If you've been to your high school reunion, you know how much people tend to change. But what if someone hasn't? And then suddenly their secrets come out, and you realize you really never knew the person? This book takes that premise and makes a case for how secrets in our lives can affect us every day, and how trauma in the past, can come back and haunt the future, sometimes in unimaginable ways. I have to admit I saw who the suspect was early, but I didn't have all the pieces til past midway in the book, so it was interesting to read and see how the story played out. This one of the three book is probably the best of the three for a Summer read, and highly recommended!

I just binge read 5 of Dorothy Simpsons Detective Thanet series. The first being "Six Feet Under". This the 4th of the series.

My review will be the same for all 5 that I read. I don't like to recap what happened in the book. We can all read the blurb on the jacket, or online versions. I find it much more important to tell you, the potential reader, what I liked and why or what I disliked and why.

What i liked:

Detective Thanet is a fully realized character. We find out that he hates the first contact with a corpse. There is a mixture of anger and empathy. He often wonders if this makes him ineffective detective. We get a chance to see his family life. His wife and two children. We see the struggles and joys of a normal family. Adds a distinct layer to his character.

Their are only 2 other recurring characters, Doc Mallard, the curmudgeonly coroner, and DS Lineham, Thanets partner who has two strong women in his life, his mother and his wife. they aren't as fully realized as characters but we gather enough information to relate to them.

The tedious work of interviewing and writing reports is frequently related. Since this is a vital aspect of police work we are given an incite to the working life of the police.

The interaction between characters works well. Suspects getting annoyed with the interruptions to their lives. Family members being interviewed shortly after the murder. The difficult job the police have in doing their investigation.

Dorothy Simpson makes the whole process seem real.

What I don"t particularly appreciate. One caveat is that reading all 5 books in a row these "problems" are amplified.

There is a formula that is followed in each book. The finding of the body. the early interviews, the lack of forensic evidence, secondary interviews, the insights that lead to the murderer. Connections to evidence is lacking.

As I stated this becomes more apparent when reading one after the other.

I would like to thank the Publisher, NetGalley, and the author for my copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Dorothy Simpson and Open Road Integrated Media in exchange for an honest review. This novel was originally published December 1988 by Penguin. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me.

A Dorothy Simpson novel is always a good choice for an entertaining read. Her mysteries stay nicely hidden until she is ready for you to figure them out, Her characters are interesting and very completely known by the reader, and you will always feel good about the way things end. Last Seen Alive is excellent, a novel I can highly recommend to friends and family. As always, Ms. Simpson delivers.

Another entertaining read from Dorothy Simpson. In the sixth book, Thanet must solve the death of a very unpleasant man. Many people/enemies could have delivered the fatal blow to the head. I did guess the mystery but it did not deter my enjoyment of the book at all. These books make me feel like I'm checking up on old friends.

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Alicia Parnell was last seen in Sturrenden some twenty years earlier when her then boyfriend committed suicide. When she returned to the town, she is found murdered less than a day after her return.

DI Luke Thanet and DS Mike Lineham are on the case. Since Thanet knew Alicia from years ago when the attended school together, he finds himself enmeshed in his personal feelings about the victim.

After a few false starts and following some red herrings, Thanet and Lineham find the murderer.

What I like about these mysteries is the easy style in which they are written. They are a refreshing and cozy way to spend a rainy afternoon. They are well written and plotted and the suspense starts immediately and builds to a close, with surprises along the way. I especially enjoy the interactions between Thanet and his wife and children. They are a very pleasurable aside from the mystery side of the story and do not detract from the main telling of the story at all. Dorothy Simpson was a fantastic writer and it is sad to realize that she had to abandon her writing.

I want to thank Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.

Luke Thanet returns in book five of the series. This is a closely woven story with interesting characters and a surprising (to me) twist at the end. In addition, Thanet’s wife Joan is back in the story, and his children are growing up. With no cell phones, video games, email or laptops, this is a throw-back to a remarkably simpler (if no less crime filled) world.

What a delight! Thanet amused and beguiles and Simpson brings the entire set of players alive and in color. Looking forward to reading more - this has al the signs of a delightful series, and I like nothing more than the prospect of many more to read in a row!

This was an ok story with an unexpected ending. It was not very original. Overall I was not happy with this book