Name: The Last Word
Rating: 3.575 (40 reviews)
ISBN: 9781399717953

Taylor Adams

Emma enjoys the isolation and quiet of house-sitting. The only company she needs is her dog and her books.

But when she leaves a one-star review for a poorly written and gruesome horror novel, her peaceful escape turns into a nightmare. Not only is she being harassed by the angry author online, she's noticing disturbing incidents in the house. Scratches in the night. A figure crawling around in the shadows.

It soon becomes clear that it's all connected.

This is a fight between author and reader. Who will have the last word? . . .

Expect the unexpected in this pulse-pounding novel of psychological suspense and terror from the critically acclaimed author of the TikTok sensation NO EXIT.

The Last Word

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?

A Novel

very convenient. lots and lots of plot armor. didn’t like the book nor the writing style. not my cup of tea. 

nuha ✨️

Kenzi Linton

This book made me uncomfortable and nervous, but I also feel like I can’t give it one star because of the whole plot. I’ve heard about the books by this author, but this was my first time reading one. I’m hoping the next book I read by him is one I can enjoy more.

Alexis Donahue

I thought this book was super suspenseful and some good twists. However, I didn’t like that the whole book happened in basically one setting. 

Megan Gaydash

From the author’s acknowledgements: “Last, a thank-you to my readers for your support and enthusiasm. I realize that, given this acknowledgement is in a novel about an evil author terrorizing a reader, that may sound like a threat, but I promise it’s not!” 

I usually LOATHE thriller/suspense/mystery/horror books written by men from the perspective of/about a female protagonist. But Adams made Emma the perfect multidimensional character that women are in real life. I would definitely recommend this read! 

Katie B.

From the author’s acknowledgements: “Last, a thank-you to my readers for your support and enthusiasm. I realize that, given this acknowledgement is in a novel about an evil author terrorizing a reader, that may sound like a threat, but I promise it’s not!” 

I usually LOATHE thriller/suspense/mystery/horror books written by men from the perspective of/about a female protagonist. But Adams made Emma the perfect multidimensional character that women are in real life. I would definitely recommend this read! 

I feel like this book is daring me to give it a bad review.

Amelia

A “reverse Misery” thriller where the author stalks a woman who posts a one star review for a horror book. It was okay, not memorable, and filled with some gore.

Cheri McElroy

A “reverse Misery” thriller where the author stalks a woman who posts a one star review for a horror book. It was okay, not memorable, and filled with some gore.

TW: animal abuse 

The Last Word

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