Member Reviews
THE SOUTH BANK MURDERS by Biba Pearce Action packed police procedural that involves multiple murders, illegal immigration and child exploitation Leading up to the end a major plot twist drives the story to a satisfying conclusion. Realistic and relatable characters make this situation more than believable. There are glimpses of DCI Rob Miller's new role as a father. Very good addition to the series.
Thank you to the author, Joffe Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
A compelling , emotional read which I thoroughly enjoyed. This series just gets better and better. One not to be missed.
I really enjoyed this book it was well written with a gripping storyline and well dveeloped characters. It was fast paced, tense, twisty and unpredictable. I couldn't put it down.
The DCI Rob Miller continues to go from strength to strength! A fantastic page turner that starts with DCI Lawrence being gunned down and Rob now a father having to deal with the grief and trying to find the killer throw a maze of child trafficking, drug deals, ex-cons with a grudge. Biba Pearce is a GREAT writer and this would be a must see TV series I am already looking forward to the next instalment and see if MI5 is woven into the story!
Book cover 10/10! ‘The South Bank Murders’ is the fifth instalment of a series, which features Detective Inspector Rob Miller. I read and loved the first four books in the series and so when I heard that Biba was due to release a fifth book, I knew that I had to read it as soon as I could get my hands on a copy. Well ladies and gents, I managed to get my hands on a copy and I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it, but more about that in a bit.
I rather like the character of Detective Inspector Rob Miller. He is an experienced career police officer. He leads from the front and he doesn’t ask anybody to do anything that he wouldn’t be willing to do himself. Miller is settled with a partner and they have a baby together. Miller thinks that perhaps things moved quicker than he had intended but he seems happy with things the way they are. One of the murders featured in this book is personal to Miller as the victim is his former superior officer Chief Superintendent Sam Lawrence, who had retired from the force. He was both a friend and a colleague and Miller feels his loss deeply. Miller is determined that he will do everything he can to track down the killer. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
As soon as I started reading, I immediately felt that I had reunited with old friends in the form of Miller and his team. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a distinct ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following morning but it was so worth it. This was one of those books that stayed with me whether I had the Kindle in my hand or not. If I wasn’t reading the book, then I was thinking about it. If I had to put the book to one side for any reason then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The South Bank Murders’ and I had to say farewell to Miller and his team. I found ‘The South Bank Murders’ to be a gripping and tense read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The South Bank Murders’ is extremely well written but then I have come to expect nothing else from Biba Pearce. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. Reading ‘The South Bank Murders’ felt a bit like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which Biba makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The South Bank Murders’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Biba’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
This is the 5th instalment of the DCI Rob Miller series, and having read the other 4 before this one I was already hooked in and wanting to know what happens next!
When Rob received a call from his retired super boss Sam Lawrence asking him to meet Rob is too tired and has just settled down with his baby son Jack. Later he is woken by phone call informing him Sam was shot dead that night. Rob is devastated and wants to catch the killer, but his new boss thinks he’s too close to the victim.
Rob however has his hands full as another body of a teenage boy is found washed up on the south themes bank with a mysterious stamp on his arm. Are the killings related, and can he find out who killed this boy as well as solve the mystery of what happened to Sam?
I really enjoyed this book, the series gets better as the books go on and you get really absorbed in the story and the characters are really relatable and you get a sense that you know them so well by book 5!
Thank you for the pre-read, i hope there’s more to come!
The South Bank Murders by Biba Pearce is a British police procedural that hits the ground running. It quickly begins with the murder of a retired Chief Superintendent and two others, all three shot as in an execution. It will be up to the detectives who formerly worked for him to get to the bottom of these horrific crimes. Soon, more murders come to light and it looks like someone who is well-connected is operating an organized crime syndicate. Biba Pearce is very skilled at creating thrillers and her writing style leads the reader to feel like a witness to the story. The characters are realistic and flawed . The plot creates an underlying tension throughout and the dread is pervasive. The subject matter is at times difficult as it deals with violence against children. The South Bank Murders is a solid, fast-moving thriller that left me wanting to read more mysteries by this author. If police procedurals are your favorite genre, be sure to take a peek at this book. Highly recommended. Thank you to Joffe Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Biba Pearce’s Detective Rob Miller is back with an edge of your seat crime thriller you will want to read in one sitting: The South Bank Murders.
Detective Rob Miller is at home nursing his crying baby when he receives news that completely and utterly devastates him: his friend and mentor retired Chief Superintendent Sam Lawrence has been shot dead. Rob thinks that he is having a bad dream. He had got off the phone with Lawrence less than an hour ago, but because Rob had been on daddy duty, he couldn’t meet up with him. Rob is determined to do whatever it takes to find out who shot his good friend – even if his boss thinks that he is too emotionally involved.
Rob has got a lot on his plate. Not only is he juggling childcare with trying to find Lawrence’s killer, but he has got other murders to solve. The body of a young man has washed up on the south bank of the Thames bearing a very unusual stamp on his wrist. Could this murder be at all connected with Lawrence’s? When a suspect’s throat is slashed in custody and another body with the same stamp turns up, Rob realises that he’s on the hunt of somebody with terrifying reach – and he keeps hearing the name Wolf whichever way he turns.
With the pressure piling on, can Rob get to the bottom of the South Bank murders? Or will he run out of time?
Biba Pearce’s gritty, explosive and exciting Rob Miller mysteries just keep on getting better and better. The South Bank Murders is a fast-paced, hair raising and heart-stopping thriller packed with twists and turns you simply won’t see coming. Rob Miller is certainly up against it in The South Bank Murders and this fearless detective needs all his skills, ingenuity and courage in his latest case
Biba Pearce’s The South Bank Murders is a complex and chilling thriller that is simply top-notch.
Having binge read the rest of this series in a week, I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw a fifth book was going to be published. This fifth book in the collection does not disappoint, The death of one of the team is central to the plot of this novel (no spoilers!) and Rob is pushed to his limits - personally and professionally. A great read.
I went back and forth on this one so many times.
On one hand, I found it unbelievably hard to believe that they would be able to work the case of their dead (former) chief because as it was pointed out, they were too close and therefore too emotionally invested about it. In fact, I'm pretty sure it would have been considered a conflict of interest especially when you consider the lines that Detective Miller had already crossed, one of those lines being something that could potentially be career ruining if it ever came to light.
I also figured out who the "criminal mastermind" was pretty early on, although the author tried to cover it up with a few decent red herrings, the fact that I immediately felt it was "obvious" who was behind things kind of ruined the experience for me.
Another issue I had with this one (although I completely understand WHY the author chooses to do this), is the fact that once again Detective Miller rushes into a situation with absolutely no regard for his own personal safety, much less what his newly established family would think. Considering this seems to be his approach in EVERY book, it comes across as less shocking and more "oh here we go again".
However, on the flip side of this, I loved those little "at home" moments between Miller and Jo. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship has evolved especially now that Jack is in the picture.
I also enjoyed the side threads which pertained to the other murders and how Miller and his team went about building a solid case there which brought justice for so many others.
All things considered, I would definitely read more from this author (especially when it comes to this series).
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
This is fast becoming one of my favourite series.
A cop with no vices.
A great team with a core of 3 or 4 whilst other officers rotate in and out.
All characters just right for the team, and the story
Villains and victims that evoke just the right level of anger and empathy.
Realistic crimes set In realistic settings.
Brilliant
If you do one thing this year, let it be read this book. Heart stopping in places, totally gripping g and a thoroughly brilliant read.
This newest instalment in DCI Rob Miller’s murder mysteries was excellent, there was a great crossover of cases that kept you guessing who was going to be the leader of the crimes.....Ive read all 5 books in this series and they have evolved to a great series, each book getting a bit more in-depth and I find myself power reading through them. I’m very hopeful we will see a new book in the series and find where Rob and Jo’s life continues along with all the quirky characters from the police precinct. This last book leaves us with some questions and wonders who else might be out to harness Rob or others in his life.
