The Last Straw (DCI Warren Jones, Book 1)

By: Paul Gitsham

Narrated by: Malk Williams

When Professor Alan Tunbridge is discovered in his office with his throat slashed, the suspects start queuing up. The brilliant but unpleasant microbiologist had a genius for making enemies.

For Warren Jones, newly appointed Detective Chief Inspector to the Middlesbury force, a high-profile murder is the ideal opportunity. He’s determined to run a thorough and professional investigation but political pressure to resolve the case quickly and tensions in the office and at home make life anything but easy.

Everything seems to point to one vengeful man but the financial potential of the professor’s pioneering research takes the inquiry in an intriguing and, for Jones and his team, dangerous direction.

Readers LOVE The Last Straw

‘A really cracking read, a real page turner.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘I couldn't stop reading this brilliant detective novel!’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘Loved this! A nice proper whodunnit which had me gripped from the start! Twists and turns galore and I only worked out who it was right at the end!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘I just couldn't put it down. DCI Warren Jones and his team are a sure-fire hit…Exceptionally good detective story.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘Kept me reading all night.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘Couldn't put it down! If you love a good detective novel, you'll be well away with this.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘Tense to the point of making it very difficult to put the book down.’ Reader review, 5 Stars

‘DCI Warren Jones is must read detective fiction… A brilliant first novel, can't wait for the next. Buy it. Try it. You won't be disappointed!’ Reader review, 5 Stars

The DCI Warren Jones series
1 The Last Straw
2 No Smoke Without Fire
Blood is Thicker than Water (Novella)
3 Silent as the Grave
A Case Gone Cold (Novella)
4 The Common Enemy
A Deadly Lesson (Novella)
5 Forgive Me Father
At First Glance (Novella)
6 A Price to Pay
7 Out of Sight
8 Time to Kill
9 Web of Lies

Cosy British detective story

Enjoyable even though not suspenseful or fast paced. I did find the way the main character DCI Jones has to constantly pander to his wife throughout the story annoying.
Narrator did a great job!

Exactly we’ll done, but...

Yep, I totally enjoyed Mark Williams’ reading of Paul Grisham’s cop-procedural tale. But, it’s a bit hard for a Yank like me to assimilate the Brits’ slower paced momentum. I own that problem and am working on it. Which means I shall buy the next DCI Warren Jones book very soon and, well, work on my problem as I enjoy - I hope - that book as much as this one.

Really like this series

I personally liked the writing style of Paul Gitsham. The mystery is well plotted. Once again, for those of us who consume a lot of mysteries, the who done it was easy to figure out, but the journey was delightful. Looking forward to the whole cast of characters in future books. Have already downloaded the next. It is also refreshing to have a DCI not in a hateful relationship with his superiors. There was mild tension with the chief, just the right about of political pressure to be believed. Also, this is a family friendly book that can be listened to in the car with other people present.

A Good First in s Series

Initially the book started slow for me — lots of talk about scientific issues around studying bacteria. I got a little bored and almost returned the book but eventually decided to stick it out. I read s lot of British police procedurals and this one has the marks of sameness that I see in others without any strikingly original plot twists. However, I did enjoy the book and will read the next in the series in the hope that the author deepens character development.

Story was great. Not fond of the narrator.

The voice used for the italian character was awful. I enjoyed the story and the team of inspectors.