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Washington Poe #7
Krypskytten
Under ett bröllop i skotska Gretna Green blir den nyblivna bruden skjuten till döds bara sekunder efter att hon fått sin ring på fingret. Det är ett brutalt och blodigt mord som närmast liknar en avrättning, och hon är varken det första eller sista offret. Dödssiffran är redan uppe i sjutton personer och folk är livrädda för att gå ut, eftersom ingen vet var Krypskytten kommer att slå till nästa gång. Det enda man vet med säkerhet är att han kommer att göra det.
Washington Poe kallas in och återförenas med Tilly Bradshaw, eftersom polisledningen vet att de är det enda teamet som kan spåra mördaren. Men hur stoppar man en ostoppbar lönnmördare? En prickskytt som aldrig missar sitt mål, aldrig gör misstag – och som har hela landet som sin privata jaktmark? Poe inser snart att ingen går säker, inte ens de som står honom närmast…
Washington Poe kallas in och återförenas med Tilly Bradshaw, eftersom polisledningen vet att de är det enda teamet som kan spåra mördaren. Men hur stoppar man en ostoppbar lönnmördare? En prickskytt som aldrig missar sitt mål, aldrig gör misstag – och som har hela landet som sin privata jaktmark? Poe inser snart att ingen går säker, inte ens de som står honom närmast…
398 pages, Hardcover
First published August 14, 2025
255 people are currently reading
3164 people want to read
About the author
M.W. Craven
48 books2,785 followersM. W. Craven was born in Carlisle but grew up in Newcastle, running away to join the army at the tender age of sixteen. He spent the next ten years travelling the world having fun, leaving in 1995 to complete a degree in social work with specialisms in criminology and substance misuse. Thirty-one years after leaving Cumbria, he returned to take up a probation officer position in Whitehaven, eventually working his way up to chief officer grade. Sixteen years later he took the plunge, accepted redundancy and became a full-time author. He now has entirely different motivations for trying to get inside the minds of criminals . . .
M. W. Craven is married and lives in Carlisle with his wife, Joanne. When he isn’t out with his springer spaniel, or talking nonsense in the pub, he can usually be found at punk gigs and writing festivals up and down the country.
M. W. Craven is married and lives in Carlisle with his wife, Joanne. When he isn’t out with his springer spaniel, or talking nonsense in the pub, he can usually be found at punk gigs and writing festivals up and down the country.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
August 17, 2025
In the latest Washington Poe series, a sniper is stalking an innocent unsuspecting public, and carrying out shootings with 100% accuracy. No one ever sees the sniper, he’s far too clever for that. He could be absolutely anywhere, anytime, simply watching and waiting, biding his time, like a hunter patiently stalking his prey.
His latest killing was sadly that of a bride on her wedding day in Gretna Green on the Scottish Borders. Gretna Green is renowned for its history of romantic elopements and weddings, (or it was until now) but this death has brought the wedding industry to a halt in this much favoured location. The body count now stands at 17, and unsurprisingly the whole of the UK is literally in panic mode.
The police investigation is going nowhere, so Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are brought in to make use of their particular expertise, and help bring the sniper to justice.
That’s going to be very difficult though, as the killer has used so many different locations around the UK, and there appears to be no particular motive, so it’s impossible to determine where, when, or why he’ll strike next - but if anyone can catch the killer, these two can! Poe may be unconventional, and Bradshaw a socially inept genius, but trust me, this relationship really works.
Another thrilling read from the talent that is M. W. Craven. The plotting is genius, and although the subject matter is very dark, there is plenty of humour and some great banter between the main characters, and some cracking one liners from Uncle Bertie!Recommended.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
His latest killing was sadly that of a bride on her wedding day in Gretna Green on the Scottish Borders. Gretna Green is renowned for its history of romantic elopements and weddings, (or it was until now) but this death has brought the wedding industry to a halt in this much favoured location. The body count now stands at 17, and unsurprisingly the whole of the UK is literally in panic mode.
The police investigation is going nowhere, so Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are brought in to make use of their particular expertise, and help bring the sniper to justice.
That’s going to be very difficult though, as the killer has used so many different locations around the UK, and there appears to be no particular motive, so it’s impossible to determine where, when, or why he’ll strike next - but if anyone can catch the killer, these two can! Poe may be unconventional, and Bradshaw a socially inept genius, but trust me, this relationship really works.
Another thrilling read from the talent that is M. W. Craven. The plotting is genius, and although the subject matter is very dark, there is plenty of humour and some great banter between the main characters, and some cracking one liners from Uncle Bertie!Recommended.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
July 27, 2025
Oh my goodness, MW Craven knows how to well and truly grab a readers attention right from the start. Chills, spills, tears, blood freezing shock all in one go…
The U.K.’s most senior spy Alastor Locke, DS Washington Poe, Tilly Bradshaw and DCI Stephanie Flynn of the National Crime Agency are hunting the most prolific killer they’ve ever tried to apprehend. It’s the man in the ghillie suit, he’s stealthy, patient, lethal and deadly accurate. Over the course of the last six months he’s shot and killed 17 people. A 100% success rate if you could possibly class that number of deaths as a success. All die. One shot. He’s a lone wolf, the hardest kind of killer to catch. He is terrorising the UK to the extent that COBRA have assembled and they’re out of ideas – what a surprise. However, because Locke attends the meeting, he’s put the old gang back together again. As Stephanie puts it so beautifully, “it’s about ******* time”. All hail the National Crime Agency’s Serious Crime Analysis Section as they’re the dream team. Time to put this nightmare to an end.
That’s 7 for 7 at five stars for this utterly brilliant series. Consistency should be Mike Cravens middle name. I love these characters and there are some of the absolute best in crime fiction bar none. Curmudgeonly, loyal Poe whose circle of friendship isn’t wide but runs deep and the genius that is Tilly whose unfiltered honesty is quite simply a joy. All the characters we’ve grown to know and some to love are here, including Edgar, Poe’s dog, with the addition of Estelle Doyle’s ‘Uncle Bertie’. The author must’ve had great fun creating him, he’s a hoot. Utterly appalling but still a hoot..
How you can successfully combine dark humour (often LOL, sorry Mike) with a jet black plot I’ll never know! The author is a master of his craft and terrific one liners. I love how Poe utterly goes for it over the previous dismantling of said dream team. Go for the jugular Poe, oh he does. Should’ve known.
As for the plot, where do I start without giving it away? It’s very clever, mathematically clever at times but fret not, we’ve got Tilly, fabulous Tilly whose razor sharp mind will see the patterns. It’s as twisty as, as deadly as, as shocking as and totally immersive. It’s suspenseful and as tense as piano wire. It’s unpredictable, jaw dropping, mind blowing, action packed with threat levels at the max with a pace at MACH 1. It’s one of those novels I don’t want to finish yet I need to know.
So overall, I’d go so far as to say it’s another outstanding one. This pair are in a league of their own and I’d always want them on my side. I’ve no idea why the series hasn’t been snapped up for a TV/film but they’re missing a trick.
With thanks to NetGalley and a huge thank you to Little Brown Book Group for the early copy and to Mike Craven for continuing to deliver.
The U.K.’s most senior spy Alastor Locke, DS Washington Poe, Tilly Bradshaw and DCI Stephanie Flynn of the National Crime Agency are hunting the most prolific killer they’ve ever tried to apprehend. It’s the man in the ghillie suit, he’s stealthy, patient, lethal and deadly accurate. Over the course of the last six months he’s shot and killed 17 people. A 100% success rate if you could possibly class that number of deaths as a success. All die. One shot. He’s a lone wolf, the hardest kind of killer to catch. He is terrorising the UK to the extent that COBRA have assembled and they’re out of ideas – what a surprise. However, because Locke attends the meeting, he’s put the old gang back together again. As Stephanie puts it so beautifully, “it’s about ******* time”. All hail the National Crime Agency’s Serious Crime Analysis Section as they’re the dream team. Time to put this nightmare to an end.
That’s 7 for 7 at five stars for this utterly brilliant series. Consistency should be Mike Cravens middle name. I love these characters and there are some of the absolute best in crime fiction bar none. Curmudgeonly, loyal Poe whose circle of friendship isn’t wide but runs deep and the genius that is Tilly whose unfiltered honesty is quite simply a joy. All the characters we’ve grown to know and some to love are here, including Edgar, Poe’s dog, with the addition of Estelle Doyle’s ‘Uncle Bertie’. The author must’ve had great fun creating him, he’s a hoot. Utterly appalling but still a hoot..
How you can successfully combine dark humour (often LOL, sorry Mike) with a jet black plot I’ll never know! The author is a master of his craft and terrific one liners. I love how Poe utterly goes for it over the previous dismantling of said dream team. Go for the jugular Poe, oh he does. Should’ve known.
As for the plot, where do I start without giving it away? It’s very clever, mathematically clever at times but fret not, we’ve got Tilly, fabulous Tilly whose razor sharp mind will see the patterns. It’s as twisty as, as deadly as, as shocking as and totally immersive. It’s suspenseful and as tense as piano wire. It’s unpredictable, jaw dropping, mind blowing, action packed with threat levels at the max with a pace at MACH 1. It’s one of those novels I don’t want to finish yet I need to know.
So overall, I’d go so far as to say it’s another outstanding one. This pair are in a league of their own and I’d always want them on my side. I’ve no idea why the series hasn’t been snapped up for a TV/film but they’re missing a trick.
With thanks to NetGalley and a huge thank you to Little Brown Book Group for the early copy and to Mike Craven for continuing to deliver.
August 16, 2025
This is the second book in a row from this series that’s left me feeling a little underwhelmed, though I know I’m very much the outlier.
3.5 stars, rounded up from 3.
Please note: This review contains spoilers for the previous book in the series, The Mercy Chair (#6).
In The Final Vow (the seventh in the series), the UK is gripped by fear. A sniper, flawless in execution, has claimed 17 lives from across the country in just six months. The police are stumped. They need a miracle. Enter unconventional yet resourceful Detective Sergeant Washington Poe, brilliant analyst Tilly Bradshaw, and their former boss DIC Stephanie Flynn. The trio, reunited after the disbandment of their unit dedicated to catching serial killers (SCAS) at the end of The Mercy Chair, have a track record of unmasking the most dangerous criminals. If anyone can stop one of the deadliest serial killers in British history, it’s them.
What worked for me:
1. The opening chapter was the most gripping start of the entire series – utterly tense and heart-pounding.
2. The parallels between this sniper’s reign of terror and the early days of COVID – when fear kept people indoors and impacted the economy, mental health, and daily life – was thought-provoking and well executed.
3. These characters remain a highlight for me. They’re a big part of why I keep returning to the series.
4. Plenty of humour and witty dialogue throughout kept me amused.
5. Every Poe and Bradshaw interaction was, as always, pure gold.
6. Everything involving the wedding planning was highly entertaining.
7. The epilogue delivered exactly what I was hoping for.
What didn’t quite land:
1. The central mystery never fully gripped me, and parts of it felt slow.
2. The very long final showdown was both predictable and overly drawn out.
3. The twists, while serviceable, lacked the impact I’ve come to expect.
4. A character from The Mercy Chair made an appearance here, and given my lukewarm feelings toward that book, their return didn’t excite me. Also, if you haven’t read The Mercy Chair yet, be aware, this one contains significant spoilers for it.
While this series has long been an auto-buy for me, The Final Vow is the second consecutive instalment I’ve struggled to fully enjoy. I’m not ruling out reading the next one, but with so many books competing for my attention, I may not be in a hurry next time.
3.5 stars, rounded up from 3.
Please note: This review contains spoilers for the previous book in the series, The Mercy Chair (#6).
In The Final Vow (the seventh in the series), the UK is gripped by fear. A sniper, flawless in execution, has claimed 17 lives from across the country in just six months. The police are stumped. They need a miracle. Enter unconventional yet resourceful Detective Sergeant Washington Poe, brilliant analyst Tilly Bradshaw, and their former boss DIC Stephanie Flynn. The trio, reunited after the disbandment of their unit dedicated to catching serial killers (SCAS) at the end of The Mercy Chair, have a track record of unmasking the most dangerous criminals. If anyone can stop one of the deadliest serial killers in British history, it’s them.
What worked for me:
1. The opening chapter was the most gripping start of the entire series – utterly tense and heart-pounding.
2. The parallels between this sniper’s reign of terror and the early days of COVID – when fear kept people indoors and impacted the economy, mental health, and daily life – was thought-provoking and well executed.
3. These characters remain a highlight for me. They’re a big part of why I keep returning to the series.
4. Plenty of humour and witty dialogue throughout kept me amused.
5. Every Poe and Bradshaw interaction was, as always, pure gold.
6. Everything involving the wedding planning was highly entertaining.
7. The epilogue delivered exactly what I was hoping for.
What didn’t quite land:
1. The central mystery never fully gripped me, and parts of it felt slow.
2. The very long final showdown was both predictable and overly drawn out.
3. The twists, while serviceable, lacked the impact I’ve come to expect.
4. A character from The Mercy Chair made an appearance here, and given my lukewarm feelings toward that book, their return didn’t excite me. Also, if you haven’t read The Mercy Chair yet, be aware, this one contains significant spoilers for it.
