The last thing he told me

My Review of “The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave”

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  • Book’s Title: The Last Thing He Told Me
  •  Written By: Laura Dave
  •  Published On: May 4th 2021
  •  Published by: Allen & Unwin (Profile Books)
  •  Pages: 320
  •  Genres: Crime, Fiction, Contemporary
  •  RRP: $29.99
  •  Rating: 4 stars

What “The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave” is about

Ladybird was written in such an engaging way that I could not put it down until the end. The Last Thing He Told Me is a mystery thriller that also kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. It is the story of Hannah, a woman who discovers that her husband Owen has disappeared and left behind a cryptic note: Her protection.

Notably, the note mentions Owen’s teenage daughter Bailey, who does not like her stepmother. The two, Hannah and Bailey, embark on a journey to learn more about Owen, who proves to have many secrets and lies in his past.

What I Liked

  • The thrilling and suspenseful plot was what I liked most about the story because I was guessing all the way until the end. The story was full of unpredictable events, which interested me and made me want to find out what would happen next. The author did very well in arousing tension and mystery in the book.
  •  Hannah and Bailey were both believable and relatable characters, which I enjoyed. They had their imperfections and trials, but they also showed courage. I liked the way they interacted and gradually got to know and trust each other. Both were likeable and sympathetic main characters.
  •  The author’s writing style was pleasant, it was understandable, interesting and personalized. She employed colorful descriptions, credible dialogues, and heartfelt insights to bring the story to life. She also counterbalanced the dark and grim motifs with some humour and warmth.

What I Did Not Like

  • However, I disliked the ending, which seemed to be done quickly and was anticlimactic. I was hoping for a more satisfying and concluding conclusion, but I felt that there were some loose ends and unanswered questions. I also thought that some of the reveals were too convenient and unbelievable.
  •  Some of the secondary characters were either too underdeveloped or too stereotypical, which I did not like. For example, I did not care about Owen, who was the force of the entire story but was hardly around or fleshed out. The villains were not all equally developed, and some were too stereotyped.

Conclusion

The Last Thing He Told Me is an exciting and suspenseful reading material that will leave you hanging. It is a well-written and well-structured story that touches upon the issues of family, personal identity, secrets and lies. I would suggest it to mystery, suspense, and drama lovers. I would rate it at 4/5.