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Final Weeks: A gripping detective crime thriller about a missing girl cold case
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2026
About the author
Mel Sherratt
58 books538 followersI write police procedurals, psychological suspense and women's fiction with a punch - or grit-lit, as I call it.
I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books.
You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels
I also write women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.
I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books.
You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels
I also write women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 21, 2026
Following an incident that put Allie out of action for a while, she's now back on a phased return to work and her first investigation is a cold case that happened fifteen years earlier when teenager Holly Rigby vanished without trace, the police in charge of the case back then told her mum that she must have just run away, even though statements from her friends said different. Now the case has been reopened it soon becomes evident there is far more to this disappearance than anyone wants to admit and some are going to great lengths to keep it under wraps.
Final Weeks is the latest, and the finale, of this fabulous series following Allie Shenton and her team, trying to keep crime off the streets of Stoke. Physically, Allie is ready to return to work but mentally, she wasn't entirely sure and recent events had her questioning whether she was doing the right thing, especially as she was about to officially adopt her teenage daughter Poppy, which made this cold case even more poignant, for her and the reader. As with the other books in this series, it's a gritty, hard hitting police procedural involving lots of criminal activity with everyone on the estate knowing something, but nobody wanting to talk for fear of retribution and, this time, it involves police corruption, if you can't trust the police to protect you, who can you trust? This was another intense and compelling read from Sherratt, I'd taken Allie and her team into my heart and looked forward to meeting up with them again each time a new book was released, so it's sad to think that this is the last that we will be seeing of them, but what a series it's been and I've loved every minute of it.
I’d like to thank the author for inviting me to read this book, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
Final Weeks is the latest, and the finale, of this fabulous series following Allie Shenton and her team, trying to keep crime off the streets of Stoke. Physically, Allie is ready to return to work but mentally, she wasn't entirely sure and recent events had her questioning whether she was doing the right thing, especially as she was about to officially adopt her teenage daughter Poppy, which made this cold case even more poignant, for her and the reader. As with the other books in this series, it's a gritty, hard hitting police procedural involving lots of criminal activity with everyone on the estate knowing something, but nobody wanting to talk for fear of retribution and, this time, it involves police corruption, if you can't trust the police to protect you, who can you trust? This was another intense and compelling read from Sherratt, I'd taken Allie and her team into my heart and looked forward to meeting up with them again each time a new book was released, so it's sad to think that this is the last that we will be seeing of them, but what a series it's been and I've loved every minute of it.
I’d like to thank the author for inviting me to read this book, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been a huge fan of this series and knowing this was going to be the final one, I wasn’t sure what to expect in how the author would end it. I love Allie and the team so I knew it would be an emotional read regardless.
I didn’t envy the team having a cold case to work on that was fifteen years old. A teenager missing from an estate where people don’t talk regardless of if they have seen something. It was going to be a tough case to crack. What follows is an extremely tense read as threats come from all over with someone doing their utmost to make sure Allie fails in uncovering the truth. Mentally, Allie is still struggling with events from the previous book which has her questioning her choice of career. There is a lot to unpack in this story but boy did it make for a gripping read.
There is so much criminal activity but what I enjoyed most was the corruption that made this a compulsive read. It has Allie and the team looking much more closer to home. There are so many lies, secrets, intimidation, you just know that when it all comes out, it’s going to be explosive and it didn’t disappoint.
Final Weeks was both thrilling and emotive. I had so much empathy for a young girl who never got to live her life and for the mum and friends she left behind. It’s a story that highlights how rife crime can be on run down estates with people living in fear of what is going on around them. The author brings the reality of it all very much to life. How the series finishes was both fitting and emotional. Whilst I don’t want it to end, I think fans will be happy with this last book. A dark, tense and chilling read that will send your emotions into overdrive!
