Ex-MP Gideon Fitzroy died in a car accident. At his funeral a young woman makes an appearance. She introduces herself as Blake, daughter of Fitzroy who disappeared aged fifteen. There are those present who know that she can't possibly be who she says she is; they saw her being buried- didn't they? However that can't say that publically! John Blake, a Met detective on medical leave had been asked to quietly investigate Fitzroy's death soon finds himself embroiled in the questions Blake's return throw up.

This was an engaging police procedural with interesting characters & numerous twists & red herrings- what's not to like? Often the start of a new series is devoted to setting out the main characters. However the story does not seem too bogged down with that. The author seems happy for things to be released as the story goes on. I really enjoyed this book & look forward to seeing how it goes forward from here. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I had a tough time with this one. I did with my review too as my thoughts were all over the place, There are a lot of characters here and I have to admit I was a little lost in the beginning. I was half way through when I started feeling I understood who was who when I was reading, I was intrigued with Detective Byron and Blake was a diamond in the rough. Byron and Blake were 'foes, friends and both searching for their own truth. There are plenty of twists, several interesting characters and a few *what* moments. I was so not please with the situation at the very end, but it does entice you to look for the answer. If you didn't think reviews help, I can attest they do. I was so lost in the beginning I was hesitant about finishing. As reviews popped up I was like, wait, what? I was compelled to finish, I am glad I did, Thank you Bookouture, NetGalley and Zoe Sharp for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions

If a gripping thriller you can't put down is your need
This could be the book that you next need to read!
I was given a complementary copy of this book,
Here's my honest review, please take a look!

It is a decade since fifteen year old Blake disappeared
But as her father was buried her family she neared.
No one had heard of her in all those years
Her reappearance has some facing old fears!

They don't believe she can be Blake at all
As they murdered her and watched her fall
Dead and buried for all this time
How can she be back? To make them pay for their crime?

This is an enthralling, intriguing crime thriller
One in which you're unsure just who is the killer.
There's family drama and secrets galore
With a healing detective trying to investigate some more.

Detective John Byron is on a secret investigation
And never expected to be drawn to this returning relation.
Why does he feel drawn to this impertinent stranger?
Can he trust Blake, is she a threat or a danger?

Set in Derbyshire, in many places I go,
Made it even more pertinent to me, I know.
It is a real page turner with great characters, too,
The first in a new series, I highly recommend to you!

The Last Time She Died is the first book in a new series. I liked the setting as the area is fairly local to me and I found the read to be fast paced and I devoured it in two sittings. I look forward to reading further books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

3.5 stars
This is a good read but it’s a bit of a slow burner.
Byron attends a funeral and spots someone who doesn’t quite fit in.
There’s then a report of a break in at the deceased’s home and Byron finds the girl there from the funeral.
After some difficult questions the girl says she is Blake, the daughter of the man who has just been buried.
Blake hasn’t been seen for ten years so those around her are very suspicious.
Byron shouldn’t really be working as he is on leave but something about this whole situation has him intrigued.
A few secrets are uncovered and it’s all pulled together at the end of the book, but it just took too long to get there for me.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Following the funeral of former MP Gideon Firzroy the family gather for the will reading. But his widow and family are surprised by the arrival of Blake who claims to be his daughter. But is it really Blake as some people are convinced that she's been dead for 10 years, as they were the ones to kill her. Detective John Byron is sent by his commander to try to discover if Fitzroy was unlawfully killed but ends up caught up in other investigations
This novel was a slow burner for me, I struggled to get into it at the beginning but all the confusion was cleared up towards the end which was strong. A solid start for a possible Blake and Byron series. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

What a fantastic start to a new series with Blake and Byron.

I loved the repartee between the two characters and as the pages flew by I was more and more intrigued.

Blake comes back on the day of her father's funeral after having disappeared 10 years ago.

She isn't exactly greeted with open arms.

No one seems to believe her and as Byron investigates the twists and turns are many.

Mysteries within a mystery.

I highly recommend this new series by Zoe Sharp and I will be first in line for Book 2 of the series.

I am intrigued to see what will happen between Blake and Byron.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for captivating read.

It’s always time to celebrate when Zoë Sharp publishes a new book; it’s really time to pop the corks when she publishes the first book of a new series. So here is The Last Time She Died first book in the Blake and Byron Thrillers. Remember not to shake the bottles.
Right off the bat we know someone is presumably dead and buried; most likely one of two young teenaged girls. One of those possibilities, Blake Fitzroy shows up the day of her father’s funeral after being missing for ten years. Is it actually Blake, or is it the other young teen? It has been ten years since Blake disappeared and there could be a large fortune involved. We all know how money brings out the best in people.
Gideon Fitzroy was a sitting MP until he suddenly resigned, citing his second wife and her children as the reason. A few years later he dies in a single car accident with his two stepchildren in the car.
Met Detective Superintendent John Byron has been on medical leave for the last year. His boss has asked him to go Derbyshire and unofficially give Fitzroy’s car accident a quiet look to make sure there was nothing but a wrong place, wrong time accident.
Byron is very well known in the Met, his mid-thirties age young to be a DS. He was also involved in a terrorist incident that that few people, including co-workers, know much about.
There is really no one who can say for sure that Blake is who she says she is, ten years is a long time gone, going from 15 to 25 a tremendous change. A neighbor says she is sure Blake is Blake and not some woman running a con on a grieving family. No one else is convinced including Byron.
Byron finds himself drawn to Blake, an odd situation for a senior Met officer, even odder that his boss senses his ambivalence and encourages him to pursue Blake. He settles instead for mostly believing Blake and joining forces with her, because it seems as soon as Blake has returned, events have started heating up.
Sharp is a brilliant writer. She was masterful in her ability to invoke the terror, and then hope of two young girls making a last desperate bid for survival, knowing that no one in their small hamlet can be trusted. No escape, no reprieve for either of them, then the lovely magic moment when they realize that perhaps there might be a chance for both of them.
The twists and turns provide an exciting ride, some of the twists are predictable, others are jaw dropping; all make sense.
Sharp gained fame as an action writer with her Charlie Fox series, plenty of action here, but the concentration is on the vivid characters, whether it was the lonely Lily, deeply missing her step father, or the purported Blake who wasn’t even reported missing when she disappeared. Two young girls, separated in age by by thirteen years, same father figure, with differing experiences and perceptions of Gordon Fitzroy.
It is easy to see how this will be a continuing series, so many bits of information dropped leading to many threads to follow up in the next books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zoë Sharp for an ARC for review purposes.

I was practically dizzy from those twists and turns. What an incredibly build up and ending. Highly recommend.
The death of Gideon Fitzroy disrupts the sleepy village of Derbyshire. Lily and Tom were in the car with Gideon when he died - both lucky to escape. But Commander Daud has asked Detective Superintendent Byron to look closer - something does feel right.
Especially after Blake returns - ten years after she went missing. Is she really Blake? Several villagers know this is impossible - ten years earlier three went into the woods but only two came out.
While Byron quietly investigates, Blake performs her own inquiries. The funeral, reading of the will, tense family relationships - all create an intense plot you can't walk away from.
Perfectly timed gasp out loud twists, family truths and dark secrets revealed. Zoe Sharp has become an author I will follow.

The Last Time She Died is the first of a new series Blake and Byron as the main characters.

Blake returns home on the day of her father's funeral after having been missing for ten years. His newest wife and family are not happy and question if she is really Blake as well as what does she want now that she has returned.

There are multiple mysteries within the story, all intertwined and waiting to be unraveled with the truth. This was a slow burn story going back and forth from the present to the past and back again to a strong ending. As the twists are revealed the reader may or may not be sure what is really the truth until the final reveal.

The Last Time She Died by Zoë Sharp is the first of the Blake and Byron Thrillers. The novel features Detective Superintendent John Byron of the Met and savvy young Blake. Byron is on sick leave and is unofficially looking into the death of former MP Gideon Fitzroy. Blake is Fitzroy's daughter who vanished ten years earlier when she was fifteen and has turned up for her dad's funeral... but is it really her?

Set in the Derbyshire Dales, this was a top-notch read for me. It's told from a variety of viewpoints which can overwhelm but was done well here and I liked the character of Byron whom I found to be brooding but shrewd and talented. The ending drops hints of what's to come next and I'm definitely keen to see where this series will go.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

A very interesting start to this new series. Although a little confusing in the beginning, once the characters and story begin to take shape…a fascinating read. When Blake Claremont returns after a ten-year absence, on the day of her father’s funeral, his new family are not prepared for her return. They thought she was dead, especially those who were responsible for her death. If they did not kill her, who did they kill? Detective John Byron is in the area recovering from a previous case that has left him emotionally and physically scarred. Tasked with discovering if Blake is the returning daughter or a con artist, he finds himself oddly attracted to her. It seems as if someone doesn’t want Blake alive. Is it the ones who thought they had killed her or the new family who were shocked at the reading of the will? As secrets from the past are revealed, there was more than murder taking place at Claremont. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Wonderful nail-biting thriller and a must read. The pace of the book continued throughout and there wasn't any lag anywhere. One disappointment was there wasn't any depth added to Byron's character to prove his intelligence or explain his past. Hopefully it would come up in the upcoming books of this series. Great job by the author.

The Last Time She Died by Zoë Sharp is the 1st in the Byron and Blake series, and as I read it, the "Blake" part of that series continually came into question.  Interesting!

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Information:  DS John Byron, in his mid-30's is on medical leave from the police services. Blake Claremont is a con artist who grew up on the streets.  Two very different people, working together.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The day of Gideon Fitzroy's funeral takes a turn when the daughter that has been missing for 10 years makes an appearance.  But is the woman claiming to be Blake the real deal?

DS John Byron, although on medical leave, has been asked to investigate.  He was at the funeral to see if he could determine if Fitzroy died from a car accident, or had been murdered.  Now, he is looking into the mysterious Blake.

Fitzroy's second wife Virginia, and her children 12 year old Lily and 15 year old Tom have been living on the estate for six years, along with Virginia's brother Roger.  If Blake is the long-lost daughter, repercussions are a given.

So many questions.  Why did Fitzroy step down from his parliamentary seat?  Was he murdered? Why did he never report his daughter missing?  Who really inherits?  Most importantly, who is this bright young woman claiming to be Blake?



My Opinions:   
First....I liked the cover.

Second, the writing is excellent, as I found myself fully engaged within minutes.

The characters were well developed, even the supporting cast.  I thought the premise of a cop and a con artist working together was quite unique.  They are both intelligent, wily individuals capable of deception and lies, both a little flawed,  but both of their hearts seem to be in the right place.

The plot contained enough twists to keep things interesting.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series!

I'd give this one a 6 out off 5 if it was allowable.
The start of what I hope is to be a great series.
The Cop, a young Senior Officer, on leave due to the psychological impact of an incident he was involved in nearly a year ago.
The almost genius young woman, the con artist, or is she. Together they make an unlikely pairing but what a partnership.
The crime, a missing girl, 15 when she disappeared, turns up at her fathers funeral.
He is an ex-MP who the locals think can do no wrong.
The Police are interested in him because he may have been about to whistle blow on crimes involving other Politicians.
So was his death an accident.
The book starts with a body being carried into the forrest 10 years ago and a modern day funeral.
It ends with another funeral.
But what happens in between is the stuff of best seller crime novels.

Detective Superintendent John Byron of the Met is on medical leave and agrees to unofficially travel to Derbyshire to look into the death of former MP Gideon Fitzroy. While the family is at the funeral, a young woman is found in Fitzroy’s home. Shockingly, she claims to be Blake, the daughter who vanished ten years ago.

Fitzroy’s second wife Virginia, her children Tom and Lily, and brother Roger have doubts but accept her into the family. This was a very compelling twisty story. Is she really Blake or a clever con artist? The woman certainly knows a lot about the family and home but is also hiding things. Before Blake's identity is proven, there are some attempts on her life. Roger is also assaulted and the cottage of the village’s former sergeant Ed Underhill is burned down.

Another plus to the story is the great chemistry between Byron and Blake. They are both wary, snarky and damaged so trusting each other is a challenge but they need each other.

This is a promising first book in a new series by thriller writer Zoe Sharp.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Bookouture. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

The first of a new series, The Last Time She Died by Zoë Sharp is Book One of the Blake and Byron Thrillers. It begins with a body buried on a rainy night ten years earlier before a present-day funeral of the local manor lord. His house is broken into, only for the burglar to be waiting for the police. The two main protagonists are Bryon, a police detective on medical leave and Blake, a savvy young woman and would be con artist. As the story unfolds, there are lots of twists with climatic finale which makes for a three-and-a-half-star rating. A most enjoyable new crime team with the promise of more to come. With thanks to Bookouture and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and are made without fear or favour.

British writer Zoe Sharp is probably best known for her high octane novels about former soldier and professional bodyguard Charlie Fox. In their heyday, the Charlie Fox novels were ‘must reads’, but I thought that the more recent books tapered off a bit in their appeal, although they were still very readable.

Her non-Charlie Fox books have also been mixed, but the good news is that her latest novel, The Last Time She Died, is a strong return to form and is probably the best thing Zoe Sharp has done in a while.

The Last Time She Died revolves around Blake Claremont, who disappeared ten years ago when she was fifteen years old. No one ever reported her as missing, with her father, Gideon Fitzroy a former Member of Parliament and still influential figure in Derbyshire, saying that he was sure that she would come back. But those who buried her ten years ago know that she won’t be coming back. However, now that her father is dead, in a suspicious car accident, a woman calling herself Blake has returned. Is it really Blake, or an opportunist after her father’s money? Detective John Byron does not know if it is Blake or not, but he is surprised by the fear that she generates and when someone shoots at her on a winding rural road, he has to ask: who wants her dead?

There is plenty of mystery and suspense in this outstanding tale. From the disturbing opening pages, Zoe draws the reader in with consummate skill and keeps them interested as they join Byron in trying to work out what is happening. The frequently shifting viewpoint also helps to build the suspense, and Zoe is very good at misleading the reader and keeping them guessing.

The cast of characters are very nicely drawn, especially Blake and John Byron, but also the supporting cast of PC Jane Hudson and the young teenage step-daughter of Fitzroy, Lily. Byron is a prickly but engaging character, and it is interesting watching him grow and change as the details about why he is on leave gradually emerge.

As the story unfolds, Zoe ramps up the tension and suspense, and the book moves through some good twists and turns to an exciting and unexpected conclusion that kept me keenly turning the pages. The resolution is perhaps a little too neat and convenient, but it is hard to fault this very engaging and enjoyable crime novel.

I struggled with this book. It is the first in the series, but, at times, it felt like I had picked up a later book. There was this mystery around Byron but rather than being intriguing I felt there was something lacking in the story. It didn't grip me and I sadly DNF at 50%

We meet Byron at a funeral in the peak district he has been asked to attend by his superior. It is the funeral of an ex MP who was rumoured to have been caught up in a child sex ring. After the funeral, a person is discovered in the family home and when challenged says she has every right to be there after all she was his daughter. The daughter who disappeared 10 years previously without a trace and plans were being made to be declared dead. In a tightly wound story the story quickly gathers pace and takes the reader with it.
I really enjoyed this and couldn't put it down.