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The Last Innocent Hour
Something twisted is stalking the Cunningham family. It lurks at the periphery of Beth's vision. Her husband Charlie can't help, if she could even remember him; he's doing time for a murder he didn't commit. The small child Beth was found with, whom she doesn't know either, was taken to foster care. There isn't much time now. If Beth doesn't recall the hideous events that stole her memory soon, the killer will strike again, and someone else will die.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2000
About the author
Barbara Taylor Sissel
11 books718 followersBarbara Taylor Sissel writes issue oriented, upmarket women’s fiction that is threaded with elements of suspense and defined by its particular emphasis on how crime affects the family. Next to writing books she loves to edit them, and with more than fifteen years in the profession, both as a bestselling author and as a developmental editor, she's got experience. Contact her via her website if you're interested. Please include the details of your fiction project (a brief summary and total word count) for more information and her availability.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 9, 2015
I couldn't put this book down, and so finished it in a few hours on a rainy Sunday. It has a good balance of drama and suspense, and a creative storyline that enhanced what would rather be an ordinary plot that's got a potential for afternoon soap.
The story is about confronting the trauma of a cruel past, going through another hell of a suffering because of a corrupt system, and overcoming everything to preserve as much of one's self and loved ones as much as possible, and move on. In the end, goodness perseveres.
The story is about confronting the trauma of a cruel past, going through another hell of a suffering because of a corrupt system, and overcoming everything to preserve as much of one's self and loved ones as much as possible, and move on. In the end, goodness perseveres.
July 2, 2012
I got this book as a free download and was initially intrigued because the description compared Barbara Taylor Sissel to Daphne Du Maurier. I, therefore, was expecting some ghostly influences. Well, the characters are indeed haunted but not by ghosts. They each have a backstory of emotional and sexual abuse and have come together to create murderous tension. Like a Shakespearean tragedy many lives are threatened and/or end at some point. Like a Joyce Carol Oates story, the dysfunctional family members are suffering interrelated pain that they cannot step back from. However, I would probably compare the narrative more to Jodi Picoult, in that the writing touches deep pain more lightly. The characters are not particularly complex and there are some convenient devices used, such as traumatic amnesia.
The characters are primarily white southerners, with one black rather stereotypical maid who is given the Magical Negro position. She is probably the most sympathetic character in the family constellation but does not have any clear impact on the outcome.
It is a smooth read with many twists, ending well but leaving one wondering if the main characters will be changed by all they have been through, both together and apart. They do not seem to have much capacity for self reflection, so the future seems shaky, at best, for them. They could definitely use a family therapist! And when I talk, like this, about characters as if they are real, the book was worth finishing.
The characters are primarily white southerners, with one black rather stereotypical maid who is given the Magical Negro position. She is probably the most sympathetic character in the family constellation but does not have any clear impact on the outcome.
It is a smooth read with many twists, ending well but leaving one wondering if the main characters will be changed by all they have been through, both together and apart. They do not seem to have much capacity for self reflection, so the future seems shaky, at best, for them. They could definitely use a family therapist! And when I talk, like this, about characters as if they are real, the book was worth finishing.
December 17, 2015
Beth reluctantly returns home to help her mom. She left because of something that happened between her stepfather and herself. She tried to tell her mom at the time, but her mother's drinking problem wouldn't allow her to trust what Beth was saying. Now Beth is returning with her husband and child in tow. She will have to confront her past and to finally tell her husband the truth about her past.
The story keeps you wondering what will happen next. Not sure why I am giving three stars, but something wouldn't let me give four. I liked the plot and the story line. I guess part of it was that the story kind of dragged in spots, but not enough to make me put the story away.
The story keeps you wondering what will happen next. Not sure why I am giving three stars, but something wouldn't let me give four. I liked the plot and the story line. I guess part of it was that the story kind of dragged in spots, but not enough to make me put the story away.
