Book Review: The Last Dance by Mark Billingham

Meet Detective Miller: unique, unconventional, and criminally underestimated…

He’s a detective, a dancer, he has no respect for authority ­- and he’s the best hope Blackpool has for keeping criminals off the streets. Meet Detective Declan Miller.

A double murder in a seaside hotel sees a grieving Miller return to work to solve what appears to be a case of mistaken identity. Just why were two completely unconnected men taken out?

Despite a somewhat dubious relationship with both reality and his new partner, can the eccentric, offbeat Miller find answers where his colleagues have found only an impossible puzzle?

*****

DS Declan Miller is back to work following the murder of his wife.

His first case is a double murder. Can Declan cope with a new partner, a complicated case and his continuing need to go against authority?

The first detective series in 20 years from author, Mark Billingham – you bet I’m excited.

I am a big fan of the Tom Thorne novels so I was intrigued to see if Declan Miller could immediately step out of Thorne’s shadow. Short answer… YES.

Declan Miller is a wonderful misfit. He’s not one to take himself too seriously despite the unbelievable grief he’s experiencing due to the unsolved murder of his wife. What he’s been through is horrific. I wanted to give him a big hug. He’s a likeable, relatable character. He’s easy to root for. His dancing background also adds an interesting dimension to him.

DS Sara Xiu is as big a mystery as the case she and Miller are investigating. I am looking forward to getting to know her better in future books, assuming there are more. I hope so as this book ended with questions unanswered.

The supporting characters are a mixed bunch. The jury is still out on Sullivan and I loved the dancing group.

The plot moves along at a fast, compelling pace. I read it in one sitting. I couldn’t stop and pretty much devoured the book.

There are many twists and turns and I couldn’t work out how it was going to end. Mark Billingham has a talent for weaving mystery and discord through his novels and great crime stories is the result. He really is one of my favourite authors in this genre. This new series, as well as DS Miller have become a fast favourite.

A great series debut. If you’re a Mark Billingham or crime fan, this one is a great choice.

I loved it. Don’t stay away too long, Declan.

Thank you to Sphere for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Mark Billingham: 

Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor, a TV writer and stand-up comedian, his first crime novel was published in 2001.

Sleepyhead was an instant bestseller in the UK. It has been sold widely throughout the world and was published in the USA in the summer of 2002.

An acclaimed television series based on the Thorne novels was screened on Sky One in Autumn 2010, starring David Morrissey as Tom Thorne. 

His latest novel, The Last Dance, released by Sphere on 25th May 2023 is the first in a brand new deceptive series and introduces us to DS Declan Miller. 

Mark lives in London with his wife and children.

For more information about Mark and his novels, visit Mark’s website or say hello on Twitter. 

The Last Dance was released today (25th May 2023,) by Sphere. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.