Endgame is a fitting conclusion to Sarah Barrie's tetralogy featuring vigilante-turned-maverick cop Lexi Winter.

Lexi and her colleagues Finn and Linc are drawn in as bystanders when a young local footballer is found dead, apparently the result of suicide, in bush-scrub behind (fictional) Jenny Dixon Beach. The beach and adjacent reserve are associated with a spooky local legend, and the young boy who discovered the body has a mysterious tale to tell. Lexi's ward, Cait, moved in the same circles as the deceased Bobby Walker, who it transpires had a shady history regarding his treatment of young women.

No sooner has Lexi returned home with Cait than she realises that she's being stalked by her nemesis Damon Vaughn, a psychopath who can't accept that Lexi thwarted him (in Unforgiven) and is out for revenge. Vaughn broadcasts his evil plans to kill five people by the end of the month, part of a twisted game in which he hopes to engage Lexi. When people connected to Vaughn's prosecution for child sex trafficking start dying, and Lexi's own family members are threatened, the Gosford-based task force realises that Vaughn is in deadly earnest. Despite the considerable personal risk, Lexi insists upon remaining on the case, and is reluctantly supported by her boss, D.I. Rachael Langley, in doing so.

Endgame is a high-paced, enthralling crime thriller. Lexi is an engaging protagonist, supported by an able team of police and other characters, including her 16-year-old ward, Cait. The dialogue is snappy and the settings on NSW's Central Coast well developed.

I'd highly recommend Endgame, and all the novels in Sarah Barrie's Lexi Winter series to any reader who enjoys action-packed gritty crime thrillers with great characters and occasional flashes of black humour. The series is a departure from Barrie's previous published work, which falls into the romance and romantic-thriller genres, but has proven to be a tour de force. I know I'm not alone amongst her legion of loyal fans in hoping that she's got another similarly gripping series in the pipeline, now that this one has reached a conclusion.

My thanks to the author, [author:Sarah Barrie|4844517], publisher Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Rating of 4.75.

Outstanding Australian author Sarah Barrie brings her dark and powerful Lexi Winter series to a compelling conclusion with the exceptional novel Endgame.

Former vigilante hacker Lexi Winters finally has her life together. Now a decorated police officer studying to take her detective exams, Lexi’s biggest challenge is balancing her career with her hectic personal life, especially when it comes to looking after her ward, the former runaway Cait. However, despite her best efforts at normalcy Lexi can never truly relax, especially as she knows her nemesis Vaughn is waiting to get revenge on her.

When a series of brutal murders begins around Sydney, Lexi finds herself brought aboard when it becomes clear they are connected to a resurfaced Vaughn. Determined to prove that he is better than her, Vaughn challenges Lexi to a very public game of murder. Five people will be killed by the end of the month, but if Lexi can identify and save the final victim, Vaughn will turn himself in.

With the eyes of nation on them and public support seeming to lie on Vaughn’s side, Lexi finds her sanity tested like never before. The more she digs into Vaughn’s dark crimes, the further she finds herself slipping over the edge, especially as she begins to see strange figures and ghosts wherever she goes. With Vaughn’s attacks on her becoming even more personal and her own colleagues losing faith in her, Lexi has no choice but to keep playing her nemesis’s twisted game, even if it will lead to her death. But Lexi has come too far to lose now, and she will do whatever she must to force an endgame between her and Vaughn.

Barrie continues to showcase why she is one of Australia’s most compelling crime fiction authors with this shocking and powerful final Lexi Winter novel. Featuring a complex and captivating story loaded with dark moments and intense character work, Endgame was an exceptional novel that I honestly could not get enough of.

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/12/30/endgame-by-sarah-barrie/

An abridged review of this book also ran in the Canberra Weekly on 12 December 2024:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/12/30/canberra-weekly-column-holiday-reads-12-december-2024/

For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/

Endgame by Sarah Barrie is a heart-pounding conclusion to a thrilling series that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The fourth book in the Lexi Winter series, it masterfully blends suspense, tension, and complex characters, with Lexi’s journey taking center stage once again. Lexi is a police officer battling both external threats and the emotional weight of her past. In this final installment, she faces her arch-nemesis, Damon Vaughn, a dangerous predator who has resurfaced, determined to destroy her. Meanwhile, Lexi is fostering a troubled teen, Cait, whose involvement in a drug-fueled youth culture adds another layer of tension.

