I thought when I first saw this book that it sounded like a lot packed in, and it may not work for that reason. I am delighted to say that I could not be more wrong. The clever way in which the crime is unravelled under the backdrop of the home front is astonishingly good.

Razor sharp, vivid with superb characters. This is an author to watch.

There is a lot to like in this book, with details about the early years of the war, particularly for the people who lived on the shores of the Channel. The descriptions of the countryside are excellent, and set the scene for the action.
The subject matter involves another strand, a dark one, about the fate of some of the child evacuees.
How our hero John Cook went about trying to save the victims of this awful trade, led him into many scrapes,
The body count, as a result, was way into double figures.
The recounting of Cook’s thought processes as he dispatched yet another ‘baddie’ became tedious. The level of violence was gut wrenching. I appreciate that Cook had been affected by his experiences in the trenches in WW1, in Europe and other theatres of war.
However this aspect of the book was not something I’m comfortable with, purely my personal opinion.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

This novel starts with a very exciting scene with a crashing Spitfire, followed by a German plane which had been chasing it. This quickly sets the tone for the rest of the novel. It reads a bit like a grown-up, famous five adventure with added violence, think Jack Reacher meets Secret Seven. All a little bit unbelievable but jolly good fun to read .This is not a deep novel. It really is a an exciting thriller
The setting of this novel at the time when the population was expecting the imminent invasion of Great Britain creates lots of tension the government was expecting the arrival of Germans from across the English channel any day. The hero of the story is an ex-servicemen who served in World War I and has since then been working as a farmer. He is approached by government officials, asking him to set off a resistance organisation in his local area to try and thwart the German invasion.
Unbelievability does settle in quite early. there is, for example a lot of dead bodies unaccounted for. they seem to drop where they killed and you never hear of them again
The book is very story lead the character development isn’t as strong as the fast paced action scenes. The author has a flowing writing style, which is very easy to read, making the novel and enjoyable read.
This novel is clearly designed to be a series of books and I think they’re going to be very popular. I thought that the novel would make a great TV series and I suspect the TV rights will be taken out quickly
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK on the 2nd of November 2023 by Hodder and Stoughton
This review will appear on NetGalley UK. Good reads, and on my book blog,bionicsarahsbooks.wordpress.com. The review will also be posted on Amazon once the novel is published.

Refreshing and original, The Last Line explores some of the hard hitting, hidden and often forgotten sides of war.

The book is full of mystery and suspense as readers are swept along on a missing person and murder mystery adventure.

I particularly enjoyed that this book captured the emotions of the people during war time and was clearly well researched. It really emphasised the difficulty some soldiers had in switching from the battlefield to regular life and also the complacency (such as not taking your gas mask with you) that often occured.

War time propaganda and "cosy" war time stories and films often portray evacuees as enjoying a safe haven in the countryside, almost like a holiday of sorts. The author addresses what may have been the reality for countless children when placements go wrong. Please be advised there are some hard hitting themes here so use discretion but I would highly recommend this well written, captivating book!

Thanks so much to Stephen for highlighting this Netgalley copy to me.

My God, this was great. It left me with a book hangover.

I felt like I was there in 1940s England. Reading about WWII in England is far different from the US version. The English, and others of course, had the war in their backyard. As an American, I never really gave it a thought. Like how the men could go shoot German planes out of the sky, then sit in their local that evening having a beer.

One thing I really liked was that I learned so much from this book. Not only about WWII, but also how to defend yourself and throw punches correctly. I may be 70, but you never know when you're going to be in a pub brawl. So thanks for the education.

The writing is really 3D. You really feel like you're there.
It's very immersive, and I love the witty humor. John Cook is a wonderful character and I'm really looking forward to the next John Cook novel. I hope it becomes a long series.

Fantastic read. This is the first time I have read anything from this author and I really enjoyed the book. Great bit of historic accounts from war time too.

