Hooked from start to finish and I literally read this in one sitting.
An incredible story of what can happen to young people desperately trying to get a better life when they fall foul of evil people.
Some great twists and turns along the way.
I'll be on the lookout for more by Will Dean now

Will Dean was an author I hadn't come across before I read this book - now I'm going to have to read his others! 'Jane' (not her real name, but the name given her by her 'husband') lives in a remote farm with Lenny who controls her every move. She is a modern day slave, brought over illegally and trafficked. She had some meagre possessions, but every time she does something wrong one of them is burnt. She'd tried to escape, but Lenny had damaged her foot so badly that she is permanently crippled and in pain. Her thoughts are for a future when she can escape, without putting in jeopardy the life of her sister, who she thinks is living somewhere else in the UK. When she becomes pregnant and ultimately gives birth to a daughter, 'Jane' has a new focus in life. Things start to unravel when Lenny kidnaps and imprisons a local woman - to say more would be to give the story away, but there are plenty of surprises before the ultimately pleasing ending.

I have read all of will deans books and im a huuge fan!! He has such a fantastic talent at forming a fully fleshed character i feel akin to. I love characters that are fully grown, complex, and ever growing. He has fulfilled all my expectations with this book, and as his characters are so vivid and personal to me, its also an incredibly gripping book that you read in one go.

This is a great read! There is very little change of scenery or personnel, however the tension just keeps building throughout the book! Highly recommended!

This is the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last as I found it gripping and couldn't put it down.
The author is a master storyteller and kept me on the edge till the last page.
Excellent plot and character development, excellent storytelling and the right level of tension.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was fantastic reading, kept me gripped from start to finish and I literally did not want to put this book down, I would say read it if you like mystery and great characters.

What a captivating and heartwrenching read! This is my favourite book from Will Dean so far. I just couldn't put it down.

It's a story that is so relevant today with human trafficking on the increase. I felt like crying out of frustration with the main character. The hardship she had to endure is unimaginable and the fact that this is happening to people right now makes it even worse.
Its a story about strength and willpower. About never losing your true self and about believing in yourself and what you are capable of.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

OMFG What a read! Set in a remote farmhouse in England, the reader is pulled into a story where fear, survival, loss, control, power, exploitation, desperation, courage, narcissism, gas-lighting, and hope will have you holding your breath as you turn the pages.

I’m not sure anything I say will be good enough, but I will tell you what I think, as much as I can as I don’t want to spoil one single page of this epic story! The opening of this novel instantly had me raising a brow – what in the heck is going on here… This story delivers tenfold: a stark, visceral look at human trafficking / exploitation and Will Dean beautifully captures what it must feel like to be in such a horrific situation. The characters are so well developed, it reads like a true story. For me, it was like Psycho meets Room – intense and chilling, once I started – I was hooked.

Can I just give a massive #shoutout to Will Dean’s masterful way of creating such vivid, real and relatable characters! Thanh Doe (aka: Jane) is held captive by Lennie (her husband) – she isolated, vulnerable, coerced but at the same time shows strength, courage and determination despite everything she is put through.

Lennie is always such a great character – great in the sense that the author shows two sides – a man wanting someone to love/look after him but a real distorted understanding of what this is and how to go about it. At times he displays kindness but other times he is vile, manipulative and cruel.

Can we also just appreciate Cynthia – more prominent in the second half of the novel – her part may be small but has a huge impact on propelling the story forward. There is so much more I want to say, but this is definitely one of those books you just NEED to read.

Would I recommend this book? Uh…Abso-friggin-lutely! In fact, it might be my Top Read of 2021 as it just spoke to me on so many levels. Emotive, intense and absolutely compelling reading – I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR. Mr Dean has once again shown his genius in writing and I can’t wait to see what he next has in store for readers!

Dean's book is another suspenseful tale, masterfully told. I enjoyed it a lot and have recommended it to many friends looking for a reliable romp.