I didn’t envy the team having a cold case to work on that was fifteen years old. A teenager missing from an estate where people don’t talk regardless of if they have seen something. It was going to be a tough case to crack. What follows is an extremely tense read as threats come from all over with someone doing their utmost to make sure Allie fails in uncovering the truth. Mentally, Allie is still struggling with events from the previous book which has her questioning her choice of career. There is a lot to unpack in this story but boy did it make for a gripping read.
There is so much criminal activity but what I enjoyed most was the corruption that made this a compulsive read. It has Allie and the team looking much more closer to home. There are so many lies, secrets, intimidation, you just know that when it all comes out, it’s going to be explosive and it didn’t disappoint.
Final Weeks was both thrilling and emotive. I had so much empathy for a young girl who never got to live her life and for the mum and friends she left behind. It’s a story that highlights how rife crime can be on run down estates with people living in fear of what is going on around them. The author brings the reality of it all very much to life. How the series finishes was both fitting and emotional. Whilst I don’t want it to end, I think fans will be happy with this last book. A dark, tense and chilling read that will send your emotions into overdrive!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Final Weeks has been a bittersweet read as I love the Allie Shenton series, and this is the last ever book in this series ☹
It’s the end of an era!
If you haven’t already read this series, you are really missing out. Taunting the Dead is where it all began, way back when. A brilliant start to the series. If you read that I guarantee you will soon find the series addictive. Treat yourself. You can thank me later.
Anyway, in this, book 9 of 9, Allie is back from sick leave and takes on a cold case. The case of a missing 15-year-old girl from 15 years ago.
Allie soon realises things weren’t adding up back then and is determined to find out why the case was dismissed so easily.
As more evidence presents itself it becomes more obvious that there’s more to this case than a missing teenager.
I love that Allie’s last case is a cold case and one that feels somewhat personal for her. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed joining her on her quest for the truth.
Set in good ole Stoke-on-Trent this is another pacey addition to an already excellent series. A fabulous team dynamic. Characters I have grown to love and think of as friends. There are of course many a dodgy character a lot less lovable but fascinating in their own way. Their stories far from black and white. This series ticks all the boxes if you love a police procedural crime thriller as I do.
I will miss Allie and the team. I wish them every success and happiness for their future. I feel honoured to have followed their journey from the very beginning. Proud to be part of #TeamSherratt
** Many thanks to Mel Sherratt for my digital ARC **
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2026/07/0...
It’s the end of an era!
If you haven’t already read this series, you are really missing out. Taunting the Dead is where it all began, way back when. A brilliant start to the series. If you read that I guarantee you will soon find the series addictive. Treat yourself. You can thank me later.
Anyway, in this, book 9 of 9, Allie is back from sick leave and takes on a cold case. The case of a missing 15-year-old girl from 15 years ago.
Allie soon realises things weren’t adding up back then and is determined to find out why the case was dismissed so easily.
As more evidence presents itself it becomes more obvious that there’s more to this case than a missing teenager.
I love that Allie’s last case is a cold case and one that feels somewhat personal for her. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed joining her on her quest for the truth.
Set in good ole Stoke-on-Trent this is another pacey addition to an already excellent series. A fabulous team dynamic. Characters I have grown to love and think of as friends. There are of course many a dodgy character a lot less lovable but fascinating in their own way. Their stories far from black and white. This series ticks all the boxes if you love a police procedural crime thriller as I do.
I will miss Allie and the team. I wish them every success and happiness for their future. I feel honoured to have followed their journey from the very beginning. Proud to be part of #TeamSherratt
** Many thanks to Mel Sherratt for my digital ARC **
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2026/07/0...
June 29, 2026
Review of advance copy from the author.
Now that is what I call a grand finale! This is a story that played with my emotions, it was heartbreaking, unsettling, yet also brought a smile to my face at times!
Having DI Allie Shenton and the team back for one last case was fantastic! I was hooked from the first page, where the story starts fifteen years ago.
The team work well together and have each other’s backs no matter what. I love their camaraderie as well as the respect that they have for each other. With a difficult cold case to solve, they each played their part in getting to the truth.
