Published by Macmillan audio Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery
Format: ARC, Audiobook
It pains me to write this, but Last One Out was too much of a slow burn for me. If you have followed my reviews, you know that I struggle with slow burns. I should have read more reviews prior to requesting this book, but I love Jane Harper’s writing and previous books and thought I would love this one as well.
This book is about loss. Loss of a son, loss of a town, loss of homes, loss of home, and loss of a way of life. This book is also about grief. Ro and other members of the Crowley family have returned to Carralon Ridge, the place where her sone Sam went missing. Carralon Ridge used to be a vibrant and lively town, but the local mining company has bought most of the homes and businesses and only a few remain. The town is dying. Ro’s son Sam loved the town and was working on preserving its memory when he disappeared five years ago. The Crowley family returned on the anniversary of Sam’s disappearance.
What worked for me in this book was how the author captured the setting. The town is bleak and dusty. I could feel the heavy air and feeling of despair ebbing and flowing throughout the book. Jane Harper’s vivid descriptions did a perfect job setting the stage. I also thought she showed loss and grief paired with the quest for answers very well.
The slowness just didn’t work for me. I listened to the audiobook and although the narrator did a wonderful job narrating the book, I just struggled with this slow burn. I stuck it out to learn what happened to Sam.
Others enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews to get their impressions of the book as well. I believe those who enjoy slow burns will enjoy this one. Jane Harper is a master storyteller and writer. I just don’t do well with slow burns. This is the case of it’s me and not the book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
