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 The abundance of historical references, while interesting, sometimes veers into info-dumping territory, bogging down the pace.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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

“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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you Jenn Bregman ( @jennbregman ), Crooked Lane Books ( @crookedlanebooks ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read The Last Hamilton early (comes out February 11, 2025).

The last heir of Alexander Hamilton is murdered, and her best friend and husband team up to uncover the mysterious death and the secrets left behind.

I really enjoyed this fast paced book. I’m a sucker for any fiction book that includes a real person, in this case Alexander Hamilton, because it makes the story feel so real—like it could have really happened. Did Alexander Hamilton really create a secret society that exists to keep the United States just and free?

I did want more at the end. A few of the story lines felt open ended to me, and maybe that was done by the author on purpose. However, I don’t want to believe that some characters got away with everything, while others were the scapegoat. But maybe that it to be left to the reader’s interpretation.

#TheLastHamilton #NetGalley #JennBregman #CrookedLaneBooks

Let me start by saying I wasn't expecting War and Peace or the Great American Tragedy. I was looking for a fun adventure that wouldn't require too much serious Focus but would be full of interesting fun facts interspersed with bursts of great activity. What I found felt like National Treasure fanfiction written by an ardent fan of Hamilton (although I did keep wondering where Peggy was, since we got Angelica and Eliza early on). Seriously though, I just could not get into this one at all. The entire beginning is the setup of the movie, recast with Hamiltons instead of Franklins. I didn't find the writing engaging or the characters particularly plausible, in word, deed, or action. I struggled from the opening and simply could not keep going... This one definitely was not a good fit for me.

What should I say about The Last Hamilton? That is the question. I read it in less than a day, making it a good beach read, but the plot, dialogue, and characters were astonishing. The story idea was a significant drift from the usual tales about real-life characters, but the plot development was not believable. I felt like I was reading a dime store novel with a sprinkle of historical details, namely a few minor details about a key made in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the purpose of root cellars in New York before the 1830s, and a continuous rain shower of street names, museums, subway routes and buildings in New York City, laced with more Wall Street and Treasury Department details than I ever cared to know. The dialogue was just as unrealistic as the plot, peppered with much info-dumping.

The setting was more a character than the characters. The book was a cross between too many needless financial details, too little historical fiction in a contemporary modern-day mystery, and a superhero named Sarah who saves the United States from economic collapse, doing her job better than the cops, the IRS, the Treasury Department, the CIA and the FBI combined.

It would be difficult to say I liked it, but to say I did not isn’t accurate, either. The book kept me riveted to the page until I finished it, helped by caffeine and curiosity.

If you are looking for an adventure on your easy, breezy beach day, this book is for you. It is overloaded with meaningless details and unbelievable dialogue between characters I couldn’t get very attached to, no matter how hard I tried.

But there is a reason we call it fiction. Something kept me reading, and that gives it its 3-star rating. If you have 6 hours of free time, or you are vegging on a beach, sitting quietly by a lake with a glass of wine or a cup of your favorite coffee, or down with a summer cold, give this baby a read and see what you think.

Thanks to Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for the free advanced copy. This review is voluntary and is mine alone.

Loved this book! Read it in a weekend. I had to see how it was going to end and it didn't disappoint! Unique plot, surprise ending -- a true original. Engaging characters including strong, intelligent women and some really twisted bad guys. Nice to see a really well written thriller. I liked the historical elements and learned interesting things about New York and Hamilton. I'm just wondering if this is really going on right now? Hope not. Highly recommend for people who want a one of a kind read!

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped I would - but that’s absolutely not a reflection on the author or their writing skills, I think this plot is just beyond what I typically look for in a story. I can tell that the book has great potential for those who find the more political stuff gripping, and the potential reality of it is probably the most scariest thing.

I’m genuinely sad I couldn’t get into it right now, but that likely has a lot to do with the reading mood I’m currently in. I was, unfortunately, unable to finish the read at this time - but I do think that in the future, when I’m feeling in the mood, I will pick it up and try again. And I’m sure I will enjoy it then - that sounds conditional, I know.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book! I am incredibly grateful and offer my sincerest apologies for not being able to provide a good, in depth review as I would have done had I finished the read. I certainly can’t wait to feel able to give this book another try and provide a more reflective review on Goodreads and other social media.

Really good book. Gripping and scary plot that could actually be happening right now. I have seen articles about this in the paper. The fast-paced action keeps you on the edge of your seat and the interesting and informative historical details not just about Hamilton, but the city of New York were a huge add. The surprise ending was incredibly satisfying. Really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Hamilton is my favourite musical and so I was really looking forward to reading this book. However I thought it was going to be more like the movie National Treasure with a mystery surrounding the founding fathers . It was more about the reserve of gold than the historical side of Hamilton’s life so it did not grip me like I thought it would.

Having said that it was ok and I enjoyed the story. 2.5 stars

Good book with an amazing premise and a mystery that grabs you ur was a little short and left some stuff that could’ve and should’ve been filled out more. And we really could’ve used more character development and story about relationships but it was overall very well written.