Wow! That first chapter my heart was in my mouth!!
I love the poe and tilly books, their relationship is so beautifully written. This book is fantastic, fast paced and so original, loved the ending made me smile, can't wait for the next one

I've loved Poe and Tilly from the very first time I read The Puppet Show which I recommend to anyone who I've ever spoken to about books. As the series develops I love them more and more.
This book keeps up the high standard of Mike Craven's writing and I loved it to bits.

Mr Craven certainly knows how to pull you in and keep you there until the end; that has got to be the best start to a book I have read and I would have read this in one sitting had it not been for work getting in the way! What a book!

Yes, this is the seventh in the series and yes, they keep getting better and better and yes, this works as a standalone but the impact is likely to be less if you haven't read any of the others so I would urge you to seek them out and get reading however, make sure you don't have a life for a few weeks as you won't want to put them down!

There are going to be no spoilers from me about the plot or any of the events that happen in the book but what I will say is that it's just brilliant 😊 The pace is fast, the tension is palpable, there's humour (some of it black) that made me laugh out loud, it's emotional and, at times, I found myself holding my breath and reading so fast my brain couldn't keep up with my eyes. The cast of characters is just excellent; Washington is a breath of fresh air, he is a bit grumpy but likeable nonetheless and someone you definitely want to be on your side. I absolutely adore Tilly; she's sweet and innocent but tells it like it is with no holds barred - I need her in my life and would love her to spend just one day in my office - oh the carnage!

Well you've probably already guessed that I enjoyed this book but just in case I haven't been clear ... it is absolutely brilliant and is one of those books/series that you tell people to read because it's that good.

Thank you so much to the author, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this brilliant (have I already said that once or twice?!?) book and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Washington and Poe.

I love these books. Poe and Tilly are great characters fantastically brought to life by this very clever author. The plot is very clever and keeps one in suspense. The first chapter blew my mind and as usual I was invested from the beginning.
I enjoyed all the other characters and feel sure some of them I’ll come across again. Many thanks and I will recommend on all my usual platform

I absolutely love this series and The Final Vow has just cemented why. I’ve read every book and was eagerly waiting for this one to land - and wow, it did not disappoint. Somehow M. W. Craven just keeps making them better and better!

The investigation in this book is so cleverly plotted, full of twists and surprises that kept me turning the pages late into the night. Craven really is a master at weaving a complex story that still feels effortless to read.

What I especially loved in this one is how much Bradshaw shines. Her brilliance is on full display and the dynamic between her, Poe, and Flynn is just fantastic. Their relationship feels so real and genuine, and even with such a serious and dark subject matter, their banter had me laughing out loud more than once. That balance between tension, heart, and humour is what makes these books stand out for me.

Another outstanding instalment in an already brilliant series. If you’re a fan, you’ll adore this. If you’re new, start at the beginning - you’ll be hooked in no time.

4+ 🌟

I was not ok from very early in this book. It opens quite dramatically, and keeps up pace and tension throughout.

But as you would expect from Craven, its got some great humour in it too.
A unique crime, setting an almost dystopian feel to the story.
This is a consistent series, each book being clever and well plotted whilst always moving us forwards.
There's no doubt in my mind that this series will run and run, and I will read and read.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This book is the next in the series of Poe and Tilly. Poe and Tilly work together for the National Crime Agency, and this time they are hunting down a ruthless sniper, who has the country petrified as to where he will strike next.

I absolutely loved this book, as I have loved every story this author has ever written. It is brilliant. Poe and Tilly are absolutely amazing characters, and I love reading what they are up to next - it really is like catching up with old friends. Although, the book is serious in places, I love the humour and wit that the author weaves through every page. This author could write anything and id find it fantastic. I really love these books, and this is by far my favourite book of the year, as this author remains my favourite also.

Poe and Tilly are at their best again it’s like they’ve never been apart. Tilly is best man at Poe’s wedding she plays a blinder with the speech.
All the team is back together to chase a serial killer sniper who is causing chaos.
This is a complicated and brilliant crime story that you will have to pay very close attention to.
Part of a series run to get copies.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

4.5⭐️

Book 7 in the Poe & Tilly series

I am a huge fan of these books, actually of the author in general. I’ll be trying the James Bond style series too.

Just a warning there’s a character from the Mercy Chair who might be a spoiler if you haven’t read that book first. Unusually for me this is a series I’ve read in order probably due to more to the slow publication rate rather than any dedication on my behalf.

Now the Mercy chair was very dark which I absolutely loved! I think it’s my favourite of the series. This one is less dark.

This book without doubt has the biggest opening impact!
It has the trade mark short snappy chapters often with mini cliffhanger chapter endings with a high body count. It’s also quite action oriented.

Ok so a lot of the information spouted by Tilly went straight over the top of my head, but hats off to the author for finding such information. Also not all of the humorous Poe quips found their mark with me. There’s a character from another series who makes quite an appearance.

As expected I loved the book, it doesn’t surpass The Mercy Chair, so do try harder next time Mr Craven 😂

Flipping hell, that was amazing.
Mr Craven you have done it again, made me stay up late reading, made me hold my breath, made me cry, made me happy, made me just want to not finish the book - but I did.
I absolutely loved this next instalment for Poe and Tilly - it was brilliant.
When I retire I'm going to start the whole series again.
More, more, more please.

I chose to read a free eARC of The Final Vow but that has in no way influenced my review.

The day has finally arrived. After the book teaser trailers (IYKYK), after the long wait for book seven in the Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw series (fifteen months, which feels a little on the cruel side, or is that just me?), today, finally, The Final Vow hits bookshelves! Rejoice, fellow crime fiction fans. It is a day to celebrate. And what a glorious, intense and nerve wracking addition to the series it is!

Regular visitors to the blog may already be aware that this is my favourite crime series. If you're new to the blog then brace yourself, what follows will be a barrage of over excited fangirling! I love this series. And, although it seems impossible, it gets better and better with each new book. You think, 'the author can't top this, it's so good', but that's exactly what M.W. Craven does each and every time. How? That's what I want to know! How can each new book be better than the last when the last was so blinking good?!

The Final Vow is the seventh book in the series and before I continue singing it's praises (spoiler alert, I have nothing negative to say - this review will be solid praise from start to finish!) I should say that this particular book does refer back to something that happened in The Mercy Chair. M.W. Craven does in fact warn you of this at the start of the book (which I thought was very good of him and the publisher) so if you haven't read The Mercy Chair then it's probably best to do that before making a start on The Final Vow. Personally, I think you should be starting at book one (The Puppet Show) and working your way through in order but that's just me! I've LOVED watching how the relationships have grown and the characters have developed over the course of the series.

The Final Vow is a blisteringly good, thrilling addition to a series that *somehow* keeps surpassing itself. The concept is so clever, so imaginative that I decided against 'adulting' for a bit and threw myself into Craven's superb storytelling. A sniper kills a bride on her wedding day at Gretna Green. She's not the first and she certainly won't be the last. With fear keeping Brits locked away inside their houses, with the economy failing due to the lack of footfall on the streets, those in power decide enough is enough. There is only one person (or rather one team) who can put a stop to the skyrocketing death toll. Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw. The murders are random, the sniper never misses, the police are at a complete loss. Can Poe and Tilly work out how the killer is selecting their victims? Or will their involvement only put Poe and those closest to him in the sniper's crosshairs...?

Would I recommend this book? Of course I would! I'm worried you've got this far through my review and you're STILL wondering 😂 I love this series and I love The Final Vow. You will be seeing this book on my 'top ten books of the year' list, without a doubt. The characters are just divine. I love how the friendship between Tilly and Poe has grown over the series, and I love how this affects and influences the storyline. I really enjoyed how gripping and on edge the entire book is. There's a lot of emotion in this one too which I think really added to the tension and suspense. I was able to guess one small aspect which I can't elaborate on for fear of spoilers. Let's just say, it didn't take anything away from the story for me. I was still 100% hooked and in the moment with the characters. Really, this series is such a thrilling, tension-laden and gripping investment that if you consider yourself a fan of the genre, you have to read it. Gosh, The Final Vow is so, so good! Everything I had hoped it would be plus so much more. I look forward to seeing what happens next with this series and where the author takes future instalments. Pure perfection. Tense, shocking and totally engrossing. I truly loved every single second of this book. Highly recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Final Vow. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Earlier in the year the author previewed the opening pages of ‘The Final Vow’ which basically seemed to suggest a major character from the Poe and Tilly series was about to bite the bullet.

Given the text appeared on Socials on April Fool’s Day, no-one quite knew how to take it. Was it genuine or just a red herring? All I can say is – without spoilers – Mike, you utter utter bar start.

The 7th book in this popular, and ever-increasingly dark crime series starts with Poe and Tilly being reunited after (spoiler) their department was disbanded after the events of The Mercy Chair. Their mission? To find a a rogue sniper who so far has killed 17 innocent victims – with no real clues left behind.

Once again, the latest entry in the series is dark, disturbing and as a sharp as a tack. Craven knows exactly which buttons to push and when – balancing genuine horror and humour accordingly.

It’s superbly plotted and page turnery as per usual, with all the familiar faces you love – and would hate to lose. And it’s only just dawned on me that Poe has a dog called Edgar 👏

The Final Vow also re-introduces a major character from The Mercy Chair. Mike makes no apologies for that – and nor should he. The scenes with Poe and said character are chilling. It’s someone who could give Mr Lecter a run for their money – so good (read, EVIL) they could silence the lambs on Shap Fell.

Long time fans of Mike’s previous series will be rubbing their hands with glee at some of the final chapters (and I’ve already added something else to my TBR because of them).

And so the next book is about to take another twist in the road and my final vow is… I’m here for wherever Mike is heading.

With a plot guaranteed to keep you off-balance (I thought I’d nailed who the sniper was halfway through but was way wide of the mark) – The Final Vow packs a bigger punch and is DEVASTATINGLY good.

“Same time next year?" – ABSOLUTELY

Oh goodness it’s been a long wait. The opening chapter no no no. Just no! The seventh book in the Washington Poe Series and there is a serial killer, killing seemingly randomly across the UK, and no one has got even close to catching him and there are now seventeen bodies with his name on them. Although it could be read as a stand-alone I really recommend reading the series in order, or at least read The Mercy Chair, as there are backstories and relationships that are an integral element to this book. Brilliantly plotted and executed I knew once I started it my life would go on hold until it was finished, so a same day read it was!

Briefly, an emergency COBRA meeting is called (and here I’m being careful in case you haven’t read the previous book) and Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are asked to track down this deadly killer. Reunited with DCI Stephanie Flynn and pathologist Estelle Doyle the hunt is on. Saying no more!

Alongside the old characters I loved the introduction of Estelle’s uncle Bertie, what a fantastic character. He can stay. As always there is lots of fun banter/sarcastic repartee throughout the book which is needed to counteract the very dark moments, and there are plenty of those. Well paced with a high level of suspense this is another cracking read and I still have a bit of a girl crush on Tilly, probably more of a mother crush really, she’s such a great character. I’m always a bit sad to get to the end of a good book but hey only a year until number 8 is available. Brilliant read.

Absolutely brilliant! If you are like me and love twisty books, the more twisty and clever the better, then this is for you. Especially if you like twists that you don't see coming.
Now, I confess I did work out how the big twist was going to go, but I do have a sideways way of looking at things. However, it was brilliantly executed! And there were twists all the way through.
I loved the characters from the previous books, although you don't have to have read that to enjoy this. And I also liked the new ones; everyone has their own foibles. The sarcasm from the various characters is wonderful, and the bluntness. There were some passages I read out loud to my husband, after he asked what I was laughing at. And this in a thriller.
As someone who lives in the Lakes, I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions - accuracy is always good in these things. And yes, the M6 at various points. Loved the tie-in with the other series.
I simply cannot recommend this book sufficiently highly. Roll on the next!!

A lone sniper has brought the country to a standstill. Over six months, seventeen people have been killed. Each killing has been random. With the task force investigating no nearer to finding the murderer, it is suggested they bring in someone who is able to think outside the box, Washington Poe.

From the moment M. W. Craven announced the title of the seventh book in the Washington Poe series I was filled with trepidation. The Final Vow just sounds so final. The opening pages did nothing to dispel the feeling; the tension is palpable, there is a sense of uncertainty and dread, and then we are given shocking news, news that will be a blow to fans of the series.

Without a moment to process your feelings, we are transported back a few weeks as we learn about the catastrophe facing the country. A lone sniper is targeting people up and down the country at random. The country has gone into a self-imposed lockdown, with everyone fearful they could be the next target. The police are at a loss as the locations and individuals have no connections, and no forensic clues have been left behind.

A familiar face suggests that fresh eyes may be beneficial, but not just any eyes, someone who has a proven track record of finding killers; Washington Poe. Poe is still persona non grata following the events of The Mercy Chair, and as a result, is working on a fishing trawler trying to catch drug smugglers. Poe loves the outdoors, but he dislikes people and absolutely hates smelling of fish; as a result, we are immediately reintroduced to his caustic wit and scathing insults. He's also not in a forgiving mood, so he will only agree if DI Stephanie Flynn and Tilly Bradshaw are brought onboard.

It is the combination of Poe and Tilly that makes this series of books special. Poe is very protective of Tilly, and there is one hilarious scene in particular where we see this in action. Tilly keeps Poe in check, taming his sarcasm to tolerable levels and desperately trying to get him to eat more healthily. Tilly is the one who spots the reason behind the random nature of the targets, leading to a frantic manhunt. Poe knows how to get under someone's skin, to make them react and uses this to full effect to taunt the killer. The tension builds as the hunt becomes more focused, leading to disastrous results.

There is a sombre tone to the last half of the novel, much of which follows from the opening pages. I found myself frantically turning pages, filled with an equal mixture of dread, disbelief and hope. The conclusion is typical of Washington Poe, willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of those he loves and cares about. I am looking forward to seeing what direction this series takes in the future.

I won't say much, don't want to give ANYTHING away, but for any die hard Tilly and Poe fans, this is an absolute 5 star belter of a book, best in the series by far. Some fantastic clever Easter eggs in here which are fun to spot, some one liners which will take your breath away and others which will bring on a belly laugh. I stayed up all night finishing it, and was gutted when it was over.

This book was the absolute ruin of me Mike Craven - you broke my heart.

At the start of this book Poe, Tilly & Flynn have been broken apart and Poe smells like fish 🐟 (it'll make sense when you read it) but they are finally called back together because a sniper is on the rampage. But not in just one hotspot - oh no - he's all over the country! There is no sense or reason to his slaying and no one is safe! He NEVER misses.

This was edge of your seat, pins and needles in your fingers gripping read where your heart gets shattered into an infinitesimal amount

Can the team work out what is going on before Poe's nuptials to his beloved Doyle? Will Tilly EVER get Poe to eat a salad? And just who is Uncle Bertie? You'll have to read it to find out but trust me, you won't be disappointed!

With some cameos/name drops for avid Craven fans this books is the expected dark yet funny and captivating story readers have come to expect from Mike and is built on such a fantastic foundation of characters that you trust him implicitly not to betray you or the characters. And he pulls it off to perfection every time.

Five huuuge stars from me!!!
This is an exceptional crime thriller and my favourite book so far in this series.
Poe, Tilly and Flynn are brought back together to try and stop a sniper who is mercilessly killing people.
Alistair Locke admits he needs Poe and Tilly on this case, but Poe knows this is a poisoned chalice, as no-one has any information on the sniper, as he seems to disappear after each murder.
As always I loved the light humour in this series from the banter between Poe and Tilly, and there’s a few new characters in this book whose comments will definitely make you laugh.
I’m being careful with my review as I don’t want to spoil this story for you, but I will say that there are plenty of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes.
MW Craven is a brilliant writer and remains one of my top authors to read.
Huge thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to read this book.

Oh Mr Craven has gone and done it again.

Another fantastic case, so intricate you have to really wonder how the man comes up with things! So many avenues to venture down and you never know where you're going to end up!

There isn't a crime solving duo like Poe and Tilly - they will forever be iconic and my ultimate favourite.

Another incredible book and I cant wait to see where their story goes next year!

This was a solid read. I enjoyed the tension and the scale of the murders. I enjoyed the police procedural which was pacy and complex but not overwhelming. I like the dry humour and the overall writing style.