Another thriller author to watch! Never Say Goodbye was a brilliant little thriller introducing Detective Fabian. Once again Bookouture nabs the talented thriller author!!

Seasoned detective Tom Fabian has a few things going on, he is getting over his divorce from his ex wife while trying to maintain a good relationship between her and his daughter. He is also trying to find a serial killer who has been stabbing innocent victims seemingly at random. Who is this killer and are they closer to home than he realises?

I thought this one was great. I was expecting Tom to be a little bit of a dry character, but I actually warmed to him quite quickly. A few of his decisions and actions left me a little stumped, but it didn’t deter me from enjoying the ride.

Never Say Goodbye
Other than his wife and daughter, I didn’t feel the other characters were particularly well developed, but I imagine that will happen in future books. Apparently the second one is out already.

There were a lot of suspects to choose from and I like that! I didn’t guess who it was, which is unusual for me because I’m generally onto it!

And that ending!!! WOW!!! Did NOT see that one coming! Can’t wait for the next one to see where that goes!

The writing was great, the story was engaging. I didn’t LOVE it, but I did really enjoy it and won’t hesitate to get the second one!

Would I recommend Never Say Goodbye?
Yes, I have a feeling most thriller fans will lap this one up! It was enjoyable, not too long and had some great twists and turns. And that ending was a BANGING CLIFFHANGER!

Many thanks to Bookouture and the author via Negalley for a copy of Never Say Goodbye to read and review.

Never Say Goodbye (what happened to the original title "Murder Map"?) is a fast-paced crime novel, featuring Detective Tom Fabian. The detective is likable, the story is suspenseful and well-paced, and the setting is great. I really enjoyed the book.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Bookouture Publishing and the Netgalley website for this partnership.

There is Tom Fabian who has to follow a murder map all over the city. Who's going to be next? He is being sidelined because since he arrested a famous killer there is nothing going on in his life as a detective. Until the day he goes to investigate murders where the names of the victims are street names that no one but himself had noticed. He's going to have to move fast before there's a next victim.

A first volume that I loved reading with a captivating story full of suspense and twists and turns. Looking forward to reading on.

Detective Fabian is feeling his age. Watching a younger detective lead his crew on the hunt for a serial murderer, Fabian wonders how long until he is put out to pasture. But when that younger colleague suddenly dies, Fabian is handed the case. And wow what a confusing case it is! In addition to police work, Mr. Parker is introducing the characters to the reader, as this is the first in a series. I felt he did a very nice job of this. The character background and development didn't overshadow the current story. I am looking forward to Fabian's next case!

There have been murders all over London and Tom thinks there is something that links them all together. But what is it? Just when he finds something that links them together, another murder happens and this time it puts his wife and daughter into harms way. This is a well written story that doesn't give anything away until it it time. If mystery is your favorite genre, then this book is for you.

DI Tom Fabian faces off with a killer on a mission in this first of a series, originally titled MURDER MAP. This is police procedural with a bit of personal drama thrown in, and focuses mainly on the investigation surrounding the murders of completely unrelated people though the same signature is present. Since the victims have nothing in common, it's been hard to get a feel for the case. The team is frustrated at their lack of progress and they can't seem to predict what or who might be the next intended. Why is this killer selecting these particular victims? The clues are slim and it's only with dedication to detail that the pieces finally start to come together. NO SPOILERS.

Tom Fabian is an older guy and is handed this case after the original DI died so the stakes are high and he wants and needs to solve it. He's not risk averse, but he's also sensible. He still seems to care for his ex-wife who has her own issues and he has a daughter who has now gone off to school so he worries about her well-being. It seems that there is a lot of room for character development if this series continues and I hope it does as it sort of ended with a walloping cliffhanger! At times it seemed to move rather slowly and the secondary characters definitely need some fleshing out in order to get that "team" feel. The main other character is DS Natasha Banner who seemed rather enigmatic. I'm looking forward to see where this goes next.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Should be 4.5!
Really love a good crime series, and this doesn’t disappoint. Grizzly murders, a good cop estranged from his wife, but still involved in his daughter and ex wives life.
Great energy, well written and likeable characters, I found it hard to put down., however, then the epilogue happened and I realised that this was inconsequential compared to what is going to happen in book 2! Oh my gosh I cannot wait!!
Recommend for sure!

This is the start of a new series from the author. It is a fast paced, well written story which will have you constantly trying to work things out.

I almost feel as if I want a prequel to totally understand what happened in Tom’s past which brought him to the place he finds himself at the beginning of the book.

The story flows well, the characters are written well and the storyline kept my interest throughout. I can’t wait to see what comes next for this series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

Couldn't put this book down and was actually annoyed I had to get some sleep and put it down for a bit! I gather this is going to be the first in a series involving Tom Fabian so I can't wait to read the next case. Quite a unique case and often, crime thrillers rehash similar crimes but I'm pretty sure I've not read anything like the connection between these murders and it made it pretty tense knowing that the murders were not as random as they first appeared and that time was running out for the next victims as a result. Highly recommend!

This is the first in the Detective Tom Fabian series and having read it I can't wait for the next one! Murders are being committed at an alarming rate. Detective Fabian is an older guy who takes over the investigation. He works out that the murders are connected to linked street names......but why?? The race is on in this fast paced, gripping book. Absolutely brilliant! Definitely five stars. Thanks Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book.

Finished this book in one sitting - simply couldn’t put it down. DI Tom Fabian has taken over a murder inquiry. Four people have been stabbed and mutilated but there doesn’t seem to be any connection between them or a motive for their deaths. Tom and his team finally find a connection but still have no leads as to who the killer is. Fantastic read from start to finish. Can’t wait for the next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley Bookouture and Richard Parker for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Never Say Goodbye by Richard Jay Parker
Series: Detective Tom Fabian Book #1
Publisher: Bookouture

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for the ebook ARC of Never Say Goodbye by Richard Jay Parker in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Tom Fabian is called in to lead the investigation when the body of an innocent woman is found stabbed in her bedroom. It’s the latest in a series of random murders all over London, which Tom suspects might be linked…but how?
Just when Tom feels that all of his leads have run dry, he discovers a startling connection between the victims. The killer is tracing a sinister web of murder through the capital - but where does it lead, and who is next?

But then another victim is found, just as Tom’s wife and teenage daughter, Tilly find themselves in grave danger. Is it a coincidence, or has his job put his family at risk? Has Tom accidentally sacrificed those he loves most to the darkest case of his career…and can he catch the killer before he strikes again?

Never Say Goodbye was previously titled Murder Map. I give this book a rating of 4 stars. This is the first book in the series featuring Detective Tom Fabian. This was a fast - paced thriller with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I found sometimes the booked seemed a bit longer at some of the slower parts in the novel but it still kept me wanting to read. I enjoyed the short chapters. The epilogue in the book hints of what is coming in the next book in the series. I can’t wait to read more about Detective Tom Fabian from Richard Jay Parker.

Never Say Goodbye is the first book in the Detective Tom Fabian crime thriller series. In this story, Fabian is investigating four murders. At first, the murders seem unrelated but soon Fabian discovers that they are all connected. There is a killer in London with a cold, systematic, killing strategy. The MO makes it hard for the police to accurately predict the killer’s next move. There are many potential victims and so the cops sort of have to play catch up as they try to stop the killer before another person ends up dead.

The story is narrated mainly by Fabian who is the lead investigator. A lot of focus is on the interviews because the carefully, planned attacks don’t leave much forensic evidence behind. At some point, I was suspecting everyone who was interviewed or even mentioned. Still, there is no way that I could have guessed the killer’s identity. There were a few chapters narrated by the murderer and these were so intense. My heart was racing with each attack. I kept hoping that the victims would get away. There is one particular attack that forced me to take a break from reading. It wasn’t graphic but I really sympathized with the victim. The villain’s POVs definitely sent the tension in the narrative, skyrocketing.

The ending was satisfactorily though kinda heartbreaking once you find out who the killer is and their motive. Although the case was solved, the book ends with what I assume to be an introduction to the next case. I think this one will be even more intense and I look forward to meeting Fabian again and getting to know him and his team even better.

There has been several people murdered by stabbing across London. The victims seem to have nothing in common - they represent different genders, ages, occupations. If it weren’t for the particularly gruesome signature the killer leaves behind, the murders would likely not have been connected. But DI Tom Fabian is convinced there has to be something linking these people, something that probably makes sense only to the killer. When he finally sees the connection, he knows that they have little time left to find the killer because, although the police know how the victims are connected, they still don’t know why or who, only that the killer is not finished. And the time between killings is narrowing.

Never Say Goodbye by author Robert Parker is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. There were times that the story seemed to get bogged down especially in the questioning of suspects. However, the use of short chapters and paragraphs keeps the story moving along at such a clip that even this doesn’t really affect the pacing. Overall, a quick, enjoyable read.

3.5

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

An amazing start to a new series. I loved the relaxed style of writing spiced with humour. It makes me smile while I'm reading. I like the short chapters and how the author brings out the human element in the characters, especially Fabian, the main character. You readily respond to his individuality and quirks, and it brings the scenes to life. It is a double-sided plot involving the professional and personal life of DCI Tom Fabian and his team. The bodies are piling up with the same MO and there are no clues or suspects, so the case is frustrating. The race to apprehend the killer is chilling, frantic and dangerous. I couldn't read it fast enough. Will they find the killer before there are more ruthless, mindless killings? It's the cliff-hanging ending that makes you gasp and long to read the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

When I finished this book I got to thinking about the way that in some mysteries the bad guy is someone known to the principals and sometimes they are not and the ways a good narrative makes either of these scenarios work. I'll try to develop this theme in this review without giving anything away about the plot of this particular book.

It's pretty common for the murderer to be someone that is part of the murder squad or police administration or the community or a person of interest. Here the key is to introduce the character without drawing undue attention to the individual. This works best with a fast-paced narrative with many red herrings. The reveal works when the reader can cast back over the course of the story and understand the deception and enjoy how well the author pulled it off. This fails when the villain is obvious from early on, or when the guilty party is so far outside the radar that the murder makes no sense. These two errors can be avoided if the author has a good set of readers who are able to give good advice.

The opposite scenario – that of an unknown murderer who is caught through the excellent detective work of our heroes – can also work beautifully – think "Silence of the Lamb" for example. It fails when the murderer is obvious to everyone but the detectives or when the murderer is too obscure – the barista from Chapter 1 or something. These errors too can be avoided if the author has a good set of readers.

I think this book fails in its logic and execution and that a good set of readers would have helped Mr. Parker immensely. Let's see how he does with the next one.

Review: NEVER SAY GOODBYE by Richard Parker

More twists than a rollercoaster and edge-of-your-seat tensely wrought suspense make a tremendously fast-paced novel from a prolific British author. A seemingly motiveless serial killer and victims with no commonalities keep the London Metropolitan Police detectives spinning in circles. Not until the end do readers discover the motivation, and the startling rationale behind this inexplicable series of seemingly random murders.

Wow! Bring on the next Tom Fabian installment. What a debut! I think I am a little hooked on what I hope is the beginning of a new series!

Gosh, I really don't know where to start! This was my first book by Richard Parker, but it won't be my last. And I was delighted to see that this is the first in a series.

I liked the character of Tom Fabian straight away. A decent man who works too hard, and who has damaged his family life as a result. He doesn't trust people easily, but is loyal to those he does. His small team are well described, Banner particularly, and I liked her immensely.

Fabian unexpectedly finds himself in charge of an enquiry into several seemingly unconnected murders, although all the victims have wounds to their faces. Eventually, Tom is able to link the murders, but he can't stop the body count increasing.



The story goes at a cracking pace - it hits the ground running and just keeps going. The opening chapter is an absolute corker! It really sets the scene and tone for the rest of the book. Every so often there is a chapter from the killer's point of view, which allows us to see his thoughts as he commits the murders, and the last desperate actions of his victims. These chapters are very effective.

I didn't guess who the murderer was, or what his motive was, and I just love it when that happens! The ending actually made me a little sad and slightly conflicted. I can't explain why without spoilers so you'll just need to read it yourselves to find out why!

There is a subplot featuring Fabian's daughter Tilly, her mother and her ex boyfriend. The tension is ramped up regarding this, and it looks like Tilly might feature in the next book. The ending of the book, the last paragraph, is fabulous, and left me longing for the next book.

I enjoyed Never Say Goodbye from beginning to end. It's a strong, original story that just races along. If you like an intelligent, exciting police procedural, you'll love this. Roll on book 2!

Having loved his previous three books, Follow You, Hide and Seek and Keep Her Safe, Richard Parker has become an author whose novels I eagerly anticipate. Those previous books have been standalone thrillers but Never Say Goodbye is the first in a series and I was intrigued to read it.
When an elderly woman is murdered in her room, she's the latest victim of a serial killer but there are no suspects so far and the investigation has stalled. Tom Fabian was responsible for solving a previous high-profile case but his relationship with his superior officer is strained and he wasn't originally given this one. However, when his counterpart dies suddenly, he is handed what has become somewhat of a poisoned chalice, given that the only connection between the victims is that each has been killed with a knife and then brutally slashed on the face. Fabian eventually realises there may be a tenuous link between them but it only really informs him that the list of potential next victims is disconcertingly long.
As the first in a series, Never Say Goodbye has to feature an engrossing plot but it also needs to introduce a cast of characters who we want to see more of and it succeeds on both counts. DI Tom Fabian isn't a maverick, loose cannon sort of officer; he's a middle aged man who knows there are younger officers snapping at his heels but he is still dedicated to his job. He has a good, professional relationship with DS Natasha Banner, they share a mutual respect although she is an intensely private person and they aren't close enough to be friends. The book recognises the toll that police work puts on families but he is still friends with his wife, Harriet - their decision to separate was made before the job totally destroyed what they had. Their teenage daughter, Tilly is headed for university which means they both face some uncertainty about what it will mean for them. Tom realises Tilly needs her space but his experiences mean he is understandably fearful of her safety away from his protection.
The body count inevitably rises and the mystery becomes ever more puzzling with the few suspects identified each having their own secrets and decidedly questionable alibis. Though most of the novel follows the police investigation, some chapters show the killer at work as he watches his next victim before murdering them. These scenes are not especially graphic but they still leave no doubt as to the brutality of the attack. The creeping sense of dread once his course is set is truly sinister and then Richard Parker cleverly focuses on the desperate actions of the victims in their last few moments when their fear is almost palpable.
Never Say Goodbye is a superb police procedural, with a chilling and accomplished plot set in the labyrinthine streets of London with its long history of vicious murders. There's a real authenticity to the proceedings throughout too - this is a result tenaciously ground out, with the officers forced to work in a police station where the heating isn't functioning despite it being a freezing October. The conclusion to the case is breathtakingly shocking and then just when I thought Richard Parker couldn't spring any more surprises, the ending left me open-mouthed and desperate for the following book. I can tell already that the Tom Fabian series is destined to become one of my favourites and I can't wait to see what happens next!