Having felt lukewarm about the last but-one in the Poe and Bradshaw series, The Botanist, I was in two minds whether to request The Final Vow as in some respects the plots sounded similar (albeit with a sniper randomly targeting the public rather than a poisoner targeting celebrities). I’m very glad I did request and read it, though, as it was a great read and a solid addition to the series. The Final Vow does contain spoilers for the previous book in the series and in any case I wouldn’t recommend to try and read as a standalone, as I think you need to read somewhat in order of publishing to really appreciate the characters. But for those familiar with Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, this makes for a page-turning and gripping thriller with surprising touches of humour.

This has to be my favorite so far in this series. The author totally kept me on my toes throughout. If you want the best from this book then please read from the 1st book in the series and by the time you get to this one you will be thankful
The team are back together in this book and from the very first page I was torn between wanting to rush to find out what happened to wanting it to last longer. I loved how the author mixed old characters in to this book. 5 star read from a 5 star series

The team are back together to try and catch a sniper who has killed 17 victims up to now. Love the interaction between the main chracters and the humour us there too.. There lots of twists along the way and well drawn chracters and I could not put this book down. M w Craven is one of my must read author now. Thanks to Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for this review copy.

If you've read any of the Poe & Tilly series before now then you already know this is going to be a fantastic read. The Final Vow has the strongest opening chapter of all Craven's books to date, I slapped the entire novel in one afternoon- no way I was putting it down.
You really can't start the series mid way, there's a staggering amount of previous character and relationship development and this particular plot is so much stronger for it.
Craven knocks out five stars for me every single time, the storylines never grow stale and at this point I'd happily read an entire book of these characters (especially the latest returning feature- Poe's therapist) just chatting over a coffee, the intricate crime thriller is an added bonus.
The Final Vow is an emotional roller coaster and possibly the best installment so far.

As always, it didn’t take long for this latest adventure, featuring Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, to have me engrossed and racing towards the end. It’s full of twists and turns and, with so many interesting and well drawn characters, it’s bound to be on everyone’s reading list.

I thoroughly recommend it.

My thanks to the author, to the publisher and to Netgalley for the chance to read and review the book.

To quote Mike Craven on a recent social media post- OH MY GIDDY AUNT!
I am OBSESSED with this series and eagerley await the new Poe and Tilly installments.
I couldn't believe I was approved for an ARC, not having the previous ones! I squealed on the train! Apologies my review is late, but my wedding is in 10 days so not having as much time to read!
That opening... Mike Craven, are you okay? Can someone do a welfare check?
This is a superb addition to the series. As we have come to expect from Mike Craen, there is so much drama, but a lot of humour too. Several laugh out loud moments, and I am pleased to report Edgar the spaniel is ever present!
I cannot describe the stress Mike Craven manages to execute on his readers! I loved every minute and now begins the long wait for Book 8. Long may it continue.

The 7th case for DS Washington Poe & analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, sees them hunting for a deadly sniper. With a body count of 17 & rising, the killer never misses but it's difficult to track them or predict their next move as their targets & locations seem to be completely random. Poe & Bradshaw are the best there is, but how do you catch a killer who never makes a mistake?

This delivers exactly what readers of this series are expecting; fast-paced action, humorous banter especially between Bradshaw & Poe, & the trademark twists & turns. Except as the twists are expected, they're harder to pull off & this lessens any real sense of jeopardy for me. 3.75 stars (rounded up)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little, Brown Book Group UK/Constable, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I was tempered to read this but have opted for the audiobook which I had already pre ordered, excellent story, superb narration

My favourite duo are back and oh boy this book was a real rollercoaster right from the beginning when something happens to a favourite character!
Most of the book is a giant flashback leading to this initial moment and what a clever structure and plot Mr Craven has given to his fans!
In this instalment Sergeant Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, his genius analyst, are on the trail of a sniper who is shooting random people and holding the country to ransom as people are afraid to go out! It’s like COVID as people are frightened and the economy is suffering.
In the midst of all this Poe is planning his wedding to Estelle Doyle. All favorite characters are present including Stephanie Flynn and Edgar the dog. It was really clever how the author moved the personal story on whilst focusing on Poe’s difficulties capturing the assassin.
As ever I loved the Lake District setting, a place I have visited several times including earlier this year when I drove over Shap Fell several times. Whilst doing this I was imagining where Poe’s “Croft “might be. I was only disappointed he hadn’t seen fit to invite me to the wedding as these characters feel so real I would have loved to meet them all, particularly Poe himself and definitely Tilly and Edgar.
This is a fabulous read which I raced through in no time at all. I thoroughly enjoyed “The Final Vow” and in fact the whole series is brilliant - the books just keep getting better and better. they all come highly recommended !
I can’t wait for the next book- let’s hope it’s well underway already!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Review of The Last Vow

Once again M W Craven has written a totally brilliant gem of a novel. His Poe and Tilly series are always entertaining and amusing and on this occasion he has surpassed himself.
He manages to put the whole team back together again on the trail of a sniper who is shooting people at will and weaves a complex story told over diffrrent timelines that comes to a very satisfying conclusion, one which leaves a path towards what maybe going to happen later in the series.
He also manages to bring into it some characters from previous outings plus a new one in the firm of Uncle Bertie who I really hope we meet again in future books.
All in all a very well written story which will keep fans of his previous books hooked and would highly recommend it

Brilliant. Craven, Poe and Tilly are back. And Craven is on fire this around after the darkly disturbing events of The Mercy Chair.

Full action, wit and wise cracks, this is crime fiction for the masses that ticks all boxes. One of the endearing things about Craven and his books are that he doesn’t take life to seriously. This adds a fun element to the fabulously crafted crimes and add a vibrancy to his larger than life characters.

Fast paced with chapters just a few pages long just keep you turning and reading just one more chapter and with cliffhangers abound, invariably that one more chapter becomes 5 more…

A writer who has been on top o his craft this past few years shows no signs at all of slowing dow, in fact he’s doing quite the opposite with the Koenig thrillers and his newly announced James Bond series.

Stellar again from one of the very best

Well to use a much overused phrase OMG is my reaction to the first chapter. My husband is a keen M.W. Craven fan too so he was forced by my reaction to order his copy. So totally unexpected is all I can and will say about the plot. This whole series is excellent and if you’re only just hearing about it I would suggest you read them in order. They are all standalone but I’m sure it must be better in order.
Then almost the best bit of the book comes in the last sentence of acknowledgements when Mr Craven asks “Same time next year?” Absolutely,!!

Without doubt this is one of my favourite series and I was thrilled to get an early copy of THE FINAL VOW, so my eternal thanks to MW Craven and his publishers.

This is the 7th books in this series featuring Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw and in my humble opinion, they keep getting better and better.

Do you need to read the books in order? ABSO-f*cking-LUTELY.

Can I cheat and read this one first? Whilst it does work as a standalone, it’s a far better experience if you read the series in order.

Can you remind me of the books in order please? Of course, The Puppet Show (2018), Black Summer (2019), The Curator (2020), Dead Ground (2021), The Botanist (2022), The Mercy Chair (2024).

I am now assuming that YOU have read the first 6 books, so I will continue with my thoughts on THE FINAL VOW.

This books is a masterfully crafted thriller that starts with the nation gripped by fear. A sniper is terrorizing the UK, striking without pattern and leaving no clues. The latest victim was a bride who was shot dead seconds after saying “I do” and the authorities are desperate. Enter Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, the best double act since Morecambe and Wise. Brains, brawn, grit, determination and the best one-liners in crime fiction.

Craven continues to bring Poe & Bradshaw alive in the readers minds. Their chemistry is a joy to read. The banter is hysterical and their loyalty is unshakable. Whilst not as dark or disturbing as The Mercy Chair, this book reaches an emotional depth far more powerful which I found truly heart-breaking.

Another triumph for MW Craven and fans of gritty UK crime-fiction, morally complex heroes, and adrenaline-fueled mysteries will not be disappointed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Poe and Tilly are back and they’re on the hunt for a psychopathic sniper who seems to be killing at random .
The writing is of an excellent calibre and makes for such an easy read .
Intelligent , exciting and full of twists I would have read this in one sitting if I could have .
The series is brilliant and I think every new title elevates it from the last one .
I can’t wait for the next outing for the strange but fascinating duo .
Highly recommended!
A must read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.

The Final Vow is the fifth outing in this hugely entertaining series, and once again M.W. Craven delivers a cracking addition. What struck me immediately was the opening. OMFG — it hits hard. Bold, unsettling, and straight into the chaos, it sets a relentless pace that never lets up. Rather than easing us in, Craven throws the reader headfirst into the action, and that intensity makes the book impossible to put down.

This instalment takes the familiar chemistry between Poe and Tilly and sets it against one of their most chilling challenges yet: a sniper with no clear pattern, whose random attacks keep both investigators and readers on edge. As always, the heart of the story lies with the duo. Poe’s gruff determination is perfectly balanced by Tilly’s sharp intelligence and endearing honesty. Their partnership remains one of the most original and rewarding in crime fiction, and their banter provides lightness even when the subject matter is at its darkest.

Another highlight is the introduction of new characters who genuinely enrich the story. Special mention goes to Uncle Bertie, hilarious, memorable, and a reminder of Craven’s skill at weaving humour and warmth through the tension. Spending time with this cast feels like catching up with old friends, but with enough fresh dynamics to keep things exciting.

The Final Vow works because it blends clever plotting with real emotional weight. The twists land, the pacing never falters, and the ending shocks while leaving you eager for the next instalment. It’s a reminder of why this series is so addictive: not just for the crimes, but for the characters who feel utterly real.

I’m fairly new to the Washington Poe series, having only read and listened to the short stories within it. However, I was very excited to receive an early copy of The Final Vow, and after reading it, I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series! As this book is crime fiction at its finest, featuring thrilling moments, humour, and danger, along with characters you can't help but love.

And this is an expertly crafted story filled with jaw-dropping twists and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The pacing is fast, the dialogue is snappy, and the antagonist is a sniper with seventeen confirmed kills under his Ghillie suit by the time Poe, Tillie, and their old boss come together to stop him.

But it's a tough task. One that pushes Poe to his limits, forcing him to question everything and make choices he never thought he would. This is especially true after someone close to him is killed. And with a story that effortlessly interwines humour and suspense and pulls you through an emotional rollercoaster, leaving you exhilarated one moment and breathless the next. The Final Vow is a breathtaking tour de force in crime fiction and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable read.

Poe and Tilly are an unstoppable force of nature and this is perhaps their best book yet. MW Craven has created two wonderful heroes who we cheer on and love with every passing book.

The writing is crisp, the plots ingenious and they thrills and spills unending. As for Poe and Tilly they are seemingly lined at the hip despite the massive differences in their psyche and background.

This is a thriller that thills, entertains and also amuses - an intoxicating brew.

Highly recommended.

The Final Vow is book number seven in the DCI Washington Poe/Tilly Bradshaw series and although it can be read as a standalone I highly advise reading the whole series for the back story and because every book is a cracking read.

This time around the team are on the hunt for a sniper who is terrorising the whole country. Can Poe and Tilly stop an unstoppable assassin, who never misses his mark and never makes a mistake? Or will he find them before they find him...

This is another well written, well paced and compelling read that will have you enthralled through out and I am already looking forward to book number 8!

Highly recommend!!

The Tilly and Poe series is one of the best in modern crime fiction and the latest instalment maintains mike Craven's incredibly high standard. The writing is superb, the characters are tremendous and the plotting is clever. Our heroes are tasked with tracking down a multiple killer and the situation is naturally fraught. The mood is tense throughout but the humour alleviates some of the tension!

In the latest Washington Poe series, a sniper is stalking an innocent unsuspecting public, and carrying out shootings with 100% accuracy. No one ever sees the sniper, he’s far too clever for that. He could be absolutely anywhere, anytime, simply watching and waiting, biding his time, like a hunter patiently stalking his prey.

His latest killing was sadly that of a bride on her wedding day in Gretna Green on the Scottish Borders. Gretna Green is renowned for its history of romantic elopements and weddings, (or it was until now) but this death has brought the wedding industry to a halt in this much favoured location. The body count now stands at 17, and unsurprisingly the whole of the UK is literally in panic mode.

The police investigation is going nowhere, so Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are brought in to make use of their particular expertise, and help bring the sniper to justice.

That’s going to be very difficult though, as the killer has used so many different locations around the UK, and there appears to be no particular motive, so it’s impossible to determine where, when, or why he’ll strike next - but if anyone can catch the killer, these two can! Poe may be unconventional, and Bradshaw a socially inept genius, but trust me, this relationship really works.

Another thrilling read from the talent that is M. W. Craven. The plotting is genius, and although the subject matter is very dark, there is plenty of humour and some great banter between the main characters, and some cracking one liners from Uncle Bertie! Recommended.