The Final Game

Brock & Poole #5

by AG Barnett

With change brewing at Bexford police station, Poole is in need of a distraction and finds it in the form of a village pub team.

When one of his new social circle is murdered, however, he soon realises that he and his new partner need to find a way of working together, or the killer will go free.

Genres: Mystery

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2021

About the author

AG Barnett lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, daughter, three ridiculous spaniels, and four frizzle chickens.

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

End of a fun series

If you are looking for a short who dunnit with interesting characters, this is a great series. DI Brockbhas decided to take the promotion as chief after an injury in the previous book. So DS Poole is partnered with DS Anderson, a cop whom he doesn't get along with. Poole is now dating cop Danita Sanders. And Brock's wife Laura is due any day. Poole and Anderson are assigned the case of the murder of the younger wife of a country aristocrat, whom no body in the village liked. Lots of clues .

[Gabriela Galescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable

Barnett makes it all work: plot, characters, dialog. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

Only four stars because of the over the top ending. Poole solves the mystery while Brock and wife Laura are kept hostage by the criminal. If that’s not enough, we also get a fire, Laura gives birth in the burning room and in the end everybody survives and justice is served.

[annapi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brock is now Chief Inspector, and since Inspector Sharp retired, that leaves Poole and Anderson, who dislike each other, to become partners. Their partnership will be tested when they are put in charge of the murder of the wife of one of the local old-timers, who had antagonized everyone.

This was a better story than the others have been so far. The mystery was clever and I expected a dramatic ending, and was not disappointed. This one deserves 3.5 stars, and I will even round up.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely The Final Game as the final book in this series. Many changes come at the end. Sam Brock is prompted from Detective Inspector (DI) to Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) and Guy Poole is now with Anderson. Sam's first child is on the way while the team have to investigate the toughest case yet. This series has been fun to read from start to finish. Loved the characters and setting reminiscent of a British detective drama. It was great.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The game is a foot

There are many changes coming to the station and to Chief Inspector Brock’s life. His child is do any day, he is being promoted and they have a new case where everyone in the village had reason to kill the victim. Will Poole, Brock and now Anderson get the case cleared before the baby arrives? Another quick read, that can be read by any age range.

[Margene Bonachea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story, Woeful Editing/Proofreading

The crime is is well thought out and interesting but the plot errors and wrong words are distracting. It was enjoyable to meet the continuing characters again.

[Pamela Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Game

This final book of the series was one of the best. It had plenty of action, and so many characters was difficult to figure out who was the murderer. I really enjoyed this series and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Bobbie Weiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Anderson character ruins the story!! His character would never be allowed in any Police force!

I was enjoying the books until this one. Also, in real life Poole would not be forced to work with someone like Anderson

[Renette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable series. As I think about the primary characters in the Brock and Poole series, I remember that we are more alike than we are different. If we listen and give one another a chance, we won't always agree, but we can find common ground.

[John Keeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved This

A very, very interesting read. It flowed smoothly and there were plenty of suspects. I do have to admit, however, that I correctly identified the murderer after knowing all the suspects.

[Christine Herrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read wonderful plot

I have read all the Brock & Poole mysteries. Each book had humour and a fascinating and intriguing tale , that lead to wanting to read more. I highly recommend them.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Team dynamics have changed

Everyone's roles are expanding which causes some friction. They have a village of suspects who are not that sadden at the murder of the lady of the manor! I really hope this is not the last book in this series!

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good British police procedural mystery from A G Barnett.

[Wanda D. McAdams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful twisty read

Thank you AG Barnett! As always, a really masterful twisty read! When could we expect the next Brock and Poole mystery? Cant wait!

[Lisa T. Ungerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot ending

No spoiler here, but Brock, Poole, and the team work on a murder of an unlovable woman in a small village. Lots of people have motives, means and opportunity. Recommended

[Carol Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light vacation reading.

“Who done its” in rural British villages. Keeps you guessing until the very last chapters. Five books series with same Bexford police constabulary.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!

[Mary Seyler-Branford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one in the series

This is by far the best one in the series. I enjoyed the story and the characters and the timing and the continual camaraderie.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brock & Poole

I really enjoyed all five of these books and I hope there’s more to come. Fun and well plotted mysteries.

[Mrs Susan Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I am sorry this is the last book in the series, I have enjoyed all of it. I shall be sorry to see all the characters go.

[Beverly Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read but really close to an episode of Midsomer Murders! Who copied who?