Review: The South Bank Murders (Detective Rob Miller #5) by Biba Pearce

   

Print Length: 298 pages

Publisher: Joffe Books (March 3, 2022)

From Goodreads.com:  Detective Rob Miller is at home with his crying newborn son when he gets the news. Retired Chief Superintendent Sam Lawrence, Rob’s friend and mentor, has been shot dead. Lawrence had always been his rock.

Rob is devastated. An hour ago Lawrence had called to ask him to meet, but Rob couldn’t go because he was on daddy duty.

Now he will hunt down the killer — but his boss thinks he’s too emotionally involved.

This time it’s personal, but it’s not the only murder Rob’s got on his plate.

The body of a young man is found on the south bank of the Thames near the London Eye with an unusual stamp on his wrist. Are the two killings related?

Then a suspect has their throat slashed in custody and another body bearing the same stamp turns up.

Rob knows this is not the work of some amateur criminal, but someone with terrifying reach — and the name they keep hearing is the Wolf.

His baby won’t sleep. His partner needs him. Can he be there for them and bring a killer to justice?

                                                         *******************

My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

I went back and forth on this one so many times. 

On one hand, I found it unbelievably hard to believe that they would be able to work the case of their dead (former) chief because as it was pointed out, they were too close and therefore too emotionally invested about it. In fact, I'm pretty sure it would have been considered a conflict of interest especially when you consider the lines that Detective Miller had already crossed, one of those lines being something that could potentially be career ruining if it ever came to light.

I also figured out who the "criminal mastermind" was pretty early on, although the author tried to cover it up with a few decent red herrings, the fact that I immediately felt it was "obvious" who was behind things kind of ruined the experience for me. 

Another issue I had with this one (although I completely understand WHY the author chooses to do this), is the fact that once again Detective Miller rushes into a situation with absolutely no regard for his own personal safety, much less what his newly established family would think. Considering this seems to be his approach in EVERY book, it comes across as less shocking and more "oh here we go again". 

However, on the flip side of this, I loved those little "at home" moments between Miller and Jo. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship has evolved especially now that Jack is in the picture. 

I also enjoyed the side threads which pertained to the other murders and how Miller and his team went about building a solid case there which brought justice for so many others. 

All things considered, I would definitely read more from this author (especially when it comes to this series).

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

                                                              *******************

                        The South Bank Murders  is available from Amazon.com 

                                   (for free if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited)