Last Seen

by Anna Smith

PI Billie Carlson takes on a thrilling new case in the next instalment of this gripping series. For fans of Martina Cole and Marnie Riches.

Life has changed for Private Investigator Billie Carlson. After years of chasing down every lead possible, she's finally found her son, Lucas, and brought him safely home to Glasgow.

One afternoon, Billie gets a call from an unknown number. The man on the end of the phone refuses to tell her his name, but he explains that his brother, Omar, is being held in prison after stabbing two men outside a block of flats. He wants Billie to investigate what happened that night and find out any information that might help Omar.

Reluctantly, Billie takes on the case. But as she starts to untangle what happened that night, she can't shake the feeling that she's being watched. With Lucas depending on her, Billie is determined to avoid any dangerous encounters. But trouble seems to have a way of tracking her down . . .

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What readers are saying about Last Seen

'Another brilliant page-turner . . . a riveting read' 5* Reader Review

'Lots of twists, fast-paced. I was engrossed' 5* Reader Review

'A fantastic writer . . . you won't be disappointed' 5* Reader Review

'Well-written characters . . . tense and exciting' 5* Reader Review

'Addictive and gripping' 5* Reader Review

Genres: Crime

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2024

About the author

Anna Smith is an award-winning journalist who spent a lifetime in daily newspapers, reporting from the frontline all over the world. She has covered conflicts from Somalia to Rwanda to Kosovo, where she witnessed the plight of tragic refugees, genocide and hideous ethnic cleansing. She has also worked on major investigations, unmasking drug dealers and paedophiles, as well as reporting on the Dunblane Massacre, to 9/11, where she was one of the first journalists on the scene in both world shaking events.

She writes novels full time now, using her vast experience as a journalist to create the hugely popular Rosie Gilmour character, a gritty Glasgow journalist who tears down the walls of corruption and will stop at nothing to get her story. Anna lives between her homes in Scotland and the West of Ireland - and also in Spain to escape the British weather.

Her highly acclaimed debut novel, The Dead Won't Sleep, was the first in the series, exposing corruption and child abuse at the very top of the establishment, echoing real news stories that are being reported at the moment, even though the novel was published three years ago.

The second in the series is, To Tell The Truth, and takes Rosie on a terrifying investigation into the kidnapping of a three-year-old girl from a beach in Spain while on holiday with her parents. It's a fast paced story of people trafficking and
international child porn, and is set in Glasgow, Spain and Morocco.

Book three, is Screams In The Dark, is a harrowing tale of refugees going missing in Glasgow. When a torso is found floating in the River Clyde, Rosie is on the trail of international criminals from London to Belgrade and uncovers a network of evil. It's a story close to Anna's heart as she reported from Kosovo at the start of the war when stricken refugees were spilling across the border in their thousands.

Her fourth in the series, is Betrayed, where Rosie takes on the criminals in the Ulster Volunteer Force in Glasgow. It's a gripping story of cocaine smuggling, of divided loyalties, of love and regret, and ultimately of betrayal.

Her latest novel, A Cold Killing, takes Rosie on the dangerous trail of gun runners as she probes the murder of a retired Glasgow University lecturer. The deeper she digs, she finds that he has a dark past that leads all the way to MI6 and the KGB.

You can read more on www.quercusbooks.co.uk. And also on her Anna Smith Crime Author page on Facebook. Or on Twitter.

Reviews

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the Rosie Gilmore series and loved it , I just can’t warm to this main character at all. Even though most of these kinds of books are a little unbelievable, this one was just too much for me. Billie always ringing an Irish Gangster to carry out a raid on Albanian gangsters and there never be any come back was just too much !! Such a shame as I have loved other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, Last Seen certainly hit the ground running at the start - and the tension, suspense and thrills that followed didn't let up. I think Anna Smith has come up with a cracking read here, I was drawn into the story immediately which really grabbed my attention and interest. The writing is very good, the story flows well, the pacing is perfect and I can picture the characters in my mind when reading. Billie is asked to take on a case of a young man charged with murder and to find a missing girl so enters the world of child trafficking, prostitution, drugs and controlling men who will do anything to protect themselves. I think the plot line is very well thought out, multi layered, believable and above all realistic and gritty. Billie uses her ex police sources and other people who are not exactly law abiding in her efforts to find Mina and help others in same situation, and the mix of police/private investigating/criminal underworld really works well here with great effect. I liked Billies character development here, and I love the glimpses into her home life and friendships with Scanlon and Millie. Anna Smith does like to keep her readers guessing and here is no different as at one stage I feared the worst for Billie and had a huge feeling of dread for what may be ahead for her.

Overall a very good thrilling read and I'm looking forward to the next book and expect trouble ahead. If you like thrillers that make you want to know more, with strong characters then this is for you and I'd recommend this book and series.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Steph Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Seen is the fourth instalment in the Billie Carson series and wow it's a blinking good read! Billie Carson is an ex Police Officer now a Private Investigator who gets very emotionally involved in the cases that she takes on and she's no different in Last Seen.

Last Seen delves into the world of people trafficking, child prostitution and murder. It tells the story of the lengths that the traffickers will go to to earn money off the backs (literally and figuratively) of young desperate children who come here for the chance at a better life. It also tells us the story of what a brothers love will lead him do for his lost sibling.

Billie takes a call from a young man asking for her help, not for himself but for his younger brother who is facing a double murder charge, after meeting Omar and listening to his story Billie knows that she will help if she can. As we all know no case that Billie takes on is going to be cut and dried, but she isn't keen on getting caught up in dangerous situations now, especially now she finally has her son back.

