Kendra's stories are always exciting and suspenseful,, and finally we have Zander's book! She's got a superlative imagination and her plots are filled with twists and turns. Great start to another of her series.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I love this author - great characters I become way too attached and obsessed with, good twists that at time may seem predictable but I'm totally here for; the writing holds my interests. Great read.

What a pleasant surprise running into Ava and Mason again! This book was a thrill from beginning to end. Kendra Elliot is a master at suspense. Small town and secrets, cults and estranged family. A fantastic book! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First book reading with these characters however didn't make it feel like I was behind or had missed out. Great plot, pace of the book great too

This was a great book. A spin-off of some other series, so past beloved characters show up which is fun. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more of the series.

The first book in a new series, "The Last Sister" features some characters Elliot has written about before, but if this is your first book by her (which it was mine), you won't feel like you're missing something by not knowing their stories.

I found this suspenseful, albeit a little slow to get going, and a fascinating insight into the dynamics of small communities and the hold the past can have over us in the present day.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

At this time, as I am guessing is obvious by the publication date that was literally years ago, I have decided not to review this title.

Technically, I made this decision a while ago, but was not as prompt with sending feedback as I should have been. My apologies for the delay, as well as clogging up your inbox with this very late review response.

As always, while incredibly late, I thank you for the opportunity to read and review one of your titles.

Laura

A gruesome murder mystery in a small Oregon town which may be linked to another murder years ago.
Quite a lot of slightly irritating and unnecessary dialogue but overall a solid and intriguing storyline, well developed characters and diverse themes.

Thanks to netGalley for the ARC

I love the cover of this novel and the inside. "The Last Sister" is an suspenseful novel by Kendra Elliot. A page turner for sure.

This is my first book by Kendra Elliott and I hope it won't be my last.
A really well written crime story, good characters and great plot.
Can I have other books by Kendra please.

Elliottt is a master! Love her stories. Can’t recommend her amazing stories enough! I reread this one I loved it so much!

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.

This is quite obviously going to be a new series by the author which I'm pleased about as I did enjoy this. There were a couple of characters who I have since discovered have also popped up in other books by the author, but I don't feel that I have suffered from not knowing who they were so I am confident in saying that if this is your first book by this author, it will not matter and certainly will not hinder your enjoyment.

I was riveted by the suspense and the way that the past can still have the power to send shockwaves through small, tightly knit communities in the present day.
There are twists a plenty and a nice little romance which thankfully does not take centre stage.

It took a while to get into but it was definitely worth persevering with.

Really enjoyed this book. First time I have read a book by Kendra Elliott and I will definitely be reading the other books in this series. Kept me guessing all the way through. Could not put this book down. A great read!

When Emily Mills finds a man lynched in his home with his wife viciously stabbed in her bed she realises it has eerie echoes of a another murder she discovered 20 years before. Her father’s. Emily’s family has not been the same since. Her mother committed suicide not long after, and her eldest sister took off and hasn’t been seen since. Now the new murder is bringing ghosts back from her past and things she would rather forget. But with a killer on the loose Emily may have to face some of the secrets she’s been hiding from. The murder has also brought FBI Special Agent Zander Wells to the small town, determined to solve the case. He never expected the mutual attraction to Emily Wells. But, as he delves deeper in to the secrets of the small town, he realises that Emily has some secrets of her own.

If I want to read a thriller/mystery/suspense novel there are a few authors I know I can rely on: Melinda Leigh, JD Robb and Kendra Elliot. So, when I saw she was starting a new series, it may see odd that I had a mixed panic/excitement reaction. The panic was because Elliot has a great backlist of interconnected series. They all standalone as series, but side characters in these series tend to get one of their own. And, as someone who hates reading anything out of order, including a series of series, I wanted to know where Zander Wells came from before I dived in.

Did I find out what series he came from before I dived in? No. Did it stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book? Also no. But, did I find out what series he originally hales from after I have finished The Last Sister? Hell, yes. He is a side character in the Callahan & McLane series – which I HIGHLY recommend and will be reviewing soon.

The Last Sister focussed on two things, the romance between Zander and Emily and solving the murders. Firstly, the murders. I loved the thriller element to this book, it had some great twists in it and it kept you guessing about the culprit until the end. It also moved along at a fairly fast pace as it entwines the growing connection between Zander and Emily, the investigation and the slow reveal of Emily’s past and the secrets she’s hiding.

As for the romance, although I like the natural way it developed. Both Zander and Emily were very likable characters and in hindsight, now that I have read some of the Callahan and McLane series and have a more detailed backstory, it makes me like it even more. If you won’t something smoking hot, this isn’t your book, but I liked the growing respect and attraction that develops as the book progressed.

Another great read by Kendra Elliot and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Exciting, well written and lots.of twists and turns. What more can you ask? I love Kendra Elliot and this book does not disappoint. Thoroughly recommend.
Thank you Kendra, Montlake Romance and Netgalley for the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

Kendra Elliott, has done it again! This book brings back some of the characters you love. This book was real written. The characters mesh, you feel what they feel. It takes you to the coast of Oregon, you feel the cold rain, the weak sunshine, the smell of the ocean! You are taken to a place of hope, love, and demention. Like all of MS. Elliott books, you love the characters, and want to read every book she has. One of my favorite things about this book, the revisiting of the characters from other books and series.

A great crime thriller that keeps the reader gripped from the beginning until the unexpected end. This is a very gripping read, and I can't wait to read some more of this very talented author.

This is the first book in the Columbia River series, first off Zander Wells, he was the reason I chose this book to read, as my son’s name is Zander and it is an unusual spelling.
At the very beginning, I was reeled in and I could not put the book down.
A murder case from twenty years ago where someone was charged was done and dusted, until now when it happens again, the same kind of MO, does lightning strike twice?
Apart from the murders and the investigation, there was more to the book, there was romance and a lot of other stuff including diversity in a small town.
Now this book left me guessing and kept me wanting to read more. It was written well and I liked both Zander and Ava’s characters.
I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

Emily Mills found her father's body, with multiple stab wounds, hanging in their backyard 20 years ago. The tragedy drove her mother to suicide and her elder sister, Tara, to leave town forever. The killer was caught and the case closed.

Emily and her younger sister, Madison, have tried to forget what happened that night and move on until a similar murder brings it all back. FBI special agent, Zander Wells, arrives at the Oregon logging town. And as he starts the inquiries into the present case, he is drawn to the mystery of Emily and her sisters’ past.

The Last Sister is the first book in Kendra Elliot's Columbia River series.
This was such a compelling crime thriller, with great characters and shocking twists. I'll definitely be reading the next book in this series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Montlake Romance, for providing me with an ARC of this book.