January 2, 2017
This could have been a good story
But the plot was conflicting and implausible in numerous places. The overall storyline was good and I did desire to know what happened enough to finish the book. However, the outright stupidity of the almost all of the characters thoughts and actions prevent the reader from being invested in either them or the outcome. The explicit use of sexual references in the story - while supporting the twisted mental state of one character - was unnecessary and contrived and took away from the story.
But the plot was conflicting and implausible in numerous places. The overall storyline was good and I did desire to know what happened enough to finish the book. However, the outright stupidity of the almost all of the characters thoughts and actions prevent the reader from being invested in either them or the outcome. The explicit use of sexual references in the story - while supporting the twisted mental state of one character - was unnecessary and contrived and took away from the story.
March 18, 2016
Shallow characterizations
Beth and husband return to Beth's home and immediately are involved in a murder. The action moved very fast, the problem was the characters were not developed and lacked depth.
Beth and husband return to Beth's home and immediately are involved in a murder. The action moved very fast, the problem was the characters were not developed and lacked depth.
April 11, 2021
Pretty good for a 1at novel
In my opinion, the best part of the book are the chapters when Charlie is in prison. The chapters about Beth/Jane are good but not really believable. I do look forward to reading another of her books when I feel she will probably become a better writer.
In my opinion, the best part of the book are the chapters when Charlie is in prison. The chapters about Beth/Jane are good but not really believable. I do look forward to reading another of her books when I feel she will probably become a better writer.
August 5, 2018
Page turner
I really enjoyed this novel. When Beth returns to her childhood home, her past comes back to reclaim her and her family. A psychological thriller with a few tweaks STIs and turns that will keep you hooked till the end.
I really enjoyed this novel. When Beth returns to her childhood home, her past comes back to reclaim her and her family. A psychological thriller with a few tweaks STIs and turns that will keep you hooked till the end.
September 5, 2017
The Last Innocent Hour
Great suspense. Really enjoyed the book. Good storyline. I recommend this book. It was a good thriller which kept you wondering how things would work out.
Great suspense. Really enjoyed the book. Good storyline. I recommend this book. It was a good thriller which kept you wondering how things would work out.
June 8, 2018
I thought this was the best of Sissel's books i have read so far. Ive read 6, with 3 to go. That will be a sad day if the are no more waiting!!
Thank you, Ms. Sissel-- your books are perfect.
Thank you, Ms. Sissel-- your books are perfect.
February 2, 2017
I am a big fan of this author, having read many of her books, FAULTLINES, CROOKED LITTLE LIES, SAFE KEEPING, EVIDENCE OF LIFE, THE VOLUNTEER, THE NINTH STEP. Recently I was going through my Kindle and found that I had this title and I hadn't read it. How I missed that is beyond me.
Beth Clayton Cunningham returns to her family's farm at her mother's request after being away for many years due to an incident with and secrets about her stepfather. Her, her husband and daughter arrive and old feelings and emotions come to the surface.
Her mother now admits that the stepfather married her for the money and land and knows she has made a big mistake. She does not know that this scam goes way beyond her stepfather. Elected officials and the police also want and need this farm. But why?
When greed, money and mental instability are overwhelming, murders seem to be piling up. Can her stepfather be stopped before he hurts her daughter? But how to protect her when Beth has an injury that renders her with amnesia not even knowing her own name. And her husband is charged with the murder of her mother.
Another page turner by Ms. Sissel. The characters are totally relatable. The story flows and I found myself saying "just one more chapter!"
If you have not read anything by this author, I highly recommend any of her books. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
April 2, 2012
Not a bad book. Beth comes back home after leaving 6 years ago. There are some dark family secrets that she has never told her husband, Charlie. Jason Tinker, her step father has his own dark past which can also destroy everyone.
While at home a murder occurs. Beth and her 3.5 yo, Chrissy are no where to be found. Charlie in the meantime is arrested for the murder. Charlie does not hear anything from Beth, did she just walk out on him? Why did she not come to his defense? Where is Beth? What happened to their daughter?
Overall, it was a nice quick, easy read. I will not spoil the ending for you but, I really wish it had gone the other way for Tim.
While at home a murder occurs. Beth and her 3.5 yo, Chrissy are no where to be found. Charlie in the meantime is arrested for the murder. Charlie does not hear anything from Beth, did she just walk out on him? Why did she not come to his defense? Where is Beth? What happened to their daughter?
Overall, it was a nice quick, easy read. I will not spoil the ending for you but, I really wish it had gone the other way for Tim.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2012
Despite knowing who the killer was, I still found that Taylor Sissel was able to create a bit of mystery. I wanted to know what was going to happen next, and how they were going to resolve the issues. I found the heroine to be underdeveloped, despite the potential for her character. I found the background knowledge to be lacking, even though it was neccessary to the storyline. The only character I truly liked was Charlie - and even he was underdeveloped.
There is a lot of potential in this story - I wish Taylor Sissel had kept writing it.
There is a lot of potential in this story - I wish Taylor Sissel had kept writing it.
April 26, 2016
Couldn't bring myself to finish it!
I forced myself to read up to chapter 44, but I just could not go on. This, the whole thing, just terrible. The writing was amateur at best. The plot, ridiculous, even for this genre. The editor clearly phoned it in. I found tons of errors which derailed every attempt at trying to buy into the story. I can't think of any other book I've quit, especially so far in...it's that bad. I read Crooked Little Lies by the same author, and while it wasn't a great book it certainly wasn't this bad.
I forced myself to read up to chapter 44, but I just could not go on. This, the whole thing, just terrible. The writing was amateur at best. The plot, ridiculous, even for this genre. The editor clearly phoned it in. I found tons of errors which derailed every attempt at trying to buy into the story. I can't think of any other book I've quit, especially so far in...it's that bad. I read Crooked Little Lies by the same author, and while it wasn't a great book it certainly wasn't this bad.
May 21, 2012
This was a very fast-paced book. I will admit that the author threw in a couple unnecessary side stories, and I found myself skimming through these. I knew from the start who the bad guy was, but the story line kept me interested enough to keep going and see if they caught him.
June 22, 2014
Have you ever paid 99 cents for a book and felt ripped off? I couldn't get into this novel. I read about 10 chapters and surrendered. The writing was mediocre, the dialogue awful, the characters bland and I couldn't force myself to read another page.
January 2, 2017
Mediocre
The Last Innocent Hour is an overall good read with good plot. However, the author should have been more descriptive in parts. For example, the main murder scene is brief and leaves the reader wondering what just happened.
The Last Innocent Hour is an overall good read with good plot. However, the author should have been more descriptive in parts. For example, the main murder scene is brief and leaves the reader wondering what just happened.
February 8, 2012
More like 2.5 stars. I didn't really like any of the characters and found myself skimming throughout the book.
July 10, 2012
This was an ok read. I liked the story idea but felt it could have been written a lot better.
July 14, 2013
This one kept me on the edge of my seat. I read it in a few hours, even during dinner. Intense, relentless.
November 3, 2016
good.. good... good.. good.. good.. over.
What?
It just.. ended.. sure, there was an "event".. but what about everyone else? The mayor? Lance? Tim? Did they get back together and work it out?
What?
It just.. ended.. sure, there was an "event".. but what about everyone else? The mayor? Lance? Tim? Did they get back together and work it out?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2014
too many loose ends.
November 9, 2014
intriguing, captivating - great for a car ride read!!!
January 31, 2016
Shocking moments
Definitely did not see some of the plot twists coming. Small town politics, greed and love gone bad. Fast read.
Definitely did not see some of the plot twists coming. Small town politics, greed and love gone bad. Fast read.
September 8, 2015
Horrible!
January 27, 2013
Nope, not for me. Sounds like a bad soap opera
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews