The Last Line

John Cook, Book 1

By: Stephen Ronson

Narrated by: Orlando Wells

In Britain's darkest hour of the war a veteran left behind from the fighting discovers evacuee children haven't been arriving at their destinations.

May 1940.

With Nazi forces sweeping across France, invasion seems imminent. The English Channel has never felt so narrow.

In rural Sussex, war veteran John Cook has been tasked with preparing the resistance effort, should the worst happen.

But even as the foreign threat looms, it's rumours of a missing child that are troubling Cook. A twelve-year-old girl was evacuated from London and never seen again, and she's just the tip of the iceberg - countless evacuees haven't made it to their host families.

As Cook investigates, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that reaches to the highest ranks of society. He will do whatever it takes to make the culprits pay. There are some lines you just don't cross.

THE LAST LINE is a blistering action thriller combined with a smart noir mystery, played out expertly against the taut backdrop of the British home front.

©2023 Stephen Ronson (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

First-rate story!

This debut novel was a terrific read and went fast. Ronson constructs compelling characters with depth and true to life humanity. The hero is more like those few people you’ve known that consistently impress you rather than one-dimensional superheros. It is a skillful combination of the best elements of war fiction, spy novels and classic privat-eye noir. The narrative description provides a lush backdrop rivaling the best sorts of travelogues. Enough to improve context without distracting. I’m eagerly awaiting the next one from Mr Ronson!

A New British hero!

Every bit Jack Reacher as the quote on the cover promised - but with a uniquely British two fingers. Dripping with authenticity, and some enough shocking rough edges to keep this out of the ww2 tropes. Welcome to a hardened new character I can’t wait to welcome into my must reads as the next books drop!

Outstanding!

Fast paced. Perfect story and you will fall I'm love with the characters. I hope the author does it again!

Great atmospheric story

Superior narration. Good period detail and a compelling, tightly woven story and mystery. Recommend it highly.

A Personal War Story

Excellent story with a hero in the most broad sense of the word. If I were to recommend this book, and I do, I might mention that very little other than time and place, this is a story about a man and right and wrong where wrong is strongly defined. I started reading and thought, I will go back to my other book in fifteen minutes. That was an entire book ago. Highly recommended. The narrator is excellent.