The Last to Die had a great premise and I was looking forward to read it, but it just fell flat for me. It was a decent read, but not overwhelming.

The Last to Die really made me excited to read it based on the premise and the blurb on the front cover, which claimed that it is "a twisty puzzle of a mystery." I really love mysteries and thrillers, and something that keeps me guessing the whole time I'm reading it, so I was so delighted to have the chance to read this book.

I did like this book - reading it gave me a night of guessing and trying to figure out the mystery within its pages. However, I didn't love it - it felt way too short for one, and because of this, so much felt rushed. I feel like there could have been a lot more detail in the book that would have helped to make it seem like a more fleshed out story.

Also, the title seemed a bit misleading.

Anyway.

"One just doesn't go around with an idiotic smile splashed across her face fro no reason. Especially after committing a crime."

Harper and her group of friends are entitled and well off, with wealthy parents and too much time on their hands. Because of this, they come up with a game to make their lives more exciting, and to help them get some extra cash. The game? They break into each other's houses when they are out of town, stealing items that they can sell to get extra money to buy alcohol, drugs, and whatever else their hearts desire.

They only have two rules. The first rule is to only break into one another's houses: not the homes of their neighbors or those with whom they are not friends. The second rule? They are only allowed to take things that can be replaced easily. While money is not an object, they are sure to take things that are easily replaced - no important family heirlooms, for example.

And for a while, this whole arrangement works.

Then they start to get bored, and begin seeking out the homes of other kids in school, breaking in and stealing things that they can easily sell.

Eventually, Harper and her boyfriend decide that they want out of this. Their two friends also decide that they're done, which is great: no more breaking into homes and stealing, and instead they can focus on more important things and find new ways to have fun. Plus, no more risk of getting caught, right?

When Sarah, one of the group, dies from an apparent overdose, things take a dive south - police get involved, things get messy, and it leaves Harper wondering the truth - did Sarah really die from an overdose? Or was she murdered?

When tragedy strikes again, it becomes apparent to Harper that someone is out to get them - but is it who she thinks it is? Or is it someone else entirely? And who will believe her?

The Last to Die didn't have me guessing who the bad guy was - it was glaringly obvious that it wasn't who the author wanted you to think it was, because she put so much effort into trying to pin it on that person. So of course it had to be someone else, right? That's not to say I figured out who it was - I just knew that it wasn't the obvious choice. It took me a while to put some things together, but when you do reach that part of the book, it's a bit of a surprise.

I did mention earlier that I felt like this book was way too short. It was rushed - too rushed. Another fifty to a hundred pages would have made this so much better - too many ideas were introduced here and not explored as fully as they could have been. I also would have loved a few more deaths...it would have added to the suspense.

The idea behind the story was definitely interesting, though! I loved the whole "stealing from each other" bit - it was a brilliant plan that was hatched by some really bored and entitled rich kids to spice up their lives, and it was fun.

The characters were not quite as developed as I had hoped they would be, but because the book is so short and there are six major characters, I couldn't really expect them to all be so detailed. So that's okay, honestly, it's not something I'm going to get upset about. The development of the main character, Harper, was definitely there, and I felt like she learned a lot and truly developed as a person from the beginning of the book to the end, which I was definitely happy about.

All in all, The Last to Die is a quick read with some suspenseful parts that may leave you guessing. It's a great read for those who are just starting to branch out with thrillers or someone who wants a quick read to fit into their busy schedule.

3 for neutral, couldn’t finish. I’m a moody reader, so could be me, and will update if so. I did try many times, and was just not grabbed.

Burglaries, Teen Angst, Competition and Murder?!

Why, it’s positively sinful!

Harper and her friends have spent the last weeks of their summer doing what regular teens do. Drinking, beach days, trips to the mall, a smattering of experimental drugs and a casual burglary or two. With strict rules to only steal replaceable items from each of their houses, marking their personal bedrooms as off-limits, the teens take turns stealing items and pawning them off. The rush of adrenaline and excitement to be doing something illegal gives each of them a high like no other, that is until one of them is found dead. Though the police believe it to be a suicide, Harper knows better and searches frantically for the culprit. But as the deaths begin to stack up, she realizes she may be next.

