Last Seen Online by Lauren James
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 1 August 2024

"Last Seen Online" immerses readers in the compelling journey of Delilah, a teenage aficionado of true crime and aspiring actress, who finds herself drawn into the enigmatic death of a once-famous TV star. At the heart of her investigation is the murky history surrounding "Loch & Ness," a celebrated detective series abruptly overshadowed by scandal when one of its stars was murdered and another imprisoned under dubious circumstances.

Enter Sawyer Saffitz, scion of Hollywood royalty and inheritor of his mother's legacy from the iconic show. Sawyer, skeptical of the official narrative, joins forces with Delilah, igniting a partnership fuelled by their shared passion for unraveling mysteries. Together, they navigate through a labyrinth of clues embedded in archived blogs, cryptic comments, and forgotten episodes of "Loch & Ness." Their quest not only exposes the complexities of fame and deception but also unearths the darker truths concealed beneath the glittering facade of Hollywood.

As Delilah and Sawyer delve deeper, they uncover a web of deceit and betrayal, risking their safety as they confront those determined to bury the past.

The novel captivates with its seamless blend of suspense, Hollywood nostalgia, and the allure of true crime intrigue, making it a compelling read for young adults and mystery enthusiasts alike.

"Last Seen Online" invites readers on an exhilarating journey alongside its determined protagonists, challenging them to piece together the puzzle and uncover justice amidst shadows of deception.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Walker Books, and the author, Lauren James, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

LAST SEEN ONLINE revisits a murder and fandom scandal years later. This is the next generation discovering that some secrets are still dangerous - and just as personal.

I loved coming back to this mystery. AN UNAUTHORISED FAN TREATISE has so many theories and an unreliable narrator that makes it hard to know what to believe. This book is narrated in a third person style that makes you trust Delilah so much more and therefore I was hooked hoping that I'd get the answers to the mysteries this time.

There are new twists on the evidence, new spins on random facts. It works so well as a sequel, giving the mystery a new lease of life without invalidating the previous tale and its conclusions. It's a well navigated tightrope of being engaging to new and old readers alike, feeling like a standalone that doesn't need AN UNAUTHORISED FAN TREATISE to be engaging but also using that weight of other knowledge to add extra meaning for those who have read it.

The book contains pared back versions of the blog entries from AN UNAUTHORISED FAN TREATISE. The information pertinent to this book is contained within these excerpts but there are so many twists and turns to that tale left out of this one, as LAST SEEN ONLINE has a different focus and approach to the mystery. I highly recommend you read UNAUTHORISED after LAST SEEN ONLINE for more craziness around fandom and another impossible to put down mystery.

The story also explores the toxicity of celebrity culture, the invasiveness of paparazzi and social media objectification, the pressures to look good and the slim chances. Delilah wants to be an actor and it looks glamourous at first as she starts becoming friends with Sawyer. However, the more she sees of it, the larger the dark sides looms.

I’m not usually one for mystery etc but this one just looked to good to pass up. I love that it’s YA and can’t wait to share my full thoughts and review. Seems like to would make a good series like PLL. I can’t wait to unravel the mystery and share my full thoughts and review.