Mark Billingham takes a break from his terrific Tom Thorne crime novels to pen a brand new series. THE LAST DANCE is a breath of fresh air featuring a protagonist who is completely unlike the legendary Detective Inspector.

Detective Sergeant Declan Miller is an engaging and sarcastic personality who is an absolute pleasure to get to know. Even in the darkest of circumstances, his attempts at black humor help to keep things light and offbeat. Miller is back on the force following the still-unsolved murder of his wife, Alex, a fellow detective and his amateur ballroom dancing partner.

"There are plot twists galore here, and at least one of the cases will remain unsolved, leaving the door wide open for additional entries in the series. I just love Declan Miller and cannot wait to spend more time with him."

The action begins with a strange female walking into the Sands Hotel in Blackpool, England, to meet someone. The end result will be two dead bodies in adjoining rooms: Adrian Cutler, the son of a well-known local gangster, and IT consultant Barry Shepherd. Miller is paired with a new partner, DS Sara Xiu, who initially does not know how she feels about Miller or his peculiar sense of humor.

Alex lost her life while working a case involving warring gangster families headed by Wayne Cutler and Ralph Massey. Not only does Miller have to deal with Cutler regarding his son’s murder, he also must speak with Massey, who could be behind Alex’s death and just happens to be the owner of the dance hall that he and Alex frequented. Miller does not get along with his new boss, DI Sullivan, which only adds to the complex environment that now encapsulates his world.

Miller and Xiu learn that the woman who entered the hotel at the time of the double homicide was a sex worker using a moniker instead of her real name. She claims to know nothing about Shepherd but admits to having a working relationship with Cutler that involved a good deal of S&M. However, Miller and Xiu do not feel she is capable of being the hit person who took out both men with a bullet to the head from a silencer.

This case leads Miller and Xiu down some different roads, each of which provides more information about the deceased and a handful of new suspects. Billingham has plotted the book brilliantly and will keep even the most astute mystery reader baffled until the finale.

There are plot twists galore here, and at least one of the cases will remain unsolved, leaving the door wide open for additional entries in the series. I just love Declan Miller and cannot wait to spend more time with him. In the Acknowledgements, Billingham hinted at a possible crossover between Miller and Thorne. I will try to contain my excitement and wait patiently for that gem to become available.