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The Freeman Files #5
Final Deal
Will the frantic search for DI Suzie Ferris and her kidnapper have a successful outcome?
Can Gus end the careers of the corrupt senior officers behind her disappearance?
Despite everything the Crime Review Team has another cold case to unravel.
Dennis Gates was shot dead in August 2010. His killer was never found.
The team members have their own crises to face. Will they buckle under the pressure?
Dennis Gates, a forty-nine-year-old car dealer was murdered in Marlborough, in August 2010. The police believed it was a possible contract killing. A young man drove onto the forecourt of the garage, pulled up by the office door, and calmly walked around the front of the car. Gates came to the door expecting to greet a potential customer, and the killer swung the gun up and fired twice from point-blank range hitting Gates in the throat.
Can Gus end the careers of the corrupt senior officers behind her disappearance?
Despite everything the Crime Review Team has another cold case to unravel.
Dennis Gates was shot dead in August 2010. His killer was never found.
The team members have their own crises to face. Will they buckle under the pressure?
Dennis Gates, a forty-nine-year-old car dealer was murdered in Marlborough, in August 2010. The police believed it was a possible contract killing. A young man drove onto the forecourt of the garage, pulled up by the office door, and calmly walked around the front of the car. Gates came to the door expecting to greet a potential customer, and the killer swung the gun up and fired twice from point-blank range hitting Gates in the throat.
178 pages, ebook
Published May 12, 2020
186 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Ted Tayler
79 books299 followers Ted Tayler is the international best-selling indie author of the Freeman Files and Phoenix series. Ted lives in the English West country, where his stories are based. He was born in 1945 and has been married to Lynne since 1971. They have three children and four grandchildren.
His thought-provoking mysteries appeal to readers of Sally Rigby, Joy Ellis, Pauline Rowson, and Faith Martin. His action-packed thrillers are a must for fans of Mark Dawson and J C Ryan.
Gus Freeman’s cold case investigations are carried out with reasoned deduction rather than bursts of frantic action. In each of the 24 books, unsolved murders are accompanied by romance, humour, and country life. The core message in the 12 Phoenix novels is that criminals should pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, the current system fails to deliver the correct punishment, so Phoenix helps redress the balance.
His thought-provoking mysteries appeal to readers of Sally Rigby, Joy Ellis, Pauline Rowson, and Faith Martin. His action-packed thrillers are a must for fans of Mark Dawson and J C Ryan.
Gus Freeman’s cold case investigations are carried out with reasoned deduction rather than bursts of frantic action. In each of the 24 books, unsolved murders are accompanied by romance, humour, and country life. The core message in the 12 Phoenix novels is that criminals should pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, the current system fails to deliver the correct punishment, so Phoenix helps redress the balance.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 17, 2020
Gus Freeman heads the Crime Review Team looking at cold cases.
Dennis Gates was shot dead in August 2010. His killer was never found. The powers that be wants Freeman's unit to fail .. for their own nefarious reasons.
Final Deal is like getting two stories at once. The stories are intricately woven with criminals, corrupt senior law officers, culminating with the kidnapping of one of their own.
Despite being told to not work the cold case, Gus and his team manage to keep their investigation secret while looking for their colleague.
The pressure is on....
Well written, as all the stories in this series, the plot is tightly woven and features the same skillfully drawn characters in the lead. Secondary characters kept me riveted to the pages from the very first to the very unexpected ending. Although 5th in the series, I highly recommend starting with the first book and read in order.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Dennis Gates was shot dead in August 2010. His killer was never found. The powers that be wants Freeman's unit to fail .. for their own nefarious reasons.
Final Deal is like getting two stories at once. The stories are intricately woven with criminals, corrupt senior law officers, culminating with the kidnapping of one of their own.
Despite being told to not work the cold case, Gus and his team manage to keep their investigation secret while looking for their colleague.
The pressure is on....
Well written, as all the stories in this series, the plot is tightly woven and features the same skillfully drawn characters in the lead. Secondary characters kept me riveted to the pages from the very first to the very unexpected ending. Although 5th in the series, I highly recommend starting with the first book and read in order.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 22, 2020
I like this series as I’ve gotten attached to the characters.
Somewhat dismayed in that the author never finishes a story. I’m sure it’s his way of continuing purchase of his books to finish the last chapter of the previous book.
After reading the first 5 novels I now am waiting for the 6th to be written so I can see the outcome of the major plot line in the last two books.
Somewhat dismayed in that the author never finishes a story. I’m sure it’s his way of continuing purchase of his books to finish the last chapter of the previous book.
After reading the first 5 novels I now am waiting for the 6th to be written so I can see the outcome of the major plot line in the last two books.
September 15, 2020
Magnificent, indeed!
Tayler pens another remarkable story in Final Deal, part of his Freeman Files series. I've read the books that came before, and will read whatever comes after. I try to read anything that Tayler writes. I am a big fan of Tayler's work. Tayler's characters come to life, and have a lot of depth and layers. Tayler is a wonderful storyteller, but more like he shows the story, rather than just tell it. Gus and his crime review team are on another interesting case, filled with action and intrigue. I loved Tayler's previous series, and this one, I love, too. Gus is one of those unforgettable characters, and he's on a mission with his team. There is great magnetism between he and his team. The author's technique of intense characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Tayler pens another remarkable story in Final Deal, part of his Freeman Files series. I've read the books that came before, and will read whatever comes after. I try to read anything that Tayler writes. I am a big fan of Tayler's work. Tayler's characters come to life, and have a lot of depth and layers. Tayler is a wonderful storyteller, but more like he shows the story, rather than just tell it. Gus and his crime review team are on another interesting case, filled with action and intrigue. I loved Tayler's previous series, and this one, I love, too. Gus is one of those unforgettable characters, and he's on a mission with his team. There is great magnetism between he and his team. The author's technique of intense characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
June 17, 2023
Enjoying this series. Keeps you wanting more and Ted does not disappoint. He keeps you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns and guessing on who did it. Surprising at times and yet after all is written in the Freeman Files all comes together. While this is going on another case is on the go behind the scenes in finding what the connection is between Culverhouse and Sandra Plunkett and were they involved in a hit and run accident that killed a young man. Corruption in high positions in the police department does not sit well with Gus. Hopefully we will find out in the next book if the information gathered will bring justice to all.
September 19, 2020
A great author, keeps you on the edge of your chair while making his chapters human
Have read four of his freeman file books and find them all captivating , suspense full, exciting , and believe able. As an elderly reader I can associate with the main character “ Gus freeman”. His ability to lead his team, understand there personal problems, and his advise to them makes the stories interesting and believable. A great read looking forward to more stories in this series.
Have read four of his freeman file books and find them all captivating , suspense full, exciting , and believe able. As an elderly reader I can associate with the main character “ Gus freeman”. His ability to lead his team, understand there personal problems, and his advise to them makes the stories interesting and believable. A great read looking forward to more stories in this series.
October 13, 2020
I had to download this book for some closure after reading Book #4. Not all the story lines are completed at this end of this volume but I think I can give it a bit of a breather before I buy #6.
As before I like a police procedural and the relationships of the team members. I'm not as happy about Gus Freeman's choices in his own romantic relationships but we shall see how that plays out!
As before I like a police procedural and the relationships of the team members. I'm not as happy about Gus Freeman's choices in his own romantic relationships but we shall see how that plays out!
October 29, 2022
Book 5 of 13. This one wove two stories together with the bonus that the reader could deduce the villain for the cold case. Still waiting for the corrupt ball to drop.
I actually read the paperback, not Kindle edition. As I am not a Goodreads librarian, I cannot add the ISBN 9798645568016 paperback edition printed by Harmsworth House in 2020. Not sure when the rules changed as I was able to add books in the past.
I actually read the paperback, not Kindle edition. As I am not a Goodreads librarian, I cannot add the ISBN 9798645568016 paperback edition printed by Harmsworth House in 2020. Not sure when the rules changed as I was able to add books in the past.
June 8, 2023
Gus and his Crime Review Team reopen the case of a used-car dealer murdered in 2010. The victim was popular, bur he had a troubled childhood that he said little about, even to his family. The team investigates the details of the victim's past in order to uncover a motive for the murder.
Meanwhile, Gus and the CRT are also helping to bring to light a 2012 crime that two police officials are trying desperately to cover up.
Meanwhile, Gus and the CRT are also helping to bring to light a 2012 crime that two police officials are trying desperately to cover up.
October 6, 2020
Well Written Mystery
Another excellent book in this series. Not only is the mystery a good one, but the personal lives of the characters are also wonderful to follow. I really like Gus Freeman and the members of his team. I haven't figured out a solution yet, and I like it that way. On to the next book in the series!
Another excellent book in this series. Not only is the mystery a good one, but the personal lives of the characters are also wonderful to follow. I really like Gus Freeman and the members of his team. I haven't figured out a solution yet, and I like it that way. On to the next book in the series!
January 2, 2021
Another brilliantly written story even more in love ith Gus Freeman now, what an absolute
delight. Wonderful reading can't wait for the next, remi nds me a little of early Poirot, I read as a young person. Ve ry hard to put down will miss it when the series ends lets hope its ongoing. Much joy to look forward to.
delight. Wonderful reading can't wait for the next, remi nds me a little of early Poirot, I read as a young person. Ve ry hard to put down will miss it when the series ends lets hope its ongoing. Much joy to look forward to.
August 4, 2022
Excellent
Each book gets better. The characters are fantastic. Just like on tv when you have your favorite actor or actress, these books are like that, you pick your favorites by how they are written in the story. Alex and Neil feel like 2nd string but Lydia and Luke come through like first string. Gus's women are just too nice about sharing
Each book gets better. The characters are fantastic. Just like on tv when you have your favorite actor or actress, these books are like that, you pick your favorites by how they are written in the story. Alex and Neil feel like 2nd string but Lydia and Luke come through like first string. Gus's women are just too nice about sharing
May 27, 2020
Can't wait for the next one
I have read all the Freeman Files as they are called, there only one left, I am sorry to say
I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone , but please, start to read them from the first one or you will be a little confused. They are a really a good read.
I have read all the Freeman Files as they are called, there only one left, I am sorry to say
I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone , but please, start to read them from the first one or you will be a little confused. They are a really a good read.
May 27, 2020
I enjoyed all five books. The five books were beautifully written with the stories following each other therefor it was easy reading with my feet up. I was looking forward to more reading in book five. Will there be a book six? Good story line. Well written
September 12, 2020
It was ok
I am not pleased with the relationship between Gus and Suzie. Maybe the author would like a youngster as a companion. Hopefully the next book will not continue with it. The author states the father likes Gus and appears to approve. That is unrealistic.
I am not pleased with the relationship between Gus and Suzie. Maybe the author would like a youngster as a companion. Hopefully the next book will not continue with it. The author states the father likes Gus and appears to approve. That is unrealistic.
November 25, 2020
When is Final not really the end?
Mr. Taylor has several plot lines going in this story and not all of them get resolved! Gus is balancing a lot of dishes in the air and the stress starts to get to him!
Mr. Taylor has several plot lines going in this story and not all of them get resolved! Gus is balancing a lot of dishes in the air and the stress starts to get to him!
March 26, 2021
Final deal
Another Ted Taylor book featuring Gus Freeman and his crime solving crew of police. A little unrealistic that they take a co,d case and are able to solve in less than 2 weeks. This book featured an auto dealer killed in cold blood.
Another Ted Taylor book featuring Gus Freeman and his crime solving crew of police. A little unrealistic that they take a co,d case and are able to solve in less than 2 weeks. This book featured an auto dealer killed in cold blood.
January 10, 2022
A very good book and definitely the best after the first two books. I hoped some of the questions from third book will be answered, but looks like the answers have to wait until the next book. And like teh previous book in this series, this one has two cases, a live one and a cold one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2023
DI Suzie Ferris has been kidnapped. Is it at the bequest of Culverhouse and Plunkett, who are still being investigated by Freeman and his team. But they also have a cold case to solve, that of the fatal shooting of Dennis Gates in 2010 at the age of 49.
An entertaining modern mystery
An entertaining modern mystery
June 6, 2020
Hope they find the evidence of police misconduct of 2 high ranking police officials and their henchman.
September 16, 2020
A case a week, a book a day!
December 4, 2022
Enjoyed it
June 19, 2025
Continuation of book 5. Gus still involved with two women. Investigates another cold case about the murder of a car repair business
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews