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DI Karen Heath #2
His Last Breath
Apologies don't mean anything if you keep doing what you're sorry for. Real men can't be stolen.
After fighting to regain her place in the Met’s MIT, Detective Karen Heath is back as a serial killer investigation lands on her desk.
The case will test her and the team beyond anything they’ve experienced before. This killer is different, with what appears to be a savage killing spree that is as random as the victims that are chosen.
Each victim is targeted for a reason, whilst the killer goes to extraordinary lengths in their planning and execution.
With Karen fighting hidden enemies both within the force and outside, she has little time to breath as the body count rises. Families are being torn apart, secrets are being exposed and lives are being extinguished with meticulous precision.
The killer taunts Karen which only adds to the pressure she’s under as the team are pushed to their limits.
With a killer that’s brazen and bold, will Karen find them before more lives are lost?
After fighting to regain her place in the Met’s MIT, Detective Karen Heath is back as a serial killer investigation lands on her desk.
The case will test her and the team beyond anything they’ve experienced before. This killer is different, with what appears to be a savage killing spree that is as random as the victims that are chosen.
Each victim is targeted for a reason, whilst the killer goes to extraordinary lengths in their planning and execution.
With Karen fighting hidden enemies both within the force and outside, she has little time to breath as the body count rises. Families are being torn apart, secrets are being exposed and lives are being extinguished with meticulous precision.
The killer taunts Karen which only adds to the pressure she’s under as the team are pushed to their limits.
With a killer that’s brazen and bold, will Karen find them before more lives are lost?
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2019
428 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Jay Nadal
66 books78 followersCrime Never Pays… Well yes and no depending on what side of the fence you’re on!
I’ve always had a strong passion for whodunnits, crime series, and books. The more I immersed myself in it, the stronger the fascination grew.
In my spare time, you’ll find me in the gym, reading, binge watching Netflix or taking walks in the forest.
Oh, and I’m an avid people watcher, I just love to watch people, their mannerisms, and their way of expressing their thoughts… weird I know, but I could spend hours doing that. It's funny, because watching people often gives me insights and inspiration for describing human interaction in my books.
Fun fact: My favourite, bestest place ever on earth? Any of the Florida theme parks and the mad coasters out there. Add the food, shopping and weather, and you've got the best place on earth... especially when I see the joy on the faces of my family when we're out there :)
Weird fact: Spending an afternoon in a mortuary to bring my books to life. Oops! poor choice of words there :)
I hope you enjoy the stories I craft for you.
I’ve always had a strong passion for whodunnits, crime series, and books. The more I immersed myself in it, the stronger the fascination grew.
In my spare time, you’ll find me in the gym, reading, binge watching Netflix or taking walks in the forest.
Oh, and I’m an avid people watcher, I just love to watch people, their mannerisms, and their way of expressing their thoughts… weird I know, but I could spend hours doing that. It's funny, because watching people often gives me insights and inspiration for describing human interaction in my books.
Fun fact: My favourite, bestest place ever on earth? Any of the Florida theme parks and the mad coasters out there. Add the food, shopping and weather, and you've got the best place on earth... especially when I see the joy on the faces of my family when we're out there :)
Weird fact: Spending an afternoon in a mortuary to bring my books to life. Oops! poor choice of words there :)
I hope you enjoy the stories I craft for you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 3, 2023
No pain, no gain.
They were stunned, looking at the body on the bed. He was tied to the bed, like a crucifixion. But that wasn't what drew the eye, however you tried to avoid looking at his lower torso, you kept glancing. None of them with their years of experience, had seen the like before. A mess of blistered raw flesh, a red bloody mess.
Why? Wainwright later confirmed these injuries had occurred post mortem.
So what had the man done to deserve this? A jealous lover? A sexual sadist?
That was what Karen and her team had to find out and quickly, in case this wasn't a one off. Unfortunately Karen's gut told her this was just the beginning.
Unusual M.O., Wainwright ordered tests to find the liiquid, which had resulted in such mutilation.
A gripping storyline throughout,
They were stunned, looking at the body on the bed. He was tied to the bed, like a crucifixion. But that wasn't what drew the eye, however you tried to avoid looking at his lower torso, you kept glancing. None of them with their years of experience, had seen the like before. A mess of blistered raw flesh, a red bloody mess.
Why? Wainwright later confirmed these injuries had occurred post mortem.
So what had the man done to deserve this? A jealous lover? A sexual sadist?
That was what Karen and her team had to find out and quickly, in case this wasn't a one off. Unfortunately Karen's gut told her this was just the beginning.
Unusual M.O., Wainwright ordered tests to find the liiquid, which had resulted in such mutilation.
A gripping storyline throughout,
August 5, 2022
Clever Killer,Boring Cop
A determined and devious killer murders cheaters. An equally determined detective works hard to solve the case but is plagued by lack of support of her superior and a haunting injustice. How many will die?
I am mixed about this book. The serial killer is great, ruthless, clever and vicious. Karen and the cops are plodding and boring. Done really care about their Danish consumption, what they had for lunch or basic forensics like why they wear suits and booties.
A determined and devious killer murders cheaters. An equally determined detective works hard to solve the case but is plagued by lack of support of her superior and a haunting injustice. How many will die?
I am mixed about this book. The serial killer is great, ruthless, clever and vicious. Karen and the cops are plodding and boring. Done really care about their Danish consumption, what they had for lunch or basic forensics like why they wear suits and booties.
September 11, 2022
I think this is the first book I've read by this author. I do not recall reading book 1 of the series. This book can be read as a stand alone though there are some relationships on the police force where the actions might be better understood if I'd read the first book.
It was interesting having some scenes from the POV of the killer.
Karen Heath doesn't seem to comprehend (or care) that her bosses aren't supporting her.
I kept finding myself forgetting what had happened previously and having to re-figure out who certain characters were.
It was interesting having some scenes from the POV of the killer.
Karen Heath doesn't seem to comprehend (or care) that her bosses aren't supporting her.
I kept finding myself forgetting what had happened previously and having to re-figure out who certain characters were.
May 8, 2023
Good story - much better than the last one, but the writing style really annoys me. Why does the author insist on using names, sometimes the same name twice or more in one sentence? Have they not heard of pronouns? Also, there are too many short sentences when describing something - short sentences create pace, yes, but not in a descriptive passage. So despite the improvement in story telling I have to mark it down.
I wasn’t intending to read more of this series but books 1-5 were in a deal! Might save the other three for when I run out of other things.
I wasn’t intending to read more of this series but books 1-5 were in a deal! Might save the other three for when I run out of other things.
August 13, 2022
I hadn’t read the first book in this series and now I will.
This is a tense page turner with a clever killer (loved that some bits were written from their POV) and a determined cop.
I sympathised with Karen the lead detective though honestly I’m frustrated she isn’t picking up on the blatant sabotage going on around her (linked to the first book I’m assuming and yet to be uncovered)
All in all I enjoyed this and would recommend
This is a tense page turner with a clever killer (loved that some bits were written from their POV) and a determined cop.
I sympathised with Karen the lead detective though honestly I’m frustrated she isn’t picking up on the blatant sabotage going on around her (linked to the first book I’m assuming and yet to be uncovered)
All in all I enjoyed this and would recommend
October 6, 2022
The book started a little slow. A person was torturing and killing men who were last seen in bars. The DI was a woman whose supervisor was giving her a really bad time by belittling her work performance. BUT the supervisor was also being blackmailed by a drug dealer who knew things about him. Although the murders were solved nothing came up about the supervisor. That will probably be in a later book. This book was pretty good.
August 10, 2022
Frightening to think someone this amoral could really exist, Beth is any man's worst nightmare catching them at their most vulnerable moment. Karen has her work cut out trying to figure what the psycho will do next and it is only dogged determination that finally gets the job done. Scary story and good characters.
June 21, 2023
Second in the box set of DI Karen Heath. This time a gruesome serial killer is on the prowl. At times a bit too gory but a riveting story line. Karen is still trying to find out about an incident that led to her demotion a test earlier and though she is a bit suspicious Karen hasn’t full realised who the traitor is keeping a crime family at bay. .
June 29, 2022
Another great read!
My only regret is waiting so long to read Jay Nadal's book! This was a fairly original plot, that was very well written. This was also original in picking the suspect, as its not if the normal type. I love the main characters (on the side of the police) , and I disliked the characters who are against the police, in one way or another! The book did feet a little wordy here and there. But that is fairly typical in this genre. I do love the way this author writes his ending. They build up, and all findings are explained. So much better than we got them, story over! If you are confused over my review, time go check out the book for yourself!!!
My only regret is waiting so long to read Jay Nadal's book! This was a fairly original plot, that was very well written. This was also original in picking the suspect, as its not if the normal type. I love the main characters (on the side of the police) , and I disliked the characters who are against the police, in one way or another! The book did feet a little wordy here and there. But that is fairly typical in this genre. I do love the way this author writes his ending. They build up, and all findings are explained. So much better than we got them, story over! If you are confused over my review, time go check out the book for yourself!!!
July 21, 2022
This book was fascinating reading. It had me hooked right away. A diner owner/waitress is missing in Houston, Texas. Tom Cade, private investigator and former cop is on the case. You really shouldn't miss out on reading this unputdownable book. I highly recommend it to other thriller readers.
August 12, 2022
a definite big no from me
The short section I read of the prologue turned me off completely. Seems this is a very very dark twisted and evil story. Plus I don’t like reading the ‘F’ word or other swearing in books.Obviously this Book would be full of it.
The short section I read of the prologue turned me off completely. Seems this is a very very dark twisted and evil story. Plus I don’t like reading the ‘F’ word or other swearing in books.Obviously this Book would be full of it.
April 22, 2023
Two points of view in this book- The killer and the cop!
The killer was a great character, I’d like to have heard more from her.
The Cop, a detective, was slow and boring, didn’t click with her at all.
The killer was a great character, I’d like to have heard more from her.
The Cop, a detective, was slow and boring, didn’t click with her at all.
January 10, 2024
Congratulations Jay on yet another brilliantly written book which once I started reading it I could not put it down. I have Absolutely loved this crime series And would definitely recommend to other avid readers like me. 😊📖
February 29, 2020
Another brilliant book by Jay Nadal, Detective Karen Heath and her team are tested to there limit trying to catch a serial killer, it's a really good read.
May 23, 2021
Lynnie
Great series starting again. Fast moving. Great characters and all the storylines beside the main one. On to the next one.
Great series starting again. Fast moving. Great characters and all the storylines beside the main one. On to the next one.
August 7, 2022
exciting, suspenseful police procedural. I like the main character, but sometimes the secondary plot about something that happened early got in the way.
August 7, 2022
Quite suspenseful!
I really liked the characters in this book. The storyline was great and it was suspenseful as well. I'd recommend!
I really liked the characters in this book. The storyline was great and it was suspenseful as well. I'd recommend!
August 9, 2022
Review
This was a really good story. It makes me even happier that I'm a woman. I highly recommend reading this story of you like a good thriller.
This was a really good story. It makes me even happier that I'm a woman. I highly recommend reading this story of you like a good thriller.
September 11, 2022
Excellent study of a sick abused mind
Story captured you and carried you along as the
characters moved thru the process of finding a dangerous woman. A can't put it down read .
Story captured you and carried you along as the
characters moved thru the process of finding a dangerous woman. A can't put it down read .
September 27, 2022
Wow
This was an interesting and exciting book. A different take on the usual suspect which made it very interesting. Good writing all around. Kept my interest throughout.
This was an interesting and exciting book. A different take on the usual suspect which made it very interesting. Good writing all around. Kept my interest throughout.
December 30, 2022
Good storyline, poor editing
Too many mistakes for my liking, but an enjoyable read nevertheless. I will finish the series, but hope the editing improves.
Too many mistakes for my liking, but an enjoyable read nevertheless. I will finish the series, but hope the editing improves.
April 26, 2023
Good read
September 4, 2023
Excellent!
This book kept me turning the pages. Jay Nadal is an awesome author. This DI Karen Heath Crime series is a must read. I highly recommend.
This book kept me turning the pages. Jay Nadal is an awesome author. This DI Karen Heath Crime series is a must read. I highly recommend.
January 28, 2024
Yet again couldn’t put it down. Love this author and how you get drawn into the plot.
February 20, 2024
A good read but it did not make me want to read more of this series. I did like the trivia game interaction between the department s at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2025
Jay Nadal will always give you a roller coaster ride with his DI Karen Heath books and this is dose not disappoint .
September 20, 2025
Great book.
December 17, 2025
Well Done
This book was well written. Even though they capture the murderer the door is left open for the next book.
This book was well written. Even though they capture the murderer the door is left open for the next book.
August 12, 2022
DI Karen Heath and her team investigate what turns into a serial killer case. Unfortunately she is unofficially re-looking into an old open case which is a distraction.
Overall an enjoyable modern mystery
Overall an enjoyable modern mystery
September 5, 2019
This is truly one of the best written police procedural novels that I have had the pleasure of reading. This is the second book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. Very well written, plausible, and truly scary. The serial killer has very good reasons for going on a particularly horrific killing spree, and this is made clear to the reader due to these chapters being presented in the first person. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews