I enjoyed this murder-mystery/thriller. It was nicely written with lots of twists and turns along the way. It's also listed as a romance, which it isn't to any extent, as this book is all about the police investigation. I'm not sure I believed in Emily and Zander's attraction quite yet, (she's a witness and he's FBI) and nothing was resolved re their relationship, so I assume it will continue in the next book, which I will read asap.

The murders and police/FBI investigation were the feature and as I've read many other books by this author I was expecting this. Everything re the murders was wrapped up in a neat bow at the end and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, as it's excellent light entertainment. There's plenty of action, with a few grizzly murder scenes and autopsy scenes and I give it 4 stars. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher Montlake Romance for the e-ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Oooo I love a good twist and this has one that will knock you off your feet! A double murder brings a small town to their knees as they are left guessing about another incident 20 years earlier. Scary. Tense. Compelling.
4/5.

A great crime thriller! It was suspenseful, unexpected, and left me wanting more! Looking forward to reading more by this author.

I'm a first time Kendra Elliott reader. Pretty quickly I left like, while this is a stand alone, I was missing out on something. There is obviously a history/ background I've missed.
That being said.... It didn't alter my review.
I was sucked in from the very being. Very suspenseful. It was a great story that left me anxious for the next installment.

This was such a compelling crime thriller. This is the first book in Kendra Elliot’s new Columbia River series. I really enjoyed the story.

Lots of plot twists and turns throughout the book to keep you gripped. More of a mystery novel as opposed to romance. Loved it nonetheless!

As with all of Kendra's books this one just keeps you guessing. It is a true page turner and I for one can't wait for the next book. Thanks for another great hot Kendra!

Twenty years ago Emily Mills’s father was murdered, and she found his body hanging in the backyard. Her younger sister, Madison, claims she was asleep in her room.
Her older sister, Tara, claims she was out with friends.
The tragedy drove their mother to suicide and Tara to leave town forever.
The killer was caught. The case closed - or was it?

Ever since, Emily and Madison have tried to forget what happened that night—until an eerily similar murder brings it all back. It also brings FBI special agent Zander Wells to the Oregon logging town.

When Tara disappeared, she took a secret of her own with her.
Now Emily is trapped inside a nightmare that won't go away.

Stunning new thriller from Kendra Elliot.

Such a compelling read, this book was much more mystery than romance.

I loved playing detective and trying to piece this all together.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked all the characters, they all got together do well. I didn’t suspect the ending at all, which is always great whilst reading.
Thank you for letting me read this great book, can’t wait to read more!

An easy to read storyline with interesting characters. It had lots of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting

An engaging story and extremely well written on a subject that I wasn't really familiar with. The characters had great depth. I look forward to reading the next one.

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and the author Kendra Elliot.
A solid suspense novel, with some gripping moments.
An entertaining story, would be good for a holiday read.

The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot is a fast paced exciting detective thriller. The characters are likeable, believable and complemented the plot very well. The storyline is strong and the action well described. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well written thriller. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Oceanfront Press Company for allowing me to read the book.

My friend messaged me last week to say that she’d just finished this book and that she couldn’t put it down. That’s a pretty good badge of quality from Kelly as we have very similar tastes in books. (Movies? Not so much – Speed 2 anyone??!) The next day I got sent The Silence to review which just happens to be book 2 in this Columbia River series so The Last Sister leapt right to the top of the virtual pile.

FBI agents Zander Wells and Ava McLane are sent to the coastal town of Bartonville Oregon to investigate a grisly double murder. A high school teacher and his young wife have been slaughtered in their home and Sean’s body was hung from a tree in the garden.

Emily Mills found the bodies, reporting it directly to the FBI as a hate crime because of the symbol carved into Sean’s head. A distressing find for anyone but even more so for Emily whose own father had been found hanged when she was a child.

The Mills family have a long history in Bartonville. Emily and her sister live with their three maiden aunts in the family mansion at the edge of town. A building that cripples them financially but the locals still think that they are rolling in family money. In truth it is only their meagre earnings from running the local diner that keeps things afloat. (Hence the short stack rating – I really want breakfast at the diner here!)

As Zander and Ava begin their investigation it soon becomes clear that there is an underbelly of hate in Bartonville and they will stop at nothing to silence those who threaten their peace and security.

So Kelly was right – it is a great story and I couldn’t put it down either. Kendra has a way of fleshing out her characters so well it feels like you’re watching a drama unfold rather than reading a book. I’ll be heading straight into book two next! Always a joy to discover that there are a couple of books in a new series that you love.

Supplied by Montlake Romance and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Uk publication date: Jan 20 2020. 328 pages.

A family tragedy changes young sisters lives forever. Twists and turns leave you believing things about people that prove untre. The difference in generations living together gives book a sense of family pulling together even with secrets. Overall an enjoyable read with happy but emotional at times.

The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot is the first book in the new romantic suspense Columbia River series.. The story begins with Emily finding the bodies of her friend Lindsay who was brutally murdered and Lindsay's husband who was murdered and then hung from a tree in the yard. 20 years prior, Emily's father was also murdered by hanging in her childhood home. The story brings the perpetrators of both together as well as develop the stories of Emily and her sisters and aunts. Throw in some romantic tension between Emily and an FBI agent, Zander and it's a very enjoyable read. This is my first read by Kendra Elliot but I'll be looking for the next in the series and others.

Excellent edge of your seat thriller. I couldn’t put this book down. As soon as I started reading it I couldn’t put it down.
Great character choices and plots. My first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last.
Thanks Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

A very gripping story with a compulsive storyline, great characters and lots of suspense. very absorbing read.

This brand new book in a new series seems to be more of a spinoff from a previous series, but that did not keep me from enjoying and understanding all of the action and events. The recurring characters are FBI agents Zander Wells and Ava McLean, two agents who are focused and who make the story what it is. This is a police procedural with a lot of mystery about the past before the current murder even occurs. Emily Mills’ father Lincoln was hanged in their backyard, her mom committed suicide shortly thereafter, her older sister Tara disappeared and her younger sister Madison says she didn’t see anything since she slept through the whole thing. Currently, Sean Fitch, a young black man, is hanged in his backyard while his white wife Lindsay is brutally stabbed to death inside their home. This crime brings the FBI into town since it certainly appears to be a hate crime. Tacking the themes of racism, hatred and family secrets, Kendra Elliot did a masterful job of drawing me quickly into the web of her story and keeping me there with the gripping events as secrets were revealed. I liked the doggedness of the town’s sheriff who is faced with a town that is facing what looks like a murder spree. The action is quick-paced and totally engaging, with crimes that could make today’s headlines. My favorite characters were the eccentric aunts and Emily, a young woman who has her own secrets and a lot to deal with given the current murder is so similar to her father’s. The mystery was suspenseful, but I didn’t see a lot of romance. But that didn’t disappoint me because I was so absorbed by the mysteries.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”