I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own. I would recommend this and the entire series to my friends and book club
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The South Bank Murders, the fifth novel to feature DCI Rob Miller of the Met’s Putney MIT.
Rob is devastated and determined to investigate when he learns that his old boss and mentor DCS Sam Lawrence has been shot dead. He has to split his time between this murder and one of a young immigrant whose body washed up on the banks of the Thames. He soon finds that his witnesses are terrified of a man known as the Wolf, a man with a long reach and no humanity.
I thoroughly enjoyed The South Bank Murders, which has a longer reach than most police procedurals with a multitude of crimes uncovered and a larger cast list. I thinks it adds a touch of realism to the novel with so many associated crimes as it makes sense that the perpetrators aren’t going to stick to one crime.
The novel is told mostly from Rob’s point of view and that allows the reader to get stuck in to his narrative and assess the information at the same rate he does. I like the guessing, although I didn’t have much luck here as the perpetrator is well concealed.
I was glued to the pages as the story unfolds. It starts with the shooting and the hint of a suspect, who requires further investigation. That leads to further crimes and more information, rinse and repeat until a prime suspect is identified. It is very well done, stressing the level of information gathering required for a successful result and the dedication of the detectives.
I like Rob Miller. He has undergone change over the course of the series and is now settled with his partner, Jo and baby son. I thought it was interesting to see him try to change his priorities from all work to a more balanced work/family ratio. He still has some work to do there.
The South Bank Murders is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
DCI Rob Miller is developing nicely as a character - with a young baby he has become more human and thinks slightly more in advance of action than in previous books. His team is eventually tasked with finding the killer of his old boss and two other men. They also have to resolve the another case - that of a young teenager whose body was washed up on the Thames, shot in the head. The case moves between drug dealings, child trafficking, sex trafficking and care homes for refugee children. All brought together eventually, via a few red herrings, along with the apprehension of a(nother) bent senior cop. Some of the cases neatly tidied but some loose endings. Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a really good book. I so enjoyed the storyline.
I liked the twists and turns.
I'm looking forward to the next one already
5*****
The South Bank Murders by Biba Pearce is book 5 in the series. It might help to read the previous books to get to know the characters, but I did not feel I missed too much by not reading the ones before The South Bank Murders. The plot was good. The action at the end wraps up a bit too quickly, and not all the story is resolved. I guess that might come out in the next series installment. The story does have action-packed scenes and kept me interested throughout the story in this police procedural.
I would read more from this author.
#THESOUTHBANKMURDERS #NetGalley
@JoffeBooks
What a talent another fantastic edition in the Detective Rob Miller series which is quickly becoming one of my favourites was hooked from the first page.
I find it easy to connect with Biba's writing style she has the right balance in her stories in terms of the plot, investigation/procedure, personal/professional relationships it just all slots together nicely to create a masterpiece you can't help but be immersed in her world.
The south bank murders is a thrilling read which fully deserves five stars!
This book had me stumped. Sitting smug and thinking I had it all thought out, the author put me in my place. Finally we have a thriller that will keep you your toes. I truly enjoyed myself and will be recommending it to anyone I see for the next few months.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you so much NetGalley for the opportunity to read this Biba Pearce book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in under 24 hours.
This is the first Biba Pearce book that I have read, although I do have some on my TBR pile.
This is an exciting, twisty book about Police Officer Rob Miller. The South Bank Murders had me gripped from the first page. Millers old boss, has been brutally shot and Miller and his team are on a mission to find out who did this. However as with all good books, there are more murders, that don't tie in straight away but then have a habit of being part of the bigger case.
I would definitely love to read more about Rob Miller, so I will definitely be picking up another Biba Pearce book!!
Fantastic read, highly recommended.