The Last Straw (DCI Warren Jones, Book 1) cover art

The Last Straw (DCI Warren Jones, Book 1)

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The Last Straw (DCI Warren Jones, Book 1)

By: Paul Gitsham
Narrated by: Malk Williams
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About this listen

When Professor Alan Tunbridge is discovered in his office with his throat slashed, the suspects start queuing up. The brilliant but unpleasant microbiologist had a genius for making enemies.

For Warren Jones, newly appointed Detective Chief Inspector to the Middlesbury force, a high-profile murder is the ideal opportunity. He’s determined to run a thorough and professional investigation but political pressure to resolve the case quickly and tensions in the office and at home make life anything but easy.

Everything seems to point to one vengeful man but the financial potential of the professor’s pioneering research takes the inquiry in an intriguing and, for Jones and his team, dangerous direction.

Readers LOVE The Last Straw

‘A really cracking read, a real page turner.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

I couldn't stop reading this brilliant detective novel!’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘Loved this! A nice proper whodunnit which had me gripped from the start! Twists and turns galore and I only worked out who it was right at the end!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘I just couldn't put it down. DCI Warren Jones and his team are a sure-fire hit…Exceptionally good detective story.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

Kept me reading all night.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

Couldn't put it down! If you love a good detective novel, you'll be well away with this.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘Tense to the point of making it very difficult to put the book down.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘DCI Warren Jones is must read detective fiction… A brilliant first novel, can't wait for the next. Buy it. Try it. You won't be disappointed!’ Reader review, 5 Stars

The DCI Warren Jones series
1 The Last Straw
2 No Smoke Without Fire
Blood is Thicker than Water (Novella)
3 Silent as the Grave
A Case Gone Cold (Novella)
4 The Common Enemy
A Deadly Lesson (Novella)
5 Forgive Me Father
At First Glance (Novella)
6 A Price to Pay
7 Out of Sight
8 Time to Kill
9 Web of Lies

Action & Adventure Crime Thrillers Fiction Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Crime Scottish Crime

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All stars
Most relevant
Good new police series. Complicated investigation with some twists as well as human errors but clearly explained. Some humour too with interesting and likeable characters making up the detective team, as well as peripheral characters, in the fictional town of Middlebury. The author overused the word ‘nevertheless’ and I found myself counting them. More editing required perhaps. ‘Nevertheless’ the story held my interest throughout and the narration was excellent.

Nevertheless.......

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This is a well designed who, and indeed why done it. But my goodness tedious explanations of pasta and sauce and junior officers car only elongated not enhanced the tale or added atmosphere.
From my understanding a good editor would have helped .

Interesting insights, different background means personally will try another book which hopefully will be succinct without loosing nub of the story

Good story clouded by unnecessary padding

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Gripping story, good to listen to. Have brought second book as I want to know what happens next. Feel engaged with the characters.

Very enjoyable

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What begins as a fairly standard story, new DCI, stroppy DI, and a murder, turns into a well developed and thoroughly convoluted mystery, I was totally enthralled with the characters, their development, and the development of the overall storyline, I was certainly kept guessing the whole way through.
Malk Williams does an great job with the narration too.
A most entertaining 13 hours and I'm now two hours into book 2 which is shaping up to be just as good.

Good start to a new series

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I quite enjoyed this, although I worked out whodunnit about halfway through which was a bit disappointing. The police characters were very well drawn. I will certainly give the second in the series a listen and see how I get on.

Easy listen

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