Carolyn Arnold brings us another gripping read for the Amanda Steele series with LAST SEEN ALIVE. If you're a regular reader of Carolyn Arnold, you know that things, people, and events all have a way of circling back around. I highly recommend having read the first five books of the series to get a full grasp of where Amanda has come from over the course of the series to now -- and how Logan fits into the mix!


Amanda has been carrying a lot of responsibility and stress on her shoulders. It aligns with real life that just when a bit of the load lessens, three more things pile on top. I liked the return of Logan and the disruption that turned his relationship with Amanda upside down. It gave us a deeper look at Logan and helped give some closure for him.


I have been rooting for Amanda's life to take a turn for the better and overall, I feel like Zoe is the biggest catalyst for shifting her life in a positive direction. Among all of the darkness associated with the crimes Amanda investigates, Zoe gives us a fresh breath of air.


I'm a big supporter for moving forward on a relationship between Trent and Amanda. Even though they're co-workers, I think they are a great balance to the other. Sgt. Graves is rubbing me the wrong way, but ultimately, I am hoping that Sgt. Graves has a story of her own to tell alongside Amanda's that will enhance their working relationship.


Overall, another fantastic addition to the Amanda Steele series! Carolyn Arnold helps bring police procedural to life with realistic situations and cases that grip your mind until the very last page!


I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Whew! What a way to have a date end. You think you're going to have sex and instead a dead body is found. There are so many questions that get raised early on in this story. The most pressing of which is why it seems that the interim Sergeant seems so quick to convict Logan of the murder, especially when you look closely at the facts. This is one of those books that keeps drawing you in as the story progresses and makes it near impossible to put it down. I love the relationship between Amanda and partner Trent. They are now at the stage where they are able to tell what the other is thinking. And Sergeant Graves - I can't wait to see more of her back story and how it is influencing how she deals with her team.

When Detective Amanda Steele unexpectedly reconnects with an old boyfriend, the last thing she expects to see lying on his bed is the dead body of his wife, Claire, who walked out on him four years ago. Logan begs Amanda to believe he’s innocent. But she doesn’t miss the gun on a nearby table, and she’s torn when forensics reveal that not only was this the murder weapon, but Logan’s fingerprints are all over it. Determined to uncover the truth, Amanda retraces Claire’s last steps and finds that she visited her best friend the day before her death. But Amanda is devastated to discover that the friend died in a car accident just hours after meeting with Claire. But the killer is closer than Amanda realizes, and when her beloved daughter, Zoe, is threatened.
This is the sixth outing for Amanda & another well written engrossing read. This isn’t my favourite of the series as Amanda is too closely involved in the murder & I’m unsettled by the way her personal life seems to be going. I hope things will change. I really liked the way Trent kept Amanda grounded & I’m loving the dynamics of their relationship. An interesting read but I felt a bit let down as the ending seemed rushed
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Amanda just can’t catch any breaks. Her new sergeant is busting her behind at every turn and her flash in the pan quickie with former lover Logan leads to a gruesome discovery.
As Amanda and Trent work the case, Logan’s wife’s sordid past comes to light. But can they put all the pieces together before the bodies quit stacking up.
For as many crime series that I read, I should be a captain extraordinaire on the force.
I love trying to alive the case before it’s revealed, but this one had me stumped until a Late reveal clicks everything into symmetry.
I liked a development for Amanda, but Will it be allowed to nuture??

It starts with one murder but soon becomes three. The cops jump into action but there are different jurisdictions and the chief is crabby. Much of the story has the chief on her case...

Net Galley and Bookouture let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published on Oct 6.
It's complex case with a lot of of snags and several false evidences. But Amanda doesn't give up.

She knows the man in jail didn't do it and gets herself in trouble for snooping on a case that doesn't belong to her.

There is romance thrown in. The murders make folks sad.

Will they find out who the killer is?

Detective Amanda Steele somehow reconnects with Logan, they haven’t seen each other for awhile as he struggles with her job as a detective, but as they get to his house they discover the dead body of his missing wife in his bedroom. Amanda knows Logan wouldn’t have done this; someone is setting him up. Her interim boss takes her off the case, and pushes to get Logan locked up for the murder. Amanda can’t let this go, and Trent, her partner, has her back and discovers that the victim is related to his friend. Lots of twists and turns.

