I really enjoyed this novel.

It reminded me of Scream - where the characters know the rules of engagement but struggle to avoid living the cliches of crime novels.

Cleverly written, with genuine jump-scare moments, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher/publicist for sending me a copy of this book.
I have literally just finished it!
What a great read!
I’ve not read this author before but I will be looking for by them.
This book was very original in its storyline and the writer writes in a way that I am not used to reading. So it took me a while to get into this book
However, once those hurdles had been overcome, I really lost myself in it and thought it was a great book.
The book has an enormous amounts of twists and turns. You think you have just got your head around things and then bam the author hits you with something else. I did feel like I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. A huge huge rollercoaster of a thriller, which I love!
It was a very atmospheric book and overall a great read
And I for one will never be leaving a one star review again!

This was a real rollercoaster of a read for me, I went through stages of being really intrigued and loving the creepy atmosphere. Then in other parts I was feeling like it was dragging especially near the ending.
I absolutely love No Exit by Taylor Adams so was really looking forward to this and it did start really well. Just felt the antagonist in this fell a little flat for me and could see how it was going to end.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review this Arc.

The Last Word
**4.5**

Emma Carpenter lives in isolation with her golden retriever Laika, house-sitting an old beachfront home.
One day, she reads a poorly written—but gruesome—horror novel and posts a one-star review that drags her into an online argument the author. Disturbing things then begin to happen. Is this a coincidence, or is this author stalking her ?

This was a fast-paced tense thriller, and I LOVED IT. I did predict early on, but still, there were some twists thrown in that I didn't see coming. You will have to suspend belief in places, but this was a fun and engaging read.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton, and Taylor Adams for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Word is an absolute rollercoaster - I read it in just over 24 hours, desperate to follow every twist and turn provided by the narrative. Adams is a household name in the thriller world but this is my first of his novels - full disclosure, in order to enjoy this one you will need to be very good at suspending your disbelief and, for the full experience, be ready to turn your brain off a little bit. But frankly, if I wanted a book to challenge my grey matter, I wouldn't have had half as good a time.

The Last Word has the hookiest of hooks - Emma, who lives alone in a rural, isolated beach house - leaves a book a 1-star review. The author replies and seems upset by her review - and he's a serial killer, so he sets out to take his revenge. He's an absolute CLASSIc incel type - he says "m'lady" at one point!!! and tips his fedora!! with almost no redeeming qualities. By contrast, Emma is a character who is easy to root for - she's suffering after a great personal trauma, and wants to be shut off from the world, engaging only with her elderly neighbour (via whiteboard) and her dog, Laika, a charming and wonderful dog I spent the whole book worrying about.

When the home invasion/murder spree starts, the stakes ramp up and up - and so do the twists, to an almost comical extent. Adams isn't afraid to turn the dial to 11 and there are so many twists and turns I nearly struggled to keep up. While most of the novel is narrated by Emma, it does follow the serial killer's POV a couple of times - here, I thought chapteer headings would make life a lot easier, as it was tricky to know who was talking, and when, at times. I also found the ending *very* hard to believe; especially after all the liberties taken in the preceeding 250 pages.

That said, I had an absolute ball with this one, and if Adams' goal was to ensure that the reader enjoyed the novel and didn't expect the many twists, consider this one mission accomplished. Silly but stylish, outrageous in premise and plot, and great fun.

I was really excited for this book. The premise sounded good. I think it was done well but I wanted a little more from it. I will be picking more up from this author for sure.

About 20 years ago, when I first started reviewing books, I, like Emma, gave a book I had read a low score out of five. The author too contacted me directly and challenged me on my review. My answer was that it was obviously loved by many people as there were a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews, but put simply, it wasn't for me. He wasn't particularly happy and he made his feelings on my review quite clear. In the end he deleted the messages he sent and that was that. But I've never forgotten it. So imagine my delight when I started reading The Last Word and found this mega revved up version of something similar!!! I flew through this book. I did guess a couple of things but seriously, this book is a game of cat and mouse/cats and mice - except who are the cats and who are the mice???!!! A glorious romp with final twist after twist. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I haven't had this much fun reading a thriller in a very long time. An homage to 90s horror movies, this was a dark delight from beginning to end.

I’ve personally never given a one-star review, and after reading this, likely never will. This novel has such an interesting premise and is a really fun read. Yes it’s chilling, twisty and compelling, but also highly entertaining.
It’s difficult to review this without giving too much away, aside from mystery, expect classic stalker tropes with some swords and stun guns thrown in. We are also treated to excerpts from an unpublished manuscript about the crimes that took place at Strand Beach. I held my breath as our protagonist Emma, attempts to turn the tables, to do everything in her power to protect herself and precious Laika - I’m a sucker for a dog included in the narrative. I was rooting for both!

This is the first novel I’ve read by Taylor Adams, I’ll now be checking off his his backlist 🤩

Masterful 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to @netgalley @hodderstoughton for #gifted advanced reading copy and introducing me to this wonderful author! 🥰 @tayloradams


Will be posted to Instagram later today - www.instagram.com/lilyraiti/

Wow! I read this in one sitting, I was gripped from the very start. Everything I want a thriller to be, with wild and exciting twists.

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for my advance copy. One of the best thrillers I’ve read.

I was really excited about this book - it was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023! The concept is brilliant: an isolated, disengaged woman writes a one-star review of a novel from her sea-side hideaway in rural Washington state. The author - moving from perturbed to downright hostile in his reaction - seeks her out to try and get her to remove her review.

If you like cat and mouse thrillers or gory slasher films, this novel will be right up your street. It kicks off at break-neck pace, setting an eerie and unsettling tone that genuinely gave me chills. I was really eager to find out more about our MC's backstory, and I liked the addition of the recluse, alcoholic neighbour across the way. I also really enjoyed the almost desolate coastal setting, which the author executed perfectly, making this such an atmospheric and visceral read.

For me, the chase went on a little too long and the story unravelled just a little bit towards the end. I would have loved a little more teasing out at the start; more scenes like that of the doorbell camera (which I found terrifying!). I was also constantly on edge worrying about the fate of our MC's dog!

Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable horror/thriller, perfect for a dark, quiet night. It had some interesting depth in relation to the MC's past, and I really liked how twisty it was.

Ok the premise of this book is every thriller lovers dream. So unique that an author would stalk a reader for giving a 1 star review. I adored this book, the writing was amazing and it kept me intrigued throughout. Fab fab fab! 5 stars!

Wow this book was brilliant all dark and twisty.

I loved the idea of this book and let’s be honest if i read a review and it does have one star it will put me off from reading the book.

I shall not be giving this author a one star review.

I liked the lead female character, she is tough as nails and likeable too.

The books runs at pace full throttle and when you think you solved it it comes along and slaps you in the face, and leaves you slightly shocked and annoyed because i did like that character and then i really disliked them at the end, and so wish something truly horrible happened to them.

I have already downloaded this author previous book and will look forward to reading more.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

PS the dog survives.

Absolutely devoured this story! A nice slow build up for the first 50 pages or so to then one long terrifying scene of suspense before the multi twist ending. Very atmospheric and genuinely creepy. Definitely a book I’d highly recommend and I won’t be giving one star to!

I loved the premise of this book, with an author receiving a 1 star review then contacting the reviewer.

I read this book in one sitting and could not put this one down. The short chapters and constant action of most of the book is what I love most about this author's writing.

My heart was pounding for the majority of the book and I didn't know who to trust.

I guessed some of the twists but not the ending and I loved how everything pulled together.

An auto-buy author for sure.

How I liked the story of Emma who lives a reclusive live with her dog. She reads book after book. But when her one-star review enrages the author, Emma notices disturbing things happening.
The story doesn't cover a long period if time which always amazes me: how can an author write such a thrilling story that takes place during just one night??
Taylor Adams obviously is a master at this!!

Thank you #Netgalley #Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC

Tailor' made movie material! ( See what I did there? 😂)

Thanks NetGalley , Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC!

Synopsis –

Emma is recuperating in an isolated sea-front house, which she is looking after for its owner Jules. She has her beloved dog Laika for company and the only other human she talks to is her far neighbour Deek. Obsessed with reading on her kindle, she leaves a negative review for a horror book by H.G Kane one night and the consequences of that will change her future forever.

Review –

What an adrenaline jolting read by Adams! He has all his trademarks here – an isolated setting, a female MC who gets into impossible situations and a “hook” that is sure to grab your attention right from the get go.

🚫If you have ever written and posted a one star review for a book – let me warn you! You will want to change it after reading this book.🤣🫣

The best part of the book was Emma’s relatable character and the realistic portrayal. What’s more, she reads voraciously to escape reality just like all of us! I could connect and empathize with her feelings of loneliness, grief and trauma. Her story kept me wondering about her past and how it might be linked to her present.

Enter H.G. Kane, the author – the cat and mouse game begins! Adams’ plot development and atmosphere building really take off at this point - thrown in with the suspicious creepy neighbor Deek and Emma’s fragile mental health.

What ensues is some amazing entertainment. It all felt like a motion picture playing in front of our eyes. Amidst the unpredictability, chaos, wild and violent games of hide and seek – there are also sad and frustrating back stories, emotional roller coasters that will stir your heart, twists and turns that you will never see coming at you like a storm.

💺🍿I had no idea how it was all going to play out – but I’d say just fasten your seat belts and get your pop-corn tubs ready for some sensational adventure!

The intensity and tension peaks at the end and don’t be surprised if all your nails are bitten to the quick with the finale.

I will say nothing more so as not to give anything away. For me, this was Adams’ best work yet! Keep’em coming and make those movies. 🎬🎥

No Exit was one of my favourite thrillers a few years ago, so I was very excited when this book landed on my NG shelf. Thank you @netgalley and @HodderBooks for my ARC!

I’m very happy to say that I loved this one. So I’m about to write a positive review… just wanted to clear that with Mr Adams after reading his latest thriller…😬🙃

Emma Carpenter and her dog Laika are house-sitting at an isolated beach house on the Washington coast. Their only neighbour, Deek, recommends a thriller book to Emma, for which she leaves a 1-star review.

When the author posts a comment asking Emma to remove her negative review, she flatly refuses. What follows is a bloodcurdling cat-and-mouse chase that will make you regret every negative review you've ever written....😆

It was like watching those slasher movies where the MC is in the house with an intruder, but the camera only shows close-ups so you can't see where the intruder is hiding!

Adams did a great job building the suspense here. I was chewing on my nails and fidgeting while reading this dark thriller.
I couldn’t help but root for Laika (yes the dog) throughout the whole book! And yes, I was worried there for a moment, but I m glad to report that the dog is fine!

Great twists and turns, as I’ve come to expect by this author, and a strong MC makes for a solid 4 stars!

Be aware there are trigger warnings!

This book is of course a must-read for every reviewer, whether a professional one or just a reader who likes commenting on books. I'm in the latter category ;-) and yes, I've written a few 1 star reviews. Luckily I never encountered an author like H.G. Kane, who is set out to destroy Emma for her one and only review of any of his books.
Not that there were no bad books in the past, but the endless possibilities of the internet for self-publishing and reviewing are something that's definitely helps budding authors who unfortunately do not (yet) have enough skill to write books that are actually worth reading.
Emma has her reasons to stay in a very remote location and fill her days with reading and reviewing. And walking on the beach with Laika, her trusted dog.
But now death is standing on her doorstep in the form of H.G. Kane himself, and if it wasn't for her dog, Emma would probably happily have him kill her.
This story is very fast-paced, intriguing and with a lot of twists and turns. It shows how easily the reader sometimes can be lead to think they know what will happen. In this case: be careful!

I could really relate to Emma and although I'm not a severely depressed woman and a dog mom I could completely understand Emma's feelings and actions.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this review copy.

Kinda scared to review this badly as I don’t want the same fate as Emma!!
A truly unique plot. I read this in one sitting and found it to be so thrilling at times.
Would make an excellent adaptation to screen too.