Her Final Breath is the 7th book in the Detective Amanda Steele series. It is possible to read these books as standalones, but I recommend you read the series to get the full character ARC and the development of the team. In this outing, someone is kidnapping and killing mothers and their young daughters. When they find a second grave, Amanda is on the trail of a serial killer. Can she and her partner Trent Graves find the murderer and other other possible pairs in danger before they end up dead?

This was a gripping Detective Amanda Steele story. The victims in this crime spree were victims of domestic abuse, so that was a thread throughout the story. This case showed me a different side to Trent, he was angry and took things very personally, causing some friction between him and Amanda as well their captain. Throughout the story, we see the mother and daughter that are being held captive and it gives us some insight into why. I figured out the why, but we don't know who until Amanda and her team figure it out. It was an edge of your seat story with domestic abuse front and center both in the crime and some of the officers personal lives, as well as the consequences of PTSD. a great crime thriller with some serious themes. I definitely recommend this book and series.

Readers following the Detective Amanda Steele series must remember the tension between Steele and the interim Lieutenant Graves, over the case involving Logan, Amanda's one-night stand in the pervious book of the series. Things seem to haven't improved much since then, as in the 7th book of the series, "Her Final Breath", Steele and Graves are once again engaged in their battle of control over another case.

The book opens with Steele and her partner Trent Stenson called in when a mother and her daughter are found murdered in a shallow grave. They show signs of captivity, indicating that they were kept by the killer for a while before he killed them and the kid is buried holding a stuffed toy. When Steele and Trent's investigation leads them to the husband Roy, both off then believe that he has abused his wife physically for long and suspect he is the killer.

But when another pair of mother and daughter turn up dead a small distance away from the original dump site, they begin to suspect that something else might be at play here. The discovery that the second woman also has a abusive partner leads their investigation onto a different avenue, with them finding that another woman and her child may be the newest victims of the killer.

Who is the killer and why is he targeting women who come from abusive households? What is his purpose in keeping them? Will the detectives be able to find the killer before another mother- daughter duo is murdered?

This is the 7th book in the series and author Carolyn Arnold has still managed to hold the reader's engagement with her characters.
There are a lot undercurrents happening in the relationships between various people in the department and also a lot of friendships developing, which make the reader connect with the characters very well. Though I didn't care for the interim chief Graves in the previous book, Arnold has given a great story-line for her in this book that humanises her.

The narration was crisp and the flow of the story completely engaging. I didn't feel like keeping the book down at all. Arnold has made the story travel seamlessly between the various avenues of investigation which made sure that the story doesn't slow down at all. The way the relationship between Amanda and Leo progresses was a treat to read. Arnold has imbued Amanda's character with so many complicated layers and these complexities make this book series different from a regular run-of-the-mill police procedural thriller. Can't wait to see where Amanda's story goes further!

Thanks to netgalley for providing an advanced copy for the purpose of review

I love Alltwen books in the series and love to see the development of the characters throughout. This was a great mystery and kept me hooked as usual.

A brilliant read
Another book in the Detective Amanda Steele series
You’ll start this book and not want to put it down
A brilliant series if your looking for a new one to read
Thanks NetGalley

Her Final Breath is the seventh book in the Detective Amanda Steele Series. I love this author's writing style. I like how we get the crime from the very beginning. Then we get to follow Amanda as she investigates the crime. We get the clues as Amanda does. I like how once you pick up a book by Carolyn Arnold you are pulled in by the crime and then you are racing to the end to see how it all turns out.

When the story began and the crime was committed I knew where all the clues were pointing to who the killer was but I kept thinking that is too easy. I was kept on the edge of my seat as each clue was revealed and we got closer and closer to the killer being revealed.

The twists kept rolling out one after the other keeping me in suspense and heading in all different directions as to who the killer was. I was very surprised by all the clues as each one turned up another leading Amanda in a different direction. I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough wanting to know who the real culprit was.

