The Last Word: A Novel
Written by Taylor Adams
Narrated by Carlotta Brentan and Jim Meskimen
4/5
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Survival
Fear
Mystery
Suspense
Thriller
Final Girl
Haunted House
Dark & Stormy Night
Hero's Journey
Haunted Protagonist
Twist Ending
Isolated Location
Killer Next Door
Murder Mystery
Chessmaster
Friendship
Revenge
Writing
Crime
Mental Health
About this audiobook
After posting a negative review of a horror novel, a woman staying at an isolated beach house begins to wonder if the author is a little touchy—or very, very dangerous—in this pulse-pounding novel of psychological suspense and terror from the critically acclaimed author of No Exit and Hairpin Bridge.
Emma Carpenter lives in isolation with her golden retriever Laika, house-sitting an old beachfront home on the rainy Washington coast. Her only human contact is her enigmatic old neighbor, Deek, and (via text) the house’s owner, Jules.
One day, she reads a poorly written—but gruesome—horror novel by the author H. G. Kane, and posts a one-star review that drags her into an online argument with none other than the author himself. Soon after, disturbing incidents start to occur at night. To Emma, this can’t just be a coincidence. It was strange enough for this author to bicker with her online about a lousy review; could he be stalking her, too?
As Emma digs into Kane’s life and work, she learns he has published sixteen other novels, all similarly sadistic tales of stalking and murder. But who is he? How did he find her? And what else is he capable of?
Displaying his trademark command of rapid-fire pacing, unnerving atmosphere, and razor-sharp characterization, Taylor Adams once again delivers a diabolically disturbing—and deadly—game of cat and mouse.
Taylor Adams
Taylor Adams is the author of several acclaimed thrillers including The Last Word, Hairpin Bridge, and No Exit. No Exit has been published in 32 languages and was recently released as a Hulu Original film. Adams lives in Washington State.
More audiobooks from Taylor Adams
No Exit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Our Last Night Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hairpin Bridge: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eyeshot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for The Last Word
693 ratings31 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a great thriller with many twists and turns. Some reviewers enjoyed the concept and found it gripping, moving, and edge-of-the-seat. They loved the unexpected twists and turns, the dark and witty tone, and the gentle yet urgent pacing. However, a few reviewers found the book predictable and felt there were too many twists at the end. Overall, this book is recommended for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy roller-coaster emotions and solid twists and turns.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I found this book a little predictable. And felt there were too many twists at the end. I was ready for it to be over.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5By far the best audiobook I have listened to . The story is amazing as are the narrators . I can't say more, without spoilers, other than this should be your next read/listen!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved every second. Was genuinely so scared I couldn’t listen before bed. (Also I’m afraid to post a bad review now. Just kidding.) But it was really great. If horror, thrill, and suspense is your thing, this book is for you!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not my favourite kind of ending (it was okay), but the beginning was definitely 5 stars.
Overall, I enjoyed it, even with all the somewhat silly parts. - Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Such a dumb book and the goat voice the female narrator uses for the males got me laughing every time.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So unexpected at the end! A great read, great story!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I felt like this was 4 or 5 books in one.
It goes from stalking loney girl to a fun B grade hack n slash, to campy don't turn around or you're gonna DIE!, to who done it, to never gonna catch me.
And the writer even brings you the read directly into the story. Super fun!
It got a bit slow towards the end, say around chapters 30, but then bam! Another twist. Had a lot of fun with this book, well done! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Gripping and a must read. Have become a new fan!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great thriller
Dual POV
Dark and witty
Lots of surprises - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved everything about this book! Best thriller I’ve read (listened to) in quite awhile!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing and unusual story. Could not put it down! Well worth your time!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great unexpected twists and turns . Gentle yet urgent pacing I really enjoyed it!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A perfect beach/weekend read. Solid twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor throughout.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book. Jumped right in with tons of action and plot twists.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very interesting novel. Kept me guessing and second-guessing ! I like the way the author laid it out. You have to question what's real and what's not over and over.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was absolutely bananas and I loved every second of it.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I like the idea of a writer getting back at a person who wrote a bad review. I like the nonreliable narrators. The creap factor is there.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Another gripping, intense, page-turner novel from TA. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a roller coaster of emotions, this is for you.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5So many twists and turns..kept thinking the book was over but was always presently surprised.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I loved the concept. My suspension of disbelief took a battering in the middle but I really enjoyed the last part of the book. Overall a great thriller.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5That ending?!?! Whew!! I went fron a 5-star to a 2-star, ending with a 4-star. Gripping, moving, edge of my seat are some adjectives to use.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very intense and nonstop action. Definitely no lulls in it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The book was a roller-coaster ride. I felt like my emotions were played and I can't pinpoint what's what.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5What a dumpster fire! By the mid point I was ready for it to end and it just wouldn’t ☹️
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely loved it, what a thrill ride! This was the most fun I've had reading a book in a long time, so many twists and turns.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Superb, though it might not be deemed so by others. I enjoyed how the story was told from multiple perspectives and how it weaves in and out to the conclusion.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5bone chilling! amazingly written! this was right up my alley. i saw that this book was recommended on a booktok video & boy, was i surprised. i can’t wait read more!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5If you want me to want the main character to get killed, you win, but not fast enough to stick with it past 4 chapters.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I didn't want to give anything away, just that this book was gripping throughout and intensely satisfying
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wow, wow, wow! You will never ever know what direction the story is going. Also spoiler but a necessary one, nothing happens to the dog. This is super important to me so I want to let any potential reader know. Based on just the premise of the story, there is no way anyone would ever give this book just one star; however, the story is also so much more than just that one star rating. I really enjoyed this book. The writing is clever and Emma is an easy character to invest in and care about. I don't know if this author has any other books but I will definitely be looking for more. The narration was excellent too.
2 people found this helpful