The Last Thing He Told Me Hardcover – Big Book, 4 May 2021

This has got to be the most surprising disappointment of a book. Who are all these 5 star reviewers? The writing was boring, the characters flat, it was repetitive, contrived.. The author created suspense by basically not telling you anything forEVER. And the daughter whom the protagonist, Hannah, was to protect? Complete brat. She was just miserable ALL THE TIME and yet, Hannah, to the point of obsequiousness, is constantly trying to win her over and every page has some melodramatic prose about her heart breaking wide open or being thrilled with the slightest act of grace from the obnoxious brat in need of protection. Why was daughter so entitled to be miserable and rude while being raised by doting dad in Sausalito of all places? Dad just shrugs, Hannah tries harder because she is, IDK, spineless? But wait until you get to the part where we find out what daughter is being protected from! It's so absurd, so implausible that hurling book at wall seemed reasonable. Hannah is just a constant pillar of deep introspection and moral superiority. She's going to devote her whole life to said brat. Also, Grady, the US Marshall character? No! No, he would not have spent over a decade personally invested in the life of the son-in-law of an ex con and he most certainly wouldn't have worn a baseball cap on backwards in every appearance he makes in the novel. What grown man in law enforcement walks around in his professional life with a baseball cap on backwards? Was that supposed to be charming? Because I see that backwards cap on any man's head and I want to knock it the heck off.The only pleasure I got out of this book is the cathartic experience I'm having writing this review and arriving at the sound decision of never buying a Reese Witherspoon book club pick again. And if she produces or stars in the film or series version, I'll never forgive her or watch Walk the Line again for like the 12th time.

Since I’m only just starting this book, I will give it 3 stars for now based on the two editing errors I’ve already stumbled over: 1) “She leans in and puts the whole bite in her month.” Month? And 2) “And I feel happy, for a just a second.” For a just a second?

This was a fast-paced read, it was quite gripping and I finished it quickly. But there were fundamental issues like1. The lack of suspense- even though the story has promise, it’s not really exciting. There’s no antagonist chasing Hannah (main character) trying to cover the truth or any meaningful confrontation2. It didn’t seem believable- it just so happens that the main character (a wood turner) is also a mock detective with killer instincts, ALL of which work out in this book. Not one wrong turn. Recalling and deciphering a memory from months and sometimes years ago. It all happened far too easily to seem plausible, and there was no real chase. Hannah discovers everything within two days (the majority of the book taking place in 3-4 days)😕3. The flat ‘climax’ in which we find out what happened to Hannah’s husband and his ‘sordid’ history- This was so uncreative and not really all that interesting. When I read this ‘plot twist’ I thought ‘is that it? That’s all??’It is an easy read and it was intriguing but I kind of finished it going ‘meh’. I would never recommend this to a friend saying ‘oh my gosh this book is so amazing, you should definitely read it’.

Bought this because it was recommended by Reese’s Book Club and it starts well but my god it is is so badly written. Nothing really happens at all. Really frustrating as I was really looking forward to it after reading all the hype. If I could, I’d give it zero stars.

An original domestic thriller set in California. The characters are a stepmother and her stepdaughter navigating their way through the disappearance of their husband/father. It's compelling in its emotive simplicity and because I've not read anything similar. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Dave.