Blog Tour ~ Review ~ End Game by Matt Johnson. #Thriller

 

The final instalment in the critically acclaimed Robert Finlay series, as his past continues to haunt him…

Robert Finlay seems to have finally left his SAS past behind him and is settled into his new career as a detective. But when the girlfriend of his former SAS colleague and close friend Kevin Jones is murdered, it’s clear that Finlay’s troubles are far from over. Jones is arrested for the killing, but soon escapes from jail, and Finlay is held responsible for the breakout. Suspended from duty and sure he’s being framed too, our hero teams up with MI5 agent Toni Fellowes to find out who’s behind the conspiracy. Their quest soon reveals a plot that goes to the very heart of the UK’s security services. End Game, the final part in the critically acclaimed Robert Finlay trilogy, sees our hero in an intricately plotted and terrifyingly fast-paced race to uncover the truth and escape those who’d sooner have him dead than be exposed.

Review

I would like to thank the author Matt Johnson, the publisher Orenda books and blog tour organiser Anne Cater for the ARC of End Game in return for an honest review.

End Game is a fabulous ending to a superb trilogy. From page one to its final chapter I was engrossed and furiously turning the pages to reach the epic ending.

You become invested in characters when the writing is as good as this and my nerves were on edge throughout, wondering at the fates of our heroes. Robert Finley is such a superb creation, you can tell he was written by an author who has experience in both the armed forces and the police. He feels real and imbued with characteristics such as integrity and resourcefulness, which we expect in those that serve to protect us. That’s why I liked him so much, he felt real and plausible in every way.

It is full of twists and turns that wrong footed me. I was forced to reevaluate where I thought the story was going and who I thought were the characters I could trust. The narrative perfectly balancing characterisation and story, because for me, thrillers need to be intelligent as well as action packed. End Game was both.

It is a superb read and a book I would very much recommend.

You can purchase End Game from Amazon.

A bit about the author.

Matt Johnson served as a soldier from 1975-78 and Metropolitan Police officer from 1978 -1999.

His debut novel Wicked Game – a crime thriller – was published by Orenda Books in March 2016. The sequel Deadly Game, was published in March 2017, the finale End Game, in March 2018.
In 1999, Matt was discharged from the police with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Whilst undergoing treatment, he was encouraged by his counsellor to write about his career and his experience of murders, shootings and terrorism.

Matt was eventually persuaded to give this a go, and one evening, he sat at his computer and started to weave his notes into a work of fiction that he described as having a tremendously cathartic effect on his own condition. He used his detailed knowledge and recollections to create what has been described by many readers as a fast paced, exciting and authentic tale of modern day policing and terrorism.

I could be argued that Matt Johnson is living proof PTSD is a condition that can be controlled and overcome with the right help and support. He has been described by many fans as an inspiration to fellow sufferers.

Matt is represented by James Wills of Watson Little, Literary Agents and by Kaye Freeman of Andromeda Talent. The former for all literary, audio, tv and film rights; the latter for all public speaking engagements.

Matt Can be followed on his blog and on Twitter.