“An explosive and visceral debut with the most terrifying of killers. Wes Markin is a new name to watch out for in crime fiction, and I can’t wait to see more of Detective Yorke.” – Bestselling Crime Author Stephen BoothSchool should be the safest place in the world. Not this winter.Detective Michael Yorke faces his most harrowing case yet.When 12-year-old Paul disappears from school, Yorke’s … harrowing case yet.
When 12-year-old Paul disappears from school, Yorke’s only clue is a pool of animal blood. Fearing the worst, he turns toward the most obvious suspect, recently released local murderer, Thomas Ray.
But as the snow in Salisbury worsens, Ray’s mutilated body is discovered, and Yorke is left with no choice but to journey into the sinister heart of a demented family that has plagued the community for generations. Can he save the boy? Or will the evil he discovers change him forever?
The shocking and exhilarating new crime thriller will have you turning the pages late into the night.
Read what everyone is saying about One Last Prayer for the Rays:
‘A pool of blood, an abduction, swirling blizzards, a haunting mystery, yes, Wes Markin’s One Last Prayer for the Rays has all the makings of an absorbing thriller. I recommend that you give it a go.’– Bestselling Author Alan Gibbons
‘Wes Markin has created a really high energy novel that I just want to rave about everywhere.’ Jessica Rachow, 5 stars
‘It’s a stunning book, and a true testament to wonderful crime writing.’ Radzy Writes, 5 stars
‘Bam it’s go go go and it feels like you are on a rollercoaster that you don’t know if it is ever going to end.’ Zoe-Lee O’Farrell, Zooloo’s book diary, 5 stars.
‘Having just finished this book my head is still reeling, and my heart is still thumping,’ Goodreads Reviewer,5 stars
‘Jeez Louise, the opener hit bull’s eye straight away and nothing could stop me from being dragged into the story,’ Els, B for Bookreview, 5 stars
‘A WOW evoking opening and keeps the wows coming throughout. Shocking and at times disturbing, this is an intense, disconcerting and gripping tale.’ Bookworms Corner Blog Spot, 5 stars
‘One Last Prayer For The Rays is a dark and chilling read. There were lots of parts that are left to the imagination that shocked and horrified me but I so enjoyed them all.’ Sarah Hardy, By the letter book reviews.
‘An incredibly strong debut… I actually mistook it for one that an author with more published stories behind them would write. There was a moment when I thought wow, I’d so love to read everything this author has written – and I went on Goodreads to see what else is out there. That’s how good it is.’ Dora, Swift Coffee Blog, 5 stars.
‘It’s twisty, dark, gritty, gripping and exciting, the characters are eclectic, complex, sinister, deeply flawed but wow do they get under your skin,’ Dash Fan Book Reviews, 5 stars.
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Haven’t had a 5-star rating this summer since Karin Slaughter but this book is one! It has a realistic plot (if you accept the reality of despicable persons and actions) and good characterization. There is the macabre but not overkill plus a psycho ex-girlfriend (who reminded me of Angie in Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent novels). I went ahead and purchased Wes Markin’s next two mysteries in the series, one to yet to be available! Good read, police mystery fans!
I could not put One Last Prayer for the Rays down and I finished it in one sitting. It’s gripping, action-packed and it’s a page-turner.
There’s so much I want to say about this book, but I also don’t want to spoil anything. Wes Markin has created a really high energy novel that I just want to rave about everywhere. I loved the characters, the mystery…really everything.
I can’t find anything to complain about with this one. It’s a solid novel that keeps you glued to the pages. Highly recommended.
*I read this as part of a blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
What turns an entire family into one steeped in violence? DCI Michael Yorke and his team are certainly put to the test to find out who is behind a series of evil crimes. Wes has created a fast-paced plot that has the police questioning their own beliefs as they search for clues.
This series isn’t for the faint-hearted as the gruesome details might seem over the top. However, they work well with the story. This is definitely one which will keep you turning the pages as you urge the police to find the culprits and bring them to justice.
Well written and not what I expected.
This was such a great book. The turmoil, chaos and heartbreak that each of these characters endure. Just when you think you know who the villian is, it twists to someone you would not of expected. I could not put it down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
wow it was sure different.. Hard to p ut down
Could not put it down. You don’t know who’s responsible until very close to the end. A real surprise.
Great mystery. Action packed. Full of twists and turns.
Very good! Wow
If you don’t mind some gruesome scenes, it’s a good mystery.
Great story. Enjoyed immensely, very unique and kept me guessing.
Can a family really be cursed? It seems the Rays are, even an innocent young boy. I am anxious to read the next because of the surprise ending.
What an absolutely fantastic debut novel! This book has everything in it that you could possibly want from a crime suspense/thriller.
The Ray family, short of Paul and his parents, are a collection of psycho lunatics, all with a deplorable past. Unfortunately, this past has come back to haunt Paul and his family and makes this story a dark and exceptional read.
There are so many twists and turns in this book it is more than a page turner! It is superbly written and the descriptions both of the surroundings and within the narrative are second to none.
The plot is addictive and very clever. I absolutely loved this book and thoroughly recommend it to all crime thriller fans. I will be looking forward to reading more from this author.
A very well deserved 5 stars!
When 12-year-old Paul Ray goes missing from school, Detective Michael York and his team are called in to investigate. But this may be more than just a child playing hooky … in the restroom is a pool of blood .. and the words IN THE BLOOD painted on the wall in that blood.
Everyone is the village knows of the Ray family. For years … generations .. they’ve all been pig farmers and more than that …. at least one member of the family in each generation has been demented .. or just plain evil.
The most obvious suspect is Thomas Ray .. who has recently been released from prison for murder. And Yorke has a connection. But when they find Thomas dead … Yorke and his team have to delve through the family history to find all the people who may have a grudge against the family.
Where is the boy? Is he still alive? Or a pawn in a bigger. more evil game?
WOW! The story starts with a bang and the suspense just grows and grows until the surprising ending. The characters are memorable and I’m looking forward to discovering more about Yorke in the next books.
Many thanks to the author / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley / TBC Reviewer Request Group (FB) for the digital copy of this awesome crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This book literally starts off with a bang, and it doesn’t let up…not really even at the end. If you are like me, your head will still be spinning long after the last page is finished.
What starts out as a missing school boy turns into so many unexpected twists and turns! It all centers around a twisted, crazy family that illustrates what evil truly is and the dark secrets they are hiding.
DCI Yorke is a complicated character that appears to have many mysterious layers to him. I’m glad this is a series because I think there is a lot more to discover about him. There are characters that are pure evil and ones that are downright crazy! They add so much depth and really drive the story!
If you are looking for a crime thriller to keep you up at night, along with a twist you won’t see coming, then this is a book should not to be missed. Really looking forward to the next one in the series!
This is a superb crime fiction novel exceptionally well written. Markin sets the scene & pace from the very first page, adding plenty of twists & tension, creating a thriller that has had me captivated for the whole weekend. The Ray Dynasty might be a family of fiction, but in the author’s capable hands they are turned into a force to be reckoned with, their legacy one which I won’t forget in a hurry. If you love a book that packs a punch & leaves you on tenterhooks until the last page, this is one you’ll appreciate. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
This mystery is high on the gore and terror levels! Amazing characters. Excellent cop drama. Tragic.
Read all of his books.
Wow! The first outing for DCI Mike Yorke w was a revelation , a truly gripping read. And while the killer was revealed relatively early on, it didn’t detract from the storyline as the remainder explained motivation and also planted seeds for the rest of the books in the series. There were a plethora of twists, subplots and red herrings, making this a true page turner. The rest of DCI Yorke’s team aren’t simply there to make up the numbers, and I look forward to seeing how each one of them develops.
Another very good Yorke story.
A fantastic listen that kept me inthralled and on the edge of my seat the whole time. It’s fast paced and epic scenes. The Author and Narrator has done an excellent job The Author has done a fantastic job at world building as well as Character building. I definitely recommend.
Shauna Joesten