Thoroughly enjoyed this next book in the series starring Detectives Ray Paterson and Johnny Clocks investigating the body of a man whose head was poking out of the mud with a star carved out on his forehead. The novel keeps the reader guessing until the final pages, very good!

Fabulous thriller that kept me eagerly turning the pages!! Fantastic characters and plot, could not put it down.

WOW, what a read! The plot was intense, powerful and thrilling and held me captive all the way through! The characters fairly leaped off the page, and the tension was palpable. If you are looking for a book that you just CAN’T put down, then this is DEFINITELY the book for you!

Their Dying Breath is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. It is engrossing and keeps you entertained and at the edge of your seat until the very end.

Definitely recommend this book!

I love this series. Ray Paterson and Johnny Clocks come from very different backgrounds. On paper they should not have an effective patnership but somehow it just works. This story plays out at a rate of knots, it is literally a race against time to figure out why these particular victims have been chosen and to find them before the clock runs out. All this makes for an exciting story that just cries out to be read in one sitting.

I really enjoyed this book! A great story line that kept me hooked and excellent main characters. I would highly recommend this book.

You can't go wrong with a Paterson and Clocks book. This is a gritty police procedural that has a twisted killer. The Muslim community is being targeted in this book and it's pretty gruesome. This isn't for the faint of heart.

'Their Dying Breath' is the fifth book in the series featuring Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson and Detective Inspector Johnny Clocks. I have read, reviewed and loved each and every book in the series. I couldn't wait to start reading 'Their Dying Breath' and so after I picked up a cup of tea, I grabbed my copy of the book and I settled down to start reading the book. 'Their Dying Breath' is another amazing read from Steve Parker and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every minute of it but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that I love the working partnership of Paterson and Clocks. They are not only work colleagues but they are also very good friends. Paterson is the more tactful and diplomatic of the two whereas Clocks can be the total opposite. Clocks tells it how it is and he certainly doesn't sugercoat certain details. Paterson is fond of the ladies and he also has been known to have an affair with the wife of a fellow officer. Paterson is well practised in the martial arts arena, which gives him a bit more of a dangerous edge. Paterson and Clocks have each others' backs and they are fiercely loyal to each other. I loved both characters but I have something of a soft spot for Clocks, who is a bit of a loveable rogue.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this story. In fact, by the time I got to the end of the first chapter, that was it, I just knew that nothing would get done for the rest of the day. I found 'Their Dying Breath' to be an addictive read and then some. I would pick the book up to fill in a spare few minutes but I would still be sat reading over an hour later. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The pages turned over at a furious rate the further into the book I got. I would say that the latter half of the book passed by in a blur. I just had this desperation to find out how the story concluded and what the conclusion of the story meant for the dynamic detective duo.
'Their Dying Breath' is brilliantly written but then I wouldn't expect anything else from Steve Parker. The story hits the ground running and maintains the fast pace throughout. Steve starts the story in a memorable way and then gradually he draws you into the story. The reader then taken on one hell of an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride. Steve writes so realistically and uses such vivid descriptions that I did feel as though I was part of the story myself. The fact that Steve himself is a former police officer only adds extra authenticity to the story.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed the fifth outing for Paterson and Clocks. I look forward to reading more of Steve's work in the future. Here's hoping that we don't have too long to wait for his next book (hint, hint). I would definitely recommend this author and this series to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The Paterson and Clocks series is one I really love. I love everything about it from the realistic way it is written to the absolutely brilliant characters. The dynamics between Paterson and Clocks really make the book I have watched this pair grow from hating each other to becoming best friends despite the fact they are totally different personalities. Clocks is so funny and that is important because this pair and their colleagues are dealing with evilness personified. But the villains had better watch out because these 2 never give up until they have got their man (or men)

The story begins with a body found on the banks of the Thames. It appears the man was buried up to his neck and left to watch the tide come in until he drowned. Then the airwaves are taken over by a live feed of a man in a box and the team is in a race against time, literally, to try to find where the box is buried before it is too late.

Paterson and Clocks pull out all the stops to try to work out what is happening before chaos breaks out and the rumours of racial crime take on a life of their own. They are up against it as the Muslim community close ranks. But secrets will be uncovered and the motive realised but Paterson, Clocks and the team put their lives and careers on the line to save lives and find the reason for the murders.

In addition to the main storyline there is a sub-story that brings even more intrigue to the book and had me asking myself if it could possibly be so.

This is an absolutely awesome read it is a while since I have enjoyed a book so much. It probably isn't for the faint hearted but if you are a reader that likes adrenaline pumping suspense from the first page to the last then this book is definitely for you.

5 golden stars from me - cant wait for the next book.

The fifth book in the Paterson and Clocks series which is yet another fab police precedural from Steve Parker. You don't have to have read the other books in order to enjoy this one but I love having getting to know the characters and I enjoy the book more because I know each character and their idiosyncrasies.
This story starts with a mutilated body being discovered buried up to its head in a vertical sandy grave. It's right on the banks of the River Thames and a cryptic ”star” has been etched into its forehead. This is a horrific, brutal murder that completely shocked and appalled local residents and leaves the police fearful and baffled.

The following day the twisted murderer begins a livestream showing another victim trapped in a box with the familiar star carved into his head. He had been drowned alive whilst imprisoned and helpless in the box. The live feed shows another two victims being slain and the perpetrator promises another two will die in the next few hours. Can the police discover the identity of the serial killer before he adds more bodies to his total?
Steve Parker, yet again has written a brilliantly well informed twisted book! It's action packed, fast paced and tons of weirdly sarcastic humour between the two detectives which brings the laughs in between the dark moments. They are a fantastic duo that work well together! Thanks to Net galley and Steve Parker for the ARC! I really loved it...again!

Another fascinating case for Regan and Carter, whoops I mean Paterson and Clocks. Reminds the reader of the old Sweeney days. A really fascinating and unusual storyline. The first chapter was a complete puzzle but eventually all the pieces fitted together to make this a real page turner.

Their Dying Breath is the fifth instalment in the series featuring Detectives Ray Paterson and Johnny Clocks of the Homicide and Major Crime Command unit in Bermondsey, London, and is yet another solid police procedural to add to Steve Parker’s resume. Each book can be read as a standalone as the central thread of the plot is always contained to that particular novel. A mutilated body is discovered buried up to its head in a vertical sandy grave. It's right on the banks of the River Thames and a cryptic ”star” has been etched into its forehead. This is a horrific, brutal murder that completely shocked and appalled local residents and leaves the police fearful and baffled.

The following day the twisted murderer begins a livestream showing another victim trapped in a box with the familiar star carved into his head. He had been drowned alive whilst imprisoned and helpless in the box. The live feed shows another two victims being slain and the perpetrator promises another two will die in the next few hours. Can the police discover the identity of the serial killer before he adds more bodies to his total?

If you enjoy thrillers with plenty of drama, twists and a little humour to lighten the dark topics then you simply can’t go wrong with Their Dying Breath. It’s well written and hooks you in from the very beginning with a compelling narrative. Having served twenty years in the Metropolitan police force Parker uses this to inform his work and create a sense of authenticity and realism. It’s an action-packed, fast-paced cat and mouse game with the detectives being under massive pressure to solve the case quickly before more loss of life. The dynamic between Paterson and Clocks is a strange one but somehow it works well with a tonne of sarcastic banter and sardonic humour. Ray and Johnny will swiftly feel like old friends you've known your entire life. Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.

This is the fifth book featuring Superintendent Ray Paterson and his team from the Homicide and Major Crime Command unit in Bermondsey, London. Paterson is young, good looking and extremely wealthy, and until recently was on a fast track to the top, whilst DI Johnny Clocks (nicknamed Timex or Thrush due to his ability to be so irritating) is the complete opposite - loud, foul-mouthed and brash having come up through the ranks but a loyal friend for life once he decides he likes you. I love the pair of them! I mean, who cares if they are a little more "Sweeney" than "pc" and their language is a bit colourful? Clocks has mellowed a little thanks to the addition of his girlfriend DI Lyndsey Mullins, a Metropolitan Police tactical firearms officer who is a terrific match for him and who is due to marry him soon. Until his retirement the pair had received complete support from former Police Commissioner Wallace (Wol) Young but now the new man in the job is a completely different kettle of fish. The two detectives are just about over their injuries sustained in the USA in the previous adventure when they are called to a murder on the shore of the River Thames. A man has been murdered and the only part of him not buried in the mud and shingle is his head. And on his head is a strange symbol carved into it. Whilst the detectives are trying to identify the motive for the killing, the TV signals are hacked and a live feed is broadcast to the nation showing a man imprisoned in a coffin and slowly drowning. He also bears the same symbol cut into his head. As a further man is slaughtered in the same way, the authorities look on helpless and powerless to find the victims in time with such a vast area to search in. There is a threat of public unrest and even when they eventually figure out the killer's plan, Paterson and Clocks have an almost impossible task on their hands to prevent more deaths as they face their most devious enemy yet. As if that wasn't enough to cope with, it looks like someone is copying the awful murders carried out in book 1, a case which nearly ended the careers of our two detectives. The third body of a young girl has been discovered with a word carved into her body and the SIO has a suspect in mind. Now we know the boys can be a bit rough and ready at times and are always happy to wade into a fight, but no way are they murderers. Sadly Wol's replacement Sir Scott Anderson is coming across as a bit thick and lets himself get persuaded by DCI Chris Lambert that surveillance should be put on Paterson and Clocks in order to find some damning evidence against them. Watch this space! As I have come to expect from this series the pace is terrific with loads of action, and this really is a book that kept me hooked till the last very unexpected page. Clocks and Paterson make a great team. There is a lot of humorous banter between the two, making the book fun at the same time as tackling deadly serious crimes. They have a fantastic relationship built on the shared traumatic events that they have somehow lived through in the first four stories in this series and that have shaped Paterson and Clocks into the characters they are now. If you haven't, I urge you to read the series in order. There is a lot of history and although it is well described and the books can be enjoyed as standalones it wouldn't be the same reading them out of turn. I thought the cliff-hanger at the end of the last book was huge but that was nothing compared to the ending in this book - wow!! - which just leaves me begging for the next book on the hurry up! 5*

Paterson & Clocks #5

A head has been found on the banks of the Thames with a star carved into its forehead. The rest of the torso is buried in the mud. The following day, a live-stream shows a man who was locked in a box. He has a star carved in his forehead. The man was then drowned whilst still in the box. With another two men being murdered on live TV and two more to be killed in the next few hours, Detectives Paterson and Clocks have to race against time to solve this case.

I do like this police procedural series. Its thrilling and fast paced. I like the banter shared between Parerson and Clocks. The plotline is a sensitive topic to write about. This is a well written and suspenseful read. The story held my attention throughout.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Steve Parker for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Their dying breath by Steve Parker.
Detectives Ray Paterson and Johnny Clocks attend the scene of a brutal murder on the banks of the River Thames.
Someone’s head is found with a star carved into their forehead. The rest of their body is buried in the mud.
The next day the airwaves are hacked. A live-stream shows a man imprisoned in a box. He also has a star cut into his head.
Then the man is drowned alive in the box.
TWO MORE MEN ARE MURDERED ON LIVE TV, TWO MORE WILL DIE WITHIN HOURS
Paterson and Clocks race against time to make sure their next breath isn’t their last.
But this enemy is far more deceptive and deadly than any they've encountered before.
THEY WILL DO ANYTHING FOR REVENGE. WHY?
A very good read with good characters. Patterson and Clocks are my favourite characters.
Looking forward to the next book. 4*.

Detectives Ray Paterson and Johnny Clocks are back for another romp on the banks of the River Thames.

Paterson and Clocks are called to investigate when a man's body is found ... his entire body buried except for his head. There is a star carved into their head.

The next day a live stream show reveals a man imprisoned in a box who also has a star carved on his forehead. Cause of death -drowned while he was in the sealed box.

These are not the only men who are murdered while in a sealed box with water running in. It's a race to try to identify who they are .... because if the detectives don't find the victims in time, there will be more deaths.

This is well written with suspense starting with the very first page. The main characters are the stars of the show, especially Clocks, who sees everything with a sense of humor. and mostly a bit of sarcasm which he has mastered. Paterson is quite wealthy, quite the opposite of Clocks' upbringing. They don't always get along, but it has improved over the several years they've worked together.

Although this is 5th in the series, it is easily read as a stand alone. I would recommend reading them in order to get a real feel for the characters. The author brings his personal background of police service to instill credibility into his stories.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Someone is targeting the Muslim Community., first choice for Ray Paterson and Johnny Clocks are a far right group who despise many for which the police would love to imprison many of its members but when it becomes clear it is not them it then becomes a race to locate the perpetrator before more turn up dead

Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advance read

Another hellish case for Ray and Clocks, full of drama, twists and Clocks humour with a true cliffhanger conclusion. The duo really do have more than nine lives.