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DCI Kate Daniels #8
Her Last Request
'Terrific' Ian Rankin
Some victims leave clues to their killers...
A Hidden Clue
A victim leaves a note for the SIO who will investigate her death. This not what DCI Kate Daniels expects to find concealed at a crime scene.
A Desperate Plea
The note contains a last 'Find Aaron'. But is Kate searching for a potential second victim, or a killer?
The Countdown is on...
Following the clues, Kate becomes the obsession of her adversary who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will she find Aaron before he does?
Some victims leave clues to their killers...
A Hidden Clue
A victim leaves a note for the SIO who will investigate her death. This not what DCI Kate Daniels expects to find concealed at a crime scene.
A Desperate Plea
The note contains a last 'Find Aaron'. But is Kate searching for a potential second victim, or a killer?
The Countdown is on...
Following the clues, Kate becomes the obsession of her adversary who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will she find Aaron before he does?
416 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2022
31 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Mari Hannah
25 books363 followersWhen an injury on duty ended my career as Probation Officer, I began writing. I am the author of the Kate Daniels and Ryan & O’Neil series published by Pan Macmillan and the Stone & Oliver series published by Orion. My debut, The Murder Wall, was written as a TV pilot for a BBC Drama Development Scheme - before the adaption. The novel won the Polari First Book Prize. Before becoming an author, I fell in love with scriptwriting and submitted speculative original dramas to the BBC Writersroom. I've also written a romantic comedy feature film that I hope will find a producer one day. In 2010, I won the Northern Writers' Award for my second novel, Settled Blood. And in 2017, I won the Dagger in the Library for my body of work. I'm represented by AM Heath literary agent, Oli Munson, and live in Northumberland with my partner, a former murder detective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
December 30, 2023
Mari Hannah is the multi-award winning author of the Kate Daniels, Stone & Oliver and Ryan & O’Neil series. An ex probation officer, Mari lives in rural Northumberland with her former murder detective partner. With a wealth of knowledge between them, this contributes to the success of the books she has written but it is the incredible writing talent this author possesses, that is her tour de force in the publishing industry.
“HER LAST REQUEST” is the gripping follow-up to Capital Crime’s ‘Crime Book of the Year’ - ‘Without a Trace’ and the eight book in the DCI Kate Daniels series.
- “A victim leaves a note for the SIO who will investigate her death. This is not what DCI Kate Daniels expects to find concealed at a crime scene. The note contains a last request: 'Find Aaron'. But is Kate searching for a potential second victim, or a killer? Following the clues, Kate becomes the obsession of her adversary who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will she find Aaron before he does?”
Living locally to the Northumbrian setting of the book, I loved how I was able to relate to the areas mentioned and therefore could visualise the scenes so much clearer. The multilayered plot was constructed and executed superbly and I could follow every twist and turn without confusion and I enjoyed following the clues. I was longing for the conclusion and to see justice done for the victim, who was so brutally murdered. The story unfolded perfectly and the prologue of the letter written by the victim, an emotional plea for help, not only caused a tear in Kate’s eyes but mine too. A powerful way to start a crime thriller and to instantly engage and intrigue the reader.
I’ve really to Kate and her second in command DS Hank Gormley, they are undeniably relatable, likeable and a pleasure to follow them through the harrowing cases that is . There was just the right amount of personal involvement, focusing only slightly on Kate’s private life with her partner Jo, which allowed for the full attention to be on the missing Aaron.
I’ve been following Mari’s stellar writing and the popular detective Kate Daniels all through her previous seven books and even though this book is number eight in the series, this reads very comfortably as a standalone, so absolutely no excuse for not reading this book!
#HerLastRequest - 5 well deserved stars
You can find out more about Mari Hannah and her books from the following link - https://www.marihannah.com or by following her on Twitter @mariwriter
“HER LAST REQUEST” is the gripping follow-up to Capital Crime’s ‘Crime Book of the Year’ - ‘Without a Trace’ and the eight book in the DCI Kate Daniels series.
- “A victim leaves a note for the SIO who will investigate her death. This is not what DCI Kate Daniels expects to find concealed at a crime scene. The note contains a last request: 'Find Aaron'. But is Kate searching for a potential second victim, or a killer? Following the clues, Kate becomes the obsession of her adversary who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will she find Aaron before he does?”
Living locally to the Northumbrian setting of the book, I loved how I was able to relate to the areas mentioned and therefore could visualise the scenes so much clearer. The multilayered plot was constructed and executed superbly and I could follow every twist and turn without confusion and I enjoyed following the clues. I was longing for the conclusion and to see justice done for the victim, who was so brutally murdered. The story unfolded perfectly and the prologue of the letter written by the victim, an emotional plea for help, not only caused a tear in Kate’s eyes but mine too. A powerful way to start a crime thriller and to instantly engage and intrigue the reader.
I’ve really to Kate and her second in command DS Hank Gormley, they are undeniably relatable, likeable and a pleasure to follow them through the harrowing cases that is . There was just the right amount of personal involvement, focusing only slightly on Kate’s private life with her partner Jo, which allowed for the full attention to be on the missing Aaron.
I’ve been following Mari’s stellar writing and the popular detective Kate Daniels all through her previous seven books and even though this book is number eight in the series, this reads very comfortably as a standalone, so absolutely no excuse for not reading this book!
#HerLastRequest - 5 well deserved stars
You can find out more about Mari Hannah and her books from the following link - https://www.marihannah.com or by following her on Twitter @mariwriter
January 17, 2022
I'm a fan of the Kate Daniels series and I thought this was a particularly good one, a massive page turner with an emotionally resonant plot.
A murder victim reaches out from beyond the grave, leaninv subtle clues to the perpetrator, this puts the team firmly in the firing line of a dangerous, unpredictable unknown suspect.
With themes of domestic abuse and coercive control, Her Last Request is a beautifully presented mix of mystery and thought provoking aspects, highly addictive with relatable characters.
Excellent.
A murder victim reaches out from beyond the grave, leaninv subtle clues to the perpetrator, this puts the team firmly in the firing line of a dangerous, unpredictable unknown suspect.
With themes of domestic abuse and coercive control, Her Last Request is a beautifully presented mix of mystery and thought provoking aspects, highly addictive with relatable characters.
Excellent.
May 23, 2022
Her Last Request is one of the best thrillers that I have read recently. I Loved the way the story was written with a clue from the victim found at the first murder scene which sets the detectives on their way to finding out who committed this horrific murder and why, but they don’t have much to go on.
From the first chapter, I was already hooked and eager to find out more.
The characters are described so well that they came across as very real. I especially appreciated the characters Kate and Hank as they are our protagonists who are solving the case, but I also enjoyed getting to know Lisa Carmichael and David Stone.
There are some dark and gruesome parts to this tale that adds to the storyline and the mystery throughout. There was also good use of descriptive language and lots of detail adding weight to the plot.
Her Last Request was gripping and a definite page-turner that kept my attention from beginning to end and I raced through it.
Well done author Mari Hannah this book is definitely a winner for me and I will recommend it to family and friends.
From the first chapter, I was already hooked and eager to find out more.
The characters are described so well that they came across as very real. I especially appreciated the characters Kate and Hank as they are our protagonists who are solving the case, but I also enjoyed getting to know Lisa Carmichael and David Stone.
There are some dark and gruesome parts to this tale that adds to the storyline and the mystery throughout. There was also good use of descriptive language and lots of detail adding weight to the plot.
Her Last Request was gripping and a definite page-turner that kept my attention from beginning to end and I raced through it.
Well done author Mari Hannah this book is definitely a winner for me and I will recommend it to family and friends.
January 14, 2022
Another addition to what is hands-down one of the most accomplished, and continually entertaining, crime series on the UK scene. Mari Hannah goes from strength to strength with the DCI Kate Daniels’ series and following on from the breath-taking global investigation in Without A Trace , Hannah has produced, what is to my mind, the most ingenious instalment of the series to date with Her Last Request.
The intricate plotting and slow unfolding of this investigation is completely flawless, showing both innate skill and an incredibly deft touch. The layers of complexity to what, in less experienced hands, could simply be labelled as hunt for a serial killer plays out beautifully, enveloping the reader in a clever and tightly controlled plot, with all the moments of peril, frustration and growing realisation of the extreme danger that this criminal protagonist poses to Daniels and her team. I particularly enjoyed the way that the victim, whose untimely fate opens the book has left a trail of clues and information, pre-empting the involvement of the police in the investigation of their death, and the way that Daniels has to gradually pick her way through the sometimes not entirely evident pointers that these will give her to unveil the killer, and protect those the victim has left behind. It’s not only clever but extremely compelling, perhaps more evident in how pleasingly difficult it was to actually put this one down for any length of time.
Although Kate Daniels is not put through as much of the emotional wringer as in the previous book, there is little doubt that this case presents its own dangers to Daniels on a personal and professional level. Once again, her job intrudes upon her personal space, putting those closest to her at risk, but also having a detrimental effect on the career of her loyal sidekick DS Hank Gormley, which adds a certain frisson to the investigation too. What always shines through, in Hannah’s depiction of Daniels is the way that this professional and dedicated police detective never loses sight of the victims, on whose behalf she seeks to attain justice, “Observing any victim alive when you’d already seen them lifeless always produced a strange sensation, an emotional pull she couldn’t quite explain, even to herself. the bond between the living and the dead seemed all the more poignant in this investigation.” She also refers to herself as “a lone voice in the dark,” summarising neatly the dedication she shows, sometimes against the voices of the powers that be, to single-mindedly attain justice for the voiceless. I was also delighted to see the appearance of another detective, DI David Stone, from Hannah’s other police series cropping up in this one, and the duality and compatibility of their characters, when pitched together during the converging strands of this investigation.
Setting the books in the North East perhaps influences my enjoyment to a greater degree, and Hannah balances perfectly her depiction of not only the rural bleakness of where the victim is discovered, but also giving the reader a clear depiction of the city of Newcastle itself- lively and pulsating, but with the inevitable criminal underbelly that lurks behind the bright lights of the city. Coupled with the ingenuity of the plotting, and Hannah’s always engaging characterisation, I think you can surmise that I really enjoyed Her Last Request. Highly recommended as ever, and already savouring the prospect of the next one to come.
The intricate plotting and slow unfolding of this investigation is completely flawless, showing both innate skill and an incredibly deft touch. The layers of complexity to what, in less experienced hands, could simply be labelled as hunt for a serial killer plays out beautifully, enveloping the reader in a clever and tightly controlled plot, with all the moments of peril, frustration and growing realisation of the extreme danger that this criminal protagonist poses to Daniels and her team. I particularly enjoyed the way that the victim, whose untimely fate opens the book has left a trail of clues and information, pre-empting the involvement of the police in the investigation of their death, and the way that Daniels has to gradually pick her way through the sometimes not entirely evident pointers that these will give her to unveil the killer, and protect those the victim has left behind. It’s not only clever but extremely compelling, perhaps more evident in how pleasingly difficult it was to actually put this one down for any length of time.
Although Kate Daniels is not put through as much of the emotional wringer as in the previous book, there is little doubt that this case presents its own dangers to Daniels on a personal and professional level. Once again, her job intrudes upon her personal space, putting those closest to her at risk, but also having a detrimental effect on the career of her loyal sidekick DS Hank Gormley, which adds a certain frisson to the investigation too. What always shines through, in Hannah’s depiction of Daniels is the way that this professional and dedicated police detective never loses sight of the victims, on whose behalf she seeks to attain justice, “Observing any victim alive when you’d already seen them lifeless always produced a strange sensation, an emotional pull she couldn’t quite explain, even to herself. the bond between the living and the dead seemed all the more poignant in this investigation.” She also refers to herself as “a lone voice in the dark,” summarising neatly the dedication she shows, sometimes against the voices of the powers that be, to single-mindedly attain justice for the voiceless. I was also delighted to see the appearance of another detective, DI David Stone, from Hannah’s other police series cropping up in this one, and the duality and compatibility of their characters, when pitched together during the converging strands of this investigation.
Setting the books in the North East perhaps influences my enjoyment to a greater degree, and Hannah balances perfectly her depiction of not only the rural bleakness of where the victim is discovered, but also giving the reader a clear depiction of the city of Newcastle itself- lively and pulsating, but with the inevitable criminal underbelly that lurks behind the bright lights of the city. Coupled with the ingenuity of the plotting, and Hannah’s always engaging characterisation, I think you can surmise that I really enjoyed Her Last Request. Highly recommended as ever, and already savouring the prospect of the next one to come.
January 1, 2022
*Spoilers*
I’m not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed by the end of this book. I felt like the killer was just some random guy that we found out about in the last few pages. Obviously we have his points of view throughout as he is watching Kate and keeping an eye of the investigation but I still feel like it came to nothing. He also spoke of Aaron as if he was an inconvenience and not his actual son. I enjoyed reading this, it was just a few things that I thought could have been better.
I’m not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed by the end of this book. I felt like the killer was just some random guy that we found out about in the last few pages. Obviously we have his points of view throughout as he is watching Kate and keeping an eye of the investigation but I still feel like it came to nothing. He also spoke of Aaron as if he was an inconvenience and not his actual son. I enjoyed reading this, it was just a few things that I thought could have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2022
Her Last Request is the eighth book in the DCI Kate Daniels series but my first, and I although there were backstories of which I was unaware, the author has written this so that new readers don’t feel disadvantaged by not reading previous books.
Her Last Request gets off to a chilling start with the prologue. A note written by the victim. They clearly know their fate and are hoping the note will be found by someone other than their killer. Without identifying anyone, it tells of physical and mental abuse suffered, ending with one last request – “Find Aaron”.
Kate Daniels and her team have a monumental task ahead of them. The killer has been careful to leave no evidence and the team have to first identify the victim, who has gone off grid for self protection.
Kate’s obsession with this case puts her relationship with her girlfriend Jo under strain. Jo as a profiler is also working on the case and sees how deeply it affects Kate. It feels personal to her and she goes above and beyond to get justice for the victim, despite knowing the personal danger it puts her in.
This really has a fast pace where the detectives never seem to draw breath. Kate is a whirlwind, often reckless with her own safety and one who doesn’t take any prisoners but she has the respect of her team. Her loyal DS, Hank, always has her back but in an unfortunate set of circumstances, he ends up needing her support.
Her Last Request is a dark crime thriller with a sadistic killer who always seems to be one step ahead. With themes of abuse and control the storyline has emotional depth as well as being an exciting and twisty read. With short punchy chapters it’s also an addictive one and although it’s over 400 pages, I raced through it.
I’m sure existing fans of this series will love this latest instalment whilst new readers like me, have found another series to follow.
Her Last Request gets off to a chilling start with the prologue. A note written by the victim. They clearly know their fate and are hoping the note will be found by someone other than their killer. Without identifying anyone, it tells of physical and mental abuse suffered, ending with one last request – “Find Aaron”.
Kate Daniels and her team have a monumental task ahead of them. The killer has been careful to leave no evidence and the team have to first identify the victim, who has gone off grid for self protection.
Kate’s obsession with this case puts her relationship with her girlfriend Jo under strain. Jo as a profiler is also working on the case and sees how deeply it affects Kate. It feels personal to her and she goes above and beyond to get justice for the victim, despite knowing the personal danger it puts her in.
This really has a fast pace where the detectives never seem to draw breath. Kate is a whirlwind, often reckless with her own safety and one who doesn’t take any prisoners but she has the respect of her team. Her loyal DS, Hank, always has her back but in an unfortunate set of circumstances, he ends up needing her support.
Her Last Request is a dark crime thriller with a sadistic killer who always seems to be one step ahead. With themes of abuse and control the storyline has emotional depth as well as being an exciting and twisty read. With short punchy chapters it’s also an addictive one and although it’s over 400 pages, I raced through it.
I’m sure existing fans of this series will love this latest instalment whilst new readers like me, have found another series to follow.
September 30, 2021
Once again, in Her Last Request, Mari Hannah delivers up an exceptional read featuring DCI Kate Daniels and the team. This story is absolutely a roller coaster of a ride in the true sense of the word and in my opinion, is her darkest, most compelling and thought provoking story so far. It is handled with amazing empathy and I have to admit I cried during parts of the story, so have your tissues at the ready. The prologue gave me chills and that feeling stayed with me throughout other parts of the book. The story has everything we have come to love with Mari’s books. It is gritty, humorous, emotional and totally action packed. The characters and places come alive on the pages and you are totally engaged from the first page to the last. This is 5 stars all the way and another sure fire success and deservedly so. I have said it before, Mari Hannah is the absolute Queen of the Police Procedural. If you don’t believe me, read her books for yourself, I recommend you start with The Murder Wall.
January 18, 2022
I have been a fan of Mari’s work for a while now. I have read and loved each and every book that she has released to date. I must admit that I have a particular fondness for the series featuring Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels. So when I heard that Mari was due to release another book in the series called ‘Her Last Request’, I knew that I had to read the book as soon as I could. It’s another cracker of a read and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Her Last Request’ but more about that in a bit.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘Her Last Request’. In fact I was addicted to the story from the moment I read the synopsis. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a distinct ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following morning but it was so worth it. The following morning I started reading the book again and I found I couldn’t stop. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen and I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. I soon got to the end of ‘Her Last Request’ and I had to say goodbye to DCI Daniels and her team. I found ‘Her Last Request’ to be the true definition of an unputdownable page turner of a read, which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Her Last Request’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing else from Mari Hannah. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be a compelling, dramatic and nail biting story. For me, the story hits the ground running and then maintains a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Her Last Request’ felt like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a minute to take a breather, gather your thoughts and reclaim your stomach then off the action would go again. I love the way in which Mari makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Her Last Request’ and I strongly recommend this book to other readers. I will most definitely be reading more of Mari’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘Her Last Request’. In fact I was addicted to the story from the moment I read the synopsis. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a distinct ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following morning but it was so worth it. The following morning I started reading the book again and I found I couldn’t stop. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen and I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. I soon got to the end of ‘Her Last Request’ and I had to say goodbye to DCI Daniels and her team. I found ‘Her Last Request’ to be the true definition of an unputdownable page turner of a read, which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Her Last Request’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing else from Mari Hannah. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be a compelling, dramatic and nail biting story. For me, the story hits the ground running and then maintains a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Her Last Request’ felt like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a minute to take a breather, gather your thoughts and reclaim your stomach then off the action would go again. I love the way in which Mari makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Her Last Request’ and I strongly recommend this book to other readers. I will most definitely be reading more of Mari’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
February 12, 2024
Yet again Mari Hannah has absolutely nailed it. She had me unable to sleep until I’d read this book because I needed to know after she found the victim would she find Aaron? My nerves were shredded by the time we got through the book as certain scenes were given to us. When things began ‘happening’ to Kate I was hoping that she and Jo weren’t going to be ripped apart again, or that something nasty wasn’t about to befall her friends. I felt the urgency building up, the stakes getting higher and I couldn’t put this down until I knew what had happened. There were some great characters who misdirected us and made us almost stop being open to the truth.
I feel like the series has got stronger, as the characters have grown together and matured in different ways. It does seem to have a lot more left to give. Some series run out of steam when they are longer running, but this one is getting stronger over time.
With thanks to Tracy Fenton for asking me to be on the #TeamDaniels project, to the publisher and the author for the books sent.
I feel like the series has got stronger, as the characters have grown together and matured in different ways. It does seem to have a lot more left to give. Some series run out of steam when they are longer running, but this one is getting stronger over time.
With thanks to Tracy Fenton for asking me to be on the #TeamDaniels project, to the publisher and the author for the books sent.
January 16, 2023
Een onstopbare Kate Daniels thriller
‘Haar laatste verzoek’ maakt mijn verwachtingen waar. Een ijzersterke thriller met bekende, zalige personages. Naais.
Auteur
De Engelse Mari Hannah heeft heel wat prijzen gewonnen. Terecht! Haar partner is een voormalig rechercheur (dat helpt uiteraard) en zelf werd ze aangevallen als reclasseringsambtenaar. Het einde van haar toenmalige loopbaan en deze aanslag inspireerde haar tot schrijven van misdaadverhalen. Gelukkig!
Cover
Heel herkenbare cover van de uitgeverij. Het geeft de isolate omstandigheden weer van de moord en meteen ook een metafoor voor de werkwijze en mindset van hoofdpersonage Kate Daniels.
Het verhaal
Een vrouwelijk slachtoffer vindt een gruwelijke dood in een afgelegen caravanpark, dat eigenlijk tijdens de winter gesloten is. Ze laat op slimme wijze een briefje achter. Teamleider bij de recherche Kate Daniels voelt meteen dat de aanwijzingen voor haar bedoeld zijn, hoe raar ook. De duidelijke verwijzing ‘zoek Aaron’ zorgt voor nog meer verwarring.
Kate onderzoekt op haar eigenste onorthodoxe wijze de levensloop van deze onbekende vrouw. Ondertussen tikt de tijd. En haar eigen leven komt in gevaar.
Mijn gedacht
Eigenlijk ben ik vanaf mijn eerste Kate Daniels thriller 'Spoorloos' enorme fan van Mari Hannah. Zij kan als geen ander een sterk plot neerzetten, waarbij je de complexiteit pas achteraf inziet. Haar personages staan als een rots en hebben heerlijke mooie en minder mooie kantjes.
Zelf twijfel ik enorm of de geplande TV-serie door het productiehuis van Stephen Fry voor mij een plusplunt zijn, want Kate bestaat in mijn hoofd. En stel dat de actrice afbreuk doet, haha.
‘Haar laatste verzoek’ maakt mijn verwachtingen waar. Een ijzersterke thriller met bekende, zalige personages. Naais.
Auteur
De Engelse Mari Hannah heeft heel wat prijzen gewonnen. Terecht! Haar partner is een voormalig rechercheur (dat helpt uiteraard) en zelf werd ze aangevallen als reclasseringsambtenaar. Het einde van haar toenmalige loopbaan en deze aanslag inspireerde haar tot schrijven van misdaadverhalen. Gelukkig!
Cover
Heel herkenbare cover van de uitgeverij. Het geeft de isolate omstandigheden weer van de moord en meteen ook een metafoor voor de werkwijze en mindset van hoofdpersonage Kate Daniels.
Het verhaal
Een vrouwelijk slachtoffer vindt een gruwelijke dood in een afgelegen caravanpark, dat eigenlijk tijdens de winter gesloten is. Ze laat op slimme wijze een briefje achter. Teamleider bij de recherche Kate Daniels voelt meteen dat de aanwijzingen voor haar bedoeld zijn, hoe raar ook. De duidelijke verwijzing ‘zoek Aaron’ zorgt voor nog meer verwarring.
Kate onderzoekt op haar eigenste onorthodoxe wijze de levensloop van deze onbekende vrouw. Ondertussen tikt de tijd. En haar eigen leven komt in gevaar.
Mijn gedacht
Eigenlijk ben ik vanaf mijn eerste Kate Daniels thriller 'Spoorloos' enorme fan van Mari Hannah. Zij kan als geen ander een sterk plot neerzetten, waarbij je de complexiteit pas achteraf inziet. Haar personages staan als een rots en hebben heerlijke mooie en minder mooie kantjes.
Zelf twijfel ik enorm of de geplande TV-serie door het productiehuis van Stephen Fry voor mij een plusplunt zijn, want Kate bestaat in mijn hoofd. En stel dat de actrice afbreuk doet, haha.
August 16, 2023
Was invested from the prologue and didn’t want to put this story down. It’s the first book I read in the Kate Daniels series but it sure won’t be my last.
Such an interesting case with so many twists and turns. I admire Hannah for her dedication in taking down her abuser. She truly did make this case from the grave.
Such an interesting case with so many twists and turns. I admire Hannah for her dedication in taking down her abuser. She truly did make this case from the grave.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2023
4,0 ⭐️
Recensie volgt nog...
Recensie volgt nog...
December 24, 2023
Oh this book broke me, the prologue was spot on. It was heart wrenching to read the clues that were left for Kate and seeing how her and the team follow these clues to find out what happened
I really enjoyed getting to know Stone and Carmichael more and was good seeing how the wider team worked together.
Roll on book 9 ❤️
I really enjoyed getting to know Stone and Carmichael more and was good seeing how the wider team worked together.
Roll on book 9 ❤️
November 13, 2021
I read the first four books in this series back in 2015 but I did not warm to the main character of Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels so did not bother to read the later books. However looking for something to read in the library I thought I would give this book (the eighth in this series) a go.
It's a bit far-fetched with the main story being about a murdered woman having left obscure clues about the identity of her killer. The clues had to be obscure in case the killer saw them and so would be able to destroy the evidence. It is a readable book but it did not really work for me. I doubt that I will read any more of the author's books.
It's a bit far-fetched with the main story being about a murdered woman having left obscure clues about the identity of her killer. The clues had to be obscure in case the killer saw them and so would be able to destroy the evidence. It is a readable book but it did not really work for me. I doubt that I will read any more of the author's books.
September 3, 2023
This book was an adventure from start to end. The chapters were very short but incredibly detailed and flowing. The story was incredibly thought out and I definitely did not expect the ending. Absolutely loved it.
November 14, 2023
Her Last Request is the 8th in the excellent Kate Daniels series. She is up against a dangerous foe and finds herself threatened. Mari is the best writer of Newcastle/North East crime fiction, her books keep you on the edge of your seat with realistic locations and characters whom you care about.
May 10, 2023
I did try to enjoy this book, I just wasn't feeling the story. I didn't finish this book.
January 29, 2022
How do you follow the absolutely thrilling, and emotional devastating, ‘Without A Trace’ ?
In Kate Daniels’ case, you move from a disappearing plane to what seems, initially, like a domestic violence case.
Found battered, beaten and bloodied on the floor of her rented caravan, in the middle of nowhere, Helen seems to be frozen in terror at the centre of a crime scene from hell.
A woman, paying 6 months rent in advance, in cash, with no last name given, or I.D checks?
This should have been raising red flags right form the moment she was discovered.
As Kate Daniels. perennially haunted by the dead , and fired by a need to bring justice to them, looks at this latest murder scene and gears herself to apologise, once more, to her wife for being home late-both knowing that she won’t, really, get home at all-she has no idea of the dark and twisted paths that this case will take.
”Detective work was often a hard slog-that was a given-but it was always fascinating and exciting, every shift different from the one before, and the one after. You could never describe it as mundane.Predictability didn’t come into it. Where violence was concerned, trying to second-guess the cruelty of one human to another was an impossible task. And just when you thought you’d seen it all, along came another low to change your mind.”
The difference with this case, what motivates Kate to claim the case for her squad, is a letter, a hidden letter from the dead woman, and it appears directly addressed to her.
This is how the book begins, with the letter directly addressing us, the readers, and the murder team.
Very rarely do the dead get a chance to speak, but this one time, they do. She has written , and hidden this letter, acknowledging a person, HIM, who is after her. She fully anticipates the inevitable nature of death, the only unknown is just how this unsub will make good their promise to end her life.
The last request of the title, a plea to find someone named Aaron, is the killer twist. Who is he? Does he even exist? Did she have a child who is need of protection that she has hidden somewhere? Is it the name of the killer, when she says ‘ find Aaron’ , what does that mean?
So, right from the beginning you start on the same footing as Kate, uncertain as to the identity of Aaron, outraged by the murder and moved to tears by this exhortation from an unknown woman.
And that, my friends, is the hook. I defy anyone to try and take a break or cheat on this novel with a side book, because it cannot be done I tell you.
By page 3, you are emotionally invested and riding shotgun with Kate.
She is professionalism personified, a woman who knows the value of her emotions and uses them to good effect, she does not deny herself as a woman in a same sex relationship, working in a career notorious for institutionalised racism, sexism, bullying and corruption.
Here, here is what makes Kate stand out and keeps you reading-she knows who and what she is and makes zero apologies for it. She stands for the dead, she stands for the integrity of her team, and they know, well and truly, who is the boss. She is flawed in that she has only one speed-fast-, a major flaw in any relationship is her workaholic nature, but this is a work in progress, not a finished article.
This is what has you returning again and again to Mari’s work, the air of authenticity wrapped in a female SIO, who wastes no time placing the victim at the center of each and every case. And with each novel, we get to know a little more about her and her past, slow reveals being absolutely my favourite, and a hallmark of a writer who knows exactly she is doing.
A new book by this lady is an absolute must buy for this reader, and I am so grateful to be running with Kate, and not from her. The woman is an unstoppable force of nature which criminals are resolutely not equipped to deal with.
In Kate Daniels’ case, you move from a disappearing plane to what seems, initially, like a domestic violence case.
Found battered, beaten and bloodied on the floor of her rented caravan, in the middle of nowhere, Helen seems to be frozen in terror at the centre of a crime scene from hell.
A woman, paying 6 months rent in advance, in cash, with no last name given, or I.D checks?
This should have been raising red flags right form the moment she was discovered.
As Kate Daniels. perennially haunted by the dead , and fired by a need to bring justice to them, looks at this latest murder scene and gears herself to apologise, once more, to her wife for being home late-both knowing that she won’t, really, get home at all-she has no idea of the dark and twisted paths that this case will take.
”Detective work was often a hard slog-that was a given-but it was always fascinating and exciting, every shift different from the one before, and the one after. You could never describe it as mundane.Predictability didn’t come into it. Where violence was concerned, trying to second-guess the cruelty of one human to another was an impossible task. And just when you thought you’d seen it all, along came another low to change your mind.”
The difference with this case, what motivates Kate to claim the case for her squad, is a letter, a hidden letter from the dead woman, and it appears directly addressed to her.
This is how the book begins, with the letter directly addressing us, the readers, and the murder team.
Very rarely do the dead get a chance to speak, but this one time, they do. She has written , and hidden this letter, acknowledging a person, HIM, who is after her. She fully anticipates the inevitable nature of death, the only unknown is just how this unsub will make good their promise to end her life.
The last request of the title, a plea to find someone named Aaron, is the killer twist. Who is he? Does he even exist? Did she have a child who is need of protection that she has hidden somewhere? Is it the name of the killer, when she says ‘ find Aaron’ , what does that mean?
So, right from the beginning you start on the same footing as Kate, uncertain as to the identity of Aaron, outraged by the murder and moved to tears by this exhortation from an unknown woman.
And that, my friends, is the hook. I defy anyone to try and take a break or cheat on this novel with a side book, because it cannot be done I tell you.
By page 3, you are emotionally invested and riding shotgun with Kate.
She is professionalism personified, a woman who knows the value of her emotions and uses them to good effect, she does not deny herself as a woman in a same sex relationship, working in a career notorious for institutionalised racism, sexism, bullying and corruption.
Here, here is what makes Kate stand out and keeps you reading-she knows who and what she is and makes zero apologies for it. She stands for the dead, she stands for the integrity of her team, and they know, well and truly, who is the boss. She is flawed in that she has only one speed-fast-, a major flaw in any relationship is her workaholic nature, but this is a work in progress, not a finished article.
This is what has you returning again and again to Mari’s work, the air of authenticity wrapped in a female SIO, who wastes no time placing the victim at the center of each and every case. And with each novel, we get to know a little more about her and her past, slow reveals being absolutely my favourite, and a hallmark of a writer who knows exactly she is doing.
A new book by this lady is an absolute must buy for this reader, and I am so grateful to be running with Kate, and not from her. The woman is an unstoppable force of nature which criminals are resolutely not equipped to deal with.
March 30, 2024
A great set up for a two-strand storyline, effectively a dual man hunt encompassing a race against time. The pacing is wonderfully judged and is given a great sense of urgency when the search for Aaron is on.
The plotting is cleverly done, initially there is so little to go on, but bits of information and further clues are drip fed into the storyline as it progresses. In one very clever scene, the victim manages to connect with Kate from beyond the grave, thanks to keen observation and some lateral thinking. This is by no means the only clue, but certainly the most memorable. It’s not all Holmes and Watson though as there is plenty of incident, moments of breathtaking suspense and some excellent action with real jeopardy introduced as well.
Being a Daniels and Gormley story it would be amiss if they didn’t fall foul of the brass hats and this time it appears to be serious. Kate managed to use up much of DCS Bright’s goodwill during her search for Jo and this time she feels powerless. In a fabulously simple but effective piece of writing cross pollination, this allows her to introduce the reader to Stone and Oliver, the lead characters in her other Newcastle based detective series. Most authors who write more than one series set them far apart, but as they are in the same proximity it makes perfect sense that they cross over at some point.
Character development adds so much to a long running series and following the dramatic events of Without a Trace there is a sense that time has moved on. Kate and Jo’s reconciliation appears to be working, albeit with the odd factious moment and the sudden reappearance of one of Jo’s sons. The fall out from the death of DI Robson is only now being felt and there was a more subdued feel to the incident room. This provides an opportunity for DS Carmichael to move up and for some a self-confident character she is less sure footed but proves her worth in an interview late in the story. She’s proving to be a bit of a chip off the old block. The reader also gets a nice little look behind the scenes of Hank’s home life.
The killer is particularly nasty, but also demonstrates a teeth gnashing arrogance that is almost as bad, one villain who deserves his comeuppance. The central theme is one of coercive control, of a man trying to control a woman to the point where she must go on the run to escape his clutches. A painful situation that is captured convincingly but also with a sensitive touch. This becomes an extreme example of an only too common situation, where women become trapped through no fault of their own.
The plotting is cleverly done, initially there is so little to go on, but bits of information and further clues are drip fed into the storyline as it progresses. In one very clever scene, the victim manages to connect with Kate from beyond the grave, thanks to keen observation and some lateral thinking. This is by no means the only clue, but certainly the most memorable. It’s not all Holmes and Watson though as there is plenty of incident, moments of breathtaking suspense and some excellent action with real jeopardy introduced as well.
Being a Daniels and Gormley story it would be amiss if they didn’t fall foul of the brass hats and this time it appears to be serious. Kate managed to use up much of DCS Bright’s goodwill during her search for Jo and this time she feels powerless. In a fabulously simple but effective piece of writing cross pollination, this allows her to introduce the reader to Stone and Oliver, the lead characters in her other Newcastle based detective series. Most authors who write more than one series set them far apart, but as they are in the same proximity it makes perfect sense that they cross over at some point.
Character development adds so much to a long running series and following the dramatic events of Without a Trace there is a sense that time has moved on. Kate and Jo’s reconciliation appears to be working, albeit with the odd factious moment and the sudden reappearance of one of Jo’s sons. The fall out from the death of DI Robson is only now being felt and there was a more subdued feel to the incident room. This provides an opportunity for DS Carmichael to move up and for some a self-confident character she is less sure footed but proves her worth in an interview late in the story. She’s proving to be a bit of a chip off the old block. The reader also gets a nice little look behind the scenes of Hank’s home life.
The killer is particularly nasty, but also demonstrates a teeth gnashing arrogance that is almost as bad, one villain who deserves his comeuppance. The central theme is one of coercive control, of a man trying to control a woman to the point where she must go on the run to escape his clutches. A painful situation that is captured convincingly but also with a sensitive touch. This becomes an extreme example of an only too common situation, where women become trapped through no fault of their own.
April 11, 2023
DCI Kate Daniels krijgt dit keer een ongewone aanwijzing; een van het slachtoffer zelf. Een slachtoffer heeft een briefje achtergelaten voor de rechercheur die haar dood gaat onderzoeken. Het was wel het laatste wat ze verwachtte te vinden op het plaats delict.
De brief bevat een laatste verzoek: Zoek Aaron. Maar is Kate opzoek naar een tweede slachtoffer of naar de moordenaar? Kate gaat op onderzoek uit en volgt de aanwijzingen. Echter raakt haar tegenstander geobsedeerd door haar en zal niet stoppen voordat hij krijgt wat hij wil. Lukt het haar om Aaron te vinden voordat het zover is?
Haar laatste verzoek is het achtste boek in de Kate Daniels serie geschreven door Mari Hannah. Voor mij is dit het eerste boek wat ik van haar heb gelezen en de auteur heeft het zo geschreven dat het ook helemaal niet nodig is om de eerdere boeken eerst te lezen.
Dit originele verhaal begint met een mysterieuze proloog, een briefje dat door het slachtoffer is geschreven in de hoop dat het door iemand anders gevonden zou worden dan de moordenaar. Zonder iemand te identificeren wordt er vertelt over het fysieke en mentale misbruik. Door Kate’s obsessie met deze zaak komt haar relatie onder druk te staan. Je ziet als lezer hoeveel deze zaak met Kate doet. Ze doet er alles aan om gerechtigheid te krijgen.
Het verhaal heeft een hoog tempo en is erg vlot en fijn geschreven. Het bevat heftige onderwerpen als huiselijk geweld en controledwang. Hierdoor heeft het verhaal veel emotionele diepgang. Spannend om te lezen dat de moordenaar het team van Kate Daniels altijd een stap voor lijkt te zijn. Alle (hoofd)personages vond ik erg goed en gedetailleerd beschreven. Als lezer kon je echt meelezen met de personages en dat vind ik belangrijk in een detective verhaal.
Ik las ook ergens dat er een tv-serie komt over Kate Daniels, ben hier echt heel erg benieuwd naar!
Kortom een spannend duister verhaal over een moordenaar die het team van Kate Daniels altijd een stap voor lijkt te zijn, met gedetailleerde beschreven personages en een goede spanningsboog.
De brief bevat een laatste verzoek: Zoek Aaron. Maar is Kate opzoek naar een tweede slachtoffer of naar de moordenaar? Kate gaat op onderzoek uit en volgt de aanwijzingen. Echter raakt haar tegenstander geobsedeerd door haar en zal niet stoppen voordat hij krijgt wat hij wil. Lukt het haar om Aaron te vinden voordat het zover is?
Haar laatste verzoek is het achtste boek in de Kate Daniels serie geschreven door Mari Hannah. Voor mij is dit het eerste boek wat ik van haar heb gelezen en de auteur heeft het zo geschreven dat het ook helemaal niet nodig is om de eerdere boeken eerst te lezen.
Dit originele verhaal begint met een mysterieuze proloog, een briefje dat door het slachtoffer is geschreven in de hoop dat het door iemand anders gevonden zou worden dan de moordenaar. Zonder iemand te identificeren wordt er vertelt over het fysieke en mentale misbruik. Door Kate’s obsessie met deze zaak komt haar relatie onder druk te staan. Je ziet als lezer hoeveel deze zaak met Kate doet. Ze doet er alles aan om gerechtigheid te krijgen.
Het verhaal heeft een hoog tempo en is erg vlot en fijn geschreven. Het bevat heftige onderwerpen als huiselijk geweld en controledwang. Hierdoor heeft het verhaal veel emotionele diepgang. Spannend om te lezen dat de moordenaar het team van Kate Daniels altijd een stap voor lijkt te zijn. Alle (hoofd)personages vond ik erg goed en gedetailleerd beschreven. Als lezer kon je echt meelezen met de personages en dat vind ik belangrijk in een detective verhaal.
Ik las ook ergens dat er een tv-serie komt over Kate Daniels, ben hier echt heel erg benieuwd naar!
Kortom een spannend duister verhaal over een moordenaar die het team van Kate Daniels altijd een stap voor lijkt te zijn, met gedetailleerde beschreven personages en een goede spanningsboog.
Read
June 7, 2023“Maar op datzelfde moment beukte een elleboog tegen het kleine ruitje van dubbel glas in de achterdeur. Het glas viel naar binnen en brak in stukken op de vloer. Een hand kwam naar binnen en draaide de sleutel om.”
Haar laatste verzoek is het achtste deel van de serie met Kate Daniels in de hoofdrol, het tweede boek dat in het Nederlands is verschenen. Het eerdere deel dat in het Nederlands verscheen is Spoorloos. Ik had tijdens het lezen (en luisteren) van Spoorloos vaak het gevoel dat ik iets miste. Er werd heel vaak verwezen naar situaties uit vorige delen, waardoor ik heel vaak het gevoel had dat ik niet mee was. Ik had het ook niet voor het hoofdpersonage Kate, ik vond haar in Spoorloos echt niet leuk overkomen, vaak heel erg egoïstisch, een hele negatieve tante zeg maar. Het verhaal in Spoorloos vond ik bovendien vaak niet geloofwaardig waardoor ik niet zo’n positief gevoel had na het lezen van dit deel. Toch wou ik Mari Hannah met haar Kate Daniels nog een kans geven, en begon weliswaar een beetje twijfelachtig aan Het laatste verzoek.
In Het laatste verzoek is een slachtoffer gruwelijk om het leven gekomen in een caravan, maar kon nog een briefje met noodkreet achterlaten op de plaats waar ze vermoord werd. Kim Daniels is geïntrigeerd door het onbekende slachtoffer, maar nog meer door het briefje met de vraag ‘Zoek Aaron’. Wat volgt is een zoektocht naar de identiteit van het slachtoffer en een zoektocht naar Aaron, waar je als lezer het onderzoek mee op de voet volgt en ook meehelpt denken hoe dit in elkaar kan zitten. Het verhaal krijgt je te pakken, ik was geboeid en zat er helemaal in. Door de korte hoofdstukken en eenvoudige schrijfstijl, met dialogen die minder stroef aanvoelen dan in Spoorloos, vlieg je echt wel door het boek. Deze keer vond ik het verhaal wel geloofwaardig en kon de personages veel beter plaatsen. Het verhaal voelde ook echt helemaal niet rommelig aan, maar best wel een goed degelijk spannend misdaadverhaal.
Het laatste verzoek vond ik echt wel beter geschreven, het verhaal is veel realistischer en geloofwaardiger.
Haar laatste verzoek is het achtste deel van de serie met Kate Daniels in de hoofdrol, het tweede boek dat in het Nederlands is verschenen. Het eerdere deel dat in het Nederlands verscheen is Spoorloos. Ik had tijdens het lezen (en luisteren) van Spoorloos vaak het gevoel dat ik iets miste. Er werd heel vaak verwezen naar situaties uit vorige delen, waardoor ik heel vaak het gevoel had dat ik niet mee was. Ik had het ook niet voor het hoofdpersonage Kate, ik vond haar in Spoorloos echt niet leuk overkomen, vaak heel erg egoïstisch, een hele negatieve tante zeg maar. Het verhaal in Spoorloos vond ik bovendien vaak niet geloofwaardig waardoor ik niet zo’n positief gevoel had na het lezen van dit deel. Toch wou ik Mari Hannah met haar Kate Daniels nog een kans geven, en begon weliswaar een beetje twijfelachtig aan Het laatste verzoek.
In Het laatste verzoek is een slachtoffer gruwelijk om het leven gekomen in een caravan, maar kon nog een briefje met noodkreet achterlaten op de plaats waar ze vermoord werd. Kim Daniels is geïntrigeerd door het onbekende slachtoffer, maar nog meer door het briefje met de vraag ‘Zoek Aaron’. Wat volgt is een zoektocht naar de identiteit van het slachtoffer en een zoektocht naar Aaron, waar je als lezer het onderzoek mee op de voet volgt en ook meehelpt denken hoe dit in elkaar kan zitten. Het verhaal krijgt je te pakken, ik was geboeid en zat er helemaal in. Door de korte hoofdstukken en eenvoudige schrijfstijl, met dialogen die minder stroef aanvoelen dan in Spoorloos, vlieg je echt wel door het boek. Deze keer vond ik het verhaal wel geloofwaardig en kon de personages veel beter plaatsen. Het verhaal voelde ook echt helemaal niet rommelig aan, maar best wel een goed degelijk spannend misdaadverhaal.
Het laatste verzoek vond ik echt wel beter geschreven, het verhaal is veel realistischer en geloofwaardiger.
July 1, 2023
So I will start with a disclaimer: I don't normally read murder mysteries that centre around police procedurals. But after my Gran enjoyed the Lucy Foley's I had lent her, she gave me a bunch of crime fiction in return.
The premise of this one intrigued me the most. A woman is murdered in her caravan and leaves a note for the detective to find. What's not intriguing about that?
Yet unfortunately, the style was too slow for me. I wasn't expecting it to be quite as ploddy. It felt way too methodical. In hindsight though, the story centres around murder detective, Kate Daniels, and her whole process of catching the victim's killer. So the methodical layout is probably a symptom of that.
I think if you have read all of the DCI Kate Daniels series, then it is probably a very enjoyable read. But if you're just a casual reader, who is not used to long detective novels that go through the whole murder investigation- bit by bit- then it can be quite trying. I however did appreciate that there is brief explanations of references to previous books, so I didn't feel too out of the loop with certain nods to the book's predecessors. Therefore Mari Hannah does at least make an effort in making the series easy to dip in and out of.
I found the ending very anticlimatic. It would've at least made more sense if the killer was the random Frenchman, Jean Cassel, Rather than some bloke called 'Dominic Clay' (whose name we don't know till the last 40 pages.) That being said, I appreciate Daniels' motive and how loyal she was to the victim. It had a very touching nod to the importance of seeking out justice for victims of domestic abuse.
Overall, I feel like I was hoping to enjoy it a lot more than I did. I had high expectations that didn't meet. I may read the other one that my Gran has lent me, but for now, I'm taking a break from police procedural fiction. This book has unfortunately put me off the genre.
The premise of this one intrigued me the most. A woman is murdered in her caravan and leaves a note for the detective to find. What's not intriguing about that?
Yet unfortunately, the style was too slow for me. I wasn't expecting it to be quite as ploddy. It felt way too methodical. In hindsight though, the story centres around murder detective, Kate Daniels, and her whole process of catching the victim's killer. So the methodical layout is probably a symptom of that.
I think if you have read all of the DCI Kate Daniels series, then it is probably a very enjoyable read. But if you're just a casual reader, who is not used to long detective novels that go through the whole murder investigation- bit by bit- then it can be quite trying. I however did appreciate that there is brief explanations of references to previous books, so I didn't feel too out of the loop with certain nods to the book's predecessors. Therefore Mari Hannah does at least make an effort in making the series easy to dip in and out of.
I found the ending very anticlimatic. It would've at least made more sense if the killer was the random Frenchman, Jean Cassel, Rather than some bloke called 'Dominic Clay' (whose name we don't know till the last 40 pages.) That being said, I appreciate Daniels' motive and how loyal she was to the victim. It had a very touching nod to the importance of seeking out justice for victims of domestic abuse.
Overall, I feel like I was hoping to enjoy it a lot more than I did. I had high expectations that didn't meet. I may read the other one that my Gran has lent me, but for now, I'm taking a break from police procedural fiction. This book has unfortunately put me off the genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2024
DCI Kate Daniels und ihr Team werden zu einem Feuer gerufen: auf einem Campingplatz hat ein Wohnwagen gebrannt, in dem eine junge Frau gewohnt hat. Der Brand wurde gelegt, um den Mord zu vertuschen. Vor ihrem Tod wurde das Opfer grausam verprügelt. Als die Spurensicherung den Wohnwagen durchsucht, finden sie einen Brief, in dem "Findet Aaron" steht. Aber bevor Kate und ihr Team ihn finden können, müssen sie erst einmal herausfinden, wer die Tote ist.
Es kommt nicht oft vor, dass jemand seinen eigenen Mord aufklärt, bevor er überhaupt geschehen ist, aber Hannah tut genau das. Immer wieder kommt es Kate so vor, als ob die Tote gewusst hat, dass sie in ihrem Fall ermitteln wird und direkt zu ihr spricht. Durch die Spuren, die Hannah vor ihrem Tod gelegt hat, erfährt Kate mehr als durch ihre Ermittlungen.
Hannahs Geschichte erzählt von einer Beziehung, bei der aus Liebe Kontrolle wurde. Von einem Partner, der nicht loslassen konnte und nach der Trennung seiner Exfreundin das Leben zur Hölle machte und von einer Frau, die nicht mehr weglaufen wollte.
Dieser Teil der Geschichte hat mir gut gefallen. Hannah hat ihre Hilfe an den Ermittlungen gut geplant und ausgeführt. Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, dass sie die Ermittler ein bisschen zu sehr an die Hand nimmt, aber das war für mich ok.
Kates Part fand ich dagegen nicht so gut aufgebaut. Sie kommt mir passiv vor und reagiert mehr auf Erkenntnisse, als dass sie proaktiv ist. Auch als sie in den Fokus des Täters gerät, ist das so. Sie glaubt nicht an eine mögliche Gefahr und gefährdet so auch die Menschen in ihrem Umfeld. Ähnlich wie das Opfer wirkt auch der Täter raffinierter als die Ermittler. Nach komplizierten Suche nach dem dem Täter war die Auflösung eher unspektakulär. Die Person hat für mich nicht zu dem gepasst, was er getan hat. Der letzte Eindruck aus dem Buch ist so nur durchschnittlich.
Es kommt nicht oft vor, dass jemand seinen eigenen Mord aufklärt, bevor er überhaupt geschehen ist, aber Hannah tut genau das. Immer wieder kommt es Kate so vor, als ob die Tote gewusst hat, dass sie in ihrem Fall ermitteln wird und direkt zu ihr spricht. Durch die Spuren, die Hannah vor ihrem Tod gelegt hat, erfährt Kate mehr als durch ihre Ermittlungen.
Hannahs Geschichte erzählt von einer Beziehung, bei der aus Liebe Kontrolle wurde. Von einem Partner, der nicht loslassen konnte und nach der Trennung seiner Exfreundin das Leben zur Hölle machte und von einer Frau, die nicht mehr weglaufen wollte.
Dieser Teil der Geschichte hat mir gut gefallen. Hannah hat ihre Hilfe an den Ermittlungen gut geplant und ausgeführt. Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, dass sie die Ermittler ein bisschen zu sehr an die Hand nimmt, aber das war für mich ok.
Kates Part fand ich dagegen nicht so gut aufgebaut. Sie kommt mir passiv vor und reagiert mehr auf Erkenntnisse, als dass sie proaktiv ist. Auch als sie in den Fokus des Täters gerät, ist das so. Sie glaubt nicht an eine mögliche Gefahr und gefährdet so auch die Menschen in ihrem Umfeld. Ähnlich wie das Opfer wirkt auch der Täter raffinierter als die Ermittler. Nach komplizierten Suche nach dem dem Täter war die Auflösung eher unspektakulär. Die Person hat für mich nicht zu dem gepasst, was er getan hat. Der letzte Eindruck aus dem Buch ist so nur durchschnittlich.
December 21, 2023
Yet again this is an amazing book and I think this may be my favourite in the whole series (even if I have rated every single book five stars!).
The idea that the victim left clues at their crime scene is an amazing concept and something I’ve never read before - with crime stories can often feel repetitive but not with Mari Hannah. As always the short chapters had me hooked and I couldn’t stop reading them! I found this such a page turner and just found myself saying on more chapter each time.
The case sadly puts Kate’s relationship with Jo through its paces as she is also involved in the case. Kate is often reckless with her own safety but ensures she solves the case and cares so much about the outcome it makes you root for her. The character development across this series has been amazing and makes you really engage with each one as if you know them personally.
This book feels more like a thriller than a straight forward crime book as the killer is crazy and sadisitc. The story cover abuse and control very well and makes you understand the case in great detail. There are some scenes that are a bit scary but nothing that would put me off reading this book.
I am so excited and sad to start on the final published (well soon to be published on the 18th January) installment of DCI Kate Daniels in The Longest Goodbye. I recommend everyone reads this series and I am so glad I finally read it as I wasn’t aware of this amazing series until this year. I love the fact I am able to support a north east writer on my account and I am going to get the other Mari Hannah books not in the Kate Daniels series.
The idea that the victim left clues at their crime scene is an amazing concept and something I’ve never read before - with crime stories can often feel repetitive but not with Mari Hannah. As always the short chapters had me hooked and I couldn’t stop reading them! I found this such a page turner and just found myself saying on more chapter each time.
The case sadly puts Kate’s relationship with Jo through its paces as she is also involved in the case. Kate is often reckless with her own safety but ensures she solves the case and cares so much about the outcome it makes you root for her. The character development across this series has been amazing and makes you really engage with each one as if you know them personally.
This book feels more like a thriller than a straight forward crime book as the killer is crazy and sadisitc. The story cover abuse and control very well and makes you understand the case in great detail. There are some scenes that are a bit scary but nothing that would put me off reading this book.
I am so excited and sad to start on the final published (well soon to be published on the 18th January) installment of DCI Kate Daniels in The Longest Goodbye. I recommend everyone reads this series and I am so glad I finally read it as I wasn’t aware of this amazing series until this year. I love the fact I am able to support a north east writer on my account and I am going to get the other Mari Hannah books not in the Kate Daniels series.
January 4, 2024
For all of you who have ben following my reviews for #TeamDaniels, you will know by now that I am a huge fan of this series of Mari Hannah books. Each book has just kept on getting better and better and darker and darker. Her Last Request though has really moved into the spine chilling, making my skin crawl scenario and had me looking over my shoulder to see who is around and watching !!!!
It doesn't make for an easy read, however you cannot put it down as you find yourself being drawn in to what is unravelling in front of your eyes and playing with your mind. The cleverness and ingenuity of the victim in giving kate the clues she needed is murder writing on an incredibly high level.
From the minute you read The Prologue letter you know that the story isn't going to make for easy reading whilst Kate doggedly perseveres in carrying out the victim's last request, whilst trying to catch her killer. There are so many aspects to this story that will leave you feeling uneasy and this is a sign of the high calibre of writer that Mari Hannah is.
it is best that you put a block of time to one side in order to read this as I found it is not a book that you can put down for long as you need to know what is going to happen next........and how.
Yet again another huge 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read from the pen of Mari Hannah.
It doesn't make for an easy read, however you cannot put it down as you find yourself being drawn in to what is unravelling in front of your eyes and playing with your mind. The cleverness and ingenuity of the victim in giving kate the clues she needed is murder writing on an incredibly high level.
From the minute you read The Prologue letter you know that the story isn't going to make for easy reading whilst Kate doggedly perseveres in carrying out the victim's last request, whilst trying to catch her killer. There are so many aspects to this story that will leave you feeling uneasy and this is a sign of the high calibre of writer that Mari Hannah is.
it is best that you put a block of time to one side in order to read this as I found it is not a book that you can put down for long as you need to know what is going to happen next........and how.
Yet again another huge 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read from the pen of Mari Hannah.
July 30, 2025
This week’s colour challenge from Tandem
Collective to choose “books with orange on the cover” is a great motivator to dip into the To Be Read shelf.
His Last Request by Mari Hannah was a Capital Crime book club selection back in April 2022 and has sat there ever since, for no particular reason - I wanted to read it but somehow didn’t pick it up and start 🤷🏻♀️
I’m glad to have read it now. Lead detective DCI Kate Daniels is hooked by a letter the victim of a particularly brutal murder appears to have sent her. The woman was in hiding from her coercive, controlling and physically abusive ex, and she left a note taped under a low-level shelf in her temporary home in the hope that a CSI would find it if and when her abuser tracked her down and murdered her.
This is both a clever device, drawing us readers right in from the start, and also something that requires us to suspend our disbelief - why wouldn’t she name the guy? The novel offers a couple of explanations, and you just have to pick one of them and make yourself believe it.
Because the rest of this story is utterly compelling. I was gripped. And only wish I’d picked it up sooner.
My first Mari Hannah novel, but it won’t be my last.
🧡🧡🧡🧡
Collective to choose “books with orange on the cover” is a great motivator to dip into the To Be Read shelf.
His Last Request by Mari Hannah was a Capital Crime book club selection back in April 2022 and has sat there ever since, for no particular reason - I wanted to read it but somehow didn’t pick it up and start 🤷🏻♀️
I’m glad to have read it now. Lead detective DCI Kate Daniels is hooked by a letter the victim of a particularly brutal murder appears to have sent her. The woman was in hiding from her coercive, controlling and physically abusive ex, and she left a note taped under a low-level shelf in her temporary home in the hope that a CSI would find it if and when her abuser tracked her down and murdered her.
This is both a clever device, drawing us readers right in from the start, and also something that requires us to suspend our disbelief - why wouldn’t she name the guy? The novel offers a couple of explanations, and you just have to pick one of them and make yourself believe it.
Because the rest of this story is utterly compelling. I was gripped. And only wish I’d picked it up sooner.
My first Mari Hannah novel, but it won’t be my last.
🧡🧡🧡🧡
January 20, 2022
Hannah is slowly but surely becoming one of my auto-but/auto-read authors; when it comes to crime, this author gets it 💪🏼💪🏼
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again… Hannah has such a talent for making you a fly on the wall with her writing. You’re dragged into the case as if it’s going on in real time around you. It’s intense at times and such an interesting plot!
It’s quite a long read for the genre at 399 pages (my edition), but there’s over 100 chapters, so they’re relatively short and snappy! You’re treated to the criminal’s perspective in odd chapters and you also have smaller storylines with other characters.
I loved how it ended - not quick where you feel dissatisfied (idk about you but that’s a big pet peeve for crime fic) and you get to unravel everything as time goes on.
There are many pieces to Her Last Request, and I think it was fab. It felt slow at times and there’s a lot of characters for my lil brain.
Gifted in exchange for an honest review
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again… Hannah has such a talent for making you a fly on the wall with her writing. You’re dragged into the case as if it’s going on in real time around you. It’s intense at times and such an interesting plot!
It’s quite a long read for the genre at 399 pages (my edition), but there’s over 100 chapters, so they’re relatively short and snappy! You’re treated to the criminal’s perspective in odd chapters and you also have smaller storylines with other characters.
I loved how it ended - not quick where you feel dissatisfied (idk about you but that’s a big pet peeve for crime fic) and you get to unravel everything as time goes on.
There are many pieces to Her Last Request, and I think it was fab. It felt slow at times and there’s a lot of characters for my lil brain.
Gifted in exchange for an honest review
January 13, 2024
Welcome back to another story for the amazing #TeamDaniels project, this is the penultimate one unfortunately.
This story begins with a prologue like no other I’ve read before, the victim has left a note outlining vaguely what’s happened to them and why but it’s all very cryptic and I was so intrigued but also puzzled.
The best way I can describe how I feel after reading this book is that my nerves are absolutely shot!.
I felt like I was hanging on to a rollercoaster too scared to let go Incase I fell, the whole story goes from one shock to another and I almost felt like I could see some of my favourite characters days coming to an end and I couldn’t bare it.
In a lighter note I enjoyed the little snippets into Kate’s home life now she’s settled with Jo and her family, I just loved it and it warmed my heart right up.
My next review in the next few days will be the latest book and the last for the this project.
This story begins with a prologue like no other I’ve read before, the victim has left a note outlining vaguely what’s happened to them and why but it’s all very cryptic and I was so intrigued but also puzzled.
The best way I can describe how I feel after reading this book is that my nerves are absolutely shot!.
I felt like I was hanging on to a rollercoaster too scared to let go Incase I fell, the whole story goes from one shock to another and I almost felt like I could see some of my favourite characters days coming to an end and I couldn’t bare it.
In a lighter note I enjoyed the little snippets into Kate’s home life now she’s settled with Jo and her family, I just loved it and it warmed my heart right up.
My next review in the next few days will be the latest book and the last for the this project.
August 27, 2022
This book was much better than the previous installment of the series, in my opinion. Killer opening, I was instantly intrigued, and thankfully, the procedural jargon was kept to a much more appropriate level of detail!
The choice to use both the murderer and the victim to (in a fashion) convey the plot to the reader was quite gripping. Some small portions were told - anonymously - from the murderer's perspective, which I felt definitely upped the tension and suspense in a big way - excellent choice by Hannah! I also found the victim as a person extremely compelling and enjoyed her posthumous involvement in the solving of the case.
Overall, the plot and tension in this book were much more dialed in for me. I would recommend it, particularly the very well-narrated audiobook - I'll very likely give this one a listen again sometime!
The choice to use both the murderer and the victim to (in a fashion) convey the plot to the reader was quite gripping. Some small portions were told - anonymously - from the murderer's perspective, which I felt definitely upped the tension and suspense in a big way - excellent choice by Hannah! I also found the victim as a person extremely compelling and enjoyed her posthumous involvement in the solving of the case.
Overall, the plot and tension in this book were much more dialed in for me. I would recommend it, particularly the very well-narrated audiobook - I'll very likely give this one a listen again sometime!
August 13, 2023
Once again, this author doesn't disappoint. Kate, Hank and the team investigate when a woman is murdered. A note is found which seems to send a final message to Kate.
I love the methodical way the team trawl through the very scant evidence left behind when it's clear the woman has used a fake name and was in hiding from someone. It never gets tedious as the investigation progresses. Kate seems to have a target on her back which ramps up the tension especially when efforts to get her out of the way escalate. I was pulled further into things as the story progresses and I found myself reading quicker and quicker to see what happened next. I especially enjoyed not being sure which were red herrings and which weren't. Also great to see Lisa stepping up more in this one and look forward to more of this in future books.
I love the methodical way the team trawl through the very scant evidence left behind when it's clear the woman has used a fake name and was in hiding from someone. It never gets tedious as the investigation progresses. Kate seems to have a target on her back which ramps up the tension especially when efforts to get her out of the way escalate. I was pulled further into things as the story progresses and I found myself reading quicker and quicker to see what happened next. I especially enjoyed not being sure which were red herrings and which weren't. Also great to see Lisa stepping up more in this one and look forward to more of this in future books.
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