The body of a mother and her daughter are found in a park by a man walking a dog. All the clues point to one man the husband. Just as Amanda is about to arrest the husband for killing his wife and daughter another body of a mother and daughter is found in the same way as the other.

Amanda learns that the two cases are similar. Both women were abused by their husbands. So the question now is are the two cases coincidental? Was each woman killed by their husband or is there a serial killer on the loose?

To find out the answers and find out who the killer is then you are just going to have to grab a copy of Her Final Breath now! I highly suggest that you do it today that is if you like a good murder mystery!

I am kicking myself that I read this one before the 7 others - I always think when you can read a book from a series as a stand alone - although it’s great - you don’t get those little insights into the characters.
That being said I really enjoyed it. I love a strong female lead and Steele is very strong.
I will have to pop to Amazon to catch the first 6 before I get the next one! Great crime thriller.

I have to admit that I really like this series. I didn't start at the beginning (I wish I had!) but I have read the last 3. I think this book could be read as a standalone but it is best to read previous books, if possible. That always rounds out the reading experience, I find.

This is a confronting case for Amanda because she needs to solve the murder of a mother and her small child. When another mother and daughter go missing, she starts to get very concerned indeed.

As always with this author, there is a great storyline with various threads that need to be pulled.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

This is the seventh book in the series featuring Detective Amanda Steele but reads well as a stand-alone. The book opens with a mother and daughter, Leanne and Gracie, being held captive. Amanda and her partner Trent are called out when two bodies are discovered in the park. They are identified as JIll and her daughter Amanda. It soon becomes obvious that Jill has been abused before her death. Her husband is the main suspect but when they discover that he is a serving police officer they realise that they have to tread carefully. Whilst investigating this they are informed that Leanne and Gracie are missing and time is running out to find them alive. We learn more about Amanda and Trent’s personal life. Amanda is still recovering from the death of her husband and young daughter in a car accident but has recently adopted a seven year girl. This case is more traumatic for Trent as he is worrying over his aunt who is living with a controlling man. The book was well paced and had me gripped from the first page with plenty of tension and suspense, I can’t wait for the next one in the series
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is another fabulous read by Carolyn. It has many twists and turns throughout the story,once I started reading I didn't want to stop.

WOW... loved this one. Thank you bookoture for the ARC. What I love about Netgalley is over the last 2 years I have expanded my reading with new authors I never would have picked up before.

Point in case the Amanda Steele series. Yes it is another crime and serial killer series, but if you love this kind of stuff jump on board, some twisted storyline with great background arc developing over the course of the books. Give it a try. I highly recommend.

A fast paced book that left me breathless. It was well written with a tense and atmospheric storyline and well developed characters

I really am enjoying this series. Can't wait for the next book. I love both Detectives in the series. Such easy reading.

A very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters. The suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. Worthy of your TBR list.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic abuse
Detective Amanda Steele has an early morning call to a local park where a woman's body has been found in a shallow grave. The case becomes even more sinister when a child's body is discovered too...
Her Final Breath is the 7th book to feature Detective Amanda Steele and her team. There are personal plot lines that have threaded through the series but there are no spoilers about the crimes and killers.
The book begins with a woman and girl being held hostage. This instantly creates a tension which is then followed up by the discovery of a woman and child's bodies. Amanda and her partner are keen to get on with the investigation but find themselves thwarted by procedure. Their prime suspect is the husband who has obviously been abusing his wife but he is also a cop.
The writing is tense and the pace is rapid. There are some twists and I had no idea who was responsible for the deaths. The chapters showing Leanne and Gracie's perspectives were effective for making us desperate for them to get free.
Amanda's personal life provides another tense thread as she remembers the kiss with Trent and she feels guilty about working late and the effect on her adopted daughter. Meanwhile Trent is precoccupied with the domestic abuse angle and his own aunt's experience.
Her Final Breath is a fast paced and engaging detective thriller.

THRILLING & suspenseful police procedural, well written with great characterization for a great read. RECOMMEND this & all of the Amanda Steele series.

Every moment counts in this intriguing crime thriller
Involving a serial 'mother and daughter' killer.
This case is a race against time
As Amanda Steele seeks the perpetrator of these crimes.

There are red herrings and surprises as the case unfolds,
With family dramas and lies that are told.
A gripping read from the start to the end
So give yourself time reading it to spend!

Spousal abuse, a refuge and hospital, too,
All are involved as Amanda reveals each clue.
A missing mum and daughter add impetus to the case
As finding them alive begins to feel like a race.

A story filled with tragedies from the present and past
With Amanda's boss revealing secrets at last.
A fascinating investigation and great read, too,
I have no hesitation in highly recommending to you.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

This was an interesting yet all too real story about domestic abuse. I really enjoyed following the police procedural. I could even connect with Amanda’s frustration with wanting to follow her gut but had to follow protocol. There was a romantic hint with her work partner, Trent, that was so intangible it felt awkward and forced. Unless this was to be further developed in future stories, I feel the romance could be totally removed and not really affect the story line. There is also mention of Amanda’s boyfriend, Logon, but he only appeared twice in this story so he felt very insignificant. There was a passing comment about Libby, Amanda’s daughter’s care person, being Amanda’s partner but it was unclear if that referred to work partner, life partner or care partner.

Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold is the WoW seventh book in the brilliant Detective Amanda Steele series and this book was excellent from start to finish. I loved it. This was a book i found hard to put down again until I had finished........especially as this book had great twists and turns throughout and the ending was WoW - Brilliant
Detective Amanda Steele is an excellent character.

I highly recommend this series. 5 star read. Looking forward to the next book with in the series

Carolyn Arnold continues to step up the stakes and thrills with the Amanda Steele series! In this latest book of the series, we find Amanda investigating a case of mother and daughters who are buried in shallow graves. As she's settling into her role as Zoe's mother, this case hits close to home. For her partner, Trent, the case affects him as the bruises and abuse discovered on the mother makes him feel guilty about the abuse his own aunt faces.


I kept being pulled back and forth between suspects as Arnold expertly twists the storyline. I can usually pick up on who the most likely culprit will be but this time, I was surprised! We get to see a new side to who Sergeant Graves is and a key that unlocks her unexpected past. It doesn't excuse her treatment of Amanda, but it helps give a bit of insight as to why she carries around such a big chip on her shoulder!


The plot is perfectly executed with suspense and thrills that keep you turning pages as you get wrapped up in the case. My heart aches for the mothers and their daughters as the perpetrator continues his demented deeds. Such a thrill ride!


Amanda is back with Logan, but I have a feeling that her and Trent won't be able to continue hiding the attraction. I do like how safe Zoe feels with him and how Amanda is given a glimpse of a happy family again.

Her Final Breath is Carolyn Arnold’s seventh book in the Amanda Steele series. I love this strong female protagonist. She has a big heart and when Zoe’s parents were murdered, Amanda was on the case. She fell in love with the young girl and took her into her home. Amanda does work a lot, but she has a great support system and Zoe is a very happy young lady. Now, what about her love life? Well…we shall see. She is not in any hurry, though she has a couple guys hanging around. I know who I want, but, like I said, we shall see.

A mother and her daughter were found curled up in a park and the girl’s toy elephant hit a little close to home for Amanda, seeing her daughter had one just like it. Putting that aside, Amanda does not waver when it comes to finding the murderer, especially when another grave is found and another mother and daughter are missing.

Domestic abusers can fall through the cracks and those they are abusing pay the price. I find in real life, this is all too familiar. Our military may come home hurting, needing help, unable to adjust to our world after combat.

The ending was a bit different from the usual fare I get from Carolyn Arnold, but I am always up for something different and it works for the story.

Carolyn Arnold writes fantastic police procedurals, law enforcement acknowledging her accuracy with the details. She is a must read author for me, keeping me glued to the pages of her books for hours on end.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com