She races home, her young son clasped tightly to her chest, glancing over her shoulder at every face she passes. She reaches the safety of her home, closing the door behind her. Little does she know the danger that awaits her inside…
When local vicar, Sally, packs away the brightly coloured toys and dog-eared books left over from a morning parent and toddler group, her heart pounds as she discovers a note left
‘Help me.’
Sally knows the mother who sat in that spot. Rushing to Nell’s small house nearby, her feeling of dread grows. Her frantic knock goes unanswered. Inside, she hears Nell’s one-year-old son Alfie crying, but still Nell doesn’t come.
Running to the back of the house, Sally’s breath catches at the sight of Nell’s lifeless body laid out in the garden.
When police investigate the young mother’s tragic death, rumours start to spread. Some say Nell had enemies. Some say she wasn’t telling the truth about who she really was. And some say she was running from a dark past.
With reports of a mysterious figure seen watching Nell’s house, it’s clear whoever took her life is close by. And when a break-in at the church ends with a brutal attack on Sally, the vicar who found Nell’s body, it’s clear that this killer isn’t finished yet…
Fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh will absolutely love this gripping new thriller from Carla Kovach. Addictive from the first page, and with a jaw-dropping twist, you won’t be able to put this down!
What readers are saying about Carla
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘OMG!!!!!… Left me shocked and speechlessfrom the very beginning all the way up to the very end… Fantastic… Totallyblew my mind.’ Blue Moon Blogger
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Heart-racing… A MUST READ!!!!… Excellent… I was completely immersed… I devoured this book in one sitting and only came up for breath after I had turned the last page… Blew me away… Heart-stopping… Loved, loved it!!!!’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow!!!!! Loved!!!!! Shocked!!!!! Twisted!!!!!… You are in for a real treat… I couldn’t believe what I was reading… I was left speechless.’ Goodreads reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow, Carla hits another one out of the park! Crazy thrill ride that just didn’t let up. Twists and turns galore.’ NetGalley reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I am completely hooked on this series. I read this in a single sitting, unable to put it down.’ NetGalley reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely amazing!… Incredibly clever and gripping. I was hooked from the first page.’ Goodreads reviewer
Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama 'Flame,' psychological thriller 'To Let,' crime thriller 'Whispers Beneath the Pines, and romantic comedy 'Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.' Carla also writes stage and screen plays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
One Last Prayer by Carla Kovach is the 16th in the Detective Gina Harte series
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books) DI Gina Harte works homicides. Her team consists of: DS Jacob Driscoll, DC Harry O’Connor and DC Paula Wyre, with a lot of assistance from PC Smith and PC Kapoor. Gina is a stubborn lady, and a determined detective. She has had a rough life, which has led to an uneasy relationship with her daughter Hannah and grand-daughter Gracie. It has also led to a lack of real friends. She is in an on-again/off-again relationship with her boss, DCI Chris Briggs, but they keep it quiet. It is also not common knowledge that Gina's husband was abusive, and only Briggs knows that she did nothing to save him when he fell to his death many years ago.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions) Nell, a single mother, is found dead, her eyes removed. The local vicar, Sally, steps in to care for her one-year old son Alfie until they can find Nell's next of kin. It turns out that Nell's father, Ross Craven, has just been released from prison, and all eyes hunt for him. Her step-sister Maeve was not close to Nell, but feels somewhat obligated to at least meet Alfie....but she is worried about Ross too!
When the church is broken into, and Sally attacked, it becomes evident that there may be more going on than originally thought.
It looks like the killer may not be done yet!
Meanwhile, Gina is struggling with a health issue.
My Opinions: First, Gina really annoyed me in this one....a health issue which she puts aside so that she can solve the crime -- a little egotistical, don't you think?
The plot was quite good, with enough characters to keep me guessing about the real perpetrator. I was wrong! That was great, because it meant that there were enough red herrings to confuse me.
Speaking of characters....I love Sally! She's a great addition to any book in which she appears.
So overall, although I was disappointed with Gina, the book was a fast and entertaining read, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
One Last Prayer is the sixteenth book in the Detective Gina Harte series. I started reading these books fairly late in the series, but have enjoyed getting to know Gina and her team in the books I've read. Gina is working on a heartbreaking case when a single mom is found dead in her backyard. The crime scene is gruesome and unfortunately the killer isn't finished. This case is suspenseful and sometimes a bit confusing as the plot becomes more and more complex. It was sometimes hard to keep track of how all the suspects and witnesses were connected, but overall I enjoyed the book, and I like the way the case wrapped up. After the case is resolved, there is a cliffhanger involving Gina that didn't completely make sense to me. I think this may be because I haven't read all of the prior books in the series.
