I always enjoy Rachel Abbott books and this one was no exception. It had all the intrigue and twists and turns we as readers have come to expect. It was well written. I didn't like the setting as much as other books but would highly recommend

A brilliant story which had me gripped all the way through. Addictive and mesmerizing I loved this one. It was a rollercoaster of a read and it nearly kept me up all night as I was loathed to put it down. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The Last Time I Saw Him was a good psychological thriller. This is book four in the series but it can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed the story with the twists and I really didn't expect the ending. This book didn't hold my attention the whole time but I was able to get back into it.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Rachel Abbott for the advanced reader copy of this book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

I hadn't read the three previous books in Rachel Abbott's series about Cornwakk, U.K. Detective Stephanie King. I always feel a little hesitant when picking up a series in the middle, worrying that there will be things I don't understand due to not having read earlier books in the series. I'm pleased to report that's not the case with The Last Time I Saw Him. While there are a few things going on in Stephanie's personal life that I might not be able to grasp fully, the story overall stands nicely on its own.

Stephanie is enjoying a weekend away with her mother at a posh boutique hotel. Due to her occupation as a detective, she enjoys observing people. More than once during dinner, her mother has to get her attention as she's preoccupied with the other people in the hotel's restaurant. When one of the guests is found murdered, it's Stephanie's observations from the weekend before that lead to more suspicions.

Ellis Cobain is a very wealthy man with a public persona as a philanthropist. However, behind the scenes, he is quite different. His first wife committed suicide. His second wife is staying with him at the hotel, but has so little self-confidence and such a poor self-image she is cowed by him. However, she is raising his three children from his first marriage and has grown to love them so she refuses to leave him despite his emotional abuse.

Juliette and Russell have taken a week away together to work on their relationship. Russell is a lawyer for a record company who is there to sign a singer to a contract with his label. Juliette has been hiding a secret from her husband which has fractured their relationship. When she thought her husband was falling out of love with her, she had an affair with Ellis Cobain, and now her life seems irrevocably intertwined with him and he doesn't want to let her go. Nadia, the lounge singer, thinks this weekend might be her big break until she spots Ellis in the audience. They have a past together as well.

All three women seem to have a lot to lose. When Ellis turns up dead, it's a matter of which one did it. As the events leading up to and after his murder are investigated and revealed, it's not a cut-and-dried case for the investigators.

The Last Time I Saw Him was a really good psychological thriller that kept me guessing until the end. There were several times I thought I had it figured out, only for the investigation to take a very different turn. The characters are fleshed out very well. The three women all have a reason to want Ellis dead. At the same time, their personality traits make it hard to see them as murderers, even the one who seems to want it the most.

There's not much character development of the investigative team. Stephanie is working with her husband, DCI Gus Brodie, on the case but there's not much time for their relationship while investigating the murder. The other investigators are mostly in the background as the focus is on the three main suspects. Perhaps they have been developed more in earlier books, but I can't be sure. I didn't feel like anything was missing not knowing any background, though.

My biggest complaint is the setting itself. The murder actually takes place on Ellis' yacht, anchored off the beachfront of this posh boutique hotel, yet the investigators take over the hotel for the investigation and there are no complaints about it. I would think other guests would complain about not having access to certain places, the owners might complain about how much this is costing them in revenue, and the staff having to cater to the detectives. It's said more than once that the investigative team is being given coffee and food, but no mention of who is picking up the bill. Since the murder happened on the yacht, I can't see them just going along with all of the detectives' directions for the next week. Maybe that's the American in me, though, and it's much different in the U.K.

I did enjoy The Last Time I Saw Him and couldn't wait to see how it ended. I was very surprised by the tragic way it ended. I would go back and read earlier books in the series as I think these are good characters and the author knows how to pen a psychological thriller with interesting characters.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Rachel Abbott’s The Last Time I Saw Him is a masterclass in psychological suspense, weaving a narrative that is as intricate as it is gripping. This fourth installment in the Stephanie King series does not disappoint, delivering a story that is chilling and thought-provoking.

The novel centers around three women—Celia, Juliette, and Nadia—who are strangers to each other but share a common enemy: Ellis Cobain, a wealthy philanthropist with a dark side. Their lives intersect at a boutique hotel on the Cornish coast, where they form a pact to free themselves from his manipulative grasp. 

Abbott excels in character development, creating complex and relatable protagonists. Celia, Juliette, and Nadia each bring their own strengths and vulnerabilities to the story, making their alliance both believable and compelling. Ellis Cobain, the antagonist, is portrayed with a chilling realism that adds depth to the narrative. Detective Stephanie King remains as compelling as always.

Abbott’s writing is elegant and accessible, with a relentless pacing that keeps readers addicted. Her ability to craft suspenseful scenes and unexpected twists is unparalleled, making this book a true page-turner. 

The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths to which people will go to protect themselves and their loved ones. It delves into the psychological impact of manipulation and abuse, offering a nuanced portrayal of the victims’ struggles and resilience. Moral ambiguities faced by the characters add complexity to the story.

The Last Time I Saw Him is a compelling addition to the Stephanie King series, showcasing Rachel Abbott’s talent for creating suspenseful and emotionally resonant narratives. Fans of psychological thrillers will find themselves captivated by this intricate tale of secrets, lies, and the quest for justice. 

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or new to Abbott’s work, The Last Time I Saw Him is a must-read that will leave you pondering its twists and turns long after you’ve turned the final page.

What a tangled web these characters find themselves trapped in! I just love the dynamic between Steph and Gus and I loved getting to know some new characters on Gus’ team! I hope we get to see them more in the future!
As always, Rachel writes books I can’t for the life of me put down!

A solid read. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

A twisty whodunnit that made me come up with multiple theories. The Last Time I Saw Him kept me turning the page to find out more about the murder, who Ellis was, and ultimately, who the heck did it. I found the end needless, and did not enjoy it, but that could be because I was not invested in Stephanie King, and this is part of a series. In the end, if you are looking for a fall thriller, this is still a good option.

Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Rachel Abbott for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Last Time I Saw Him. A woman’s scorn is a dangerous thing. Three women scorned is a killer.
This is a series book but stands alone well. A man who is truly no good and has wronged lots of women gets his comeuppance and there are many suspects to choose from.
Lots of twists and a good mystery.
3 stars

Ellis is indeed a vile man and the three women who have the most to gain from his death are distinctive in their different personalities and potential motives.
With plenty of twists and turns and suspicion cast initially far and wide the outcome of the investigation is surprising and the detective work to get to that point solid and very readable!

Three women, all connected to an abusive man, are staying at the same hotel at the same time. DS Stephanie King also spends the weekend at the hotel with her mother and observes the women and the man, not realising they may be connected. DS King and DCI Brodie investigate when a suspicious death occurs, and her previous observations prove helpful. There are many layers to this story and its characters. No one is what they seem on the surface; there are complex moral dilemmas between the law and justice, and whilst the women may share a common purpose, they differ in degree and what they want. The themes of domestic abuse are often explored in crime fiction, but this story adds something unique. I like the characters' complexities, the moral dilemmas and the twists that keep you reading.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This book is an engaging read with enough intrigue to keep you guessing until the end. While some twists may seem predictable, the book keeps readers on their toes with surprising developments. The novel explores the tension between moral righteousness and legal justice, highlighting the often ambiguous line between what feels right and what is legally correct. A solid and quick read that I found hard to put down.

I think this may be my favorite ARC I read in August. Holy moly, it was so good. I'm a sucker for a good whodunnit and feminine rage.

I didn't realize that this was the fourth book in a bigger series but I felt like I was able to follow along just fine. I loved Stephanie's character and will definitely be reading the first books in the series.

The Last Time I Saw Him has three women all with motives for killing one man: Ellis Cobain. I didn't want to put this one down. It was fun seeing everything unravel and come back together. The twists were great and plausible and the characters likeable. It was extremely well written and difficult topics explored with sensitively.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review :)

"The Last Time I Saw Him" by Rachel Abbott is a compelling psychological thriller that revolves around a police inquiry into the homicide of Ellis Cobain, a wealthy philanthropist discovered deceased on his yacht. The narrative is presented through the viewpoints of three significant female characters—Juliette, Celia, and Nadia—each possessing distinct motives and connections to the deceased. The text is rich in character exploration, delving into the intricacies of their lives and interpersonal dynamics, while depicting Ellis as a predominantly unsympathetic figure.

The novel is intricately woven with elements of misdirection and suspense, as the central character, Detective Stephanie King, unwittingly becomes embroiled in the investigation, which complicates the case and uncovers the interlinked destinies of the women involved. As the narrative progresses, the evocative backdrop of the Cornish coastline amplifies the tension, culminating in a sudden and thrilling resolution that astounds readers. Although the pacing fluctuates, particularly in the midsections, the storyline ultimately resolves in a gratifying and unforeseen twist that consolidates the various plot elements. While certain elements, such as the narrative construction and character equilibrium, may pose challenges to readers, the work remains a riveting mystery that highlights Abbott's narrative skill. Enthusiasts of complex whodunits will find "The Last Time I Saw Him" to be a noteworthy contribution to the Detective Stephanie King series. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

I started off absolutely loving this book. The suspense was perfect, I loved the 3 women’s stories, and the mystery of what actually happened had me frantically turning pages. If you read this as a stand-alone, you may enjoy it more. I read the other Stephanie King books and had the backstory of her life and relationship so the ending ruined the book for me. I felt that one thing was so unnecessary and cruel. If that moment was left out of the book, this would be a clear 5 stars. Everything about the book was perfect except the last 2 percent.

I love Rachel Abbott books and this was no exception. This is part of the DS Stephanie King series (4 of 4).
Set in a luxurious hotel, it has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing who killed Ellis Cobain, though I was expecting it to be someone completely different in the end.
Stephanie’s character is very likeable and realistic. Big twist at the end that I can guarantee you absolutely won’t see coming until it’s upon you.
5⭐️ from me

A suspenful read with 3 women who have a grouse against one man with a veneer of perfection and on track to knighthood. Which one of these women is responsible for the ultimate revenge?

Lots of intrigue, fast-paced, and thrilling, this book was exciting to read. The pacing was correct, the intrigue was plentiful, and the motive was warranted.

#netgalley #TheLastTimeISawHim

How far would you go for a stranger?

Three women meet at an exclusive hotel. One woman is in mentally abusive relationship, one has made a mess of her marriage, and the other could be breaking a marriage apart. These three women come together to help each other get out of their predicaments which are all tied to the same person, Ellis Cobain.

As I enjoyed the setting of this novel and the storyline, I felt the interactions between the three women were a bit frustrating at times. I absolutely did not see the twist coming at the end of the story AT ALL. Overall, I did like this book, which was out for publication on August 15, 2024.

Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Time I Saw Him
By: Rachel Abbott

4 Stars

Sergeant Stephanie King never expects to be investigating the hotel she and her mom had just vacationed at. When a big-name guest is found dead the week after her stay, she finds herself back and on a very interesting case filled with murder, secrets, and lies.

I won't lie. At the beginning of this book, I was a bit lost. It felt almost like I had missed a previous book. Once the pieces started to fall in place, it all became clear, and the story got a lot more interesting. It combined mystery, danger, and thrills with a dynamic group of characters. By the end, I was shocked. This story was twisty and fun to read and had a shocking ending that I never saw coming.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

Detective Stephanie King is investigating the murder of Ellis Cobain a man with several enemies.
A story that kept me entertained and guessing until the end. Book 4 in the series I will look forward to reading more in this series.

Enjoyable enough romp set in a luxury hotel where a dead body is found just off its coast in a luxury yacht.

The man, who was staying at the hotel with his wife, is not a very nice man. With a couple of affairs under his belt and his wife metaphorically beaten to a shell by her husbands constant put downs and control, there are plenty of suspects.

Despite the heavy subject matter this has a real cosy thriller vibe to it and it zips along quite nicely. Surprisingly it spends more time with the female suspects than it does with police(Stephanie King arf arf) but it does have a lot of storytelling to do and a rather complicated and contrived plot to unravel.

It kind of loses its way a little at the end and perhaps is too long for its own good but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the overall experience.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.