I started reading this book as the Precis seemed interesting to me. Really glad that I did as I couldn't put it down. Stephen Ronson takes the early part of WWII and has made a really great story from it. Even the details of daily living have been included which really helps to paint a picture of Sussex during that time.
The very start of the story is a little unusual and disturbing but as it progresses you will realise why it happens.
Definitely worth a read even if you have not read any stories from the era before.

First of all thank you to Stephen for reaching out. I am so glad that you did and am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read The Last Line. If love mystery/thriller novels and have an interest in ww2 fiction, this is the book for you. This book feels like the perfect combination between Jack Reacher and a 1940s war-time Britain setting, with our MMC teaming up with likeminded civilians concerned with protecting the Homefront, forming an almost vigilante-style group. All of this created a captivating, suspense-driven read that I couldn’t and didn’t put down.

At its core, this is a well-written and undoubtedly well-researched authentic thriller that immerses you in the Sussex countryside, aided by the extremely descriptive passages that really help you to envisage exactly what the author wants you to see.

However, even though the book is set during 1940s war-time Britain, the main plot we follow is away from the war, concerned with evacuees, and a murder that has people looking towards our main character John. This really showed the other side to the war, how life and crime still continued despite the war occurring. Everyday life continues on.

Despite all of this, it was the characters that really sold me on this book. John, our male MC, you just can’t help but route for him every step of the way, despite his vigilante style, talk with his hands, ethically and morally questionable investigative techniques. And Margaret. An absolutely incredible female character, especially for the time period, and her strength, intelligence and role were brilliant to read!

This was a fantastic debut, and I cannot wait to see what Stephen has in store of us all next!

*4.5 stars*

Former Army Sergeant Major John Cook, returned to his life as a Sussex farmer after WWI. It’s now 1940 and Cook’s bravery and expertise are required by the Government as they implement plans to set up units in response to a possible invasion.

The plan was to set up Auxiliary Units using specially-trained, highly secret quasi military units during the Second World War, with the aim of using irregular warfare in response to a possible invasion of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany. With the advantage of having witnessed the rapid fall of several Continental European nations, the United Kingdom was the only country during the war that was able to create a multilayered guerrilla force in anticipation of an invasion.

Cook is seen as the perfect candidate for this task, but other problems occupy his time too, notably the disappearance of 12 year old London evacuee Elizabeth. He soon finds she’s not the only evacuee that’s gone missing, and in his endeavours to discover her whereabouts, he comes up against a criminal gang who are completely ruthless, and for whom violence is a mere trifle.

However, Cook is more than able to hold his own, and in fact relishes a good fight if the circumstances warrant it.

This is an excellent debut novel with a gripping storyline, some terrific characters ( not least Cook) who would give Superman a run for his money, and tons of action.
Author Stephen Ronson has set a very high standard with his debut novel, and I just can’t wait to see what comes next.

The Last Line had me completely captivated. Full of historical elements that are so descriptive it truly felt like I was being pulled back in time. The storylines are brilliantly woven together with so much detail that it is a book you will get lost in thinking you are actually there along side the main character John Cook. Set during WW2 as an ex soldier and a farmer John soon finds himself on a mission to put right the wrongs whilst preparing for the invasion of the Germans in the South East of England. The insights that you learn from John are intriguing and makes for a very compelling page turner.
Whilst planning on how best to defend his farm and surrounding local land John finds himself caught up with the local police over the attack and murder of a local girl who was trying to find her friend. Her friend Elizabeth is an evacuee who goes missing. It is fast paced thrilling story that catapults you into the mind of John, how he thinks, how he views people and the world around him. You are then taken on a compelling thrilling journey as John battles to organise a trusted unit to defend the land whilst also unravelling and uncovering the dark secrets of the criminal world and their activities. Trying to put right the wrongs and always ready to get the job done John and his trusted unit face many challenges along the way.
This is a first class 5 star read that is a cleverly written compelling, captivating historical crime thriller that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys an unputdownable thrilling read.

So I finished this book 2 days ago and still have the characters on my mind, so thought I would also write my non spoiler and brief review of the book here.

We were kindly asked to read this book ahead of release and I am so glad we were.

I normally read a tonne of crime thrillers and have only read the Heather Morris books which fit similar to the genre of this book.

Stephen has a way of describing his characters so tremendously that you really fall in love with them. John, Margaret and Doc for me are just the most incredible characters.

Even though the war is happening the main story is away from the war and that’s what had me flying through the pages as quick as humanly possible. In this era where it was mainly men as the war heroes, Stephen gave us Margaret who for me is just a true hero. It was amazing to see such a powerhouse of a woman in this era and I still think about that character today.

You will route for John at all times and even when it gets to the graphic parts you are just willing John to do more and more to succeed and put a stop to these people that abuse their position of power and stature.

I really hope this book reaches far and wide and everyone gets to feel the same way about these characters and story as I do. I also really look forward to more books written by Stephen.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

When Stephen asked me to read this book my first thought was it’s not something I would normally read, I’m not into history books especially war.

Wow I am so glad I gave it a go and was pushed out my comfort zone..

I really enjoyed reading about history and also the storyline was great, this book kept me intrigued throughout and kept me hooked..

I am excited to read more of Stephen Ronsons books and so much more eager to move away from my usual preferred books.

thank you Stephen and netgalley!!!

I’d recommend this book to everyone, even if it’s not something you would normally read.

The Last Line is an extremely well written and well researched thriller. I don’t want to spoil the plot in any way because it's brilliant and full of twists and turns. I really liked John Cook and the experiences he’s had makes him a relatable and realistic character. I loved the characters, especially Margaret. The descriptions allowed me to fully immerse myself in the story and the backdrop of Sussex. One particular sequence really paints a picture.
“There was a distant noise, like a giant swarm of bees. We both looked for a source. The noise grew lounder, until I could feel the ground shaking. I put my hand on the side of the barn and felt the vibration deep in the old timbers.”
The story runs at a steady pace before ramping up at the climax.

Stephen Ronson clearly did a lot of research and it’s reflected throughout making the story interesting and authentic. I thought I knew a lot about WWII, but clearly I was wrong. I learnt a great deal more reading this.
5 stars from me! This is a fantastic debut.

Really liked the setting of WWII Sussex and the life and characters portrayed therein. Not so sure about the main character John Cook or the main storyline of a paedophile ring using evacuees for their own abusive ends
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A superb novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I can see why many of the reviews likened the hero, John Cook, to Lee Child's Jack Reacher and to set it during the second world war added an unexpected and interesting dimension. Especially when there are already a number of ex special forces protagonists out there. It just went to show that given a different setting or time, there is indeed room for one more.
I will be recommending this book whilst eagerly awaiting the next one.

In Stephen Ronson's "The Last Line," set in May 1940, the impending invasion of Nazi forces in France sends shivers of fear across England. In the quiet countryside of Sussex, war veteran John Cook is entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the resistance effort should the worst come to pass.

However, amidst the looming foreign threat, it is the unsettling rumours of a missing child that trouble Cook deeply. A twelve-year-old girl, evacuated from London, has vanished without a trace. As Cook delves into the investigation, he uncovers a sinister conspiracy that stretches to the highest echelons of society. It becomes clear that countless evacuees have disappeared, failing to reach their intended host families.

Driven by a fierce sense of justice, Cook is determined to bring the perpetrators to account, no matter the cost. In a world on the brink of chaos, he confronts the dark underbelly of society and realizes that there are certain boundaries that should never be crossed.

"The Last Line" explores the themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the fight against evil in a time of war. As Cook's investigation intensifies, readers are taken on a gripping journey through treacherous secrets and the resilience of the human spirit.

As the by-line for this title says, if you like Lee Child then you will like this book. It has all the familiar hallmarks…vivid writing, well crafted characters, excellent plot and a crusading Superman with definite ideas about right and wrong and meting out his version of justice. The setting is Southern England, just across the water from the British Expeditionary Force who have been driven back to Dunkirk and a German invasion of England seems inevitable. Hasty preparations are being made to prevent the invasion but failing that, plan B is to thwart the pace using guerrilla tactics from armed resistance groups. John Cook, a WW1 veteran, is tasked with secretly preparing for such events but he gets distracted trying to solve the rape and murder of a young women which leads him on a quest to track down a missing 12 year old evacuee from London. He discovers deplorable crimes being committed by the most reprehensible characters and in true Jack Reacher style, starts his own private war!
I do like Lee Child books so I too found it a real page turner. I also like WW2 history so I enjoyed the context of Britain on the brink of being invaded. That being said, I found John Cook a bit of an anachronism. His ruthless and brutal dispensing of the bad guys did not fit typical WW1/2 heros we are used to in fiction from this genre. On balance I think I am more comfortable with a Richard Hannay or a Biggles to a Rambo or a Jack Reacher but even with that caveat, I found it a great read!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing access to this book.

Hugest of thanks must go to Morgan at Hodder Books for kindly sending me a proof copy of The Last Line.

As my followers know, I’m heavily into World War Two novels and when I saw the blurb for The Last Line, I was immediately interested.

The Last Line is a fantastically written thriller set in Sussex during the early part of WW2. We meet John Cook a Veteran of the Great War, and now a Farmer, living with his Mum and Uncle on his large farm estate. Now I, as usual, do not want to spoil the story in any way, especially because this is an absolute belter of a book! John Cook is a loveable character who, like most men returning from WW1, has his demons and these make him a pretty tough, hardworking and organised chap, who has a short fuse and doesn’t suffer fools! But I adored him from the first page! The setting is described so vividly that I really felt immersed.

There is also a great supporting cast who compliment John, and again without giving anything away, Margaret is also a brilliant character and I adored her!! The Last Line, is a snappy, smart and immersive thriller, the story runs at pace throughout the novel, and I found it extremely realistic, and it is clear that Stephen Ronson has done a lot of research into the activities of veterans during WW2 especially on the Home Front, in the South East of England. And in fact, I learnt several things during this read, as there are elements based on fact in here.

I've read many novels set during the wars, and I have to say that The Last Line is up there with the best, it's just a superb example of how to write a book with passion and love. It is thrilling, easy to read, whip-smart, and there’s a lot of violence but that goes hand in hand with the character of John Cook, and I personally love a lead character that’s not afraid to use his fists! But there’s also humour and empathy in The Last Line. The plot is also really well written, with many twists and turns and it builds to a marvellous ending which was really well thought out!

So in summing up, this is an easy 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read, it is the start of a series, and I am already itching to read John Cook book 2! If you like a gripping thriller, set during WW2, with easy-to-like characters and cast, and a superb storyline, then I urge you to get buying The Last Line. A BookBanger 💥

First World War veteran John Cook has been tasked with establishing the resistance effort where he farms in the Sussex countryside. The Nazis have been advancing through Europe and an invasion along the southern English coast seems imminent.

When 12-year-old Elizabeth, a London evacuee, goes missing, John discovers she isn't the only one — there are other children who also haven't made it to their host families. Feeling compelled to investigate, he unearths a criminal gang operating on his home turf. Using skills learnt during his military career and a fair amount of sheer brute force, John wades in to put a stop to their activities once and for all.

The Last Line is a cracking novel from author Stephen Ronson. With excellent characterisation I immediately felt immersed and captivated. The writing is superb and the story flowed with ease. Descriptions of the Sussex countryside, towns and villages were idyllic and created an authentic sense of time and place. Just be warned though — the story contains child abuse and a fair amount of violence which some readers may find triggering. Putting that aside, it was a thrilling read and I really hope there will be more books to follow. A great debut novel which I highly recommend.

The Last Line is a thrilling and fast paced war time mystery set in the early days of WW2 when France is falling to Germany and Britain is preparing its home front for invasion. A well researched, enjoyable novel that deserves to be televised. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.