The Last Witness

Mars Bahr #3

by K.J. Erickson

When a mercurial basketball star is accused of brutally murdering his wife, Minneapolis police detective Mars Bahr and his partner, Nettie Frisch, seek to uncover a motive when the clues do not add up.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Procedural

352 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2003

Reviews

[ARK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good crime book that is third in a series but can be read alone which is what I did. Follow Marshall "Mars" Bahr as he investigates the murder of millionairess Terri Jackman, the wife of a superstar NBA player, J-Jack. I definitely will read more in the series and follow Mars.

[Virginia Trent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. Great detective detail. End leaves something to be desired.

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

#3 Marshall “Mars” Bahr police procedural series set in Minneapolis. Mars has two weeks left before he and Nettie jump ship from the Minneapolis police department to start working for the state’s expanding cold case squad. What he doesn’t need is a hugely high-profile case, but that’s exactly what he gets when one of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ basketball players’ wives is found murdered in her home and “T-Jack” is a prime suspect—but he has an air-tight alibi, having been in a conference with his wife’s parents present at the time of her murder.

The new police chief, who is a media hound and not at all adept at handling this type of case, promises a quick resolution and Mars is doing his best to make that come true, if only so he can leave the department with a clean slate. Of course things are never that simple and there seems to be obstacles at every turn, but eventually Mars comes up with a solution—one that I totally didn’t see coming. On a personal level, Mars’ son Chris is growing up and his ex-wife has a new beau that Chris isn’t fond of. Mars has some hard choices to make both personally and professionally in this book and manages to rise to the occasion like a pro.

This is by far my favorite in the series so far. Lots of seat-of-your pants action, a great visit with some characters that finally started to flesh out and grow on me in the last book, and a wonderful portrayal of the Twin Cities area by someone who obviously lives here. I am looking forward to the next—and unfortunately, I believe the last—book in this series.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Last Witness, author KJ Erickson fulfills her promise as a masterful plotter and a fine storyteller. She brings it all together in a story about a troubled, manipulative and brilliant professional basketballer who finds himself a suspect in the vicious murder of his wife, daughter of a wealthy and prominent Minneapolis businessman.

Erickson brings back Minneapolis detective Mars Bahr together with his administrative partner, Nettie, in their last case before moving to a state run cold case unit. The book begins on a taut, racing plane with the murder in a very posh , upscale section of Minneapolis. Erickson uses the locale in interesting ways and effectively contrasts it with other, seamier and less pleasant parts of the city.

In a similar fashion, the author is able to bring to the pages of her book interesting and conflicted characters all of who play vital roles in the final and surprising solution. This is a novel that brings high tension from the beginning. Even more importantly, there is just no letdown throughout. And as the end nears and the final twists are revealed, Erickson is able to screw the tension even higher. A remarkable achievement, strongly recommended.

[Rose]

F Eri

[Aviandha Riana · Rating 2 out of 5]

lmyan lah . tapi ehh . agak berat u/ umran ku . berteletele skalee . :)

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minnesota author

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in Minnesota, I loved the Minneapolis setting. Best mystery I've read in a long time.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping til the end

[Mary Ahlgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing, well crafted, and unfortunately, believable.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, enjoyed the whole story. Funny funny ending.