eighteen years after the Cedrics bandleader is killed in an accidental explosion, they are making a documentary,. but everyone remembers the day different.

The Last Encore by Rebecca Heath is a slow-burning, thriller with a Behind the Music-meets-Knives Out vibe. Heath shows that she is the queen of rock ‘n roll disasters.

Eighteen years after the suspicious death of frontman Johnny Rake, The Cedrics are reuniting for a private island concert and documentary filming. Orchestrated by Rake’s enigmatic daughter Monet the reunion quickly devolves into a suspenseful whodunnit as secrets are unearthed,and the past literally comes back to haunt everyone.

Each band member has a different story about Johnny’s final night. But when a new body turns up before the cameras even start rolling, the mystery explodes into something far darker than anyone signed up for.

If you like Locked-room thrillers and Vacations-Gone-Wrong then this is a book for you!
#TheLastEncore #RebeccaHeath #AriaAndAries #MusicThriller #BandDrama #MonetKnowsMore

It’s been eighteen years since the accidental explosion that killed The Cedrics Band lead singer Jonny Rake, and a special documentary is bringing the rest of the band back to play together for the first time. With Jonny’s daughter, Monet, stepping into her father’s role, and a private island secured as the perfect reunion backdrop, it’s set to be a special occasion. But everyone remembers what happened on that fatal night differently, and as questions are asked about the band’s rise and sudden tragic fall, not everyone likes the answers. Old wounds reopen and tempers flare… Then a body is found! Wow! Fantastic read! This book had high suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, intrigue, action, and some shocking twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Rebecca Heath reinvigorates the classic island‑mystery setup (think Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None) with a sleek, character‑driven thriller in The Last Encore. When a formerly successful band is lured to a remote island under the pretense of a reunion, everyone arrives with hidden agendas. Heath uses multiple first-person perspectives to great effect, shifting seamlessly between characters and allowing the reader insight into fractured motives—and bitter grudges—that simmer beneath the surface.

At its core, The Last Encore examines betrayal; specifically how long-held resentments and past betrayals can erode trust. By placing familiar conflict (professional and personal) in an unfamiliar, secluded setting, Heath magnifies the stakes. The island setting becomes almost a character itself, amplifying paranoia and forcing characters to confront both literal and psychological isolation.

The Last Encore delivers a tense, character‑focused thriller that pays homage to its classic roots while delivering fresh dynamics. If you enjoy psychological suspense and unraveling group secrets in an isolated setting, this is a solid and entertaining read.

If you love locked-room mysteries with a rock-and-roll twist, The Last Encore is your next obsession. A remote island, a band reunion, and a murder that refuses to stay buried. Secrets, suspense, and a killer encore you won’t see coming.
#ThrillerReads #TheLastEncore #RebeccaHeath

A intriguing story moulded around revenge, leaving the reader not sure whom is the guilty person or persons. A great twist at the end. A must read from this great author. I couldn't put it down, having to read on, to see if I could work out what was happening. All came together at the end. I enjoyed how the author puts the twists and turns together, to keep you wanting to read on

I was really enjoying this book, when it just seemed like it was a tale of getting the old gang back together again after so long... the old resentments still there, the new found allegiances... and of course the ghost of the dead lead singer.
Then there were a few creepy things, and a body.
Non of this is helped by the claustrophobic location.
Pretty much ramps up from there into an incredibly fun read whilst I worked out the who's and whys.
I read for entertainment, and I definitely got it here.
Highly recommend... perfect for that beach read you might be looking for.

A tragic explosion takes the life of The Cedrics Band front man. Eighteen years later, the band reunites on a small vacation island to film a documentary. Taking the lead role this time round is the teenage daughter of the deceased frontman. Everyone on the island has a secret they will do anything to keep hidden, and when a body is found, it's clear one of the party will even go as far as murder.

The first half is a slow burn where we are introduced to each of the characters, and hints are placed at what they might be hiding. Once the body is found, it is a high-speed journey of twists and turns, misdirection, and second guesses until we reach this thrilling books conclusion.

I struggled to keep going during the first half as there wasn't enough happening to drive my curiosity, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. Every character has a significant part to play, even though it may be presented to the reader in a manner that says otherwise. Rebecca Heath has delivered to us an intricate web of lies, secrets, and long-awaited revenge.

Review of ‘The Last Encore’ by Rebecca Heath, due to be published on 22 January 2026 by Aria & Aries.

A band reunite on a remote island marking 18 years since the death of the lead singer Jonny.

The former band members all have different accounts of what happened that night, past recriminations and anger flares, and then a body is discovered.

Twists, turns, death, destruction and revenge make for a dark thriller. Recommended read.

A gripping, atmospheric thriller that hits all the right notes!

Rebecca Heath’s The Last Encore is a fast-paced and twisty whodunnit that kept me hooked from the first chapter. When rock star Jonny Rake is killed on stage in a tragic accident, the band falls apart. Eighteen years later, the surviving members reunite on a remote island for a documentary and reunion show—but secrets don't stay buried. Told through multiple compelling POVs, each character brings their own hidden motives and buried truths, intensifying the mystery. When a body is discovered on the island, the real story behind Jonny’s death begins to unravel. The isolated island setting adds a tense atmosphere, and Heath masterfully balances character drama, suspense, and rock 'n' roll nostalgia. A must-read for fans of tightly woven mysteries and locked-room thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC for review. The expected release date is 22 January 2026.

The Last Encore by Rebecca Heath is a suspenseful page turner, with an unexpected twist.

The Cedrics Band were at the height of success when tragedy struck with the untimely and shocking death of their lead singer, Johnny Rake. Was his death really an accident, or was it murder?

Eighteen years later, the estranged members of the band reunite on a secluded island to film a documentary and stage a special concert, with Johnny’s daughter taking center stage.

Not everyone is happy to be there, whilst others have hidden motives. It seems that everyone there has a secret to hide. The unease, tension and conflict between the characters is ever apparent, slowly building to a climax. Then, a body is found. The question is who amongst them is guilty? Who will be next?

An atmospheric whodunnit set off the coast of South Australia that will keep you guessing until the very end.

I really enjoyed this book, but what surprised me the most was how much I liked the Australian setting, with a mix of rugged coastline and countryside. It seems innocent on the surface, but foreboding all the same. I was also surprised by the twist at the end. Would recommend this book.

Thank you very much to the publisher for the advance copy!