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The Unfinished Business: A gripping financial crime thriller
He found the body. He fled the scene. Now his freedom relies on finding the real killer.
Former soldier Tony Marshall is shocked when he’s arrested as he disembarks a flight at Stansted Airport.
His friend Harry is dead and the police know Tony was in his flat with the body. To make matters worse, Tony fled the scene of the crime then left the country.
Given he is struggling financially and Harry was refusing to return the money Tony invested in his hedge fund, he has the motive – and the means – to commit the murder.
As he races to find Harry’s killer before the police can pin it on him, Tony uncovers a trail of deception and financial fraud.
But when all the evidence points at you, and corruption is embedded in the highest echelons of society, how do you prove you’re innocent?
Former soldier Tony Marshall is shocked when he’s arrested as he disembarks a flight at Stansted Airport.
His friend Harry is dead and the police know Tony was in his flat with the body. To make matters worse, Tony fled the scene of the crime then left the country.
Given he is struggling financially and Harry was refusing to return the money Tony invested in his hedge fund, he has the motive – and the means – to commit the murder.
As he races to find Harry’s killer before the police can pin it on him, Tony uncovers a trail of deception and financial fraud.
But when all the evidence points at you, and corruption is embedded in the highest echelons of society, how do you prove you’re innocent?
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2025
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2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 22, 2025
Jake Bowen Bate’s The Unfinished Business is a well-paced and compelling thriller that immediately draws the reader in with a gripping prologue and sustains tension through a mix of mystery, character depth, and contemporary themes.
The story development is strong. From the opening arrest scene, the reader is thrown into intrigue without unnecessary buildup. The narrative weaves together financial scandal, personal struggles, and the lingering effects of past trauma, creating a layered plot that feels both modern and believable. The pacing alternates between sharp, suspenseful interrogations and slower, more introspective passages, which provides a satisfying rhythm.
The character development is particularly effective. The protagonist, Tony Marshall, is not just a stock “thriller hero.” His background as a former soldier coping with injury, disillusionment, and underemployment grounds him in reality. His vulnerabilities—financial strain, complicated relationships, and a tendency toward self-doubt—make him highly relatable. Secondary characters, such as his father, add emotional weight, while figures like Harry and David embody the seductive yet ruthless world of high finance. Even minor characters, such as Reid or the detectives, are sketched with enough detail to feel alive and purposeful in the story.
The novel also benefits from a thoughtful integration of real-world themes: the precariousness of modern work, financial scams, the lure of high-stakes investing, and the psychological scars of military service. These themes elevate the book beyond a simple crime thriller into something more reflective and socially resonant.
Overall, Bate delivers a story that is suspenseful, character-driven, and emotionally engaging—one that keeps the reader invested in both the mystery and the people at its heart.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story development is strong. From the opening arrest scene, the reader is thrown into intrigue without unnecessary buildup. The narrative weaves together financial scandal, personal struggles, and the lingering effects of past trauma, creating a layered plot that feels both modern and believable. The pacing alternates between sharp, suspenseful interrogations and slower, more introspective passages, which provides a satisfying rhythm.
The character development is particularly effective. The protagonist, Tony Marshall, is not just a stock “thriller hero.” His background as a former soldier coping with injury, disillusionment, and underemployment grounds him in reality. His vulnerabilities—financial strain, complicated relationships, and a tendency toward self-doubt—make him highly relatable. Secondary characters, such as his father, add emotional weight, while figures like Harry and David embody the seductive yet ruthless world of high finance. Even minor characters, such as Reid or the detectives, are sketched with enough detail to feel alive and purposeful in the story.
The novel also benefits from a thoughtful integration of real-world themes: the precariousness of modern work, financial scams, the lure of high-stakes investing, and the psychological scars of military service. These themes elevate the book beyond a simple crime thriller into something more reflective and socially resonant.
Overall, Bate delivers a story that is suspenseful, character-driven, and emotionally engaging—one that keeps the reader invested in both the mystery and the people at its heart.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 30, 2025
I have to say, this was the first book I’ve read by this author, and what a great introduction. I read a lot of thrillers, and many fall short of expectations — but not this one. From the very first pages, the story grips you and refuses to let go. The plot is sharp, surprising, and full of tension.
I really felt connected to the characters, with strong development and pacing that felt just right throughout the story. One of the things I enjoyed most was that I genuinely couldn’t predict where the book was headed. I always appreciate a thriller that keeps me on my toes, and this one delivered twist after twist without ever feeling forced.
I also loved that the story didn’t drag things out just for the sake of extra pages. It stayed tight, engaging, and compulsively readable from start to finish. This book kept me hooked, and I’m genuinely looking forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend this thriller.
I received a free copy of this book as an ARC reader, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really felt connected to the characters, with strong development and pacing that felt just right throughout the story. One of the things I enjoyed most was that I genuinely couldn’t predict where the book was headed. I always appreciate a thriller that keeps me on my toes, and this one delivered twist after twist without ever feeling forced.
I also loved that the story didn’t drag things out just for the sake of extra pages. It stayed tight, engaging, and compulsively readable from start to finish. This book kept me hooked, and I’m genuinely looking forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend this thriller.
I received a free copy of this book as an ARC reader, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 6, 2026
Jake has once again delivered a gripping, unputdownable thriller! I could not put this down!
I was so intrigued where the story was going to go, especially after the prologue! But the stroy takes place before (for context) and then after the events of the prologue, which tie everything in together!
I thought Tony was a brilliant character! He is put into an incredibly difficult situation where he is ultimately looking after his father, but also trying to find himself! Along his adventure, he bumps shoulders with some intriguing and unsavoury characters that lead him to an investigation that the reader can't help but be in his corner for!
The twist at the end was a great one, and I thought the little Easter egg to Jake's first novel was a great touch!
I would definitely recommend this, and I can't wait to see what Jake writes next!
Rating: 8.5/10 (rounded down!)
I was so intrigued where the story was going to go, especially after the prologue! But the stroy takes place before (for context) and then after the events of the prologue, which tie everything in together!
I thought Tony was a brilliant character! He is put into an incredibly difficult situation where he is ultimately looking after his father, but also trying to find himself! Along his adventure, he bumps shoulders with some intriguing and unsavoury characters that lead him to an investigation that the reader can't help but be in his corner for!
The twist at the end was a great one, and I thought the little Easter egg to Jake's first novel was a great touch!
I would definitely recommend this, and I can't wait to see what Jake writes next!
Rating: 8.5/10 (rounded down!)
August 2, 2025
I liked this book. The protagonist Tony Marshall is a former soldier and a truly nice man with morals. He also has some personal issues to deal with and these do not make him less likable. They just make his attempt to deal with a bad situation more challenging.
The story is well-written and competently proofread. It moves at a quick pace with plenty of suspense, mystery, and danger.
The ending comes as surprise but it could be foreseen. I dislike books where the ending has an out-of-nowhere twist that no reader could deduced.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is well-written and competently proofread. It moves at a quick pace with plenty of suspense, mystery, and danger.
The ending comes as surprise but it could be foreseen. I dislike books where the ending has an out-of-nowhere twist that no reader could deduced.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2025
This book is a page turner. It is as good as any of the top writers in this genre. The plot is easy to follow and gives you the bones to still imagine the feeling of situations. I am so pleased I chose this book and would highly recommend it for a Summer read.
July 26, 2025
A well-written whodunit. I sure didn't guess the ending. Some pretty creepy characters, and unbelievable injuries that healed.
August 16, 2025
Made a long train journey pass quickly. This is a page turner with an interesting twist, fast paced and well worth a read!
August 19, 2025
What a story. I had a feeling about who's hand Heart died from. Was just a little too ….neat, maybe… from her perspective. They were just sus. But the way the rest turned out. Wasn't expecting a few of those. And with it leaving off with someone getting away. Makes me curious if they'll be back. Would be an interesting story for sure. I enjoyed it. Tony was an easy character to fall in love with. You just can't help but to root him on, hoping he can save the day, so to speak. I do hope there will be more with him in the future. It was a great mystery to read.
August 7, 2025
A tense and thoughtful thriller that lingers after the final page
The Unfinished Business completely drew me in. What starts as a high-stakes race for truth unfolds into a story that’s not just gripping, but surprisingly emotional. I found myself really connecting to the main character’s sense of panic, injustice, and determination. The story has that rare quality of feeling urgent without being chaotic.
I also appreciated that the plot doesn’t rely on over-the-top twists. Instead, it builds steadily and cleverly, with themes of trust, corruption, and moral complexity woven in naturally. It left me thinking about the characters and their choices well after finishing.
This is more than just a fast-paced thriller—it has heart and substance too. If you’re into thrillers that respect your intelligence and pull you in emotionally, I definitely recommend giving this one a read.
The Unfinished Business completely drew me in. What starts as a high-stakes race for truth unfolds into a story that’s not just gripping, but surprisingly emotional. I found myself really connecting to the main character’s sense of panic, injustice, and determination. The story has that rare quality of feeling urgent without being chaotic.
I also appreciated that the plot doesn’t rely on over-the-top twists. Instead, it builds steadily and cleverly, with themes of trust, corruption, and moral complexity woven in naturally. It left me thinking about the characters and their choices well after finishing.
This is more than just a fast-paced thriller—it has heart and substance too. If you’re into thrillers that respect your intelligence and pull you in emotionally, I definitely recommend giving this one a read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews