| Title | : | The Last Thing She Ever Did |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 372 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2018 |
The community along Oregon's Deschutes River is one of successful careers and perfect families. For years, up-and-comers Liz and Owen have admired their good friends and neighbors, Carole and David. They appear to have it all--security, happiness, and a beautiful young son, Charlie.
Then Charlie vanishes without a trace, and all that seemed safe is shattered by a tragedy that is incomprehensible--except to Liz.
It took one fleeting moment for her to change the lives of everyone she loves--a heartrending accident that can't be undone. Neither can the second-worst mistake of her life: concealing it. As two marriages crack and buckle in grief and fear, Liz retreats into her own dark place of guilt, escalating paranoia--and betrayals even she can't imagine. Because there's another good neighbor who has his own secrets, his own pain, and his own reasons for watching Liz's every move.
And only he knows that the mystery of the missing boy on the Deschutes River is far from over.
The Last Thing She Ever Did Reviews
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3.5 stars
The characters in this book are a bunch of self-centered a**holes, but they make for an entertaining read!
The Last Thing She Ever Did is a suspenseful, quick read filled with twists and turns. The characters are appalling, the story is over the top, and there's tons of drama--this combination makes for an addictive reading experience!
Behind the closed doors of the beautiful facades of Bend, Oregon yuppie couples Liz and Owen Jarrett and Carole and David Franklin, ugliness lurks. When Liz commits an unthinkable act, their ugliness comes out in full force and their true natures are revealed.
This is a fun, yet flawed read. Some elements didn’t add up for me, but I’m not going to get into that in this review. The characters are vile, but their behavior didn’t bother me as it serves a purpose. This is a very readable book, but I found the ending disappointing. With such awful, outrageous characters, I was expecting more! Overall, I would still recommend for the entertainment factor.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
The Last Thing She Ever Did is a fast and engaging thriller. This was my first experience with Gregg Olson and I can definitely see why many people like his style of writing :).
Gregg Olson knows how to leave his readers on the edge of their seats! Can I just say... talk about a year of bad luck!! Yikes!
Liz and Owen live in a small Oregon community by the Deschutes River. They are good friends with their neighbors David and Carole who appear to have it all with a sweet and charming little boy. One day, David and Carole's son Charlie disappears when he is playing outside by the river. Little did Liz know, this earth shattering event of Charlie disappearing will effect both couples in ways that the reader can't imagine. What truly happened to Charlie that day?
What I liked about this novel? Very engaging! Gregg does a nice job with leaving his readers with wanting more from every page that is turned. Characterization was also pretty strong. Can, I just say both men were JERRRKKKSSS lol.
What I didn't like so much? The ending.... I was extremely disappointed. I feel like a lot of the books I've been reading lately haven't had a strong ending. The author kind of leaves you hanging to use your imagination to figure out "the last thing she ever did." The last chapter was weird.. to me it was conversation between characters and just completely stopped. I wanted a more solid and thrilling ending.
Overall 3.25 stars on this one for me.
Thank you so much to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review published on Goodreads: 1/8/18.
Publication date is 1/1/18. -
3.5 Stars
The Last thing She Ever Did is an intriguing story and it caught my attention right from the start. I felt a little sympathy for one of our main characters right from the start but that did not last long. In one moment things changed for our characters and it sets off a chain of such awful behavior, it was hard to find any sympathy for these unlikable characters. Of course, except for Charlie.
Gregg Olsen does a great job here creating some very unlikable characters who react very badly when things start to go tragically wrong. It made for an entertaining and intriguing read. Just when you think they couldn’t react any worst .. well you need to read this one to find out.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Gregg Olsen for a copy to read and review. -
What a nerve-racking book! It made me feel for characters I thought I couldn't. A bit, anyway... as this book is full of characters that are difficult to like. Just when you think you've identified the worst character... oh, you're wrong. Bad decisions run rampant in this one. Suspenseful enough to keep your attention if slightly predictable. I know a lot of people won't be a fan of the ending... but even though it was jarring, I was okay with it.
Liz and Owen are on their way to success. After a lot of hard work and long hours, he's about to experience a windfall... and no slouch herself, Liz is about to take the bar exam. No, it's not her first time... but hopefully this time she'll nail it. She doesn't know that the day of the exam will certainly change her life, but not in the way she hopes.
If Liz and Owen are on their way to greatness, Carole and David have already arrived. She left her work at Google quite well off and now creates art, and he owns a successful restaurant in town. They have more money than most people would know what to do with. Carole now stays at home with her long-awaited young son Charlie. When she takes her eyes off him while he's playing by the river to speak on the phone, she expects him to be right where he was when she returns... her well-behaved, sweet boy. But he's gone.
Most of the middle class long-standing residents of the neighborhood resent the rich newcomers who build large, block their views, and push them out, but the two couples are close. It's always seemed like a good thing, but when a tragic accident happens, they all may live to regret it.
This book will horrify you at times but keep you reading.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased. -
3 Stars
Well, this book was really good. It was predictable but the writing was really good. It held my interest and I was enjoying it, then I read the ending and it disappointed me! It didn’t satisfy me! I wanted to know about that unfinished conversation, about or what was Carole’s reaction or what she would say after knowing about the truth or what the detective would do; the right thing or wrong one! It was like I read this book for nothing! I expected some answers but in the end I didn’t get them! Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s a standalone novel. Overall, regardless of its ending it was a good read and hope you enjoy it!
Thanks to Gregg Olsen, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review. -
I've read a few Gregg Olsen books before and enjoyed them. I tried to keep an open mind as I read this book, but characters doing really stupid things, making really bad decisions, and compounding their lies drive me nuts! There was more than one character in this book that did just that. I see that some readers didn’t like the ending. By then, I didn’t really care. I couldn’t trust anyone to do the right thing, so why would they start then?
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I thank Amazon Publishing for their generosity. -
Holy cow!!!! What did i just read????? This book is one gripping, fast paced story from the very first page to the last!!! I started it this morning and just kept reading!!! It had me on the edge of my seat. So many lies, so many secrets ... it just fully engaged me the whole time!! But wait ... the ending !!!! Hmmmmmm. That’s all I’m gonna say. You need to read this book. 5 stars from me!!
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Couldn't give five stars.
Reason for four stars is; readers have to decide what was "The Last Thing She Ever Did." I like clear start with clear ending, don't want to wonder, may this or may be that.
Missing three years old boy, his mother's suffering was little long. There are many twists kept my heart beating fast. We know what happened to him, questions was how and when he was going to be found.
Glad that this tragedy opened the eyes of Carole and Liz. -
I tried to enjoy this but I gave up mid way. I’m going in to 2018 with the ‘life is too short for books you don’t connect with’ so I’m giving up with this one.
It’s stuffed full of characters who each have this disgusting selfishness about them that makes my skin crawl. A little extreme you may say but it’s my unshakeable reaction to this book sadly.
The story (this happens at the beginning so no spoilers!) basically revolves around a woman who reversed over a 3 year old boy, hides the body and continues with her life. The boy as we subsequently find out, was still alive and could have been saved. It’s just such an uncomfortable read and the whole story could have been avoided if the woman had just checked for a pulse? All of the characters are abhorrent, vile individuals that leaves you with a bitter taste. It wasn’t so much a thriller as a woman who did a terrible thing and then tries to justify it. -
RATING: 4 STARS
JANUARY 1, 2018; Thomas & Mercer
This novel is crazy! I mean crazy in a good way. I will warn you that there are some uncomfortable scenes in this book, so if you don’t like gritty suspense novels, you might want to pass on this one. Charlie, a young boy, is out of his mother’s sight for several minutes and vanishes. A neighbour and close friend to his mother knows what happens but coming forward will ruin their lives. Other than Charlie, all the characters were pretty much selfish jerks. Yet, I couldn’t wait to see where the story would go and I was flipping through the pages. What I found interesting was the realism of the split decision moments, but wrestled with the how they reacted to. There was a twist to the ending, I for once didn’t expect and while I am not sure if I liked the ending it was interesting. This novel had be glued till the end and that’s what I love! I recommend this one to my suspense friends.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog -
I didn't like anyone in this story. I didn't like the split-second and life-altering decisions that were made. I didn't like such a simple premise.
I read this in one sitting.
I didn't look for any opportunity to do laundry or dust picture frames. I planted my backside on the sofa and with the exception of a few bathroom and coffee breaks, I read the whole thing. The writing is that good.
Not only did I not connect with anyone, I didn't like them. There was one person that I was somewhat sympathetic towards until they opened their mouth later in the story.
The split-second decision that was made, while wrong on so many levels, was believable. The author painted a situation where I could see it happening. Same for the life-altering decisions - I could totally see it happening IRL. In the hands of a lesser author, the decisions would come off as nothing more than stupid mistakes to keep the story moving.
The simple premise kept the pages turning until there were no more. Again, excellent writing.
The ending is what I have a problem with. What would I have preferred? No sé, sen̄or :) Just not what I got.
Highly recommended!
Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Gregg Olsen for an electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. -
A community full of perfect families with successful careers, what could go wrong. But for the families along Oregon’s Deschutes River life is about to change. Liz and Owen have always admired their good friends and neighbours, Carole and David. They appear to have it all, security, happiness, and a beautiful young son, Charlie. But when Charlie vanishes without a trace, and all that seemed safe is shattered by a tragedy that is incomprehensible, except to Liz.
A terrible accident, and Liz makes a terrible decision that will change her life and her friends. Liz tries to conceal the accident which puts pressure on both her marriage and that of her friends, Carole and David.
This is a fast paced psychological thriller, with plenty of twists and turns and I would be surprised if one or two of the characters don't frustrate you along the way. I found this book a good read and will look out for more of his work.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. -
Date read: January 17-January 20, 2020
Actual Rating: 1.00 STAR
WHAT THE ACTUAL F***!! I can't believe I just wasted four days to read this awful book. The only thing I'm glad about was the fact that I finally came to its end and I no longer need to waste anymore time reading this.
This is the most exhausting, agitating and annoying book I've read in a long time. For real. It gets worst and worst with every chapter. I just hate this so much I just wished I didn't came across this book. I'm sorry but until now, I can feel my nerves still worked up.
All the characters, except of course Charlie, they're all sooooooo unlikable. Reading about them was just so upsetting. I have no empathy for them or whatsoever. They're the most horrible and fucked up characters I've ever encountered. Ugggghhh I just hate every single one of them so so so much.
The story itself? It was just so exasperating and annoyingly repetitive. The whole story is just a mess. Every damn chapter, all I can read was just a cycle: about Liz and her haunting guilt that was eating her up, but still managed to linger around Carole and lie to her face. About Liz saying she can't take all of it anymore but still very good at being the most fake person ever. About her saying that what she did was wrong and she wanted to make it right, but because of being a coward that she was, she can't even defy her evil of a husband about his evil decisions. She can't even admit to herself that though everything started as an accident, it stopped being an accident the moment she left the poor kid to die inside her garage instead of seeking for help. She still strongly wanted to justify every single mistakes she had made just to make herself less guilty. It was the same cycle repeating over and over again. I was actually and desperately waiting for something big to happen, the reason why I stayed until the end with the hopes of it being revived. Hoping that the only person who actually knew the whole truth about Charlie's disappearance would somehow surface himself and save the day, but it didn't freaking happen.
And the detectives, oh my god! They're just good at guessing, and even their guesses didn't hit the right answer, not until literally the last page. They wouldn't even solve the case if not for that single scene, where unfortunately the detectives can't even get the credit for. They are absolutely useless. They're just an accessory not necessarily needed in this story, not helpful at that, and even if the author didn't include their presence, it would just not make any difference.
This maddening book just slowly killed me in a most painful and definitely not in a good way. I didn't want to be generous with my rating because everything about this didn't deserved my generosity.
I just wish I can unread this. -
This will quickly become a fan favorite! Think you've made some bad choices? Grab this book, have a read, you will see how one bad life choice can snowball out of control!
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Psychological Thriller / Contemporary
Publication date : January 1, 2018
Wow, I was repulsed, disgusted, irritated, horrified by the characters and this story. The way the characters made stupid, bad, irresponsible decisions and never acted like adults they were supposed to be, was beyond my understanding.
I disliked the way storyline jumped from one shallow, reckless and selfish character to another. Could not relate or root for any of them. I hate to give harsh reviews but this book was just so awful and disgusting to read. It was so bad that I wish I never started reading it! If author wanted to give very bleak and depressing look into human nature, then it was sucessful but I prefer different kind of protagonists! Someone I can admire and root for. Sorry this one wasn't for me.
Because Life's Too Short to Read Depressing Books.
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Susan Elizabeth Phillips
At least the cover art was nice.
photo url -
Gregg you have done it again. I am never disappointed when I read one of your books. The characters were great easy to connect to . You take me to another world when I read your books. I cannot wait to read another one.
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I like this author. I’ve not read alot of his works before, but once I started, my kindle unlimited keeps suggesting more of his books. And they don’t disappoint.
This one, now, was a real mind play. A psychological twist and turn and then another twist and turn yet again! And the story is still not done... it’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Each individual in this story has some kind of baggage and personal agenda. And wow, what a mixed bag! I can’t even touch upon one thing without giving out a spoiler, but know that the missing little boy, Charlie, this innocent child who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, at the start of the story, is the precipitating factor; the lynchpin, that sets everything off.
Hang on to your seat for lifelong baggage drama, affairs, mistakes, paranoia, financial and other secrets, betrayals, bad behavior, guilt, personal pain and suffering, personality and mental health issues. It is clear that most of these people are not functioning in a clear state of mind through most of the book and as a result, you catch yourself believing then catch yourself not believing or maybe, believing even one little part? Wait, how could that be? Omg 😱 even I was duped several times.
The author does a great job of throwing out those red herring and there are plenty of them swimming about in this book.
I read this last night in one fell swoop, so I think the intensity of the story really got to me since it was full force, all at once. It’s really good. Thus my high five star rating.
I do highly recommend. -
Where to start with this book? This book is by far the best book I have read this year! From the very first page all the way to the last this book has you on the edge of your seat! The way this book is written you find yourself turning page after page and wanting to just keep reading! The twists and turns in this book are outstanding they leave your mind to wander to what if's and who done it. If I were to rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it a solid 10 the writing is outstanding and the story line is one that will having you asking at the end "wait did that just happen?" Once again Gregg Olsen has reminded me just why I love his books and why I cant put them down! A job well done! I strongly recommend this book to anyone!
-Armywife -
So, this Gregg Olsen is a best selling author is he? Wow. Well I'm very glad that I got this novel as an Kindle First because I would have begrudged any cash I'd handed over for it. It didn't start well - long winded, dull and laboured points. I didn't like any of the characters (yes, probably one of the points of the novel, though I'm uncertain that it actually had a point) and if Liz had actually checked for a pulse or owned up to what she had done it would have saved us all the bother of wading through this book. I think my two star rating is probably over generous. I won't be reading any more by this author that's for sure - life's too short.
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"They can pinpoint the split second when something they did changed everything in their world. Mistakes are dominoes, falling on one another in a mechanical, unstoppable progression."
The first mistake that Liz made could have been an accident. The second was a crime.
This was a fast-paced psychological thriller that kept me glued to the pages in suspenseful anxiety. On one hand, I detested nearly all of the characters in the book -- especially Liz -- and on the other, I was hopeful that there would somehow be justice and a satisfactory conclusion. Not sure I got my wish, actually, but NO SPOILERS -- I did enjoy the novel and loved reading about Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes River and could imagine myself there on the banks watching the whole story go down from the porch.
This well-written drama has great description and detail about the locale and the interactions between the characters is believable. I'm not a big fan of internal angst and was grateful it was somewhat limited as it annoys me quickly especially when repetitive. I did like the two Bend police detectives, Esther Nguyen in particular, and her younger male partner. In all, a compelling tale that reminds us that everything can change, lives can be destroyed, in a heartbeat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to read and review. I'm off to hunt for another title written by this prolific author! -
SO GOOD!
The Last Thing She Ever Did will have you on the edge of your seat THE ENTIRE TIME. I was probably a hot mess the entire time while reading it. I barely slept while reading this book because it was so freaking addicting! I just wanted to know everything! I couldn't wait! Plus, my mind was like "WHAT IS SLEEP?!?" "DON'T KID YOURSELF! READ THE DAMN BOOK LADY!". Yup, the book won this round and I'm not regretting anything.
Okay, so this book is about two different couples, who are friends, and how their worlds are turned upside down by one important event. A kid is missing. This kid, name Charlie, is one of the couple's kids. Oh, the couples are: Liz and Owen & David and Carole. The moment Charlie is gone, I'm thinking.. what kind of parent let's their kid play by a damn river? Why weren't they watching him? Where did he go? WHAT HAPPENED TO CHARLIE?!
Yeah, I had a ton of questions but I totally forgot about them while reading this book. WHY? Because it was so freaking good. Owen and David were dicks sometimes in this book and I didn't really like them for acting like that. Then there's the whole ending which I don't accept at all. I wanted more. I didn't want this book to end! Well, I did.. but with a better ending?!?
Overall, The Last Thing She Ever Did was amazing. I loved everything about it. I'm sad it's over and I really want more. I'll definitely have to look into reading more books by Gregg Olsen now. -
I finished this book very quickly, as (tbh), I skim read 70% of it. I didn’t find it very interesting and the characters were quite unappealing. I know many people have enjoyed this book but it just wasn’t for me.
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if you have not heard of Gregg olsen you must read this book. outstanding writing and a bit scarey in places. loved it.i find with his books you just cant wait to see what is on the next page.
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Better then I expected!
I knew this book would be good due to who the author is but WOW.......
Charlie has gone missing and his mom Carole is devastated. Her best friend and neighbor Liz has hit him with her car. Liz and her husband Owen hid the body and are helping their friends look for their son. But Liz is loosing her mind with guilt and it's only a matter of time till she breaks. The twist at the end I never saw coming!
Definitely an unstoppable read. Every sentence kept me glued and turning pages. Highly recommend. -
First read of 2023
Very enjoyable with lies between close friends and family, a rather nice twist towards the end. A good crime read.
#aBrknPoet @stuartBrknjohns on Twitter -
Whatttt the ending left me needed to know more
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I just can't continue listening to this. DNF @ 41%.
One of my updates called this misery porn, and nothing could be more accurate. This book is not a mystery - you know exactly who did what and when they did it. Instead, the author only writes about the sobbing regret of one character; the woeful guilt of another character; the furious outrage of a third character. I'm nearly halfway through the book and all I've heard is screaming, sobbing, shouting and wailing. The police characters have probably garnered 2 pages' worth of attention.
And the twist that keeps on giving? Ridiculous.
Not for me. Hated it. -
I’ve never read a book where I hated the characters more. What a bunch of crazy narcissistic assholes they all are. And lie on top of lie on top of lie. Ugh. Too many plot holes. Just ridiculous at times. And the ending? Huh? What’s the last thing she ever did? Blah.
