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Shrap Nelson #2
An Unlikely Saviour
A Missing Boy. A Ruthless Killer.
When two street kids witness a body dumped in the River Thames, no one believes them—until one of them disappears. Homeless veteran Shrap Nelson takes the case, determined to find the missing boy and expose the truth behind the murder.
As Shrap digs deeper, she uncovers a disturbing connection—the victim was a former soldier with a dangerous past. Joined by DC Trevelyan, she’s thrust into a web of suspects and dark secrets, where power and corruption run deep.
When an attack on her life threatens to stop her in her tracks, and the missing boy’s time runs out, Shrap must stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer. The truth she uncovers is far more dangerous than she imagined—a deadly crime rooted in a forgotten war where the lines between good and evil were blurred.
With the clock ticking, Shrap and Trevelyan are in a race against time to find the boy and bring a murderer to justice. But will the truth be enough to stop a killer who’s always one step ahead?
When two street kids witness a body dumped in the River Thames, no one believes them—until one of them disappears. Homeless veteran Shrap Nelson takes the case, determined to find the missing boy and expose the truth behind the murder.
As Shrap digs deeper, she uncovers a disturbing connection—the victim was a former soldier with a dangerous past. Joined by DC Trevelyan, she’s thrust into a web of suspects and dark secrets, where power and corruption run deep.
When an attack on her life threatens to stop her in her tracks, and the missing boy’s time runs out, Shrap must stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer. The truth she uncovers is far more dangerous than she imagined—a deadly crime rooted in a forgotten war where the lines between good and evil were blurred.
With the clock ticking, Shrap and Trevelyan are in a race against time to find the boy and bring a murderer to justice. But will the truth be enough to stop a killer who’s always one step ahead?
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2025
47 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Biba Pearce
46 books254 followersBiba Pearce is an award-winning, internationally published crime author, known for crafting gripping, atmospheric mysteries. She is the bestselling author of multiple series including DCI Rob Miller, Kenzie Gilmore and Shrap Nelson. Her work has been recognized by the Feathered Quill and the CWA Debut Dagger awards, and The Marlow Murders was named Best Crime Fiction Book at the 2024 Indie Excellence Book Awards.
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Website: bibapearce.com
Instagram: @author_bibapearce
Facebook: @authorbibapearce
TikTok: @authorbibapearce
Blue sky: @authorbibapearce.bsky.social
Facebook Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/bibasthrillseekers
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 21, 2025
I just finished reading “An Unlikely Savior” by Biba Pearce. I received this book as an ARC and am grateful to Biba Pearce for supplying me with it. However, my review is freely given. It expresses my opinion alone with no influence from anyone else.
This was another good book by this author. I have enjoyed reading quite a few of her books in other series. This one may be my favorite, so far. The author herself has remarked how much she likes Shrap, the main character of this series. I agree. Shrap is smart, courageous, and strong. The book has lots of interesting elements: action, character development, personal concerns, political considerations, some police investigation, and some investigation by Shrap and her contacts. I found it to be entertaining.
October 13, 2025
An Unlikely Saviour by Biba Pearce is book 2 in the Shrap Nelson series. Shrap is an Afghanistan veteran, suffering from PTSD and was in the Military Police there. She has been living on the streets but recently moved into a hostel. Jadon, the Manager’s son, and his friend Malik, witness a body being dumped into the Thames but were spotted. Now Malik is missing, and Jadon has come to Shrap for help. This is a tense read that had me turning the pages quickly. This is not a long book but a fast-paced and intense one. Shrap is full of determination and focussed and this adds to the story and brings her to a turning point in her life. A fabulous read.
October 16, 2025
Biba Pearce has created a truly unique character in Shrap Nelson, this is the second book in the series, it is totally standalone but I would urge reading the first book "Rough Justice" simply because it is a brilliant read.
Shrap Nelson was ex military police, she has PTSD, she is haunted by the screams of her comrades in Afghanistan, as they burned to death.
Shrap had been homeless, living on the streets of London but she was now in a hostel and learning to cope with her terrors, she spends time in the tiny garden where she feels free and she makes a point of watching the sun rise over the Thames to keep herself grounded.
