Reviews

Last Seen by Lucy Clarke

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staceyjl's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

indoorg1rl's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Seven years ago, two boys went missing at sea, and only one came back rescued. Sarah’s son survived, but Isla’s didn’t. On the anniversary of the accident, Sarah’s son Jacob disappeared without a trace. As new secrets surfaced, Sarah desperately searched for her son before it was too late.

The beginning of this book started relatively slow for me, as I had theories about Isla and where she was going and I didn’t get to see the confirmation of my theories till late in the game.

As usual, Lucy Clarke managed to weave words that could twist my heart. I felt deep empathy towards the two mothers! It was gripping, page turning and I had to binge it till 2am in the morning which wasn’t a good logical decision as I had to work early the next day!

Just like other Lucy Clarke books, I’d recommend you jumping in blind. Just enjoy the journey, and the beach huts!

cassiecat's review against another edition

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mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

🎧4.25- 4.5⭐️

I had the audiobook read by Harriett Carmichael, Claire Corbett, Huw Parmenter ( a token part) the narrators were excellent with good distinct voices for both women.

Having loved The Hike this book was recommended. Seven years ago two boys went missing at sea, only one returned. On the anniversary the surviving boy goes missing. As a male teenager who isn’t considered vulnerable he’s not a police priority.

Bullet points for Last Seen

📕explores friendship, love, jealousy, loss and grief

📕may be triggers for some

📕domestic suspense with a mystery

📕split time frame narrative

The story is told mostly by Isla and Sarah two long standing best friends with flashbacks to their past mostly provided by Isla’s input.

It’s a gentle start where the narrator carried the story for me until the pace picked up. It has more of a domestic suspense with a mystery than a thriller.It’s got bags of interest with secrets and lies.

I liked both the women with their long standing deep friendship, also the closeness of their sons.

I found it an easy very enjoyable listen, the revelations had me oohing and arhing. It’s one I’d recommend especially the audiobook format.

thebooktrail88's review against another edition

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4.0

Dorset gets a bit dark!

Visit the book locationsLast Seen

I am always a bit nervous reading about missing children although the stories are actually so much more about the parents and the aftermath. this was a gripping novel as a beach with sandhuts is a happy place right? The beach with memories and childhood games changes in a second and it’s a scary thought.

The two mothers and how they react to the incident are heartbreaking and it’s all too real. Imagine how you would feel if that were you? I admit I found the alternating chapters a bit tricky to read on a kindle as it wasn’t always clear who was talking – I did start writing it down but at least you could flick back in a real book.

Lucy always captures the settings she writes about so well and the sea is a theme here as in her other books – the way it can represent something so tragic here and the significance of the pull of the water and that never ending horizon is very well evoked. Lots of meaning in this novel and a good summer read.

emma_jade91's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

textandtunes's review against another edition

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4.0

Das deutsche Cover sieht halt überhaupt nicht nach Mystery/Thriller aus... ich habe damit überhaupt nicht gerechnet, aber ich hätte ja auch einfach den Klappentext lesen können