While this series has long been an auto-buy for me, The Final Vow is the second consecutive instalment I’ve struggled to fully enjoy. I’m not ruling out reading the next one, but with so many books competing for my attention, I may not be in a hurry next time.
August 18, 2025
M.W. Craven is back with another stunning Washington Poe novel that is as impactful as the previous six full-length books. After his policing team had been dismantled, Washington Poe tried to fill his time away from the limelight. However, when a shooter begins taking out random people across Britain, the authorities know that they will need Poe once more. While Poe has little interest in helping those who sought to shelve him, he reluctantly agrees to work on locating the sniper, provided he and his former colleague (and friend), Tilly Bradshaw, is by his side. Together, they try to piece the case together, which is full of nuances and red herrings, all in an effort to provide a more complex investigation. Poe and Bradshaw work hard and try to find a connection between victims, and how the shooter could play into the larger web. Craven is brilliant in his delivery of this novel, part of a series well worth my time.
One's wedding day should be their happiest time, but not for this bride. In the bucolic community of Gretna Green, a sniper opens fire and kills the bride. While panic ensues and the authorities are called, those within Scotland Yard are more worried than anyone else. This is not a random killing, nor is it the first time the sniper has descended and brought havoc to communities. No one can make sense of it or how to make it all work. The National Crime Agency has someone who might be able to help, but his special team was disbanded and its members scattered.
Washington Poe is called for by the National Crime Agency and asked to work the case. Poe has no interest, as he was shunned and there have been seventeen killings since this started. Stil, the lure of being able to put a killer behind bars is one thing Poe loves. His caveat to work, he must be joined by his friend and former colleague, Tilly Bradshaw. Once the team is brought back together, they can begin analysing the data, which is plentiful and scattered.
Trying to find a thread to connect the shootings, Tilly makes an interesting and scientific hypothesis regarding choosing victims and locations. From there, it is a matter of running the theory through Tilly’s unique mind to determine if they will be able to get ahead of this killer. There is no guarantee that Poe will be able to stop the killings, but if anyone can, working with Tilly Bradshaw will help. A gripping story that shows Craven’s abilities and exemplifies his protagonists’ quirks!
I have long enjoyed M.W. Craven’s writing, particularly this series. Novels that are complex and highly entertaining, Craven ensures the reader is ready for quite the adventure. The narrative is sure to capture the reader’s attention with its moving parts and quick delivery. Craven keeps the reader wondering and hoping as things progress. There is little time to wonder, as the action intensifies with the progression of the case. Characters are well-established, allowing series fans to enjoy all those they have come to know. Tilly Bradshaw is a great character, whose uniqueness entertains readers as she banters with Washington Poe. Plot points prove quite effective, layering twists and surprises throughout. Craven has done well with this series, though I am still left to wonder if he has long-term plans with this collection, based on some of the hint found within the story.
Kudos, Mr. Craven, for another stunning read!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
One's wedding day should be their happiest time, but not for this bride. In the bucolic community of Gretna Green, a sniper opens fire and kills the bride. While panic ensues and the authorities are called, those within Scotland Yard are more worried than anyone else. This is not a random killing, nor is it the first time the sniper has descended and brought havoc to communities. No one can make sense of it or how to make it all work. The National Crime Agency has someone who might be able to help, but his special team was disbanded and its members scattered.
Washington Poe is called for by the National Crime Agency and asked to work the case. Poe has no interest, as he was shunned and there have been seventeen killings since this started. Stil, the lure of being able to put a killer behind bars is one thing Poe loves. His caveat to work, he must be joined by his friend and former colleague, Tilly Bradshaw. Once the team is brought back together, they can begin analysing the data, which is plentiful and scattered.
Trying to find a thread to connect the shootings, Tilly makes an interesting and scientific hypothesis regarding choosing victims and locations. From there, it is a matter of running the theory through Tilly’s unique mind to determine if they will be able to get ahead of this killer. There is no guarantee that Poe will be able to stop the killings, but if anyone can, working with Tilly Bradshaw will help. A gripping story that shows Craven’s abilities and exemplifies his protagonists’ quirks!
I have long enjoyed M.W. Craven’s writing, particularly this series. Novels that are complex and highly entertaining, Craven ensures the reader is ready for quite the adventure. The narrative is sure to capture the reader’s attention with its moving parts and quick delivery. Craven keeps the reader wondering and hoping as things progress. There is little time to wonder, as the action intensifies with the progression of the case. Characters are well-established, allowing series fans to enjoy all those they have come to know. Tilly Bradshaw is a great character, whose uniqueness entertains readers as she banters with Washington Poe. Plot points prove quite effective, layering twists and surprises throughout. Craven has done well with this series, though I am still left to wonder if he has long-term plans with this collection, based on some of the hint found within the story.
Kudos, Mr. Craven, for another stunning read!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 15, 2025
oh my! how does this series just keep getting better with every book!! amazing once again
August 12, 2025
The country is terrorised by a crack shot sniper.
Oh for goodness sake! How am I supposed to review The Final Vow without spoilers? I just want to say, ‘Look. The Final Vow is brilliant so buy it’, but that hardly constitutes a review…
The story opens with such impact that, even if I had wanted to stop reading, it would not have been possible – partly because of the dramatic and emotional scene, and partly because I refused to accept what that scene told me. My free will had been removed by the author and I had to know the full story as M.W. Craven leads us back through the events arriving at that opening point. I genuinely couldn’t settle to anything else in life because of the siren call of this narrative.
And what a story it is. As ever with a Washington Poe narrative, the plotting is sheer brilliance. There are thrilling twists and turns in The Final Vow as might be expected from the genre, but it’s the attention to detail, the meticulous research and the uncovering of worlds the reader cannot otherwise comprehend that is so impactful. Here, in one example, we also receive a glimpse into the murky underbelly of political Machiavellian tactics whilst being thoroughly entertained. There’s so much relating to humanity in general; themes of loyalty and friendship, integrity and trust, as just as few examples, that The Final Vow can be read time and again and the reader will find something new to uncover.
I loved the dark humour that ameliorates the tension and intensity of emotion because it also adds more understanding of Poe’s character and I thoroughly appreciated how we learn more about him as a man in The Final Vow. Similarly, the intellectually invincible Tilly has a more vulnerable side explored. The effect is to draw the reader further into the story and hold them captivated. There’s a deep and troubling insight into character psychology (but again I can’t say more for fear of spoilers) that is breath-taking. The psychological aspects of the story are multi-layered. Each character, regardless of their position on the spectrum from good to evil, is complex, realistic and terrifyingly relatable. Even the sniper’s rationale for multiple murders, whilst abhorrent, is entirely understandable. And the most innocuous individuals are shown to be capable of underhand, duplicitous or dubious behaviour – as are we all in real life.
