Zoe Sharp
The Last Time she Died

Feels like a long time since I have read anything by this author so I was really intrigued to see what was on offer this time around. I sat down and got stuck in reading and realised I’d read it previously. Why hadn’t I put it on my review list. So I did the only thing I knew I had to do and re read it.
Its not so long ago since I did read it and yet there were parts of the book that I just didn’t recall so it’s good I reread it.
The good thing is that book 2 has already been published and I can dive right into reading that now I’ve read this one. Book 2 is currently available via Kindle Unlimited so I have just downloaded it ready to read.

So book 1, has a lot to offer. The Blake and Byron Thrillers series.
The suspense in this book is plentiful. Right from the start your mind is racing on. Is it? Isn’t it? A great start to a new series.
Some great characters developed through this book and I can see them becoming firm favourites with the Crime thriller readers.
When Gideon Fitzroy passes away, his missing daughter turns up. Where has she been? What has she been doing? and most of all Why return now?.
It’s these questions that have you hooked, these questions that leave you needing to read on, and on. I flew through this book today and so glad I had a day off work to complete reading it. Full of twists and really kept me on the edge.

Finally! I am a big fan of the Charlie Fox series by Zoe Sharp and its been way too long so when I realised I now had two books in a new series by her to read I eagerly started with this one the first featuring 'Blake & Byron' as the title suggests. So the Byron in this duo refers to John Byron a copper with the Met who is currently on leave from work. The reader has no clue why he is on leave or what happened but it's pretty clear from the outset he is up in Derbyshire for his boss looking into something through unofficial channels. The first thing that struck me was how 'old school' this book felt and that isn't mean in a derogatory way at all! It had a real mystery air to it and that 'who dunnit' feel going on which I loved.

On the opposing side of the duo is Blake, a young woman who returns to her old home following the death of her Father. Gideon Fitzroy was a British MP and had a good standing in the community. When his long since missing daughter re-appears after the funeral a lot of eyes are raised including those of her step mother and half brother and sister. I admit that the first few chapters it took me a little while to get into the writing and story itself, but as the book progressed I could totally understand the reasons behind the slow burn of the unfolding storyline.

I don't want to rehash the synopsis as that seems a pointless exercise, but what I will say is that following completion of book 1 I can totally appreciate the groundwork that went into building these two characters and leaving the reader wondering what next. I read this book over a couple of days and frankly slowly fell in love with both Byron and Blake, two very original characters with some wonderful character traits, best shown off over the span of the book! It's very hard to describe what I mean (after all I am a reader and not a writer) but I guess overall this was a hugely enjoyable book featuring characters I definitely want to read more of, and that being the case would 100% recommend this as I think this could be an absolutely fantastic series.

Not a bad start to a series. I’m looking forward to what comes next. I was very intrigued with the characters as well as the twisted plot.

The Last Time She Died is a delightful tale, and despite a lengthy build-up, it offers a cracking twist and a satisfying conclusion.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This book has so many side tales and I loved that! It meant it was read super fast and then I had that sinking feeling of trying to find another book I’d enjoy as much. It’s the first in what the author plans as a series which is fabulous and I look forward to the next one to see how their lives change. If you like Cara Hunter you’ll enjoy this.

A good introduction to what looks to be a great new series. Enjoyed the many twists and turns in this case.

The Last Time She Died by Zoë Sharp Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard This book is the first book in the new Blake and Byron series which was a great start to a promising thriller. I really enjoyed it. especially as it Kept me guessing until the end. This audiobook had great twists and surprises throughout and I could not stop listening to it - Glad there was nothing on the Television! I am looking forward to her next book in this series.

I highly recommend this audiobook the Narrator Tamsin Kennard was excellent and gave you a great feel for it.

Big Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Last Time She Died begins with the funeral of Gideon Fitzroy, a retired MP who lived in the Derbyshire Dales who met his end in a car accident while his 2 stepchildren were in the car. Enter Detective Superintendent John Byron who is technically still on medically leave but has been drafted in the look in to the suspicious death. Also enter a mysterious young lady who is Gideon Fitzroy's daughter from his first marriage who went missing over 10 years ago.

There's a few questions that need answering..............

Is Blake in fact Blake?
Why did she run away in the first place?
Was Gideon's death an accident?
If Gideon was murdered who was responsible?
How does John Byron link in to this situation?

I'll admit I found this book a slow burner, it took me a while to get into but all of a sudden I realised I was hooked and needed to find out all the answers to the questions above. I found myself sympathising with Blake and the treatment of her during her childhood and the aura of suspicion that is following her through the book.

Plenty of twists and turns along the way will have you constantly evaluating what is the truth and who are the real culprits. Happy Reading!!

With thanks to NetGalley and the author for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review

Riveting plot, loved this story and of course Byron and Blake. Will definitely read more from this author, starting now.

The thing I loved about this book is the short chapters. It keeps the book moving at a fast pace. The characters were engaging and had me turning the pages. So many twists and turns that will have you unable to sleep.

This is the first book in a new series, Blake & Byron Thrillers. It's a good start introducing the characters and setting. It seems to bog a little in the beginning but the pace picks up when characters start to realize what's happening. Blake returns to Derbyshire for her father's funeral but there are a few relatives that know it can't be Blake because they killed her. Don't want to give away too much of the plot but the action picks up and has some great twists and turns. Will look for book 2 and hopefully it will be a little tighter and you won't want to skim. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Fitzroy family is shaken by the sudden death of Gideon Fitzroy. As they attend his funeral, no one notices an ash-blonde girl in the shadows. No one, except John Byron.

So, when the girl turns up at the Fitroys' home and tells them that she is Blake, Gideon's daughter who ran away from home 10 years ago and was presumed dead, no one believes her. Then, there is the case of the will which might change due to this sudden occurrence...

Byron has been sent to investigate Gideon's death. The higher-ups suspect that Gideon might have been done away with. Byron is there in an unofficial capacity. But this new complication could worsen matters.

I quite liked this book. John Byron is a very intriguing person. His backstory was given in hints but we know nothing concrete. This added to his persona.

Blake was good too. She is skittish and independent and very reserved but Byron seems to make a dent in her armour. Maybe he could bring her out of her shell and let her trust people.

I will look forward to the next book to get to know Byron and Blake more.

4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

<b>“A totally unputdownable crime thriller with a mind-blowing twist.”</b> <-- 100% truth to that quote. Wowza, I was not expecting this book to be as good as I was. I almost never give these types of books 5 stars because inevitably there is always something that annoys me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ However, this book was perfection. The writing. The pace. The plot. The characters. The twists and turns. I legit can't find a single fault. I hope this author is writing quickly, because I need book two ASAP! 😂

**ARC Via NetGalley**

I loved this mystery story. Do you love a good suspense? I think you will like this tale. Recommend to all friends and family!

Blake Claremont disappeared 10 years ago but now arrives home on the day of her father's funeral. But is she really Blake? A Met Detective is in town: John Byron is visiting his former student PC Jane Hudson but does he have an ulterior motive for being there?
The Last Time She Died is a police and crime thriller and the cover hints that this is the start of a new series.
John Byron is on medical leave from his career in the Met. He travels to visit his former student Jane in Derbyshire and attend the funeral of local dignitary Gideon Fitzroy. Everyone is shocked when Blake Claremont, Gideon's daughter returns after a whole decade away. Where has she been and why is she back?
Byron is unofficially investigating Gideon's death but not letting the local police know. Gideon had left his role as MP quite suddenly before his death in a car crash. The crash was declared an accident but Byron's superiors want to be sure. He is therefore on hand as events unfold with Blake's reappearance.
The book is written in the third person and we see events covering a wide range of characters so that we can see their perspectives. There is plenty of tension as Blake's reappearance threatens the stability of Gideon's second family especially with a considerable inheritance at stake. Blake's identity is in doubt and we see her mysterious conversations with other peripheral characters that make us question her motives.
The Last Time She Died has plenty of mystery strands wound together to make an intriguing plot. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Byron and Blake and look forward to the next book.

Fabulous……

Great characters, plot, storyline! Just everything! Well written and fast moving without being overwhelming! Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. A wonderful, complex story from Zoe Sharp, twists and surprises along the way, couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next one!

I found this to be a very slow book. The first quarter of the story for sure was honestly making me yawn. So much so I found myself skipping and skimming a lot of the work.

Complex and just too long for it’s own good.

Wow. This was one thrilling read. Full of twists and so fast paced. I read it in one breathless gulp. Cannot wait for the next in this absolutely stunning series.

THE LAST TIME SHE DIED is the first book in the Blake & Byron Thrillers series by British author, Zoë Sharp. The slim young woman who makes an appearance at the funeral of former British MP, Gideon Fitzroy, and is later discovered having entered his boxy Georgian pile, is a shock to the system for his heirs and this Derbyshire village: she claims to be his daughter, Blake Claremont.

Then a chubby, troubled fifteen-year-old, Blake ran away ten years earlier; no-one has seen her since; quite a few people were sure she was dead; so, is it really her? The local constable, a recent import from the London Met, PC Jane Hudson isn’t convinced. Her one-time mentor, Detective Superintendent John Byron, who is currently taking an unofficial look at Gideon’s death in relation to a sensitive but stalled enquiry into MPs, is unsure.

It’s the talk of the village, and many are puzzled when Gideon’s widow, Virginia Fitzroy seems to accept her claim, rescues her from Jane’s interrogation, and welcomes her to Claremont manor. But even before Gideon’s will is read, even before the young woman’s identity is proven or otherwise, there are some apparent attempts on her life. The widow’s brother, Roger Flint is assaulted, and cottage of the village’s former sergeant is burned down. It seems that her arrival is a catalyst for drama.

Sharp’s protagonists are appealing: smart, talented, but also flawed, and it will be interesting to watch them develop over the series. Their dialogue is snappy and often entertaining. The villagers and other support cast are believably portrayed, including the young constable who is a little too deferential to those with community standing.

Sharp gives the reader such a clever plot that even those astute readers who see past the red herrings, predict some of the twists and deduce the ‘who’ from the list of potential perpetrators, even those clever clogs, will still be sufficiently captivated to read on to the nail-biting climax for the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of it. Recommended read for fans of British Suspense stories.