Book: HER FINAL BREATH
Author: Carolyn Arnold
Pub Day: FEB 17TH 2023
About the Book:
Faint sunlight dapples the two figures lying on the ground. The mother cradles her daughter close to her side, a stuffed toy elephant next to them. Leaves from the tall trees fall onto their faces, but neither moves to brush them off.
When a dog walker in a local Virginia park finds the bodies of a mother and daughter, Detective Amanda Steele is first on the scene. Her own daughter has a toy just like the girl's elephant and seeing the child like this is her worst nightmare come true. Heartbroken, she vows to get justice.
They quickly get an ID-Jill Archer and six-year-old Charlotte were reported missing last week, but interviewing Jill's husband, Roy, Amanda's gut tells her he is hiding something. When the autopsy reveals a terrible pattern of bruises, she's certain that a domestic argument escalated out of control, and tiny Charlotte got caught in the crossfire. But just as Amanda is about to arrest Roy, another grave is found, containing another mother and daughter.
Desperate for a lead, she goes to every place the women could have been targeted, and learns from a concerned ER nurse about Leanne Reilly and her young daughter, Gracie, who haven't been heard from in a week. Amanda hopes that Leanne has simply left her deadbeat husband, but she's gripped by the fear that they are the killer's latest victims. Now every second counts for Amanda to find the family and stop a little girl's nightmare before it ends in tragedy...
A totally compulsive and gripping crime thriller. The next unputdownable read for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Her Final Breath' by Carolyn Arnold.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Carolyn Arnold, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 17th February 2023.
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the seventh book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Stolen Daughters' which I also highly recommend and is the second book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series 'The Silent Witness' which is the third book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Black Orchid Girls' which is the fourth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series, 'Her Frozen Cry' which is the fifth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series and 'Last Seen Alive' by which is the sixth book in the 'Detective Amanda Steele' series. Each book can be read as a standalone and I would recommend them all.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching stunning cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A totally compulsive crime thriller! Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.' I am a huge fan of Angela Marsons so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Carolyn and if this is half as good as 'Stolen Daughters', 'Black Orchid Girls', 'Her Frozen Cry', 'The Silent Witness' and 'Last Seen Alive' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, a 48 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Virginia, USA 🇺🇸
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonist is Detective Amanda Steele. The benefits of third person perspective with are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Her Final Breath' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Carolyn discusses death of a child and domestic abuse.
Yet another epic read from the very talented Carolyn Arnold!!! Absolutely rammed full of twists and turns!! Congratulations Carolyn on yet another page turner!!
This is an extremely well written book with vivid descriptions that will suck you straight into the storyline and captivated from beginning to end. The synopsis and cover worked perfectly with the storyline.
The storyline means that there is no problem with this being read as a standalone. I was absolutely hooked throughout, a true page turner from beginning to end. The storyline was in depth and packed with suspense, twists, turns, shocks and was an edge of your seat, nail biting and heart racing psychological thriller. I was absolutely hooked. I read this book in less than 24 hours and I'm looking forward to reading the previous books in this series as well as more to come. This series is extremely addictive and I cannot wait to see what the next "episode" brings!! It is one of the best books I have read this year and I really enjoyed and loved the ending!!! It is filled with suspense, tension, mystery, shocks, love, friendship, sadness, crime and everything you could ever want in a crime novel. As always Carolyn ensures there were no loose ends at the book and that everything was explained and tied up. It is one of my pet hates having loose ends at the end of a book so well done Carolyn!! I won't say more as not to spoil it for future readers. It is a true page turner that will leave you biting your nails on the edge of your seat with your heart racing. I cannot wait to see what Amanda and Trent are going to do now!!!! Hope your busy typing the next one up Carolyn as I cannot wait!!!
Although this is the seventh book in the series you will have absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I loved meeting all the characters again who were all strong, well defined and unique. I have become completely invested in Amanda, Trent and Zoe through reading these books and they now feel like family that I miss when I come to the end of one book but am excited to see again at the beginning of the next!! .Amanda is absolutely whoop a## and I love seeing strong female leads in books. She has a background but will not let it pull her down and she is definitely someone I would love to have on my side. It has been so bitter sweet watching her bond with Zoe even more and watching their relationship develop and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I've also enjoyed seeing Zoe's confidence growing book by book after everything she went through. They are fast becoming like family to me along with Trent and Malone. I enjoyed seeing a different side to Trent and sympathised with him with his struggling with the case at the start. I have not been able to stand Sergeant Graves who has always been a thorn in Amanda and Trent's side, had an attitude problem and in general has just a horrible cow. However, we find out more about her background in this book and she has grown on me a bit and come more likeable. Trent is another fantastic team member and they work perfectly well together. I love Rideout's (medical examiner) character and personality with his morgue humour and I also like Malone and see him as a sort of fatherly figure to Amanda. I was also shocked to find that I had some empathy towards the murdered in this book which isn't something I find myself feeling very often so yet another well done to Carolyn!! Looking a lady of many talents!! I am definitely looking forward to meeting them all (well almost all) again!!!
I could not praise this book enough and highly recommend. Carolyn I cannot wait to read more of your very successful work!!! I would also love to see this book turned into a movie. An absolutely addictive, compelling and gripping true page turner!!! If you have not read any books by this epic authour then you are seriously missing out!!!
Overall an absolutely captivating, engrossing page turner that is compelling and addictive!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Mystery, Police Procedural, Suspense, Hardboiled, Organised Crime, Women's Detective Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Noir Fiction, Psychological Fiction and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Carol Wyer, Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni, Rachel Caine, Angela Marsons and ANYONE looking for an epic page turner .
334 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £8.99 for paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Website: https://carolynarnold.net/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/carolyn-arnold
Buy Link(s):
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BGSG749Wsocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/uz6850L1Swl
Kobo: http://ow.ly/Yl6F50L1Syq
Google: http://ow.ly/KEfB50L1SAM
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