But it’s even more than that too. There’s such a surprising quality of emotion in the writing that elevates The Final Vow above being merely a fantastic thriller into a true work of genius. Here we find the complete range of human experience from love to despair, hatred to loyalty and everything in between. There is also rather a love letter to Cumbria through the descriptions of landscape that feels just right and totally convincing.
Despite the vagueness of my review (for fear of revealing too much and spoiling the read for others) I cannot stress enough what a triumph The Final Vow is. It’s a stunning thriller and whilst it can be read as a stand alone book, I’d urge any reader to start at the beginning of this series as it is the gradual getting to know Poe and Bradshaw that means The Final Vow has such impact. I absolutely loved it – even if I was put through the wringer reading it!
Oh for goodness sake! How am I supposed to review The Final Vow without spoilers? I just want to say, ‘Look. The Final Vow is brilliant so buy it’, but that hardly constitutes a review…
The story opens with such impact that, even if I had wanted to stop reading, it would not have been possible – partly because of the dramatic and emotional scene, and partly because I refused to accept what that scene told me. My free will had been removed by the author and I had to know the full story as M.W. Craven leads us back through the events arriving at that opening point. I genuinely couldn’t settle to anything else in life because of the siren call of this narrative.
And what a story it is. As ever with a Washington Poe narrative, the plotting is sheer brilliance. There are thrilling twists and turns in The Final Vow as might be expected from the genre, but it’s the attention to detail, the meticulous research and the uncovering of worlds the reader cannot otherwise comprehend that is so impactful. Here, in one example, we also receive a glimpse into the murky underbelly of political Machiavellian tactics whilst being thoroughly entertained. There’s so much relating to humanity in general; themes of loyalty and friendship, integrity and trust, as just as few examples, that The Final Vow can be read time and again and the reader will find something new to uncover.
I loved the dark humour that ameliorates the tension and intensity of emotion because it also adds more understanding of Poe’s character and I thoroughly appreciated how we learn more about him as a man in The Final Vow. Similarly, the intellectually invincible Tilly has a more vulnerable side explored. The effect is to draw the reader further into the story and hold them captivated. There’s a deep and troubling insight into character psychology (but again I can’t say more for fear of spoilers) that is breath-taking. The psychological aspects of the story are multi-layered. Each character, regardless of their position on the spectrum from good to evil, is complex, realistic and terrifyingly relatable. Even the sniper’s rationale for multiple murders, whilst abhorrent, is entirely understandable. And the most innocuous individuals are shown to be capable of underhand, duplicitous or dubious behaviour – as are we all in real life.
But it’s even more than that too. There’s such a surprising quality of emotion in the writing that elevates The Final Vow above being merely a fantastic thriller into a true work of genius. Here we find the complete range of human experience from love to despair, hatred to loyalty and everything in between. There is also rather a love letter to Cumbria through the descriptions of landscape that feels just right and totally convincing.
Despite the vagueness of my review (for fear of revealing too much and spoiling the read for others) I cannot stress enough what a triumph The Final Vow is. It’s a stunning thriller and whilst it can be read as a stand alone book, I’d urge any reader to start at the beginning of this series as it is the gradual getting to know Poe and Bradshaw that means The Final Vow has such impact. I absolutely loved it – even if I was put through the wringer reading it!
September 7, 2025
Mike Craven, how do you do it time after time? Every book in this series has me on the edge of my seat from the first chapter. The banter between Tilly, Poe, DCI Flynn, and now Poe's betrothed, Estelle Doyle is hilarious! Oh, and we can't forget Edgar and now Uncle Bertie [or we may be horse-whipped] 🤣.
This story is about a sniper, picking people off one by one, in apparently random fashion, the first one of the book happening on the happiest day of her life. Who's going to catch this wiley bastard, whose kills are numbered at 17? Gotta be Tilly & Poe, of course.
Yes, there are haters of this book, saying some nonsense about how it isn't as gripping as the others in the series, or that it isn't plausible. I loved every minute of it, particularly the painstaking breakdown of how they caught him, after the fact. Brilliant, like some Ocean's 11 sh*t!
And now I sit and wait for the next installment, hoping this series will never end. Also hoping we haven't seen the last of Dear Uncle Bertie 💞
This story is about a sniper, picking people off one by one, in apparently random fashion, the first one of the book happening on the happiest day of her life. Who's going to catch this wiley bastard, whose kills are numbered at 17? Gotta be Tilly & Poe, of course.
Yes, there are haters of this book, saying some nonsense about how it isn't as gripping as the others in the series, or that it isn't plausible. I loved every minute of it, particularly the painstaking breakdown of how they caught him, after the fact. Brilliant, like some Ocean's 11 sh*t!
And now I sit and wait for the next installment, hoping this series will never end. Also hoping we haven't seen the last of Dear Uncle Bertie 💞
July 11, 2025
For the first time in a MW Craven book I started to get slightly irritated by the same tricks / character dynamics. The plot gets highly predictable that way. And a result of that is that most of the last quarter is explanation about how everything that happened before, which felt like filler that made the book longer than it should have.
Maybe the Washington / Tilly saga has reached it's peak, or maybe Craven should do something more radical to shake up the dynamics.
If I could I would rate 3,5 but not a 4...
Maybe the Washington / Tilly saga has reached it's peak, or maybe Craven should do something more radical to shake up the dynamics.
If I could I would rate 3,5 but not a 4...
November 6, 2025
Another brilliant book in the Washington Poe series book 7. It can be read as a stand-alone, but why would you want to miss out? It's a tense, fast-moving thriller with a dark humour. I love the short chapters, which makes one more chapter dangerous. The setup is jaw-dropping, a sniper has been picking off people across the UK, apparently unstoppable, one shot, never missing the mark, no mistakes, apparently unstoppable with no apparent pattern until Tilly Bradshaw finds one. The character development is fantastic, and I loved the inclusion of old and new characters. i especially enjoyed the new character of Uncle Bertie, the nod to previous books, even the Avison Fluke series, but especially Tilly and Poes relationship. The book feels like coming home into a well loved family that you adore spending time with. Overall, it's utterly compelling, entertaining, mesmerising, dark, thrilling, and twisty. The author is simply outstanding in the crime writing field. I absolutely loved it.
October 8, 2025
★★★
A sniper has put the UK back into a lockdown not seen since the entire world went into lockdown five years ago. The seemingly random killings are executed with chilling precision, leaving the entire nation in fear. No one knows who might be next, it could be anyone. Ordinarily, this would be a case for Poe and Bradshaw, but with their team dismantled for about a year, only someone with significant influence can bring them back together to stop this invisible killer…
The Washington Poe series has been one of my favorites, so I was thrilled about the release of The Final Vow!
That said, I struggled with the ending of The Merci Chair, the previous installment, and suspected its implications would heavily shape this new narrative. Yet, everything felt different compared to previous installments. The dynamic between Poe and Tilly seems irreversibly altered, their banter lacks the charm and humor it once had, and I must admit, Poe is starting to grate on me. Estelle Doyle, always one of my favorite characters with her enigmatic presence, is reduced here to little more than a side role.
The mystery began with promise, and I appreciated the nod to Agatha Christie’s ABC Murders. However, the drawn-out pursuit of a seemingly insignificant suspect required an enormous suspension of disbelief. And once the burning house was introduced, the trajectory of the plot became glaringly obvious, predictable in its outcome yet implausible in its execution.
Of course, I may be in the minority here, as many readers seem to be enjoying it immensely. If you are a fan of the Washington Poe series, I recommend picking up The Final Vow and deciding for yourself!
A sniper has put the UK back into a lockdown not seen since the entire world went into lockdown five years ago. The seemingly random killings are executed with chilling precision, leaving the entire nation in fear. No one knows who might be next, it could be anyone. Ordinarily, this would be a case for Poe and Bradshaw, but with their team dismantled for about a year, only someone with significant influence can bring them back together to stop this invisible killer…
The Washington Poe series has been one of my favorites, so I was thrilled about the release of The Final Vow!
That said, I struggled with the ending of The Merci Chair, the previous installment, and suspected its implications would heavily shape this new narrative. Yet, everything felt different compared to previous installments. The dynamic between Poe and Tilly seems irreversibly altered, their banter lacks the charm and humor it once had, and I must admit, Poe is starting to grate on me. Estelle Doyle, always one of my favorite characters with her enigmatic presence, is reduced here to little more than a side role.
The mystery began with promise, and I appreciated the nod to Agatha Christie’s ABC Murders. However, the drawn-out pursuit of a seemingly insignificant suspect required an enormous suspension of disbelief. And once the burning house was introduced, the trajectory of the plot became glaringly obvious, predictable in its outcome yet implausible in its execution.
Of course, I may be in the minority here, as many readers seem to be enjoying it immensely. If you are a fan of the Washington Poe series, I recommend picking up The Final Vow and deciding for yourself!
October 5, 2025
I say this every time I read a new addition to the Washington Poe series, but it is true so I will say it again. this is M.W. Craven's best book yet. Tears, fears, and pure evil await you.
January 5, 2026
As this seventh book in the series opens, Washington Poe is at work intercepting fishing trawlers to check for smuggling and for breaches of fishing quotas whilst his former colleague, expert data analyst and all-round quirky character Tilly Bradshaw, is ensconced in the basement of MI6, doing work,she hates - all following on from the disbanding of their former serious crime unit.
But a sniper is at large and has already murdered sixteen apparently random victims when the powers-that-be, in desperation, once more call on Washington and Tilly to try to put an end to the slaughter which, among other things, is seriously damaging the economy and public confidence.
Tilly and Washington soon discover the vindictiveness of the sniper, even before they unearth his identity. But they still have difficulty in finding this master manipulator and it is not long before the team themselves are being targeted and our pair of intrepid heroes are in mortal danger. Is one of them about to pay the ultimate price?....
I have loved this series since the outset and am ever hopeful that there will be more books featuring these excellent characters - 9/10.
But a sniper is at large and has already murdered sixteen apparently random victims when the powers-that-be, in desperation, once more call on Washington and Tilly to try to put an end to the slaughter which, among other things, is seriously damaging the economy and public confidence.
Tilly and Washington soon discover the vindictiveness of the sniper, even before they unearth his identity. But they still have difficulty in finding this master manipulator and it is not long before the team themselves are being targeted and our pair of intrepid heroes are in mortal danger. Is one of them about to pay the ultimate price?....
I have loved this series since the outset and am ever hopeful that there will be more books featuring these excellent characters - 9/10.
August 27, 2025
Endiselt arvan, et tegemist on ühe parima krimisarjaga, mida lugeda. Huvitavad karakterid ja põnevust jätkub algusest lõpuni.
November 29, 2025
Den dag, för drygt fem år sedan, som första delen i den här serien dök upp så var det en lyckodag. Vilket jag ju inte visste just då, men efter att ha läst den och ytterligare fem böcker så är det uppenbart att det var så. Krypskytten, sjunde delen, ramlade ner i postfacket och bara några dagar senare så började jag läsa den.
Jag är osäker på om det har varit så i de tidigare böckerna (jag tror att jag har reagerat en gång i alla fall), men här gillar jag inte alls hur historien avslutas. Först får man liksom veta resultatet, sedan ägnas runt sextio sidor åt att berätta i detalj hur det gick till. Något som jag nog kan tycka är ganska uppenbart. Innan man får den långa förklaringen. Fram till dess så är boken lika bra som de tidigare.
För mig är det lite oklart om författaren verkligen tror att någon låter sig luras av upplägget i Krypskytten. Det gör väl ändå ingen, förutom kanske någon stackars ny läsare, som inte har läst de tidigare böckerna. Men så gör väl ingen. Åtminstone borde ingen göra så. Och nu väntar jag på åttonde boken. Enligt uppgift så kommer den, på engelska, i augusti nästa år.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
Jag är osäker på om det har varit så i de tidigare böckerna (jag tror att jag har reagerat en gång i alla fall), men här gillar jag inte alls hur historien avslutas. Först får man liksom veta resultatet, sedan ägnas runt sextio sidor åt att berätta i detalj hur det gick till. Något som jag nog kan tycka är ganska uppenbart. Innan man får den långa förklaringen. Fram till dess så är boken lika bra som de tidigare.
För mig är det lite oklart om författaren verkligen tror att någon låter sig luras av upplägget i Krypskytten. Det gör väl ändå ingen, förutom kanske någon stackars ny läsare, som inte har läst de tidigare böckerna. Men så gör väl ingen. Åtminstone borde ingen göra så. Och nu väntar jag på åttonde boken. Enligt uppgift så kommer den, på engelska, i augusti nästa år.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
July 7, 2025
fantastisch om weer een verhaal van Poe en Bradshaw te lezen.
Poe weer lekker sarcastisch en Tilly weer nerdy..... geweldig
Poe weer lekker sarcastisch en Tilly weer nerdy..... geweldig
August 20, 2025
BEST CRIME SERIES OF ALL TIME!
