A review by phantomparagrapher7
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

After reading Hidden Pictures, I was excited to read Jason Rekulak's newest book as I see him following in the same footsteps as authors like Grady Hendrix and Riley Sager. This book starts with Frank getting a phone call out of the blue from his daughter Maggie. He hadn't heard from her in three years when they last had a fight and Maggie gave him the silent treatment. Maggie has rung him to tell him she is getting married to a wealthy family and she wants him at the wedding. Frank arrives and meets the groom, but of course, he has reservations and his father's radar is going off as something doesn't feel right. He can't complain though as he doesn't want to lose this newfound relationship with his daughter as he only just got her back. When the wedding comes, Frank his sister, and a foster kid are invited along to the estate where the Gardner's are hosting an expensive wedding. Frank's radar is pinging now and he knows things aren't quite as they seem as the locals blame Aidan Gardner for the case of a missing local and for two people supposedly in love and getting married - Aidan and Maggie aren't giving off newlywed vibes. As Frank digs deeper into the truth with the main outcome of saving his daughter, will he reveal some truths and dark family secrets and learn that his daughter might not want to be saved and is more involved than he ever realized. In fact, could she be the one pulling the strings? I have to admit I did like Frank's character and the side character of the foster kid but OMG I hated Frank's sister Tammy. She was so annoying and blindsided by wealth and money.  If you love psychological thrillers, then The Last One at the Wedding is a book you need to add to your reading list.