I received an advance copy of the ebook courtesy of NetGalley and Bookouture, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
One Last Prayer is book 16 in the Detective Gina Harte series and it will keep you guessing until the very end. Reading this book is very stressful as you don't know who's behind everything going on and things keep happening to people you care about. Sally, the local vicar, is holding a group session for parents and toddlers. When she's cleaning up she finds a note that says Help Me. Sally knows who was sitting here and knows that she's a struggling single mom. Sally rushes to Nell's house to find out what she needs help with. When she gets there she knocks, but no one answers. Sally can hear Alfie, Nell's one year old son, crying inside. Where's Nell? Sally tries the door, but it's locked. Sally goes around back and stops dead in her tracks when she sees Nell's dead body out in the garden. Who would do this? Who would kill a young mother and leave her one year old inside alone? Sally is devastated and calls the police immediately. She is able to get in the back door and comfort Alfie and the dog.
Nell was new to the area and some say she had enemies, some say she was running from her past. Neighbors report having seen a stranger watching Nell's house. Sally tells Gina she'll take care of Alfie until family can be located. She feels so bad for the little boy who now has no mom. Sally takes in the little dog, too. Gina knows things are bad when there's a break-in at the church and Sally is attacked. Who would want to hurt Sally? She helps so many people. Gina and her team have a troubling case and need to find out who's doing this before more people are injured or killed. Who is Alfie's father? No one seems to know anything except it was someone Nell met in Turkey. Could the father be after Alfie? This case will keep you guessing and stressed until the very end. I rate One Last Prayer 5 stars with my highest recommendation. If you've never read the series you can enjoy this book as a standalone. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of One Last Prayer in exchange for a fair review. #OneLastPrayer
When a young mother is killed and her eyes have been removed, Gina knows this latest case is going to be a tough one. With diary excerpts and a few pov’s, we have an idea of what is going to happen, but we don’t know who is doing these despicable acts. Gina also battling some health issues and seems to only get worse as the case moves forward. Also, someone from Gina’s past is back on o make her life hell. An interesting case and am looking forward to the next one.
Detective Gina Harte and her team are back and this time they are investigating the gruesome murder of young mum, Nell, who was discovered slain in her back garden by the local vicar, Sally. Sally had come to check on Nell and her son, Alfie, after the young woman fled the mother and left behind a note asking for help. Rumours quickly circulate that Nell was hiding something. Could her secrets be the key to her murder? As the team investigates things take a distressing turn when Sally is also attacked. It’s clear that this is someone who will go to extreme lengths to keep their secrets. Can Gina and her team find them before they kill again?
The Detective Gina Harte series is one of my favourite series, and every book goes straight onto my must-read list. I discovered this series the same month I joined Bookstagram so it holds a special place in my heart and it is crazy to me that I just read its sixteenth instalment. But the best thing is, this series isn’t slowing down and Carla Kovach has once again delivered a story every bit as gritty, tense, and compelling as its predecessors. The crime is especially intricate, complex and dark this time around and I went through so many different theories and suspects while reading. And that ending. How could you do that to me?
Carla’s skillful storytelling is a big part of what makes these books so special. It is fast-paced, thrilling, and morally complex, with lots of twists and turns keeping you on your toes from start to finish. You can also rely on her to write compelling characters, such as Gina, who is a fantastic protagonist. And while I love returning to Gina and the team, I also love how well-written the background characters are every time. In this book I really enjoyed getting to know Sally more in this book. I hope we see more from her point of view in the future, but not because she’s attacked!
Dark, nail-bitingly tense and addictive, this is a must-read for all thriller fans.
Sally, a local vicar, is straitening things up after a church service. Finding a note that says “Help me God” is truly jarring. She was just talking with a young mother named Nell and is sure it was Nell who left the desperate note.
Sally rushes to Nell’s home, only to find her dead body with her infant son Alfie now left alone. Sally is now caring for him at the vicarage while Detective Gina Harte searches for both the killer and any other family that Alfie might have. As Gina digs more into the case, she begins to see a pattern, a pattern that just might reach into the past.
As is usual for murder cases, things take a turn, leaving clues but bringing Gina and her partner Jacob no closer to finding the killer. All the while, Gina is secretly experiencing tight pains in her chest, but determinedly ignores them as she races to find the killer.