August 24, 2025
When an unknown sniper succeeds in killing seventeen people across the UK Washington Poe & Tilly Bradshaw are called in to find the killer. However, how can they possibly track down a serial killer who kills random victims in numerous locations & appears to have no motive ?
Despite this bleak scenario Mike Craven's latest Poe & Bradshaw thriller is his funniest yet. Craven supplies endless moments of humour & some delightful pop culture references from Jaws & Doctor Who to 007. Even with all the humour there's still plenty of drama to be found in The Last Vow & the dialogue Craven gives his characters is a delight to read.
At one point near the end of the book Washington Poe has a tear in his eye & what was even more surprising-so did I.
The Last Vow is an unbridled joy from rom start to finish. I've read some great books this year, but this is definitely the best.
Despite this bleak scenario Mike Craven's latest Poe & Bradshaw thriller is his funniest yet. Craven supplies endless moments of humour & some delightful pop culture references from Jaws & Doctor Who to 007. Even with all the humour there's still plenty of drama to be found in The Last Vow & the dialogue Craven gives his characters is a delight to read.
At one point near the end of the book Washington Poe has a tear in his eye & what was even more surprising-so did I.
The Last Vow is an unbridled joy from rom start to finish. I've read some great books this year, but this is definitely the best.
September 7, 2025
Being not the greatest reader of fiction, the whole series has been a thoroughly enjoyable. Couldn’t wait for this latest instalment - it did not disappoint. Indeed it turned into a very quick read.
August 16, 2025
This was totally amazing - less gory than last one (not at all in fact) and less explanation about Bradshaw’s autism. I had been finding it rather tell not show in the last few books. This one was awesome. Brilliantly plotted. And funny. Very well read on audible.
September 4, 2025
Another great thriller, filled with mystery, humor and great characters.
Love the series!
Love the series!
November 18, 2025
I forgot how much I like Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, and of course, Poe's fiance. Oh, and his dog, too. The characters are a lot of fun, and the story was also really good. I really hope there will be more from this series soon.
January 2, 2026
Just perfect - loved it!
August 16, 2025
5 stars.
Well done again Mike, well worth the wait () and . I always have the latest Washington Poe on pre-order and was delighted when my copy of this book arrived a day earlier than I was expecting, I dived right in because it would have been rude to not have done so given that!
Tilly and Poe are their usual argumentative selves which are so fun to read, and Craven writes their banter so well that it almost feels like the reader is in the room together with them. When they're asked if their done and Flynn comments that they can go on for weeks, it legit made me LOL because honestly, I would be really happy to sit there for weeks listening to them go on. As always I liked the case as well, so well planned out, and with , I thought this was a brilliant game of cat-and-mouse.
I did like the subtle insinuation that .
I also enjoyed the , the notion that sometimes difficult cases need an injection of slightly unhinged logic to crack open. The .
So, another case of .
Well done again Mike, well worth the wait () and . I always have the latest Washington Poe on pre-order and was delighted when my copy of this book arrived a day earlier than I was expecting, I dived right in because it would have been rude to not have done so given that!
Tilly and Poe are their usual argumentative selves which are so fun to read, and Craven writes their banter so well that it almost feels like the reader is in the room together with them. When they're asked if their done and Flynn comments that they can go on for weeks, it legit made me LOL because honestly, I would be really happy to sit there for weeks listening to them go on. As always I liked the case as well, so well planned out, and with , I thought this was a brilliant game of cat-and-mouse.
I did like the subtle insinuation that .
I also enjoyed the , the notion that sometimes difficult cases need an injection of slightly unhinged logic to crack open. The .
So, another case of .
August 28, 2025
I was really uncertain about continuing with this series. I loved the earlier books but have found the last few poor. This is an improvement on Mercy Chair, but there are still issues with pacing and characterisation.
It was good to have more of Tilly in this book, but the writing of her character has become formulaic and played mostly for laughs. Washington was a little less annoying and prone to temper tantrums but still full of contradictions.
The plot was ticking along quite nicely until the final third when the author seemed determined to cram all his research into the book regardless of pacing. The journey to see Poe's bizarre split personality therapist was a complete waste of time. Endless descriptions of security measures, not trusting his readers to know what Rubicon means, only to be told the bleeding obvious. They had already recognised that the killer was driving people to suicide so what the hell was the point of this entire episode? It would have given Poe's character much more credibility if he had worked this out himself.
The finale was particularly ridiculous. Anyone who didn’t guess the plot twist is even stupider than the killer. It was so obvious that there was absolutely no sense of tension or jeopardy and far too many loving descriptions of high calibre rifles.
I can see from the other reviews that I am very much in the minority in no longer enjoying this series. I hung on in there longer than I should have, but it's definitely time for us to go our separate ways.
It was good to have more of Tilly in this book, but the writing of her character has become formulaic and played mostly for laughs. Washington was a little less annoying and prone to temper tantrums but still full of contradictions.
The plot was ticking along quite nicely until the final third when the author seemed determined to cram all his research into the book regardless of pacing. The journey to see Poe's bizarre split personality therapist was a complete waste of time. Endless descriptions of security measures, not trusting his readers to know what Rubicon means, only to be told the bleeding obvious. They had already recognised that the killer was driving people to suicide so what the hell was the point of this entire episode? It would have given Poe's character much more credibility if he had worked this out himself.
The finale was particularly ridiculous. Anyone who didn’t guess the plot twist is even stupider than the killer. It was so obvious that there was absolutely no sense of tension or jeopardy and far too many loving descriptions of high calibre rifles.
I can see from the other reviews that I am very much in the minority in no longer enjoying this series. I hung on in there longer than I should have, but it's definitely time for us to go our separate ways.
August 25, 2025
täna ostsin ja täna lõpetasin. endiselt nii hea! kahjuks peab nüüd jälle aasta aega ootama...
September 21, 2025
Every time Mike mentions that a new Poe and Tilly book is in the works, I get super excited. Sure, I have to wait for ages for a release, but it's always worth it. ALWAYS.
Their seventh outing, The Final Vow, is pure epicness. I wouldn't expect anything less. Not now, seeing I'm fully invested in these characters. Poe and Tilly are like peas and carrots. Bangers and mash. Batman and Robin. They just go together. Similarly, they could never, ever, be separated. And this time, the threat of that happening is REAL. *Spoilers*
The dream team of Poe, Tilly and DCI Steph Flynn are brought back together when the UK is under attack by a sniper who has 100% accuracy. So far, seventeen people have died, the majority in the wedding capital, Gretna Green. Their sniper obviously has a connection to the area, but what? It's nearly guaranteed that Tilly will crack the code at some stage.
Theoretically, it should be a simple arrest. The sniper WANTS to be caught. Except... it isn't. Poe, Tilly, and Flynn are running around in circles and eventually, it becomes clear that even they can't be eliminated as a potential target. With Poe at a stage of his life where he's finally content, he's got more at stake.
As always, Poe and Tilly's banter provided the LOLS. My favourite moment was when they attended a con and Poe didn't realise that Tilly and Doyle had dressed him up as the Tenth Doctor. 😆😆. Because Poe simply doesn't understand ANYTHING outside his little world, he's subject to some endless taunting 😆😆. And it's HILARIOUS.
Also, it's a huge welcome back to a character whom we've met before. It was great seeing them as they play a much bigger part. We're also introduced to Uncle Bertie, who is unashamedly funny with his big potty mouth.
I wish I could tell you more, but alas, it's one of those times that you must experience the read for yourself. All I can suggest is to be fully prepared for one of the most angsty, clever, exhilarating, humorous, surprising and twisty additions to my favourite series ever.
I can't wait to see what happens next.
5 🌟
Their seventh outing, The Final Vow, is pure epicness. I wouldn't expect anything less. Not now, seeing I'm fully invested in these characters. Poe and Tilly are like peas and carrots. Bangers and mash. Batman and Robin. They just go together. Similarly, they could never, ever, be separated. And this time, the threat of that happening is REAL. *Spoilers*
The dream team of Poe, Tilly and DCI Steph Flynn are brought back together when the UK is under attack by a sniper who has 100% accuracy. So far, seventeen people have died, the majority in the wedding capital, Gretna Green. Their sniper obviously has a connection to the area, but what? It's nearly guaranteed that Tilly will crack the code at some stage.
Theoretically, it should be a simple arrest. The sniper WANTS to be caught. Except... it isn't. Poe, Tilly, and Flynn are running around in circles and eventually, it becomes clear that even they can't be eliminated as a potential target. With Poe at a stage of his life where he's finally content, he's got more at stake.
As always, Poe and Tilly's banter provided the LOLS. My favourite moment was when they attended a con and Poe didn't realise that Tilly and Doyle had dressed him up as the Tenth Doctor. 😆😆. Because Poe simply doesn't understand ANYTHING outside his little world, he's subject to some endless taunting 😆😆. And it's HILARIOUS.
Also, it's a huge welcome back to a character whom we've met before. It was great seeing them as they play a much bigger part. We're also introduced to Uncle Bertie, who is unashamedly funny with his big potty mouth.
I wish I could tell you more, but alas, it's one of those times that you must experience the read for yourself. All I can suggest is to be fully prepared for one of the most angsty, clever, exhilarating, humorous, surprising and twisty additions to my favourite series ever.
I can't wait to see what happens next.
5 🌟
January 6, 2026
Finished reading: January 6th 2026
"A crowd had formed and Bradshaw was missing. The two things were rarely unrelated."
REVIEW
September 8, 2025
Poe is being punished because Loche at MI5 is a horrible person. Loche disbanded the team, sent Poe to work on boats and put Tilly under Loche's control.
Tilly doesn't like working with Loche. Poe smells like fish. Flynn got promoted.
When there is a sniper killer killing 17 people, Flynn told the truth. She cannot solve the case without Poe.
So Flynn got Poe to the meeting. Poe rejected the assignment unless he could work with Tilly.
The team is back again.
The sniper seems to have killed people at random. But there is no such thing as real random.
Tilly works out a theory. And made Poe join her at a game convention about role-playing board games.
The sniper is a very good shot. And other police have already been working on this one, but have no leads to move forward.
Poe and Tilly worked out that it might not be as random as it seems. And they found out about the real motive of the killer.
How to catch a killer who stays hidden? The story moves in the right direction and gains more clues.
In the middle of all these is the wedding of Poe and Doyle. Tilly is the best man and gave the best man's speech. There is a lot of humour around that one. Poe is a good man who had PTSD because of his work. Even with all these, he still finds friendship in Tilly and love in Doyle.
It is a really good read with Poe and Tilly thinking through the killings and finding the motive of the killer.
Fun 5-star read.
Tilly doesn't like working with Loche. Poe smells like fish. Flynn got promoted.
When there is a sniper killer killing 17 people, Flynn told the truth. She cannot solve the case without Poe.
So Flynn got Poe to the meeting. Poe rejected the assignment unless he could work with Tilly.
The team is back again.
The sniper seems to have killed people at random. But there is no such thing as real random.
Tilly works out a theory. And made Poe join her at a game convention about role-playing board games.
The sniper is a very good shot. And other police have already been working on this one, but have no leads to move forward.
Poe and Tilly worked out that it might not be as random as it seems. And they found out about the real motive of the killer.
How to catch a killer who stays hidden? The story moves in the right direction and gains more clues.
In the middle of all these is the wedding of Poe and Doyle. Tilly is the best man and gave the best man's speech. There is a lot of humour around that one. Poe is a good man who had PTSD because of his work. Even with all these, he still finds friendship in Tilly and love in Doyle.
It is a really good read with Poe and Tilly thinking through the killings and finding the motive of the killer.
Fun 5-star read.
August 22, 2025
In the first chapter, Poe, working with the marine unit, opines that there are few odors worse than fish. I mean, ok, rotten fish is nasty, like any other rotting thing, but he was talking about fresh fish, too, going sort far as to say that smelling of fish (fresh caught) was worse than smelling of urine.
I almost checked out right then and there. Weird hill, I know, but... I can't understand someone finding the rank, musty, sickly smell of pee less objectionable than a fresh catch of fish. Maybe I'm biased because I live by the sea, but I would take low tide over the all-pervasive smell of old urine that permeates the streets of big cities.
Sorry, that was a big digression. On to the rest of the story.
Partway through I began to wonder if the author assumes that his readers are slow. The way some sections are written, I don’t know if it's unintentional or not. It almost reads as though it's written for pre-teens, even though it's about serial murder. Or maybe it's me, I don’t know. ( Relatedly, the fixation with Poe's bowels and overall digestive health should have been funny to me, with my juvenile sense of humor, but it just felt awkward, shoehorned in as an attempt at levity.) It's got a bad case of the cutes.
Also, I struggle with Tilly, who is The Smartest Person in the World, and that trope is just unbearable.
But yeah. The story was ok, but... spoilers:
My personal gripes aside, it was fine, but not as interesting as some of the other entries in the series.
I almost checked out right then and there. Weird hill, I know, but... I can't understand someone finding the rank, musty, sickly smell of pee less objectionable than a fresh catch of fish. Maybe I'm biased because I live by the sea, but I would take low tide over the all-pervasive smell of old urine that permeates the streets of big cities.
Sorry, that was a big digression. On to the rest of the story.
Partway through I began to wonder if the author assumes that his readers are slow. The way some sections are written, I don’t know if it's unintentional or not. It almost reads as though it's written for pre-teens, even though it's about serial murder. Or maybe it's me, I don’t know. ( Relatedly, the fixation with Poe's bowels and overall digestive health should have been funny to me, with my juvenile sense of humor, but it just felt awkward, shoehorned in as an attempt at levity.) It's got a bad case of the cutes.
Also, I struggle with Tilly, who is The Smartest Person in the World, and that trope is just unbearable.
But yeah. The story was ok, but... spoilers:
My personal gripes aside, it was fine, but not as interesting as some of the other entries in the series.
July 22, 2025
Mr Craven is a very naughty man. There. I had to get that out of my system. If you have seen any of the pre-release publicity for this book you will understand why. I think any fan of the series will be heading into this book with a mixture of excitement and total and utter trepidation, and for very good reason. What you may have seen really is true. It really is in the book. In the first handful of pages in fact. It means that within minutes of starting this book your pulse and stress levels will be at catastrophic heights, and, if it weren't for the fact that the book is full of Poe's inimitable humour, social ineptitude, and sarcasm, I'd say that it should come with a health warning. If you suffer heart complaints you may want to have medication handy regardless.
We join the story in the midst of the action so to speak. Following on from the harrowing and unforgettable events of The Mercy Chair, Poe's team has been disbanded and his current assignment ... well it leaves a lot to be desired. Much like Malcolm the Mountie, Poe is still destined to get his man, albeit by boat rather than by horse. Don't ask ... read and you will understand. But, his fate is soon to change, with Poe and his former boss, DCI Flynn, called back to their old jobs to help with a multi-agency task force whose sole focus is to hunt down a sniper who is indiscriminately targeting victims up and down the country. There is no logic to their choice of target, or none that the police can see, and it may be that there is only one team, perhaps even one person, in the whole country who is capable of finding that missing link ...
This book is packed with tension and threat and it is everything that you might have come to expect from a Washington Poe thriller. I was hooked from the very beginning, even if that whole opening sequence did give me palpitations. I love the blend of humour and intensity that typifies these books, and the legendary back and forth between Poe and, well, pretty much anyone he encounters, always brings a smile to my face. But it is his unlikely friendship with Tilly Bradshaw that has made this series the real treat that it is, which makes certain elements of this book all the more poignant, with particular sequence almost brining us full circle to events of The Puppet Show and the beginnings of this delectable pairing. There is a respect and tenderness in their friendship which is so heartening, and a whole heap of laughter as Poe fights against type to moderate his language, if not always his actions, in front of the slightly more innocent Tilly.
There are a number of names from Poe's past that make an appearance in this book, along with a couple of special guests who brought an additional smile to my face. There is a certain character, manager of one of the venues whose clientele are targeted by the sniper, whose appearance made me chuckle - if you know you know. There are also a couple of characters from the previous book who play quite an important part in the action, and the reason for which I would recommend that if you are new to the series, you at least read The Mercy Chair first. And, if you are a fan of M. W. Craven's collected works, then there is a more than familiar face from the Avison Fluke series who turns up in a somewhat unexpected way. As to whether they are now friend or foe ... well you will have to find that out for myself. But it was a very welcome appearance, and their character is more than a match for Poe's particular style of cynicism.
If there is one person who really made me smile though, it was Estelle Doyle's Uncle Bertie. What a hoot of a character he was. I don't know quite how he'd make a repeat appearance, but I really do hope he does. You'd be forgiven for thinking he was just going to be bit of an old duffer, given his initial attitude towards Poe and his seeming sense of entitlement, but he has hidden depths and I absolutely warmed to him.
Prepare for shocks, for heartbreak, for laughter, and for more than the odd surprise, as the author has thrown everything at this book and more. As for that ending ... well, that really does open up a whole world of possibilities. More books have been planned and I, for one (of probably many thousand) am totally here for that. Loved it.
We join the story in the midst of the action so to speak. Following on from the harrowing and unforgettable events of The Mercy Chair, Poe's team has been disbanded and his current assignment ... well it leaves a lot to be desired. Much like Malcolm the Mountie, Poe is still destined to get his man, albeit by boat rather than by horse. Don't ask ... read and you will understand. But, his fate is soon to change, with Poe and his former boss, DCI Flynn, called back to their old jobs to help with a multi-agency task force whose sole focus is to hunt down a sniper who is indiscriminately targeting victims up and down the country. There is no logic to their choice of target, or none that the police can see, and it may be that there is only one team, perhaps even one person, in the whole country who is capable of finding that missing link ...
This book is packed with tension and threat and it is everything that you might have come to expect from a Washington Poe thriller. I was hooked from the very beginning, even if that whole opening sequence did give me palpitations. I love the blend of humour and intensity that typifies these books, and the legendary back and forth between Poe and, well, pretty much anyone he encounters, always brings a smile to my face. But it is his unlikely friendship with Tilly Bradshaw that has made this series the real treat that it is, which makes certain elements of this book all the more poignant, with particular sequence almost brining us full circle to events of The Puppet Show and the beginnings of this delectable pairing. There is a respect and tenderness in their friendship which is so heartening, and a whole heap of laughter as Poe fights against type to moderate his language, if not always his actions, in front of the slightly more innocent Tilly.
There are a number of names from Poe's past that make an appearance in this book, along with a couple of special guests who brought an additional smile to my face. There is a certain character, manager of one of the venues whose clientele are targeted by the sniper, whose appearance made me chuckle - if you know you know. There are also a couple of characters from the previous book who play quite an important part in the action, and the reason for which I would recommend that if you are new to the series, you at least read The Mercy Chair first. And, if you are a fan of M. W. Craven's collected works, then there is a more than familiar face from the Avison Fluke series who turns up in a somewhat unexpected way. As to whether they are now friend or foe ... well you will have to find that out for myself. But it was a very welcome appearance, and their character is more than a match for Poe's particular style of cynicism.
If there is one person who really made me smile though, it was Estelle Doyle's Uncle Bertie. What a hoot of a character he was. I don't know quite how he'd make a repeat appearance, but I really do hope he does. You'd be forgiven for thinking he was just going to be bit of an old duffer, given his initial attitude towards Poe and his seeming sense of entitlement, but he has hidden depths and I absolutely warmed to him.
Prepare for shocks, for heartbreak, for laughter, and for more than the odd surprise, as the author has thrown everything at this book and more. As for that ending ... well, that really does open up a whole world of possibilities. More books have been planned and I, for one (of probably many thousand) am totally here for that. Loved it.
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