The novel is fast-paced and filled with unexpected twists, but it’s Lexi’s character that truly stands out. Barrie brilliantly develops Lexi, revealing her vulnerabilities—fear, guilt, and personal sacrifice—while maintaining her strength and determination. Lexi’s quest to stop Vaughn becomes a race against time, and her emotional journey, particularly as she navigates the complexities of fostering Cait, adds depth to the narrative.

The stakes are high, and Barrie doesn't shy away from keeping the tension at a fever pitch. The unraveling mystery and mounting danger will keep readers gripped, while the intricate plot and well-developed characters ensure a satisfying, emotional payoff. The ending, though intense, wraps up the series perfectly, making Endgame a must-read for thriller fans. A brilliant, fast-paced, and emotionally charged conclusion to a captivating series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia, and the author for the chance to read this book.

5🌟
This is the final book in the Lexi Winter series, and it did not disappoint. There was nothing repetitive about it, and it was full of enough twists and turns to prevent me from figuring it out too early. I absolutely loved it! I highly recommend this series if you love a crime/suspense storyline.

This is book 4 and apparently the last in this series. Lexi's nemesis Damon Vaughn resurfaces in this book determined to take out Lexi, one way or another. Lexi is now fostering a troubled teen Cait, who appears to be mixing with a circle of teens who are being impacted by drugs and alcohol. When one of the teens commits suicide, rumours start up that this is retribution for a past deed and soon Lexi discovers a lot more is being covered up.
The pace is fast, but there is so much terrible stuff going on that it beggars belief in parts and the constant tension left me weary. Still a great read and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

We once again return to Lexi and her life of being a police officer and trying to get justice.

In this book, Sarah has created event after event to keep us intrigued by Lexi and who is trying to prevent from hurting others. Each event causes problems, for which Lexi tries to control in her favour, but something always finds it way to pop up and cause mayhem.

Sarah has played the emotions of the characters to be a force to be reckoned with and keeps us on our toes with what will occur next.

Lexi Winter is back in book four aptly titled Endgame, seeing out the conclusion to this wild ride of a series. I devoured this final installment which in true Lexi style was a non stop thrill ride.
Sarah Barrie certainly knows how to write a crazy story and one that kept me engrossed from start to finish. Endgame will have you flipping pages at warp speed, holding your breathe through the madness to get to the end.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a fast pace, edge of your seat thriller. It is well worth the investment of your time. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this advanced reading copy.

I’ve been a huge fan of Sarah Barrie’s books since reading Unforgiven a few years ago.

Endgame is the fourth and final book with Lexi Winter – a Johnny Walker drinking, tough-talking, vigilante hacker turned police officer.

I read this in a day – I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. I loved watching Lexi and her relationships with Finn and Rachel grow and mature. While quite violent, I didn’t find this book as creepy as others in the series.

Of course, a highlight for me is that the book was set in and around Gosford, on the NSW Central Coast, which is where I grew up.

If you enjoy crime fiction, then make sure you read all of this series. You won’t regret it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for an advance copy of this book.

WOW this one had my heart in my throat so many time, I have been eagerly awaiting this one and chose a time to read it knowing I wouldn’t be interrupted because I knew once I picked it up I wouldn’t be able to put it down and that is what happened, Lexi has come a long way since book one in this awesome series she is part of the taskforce enabled to catch her arch nemesis, pedophile and murderer Damon Vaughn, when he contacts her and wants to play a game with her, a very dangerous game but as we know Lexi there is no way she will not play with the end being to finally catch him before he gets her.

Set on the Central Coast of NSW the team are together doing all they can to find him, there have been some murders already in this dangerous game and Lexi, Finn and Rachael and the team are doing all they can to stop them before he gets to the end of the game but there are some teenagers causing havoc as well using some sort of drug that has them hallucinating and there have been deaths amongst this group as well, could it be linked to Vaughn, Lexi is not sure but she must also do what she can to save these kids and the drug squad is called in as well.

Vaughn has pulled the media in and painted Lexi as a bad cop as well as the team there is a big divide of followers supporting Vaughn and hating Lexi this all adds to the danger but Lexi will never give up and the days are running out to finish this game and finally have Vaughn were he should be, the bodies are mounting up and Lexi has never felt this bad before, caring Cait adds pressure to the situation, how will this all turn out, will they get Vaughn or will he get Lexi?

This is the final book in this series and the ending was perfect each book in the series just gets better and this one rocks I absolutely loved it from start to finish I love the characters that I have come to know throughout the series, I have cheered them on and sat on the edge of my seat with fingers crossed that everything turns out OK, MS Barrie is a brilliant author who brings her characters to life on the pages and pulls her readers into the story and as always I look forward to what is to come next and maybe we will see Lexi again.

