The Last Word: A Novel

by Taylor Adams

After posting a negative book review, a woman living in a remote location begins to wonder if the author is a little touchy—or very, very dangerous—in this pulse-pounding novel of psychological suspense and terror from the critically acclaimed author of No Exit and Hairpin Bridge.

Emma Carpenter lives in isolation with her golden retriever Laika, house-sitting an old beachfront home on the rainy Washington coast. Her only human contact is her enigmatic old neighbor, Deek, and (via text) the house’s owner, Jules.

One day, she reads a poorly written—but gruesome—horror novel by the author H. G. Kane, and posts a one-star review that drags her into an online argument with none other than the author himself. Soon after, disturbing incidents start to occur at night. To Emma, this can’t just be a coincidence. It was strange enough for this author to bicker with her online about a lousy review; could he be stalking her, too?

As Emma digs into Kane’s life and work, she learns he has published sixteen other novels, all similarly sadistic tales of stalking and murder. But who is he? How did he find her? And what else is he capable of?

• ISBN10: 0063222892
• ISBN13: 9780063222892
• Publish Date: 8 June 2023 (first published 25 April 2023)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 4 August 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Williammr
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Marissa Lupe Author]

How often does a thriller/horror book leave the reader with a smile blazing through tears?
That's what this book did to me..
The beginning had me on edge. Adams perfected the eerie atmosphere and tension build.
Throughout the book my heart raced, my eyes bulged, and my forehead probably has a permanent dent from gripping it in anxious disbelief, LOL, I mean, just so good! And I did not see that ending coming!

[Quirky Cat]

ook Summary:

Emma Carpenter is looking for a bit of an escape. That's why she took a job house-sitting in a remote location, all on her own. Well, mostly on her own – her golden retriever, Laika, is keeping her company.

Unfortunately, Emma is about to learn the very real fear that can come with such isolation. When she leaves a negative review with the wrong author, Emma quickly finds out how dangerous it can be – and how far an angry author can go.

My Review:

Okay, I will address the elephant in the room: The Last Word will hit differently for reviewers. It will make you stop and second-guess all of those negative reviews you've left over the years. Consider yourself warned.

The Last Word is a dark and thrilling read. It had many elements, most keeping me on the edge of my seat. In truth, this book did an excellent job of getting under my skin (see the note above). While reading, I was home alone, reading this book (about a woman home alone), and then somebody started banging on the door. My poor heart! But seriously, it just shows how easy it is to get lost in this plot.

I want to say this: Laika (the golden retriever) plays a significant role in the book. (Spoiler warning ahead). She will be threatened, and it will look really bad at one point. Let me promise you right now that no matter what happens – Laika is fine. I promise.

There are a few twists at the end of The Last Word. One I kind of saw coming, but the other was much more shocking. The one-two punch made it quite effective, and I can honestly say this is my favorite Taylor Adams novel to date.

Highlights:
Intense Plot
Twists and Turns
Too Real Vibes

Trigger Warnings:
Animal Scare
Car Accident
(spoiler warning – child death)

Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy