Her Last Move

So, with much excitement I started John Marrs 5th book having loved the previous 4 and ‘The One’ being one of my favourite books EVER!....one of the things I love about this author is his ability to surprise and the different writing styles he adopts and with that the range of stories he tells, never predictable and this book is completely different to any of his others...
The story is set around ( and I don’t want to give too much away) a man on a killing spree to ‘right a set of perceived wrongs’ and the characters who are tasked to find him....the killer is no ordinary killer ( if there is such a thing!!! ) but has gone to great lengths to make ‘the punishment fit the crime’ and what a set of punishments he has decided on!!!! The killer has zero remorse and his only focus is the job in hand, he is chilling, ruthless, scary and fascinating!
The Police who have the unenviable task to catch him include Joe a ‘super recogniser’, a little known dept of the Met who work with facial recognition and Becca a young DS trying to make her mark in the Met, both come with their problems and ‘pasts’ and both back stories are well integrated into the main story, I loved them both and their quirkiness and zeal! ( great word )
I enjoyed the London setting and especially the fact London was going through a heatwave in the book!!!
As with all John Marrs’ books their is a wide range of people woven into the story, and they all have revelations to make about their lives, no one is quite as they seem!!!
The story is fast paced and generous in its twists, turns and OOOOOOO moments and the ending, well in this books case, various endings were tense, sad and touching
So I guess you can tell although this was a very different read as I started by saying its a great read and is hard to define as it could come under thriller, mystery, psychological, suspense, action, drama and police procedural but take all that, shake it up and start to read and it all comes out as one fantastic read that had me from page one
Lovers of John’s previous books will again love this and I think a whole new set of readers will come to appreciate one of our finest story tellers
10/10 5 Stars

DS Becca Vincent has caught the case of her career and it’s up to her to stop a dangerous predator, but even with the help of modern policing methods, she finds herself finds herself struggling. Will she and her colleagues be able to unmask a killer before it’s too late? Marrs is a writer familiar with police policy and investigation and it shows in his work, making this a believable and exciting mystery

BOOM! John has done it again. This is another book that will reel you in and keep you turning the pages.

Although it's a bit darker than his others it's still very emotive.

I found myself feeling anger, sadness and also a sense of loss when it finished.

I don't want to spoil the story so I can't mention too much but I felt for Becca who lost so much and for Maisie but felt nothing but contempt from the start for Dominic.

As you can probably tell I absolutely loved this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to everyone.

OMG! What a fabulous book. What I love about John Mars is his unpredictablity.. there is no way you can see what is coming.. a fantastic fifth book..a must read!

Oh my! What a book! The twists and turns, the little teasers that are left at the end of chapters making you read on to find out more, the way the characters get into your head, and the fantastic story line, all make this a brilliant book! Read it in two rainy days. Loved it! And I hope there’s another Joe Russell book on the cards, I need to know....Linzi????!

Her Last Move is another suspenseful page turner from this author. Right from the first page the action starts and never lets up. As usual a great plot and a cast of characters that have backgrounds carefully hidden, in some cases with some stunning surprises.
Becca a detective sergeant is determined to be noticed and pulls out all the stops investigating the latest case of a serial killer, the body count is rising and with the help of Joe, a facial recognition expert they try to find a connections and leads to find tie killer and prevent another person being murdered.
As usual with John Mars he always leaves the reader with a 'what happens next'? right at the end of the book but this time even though you have to make up your own mind I found it more satisfying than in some of his previous novels
A sure fire winner and a damn fine read.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book

With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it seems quite a shift in tone from his previous books but was one he pulled off really well.

The plot was fantastic - intricate but really well done and paced very well. I loved the characters and I'm hoping for a sequel!

This is darker then his other books but absolutely amazing. The story line is a rollercoaster ride you won't want to end . With a fabulous characters you will lose yourself In The book

Her Last Move by John Marrs

Oh my word! I’m speechless to how good this was! I’ve read books by John Marrs previously and knowing this would have a crime element was keen to see how he would execute a different genre. I was pleasantly surprised!

Marrs created detailed and authentic dialogue and settings considering this to be his first novel with crime themes and police procedural dialogue that were on par to other crime writers that I’ve read.

Along with his style of writing thrillers were the unexpected twists that shock as well as the excellent character and setting development that you always find in his books.

A great read!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC.

Another fantastic John Marrs book. Pulls you in from the beginning and keeps you going until the very end! What a great book, cant wait for more from this author.


Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book

Detective Sergeant Becca Vincent is waiting for an underground train, she was not paying too much attention the suddenly a man fell onto the lines in front of the underground train. The man was arguing with another passenger did he push him? When Becca gets back to her Station she is determined to be part of the team looking into this death. Due to a family death she needs to be taken seriously by her superiors, this could be a good To prove herself. Other bodies turn up, they had all met horrible deaths. Is there a serial killer at large? If so this one seems to be very methodical. Becca gets help from Joe a member of The Super Recognisers, officers who have photographic memories for faces. Both Becca and Joe have personal problems, two very interesting characters. We also read the story from the killers point of view,
I really enjoyed this change of pace from John Marrs, his books are well crafted,
and interesting. One of my favourite authors.

Normally I enjoy a John Mars’s novel. But sadly this wasn’t his best. It is difficult to review without giving the plot away. It was very stereotyped and I didn’t particularly enjoy the plot. In my opinion the best bit was the very last paragraph.

John Marrs never fails to write a cracking read and he has done it again!

Follow DS Becca Vincent as she tries to close in on a serial killer - this is the biggest case in her career and her home life is suffering. Can she juggle it all? Will she catch him in time? She enlists the help of Joe, a facial recognition expert and they try and catch him together. A gripping story, face paced and I would recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ oh my, the man has gone and done it again!

I am a HUGE John Marrs fan/stalker so getting my hands on a copy of his newest offering, I dived straight in and was not disappointed.

Amazing writing from the outset, characters that are so normal and natural and relatable, so you really gel with them and care about them.

And then you have twists and turns and then THAT bit near the end where you read it, then shout out NO! Then re-read it and realise that yep, this author really is brave enough to take risks in his writing and throw in a plot turn you don’t see happening or want happening. But gulp it happens, move on people and go with it.

I loved it, maybe my second fave Marrs book (the Wronged Sons is yet to be beaten)

Thank you for another amazing book 😊

As a John Marrs groupie I couldn’t wait to read this book. I’ve read all of his books, and although I don’t normally read this genre, which is different from his other books, it kept me gripped the whole way through. I think I enjoyed this book more than some of his others. Well done John.

Love Jon mars ,read every single book an never dull
I do wish to be honest ,i am not a huge fan of police procedural bar tana French series ,or Sophie Hannah .
I read the blurb and was a bit worried as sort of formula I wd steer from however I thought ,it’s Jon mars , ,he will at times surprise u so I requested ,thanks netgalley n the publishers for approving request
I started off and thought mmmm I may be right,series killer detectives with tricky pasts and family’s ,potential distracting romance
But as it’s Jon mars well it had its wee surprises and does subtly shift the normal routine of this kind of novel
The baddie is bad ,in fact a lot of the men who are fathers are weak or insecure to the point of violence or self medicating with substances ,they all appear to struggle to manage to love nurture their children
The leads are good and u root for them and I did enjoy it doesn’t always end how we have read it before and sometimes the reality can get lost in this sort of formula but I did felt Jon took some risks to make it more refreshing
Not a fave of Jon’s as loved his first second third an enjoyed his fourth however this is still good and I admire his ability to write diffirent themes and the ability to do so with a diffirent shade to other writers ,thanks Jon ,keep writing

Wow what a 5 star read, I have loved every one of John Marr's books and this book was no exception.

It captivated me immediately, I lost sleep as I just had to keep reading, I was keen to know what happened next. Each character is built up gradually and as you read each chapter, you think you know the person and then a twist hits you, absolutely fantastic.

There were times were I stopped to re-read as I loved the plot twist and was wow'd by what had just happened. I was torn throughout this book as I wanted to keep reading as I was enthralled but also wanted to prolong how long this book would last as was loving it so much.

This book kept pace throughout and I absolutely loved it, a strongly recommended read.

There is a killer on the loose who is making the ‘punishment fit the crimes’ and the bodies are quickly mounting up. A young DS called Becca is put onto the case to prove her worth and to make her mark, but she comes with her own problems. She gets teamed up with a super recogniser called Joe, who works in facial recognition and together they try to find the links between the killer and the dead.
The book is fast paced and there are a lot of characters in the story who all have interesting lives and we soon find out nothing is what it seems. There were twists and turns all the way through and even a few Noooo moments!

Another excellent read from John Marrs, definitely recommended.

Many thanks to Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Her Last Move by John Mars is incredible. Just when I thought his books couldn’t get any better, they do! There is a serial killer on the loose and Becca is the DS trying to solve the murders. She is working with Joe who specializes in facial recognition. This book is full of twists and turns and many surprises. A book that I found hard to put down!

Compelling, fast- paced, intriguing and heart-racing good - this book is everything you want from a fantastic thriller. This book had me reading late into the night as once I felt I had even one piece of the jigsaw, I just had to keep going until the whole thing was complete. It would make a fantastic television series too!
The concept of face recognition had me fascinated and I loved the character of Joe but I felt the use of domestic abuse was perhaps a little overused across the characters and wasn't needed in the quantity that was included to make me understand and care for their story. However, that is a minor thing and does not detract from this being the fantastic read that I have come to expect from John Marrs.

“Her Last Move, “ by John Marrs... WOW!

DS Becca Vincent, has landed the largest and horribly terrifying case of her career. Will it make her or break her?
This case is too big and complicated to solve alone. Becca gets together with Joe Russell... a facial recognition expert.
Together they work to keep one step ahead of an elusive and conniving killer.
The body count is rising. Will they find this killer before he completes his list of victims?
This book is thrilling from start until it’s final conclusion.
This is definitely on my top 10 list of books I’ve read this year.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC digital copy to read and review.
Highly recommended. John Marrs never disappoints!

This was my first read from NetGalley and I’d like to thank them, John Marrs and Thomas & Mercer sending me this book to read and review.

“He hides in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment. Each kill is calculated, planned and executed like clockwork.” - from the synopsis.

There’s a man on a killing spree in London and DS Becca Vincent, a single parent struggling to make her mark in the Force, and DS Joe Russell, a ‘Super Recogniser’ who’s department is still seen as a joke, are hot on his trail. But he leaves no clues and there seems to be nothing connecting most of the victims and he kills each one differently. As the body count rises the pressure is on to find him before he can claim his next prey.

I love John Marrs’ books. Ever since reading ‘The One’ back in September last year I’ve been devouring his books. This one was no exception.

I was captivated from the Prologue and the tension throughout had me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed reading the story from the different perspectives, especially as the killer seems to truly believe he’s righting the wrongs people have done to him and that his victims deserve their fate. He is calculating, cold and lacks any remorse for his actions, making him an unsettling character who was at times hard to stomach. The dynamic between Becca and Joe worked perfectly and added to the drama, particularly as we got closer to the end of the book.

The shocking twists and turns made for an emotional, heartbreaking, but thrilling read. John never fails to get you in his grip and take you on a journey you didn’t expect with his characters. As with his previous four books I loved everything about this fantastic psychological thriller.

I have read all of John Marts books and this has to be the best to date.
A well thought out plot with many twists and turns and characters that you get invested in. I hope that there will be stories to come featuring Joe.
Easy 5 stars.

I just discovered John Marrs earlier this year and I was immediately hooked on his writing. This latest book leaves me no less enthralled.

The storyline itself is so well thought out and there are a few surprises you won't see coming. Particularly one giant one which I'm not sure I can forgive the author for. Until his next book anyway.

The main characters are so well developed you really feel like you know them and therefore really get invested in them.

If you haven't read a John Marrs book then you need to immediately correct that. You will thank me, and John Marrs.

P.S. I may never eat a hard boiled egg again thanks to chapter 29.

I really enjoy John Marrs books and was delighted to receive an ARC of his latest book Her Last Move.
I really enjoyed this thriller and was hooked from the first page to the last. The characters were very well written and each one had an interesting story.
There is a serial killer working in London and the detective working on the case is Becca who is trying to find him before he strikes again.
She is helped by Joe a super recogniser of faces who is assigned to her department temporarily.
I think that this author just gets better and better and I can't wait for his next book.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another one hit right out of the park by John Marrs. This is an absolutely gripping novel. We get a few different narrators with this thriller, each with a unique and complex personality that really does justice to the level of detail that went into the creation of the complicated plot for this novel. One narrator is a serial killer for which we only get pieces of his motive in each chapter, one is a dedicated police officer who is desperately trying to balance a very complicated personal life as a single mother with a special needs daughter and being a woman in a male dominated career field, and one is a "super-recogniser" (this was a new term for me), a new branch that specializes in photographic memory. Each character has a history that will come to play in this page turner until it all comes to a brilliant crashing end, can't recommend this book enough. Great read! Thank you for the ARC Netgalley and Amazon UK.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Her Last Move, a stand alone procedural/thriller featuring DS Becca Vincent and DS Joe Russell of The Met.

When DS Becca Vincent recognises the tattoos on a murder victim as the same ones she'd seen on a tube fatality the day before she manages to muscle her way onto the investigation. She is teamed with super-recogniser, DS Joe Russell and together they make a formidable team.

I thoroughly enjoyed Her Last Move which is an exhilarating read and held my attention from start to finish. The narrative alternates between Becca and Joe's points of view and the unidentified killer. Normally I find this approach quite distracting but with the body count rising, the killer's motive and identity concealed and vague hints of trauma in both detectives' pasts it is so intriguing that I was reading voraciously to see what was coming next. Mr Marrs does not disappoint with twist upon twist and some interesting conundrums. The novel is action packed from start to finish although it should be noted that some of the killings are violent and graphic and may not suit all readers. As a read the novel is extremely well done with a steady stream of teasers and reveals as it progresses so it had my curiosity on full alert throughout.

I must admit that giving both protagonists a trauma filled past stretched my belief but such is Mr Marrs's storytelling skill that I swallowed it fairly quickly in my desire to know what that trauma is. He teases it out over the first half of the novel, long enough for the reader to want to know, but not long enough that the reader gets fed up and doesn't care. He saves the longer drawn out reveal for the killer's motive. I'm unsure about how plausible it is but it is good reading.

Much of the novel revolves around Becca and her experiences in the investigation. Initially she is not a very likeable character, being self centred, apt to jump to quick conclusions and with a chip on her shoulder. She did grow on me as the novel progresses. Fortunately there is the lovable Joe Russell as a counterpoint who initially appears smart, dedicated and fair. He is a nice man but I came to question his judgement at times as the novel progressed. Two very human protagonists to add to the exciting plot.

Her Last Move is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this arc.

Having looked through the other reviews on NetGalley and seeing a consistent 4+ star ratings for the author's previous books on Goodreads, I was really looking forward to this one.

While the story was compelling enough that I finished the book, the sheer volume of plot contrivances and all the implausibilities got to be wearying for me. But it was the 3 main characters that left me feeling overwhelmingly irritated. (I do think I showed great restraint in that I didn't throw my kindle against a wall.) Their never ending pity-parties just left me worn out.

1.5 stars rounded up.

I wouldn’t usually pick up a police procedural book; It’s not one of my go to genres but as this was written by John Marrs I’d give it a go. It was brilliant. As with all his books it had an OMG moment that hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s brilliantly crafted and kept me awake reading all night. Another sure fire hit

Just this second finished and needed to review immediately.
What a rollercoaster of emotions this book was!
Becca makes a great lead female throughout, so real and honestly flawed.
I'm not sure how to say too much without giving anything away!
This book gripped me and pulled me in right from the first few pages. The story flows amazingly between characters and storylines withoit beconing overly complex. The perfect balance of intrigue, love, hate, revenge and self reflection.
Following the parallel lives of the hunter and the hunted and everything surrounding both, along their paths that inevitably come crashing together.
If you love an edgy, slighty gritty very real feeling read then this is for you!
Brilliantly tied up at the end too.

What a great read this was! Enjoyed the main characters, but, more so Joe than anyone else. Really makes you think about helping, would you or wouldn't you? A serial killer is on the loose. Joe has a photographic memory and is helping the investigation. What is the link between these victims? will the link be found before another murder? As I always say read it for yourself to find out, do not think it will disappoint though

What an amazingly well written thriller. It’s a definite stand out book of the year. I’ve read all of John Marr’s and they get better each time. I love a book that you can’t predict and this book did it as there were so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. A well deserved 5 stars.