I’m going to miss the Estate stories, but boy … was this a way to say goodbye!
I cannot wait to see what the author is going to bring us next.
Now that is what I call a grand finale! This is a story that played with my emotions, it was heartbreaking, unsettling, yet also brought a smile to my face at times!
Having DI Allie Shenton and the team back for one last case was fantastic! I was hooked from the first page, where the story starts fifteen years ago.
The team work well together and have each other’s backs no matter what. I love their camaraderie as well as the respect that they have for each other. With a difficult cold case to solve, they each played their part in getting to the truth.
I’m going to miss the Estate stories, but boy … was this a way to say goodbye!
I cannot wait to see what the author is going to bring us next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh wow, I now have the biggest book hangover!! What a fantastic ending to this remarkable series!
Detective Allie Shenton has been a huge part of my book life for a long time and I have loved each book, but this one, the final book in the series, just goes to show how amazing Mel is as an author.
The story is so well written, with an intricately detailed case. Each of the team plays their part to bring down the killer.
I loved how it ended, and seeing how Allie has grown throughout the years. Maybe one day she will pop up somewhere in another book?
Detective Allie Shenton has been a huge part of my book life for a long time and I have loved each book, but this one, the final book in the series, just goes to show how amazing Mel is as an author.
The story is so well written, with an intricately detailed case. Each of the team plays their part to bring down the killer.
I loved how it ended, and seeing how Allie has grown throughout the years. Maybe one day she will pop up somewhere in another book?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Allie Shenton book nine. The Final.
On the gritty streets Stoke on Trent teenager Holly Rigby vanished from Forest Avenue and case was an unsolved file put away.
Allie is returning to work and is asked to reopen and interview family and friends again, someone has made sure nobody could prove it.
A cold case.
A missing girl.
A waiting mother.
This book has really hit all my spots after reading all in this series, a superb read.
Final Weeks is a absolutely cracking story.
Like all this author delivers, twists turns mind-blowing cases all superbly written.
On the gritty streets Stoke on Trent teenager Holly Rigby vanished from Forest Avenue and case was an unsolved file put away.
Allie is returning to work and is asked to reopen and interview family and friends again, someone has made sure nobody could prove it.
A cold case.
A missing girl.
A waiting mother.
This book has really hit all my spots after reading all in this series, a superb read.
Final Weeks is a absolutely cracking story.
Like all this author delivers, twists turns mind-blowing cases all superbly written.
August 20, 2026
Hate to See it End
I've read this series from the beginning back in 2011 and I've enjoyed them immensely. After such a long run, of 15 years, the characters become sort of real to you. Moving on can be kinda sad, and I will miss Allie and her team, but also look forward to Mel Sheriff's next novel. This books closes out the Allie chapter well.
I've read this series from the beginning back in 2011 and I've enjoyed them immensely. After such a long run, of 15 years, the characters become sort of real to you. Moving on can be kinda sad, and I will miss Allie and her team, but also look forward to Mel Sheriff's next novel. This books closes out the Allie chapter well.
July 21, 2026
Goodbye Allie
What an amazing read.. from the very first Allie Shenton case.. to this the end!! Got to say I shed a tear.. excellent
What an amazing read.. from the very first Allie Shenton case.. to this the end!! Got to say I shed a tear.. excellent
July 27, 2026
good
Such a befitting end for Allie and the rest of the cast.
Really is a good read, I am sad that this is the end but it was well thought out and written brilliantly as Mel always does.
Such a befitting end for Allie and the rest of the cast.
Really is a good read, I am sad that this is the end but it was well thought out and written brilliantly as Mel always does.
August 11, 2026
Perfect ending for Allie
Sad to see Allie go but have enjoyed the series and all the other books by Mel Sherratt. A great author.
Sad to see Allie go but have enjoyed the series and all the other books by Mel Sherratt. A great author.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews