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dark
tense
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Stalking, Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Murder
Minor: Child death
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, I did not expect this book to make me cry!
For those who need to know before reading, the dog
This was a super thriller. I could not put it down and found it so compelling in more ways than one. Twists at every point in the plot, up to the very end, with an excellent reconciliation.
The author must have a golden retriever because he perfectly captures what’s they are like, and the way he described the killer truly made my skin crawl with the neck beard/incel of it all. I was worried at the beginning when he was describing all the cliches in thrillers that are not good that he wouldn’t be able to avoid them himself, but I was so pleased with this books.
This book makes me think that “I’ll meet you there” might be the most romantic and loving thing if all time.
For those who need to know before reading, the dog
Spoiler
doesn’t die.This was a super thriller. I could not put it down and found it so compelling in more ways than one. Twists at every point in the plot, up to the very end, with an excellent reconciliation.
The author must have a golden retriever because he perfectly captures what’s they are like, and the way he described the killer truly made my skin crawl with the neck beard/incel of it all. I was worried at the beginning when he was describing all the cliches in thrillers that are not good that he wouldn’t be able to avoid them himself, but I was so pleased with this books.
This book makes me think that “I’ll meet you there” might be the most romantic and loving thing if all time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THE GOOD: Holy twists! Some I saw coming, but some I definitely didn't. This book gives you whiplash. I don't know if I've read a book with that many twists. Just when I thought the last twist had been revealed and the story was wrapping up, I'd look and see that there was still so much of the story left to read. I wondered many times if the twist I just read was the last, only to read another one shortly after. A book with this many twists has the potential to be really good, but can also be really bad if it relies too heavily on the twists and not enough on the plot. After DNFing NO EXIT by this author I went into this without high expectations, but I have to say I'm impressed! I also liked that there was a story within the story. Also, the dog is OK! Sorry if that's a spoiler.
THE BAD: The writing wasn't my favourite. I also wanted more suspense and shock factor.
THE BAD: The writing wasn't my favourite. I also wanted more suspense and shock factor.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, Car accident
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the premise and the way this book panned out. I thought I knew what was happening until that last 25% of that book. Twist after twist my head was spinning by the end of it all. Also glad to say that the dog, Laika, ends up perfectly okay in the end. I don't think I would've rated this book a 4 had Laika not survived TBH.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Infertility, Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I selected this title as a Book of the Month pick.
"The Last Word" is a fast-paced thriller that follows Emma Carpenter and her golden retriever, Laika, as Emma house sits for a woman named Jules in a beachfront property. With nothing else to do, Emma spends her days reading, and after she posts a negative review of a book, she feels like she is being stalked by the author. Can her and Laika make it through the night alive, or will she become just like the victims in the author's gruesome horror novels?
In true Taylor Adams fashion, this book is graphic, gruesome, and really made me uncomfortable at times. I was so anxious throughout my reading experience because I kept waiting for something to happen to Laika and I was distraught. My anxiety hindered my enjoyment of the novel because I CANNOT read about an animal dying, and I was so worried the whole time.
Emma is a complex character, and I enjoyed reading from her perspective most of the time. Some of her rationale felt a little too convenient to propel the story forward, but I really enjoyed uncovering why she was running away from her life. I also adored her love for Laika. She did everything to save her dog, and I loved seeing their interactions together.
The big twist of who Kane, the author turned stalker, was turned out kind of interesting, but I also felt like I saw it coming.
My favorite aspect of this novel is that Taylor Adams presented this timely discourse about whether an author should be on review platforms. On the one hand, an author could use reviews to help them better hone their craft and listen to what their readers want from them in the future. On the other hand, a review platform is supposed to be safe place for readers to share their thoughts. I really enjoyed seeing this idea manipulated into a story.
Taylor Adams is definitely talented at what he does, and I will continue to pick him up in the future!
"The Last Word" is a fast-paced thriller that follows Emma Carpenter and her golden retriever, Laika, as Emma house sits for a woman named Jules in a beachfront property. With nothing else to do, Emma spends her days reading, and after she posts a negative review of a book, she feels like she is being stalked by the author. Can her and Laika make it through the night alive, or will she become just like the victims in the author's gruesome horror novels?
In true Taylor Adams fashion, this book is graphic, gruesome, and really made me uncomfortable at times. I was so anxious throughout my reading experience because I kept waiting for something to happen to Laika and I was distraught. My anxiety hindered my enjoyment of the novel because I CANNOT read about an animal dying, and I was so worried the whole time.
Emma is a complex character, and I enjoyed reading from her perspective most of the time. Some of her rationale felt a little too convenient to propel the story forward, but I really enjoyed uncovering why she was running away from her life. I also adored her love for Laika. She did everything to save her dog, and I loved seeing their interactions together.
The big twist of who Kane, the author turned stalker, was turned out kind of interesting, but I also felt like I saw it coming.
My favorite aspect of this novel is that Taylor Adams presented this timely discourse about whether an author should be on review platforms. On the one hand, an author could use reviews to help them better hone their craft and listen to what their readers want from them in the future. On the other hand, a review platform is supposed to be safe place for readers to share their thoughts. I really enjoyed seeing this idea manipulated into a story.
Taylor Adams is definitely talented at what he does, and I will continue to pick him up in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Infertility, Stalking, Car accident, Murder
Minor: Child death
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Broken-hearted Emma Carpenter is given a horror book to read by her neighbour where she is housesitting on the Washington state coast. She regularly communicates with the neighbour via a whiteboard and telescope. Emma would end things if it were not for her beautiful golden retriever, Laika, named after the dog sent out to space. The book-it’s terrible, and she leaves a one star review for the author. Then strange things start happening and Emma doesn’t know if she is paranoid or if the author has come after her for her poor review.
Pick a weapon, and it was likely used in this book. Full of jump starts and twists and reminiscent of 80s final girl films, The Last Word has received many rave reviews. Throw in the possible harm of an animal and you lose my trust.
I was excited to read this book based on the premise but it fell a bit flat for me. It borders on horror which I am not a fan of so perhaps I was not the intended audience for this one. Please check out other reviewers’ glowing reviews as it has a fast-paced and thrilling plot line that many will enjoy. I really enjoyed No Exit and Hairpin Bridge and will read what the author writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death