Her name is not Jane. Identity - or more correctly, the erosion of identity lies at the heart of this incredible novel. The Last Thing To Burn is a horrifying, heart-stopping thriller but it is also an intense, intimate portrait of courage and resilience under the most harrowing of conditions. Jane's real name is Thanh Dao and she lives in the Fens with her husband, Lenn. His insistence that she answers to Jane might seem as if it's only a small example of the complete control he holds over her life but it represents the fear she has that she is disappearing as surely as the possessions he burns every time he decides she deserves to be punished.
Lenn is unquestionably one of the most terrifying villains I can ever remember reading and it's his ordinariness which makes him so chilling. He resorts to acts of brutal violence on occasion but it's the quiet coercion and threats, interspersed with moments of apparent kindness that make him such a monster. We don't discover much about why Lenn is how he is, however, there is enough here for readers to make their own mind up about why this brute of a man, who has lived his whole life in this isolated cottage, seems to believe that his actions are entirely justifiable. The scenes where he declares that they have a pretty good life together are sickening because it's here that we truly realise that he is absolutely convinced that he is in the right and that 'Jane' is his to do with as he pleases.
The book is narrated in the first person and is a profoundly affecting exploration of human exploitation. We all know that people trafficking and modern day slavery is happening right now but having it personalised, even through a fictional character is extraordinarily effective. The horrific treatment of refugees and asylum seekers ceases to be something that happens to an unfortunate yet faceless multitude and becomes devastatingly real. When Lenn burns yet another of the few possessions that she owns, when he watches her every movement on the cameras he has set up throughout the house, when he informs her she must have a bath before bed, the oppressive hopelessness feels almost unbearably overwhelming.
The sense of place is evoked with a vividness that means The Last Thing To Burn is an uncomfortably immersive experience. The wide open fenland setting is ironically claustrophobic, the flat landscape giving Lenn an unfettered view of the depressing, isolated farmhouse and ensuring Thanh Dao has little hope of ever managing to escape. His threats and punishments are delivered with cruel precision and yet throughout her years of captivity, despite losing so much of herself, she has somehow managed to retain her humanity. She is still able to find the smallest moments of pleasure, through something as simple as a few licks of a boiled sweet or through the words of the strikingly relevant 'Of Mice and Men' and as the book progresses, it also becomes evident that although she has been subjected to unimaginable physical and mental torture, she hasn't lost her capacity for empathy.
A sinister, supremely taut nightmare, bleakly powerful yet written with compassionate authenticity throughout, The Last Thing To Burn is utterly magnificent and whatever I say here is unlikely to truly do it justice; it is undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever had the privilege to read.

Wow! I wish all books were as good as this one! This was a thrilling read from page one, I wanted to know what happened to the characters and where the story would go. This did not disappoint and to say I thoroughly enjoyed it would be wrong, but I did. I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely read more from this author!

he Last Thing To Burn is the first of Will Dean's novels that I have come across, and what an intriguing read it is.

The novel opens with Jane (that is not her name) a young woman in a foreign land, trying to escape her volatile husband (he is not her husband).

She has been separated from her sister, and has only a few precious possessions to cling on to. Possessions which are cruelly taken from her and burnt, if 'Jane' dares to disobey her husband.

Living on a remote farm, surrounded only by vast countryside, 'Jane' is isolated in every sense of the word. Every escape attempt or any attempt to make contact with the outside world is cruelly punished by destroying her possessions, or destroying her.

'Jane' has been physically beaten to the extent of deformity, and has little reason to carry on. Until something changes, dramatically. Suddenly she has a reason for living, a reason for everything, and she must escape him once and for all.

The Last Thing To Burn is an intense read, and a great novel to start your 2021 reading journey.

The Last Thing To Burn is not for the faint-hearted! It’s an unflinching look at the physical and psychological abuse of a woman kept captive by a monster. It looks at the devastating cost of human trafficking and the effects of Stockholm syndrome. The stark farmhouse setting, the detached narration, the vile antagonist, and suspenseful storyline kept my interest even when the bleak subject matter gets too much. Yet it’s also about the sheer determination of a protagonist who refuses to give up. Even amidst her trauma, she finds the strength to keep going.

While this book is full of tension, the storyline is a little contrived at times. There were moments when I felt the characters only behave in a certain way to further the plot. There’s also a twist that comes out of nowhere and doesn’t really fit with previously established situation. But these doesn’t detract my overall enjoyment of the book. I appreciate the book’s portrayal of survival and hope in a world that sorely needs them. Please note the content warnings before you decide to read it!

CW: kidnapping, rape, domestic violence, psychological abuse, starvation, infant sickness, drug addiction

Holy cow, wow!!! This was an unputdownable, chilling read, that would be considered by many to be dark & disturbing! I love dark and disturbing books, & feel the more dark and disturbing the better, so if you are not like that, you may look into if this one will be too much for you, prior to reading! It is very well written, bone chilling, thrilling, and shocking! The character development was superb, the story unique, and fast paced! I highly, utility recommend, especially for those dark and disturbing fans, like myself! It’s sure to really get you into those dark, demented places, which are only safe in books or tv! Recommend clearing schedules, as it’s hard to put down once you start!

Will buzz around platforms and use low Amazon reviewer number on release date!

The Last Thing to Burn is the kind of book that is so tricky to review. The kind of book where when you finish there are no words to say other than, WOW!

I went into this story not knowing a great deal and I think that made even more of an impact for me. As slowly but surely I began to understand everything that had happened to ‘Jane’ and continued to happen throughout the book. The Last Thing to Burn holds a difficult subject matter within its pages. However the descriptions aren’t always necessarily detailed. Will Dean just gave enough information to let my imagination conjure up the rest. So this definitely sent a shiver up my spine. Especially in regards to the chilling nature of what ‘Jane’ is put through. Seeing how she clings to her past in order to get through each day. Well, it was pretty heartbreaking! Then add in the anger that I felt towards her captor and I definitely went through a range of emotions while reading this book.

The tension in this book was immense and continued to intensify all the way through. I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough! I think it’s safe to say that my nerves were shredded reading this book. If I had long nails they would be long gone by now. Will Dean built up this story perfectly from an intriguing beginning to the heart racing conclusion. Even though we aren’t yet out of January this book is already on my list of top book picks for 2021! If you are looking to be completely immersed in a story then look no further. The Last Thing to Burn is at times an addictive, dark and brutal story. However it is also a tale of bravery and hope!

What a terrible life Jane has with her Husband
More so because she is not Jane and he is not her Husband
Even though it is upsetting at times, this book is just so well written
You will hold your breath, you will pray for a miracle
This is a story of survival and the lengths you would go to, to do just that
There are so many elements to this book
It is harrowing, disturbing but also shows how hope and strength can prevail

A must read for 2021

Thank you Netgalley, Will Dean and Hodder and Stoughton for allowing me to read and review this book.

Turn away now if you’re looking for a light and fluffy story to escape reality with because believe me, this is SO not it.

If you’ve been following my blog, then Will Dean’s name should look familiar to you as I’ve raved about his Tuva Moodyson series quite a bit in the last few years. The Last Thing To Burn marks his first stand-alone thriller and holy Swedish meatballs, what a thriller it is! With its 250 something pages, this story may be a tad on the short side but it packs punch after punch I will not be forgetting any time soon.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot, beyond what’s up there in the book description. Suffice to say not-Jane came to England expecting an entirely different life than the one she ended up with. When the reader is first introduced to her character, she has four possessions left. Four things her not-husband can still take away from her as punishment. Four things that help her hang on to her true self. But things are about to change.

This massively disturbing topic often makes for some seriously uncomfortable reading. As it should! The line between fiction and reality becomes extremely blurry at times because it takes no effort at all to realise these things are happening in the world right now. While reading, there was this constant voice in the back of my head reminding me that there are people like not-Jane who are desperately looking for a way out, which added a whole other layer of realism and believability that I’m not entirely sure I was prepared for.

There is a sense of hopelessness that drips from the pages and also of desolation. Not only concerning not-Jane’s dire situation but the entire place around her, from the mould on the walls to the empty fields and the vast landscape. Will Dean’s vivid descriptions really brought the setting alive, giving it that extra dimension. It is remarkably easy to get lost in not-Jane’s desperation, of not seeing a way out, of desperately trying to find something to hold on to, a reason to fight another day, to survive another day.Throughout, the tension builds up which pushed me to keep on reading late into the night as I just had to know how things would end.

The Last Thing To Burn is an absolute corker of a book, in my most humble opinion of course. A heartbreaking, dark, chilling, harrowing and sometimes brutal story of survival, of determination but also of hope that will get under your skin and stay there for quite a while. But also an incredibly thought-provoking story that made me count my blessings and be immensely grateful for the life I have.

There’s a reason Will Dean’s name is on my list of go-to authors and with The Last Thing To Burn he shows he can tackle anything. I highly recommend this one! Why yes, I am aware it’s only January but guess which book you’ll be seeing again on my “books of the year” list at the end of 2021.

Wow what an amazing, chilling, uncomfortable read. Will Dean has a gift for writing an absolutely gripping read I literally couldn’t put it down. I would like to think there aren’t people in the world like some of the despicable characters in this book unfortunately I know that isn’t true. A book which I’ll recommend to anyone who will listen to me.

The Last Thing to Burn is the first standalone novel from Will Dean, I am a massive fan of his Tuva Moodyson series so couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I was so intrigued by the blurb; a pregnant woman held against her will on an isolated UK farm desperate to escape but she isn't the only one in danger...

Thanh Doh and her sister Kym-Lyn travel to the UK from Vietnam for a better life and to earn money to send home to their family. Sadly as is the case with human trafficking this does not turn out the way they expected and Thanh ends up having to masquerade as Jane, Farmer Len's wife to pay off her "debts". She is no more than a slave and her every movement is caught on camera. Reading about the way she survives on the minimum was heartbreaking and Len has a particular way of punishing her for her "mistakes" and attempts to highlight her situation/escape. Having travelled with the bare minimum, her sparse belongings and memories are all she has, so many thousands of miles from home and with no love or comfort these possessions are her entire world. If Len is displeased she must choose which of her precious belongings he will burn and destroy. Piece by piece he is slowly erasing her true existence and the strength she shows to survive these psychological attacks is immense. When she falls pregnant she is determined to escape this living hell but her life and chances of this are about to change unexpectedly...

I was gripped so much by The Last Thing to Burn and read it in one sitting! There was no way I could put the book down without knowing how it would turn out. I have a friend who skips to the end of books when they are so stressful so she can be prepared for what's to come...Now I've always shook my head at her BUT had I not been reading this on my kindle I would have been sorely tempted to do the same as I could not COPE with the tension!!!

My first five star read of the year - I predict big things for this book!

Tense, powerful, immersive and utterly convincing.

Jane is married to farmer Lenn. They live in a cottage on his land and she is a homemaker. Except Jane (or Thanh to give her her real name) is not there of her own free will. She has been trafficked and sold.

It's been a while since I've read a story that put the heart crossways in me, and particularly the final chapters, I found I was holding my breath in sheer horror at what may be to come. This book evokes feelings of utter helplessness, devastation, abject fear and desperate gut wrenching sadness. Beautifully written, this book gives an unflinching look into the world of human trafficking and all its horrors but overall, it is also a book about hope. Read it, you won't regret it. 5/5