What a compelling read! This thrilling book was utterly impossible to put down and as the conclusion reached a crescendo, an opening is left for the next book in the series, and definitely left me wanting.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Carla Kovach for this ARC in exchange my honest review.
I’ve always been a fan of gripping thrillers and psychological dramas, and when I stumbled upon Carla Kovach's latest novel, One Last Prayer, I couldn’t resist diving in. I had heard of Kovach’s ability to weave suspense-filled narratives, but this book took me on an unexpected journey that was both thrilling and reflective. Kovach has woven a brilliant tapestry of tension and emotion that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I was left with so many feelings—intrigued, satisfied, and a little wistful. In a way, the book felt like a long walk through the woods, with ebbs and flows that reflected the twists of life itself. I wholeheartedly recommend picking up this book. It’s a thrilling ride filled with rich characters and important themes that linger in the mind long after you’ve read the final line. So, grab a cozy blanket and a cup of tea, and get ready to immerse yourself in this fantastic read!
✅ This is book 16 in the Detective Gina Harte series. I recommend reading the complete series. There is so much back story to Gina and her team that is important to know.
What a story!! So many red herrrings! So many secrets! So much going! I was literally on edge the whole time reading One Last Prayer. A gripping and very addictive story from author Carla Kovach. She keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the story. I never did quite figure out how the story was going to end. I do have to say, Gina is getting a bit on my nerves as she doesn’t take care of herself nor does she realize she needs to accept help from others. I am hoping with the next book things are improving for her. If you are looking for a great detective series, this is one you should pick up.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Another brilliant book in the Detective Gina Harte series. Gina is called when a young woman is found dead in her garden by the local vicar, Sally. Her toddler is alone in the house so Sally agrees to look after him until family can be contacted. Sally tells Gina that Nell had seemed upset at the church group that morning which is why she went to her house afterwards. Gina and Jacob start the investigation and it’s clear not everyone is giving them the full facts. When another body is found it throws the investigation into a new direction and Gina and the team have their hands full trying to track down the killer. Gina is also suffering from chest pains and with some nasty emails being sent to her as well, she is finding things hard. This is a brilliant crime thriller that I’d highly recommend. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I love Detective Gina Harte and her team and book 16 does not disappoint. This time we meet two half sisters Nell and Maeve. They have been estranged since the death of Maeves mother. When Nell is brutally murdered leaving behind her toddler son Maeves life is thrown into chaos. Did her Father kill her sister and who will take care of the young child now. As the local Vicar is also attached Gina is not only on a race against time to keep everyone safe but it also struggling with her own health and some messages from an anonymous person who seems to have a grudged to bear. Roll on book 17.
Loved it!! The Detective Gina Harte Series is definitely one of my favorites. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put the book down because I had to know who was behind the murders and why. I'm really not sure how so many women fell for Ross Craven. It's not like he was a catch and brought much to any relationship, except maybe tragedy. Plus, he had an obsession with his children keeping diaries. There were so many twists and turns. I was suspicious of so many people, but never guessed who was actually behind everything. Matty seemed especially creepy. I was sure he was hiding something from Maeve. Darrah was another likely suspect, but with the amount of alcohol he was drinking he would need a partner. Abigail was a crazy, jealous girlfriend and I wouldn't put anything past her. I was definitely shocked when everything was finally revealed. So much effort was put into getting revenge, when it really wasn't Nell's fault. The book kept me guessing until the very end. Honestly, I was scared Gina was going to fall over dead every time she chased after someone. I was afraid she was about to die of a heart attack. She needs to take some time off and cuddle with Ebony and of course Briggs. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Stephen is a piece of work. His mind games are horrible and the lengths he goes to terrorize Gina are obsessive and disturbing. I'm guessing the next book will be all about him and Gina's ex-husband's family. Maybe Hannah will finally see the truth about her father and his family.
Definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. This was a great mystery/thriller. Loved the characters, writing style and story. I can't wait to find out what's next for Det. Gina Harte. So glad DCI Briggs and Gina are still a couple. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the book cover.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
One Last Prayer by Carla Kovach is the 16th book in this excellent. Detective Gina Harte series. This has been a series that I have been hooked from the very first book and I have loved reading this series. This latest book is full of twists and turns throughout, that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, plus anything you had planned for that day will be out of the window, you will be gripped and want to read more to find out what happens next.
"She races home, her young son clasped tightly to her chest, glancing over her shoulder at every face she passes. She reaches the safety of her home, closing the door behind her. Little does she know the danger that awaits her inside…
When local vicar, Sally, packs away the brightly coloured toys and dog-eared books left over from a morning parent and toddler group, her heart pounds as she discovers a note left
‘Help me.’
Sally knows the mother who sat in that spot. Rushing to Nell’s small house nearby, her feeling of dread grows. Her frantic knock goes unanswered. Inside, she hears Nell’s one-year-old son Alfie crying, but still Nell doesn’t come.
Running to the back of the house, Sally’s breath catches at the sight of Nell’s lifeless body laid out in the garden.
When police investigate the young mother’s tragic death, rumours start to spread. Some say Nell had enemies. Some say she wasn’t telling the truth about who she really was. And some say she was running from a dark past.
With reports of a mysterious figure seen watching Nell’s house, it’s clear whoever took her life is close by. And when a break-in at the church ends with a brutal attack on Sally, the vicar who found Nell’s body, it’s clear that this killer isn’t finished yet…..............."
WoW.....this book is So good I highly recommend all these books within this series, They have all been a 5 star read and this one was no different!
One Last Prayer by Carla Kovach is a highly recommended investigative thriller and the sixteenth novel in the Detective Gina Harte series. This procedural quickly turns into a complicated investigation.
Local vicar, Sally, finds a note asking for help at the morning mothers and toddlers group and immediately knows Nell wrote it. She rushes to Nell's home and hears her one-year-old son Alfie crying. Looking for a way in to the house, she finds Nell's body in the backyard and calls the police. DI Gina Harte and team are called in to investigate and are searching for a brutal killer. As the police begin to investigate, the case quickly becomes increasingly complicated and the violence continues.
The well-written narrative unfolds through several different points-of-view, along with diary entries. The suspense ratchets up with each new piece of information uncovered and discovery made in the investigation. There are a whole lot of people who could be suspects so the plot also increases in complexity and twists abound.
At one point there were almost too many twists, suspects, and characters to parse. In some ways this is a good development, in others, maybe not so much. I wasn't a fan of Gina's increasing health concerns in the plot.
Even though this is the sixteenth book in the series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. This is a great choice for those who love complicated procedurals with lots of suspects. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion. http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/1...
This was a cracking page turner that kept me hooked. I was convinced I knew who the killer was but no, I was wrong. Again! I love this series and I cannot wait to read the next book.
She races home, her young son clasped tightly to her chest, glancing over her shoulder at every face she passes. She reaches the safety of her home, closing the door behind her. Little does she know the danger that awaits her inside…
When local vicar, Sally, packs away the brightly coloured toys and dog-eared books left over from a morning parent and toddler group, her heart pounds as she discovers a note left behind:
‘Help me.’
Sally knows the mother who sat in that spot. Rushing to Nell’s small house nearby, her feeling of dread grows. Her frantic knock goes unanswered. Inside, she hears Nell’s one-year-old son Alfie crying, but still Nell doesn’t come.
Running to the back of the house, Sally’s breath catches at the sight of Nell’s lifeless body laid out in the garden.
When police investigate the young mother’s tragic death, rumours start to spread. Some say Nell had enemies. Some say she wasn’t telling the truth about who she really was. And some say she was running from a dark past.
With reports of a mysterious figure seen watching Nell’s house, it’s clear whoever took her life is close by. And when a break-in at the church ends with a brutal attack on Sally, the vicar who found Nell’s body, it’s clear that this killer isn’t finished yet.
My Review: Loved, loved and more loved!!!!! It had me gripped from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down. This has to be one of my favorite series ever. I do want to say that you can read each of them as a stand alone though. I would also recommend starting it from the very beginning. I started in the middle and didn’t get the full experience in my opinion. Now let’s talk specifically about this one. One of the main reasons this book was so terrific was because of the characters specifically the detectives. The team of them work so well together. Each of them have a specific quality within them that blends well with the others on the team to help close the case and fast. The plot on this one did not disappoint either. I was kept interested the entire time and it was full of twists. Each chapter brought us many surprises and then to that shock of an ending. I was speechless. It was my favorite of all her books so far. This author and series never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think how can the next book get any better than the last one, it does. I’m not sure how this author does it but she’s brilliant and I can’t wait for the next one.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
DI Gina Harte is back in a captivating and intense mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
As she’s thrust into the complex investigation of the murder of a young single mother named Nell. Who after attending a mother and toddler group at the local church, leaves a chilling note that simply says, “HELP ME,” setting off alarm bells for the concerned vicar, Sally.
