The Final Vow by M. W. Craven

 

A lone sniper has brought the country to a standstill. Over six months, seventeen people have been killed. Each killing has been random. With the task force investigating no nearer to finding the murderer, it is suggested they bring in someone who is able to think outside the box, Washington Poe.

From the moment M. W. Craven announced the title of the seventh book in the Washington Poe series I was filled with trepidation. The Final Vow just sounds so final. The opening pages did nothing to dispel the feeling; the tension is palpable, there is a sense of uncertainty and dread, and then we are given shocking news, news that will be a blow to fans of the series.

Without a moment to process your feelings, we are transported back a few weeks as we learn about the catastrophe facing the country. A lone sniper is targeting people up and down the country at random. The country has gone into a self-imposed lockdown, with everyone fearful they could be the next target. The police are at a loss as the locations and individuals have no connections, and no forensic clues have been left behind.

A familiar face suggests that fresh eyes may be beneficial, but not just any eyes, someone who has a proven track record of finding killers; Washington Poe. Poe is still persona non grata following the events of The Mercy Chair, and as a result, is working on a fishing trawler trying to catch drug smugglers. Poe loves the outdoors, but he dislikes people and absolutely hates smelling of fish; as a result, we are immediately reintroduced to his caustic wit and scathing insults. He's also not in a forgiving mood, so he will only agree if DI Stephanie Flynn and Tilly Bradshaw are brought onboard.

It is the combination of Poe and Tilly that makes this series of books special. Poe is very protective of Tilly, and there is one hilarious scene in particular where we see this in action. Tilly keeps Poe in check, taming his sarcasm to tolerable levels and desperately trying to get him to eat more healthily. Tilly is the one who spots the reason behind the random nature of the targets, leading to a frantic manhunt. Poe knows how to get under someone's skin, to make them react and uses this to full effect to taunt the killer. The tension builds as the hunt becomes more focused, leading to disastrous results. 

There is a sombre tone to the last half of the novel, much of which follows from the opening pages. I found myself frantically turning pages, filled with an equal mixture of dread, disbelief and hope. The conclusion is typical of Washington Poe, willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of those he loves and cares about. I am looking forward to seeing what direction this series takes in the future.

The Final Vow by M. W. Craven will be published on 14th August 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown UK for a review copy.

Author Details

Multi-award-winning author M.W. Craven was born in Carlisle but grew up in Newcastle. He joined the army at sixteen, leaving ten years later to complete a social work degree. Seventeen years after taking up a probation officer role in Cumbria, at the rank of assistant chief officer, he became a full-time author. He is an instant Sunday Times bestseller and, for his Cumbria-set Washington Poe series, a recipient of the 2019 Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger, the 2022 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2023. The series has now been translated into twenty-nine languages.