One of the things that I like about Anna Smiths work is that whichever topics that she writes about are well researched and well written. The topic in Last Seen is is hugely relevant at the moment, one that divides communities, even families. Men, women and children risking their lives travelling many miles being exploited out of huge sums of money to travel in unsafe boats to try and get safety.

Thanks to the Author, Quercus Books and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are mine and mine alone.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I can admit Anna Smith can certainly build series with characters that I really grow to love! Billie Carlson is certainly in a better place with her son Lucas back home where he belongs. However, even though one part of her life seems to be in place her work life is just as busy. Billie receives a call from somebody whose brother is being held in prison after stabbing two guys outside a flat. However, there is more to the story and Billie decides to take on the case.

Of course nothing is straightforward and the case leads her into the world of child trafficking, prostitution and drugs. Its certainly a deep and dark story but one that had me gripped from start to finish. As with her last book this was a fantastic read and one that I devoured. Cannot wait for the next book in the series

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

PI Billie Carlson takes on a thrilling new case in the next instalment of this gripping series.

Back in the world of PI Billie Carlson. Things seem to be looking up for Billie, things seem to be getting back on track and life is treating her a little better.

Set in Glasgow Billie Carlson is a PI, She takes on some tough cases and always gets results. Her next case is going to be tougher still. Billie will have her work cut out to get to the bottom of a stabbing.
Another interesting and thrilling read from a phenomenal story writer. Anna Smith packs everything she can into her books and as always we are given a first class read.
Highly recommended.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Seen by Anna Smith is the fourth book in the Billie Carson series
and it was a brilliant, gritty, unputdownable crime thriller set in Glasgow and I was hooked from the very first few pages till the end, just like the other books within this series.
I can't recommend these books enough and a perfect series to get your teeth into, especially for your coming holidays or for your day off relaxing! But once you open your kindle or book you will be hooked and you will find it hard to put down! all your plans for that day will be out of the window!!! So enjoy the latest instalment of Billie Carsons who is a private investigator.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never get tired of this series each book is addictive. Billie Carlson will do anything to help her clients as a private investigator. life is now going good for Billie she got her son Lucas back. And try's to be more careful on her cases. and then she gets a phone call of Omar who is Syrian to help him find his sister Mina. and help his brother Carim who is facing a prison sentence but when she starts investigating, she meets a girl called Tatiana and the case opens a big network won't say no more but it's an addictive and gripping read and very heart tugging.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another thrilling read in the Billie Carlson series, one I highly recommend and one of my favourites. Billie has been successful in her search for Lucas, her missing son, and life is slowly getting back to normality for her. I like the characterisation, it's well described and with excellent development. The plotting is very topical, illegal migrants, and I love that it is set in Glasgow. The pacing is fast throughout, making this another 5* read from the author. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Sharon Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last seen is the 4th book in the series, this book takes you on a journey which could end anywhere. Strap yourself in and be prepared for the ride.

I could not put this book down, this book delves into child prostitution and people trafficking. I have to say I found this a hard read because of the subject matter, but I still couldn’t put it down

Anna smith is a fantastic writer and the other books are so good too

You won’t be disappointed

Thank you to #netgallery #ARC books for letting me read this

[CJ Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book three in the Billie Carlson series and a first for me, I think to appreciate the story fully reading the other book would be an advantage having said that I feel that there was enough background to get the gist of past goings on.

The plot follows a relevant up to date topic in terms of the plight that many immigrants face as they flee their home land in the hope of a better life. filled with false promise the stark reality is not what they thought

An action packed fast paced emotive read .that sees justice served in so many ways.

[Melanie Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy I’ve read this!!!! Okay, it’s a harrowing case Billie is asked to work on by the immigrant brother of a young lad locked up after what seems like a cut and dry, caught red handed double murder. Yet with Anna nothing is ever simple and there are always hidden depths and darkness like no one else can write.
Gangsters control the most vulnerable in our society but our heroine is on form and with help from friends and the lovely Scanlon, no one is safe.
This book once again confirms how bloody fab Anna Smith is, because once you start reading it, you can’t put it down!

[Bookstagramshaz Sharon Logue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again a great book in this series! After the cliffhanger of the last book, I was pleased that this one started, the way I had hoped! There are some Human Trafficking in this story but this unfortunately does happen and I think it’s good to hi-light these things!
Thank you for allowing me to read and ARC of the book.

Brilliant, gripping and more… !

https://www.instagram.com/Bookstagram...

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Billie Carlson series but is the first book that I’ve read. If you haven’t read the first two books you can easily read this book but I’m sure like me you’ll enjoy it so much that you will go straight to the other two books to catch up. This was a fast paced gritty read with lots of action. It ends on a cliffhanger making me want book four to hurry up and arrive. I think it’s out in April and I can’t wait.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Another great book from Anna Smith. I have read them all and can honestly say I have never been disappointed. Can't wait for the next one.

[Lorraine Mannion · Rating 5 out of 5]

To good a book to put down !!!

One word for all of Anna Smiths books is AMAZING ,just love them and how they keep you enthralled with every turn of the page

[Keith Bott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like all the rest of Anna's books. Keeps me saying, "Just one more chapter!" Once you start, you can't stop until it's finished.

[sams_littlebooknook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my most favourite read. It took me a while to get into it and it just wasn't for me at all.