Reviews

The Last Thing to Burn: Longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and shortlisted for the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year by Will Dean

teaandbooksnuggery's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

beautifulbybeth's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

kk5465's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense

3.5

mawdge's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

kcampbell227's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

📖: “Jane” has been held captive on an isolated farm in the middle of nowhere England by Lenn for over 7 years. She has the freedom to move around the small house but Lenn watches everything she does thru cameras. Jane’s expected to cook, clean, have sex on his command, if not she’s punished. He hangs over her head the threat of deportation back to Vietnam if she does not comply. Plus he has damaged her ankle so she can’t move well. Escape seems impossible or is it..
💭: An intense, raw, bone-chilling, nightmarish thriller about being held captive. This showed how humans can be pure evil, yet in the face of that also hopeful and resilient. The writing was so descriptive it hurt me to read some parts. This was so very realistic. It was suspenseful in a different way than most thrillers - worrying about her safety and sanity. 
✍️: human trafficking, immigrants, captivity, abuse, trauma, control, pain, survival 

amyk2024's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

5.0

carlotta25's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, and Rape

paperbackprincess's review against another edition

4.5

Dude. I’m traumatized! This was such a great introduction to this author for me. It kept me on the edge of my seat and cringing (in the best ways possible). I’m going to be honest. This wasn’t the easiest read. So check your triggers! It’s every refugee’s nightmare!! 
I plotted the many deaths of Lenn while reading.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Trafficking, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy

cindynapkins's review against another edition

dark hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

juliarose29's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

3.75