by Kendra Elliot
Series: Columbia River #1
Genres: Suspense Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Three sisters’ secrets collide in a shocking novel of suspense by the Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Mercy Kilpatrick series.
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.
After devouring the Mercy Kilpatrick series, I was delighted to see a new series by Kendra Elliot. The Last Sister is the first book in the Columbia River series involving FBI agent Zander Wells. In a rural Oregon logger town darkness awaits in this riveting murder-mystery thriller with ties to the past.
From the violent crime scene we stumble upon in the opening scene with Emily Mills, we know something sinister has happened in this small Oregon town where everyone knows everyone. For Emily the scene in the backyard is all too familiar and when the local sheriff talks murder-suicide, Emily puts a call into the FBI.
FBI Zander Wells and his partner Ava McLane arrive on the scene hours later. The crime scene is a mess, but the young woman who called was right, this appears to be a hate crime and it’s only the beginning.
I really enjoy Elliot’s crime thrillers and The Last Sister weaved in history, racism, and hate groups into a suspenseful tale that not only included the current murders, but weaved in those from the past.
The story was light on procedural jargon, but we’re provided just enough through autopsies, and details to feel a part of the investigation.
The Mills family, Emily, her sisters along with their eccentric Aunts added to the tale. Emily has been keeping a secret and their oldest sister left town never-to-be-heard from but the past is about to reawaken.
Elliot delivered a side-romance and I look forward to seeing how it develops over the course of the series. The author’s stories focus on the case but also give us a feel for the main characters and their lives. Allowing the reader to care and connect with the. I appreciated that connection.
The Last Sister is available in Kindle Unlimited, Audio, Hardcover, eBook and CD. I highly recommend it to fans of suspense thrillers.
An addictive thriller with twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing. Grab your copy of The Last Sister!
The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot delivered a suspenseful thriller #ColumbiaRiver #NewRelease #TheLastSister, #KendraElliot #Giveaway Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Oh this looks like a good suspense story and Kendra Elliot is high up on my must read list! Definitely one I need to add to my TBR.
Stormi Johnson
I have this one to review and I am really glad that you enjoyed it. I hope it’s a good enough spin off I don’t need to have much knowledge of the other series since I haven’t read this author but heard good things about her.
Olivia-Savannah Roach
I feel like I might be an odd one out because when it comes to thrillers and mysteries I actually enjoy when there is quite a bit or even a lot of procedurial jargon. It makes me feel more like a professional right along with the characters 😛 It sounds like this was a spell-binding thriller and I like that it deals with hate crime because that is a current topic worth discussing too!
Carole's Random Life in Books
I really do need to read more from this author. This sounds like something that I would really enjoy. I like it when the focus stays on the story and the romance is there but not the main thing.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I’m always up for a twisty thriller and I really like the idea of the rural Oregon setting. I’ve not tried one of Kendra Elliot’s books yet but this sounds promising. Great review!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I enjoyed this one. I have to go back and read the series other than the Mercy one. It was a bit light on the law enforcement procedural aspects or rather there was a lot of character and town development. Fantastic review!
Lover of Romance
I cant wait to read this author, I love a great suspense thriller and this sounds fabulous.
Ethan
This sounds like the kind of thriller I love to devour in only a few sittings!
Latifa Morrisette
Love your review. Added this book to my TBR
J9
I’ve not heard of this author before but her books sounds right up my alley. I love small town murder mysteries.
Carla
I love her books and the fact that they are in KU with read/listen makes them even more inviting. Great review Kimberly.
Nadene
One of my favourite genres. I plan to pick this up soon.
Sherry
I just downloaded the first Mercy Kilpatrick book. Excited to get started! This one sounds great too!
Jackie Briere
I received a kindle arc from NetGalley and I am always impressed with your reviews. The cover would do well for this week’s theme on Friday Face-Off too. It has a horizon albeit a misty one:)
Kaye L Killgore
This sounds like an interesting read
Diane Sallans
I’d love to read these books!
Jenea's Book Obsession
This is a series that I definitely need to read. It sounds amazing!
Mary Kirkland
The sister just left and they never heard from her again? Wow, this sounds good. Thanks for the chance at winning the book. I haven’t read this author yet but have been thinking about it.
Debbie S Haupt
You have certainly caught my attention and I love romantic suspense like that of Laura Griffin and it sounds like my kind of read. Thanks for the giveaway too!