Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The third book in this excellent series, this one doesn't disappoint. Plenty of twists and surprises. A good read. Recommended.

Perfect crime thriller! I was engaged the entire time and couldn't put this book down! Guessing and rollercoaster ride until the very end!

I love mysteries set in the UK, and Scotland is always a wonderful place to visit—unless there’s murder involved! I was thoroughly entertained throughout the entire story. The setting was haunting at times, but it was also lovely to experience that spookiness. I highly recommend it.
Thank you #Netgalley #TheFinalTruth
carolintallahassee

This book is well written and is a presentation of a very complex storyline.'

Rachel is investigating the death of her mother and the guilt of her father, who is in prison. As she proceeds with her investigation, she is presented with conflicting information and she continues to dig, even as she receives warnings from unknown entities to back off.

Rachel involves friends and colleagues in her dogged determination to find the truth.

This is the first book that I've read in the series and it would have been beneficial for me to have read the previous books because it is very much a continuing story.

This is the third book in a crime thriller series following Rachel McKenzie, a prosecutor in the Scottish Highlands. While the premise—a murder connected to Rachel’s mother’s mysterious disappearance—had plenty of potential, I found this one a bit hard to get into, especially since I hadn’t read the first two books in the series. There were moments where I felt like I was missing important backstory, which made it tough to fully connect with the plot at first.

That said, there are aspects of the book that worked well. The characters were solid, and I especially enjoyed Rachel’s dynamic with her friend DC Selena MacDonald. Their teamwork and bond added depth to the story, even when the pacing felt slow. However, Rachel’s recklessness didn’t sit right with me at times. For someone in her line of work, her impulsive decisions felt unrealistic, almost as if she were trying to lose her job.

What really stood out was the setting. The eerie, remote Scottish Highlands added so much atmosphere to the story. You can practically feel the tension in the misty air and imagine the unsettling things lurking in the shadows of the island Rachel investigates. It’s a setting that absolutely enhances the suspense, even if the story itself lacked the edge-of-your-seat moments I was hoping for.

Overall, The Final Truth wasn’t a bad read—it just wasn’t the one for me.

A body is found in a cemetery that has a connection to Rachel's missing mother. A gripping thriiler this is the first book I've read in this series and it's the third it can be read as a standalone. Good characters especially Rachel well written with plenty of twists and suspense. Thanks to Storm publishing and Netgalley for this review ARC.

My, my, my. Rachel may be a prosecutor but she asks more like a detective constable as she searches for answer regarding her mother's death, whether or not her father was involved, what has happened to her reporter friend, and who the dead body is that was found in a cemetery. There is a good mix of characters - from Rachel herself to the police force to her neighbor. One thing is for sure, nothing is going to hold her back when her instinct tells her there's clue worth following. Of course, this also puts her at peril. Thankfully for her, others have her back as the case comes to a close.

The last instalment of the Rachael McKenzie tri-ology and it disappoint
Really enjoyable series that whilst it had a back story developing all the way through, each book also had a current case.
Wondered how it would all link up at the end and thought it was very cleverly written
Spent twelve years of my adult life in Inverness, so was able to relate to locations.
No hesitation in recommending.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.

Another great murder mystery. Rachel finds herself embroiled with a death that links to her mothers mysterious disappearance. It leads her into danger, but she is determined to discover what really happened. Well written, good characters and an interesting read from start to finish. I received an ARC copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Final Truth
by Morag Pringley
Pub Date: Jan 08 2025

The Final Truth is the third book in the Rachel McKenzie mystery series, if you haven't read the first two books this can be read as a stand a lone book. The story is well written with lots of suspense, mystery, emotion and at times a very tense and thrilling read!

Rachel McKenzie lives in the Scottish Highlands as a prosecutor. Her past has caught up with her. She's not sure who she can trust if anyone! A body is found in a local cemetery, Rachel McKenzie is on the case. This time, the victim has close ties to her mother- who went missing year ago.

There are a lot of twists and turns, a very entertaining read!

Many thanks to #TheFinalTruth #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star thriller!

Rachel McKenzie may finally have the answers she has been searching for regarding her mother's death. If you have followed this series, you know this is a bone of contention for Rachel.

The story begins with a body that is found in a cemetery. Cause of death appears to be a suicide, but there is something that is just a little strange about this scene. After poking her nose where it does not seem to belong, Rachel has put herself and her neighbor in danger. If you know anything about Rachel McKenzie, you know this will not deter her from digging deeper and going beyond the bounds of what she should be doing.

This book was a much more complex mystery than the others. The action was not present like usual. But this did not deter from my enjoyment of the book. This would be what I would call a slow burn mystery (if there is such a thing). You have to hang in there through the complex moving parts and many characters, but in the end it is well worth the wait.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Mae fy mhen ym mhob man ar ôl darllen hwn, nes i ei ddarllen mewn chydig ddyddiau gydag ambell noson hwyr am nad oeddwn eisiau rhoi'r gorau iddi! Nofel drosedd yn llawn cyffro diddiwedd yn yr Alban. Mae dipyn o gymeriadau i'w cofio ac roeddwn yn drysu rhyngddynt ychydig ar y dechrau ond wedi i mi fynd ati i ddarllen ymhellach roedd straeon yr holl gymeriadau yn cyd-blethu gan arwain at ddiweddglo annisgwyl. Ambell waith roeddwn yn credu fy mod yn gwybod beth yn union oedd am ddigwydd a beth fyddai ffawd Rachel wrth iddi fynd ati i geisio datrys dirgelwch eich gorffennol a hanes ei theulu, ond roeddwn i'n bell ohoni bob tro! Mae hon yn nofel i'w rhoi ar eich rhestr ddarllen yn sicr os ydych chi'n hoff o nofelau trosedd.

My head is all over the place after reading this one, I read it in a few days with a few late nights as I didn't want to put it down! An action packed crime novel set in Scotland. There are quite a few characters to remember and I was a little confused at the start but as I carried on reading their stories tied together leading to an unexpected ending. A few times I thought I'd figured out what was to come and what Rachel's fate would be as she tried to solve the mysteries of her past and her family history, but I was very wrong each time!. This is certainly one for your TBR if you're a crime fan.

I loved this book. It was a good story, well told and with well written characters. Just the right amount of suspense and intrigue.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for letting me review this.

The Final Truth by Morag Pringle is the third book in the Rachel McKenzie series, and the search for answers of her mother's disappearance.

This is a very well written book, with memorable characters and a mysterious murder which leads to discovering more about Rachel's past. Then even more is unraveled, causing twists and turns with danger around every corner, because Rachel is not going to give up on the investigation of the murder and the search for her mother's disappearance,

I suggest reading the first two books in this series, because I ended up with many questions that were unanswered, and I strongly believe I will learn about them in the other books within this series.

I highly recommend this book because it will definitely take you on a wild ride!

As a prosecutor in the Scottish Highlands, Rachel is no stranger to death. But when a body is found in a local cemetery, she’s confronted by a case that hits far too close to home. The victim is connected to an investigation Rachel’s mother was involved in before her own mysterious disappearance years ago. And Rachel is seized by hope that she might finally discover the truth.

Desperate for more clues, Rachel enlists the help of determined detective constable Selena MacDonald, but soon the trail runs cold. Guided by instinct, and a fierce refusal to drop the case, Rachel combs back through the original files until she finds a name, and a link to a remote Scottish island.

But raking up the past brings danger to her door, and when Rachel’s home is ransacked, and her neighbour attacked, she realises that this case could destroy everything she’s worked for. Now Rachel faces an impossible choice: give up her hunt, or keep searching for the truth, and risk not only her own life, but those closest to her.

Pringle is a wonderful storyteller. I enjoyed the mystery. I also enjoyed getting to know Rachel a little more through the backstory connected with this case. Well-written, captivating plot, and interesting characters! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Rachel is running from her past but it always seems to come and bite her back. She cannot let go to understand why her mother was killed and which really was the role her own father played in it. She's getting nearer to the truth and acts of violence against her keep on happening. Even with the help of friends (or co-workers) from the force she struggles to get the answers she needs until she does and the truth is much harsher than she thought it could be. The Final Truth is fast-paced and engaging and a great entertainment!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Final Truth.

Lawyer Rachel McKenzie is still reeling from her last two cases when another murder falls on her desk. She is also still trying to get to the truth of who killed her mother. She keeps digging and she receives a threat to leave the case alone and people around her are hurt and her home is ransacked. But she will still not give up but she finds out that the answers may be closer to home than she ever imagined.

This is the third book in the series and I do recommend reading the first two prior to this one because it gives a lot of good background. I really enjoyed the whole series. I liked the female main character and her determination. I highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys thrillers and whodunnit books!

Loved this final part of the Rachel McKenzie series and read it in two days. The pacing and intrigue were spot on, the plotting complex but not enough to confuse. The story of the procurator fiscal unravelling the murder of her mother is compelling and had an ending that satisfied. Loved this series and would read more from this author.

"The Final Truth" by Morag Pringle is a thrilling 5-star read! Rachel McKenzie, a fiscal from the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, returns in the third installment of this gripping crime series. As in the previous two books, trouble finds Rachel, and her determined nature drives her to investigate a suspicious death while simultaneously delving into a missing person case.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was even better than the first two. We gain further insight into Rachel's life following her father's imprisonment for her mother's murder, with much of the mystery surrounding his conviction finally revealed. The author masterfully keeps you guessing, weaving a twisting and turning path to the final reveal.

I truly hope there’s a fourth book in the series. If not, I’ll have to find another story set in Scotland to satisfy my love for the unique dialogue and terminology!

Thanks to Storm Publishing, Morag Pringle, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

A new case summons ghosts from her past

Rachel McKenzie is a prosecutor for the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, and as such is very familiar with dead bodies. There is one death in particular that haunts her, although it is not something of which many of her colleagues are aware; the killing of her mother, a crime for which her father was convicted. A local investigative journalist named Eric Hunter has uncovered that particular secret but has promised not to publish it; he is, however, working on an exposé on the growing problem of organized crime in the Inverness area, and hints to Rachel that those involved in the criminal group may have been involved in a sex trafficking ring years ago that her mother had had a hand in uncovering before her death. Rachel has a history of overstepping the boundaries of her profession when involved in cases and is intrigued enough by what Eric has told her to start looking into her mother's case. When first an unidentified body turns up in a graveyard, Eric goes missing.and then someone breaks into and searches Rachel's home, there seems to be a connection between the events. Its apparent that someone doesn't want her or anyone else disturbing the past. Will Rachel abandon her search for answers about her mother's killing and her father's role in it, or risk her live and the safety of people close to her by continuing?
The Final Truth is the third in the Rachel McKenzie series (though reads easily as a standalone for those who haven't yet read the two earlier books in the series), and is a solid mystery. Rachel is a strong and empathetic prosecutor but has her flaws, particularly regarding trust and empathy (not hugely surprising giving the trauma in her background). With her neighbor Mags, an aging sometimes prostitute who wants to be Rachel's conduit to those on the streets who have no reason to trust the law, and a young woman DC newly transferred to the area with whom she has created a bond, Rachel confronts a case in which her professional life collides with her personal history. The intrigue keeps the reader engaged until the end, and the plot moves briskly. Readers of Kate Wiley, Karen Rose and Jenny O'Brien should give this series a try. My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me early access to a copy of The Final Truth in exchange for my honest review.