If you’re looking for a quick-paced book that you’ll have no problem reading in one sitting, this one is for you.
This group of teens is far from your normal squad wanting to enact in a little rebellion and mischief. They are each a little crass, moody and fairly disrespectful to one another on a daily basis…which makes for some pretty interesting dynamics. There are six friends in total – Harper, Paisley, Sarah, Gin, Benji and Alex. Early on into their Summer, the gang decides they need some excitement and a new game to spice things up. They decide to take turns breaking into each other’s homes, using house keys and alarm codes, and taking items from their parents and selling them in pawnshops. They steal things like luxurious watches, alcohol, subscription bottles and other random decorations. Never personal, irreplaceable items.

Harper is an interesting character and voice of this story. She has a snide comment and blunt opinion about any and everything, and literally no filter. Most of the time I enjoyed her freedom to say whatever she wanted (f<3ck politeness) but at times I wish she would just get her head out of her ass. Harper is dating Gin who seems to be the most responsible and levelheaded one in the group. Paisley is innocent and sweet and is dating Benji who is laid-back and has the vibes of an all-around good guy. Sarah is the slightly promiscuous and overly catty teenage girl that makes you want to smack yourself in the face, and she is dating the equally cringey and creepy Alex. The weirdest dynamic here is the one between Harper, Sarah and Alex. Alex makes constant suggestive comments to Harper, which gets a huge rise out of Sarah, which amuses Harper to no end. But the real strangeness is between Sarah and Harper.

These two are supposedly friends, but oh my gosh do they go at it!! And not just figuratively, Harper literally punches Sarah and they are constantly making comments about how much they hate each other.

Anyways, eventually things go a tad too far (as they always do) and one of the characters turns up dead. Harper has a very strong opinion that they hadn’t committed suicide, and that one of their friends was actually behind it. Needless to say, things get a little wild and you’re left having no idea who to trust. In natural fashion for me, I was blaming Harper herself. But that’s probably because I’ve been listening to WAY too many murder podcasts in my spare time.

Basically, this book goes by really fast and before you know it, you find out ‘who done it’. Though it WAS a TOTAL blindside, I am still left with a scrunched-up face and thinking the ending was a tad silly and ridiculous. There is that dramatic moment of when the killer explains why they did it, and guys…it was cringey. Call the Soap Opera Awards, because this takes the cake for the most eye-roll worthy forced anger and jealousy award!

But that painful exchange aside, this was a fairly decent book and one I didn’t hate giving my time to. It had an interesting premise, very quirky and edgy characters, and a special something that we’re all looking for this November – Murder. <3

The book started off mid story with not a lot of back story. The main character was not relatable for me and I did not feel connected with her. She may appeal to a younger audience and my age may be why I just couldn’t connect with her. The concept of the story was interesting and I did not guess what was going to happen in the end. I definitely did not figure out the culprit behind everything. I didn’t hate this one but didn’t love it either. I would give this one 3 stars.

Not one I especially enjoyed. It stars out with a foolish premise - bored rich teens break into each other's houses for thrills. When some of them decide to quit the "game" people start to die. Here's the thing - the deaths don't make sense. The first death is a girl who didn't quit. Yet they immediately assume it's related to their decision. This is an obvious red herring but the characters never question their assumption. And the resolution has some of my least favorite thriller tropes - psychopathic teens murdering brilliantly.

This book was okay. Very predictable. The ending wasn’t the greatest. I just couldn’t connect with the protagonist Harper. She was completely lacking in empathy and emotion. Although I did appreciate her fierce loyalty to her sister. It had good promise and for a debut author I think they will grow into a stronger writer.

Thank you to netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the copy in exchange for the honest review!

This has a wonderful premise and was a good start to what could have been a great book! The main characters in Ms. Garrett's mystery about a group of teenagers who break into each other's homes for fun was well done. And the story line was off to a terrific start; however, I felt like it needed to be fleshed out more. At no point, until the climax, did I feel any sense of suspense. No one but the main character, Harper, seemed worried at all, and Ms. Garrett really gave Harper no time to sleuth before the story came to its conclusion. I felt like this book was the rough outline/draft you give your college professor before completing a solid paper. I wish we could have read that solid paper because what I read was pretty good.

Honestly, the MC was a straight up bitch, and not in an endearing way. The way the book ended left too many questions.

I really wanted to like this book and I'm honestly gutted that I didn't. I tried to power through and finish it but it got to the point where I just could not get into the story.

I really disliked the main character amd her reaction when the first person died. I felt no connection to the other characters and felt like the book was lacking suspense. This book just wasn't for me.

Fast easy read. Characters are shallow and self absorbed, just like real life rich teens. It is nice to see the female teens with self-confidence and not obsessing over boys. Good for fans of Pretty Little Liars.

I think I was expecting something in the vein of ‘I know what you did last summer’ but better plotted and with actual creepiness. That wasn’t what I got and that’s on me. I can see many people loving this but I think I must just fall outside the target audience. It wasn’t the dark YA thriller I was looking for but I’m sure it’ll tick all those boxes for someone else.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

This was such an intriguing book! It’s a ya murder mystery done right! I read this book in less than a day, which is saying something since I worked a 10 hour day and have a sick two year old at home. I just could not put this book down.

I did guess who it was, but I think it was a lucky guess. And it took me a while to arrive at that conclusion. Honestly, I suspected everyone.

Such a great fall mystery! I’d definitely recommend.

While experienced readers may find the conclusion predictable, this was still a solid debut from an author that I look forward to following in the future. Teens may find the characters more relatable than I did, although I think this is a fun, light mystery for all ages! If you're searching for a YA caper that feels modern with a captivating cover-look no further.

This was a fast paced book full of mystery and intrigue. I thought it was a very interesting story and the character grew o me and through the story. Thank you Netgalley.

Everything about The Last to Die by Kelly Garrett intrigued me. The cover was catching at first glance and the description of the book sounded great. So I knew I had to read it.

The story follows Harper and her group of friends, high schoolers from well off families. They have decided to burglarize each others houses when the families are out of town. Then things start to escalate and when people start dying, all bets are off. This book read quickly and easily. The flow was smooth and never left you hanging with downtime. I felt every detail was pertinent to the story. I also loved the plot line. It was a new and refreshing idea that I haven’t seen done before. The characters, while all from similar walks of life, had very different personalities and influences in their lives that made them the way they are. Each character was like an onion and we pealed back the layers.

I also loved how we saw personal growth in these characters as time passed. Harper really grew up in front of my eyes while I read this book. The mystery of who was guilty of all the bad things happening was intriguing. I was convinced I knew who it was, but I was absolutely wrong. I liked that Garrett could keep me in the dark until the end. The only thing I didn’t love was the bluntness of the ending. I wished there had been a little more explanation as to where people ended up and where the “bad guy” ended up. Other than that I had no complaints.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller with a YA Fiction base. I’ll definitely be checking out more from author Kelly Garrett.

Friends are forever. Or are they? They thought it would be fun to rob each others houses. Only steal stuff that was replaceable and easy to fence or pawn.
Sometimes people aren't what they seem. And this story is like that. Remember the saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer? That is what this story definitely conveys. That, or you may end up dead.

This book was a really intense thrill! I absolutely loved it and it had me on the edge of my seat! One of the best reads I think I've had in a while!

This was a book that i recieved as an e-arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I fairly enjoyed it! Mainly due to how the narrator was so insensitive towards others and how she was so flawed. Didn't rate it higher due to a few reasons. The novel's too short for me to care about anybody else except for the narrator. Also didn't see the point of them robbing houses? Also wanted it to talk more about her brother and how her mom was basically absent during the entirety of the book.

The Last to Die is a fast paced mystery. I enjoyed the premise for the most part but had a hard time liking the characters. It's hard to root for spoiled kids who steal for fun. I know they had rules and they stole from rich people but it was just hard to like them after that. The story is a really quick read and the writing is great. If I would have connected with one of the characters it would have been a 4/4.5 star read for me.