Thank you MS Barrie for another awesome story, one that I highly recommend, this series is a must read for any reader who loves a good crime thriller.

My thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

This is the fourth and we’re told final instalment in the Lexi Winter series. I do recommend you read them all in order to understand the character development and where they’ve come from.

This was an action packed conclusion to the series and I was happy with the position Lexi and the other characters finished up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Another great read about Lexi Winter. Really hard to put down.
Great writing and great characters (although I really hate Olivia). Hopefully there will be more Lexi books down the track particularly with more Dawny! She’s barely in this one.

Dnf at 72%
I really wanted to enjoy this. But I struggled to connect with any of the characters and I ended up not really caring for the story itself either.

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5. Endgame delivers a fantastic conclusion to the series. Lexi remains as sharp and sassy as ever while engaging in a deadly 'game' with her nemesis, Damon Vaughn. He sets her a chilling challenge: there will be five murders by the end of the month, and if she can identify and stop the fifth, he will surrender himself. Lexi and her team race against time to uncover the victims and prevent the murders.

Meanwhile, Lexi takes on a new role as a parental figure to Cait, a troubled teen, adding complexity to her life. As strange events unfold with Cait's so-called 'friends' and a string of deaths mount, an additional layer of mystery emerges.

This installment offers an excellent mix of police procedural and Lexi's trademark rule-breaking style. The camaraderie among Lexi and her colleagues at the station remains a highlight, showcasing a team that’s supportive and endearing. Finn continues to be a steady presence for Lexi, and the tension between Lexi and Olivia adds a fun dynamic—they might have been great friends under different circumstances. Additionally, we learn more about Lexi’s parents, deepening our understanding of her character.

This series is best read in order to fully appreciate Lexi's background and witness her remarkable growth over time.

Another ripper of a story by Sarah Barrie.
This time Damon Vaughn aka Spider is after Lexi herself and he makes her a deal. The game is on and it’s up to Lexi and the team to stop him once and for all.
I felt this storyline although violent and graphic, didn’t have the same darkness as the earlier books which I was happier about.
Totally kept my interest up all the way through till the end.
I feel that this one an be read as a stand alone but you’ll get so much more out of it if you know the characters and back story.
Sad to hear that this may be the last Lexi book but a fitting end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

Endgame is another magnificent thrilling adventure by Sarah Barrie. This is the fourth in the Lexi Winter series and it still had this reader spellbound and totally captivated. Fast paced with a lot of complex characters and issues! What a great read.

Highly recommended read.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from Harlequin Australia HQ via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#Endgame #NetGalley

Sarah Barrie has delivered a deliciously dark, edge of your seat and highly addictive thriller with Endgame. It was suspenseful and twisted and turned in ways you will not see coming.

Endgame, and the entire series was utterly brilliant. Lexi will always be my favourite vigilante.

This was Australian crime writing at it absolute finest and was the perfect conclusion to the Lexi Winter series! Bravo Barrie!

I've really enjoyed this gritty, fast-paced series, and this 4th (and final?) instalment is no exception. It is very dark, violent and action-packed - all the things that hooked me in at the start - but there were a couple of things about this story that didn't sit well with me. Firstly, the behaviour of the young men was repulsive. That's a strong word, but they were pretty extreme. The other thing was the whole concept of fandom or fanaticism that developed around the villain. I just didn't buy it, even in this social media age.

What I did like about the story, very much, was the continued character development of Lexi as she transitioned from police officer to detective, and also from lone wolf to parent. The ending wrapped up very nicely, so if this is farewell to Lexi & Co, we can all be content with the outcome, but I thought it was left sufficiently open for her to return in the future.

I have really enjoyed the Lexi Winter series and it is a pleasure to read the final instalment. The usual characters, Rachael, Finn and others are present along with a few picked up from the last book. Edge off the seat storyline and thrilling climax. Highly recommended!

The 4th book to feature Lexi Winter, a one-time escort, exotic dancer, paedophile victim and total badass. She has completely embraced her role in the police force and has the added responsibility of being carer for Caitlin.

This is expected to be the last book of the series and, consequently, we get a tense thriller that ties up some of the loose ends left during the course of the previous 3 books. The main loose end is Damon Vaughn who is a sick serial killer and peddler of kiddie porn.

He emerges from the shadows in which he’s been hiding since Lexi beat him in (book 1) to propose a “game” with Lexi. He explains to her that he plans to kill 5 people before the end of the month, culminating in killing Lexi herself. He has given her the chance to solve the crimes, work out the pattern and stop him from carrying out his plans. If she’s successful he promises to yield to her. Failure, obviously, means Lexi’s death.

Finn, Lexi’s colleague and subject of a “will they or won’t they” type of relationship, is now dating Olivia and Olivia is clearly displaying obvious signs of rampant jealousy. I’ve got to say at this point, for a high-performing psychologist, Olivia’s a bit of a headcase. Needless to say, the atmosphere in the office and out in the field is somewhat tense. In fact, Lexi specialises in putting her colleagues on notice with her intensity and straight ahead approach to policing. It’s what makes her a pleasure to follow.

The ghost of a teenage rape victim who committed suicide many years before appears to be haunting the local population. Her appearance occurs just before one of the five proposed victims. This game that Lexi has agreed to play quickly becomes a very weird and very tense affair.

The murder count builds up, Vaughn’s taunting continues at a very annoying rate, and we’re clearly heading towards a monumental showdown between the two main antagonists.

Endgame is the end of a strong police procedural series that manages to draw the reader in with a frank and clear descriptive narrative, well described characters and a devious criminal. There were times when the plot became slightly convoluted but this in no way detracted from the story which flies along at a brisk pace.

I’ve been there for all four of the Lexi Winter books and have enjoyed the development of all of the main characters. Personally, I think you’d be best to have read the preceding books to get the most out of Endgame or, at the very least, Unforgiven (book 1). This will provide a much clearer picture of the history between Lexi and Vaughn.

My thanks to HQ Fiction and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.

EXCERPT: 'I've completely lost my faith in humanity! How did we drift so far from basic common sense? I'm speaking directly to the misguided contingent who sit quietly on their hands and say nothing while Vaughan brutally takes life after life and have the nerve to cry injustice at Constable Winter for holding him accountable! Can any of you please explain to me how the woman devoting every waking moment to protecting the public is the villain? Anyone who thinks Damon Vaughan is some sort of saviour to humanity or deserves a free pass on his vile crimes because of his psychoses needs to seek their own therapy! It seems that, to the more gullible among us, being compassionate, understanding and sympathetic towards these twisted perpetrators has taken precedence over protecting the innocent!'

ABOUT 'ENDGAME': Lexi Winter is studying for her detective exams but her nemesis Vaughn is out there somewhere and her concentration is fractured. Just as she's wondering if her hypervigilance is tipping over into madness, Vaughn resurfaces and issues a challenge. Five people will be dead by the end of the month. If Lexi can identify and save the last one before the deadline, he'll turn himself in.

As Lexi's colleagues scramble to untangle what it all means, Lexi is implicated deeper and deeper into the murders. On top of this, she begins to see a strange figure everywhere she goes. Branded as suffering from PTSD, Lexi's credibility is in tatters with her colleagues, but Lexi knows it isn't her mind that is the problem. A wicked game is afoot, and Lexi is just a chess piece in play - and she suspects that check mate will mean her death. There is only one thing that Lexi can do - play along, wait for the chance to strike back, and bring about the endgame...

MY THOUGHTS: WARNING - if you have heart issues, make sure you have your pills on hand when reading Endgame. You'll need them. I don't have heart issues, but at times my heart was beating so hard and so fast while I was reading, I thought it was going to jump right out of my chest! In fact, even writing this review is increasing my heart rate.

And another note - you do need to have read the previous three books in this series before Endgame, or you're not going to have Lexi's backstory or her history with Vaughan. Both are essential to reaping the full benefit from Endgame, which is apparently the 4th and final installment of this series.

Where to start? There is no pussyfooting around here. Endgame is blunt and brutal and honest. There is no PC bullshit here. Barrie tells it like it is. She puts into words what so many of us think.

Lexi has led an unconventional life, been places I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go, yet that's part of her appeal. That she has a wide range of experience is one way of putting it. She's street smart and sees herself as staunch, suppressing her emotions. But really, she's like a French baguette - hard and crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

Endgame is full of action from beginning to end. It may not be entirely realistic, but it certainly is thrilling, dark and gritty. If this is indeed the end of the series, I'm going to miss Lexi.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.2

#Endgame #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: In a past life, Sarah worked as a teacher, a vet nurse, a horse trainer and a magazine editor, before deciding she wanted to write novels. About the only thing that has remained constant is her love of all things crime.
Her favourite place in the world is the family property, where she writes her stories overlooking mountains crisscrossed with farm­land, bordered by the beauty of the Australian bush, and where, at the end of the day, she can spend time with family, friends, a good Irish whiskey and a copy of her next favourite book. (Source: sarahbarrieauthor.net)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Endgame by Sarah Barrie for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.