Member Reviews

Thank you Netgalley & Crooked Lane Books Publishing for an eARC ♥️

I just finished reading it and I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything that went down. I mean, a secret society founded by Alexander Hamilton? That's some crazy stuff! 🤯I've always been fascinated by American history, and this book made me feel like I was discovering it all for the first time.
As I was reading, I couldn't help but think about how much I love books that make me feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself. This one definitely delivered on that front. I felt like I was right there with Ralph and Sarah, trying to uncover the truth and stay one step ahead of the bad guys.
But what really struck me was when I caught myself thinking, "Man, I miss New York." I hadn't realized how much I missed the energy of the city until I was reading about the streets of Manhattan and the history that seeps from every brick. It was a weirdly nostalgic moment, and it made me appreciate the book even more.🥹
The story starts with the murder of Elizabeth Walker, the last heir of Hamilton's line. Her husband Ralph and best friend Sarah team up to uncover the truth, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, trying to figure out what was going to happen next.
I loved how Jenn Bregman wove together historical facts with a gripping thriller plot. I'm a total history nerd, and this book made me feel like I was learning something new without even realizing it.
The characters are so real and relatable, too. I found myself rooting for Ralph and Sarah from the very beginning, and I was totally invested in their story. I loved how they were both flawed and likable at the same time - it made them feel so much more human.
If you're looking for a book that's a little bit history, a little bit mystery, and a whole lot of thrilling, then this is the book for you.👍🏽♥️

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Jenn Bregman’s The Last Hamilton is a captivating murder mystery that masterfully intertwines history with suspense. The novel follows a gripping investigation into the murder of the last known descendant of the Hamilton bloodline, blending historical intrigue with a fast-paced, compelling narrative.

Bregman’s ability to weave historical elements into the plot is one of the book’s strongest assets. She strikes a perfect balance, providing just enough historical context to enrich the story without overwhelming readers who may not be history buffs. This seamless integration allows the novel to appeal to a broad audience, from mystery lovers to those with a casual interest in history.

The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own motivations and complexities to the unfolding mystery. As they navigate a labyrinth of clues, secrets, and potential suspects, the tension builds steadily, keeping readers engaged until the final revelation. Bregman’s writing is crisp and immersive, with a narrative style that keeps the pages turning.

Overall, The Last Hamilton is an exciting and well-crafted mystery that successfully blends history with suspense. Jenn Bregman delivers a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making this a must-read for fans of historical mysteries and murder investigations alike.

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3/5 stars: This is Bregman's stand-alone which is a Mystery Thriller that takes place in New York City and features the husband and best friend, of the murdered last heir of Alexander Hamilton's line as the two team up to find her killer, stop a sister plot, uncover an ancient secret society and find it's hidden treasures. With plenty of twists and turns, Bregman's written a fast-paced tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. Told in multiple POVs, Bregman's writing and character work are well done; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Sarah and Ralph are great and I loved seeing the two of them to work together to unravel Elizabeth's mysterious legacy. Additionally, the other POV characters: Pierce, Timothy and Detective Schwartz add insight to the story. With tact and sensitivity, Bregman takes on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. Fans of the movies National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code will love this book.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

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Jenn Bregman's "The Last Hamilton" is a page turning thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Before Elizabeth Walker, the last member of Alexander Hamilton’s family line, is killed she sends a message and a key to her best friend Sarah. Sarah with the help of Elizabeth’s husband unravel the mystery that includes a secret society that goes back to the founding father!
Perfect read for fans of “National Treasure” and “he Da Vinci Code” (me!)

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. #TheLastHamilton #NetGalley

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This was an ok book, not being really familiar with Alexander Hamilton (one of the founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury), I was somewhat lost in the focus of this story being on money, but after a quick Wiki review, it makes sense why that's the focus. Elizabeth Walker is the last in the long line of Hamilton's, entrusted with an old secret should certain things occur, and those things are occurring and Elizabeth is trying to (literally) save the world by enacting some old failsafe. Except she's killed in the opening of the story, and she has sent a box of old documents to her best friend to review and share with Elizabeth's husband. Sarah (the friend) and Ralph (the husband) are grief struck and have no idea why they were sent the box or what to do with it. In a separate arc, a fellow is working with a shadowy figure to buy gold and take over as the dominate monetary benchmark (rather than the US dollar), they are being followed by some shady Russian bad guys, who were responsible for the death of Elizabeth, they are also busy following Sarah and Ralph. Sarah and Ralph eventually pick up where Elizabeth had left off and the pace certainly picks up for the latter part of the book, though the ending was a tad disappointing. If you like NYC, you would probably enjoy the scenic aspects of this book, a quick read. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

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This is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that combines historical intrigue with modern-day suspense. When Elizabeth Walker, the last remaining heir in Alexander Hamilton’s blood line, is suddenly killed in a subway train incident, her husband and best friend must team up to unravel the truth.

With well developed characters and plenty of twists and turns, it will keep you hooked till the very last page. It's a quick, entertaining, easy read for fans of mystery and history. It reminded me a lot of the Dan Brown novels, so fans of his will not want to miss this one.

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“The Last Hamilton” by Jean Bregman is an intriguing thriller. In trying to understand why the last direct descendant of Alexander Hamilton died, her best friend and her husband team up to follow what she had been researching and find there is something much larger and sinister than they thought. The means to prevent the downfall of the United States harkens back to the prescience of Alexander Hamilton. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

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In The Last Hamilton, Jenn Bregman delivers a high-octane, twist-laden thriller that blends history, mystery, and heart-stopping suspense. The story kicks off with the tragic death of Elizabeth Walker, the last heir to Alexander Hamilton’s bloodline. Elizabeth's death, ruled a suicide after being struck by a subway train, quickly takes a dark turn when foul play is suspected. In her final days, Elizabeth was frantic and cryptic—running mysterious errands, searching for an antique key, and sending strange messages to her best friend, Sarah Brockman.

The morning after Elizabeth’s death, Sarah receives a box of old documents that shed light on her friend’s increasingly erratic behavior. As Sarah teams up with Elizabeth's grieving husband, Ralph, they begin to unravel a shocking secret: Elizabeth had been involved in a covert society, founded by Hamilton himself, designed to protect the United States from hidden threats. As the pair work together to decode the mystery, they are plunged into a race against time to stop a dangerous plot that could unearth a historical conspiracy more powerful than they ever imagined.

Bregman’s writing is fast-paced and gripping, perfectly capturing the sense of urgency as Sarah and Ralph navigate a dangerous labyrinth of historical secrets and modern-day peril. The mystery of Hamilton’s secret society is woven throughout the narrative, with historical tidbits that make the story feel rich in both context and intrigue. The chemistry between Sarah and Ralph is authentic, with the emotional weight of their loss driving their determination to uncover the truth. As the stakes rise, Bregman masterfully builds tension, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

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The Last Hamilton by Jenn Bregman presents a compelling concept with its mix of historical intrigue and modern-day adventure. The plot centers on the murder of the last heir to Alexander Hamilton, which sets off a high-stakes investigation involving secrets, hidden treasures, and a race against time to prevent financial disaster. The action and thrills make it an engaging read, especially for those who enjoy historical mysteries and treasure hunts.

However, while the premise is solid, the execution leaves something to be desired. The characters, particularly the protagonist Sarah, feel underdeveloped, and their dialogue can often come across as clunky and forced. At times, the plot itself is convoluted, with a series of twists that can be difficult to follow. The abundance of historical references, while interesting, sometimes veers into info-dumping territory, bogging down the pace.

The book’s pacing, on the other hand, is well done, and it does provide a fun, fast-paced adventure—akin to a more accessible version of "The Da Vinci Code" or "National Treasure". While I enjoyed the historical elements and the mystery at its core, the lack of depth in characterization and a few unresolved plotlines kept me from fully connecting with the story.

In the end, "The Last Hamilton" is a solid read for fans of historical thrillers looking for a light, action-packed book, but it falls short in delivering a truly immersive experience. It’s enjoyable, but not quite as gripping as I hoped. 3.5 stars rounded up!

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If you love books like The Da Vinci Code - this is a novel for you! This page turner had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

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Such a fun and edge of your seat read! I enjoyed this story from start to finish! A great combination of history and detail on the ins and outs of trading combined with the action/adventure of Da Vinci Code! Really enjoyed the idea and concept and read this whole thing in 2 sittings! Great mix of history and a modern chase!

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This story blends the past and the present in an intriguing story of the Last Hamilton heir being murdered as she attempts to foil a sinister plot in the United States. Her best friend and husband are left to pick up the pieces of what she was doing. Throw in Russian spies, hit men, and the NYPD and you have a read that at times tests credibility. But if you like history and conspiracy theories, this one might be for you. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc. Lots of references to the Hamilton family, of course as well as how to dig out materials in an archive.

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It wasn’t for me. The dialogue weren’t good enough, and the 3 first chapter hadn’t even been in the file. So no, the book wasn’t good enough for me.

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“A dear friend, a suspicious death, and a leap into the unimaginable. Crushed beneath the wheels of a New York City subway car, Elizabeth Walker’s death serves as the catalyst that propels Sarah Brockman and the victim’s husband into a labyrinth-like investigation. The team must navigate a crosscurrent of lies and misdirection as they ferret out the long-buried secrets of Alexander Hamilton himself. A cleverly written thriller with the historical pizazz of Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER. A book to be enjoyed over and over again.” —Lawrence Kelter, International Bestselling Author of the Stephanie Chalice Mystery Series

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The Last Hamilton reads like an action / adventure movie, weaving a National Treasure–style scavenger hunt into a backdrop tailor-made for Hamilton fans. The stakes are high, the pace is swift, and the history is compelling: A solid-gold debut.

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A skillfully plotted story blending a rich tapestry of early American history with a contemporary mystery. Jenn Bregman's The Last Hamilton could have been ripped from the headlines with sinister plans to disrupt the world financial markets--and one woman stands in their way. Sarah Brockman is unwittingly pulled into a murder investigation when the body of her friend is discovered. Sarah soon finds the dead woman had secrets--secrets worth killing for. Trust this author as she takes you into a dark shadowy underworld where friend and enemy are indistinguishable. Highly recommend this page-turning adventure. Fans of The DaVinci Code and National Treasure will devour this one. Bregman will be on my must-buy list from this point on.

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A great premise for a book! I loved how Hamilton was given the “Da Vinci Code” or “National Treasure” treatment. The moments of adventure and thrill were some of the best in this book. I also liked how the history was interwoven. However, the plot regarding the gold was a little convoluted and confusing. Perhaps if there was one clear “bad guy”, or an different focus, I would have liked it more.

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The Last Hamilton was a good idea that was poorly executed. The writing was amateurish, with stilted dialogue and tired stereotypes in place of fully-fleshed-out characters. The whole thing felt more like an extended outline of the book’s plot or a rough first draft rather than the book itself, with little ‘meat’ on the bones. The writing was rushed and felt incomplete, giving me no opportunity or reason to connect with or care about anyone.

Jenn Bregman’s editor absolutely failed her. The Last Hamilton should have gone through several more rounds of re-writes and edits before it saw the light of day.

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The Last Hamilton: a riveting, historical thriller!

The Last Hamilton leads you through the centuries, the streets and gardens of New York City, and the intricacies of how gold is manipulated for personal gain through a page-turning mystery and plot twists that leave you guessing until the end.

The protagonist is a principled attorney who is pulled into the challenge of discovering what her best friend knew—and died for. She combines brains with persistence as she teams up with her best friend's widow to uncover a mystery more than two hundred years in the making that very well may save the United States of today.

There is a multitude of engaging characters who contribute pieces of the puzzle, as well as a cast of bad guys whose motivations are deeply and disturbingly nuanced.

This is a fantastic read for fans of the Hamilton who set up America’s banking system, those who enjoy a fabulous intellectual treasure hunt using clues left in time and history, and readers who cheer on democracy in our nation.

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The Last Hamilton by Jenn Bregman is what you’d get if The Da Vinci Code took a detour through a discount marketplace. If you’re looking for a high-octane thriller, you might want to adjust your expectations a bit. This one leans more into “adventure” territory—think less suspense, more National Treasure on a budget.

The plot itself is intriguing, with a murder mystery, secrets and hidden treasures all wrapped up in American history. But let’s just say the characters aren’t exactly giving Sherlock and Watson a run for their money. The dialogue is about as smooth as a rusty subway track. I found myself cringing more than once, but hey, if you can power down your inner critic and just go along for the ride, it’s a fun little journey.

In the end, The Last Hamilton is the kind of book you read when you want to escape into a world of mystery and intrigue without overworking your brain. It’s not a bad story by any means—just don’t expect it to knock your powdered wig off.

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