A review by kearstinreading
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

In the wake of her husband's sudden and mysterious disappearance, Hannah finds herself grappling with a thousand unanswered questions. Her husband, Owen, has left her with more than just his unexplained vanishing act; he's bequeathed her a stepdaughter, Bailey, who harbors a deep-seated resentment towards her new stepmother. As FBI agents and US Marshals descend upon their home, it becomes apparent that Owen's past holds many enigmatic secrets. Tasked with Owen's final and cryptic instruction - to protect Bailey - Hannah embarks on an emotional and suspenseful journey in search of the truth, both about her husband's true identity and the mysteries surrounding Bailey.

I was drawn to "The Last Thing He Told Me" because of its adaptation into a television series. As a steadfast believer in the supremacy of books over their screen adaptations, I was determined to explore the source material first. 

While often categorized as a thriller, I found "The Last Thing He Told Me" to lean more towards being an emotional mystery. It didn't necessarily keep me on the edge of my seat with heart-pounding suspense, but I was consistently intrigued. The driving force behind my reading was the desire to uncover Owen's whereabouts and unearth the secrets of his past, particularly how they intertwined with Bailey's own identity. It's a compelling narrative that, while not heart-pounding, is emotionally gripping.

One aspect where the book fell somewhat short was in character connection. Despite being a stepmother myself, I found it difficult to relate to Hannah and the other characters, who seemed somewhat two-dimensional. While the characters served their roles within the story, they lacked a depth that would have fostered a stronger emotional connection with the reader.

In conclusion, "The Last Thing He Told Me" is a worthwhile read, particularly if you're a fan of emotional mysteries with a family-oriented focus. While it may not fit the mold of a typical thriller, it offers a compelling and suspenseful narrative that keeps you engaged. Having read the book prior to watching the adaptation, I can affirm that the source material outshines its screen counterpart. Jennifer Garner may have been a great choice for Hannah, but the nuances of the story seem to be better suited for the pages of a novel.