When the hostel manager son, Jadon, rushed home trembling and obviously scared, Shrap knew that something was very wrong. Jadon, and his friend Malik, had seen a man deposit a body in the river, the man had seen them and given chase, the boys decided to separate, Jadon was desperate to find out if Jadon made it home ............he didn't.
Shrap had a tentative friendship with DC Gareth Trevelyan of the Southwark PD ,and it was to him that she turned for help.
The body was found in the river and the police were using all their recourses to find the killer, the missing teenager was secondary.
Shrap knew that she had to do something, she hadn't lost her investigating skills, she didn't have the restraints that the police have, and much to Trevelyan's discomfort, she wasn't adept at sticking to the law.
This is a fast paced story where Shrap and Trevelyan are racing against time, what Shrap uncovered was more that a murder and a missing teenager, it involved people with power, people who will do anything to protect their position.
I love the characters that Biba Pearce has created, I love the budding relationship between Shrap and Trevelyan, I love her description of the seedier side of London but in contrast, the beauty of the Thames, I loved the ending that promises a brighter future.
I received a free ARC for this book and my review is totally voluntary.
Shrap Nelson was ex military police, she has PTSD, she is haunted by the screams of her comrades in Afghanistan, as they burned to death.
Shrap had been homeless, living on the streets of London but she was now in a hostel and learning to cope with her terrors, she spends time in the tiny garden where she feels free and she makes a point of watching the sun rise over the Thames to keep herself grounded.
When the hostel manager son, Jadon, rushed home trembling and obviously scared, Shrap knew that something was very wrong. Jadon, and his friend Malik, had seen a man deposit a body in the river, the man had seen them and given chase, the boys decided to separate, Jadon was desperate to find out if Jadon made it home ............he didn't.
Shrap had a tentative friendship with DC Gareth Trevelyan of the Southwark PD ,and it was to him that she turned for help.
The body was found in the river and the police were using all their recourses to find the killer, the missing teenager was secondary.
Shrap knew that she had to do something, she hadn't lost her investigating skills, she didn't have the restraints that the police have, and much to Trevelyan's discomfort, she wasn't adept at sticking to the law.
This is a fast paced story where Shrap and Trevelyan are racing against time, what Shrap uncovered was more that a murder and a missing teenager, it involved people with power, people who will do anything to protect their position.
I love the characters that Biba Pearce has created, I love the budding relationship between Shrap and Trevelyan, I love her description of the seedier side of London but in contrast, the beauty of the Thames, I loved the ending that promises a brighter future.
I received a free ARC for this book and my review is totally voluntary.
October 30, 2025
This is the second book in the series featuring Shrap, an army veteran who had served with Royal Engineers before moving to the Royal Military Police. Her experiences when she was captured by the Taliban took a huge toll on her and she was later diagnosed with PTSD, and her career was over. When we first met her, she was homeless and living on the streets, among drug addicts and drunks, but this second book opens with her now living in a hostel run by Alicia Douglas. Although still haunted by her past, she has enrolled in a therapy programme that has silenced the screams in her head.
While standing outside in the small patch of the hostel garden she sees teenager Jadon scurrying over the wall. He is quivering with fear. ‘He saw us’, he said; me and Malik. He threw a body into the river; we could see a foot dangling. When the next day there is no sign of Malik. Shrap contacts DC Trevelyan, who has helped her in a previous investigation. He is pleased that she has enrolled in the programme. He doesn’t push any further, that is what she likes about him. She explains what Jadon had told, who is the kid he says, Alicia’s son she replies, and Malik is his friend, who I am certain is in danger.
With DCI Burrows agreement Trevelyan and Devi Patel go down to St Saviour’s Dock. Although the river is murky Trevelyan spots an adult foot and the MUP secure the body and escort it to the mortuary,
When the dead body turns out to be someone Shrap knew, she decides to dig further and uncovers a web of suspects and secrets and a disturbing connection to a former soldier she knew.
The story moves at a cracking pace, as joined with DC Trevelyan they race against time in the hope of finding the missing boy Malik.