This is another winner for Carolyn Arnold as it packs quite the punch as the past comes back to haunt the present in the characters in this story. Amanda Steele has finally decided to open herself up to the possibility of a little romance in her life with a night out with Logan. Logan is a blast from the past and an ex-romantic interest. When they arrive at Logan's house, the romance quickly fizzles out when they discover the brutalized body of a young woman in Logan's bed. The dead body turns out to be Logan's wife, Claire. He claims he has not seen Claire in years, but all of the circumstantial evidence points directly to him. After all the husband is always guilty, right? The mystery deepens when her driver's license shows another name. Amanda does not believe that Logan is guilty and believes the scene is a little too "neat", even though Amanda's hateful boss wants to solve this case quickly and neatly without truly investigating anything. If you have read any of the Amanda Steele books, you know that she is like a dog with a bone when she is investigating and believes in something. She is one of my fictional heroes. She is tenacious and leaves no stone unturned. I also am enjoying watching Amanda work hard to balance her personal life and professional life as she continues to grow closer to and love Zoe more each day. Her partner, Trent, is my hero as well. I cannot really explain it. I just like him. I want to see Trent and Amanda together, but I do not know if this will happen because of their work relationship. I am definitely ready to see Sgt. Katherine Graves go back where she came from. I would like to reach into the book and slap her! You know you are really living in the book when you want to slap a character!

This mystery is very complex as the clues go back many years as they dig into Claire's past trying to find out what she has been doing and where she has been. This made the mystery very enjoyable to read and try to dissect. Carolyn Arnold is a master of writing good and interesting police procedurals that will suck you into the story. She also knows how to insert a twist here and there that you will never see coming!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Last Seen Alive is the sixth book in the Detective Amanda Steele series by Carolyn Arnold and it did not disappoint. Read on to learn the reason this series has become a favourite. 

Last Seen Alive takes us back to the Prince William County. The story reunites readers with Detectives Amanda Steele and Trent Stenson. While on a night out with a friend, Amanda reconnected with Logan, an ex-lover. They went back to Logan’s home for a night of passion, but the discovery of a dead body in his bed cut short their rendezvous. All the evidence leads to Logan. Amanda’s connection to the suspect rendered her ineligible to work the case. However, her tenacity and her desire for justice will have her working the case in no time. 

The attention grabbing prologue had me diving eagerly into meat of the story with curiosity as to the outcome. Intrigue, suspense and the complex case had me turning the pages. As the story progressed, the identity of the killer was clear, however, the uncertainty lay in the motive. The murder investigation led the duo to a cold case, and it was interesting figuring how both cases were connected. The investigation delivered several surprising and interesting reveals.

This installment provided a Little more insight into Trent’s character. This case brought to mind a painful episode in his life. Amanda also discovers that her attraction to Trent is not one-sided. Trent and Amanda are so in tune with each other as work partners, which made a great team. Any romantic involvement between will complicate their working relationship. I am curious to see how Arnold will handle this in future books.

Amanda continues to juggle her professional and personal life. Finding a balance between the two comes with its challenges, but Amanda does her best under the circumstances. 

It was fascinating seeing events through the victim’s eyes. The snippets from the victim’s POV provided insight in to her state of mind up to the point of her death. While the mystery was solved, its conclusion was anti-climatic. Despite this, I am looking forward to more stories with Amanda and Trent.

Last Seen Alive delivered a captivating mystery filled with twists and turns. Its engaging plot kept me glued to the pages to the end. Overall, a great addition to the series. Fans of police procedurals, crime solving stories and murder mysteries, will want to pick up this series.

A chance meeting with a former lover will place Detective Amanda Steele in a compromising position both personally and professionally. Amanda and Logan Hunter meet at a local bar and return to his house to reconnect. They are shocked to find Logan’s missing wife, Claire, lying dead on his bed. Calling the death in, Amanda is met by her sergeant who immediately tells her to leave the scene and the case will be handled by two other detectives. Amanda pleads with the chief for her and her partner, Detective Trent Stenson, to be allowed to investigate the murder. Logan’s wife had been missing for four years, where has she been and why return now? The story travels between Claire’s present and past, done so in an easy-to-follow manner. Is someone setting Logan up to take the fall or did he murder his wife? There is a hint that there could be something personal happening between Trent and Amanda, but they know they can’t remain partners if they become involved. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation, from the author, for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

I enjoyed this mystery! 3.5 stars!

This book has plenty of twists and turns, leads going in the wrong direction and nowhere, to keep the reader in suspense! I liked the format of including flashbacks to Claire, the murder victim, which tie the story together nicely. I also enjoy the chemistry between Amanda and Trent, the two detectives ultimately assigned to the case, despite Amanda's initial involvement with the suspect, Logan.

I hadn't read the other books in the series, but I wasn't feeling lost at all. Looking forward to the next book!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold is the 6th book in her Detective Amanda Steele series. I have noted this many times, that I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition. Last Seen Alive was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down. Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department

The story starts off with Amanda, having been out with friends, ends up at her ex-boyfriend’s (Logan) house, when they find the body of a woman fatally shot: the woman happens to be Logan’s ex wife, whom he has not seen in 4 years. Amanda pushes Logan out of the room, calls for help, which will also bring her partner Trent. Amanda’s nasty sergeant, pulls her off the case, since the police suspect Logan killed his wife. Amanda knows Logan is innocent, and together with Trent, they go all out to find the murderer, with her sargeant allowing her to get back on case. Amanda was determined to uncover Claire’s last steps, and learns that her previous boss also was killed the day before. What is the connection, and who else could be in danger.

Amanda and Trent worked very well together, with Trent getting Amanda to go home at night to be with her daughter, Zoe. I really liked how Trent became a better partner to Amanda, and enjoyed how well they worked together. Amanda is a fabulous heroine, who goes beyond, as well as being emotional, with somewhat of a temper; but she is a master as solving crimes. They discover that Claire (Logans ex) was involved in stealing various paintings and artifacts over the years, and they go all out to find out who was working with Claire.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a mind-blowing thriller. There were so many suspects, and even surprises at the end. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a great good story that needs to be read from start to finish, especially with so much going on that keeps us glued to the book. It is important to read this story from start to finish.

Last Seen Alive was a very good excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, intense, and kept us guessing who was the murderer to the end. Amanda and Trent were so very good together. Last Seen Alive was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

One sentence review: Tolerable until 60%, then I had to dig deep to finish this one

SYNOPSIS

Det. Amanda Steele is just tryna get some with her ex Logan but finding his ex-wife Claire dead in lingerie puts a hamper in her plans. Convinced of Logan's innocence, Steele and her partner Trent dig into Claire's past to determine who the real killer is.

MY OPINION

Ok so imagine Criminal Minds... now imagine instead of watching oddly sexy Hotch (no questions pls) and the gang, you're just reading a script of Criminal Minds. That's what this book was like. It was giving me absolutely nothing emotionally. Watching my dog stare out the window imagining a life of freedom stirs more emotions than this book. 90% of it is straight up dialogue, and there wasn't an adjective or adverb in sight.

There were more descriptions about the airflow of the car's AC and general hot as balls Virginian weather than there were about anyone's emotional reaction to all the batshit crazy stuff happening. Well, that's not true, we did get to read "chills ran up Amanda's arms" about 40 times.

At first I found this tolerable because we were blazing through the plot and there were lots of reveals, but eventually my patience wore thin. This book was as flat as the European scholars during the Middle Ages presumed the world to be. The last 40%, as my friend and fellow Goodreader Karly said, was dud city. Nay, it was the province of dud. The continent of dudliness.

This was my first Det. Steele novel but I was confused as to why she even adopted Zoe?? She had no time for her and was constantly yeeting her off to her sister. Also the chapter - yes an ENTIRE chapter - dedicated to their pizza night was so painful to read that the fact I got through it proves I could survive Guantanamo Bay levels of torture. Yes, THAT painful.

Ok I'm going to end this #livelaffluv review with an excerpt so terrible it's almost a hate crime against literature:

Amanda felt chilled, but it wasn't because of the car's air conditioning. ...PLZ SAY SIKE

PROS AND CONS

Pros: the case itself was interesting

Cons: this was great value Alafair Burke, and she's barely an acceptable writer (but make no mistake, I eat her books UP), flat as the desert, poor plot execution (very swiss cheese), boringgggggggg

A fantastic police-procedural!
I'm coming into this series at book 6, which is not ideal. There is a lot of back stories that I've missed, but Arnold does a great job of filling in the gaps, although I would think the series works better chronologically.
I loved Amanda Steele, our protaganist. She is feisty and intuitive, which us crime fans know are important qualities in the detectives!
The plot hooked me from the very start. The crime scenes are interesting and keep us reading quickly, unravelling the clues to try and solve the crimes faster than the police!
I really enjoyed it, and it did make me want to go back and start the series from book 1!

A review of “Last Seen Alive: An utterly gripping and unputdownable crime thriller (Detective Amanda Steele Book 6)” by Carolyn Arnold

Full disclosure - I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the author or their representative but have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.

Last Seen Alive is scheduled for an October 6, 2022 release date

Too close to home

Detective Amanda Steele is back in yet another gripping case by best selling author Carolyn Arnold. At the urging of her best friend Becky, Amanda finds herself on an unwilling night on the town. When she reconnects with one-time fling Logan Hunter at the Tipsy Moose, Amanda knows this is not a good idea. Still, she accompanies him back to his house for a little alone time. As the sparks and clothing begin to fly, Amanda makes the discovery of a scantily clad, very dead woman in Logan’s bed. After the initial shock wears off, Amanda learns that the deceased is Hunter’s estranged wife Claire. But if the pair have been separated for almost five years, why is she in his house? The optics are not good from any angle and with the evidence piling up, the focus is primarily on Claire’s past and her final steps leading to her demise and discovery. As detectives Steele and Stenson start to investigate, the trail winds into the territory of a string of high-end art heists and a cold case that tracks too closely back to their vic. Amanda is getting close to cracking the case but when her beloved adopted daughter is targeted the detective knows that she needs to watch her step. One wrong move or missed lead could be detrimental not only to the case, but to Steele on the most personal of levels.

Last Seen Alive is the sixth in the Detective Amanda Steele series of novels by Carolyn Arnold. Coming off the heels of “Her Frozen Cry” where the lines between Detective Steele’s past and present began to intersect, this case sees the lines between personal and professional threaten to blur to nonexistence. Starting with the discovery of a murder victim in the home a past fling and current love interest Amanda immediately draws the suspicion of her superior who rightly questions if Amanda can stay objective when she has such a close relationship to the prime suspect. Never one to back down from a challenge, however, Detective Steele and her partner doggedly pursue all leads under the stifling supervision of Sergeant Graves. But tracking a woman who was practically a ghost for the past four years proves challenging and ends up in lots of long nights and hastily arranged sitting arrangements for her young adoptive daughter Zoe. Add in the fact that Amanda is starting to have stronger feelings for Trent than just a work partner and there really is a lot going on in this book. Even so, Arnold manages to deliver yet again with a fast paced, intriguing thriller that will have you guessing until the very end. If you are already a fan of Carolyn Arnold and her work, Last Seen Alive will not disappoint.

This book continues the series but it can definitely be read as a standalone. I have been thoroughly enjoying the series and this was yet another addictive page turner of a book which kept me very entertained and guessing what was going to happen.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own

Carolyn Arnold brings suspense and intense moments to Last Seen Alive , a gripping police procedural that is the sixth book in a series. The setting largely takes place in Prince William County in northern Virginia and features Detective Amanda Steele. Amanda, a seasoned detective, is partnered with Detective Trent Stenson. Amanda reconnects with an old boyfriend and ends up finding the dead body of his wife, Claire, on Logan’s bed. Logan pleads with Amanda to prove he’s innocent, but initial findings don’t look good for him. When the case is assigned to another detective team by their new sergeant, Amanda is livid. Can she get back the case and determine if Logan is guilty or innocent?

Amanda continues to balance work and family. Last year, she adopted a young girl from a previous case, Zoe Parker. Lining up baby sitters for her work schedule can be challenging. Additionally, she needs to be there for Zoe, who is still seeing a therapist following the death of both of her parents. Amanda’s flaws and struggles made her seem realistic. She shows growth and depth as the story progresses, and readers continue to get more insight into Trent in this story. He’s loyal, funny, and always has Amanda’s back. Despite only being partners for a few months, their dynamics enhanced the story line.

The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. An outstanding prologue grabs readers’ attention and the first chapter adds to the drama. The descriptive writing style draws one in and keeps you turning the pages. The plot is intriguing, full of chasing down leads and interviewing suspects and witnesses in anticipation of identifying the killer. While I guessed the killer early in the book, there were some surprises. Other than a few flashback chapters, most of the story is from Amanda’s point of view.

I enjoyed how the author twisted the plot points and provided unpredictable moments in the story. These twists and surprises keep readers on their toes. Will you see that ending coming? Themes include murder, relationships, families, respect, loyalty, reputation, secrets, and more.

Overall, this novel was engaging, thought-provoking and engrossing. This is the sixth book that I have read by this author. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Amanda and Trent. I recommend this to those that like police procedurals with relatable and likeable main characters.

Bookouture and Carolyn Arnold provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently expected to be October 6, 2022.

This is a book in the Detective Amanda Steele series. A fantastic read that I couldn’t put down. I love this series and can’t wait for it to continue.

Detective Amanda Steele is out for a girls night when she has an unexpected hookup with her old boyfriend, Logan. The moment is interrupted when Logan’s estranged wife, Claire, is found dead in his house. Now Logan is a suspect and Amanda thinks he was setup. Who killed Claire and where has she been for the last few years? Will Amanda find the killer before her own family is targeted?

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Amanda Steele is back enjoying a rare night out with her friend Becky. When she decides to head home with her ex Logan.

But their plans on arriving at Logan's house aren't quite what either had in mind. As there's a dead body in his bed. A body he claims is his ex-wife Claire. Although ID says she's someone else.

But either way he's about to be charged with murder.

Unless Amanda can wrestle the case away from her colleagues and with the help of her partner Trent prove Logan is innocent.

Yet, in doing so she's about to put the one person in danger she's sworn to protect, her newly adopted daughter Zoe.

And with plenty of procedural detail, great pacing and likable characters. Not to mention twists, and a killer you won't expect. This is a really enjoyable read, and for me personally the best one of the series so far.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Last Seen Alive’, book 6 in the Detective Amanda Steele series written by Carolyn Arnold, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Detective Amanda Steele is having a girls’ night out at the Tipsy Moose Alehouse when she meets up with Logan, an ex-boyfriend. They go back to his place and move into his bedroom where she finds a woman in a dead on his bed. The woman is Logan’s estranged wife Claire who he lost contact with four years ago and he swears he didn’t kill her. Amanda isn’t allowed on the case as she’s too close to Logan who’s their number one suspect but she’s convinced he’s innocent and manages to get herself and her partner Detective Trent Stenson back on the case.

It's good to meet up with Amanda and Trent again in ‘Last Seen Alive’, the latest in the series based at the Prince William County Police’s Homicide Department. The plot commences with a shooting which should be straightforward but the further they delve into the history of Claire Ramsey the more confusing the case becomes and the greater number of suspects they come across. There’s plenty of action, drama, suspense and twists and turns that have kept me gripped from the first page to the last and I’m totally involved with the growing friendship between Amanda and Trent and the question all readers must be asking, will they or won’t they get into a relationship?

Both the prologue and the first chapter of this book have dramatic beginnings that capture your attention and make you eager to read more. Detective Amanda Steele has recently reconnected with an old boyfriend and has been casually dating him for the last few months. One night after a date, Amanda goes home with Logan. Their romantic plans come to an abrupt halt when they find the dead body of Logan’s estranged wife in his bed. Amanda is sure Logan is innocent and is able to convince her hard-nosed boss to allow her and her work partner, Trent Stenson, to investigate the case.

Last Seen Alive is the sixth book of the series and is a thrilling police procedural. I started reading this series with book 4 and I have really been enjoying it. Amanda’s dedication to the job and her daughter makes her a likable character. I love the parts of the book focusing on the investigation and how that is paired with a complex, suspenseful plot. Amanda and Trent work well together and Trent is able to give Amanda several reality checks as they gather evidence since she has a personal connection to the case. After a big build-up throughout the story, the ending seems rushed and is a bet of a letdown. In addition, I’m not sure I like the direction Amanda’s personal life seems to be going, but I’m hoping to be proven wrong in future books since I’ll definitely be reading to find out what’s in store for these characters.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Bookouture. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.