Her Last Breath

by M.J. Arlidge, Alex Khan

The Lancashire town of Burnley is a typical British melting pot. Where drugs, violence and human trafficking rub shoulders with grand houses and rolling moors... and now two people have been found dead - are they suicides or is there something darker lurking in this community?

DI Jane Hacker grew up in Burnley but fled to London after the death of her teenage brother. Now, she's back caring for her sick mother and heading up a crime unit that doesn't trust her instincts.

It's time Jane finally faces up to the truth of the town's past and present to track down a sadistic killer, before it is too late.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2026

About the author

M.J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last 15 years, specialising in high end drama production. Arlidge has produced a number of prime-time crime serials for ITV In the last five years, and is currently working on a major adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans for the BBC.

Reviews

[Cititor Necunoscut · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, MJ Arlidge spoils his readers with a twisted murder investigation, a very interesting DI, less dark than Helen, but still attractive. Wish it could continue as series, great potential in these new characters.

[Calum Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an impulse buy from Amsterdam airport as a way to pass the time waiting for the flight home and not knowing anything prior to diving in, this was a brilliant surprise!

It's quite a classic mystery/detective story that has some quite dark, thriller moments that most definitely made this an exciting read to come back to! Alongside the 'whodunnit' element that runs throughout, we follow Jane's own troubled life upon her return to her hometown that is filled with incredible sadness, reminiscing on melancholic memories, while caring for her incredibly ill mother.

There are a lot of quite distressing themes throughout this book, not just death and illness, so proceed with caution. Like every good Detective/mystery/police procedural, the authors take you in all sorts of directions when it comes to suspects, while dipping the reader into the other storyline, which I thought was done well!

The final twist was a great one, and a mystery-thriller set up in Lancashire was quite a refreshing change!

Though I may have liked there to be a little more focus on the whodunnit, I can see how all storylines complimented each other well!

I will be recommending this one!

Rating: 7/10 (Rounded up!)

[Carole Willett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok but almost instantly forgettable. Not as good as the Helen Grace series. All a little average and run of the mill. It didn’t require much thought. I may have felt this partly because the book I read before this 1 was a 5 star read from Clare Mackintosh - no comparison!

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore everything by M.J. Arlidge so this was a must read for me and I fully devoured it. I went in blind had no clue what it was about AND the best bit? IT WAS SET VERY LOCAL TO ME! Set in the town of Burnley so I was familiar with the town, places and settings mentioned which made it all the more fun. I didnt figure out the killer too and yet again he's blown it out the water with another massive twist. Highly recommend. 5/5 stars.

[Amber Saleemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much! Always love a book by Arlidge! And i do enjoy his books that he does with other authors, gives it a little bit more depth when its written by 2 people. 
The story was definitely gripping, the characters were pretty likeable! And there wasn't only the main plotline of finding out if the suicides turning up are real suicides or something else, there was also Jane's past story line going to find out what really happened with her brother all those years ago and why her mother was so cruel to her growing up since then. There were some bits that were emotional! 
I was pleasantly surprised by the ending! I had a inkling bit didnt really see it coming! 
I may have to check out more books by Alex! 
But yeah a definite 5 star book! Easy thrilling crime read! Short chapters and likeable characters! 

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Last Breath is a gripping read that you wont want to put down.

We are introduced to a new DI Jane Hacker who is a determined strong woman with alot on her plate.

She has just moved back to Burnley Lancashire having fled years ago after her brother's tragic death.

Jane is dealing with guilt, her Mum is dying and she has to prove herself to her team that she can lead them in this complex case when two people are found dead.

The team is racing against the clock, the tension builds and the bodies are adding up.

M.J. Arlidge and Alex Khan are a formidable team and Her Last Breath is full of secrets, lies , viglante justice and a jaw dropping twist that I certainly didnt see coming.

I hope we meet up with DI Jane Hacker again in the future.

[Katie Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a while since I Picked up an M.J Arlidge book and I definitely enjoyed this one! This follows Jane who has moved to Burnley temporarily whilst caring for her Mum. Her team barely trust her and she has her suspicions on a recent death. I did manage to read this in just over 24 hours and this was easy to follow with short chapters and I really enjoyed the premise. I loved that the story developed but that it also had a family element which you did become attached to. I definitely did not see where this was going either, so it definitely had that shock factor! Overall, this was an easy thriller and a definite slump buster to consider!

[Carol Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It felt comfortable, like coming home, putting your pj's and slippers on and relaxing in the familiarity of a bygone time.
What I'm trying to say is the main character reminded me of M J Arlidge 's DCI Helen Grace. And that's not a bad thing as he's my favourite author and the way he writes leaves you fatigued more.
Hopefully we will get to visit DCI Jane Hacker in Burnley again one day soon

[Carson Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Again!!!

This was my second M J Arlidge book. Another great story with a different storyline. Jane has a terrible childhood, but excels as police officer. She has a past she would as soon forget but tries to put it behind. She investigates professionally along with helping her Mom, and trying to be a good daughter. Very good mystery mixed in with stressful life. WOW, bring another......

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the twist at the end.
However, as with the Helen Grace series we have a super human woman who is almost at death's door but manages to overcome a male which was a bit farfetched.
The setting of the book was good as I am a Lancashire lass and could identify with the places mentioned.
The relationship with her mother was quite sad.

[Christine O'Hare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable, a page turner. I found the back story annoying, some parts implausible and others predictable but not the ending. Kept me reading to the end. Bought this bk following a MJ Arlidge author event and may try one of his Grace novels.

[Caroline Glinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was so disappointed with the last M J Arligde book I read as I found the helen Grace had become someone I struggled to like. Here a female lead is someone who makes you want to continue reading. Really enjoyed it .

[Kelly Hagendoorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book very much. Easy read. I did kind of guessed who was behind the murders early on in the book so the plot wasn’t that much of a surprise. Still a good read though. I couldn’t put it down.

[Emma Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a little strange reading about a new DI but I enjoyed it all the same. Now to find what other books have been written by M J Arlidge

[Nicola Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read. Enjoyed the characters in this novel.

[Skye Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite a DI Grace but very close 😊

[Jackie Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't work it out. Not sure I could forgive.

[Peter Tennant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Tegan Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

twists were good but jane is so unlikeable it almost ruins the plot.

[Mat Greener]

Similar character to Helen grace

For half the book I thought this is a poor copy of Helen Grace . But it is sufficiently different & a very good ending

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A run-of-the-mill police procedural novel, full of the usual predictable tropes that one expects in this type of fiction. Little that can be said to be creative or original about it.

[Gail Souter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

A decent story but the end was so farcical and farfetched it spoiled it for me! Drugged,half drowned and hands bound she managed to fight off her attacker! Then with sliced bleeding hands she still got the better of him. As if she would have confronted him alone and drink tea when the victims had been subdued with drugs. Ridiculous.

[Pauline · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Jessica Dempsey · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5⭐️