Loved this book. Plenty twists & turns. First book I have read by this author but will defiantly be reading more. Would highly reccomend this book it kept me guessing & wanting to read more

I love the authors writing style, you know from the first to the last page you are going to be hooked. He encompasses everything I love in a police procedural/crime thriller, the serial killer that no one wants to believe it is a serial killer as there doesn't seem to be any connection to the victims or the method of the killings. The main characters are likeable they try to have a life outside of the enquiry but it sometimes feels impossible to juggle work and their home life.

Captured from page one and read it in more or less one sitting as couldn't put it down! I loved the two main characters both with their own back story helping each other find a serial killer. I really didn't see that ending coming and had to stop for a bit as was shocked! Not your typical ending but won't give it away!!!

Now this is starting to border on rude.
I have read all four of John Marrs' other titles and without exception they have gone to the top of my 'Best books I've read this year list' And now he's done it again.
Not only would I love to be able to write like Mr Marrs, I imagine there are several authors out there who, if they read his work, would like to be able to too.
Can't put my finger on what it is about this one though. Maybe it's the foray into yet another field, his likable, complex characters, a solid, thrilling, page-turning plot or just an immense talent for telling a story.
This one has it all.
I'll be recommending this latest title to colleagues, family and friends, just as I did the last four and I know they will thank me for it.

As a fan of this author I don't know it something was off for me. While it was good it lacked what I loved about his other books. The characters seemed a little hollow for me.

John Marrs never fails to disappoint. I admit I wasn't sure at first where this plot was headed but he tied up all then lose ends at the close. The end of this novel was so action-packed I couldnt put it down and read way past my bed time. This author and his writing style have become a fast favorite for me. I feel like I always get a well developed character and smooth plot whenever John Marrs writes. He never skips a detail and some stories have stories within them. I can't say enough. Just read this book.

Another great book by John Marrs. This one is a lot darker than his others. There are many unpredictable twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down.

I’ve read a few books by this author and so was really looking forward to reading this. Personally I didn’t think it was as good as the previous books of his I’ve read (all 5 star reviews), it’s a good police/thriller but maybe read it before you read any of his other books?

This started quite promising to me but then I found I couldn't really get on with the characters as the story unfolded.

Definitely not a page turner in my opinion and this just didn't grab me at all, although I did hope it would get better as I read on but sadly it didn't.

I don't think I will be reading any more books from this author.

Omg what a book!!!! I have read all of John Marrs books. I read it in 2 sittings as I just couldn't put it down! A true work of art! Twists and turns that I never saw coming! I felt like I knew each character! Will definately be putting this forward as our book club read! Full marks !

I have read all of John Marrs books and am a fan but I have to say...............this is bloody brilliant! It was so good one of the best police/thrillers I have read in a long time.I almost wish this could be the start of a series, but as Mr Marrs writes such good stand alone books I guess I don't mind either way.I loved the main characters they were believable and I liked the fact they were not perfect.The killer was a complete nightmare and also believably written in all his horror.I didn't know there was actually a dedicated police team of people who can memorize faces that is so fascinating .I don't want to give anything more away and spoil it,but be prepared to stay glued to your kindle for the duration.I stayed up way, way too late to read this book.I absolutely loved it,and am so grateful to the Publishers and Netgalley for an ARC.

A revenge serial murderer is on the loose, and Detective Sergeant Becca Vincent and DS Joe Russell are part of the murder investigation team determined to find him and discover his twisted motives before he kills again.

Without fully taking into consideration the time demands and risks of her aspired career, after the murder of her sister, Becca took on the responsibility of raising her niece, Maisie, who has Down's syndrome. Becca's mother, Helen, initially quit her full-time job to move in with Becca to help raise Maisie. Becca feels guilt because the bond is stronger between granddaughter and grandmother than it is between her and her daughter. Later on in the story, her efforts to rebuild that bond leads to dire consequences.

Reminiscent of the American television show, UNFORGETTABLE, the investigative team consults with DS Joe Russell, a super-recogniser; this is the nickname for the Visual Images, Identifications and Detections Office. He possesses a photographic memory that never, ever forgets a face, and he finds this to be both a blessing and a burden. His inbuilt facial recognition is considered to be better than a computer. Half of his work week consists of him examining and memorizing unfamiliar faces and mentally filing their features away in his head, and then if an individual reappears in person or is a suspect in a crime, with luck, he is able to identify them.

Joe is also on a quest to find his long-lost sister, Linzi, who was kidnapped by their dad twenty-six years ago shortly after Joe's mother left her abusive, manipulative husband and moved them out of the family home. Due of reasons revealed at the end of the story, Joe is running out of time to accomplish his goal.

This is a highly recommended read for those who appreciate well-written interwoven plots with great character development.

Today I started and finished this fabulous book. Good job it was a Sunday and I could just about afford the time as this book consumed me from start to finish. Well done John .... it's another masterpiece that shocked me from the start. The way the plot twisted and turned and left me with my mouth wide open at how I didn't see things happening. Just brilliant and I'll highly recommend it to anyone x

This is my 1st John Marr's book. Not my last.a great read with unexpected things happening.it shows you the inner working of the police departments espeçially the facial recognition department. It shows how all services put themselves on the line when help is needed.i loved the characters in this story and was saddened by some events. Joe and Becca will stay with me for a long time. I hope that many people will read and enjoy this book.

Her Last Move - John Marrs. I thought that it was going to be the start of a series of books especially when Becca and Joe paired up. It was my first time reading anything by John Marrs and I found it a riveting read although I was hoping for a different ending but honestly I did like the one that John wrote. I would definitely recommend reading this one and I have downloaded other books from the author. I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and my opinions are entirely my own and not influenced by anyone else.

And he has done it again, John Marrs delivers yet another cracking, edge of your seat fantastic read. Having read every one of his books since discovering ‘The One’ just over a year ago, I feel that I am now able to consider myself a number one fan in a totally non creepy/stalkerish way. John has a way of creating a deadly character that I can’t help but like, not really sure what that says about me.

There’s a killer at large with a list, no one knows who he is or what he looks like or who his next victim may be but he must be stopped. One step behind him, DC Becca Vincent and DC Joe Russell (a super recogniser) have the job of finding out who he is and trying to stop him before he kills again, but with personal problems of their own something has got to give.
Although Becca wasn’t a favourite character of mine, I was impressed at how her story panned out, without giving too much away, I thought it was a brave conclusion for the character.

Well written characters, surprising storyline and an interesting plot, everything a girl wants in a thriller. Well deserved 5 stars. When is the next??

Wow - another brilliant book by one of my fave authors - John Marrs - you’ve only gone and done it again! 5* all the way

Brilliantly fast paced & utterly gripping. I NEEDED to know what happened next so couldn't put it down.
Another winner from John Marrs

Detective Sergeant Becca Vincent is trying to balance her career and family without much success. When she requests to take the lead on a new case, in hopes of advancing her career, she finds herself tracking a serial killer. The killer appears to be on some sort of vigilante murder spree; each death becoming more violent and gruesome than the next. With no leads and no idea who the next victim will be, Becca is teamed up with a facial recognition expert, Joe Russell, who's unique abilities have put many criminals behind bars. Together they must piece together the crimes and find a killer before he reaches his last victim, but the killer may be closer than they think...

Her Last Move is the exciting new dark thriller/mystery novel by John Marrs. This novel follows DS Becca Vincent and her new partner Joe Russell as they track an organized and ruthless killer who always seems to be a step ahead of them. I really enjoy John Marrs writing style and his distinctive take on criminal acts and unique antagonists. I didn't really care for the main protagonist, who came across as selfish and contradictory and just kind of annoyed me. Some of the plot and character development seemed a bit scattered as well followed by a rush to get everything tidied up by the end. I probably would have preferred John as a main protagonist and I felt his arc was on the backburner to Becca's whining about how difficult her life was. The gore and violence in this novel was also very intense so if you have a weak stomach...you have been warned. Although this was not my favorite novel it had a very engaging and action packed plot sure to please many of his fans.

"Her Last Move" is the second book I've read by John Marrs, and I am hooked! Someone needs to give this man a movie deal because the screenplays would write themselves!

DS Becca Vincent has landed the biggest case of her career investigating a series of murders with the help of Joe Russell, a "super-recognizer" with a natural skill for facial recognition. As they race to find a clue to the killer's identity, the body count is increasing faster than they can put the pieces together.

Becca and Joe become good friends as they go through this investigation. We learn their interesting and painful back stories and can see how they would bond. We also get to know the twisted back story of the killer. If you are a fan of crime shows, you will love this book. John Marrs knows how to tell a good story, and while I'm a sucker for a happy ending in a rom-com, I'm happy to find thriller writers who understand that everything doesnt tie up in a neat little bow. I won't say anything more because I don't want to give anything away. This is simply a fantastic read!

This title is due for publication in November 2018. Pick it up. You'll be glad you did. Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Her Last Move is the latest offering from author John Marrs and his first police procedure novel, so I was interested to see if he could manage to put his own unique spin on a genre that can sometimes feel oversaturated with similar plots. Although parts of Her Last Move felt familiar, for example serial killer becomes vigilante, I do think John Marrs has managed to add a couple of unique features to the read, I was especially intrigued by Joe Russell a facial recognition expert, I must admit I thought it was something the author had dreamt up, but no! one search on google proved me wrong, I ended up doing a test I found and I’m potentially a super-recogniser, how cool is that? Anyway I’m digressing here I throughly enjoyed this fast paced, dark and sometimes disturbing read.

Detective Sergeant Becca Vincent is trying to balance her career and family life without much success. In hope of advancing her career she takes the lead on a new case, which finds her tracking a vigilante serial killer, where each death becoming more violent and gruesome than the next. With no leads and no idea who the next victim will be, Becca is teamed up with a facial recognition expert, Joe Russell. As she strives to get a lead on the elusive murder, time is running out as the killer plots the murder of the final victim on his “to kill” list. Both Becca and Jo have very interesting back story’s and personally I thought this added another layer of suspense and intrigue to the overall plot.

As to the serial killer John Marrs has created a monster, he is calculating, cold and lacks any remorse for his actions, making him an unsettling character. The killers identity is revealed early on which can sometimes spoil my enjoyment of a read, but in fairness to the author the story lies in his motives and once revealed you realise just how warped the killer really is. There were parts of Her Last Move I found predictable but then the author threw in a couple of curve balls which made this novel stand out from many other police procedure novels I have read. This book is darker than some of the author’s previous books, but personally that’s the way I like them. John Marrs takes one very bold step (that’s all saying) and it worked perfectly and made the read all the more riveting. It’s certainly a book I would recommend to those who enjoy a crime procedure novel with a compelling plot

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

She's chasing a killer. He's watching her every move.

He hides in the shadows and wait for the perfect time. Every kill is calculated and perfectly executed. Young DS Becca Vincent has just landed the biggest case of her career, one that will either make or break her. To catch the killer, she joins forces with facial recognition expert Joe Russell but they soon find out he is always one step ahead. With the body count rising, will Becca and Joe be able to uncover the connection between the murders before the last name on the hit list is scratched?

The story was fast paced and addicting with numerous twists throughout the entire novel, even more so with the ending! It contained very well written characters who all had interesting stories. This was my first John Marrs book and it got my attention from page one up until the very last word. An absolutely gripping thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. I will be adding his previous books on my TBR list!

Thank you to NetGalley, John Marrs and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

OMG THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!!
This book is one hell of a page turner. I devoured this book in one sitting.
The blurb for this book was good, but after reading this rollercoaster of a read it blew me away.
It was definitely beyond my expectations. This book is a marathon of suspense, tension, a really nasty killer who has his own agenda. A new breed of detective and a female detective who just wants to prove to herself and others that she is good at her job.
This is the second book I have read by this author, I thought his first was good but this one is mind blowing.
I am an exhausted and very happy reader.
I would like to thank the author John Mares, Amazon Publishing UK and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

3.5 stars (rounded up)

“HE” has a list of people that he plans to kill. And, he just knows the everyone will understand WHY each victim had to die, once he explains the reasons why...

Yes, it’s personal.

BUT what is the connection between the victims?

Tasked with solving this mystery are DS Becca Vincent and Joe Russell, a member of the Super Recognizer task force (yes, I googled it, and there IS such a department! 🤓)

Each of them has lost a sibling, and neither has fully recovered from their loss.

And, each is also battling a “personal demon”.

But will these things, become twists in the story?

OR, are are they just “red herrings” the author uses to develop the characters or throw his readers off track?

That is one of the things that John Marrs excels at doing, and I will never tell! 🤫

Although I did not enjoy this book as much as his previous books, “The One” or “The Good Samaritan”, I would still recommend it for readers who enjoy police procedurals, and I will always eagerly look for his next book!

Also of interest are the articles (links provided) about the real life facial recognition experts being used in the field today...

I would like to thank Netgalley, John Marrs, and Amazon Publishing, UK for the ARC provided in exchange for a candid review. This title will be available on Nov 8, 2018 so you don’t have to wait long to receive your copy!!

3.5 Stars* (rounded up).

The body count keeps rising and neither DS Becca Vincent or the rest of her team are able to work fast enough to track the killer. Knowing that time is of the essence, Becca calls in the help of super facial recognition expert Joe Russell. If Joe can’t find this guy, well then, all bets are off. One by one, the murders get more gruesome and more personal with Becca and Joe racing to try and figure out what their connection is.

As the tension mounted in this crazy mystery / suspense, so did my anxiety. "Her Last Move" is one John Marrs novel that improves as it goes on. Recommended for fans of police procedurals.

This was another great buddy read with Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGallley, Amazon Publishing UK and John Marrs for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 10.22.18.

I've read all this author's previous stand alone books with mixed reception, so I was a little wary when I saw that he had turned his hand to one of my favourite genres; the Police Procedural. This being my bread and butter, go to genre, I was interested to see how he would fare and, on the whole, I think he did a good job.
We follow Becca, a young DS who is just at the start of her promotion to the rank and looking to make her mark, at the same time as finding her feet within the Met. She inveigles herself onto a high profile murder case when she spots a connection, and is soon teamed up with Joe, a Super Recogniser, a little know branch of the Met, the two of them tasked with identifying suspects. To say that the two of them have teething trouble working together initially would be a bit of an understatement, Becca is juggling her work with being a single mum and Joe appears to have his own issues (no spoilers) but they do manage eventually to put their issues aside and get on with the job in hand. This being quite key as the body count is increasing rapidly with no end in sight.
Where this was a good solid read on the whole, I did have to accept more than I would have liked along the way. A few things were also a bit implausible and I did a fair bit of eye-rolling along the way. Some of the situations and resolutions did feel a little contrived rather than being natural. It also went above and beyond the necessary cliche of damaged main characters and there was a little too much personal stuff getting in the way of the main story; for me anyway. This can be forgiven more if the book turns out to be part one of a series and we see certain characters develop further along the way. Either way, I never really warmed to Becca. I've not wanted to slap a MC so much for a while, but she was really whiny at times.
Now for the good bit. I was really interested and intrigued by the concept of Super Recognisers. Being extremely challenged in this, especially with respect of recognising people out of context, I was completely rapt by the description of and work done by this little known department.
Also good were the actual murders but, be warned, they are a tad on the gruesome side. The killer is a bit of a nasty one truth told. Me, I love that stuff, the more gruesome the better but if you aren't then brace yourself!
All in all, above comments aside, this was a reasonably solid first attempt at the genre. It did keep my attention nicely throughout (eye-rolling aside) and left me satisfied at its conclusion. I keep wondering if the author will break with tradition and make this book one of a series, hopefully featuring more from Joe. Personally, as he has shaped Joe so well in this book, it would be a shame to leave him here and, anyway, I want to read more about Super Recognisers.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This was the perfect combination for me- a John Marrs book which is a Crime thriller. Wow- it didn’t disappoint. Everything about this book was perfect: great fast moving plot, brilliant team of detectives, especially the main characters Becca and Joe, and a thrilling end to the book. Great Plot which grabbed me from the first page and lots of twists and turns. I will be recommending this to many friends. Can’t wait to see what John Marrs writes next?

This is the second book by this author that I have read, and it was a brilliant read from start to finish. The storyline, the characters, there was nothing about it I didn’t like. Highly recommended.

Twisty and terrifying! This is not your standard detective vs killer story!

Prologue:
We are in the shoes of an unknown individual (I will use 'he' for simplicity). He's weaving through the packed crowds of the tube station, following a large man named Demitru. He has been stalking Demitru for some time and he knows his daily movements, which is what he's counting on. He closes in, closer and closer, using the crowd to remain unnoticed. Standing directly behind Demitru he stabs him with a syringe. What happens next is the beginning of his quest to eliminate the people on his list, one by one.

******
Detective Becca Vincent has put nearly everything into her career, now she's landed a place on a high profile murder case and she wants nothing more than to solve it. But what price will she pay at home?
The description sounds like the standard detective storyline, I know. But hold on....
It's not! Her Last Move by John Marrs has a ton of unusual twists throughout the entire storyline, with all three elements, the characters, the killer, and the victims.
I've never read a book like it. So is that a good thing?
For me it's a very good thing! I loved it!
I was completely unprepared all the shocking events that occur throughout the entire story,
Highly recommended!

This is my first book by John Marrs but it won't be my last!

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and author, John Marrs, for my uncorrected advanced digital copy in return for my honest review.

John Marrs has done it again! Another amazing page turner!

This time Marrs writes his first police procedural book. The complexity of his characters along with the detail he uses in his writing is superb! He manages to give you just enough information to make you wonder, to make you really think as you try to solve this crime and the reasons behind it.

He brings in just enough of the sick and twisted inner makings of a killer on the loose and at points makes your pulse quicken as you devour the pages to find out what happens.
Brilliant!

After reading The Good Samaritan, I immediately added John Marrs to my must read all his books list. Lucky for me, it wasn't his debut, and I have since read and enjoyed his other books. I was excited to read the book description for Her Last Move and once again, his writing drew me in from the first page.
DS Becca Vincent feels like her career is going nowhere and her personal life is a mess. She desperately wants the chance to prove herself at work and when she connects the dots between seemingly unrelated murders, she gets her wish and is on the hunt for a serial killer. Joe Russell works in an elite police unit, using his talent for facial recognition( I thought this was made up but Google provided a ton of information and this is a real skill, who knew) to recognize and apprehend criminals. Becca and Joe work together to catch this killer who seems to always be one step ahead of the police as he terrorizes the city. With few leads and no idea what motivates this killer, Becca and Joe race against the clock determined to end this killing spree.
The author lets us know early on the identity of the killer and as the story progresses, we learn the connection between the victims as well as his reasons for killing. I liked how the perspective shifts from Becca to the killer, and Joe, and I suppose the killer should have been my least favorite character, but I have to say I never totally 'warmed up' to Becca. Her personal and professional struggles felt real but her reactions had me shaking my head more than once. I did not see how the author would pull everything together and the ending surprised me. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Her Last Move as it was a fast-paced page-turner.4.5 shiny stars.
I received a DRC from Thomas & Mercer and Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley.

An intriguing, enjoyable, fast paced and different crime novel. A broad cast of complex characters with several unexpected twists and a shocking conclusion combine to make this a recommended read

HER LAST MOVE By John Marrs

He has done it yet again. I honestly thought The One was Marrs best work but boy was I wrong. This is a thriller that has the reader meeting a young Detective Becca Vincent. She is struggling to apprehend a killer and needs the help of a facial recognition expert, Joe Russel. Together they join forces to track down the killer. Marrs does a terrific job of giving enough information about the situation as well as provides accurate details about the police work found within. This is yet another wonderful book that has you encompassed and gripped from the beginning. The pivotal parts are well written and the characters are likeable and you will feel emotionally conected to most of them. I recommend this novel to any and everyone who loves thrillers.



5+++ stars ⭐️ out of 5

Thank you to the author as well as netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

What seemed like an entertaining, but very standard thriller, quickly became an engrossing and surprising page turner. Marrs is excellent at turning things on their head after luring the reader into a false sense of security, and it makes for an unexpectedly emotive read.

The author also deserves kudos for creating such a loathsome, but fleshed out, antagonist.

This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and Amazon UK

The characters were very interesting and both had back stories that gave the book depth. The bad guy was also very well written and I liked how he connected back to Becca. I really enjoyed the investigative technique of using the super recognizing. The pages were flying when I read this! It read a bit like a soap opera for me. Lots of over the top drama, everyone had a dramatic past, and people connected to each other immediately. This made it fun to read but I had to suspend reality!

Bravo John Marrs. I give your fifth novel, Her Last Move, a very definite five stars! Her Last Move kept me riveted from page one. A great read. Thanks to NetGalley for the preview copy.

Absolutely amazing - exactly what I have come to expect from Marrs. Gripping, unpredictable and very well written. Cannot recommend more highly.

I’ve loved all of John’s books and this was no exception. Dark and terrifying at times, with a clever plot which caught me out frequently!

Oh my! Mr Marrs has done it again! I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. I was totally hooked from page 1 and romped through this absolutely compelling read. I have already told so many readers about this book. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

I always look forward to a John Marrs book because you know you're in for quite the ride. He sets a great pace, and whips you through the story with just the right speed so you're constantly asking "ooh what's happening next". One or two moments I definitely did not see coming, which is an essential ingredient for me, so all in all a great read.

I really loved this book. I read The One by the same author and really enjoyed both. The author writes beautifully and his books don’t seem to follow a type. For me this is a really good author. Two totally different types of books but both wonderfully interesting and well written. I would read anything he writes based on these two experiences. Again, thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to preview and review!

I have read all John Marrs books so was uber excited to read this one and boy I wasn’t disappointed. From the first chapter I was hooked. The housework did,t get done, no one got fed and the phone went unanswered while I devoured Her Last Move. I kept thinking ‘just one more chapter ... but it was impossible to leave. The story is, as one would expect from John Marrs, very well plotted and painstakingly researched. I vaguely knew about super spotters but coincidentally when I did break off reading and watched the news there were a number of stories reporting on super spotters! The main protagonists were well depicted with fully rounded characters, even the baddie had a fully formed back story which explained why he was the way he was. Another five star read..my only frustration is that we’ll have to wait a while for another book by this incredibly talented author.

I’ve been thoroughly engrossed in this book over the last couple of days.

Dark & enthralling - it’s left me a little bereft that it’s over!

I loved this book! So incredibly gripping. Great characters that jump through the pages. A dark story but with some wonderful humour from the main characters Becca and Joe. I loved both of them. A really unique story bringing in something I had never heard of - the super recognisers which was fascinating and really interesting to find exist and this is not far fetched! A satisfying ending with a load of twisty surprises.

Having recently read his excellent “The One”,I wondered how this new book would compare.It did so beautifully!Mr. Marrs is a great writer.”Her Last Move” grabbed me right from the beginning,and it never let me go.It moves at a brisk pace,but you never feel lost.His description of people,places,and events is exceptional!You get to know the characters;you cafe about them,even the bad ones.I have read many books in which the characters are not properly developed,almost like cameos.Not so here.Each one has a distinct personality that shines through.The story itself is brilliant:well thought-out and executed.I am not going to spoil the plot;this is a well-written thriller about a killer and the police that chase him.Taut,exciting,a real page-turner.Highly recommended!I cannot wait to read his next one!

I would like to thank Netgalley for an advance copy of Her Last Move in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to receive a copy of this book: Marrs' other titles have kept me hooked and The One is in my top 5 reads of all time! I have to say this book did not disappoint and adds to a fantastic repertoire of work.

This story follows three central characters: a murderer and two members of the police force. It is written so well, and kept me guessing throughout. I couldn't figure out how things were linked, then when I reached the end of the book, everything tied together so well. I couldn't put the book down, and found myself snatching any spare minutes I had to read more because I was so intrigued as to where it was going.

I am already excited for his next novel!

John Marrs landed on my radar after reading The Good Samaritan. He’s an author to keep your eye on for sure, his books are really thrilling and well written. Its been a rough week for me so I haven’t dedicated my usual nightly routine to reading like I typically do but I am slowly making my way through Her Last Move. Exhaustion has forced me into bed earlier than usual, I am hoping to carve out time this afternoon to catch up.

I like books that start with a bang and this one quickly pulls you in with an accident on the subway.

Here’s the synopsis:



She’s chasing a killer. He’s watching her every move.

He hides in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment. Each kill is calculated, planned and executed like clockwork.

Struggling to balance her personal and professional life, young DS Becca Vincent has landed the biggest case of her career—and she knows that it will make or break her. But she can’t catch the culprit alone. Together with facial recognition expert Joe Russell, she strives to get a lead on the elusive murderer, who is always one step ahead of them.

Time is not on their side. The body count is rising, and the attacks are striking closer and closer to home. Can Becca and Joe uncover the connection between the murders before the killer strikes the last name from his list?


This is really a good, old-fashioned suspense. There’s nothing extreme or wild about the plot, there’s a lot of mystery here and its well paced and the pages turn quickly as everything builds. Her Last Move is due out in November, add it to your Goodreads list now!

Becca, a DS in London, meets Joe, a recognition specialist with the police. They work together well ( after a rocky start) and have each other's backs. However, a serial killer with an extremely twisted agenda, is even faster at work. He is quite slippery and the victims don't quite seem to quite add up to a typical serial killer profile.

Becca is torn between work on the case of the serial killer - yet indeed loves her live-in mother and 6 year old daughter, Maisie (who is a special needs child). We watch Becca morph from wanting to be policewoman above all to wanting to be everything for Maisie.

In brutal detail, the serial murders are tracked until finally the pieces come together. But, oh - at what an expense!

John Marrs at his best yet again in this very twisty suspense-filled read !

Many thanks to Amazon Publishing, UK and NetGalley for a blockbuster success of a read!

Another excellent book from John marrs which you are gripped from the beginning, centred around a police woman and serial killer you cannot fail to be gripped! Thank you and keep bringing out excellent books !!!

Finally, the curse has been lifted! One terrible book after the other have I read this week, but now, this one has saved me! Yes, there are some typos, but thanks to NetGalley and the author, I had an ARC of this book to read and even if editing doesn’t catch the few little hiccups, this story was still great! Did it end like I would have made it, maybe not in all ways, but it was so good just the way it was written! I can’t say what I would have done differently without spoiling this book for others and I can’t do that because I want people to read this book! It’s juicy and good from go to stop! Just see for yourself!

I was so excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley as I've read all of John Marrs other books and this one did not disappoint either!

It had me totally gripped from the very start and kept me up reading into the small wee hours of the night keen to know what was happening next.

It is essentially about a someone who has become obsessed by hate, directing it at the wrong people. The loathing that he bottled up for years eventually consumes him and he meticulously plans his revenge against them.

Her Last Move is a brilliant and cleverly crafted book by an incredibly talented writer which will keep you hooked!

I am a massive John Marrs fan -I thoroughly enjoy his books in the past and as a result, I had huge expectations with his latest novel. I certainly was not disappointed as John Marrs has pulled a binder again!!!!
It keeps you guessing and like his other books you have some emotional feels with it. Also one min you think you have cracked it and know where the book goes but no you are unable to guess.
I found that compared to his other books this was a little bit more sinister and dark.

If you are a huge John Marrs fan read it. If you have never heard of him before, please read it you will soon another author to add to your reading collection.

Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

Very gripping, right from the go!!
Loved how the story moves forward keeping you turning pages after pages.
It keeps you on the edge right to the end.
One of my new favourite authors after this and One!!

What I liked about this book was that it was fast paced and the characters were well developed.

The plot seemed a bit contrived for me and for a police procedural it lacked the "it" factor that the authors previous books had.

I did enjoy this book and the pace and aspect of a serial killer on the loose in London.

This book is incredible. I absolutely love John Marrs and thought that he could not top his last offering - 'The Good Samaritan' - but this is even better. Incredible storyline, great characters and an absolutely riveting read, I cannot wait for his next offering.

A pacy and addictive police procedural, a fast and satisfying read - whilst I can't say it brought anything new to the table, also there were a few little irritating cliche plot devices, overall Her Last Move is a great read for anyone who loves this genre. 

There are some unexpected moments, always a pleasure for us readers who tend to see the path of a plot more often than not through the sheer volume we read - that raised the game slightly and I thought it had a brilliantly evocative ending.

John Marrs is a good writer who knows how to tell a good and entertaining story. Her Last Move is quite dark, which I like and I will be recommending this to a few people I know will love it.

Other than the blurb, I'm not giving any further info on this book. I went into it blind and am so glad I did. Her Last Move is a very exciting psychological crime thriller. It's an easy but not necessarily a fast read. I took my time reading it as I was enjoying it so much. The story unfolds slowly and steadily, ramping up the suspense and the drama. Told in three narratives, the character development in this book is superb and I loved all of the characters, even the perpetrator. I found myself thinking about the characters, especially the perpetrator (whose life we are given a great insight into), when I wasn't reading the book and regretted each time I had to put it down, anxiously waiting for the moment I could resume the story! A fantastic, brilliant read with "OMG" twists and turns of events that truly made me gasp 😱 Absolutely loved it

I have absolutely loved everything else I have read by this author but for some reason this one was just okay for me. It was enjoyable to read and many people will enjoy it more than I did but it was missing something that always made his books stand out from the rest for me so I only gave this one three stars. The characters were hard for me to like and some parts of it I was able to figure out beforehand. Despite me not being a huge fan of this one I still look forward to reading future work from John Marrs. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this.

Her last move is another amazing, gripping thriller by Author John Marrs! Once again he has pulled me into a book I could not put down! Every book I have read from him has been full of plot, character and thrills! (The Good Samaritan is a crazy good book by Marrs!!) I recommend this book to whoever is looking for a packed full book and has time because it WILL suck you in!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this copy of her last move by John Marrs!

This is the first book I have read my John Marrs and I couldn't put it down. The characters comes to life as readers find hunting a man who is trying to right a set of perceived wrongs or as readers will discover and eye or an eye, punishment fits the crime and whatever else you can think of to describe this killer. He focuses only on the killing as a job. Te different characters are set up in a way that no one is a waste of space.

Readers could define this as a police procedural mixed with a thriller. Readers do not start this book unless you plan o finish reading it in one sitting because you will not walk away from this story that has twist and moments of sadness as the story comes to an end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for the advance copy of John Marrs Her Last Move


This is a can't miss book and can't miss author! I cam going to find his other books and start reading them as well

I’ve never enjoyed a book about police working on a case. I’ve never even finished one. It was only because I’ve loved the author’s other books that I went for this. Thankfully I did. Blimey it was terrific.

Within 2 or 3 pages I was engrossed.

All of the John Marrs hallmarks are there - fantastic characters, compelling storyline, unexpected twists and just enough humour. In addition there was a real level of detail about the police stuff that I shockingly enjoyed. I loved the insight into the lead character’s police role, that was just fab.

This is an excellent book! I have enjoyed all of John Marr's books but this one is my favourite. It is in part a police procedural which is a change of direction for the author, but it is definitely a cut above some of the run of the mill offerings prevalent at the moment. I loved the partnership between DS Becca Vincent and facial recognition expert Joe Russell, it brought a fresh dynamic to the genre. The pair are working together to try to identify and stop a serial killer, as they realise that there is a link between the killer's victims. Very cleverly done, some real shocking moments with an absolutely terrifying protagonist, this book certainly gave me the fear! Darker than the previous books by this author, I would highly recommend it.

Right so now that I can breathe again, I can start my review, this is my first read by John Marrs and very happy to report that it certainly won’t be my last.

What an action packed book full of twists and turns. To say this grips you from page 1 is an understatement. DS Becca Vincent and super-recogniser DS Joe Russell are on the investigating team in the search for a serial killer on a spree in London. The killer is organised, methodical and leaves no trace or DNA evidence, each kill different from the other. The pressure is on as the body count rises, can they track him before its too late? With both Vincent & Russell having their own personal issues, can they put them to one side and focus?

Thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend as MUST READ, can’t wait for the next one… will we find out about Linzi….. oooh that was an evil way to leave it!!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was a bit confusing to me at times. While I think the story was intriguing and definitely had some high tense spots, I sort of got lost in some areas, so I had to go down a star. I do think this author is one I'll definitely be reading more of, I love his disturbing, tense, and chilling themes and characters.
Will be recommending, using in a daily challenge, and talking about in Chapter Chatter Pub!

Great book, quite a shocking development, but far too much from the murderer’s point of view in my opinion. I know readers vary in how much they enjoy this, but for me it ruins the ‘puzzle’ of a really good thriller.

I had a really hard time deciding what to rate this book. Personally,  I found it hard to stay engaged with it and I came to the conclusion one of the reasons was the constant spinning between the 3 main characters, Becca, Joe, and the killer. Each had their own way of seeing the situation. Each having their own internal struggles that shaped their decisions and the scope of the storyline. It just got to be a bit much for me.

Otherwise, it was enjoyable to read and I'm sure many people will enjoy it more than I did. It read at a good pace. The characters were well developed. The book had a good storyline, yet the ending was a bit predictable with the foreshadowing that was in the book.

Overall, a good read. I didn’t love it & I didn’t dislike it. I would still recommend this book; it just wasn’t a favorite of mine.

“She’s chasing a killer. He’s watching her every move. He hides in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment. Each kill is calculated, planned and executed like clockwork.” A fast-paced, gripping novel that proves to be another success for John Marrs! The characters were all extremely well-developed and interesting, each with unique backstories. I have to be honest, I was bored at times and found myself wanting to skip chapters, but overall the book was satisfying! Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the free advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

Without exception, I very much enjoyed each of the author’s previous novels. It’s no secret either that John Marrs is one of my favorite authors who I often recommend to other readers. Well if someone’s looking for a new detective novel I can now recommend Her Last Move as well. This novel is his first foray into the police procedural genre, using a detective’s point of view and I have to give him another round of applause because he pulled it off in a genre I read plenty of books in: the plot is original, the cast authentic and the writing superb.

Detectives usually pair up in novels, that’s a standard deal, but I’d never read a novel about a duo like the one (Detective Sergeant) Becca forms with Joe Russell. What am I saying, I hadn’t even heard about the job of a super-recognizer before. Joe Russell is the bunny in the hat and it works brilliantly. I was sceptical of his role and his usefulness but quite fascinated as well.

I didn’t even read half the novel before I absolutely had to know if super-recognizers are really employed in the police force. Google and Wikipedia showed that Scotland Yard has a squad of over 200! Huh! The internet also provides many tests as well apparantly if you want to check if you are in doubt (or convinced) that you have this very special ability of being able to recognise 80% of faces, whereas normal people only score a good 20%.

The author peppers Her Last Move with plenty of revelations and both of the main characters have very interesting backgrounds and family relationships that are out of the ordinary and make you sympathise with them right away as they both have their own personal issues as well. I can’t say much about the investigation but I can tell you that I was hooked as soon as the first murder occured in the very first chapter because I felt I could almost touch the murderer myself. The setting of the unfortunate event was a metro station so the thought that someone can harm someone else so easily if it’s a bit crowded makes me want to keep my distance from everyone from now on, even more than before ;-). The second murder was already more gruesome and I could only guess at the reasons why the killer let his victim suffer without remorse. Marrs kept me on my toes the whole time as I was trying to figure out what connected these people and who might have been doing this but the underlying reasons are of course not easy to spot. Just when Joe’s closing in on the suspect and the story shifts into its highest gear, there’s that one big twist that happened that I was totally unprepared for and it completely knocked me out of balance. I’m talking about one VERY intense scene. I still can’t get over it. There were so many thoughts running through my head at the time and I was holding onto my dear heart too. The author kept me guessing about the outcome for sooo long, it was bloody torture and I could only think nooooo in my head. I didn’t expect this turn of events AT ALL and I loved it as much as I hated what came out of his twisted mind.

Overall, Her Last Move was amazingly entertaining so I definitely recommend!

What a great book! This is my second John Marrs book and they have both been amazing. This book grabbed me from the first page and I couldn't put it down! I'm usually not a big fan of police books, but this one was put together really well and had so much other story that kept me interested. I always enjoy reading from different character's points of view. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book!

I first got into John Marrs by reading The One, a brilliant read. Then The Good Samaritan which I thought was even better. And now Her Last Move-his best yet. Make no mistake, this truly is unputdownable and will hook you straight away. The two main characters, DS Becca Vincent and Joe Russell a super-recogniser, ie someone who remembers faces, are on the hunt for a serial killer in London. Both main characters, and the killer, come with a past that is brought out through the story, and the plot twists and turns right through to the shocking end. As in the previous two books, the writing is sharp, fast and true to life, and really brings out the characters of the two protagonists.
What I particularly like about John Marrs writing is that every book is so different, all stand alones, and take in different genres, this falling into the catagory of police procedural I suppose, but it is so much more.
I have read over a 100 novels in 2018 so far, and this definitely goes into my top three, just as the Good Samaritan did last year, and The One the year before that.
I can’t wait for John’s next book, The Passengers next year, which I am sure will be in my top three for 2019.
I cannot recommend Her Last Move highly enough, it really is that good and a definite 5 stars.

I've read I've read and loved all John Marrs' books to date and also read a lot of police procedurals, some good, some just okay so I was intrigued to read his first venture into this genre.

As always with this author the writing is engaging and the characters are believable, none are stereotypical and their back stories are deftly woven into the storyline. The juggle between the professional and personal lives of key characters was absolutely nailed, I was enthralled to learn about the super-recognisers (yep I checked they are real!) and this added a clever dimension to the storyline. The utterly compelling plot is really well crafted, brilliantly paced and I'm a bit gutted that it doesn't seem to be the first in a series as I'd love to read more!

Original and riveting - imo the author has mastered this genre too!

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book, my honest thoughts and opinion are expressed in this review.

A man falls or is pushed under a tube train. DS Becky is in the crowd on the platform and notices something. Another man is found dead shortly afterwards and Becky can put the two together from what she has seen. She liaises with the super recognisers team- those who have a much better memory from most of us that can spot the face in the crowd and remember that they are on a crime sheet somewhere in the depths. Joe appears to have his own mission and Becky isn’t too pleased about it as she feels that she is being sidelines and made to look a fool. She has her own issues at home- a daughter who is cared for by her mother who lives with them but Becky isn’t spending the time with her daughter that she promised. A daughter who has more needs than others and who needs that special time. Yet again John grabs you from the word go and you want to keep turning to find out what happens. This is slightly different from his other books as it starts out more of a crime book than a psychological thriller. A plot that grabs you and holds you, turning the pages to try and find out that bit more of what happens. A different read , a clever and a highly enjoyable one.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
(rest of links on publication day)

There's a reason that the London tube system scares the life out of me and that prologue just confirmed my fears! With a serial killer targeting seemingly unconnected victims, London detectives are left with no clues as to who their murderer could be.

Three narrators tell the story; the killer, Joe Russell, facial recognition expert or super recogniser as they are known and detective Becca Vincent, a single mother who feels she has to prove her worth not only as a detective but also as a parent.

The chapters narrated by the killer are quite chilling and serve as a reminder of how much we all make the assumption that those we know are telling the truth about who they are. Hidden in clear sight we begin to understand what motivates the killer.

Both Joe and Becca are hiding their own secrets about their lives and each of these are revealed throughout the book. If I'm honest Becca really irritated me at times: her over-dependence on the approval of others and especially men grated on my nerves a little and her constant whining! I did warm to her a little more when I heard about her path to motherhood but at times I wanted to give her a bit of a kick in the ass for being so shallow and whiny! I definitely preferred Joe's character and I connected with him more than Becca.

The plot moved along at a good pace and I found myself zipping through the chapters. The murders were certainly twisted and the author is a brilliant storyteller who knows how to keep you hooked! Things definitely ramped up in the second half of the book and this is where I found myself becoming truly engrossed in this tale of revenge, guilt and rejection. The inclusion of the super recognisers was fabulous, this was a fascinating insight into a team that I didn't even know existed! The acknowledgements have links to a number of articles for those who want to find out more.

Each book that John Marrs writes is completely different and this one veered towards the police procedural. It isn't my favourite of all of his books but it is definitely one that provided a good solid read, twists, turns and the "just one more chapter" kind of read that kept me hooked until the end.
review will be on the blog as part of the blog tour

Not my first John Marrs book and certainly won't be my last. Love this author.

DS Becca Vincent together with facial recognition expert Joe Russell, are on the hunt to solve murders happening in London and try to uncover the murder connection quickly before they strike again. But they are very clever and always one step ahead - the characters and their personalities really come to life.. .Unputdownable - highly recommend if you don't want any sleep!!

This is my third book by John Marrs, having previously read – and loved – When You Disappeared and The Good Samaritan. The author certainly cannot be accused of writing predictable or 'safe' stories. Instead, he grabs the reader from the outset and takes them on a journey filled with drama, tension and some real edge-of-the-seat moments.
Her Last Move differs to his other work, in that it focuses on the efforts of CID officer DS Becca Vincent and DS Joe Russell – a police 'super recogniser' – to track down a brutal killer. I'm sure I'm not alone in being dubious about people having 'an in-built facial recognition that's better than a computer', but they do exist.
The story flits between the perspective of the two police officers and the murderer himself, deftly peeling away layers to reveal his motive and the reasons behind his gruesome choice of killing methods. It builds up to a nail-biting crescendo – with one episode causing me to squeal in disbelief – but … My only gripe would be the ending. It just didn't gel for me, but I have added the author's other two books to my TBR pile. My thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

John Marrs is an auto-buy author for me, meaning I'll read anything he writes. When I found out he had a new book, Her Last Move, coming out, I couldn't wait to request it on Netgalley! Regular readers of my blog and reviews know by now that I love books that involve some element of stalking, and this one did, and I loved it. 

The book alternates between three POVs - our protagonist Becca, who is a detective hoping to have her big career break on this case, Joe, a "super-recognizer" that works for the police, and our unnamed killer. I really enjoyed the killer's chapters and getting that creepy insight into his twisted mind. I was constantly trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and while I was able to figure out part of the mystery, there were other pieces that I didn't see coming, so I really enjoyed the twists and turns throughout the story. 

I feel like Marrs did an excellent job of developing all three of our POV characters. I felt like I could feel Becca's internal struggle as she fails to balance a career that the loves with her home life. I loved Joe's character - he was one of my favorites. His knack for remembering faces can be both a blessing and a curse. Lastly, the killer. He was dark, and twisted, and it was clear that he had a motive, but unclear what that motive was until later in the book. 

All in all, I loved the book, and I loved the ending. It started off with a bang, and kept up it's momentum throughout the book. If you're a fan of Marrs' other books, or if you enjoy reading police procedurals, I think this will be a winner for you!

Wow that was one heck of a roller-coaster ride, absolutely thrilling from start to finish.

Given that this is the authors first venture into the genre of police procedure, it is a very impressive read, it has a brilliant story plot, well thought out dialogue, well written characters that were real and believable, a bit of goriness which makes you cringe and plenty of guessing as to how it would all end.

As much as I enjoyed the book, there was one part of the story's outcome that I didn't like and when it happened, I was like No no no, so I was a little sad by that, but I can see why the author did it.

As for the rest of the ending to this book, it was brilliant and there was a shocking twist at the end, which I totally didn't see coming.

So final words, if you haven't read a book by John Marrs before, I can highly recommend that you read one at the very first opportunity you have, you won't regret it.

UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLY GOOD!!! I don’t think the world will ever have enough books by John Marrs, my kindle/book case definitely won’t. I am obsessed by his books and this one is yet another amazingly written, thrilling and captivating example of John Marrs’s writing magic.

Time works against DS Becca Vincent in chase of serial killer who seems to be choosing his victims randomly. How to trace someone who is untraceable? Maybe bringing facial recognition expert will do the job… Becca has landed the case of her career if not lifetime. Chase is on and everything else has to wait. This case feels more personal by each day and Becca has to catch him, no matter what. Her family and life has to go aside until serial killer is behind bars and murders stopped.

Chase. Reading this book certainly felt like a chase! I didn’t seem to read fast enough to catch up with the story. It was so engaging and exciting, I felt like my heart rate was speeding up by a minute. And then, way to soon, the book was over and book hungover has set in. What an impossible task to choose what to read next after such an amazing book, right?

I will try not to repeat myself in expressing my awe over this talented author and simply say: Get this book as soon as it becomes available and read away!!!

Her Last Move is the first book by John Marrs that I have read and it was an enjoyable crime story with a number of twists and turns including one towards the end of the story that I wasn't expecting.

The 2 main characters, Joe & Becca, both work for the Met and are involved in the investigation of a series of murders that on first fight do not appear to be connected.

The story is well paced and engaging and is recommended

Well I was late for work today and I am laying the blame squarely at John Marr’s door! I was close to the end and NOTHING was going to make me stop reading. Wow, what a novel. In the best style of John Marrs- brilliant writing, great characterisation and amazing plat lines. There aren’t enough superlatives. The only thing I would have changed is something that happened near the end but that may be just personal preference.

Two detectives on the hunt for a serial killer - a particularly sadistic killer, who seems to be picking random people and killing each in a different way. What’s the connection? Who will be next? Can Becca and Joe find the killer before he kills again? The other question is, is he being helped and by whom?

Wow, a real ‘must read’ book.

One of my all time favourite books is Welcome to Wherever You Are by John Marrs so I was thrilled to receive the Arc to Her Last Move and what a brilliant, clever and totally absorbing read it was. His first police procedural and oh boy this man can write a damn good plot and also some really interesting information about the super recognisers who I had never heard of at all and I read a lot of thrillers. Well fantastic plot, brilliant characters and a very nasty serial killer what more would you want from a book and I urge you to read it as you won’t be disappointed.
My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for a chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

OMG, Could not put this book down!
Her Last Move by John Marrs, wow, wow, wow! This is my 1st by this author and I will be looking for more. Twists, turns, excellent writing, excellent characters a plot that was soooo interesting, what else can be said.... I am still digesting this book. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read this ARC book and give my honest opinion...which is, This is one of those books that you just cannot put down until you make your way through to the very end!! Read this book, you will not regret it!

John Marrs is one of my favourite authors and he did not disappoint with this latest offering. The characters are all well rounded and likeable and most importantly believable. There was chemistry between Joe and Becca that had me rooting for their friendship and there were a few good back stories going on alongside the main thread. The story kept me gripped and twisted and turned throughout and was generally just brilliant. Can’t wait to share it with my book group when it’s published. Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read in almost one sitting a fabulous book. I really enjoyed the whole of this book and look forward to reading more from John Marrs.

I love the fact that all John Marrs books are really quite different and you never know what to expect apart from a great gripping story.
John has done that again in Her Last Move. It’s easy to read and a great page turner. You don’t know what’s going to happen next. I found the super recogniser really interesting angle. I’d never heard of them before and did find myself googling them in the middle of the book.
Just loved it. Highly recommend you go and read this too.

This was the third book of John Matt’s that I read and found it more difficult to get into. The Good Samairtan had me hooked on papragraph one and I couldn’t get enough of it. The One has me hooked pretty quickly as well. This one took awhile. I found the characters to be a bit annoying and the story took awhile to get going. Although overall I enjoyed it and look forward to more books by John Marrs. Thank you for the ARC copy!

I had high hopes for this newest thriller, both because of the fascinating blurb and the fact that fellow bloggers seemed to have enjoyed it. There is no doubt that those expectations were met. Her Last Move has a well crafted, complex and interesting plot, where we follow three different POVs that each has its own subplot apart from the main investigation. This isn't just another detective thriller, as we get a look inside a serial killer with a very twisted sense of justice as well as a new investigation angle with facial recognition expert Joe Russell. Both DS Becca Vincent and Joe have complicated backgrounds that might be considered cliche (the whole damaged detective angle). But while those backgrounds didn't add anything sustantial to the plot and might distract from the main story at times, it did help making it easier to relate to them. The suspense and amount of information available about the ongoing investigation are well distributed, giving you just enough to try and guess what is happening without revealing its secrets. There are a few twists that will no doubt surprise you! The character development is excellent and it was fascinating to learn more not only about the how, but also about the why behind it all. If you are looking for a well constructed, elaborate and intriguing detective thriller with an original twist, Her Last Move is a great choice.

I really like how Her Last Move isn't just another detective thriller, and adds its original twist to it. The plot itself is quite complicated with three different POVs to consider as well as various background stories. But it all just worked for me, and both the suspense and plot twists are well handled. The story also has a few surprises in store, and the character development is very well done. Plus, getting to look inside the head of another twisted serial killer is always a bonus, right? Fans of the genre will enjoy this one.

I have read some of John Marrs’ previous books and I loved them all, so I was hoping this one would be just as good. I was not disappointed !!

DS Becca Vincent has just been assigned to her biggest case so far, that has the potential to make or break her career. She is also struggling as a single parent, there just isn’t the time to spend at home when people are being murdered. To help with the case she finds herself working along side Joe Russell, part of the super recogniser team. Will they find the murderer before he murders again ?

This is not your normal detective thriller, it is so much more. Plenty of twists and turns with some very gruesome murders !! A definite book to add to your reading list, one to move to the top of the pile.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

An amazing book with a twist I did not see coming!

Police officers Becca and Joe team up to try and stop a serial killer who is ending the lives of a number of professionals (in very gruesome ways) and seemingly will stop at nothing to get 'justice'. This was an action-packed, genuine page-turner as the killer seemed to always be a step ahead and had clearly meticulously planned his kills. For me this book wasn't just about who the killer was but more about why he was on a killing spree as the story indicated he felt he had been wronged and was punishing those who punished him.

I raced through this book as felt the storyline was gripping and literally every chapter had some fresh action and insight into the killer. Can Becca and Joe find the culprit before he seeks full revenge? If you like crime novels then you absolutely need this book on your shelf!

My thanks to Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5*
Two murders within hours of each other. Both victims have identical tattoos on their hands. Both live at the same address. And…both died a horrific death, but in very different ways. Soon after, reports begin flooding in of yet more gruesome deaths. Sure gives the appearance of being related…unless you don’t believe in coincidences. So, are they all related? Is there a serial killer on the loose? Is there a reason they’re being targeted?

“Everyone has their secrets”

Detective sergeant Becca Vincent. Single mother driven to prove herself by immersing herself into this investigation.
Detective sergeant Joe Russell a “super-recognizer.” (Yes...that term actually exists!)
Described as someone who has a photographic memory for faces. Quite a handy talent for police work. Working out of a special division, Joe has been brought in to assist Becca with this very difficult case.

Let me start by saying how excited I was to see a new release by John Marrs! I adored his previous book The One. In fact it’s sitting on my favorites shelf right now! Unfortunately, this book lacked the magic of his previous release. I’m in the minority on this as there are some fantastic four and five star reviews. But somehow I lacked a connection with the characters. Just not the best fit for me.

A buddy read with Susanne!

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon UK Publishing for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

John Marrs has done it again. Fantastic story, I was totally gripped and didn’t want to put it down. Can’t wait to read his next one. Hope I don’t have to wait too long.

Unexpected and addictive.
It's really hard to review this without giving away some of the things that make it so special. The main one being the three different perspectives, we actually get inside the killer's head, finding out his motivations and the two detectives are not your typical pairing.
If you enjoy fast paced and exciting thrillers, with an inventive body count and interesting, layered characters then this is for you.

Once again, Marrs is back with another addictive disturbing novel.

I don’t know how he does it, but he manages to hook his readers from the first page to the last page. I’m never disappointed when I’m reading one of his novels because I know it’s always great.

This novel was very dark and I’m not ashamed to say that I loved it. The story was told in 3 different perspectives, two detectives and the killer. It’s very interesting to read because although this move serves as a thriller and most of the novel is the detectives trying to find the killer, we still get a glimpse of their lives and their past.

I loved reading about each one of their lives, especially Becca. She’s such an interesting person and the life she lives and the struggles she encountered is what made me enjoy her perspective the most. I think Marrs balances the emotional and thriller aspects of this novel very well.

We also get an answer as to why the killer is doing what they is doing and their his targets are who they are. Readers might sympathize or the might not, I think that is what makes this book a lot more interesting. It’s definitely a topic hat could discussed at a book club because if I talked about it here I wouldn’t be able to stop!

I didn’t really like one part of the novel and how it ended, but it wrapped up quite nicely after that. Another job well done by Marrs!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

It was with trepidation that I started John Marrs’ new novel. I’m mad about his previous books, especially The One, which is clever, different and compelling. I was nervous his first attempt at a crime thriller/police procedural would not live up to my expectations. Well, I needn’t have worried! He creates incredible suspense right from the start – and then ups the ante right away with the chilling final sentence of the prologue. I was hooked! John Marrs has yet again produced a cleverly plotted, well-written, intriguing novel with plenty of surprises. He takes us into the lives of his characters, even the most minor of them such as the young car accident victim who becomes caught in the crosshairs of the drama. He really ‘gets’ people - their motivations and foibles - and ensures we get to know them too. I found learning about the Met’s super-recognisers fascinating. I was unsure if the author had imagined them - until I read his acknowledgements and learnt they were real. Like all his books, Her Last Move is beautifully architected and the numerous strands are satisfactorily (and definitely not predictably) tied up. He does, however, hit us with a surprise, which I’m hoping he’ll use to segue into a second book… If you’re squeamish, note that this author doesn’t shy away from blood and gore - and he’s not definitely not scared to shock. In my opinion he just gets better and better.

4,5 Stars

„Her Last Move“ is a fast-paced and addictive read. He brings fresh ideas to a plot which seems on the first look like something you read before. There are some surprising twists and turns and –for me- one shocking one.

I did not know anything about “Super-recognizer” and I enjoyed this new aspect very much. Although there is nothing really new about the story – a lot of police work and revealing the killer early on – it is very entertaining and the tension is mounting from chapter to chapter.

DS Becca Vincent is struggling to keep the balance between being a single mother and her work. But when she spots a connection between two murder cases she is adamant to catch the killer. Becca teams up with Joe Russell, a face super-recognizer. Becca and Joe are very strong characters. They have both lost loved ones in the past and they still suffer from this. I must admit that I did not like Becca very much. She really annoyed me but she is also a very lifelike character. But I was very intrigued by Joe and his ability as a face-recognizer. I pride myself in saying that I never forget a face but I am a world away from this special talent. The story itself is dark and sometimes unsettling and the fast pace kept me reading and reading.

John Marrs is a very talented writer. I enjoyed all of his books I read and he made it very quickly to the list of my favorite authors. He knows how to tell a story and he does not fail to come up with fresh idea. This is my third book from him and everyone was different. I am already looking forward to his next book.

The One and The Good Samaritan by John Marrs are two of my favourite books of all time. I was so happy to receive a copy of his latest book, Her Last Move, in exchange for an honest review.

DS Becca Vincent is on the hunt for a sadistic serial killer with the help of facial recognition expert Joe Russell. You follow different perspectives as they move around London searching for, and evading, each other. The story never gets dull and in fact the book gets better and better the further you get into it. This is one of the few books that had a genuinely shocking moment for me and I was gripped.

I can't wait to read more from Marrs and will be impatiently working my way through his other two books until his next one is released!

Brilliant. This book had me reeled in from the start. The drama is at full speed throughout and the shocks keep coming. This book had taken me through a rollercoaster of emotions. This story will stay in my head for a long time. Brilliant characters, brilliant writing and a mind blowing plot. This is a superb thriller.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for my copy.

When a string of grisly murders take place around London, DC Becca Vincent is assigned the task of identifying the killer. She is determined to prove her worth to her superiors and climb the ranks. Now is her time and nothing is going to get in her way. With a little bit of determination, a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, the mother of one will succeed. Teaming up with Joe Russell, a super-recogniser in a small yet integral department of the police, Becca and he are faced with a tough road ahead finding the killer. The body count rises. And the risk to their own safety is mighty.







The antagonist in this book is quite something to behold. He is determined to take his revenge, not matter what. Throughout the book, you can really sense his ruthlessness - it leaps off the page. He is someone with no limits whatsoever. The author subtly hints at his past and and gradually we are given a clear portrait of what happened to him - how he came to be the way he is and how his plight for revenge first began.







Becca and Joe are two very interesting characters. They both harbour secrets, pasts that each of them are struggling with. Becca is a mother to a young girl, she is dedicated to the job and desperate to prove herself. When she meets Joe, a charming, intelligent man extraordinarily adept at recognising facial features, she is surprised that a department like his exists. But exist is does. He and his team succeed where others can't, their talent enabling them to track down and capture criminals. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book as it's something I haven't come across before.







Her Last Move is a twisty, compulsive new read that will have you gasping come the last page! Another belter from John Marrs!!





Slick. Twisty. Smart.

I do love a good thriller which takes a dark and twisted turn, and with Her Last Move I got that and then some. The story begins with an accident on the underground line, a man falling to his death beneath a train just moments after arguing with a fellow commuter. Only things are never quite that simple and this was no accident. What follows, is a series of gruesome murders which leads DS Becca Vincent and her colleague, so called 'super recogniser', Joe Russell on a chase to stop an increasingly violent murderer before it is too late.

This book marks a change of direction for Mr Marrs, whose last few books have been psychological thrillers which I have really enjoyed. The good news is, that with this book, a police procedural, with a somewhat unique protagonist in Joe Russell, he has created another thrilling and exciting story, one which will keep readers engrossed from start to finish. I really loved the blend of the psychological aspects which still featured in the book as we entered the mind of the killer, but also the more police investigation based elements which saw Becca and Joe pushed to the limits. I do admit, I like a more unusual, sometimes grotesque murder, and there were some very interesting modes of dispatch employed throughout the book. Aside from the first murder, none of it was carried out on the page so if you are squeamish, you need not worry, but there is still enough divulged to give those with an active imagination a clear picture of what has occurred. 

I really enjoyed getting to know the central characters of Becca and Joe. Becca has a very complicated personal life which is gradually revealed throughout the book but she was a character I actually warmed to very quickly. She can be prickly, quickly jumping to conclusions, especially where Joe was concerned, but she was determined and ambitious. Yes, her priorities maybe needed a little upending but she drew me into her story and I really cared about her. Joe also has things he is hiding, some of which hinder his performance and certainly affect his actions throughout the book. From the very first time we meet him though, as he recognises an offender and sets off in chase, there was just something really engaging about him. He seemed aloof at times, largely oblivious to those around him on a personal level and yet highly in tune with every aspect of a persons appearance. It was fab getting to know a little more about this mostly unspoken of group of Officers who can play such a key role in crime detection and would certainly be something I'd be keen to see explored further.

Now this is a pretty fast paced book, at least in the first half where the murders come in quick succession. it slows just after the mid way point as the focus becomes more about the investigation and the things that the police uncover. It also begins to take a very sinister turn and as we move towards the final quarter of the book, we are thrown into a renewed sense of urgency, tension mounting and setting your pulse racing. There is a real sense of jeopardy and to be honest, I was pretty thrown by events which took place. John Marrs certainly has a talent for creating scenes which both thrill you and leave you with a real sense of sadness.

So yes. I'd recommend this book. Im kind of hoping there will be more to come in a very similar vein. Tense, engrossing and with a great blend of darkness and light, this looks set to be another big hit. Good stuff.

This is the 5th of John Marrs’ books. And wow what an amazing read it is. A serial killer is on the loose. Random people are being targeted but why? Told from the viewpoint of the killer and Becca and Joe - police - we find out why.

I loved this book. And amazing read.

DS Becca Vincent is struggling to balance motherhood and move on her career in the police force when she witnesses the death of a man at a tube station, without realising it she’d just stumbled onto the biggest case of her career.

A second body turns up Becca sees a link with the body and the man in the tube station, she’s tasked to liaise with Joe Russell, a facial recognition expert otherwise known as a super recogniser.

More bodies start to turn up, each more gruesome than the next, the team are struggling. How will they catch a killer who’s always one step ahead of them?

So John Marrs has been on my radar for a while now, in fact I have two of his other books languishing unread on my kindle (I know I have a problem, I really need to stop buying books and not reading them!) and I’m kicking myself that I haven’t gotten round to reading his books sooner!

Now I love police procedural but I’m always on the look out for something with a bit different or unusual, so I jumped at the chance to read this specifically as it has super recognisers in it. I’ve been fascinated with them since I watched a program about them last year. Their job must be quite hard trawling through hours of CCTV footage looking at criminals faces.

I felt for Joe. He wants to find his sister Linzi so badly after she went missing when they were just children, he’s taken to searching for her wherever and whenever he can yet his super recogniser skills seem to be letting him down.

Becca is another good character, although I didn’t like her quite as much as Joe. At first I thought she was a bit selfish, putting her career before her disabled child but the reasons for this become apparent as you’re reading, it’s tear worthy is all I’m saying on that!

We also get inside really get inside the head of a twist and deranged serial killer, hell-bent on revenge but as we go on you see the more human side of him trying to get out. Weirdly, I actually felt kind of sorry for him!

Her Last Move is a real rollercoaster of a book, with so much tension, twists and shocks, I raced through it. It’s absolutely addictive!

This book opens in London, with an unknown perpetrator preparing to kill the first person on his list, before moving on to his next target. Within hours, two men are dead in two completely different, yet equally gruesome manners, and their only connection is they have the same tattoo and they were room mates.

DS Becca Vincent happens to be present to witness the aftermath of the first death, and steps in to assist. As a single mom, she feels that younger, less experienced colleagues are getting promoted over her, and following the discovery of the second murder, she believes this is the kind of case that will highlight her skills and cement her standing within the department, so she fights her way onto the investigation. DS Joe Russell, a facial recognition expert, is brought in to review the CCTV footage to help identify the perpetrator, but not before he strikes again. It appears London has a serial killer on their hands, and the authorities must work quickly to determine the connection between the victims if they have any hope of stopping him.

The novel initially unfolds from the POV of Becca, Joe, and the killer, but unexpectedly drops to two. As the motives of the killer are slowly revealed, the reader may find they sympathize with aspects of his life, but cannot deny his mind is deeply fractured and his methods are disturbing. While it concludes with a not-quite unexpected ending, the rest of the book is good, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys police procedurals. And the links to articles about facial recognition experts is a nice bonus!

NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer kindly provided me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

John Marrs has done it again in this reliably entertaining and twisty thriller, as always I know to make the time to read this book in a single sitting because I will not be able to put it down, and this indeed proved to be the case. The book opens with a murder in an underground railway station, as told from the killer's perspective, and throughout the book we are given chapters from this angle, which I have to admit greatly added to my enjoyment of the book.. The heart of the book and it's most empathetic character is DS Becca Vincent, a commuter at the station who witnesses the crime, and then finds out that it may be much more than it seems when she learns that the victims flatmate was killed that same day. As more bodies begin to pile up, each killed in a different gruesome manner, it soon becomes clear that the killer has a hit list, and he won't be stopped unless he is caught. What makes Becca such a relatable character is her struggle as a single mum, juggling the demands of work and her adopted daughter who has a tragic history of her own. I also really liked the character of DS Joe Russell, a so called super recogniser, an idea I found fascinating. I admire the way his sexual identity was handled and simply allowed to be part of the story rather than a defining aspect of his character.
Chapter by chapter the tension builds as a cat and mouse chase takes place and the final expose is nothing if not dramatic. While having the identity of the killer revealed a little earlier than in many thrillers may have been a risk, I really feel it has paid off in this case and the final dramatic showdown is nothing short of nail biting.
Clever, well crafted and supremely entertaining, I would not hesitate to recommend this book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .

Read in almost one sitting, this is a fast paced action packed police procedural. It is a little different from the author’s usual type of story but just as engaging. A very easy read despite the grisly outcomes!

A few red herrings along the way meant that whilst I had worked out some of it, i was taken by surprise on a couple of occasions.

Great characters, human interest and realistic incidents.

5* Really enjoyable read

Compelling, fresh, and utterly disturbing, HER LAST MOVE by John Marrs is everything I didn't know I wanted in a book and completely unputdownable.

DS Becca Vincent is juggling her career, which seems to have stalled and being a good mother which she always feels she is failing at. When a murder case falls into her lap, Becca is determined to show her boss what she can do and when it becomes obvious that they have a serial killer on the loose, Becca will join forces with Joe Russell, a super-recogniser, to take this monster down. But the monster always seems to be one step ahead of the game, methodical and sadistic and he has his eyes set closer to home than Becca could ever imagine.

This book scared the living bejaysus out of me because it was realistic with characters that you could meet at any time and be completely oblivious to the horror hiding behind a friendly smile. The pace is perfect with enough detail to really hook you in without overdoing it, and I loved the super-recogniser aspect of the story which takes the old phrase 'I never forget a face' to a whole new level.

HER LAST MOVE by John Marrs is a tense, dark, and absorbing thriller that will take you by surprise at many points of the story and leave you wanting more. I don't think this is the beginning of a new series but I would love it if it was! A must-read for crime fiction, psychological thriller, and thriller fans alike.

This was a great read but different to how I expected it.
Becca is a DS who teams up with Joe who works as a super recogniser for the Police. His skills are needed to identify a sick individual who is on a murder spree.
The deaths come in quick succession and Becca and the team ask Joe for his help to help catch the killer.
Becca is juggling being a single mother with her job and is struggling to cope with both.
With the body count rising, time is not on their side. the attacks are striking closer and closer to home.
We get an insight into the killer’s mind and know he has a list of people he wants dead and he is punishing them for something they’ve done to ruin his life.
Becca and Joe need to uncover the connection between the murders before the killer strikes the last name from his list and it’s a real race against time.
I won’t spoil it for you but the last death was a shock and has serious repercussions for the killer.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

If you’ve read books by John Marrs before then you may wonder after reading the first few pages of Her Last Move where this one is going! This is a rather different storyline for this author as it’s more of a police procedural novel but DO NOT FEAR!! Once the plot develops, you’ll soon see the authors signature style of darkly, disturbing crime scenes is still there along with some VERY shocking twists!

I found Her Last Move fascinating for two reasons apart from the storyline itself. One was the use of the facial recognition expert Joe. This caused me to google the term to see if this was a real “thing” and I didn’t just find out that it was but also that I am a potential super recogniser myself! The background to how they are used within the police force and the results that they get are truly amazing so I’d recommend looking into it further if this part of the narrative intrigues you as much as it did me!

The other part of the storyline that really resonated with me was how the relationships Becca had within her family were dealt with. As someone who lives in a similar situation, I found this part of the book to be handled perfectly so that all of the emotional responses Becca and Helen brought to the surface were delivered with a natural depth of feeling. This provided a real contrast to the depravity of the unknown serial killer although it was obvious that the reasoning behind their spree was also of a personal nature. I loved the fact that I felt a real connection to all the characters (apart from the vile, despicable serial killer ofcourse!) and Joe especially stood out for me. His backstory was intriguing and as the layers of his personality were slowly unwrapped, my admiration increased of how he used his “gift”.

This was an addictive read that shocked and surprised me throughout. John Marrs has created a police procedural that delivers his own unique brand of unsettling storytelling in a more traditional setting but it worked far better than I expected. Yes there are some rather distressing scenes but overall I really liked this crime thriller!

An absolutely gripping and intriguing storyline that sends shivers down your spine and gets into your mind. The writing is flawless and this is one book that can be honestly described as full of twists and turns. A huge 5*

I have read all of John Marrs books and this could well turn out to be my favourite one.
It had me gripped from the very first page to the last. The writing is sublime, the characters are well drawn and the storyline is up to date which made for a compelling read.
Highly recommended!

Review in full to come as part of Website re-launch and interview with the author.

Review expected online week of November 10th.

I really like John Marrs as a writer and this is the third book of his I've read.
It's not as chilling as The Good Samaritan, but it is a gripping story.
I was put off by the amount of "I said thanks to God" and "I prayed to God" peppered throughout it, it was a bit out of place and unnecessary with the story.
I also think that they could have gone into a bit more detail about Becca's relationship with Maisie, and the conflict there and troubles she had with her etc. there was a lot of scope there to explore more.

She’s chasing a killer. He’s watching her every move.

He hides in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment. Each kill is calculated, planned and executed like clockwork.

Struggling to balance her personal and professional life, young DS Becca Vincent has landed the biggest case of her career—and she knows that it will make or break her. But she can’t catch the culprit alone. Together with facial recognition expert Joe Russell, she strives to get a lead on the elusive murderer, who is always one step ahead of them.

Time is not on their side. The body count is rising, and the attacks are striking closer and closer to home. Can Becca and Joe uncover the connection between the murders before the killer strikes the last name from his list?

Set in London this police procedural thriller is an addictive read. Another fantastic Marrs book.

The narrative alternates between DS Becca, Joe's and the unidentified killer. We as a reader get to also know about the lives of these strong characters, their secrets, the struggles they encountered.

The author manages to create a well-written plot that will keep you reading until the end. The book has a few unexpected twists and a well developt ending. I suggest getting into this one without knowing a lot about it. You will be surprised.

It’s certainly a book I would recommend to those who enjoy a crime procedure novel with a compelling plot.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. #HerLastMove #NetGalley

This was not the first book I've read of John Marrs, and I have a few waiting to read on my Kindle which I've bought because I loved his others. There's a poignant freshness about his style. It superbly conveys the structure of modern society with all its flaws and weaknesses with bucketsful of political correctness. It's impressively executed. DS Becca Vincent and Joe Russell are the main characters. Becca's account of how difficult it is to be a single mum with a Down's syndrome child and work a stressful job with erratic, long hours is moving. Her love and guilt for her child whom she fears she is neglecting, poignant and heartbreaking in more than one way. Joe is gay and in an established marriage with Matt. Joe is urgently wanting to find a lost relative. Becca and Joe are trying to unravel the case of a determined serial killer with a massive grudge. The portrayal of the gruesome perp was astoundingly perceptive, and despite everything, I toyed with compassion over the life he'd led. Not that it excused his actions. At one point the plot is so shocking it reduced me to tears. I thought it was a very ambitious, daring twist. I liked the references to television and celebrities as well as social media. It gave the plot so much depth and a grounding. I loved the ending. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Mercer.

You are always guaranteed a quality read from John marrs. Great story and look forward to his next book.

She's chasing a killer. He's watching her every move. Each kill is calculated, planned and executed like clockwork. DS Becca Vincent has landed the biggest case of her career. With a list of people he plans to kill, he knows everyone will understand why they had to die. It's personal, but what connections are there between the victims?

The story is told alternately between DS Becca Vincent, super recogniser, Joe and the villains. There are twists galore in this action packed book from the start. Some of the killings are quite violent and graphic so this won't suit every reader. Becca is not a very likeable character, she's a bit self centred and jumps to conclusions. The killers identity is revealed quite early on in this story which I don't really like as it can spoil the read and I do prefer to guess who it is. This is quite a dark read. With its fast pace this is a gripping read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author John Marrs for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Her Last Move marks John Marrs' first attempt at a police procedural novel. John Marrs has always pushed the boundaries a little in his writing - creating quirky unforgettable storylines and characters in his thrillers. Moving away from a tried and tested formula could be seen as a risk for him, but in my opinion it pays off.
Her Last Move manages what many police procedurals don't. It is original, funny in places and doesn't fall victim to the tropes so common in the genre. Having a police officer (Joe) who works as a super recogniser (which is a real thing) lends this book the quirky edge that Marrs is famous for. Neither this character, nor the female lead (Becca) fall into the stereotypical world weary, borderline alcoholic detective role. They are unique and sympathetic characters, each driven by the ghosts of their past,
They are jointly tasked with finding a killer hell bent on revenge - in the most gruesome of manners. This is not a book for the faint hearted, but it is a gripping read.
There are twists and turns a plenty, and you'll feel an array of emotions as this book hurtles towards its conclusion.
I very much hope this is not a standalone and that the story will continue in further books.

“I don’t know why, but sometimes you can just tell when a person has a dark soul. His was the darkest I’ve met in a long time.”

We became fans of this author with The One, and with Her Last Move, John Marrs has provided yet another gripping and thrilling read! We nearly hyperventilated whilst holding our breaths, eager to reach the conclusion in this jaw-dropping story! This author knows how to capture his readers’ imagination, he knows how to entertain his readers and he certainly has a knack for keeping us on the edge of our seats! When we’re in the mood for suspense we know John Marrs will deliver!

Her Last Move is an impressive, well-paced suspenseful story with a sinister undertone, complex and emotional characters brought together with spectacular writing that took us on an adrenaline-fuelled hunt against the clock for a serial killer hell-bent on revenge in the most gruesome of ways.

‘For the last three years, he had felt like an empty well, drained and useless. But the satisfaction of each kill was slowly filling him up. He wasn’t returning to the man he used to be but becoming a new one. An empowered one. A man who was in control of not just his fate, but the fate of others too.’

This killer holds no remorse by enacting horrifying revenge on his victims. But why? What was his motive for these shocking murders and what was the common denominator between his victims? Well, the answer lies between the pages of John Marrs latest novel, and as the twists, turns and gripping race to catch the killer ensued, we were rendered immobile, unable to move until we reached the end!

‘They only had themselves to blame for creating a monster. And one by one, the monster was going to cause them more suffering than they could have ever imagined.’

Two murders within hours of each other sets off a desperate hunt for a cruel and sadistic killer, against an oppressive London heatwave, John Marrs tells Her Last Move in three POV’s. We get inside the thoughts and reasoning of the killer, we learn the inner turmoil and sacrifices of DS Becca Vincent and DS Joe Russell, a ‘super recogniser’ with the police. Joe is able to recognise a face from countless CCTV and until now, his department is a maligned area of the police force. An anomaly to some, an unknown source to others.

Joe is brought into the search in the hope his specialty can help them identify the killer. As more brutal murder occurs, a link between the victims becomes crucial, and so begins a game of cat and mouse, as piece by piece we learn the killer’s motives along with the detectives, in what was compulsive reading!

‘Some possessed dark souls……none of them could hurt him like his mother had hurt him.’

Every chapter felt like a pulse-raising cliff-hanger, each character peeled through layers of themselves and their pasts, we learn so much about the characters, their turmoil, and inner conflict. Both Joe and Becca are struggling with demons, guilt and the demands of family and the job. Each has their secrets, each has their pain. Each has to make sacrifices.

This was an uneasy, hair-raising story that kept us guessing, whilst also moved us with some truly sad and heartbreaking moments. Joe and Becca cut such troubled characters in their personal lives as they fight to stay one step ahead of a man hell-bent on revenge. John Marrs didn’t pull any punches in this thrilling gut-churning suspense and delivered a story that left our mouths agape. What a subtle yet impactful ending to a cracking read!

This is my first book by John Marrs, I am embarrassed to admit. I know, I know, I should have read The One by now, everyone I know has raved about it, and I do have a copy sat on my shelf but I’ve just not got round to it yet. Having read this book and given the standard of the writing, I’ll have to move it up the TBR pronto.

This book is a breath-taking rollercoaster of a police procedural that kept me on my toes the whole way through. Honestly, every few pages there was a new plot twist that had me exclaiming ‘What?” and ‘No, that can’t happen!’, sometimes out loud. Lucky I’m on my own a lot otherwise people might have thought I was going a bit mad. (Actually, maybe that’s why I’m on my own a lot, constantly muttering to myself over books, I’ll have to watch it).

The book starts with a bang as we are launched straight into the mind of the killer, which is not the most relaxing place to be as the author has managed to create an extremely twisted mind to perpetrate the crimes in the book and he doesn’t pull any punches with the gruesome action right from the beginning. A seemingly random set of murders in quick succession leave the police, and the reader, scratching their heads as to what is the connection between and the motive for the murders. As we get alternate chapters from inside the mind of the killer, we have a better insight and a few more clues than the police but it is still baffling and kept me guessing all the way through.

The police woman at the forefront of the investigation is a young DS who is a single parent struggling to juggle home life and work and trying to make her mark in her job. Fortuitous timing leads to a toe hold in the investigation which she believes could be the big break she is looking for, but how can she square this with meeting the needs of her family? I thought Becca was a wonderful character that I could relate to very easily and this made the book all the more compelling as I was willing things to go well for her.

My favourite aspect of the book, though, was the involvement of DS Joe Russell, who is one of the Met’s ‘super recognisers’ – police men who have a photographic memory for faces and can be seconded to an investigation to help track down a perpetrator. I found the whole process behind his involvement absolutely fascinating, and he was another complex and well-drawn character that made the story even richer and more engaging.

This book was so well plotted, I was carried along with the story with ease and the author is not afraid to make some tough decisions with the story and the characters that really took the book in unexpected directions and left me shaken and affected. The last third of the book was so exciting that I had to read it straight through without even stopping to make a cuppa (unheard of!).

This book was a fast-paced, gripping read that kept me guessing right to the end. What more could you ask for?

Her Last Move is the first book in this new police procedural series. It is also the first book that I have read by Marrs. This series is off to a great start so I can’t wait to see how it progresses.

In this story, there is a serial killer with a list of names. The killer is determined to eliminate everyone on the list. The murders are cold, calculated with different MOs. Throughout the case; it is evident that the killer is steps ahead of the investigators. DS Becca is desperate to stop this Unsub even as the body count escalates. At the same time, Becca has a daughter who desperately needs her at home. She strives to balance between her personal and professional life. Working with her is Joe, a man with an interesting skill. Joe is a super-recognizer which means that he never forgets faces. The two team up to catch London’s most terrifying serial killer.

Readers get to follow the story from Joe’s and Becca’s perspectives. Joe is a character that you can’t help but like. His personal story is moving and personality quite charming. On the other hand, I adored Becca and her family. There are chapters narrated by the villain. These narrations were intense, addictive and had my heart racing.

This case was entertaining, complex and undoubtedly, addictive. I didn’t expect it to also get emotional but with such well developed characters; it was hard not to get emotionally invested. As much as I enjoyed the twists, there is one in particular that had me frustrated. I love surprises in thrillers but that twist ended up being a total blindside. Honestly, it felt like stumbling into a ditch in the dark.

Marrs is a gifted writer. He created an exhilarating, pacy, immersive case and gave us characters to root for. Through this book, I also learned about super recognizers, a skill I wish I had. I forget faces ridiculously fast so I am always having random conversations with people who I don’t remember but I’m embarrassed to ask their names again.

I loved this book and can’t wait to read the second one in the series. I highly recommend Her Last Move by John Marrs to fans of this genre.

What an absolute corker of a book! It starts with a bang and never lets up until the final page.
A serial killer is at work in London, with several bodies turning up in a matter of days, each death more vicious and depraved than the last. But what has sent the killer on his spree? And what links the victims? Luckily DS Becca Vincent and DS Joe Russell are on the case, each with their own points to prove. Becca is a young detective out to make a name for herself and Joe is a facial recognition expert that's been assigned to the taskforce. But how do they hunt for a killer who is as meticulous as he is cunning?
This book is a real nail biter, you find yourself racing through it long into the night, while you absorb the twists and turns as the story slowly reveals itself. This is the first John Marrs book I've read, but it definitely wont be my last. I recommend this book 100%.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DS Becca Vincent is handed her biggest case to date when she goes after a serial killer who appears hell bent on revenge of those that have wronged him, but she can't do it alone and is given the help of 'super recogniser' Joe Russell whose photographic memory can remember hundreds of faces that he may have only seen once before and together they intend to crack the case before the death toll rises any further.

I've loved all the previous books by John Marrs that I've read so far and I wondered, as this is a police procedural, a change to his usual genre of psychological thriller, how it would compare but I have to say he's totally smashed it AGAIN!  I loved the concept of this story especially the super recognisers, it brings a whole new meaning to the saying 'once seen, never forgotten'.  The characters are all extremely likeable (except the perpetrator) especially Joe and Becca and in John's true style of writing he keeps you guessing throughout how the story will pan out.  If you love a good book that keeps you on the edge of your seat then I highly recommend this one, it's pure genius!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the approval and will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

I loved this book. I was well and truly captured by the prologue and it really went full steam ahead after that. The speed in which events were happening and the overall pace of the book had me hooked. It was one of those books where I struggled to put it down and I really think this is a contender for my favourite book of the year.

Reading this, took me back to the first John Marrs book I read. I remember coming across The One by fluke and simply loving it and I have to say although I didn’t stumble upon this book, I had the same reaction. I loved it. I couldn’t put it down and I could visualise every element, even if some of it wasn’t so pretty. It captivated me as a reader and the twists and turns left me wanting for more.

I read this book wherever I could, be it walking in the countryside, before bed, when I woke up, it came with me and I would read it.
The characters were well written and I have to say it was great to see each of their character’s coming out in the book. The book alternated between three POV (Point of views) throughout and this really helped you understand the roles each had to play. We heard from Becca, a detective who wants to land her ‘big break’, Joe, a ‘super-recogniser’ who works within an elite team in the Police force and the killer. Seeing all POV’s from the start, including the killers, really added to the story and yet still the killer maintained mysterious.

If you follow me then you will know that I enjoy a good detective novel, which is probably part of the reason why I enjoyed this book so much. I have to say though, I love the way this book was different. It involved elements of the Police force I knew nothing about (Super-recognisers) and how it brought two different teams together. Who knew that super-recognisers actually exist and do such an amazing job! The fact that there are people out there who possess this skill amazes me.

I also liked how the book started off on the Underground. I found it more relatable because its something I know. Also fun fact, my dad actually works for TFL so found myself asking him all sorts of questions related to the book.

Let’s just say if your a John Marrs fan I am sure you will love this (if you don’t I will be surprised) and if you enjoy a book with detective and killer (basically a police thriller) this one is also for you. So go check it out!

Once again I would like to thank John Marrs, Emma Finnigan, Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for allowing me to be a part of the blog tour and for allowing me to read this book before it was released.

“I don’t know why, but sometimes you can just tell when a person has a dark soul. His was the darkest I’ve met in a long time.”

We became fans of this author with The One, and with Her Last Move, John Marrs has provided yet another gripping and thrilling read! We nearly hyperventilated whilst holding our breaths, eager to reach the conclusion in this jaw-dropping story! This author knows how to capture his readers’ imagination, he knows how to entertain his readers and he certainly has a knack for keeping us on the edge of our seats! When we’re in the mood for suspense we know John Marrs will deliver!

Her Last Move is an impressive, well-paced suspenseful story with a sinister undertone, complex and emotional characters brought together with spectacular writing that took us on an adrenaline-fuelled hunt against the clock for a serial killer hell-bent on revenge in the most gruesome of ways.

‘For the last three years, he had felt like an empty well, drained and useless. But the satisfaction of each kill was slowly filling him up. He wasn’t returning to the man he used to be but becoming a new one. An empowered one. A man who was in control of not just his fate, but the fate of others too.’

This killer holds no remorse by enacting horrifying revenge on his victims. But why? What was his motive for these shocking murders and what was the common denominator between his victims? Well, the answer lies between the pages of John Marrs latest novel, and as the twists, turns and gripping race to catch the killer ensued, we were rendered immobile, unable to move until we reached the end!

‘They only had themselves to blame for creating a monster. And one by one, the monster was going to cause them more suffering than they could have ever imagined.’

Two murders within hours of each other sets off a desperate hunt for a cruel and sadistic killer, against an oppressive London heatwave, John Marrs tells Her Last Move in three POV’s. We get inside the thoughts and reasoning of the killer, we learn the inner turmoil and sacrifices of DS Becca Vincent and DS Joe Russell, a ‘super recogniser’ with the police. Joe is able to recognise a face from countless CCTV and until now, his department is a maligned area of the police force. An anomaly to some, an unknown source to others.

Joe is brought into the search in the hope his specialty can help them identify the killer. As more brutal murder occurs, a link between the victims becomes crucial, and so begins a game of cat and mouse, as piece by piece we learn the killer’s motives along with the detectives, in what was compulsive reading!

‘Some possessed dark souls……none of them could hurt him like his mother had hurt him.’

Every chapter felt like a pulse-raising cliff-hanger, each character peeled through layers of themselves and their pasts, we learn so much about the characters, their turmoil and inner conflict. Both Joe and Becca are struggling with demons, guilt and the demands of family and the job. Each has their secrets, each has their pain. Each has to make sacrifices.

This was an uneasy, hair-raising story that kept us guessing, whilst also moved us with some truly sad and heartbreaking moments. Joe and Becca cut such troubled characters in their personal lives as they fight to stay one step ahead of a man hell-bent on revenge. John Marrs didn’t pull any punches in this thrilling gut-churning suspense and delivered a story that left our mouths agape. What a subtle yet impactful ending to a cracking read!

Amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end.
Well written which kept me captivated throughout.
I will definitely be reading other books by this author

Absolutely loved this book and hoping it the start of a new series. Having read other John Marrs book I can safely say this is his best work yet. I loved the unique story line of a police unit that consists of facial recognition experts. I also loved the fact the story was left open as to the back ground of the expert Russell.
This story flows nicely and a good pace and kept me gripped to the very end. I also warmed to the characters pretty much straight away. Marrs never shys away from breaking the normal and always leave a shocker for his readers.
I will keep my eyes peeled and fingers crossed for a second book.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Can't fault this book for entertainment... it was a fast paced romp.
I say romp,because there were times I couldn't take it seriously. Times when I felt I was being talked to very slowly,and loudly to make sure I understood.
The murderer himself was quite ott and his method of killing was equally ott and more and more grisly.
It was inventive to say the least.
There were a few good surprises... when Dominic said "you've been to my place" (Or similar).
Bravo too for killing off a main character.
Unfortunately it ended a bit too cliched for me.
As I said though,entertaining.

This is my third book by John Marrs, and I guarantee you that it will not be my last! I have previously read THE GOOD SAMARITAN and THE ONE (both I had also done a partner read for #allthebookreviews) and I couldn’t put them down. The originality of the stories and how intricately they’re written are what stood out the most. That is no different in Marrs’ newest release HER LAST MOVE.

As with most thrillers, we get multiple POV’s throughout the book. I think that Marrs did an incredible job getting the readers to actually connect with all three of the main characters. We don’t typically get to see through the eyes of both of the investigating officers in a serial killer thriller, but we are brought through the events in Becca and Joe’s perspectives. Then we have Dominic, the killer they are desperately searching for. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love when we get a glimpse into the mind of the serial killers.

In comparison to his other two novels I’ve read, I felt like it took a little longer to get into this one, but once I did I couldn’t stop! I never thought I’d say these words, but thank goodness for the freezing temperatures and snow because I was not going anywhere. Zero interruptions while binging this thriller.

If you’ve picked up any of Marrs’ other books, then this is a no-brainer. If you’re looking for a fast, absorbing thriller, then you need this on your TBR now. I will continue to pick up whatever John Marrs releases and I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for his previous releases as well.

Her Last Move is a stand-alone police procedural by a new author for me, and I confess to mixed feelings about it. A fairly standard serial killer story is given an unusual slant with the introduction of a police specialty I had never previously heard of, super-recognisers, and then turned upside down by a deeply uncomfortable twist (of-sorts) that leaves me admiring the author for not conforming to standard tropes, yet feeling short-changed by the ending.

It’s better not to know too much about this one going in. DS Becca Vincent is paired with Joe Russel, from the afore-mentioned and little-known super-recogniser department, officers with uncanny abilities when it comes to remembering and matching faces. They have to identify a killer who is murdering apparently unrelated people, in viciously gruesome ways, before he strikes again, but each has a dark past and family secrets taking their focus off the job.

What I liked: this was a well written and reeled me in with the gradual release of information about each character, and it kept me up way past bed-time with the need to get to the end. I was intrigued by Joe’s skills and that this apparently a real department in the London police.
I didn’t enjoy the way about half of this was told from the baddie’s perspective, as no matter how awful his past, there is no excusing his behaviour. By 50% in, it was fairly obvious what was going on. I didn’t like Becca or Joe either - I’m not sure if I was supposed to, both are selfish and hurtful to their families, using their careers to try and excuse their behaviour. Each has significant unresolved trauma and I assume this is supposed to mirror the killer’s but it felt like overkill to me.

I’m giving this 3.5, rounded down for overuse of coincidence in the plot and the way it ended. There is brief mention of past animal cruelty, a bit of swearing, some fairly intense gore and sadism, and no sex scenes.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review. Her Last Move is available now.

There is a lovely guarantee with John Marrs’ books – fully fleshed characters and crazy twisted, complex plots! One does never have to worry about feeling disconnected from a character, or feeling bored, or stagnant with one of John’s titles.

Her Last Move is a complex story of multiple murders which start out with one that doesn’t necessarily look like a murder at first? But which is followed by very precise, different and gory murders quickly one after the other. The police force are bamboozled and working really hard to find a link in between all those killings. Becca Vincent is one of the DS’s that gets herself on the case to prove herself in a male-led workforce culture that, in her mind, still doesn’t believe that a woman ‘can do it’.

Becca is a great character! She’s brave and her heart is definitely in the right place with her ambitions as she works in the force, but she also demonstrates her failings as she struggles to balance her time in between work and loved ones. This little conflict adds an extra layer to the story and to her character.

This novel also introduces ‘super recognizers’- people who have the extraordinary face recognition ability and it is estimated that the population has about 1-2% of these super recognizers who can remember about 80% of the faces they’ve seen. Ever. It’s a proper superpower and it’s no miracle that law enforcement/intelligence may want to make use of that power, in real life. Her Last Move demonstrates this specific ability through a character named Joe.

Joe is wonderful. His relationship dynamics with Becca, as they have to work together, bounces off the page! As an intro to this post, I mentioned that John Marrs always delivers the fully fleshed characters- Joe is no exception to this. Aside from his work and what he needs to specifically do to assist in catching the killer, Joe is haunted by an event in his past. Being consumed by providing his services to the police and by his past, Joe’s own personal relationship also seems to be under pressure.

It’s this great and flowing balance in between more than one element in this thriller. It’s not just work-work-work to find the crazed murderer. It’s also the personal lives that make these characters and the whole book intriguing!

Speaking of intriguing- what about that murderer, hey?

Wellll… what a backstory! You know, how us thriller readers are just proper nosey?! We don’t just want to know what they do, we want to know WHY they do it and what they’re thinking! For most of the book, whilst Marrs was laying down Easter eggs for the reader to pick up on, I wasn’t at all sure what made this particular killer go off the rails in such epic proportions until it was spelled out for me, and all the pieces fell into place! Love it!

A bit crazy to even say it, I guess, but this book definitely didn’t follow the – ooh, this murder is the same as that murder so we know the same person is doing the killing. Yes, there were some connecting elements, but bliiii-meyyy, were the murders different… one more creative than the next! A mastermind at work… And I found it interesting that whilst no murder ever goes with an acceptable excuse, I could totally ‘get’ the why! Marrs took this character and this particular idea and used its full potential.

Overall, this was a typically exciting thriller by John Marrs. I expected nothing other than quality and guaranteed enjoyment!

After reading a fantastic John Marrs novel in February and a rather disappointing one in the summer, I was looking forward to reading my third John Marrs thriller this year. I can't say that Her Last Move was better than The One, because that book is difficult to beat in its brilliance, but what I can say is that Her Last Move was clever, shocking, and thrilling.

Blurb:

She’s chasing a killer. He’s watching her every move.

He hides in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment. Each kill is calculated, planned and executed like clockwork.

Struggling to balance her personal and professional life, young DS Becca Vincent has landed the biggest case of her career—and she knows that it will make or break her. But she can’t catch the culprit alone. Together with facial recognition expert Joe Russell, she strives to get a lead on the elusive murderer, who is always one step ahead of them.

Time is not on their side. The body count is rising, and the attacks are striking closer and closer to home. Can Becca and Joe uncover the connection between the murders before the killer strikes the last name from his list?

When I started reading thrillers about two years ago I was mostly focusing on psychological thrillers. Over the past two years I slowly drifted over to crime thrillers as well and I really started to enjoy them. There is something about reading from the police force POV and trying to find the suspect and solve the case "with" the police.
However, in Her Last Move, Marrs did not only show the police side of the story, he also showed a glimpse in the suspect's thinking and behavior - and that glimpse was so sickening yet fascinating!

Even though the reader could follow the suspect around and knew what he was up to at all times, it was never revealed who that person was until the last possible moment. That definitely added to the book's suspense. I was constantly trying to figure it out but John Marrs mislead me in every way possible. Well done!
I was really surprised when the person was finally revealed but what surprised me even more was the following event! I didn't expect something like that to happen all but it was a great move on Marrs' side nonetheless.

If you're squeamish and/or sensitive, be prepared for some very detailed and graphic descriptions of dead bodies. As much as I don't like reading about people's gruesome deaths (let alone watch it in crime shows or movies!) it was perfectly fitted here. It also emphasized the suspect's sick moves.
Her Last Move is definitely one of the better kind of crime thrillers and deserves a 4 star rating.

Her Last Move is excellent ! You need to read this book ! I could not put it down. How far will one person go for revenge ? Is the blame directed at the right people ? This is about more than murder and revenge, there is a family element to this story for both of the main characters which adds another level to this book. This book is twisted, in a good way though ! And I am hoping based on the way this book ended, there is another book to come about Joe and Matt. So much more to explore with this character. Hope I am right about this. This book is fast paced, thrilling and extremely well written. I highly recommend reading this book !

I have come across John Marrs before and several of my reader friends have recommended his books to me. I just haven’t had time to read one before. Sorry John. I was invited to take part in the blog tour for ‘Her Last Move’ and I thought it was an ideal opportunity to read one of his books. Blooming Nora I have only just finished reading ‘Her Last Move’ and I absolutely loved it but more about that in a bit!!
I took to DS Becca Vincent from the start. She is a young, ambitious police officer who would love to rise up the ranks. Becca works extremely hard, which often causes tension or conflict with her personal life. I think she needs to readjust her work/ life balance as her work is threatening to take over her personal life. Becca is also a single mother and she sometimes struggles to spend time with her child. Becca is strong, feisty, brave, stubborn and determined. I got the impression that Becca feels as though she is being passed over in investigations and she gets left with all the crappy jobs. She decides to show her bosses just what she can do and she requests that she take part in the investigation to find the murderer of two men initially. She sees this as her chance to shine. This brings her into contact with Joe, who works for the facial recognition team and he is what is known as a ‘super recognizer with a photographic memory’. They get off to a bit of a rocky start but there’s no denying that a spark exists between them. I did wonder if they would get together. Will Becca and Joe manage to catch the killer before any further lives are lost? Will Becca and Joe get together? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my goodness gracious me, ‘Her Last Move’ was one hell of an adrenaline fuelled, fast paced rollercoaster ride of a read, that had me on the edge of my seat. The book began in such a way that it is going to stick in my memory for a long while to come. For me, the story hits the ground running and maintained the pace throughout. ‘Her Last Move’ is extremely well written with realistic scenarios, believable characters and a chilling murderer. The author’s writing style is such that he grabs your attention from the start and much like a fisherman reeling in his catch, the author certainly reels you in. That’s what happened to me anyway. Reading ‘Her Last Move’ certainly became addictive for me. When I first picked the book up, I only intended to read a couple of chapters but because I was enjoying the book, the author’s writing style and the characters so much I just couldn’t stop reading. The first time I checked as to how much I had read, I was stunned to realise that I had cleared 12 chapters and I was 25% through the book. It didn’t seem to take me that long to read the next 75% but in reality it was a matter of hours. At one point the pages were turning that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves. For me, ‘Her Last Move’ really is an unputdownable book. My Kindle wasn’t glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it literally came everywhere with me. I begrudged having to be parted from the book and if I did have to put it down for any reason, then I tried to find any excuse to pick it back up again.
‘Her Last Move’ is one of those books that had a bit of everything in. There was drama, horror and action with twists and turns aplenty. There were also moments where I almost had to read through my fingers because I was dreading what was going to happen next. I absolutely flipping well loved reading ‘Her Last Move’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to read what John Marrs comes up with next but in the meantime I will be finding his other books to read them just as soon as I can. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Oh what do I say that has not already been said about this book by many other readers. A brilliant book from the start to finish. It starts with a bang and the bangs just keep on coming. Mr Marrs is such a brilliant writer, makes you fall in love with the book. It hooks on to you and just doesn't let go. He makes you feel sorry for the crazy serial killer but that feeling gradually evaporates as you find out more about the character. In the end you just hate him so much. I wanted to kill him myself. Also a big thank you for including the "Super recognisers", about whom I had no idea of. There are some sad parts and some really sad parts in the book but that's what makes it so special. Overall a brilliant book and one that I wouldn't even hesitate to recommend. A well deserved 5 stars from me. My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A great book! I’d read The Good Samaritan and loved it, so was really pleased to be given the opportunity to review this via Netgalley. Becca Vincent happens upon this case by chance as she witnesses a man apparently falling off a tube platform under a train. All is not what it seems however, and she is eager to take on the task of identifying a serial killer. With the help of super-recogniser Joe Russell, they are in a race against time to find their man before the death toll rises.
A really enjoyable story to the end, I’ll definitely be looking out for more by this author.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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The very fact people were talking about him and taking him seriously was proof he was on the right path. But branding him a serial killer was lazy. Serial killers and psychopaths murder out of compulsion, he reminded himself. They do it because they have no choice. He killed with purpose. And eventually, everyone would understand why.

This is one of those books that I'm not going to do justice to. I know that now, and if not for the deadline of posting in a few hours, I'd probably walk away now and come back daily for until next Tuesday and post something I don't like. But I do have that deadline, so I have to post something I'm not satisfied with in a few hours. I just like this one so much; and have so much that I want to say, but won't because it would ruin your experience, that I know I'll want a couple of mulligans to this post.

This starts off with one of those chapters we've all read too many times -- a budding serial killer is preparing to make his first kill and is indulging in some interior monologue beforehand. This is where we start to get an understanding of the character, why he thinks he needs to be killing, why he's so wonderful/special/different. But this chapter isn't quite that -- and by the time you realize this isn't following the standard template, Marrs has his hooks in you -- and this book is off to a startling and bloody start.

DS Becca Vincent is a young detective just trying to get somewhere in her career -- it seems that her superiors, including (infuriatingly enough) women, are holding her back because of her devotion to her daughter. Not that her mother considers her that devoted as she's doing most of the hands-on care while Becca is at work. She's in the crowd when the first killing happens and is the first police presence at the scene. She also is the first to tie that victim to another murder victim. She leverages this into a spot on the investigation team, where she hopes she can make enough of a difference to lead to more responsibility in the future.

The first thing she's assigned to do is to go over the CCTV tapes with a "super-recogniser." I don't know if this is a real thing or not, and don't care. It works really well in this book -- these are a select team of people with near-eidetic memories for faces who spend every shift pouring through security footage for faces -- either to track down suspects or identify people who are near too many crime scenes to chalk up to coincidence. We meet DS Joe Russell as he recognizes a suspect on the street while riding a bus and chases him down. Becca meets him in less exciting circumstances -- a dirty squadroom in a less-than-impressive looking building. She doesn't buy the concept originally, but Joe wins her over pretty quickly.

The investigation doesn't move quickly, there's a lot of manpower put into it (more and more all the time), but progress is slow. A friendship develops (not without a few bumps) between Joe and Becca much more quickly, and they clearly work together well.

The killer's spree does move quickly on the other hand. He has a plan, he's been developing it, nurturing it, and getting it ready to carry out for a very long time. He's spent years setting up these dominoes and when he knocks the first over, the rest fall quickly. As we watch him do that, we learn what shaped him throughout his life into the monster he's become. Nothing that happens to him justifies what he's doing -- nothing could -- but it helps the reader understand him, and empathize with him to a degree (until he gets to a certain point and you can't empathize with him anymore).

The book is full of sincere and devoted professionals trying to get the job done in the best way to protect lives and stop the killer -- we focus on a couple of them, but they're clearly all over the place. Unlike the people on TV, these professionals have family, friends, medical issues, children, pasts, problems and joys outside the job who will distract from and inform their performance on the job. Watching Becca and Joe unsuccessfully balance these parts of their life (particularly given the pressures as the number of bodies rises) is just one of the things that Marrs does right. Come to think of it, you can say the same thing about our killer (for most of the book anyway). I'm really impressed at how much genuine tension and drama Marrs is able to mine from this.

Each death is increasingly horrific -- seriously, these are some of the most gruesome murders I've read. Each reveals more about the killer and what's driving him. The reader (as we have more information than the police) will put the pieces together before the Becca and Joe do. But when things start to click for the police, they're able to figure things out quickly. It's a very satisfying moment -- the question is, do they figure things out in time to save anyone on the killer's list?

I've never read Marrs before -- but I will again. There's not a wasted word in these 352 pages, not a throwaway line, useless exchange. My notes are filled with "Is he going somewhere with ____?" and "There'd better be a pay off to ___" Every time, without fail, I could've gone back and added the page/line that demonstrated he was going somewhere with that idea or paid off that observation. Even in my favorite reads of 2018, there are moments we probably don't need -- most of which I'm happy to have -- lines, ideas, scenes that could be cut without hurting things. That's not the case here -- anything you read here is important, even if (maybe especially if) it doesn't seem so.

I'm not sure how this would hold up to repeated reading -- a lot of thrillers don't. And I haven't had time to try this one, but I think it'd hold up pretty well, if you're not distracted by wondering what Marrs (or his characters) are up to, or what's going to happen next, etc. you can focus on all the subtle little things he's doing to create the anticipation and tension, and appreciate the skill involved in grabbing the reader and putting them through the paces.

This will suck you in, keep you entertained through the paces of the investigation, and lull you into thinking you know how things are going just long enough for you to get complacent so he can drop the floor out from underneath you. Marrs makes bold choices and will catch you off-guard at least once -- I can practically guarantee that. This is one of those books that will lead you to shirk responsibilities at home and work; postpone things like eating and sleeping; and momentarily resent your family for interacting with you -- particularly the last thirty percent or so (although you might have to might have to take a quick break to absorb what you just read or catch your breath). One of the best I've read this year -- I hope you give this a shot and I bet you'll agree.


My thanks to damppebbles blog tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided -- as well as Thomas & Mercer and the fine folks at Netgalley for the eARC.

An intriguing story of infinite revenge. A killer has a very well planned agenda to exact his revenge. The plot unfolds to reveal an unexpected list of victims who have met their demise in extremely horrific way. The end reveals the killers reason for revenge and finished with a surprisingly tragic end.

I devoured this in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down and it had me gasping out loud in places.
John Marrs is an absolute Master in this genre.
I always look forward to his books. I can't wait for news of the next one!
I recommend John Marrs to everyone

A police procedural, Her Last Move follows a series of killings in London which appear, on the surface, to be unrelated. A witness to the first death, when DS Becca Vincent notices the first and second victims share a distinctive tattoo, she’s certain this will be the career break she needs to move up in her job. Working with ‘super-recogniser’ Joe Russell, she has to battle caring for her special-needs daughter with the demands of the toughest case of her career.

The police procedural stuff about this book was really good, and Becca was very real and relatable through her relationships with Maisie and her mother. Occasional glimpses into the killer’s PoV were chilling, but the author was careful not to give too much away about his motives before the big reveal.

The book is well edited, coherent in timeline, and the characters feel real.

For all that, I absolutely hated it, and to tell you why, I’m afraid I’m going to have to spoiler. Don’t read on if you don’t want to know what happens.

Killing off one of the major protagonists is a risky move in any book. Killing off Becca, the major female protagonist, when you’d spent the whole book making us empathize with her? Terrible, terrible idea, and completely unnecessary. Having her attacked but surviving would have given her colleagues just as much motivation to go after the killer. Instead this falls into the horrible trope of the story suddenly becoming all about the guilt of the male colleague, when it was always Becca’s story.

This isn’t a unique and ingenious plot twist. It’s lazy, sloppy writing and in this case, it took away Becca’s agency along with her life, enabled the killer to complete his mission almost to the last detail, and made the last couple of chapters all about Joe Russell’s manpain.

Why is it always male authors who do this, and why is it always female protagonists who get killed off? I don’t really care about the reason. I’d just like it to STOP NOW please, and because I was frankly disgusted with the way the book turned out, despite all the excellent things about it, I’m afraid it’s getting one star from me.

Excellent book, hooked from the beginning to end. Read in two sittings. Cannot wait to read more by this author.

This book follows both Joe and Becca as they search for a killer.

This book was a bit slow to start but had some edge of your seat moments, especially the last paragraph 😂

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Having read John’s work in the past, I had no doubt I would enjoy this one as much as the others. However I was slightly apprehensive because John took a slightly different approach with this novel and decided to go down the ‘police based crime thriller ‘ route rather than sticking with his usual genre. Thrillers and crime are my favorite books to read, and I couldn’t wait to see how John was going to execute a new genre and put his mark on the crime world.

Having finished the book I know I’m not going to be able to do it the justice it deserves (let’s just blame John here and his annoyingly brilliant mind rather than my lack of reviewing skills shall we). John managed to hook me from the very start as the prologue begins in the very familiar London underground, a murder has already taken place and a second is not far off. DS Becca has to work very closely with Joe who works as a super-recogniser (individuals with incredible face recognition ability. They are able to memorise and then recall thousands of faces, often having only seen them once) within the police force to bring down a murderer who is always one step ahead.

As with John’s previous books he has created excellent characters. The protagonist
DS Becca Vincent is a young detective determine to make something of herself in the police force (whilst still balancing parenthood and her home life). She is extremely likable and in many ways relateable too (I couldn’t help but keep thinking how she would make a fantastic protagonist for a crime series), yet on the flip side the villain is completely unrelatable and leaves you with chills in every chapter. However whether I liked or disliked a character, the opinion I formed was concrete from the very start. When characters are so strongly developed and planned out, it makes it hard not to become so invested, which means there is categorically zero change of getting bored.

There are numinous twists throughout the book. John is an absolute pro at throwing you off every time you think you are ahead, and I even sat back a couple of times to try and put my finger on what was going to happen. I have absolutely no shame in admitting that I could never pinpoint the outcome and when an theory did enter my head, I was almost instantly proved wrong.

There are several gruesome deaths in Her Last Move, some of which might have you hiding behind your pillow, and you might not want to be enjoying your lunch whilst you read them. I was quite unfortunate as my dad actually does the job of one of the victims and the death got me pretty freaked out, but I still couldn’t pull myself away.

There is something both addictive and thrilling about John’s writing. He has me hook line and sinker every time and his books are incredibly easy to follow with each sentence and chapter leaving you wanting more. However, I honestly thought there was something extra special about this book. It’s obvious how much research and detail has gone into making it so believable and true to life. I didn’t even know there were such people as ‘super-recognisers’ let alone the amazing mind they possess. Being able to store faces and features in their mind for years at a time to eventually bring them to justice is incredible. You can find out if you’re a ‘super-recognisers’ here
(I scored 7 out of 14 so I wont be applying for the job anytime soon).

With strong characters, an addictive yet terrifying plot and more twists and turns than you could ever expect, Her Last Move will have you hanging onto the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Becca Vincent struggles to juggle her family commitments & her career as a police officer. She is desperate to further her career & when she finds herself in the midst of the biggest case of her career she can't let it go.

The first death might have been an accident, but when another body is found with an identical tattoo the police begin to think there is more to it. The super recogniser team- those who never forget a face- are called upon to help. Joe, a part of this little known branch of the police. The body count rises; there is a serial killer on the loose but what is the connection?

The narrative gives us a view from the killer's perspective which gives the reader an advantage over the police but I was still unprepared for the final death.

This was an edge of your seat read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Wow, that was powerful - great plot, writing, characters! Becca was a good character and her back story was heartbreaking. The “I’m a woman and single mom and it’s hard in a man’s world” played a few too many times. I, by no means doubt (and know) it is, especially in a male centric profession (law enforcement) but enough already. Ok, only complaint. I loved Joe. The occupation (didn’t realize that’s a real thing. It is, googled it) was fascinating. His backstory was no happier though his current situation was so nice.

The story has twists and turns. It makes some clever connections I didn’t see coming. It has some happy moments and some very sad. The ending was realistic and that was good, but hard. The epilogue was the cherry on top! This was a good one! I will look forward to the next by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy in exchange for a review.

DS Becca Vincent is struggling to juggle her work and personal life but has just landed the biggest case of her career. A serial killer is stalking the streets of London, each kill becoming more hideous than the last. Working alongside facial recognition expert, Joe Russell, the killer always seems to be one step ahead of them. Could he have someone on the inside working for him? Will Becca and Joe manage to catch him before he completes his mission and eliminates each of the people on his list?

I am going to start by saying how much I enjoyed this book and the way it was written. By having two protagonists instead of the usual one main character, we get to see the investigation from different branches of the police force. Becca, a no-nonsense detective was a complete contrast to Joe who, in the course of his work, was thorough and methodical due to his role as a facial recognition expert. I enjoyed how the relationship between Becca and Joe changed and how, although she was originally sceptical of his work, she began to see its value as the case progressed.

The case itself is a fascinating one and is more of a ‘whydunit’ than a ‘whodunit’. The first murder seems almost casual when we see how the killer escalates his crimes, each killing being more grisly than the last. It is apparent quite early on that the victims are connected in some way but we do not know how. This culminates in a huge twist that I definitely did not see coming! It’s not often that an author completely wrong foots me but John Marrs certainly did in Her Last Move. I was so taken aback that I had to go back and re-read a whole section to make sure that I had read it correctly!

In addition to the main storyline, there are subplots featuring the two main characters. I particularly enjoyed Joe’s backstory and, yet again, was thrown by how this ended. Joe was probably my favourite character and I felt great sympathy towards him as he battled with his past but also as he tried to come to terms with what was inevitably going to happen in his professional life.

Her Last Move is a thoroughly entertaining read that kept my attention right until the final page. This is the first book by John Marrs that I have read but it will definitely not be the last.

I loved The Good Samaritan by this author and was eager and excited to receive an arc of his latest work, Her Last Move. Sadly, this book wasn't nearly as compelling as The Good Samaritan.

Overwritten, drawn out, and never held my interest.

Absolutely brilliant, gripping from start to finish, a great set of characters with a really fab story too

This is my third Marrs book and ding ding ding, it's another winner!! I love how intricately different each book was - The Good Samaritan, The One and now Her Last Move. I will say that this one took me a little longer to connect with but when it did... BAM - I was hooked and that was IT - goodbye productivity!
Told in three different POVs, we get the views of Joe, Becca and Dominic. Becca and Joe are working together to catch the serial killer that is Dominic who has been methodical and elusive. Not only do we get to go on this journey with them but we also get a glimpse into their lives. Each one having their own personal problems and demons to fight. Now... there was one part that surprised me. John, you WENT THERE... and I loved it! I don't want to delve into it as to not spoil anything for anyone but I do love it when a book surprises me...
I did feel for each of these characters. I can't imagine how hard being in their line of work is and how it can deeply affect their personal lives. Balance is hard when you're basically married to your job. Add a side of even more background and uff.. these poor guys. I even felt for Dominic and his psychotic ways - there's always a reason.
Fun fact - Oscar made a cameo - that's the name of the author's dog!
Marrs has become an autobuy author for me and I look forward to everything he has coming our way. I highly recommend any of the three books I've read of his so far and one day I'll get to the others that have already published.

Always enjoy John Marrs and this one definitely impressed. As is quite typical of his books, there are multiple characters involved as victims and a race against time to try to save the final one. I really liked both Becca and Joe's characters on the police side of things and Joe's role is quite unique as far as crime novels go. It's a very tense read and action packed too. I didn't guess the killer's MO before it was revealed and it's quite clever how it is revealed bit by bit with clues that eventually start to add up together. Highly recommended and can't wait for the author's next book!

"How could a good man make such bad decisions? We all have choices."

The first two deaths occurred within hours of each other. Although strikingly dissimilar in manner, the team at Metropolian Police's Westminster-based CID is convinced that the perpetrator must be the same person. When a third victim is discovered, DS Becca Vincent -- who argued strongly to be included on the investigation -- gets input from a facial recognition expert attached to the force. DS Joe Russell knows that Becca doesn't think much of his particular set of skills but he proves very helpful when combing through hours of CCTV. Becca and Joe knock on a lot of doors during this case and have a very difficult task in trying to identify and find their suspect even as he continues his spree. There doesn't seem to be any motivation for these particular people to be killed so establishing a connection is quite difficult. Meanwhile, both Becca and Joe experience some real upheaval in their personal lives that relates to their own family situations and history and that affects their ability to really work the case. Mistakes are made, more lives are taken...NO SPOILERS.

I have enjoyed all of the books I've read by this author and this one proved just as intriguing as the others. All are standalones and each has a different focus and set of characters. I was interrupted in my reading due to the Thanksgiving holiday but couldn't put it down today as I raced through the pages to a shattering conclusion. I was not really able to relate to Becca or Joe, but I liked them both and felt for them in their struggles. It was interesting to learn about the "super recognizers" and their particular talent for remembering faces. The case was a bit complicated and I was eager to see how it would all come out in the end. The point of view does shift between Becca, Joe and the murderer so it's not a who done it as much as it is a WHY done it. I liked the writing style and the pacing. It does have some gruesome scenes so be aware if you are sensitive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to read and review.