Excellent story, full of details and unexpected information as the plot progresses and the culprit continues to be hunted. Louise is conflicted as she is being targeted by the culprit and is exposing her family and loved ones to danger. She also seems to be unable to trust anyone and the fact that the reporter, Tania Elliot, is back in town doesn't help. The Finch case is going to trial and Louise feels extremely exposed as she is one of the key witnesses to put him behind bars. The Pier is fast-paced and grips the reader's attention from the beginning!
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my unbiased opinion.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Thomas&Mercer for my advance copy of #ThePier by #MattBrolly

This is the fifth in the Detective Louise Blackwell Series

I haven’t read any of the series so it took me a while to get into it, but once I did I didn’t want to put it down
Set in the south of England the story revolves around Louise and her team as they try to find out who is trying to get Louise out of her job
Complicated by bombs being placed and her old boss being on trial fir attempted murder.
A book you won’t want to put down

Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell #5

When a local school is the target of a bomb threat, DI Louise Blackwell finds herself embroiled in her most personal case to date. Not only is her niece among the terrified pupils - there's also a chilling device hidden under the device. Next time you won't be so lucky DI Blackwell.... The explosion of a nearby caravan offers a connection.... and a suspect. But when he hands himself after interrogation, leaving another note promising more carnage, Blackwell fears there's an accomplice. Could Tim Finch, a former DCI on remand for attempted murder, be pulling strings from prison?

I'm quite enjoying this series. The fact that it's set in Weston-Super-Mare, a place I love and know quite well, is an added bonus. We have bombs, corruption and drugs to contend with in this fast paced and well written book. There's multiple plots to keep our attention. The characters are mainly likeable, but there's a few dodgy ones too. This series just gets better with each new book. The story is action packed, there's romance and it's a good solid mystery.

The Pier is the fifth book in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series. This is my second read in the series. I was happy to be approved to read this newest book. I think this is a wonderful continuation in this series. It is full of drama, lots of disreputable characters, but above it all the team of DI Blackwell is a good group of people that work well together.

A bomb threat at the school, that just happens to be where DI Louise Blackwell's niece goes, sets of a string of threats where people are in danger. A note hidden is found under the device: Next time you won’t be so lucky, DI Blackwell.

The upcoming trial of Tim Finch, a former DCI on remand for attempted murder, is also looming in the background. He has been working hard to undermine Blackwell, mainly because it pleases him to mess with her and it couldn't hurt the case against him.

As the threats against her mount, Thomas Ireland is also in trouble as he is set up and loses his new job in the process. There is a lot of plots going on in hopes of distracting the team and Louise from finding out the truth as to who is behind the threats.

This is a riveting thriller that kept me turning the pages. I enjoy this series, each one is better than the last. I am hoping this is not the end with more books in the series on the horizon.

Ah, lovely to see another Louise Blackwell book!! I have really missed this character.

Louise is going about her life, solving tricky murder cases, enjoying her new relationship with Thomas, spending time with her parents and her niece...but underneath it all is the issue of Finch. Ex DCI Finch, that is. The thorn in her side.

I thought that the thread concerning Finch was expertly done, I felt the menace in the man and how much havoc one person can wreak on other people's lives if they are that way inclined. He is so awful! I read the court proceedings with bated breath, that's for sure.

The bomb threats throughout Weston made the story very exciting, and trying to figure out who was behind them and why, was interesting too.

I liked this story, a lot.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK.

The Pier by Matt Brolly is the fifth book in the brilliant Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series and yet again I was hooked from the beginning till the end. This Book was excellent and jammed packed with great twists and turns throughout. Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell is now working Portishead in Bristol at the headquarters of Avon & Somerset police and she is finally leading her own team.

Her phone rings.......everything around her Stops! ..............at the end of the phone, Louise is informed, an explosive device has been found at the local Primary school in Weston-super-Mare, this is the school her niece Emily attends. Whilst investigating the device they found a note which is attached; threatening Louise, that more bombs are promised in the future.

This bomb is just a hoax but the bomb threat is so real.

Louise and her team have to work quickly and together to find out who has made these,!

and why?

and especially where the next one will be!!

Time is running out for Louise and her team!!!

Louise is also waiting for her former DCI Tim Finch who is in remand ,awaiting trial for attempted murder and a string of other offences.. So many things going on around her will she see a light at the end of the tunnel and find happiness. WoW.......I am so looking forward to Book six in the Brilliant series.

I highly recommend this series. It has been a 5 star read.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.

I am a huge fan of Matt Brolly's books and so loved reading the latest DI Blackwell book. I did think we'd seen the last of Tim Finch in the last book in the series, so wasn't too amused at seeing he was back in this book. However, he actually plays and integral part in the book so you had to learn to get used to him.

The book has great characters (Finch aside!) and great storylines that once you get over the fact Finch is in it, you really start to get absorbed in so much so that you don't want to put the book down - my sign that its a great book and gets 5 stars from me too!

The Pier is the latest addition to this series by Matt Brolly. Enjoyable and good storyline.Plenty of twists and turns that had me gripped until the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc

DI Louise Blackwell is running hard to keep pace with the bomb threats and explosions that has everyone on their toes. With the police terrorist team wanting to take away her investigation, coupled with her old nemesis, ex-DCI Tim Finch's trial date soon coming up and her own love life suddenly seems to be moving ahead on a fast pace, her plate which was already full to the brim is ready to be spilled by one more incident.
Good investigative procedurals, multiple plots all contributing ot the suspense and thrill of the story has made this book a good one to enjoy.
Overall rating 3.5

My thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC for my honest feedback

A decent enough read, but not one that made me want to continue reading as a gripping tale.
Plausible storyline, but didn’t pull me in as some books do, although I would read more by this author.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of The Pier, the fifth novel to feature DI Louise Blackwell of Avon and Somerset Police.

A bomb scare at her niece, Emily’s school and a note threatening Louise herself focus her attention away from former DCI Tim Finch’s imminent trial and onto her investigation. A fire at a local caravan park gives her a potential suspect but his suicide and further bombs suggest that there is more than one person involved. Could Finch be pulling strings to undermine her testimony or is there a different agenda in play?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Pier, which is an engrossing, high octane read with plenty of twists and turns. I think that the series get better with every novel with this being a powerful addition.

The narrative is mainly split between Louise and Finch with other detectives contributing to the investigation from different angles. This sounds confusing but it isn’t as each voice has a role to play in the bigger picture and the contributions flesh this out. Louise is grappling with a bomber who seems to want no more than her resignation, but why? None of us know until the end. Finch, on the other hand, is his usual psychopathic self, trying to work the angles and come out on top.

The author has outdone himself this time with his plot. The mayhem and tension created by the bomber are well done. The reader just wants to keep reading to find out who and why, continually on the edge of their seat for more bombs and death and at the same time Louise is dealing with the stress of the upcoming trial and a potential private prosecution. It’s all go and I felt myself living it with her. Then there’s Finch, still meddling in her life and scheming his way to a not guilty verdict. Again I found this quite tense, worried that he would succeed, but I laughed when it turns out he got played. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bloke.

The Pier is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I always enjoy books in this series as they're gripping and entertaining. This a good addition and I liked the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the fifth entry in this superior police procedural series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but familiarity with prior events and characters in earlier books make it more enjoyable.

A bomb threat is made at the school of DI Louise Blackwell’s niece. Turns out to be fake, but there is a threatening note left on the bomb, targeting Louise and promising more to come. Then a bomb goes off at a nearby caravan park. The school caretaker has ties to the caravan park is well. But the threats and danger persist after his death, so was he under someone else’s direction? Who? There are a few suspects. Louise’s former boss, DCI Tim Finch, is in jail awaiting trial on numerous charges, including attempted murder. He has a vendetta against Louise and still exerts influence over others who may be willing to help him. There is also the nephew of Max Walton, the serial killer shot by Louise in book 1 who harbors a grudge against her and has brought a suit against her. Throw in another thorn in her side, the journalist Tania Elliott and her critical articles against Louise.

This is a fast-paced mystery with a lot going on and a satisfying resolution. I enjoy the dynamics between Louise and DCI Robinson and the rest of the team, and seeing another side of her with her partner, Thomas.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer, as well to NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Pier.

This 5th book in the series finds DI Louise Blackwell embroiled in her most personal case to date. As the threats escalate and pressure to solve the case mounts, Blackwell is sucked into a series of horrific events that reach a chaotic and terrifying crescendo on Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier.

The plot in The Pier is engrossing and there is a lot going on, yet it is fairly easy to follow. The depiction of the characters is believable and I especially loved Emily, Louise's niece. I also very much liked Louise's boss, DCI Robertson. He had her back at every turn and how often does THAT happen?? The members of Louise's staff worked together seamlessly, as well. I hope Finch is gone for good. In my opinion, it's time to kick him to the curb and move on.

As brilliantly as Louise is when she is pursuing her cases, in her personal life she shows a vulnerable side. There was a wee bit of an unexpected turn in this book I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is a solid procedural series and I feel The Pier can be read as a stand-alone. I'm looking forward to #6!

As DCI Tim Finch is coming to trial it looks as though DI Louise Blackwell is being put on trial by the local newspaper - and The Times. False accusations are made about her boyfriend, and someone is planting IEDs and blaming her. Finch's barrister is busy making his victims look like the victimisers- can Louise hold it together and sort out the mess?

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Fantastic!! Loved everything about this book and I couldn’t put it down!! Can’t wait to read more by this author.

In this fifth episode in this series, DI Louise Blackwell is now leading her own team out of Avon & Somerset’s headquarters at Portishead, with the closure of her old unit at Weston. Her section is headed by DCI Robertson who has always supported her and she’s happy she no longer has to worry about the corrupt DCI Tim Finch, who has been trying to ruin her career and later attempted to kill her. He is now on remand awaiting trial on a range of charges including attempted murder.

When Louise is called to a bomb threat at her niece Emily’s school in Weston, she is relieved to find it was a hoax but puzzled about a threatening note left for her with the fake bomb. An escalating series of fires and bombs with further notes for Louise make her realise someone is upset with her and wants her to resign from her job but she has no idea who it could be. It’s unfortunate too that journalist Tania Elliot is writing inflammatory stories about her in the weeks prior to Tim Finch’s trial where she will have to testify against him.

There’s a lot going on in this novel but it moves along at a fast pace as it juggles several storylines at once. I thought we might have seen enough of the despicable Finch in the last book but unfortunately not, however Louise and the author can move on from him and his corrupt colleagues now. I’d also be happy not to see too much more of Tania Elliot, who is also a very nasty piece of work and shouldn’t be working for any reputable newspaper after her questionable behaviour. I do like Louise, an honest policewoman who deserves better, as well as DCI Robertson, who seems an excellent boss, and her hard working team and hope to see them back fighting crime in the near future.

This British police procedural is the fifth in the Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell series which needs to be read in order for maximum enjoyment. It was well written and fast paced with an interesting mystery. The story was an intriguing combination of this mystery and the continuation of the conflict between the main character and her former partner along with a nice bit of her personal life. because of the ending, I’m not sure if this series will continue. I certainly hope it carries on because I have absolutely enjoyed it and look forward to more books in the series.

Another great read from the author in the Louise Blackwell series. There is so much going on in this fast paced thriller, bombs, drugs and corruption, as well as some very dodgy characters, some likeable and some not! The insight into the personal lives of the team worked really well. I do hope that we have seen the last of DCI Finch, let him languish in prison and Louise can hopefully find happiness with Thomas. It's a good, solid read, a mixture of police procedural, romance and thriller, with a lovely ending and more to look forward to with Louise. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Brilliant addition to this series. Plenty of twists and turns that had me gripped until the end, definitely worth reading