There isn't an emotion that I didn't experience while reading this heartbreaking and haunting story. This well-researched novel is written in two timelines, the 60's and 2010, and the crossover between the two seamlessly unravels the story.

A 1965 timeline centers around the turbulence and turmoil of the Civil Rights Movement and the Voting Rights Act. Ellie, a young white college student is spending her summer helping African Americans register to vote and fight for their civil rights. When her friends and family reveal their bigotry and prejudice, she must decide to follow her convictions or return home. Themes of injustice, prejudice, racisim, violence, and grief are abundant, as is the presence of the white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan.

The 2010 timeline centers around a young widow, Kayla, who is preparing to move into the dream home that she and her late husband designed and built. Family and community members discourage the move and mysterious things begin to happen to her and her daughter.

When 1965 and 2010 collide, things get real for both women, as each searches for the truth. Decades-old secrets are revealed and both women learn that people are not always as they seem.

As I read the passages describing the living conditions and treatment of marginalized citizens in the 1965 timeline, it hurt my heart that 56 years later, there remain marginalized citizens living in the same conditions. The characters were all believable and the writer's inclusion of real organizations and important people from history enriched the story. This is a story that readers will remember long after the last page is read.

Thank you St Martin's Press, Diane Chamberlain, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

1965

Ellie Hockley is a naive 20 year old, “coming of age” during a time when President Lyndon B Johnson is about to sign into law the Voting Rights bill Act, with the aim of registering more black voters and removing racism from American Politics. She joins a program called SCOPE-Summer Community Organization and Political Education Project, despite protests from her family and friends. Many White Volunteers spent the Summer, living with Black host families so they could canvas their neighborhoods and educate them on the importance of registering to VOTE, and following through with their vote on Election Day.

It’s sad that I grew up in the United States and am just learning about this actual project from a story. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What is even sadder is that 56 years later, we are actually suppressing Voter’s rights, and making it HARDER to vote, instead of easier, and that Racism still exists. 💔

2010

Kayla Carter and her husband, Jackson, both architects, designed their dream home, and built it on a prime lot, nestled in the Woods of the new Shadow Ridge subdivision, on the outskirts of Round Hill in North Carolina. But, Jackson died in an accident prior to its completion, and now Kayla and their 4 year old daughter, Rainie will be moving in without him. Just prior to moving day, a mysterious older woman named Ann Smith, warns Kayla that she shouldn’t move in, and makes some threatening comments about wanting to kill someone. And, she may not be the only one that doesn’t approve of the last house on the street.

But why?
And, how do these two timelines intersect?

Diane Chamberlain has an engaging writing style, and I always love when a book has me “googling” for more information on a topic. But, I am a bit of an outlier by not finding it to be a 5⭐️ read…….

With the exception of learning about SCOPE, most of the 1965 timeline was predictable if you know anything about the blatant racism of the 60’s. And, the motivation behind the “scare tactics” in 2010 didn’t make much sense. This timeline was weaker, the threats not well fleshed out, used primarily to bring resolution to the events from 1965.

Still, it is an important and timely read.


Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy. This title will be available on January 11, 2022 and it was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

This was such a great book and I love how the author told the story. This book goes back and forth between the past and present day. There is somewhat of a mystery as to what truly happened in the past and how it affected all those involved. I love the way the truth is finally revealed and you find out what really happened back in the woods. There are times I thought I had it all figured out, but I was wrong. This story will truly keep you on your toes!

This was a book that I went in blind and I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting an everyday mystery based on the title, but I was not expecting how much depth the story would have. The story follows dual timelines and both are equally interesting. 2010 follows Kayla, a recently widowed single mother and 1965 follows Ellie, a young woman fighting for civil rights against her families wishes.

A story set in a Southern state in the sixties was definitely hard to read because it makes you sad and angry that people were treated with such hate. I loved how both timelines tied into each other so well and how it kept you guessing all along. It is a beautifully written book and a wonderful story and I highly recommend it, but don’t want to post spoilers.

This is my first book by Diane Chamberlain, but it definitely won’t be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story was amazing

Full RTC to come,

Kayla and her daughter moves in the house after Kayla’s husband dies before they move into their dream home in Shadow Ridge Estates. as soon they stablish a woman comes up to them telling them they shouldn't be living there, not knowing what the real deal is she ends up looking for answers.

Diane Chamberlain is a master a writing novels that will stay with you long after you’ve finished! The Last House on the Street comes out at the very beginning of 2022 and I can already tell you it will be one of my top favorites of the entire year! The storyline is complex, but read like a movie in your mind with such well-developed characters. There are layers upon layers that Diane brilliantly builds on to creat an intricate plot that keeps you on the hook until the last page. The Last House on the Street is a 5+++ star novel that I recommend everyone!!!

This book begins with the suspense and mystery in the first chapter and it doesn't stop. I loved the many suspenseful incidences and twists that had me wondering who the bad guy really was. The dual timelines was a nice addition, slowly feeding you information that helped you to solve the present day mystery. The author created likeable characters and the different eras helped show how people can change if they want to .

Being Canadian I learned a lot more about American history and how, even in a small town where everyone knows each other, there can still be such a difference on how people think. The Klan and the people that were members shocked me completely. I didn't think that decent, hardworking people could be so hateful. It was an eye opener for sure.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

It took me a little while to really get into this story, but having read other Diane Chamberlain books I knew it would be worth it. The Last House on the Street takes place in North Carolina in both 2010 and 1965, with alternating points of view. It tackles some serious civil rights and race issues so be advised this is not a "nice" story, however, it is an excellent book with beautiful writing and well developed characters. This book was a rollercoast of emotions for me, I was angry, sad, happy, disgusted and ultimately blown away. 4 stars only because the first 30%was a little slower than I had hoped - but please read this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for granting me this advanced copy of The Last House on the Street in exchange for an honest review.

This book was written in a then and now viewpoint. At times I got a little confused at how it tied in. It was really slow at the beginning, around the half way point, it started picking up. Once it did, I really got into the story.
The now was mainly about Kayla and I could feel for her, recently widowed and moving into a big house with just her daughter. Someone is doing things to scare her away.
The then was about Ellie and her quest to help with the Scope project. This part was very emotional.
The ending wasn’t really a shocker because I had figured it out when the main thing happened. All in all, a decent read once I got into it.

Another wonderful book by Diane Chamberlain .Herdual timeline always draws me into the characters their worlds.Will be recommending #netgalley#st.Martins

Kayla Carter's husband, Jackson, died while building their dream home in Shadow Ridge Estates. Despite the tragedy attached to the house Kayla decides she and her daughter will move in as planned. Just before moving day Kayla receives a visit from an older woman warning her to give up her plans. She is shaken by the older woman, but she pushes on as planned.

Ellie Hockley returns to Round Hill, NC just as Kayla and her daughter are moving into Shadow Ridge. She and Kayla cross paths and in turn realize they have a few things in common.

As the story jumps back and forth between present day Round Hill and 50 years prior we see the events that lead to Ellie's departure and eventual return as well as the strange goings-on at Kayla's new house.

Diane Chamberlain never fails to suck me right in to her stories and this time was no different. Some of the historical content was a little hard to read, but I imagine the people who suffered through that time had it much worse.

This book brought a lot of attention to what went on in the south during the Civil Rights Movement so it was sad in many parts. Elle had her heart setting on working for SCOPE a group to travel in the southern states to get the black Americans to vote. Even though Ellie’s parents and brother was dead set against it she felt the strong urge to help. This book was set in 1965 and then in 2010. So then we have Kayla and her four year old daughter Rainie about to move into this beautiful house that Kayla and her husband Jackson had designed together. It was built in the lovely Shadow Ridge Estate unfortunately Jackson had a terrible fall causing his death in the new house. And, there is someone out there that doesn’t want Kayla and Rainie to move in the new house. Ellie had moved back in 2010 to take care of her mother and brother and that is when Kayla meets her and the do forge a friendship. Diane Chamberlain the author absolutely had me so involved in this book with the young Ellie living in the conditions she did while working for SCOPE and falling in love! I cried and cried for Ellie and thought how strong she was back then! This book was a tear jerker for the hardships all so many levels. I will have a hard time forgetting this book. It is an absolute read for all. We have come a long way but so much farther to go!

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you so much Netgalley!

Diane Chamberlain once again does a great job of bouncing back and forth between two periods of time - 1965 and 2010. It doesn't look like a huge gap of time on paper, but looking back on the history of racism in the south and voting rights there's a drastic difference.

1965- Eleanor Hockley was born and raised in Round Hill, North Carolina and decides to start working with a civil rights organization to help educate and (eventually) register Black voters. This is at a point of time in our history where the Klan was still very active and voter suppression ran rampant. The people of Ellie's town don't take kindly to her involvement, especially once she starts to form friendships with the Black volunteers in the organization.

2010 - Kayla Carter has built her dream home in a new development in Round Hill, North Carolina. During the building of the home her husband tragically dies and she is left to move in with just her young daughter. As the house is finishing up she is visited by a mysterious woman who knows a lot about her and the house she is building. Strange instances continue to occur which make Kayla feel like someone doesn't want her building on that plot of land. She starts to dig a little deeper into the history of the land she is building on and the town she has decided to call home.

The stories of these two women soon become intertwined and they find themselves connecting over a hurtful past and an undecided future.

You know when you're reading a book and you know where the story is going and you don't want it to go there, but it's inevitable? This is that book. Parts of these book were difficult to read, but learning about the history of this country is important I liked how Chamberlain mixed fact with fiction into this story. I was hooked from the start as I've been with all the books I've read by her. This story was emotional and definitely a page turner.

Tension. 2010 Kayla: Trying to love a house where your husband died. Having a strange woman tell you she could kill someone - and who knows your child’s name. 1965 Ellie: Wanting to please your family but believing you should volunteer in the Civil Rights movement. Two women’s lives tied together by land in Round Hill, North Carolina. Chamberlain keeps the strands of both timelines moving and twisting. Kayla’s new house is nestled in woods by Ellie’s childhood home. While we are kept wondering why Kayla keeps getting warnings about the woods surrounding her home, it is Ellie’s storyline that gives this book depth. Chamberlain kept me involved in finding how the two stories would finally resolve. Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

I always really like this author's books. She follows the same general formula every time, but each book ends up being unique and quite as good as the last one and all of the others before it.

In this one, in the 1960s, Ellie is a young woman who sees the injustice of the world around her and decides to volunteer to assist with voter registration in black communities. All of the other volunteers are from the north and she must convince the leaders to even accept her, and that's just the beginning of her story.

In the present, Kayla is about to move into a house where her husband died during construction and a woman appears at her office and basically threatens her. As if the house by itself in the woods wasn't enough to freak anyone out. Plus the whole husband thing.

And you'll have to read it to find out how it all ties together.

I definitely recommend this as well as any other book by this author.

The dual timeliness of this mystery pulls two unlikely participants into a mystery that spans decades.

Tying together clues that span two lifetimes is totally absorbing - a really good read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing a NetGalley ARC of The Last House on the Street. I ended up reading this one in one sitting (staying up past my bedtime!) and it was my first true 5 star read in a bit. I've had lots of 4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads, but a true 5 star is hard to find!

Pub date: January 11, 2022
Genre: hybrid historical fiction and mystery/suspense

In one sentence: Shadow Ridge Estates is haunted by tragedy in the past and the present, but it's only when Kayla gets to know her older neighbor Ellie that she can understand how deep the trauma goes.

What I loved (this was hard to write without spoilers, but I'll give it a try):

-Compelling dual timelines, covering the present and Ellie's work in the right for civil rights in 1964.

-Lack of white saviorism in the civil rights timeline. It's clear from the story that Ellie has so much to learn about the Black community, and she works hard to learn from the people she speaks with. I loved her journey to become an anti-racist ally and how she was willing to de-center herself and listen to others (as good allies should.) I appreciated that this timeline was not all about Ellie - her fellow civil rights workers are also very important to the story.

-An ending that will stick with me for a long time. Again, no spoilers, but let's just say the ending was satisfying but heartbreaking.

If you love historical fiction or contemporary fiction, social justice themes, or suspense, I highly recommend this one! I hope I'm right in predicting it will be one of the big books of winter 2022!

Chamberlain is a master at the dual timeline narrative. This one is another good one she has a way of creating engaging believable characters that tug at your heart strings . This one deal with the social injustices that we still deal with today . Another must read by this author!

I have been in a bit of a reading slump. I was lucky to receive Diane Chamberlain's newest book as an Advance Readers Copy. I knew right away that this could be the book to pull me out of my slump.

The book starts out with a bang. Not literally, but it was a meeting with two women that left me with an eerie feeling. Right away I was hopeful that this was a good sign of things to come, to pique my interest.

There are 2 timelines: 1965 featuring Ellie who is bound and determined to get involved in the Civil Rights movement by helping African Americans register to vote. And, 2010, featuring Kayla who is an architect about to move into a new home which seems to be causing an issue for an unknown lady with bright red hair.

Crossovers between the 2 timelines start happening early. Name dropping and locations. But, of course, it takes time to discover the whole connection. The 2010 storyline foreshadows troubling or dark issues from the past.

I found the historical parts of the story very interesting and informative. I was a young teen when the Civil Rights Movement was established. I remember the marches and demonstrations and riots. The 1960s were a very turbulent time. But my memories of this time are nothing compared to reading the story of Ellie and Win.

Ellie and Win's relationship is fictional but I’m sure situations like theirs played out in the south. It was very realistically portrayed. An emotional tale.

The characters are so well developed. The story is intense. The author uses a real Civil Rights group from the 1960s as the organization central to the characters. Also, some actual names and news stories from the decade are woven into the story. The Klu Klux Klan plays a major part.

Some progress had been made in the rights of African Americans but the last 2 or 3 years have shown us that there is still a long way to go. The journey is not an easy one.

The last part of the book is very intense and at times uncomfortable to read. But my discomfort is incidental when it comes to the horror of the events that happened in the 1960s.

There were a couple of twists revealed at the end. One I had figured out but the other was a surprise.

And, the conclusion was good. It showed hope and resilience. The past would not be forgotten but there was the element of closure for the characters. The book was well written and the subject was well researched.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an Advance Readers Copy.

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Publishing. This book brings out many emotions anger, shock, sorrow, sympathy. It makes you want to shake your head. Ellie living in the wrong time period and at the right time period. Win who is wanting to do the right thing. Reed who was trying to be the best person he could, Kayla that is stronger then she knows. Family is something that you are born into but can ultimately be your worst enemy. Betrayal is something I don't know if you can get past it fully. Answers are a blessing and a curse. Doing the right thing can cause us pain but it needs to be done. This is for a mature reader and can be read anywhere.