Did I read this in the dark? yes, Did I also have to buy a nightlight? Yes but completely unrelated obviously.
A banger of a book! fast paced and keeps you on your toes until the last page!

John Marrs has once again proven that he's a master of the slow-burn thriller that lingers long after the final page. Her Last Move doesn’t just follow a killer — it shadows the emotional wreckage left in his wake, blending gritty crime drama with smart psychological suspense. What unfolds is a game of strategy and timing between a detective fighting for professional validation and a murderer who’s always one breath ahead.

The story hooked me from the start with its chilling premise: a meticulous killer stalking London, striking with almost mechanical precision. At first, the case seems like a web of coincidences, but as more bodies surface, the connections begin to emerge… and they are personal. At the center of it all is DS Becca Vincent, a detective juggling the weight of career ambition and single motherhood. She’s flawed, emotionally driven, sometimes rash — but that’s what makes her feel real. Pairing her with Joe Russell, a so-called "super recognizer" with an almost uncanny ability to remember faces, was a brilliant move. Their contrasting styles and unspoken respect made for a dynamic investigative duo.

What really worked for me was the structure — shifting POVs that gave insight into not just Becca and Joe’s inner struggles, but also the chillingly calm, calculated mind of the killer. Marrs walks that delicate line of revealing just enough without deflating the tension too soon. While the killer’s identity becomes clear earlier than expected, the why remains an unsettling mystery that kept me engaged to the final chapter.

There were moments I found Becca’s decisions frustrating, and the emotional beats between chapters could have landed harder, but overall, the depth of character building made up for it. I especially appreciated how the plot never sacrificed development for action — the pace is deliberate, never frantic, but always compelling. And when the final pieces fall into place, the payoff is worth it.

Dark, compelling, and full of psychological bite, Her Last Move is a cleverly layered procedural that reminds us even in a crowd of thousands, someone is always watching.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Big thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK / Thomas & Mercer for sharing this addictive thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts!

The way I screamed when I saw I got this ARC! I LOVE John Marrs's books!
This book did not disappoint (I knew it wouldn't). Absolutely fantastic from the first chapter. No slow plot here, just twists and turns from the outset. I read it in less than 24 hours it was just that good.

If you haven't read any of John Marrs books I would highly recommend you do!

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, John Marrs and Amazon Publishing UK / Thomas & Mercer📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

okay WOW—Her Last Move by John Marrs was a total rollercoaster. if you like your thrillers fast, dark, and full of twists, this one delivers big time 👏

you’ve got a serial killer with a pattern, a detective with secrets, and timelines that keep the pace flying. every time i thought i had it figured out… nope. Marrs does not hold back.

creepy, clever, and addictive. short chapters, big payoffs, and an ending that punches you in the gut. 🚨 definitely one of my fave John Marrs reads yet.