First World War veteran John Cook has been tasked with establishing the resistance effort where he farms in the Sussex countryside. The Nazis have been advancing through Europe and an invasion along the southern English coast seems imminent.

When 12-year-old Elizabeth, a London evacuee, goes missing, John discovers she isn't the only one — there are other children who also haven't made it to their host families. Feeling compelled to investigate, he unearths a criminal gang operating on his home turf. Using skills learnt during his military career and a fair amount of sheer brute force, John wades in to put a stop to their activities once and for all.

The Last Line is a cracking novel from author Stephen Ronson. With excellent characterisation I immediately felt immersed and captivated. The writing is superb and the story flowed with ease. Descriptions of the Sussex countryside, towns and villages were idyllic and created an authentic sense of time and place. Just be warned though — the story contains child abuse and a fair amount of violence which some readers may find triggering. Putting that aside, it was a thrilling read and I really hope there will be more books to follow. A great debut novel which I highly recommend.

The Last Line is a thrilling and fast paced war time mystery set in the early days of WW2 when France is falling to Germany and Britain is preparing its home front for invasion. A well researched, enjoyable novel that deserves to be televised. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

GREAT enjoyable read, havnt read a story involving 2ww and missing evacuees before so a new angle and one I very much enjoyed. I likened the Character John Cook ex war veteran to Jack Reacher in style and morals but a higher casualty rate amongst the 'badies' - and yes we do know who they are. Made me feel that I was very much a part of the countryside in East Sussex waiting the invasion of the UK by Germany 1940. Thank you NetGalley and the author for a pre release version of this book. Well worth waiting for this to come out, made me dribble for book 2.

An excellent read, this feels like a WWII Jack Reacher book, but in a really good way. John Cook is an ex soldier, now running a farm in 1940, too old to enlist but not too old to offer resistance. Add to that the black market, missing female evacuees and an old adversary, and this book really comes to life. There has obviously been some really good research, giving a real feel of authenticity. John is a great character, and along with Lady Margaret, Doc, you know it’s going to be a good read. There are some dark topics, but realistically portrayed. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Rural Sussex in 1940, meet John Cook - part gentleman farmer, part sleuth, part killing machine.
Under the growing threat of invasion, John - a veteran of the French battlefields and the Far East - seeks out like-minded fighters and prepares a secret defence.
But it's not just the Nazis who threaten peaceful life in Uckfield. An evacuee child has gone missing, violent black market racketeers operate and a young woman has been murdered.
John is the only one who sees connections and strives for the truth. He'll stop at nothing for justice.
A good start to a new series that's like Foyle's War on steroids.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

Wow..... What a story. At first I thought it would be a general war story but this book is so much more. Amazing characters brought to life by Stephen Ronson. Loved every minute of this one.

Looking forward to more from author Stephen Ronson.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC and opportunity to enjoy this story.

My thoughts about Stephen Ronson’s debut The Last Line is a thrilling ride built on a big vision and even bigger ambition. There’s not a dull moment to be found in Stephen Ronson’s book, and it does a great job leaving its reader’s hungry for more. The story moves at a propulsive pace and is full of twists and unexpected turns. Writer Stephen Ronson delivers everything action historical thriller fans will want in a action thriller. I’m super high on this one. It’s stylish, but it’s also one of the best action books I’ve read this year alongside MW Craven’s Fearless and Trevor Wood’s You Can Run. Stephen Ronson’s The Last Line offers a creative and thrilling end to a captivating mystery which is captivating and brilliant. The story of Stephen Ronson’s The Last Line begins in May 1940. With Nazi forces sweeping across France, invasion seems imminent. The English Channel has never felt so narrow. In rural Sussex, war veteran John Cook has been tasked with preparing the resistance effort, should the worst happen. But even as the foreign threat looms, it’s rumours of a missing child that are troubling Cook. A twelve-year-old girl was evacuated from London and never seen again, and she’s just the tip of the iceberg – countless evacuees haven’t made it to their host families. As Cook investigates, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that reaches to the highest ranks of society. He will do whatever it takes to make the culprits pay. There are some lines you just don’t cross. Writer Stephen Ronson has a solid plot that sets the stage for the book’s examination of a modern day anti-hero. Those with an appreciation of historical action thrillers, crime books, will find a lot to enjoy Stephen Ronson’s smashing debut. I would like to say a big thank you to Stephen Ronson, and publishers Hodder Books, for kindly gifting me a copy for me to read and review this brilliant book on netgalley. Which I’ve enjoyed reading. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