This book starts with a double homicide and proceeds to include a previous one thus spanning two decades. The plot is handled well and told through three perspectives. The pace is good though there was a slight dip in the middle. Overall a good one, tying up things neatly.

This book is listed as being book 5 in the ‘Callahan and McLane’ series but it felt to me more of a stand alone book, or as the first book in a new series. Yes, Ava McLane and Mason Callahan make make appearances here (along with a new other characters from Kendra Elliot books) but they are very small appearances. There isn’t really a need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one.
‘The Last Sister’ is all about Zander Wells, the FBI agent who is Ava McLane’s partner.
The agents are called in to investigate a horrific double homicide of a local teacher and his wife. Emily Mills’ discovers the bodies of her friends and is shocked with the murder scene, which is similar to how her father died 20 years earlier.
The loss of her father so violently all those years ago didn’t just affect Emily, it affected her whole family. Driving a wedge between her and her younger sister Madison and even making her older sister Tara flee their town and cut off all contact.
With the discovery of the new murders and the FBI investigation, secrets held closely by all 3 sisters start to come to the surface and attract the attention of the killer from 20 years ago.
‘The Last Sister’ is told from 3 different points of view: Zander, Emily and her sister Madison. This was a bit different, normally you get chapters from the perspective of the hero and heroine, maybe the killer. I wasn’t too sure why Madison was getting so much time dedicated to her in the story, unless it’s a set up for her to get her own book next.
I would classify this book under suspense/mystery. Maybe even psychological thriller. Not romantic suspense at all, even though that’s what Kendra Elliot is famous for.
It is romance light, I think there was one kiss in the entire book between Zander and Emily.
I love a good mystery/thriller and ‘The Last Sister’ didn’t disappoint. It had me guessing right up until the end. I would definitely read more books starring Zander any day. 4 stars from me.

This story kept me guessing and my assumptions were wrong. Love it when I have to keep guessing how it ends as long as possible.. Couple surprises to make it very interesting. I like the spunk of Emily and the electricity between her and FBI agent Zander. I like Zander's partner Ava and how she grounds him. In a small town of the Pacific coast of Oregon amidst the cold and damp weather a double murder scene is botched by a rookie deputy. The FBI steps in to assist the Sheriff in what could be a hate crime. Bodies old and new are piling up. Suicides that may not be suicides make them double down on their efforts to find the one responsible.. And it seems Emily, who discovered the bodies of the double murder of her friends, could be in the crosshairs next. Well worth the read. I have noted the previous books as I find this is book five! They are stand alone however, you can tell there is history to both Zander and Ava that I want to learn about I think this is one of her best series yet! I thank Kendra Elliot, NetGalley and Montlake Romance for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest opinion. I do recommend this book you will enjoy the diverse personalities of the characters.

Veteran Callahan & McClane fans rejoice! Zander Wells gets his story. While The Last Sister is listed as the fifth in the C & M series, it reads well as a stand-alone. The plot is well-developed with introduction to new cast and an intriguing criminal underpinning. As always, Elliot manages to weave just the right amount of romantic angst into the storyline to engage emotional attachment and keep things interesting. 4 stars.


Thank you to #NetGalley and #MontlakeRomance for this ARC. #TheLastSister was read and reviewed voluntarily by Tarrah Marie (@wayward_readers)

Unfortunately, I could not read the pdf on my e-reader because the font was too small.
Unfortunately, I could not read the pdf on my e-reader because the font was too small.

I enjoy the Mercy Kilpatrick series, and all of Kendra Eliot's books, and this no exception. It is a fun mystery, set in a small logging town in the Pacific Northwest. I like the small town feel, and how all the characters have history and intermingle together. I also learned some stuff about secret organizations that I didn't know about. I really wish some of the people that were victims in the book had made it out alive. I was really starting to like some of them. I must say it was hard for me to believe someone's level of terror would keep them from attempting to contact their family somehow, which is a big premise of the story, but I still enjoyed the story and how it all came together. I also enjoyed the little bit of romance thrown in between Emily and Zander.

A fast, action-packed mystery with great coastal Oregon atmosphere, a complex family dynamic between three sisters shaped by tragedy, and just a hint of romantic tension to hook readers into wounded, determined FBI agent Zander Wells. This is the start of a new series for Elliot, and I look forward to more!

When a double murder of a local couple happens the FBI is called in. Zander and Ava show up in the small town of Bartonville to find out if it was a hate crime. What they thought was a new crime all of a sudden is getting linked to the main witnesses past secrets.

Zander finally got his own story and I sure hope there’s more to tell!

The Last Sister was a great read and had me up all night not wanting to set it down.

So excited already for book #2 The Silence

An engrossing well written murder mystery.
I didn't realize that this is a series, as this book serves as a perfect stand alone.

Emily stumbles upon the dead bodies of a husband and his wife, with the husband hanged in the backyard.
This triggers dark memories from Emily's past, as her father died in the same manner years ago, and soon tragedy strikes upon Emily and her family.

The investigation into the present murder seems to be connected to Emily and her sisters.
What ensues is a fantastic web of secrets and twists slowly being revealed and culminating in a surprising ending.

Thanks Netgalley, the publisher, and author for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 5
Nothing stays buried forever and secrets have a way of coming back to haunt the living.

When a double murder of a local couple the FBI is called in due to the nature of the crime. Zander and Ava show up in the small town of Bartonville to lend a hand and find out if was a hate crime. Once they start turning over stones and avaulance of issues start falling around them.

Zander finally gets his book. I think that there is more to Zander’s story and I hope Kendra has plans on telling it. I have loved Zander since we first met him in Vanished (book one of Callahan & McLane Series).

The Last Sister was a great book and had me turning the pages and not wanting to set this book down. There were many twists and turns throughout the whole book that Kendra Elliot had me on my toes wonder what was going to be next.

So excited already for book #2 The Silence & #3 (no title yet) make sure to check out Kendra Elliot’s website for all updates on her series {https://www.kendraelliot.com/books-by-series/}

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Montlake for a sneak peek at THE LAST SISTER.
I am so glad I requested this book for read and review. What a rollercoaster!

A family torn apart by murder, lies, and secrets; a modern day lynching; a town where no one seems as they appear.

20 years ago Emilly Mill’s father was murdered by hanging. His killer confessed and was sent to prison. What enfolded for Emily’s family was even more tragic than her father’s death. Her mother committed suicide a week later, her older sister ran away and was never heard from again, and the remaining sisters were sent to live with old maiden aunts. Emily has never lived down the hurt and betrayal from these wounds.

And now, history seems to be repeating itself when she finds another man lynched up in his own backyard.

When the local police brush it off as a murder suicide, Emily notifies the FBI stating it’s a hate crime.

Enter FBI agents Zander and Ava. These two are a couple of favorites of mine from a previous book by the author and I’m thrilled to see them again.

Dogged determination to break through the lies every one seems to be telling is Ava’s purpose. Zander knows all is not what it seems in the tiny town with the Sheriff and the town leaders, but his attraction to Emily may be clouding his judgment.

The twists and turns in this story had my head spinning – in a good way – throughout the page turns. I hate spoilers so I won’t tell you any more of the tale, but know this: it’s not what you’re thinking when you read it!!!

5 stars for another winner from Kendra Elliot.

A fast paced, twisted mystery spanning 20 years. I had not read other books in the series and it stood fine alone.

How fabulous is it when an author can give a highly requested secondary character from one of her series their own book. Seems like its been years in the making but FBI special agent Zander Wells finally gets his story.

This book totally stands on its own but does include Ava McLane from the Callahan & McLane series who is Zander's partner. In a departure from most books there were 4 main characters/POVs. Zander and Emily Mills along with her two sisters, Tara and Madison.

When Emily finds the bodies of a husband and wife – with the husband being hung in the backyard. This triggers bad childhood memories as Emily was the one to find her father murdered in a similar way which led to more tragedy for her mother, herself and her sisters.

Zander and Ava are assigned the case and it's clear that in some way Emily and her sisters are tied to the current murders. Lots of secrets and twists throughout that are slowly revealed to a surprise ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this Arc.
Kendra Elliot always delivers!! I've devoured everyone of her books and have never been disappointed!! The Last Sister is full of all sorts of twists and turns. From the first page you're hooked! Never a dull moment! Highly recommend.

Emily Mills found her father’s body hanging in the backyard twenty years ago. Her two sisters, Tara and Madison said they had no idea what had happened and the family was driven further apart by the suicide of the three girls mother. They moved on as best as they could, a man was caught and convicted of the murder, but now a similar murder brings back all the fear and grief. Working with FBI agent Zander Wells, Emily looks for answers almost everywhere. Everywhere except in her sister Tara’s past, because Tara disappeared years ago and Emily isn’t sure she want to know why

Outstanding!
Don't start this book late at night, or you'll lose out on sleep because putting it down isn't an option.
Wow.. the characters in this book were hiding so many secrets, I had no idea who was the murderer until it was revealed by the author.
Special Agent Zander Wells, and Special Agent Ava McLane are trying to solve a double murder, and it's bringing up a murder that is decades old.
Add a skeleton into the mix and things are heating up for Zander and Ava.
Edge of your seat reading, filled with mystery and intrigue and nonstop action.
Absolutely loved my read!

this book is not listed as a series but I would love to have books about the other 2 sisters. I really liked this book. It had lots of twists and turns in the mystery,humor, and I loved the secondary characters. I would highly recommend this book and any of the other books by Kendra Elliot and her writing partner Melinda Leigh