Reviews

The Longest Goodbye by Mari Hannah

jessh22's review

fast-paced

2.0

natgy's review against another edition

dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

she_loves_to_read's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

With a gripping storyline, vast array of brilliantly constructed and written characters, excellent pace, murder, kidnap, lies, deceit, affairs, organised crime, police corruption, child abuse, plenty of red herrings, shocking plot twists and a nail biting climax. Mari Hannah's 9th book in the Kate Daniels series is one I couldn't put down. 

It was actually my first outing with Kate, and all I can think of is, 'How am I SO late to the party?'.

Kate is a diligent, objective, fair, trustworthy, thorough, professional, and conscientious investigator and a loyal and caring friend, colleague, and partner. Which is really highlighted in this particular story, due to the fact that she is tasked with trying to finally solve the murder of her best friend. Whilst also trying to piece together the recent murders of the two men who were the prime suspects of her murder. I really love the dynamics between Kate, her team, and those closest to her. They work really well together, and each one brings a different dynamic and depth to the storyline. 

Mari's writing is fluid, atmospheric, vividly descriptive, and, quite frankly, easy to get totally lost in. Every time I thought I had worked it all out. Mari threw in a curve ball. Leaving me scrapping my theory altogether and just follow where the story took me blindly. I wasn't disappointed! 

It's definitely a story that can be read as a stand-alone. But u can also say with confidence that once you've read one, you'll want to read the whole series. I know I will be!! 
I'm really excited to see that the series is currently in development for TV.

kaz_loves_books's review

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Here is my review for The Longest Goodbye by Mari Hannah

It has been a long time since I have read a Mari Hannah book and that is just because I have been busy and I must say, it was like meeting up with an old friend and like I hadn’t been away. I got into the story straight away and loved the author's writing style from the start. Kate Daniels is one of my favourite detectives as she is so diligent and caring but likes to get the job done right with the correct person caught. This had to be one of the hardest cases possible for Kate, it was linked to the killing of her best friend three years ago. The prose is superb as is the detention to detail. The reading style is easy and there is a great story line where you can see the author has done a great job with the plotting. It’s a good police procedural set in MIT with Kate being in charge. The author hasn’t lost her touch and still writes a very good book. Now to catch up on the ones I have missed!

Blurb : 

LIES COST LIVES

THE BRAND NEW KATE DANIELS THRILLER

Three years ago police officer Georgina Ioannau was murdered, her killers never brought to justice.

Now the prime suspects have been shot dead within hours of their return to the UK.

Has someone finally taken the law into their own hands?

Seeking out the truth will force Kate Daniels to confront her own past mistakes, and put her career, and her team's lives, on the line.

The gripping new Kate Daniels thriller about what happens when someone takes the law into their own hands from award winning crime writer Mari Hannah.

robert_vardill's review

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

yorkshirecarly88's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Hello and welcome, I’m sad to say that this is the final book in reviewing for the #TeamDaniels project, I’ve enjoyed every book but I’m sad that’s it’s over but it’s publication day for the latest book The Longest Goodbye that I’m reviewing below.

This story starts with a prologue that’s so sad, Georgina a police officer who is friends with Kate is killed in the line of duty execution style.

Fast forward three years and Georgina’s killers are back in Newcastle after hiding out in Spain but that night they also get murdered.

This is such a deeply personal case for Kate, Georgina was her good friend who she’d known and loved for many years, so Kate being Kate thinks it’s her personal mission to reinvestigate Georgina’s case and finally get to the bottom of anything once and for all.

As usually the story is told in such flawless way, each page is as exciting as the next and the whole plot doesn’t miss a beat.

I’ve really enjoyed this wild ride reading the series and it’s had me on the edge of my seat wanting more, i can’t wait to read more from this author.

amothersmusings1's review

5.0

“The Longest Goodbye” by Mari Hannah is the latest thriller in her DCI Kate Daniels series and boy was it thrilling. I’ve been reading this series since the very first book and I think the best was definitely saved till last - but hopefully not the last ever! 

 

In this story we see Kate’s DS - Hank Gormley, promoted to Senior Investigating  Officer and Kate stepping into DCS Bright’s shoes while he’s away. Both are not keen on their new roles, knowing that they are better suited to their normal responsibilities. However, due to the personal connection to the case, Kate is compelled to find justice for her murdered friend and ex colleague Georgina, who was brutally killed three years ago. 

 

Kate is her usual determined self once again, firing on all cylinders to right the wrongs that were obvious during the initial investigation. Originally ran by a narrow minded SIO, mistakes were made and evidence overlooked. When the two suspects in the shooting of Georgina are killed execution style, within hours of arriving back in their home city of Newcastle, Kate puts her emotions to one side to finally solve Georgina’s case together with the recent murders of the two men. 

 

Using stories shared with her from police officers, including the author’s own partner - a former murder detective, Mari Hannah has written a fast paced, compelling and utterly page turning story, written with real heart and nail biting precision. Exploring the contradictions of human behaviour, the quirks of desire and the power of vigilantism, “The Longest Goodbye” is everything a crime reader wants in a police procedural with central characters who are impossible not to adore. 

 

#TheLongestGoodbye - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

jmatkinson1's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.25

Three years ago police officer Georgina Ioannou was killed, executed in cold blood, and her assailant was never apprehended. The force believed it was two brothers who had been released from custody recently and conveniently fled the country. Now they are both dead, killed as they returned to Newcastle to celebrate Christmas with their family and friends. Temporarily in charge of Major Crimes, Kate has to balance the reopening of the original case with the new events which have left four dead, including another officer. 

I really enjoy Hannah's books about policing in the North East. She has created a set of characters who interweave throughout different stories and all are realistic and hard-hitting. Here there is the element of vengeance for a colleague who was murdered as well as a great deal of consideration of the effects on all involved. There is also some background around the prevalence of organised crime groups and their networks. All-in-all an excellent police procedural to start the new year!