Disturbing, engrossing, and adrenaline pumping!

The Last Move, the latest novel by Burton, is a well-paced thrill ride featuring the tenacious and tough FBI agent, Kate, and the intelligent, patient homicide detective, Theo, as they join forces to hunt a serial killer with a penchant for reenacting the most heinous of crimes.

The writing is taut and tight. The characterization is well done. And the plot is a captivating police procedural with twists, turns, red herrings, family drama, deception, vengeance, depravity, murder and a smidgen of romance.

I have yet to pick up a Mary Burton book that wasn’t an entertaining, eerie, romantic mystery with exceptionally intriguing characters and The Last Move is no exception. And even though this novel is being billed as a standalone I sure hope we get to see Hayden and Mazur on another case sometime down the road.

THE LAST MOVE by Mary Burton.
The window is down, she wasn't a trusting type person, the glitter of jewelry not taken. Then a video on a phone is shown with a message to Kate Hayden. Kate is the final victim for this serial killer or is it a copy cat killer.
Mary has written a tight tension plot, the emotions and descriptions is very vivid. You are there working with Kate, is it the Samarian or someone else As the clues mount, you still have that unexpected ending. The plans of Kate how will that unfold.
Readers will enjoy and want to finish in one sitting, this new book by Mary Burton.Looking forward to the next thrilling book. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

4 1/2 stars

It’s been several years since I read a Mary Burton novel, so I was happy to have the chance to rediscover her writing with The Last Move, her latest standalone novel.

Despite the fact that the reader knows who the murderer is early on, surprises still unfold along the way in this well-plotted novel. Both Kate Hayden and Theo Mazur are talented and I enjoyed the way Burton wrote the characters so that you could see them dissecting crime scenes or characterizing the individuals they were interviewing.

While the romance in The Last Move is light-weight, I didn’t mind. Both Kate and Mazur have past painful incidents that (not romantic) that they are trying to heal from and they seem to see the pain in each other.

The title refers to chess, a game that both Kate and William played in high school. The novel is much like a chess match, with logic and strategic moves.

This is definitely a page-turner, but it’s the discoveries in the last quarter that make this novel so satisfying.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On sale tomorrow from Amazon: The Last Move

As a huge fan of Mary Burton I always have high expectations for her books. This exceeded all my expectations. I could not imagine how it would end. The twists of the characters and their relationships is fascinating and beyond imagination. A strong female FBI agent with more demons than anyone should have and a displaced Chicago detective light up Texas in this event filled thriller. I know if says the book is stand alone, but I am hopeful that will change and we will have a sequel.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Last Move by Mary Burton that I read and reviewed.
The Last Move was pretty good but it had a lot going on for one book. The main character Kate, was involved with two cases involving killers at the same time so there was two killers running around in this book and for me that was a bit excessive. I feel one storyline would have been fine and made the book a bit stronger.
I did like the pairing of Theo and Kate as partners in the book. They fit well together and they were a good romantic match. As I stated before, I wish Burton would have focused on the one killer that brought Kate back to her hometown and left out the serial killer that she was chasing in the beginning of the book. For me it just watered the book down with some more words and a few more bodies.
Overall, I enjoyed The Last Move and the twist and turns that were added in the book to keep the reader on their toes. I am giving the book four out of five stars.

The Last Move is a MUST READ!! Warning you WILL BE HOOKED FROM PAGE 1. This is a stand alone from Mary Burton that won't soon be forgotten, she writes this story so well that you feel as if your watching it all play out. This story has alot of suspence and a little romance.
The Last Move has 2 main characters, Dr. Hayden (FBI) and Mazur (detective), both equally important in this story. Dr. Hayden is called in because someone has done a copy-cat killing and the killer ask for her by name. This killer has a plan and Dr. Hayden is part of that plan....
I guarantee if you like suspence, you'll LOVE THE LAST MOVE!!!
I received a ARC copy from the author for my HONEST review.

Great characters and engrossing story with some surprising twists.

The Last Move by Mary Burton

EXCELLENT in all ways! Suspenseful with twists and turns even this sneak to the end of the book to find out who-done-it reader found fascinating from beginning to end!

What I liked:
* Everything – except the evil characters I so wanted to see put down
* Kate Hayden – FBI profiler: smart, driven, unapologetic, straight-shooter with hidden depths
* Theo Mazur – Homicide Detective: dedicated to his job and his daughter with skills and tenacity and personality to boot.
* The story: gritty, dark, compelling, twisted and unapologetic with warmth and charm in the right places
* The characters that were on the side that added to the story but also called to me wanting to have their stories told, too. (is this really a standalone without other stories to follow for those characters?)
* The twists and turns
* The character development
* The backstories
* I could go on and on but stand by the first statement – everything was spot-on and this is definitely worth reading!

What I didn’t like:
* Having the book end and having to say goodbye to the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Theo Mazur moved to San Antonio from Chicago to be near his daughter when his ex-wife announced she was leaving. Being new to the force in San Antonio he gets all the shifts that no one else wants but that lands Theo on the scene of a homicide along the side of the highway. A woman had been gunned down and at the scene is a cell phone leaving a message for FBI agent Kate Hayden.

When Kate gets the call from the homicide detective in San Antonio she immediately thinks they have a copy cat killer on their hands since the scene is exactly like ones left by the serial killer nicknamed the Samaritan. The thing is the man Kate believes is responsible for the original five Samaritan killings is already behind bars but this new killing is remarkably similar. After arriving in San Antonio and digging into the case a second body is found that resembles yet another case Kate had been a part of and it becomes clear the killer is taunting her.

The Last Move by Mary Burton is a new standalone gripping romantic suspense read. The book has the same formula that I’ve come to know from this author bringing in a male and female character into the story to begin investigating some horrific crime that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. Along the way in the investigation the two main characters begin a relationship working so closely and facing the dangers together.

Having read several of Mary Burton’s books before I knew that this should be a book that I would enjoy and was not disappointed in the least. Both characters were great, the are both tough and thorough in their jobs but have human sides to them both that make them easy to root for. There’s the edge of danger all throughout and enough twists and action to always keep you guessing on just how the story will turn out. In the end I thought this was another great read and would definitely recommend checking it out to the fans of romantic suspense.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Det Theo Mazur has left Chicago to follow his ex wife to San Antonio in order to be able to be a part of his daughters life. FBI agent Kate Hayden has been called in on a case Mazur is working on. The details of the case match a case Kate previously worked. There is a suspect in jail waiting on a trial. Either they have a copycat or Kate made a mistake. It becomes obvious the killer is playing games with Kate when another victim shows up that matches another of Kate's solved cases. Kate and Theo have to act fast or there will be more bodies.

This is a stand alone book by Mary and it definitely lives up to her standards. The action starts out from the beginning of the book and never lets up. It leaves you on the edge of your seat right up to the climax of the book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy of this book.

The Last Move is another excellent romantic suspense book written by author Mary Burton. She always delivers an exciting and well-written story. I highly recommend ANYTHING written by her. Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the advance copy.

HER LAST MOVE is a stand alone which features FBI Agent Kate Hayden and Homicide Detective Theo Mazur.

Kate is well known for taking down the human monsters. She is driven to find justice for their victims. Theo is a dedicated cop, relatively new to San Antonio, but a 10-year veteran in Chicago.

Attached to the murder victim is a not addressed to Kate. Calling the FBI, he finds that she has already caught the guy responsible for several gruesome murders, but Theo's case echoes those. Kate and Theo determine they should be looking for a copycat...but why is the gun used in this case the same gun used in her previous cases?

Kate is in constant touch with her partner, who is on the trail of a man who abducted women, locked them in wooden boxes, and generally kept them until they died. However, with his last victim, Kate interrupted and saved the girl. He has sworn vengeance and is following Kate's trail to Texas.

What's worse than having a monster coming after you? It's worse when you have 2 of them ...and they decide to team up.

It's fast-paced with a lot of action starting at the very beginning and not letting up until the last page. There are a few twists and turns along the way with a very surprising ending. The characters are solidly defined. Theo is a determined cop, but nothing is more important than his family. Divorced, he follows his ex-wife around the country so as to be close to his teenage daughter. Kate has a history in Texas .... when she was a teenager, her ex-boyfriend shot and killed her father and wounded her.

Many thanks to the author / Montlake Romance / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Mary Burton never fails me and The Last Move gives me yet another example of why I will forever be a fan of hers. She has this ability to sort of make you think you know what's going to happen, yet still keep you in suspense throughout the whole story. I love it and that's the whole reason I love mystery novels.

There wasn't a dull page in this book and I was extremely happy I started this book on my day off since I needed to read it in one sitting. I honestly didn't even move after I picked this book up and I'm not ashamed of that at all. It was such a gripping tale that had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

I think anyone that likes a crazy and thrilling mystery would be a huge fan of this book and should give it a try.

Catching monsters helps FBI agent Kate Hayden keep her nightmares at bay. Now an urgent call brings her back to San Antonio, the scene of her violent past. A brutal new murder shows hallmarks of a serial killer nicknamed the Samaritan. Tricky part is, Kate already caught him.

Either Kate made a deadly error, or she’s got a copycat on her hands. Paired with homicide detective Theo Mazur, she quickly realizes this murder is more twisted than it first appeared. Then a second body is found, the mode of death identical to a different case that Kate thought she’d put behind her.

Now Kate and Detective Mazur aren’t just working a homicide; the investigative pair is facing a formidable enemy who knows Kate intimately. While Mazur is personally trying to protect Kate, the closer they are drawn to the killer, the clearer it becomes that in this terrifying game, there is only one rule: don’t believe everything you see…



* * * * *



THE LAST MOVE is a particularly delicious crime drama with so many twists and turns that a seat belt is required. Kate Hayden is so accustomed to putting everything into her work that she comes across as being emotionless which is far from the truth. Theo Mazur wasn't too sure about calling in the FBI until he meets Kate. They have really good chemistry right from the start though it is subdued.



I don't want to give anything away about the story but I do have to say that I was glued to the page right from the very beginning. And the ending was as satisfying as the beginning with a conclusion that I didn't see coming at all. This book was written as a stand alone but I am crossing my fingers for more as I would love to be able to keep up with Kate and Theo.



I think that any of my readers who enjoy suspense or crime dramas will love this book. It has it all; great characters, witty dialogue, well paced plot and a stunning conclusion. Be sure check out THE LAST MOVE.



*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

When I see a new Mary Burton book, I do not bother reading the back cover. I know that I'm going to like it. The Last Move is an intense story where I found myself caught up in the lives of Dr. Kate Hayden and Theo Mazur as they work to uncover a killer whose cunning keeps everyone terrified. Add in some plot twists that were creepy and villainous and this story had me hooked!

I received a free ARC from the author and NetGalley for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. The murders were interesting. The reasons for the murders were interesting too.

The Last Move is the latest book from author, Mary Burton. Ms. Burton shows that she is not slowing down anytime soon. The team of FBI agent Kate Hayden and Homicide Detective Theo Mazur is a great pairing. They work well together. Both are detail orientated and professional. There were a few tense moments where both could have lost their cool but they remained focused at the task at hand. Which paid off in the end game.

Although, there was some chemistry sparking between Kate and Theo. I was rooting for them both. They had baggage but this made them human. Kate is the type of female role model that young girls and women can look up to and is relatable. Theo is the guy that women want.

While, up front it was apparent who Theo and Kate were tracking down; Ms. Burton still managed to sneak in a few twists. This was evident when the story shifted in the last third of the story. The intensity picked up more. I look forward to see this pair again in the future. The Last Move is the right move as you treat yourself to a copy of this book.

FBI agent Kate Hayden and homicide detective Theo Mazur have their hands full. Six months ago, Kate had arrested Dr. Charles Richardson for the Samaritan killings. But now, women are once again dying along an isolated stretch of road. And the question is, is it a copycat or an accomplice? The more they investigate, the crazier the case becomes.
This romantic suspense will keep you turning the pages and once again Mary Burton will "shock your socks off!"

Wow ! What a great book!!! Talk about a captivated thriller! There is many different story lines going in this book that eventually get woven together into a thrilling end. Is William the creeper from Kate's past leaving her clues via dead bodies along the expressway? Did Marcus have his wife killed or is this the work of a serial killer? Will Kate catch Drexler or is he trying to catch her? So many mysteries intertwined. Loved this book! It keep me reading into the wee hours and needed coffee the whole next day. If you love a great suspense book with great characters then read today!! You will NOT be disappointed!!!

Very good read. A little to easy to figure out. I love Mary Burton books and have read all of them.