The Last Thing He Told Me had me from the very beginning. I love a good, twisty domestic thriller, and this had everything I want in one!
Laura Dave’s writing is wonderful. The way the story is told, the characters, the pacing, the plot… all of it felt entirely authentic. The story is told primarily from a present narrative from Hannah’s perspective, intermingled with flashbacks. It really enhances the story. It was paced extremely well, keeping me turning the pages.
But the strength of the story lies in its characters. Hannah’s character felt entirely like someone I could know. She doesn’t feel sorry for herself, caring more for her stepdaughter. Her emotions are hardly dulled, though. They’re just more subtle. Interestingly, although Owen’s disappearance is the driving motivation of the story, it’s Hannah’s relationship with Bailey, more than with Owen, that really drives the story.
This is very much a character-driven story, one that is extremely well done.