I'd like to start this review by saying THE DOG LIVES!!! Now we may proceed.

Is it a bit of a spoiler? Yes. But I know I would've been so upset if Laika had died, and it would've affected my star rating. I know some people also prefer not to read books where pets die, so yeah, don't worry, she's a-okay.

The Last Word is my first book by this author, and if the others are anything like it then I'll have to read them too, because this one was amazing.

It was non stop action, mini cliffhangers after almost every chapter, twists and turns everywhere...it was so hard to stop reading. The only reason why it took me more than a day to read it was because I found out some unrelated bad news and couldn't bring myself to read.

From the first page, no, from THE BLURB, this book sucks you in. I knew when I saw it that I had to read it and I'm glad it lived up to my expectations. It's now one of my favourite thrillers ever.

The premise is excellent, and fresh. Every reviewer who has ever left a negative review knows that not all authors take kindly to them, and some go wayyy beyond commenting and requesting a removal of the review, like we see here.

And this book was so creepy, let me tell you, I was actually scared. The other day I was nervously checking all my windows and doors, every sound...even though I'm in a building and relatively safer than someone who lives in a house but still. CREEPY.

As we read the book, we also see that someone is writing a draft version of whatever is about to occur that night, we have an idea who it is, but we don't know who survives, if anyone, which just ups the tension to the max.

I really liked Emma as a character, and how much she cared about her Space Dog, Laika. She'd have conversations with her as if Laika was a human and it was adorable.

Emma also shows character growth as we go along, she starts off depressed and unwilling to live, but maybe, just maybe, she could find the strength to go on, despite all the odds.

I WILL SAY NO MORE, you'll have to read it for yourself. And trust me, you should.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I had high expectations for this book , unfortunately it failed to deliver. I didn’t vibe with this at all, despite my best efforts and intentions. I also feel that using TikTok as a selling point didn’t work. I am sorry to the author and publisher but this feels like a dud.

What a book for book reviewers we better beware! I loved this book and i though it had some very good jumps and twists and i sat and read it in one sitting .Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this title.

Taylor Adams is the author of one of my absolute favourite thrillers so I was so excited to get my hands on this one! It did take me a second to get into but this was so good, as expected! There were a couple of predictable plot twists but also a few surprises. The characters were very fleshed out and fun to read. This did not disappoint!

I really wanted to like this book. The premise was great, and the author had a unique approach to structure. However, I found it made the book disjointed and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. What a shame.

Emma is house sitting on a lonely isolated beach with only her dog and e-reader for company. When she leaves a 1 star review on a terrible horror novel a message comes back from the author, H.G. Kane, asking her to remove the review. When Emma continues to refuse strange things start happening, scratches in the night, a figure in the shadows. But H.G. Kane has written 16 novels all about stalking and murders and he knows he's a good writer but now he needs to make sure Emma knows this too.

Honestly this book scared me and it takes a lot, this had me checking all my windows and doors and keeping lights on. Taylor Adams set the scene wonderfully keeping you on edge at all times. There were so many twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what was going on something else would happen to throw me off.

I loved 'No Exit' and 'Hairpin Bridge' and am so glad I loved this too. Highly highly recommend this book.

Well, I have to say that I had a great time reading this! In fact this is my favourite book by this author so far!
The story jumps straight in and is packed full of thrills, action and tension throughout. Is it a bit ridiculous? Yes. Did this spoil my enjoyment? No.
I found the idea of this plot to be unique and the writing flowed so well, it made it a really easy read.
This is the type of book I can totally see getting made into a movie.
The twists and reveals weren't that surprising though I have to say, but I did really enjoy this throughout and will be reading from this author again!

Holy smokes!!!

I started this book while walking home at 2am and the 1st chapter was just so on point that I was actually cackling in the night. Then I reached the 2nd chapter and got so freaked out that I had to stop. I also had goosebumps while reading it in broad daylight on a bus full of people the next day. That's how damn good this book is!

Just like with No Exit and Hairpin Bridge, Taylor Adams proves that he is a master of tension and delivers punch after punch in his latest novel.

Seriously! I just LOVE how absolutely brilliant, whip-smart and self-aware this book is. All the criticism we reviewers ever had when it come to thrillers? Watch how the author deftly examines our complaints about various tropes such as the moronic protagonist or seemingly unrealistic setups. This is a guy who not only gets it, but also appreciates the community.

While gripping, atmospheric and action-packed, The Last Word is also full of emotional moments. I felt deeply for Emma, whose grief and trauma was palpable. In fact, I had tears welling up in my eyes at one scene... gosh. Though not long later I was just reeling non-stop... And that ending??!?!?!

Overall, this thriller managed to make me laugh, cry, feel scared, have goosebumps and be mind-blown all in 350 pages. Don't miss the author's best work yet! This quote sums it up perfectly:

✨ "That's a fresh premise. Hell, I'd read that book."

Hell yeah, read it!!! (less)

I usually only read a few thrillers a year, but I was excited about this one, as it’s from the same author of ‘No Exit’, a thriller that I really enjoyed a few years ago.

The premise of this story is that a woman reads a novel, she gives it a 1-star review, and the author contacts her and asks her to take it down. She refuses to remove her review and then soon after, she realises she’s being stalked. I found the idea interesting and unique, and overall enjoyed it. However, it was just a bit too chaotic for me, and I was so worried about if the main character’s dog was going to die the whole time, lol. It was def spooky in parts, not sure I’d recommend it if you live alone!

The more thrillers I read the more I'm starting to realize they're not for me, but if you know you enjoy them, I think this is worth reading. This one is out April 25th in the US and May 18th in the UK - Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

What if you leave a negative book review, and the author takes that personally? That is what happens in The Last Word!
I identified a lot with Emma and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

4.25 stars
This is the first book that I've read by Taylor Adams but it certainly won't be the last.
If you love a good home invasion horror/slasher movie, The Last Word needs to be on your list of books to read next.
Did I immediately guess how Howard was connected to the house, above and beyond the 1 star review? Yes, I did. I mean, as soon as a certain poster is mentioned, I guessed that. I was also weary of Deek the whole way through.
However, the way in which it is written, both from Emma's point of view and from the mysterious author's book, was well done and really kept my attention.
I also wasn't expecting the reveal re. Emma's husband.
There were some nice twists. I also liked how tension was built and the fact that you had no idea what was going to happen next.
I also loved seeing her interactions with Laika the dog and the lengths that she went to to protect her.
You may have to suspend belief a few times but this was one hell of a fun ride and gave me those slasher movie vibes that I love to see in a really interesting way. I simply couldn't put this down.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was delighted when I was approved for a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley as I have had nothing but winners from Taylor Adams so far - and I’m pleased to report that The Last Word is no exception.

Having tore through it in record time, I found it to be a classy, tightly-plotted thriller with a pace so fast as to leave you breathless - and, needless to say, I would recommend it just as much as No Exit and Hairpin Bridge.

The Last Word tells the story of Emma Carpenter, who is housesitting a windswept beachfront property during a seaside resort’s off-season so she can take some time to herself after an unspecified traumatic event.

She passes her time reading on her e-reader and downloads scores of titles to help while away the hours. Her only company is her dog and a distant neighbour, with whom she communicates using a telescope and their respective whiteboards. However, after the neighbour recommends Emma a horror book that turns out to be especially dire, she feels compelled to write a one-star review in a bid to warn other readers off wasting their time.

But then the author himself gets in touch and asks her to take the review down. In fact, he insists - and I’m not going to spoil what follows, but I will say the plot gets progressively more frantic and crazy from that point on.

The Last Word has home invasion, a clever heroine, a relentless villain and a backstory that had me sniffling into a tissue in between biting my nails from the tension, and I loved it. I was also enthralled with the way Adams plants what you think are minor seeds in the story, only for them to become vital branches of the plot later on. Nothing is wasted, and it’s extremely clever.

This book is reminiscent of some of the best types of thriller and horror movies from the 1990s that Hollywood just doesn’t seem to make any more, and I think you’ll like it if you enjoyed stories such as Panic Room and virtually any of the classic slasher films.

Is it over the top? Perhaps. Are there so many twists and turns that you’re almost dizzy? Maybe. But in the best possible way, because sometimes that’s just what you need from a thriller: to be thrilled. This is the type of book that will leave you struggling with what to read next (because you feel little can live up to it) and it has cemented my opinion of Taylor Adams as one of the best genre authors around right now. I’ll definitely be reading whatever he writes next.

The Last Word will be released in the UK on May 18th 2023.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A good fast paced thriller of a read which kept me involved in the storyline with good characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC which I can recommend.

Emma is doing house sitting and reading books. She is alone with her dog and wants to keep it this way. One day she finishes a crappy book and can't help but send a 1 Star review. Except the author doesn't seem to appreciate her review and when she refuses to delete it things start happening in her house... is she being paranoid? How could someone be in the house when all the doors are locked? How could the author even know where she is?
We dont get all the details of her past and start wondering if we can trust her and her judgement.
The pacing was a bit off for my taste and the "plot twist(s)" weren't as surprising as I would have liked them to be.
It was fine but not mind blowing in my opinion.
Check trigger warnings before reading if you need them, though some might be spoilery.

*thanks to NetGalley and Hodder &Stoughton for sending me an ecopy against honest review.*

I liked the overall concept of the book, but no so much the execution. What grated on me the most right from the beginning was the narrative voice, the telling voice which told me constantly what the character was seeing or doing. That detracted a lot from the joy of reading.

Will still be recommending this to fans of thrillers though, because the concept is so unique!

Thank you Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 3/5

SYNOPSIS

A one-star review leads to (arguably) the worst night of Emma's life.

MY OPINION

Okkkurrrtttt you know I HAD to read this. An author seeking revenge on reviewers??? As someone who may or may not be familiar with a salty review... or two.... I was curious to see what "side" Taylor Adams would take regarding one star reviews. And tbh, this book couldn't have dropped at a better time. 2023 is the year of authors making an ass of themselves by beefing with reviewers. I saw a comment yesterday saying an author called a reviewer's place of employment after a one star???? I mean, I've been blocked and shaded by authors before, but calling someone's work is literal jail behaviour.

First things first: take your disbelief, bundle it up, open the nearest door/window to you, and yeet it like an Olympic shotputter. You won't be needing that. As I'm sure you can glean from the synopsis, this is going to be a hella unrealistic, yet entertaining ride.

This is a THRILLER in every sense of the word. For the first quarter of the book, I was firmly clenching my cheeks. I even locked the door to my guest bedroom 😂 Adams did a great job building suspense before HG Kane and Emma come face-to-face for a night of horror. It was sorta like Grady Hendrix action-y, but less John Wick and more classic slasher film (or what I imagine to be... I always have my eyes close and just listen to the movie 😂).

Not only was this book high on action (the pace is Usain Bolt at the 2008 Summer Olympics), but Adams showed he can write. Great structure and stylistic choices. Loved the sense of humour and especially the "convos" between Emma and her dog, Laika. Sooo cute and heartwarming in an otherwise bleaktastic book.

Ok idk how to explain this, so hopefully it just makes sense to you, but the relationship stuff with Shawn reminded me of Anna Fox (The Woman in the Window) relationship with her husband and daughter. Idk there was just something similar (not accusing him of swagger jacking at all, he ain't Freida McFraudulent) about Emma "speaking" with her spouse... and some other things I shan't mention for the risk of spoilies. It was poignant though. I liked that he brought some extra layers to this action-packed thriller to make it more well-rounded. And then the whole book within a book was giving me The Nothing Man as well, right down to the fake epilogue.

Now, my rich homie qualm (because there always one... or two... or ten): the ending DRAAAAGGGGEDDD. There were so many reverse unos, my head was spinning. I just wanted it to wrap tf up. If he hadn't done all that and a bag of chips in the final stretch, I maybe, perhaps, shoulda coulda woulda tossed it a lil five stars. Just saying.

All in all, a unique and topical premise, elevated by better than average writing and an interesting storytelling structure. Well-done. I hope this book gets the attention that it deserves and it'll be sure to spark 1000 passionate book club debates.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: well-written, truly a thriller, fast-paced and action-packed, solid character development, had me clenching my butt cheeks at times

Cons: the last 25% was doing a lil too much for me... I wanted it to wrap it tf up

5* Taylor Adams never disappoints!

I have read all of Taylor Adams books and every time i am blown away by how good they always are, my go to favourite author for suspense/thrill books. You won't be able to put this down.

I read The Last Word at midnight and i can truly say i was scared, the slightest noise i heard had me jumping and the overall entertainment of the book was phenomenal. I couldn't stop reading it and i was a bit sad at the end as i knew it had come to an end.

The Last Word is about Emma who is house sitting in a remote location where she prefers to keep to herself, she lives with her dog Laika. She is recommended a book to read by her neighbours, hence she does this but she doesn't like the book at all and rates it a one star with feedback. The author doesn't take well to her review and it all begins from there. Emma is certain somebody is stalking her from outside her house and wants it,. overall creepy and has you looking over your shoulder from the slighest noise you hear.

Very fast paced twist and turn feel thriller book that will keep you engaged and reading on to the very end. Cleverly written and thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to all thrill/suspense loving book readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and especially Hodder & Stoughton for an arc in exchange of an honest review.

My first book from Taylor Adams. The perfect place to start.

Misery meets Hush - the best way to explain this book.

The prologue was gripping me but then for a bit it kind of felt slow until part 2 kicked it up a bit.

There was an element in this that I found interesting as I have not read a book like it but maybe others have

Compulsively readable, The Last Word is as entertaining as a Goosebumps book or an 80s slasher film. This book puts the 'thrill' in 'thriller' while showing us what it means for history (or herstory) to be written by the victor.

The Last Word is centred around a super-clever meta premise: After a negative book review is posted online, the horror and twists begin. This one was a really addictive and entertaining read. Taylor Adams is the King of suspense and The Last Word pokes fun at other writers and genre tropes which makes this book equally delightful and tense.