Last To Die by Arlene Hunt

Book description

When Jessie Conway survives a horrific mass high school shooting, in the aftermath she finds herself thrust into the media spotlight, drawing all kinds of attention. But some of it is the wrong kind.

Caleb Switch, a sadistic serial killer has been watching her every move. A skilled hunter, he likes his victims to be a challenge to him. Jessie is strong, fearless, a survivor, and now…she is his ultimate prey.

As Caleb picks off his current victims one by one, chasing, killing and butchering them with his crossbow, he’s closing in on Jessie… But will Jessie defy the odds and escape with her life? Or will she be Caleb’s final sacrifice …

I’m always dubious when I see a book with the tag a “gripping psychological read” as I then have high expectations for the book before I’ve even started, was I disappointed? It’s a resounding No, From the first chapter Last To Die is absolutely relentless in pace, first we have an horrific high school shooting, which teacher Jessie Conway survives, this is followed by the readers introduction to Caleb Switch a sadistic serial killer, whose chosen prey is women. Caleb is a complex character he’s a “regular kind of guy” to those around him, but he’s also sadistic and enjoys nothing more than hunting and killing his prey.

Sometimes when I pick up a book and you know who the killer is from the off I feel disappointed, as I find trying to guess the killers identity adds to the tension and anticipation of the plot. I have to say this wasn’t the case with Last To Die as the plot unfolds the tension becomes unbearable. Jessie is not your typical “kick ass” protagonist, she’s unassuming and quiet, but you know what they say about the quiet ones! and Jessie proved my early assumptions regarding her character wrong at every turn. The plot flows well and although there were no real twist or turns, this no way distracted from my enjoyment of Last To Die.

It’s hard to review this book without giving away to many spoilers, but Last To Die is one of those books that once you start reading it, you’ve reached the half way mark without realising it! I became totally immersed in Last To Die it’s a story of survival and the battle of wills, and there was certainly plenty of tension and suspense to keep me reading late into the evening.

4 ☕️☕️☕️☕️out of 5

Print Length: 331 pages

Publisher: Bookouture (24 Jun. 2016)

Kindle