The characterisation is excellent. I particularly like Shrap, and in this book we learn how she got her name. A thrilling mystery with a twist and a huge surprise. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
While standing outside in the small patch of the hostel garden she sees teenager Jadon scurrying over the wall. He is quivering with fear. ‘He saw us’, he said; me and Malik. He threw a body into the river; we could see a foot dangling. When the next day there is no sign of Malik. Shrap contacts DC Trevelyan, who has helped her in a previous investigation. He is pleased that she has enrolled in the programme. He doesn’t push any further, that is what she likes about him. She explains what Jadon had told, who is the kid he says, Alicia’s son she replies, and Malik is his friend, who I am certain is in danger.
With DCI Burrows agreement Trevelyan and Devi Patel go down to St Saviour’s Dock. Although the river is murky Trevelyan spots an adult foot and the MUP secure the body and escort it to the mortuary,
When the dead body turns out to be someone Shrap knew, she decides to dig further and uncovers a web of suspects and secrets and a disturbing connection to a former soldier she knew.
The story moves at a cracking pace, as joined with DC Trevelyan they race against time in the hope of finding the missing boy Malik.
The characterisation is excellent. I particularly like Shrap, and in this book we learn how she got her name. A thrilling mystery with a twist and a huge surprise. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
November 3, 2025
Shrap Nelson, a homeless veteran haunted by PTSD, keeps to herself on the city’s edge—until tragedy pulls her back into a world she thought she’d left behind. When the young son of a friend witnesses a body being dumped into a river—and his companion mysteriously vanishes—Shrap’s instincts as a former military investigator kick in.
Teaming up with a cop she once worked alongside, Shrap dives into a tangled web of lies, danger, and deception. Each clue brings her closer to uncovering the truth—and closer to a killer who won’t hesitate to strike again.
With a diverse cast, gripping tension, and relentless action, Shrap Nelson is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. A must-read for fans of gritty, character-driven suspense.
Teaming up with a cop she once worked alongside, Shrap dives into a tangled web of lies, danger, and deception. Each clue brings her closer to uncovering the truth—and closer to a killer who won’t hesitate to strike again.
With a diverse cast, gripping tension, and relentless action, Shrap Nelson is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. A must-read for fans of gritty, character-driven suspense.
October 17, 2025
This is the second book of the series, and like the first it is non-stop, cover to cover with action and intrigue and mystery.
A loner by choice, due to her PTSD and past in the military, Shrap still manages to somehow find herself involved in situations that test her, making her sense of duty and right and wrong win out over her desire to be left alone.
As before, she enlists the help of DC Trevelyan, and what starts out as a simple case of a missing kid becomes a complex web that ties into Shrap's past.
Highly recommend.
I received a free ARC of An Unlikely Saviour, and I am leaving this voluntary, honest review.
A loner by choice, due to her PTSD and past in the military, Shrap still manages to somehow find herself involved in situations that test her, making her sense of duty and right and wrong win out over her desire to be left alone.
As before, she enlists the help of DC Trevelyan, and what starts out as a simple case of a missing kid becomes a complex web that ties into Shrap's past.
Highly recommend.
I received a free ARC of An Unlikely Saviour, and I am leaving this voluntary, honest review.
October 28, 2025
Excellent crime thriller!
An excellent second story of Shrap, the gutsy gal, solving crimes on her own terms! For me, she became a very likeable character in the first book, and even more so in this second one, showing more of the reasons for the decisions that she made in her life, and also being a real sleuth in helping to solve a horrific crime. I loved the ending, which hints there is more of her story yet to come. I'm hoping for a book 3. Kudos to the author for yet another very unique and satisfying crime story with many twists! I am happy to be one of this author's ARCs and this is my honest review.
An excellent second story of Shrap, the gutsy gal, solving crimes on her own terms! For me, she became a very likeable character in the first book, and even more so in this second one, showing more of the reasons for the decisions that she made in her life, and also being a real sleuth in helping to solve a horrific crime. I loved the ending, which hints there is more of her story yet to come. I'm hoping for a book 3. Kudos to the author for yet another very unique and satisfying crime story with many twists! I am happy to be one of this author's ARCs and this is my honest review.
October 14, 2025
This book drew me in and held me delightfully-captive from beginning to end. The plot keeps you guessing, the characters are realistic, likable and identifiable and the scenery is described in such a way as to make you feel that you are an actual bystander in every scene. Once I started reading this story, the desperate need for sleep is the only thing that made me put my Kindle down. I am SO excited to move on to the next book in the series!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
November 19, 2025
I am really enjoying this series. Shrap is a very unique character. She starts out at the beginning of book one as a"broken" veteranliving on the streets, and we are seeing her evolve now as she starts to heal. She is a smart courageous woman who looks out for others.
Jadon and his friend see a what they believe is a body being dumped into the Thames. They were seen and chased and now Malik is missing. From here it is a page turning story in the race to find Malik, keep Jadon safe and find a murderer. This is a fantastic read!
Jadon and his friend see a what they believe is a body being dumped into the Thames. They were seen and chased and now Malik is missing. From here it is a page turning story in the race to find Malik, keep Jadon safe and find a murderer. This is a fantastic read!
October 16, 2025
Fantastic book!
One of the things I like best about Biba Pearce's writing is her completely realistic characters. Shrap Nelson is definitely one of my favorites. This book lives up to the promise from the first. The progression of the character development is very down to earth. She is a veteran suffering from PTSD. A previous investigator with the military police, the first book found her living on the streets. Here she is beginning to recover and is just a step from the street. What she never lost was her sense of justice and her investigative mind. If you are looking for a smart well written story with a great plot and memorable characters, this one is for you.
One of the things I like best about Biba Pearce's writing is her completely realistic characters. Shrap Nelson is definitely one of my favorites. This book lives up to the promise from the first. The progression of the character development is very down to earth. She is a veteran suffering from PTSD. A previous investigator with the military police, the first book found her living on the streets. Here she is beginning to recover and is just a step from the street. What she never lost was her sense of justice and her investigative mind. If you are looking for a smart well written story with a great plot and memorable characters, this one is for you.
October 20, 2025
This is the second, and unfortunately, apparently the last in this series. Shrap fascinates me, and the book was difficult to put down. A great read from start to finish. I'm big on police procedurals and crime dramas, and this book hits all the right notes. I highly recommend both books, and every other work done by this highly talented author.
October 20, 2025
Another great story from Biba Pearce. Shrap is an interesting character, ex military police and now living a a shelter for the homeless. She investigates the death of a private investigator and the kidnap of two boys, along with DC Trevelyan of the CID. Plenty of suspense, I found it hard to put down at times. I would recommend this book and hope there's more of this series.
October 30, 2025
an unlikely Saviour, hard to put down, hope there is more
What a brilliantly worked out piece of authorship. Really enjoyed it, the brilliant, but damaged, Shrap with her (hopefully to be) sidekick, Trevellyan. Read book one, and immediately followed with book two. I hope there is a book three….
What a brilliantly worked out piece of authorship. Really enjoyed it, the brilliant, but damaged, Shrap with her (hopefully to be) sidekick, Trevellyan. Read book one, and immediately followed with book two. I hope there is a book three….
November 30, 2025
Shrap is an interesting and unorthodox character who has a way of making things happen, including persuading her friendly local DC to assist 'off the books'. A gripping story with many possible suspects as it unfolds in the seamer streets of south London. Can't wait for the next book.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk
October 12, 2025
Well, book two in the series and again another dogged, feisty female. This story was excellent, I was so engrossed I just could not put it down. I loved it. Shrap certainly takes no prisoners that’s for sure. What going to happen next I wonder. Can’t wait to find out. Highly recommended.
October 19, 2025
This is an action packed thriller, full of drama. I liked the informal way Shrap conducts her investigation into a murder and a missing boy and how her past life in Afghanistan in the military police haunts her. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
October 30, 2025
An Unlikely Saviour is my first Shrap Nelson book. I am in love with her character and the book. Shrap gets involved in finding a missing teen and where the story ending leads the reader is a total surprise.
January 12, 2026
I have read and enjoyed ALL of Biba’s books and have never been disappointed. This book was. no exception. All her characters draw you in, you totally believe in them. Can’t wait for the next one so keep them coming Biba
October 19, 2025
Can’t Wait For The Next One!
Love getting in on the ground floor of the development of the characters!! I do hope though that Shrap doesn’t get roughed up very often!!
Love getting in on the ground floor of the development of the characters!! I do hope though that Shrap doesn’t get roughed up very often!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews