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DC Jack Warr #6
Sacrifice: The brand-new nail-biting 2026 crime thriller from the multi-million selling author
Detective Jack leads Scotland Yard's fledgling art fraud unit, its survival hinging on exposing a suspected forgery - a multimillion-dollar Basquiat.
When his informant, gallerist Ester Langton, is brutally murdered, Jack's hunt spirals into obsession. Clues point to Adam Border, a reclusive genius hiding in a decayed Sicilian villa haunted by Mafia ties and violent secrets.
As Jack abandons family and duty to pursue him, he's drawn into a world where brilliance and madness collide, masterpieces mask psychosis, and death stalks every shadow. In chasing the truth, Detective Jack Warr must decide which side of the law he's on . . . once and for all.
When his informant, gallerist Ester Langton, is brutally murdered, Jack's hunt spirals into obsession. Clues point to Adam Border, a reclusive genius hiding in a decayed Sicilian villa haunted by Mafia ties and violent secrets.
As Jack abandons family and duty to pursue him, he's drawn into a world where brilliance and madness collide, masterpieces mask psychosis, and death stalks every shadow. In chasing the truth, Detective Jack Warr must decide which side of the law he's on . . . once and for all.
Audible Audio
Published March 12, 2026
About the author
Lynda La Plante
151 books1,926 followersLynda La Plante, CBE (born Lynda Titchmarsh) is a British author, screenwriter, and erstwhile actress (her performances in Rentaghost and other programmes were under her stage name of Lynda Marchal), best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 16, 2026
1.0 / 5.0
I have no idea why Goodreads is struggling to allow reviews for this book. It got released and was available to reserve in my library, so folks in the UK can read this book now. Honestly this was a horrifically bad book, that lacked structure and consistency. Logic flew out the window for this one; and rather than having a very easy plot to follow this was like trying to fly a plane through a storm. I honestly don’t understand how all of what happened has happened, and how quick everything changed. One minute we have a proper procedure and investigation (but a tad dodgy) then next minute, Jack decides to YOLO and just go SOLO and Indiana Jones it out. It just lacks that credibility and logic, the plot was incredibly flawed and this was one massive disappointing read. I found how his existing personal relationships felt really surface level, maybe but I really struggled to understand his character and why he was behaving the way he was. Which all seems clear but it didn’t make any sense to me. The ending was just straight up bizarre, it just feels very random to have the events occur.
If I’m honest, I don’t think I will follow this series. Maybe it’s not for me, but it’s not clicking. Jack is a character I didn’t understand, his actions and behaviour in this book seemed very bipolar. The plot didn’t really have a lot of substance so me telling you what it’s about feels abit fraudulent. Long story short Jack gets his wish and opens his own ‘art squad’ and he’s out to prove himself and the fact that his new role will deliver. His informant dies, and jacks behaviour just goes manic and mad, he tries to find the elusive Adam Border who is hiding in a Sicilian Villa with a bunch of haunted and violet secrets. Jack just abandons everything even his own family, and maybe his shadows and past has come to haunt him?
Honestly, avoid this one because it was like waking into your local butcher shop for some steak and sausages and leaving the shop with flowers and new clothes. Incredibly disappointing to read a book that hasn’t lived up to its previous one. If I actually owned the book, I would just give it the local library or recycle it so it can be used for something better lol. This book incredibly chopped.
I have no idea why Goodreads is struggling to allow reviews for this book. It got released and was available to reserve in my library, so folks in the UK can read this book now. Honestly this was a horrifically bad book, that lacked structure and consistency. Logic flew out the window for this one; and rather than having a very easy plot to follow this was like trying to fly a plane through a storm. I honestly don’t understand how all of what happened has happened, and how quick everything changed. One minute we have a proper procedure and investigation (but a tad dodgy) then next minute, Jack decides to YOLO and just go SOLO and Indiana Jones it out. It just lacks that credibility and logic, the plot was incredibly flawed and this was one massive disappointing read. I found how his existing personal relationships felt really surface level, maybe but I really struggled to understand his character and why he was behaving the way he was. Which all seems clear but it didn’t make any sense to me. The ending was just straight up bizarre, it just feels very random to have the events occur.
If I’m honest, I don’t think I will follow this series. Maybe it’s not for me, but it’s not clicking. Jack is a character I didn’t understand, his actions and behaviour in this book seemed very bipolar. The plot didn’t really have a lot of substance so me telling you what it’s about feels abit fraudulent. Long story short Jack gets his wish and opens his own ‘art squad’ and he’s out to prove himself and the fact that his new role will deliver. His informant dies, and jacks behaviour just goes manic and mad, he tries to find the elusive Adam Border who is hiding in a Sicilian Villa with a bunch of haunted and violet secrets. Jack just abandons everything even his own family, and maybe his shadows and past has come to haunt him?
Honestly, avoid this one because it was like waking into your local butcher shop for some steak and sausages and leaving the shop with flowers and new clothes. Incredibly disappointing to read a book that hasn’t lived up to its previous one. If I actually owned the book, I would just give it the local library or recycle it so it can be used for something better lol. This book incredibly chopped.
March 23, 2026
Detective Jack Warr has persuaded Scotland Yard to let him lead a team investigating art fraud. From this premise the plot moves from credible to unbelievable.
Our detective has not chosen his team despite having offices and "state of the art" x ray equipment - really? Once he has his two mavericks in place he does not share information or lead the team in any way.
This is personal and although it follows the route of a police procedural - there is very little procedural about it and for me, it began to resemble a farce - all 3 of the team chasing their tails arounds the globe with, it seems, no brakes on spending without evidence.
I do love a Lynda LaPlante but this is just mad
Our detective has not chosen his team despite having offices and "state of the art" x ray equipment - really? Once he has his two mavericks in place he does not share information or lead the team in any way.
This is personal and although it follows the route of a police procedural - there is very little procedural about it and for me, it began to resemble a farce - all 3 of the team chasing their tails arounds the globe with, it seems, no brakes on spending without evidence.
I do love a Lynda LaPlante but this is just mad
Review of advance copy
A gripping final investigation for Jack Warr.
DS Warr is finally living his dream, heading the new Art Fraud Squad, a team of detectives whose remit is to identify and investigate art forgeries.
When their first investigation becomes linked to a murder inquiry, Jack fears their work will become eclipsed, while his own past is threatening to derail them.
Obsessed and determined, Jack pursues a master forger whom he suspects is a cold-blooded killer, leading to a deadly showdown in the Sicilian wilderness.
‘Sacrifice’ is the sixth and final novel in the Jack Warr series by Lynda La Plante, following the investigation into a suspected art forgery and the frauds and murders that become associated with the case. The novel is essentially a story in three acts – beginning with a slow-burn police procedural centred on the investigation of an art forgery; shifting up in gear as a brutal murder occurs, Jack keeping his team in the dark as he skirts the periphery of the investigation, attempting to cover his tracks as to his links with the victim, but unable to escape the attention of his police colleagues; before we hurtle into a fast-paced action thriller in the final act, Jack going rogue in the finale to the whole series.
Following the conclusion of the previous novel, ‘Crucified’, Jack’s ambition is now being realised. This fledgling art fraud unit has taken almost two years to set up, their suite fully equipped in their new premises, and we catch up with Jack as he recruits his team, favouring a more unconventional method in the hope of working with the best people to ensure the team’s success, much to the disapproval and reluctance of his superior officer. Jack is immediately under pressure to prove it a beneficial investment for the Metropolitan Police and crack their first case. Meanwhile, having made a deal with art gallerist Ester Langton, an associate of the artist murdered in the previous novel, Jack soon has a tip to pursue – a local art dealer may be in possession of a fake masterpiece – and the team embark on their inaugural investigation.
As always, La Plante demonstrates her fascination for the subject matter and an impeccable commitment to research, as we delve further into art forgery and the painstaking work it takes in order to prove or disprove the authenticity and provenance of a painting; an intriguing insight into the art world and investigations of art fraud, and how dealers and collectors may not necessarily be as concerned with legitimacy as one might expect. Yet the plotting is layered much like the paint on the canvas, as misdirecting as these impeccable forgeries. Hiding in plain sight is an incredibly insidious and vicious plan to commit murder. Ester introduces Jack to a stunningly beautiful painting entitled ‘Judas Horse’ that she has obtained and is attempting to find a buyer for, but there is far more to this than as appears on the surface. As the mystery unfolds, Jack is convinced only a mastermind artist can be behind the sadistic scheme, and he is convinced he knows who this killer is.
Jack has always been a captivating and endearing character. Ever the maverick, he is slowly succumbing to his dark side, inherited from his biological father, the notorious gangster Harry Rawlins. Consumed by his work, impatient at home and with his colleagues, his obsession with artist and forger Adam Border is beginning to consume him. Having rediscovered his passion for his work when he began researching the art world, he may have allowed his enthusiasm to set him up for failure, with pressure from senior officers to succeed, otherwise his new team may find itself disbanded quickly. Razor focused, Jack is noticing little else and it is tragic to witness the breakdown of his relationship with Maggie. She has always been his anchor, their relationship deep and affectionate, their children the centre of their world. But the strains of work and Jack’s obsessive nature have been taking their toll. They have never been farther apart, and Maggie is unsure if she truly knows her husband any longer. The man she fell in love with seems to be lost.
We return to various elements of the last novel and earlier in the series, significantly Jack’s pursuit of Adam, whose message to Jack at the conclusion of ‘Crucified’ could only be read as a warning. Jack’s determination sees him absconding from his work and home, travelling to Sicily in search of answers and finally to a confrontation with his nemesis, their bizarre relationship built on a mutual respect and admiration, with Jack residing with Adam in the ruins of a Mafia home where he is living off the grid in hiding. I adored these scenes, so vividly realised, from the haunting atmosphere of the derelict mansion lost in the Sicilian countryside to the strange psychology of the game between Jack and Adam, building to its shocking, action-packed and devastating conclusion; Jack’s mission to Sicily proving the perfect ending to the series.
This has been a stellar series, one I’m saddened to see end. Having expanded on the legacy of ‘Widows’, the series has kept its origins in this trilogy in its heart, while this finale also feels like a spiritual sequel to another of Lynda’s earlier organised crime novels, ‘Bella Mafia’. Throughout the six books, we have experienced a character journey – Jack seeking who he is and where he’s truly meant to be, discovering the truth about his birth parents and his passion for investigative work, while skating the line between following procedure and bending the rules in his role as a police officer, and struggles with his mental health following a serial murder investigation leading him to what may be his true calling with art investigation. Yet, throughout his self-discovery, he has been as much in danger of losing himself as he has in finding himself, and it has proved a captivating story.
Thrilling and absorbing, ‘Sacrifice’ is a dramatic, satisfying conclusion to a superb series, one I’ve loved from beginning to end.
DS Warr is finally living his dream, heading the new Art Fraud Squad, a team of detectives whose remit is to identify and investigate art forgeries.
When their first investigation becomes linked to a murder inquiry, Jack fears their work will become eclipsed, while his own past is threatening to derail them.
Obsessed and determined, Jack pursues a master forger whom he suspects is a cold-blooded killer, leading to a deadly showdown in the Sicilian wilderness.
‘Sacrifice’ is the sixth and final novel in the Jack Warr series by Lynda La Plante, following the investigation into a suspected art forgery and the frauds and murders that become associated with the case. The novel is essentially a story in three acts – beginning with a slow-burn police procedural centred on the investigation of an art forgery; shifting up in gear as a brutal murder occurs, Jack keeping his team in the dark as he skirts the periphery of the investigation, attempting to cover his tracks as to his links with the victim, but unable to escape the attention of his police colleagues; before we hurtle into a fast-paced action thriller in the final act, Jack going rogue in the finale to the whole series.
Following the conclusion of the previous novel, ‘Crucified’, Jack’s ambition is now being realised. This fledgling art fraud unit has taken almost two years to set up, their suite fully equipped in their new premises, and we catch up with Jack as he recruits his team, favouring a more unconventional method in the hope of working with the best people to ensure the team’s success, much to the disapproval and reluctance of his superior officer. Jack is immediately under pressure to prove it a beneficial investment for the Metropolitan Police and crack their first case. Meanwhile, having made a deal with art gallerist Ester Langton, an associate of the artist murdered in the previous novel, Jack soon has a tip to pursue – a local art dealer may be in possession of a fake masterpiece – and the team embark on their inaugural investigation.
As always, La Plante demonstrates her fascination for the subject matter and an impeccable commitment to research, as we delve further into art forgery and the painstaking work it takes in order to prove or disprove the authenticity and provenance of a painting; an intriguing insight into the art world and investigations of art fraud, and how dealers and collectors may not necessarily be as concerned with legitimacy as one might expect. Yet the plotting is layered much like the paint on the canvas, as misdirecting as these impeccable forgeries. Hiding in plain sight is an incredibly insidious and vicious plan to commit murder. Ester introduces Jack to a stunningly beautiful painting entitled ‘Judas Horse’ that she has obtained and is attempting to find a buyer for, but there is far more to this than as appears on the surface. As the mystery unfolds, Jack is convinced only a mastermind artist can be behind the sadistic scheme, and he is convinced he knows who this killer is.
Jack has always been a captivating and endearing character. Ever the maverick, he is slowly succumbing to his dark side, inherited from his biological father, the notorious gangster Harry Rawlins. Consumed by his work, impatient at home and with his colleagues, his obsession with artist and forger Adam Border is beginning to consume him. Having rediscovered his passion for his work when he began researching the art world, he may have allowed his enthusiasm to set him up for failure, with pressure from senior officers to succeed, otherwise his new team may find itself disbanded quickly. Razor focused, Jack is noticing little else and it is tragic to witness the breakdown of his relationship with Maggie. She has always been his anchor, their relationship deep and affectionate, their children the centre of their world. But the strains of work and Jack’s obsessive nature have been taking their toll. They have never been farther apart, and Maggie is unsure if she truly knows her husband any longer. The man she fell in love with seems to be lost.
We return to various elements of the last novel and earlier in the series, significantly Jack’s pursuit of Adam, whose message to Jack at the conclusion of ‘Crucified’ could only be read as a warning. Jack’s determination sees him absconding from his work and home, travelling to Sicily in search of answers and finally to a confrontation with his nemesis, their bizarre relationship built on a mutual respect and admiration, with Jack residing with Adam in the ruins of a Mafia home where he is living off the grid in hiding. I adored these scenes, so vividly realised, from the haunting atmosphere of the derelict mansion lost in the Sicilian countryside to the strange psychology of the game between Jack and Adam, building to its shocking, action-packed and devastating conclusion; Jack’s mission to Sicily proving the perfect ending to the series.
This has been a stellar series, one I’m saddened to see end. Having expanded on the legacy of ‘Widows’, the series has kept its origins in this trilogy in its heart, while this finale also feels like a spiritual sequel to another of Lynda’s earlier organised crime novels, ‘Bella Mafia’. Throughout the six books, we have experienced a character journey – Jack seeking who he is and where he’s truly meant to be, discovering the truth about his birth parents and his passion for investigative work, while skating the line between following procedure and bending the rules in his role as a police officer, and struggles with his mental health following a serial murder investigation leading him to what may be his true calling with art investigation. Yet, throughout his self-discovery, he has been as much in danger of losing himself as he has in finding himself, and it has proved a captivating story.
Thrilling and absorbing, ‘Sacrifice’ is a dramatic, satisfying conclusion to a superb series, one I’ve loved from beginning to end.
March 23, 2026
Well ive just finished #Sacrifice by @lyndalaplantewriter published by @zaffrebooks ...it is the final book in the absolutely exceptional #JackWarr series and it was unputdownable! I was totally hooked from beginning to end...the deep knowledge of Art Fraud inside this crime fiction book banger made for really interesting reading. An explosive ending to a fabulous series, Jack Warr was such a complex and brilliant chrachter. I will miss him terribly. This is definitely one of my favourite crime fiction series. Lynda La Plante is as always on top of her game!
A huge 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read from me and indeed every book in the series has been 5 stars!
A huge 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read from me and indeed every book in the series has been 5 stars!
April 19, 2026
What a great final book in the Jack Warr series ... Lynda la Plante at her best.
I loved reading this novel ...it tied up nicely the story arc that la Plante developed over 6 novels in the Warr series as well as her previous Widows series that kickstarted her career over 40 years ago I'm the 1980s.
Warr has set up a special art fraud squad as part of Scotland Yard. He hand picks two sidekicks and looks for proof that a Basquiat painting 🖌️ is a fake leading Jack to finding again his nemesis Alan Border who has featured a lot in this series.
Climax is in Palermo Italy with Warr and Border meeting again and explosions 💥 and deaths abound.
A great ending to this series.
I loved reading this novel ...it tied up nicely the story arc that la Plante developed over 6 novels in the Warr series as well as her previous Widows series that kickstarted her career over 40 years ago I'm the 1980s.
Warr has set up a special art fraud squad as part of Scotland Yard. He hand picks two sidekicks and looks for proof that a Basquiat painting 🖌️ is a fake leading Jack to finding again his nemesis Alan Border who has featured a lot in this series.
Climax is in Palermo Italy with Warr and Border meeting again and explosions 💥 and deaths abound.
A great ending to this series.
March 21, 2026
I hate when a great series ends and in this one, a different side to Jack is revealed and right to the end which was one with endless possibilities for all the characters, anyway as usual it was a page turning read that introduced some new characters that we may get to meet again at some stage .
Review of advance copy
The final Detective Jack Warr novel in this enjoyable police procedural series. Former murder detective Jack is now heading up Scotland Yard's tiny art fraud unit. When his informant is murdered, Jack must finally decide which side of the law he is on. Not to be missed.
March 16, 2026
A intriguing novel and a satisfying end to the Jack Warr series
March 18, 2026
Good read
April 28, 2026
This book will have you hooked from start to finish
May 12, 2026
Loved it. Gets darker and darker for Jack. Can't wait to read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews