Genre: Crime, Drama
Publishing Info: Sphere (2023)
Pages: 378
Back Cover Summary:
He’s a detective, a dancer, he has no respect for authority – and he’s the best hope Blackpool has for keeping criminals off the streets. Meet Detective Declan Miller.
A double murder in a seaside hotel sees a grieving Miller return to work to solve what appears to be a case of mistaken identity. Just why were two completely unconnected men taken out?
Despite a somewhat dubious relationship with both reality and his new partner, can the eccentric, offbeat Miller find answers where his colleagues have found only an impossible puzzle?
Discover the first new series in two decades from number one bestseller Mark Billingham. Time to meet D.S. Declan Miller, a true one off . . .
The first book starring D.S. Declan Miller will definitely not be the series’ last dance. With a tight central mystery that will keep you guessing and a magnetic lead detective, this is a definite page-turner.
The biggest strength is Detective Miller himself. Mark Billingham has created a character who, as the blurb states, is a true one off. His quirks and world view makes him more than just a man with a tragic backstory. The opening few pages is a perfect introduction to Miller. This is a man who likes to loudly insult idiotic callers on the radio and make endless quips. But he is also a man who calls his deceased wife’s phone to hear her voice one last time. Those shades of grey allow readers to get Miller from the off, which is great writing. I also really like his partner in this case, the newly transferred D.S. Sara Xiu. Her want to stick to protocol clashes with the unorthodox Miller. But, the more we find out about Xiu, the stronger a character she becomes. A heavy metal enthusiast who drives a fast motorbike and likes to pick up men (and women) in clubs. She is a great foil for Miller and, refreshingly, there appears to be no forced romance between the two. The other characters, including other police officers and suspects in the double homicide, are a mixed bag. I liked Miller’s dance partners, and thought the enigmatic Chesshead energised the second half. The most unique character (aside from Miller) is Ralph Massey; a semi-retired drag queen turned gangster. But, Miller is undoubtedly the book’s biggest strength.
“Their shoulders moved smoothly and stayed perfectly parallel to the polished floor. Intuitively they lengthened their steps and Alex’s eyes were fixed on his while Miller led her into space.
Every move, silk on silk, like they’d done it a million times.”
p.72
The success of crime fiction, more often than not, hinges on the strength of its central case. This feels straight out of the mind of Arthur Conan Doyle. Two men, in adjacent hotel rooms, are found with bullet holes in them. One is the heir in waiting to Blackpool’s answer to the Corleones. The other is an IT consultant. The police quickly conclude that the former was the target, and the latter the victim of mistaken identity. Predictably, the truth was never going to be that straightforward. Miller and Xiu are drawn into the rivalry between gang leaders and a web of secrets. This has some effective twists that will keep readers guessing. Readers may even successfully work it all out. The only part that I don’t wholly love is the prologue, which arguably gives too much of the game away. But, aside from the opening, the case is well written, developed well, and makes this book a page turner.
“An hour later, the only occupant of the hotel room still breathing steps out into the corridor and closes the door softly behind them.”
p.2
This book takes place a few weeks after the murder of Miller’s wife Alex. I love how Billingham puts as much emphasis on this than the central case. Chapters focusing on Declan and Alex’s amateur dance competitions are filled with magical descriptions. The night when Alex vanished feels like the sucker punch it should, and the wake was suitably awkward. Alex is present in the book, as a manifestation of Declan’s psyche (or is that his guilt?), which I really like. She echoes the insecurities of Declan, why he can’t let go, how he has no answers around her death. The cliffhanger ending, which linked to Alex’s death, was unexpected yet intriguing. Miller is getting closer to the truth, which will motivate readers to continue with the series. In future stories, I would like to see the Blackpool setting being used further. There is a typically tacky hotel, and a couple of conversations along the promenade. But when I think of Blackpool, I think of the Pleasure Beach and Tower Ballroom. I hope that future books in this series will use Blackpool more than this one did.
The Last Dance is an excellent introduction to D.S. Declan Miller. The central case, whilst initially fairly standard fare, will nevertheless keep readers guessing until the climax. The cliffhanger ending and great central characters ensures that I will be reading the next book in the series.
Star Rating: 4/5
+ D.S. Miller and Xiu are great leads
+ The mystery is well developed, with many twists
+ Great chapters focused on the aftermath of Alex Miller’s murder
– Story doesn’t do enough with its Blackpool setting
Thank you for taking the time to read my review of The Last Dance. Please find below a link to the novel’s Goodreads page.
The Last Dance (Detective Miller #1) by Mark Billingham | Goodreads
Have you read The Last Dance or any books in the Detective Miller series? What are your recommended crime fiction novels?
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The Blogging DJ 