And realising the gravity of the situation, Sally rushes to Nell’s home, but tragically, she arrives too late. Where in a shocking discovery, she finds Nell brutally murdered in the garden, while her young son is left alone and frightened inside the house.
So, in a compassionate act, Sally offers to care for him until any family can be traced. However, this decision inadvertently places Sally's own life in danger.
As a result, Gina and her dedicated team are left to hunt for a sadistic killer. But with lots of potential suspects and witnesses who are lying catching this killer is no easy feat.
And with red herrings galore, gripping suspense, and characters that will draw you in! This thrilling addition to the series left me craving more, and I would happily recommend it to others.
My thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read One Last Prayer. ☺️
This book had me hooked from the very first moment. The idea of a desperate plea—"Help me"—scribbled on a note at a toddler group immediately set the tone for a deeply unsettling mystery. I received a copy from Bookouture via Netgalley.
When Sally, the vicar, goes to check on Nell, who left the note, and finds her lifeless in the garden, the tension skyrockets. Add a crying toddler in the house and the mystery deepens. As Detective Gina Harte investigates, rumors swirl about Nell’s past—was she running from something? Did she have enemies? The tension escalates when a break-in at the church leads to a brutal attack on Sally, making it clear that the killer isn’t finished yet.
I really appreciated how Kovach layers her storytelling. She comes up with twist after twist. Nell’s past, the growing unease in the town, the sense that something bigger is lurking—it all builds up beautifully. And then there’s Gina Harte, a detective who is real, flawed, and determined. Absolutely love her character.
I already have the next installment from Netgalley and I can't wait to read that one.
This is the sixth book in the series featuring Detective Gina Harte. This is one of my favourite series of books and is another gripping and fast paced read. Sally, the local vicar, runs a mother and toddler group. She becomes concerned over the behaviour of Nell, one of the young mums and she found a note that she had left behind when dashing off that said she needed help, Sally decides to go check on her to see all is ok but is horrified to find an Nell’s body in the garden and her little boy on his own. Gina and her team are called in to investigate and soon have a prime suspect, Nell’s estranged father as he has just been released from prison. But when another young woman is killed they realise that Nell has not been truthful and that she has a dark past and someone appears to have been watching her. When Sally has a break in at the church and she is in attendance Gina realises that this is a different case to solve. This was a book full of suspense, twists and turns and plenty of red herrings. I cannot wait for book number seventeen. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
“One Last Prayer” is the sixteenth book in the Gina Harte series by author Carla Kovach. This is a series that I have dipped in and out of disregarding the book order. This lackadaisical way hasn’t really spoilt my enjoyments of the series although I do appreciate it would be better read in order.
The book starts with a young mother named Nell racing home holding her son tightly in her arms oblivious to what danger lies ahead in her own house. Her body is discovered the next day by Sally the local vicar and the hunt for a savage killer begins.
Sally is a very good character and is a victim and a witness, her courage and empathy add a layer of emotion to the story. Sally struggles to make sense of Nell’s murder as well as facing threats to her own life.
The story is well paced and in my opinion this is the best book I have read in this series up to now. DI Gina Harte needs to catch the killer before they strike again.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The mystery in this book was extremely complex and involved a lot of moving parts as well as people, but that is what made it so gripping to me as the reader. I love a challenge when I am reading a crime thriller/mystery. There were curveballs thrown in every direction, just when I thought I had solved the mystery, that would take me in another direction.
This killer is brutal and sadistic. As Gina Harte and the other detectives investigate this case, they realize that almost everyone they have talked with is either lying or, at the very least, withholding information that is needed to solve the young mother's murder. The characters in this book were interesting to the say the least. You will understand when you read it.
This author knows how to spin a tale, and this one was super in every way that is needed to make a crime thriller exciting. Crime thrillers/police procedural lovers will devour this book. Prepare yourself for a thrill ride and put on your thinking cap.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really don't know how the author does it. Creating so many different characters, each with their own particularities and stories and bring them together to result in a fabulous, intriguing and thrilling book. It absolutely takes a lot of skill and it gives the reader an immense pleasure seeing it all unfolding.
Of course, many characters often means a lot of possible suspects which makes the story more complex and interesting, but it also means you have to pay attention not to miss out on something.
More than once, when I have it in for someone, they actually are completely innocent and those I feel sympathy for are usually the culprits. :)
A book starring Gina Harte is synonym to an excellent one. She really scared me though this time but all is well that ends well.
Looking forward to book 17. This one, like the others in the series, deserves the full 5 stars.
It is no secret that I am a massive fan of Gina Harte, her team and her fabulous creator Carla Kovach. I eagerly anticipate the next release as soon as I finish the newest one.
This storyline in this next installment is filled with lots of different POVS which felt very different to a usual Gina Harte book. Including seeing previous character coming to the forefront of the story.
Not only do you follow the cases with this team, but there is always a background storyline that continues through the series. Getting to know everyone better and all that goes on in their lives.
The last 40% of this book was very hard to put down and very addictive. Had my heart racing, nails bitten as far as they will go with the suspense and waiting for everything to be revealed.
As always another installment of the series that is addictive and fantastic. Will eagerly be stalking for the next one. Especially after finishing on that cliffhanger.... I hope it's not too long of a wait.
My heart raced as the book kept foreshadowing something happening to Gina. Pair that with the victim’s eyes being removed and I was on the edge of my seat for the entire read.
I loved that Sally is back. She is a great character and gives me more love for the series. The characters as well as the plot keep me coming back for each new installment. Both the regular, supporting, and the characters specific to a book are complex and compelling. Don’t mistake that to think the plot and crime is lacking. It’s layered with a plethora of suspects that kept me guessing. The book is fast paced and tension filled.
A unique aspect of this one is diary entries that along with the multiple POVs fill in some of the facts of the case as Gina and her team work to stop the killer before they strike again.
If you are looking for a complex crime novel with great characters look no further than this book and series.
I read One Last Prayer (Detective Gina Harte Book 16) by Carla Kovach over the weekend. It's a page-turning crime thriller and a good addition to the series.
The plot was interesting and unique. I really like the familiar characters and getting to know new characters. They are three-dimensional and believable. The writing keeps you engaged in the story, and there are good red herrings. The story is fast-paced.
I loved the dogs, Jerry and Toffee.
One Last Prayer is a thrilling mystery with credible characters and an atmospheric locale. There were sneaky antagonists, false clues, suspense, and tension.
I would recommend this book and this series. I am looking forward to more as there is yet another plot twist that involves Gina, which has me anticipating what is going to happen next with her.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
A young mum is found dead in her garden, and detective Gina Harte and her team are called in to investigate. Pretty soon they have a clear suspect, but are things as they seem?
Wow this was a good one! Just finished and my muscles are sore from tensing with all the tension in this book. The running theme throughout, of Gina’s health issues had me on the edge of my seat. I was definitely fearful for something bad to happen. I enjoyed all the characters in this and how they all were related to each other in some way. There were no loose ends which I enjoyed. Character progression with some more selfish characters was good too.
One last prayer by Carla Kovach is the 16th book in the series and yet again the author does not disappoint. When a young mother Nell is found murdered and her eyes taken out, Detective Gina Harte does everything she can to find the killer who has left a Nell’s small son Alphie an orphan. The local vicar Sarah looks after Alfie whilst the investigation is in progress and until they find Nell’s half-sister Maeve who also might be in danger. Because at first thoughts that Nell’s father is the killer, or is he? This is another gripping thriller from the author, somewhat more complex that others, with a lot of red herrings along the way. But nevertheless, an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next one. 5 stars from me
Gina Harte is one of my favourite characters in the crime thriller book world. It’s a series I always look forward to due to the fabulous secondary storyline than runs throughout the series. The characters are very well written, they are familiar and each have a character profile that you can’t help but want to follow due to their individual sub-themes. I’m not sure how the next book will go but I know that I’m already itching for it after that brilliant cliffhanger!
Once again Carla Kovach has delivered and raised my expectations for the next book. I’m still not sure how she still manages this after 16 books and I doubt that will stop anytime soon.
This is book 16 in the DI Gina Harte series. I haven’t read the whole series so can definitely be read as a standalone but if you like to know the backstory that is referenced you are better to start from the beginning. It starts off at a slow pace and eases you in and then it gets going and doesn’t let up. I flew through this one as it weaves a really interesting storyline with many a surprise and change of direction. Well developed storyline and characters. Really likeable characters especially the DI Gina Harte’s team. It all came together well with no unanswered questions. Really enjoyed this one and how the story unfolded. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #OneLastPrayer
4.5🌟stars The murder mystery here is complex, twisty and unpredictable, starting with the macabre death of a young mother with her untouched toddler Alfie just steps away, and I certainly was kept in suspense right through to the end. I just found lead detective Gina Harte's health issues distracting and the way she handled them implausible.
I've been following this series through many books and the author has a way with her plots that sets them apart from the mainstream of police procedurals.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.