Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot
Series: Columbia River #1
Published by Montlake Romance on January 14, 2020
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon
Twenty years ago Emily Mills’s father was murdered, and she found his body hanging in the backyard. Her younger sister, Madison, claims she was asleep in her room. Her older sister, Tara, claims she was out with friends. The tragedy drove their mother to suicide and Tara to leave town forever. The killer was caught. The case closed.
Ever since, Emily and Madison have tried to forget what happened that night—until an eerily similar murder brings it all back. It also brings FBI special agent Zander Wells to the Oregon logging town. As eager as he is to solve the brutal double slaying, he is just as intrigued with the mystery of Emily’s and her sisters’ past.
When more blood is shed, Zander suspects there’s a secret buried in this town no one wants unearthed. Is it something Emily and Madison don’t know? Or aren’t telling? And Tara? Maybe Emily can’t bear to find her. Because when Tara disappeared, she took a secret of her own with her.
I discovered this author with the Mercy Kilpatrick series and decided to try this new Columbia River series. I’m totally in a mystery/thriller with a touch of romance mood so The Last Sister fit well. The murder case is in the foreground with the romance barely there.
The law enforcement in the story are smart and caring. They use a combination of interviews and some forensic information to track down the truth. The murder happens in a small town and there is a lot of history and quirky small town traditions.
There are suspicions it is a hate crime so the FBI takes part. Apparently, the agents are in some of her other series I haven’t read. There are just tiny bits of racist actions over the years. The members of the white supremacist group commit crimes (murders) but on the sly or implicating others so they know it’s not right.
Emily’s family has a long history in the town and her father / grandfather with the groups. She and her sisters might have witnessed things but they were children. Emily is now remembering things with adult eyes and Madison, who was 4 when her father was murdered, is tying to make sense of a jumble of facts and family secrets.
I read a little about this series which is based on law enforcement members in the Columbia River area of Oregon. The next book is about Ava McLane who was Zander’s partner here and a primary character in the series I have not read. It is The Silence and planned for later in 2020. The third book will feature Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly!
- Read-along & #Giveaway: Edge – Innkeeper by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @reneeraudman @natalienaudus @AceBooksPub @nyliterary @TantorAudio @AudibleStudios #Read-along #GIVEAWAY #LoveAudiobooks - December 1, 2024
- Sunday Post –1 December 2024 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - December 1, 2024
- All Folked Up by Penny Reid @ReidRomance #KindleUnlimited - November 30, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER Friends
The Mercy Kilpatrick series was selected as a group read in one of my Goodreads groups so I held off on this one. Really glad to see, though, that you enjoyed this one. The author is known for character crossover so I’m doing my best to sort of start from the first. I already started the other series, Bone Secrets, but I’ll never catch up? Great review, Anne?
Thank you. This one doesn’t have any crossover from Mercy YET, but from the other one so I need to go back and pick up that series. I’ve been meaning to do it since I have KU currently.
thanks for the reminder. i has been a while since i have read any of her work. this looks fabulous
I enjoyed it.
I heard about this author but I would be curious to try one of her books
I’ve liked both series I’ve read and I have the other series to go try before I go on in this one since deals with the characters in the next book of this series.
I really enjoyed this. I am part of the tour, so my review won’t post until Friday but she writes good stuff.
Yes I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read. But I need to go back and pick up the series with Ava and Mason. I’ve already read Mercy.
I have heard so many great things about this author’s work. I will have to add this one to my wishlist. Great review!
I’d start with the Mercy Kilpatrick series first. I have yet to read the other series before this one with Mason & Ava.
I have this one on my list. She writes some good ones. Love the cover!
I really enjoy this author.
I haven’t read this author before, but I have this one on my wish list. From your review, Anne, it definitely sounds like something I would enjoy.
I have enjoyed all her books! I hope you get a chance to try them.