Her Last Secret, by P. L. Kane

Jordan Radcliffe is found stabbed to death. Her boyfriend’s finger prints are on the knife. Case closed… or is it?

When Jake learns of his troubled daughter’s death, he is determined to find out what really happened on that fateful night. But Jake hasn’t seen Jordan for over three years and, with secrets of her own, there was a lot he didn’t know about his only daughter.

Jake’s ex-wife Jules is reluctant to let him waltz back into her life. But when Jake makes a shocking discovery, he is convinced that there is more to her murder than they are being told.

Grief stricken and full of regret, he is desperate to protect his daughter’s memory – to understand her final hours…

With a question mark hanging over the case, will Jake be able to piece together the fragments of evidence, uncover the truth behind Jordan’s death – and make amends for the time he has lost?

From the 4 and 5* reviews on Netgalley and Amazon for Her Last Secret:

‘The story opens with a short prologue that immediately sets the tone of the book and from this point I was totally engrossed in the story. The plot is cunningly crafted and brilliantly executed, reaching for me when I wasn't expecting it. I adored the descriptive style of P.L. Kane which I found to be emotive and affecting. In a well structured narrative of twists, secrets and lies, there are abundant descriptions of reminiscences and anecdotes... There was more going on than I first assumed and I loved trying to guess how Her Last Secret was going to end, though that didn’t happen as I thought it would. The writing flowed effortlessly and the story was packed with mystery and twists as it spiralled its way to the surprise denouement. I read Her Last Secret with relish... a very good crime début for me, and I will be looking out for more from P.L. Kane. Her Last Secret is a must-read for fans of the psychological thriller genre. Taut, smart, and compelling.’

‘This is a gripping book that I just couldn’t put down. I found that I read it really quickly because I was really keen to know more... I enjoyed the author’s writing style and characters that I would like to see more of in future books. I would recommend if you fancy something exciting or enjoy the genre. I will look forward to more from the author. Brilliant.’

‘Such a compulsive, claustrophobic read. It made my heartrate climb... Characters are at their peak. Jake's character is awesome and makes you feel connected with him... Narration of the story is good and keeps you engaged till the end...awesome thriller. Highly recommended.’

‘At times this book was really chilling, fast paced, and unputdownable... The characters are well developed, and it is well written... If you like those creepy, atmospheric thrillers you will definitely love this one!’

‘This book brought me to tears... A different take on a crime novel by using the POV of the grieving family over the detectives searching for the killers make it a fabulously powerful book.’

‘I really enjoyed the storyline and the plot twist was like WOAH! It was well written and easy for me to read quickly... well worth the read and I will be checking out any future books by this author.’

‘I found this a quick read - mostly because I couldn't put this down once I started! Well written, great characters with a great story. Hooked from page 1. A great read.’

‘THE PLOT TWIST! I swear on anything you want, not even for a second I had seen this coming!... Grab this book... Just do it! Read it, and thank me later!’

‘I really enjoyed this book so much. It has a really great plot, superb main characters and I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.’

‘What an utterly fantastic story, the emotion absolutely pours from the pages. Although Jake was flawed I think he worked perfectly as a character.’

‘Just the title made me want to read this one ASAP! I loved the writing style and the drama of the storyline was amazing! Such a good read.’

‘Dark, creepy and dangerous this was a fantastic book and very well written. I loved it and was on the edge of my seat the whole time.’

‘Absolutely thrilling read... When I thought I knew the ending, I was proven wrong! A must read! My new best author P.L. Kane!’

‘I really enjoyed this book! The plot was fantastic! I read this in one sitting! I loved the strong characters in the book!’

‘This was an enjoyable read with a great twist for the end... I will be interested to read more of this author’s work.’

‘A fast-paced, spine-tingling read that will have you holding your breath with every twist and turn of the plot.’

‘The book is great and so many thrilling elements were explored. I had a great time finishing reading this.’

‘This is a good quick read. There is a lot of action and I was gripped the whole way through.’

‘The tension is always present... A very fascinating story that you won't want to stop reading.’

‘Had me hooked from the start . I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book.’

‘An entertaining, well-written book and I really liked the way the plot developed.’

‘The twist really made this one for me... The ending was fantastic!’

‘A very interesting psychological thriller.’

And here's what other people have said...

‘This was my first time delving into anything written by this author. We are immediately thrown into the gruesome discovery of the body of Jordan Radcliffe, daughter of Jake & Julie. All evidence is pointing to her boyfriend Robert "Bobby" Bannister but Jordan’s dad Jake feels something is off with him having committed the crime. Thrown into the equation is the fact that Jake didn't have a great relationship with his daughter in the later years of her life, so trying to find out anything about her life and her friends proves a little difficult for him. Emotions are high between Jake, his ex Julie and her new husband Greg. Why can't Jake seem to get on with Greg? And old feelings are being stirred up between himself and Julie which isn't helping... Jake does have a good friend in Matthew though, the police officer on the case. But he is a man on a mission to solve his daughter’s murder while trying to deal with his grief on his own. Grief that at times is too much for him to handle… A gripping read that will have you turning the pages quite quickly...’ Book Reviews For U (full review here)

‘You all know that thrillers and crime mysteries are my absolute fave genre, and it's been too long since I had a good one to get my teeth into! I absolutely loved Jake and the idea of a normal civilian investigating a crime (I hope he will get a book 2, I have lots of ideas for this!!) He has to really dig deep into himself to uncover the truth about his daughter and my heart broke for him! This book is full of secrets, some big, some small, and it has a couple of really strong plot twists. There's lots of darkness and danger and I held my breath more than once! The plot twist at the end though is more than I could have asked for!! I've seen a review saying that one part of this story was a bit too far-fetched, but as I am closely linked to a real life detective, I know that this isn't the case! (sadly) and I loved the fact that I didn't see this twist coming at all! There are side plots to the main storyline of friendship, love and forgiveness and I really liked the characters! I especially liked Sam (can she go into book 2 please?) Overall thoroughly enjoyed this one, it's a 4.5 star for me!’ Mrs Feg Fiction (full review here)

‘I’ve seen this book scrolling across my social media feed and decided to give it a shot. The title alone caught my attention and I did some digging and discovered that the author P L Kane is actually Paul Kane. Since I have a couple of his books under my belt, I was ready to dive in. The set up for the book is a good one. A father gets a message that his estranged daughter was murdered. He goes back home to find out what happened. As he digs, some of his daughter’s darker secrets come to light. The more he digs, the less he likes what he finds, until he gets to her final secret, and it is one that can tear the whole town apart. Overall, this was a fun and fast read… The main character, Jacob Radcliffe, is one you want to see succeed, and some of the people in his way you really want to see get theirs… Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes. Would I but this book for someone who likes the genre? Yes. Will I read anything else the author comes out with? Most definitely.’ 4 bookmarks out of 5, Darren Purdue.

‘I have said it before and I will say it again…I LOVE a good thriller!!! And I loved this one. One thing I really appreciated about this read was the complex storyline, although the case appeared straight-forward, its complex layers make for a compelling and page turning read. The question on everyone’s tongue was, “WHO KILLED JORDAN?” Well, well, well, buckle in for a fast-paced ride because this is one hell of journey of discovery. The protagonist, a grieving father, drives the story through a guilt-driven and tragic point of view - and is definitely one that grabs the readers’ attention and gets them onboard… The over-arching narrative and characters make for a quick and intense read. I would definitely pick up another one of Kane’s books.’ Captivated by Fantasy (full review here)

‘I think it is the characterisation where Kane’s writing excels. It certainly raises this above your standard crime thriller fare. Jake and Jules are so well fleshed out, they feel real. These are two ordinary people who have had to deal with an extraordinary situation. Fans of television shows like Broadchurch and The Killing, and I count myself amongst them, should seek out this novel...  Part psychological drama, part character study, Her Last Secret is a captivating and intense experience.’ The Eloquent Page (full review here)

‘There's so much to say about Her Last Secret but I don't want to give anything away as this is a story better read without any preconceived notions of where it is heading. Throughout the story there are varied plots twists, and more than enough excitement to keep you guessing. I especially enjoyed getting to know the main characters, particularly Jake, who is carrying more than his share of  angst, the reason for his particular sadness is revealed as the story progresses. Well written with an ability to get right into the heart of the characters, particularly between family  members, Her Last Secret is a cleverly controlled murder mystery which will keep you guessing until the very last twist in the tale.’ Jaffa Reads Too (read full review here)

‘This was an entertaining, well-written book... There were lots of interesting twists and turns and a surprising back story is revealed that I wasn’t expecting! Overall, an enjoyable, quick read and I’ll be looking out for more of P.L. Kane’s books in the future.’ Locky Loves Books (full review here)

‘An emotionally-charged domestic noir - fraught with guilt and regret. Kane plots a crime, but turns the story into a compelling tale about relationships, broken homes and families.’ Cheryl M-M’s Book Blog (full review here)

‘A dark domestic crime thriller with a really strong plot that delivers some nice unexpected twists and another author to add to my booky radar.’ Melanie’s Reads (full review here)

‘A different take on a crime novel by using the POV of the grieving family over the detectives searching for the killers make it a fabulously powerful book.’ Books Behind The Title (full review here)

‘Shout out to this author for bringing all this to the light and having the discussion of those who overstep their boundaries in more than one way. As a survivor of abuse it's crucial that those who are abused are not lost.’ The Secret Book Sleuth (full review here)

‘A gripping murder mystery with an emotional heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it!’ The Bookwormery (full review here).

‘This book kicks off with an eerie prologue playing out Jordan’s last moments alive written from her perspective. From there we’re introduced to Jordan’s mother, her estranged father and what appears to be an open and shut case that sees her current boyfriend as the perpetrator of her murder. However, her father believes there’s more to it and takes it upon himself to delve deeper into the details, taking on the investigation himself, getting into trouble along the way but ultimately uncovering the real truth. Kane combines all the best parts of a crime thriller with all the heartbreaking elements of a family tragedy. One minute Jake was investigating his daughter’s death and the next he was experiencing all the pain and loss you’d expect in such a situation. The added complication that Jake was divorced and hadn’t seen his daughter in three years made that splintering feeling even more real. I was torn between wanting to follow the case, to discover the truth, and wanting to explore the heartache of his loss and the confusion within the family dynamic. The storyline kept me guessing right up until the last minute with each plot twist a shock, both with the case and with the personal side. Even each chapter had me wanting to carry on reading because there was usually an unanswered question, a cliffhanger or a massive plot twist. So I just had to read the next chapter (and the next!)… I’m really looking forward to reading Kane’s next book!’ Lotte’s Library (full review here)

‘I think I have quite a gooey heart, this book, a pure murder mystery, had me quite emotional at times. The story started with a girl dying and wanting her father to make it all right. Somebody had murdered her. Cop and family friend Matt, father Jake, and mother Julie were all devastated when Jordan’s body was found. The step-father didn’t care less about it. My first book by author PL Kane, I too wanted to know who killed this child who was so troubled in life that she was cutting herself. My insides twisted as the family life unfurled. I felt sad for the parents for their loss of love and relationship, and the way they lost their only child. The story was quite a domestic drama... But it was the twist which shook me and made this book come alive. I loved the rush of excitement, the heartbeat rising with every page, and the ending which caused a surge of adrenaline. It was this twist which invigorated me and made this book a fun read.’ Shalini’s Books & Reviews by (full review here)

‘Just mind-blowing! PL Kane’s debut is truly a masterpiece, that tells the story of a father who loves his daughter so much, when she is murdered he sets out to find out what really happened – just remarkable. In this nail-biting, cleverly-written thriller, the characters are just fantastic. The character I loved the most was: Jake, who is the father of Jordan. He goes on a mission to find the real killer and to investigate what really happened to his daughter, the secrets. What he finds out about his daughter was just shocking! Other characters who were brilliant were: Jake’s ex-wife, Jules, and DC Mathew “Matt” Newcomb, a cop. What I loved about this brilliantly-written, gripping thriller, was it takes you on a journey to find out what really happened to the person you love and how you would do anything to bring the killer to justice. An outstanding debut thriller, that is truly not just good but an outstanding murder mystery thriller, a race against time on a mission of your life. Author P L Kane is truly a fantastic story-teller. Highly recommended, Five Stars!’ Surjit’s Books Blog (full review here).

 

‘P.L. Kane has delivered a stand-out crime thriller. The character-driven plot is intelligent, clever and finely paced, and Jake Radcliffe is a flawed but compassionate protagonist. Exceptional.’ MW Craven - Bestselling and CWA Gold Dagger Award-winning author of The Puppet Show and Black Summer.

‘What are you doing to me, PL Kane? I’ve got editing to be getting on with, but I accidentally read the first few pages of Her Last Secret and couldn’t stop! I think my heart might be broken Cracking thriller...’ Jo Jakeman - Bestselling author of Sticks and Stones and Safe House.

‘A dark, twisty tale with an emotional heart.’ Roz Watkins - Bestselling author of The Devil’s Dice and Dead Man’s Daughter.

‘Riveting domestic thriller with a razor-edged twist, courtesy of a new top talent.’ Paul Finch - Sunday Times bestselling author of the Sergeant ‘Heck’ Heckenberg thrillers, and the Lucy Clayburn novels Strangers, Shadows and Stolen.

‘Kane is a great guide to the dark secrets and lies that wait unexpectedly behind the curtains…’ Christopher Fowler - Bestselling author of The Bryant & May mysteries, including Full Dark House, Strange Tide and The Lonely Hour.

‘If you’re looking for something to read then I can certainly recommend Her Last Secret by PL Kane. A truly gripping, twisting thriller with a huge broken heart at the centre. You won’t be able to put it down.’ Martyn Waites - bestselling and award-winning author of thrillers such as The Surrogate, Heartbreaker and The Lost Girl (as Tania Carver), plus The Old Religion and The Sinner.  

‘Loved Her Last Secret by PL Kane. Stunning suspense, a masterclass in giving readers the chills, and wonderful world building. You’ll be turning those pages faster than you can say, “Didn’t see that coming.” Fabulous book. 5* from me.’ Helen Fields - Bestselling author of novels like Perfect Remains, Perfect Death and Perfect Kill, plus These Lost and Broken Things and Degrees of Guilt as HS Chandler.

‘Tense and twisty! A few times I held my breath and raced through the pages to immerse myself in more of the story. Jake is on a mission to uncover the secrets of his daughter's death, but in doing so he uncovers more than he bargained for. Overall, very well paced and enough secrets and reveals to have you not wanting to put this book down. Characters are very engaging, some will have you raging, but I absolutely enjoyed it. Can't wait for more from PL Kane.’ JA Andrews - author of Mummy’s Boy. 

‘Wow – what a great book! I was hooked from the start. The idea of a father trying to re-connect with his estranged murdered daughter was so poignant. Throw in the thrilling mystery, the secrets and lies and a touch of romance and it has all the ingredients of a fabulous read. Jake’s desire to find his daughter’s killer is poignant and perfectly written. I found myself really rooting for him amid the chaos of his guilt and self-flagellation – who could blame him? But then his dogged determination kicks in and things start to not add up and Jake becomes a father out for justice. I found Her Last Secret cleverly plotted, well-paced and thrilling.’ Liz Mistry - Bestselling author of Last Request and Broken Silence.

‘Recent crime fiction reads include this debut by PL Kane which takes a father deep into a journey of discovery and remorse following the death of his daughter.’ Sarah Hilary - Bestselling author of the DI Marnie Rome books such as Someone Else’s Skin, Tastes Like Fear and Never Be Broken.

 

You can buy the book here, here and direct from the publishers here.