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The Last Line

A totally gripping WW2 historical fiction thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat

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The Last Line

By: Stephen Ronson
Narrated by: Orlando Wells
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In Britain's darkest hour of the war a veteran left behind from the fighting discovers evacuee children haven't been arriving at their destinations.

May 1940.

With Nazi forces sweeping across France, invasion seems imminent. The English Channel has never felt so narrow.

In rural Sussex, war veteran John Cook has been tasked with preparing the resistance effort, should the worst happen.

But even as the foreign threat looms, it's rumours of a missing child that are troubling Cook. A twelve-year-old girl was evacuated from London and never seen again, and she's just the tip of the iceberg - countless evacuees haven't made it to their host families.

As Cook investigates, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that reaches to the highest ranks of society. He will do whatever it takes to make the culprits pay. There are some lines you just don't cross.

THE LAST LINE is a blistering action thriller combined with a smart noir mystery, played out expertly against the taut backdrop of the British home front.

(P) 2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2023 Stephen Ronson 20th Century Espionage Historical Historical Fiction Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Fiction War
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Critic reviews

A brilliant noir thriller set in the darkest days of the Second World War
Ronson delivers a cracking yarn, convincingly told. John Cook is the Jack Reacher of 1940s Britain
A vivid sense of place with tension on every level, The Last Line dripped with historical detail and authenticity. I absolutely loved it
A tough, taut wartime thriller that reads like a cross between Alastair MacLean and Lee Child and atmospherically conjures up the spectre of war, the threat of Nazi invasion and other evils uncomfortably close to home. Dad's Army, it ain't!
Thrilling and intriguing in equal measure. Like Jack Reacher on the Home Front in WWII
The pace is quick and the action keeps coming. With well-chosen prose, the author gives the reader a snapshot of English countryside during wartime, with victory gardens, makeshift landing strips in farmers' fields and railway platforms full of evacuated children. It was a page-turner and I couldn't get enough
Addictively readable
All stars
Most relevant
Grabbed me from the first moment - stephen Ronson revealed a complex hero bit by bit. A couple of twists but mainly just a well told story. A narrative that flowed with a well thought out plot and all fantastically narrated by Orlando Wells. I genuinely can’t wait for book 2. Do yourself a favour and buy this one, you won’t be disappointed.

Brilliant just brilliant

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Thoroughly enjoyed the book, easy 5stars
This is a fast paced mystery/ thriller.
I listened to this on audiobooks, and Orlando Wells does a fantastic job bringing the characters to
Life.

Fast paced thriller!

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A impressive book with strong characters interwoven within the developments of World War 2. The events depicted in the story are more in the forefront especially the individuals John has to deal with, their truly abhorrent behaviour despite their respected positions of. John, Doc and Margaret are the three incredible main heroes of the book. The latter, a formidable woman of stature, especially in this era of the 40's. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the adventures of John and Margaret in The Berlin Agent and more that Stephen Ronson writes!

Bravery and courage

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I loved listening to this audiobook. Lots of twists and turns and Orlando Wells is a brilliant narrator. It's a book that I must recommend.

Great thriller

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I don’t normally write reviews but in this case I will make an exception….
I genuinely thought this was a truly excellent book. It had everything I wanted, was really well written and the narration was spot on. Can’t wait until the next one!

Absolutely brilliant

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