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The Last Dance

A Detective Miller case - the first new Billingham series in 20 years

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About this listen

 THE FIRST NEW SERIES FROM #1 BESTSELLER MARK BILLINGHAM IN 20 YEARS.

'Readers rejoice! A captivating new series from Mark Billingham, the very best in the business' --- RICHARD OSMAN

Meet Detective Miller: unique, unconventional, and criminally underestimated...

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?

'Funny, moving, and full of surprises . . . an absolute treat' --- MICK HERRON

'Billingham blends caustic humour, raw emotion and rollercoaster thrills. His new series is bursting with wit, charm and intriguing, complex characters' --- JANICE HALLETT©2023 Mark Billingham Ltd Crime Thrillers Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Thriller Witty Detective

Continue the series
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Critic reviews

Readers rejoice! A captivating new series from Mark Billingham, the very best in the business
Funny, moving, and full of surprises, The Last Dance will delight Mark Billingham's old readers, and have new ones flocking to him in droves. An absolute treat.
Billingham has clearly enjoyed the challenge of exploring new territory and portraying new characters. His fans may rest assured that his highly accomplished performance deserves a big fat ten.
Hard-headed yet big-hearted, DS Declan Miller will have you on the edge of your seat - screaming with laughter one moment and surprise the next. Billingham blends caustic humour, raw emotion and rollercoaster thrills. His new series is bursting with wit, charm and intriguing, complex characters. Save The Last Dance for when you want a fast, fresh and totally absorbing read.
Billingham's Tom Thorne series set the bar very high indeed, but The Last Dance is well up to standard - funny, moving and expertly plotted
Billingham is back with the first instalment of a highly promising new series
Brimming with wit, expertly paced, and wholly enjoyable - The Last Dance is a showcase of Billingham's exceptionally gifted storytelling. Mark Billingham is at his best!
A gritty, engaging novel that balances light with dark, offering wit and wisdom in equal measure. Billingham's new lead detective, DS Miller, never misses a step when it comes to solving crime.
A captivating combination of humour, emotion, mystery and tension, The Last Dance is everything you could wish for in a new detective series. Sharp and funny, with hidden layers, just like Detective Declan Miller himself.
Fresh, funny, fantastic, this is the sickeningly talented Billingham at his best.
It is an unmitigated joy from the very first page to last - and reminds the world just why Billingham is one of Britain's greatest crime writers
The author's first new series in 20 years is superb - he hits the spot again
DS Miller is a wonderfully warm and witty character who, at times, made this reader laugh out loud
This captivating thriller is lighter in tone than the Thorne novels but no less enjoyable for that
This new post-Inspector Tom Thorn character from multi-award-winning author Mark Billingham is an absolute winner, and a hoot to boot
Reliable crime-fiction veteran Billingham delivers gentle laughs and darker emotions in a pacey plot shaped by its unique location
This captivating story features a new Billingham character - DI Declan Miller, who is nothing if not eccentric . . . Superbly constructed, it underlines just how good a crime writer he is.
A clever and engaging murder mystery
An entertaining police procedural featuring a new investigator, DS Declan Millar. Billingham may have made him as miserable as his predecessor DI Tom Thorne but he provides a lot more jokes this time to lighten the novel

Featured article: embracing the British seaside this summer? Here’s 10 listens for your travels


Whether you’re visiting Brighton, Blackpool, or the Outer Hebrides, here’s a title for every trip. It’s a selection as varied as our beloved British coast, with laughs, thrills, and romance to accompany you on what’s (hopefully) a sunny summer holiday.

Featured article Embracing the British seaside this summer? Here’s 10 listens for your travels
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So I was nervous of Detective Miller. Being a huge fan of Tom Thorne I was worried that I’d be comparing the 2.
No need to do that at all, embrace the differences in these 2 characters… you won’t be disappointed.
Completely different style to Thorne, but have to admit that Miller is a cracking character. His wit, one liners and references that people of a certain age will laugh out loud to we’re very enjoyable to listen to.
Enjoyed David Threlfall narrating but it might just be me that thought he made Miller sound older than he is.
Really loved the cameo of a certain other Met Detective ( no names as don’t want to spoil it), this made me smile.
Looking forward to more of Miller and Posh Gravy’s outings.

Nervous of a new detective, unnecessarily!!!

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Was a little unsure about the narrator at first but he does grow on you as does Detective Miller! Really looking forward to seeing more of him and his sense of humour.

Great new Detective.

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As a long time Tom Thorne fan I was a bit worried about this new very different detective. I now can’t wait to see what he investigates next! The characters are warm wry the observations are often laugh out loud funny and are brought to life brilliantly by David Threlfall’s narration.

The dancing detective

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I was dubious about this book as I love the Tom Thorne series read by Mark Billingham himself. I now also love the Miller book and can’t wait for book 2 !
Great narration which makes a pleasure to listen x

Excellent listen

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An interesting yarn with a quirky detective and his partner. Keeps you engaged throughout with twists and turns.

Great narration

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