Death's Breath: Book 8

Mersea Island. Over 2,500 acres of farmland, marshland, and several caravan parks. Usually, it is home to 7,000 people. But for the August Bank Holiday weekend, it is home to two more residents: DS Tomek Bowen and his daughter, Kasia, looking to make the most of the end of the school holidays, the end of summer, and the end of Tomek’s extended time away from work.

But when a body is discovered tethered to a buoy one morning, Tomek is pulled into the murky world of murder and death sooner than anticipated. Cut off from his team and the rest of the police force, Tomek is forced to put his years of experience into practice. But as the tide comes closer, severing connection with the outside world, can he catch the killer before they strike again?

Death’s Breath is the fantastic eighth book in the DS Tomek Bowen Essex Murder Mystery series by Jack Probyn. If you love fast-paced British police procedurals filled with memorable characters, mind-bending twists that will keep you guessing to the last page, and oodles of black humour, you'll love this series. Fans of JD Kirk, Mark Billingham and JM Dalgliesh can't put this book down. Tap the buy button to read today!

A Gritty Descent into Essex Noir - Death’s Breath is the explosive eighth instalment in the DS Tomek Bowen series. It weaves authentic police procedure with deep psychological trauma, set against the salt-air and grey skies of the Essex coast.

Perfect for Readers Who Love:

• Gritty UK Police Procedurals: Mark Billingham, JD Kirk, and MW Craven.
• Flawed, Psychological Detectives: Michael Connelly’s realism and Angela Marsons’ psychological depth.
• Fast-Paced British Thrillers: Daniel Cole and Mo Hayder.
• Atmospheric Regional Crime: Authentic Southend-on-Sea settings, from the sprawling pier to the silent marshes.

What Makes Tomek Bowen Distinctive:

• Endearing Human Flaws: He’s an endearing man-child who dyes his beard to hide the gray and struggles with the isolation of his past.
• The Ultimate Revelation: Amidst the hunt for a serial killer, Tomek discovers a daughter he never knew existed—a bombshell that redefines his fight for justice.
• Unresolved History: While the primary case closes, Tomek’s hunt for his brother’s second killer — the ghost named "Charlie" — is just beginning.

Story Details:

• Genre: British Police Procedural / Murder Mystery.
• Mood: Tense, Gritty, Emotional, Atmospheric.
• Format: Full-length novel.
• Setting: Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
• Series Entry: Book 8 of the DS Tomek Bowen Crime Thriller Series.

Reader Reviews:

• "I liked Tomek as a character. He feels totally real and flawed. Riveting and enjoyed the many twists as things progressed." — Reader Review
• "A classic police thriller, very well composed. Investigate by very real people with normal human flaws." — Reader Review

Key Facts:

• Protagonist: Detective Sergeant Tomek Bowen.
• Primary Conflict: A vigilante targeting released offenders in the Essex community.
• Themes: Vigilante justice, childhood trauma, and long-buried family secrets.
• ISBN-13: 978-1-80520-074-1.
• Dimensions: 5.06in x 7.81in.
• Price: £8.99.