Somewhere in this city… she’s waiting to be found. When the body of an innocent woman is found stabbed in her otherwise pristine bedroom, Detective Tom Fabian is called in to lead the investigation. It’s the latest in a series of seemingly random murders all over London, which Tom suspects might be linked… but how?
Just when Tom feels all his leads have run dry, he discovers a startling connection between the victims. The killer is tracing a sinister web of murder through the capital – but where does it lead, and who is next?
But then another victim is found, just as Tom’s wife and teenage daughter find themselves in grave danger. Is it a coincidence, or has his job put his family at risk? Has Tom unknowingly sacrificed those he loves most to the darkest case of his career… and can he catch the killer before he strikes again?
A completely gripping, pulse-racing crime thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page. Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Mark Edwards and Robert Dugoni.
I'm thrilled to be hosting the blog tour for Never Say Goodbye by Richard Parker today, my grateful thanks to the author and publishers, Bookouture for inviting me and for my copy of the book which I received through Netgalley.
Having loved his previous three books, Follow You, Hide and Seek and Keep Her Safe, Richard Parker has become an author whose novels I eagerly anticipate. Those previous books have been standalone thrillers but Never Say Goodbye is the first in a series and I was intrigued to read it.
When an elderly woman is murdered in her room, she's the latest victim of a serial killer but there are no suspects so far and the investigation has stalled. Tom Fabian was responsible for solving a previous high-profile case but his relationship with his superior officer is strained and he wasn't originally given this one. However, when his counterpart dies suddenly, he is handed what has become somewhat of a poisoned chalice, given that the only connection between the victims is that each has been killed with a knife and then brutally slashed on the face. Fabian eventually realises there may be a tenuous link between them but it only really informs him that the list of potential next victims is disconcertingly long.
As the first in a series, Never Say Goodbye has to feature an engrossing plot but it also needs to introduce a cast of characters who we want to see more of and it succeeds on both counts. DI Tom Fabian isn't a maverick, loose cannon sort of officer; he's a middle aged man who knows there are younger officers snapping at his heels but he is still dedicated to his job. He has a good, professional relationship with DS Natasha Banner, they share a mutual respect although she is an intensely private person and they aren't close enough to be friends. The book recognises the toll that police work puts on families but he is still friends with his wife, Harriet - their decision to separate was made before the job totally destroyed what they had. Their teenage daughter, Tilly is headed for university which means they both face some uncertainty about what it will mean for them. Tom realises Tilly needs her space but his experiences mean he is understandably fearful of her safety away from his protection.
The body count inevitably rises and the mystery becomes ever more puzzling with the few suspects identified each having their own secrets and decidedly questionable alibis. Though most of the novel follows the police investigation, some chapters show the killer at work as he watches his next victim before murdering them. These scenes are not especially graphic but they still leave no doubt as to the brutality of the attack. The creeping sense of dread once his course is set is truly sinister and then Richard Parker cleverly focuses on the desperate actions of the victims in their last few moments when their fear is almost palpable.
Never Say Goodbye is a superb police procedural, with a chilling and accomplished plot set in the labyrinthine streets of London with its long history of vicious murders. There's a real authenticity to the proceedings throughout too - this is a result tenaciously ground out, with the officers forced to work in a police station where the heating isn't functioning despite it being a freezing October. The conclusion to the case is breathtakingly shocking and then just when I thought Richard Parker couldn't spring any more surprises, the ending left me open-mouthed and desperate for the following book. I can tell already that the Tom Fabian series is destined to become one of my favourites and I can't wait to see what happens next!
Never Say Goodbye is published by Bookouture and can be purchased here. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the blog tour, details are below.
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