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calamitykatie's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
livjade's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
trr51591's review against another edition
3.0
Niamh is a sixteen-year-old girl away from home for the first time at a summer theater program in London. She’s excited to make new friends and explore the city, except her new friends keep getting murdered, which is kind of a buzzkill, especially when she realizes they all kind of look like her and that maybe that’s not a coincidence. To distract herself, Niamh throws herself into a flirtation with the handsome Tommy, who she meets volunteering at the Victorian Street Museum, where they dress up like 1800s people and do in-character tours. But her job becomes a different kind of distraction when Niamh sees a portrait of the Victorian girl she’s acting as and realizes they could be twins.
This is marketed as being a retro slasher vibe similar to “Scream”, “Urban Legend”, and “One Of Us is Lying” (all of which I love) but with a supernatural twist. Unfortunately, the twist was extremely obvious even from the blurb. I had assumed that was a decoy and was excited to see the reveal, only to be like “oh.” So I guess that’s on me for reading and watching too many things similar to this, but what a bummer. I had fun reading this but I think having it just be either a traditional slasher or lean more into the supernatural than it did would’ve worked better for me. I had a lot of questions about the logistics and details that didn’t make sense to me still after reading, which took me out of the story some. I think this would make a better movie than book, actually, because I can see the visuals being fun enough to distract from some of the blurrier plot areas.
This is a fun, quick read that could be a good distraction for a flight if you like cheesy horror movies and thrillers, but if you’re an avid reader of the genre you won’t find anything surprising here. Now I’m off to re-watch Urban Legend again. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Niamh is a sixteen-year-old girl away from home for the first time at a summer theater program in London. She’s excited to make new friends and explore the city, except her new friends keep getting murdered, which is kind of a buzzkill, especially when she realizes they all kind of look like her and that maybe that’s not a coincidence. To distract herself, Niamh throws herself into a flirtation with the handsome Tommy, who she meets volunteering at the Victorian Street Museum, where they dress up like 1800s people and do in-character tours. But her job becomes a different kind of distraction when Niamh sees a portrait of the Victorian girl she’s acting as and realizes they could be twins.
This is marketed as being a retro slasher vibe similar to “Scream”, “Urban Legend”, and “One Of Us is Lying” (all of which I love) but with a supernatural twist. Unfortunately, the twist was extremely obvious even from the blurb. I had assumed that was a decoy and was excited to see the reveal, only to be like “oh.” So I guess that’s on me for reading and watching too many things similar to this, but what a bummer. I had fun reading this but I think having it just be either a traditional slasher or lean more into the supernatural than it did would’ve worked better for me. I had a lot of questions about the logistics and details that didn’t make sense to me still after reading, which took me out of the story some. I think this would make a better movie than book, actually, because I can see the visuals being fun enough to distract from some of the blurrier plot areas.
This is a fun, quick read that could be a good distraction for a flight if you like cheesy horror movies and thrillers, but if you’re an avid reader of the genre you won’t find anything surprising here. Now I’m off to re-watch Urban Legend again. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
labarrec's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty obvious, which is most likely due to the YA of it all. Not bad, but nothing special.
winwin06's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
oddmara's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first book I audiobooked and boy was it a joy to read!!
The narrator was amazing at doing little voices for the characters and spoke at an actual human pace (rather than the slowed down pace of a snail I've heard from time to time)
I actually didn't expect to like this story as much as I did, but honestly it was a joy! It wasn't too dark or grim despite the subject matter, and it never fell into tropes I hated. The characters were all likeable and the actual mystery of the story (although easy to predict) still kept us on our toes and frequently made us wonder if we were actually right or not. And Niahm and Jess's friendship was to die for! Truly an enjoyable experience :)
The narrator was amazing at doing little voices for the characters and spoke at an actual human pace (rather than the slowed down pace of a snail I've heard from time to time)
I actually didn't expect to like this story as much as I did, but honestly it was a joy! It wasn't too dark or grim despite the subject matter, and it never fell into tropes I hated. The characters were all likeable and the actual mystery of the story (although easy to predict) still kept us on our toes and frequently made us wonder if we were actually right or not. And Niahm and Jess's friendship was to die for! Truly an enjoyable experience :)
funshine3's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Quick and easy read but a bit predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Chronic illness
adamskiboy528491's review against another edition
4.0
“My knife's so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get a chance. Good Luck.” - Jack The Ripper.
Last One To Die by Cynthia Murphy is fast-paced, with an edge of your seat (behind your cushion) plot; it has everything a YA point horror fan might want. A spooky Victorian vibe that feels fresh because it's paired with modern-day teens falling in love, discovering a new city and being awful to each other.
Sixteen-year-old Niamh travels from Ireland to London to attend drama school. She hopes to learn new acting techniques and make new friends. When she arrives, she befriends Sara and trades dorm rooms with her, but Niamh finds Sara gruesomely murdered in her room shortly afterwards. What follows is a string of sinister attacks on young women who have an uncanny resemblance to her. Throwing herself into her course and her work placement at the Victorian museum, she makes friends, gains a love interest and a stalker. Niamh starts to get the feeling that someone is out to get her.
The mystery sets the tone perfectly. There are plot twists and red herrings that always keeps you guessing—a sprinkling of romance and a minor lost love pinning. But mainly tons of creepiness backed up with actual historical facts and titbits, and an ending that I did figure out but was still executed well. Once you return to your flat or house, you better watch your back and lock your doors.