal? Will Hillary be able to leave her narrowboat? Will Hillary still be a member of the CCS by the end of the book? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves as I am not going to tell you.
OMG this was certainly a read and a half. From the moment I picked the book up I was hooked on the story, the characters and the investigation. I found ‘Hillary’s Final Case’ nigh on impossible to put down. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because I couldn’t bear to be parted from it. The pages seemed to take on a life of their own and they were turning so quickly at one point that it was almost as if they were turning themselves. Before I knew what was happening, I had finished the book and said goodbye to Hillary.
‘Hillary’s Final Case’ is extremely well written. Faith Martin has a writing style that grabs your attention from the start and she doesn’t let you go- much like a spider attracting its prey into its web. The chapters are a fair bit longer to those you usually find in books but I was so into the zone and following the story that I didn’t notice how long they were if that makes sense? It certainly didn’t seem to take that long for me to get through them.
Reading ‘Hillary’s Final Case’ was much like riding on an occasionally scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride, with twists and turns aplenty. At the same time because I knew that it was the last book in the series I found myself dreading finishing the book. I know it might sound daft but getting to the end of the book almost felt like a bereavement because I know that I won’t be seeing Hillary again or following any further cases. Not to worry though because I have a plan! I am going to read the series in order and from the beginning. I’m sure that 17 books in the series will keep me out of mischief for a little while.
In short, I loved ‘Hillary’s Final Case’ but I hated it at the same time. No before you jump on me, I don’t mean that in a negative way. I hated it because it meant that it was the end of the friendship I felt I had with Hillary and it was the last case that she was going to investigate. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. I look forward to reading more by Faith Martin. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This is the last ever Hilary Green book and after just over a year I have now read every single Hilary Green book and enjoyed them thoroughly.

As this is the 17th and final book it would make a lot more sense to read at least the last 5 or so books from when she came back out of retirement to work in the cold case unit.

This book is slightly different from the previous ones as it starts to tie up all the loose ends from throughout the series, and we find out why one of the team wanted to join her team.

One of the other questions which we have had going through a couple of book is whether or not Hilary will finally agree to marrying Steven or if she will reject him and head off on her canal boat into the sunshine to start her new life alone.

As with the previous books there is a lot going on in this one, and as the case deals with prostitution it does take a much harder look, which was  a very pleasant change to the series, although I feel it was still very tame compared to other books I have enjoyed recently.

Overall this was a brilliant conclusion to the series and the way it ended was pretty apt and tidied everything up nicely.

This title was a great conclusion to a fantastic series. Hillary Greene is a strong, realistic character. She's smart, thoughtful, and likable. I will honestly miss her and the series.

One of the things I like most, in addition to the character development, is the author's ability to write a good mystery without sex or gratuitous violence. I also appreciate her ability to include a subplot that adds to the book.

I saw some reviewers who indicated that the books have changed. I suspect that they read early, undecided editions. The only discrepancy I noted was with Hillary's car.

This 17th and final book in the series left me a little disappointed. Although Hillary does her 'magic' again and solves all cases that are thrown at her, although her love for Steve is still growing and although she is actually way too young to stop working, the story feels as though the author lost her inspiration a bit.
In earlier books Hillary had to concentrate on one or just two cases at the time. Now, she officially has four, but that is meant to throw a smokescreen to hide her real purpose: bring down Dale Medcalf. So Hillary and her colleagues are running around (well, driving) interviewing people left and right, and I lost my way in so many names for so many characters that frankly, stayed as flat as cardboard. Next to that, in my humble opinion, not everything is solved...
Hillary is constantly thinking how she hates the name Greene and she doesn't want to be called Mrs. Greene. Well, I keep thinking, why keep the name then? Use your own name. It's a little thing but it keeps nagging a bit at me.

Then why give the book 4 stars? Well, Faith Martin deserves these four stars because, as with the other books, it was still very hard to put down and of course, a little sad to have come to the end of a very nice series of books. I keep a glimmer of hope we will see more of Hillary in the future ;-)

Thank you NetGally and Joffe Books for sending me a digital copy of this book.

I really read this quickly, it is the 17th in the series and what looks likely to be the last in ex-DI Hillary Greene series set in Oxfordshire, forced to retire and now serving as a cold case consultant for Thames Valley Police, and the Cold Case Unit. In a fast paced, twisted and well plotted story with plenty of intrigue, Hillary finally deals with the issues arising from the civilian trainee, Jake Barnes, and investigates a case of missing girls. There is a new incoming boss, Detective Superintendent Rollo Sale, with DCS Steven Crale moving on. There is a much happening in Hillary's personal life as well. I found this an entertaining and engaging addition to the series.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Hillary’s Final Case, the seventeenth novel to feature former DI turned civilian cold case consultant, Hillary Greene of the Thames Valley police.

With DSupt Rollo Sale due to take over the Cold Case Unit and Acting DCS Steven Crale moving on to pastures new it’s all change so Hillary decides to confront civilian trainee Jake Barnes about what he’s been up to over the past few months. The upshot of this confrontation is the team making a push to re-examine several missing persons cases, with special reference to any that link to Dale Medcalfe, the gangster Steven’s new unit is tasked with shutting down.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hillary’s Final Case which is a deftly plotted mystery with some good twists and turns. Being set in the world of prostitution it has a slightly harder edge than the previous novels without being overly graphic although it still has the same light hearted banter and tone. The novel, as usual, has a couple of plot lines with Jake Barnes and Steven Crale handling the efforts to “turn” Medcalfe’s lieutenant, Darren Chivnor while Hillary and her team look into the missing women. Mostly it all comes together in another twist at the end, maybe not as satisfactorily as some of the novels but that’s part of the harder edge and I really liked it as it seems realistic.

Even Hillary seems tougher in this novel. She’s not known as a pushover but her attitude surprised me on some occasions, in a good way, and I loved her final interview. Steven had better look out when she moves in with him as she doesn’t seem in the mood to take prisoners!

Hillary’s Final Case is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Hillary's Final Case can only mean one of two things. Either Faith Martin has said all she has to say about Hillary Greene in her Murder series or Hillary is moving on from her role as a civilian consultant reviewing cold cases. After 17 books, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the end of the series, what does surprise me is how much I have enjoyed every book. When Hillary returned after her retirement, I wasn't sure if the 'magic' would still be there, as I was quite fond of her when she was DI Hillary Greene. Her new job allowed her to still do what she did best, solve murders, and the new characters introduced quickly felt familiar. Hillary now even has more of a work/life balance, as her relationship with her new boss, quickly became personal.
This story revolved around missing persons and will hopefully provide some answers to Jake's personal issue. No spoilers here, but the story was fast paced and engaging( as usual) and if this is indeed the end of the series, there was plenty of resolution as well as some threads left dangling should Hillary return. I will miss Hillary because she was a character I always cared about and I looked forward to each new book. At this point, I guess I can use my imagination to decide what comes next and if there is another book, I am sure all of my suppositions will be proved, incorrect! I would love to know if Hillary and Steven's relationship lasts, and who knows, maybe a series around Steven and his new job come next.
Thanks to Faith Martin for 17 very good reads!
I received a DRC from Joffe Books through NetGalley.

All loos ends tied up in this fantastic book, absolutely devastated though that it was the final case and have loved every single one of the Hilary Greene series and would love to know if there will be a spin off series featuring Steven Crayle

Say it ain't so....the last Hilary Greene book! I have loved this series and think it would make an excellent tv series. All the loose ends are tied up in this final installment.

The sad part is this is the last book in the series. Ex DI Hillary Greene has made her decision to the question Steven has asked. She is working on the case that will help Steven as he starts his new job. Jake is getting answers to his questions. This story brings to a close some of the questions on what happened to some of the missing women on the books. A great read.

When I saw the title I thought nooooo, Hilary is one of my favorite characters I don't want it to be her last case. If you have read the other books in the series you can sit back and get stuck in, it's a brilliant read. It could be read as a stand alone but what would be the point in that, you would be missing the build up and background information. I understand the author is writing a new series, I can't wait.

Another exceptional murder mystery closure by Hillary Green and her team, only as they say there is more in the mortar than the pestle. This time she has a serious decision to make, one that would affect her whole life. With new lights on the horizon, she is unsure of some things but definite about others. Once bitten twice shy, I know what my gal is thinking she is battle worn and scared from her last marriage, she is timid and wary about stepping in that lagoon. But what the heck she needed to live her life the way she wanted to, so you go girl.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

So, this is the last in the Hillary Greene series. I have enjoyed these, although they were at their best when Hillary was still a "proper" police officer. Here the mystery of what happened to Jake's sister is cleared up and a couple of other missing person cold cases solved. The plot moved quickly and, although the ending was fairly obvious (though perhaps not to the men in the story), it was satisfactory.

I wondered if the author had known this would be the last in the series while she was writing it: I wondered what was going on with Jimmy's back, and I felt sad for Stephen with the way things were left regarding his relationship with Hillary. I'm not convinced Wendy has it in her to be a social worker if she is too kind-hearted to be a police officer, but whatever...

4 stars

Hillary and Steven have come to an agreement on their relationship. Jimmy is closer to seventy than sixty now and his back is causing all sorts of problems, but he doesn’t want to quit. Of course, Hillary notices. Jake is found out and Steven and Hillary call him out. Wendy is feeling very deeply about the young women in their latest case. The relatives and their photographs are getting to her.

While Jimmy and Wendy go about trying to solve the missing girls case, Hillary and Jake go on a related search to solve Jake’s little problem.

This is, of course, a well written and plotted novel, as are all of Faith Martin’s books. I like Hillary, Jimmy and Wendy is growing on me. I like her enthusiasm and drive –and her ability to not give a darn what anyone else thinks of her Goth style. The plot follows a logical progression and the writing is clear and straightforward. I didn’t care for this book as much as Ms. Martin’s previous Hillary novels. Whether or not this is truly Hillary’s “last case,” this reader can appreciate the notion that perhaps Ms. Martin has said all she can say about Hillary and her adventures. I’ll be sad to see her go, but I suspect that the author is not done writing her outstanding novels.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

** I couldn't link anything as this book is not out on GoodReads or BookBub yet.