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DCI Jamie Carver #2
Final Breath
A monstrous killer, safely behind bars – But just how safe is, ‘safe’? An archive of debauchery and murder, poised to ruin reputations, careers, lives A detective running out of time to find what he seeks
Eighteen months on from the case that nearly cost him his life, only DCI Jamie Carver knows the incredible extent of the Worshipper Killer’s network of depravity – and the storm that will hit when others learn of it. They include those who walk Whitehall's corridors of power, as well as others in high office, and even, maybe, the upper echelons of the Police Service itself. When former members of that network start dying, Carver suspects that someone is out to make sure that their involvement at least, remains hidden -and will stop at nothing to do so. Needing information, fast , but right now chained to a desk, his only recourse is the person who, after last time, he vowed to never have contact with again – the extraordinary and dangerously-seductive dominatrix, Megan Crane.
The second in the DCI Jamie Carver Series, and Book Two of The Worshipper Trilogy, FINAL BREATH is a breathtakingly compelling story of intrigue, conspiracy, and brutal, bloody murder – one in which Jamie Carver finds himself up against people in high places, while forced to renew his acquaintance with the woman who, despite all his efforts, he cannot stop from haunting his dreams.
454 pages, ebook
First published October 26, 2017
459 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Robert F. Barker
14 books61 followersRobert F Barker was born in Liverpool, England. During a thirty-year police career, he worked in and around some of the Northwest UK’s grittiest towns and cities. As a senior detective, he led investigations into all kinds of major crime including, murder, armed robbery, serious sex crime and people/drug trafficking. Whilst commanding firearms and disorder incidents, he learned what it means to have to make life-and-death decisions in the heat of live operations.
His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns crime-fiction readers love.
His stories are grounded in the reality of police work, but remain exciting, suspenseful, and with the sort of twists and turns crime-fiction readers love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 18, 2018
Carver is as good a detective as any I've ever come across.
I thought Last Gasp was good, Final Breath was even better. A real edge of your seat thriller, a must read for anyone who loves crime fiction.
I thought Last Gasp was good, Final Breath was even better. A real edge of your seat thriller, a must read for anyone who loves crime fiction.
Read
March 24, 2018Could not put this book down, read till 2:30 AM!!! So very good. The characters are well developed and believable. The SMBD scene is not something the average person would know about! Everyone to their own, just don't harm anyone. Looking forward to book 3.
October 5, 2018
Breathless!
God, I loved Final Breath! The book is full of suspense and drama with twists and turns that leave you breathless!
God, I loved Final Breath! The book is full of suspense and drama with twists and turns that leave you breathless!
January 4, 2018
Final breath
Wow another gripping story which kept you from doing all the mundane tasks of everyday life.
I don't know if its because the author is ex police but I believed the content of the story could happen. Once you get over the sexual elements it is a great story.
There was a couple of niggles such as sentence structure possibly due to poor proof reading but still didn't stop the enjoyment of the story.
This would be great as a TV show
I'm sure some of the loose ends will be tied up (no puns intended) in the final chapter and I can't wait to get a copy
Wow another gripping story which kept you from doing all the mundane tasks of everyday life.
I don't know if its because the author is ex police but I believed the content of the story could happen. Once you get over the sexual elements it is a great story.
There was a couple of niggles such as sentence structure possibly due to poor proof reading but still didn't stop the enjoyment of the story.
This would be great as a TV show
I'm sure some of the loose ends will be tied up (no puns intended) in the final chapter and I can't wait to get a copy
February 3, 2018
Couldn't put it down.
I have really enjoyed these two books, they kept me guessing right till the end.
It's not often i find a book i couldn't put down, I needed to know the conclusion. Brilliant.
I have really enjoyed these two books, they kept me guessing right till the end.
It's not often i find a book i couldn't put down, I needed to know the conclusion. Brilliant.
November 11, 2022
The 'Worshipper Murders' case is over, the perpetrator behind bars, yet there are long-term effects to be worked through by DCI Jamie Carver. His relationship with partner Rosanna has not been improved by what happened, and a secondment to a nine-to-five post seems the ideal way for him to free up some time to get the work-life balance right. The trouble is, it also gives him time to check through the wealth of files associated with the old case, which suggest to him that it's far from finished. And when a suspicious death occurs, and the deceased turns out to have been associated with the perpetrator and the shady world of strange sexual practices previously frequented by both, it looks like confirmation of Carver's fears.
It's time for Carver's previous professional partner Jess to don some interesting and definitely non-regulation gear, then head out with new partner Gavin Baguss to investigate the exclusive club 'Josephine's' and those who run it, Gerald and Barbara Hawthorn. There's another death, of another associate of this world, before the names of some in very high places begin to appear in connection with what's going on. Not to mention that the key which ought to have been thrown away when the 'Worshipper' perpetrator was banged-up seems to have been oiled ready for further use.
It's a murky world, of sleazy and sordid goings-on, with a bit of the blackmail which might be expected in such circumstances. Jess, Jamie and Gavin have to negotiate it somehow, together with cover-ups and suspected spies in their midst. Expect grisly murders and grey areas, with red herrings and whitewash for good measure.
As good a read as the first book, with a thickened plot. It could use a proofread, to eliminate the errors I found, and I think I detected an anomaly in the middle. That could be intentional though, as something to be resolved in the third book. It's still a five-star read, and I'll be on to the next installment sometime soon.
It's time for Carver's previous professional partner Jess to don some interesting and definitely non-regulation gear, then head out with new partner Gavin Baguss to investigate the exclusive club 'Josephine's' and those who run it, Gerald and Barbara Hawthorn. There's another death, of another associate of this world, before the names of some in very high places begin to appear in connection with what's going on. Not to mention that the key which ought to have been thrown away when the 'Worshipper' perpetrator was banged-up seems to have been oiled ready for further use.
It's a murky world, of sleazy and sordid goings-on, with a bit of the blackmail which might be expected in such circumstances. Jess, Jamie and Gavin have to negotiate it somehow, together with cover-ups and suspected spies in their midst. Expect grisly murders and grey areas, with red herrings and whitewash for good measure.
As good a read as the first book, with a thickened plot. It could use a proofread, to eliminate the errors I found, and I think I detected an anomaly in the middle. That could be intentional though, as something to be resolved in the third book. It's still a five-star read, and I'll be on to the next installment sometime soon.
August 7, 2020
Tension packed and gripping
Having read the previous episode in this trilogy – The Last Gasp – it never occurred to me that the next one would be even more gripping. This one certainly follows on very closely from the last, and I made the mistake of not reading straight away, so I had to take a little time to remember what had happened at the end. Fortunately, it quickly came back to me and I was able to slip back into the mind-set of DCI Jamie Carver and his team. Once more, the dominatrix from The Last Gasp, features heavily although not quite so immediately and we are thrown down dark passages into the world of sex-games – something that we got to find out quite a bit about in the previous episode. This one is even more intense and quite horrific in some of the graphic scenes that are played out, and murder is never far from everyone’s mind. Once more, the characters are realistic and believable, most of them we have met before, but there are a few new ones – one, in particular, who after a while endears himself to the reader with his innocence and naivety. There are plenty of twists and turns as we race into the gripping tension of this beautifully written novel, and the race to the bitter end comes fast and furious. The ending is high with tension and emotion, reaching a climax that is both satisfying and yet promises more to come. This time I am going to move immediately to the next in the series before I lose track of what is going on and can get into it more easily.
I highly recommend this trilogy – The Worshipper Trilogy – to anyone who likes fast paced and exciting thrillers. Robert F. Barker is an exceedingly good author and has certainly become one of my favourites.
Having read the previous episode in this trilogy – The Last Gasp – it never occurred to me that the next one would be even more gripping. This one certainly follows on very closely from the last, and I made the mistake of not reading straight away, so I had to take a little time to remember what had happened at the end. Fortunately, it quickly came back to me and I was able to slip back into the mind-set of DCI Jamie Carver and his team. Once more, the dominatrix from The Last Gasp, features heavily although not quite so immediately and we are thrown down dark passages into the world of sex-games – something that we got to find out quite a bit about in the previous episode. This one is even more intense and quite horrific in some of the graphic scenes that are played out, and murder is never far from everyone’s mind. Once more, the characters are realistic and believable, most of them we have met before, but there are a few new ones – one, in particular, who after a while endears himself to the reader with his innocence and naivety. There are plenty of twists and turns as we race into the gripping tension of this beautifully written novel, and the race to the bitter end comes fast and furious. The ending is high with tension and emotion, reaching a climax that is both satisfying and yet promises more to come. This time I am going to move immediately to the next in the series before I lose track of what is going on and can get into it more easily.
I highly recommend this trilogy – The Worshipper Trilogy – to anyone who likes fast paced and exciting thrillers. Robert F. Barker is an exceedingly good author and has certainly become one of my favourites.
March 22, 2019
Eighteen months after “solving” the Worshipper Case, Jamie Carver suffers from PTSD due to the trauma he personally endured in bringing the killer to what he thought was justice. Now people who played with the Worshipper, people from high places, are starting to die, and Carver knows when the full truth comes out, the personal and professional disaster will be felt in the highest levels of society and government. Maybe even some of Carver’s superior officers.
The book blurb describes this second book in the Worshipper Trilogy as “compelling story of intrigue, conspiracy, and brutal, bloody murder – one in which Jamie Carver finds himself up against people in high places, while forced to renew his acquaintance with the woman who, despite all his efforts, he cannot stop from haunting his dreams.” And that description is true.
This was another edge-of-my-seat read, sometimes hard to read because of the graphic nature of the crimes, but also hard to put down. The ending was a complete surprise, and left me breathless. I liked book 2 so much that I immediately (literally, while standing on the elliptical) bought book three so I could find out what happened. The stories always draw me in, but it’s the character development behind the stories that keeps me coming back for more.
These books are best read in order.
Oh, I was afraid that because the Worshipper series was labeled a “trilogy,” there would be no more Jamie Carver, but I saw that there was a book 4 in the series and I ordered that as well. Carver is a character I’ll want to follow for a long time.
The book blurb describes this second book in the Worshipper Trilogy as “compelling story of intrigue, conspiracy, and brutal, bloody murder – one in which Jamie Carver finds himself up against people in high places, while forced to renew his acquaintance with the woman who, despite all his efforts, he cannot stop from haunting his dreams.” And that description is true.
This was another edge-of-my-seat read, sometimes hard to read because of the graphic nature of the crimes, but also hard to put down. The ending was a complete surprise, and left me breathless. I liked book 2 so much that I immediately (literally, while standing on the elliptical) bought book three so I could find out what happened. The stories always draw me in, but it’s the character development behind the stories that keeps me coming back for more.
These books are best read in order.
Oh, I was afraid that because the Worshipper series was labeled a “trilogy,” there would be no more Jamie Carver, but I saw that there was a book 4 in the series and I ordered that as well. Carver is a character I’ll want to follow for a long time.
December 3, 2022
Major issue In a Brilliant Book….
Its’s a brilliant book, and if you haven’t read the 1st one would urge you to do so.
The ‘Elephant in the Room’ is that with a relatively small group of main characters, there’s obviously the secondary characters. Now while they, serve purpose in actual unexpected ways which is great for the story , there’s one that doesn’t.
A reappearance late on certainly has you scratching about trying to remember who they were and what was their place in the story but it soon becomes rather obvious like an Elephant trying to hide in a small room.
It’s satisfying however in the way books that run the ‘there’s a basic plot here but going to muddy the waters and try an confuse you, and then confuse you some more’ go about things.
It’s like opening a good champagne after having a bottle of a mildly corked wine, fizzes and pops and is generally excellent.
Recommended.
Its’s a brilliant book, and if you haven’t read the 1st one would urge you to do so.
The ‘Elephant in the Room’ is that with a relatively small group of main characters, there’s obviously the secondary characters. Now while they, serve purpose in actual unexpected ways which is great for the story , there’s one that doesn’t.
A reappearance late on certainly has you scratching about trying to remember who they were and what was their place in the story but it soon becomes rather obvious like an Elephant trying to hide in a small room.
It’s satisfying however in the way books that run the ‘there’s a basic plot here but going to muddy the waters and try an confuse you, and then confuse you some more’ go about things.
It’s like opening a good champagne after having a bottle of a mildly corked wine, fizzes and pops and is generally excellent.
Recommended.
November 19, 2019
Draws you in and holds you within its thrall.
As I have said before the actual emotions of Jamie Carver himself and his team bring this head and shoulders above other authors writing within the genre.
That brings a realism that's missing from most. The feelings of guilt, dread, depression as Jamie fights to end the case aren't overpowering the narrative but they lend a human aspect which is much needed in its competitors writing.
Fabulous!
As I have said before the actual emotions of Jamie Carver himself and his team bring this head and shoulders above other authors writing within the genre.
That brings a realism that's missing from most. The feelings of guilt, dread, depression as Jamie fights to end the case aren't overpowering the narrative but they lend a human aspect which is much needed in its competitors writing.
Fabulous!
January 15, 2018
Like last gasp a brilliantly executed work of fiction that is gripping to the end, showing complex psychological depth of knowledge
That makes the characters so real that u empathise with them and love\hate them depending on who they are
and what context they are to that part of the tale.
That makes the characters so real that u empathise with them and love\hate them depending on who they are
and what context they are to that part of the tale.
February 7, 2018
SEX DRUGS & ROCK AND ROLL
OK. So there's no ROCK and ROLL but everything else is here in part 2 of this trilogy by Robert F Barker. Carver and Jess are at it again chasing killers and trying to find out who is doing the killing. What a great story. I can't wait for part 3, hopefully it will be out in early 2018. This is another great series by a very talented writer.
OK. So there's no ROCK and ROLL but everything else is here in part 2 of this trilogy by Robert F Barker. Carver and Jess are at it again chasing killers and trying to find out who is doing the killing. What a great story. I can't wait for part 3, hopefully it will be out in early 2018. This is another great series by a very talented writer.
March 18, 2018
Two amazing books re DCI Carver. One book forces you to read the next. The twists and turns in both books involving the characters and their exploits really keeps you gripped waiting for the next event to lead you to the conclusion which is perhaps not what you expected.
When will the next book be out? I need to know what Megan will do next and what DCI Carver will do about it.
When will the next book be out? I need to know what Megan will do next and what DCI Carver will do about it.
November 17, 2018
FINAL BREATH by Robert V Barker
I rated this book a 5 star 🌟 , it was captivating from the beginning , I was constantly hoping to guess who the murderer was . The storyline was brilliant well written , exciting , yet disturbing . I will recommend this book to friends . I LOVED IT .
I rated this book a 5 star 🌟 , it was captivating from the beginning , I was constantly hoping to guess who the murderer was . The storyline was brilliant well written , exciting , yet disturbing . I will recommend this book to friends . I LOVED IT .
December 1, 2018
Time has past since Megan Crane was imprisoned for the murders committed. DCI Jamie Carver has been seconded to research all the information kept back from the trial concerning her network. Then a former member is found dead.
A very interesting and satisfying story but I would recommend reading Book One first.
A very interesting and satisfying story but I would recommend reading Book One first.
August 13, 2019
Great read.. Twists and turns till the end
Gripping follow up from last gasp. Lots of twists and turns. Great story line that follow the familiar characters and effects on their lives as they try to unravel the mysteries unfolding. Can't wait to read the final book out of air....
Gripping follow up from last gasp. Lots of twists and turns. Great story line that follow the familiar characters and effects on their lives as they try to unravel the mysteries unfolding. Can't wait to read the final book out of air....
September 28, 2020
Very slow start but does get rolling
Not one of his best in this series but a must read to continue with the story. Does have a very slow start but it does get rolling. Maybe it was me for waiting too long to move on to the next book that I lost my place for the story line but it did finally get going.
Not one of his best in this series but a must read to continue with the story. Does have a very slow start but it does get rolling. Maybe it was me for waiting too long to move on to the next book that I lost my place for the story line but it did finally get going.
February 6, 2024
No.2 in series of 7!! BRILLIANT!!
This book picks up the story about a year on from the first book. It’s a really brilliant story and don’t want to spoil it for new readers, but just START THE SERIES….. best books I’ve read in quite a while. Can’t recommend them highly enough… now off to get No. 3 in series.
This book picks up the story about a year on from the first book. It’s a really brilliant story and don’t want to spoil it for new readers, but just START THE SERIES….. best books I’ve read in quite a while. Can’t recommend them highly enough… now off to get No. 3 in series.
January 10, 2018
Intriguing storyline and characters with substance. However, like the first book, many spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors along with poor sentence structure that, at times, made for a frustrating read. Get yourself an editor! You are doing your readers and yourself a disservice.
February 10, 2018
Weird and wonderful
Loved this book. The main character s are so engaging. Fab storyline, keeps you wanting more. Now off to buy the next installment. Can't wait to get reading. Thanks Mr Barker. Your quickly becoming my favourite author.😀
Loved this book. The main character s are so engaging. Fab storyline, keeps you wanting more. Now off to buy the next installment. Can't wait to get reading. Thanks Mr Barker. Your quickly becoming my favourite author.😀
February 23, 2018
What a read.
Wow could not put it down. Book 1 and 2 are amazing, kept you on your toes as to what would happen next. Please more Jamie Carver and the story line cannot end there, what about Baggas and Jess, and where has Megan Crane gone, need to know more.
Wow could not put it down. Book 1 and 2 are amazing, kept you on your toes as to what would happen next. Please more Jamie Carver and the story line cannot end there, what about Baggas and Jess, and where has Megan Crane gone, need to know more.
April 26, 2018
Brilliant second book of the series, can't wait for the third
This trilogy is shocking, riveting, can't put down read. The main character Jamie Carver is someone you root for, the villain is clever deceptive and pure evil. An author I recommend to any thriller lover reader.
This trilogy is shocking, riveting, can't put down read. The main character Jamie Carver is someone you root for, the villain is clever deceptive and pure evil. An author I recommend to any thriller lover reader.
September 9, 2019
Final Breath
For adults only due to some of the issues discussed in the book. Masterful story by Robert F. Barker. Thrilling, intriguing, and a dci investigation like no other. Wow! I loved it.!!!!!!!!!
For adults only due to some of the issues discussed in the book. Masterful story by Robert F. Barker. Thrilling, intriguing, and a dci investigation like no other. Wow! I loved it.!!!!!!!!!
November 4, 2019
I must admit, that I did not see the twist and I had a completely different idea of whodunit, even from the detectives, so I was really pleased when I was surprised! A great read, and less predictable than the first. Really enjoyed this one, and am just about to start the 3rd!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2019
Great series
I'm enjoying this Jamie Carver series. It took a while to get into the first book Last Gasp but now I'm hooked. I'm looking forward to reading the next 3 books in the series.
I'm enjoying this Jamie Carver series. It took a while to get into the first book Last Gasp but now I'm hooked. I'm looking forward to reading the next 3 books in the series.
February 11, 2020
Truly compelling
This book is a seriously thrilling read from beginning to end. I feel as though I've lived through the investigation from each characters perspective. Wonderfully written
This book is a seriously thrilling read from beginning to end. I feel as though I've lived through the investigation from each characters perspective. Wonderfully written
March 3, 2020
Slow burner
Enjoyed the two books so far..at first I thought Nah! Give it up...but pressed on..and then all the groundwork started to come together....trying to guess the ending trying to guess whodunnit! Ended being a nice page turner...now for the final instalment....
Enjoyed the two books so far..at first I thought Nah! Give it up...but pressed on..and then all the groundwork started to come together....trying to guess the ending trying to guess whodunnit! Ended being a nice page turner...now for the final instalment....
January 16, 2021
Brilliant book Brilliant author a must read
Reading the series second time around. I read the first two books a while ago maybe 2 years ago but when I saw the series has been added to I read them again. Still giving me the tingles can't wait to find out what happens next.
Reading the series second time around. I read the first two books a while ago maybe 2 years ago but when I saw the series has been added to I read them again. Still giving me the tingles can't wait to find out what happens next.
July 11, 2021
Great story
This book was an interesting and fast paced read.
I found some of the reading enlightening as I never knew about them.
The characters were well developed and some very evil!
This book was an interesting and fast paced read.
I found some of the reading enlightening as I never knew about them.
The characters were well developed and some very evil!
August 2, 2021
Brilliant Second Book
I love the way these books are written. I found these books real page turners, and I believe it's the way police talk. I can't wait for the concluding book of this trilogy....
I love the way these books are written. I found these books real page turners, and I believe it's the way police talk. I can't wait for the concluding book of this trilogy....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews