Story and plot

This is a fast pacing story with 2 points of view : killer and detective. For the most part, the story seemed to be narrated by Dan Riley (the detective). Not until the middle of the book that we know that killer has a name, Rebecca Harper. This is quite interesting to expect because I’ve been waiting to know the background and of the killer. Because at times, she seems crazy but also she shows compassion to her victim. It’s a weird combination come to think of it. Usually when I read stories about serial killer, they were usually just mad, crazy, uncontrolled. Not this one.

All the murders look like suicide. At first glance, it does looks like it. But as the story goes, the murder is connected to the story of Goldilocks and the three bears: Daddy bear, Mummy bear and Baby bear. A calling card of teddy bear being left at the scene is what opens the clue. But not the killer.

The plot is so twisted that it is very unusual. Throughout the story, we were introduced to a kind of sadness that shrouds both the detective and the killer. Each has their own reason to be what they are now. It’s an interesting read when they actually met and connected with each other without really know who the other person is. I kept wondering during the entire book, until in the end they realize who they were in real life.

What I like from this story is the killer has good reason to kill all her victims. She just wanted to absolve her past. The killing is like repeating her past and it’s a very sad life. Reading her story makes me reflect to become a better parent. Although it’s just a story, but there’s a true ring in there.

The characters

Daniel Riley as the main detective character has an issue of moving on. He’s shrouded in sadness since his girlfriend is killed and he’s trying to continue on living (without much success). It’s quite cute actually to see a male character that is not all about testosterone. So…yeah…this guy might be too overly sensitive, but he got the job done.

Rebecca Harper, as the killer appears to be a tougher character here, judged by her messed up past. She was falsely accused, put in an asylum, stamped crazy and yet she survived.
The interesting part is when they both met on a date and doesn’t have a clue on what’s really going on! It’s so exciting to read it. The relationship between the characters is also entwined quite nice. Not too much drama apart from Daniel who seemed to be very blue during the whole story until the end.

The end

It’s not what I expected…but yes…it has an end for everybody.

I just want to quote the last excerpt from the book that touches my heart. It would apply to everybody. A very interesting quote to end the story and makes me wonder how’s the life of Detective Dan Riley on the next book. Can’t wait to read the next story in the series (if there’s one).

万事开头难 (wàn shì kāi tóu nán ) All things are difficult before they are easy.

Recommended for those who likes fast reading mystery & crime story with a very interesting plot twist, strong female character, unusual background story and killer.

I was given an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review

This is a breezy, satisfying way to pass a rainy day. It's a standard, by the books police procedural, enjoyable but not necessarily earth shattering , but that sometimes just what you need. The twist is that police officer is a sensitive man and the psychopath is a woman. 3.5 stars rounded to four

When you think of fairy tales you automatically think of the Disney effect, don't you? Well before Disney, fairy tales had a much darker heart and a much darker feeling, courtesy of the Brothers Grimm. Well Black Heart is a new take on an old classic with far more in common with the Grimm tales than the sparkly fairy dust, hearts and flowers.

This is a serial killer novel with a difference. A murderer with a very unique calling card and a disturbing story to tell. They are not unknown to the reader, their identity revealed very early in the novel, and indeed a proportion of the story told from their point of view. Their motives though ... not entirely clear. Their methods ... well it's almost old school in a sense but oh so effective. And as their plan is uncovered the end game stands to be the most shocking and potentially heartbreaking story of all.

The central protagonist in this book is Detective Inspector Dan Riley. Now this guy is broken emotionally having lost his partner and their unborn child some years before. He is still a very keen Detective but it is clear that he is hurting and decisions he makes in the course of the story have the potential to upend the investigation completely. We as readers know things that Dan doesn't and it makes this a very interesting premise. His story is told in first person narrative so we are privy to his emotions and decisions and it makes the book read more in the style of an American PI novel than your typical police procedural. It took a little getting used to at first but as I got to know Dan more I found the easy and open style of his narration made for a very exciting read.

The story itself is gripping as you can see early on where it is likely to be leading. You even know, to a certain extent, who one of the future victims may well be. And there are elements which will make you smile as the knowledge we have as readers is often something that the police have yet to discover. And there are certain aspects of the book, certain coincidences, which will make you smile as well as often despair.

The pacing of this book is not always the fastest, but there are some chapters where the level of jeopardy is high and you will be kept on the edge of your seat as you wonder how far the killer is willing to go. Can they truly be as heartless as their actions make them out to be or is there another side to them? As you learn more of the killers past, you may feel some empathy, perhaps even understanding, if not absolute forgiveness for their actions. Is there possibly any redemption for such a cruel killer? Well read the book and decide for yourselves.

I really liked the characters that the author created in and amongst Riley's team. Although Riley is the main officer on the investigation, and a lot of the action and investigation centres on him, there are other characters who have made an impression and I am intrigued to see how they are developed in future novels. PC Lucy Davis is one who I think has real potential, as does Riley's superior Woods who is harsh but has the best interests of his team in mind. And there are others, Martin Delaney for one, who looks set to be a thorn in Riley's side.

If you like your fairy tales with a darker edge, then this is the perfect read for you. An exciting opening to the series and I can't wait to read more about Dan Riley and his team.

When the body of a wealthy banker is found with his wrists slashed in a London hotel room, it appears to be a tragic suicide. Detective Dan Riley suspects there is more to this case than meets the eye. The pathology reports confirms the victim was poisoned and Dan is now dealing with a murder inquiry. As Dan begins to piece together the clues of this complex case, a woman is found in her bed with identical wounds. Dan is now on the trail of a twisted serial killer.

It's not often that we get a woman serial killer. Detective Dan Riley is still a bit broken after loosing his partner and their unborn baby to a drink driving incident 2 years ago. If I have one criticism of this storyline it's that Dan seemed to be entirely consumed by her death, but hopefully we won't hear so much about it in the next book. Apart from that Dan is a really good character. This is a well written, tense, fast paced page turning book. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Anna-Lou Weatherley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good start to a new series. Dan Riley is what some might call the standard tortured detective= but he's not. His girlfriend and unborn child were killed. He's now thrown himself into a gory and scary murder case. Is Goldilocks a serial killer? Why the Mama Bear,Papa Bear, Baby Bear thing? Why is she doing this? The story alternates between Goldilocks and Dan, which can be disconcerting at times but makes the plot zip along. Nicely and evenly written, with some twists even I didn't see coming. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is my first book rear by this aithor and I was impressed. Her characters were well designed.

This hadb he best opening chapter i have read in a long long time. It got me really interested in the story and the characters

‭#LastCry by Anna-Lou Weatherley
#NetGalley
31 Jan 2018

I just finished this excellent book from an author I have never heard but will definitely start looking for her previous books. She states that Detective Dan Riley’s character literally came out of her compulsively and she couldn’t NOT write about him soon enough and this really shows throughout the book. Detective Riley is a great cop who unfortunately had a personal loss in the not too far past but he tries to get over it by going online. That’s probably his first mistake because this just brings a whole lot of trouble both personally and career wise. There is some gore in the story line but should not be enough to turn readers away. This is absolutely one of those books where you stay up until you are done and the regret that it’s over and done. I thoroughly recommend it to all and I am very grateful to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for my unbiased review. If I haven’t said it enough: THIS IS A FABULOUS BOOK.

Last Cry by Anna-Lou Weatherley is the first book in the new Detective Dan Riley police procedural thriller series. But the first thing I want to mention is this one may be undergoing a title change before it’s release as my copy from Netgalley and the Goodreads listing of this one has it titled as Last Cry but the Amazon page is listing it as Black Heart, same book but conflicting titles on this one just yet.

Anyway, on to the story within this first installment of the series… The book is one that alternates the point of view between the killer in the story and our Detective Dan Riley. What is noticeable right away is this one goes for being different in the fact the killer is a female serial killer so that immediately had my attention and pulled me into the story. Her murders can be a bit on the graphic side and there is also a bit of animal cruelty so just a warning on both of those counts.

Dan was a likable character that I think readers will enjoy. He’s getting over the death of his long time girlfriend Rachel during the book so that gave him a personable side along with the tough detective side as the investigation goes on. Perhaps he does seem a bit obsessive over the loss of his ex but I think that will be toned down a bit as the books move on. In this one though it was nice getting to know him and his past as he took on this case.

By the time I was done reading this first installment I found myself looking forward to not only seeing what Dan’s next case would bring since this one had a unique quality to it but also where he will head in his personal life. A solid opener for this series that I think readers will enjoy.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

One would imagine that working in law enforcement can make a person immune to how awful humanity can sometimes be. You would imagine that every horrible crime you see hits up against your store of empathy, making you become hardened to the world and the work you do.

In the first of a new series, we are introduced to Detective Dan Riley, a man who two years ago through a drunk driving incident, had lost his girlfriend and their unborn child. Dan tries hard to forget but the love he had for this woman was all encompassing and he is left adrift in a sea of emotions. However, Dan is a cop and emotions are something of a luxury to what a policeman does.

There has been a death of a middle aged man in a hotel room. It is later discovered that it was a murder due to poisoning and wrists being slashed. Dan discovers links to a person named Goldilocks and the hunt is on. Is this person acting out of revenge or is there something else going on? Recalling the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, which the murderer seems to be emulating, Dan knows there will be other deaths. Before long he is right as another body, that of a woman turns up. Now all that is left is the baby bear in this macabre retelling of the story. Will Dan be able to find Goldilocks? Does he realize how close he is to the murderer?

I so liked the character Dan Riley that Ms Weatherley has created. He was complex but filled with empathy showing just how much he cared for those left after a crime was committed. He was not a hardened policeman, but one that seemed to be involved in the suffering of those that were left behind. He recalled so much of his time with his girlfriend, so much so that he was able to share the grief of those who loved the victims. I am glad that the author has decided that Dan will be back in the next book of the series.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. I am hoping that the next one will be as addictive as this book was.

What a change to have a female perp. Danni-Jo is an amateur serial killer. She sets up a fake suicide with one of her clients Nigel Baxter in the first chapter. We see inside the warped mind of this killer. She has no empathy or remorse. Dan is the investigative detective who has to unravel the mysteries as the killings continue. Dan is a recovering widower (or is he recovering??) and you discover how he tries to come to terms with his grief with online dating. Detectives certainly have to deal with some lewd, bottom-of-the-pile people. I bet it makes them hard to shock. It was an interesting read and I like a detective novel that defines the findings at an autopsy. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

Wow, this is one of those rare books where you find yourself so lost in the plot that it’s permanently attached to your arm! Detective Dan Riley, still grieving the loss of his girlfriend and unborn child is called to a suicide at a fancy hotel in London (although we already know this is no suicide)
Dan’s side is told in the first person, and we get some heartbreaking glimpses into his life without Rachel. The killers side, told in the 3rd person swings between psychotic killer and victim of terrible abuse and suffering! Excellently written, chilling and shocking in parts, It has left me wanting more, which to me is the sign of a great book! The author promises he will return, and I cannot wait to read more about dishy Dan Riley. Outstanding!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.

I want to start by saying I haven't read any of Anna Lou-Weatherley's and I understand that she has written quite a few romance books so I can't comment on her writing from Romance to Thriller!

Wow I loved this so much more than I was expecting to! I feel like I managed to fly through this and felt like this was such a well written book and was just a pleasure to read. And the plot, oh the plot was fabulous. It was such an interesting story and I really enjoyed the incorporation of Golidilocks and the 3 bears and the way that everything with killer was linked was great. The only thing I felt was left unfinished was how the killer had all the money to get the lovely flat that they were living in! But in all honesty, that was just one small thing and I really enjoyed everything else and felt it was wrapped up so well. The book was the perfect length and I didn't feel like it needed any more or that it was too long and dragged on.

I've seen a few reviews saying that they didn't like that Dan was so mopey about his dead girlfriend Rachel and that everything that happens or that he does reminds him of her and their time together. really enjoyed this aspect however; Dan and Rachel didn't simply split up, she was taken from him in a terrible unexpected accident which also killed their unborn child. I can therefore completely empathise with him not being able to let go of Rachel and her memory and it must be even harder for him since he's getting out on the dating scene and trying again. It made him seem human and like he had feelings which I think sometimes can get overlooked in police procedurals and they can end flat and emotionless.

This was told in a dual POV; the killers POV which is always intriguing and I loved seeing that point of view as you get to obviously see their motivations for the killings and why they're doing what they're doing. And it was even more intriguing in this book as we got to see the characters different personality traits coming through. The second POV is Detective Dan Riley and we follow him as he tried to get his dating life started again and also as he;s trying to suss out who the killer is.

“The Last Cry” by Anna-Lou Weatherly starts with a graphic descriptions of the violent killing of a man in an expensive hotel and the twisted, psychotic woman who committed the murder. London Detective Dan Riley is assigned to solve the case. Riley is a multifaceted character with a complex backstory that includes a girlfriend and unborn child who were killed in an accident.
Although the initial cause of death is suspected to be suicide or sex-for-hire gone wrong, Riley thinks the teddy bear left as a calling card hints that this might not be the case. Things get problematical when another body is discovered with the same teddy bear; the investigation team knows that something or someone very cruel is at work.
The story continues at a fast pace in narratives alternating between the killer’s point of view and that of Riley who is trying to find the killer before the body count rises again. This allows the reader to evaluate the events and the aftermath of the events from various points of view

The Last Cry” is a fast-paced book, with unusual and intriguing characters. I received a copy of “The Last Cry” from Anna-Lou Weatherly, Bookcouture, and NetGalley. I recommend it, with the caveat that it contains some graphic and violent content. This is the first book in the “Dan Riley” series, and I look forward to reading the next installment.

Nice to read a book with a female serial killer , that is not some thing I find myself saying very often and it does make a change, it also makes a change that we know who the killer is straight away.Interesting lead detective as well and the chase is on.I thought this had some great characters and the pace was good.I enjoyed reading this and look forward to more.

It is always tough when an author you love decides to start writing in a different genre, do you stay with them and trust that once a good writer always a good writer, or do you not take the risk even though you do like the new genre, and move on.



Well with Anna-Lou Weatherley has switched genres and its a very good effort, there are elements of this book that I absolutely loved while other sections that just frustrated me.



I loved the first couple of chapters, I was thinking, ok its a change of genre but this has a touch of the familiar about it, in terms of style etc.. The woman in the first chapter is a bit of an enigma and you learn quite quickly that she is key to the story and we keep getting insights into her every few chapters, which is a nice touch.



In the mean time we have Detective Dan Riley, who is clearly a detective who cares about justice and getting the right result, and finding the killer. In fact he has a fabulous intuition that makes him realise things about the case a lot quicker than other cops would have done.



However as much as I was interested in the solving of the crimes, and the motivation behind them, Dan on another level completely bugged me. Yes he was grieving but there seemed to be almost continual mentions of his "perfect" dead girlfriend, and the love they had, the relationship etc, that I think I sort of tuned those bits out in the end.



I found Last Cry to be interesting, and its certainly a promising first book in the series. For section of the book I was hooked but then, I found the story went a bit flat before picking up again. It just didn't grab me quite as much as I would have liked. That being said its clearly got good writing, and I loved the villain's storyline and found that great. There were also some bad attempts at humour that did have me smiling, only because the jokes were that bad.



I would definitely be interested in the next book of the series, as I think that as this author gets into her stride as a crime writer that she will be fabulous.



Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publishers, Bookouture, for this review copy given in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Kim from Bookouture for organising the Blog Tour!

My first Anna-Lou Weatherley book, and also the first in the Detective Dan Riley series. For information, this book is set in the UK, mainly in the London area.

The book begins right into the action with what looks like a suicide of a man in an exclusive London hotel room. But all is not as it seems for Detective Dan Riley and his instincts are confirmed when it’s revealed that the man died from being poisoned. Dan and his team come to a dead end when CCTV don’t show a clear view of the murderer’s face and are struggling to find any clue to the killer’s identity. Meanwhile in Dan’s personal life he’s still finding it hard to come to terms with the death of his girlfriend and unborn child in a car accident two years before. He feels it’s time to move on and looks into joining a singles dating site where he meets a woman called Florence. When another suicide comes in it’s clear they have a serial killer on their hands and when Dan finds a link between a Singles Dating site and a woman called Goldilocks it looks like the story of the Three Bears is being played out. Daddy Bear and Mummy Bear have been killed – can they get to Baby Bear before it’s too late.

Wow, what a book! I really enjoyed this one! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in less than a day!! It begins right into the action from page one and doesn’t let up until the end of the book. It makes a refreshing change to have a male detective lead as I’ve read so many books lately where the main lead is a woman! The book was fast paced and full of action, although maybe a little bit gory at times! It does have some sex scenes and some bad language, so just a warning for those who aren’t keen on that.

The main character is Detective Inspector Dan Riley. He’s a likeable cop but he’s also a quiet, brooding man who is still obviously struggling with the death of his girlfriend and unborn baby two years before. The book does cover his feelings about this quite a lot and, to be honest, it would have been just as good without him talking about her all the time, but I suppose that’s what his character is like and his loneliness is integral to the story. The other main character is obviously the killer. You do know who this is right from the beginning of the story, but you don’t get to find out why she does it until the end, which keeps the suspense going nicely throughout the book.

This was a great book, and like I said I really enjoyed it (as much as you can enjoy a woman on a killing spree!) The added extra with the Goldilocks and the Three Bears theme was different and made it stand out from all the other crime books that are around at the minute. The chapters were short enough not to get disinterested and long enough to keep the tension going. It kept me page turning right to the end and I was really rather disappointed when I’d finished it! Hopefully not too long until Book 2 of the series!

This is a fast-paced, gripping book with a compelling plot and intriguing characters that kept me guessing until the end.

Excellent story line and great main characters. I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend.

Really good read with great characters and the storyline was very interesting.

A new male detective series! Seems ages since I read one that wasn't a female. Detective Dan Riley is called to the scene of a suspected suicide at a top London hotel. It is not long before it becomes obvious that the victim was murdered. Dan and his team work to piece the clues together to try to stop this killer before they strike again.

I really enjoyed this book. The main character Detective Dan Riley is likeable and vulnerable. He is still in mourning 2 years after he lost the love of his life. He is sensitive to the victims families feelings and a dedicated cop. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Thanks o Bookotoure via NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions