Fade To Grey

Detective Mike Croft #3

by Jane A. Adams

After two months on sick leave, DI Mike Croft had hoped for a simple case to ease himself back into his job. But it was not to be, for a serial rapist is stalking the streets, targetting young blonde women.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, British Literature, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

Hardcover

First published July 1, 1999

About the author

Some of her early books were published under the name of Jane Adams. This should not be confused with this Jane Adams who is a different author.

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Inspector Mike Croft #3

This book was first published as "Fade To Grey" and "Final Frame". DI Mike Croft is investigating a serial rapist. There have been six victims ageing from fourteen - twenty two. The rapes have happened in less than a week. The story is split into days and times and told by the perspective of one of the characters, we even hear from the rapist. There are a lot of characters that are introduced to us quite quickly, which made it quite confusing. The story ends on a bit of a cliff hanger. This book might not be for everyone due to its content.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Jane Adams for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please note this was first published as “Fade to Grey” and “Final Frame.”

DI Mike Croft is called in to investigate cases of a serial rapist. All the victims seem to be on the small side, blonde hair, blue eyes. Most of his victims were brutally murdered.

But what the forensic reports reveal change the entire picture. A woman who went missing and found murdered are being investigated many miles away. An actress is found dead in her home and a teenage boy is seen fleeing. What's the link between these killings?

The killer doesn't care who dies ... as long as their final moments make a good video. But he also has secrets ... secrets for which he will kill to keep hidden in the shadows.

Things turn very personal when the killer comes for Mike Croft.

This author has another winner in this series. Although third in line, this is easily read as a stand alone. Lots of action and plenty of twists and turns keep the reader engaged. Plenty of suspects, but not everyone is who they say they are.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the Detective Inspector Mike Croft series sounds like an engaging mystery thriller from the synopsis, but sadly, it was not as enjoyable as I'd hoped. Originally published as Fade to Grey and Final Frame when a novel is described as action-packed we readers usually assume that is a positive. However, here, the action and pace are so frenetic that there is never any time to let things sink in. Each instalment can be read individually if so desired, but this will not be for everyone given that it includes sexual assault/rape which is obviously and rightly a touchy subject. Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third read by Jane Adams, and I am officially a fan. Her novels are full of twists and turns, and Their Final Moments does not disappoint.

I was on the edge of my seat as Mike Croft returns to find a ruthless serial killer. This kept me up late reading, and I kept thinking about it after I was finished. Jane Adams has created a strong cast of characters and a really riveting plot.

I highly recommend checking out all of the books in The Detective Mike Croft series. If you like page-turning thrillers, these are the books for you!

*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Books N All Promotions. All opinions are my own.*

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book of 2020 is this very grisly crime thriller, the third in a series featuring DI Mike Croft. It was originally released in two parts: Part One, "Fade to Grey" in 1998 and Part Two published as "Final Frame" in 1999. Although not completely updated to reflect current technology, the police procedural details were solid and it was tension-filled and full of action. I have not read the first two books in the series, but I do plan to move on to #4 shortly.

In summary, Croft and many colleagues are pursuing a man who is basically a ghost. Jake Bowen operates under many different aliases and his claim to fame is filmmaking. He charms or abducts women into making various types of porn films and then he kills them -- putting it all on tape. As he gets rich from the proceeds of his "made to order" movies, he stumps the detectives by being completely under the radar. He can't be caught because no one knows who or where he really is but he's hiding in plain sight. This is a very complex case and the details of the investigation are thorough and it seems that they will never catch up and stop Jake Bowen. NO SPOILERS.

I am glad that I restarted the book today after being on holiday hiatus so that I could read it all in a single sitting as there are many characters whose relationships are complicated and quite interesting. I am looking forward to meeting up with them again in the next book and getting to know them better. The narrative is told from several points of view, including that of Jake Bowen, and the writing is quite good and the story absorbing. I liked how the switch at the end of the chapters kept me on tenterhooks wondering what would happen next. Lots of grisly details. I enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. On to the next in the series...

[Joanna Larum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third DI Mike Croft book and I believe that this series just gets better and better. Having read the first 2 books, I was eager to read this one and it didn't let me down. There is a serial rapist at work but forensics reveal that it is, in fact, a rapist and a copycat. Once the police have arrested the copycat, they realise that he is more of a shadow of the original rapist and that he knows the original one well. Then the second rapist kidnaps the niece of Mike Croft's girlfriend and everything becomes so personal for Croft. Will they find him in time, before he kills the little girl?
I found it very interesting that the author gives us an insight into the rapist's mind and we watch as he commits some of his crimes, then we are taken to the police incident room and follow the work that they are doing. But, I must add that this does not make it difficult to follow the storyline - if anything, it makes it seem all the more real.
This is a fast-paced book with many twists and turns which are so unexpected and I couldn't read it fast enough. A thoroughly good read which has left me eager for more.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was originally published as two books, but as the second story follows on after a few months time break, it reads well as a single book. The plot is relentless, lots of suspects, incidents, clues and false leads, that it is hard to keep track. However, this complexity adds to the story's authenticity and makes you feel part of it.

Detective Inspector Mike Croft is a dedicated professional, with a tragic past that makes him empathise with the victims of the crimes he solves. He is gradually rebuilding his life with the help of Maria and retired detective John Tynan.

The crimes although terrible, are not overly graphic, just enough to give the story its menacing undercurrent, especially when the crimes impinge on Mike's personal life. The police procedural element of this story is well written, and the slowness and amount of work involved in solving the crimes are portrayed in a believable way. This is an emotional story, you empathise with the victims and the detectives and abhor the antagonists.

The realistic ending is full of action and adrenaline, with a satisfying outcome. Hopefully, there is a more promising future for Mike Croft's personal life too.

I received a copy of this book from Joffe Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great DI Croft book

I was so pleased to read this book, after the previous DI Mike Croft book, which I didn’t think quite held my attention as much as the first. This one was back on form and truly engrossing. The storyline was pretty gruesome, and it was horrifying to think that there was a man who was capable of such atrocities. It was interesting how the book had been divided into two parts – the first part really getting us engaged in what had been happening and the second taking a real turn into the chilling side of the action. In the second half there is plenty of drama and twists and turns in the plot, reaching a real crescendo at the very end. The final chapter finishes on a happy note that nicely leads us into the next book.

Thank you to Joffe books for sending me this ARC. This has reinforced my opinion of Jane Adam’s writing and I look forward to the next in the series.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT loved this book that's in two part's. D I Mike Croft investigating in Norfolk a series of rapes that are happening but is it more than one person? this is the third and fourth book put together., that gave me enjoyment reading, so pleased i got the chance to get stuck in and couldn't put it down. gruesome, gritty, chilling and above all full of twists.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an embarrassing confession to make- yes yet another one. If I had a pound for every confession I need to make, then I would be very rich. Anyway I digress so back to the confession. Although I have Jane’s previous books on my ever increasing ‘to be read’ mountain, I haven’t actually read them before. What a big mistake to make! Judging by how much I enjoyed ‘Their Final Moments’, I can guarantee that those books will not be on the mountain for long. I absolutely LOVED reading ‘Their Final Moments’ but more about that in a bit.
What can I say about Detective Inspector Mike Croft? He is a career detective with many years experience. He is very thorough when investigating and he will not hesitate to chase the guilty parties to the end of the earth if it means that he can achieve justice for the victims of crime and their families and if it means that he can achieve a result. Croft also has a gut instinct that is almost 100% correct. If something doesn’t seem right to him then that usually means that it isn’t. The case becomes ever more personal to Croft when the niece of his partner is kidnapped by a rapist and this fuels Croft’s determination to solve the case. Croft can be stubborn, he is determined, he is strong and he leads from the front. He takes on his fair share of the workload and he wouldn’t ask anybody to do anything that he wouldn’t be willing to do himself. He often places himself in the way of danger to save his colleagues. Will Croft solve the case and rescue his partner’s niece before it’s too late? 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 giddy aunt ‘Their Final Moments’ was one hell of a read. This volume is actually two books in one. The first part/ book deals with the rapists and the latter half of the book sees Croft go on secondment to another force area to assist in the hunt for and apprehension of Jake Bowen, who is allegedly the second rapist. I admit that I did have my reservations about whether or not two books in one would work but I needn’t have worried because it works so well. Had I not previously known that it was two previous books in one, then I would never have guessed.
I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis, never mind from when I began to read. By the time I got to the bottom of the first page, I knew that reading the book would be an addiction and the book would prove to be unputdownable. That most definitely proved to be the case. Once I picked up the book I couldn’t bear to be parted from it. Woe betide anybody who tried to take the book out of my hands. They got a ticking off and then some. I literally couldn’t stop reading this book and as a result I seemed to race through the story. I think binge reading the book really worked in this case because it gave me a real sense of the intensity and the urgency of the police investigation, as well of the sense of fear that prevailed in the area at the time.
For me, ‘Their Final Moments’ is brilliantly written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and once she has it, she doesn’t let it go. She has a writing style that is easy to get used to and it is easy to get along with. The author writes so convincingly and realistically that I did feel as though I was part of the story myself. I felt like an extra police officer on the case and I even found myself beginning to interact with the book. I was even trying to give tips to the police on how to progress the investigation. (Get me I watch lots of police dramas and think I know it all). Before anybody starts, yes I know that ‘Their Final Moments’ is a work of fiction but if I enjoy a book as much as I enjoyed this one, then I tend to ‘live’ the story as if it were real.
Reading ‘Their Final Moments’ was much like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes and Ladders’ board. Some of the twists and turns I saw coming and others crept up on me and hit me like a punch to the gut, taking my breath away. ‘Their Final Moments’ is just as it is described on the tin as it were. It really is an addictive read with lots of breath taking twists. I was gripped by the story and I remained on the edge of my seat throughout, which did prove rather painful.
In short, I absolutely loved reading ‘Their Final Moments’. I would definitely recommend this book and this author to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Jane comes up with next. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait but whilst I wait I will definitely be catching up on the books that I already have on the reading mountain. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third DI Mike Croft book in the series, although it was originally published as two separate books, book 3 "Fade To Grey" and book 4 "Final Frame". It now appears as two parts, and is definitely the most harrowing so far. In part one, Mike is just back from sick leave and is landed with investigating a series of nasty and violent rapes on young petite blonde girls. A local newspaper is receiving letters claiming to be from the attacked and boasting that he will not be caught. His latest victim fights back and escapes, and now forensics have enough samples to match to any potential suspect, but could there be more than one attacker? Meanwhile in West Kennet, Wiltshire a woman's body is found dead in a burning car, posing a tricky case for DI Morrow and his team, and a middle aged actress friend of ex DI John Tynan is discovered murdered in her home. Her young lover/lodger comes under suspicion, as does a boy seen fleeing the scene. Add to the mix teenage runaways and the kidnapping of a young man, and the reader will be left dizzy by so much happening in the first few chapters of the book. Fear not, links begin to emerge between some of the crimes as the two teams of detectives work together to uncover motives and evidence. On a personal level, the great friendship between Mike and John Tynan is still a real winner as the older man has a wealth of wisdom and local knowledge, and Mike's relationship with psychiatrist Dr Maria Lucas goes from strength to strength. It's nice to find a happy detective for once! By the time part one ends, some of the cases have been solved in this exciting and well written story, whilst some new investigations are just opening up for Mike and his team. It's not really possible to say much about part two without giving away too much about how part one ends, except to say that it gets more intense and the threats are closer to home for some of those involved. A great story with unexpected turns and so many well woven strands all coming together. I just wish there were more DI Croft books!

[EILEEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

THEIR FINAL MOMENTS kicks off with a pulse-pounding, terrifying incident. Elsewhere, there's a horrifying discovery. Ongoing, in the background, appalling, unconscionable and terrorizing behavior is being carried out. A devastating and ghastly situation is revealed, soon followed by a heinous, gruesome act. A rollercoaster ride through a maze of hair-raising tension and spine-chilling revelations, soaring into more horrendous incidents. Then it gets personal, skyrocketing suspense into the stratosphere, followed later by an action packed, nerve-wracking race against time, concluding with an explosive, heart-stopping finish .

[Philip Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great one

At just over halfway through the book it was going nowhere, had a jumble of short disjointed stories, and nothing was really making any sense. Nothing linked. All passages were so short and nothing seemed like it fitted. There was no build up of any characters. It was disgraceful, but I ploughed on.
The last third was better.
...but I still waded through the thick mud to get anywhere. The only hope was to reach the end.
Yay.
I finally did. Now I can move on

[susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read in a long time.

There were a lot of characters to get to grips with in part one but that added to the rich tapestry being woven by the author. An amazing feat to keep them all interesting and wondering where they would all join together. This book had me reading far into the night, much farther than I intended each time but it was by far, the best psychological thriller I have read in a long time. Thank you Jane Adams, brilliant piece of work!

[Anne Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This a hard read

The first half of the book is told in real time, not successfully. Too many people, too hard to keep everything clear when it is jumping here there and everywhere. Then part two of the book starts and is told in a totally different narrative. I felt like I was dropped into a different story. Read books one, two and four and skip this one.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in the box set I have sees Mike and others investigating numerous crimes, from rape to murder...is there a link?

This was a disturbing psychological thriller that wonders if evil is inherent or learned. It's sad and horrific and maybe all are victims, but choices are made and those consequences must be faced.

Well-written, suspenseful and tense.

Engaging and recommended.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it to 15%

If I had the patience, I would start over and try to count the characters. Had to be at least 50+. There is no way I can read a book if I can’t remember most of them.
Too bad as it might have been a decent book.

[Max VEAL · Rating 1 out of 5]

Confusing

Very hard to follow, too many players, too much going on at the same time. I really struggled to maintain interest. I kept on, just hoping that the story would come to me, but it never did. I surprised myself by making it to the end.

[Emma L.J · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 1000th book I’ve read over 3 years

What an absolute thrilling book this was 2 part series had me hooked from beginning to the end. on to book 4 more sleep being lost tonight 1am I’m going into it

[Ka-AR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling

Book 3 of the Detective Mike Croft series was a thrill ride Jake Bowen is the most vicious killers I have ever read. The philosophy of his crimes, "Why not?" Unpredictable to the end.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I enjoyed reading this book, although some of the details were hard to read. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a really well written thriller.

[Michele Zito · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I read a book by Jane Adams. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written good story line excellent ending. Will get more on this author.
Michele zito

[sandra dellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Another great book that was hard to put down, lots of twists and turns, the ending not at all what I thought!

[Joanne Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and terrifying.

[Bev King · Rating 5 out of 5]

page turner

Really enjoyed this story it was gripping and got under my skin. I mainly read it at night just before going to sleep ……not a good idea!

[Linda Autrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Another great read. Another book that I enjoyed reading very much.
Really liking these stories and characters. Cannot wait to read Book 4.

[Rachael Hewison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having not delved into crime fiction in a long time, I decided to venture back in by reading an author I’d not yet heard of and I am extremely glad that I did. Although I got off to a somewhat slow start with it, after a few chapters I was hooked and finished the book in a day.
The blurb suggested that the story followed a DI called Mike Croft in the hunt of a serial rapist, targeting young blonde women in Norwich. However I found that it was less the story of Mike Croft and more a collection of stories of the various characters. The book was split into days and then times and each time was from the perspective of one of the various characters, ranging from the rapist himself, to the victims, to other detectives working on different but linked cases. It did take time to get used to this style though as at the start it felt unstructured. However this changed within a couple of chapters and it meant that Adams kept the story fresh and explored angles that other crime writers often do not include.
However one thing I could say was that whilst it was interesting to read what was going on in the rapist’s mind and how he came to ensnare his victims, in some ways this was less appealing to me as there was less of the build up to guessing who the murderer is, as you knew pretty much from the outset.
The book feels short and sharp and whilst there is not much room for description and is very much dialogue based, this does not take anything from the book and Adams has created the tone perfectly. Adams brings the characters to life, without making them too long-winded and dull.
There is one major thing that I disliked about this book however and that was the ending. It finished on a cliff-hanger that led into another book. To me this is a cheap stunt employed by writers who cannot keep readers coming back based on the strength of their prose. It annoyed me all the more as Adams does not fall into this category and would have had me coming back for more regardless.
The ending aside however this was a brilliant choice to ease me back into the world of crime fiction. One piece of advice, with reading Adams book: make sure you have a day free as you will want to read it all in one. It was a fantastic book and has left me wanting to read more of her.

[Steph Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their Final Moments – Jane Adams

This is my first Jane Adams novel and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking on #goodreads I see that she has written quite a few books so I guess I’ll be investing in a few of those to catch up. (It’s a good job it’s recently been my birthday and has vouchers to spend). I didn’t know until I’d finished that this has already had two titles Fade to Grey and Final Frame. I met Detective Constable Mike Croft three books into the series; I think I’d like to start from the beginning to allow myself to get to know Mike and some of the other characters better.

At times I found the subject matter to be more than a little disturbing. Involving child abuse and snuff movies the author shows us how the perpetrators mind works and how he became the person he did. Although this is a work of fiction it certainly opened my eyes to the twisted minds of abusers. I have no idea why as we read about it in the news almost every day. On saying that this type of abuser isn’t your common or garden perpetrator (nor should they be either). I can’t understand why or what makes people think/feel that this is or could be acceptable in today’s society or do they simply think they are that bit smarter than the police?

Such young victims girls, men and women ages between fourteen and twenty two are raped and killed, as if that isn’t enough their final moments are recorded for posterity and profit. A six year old is kidnapped and kept drugged taken because of her connection to Mike. It becomes clear that there are two active serial killers in two different counties leading the investigations to have a connection. The teams are pulling out all the stops and then some to apprehend them all they need is one little bit of luck, one tiny thing to run with.

I really don’t want to say much more for fear of putting out spoilers so I think I’ll finish by recommending it to anyone who enjoys a decent crime thriller. Please be aware that there are areas and subjects that some may find disturbing or upsetting but don’t let that put you off.


Read for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their Final Moments is the third book in the series but not having read the previous two books I had no previous introductions to DI Mike Croft and his team or what to expect from this author. That being said I don’t feel that it hindered me in any way as the plot did not rely on the reader having to know any complicated back story to be able to follow the action.
The story follows Mike Croft as he leads an investigation into the murder of a girl found in a burned out car. To add to this there is also a rapist on the lose that has ties to the murder. The investigations turn personal when those close to Mike come under threat. It is during this testing time that you get an insight into Mike and his relationships with his work colleagues and his partner Maria, a therapist who also ends up becoming involved in the case on a professional level.
Originally published as two instalments and you can clearly see this in the way it has been brought together with the first part bringing the investigation into the rapist to a close and opening up the hunt for the killer. There is also a difference in pace to the story between the two parts as the beginning spends quite a bit of time setting the scene and introducing the reader to the main characters. Once the investigations into the murder really got under way then the story really seemed to move quickly and I found that I became more engrossed in the book.
The plot deals with some unsavoury topics and although there are inferences as to why the murders are taking place the author manages avoid the trap of using graphic detail to get this information across, leaving it to the reader to work it out for themselves. I have never been one for graphic descriptions and sometimes get put off by books that put it in just for the sake of it. The fact that the author can leave the reader in no doubt of the motivation without going down that route will appeal to many encouraging them to read on rather than putting it down unfinished. Overall Their Final Moments is an enjoyable read and I hope to see more of Mike Croft in the future

[Hilary Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read , tense and exciting .
This series has got better every book .
A rather unpleasant subject matter dealt with in a matter of fact way .
Good characters .