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mmmbakes's review against another edition
3.0
The first book was my favourite of the trilogy, but still a good ending. I liked how everything came together
Spoiler
like how her mom was the one who didn't save Brett originallykba76's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley I got a sneak peek at this, and it certainly resolved some of the issues from the previous two books.
Very early on we get a quick summary of what happened so - dare I say it - this could be read as a stand-alone with few issues.
Seneca and the group are reeling somewhat after finding the internet sensation kidnapped by Brett. There’s a sense amongst the group that things are going to resolve, but then comes a VERY bold move which sets off the chain of events focused on here.
Aerin is kidnapped outside the hospital. In an audacious move, Brett has her. When he contacts Seneca it’s to ask her to look into the disappearance of a nine year old boy if they ever want to see their friend again.
Naturally, these events are connected. The book focuses on the group establishing the links and working through a quite incredible chain of occurrences.
I spent most of the book quite amazed that anyone would believe these teens could pull off what they do. It’s high-drama, but quite entertaining.
We end the book with it set up for further linked stories (though I don’t think it’s in the plan) and a lot of our questions answered.
Very early on we get a quick summary of what happened so - dare I say it - this could be read as a stand-alone with few issues.
Seneca and the group are reeling somewhat after finding the internet sensation kidnapped by Brett. There’s a sense amongst the group that things are going to resolve, but then comes a VERY bold move which sets off the chain of events focused on here.
Aerin is kidnapped outside the hospital. In an audacious move, Brett has her. When he contacts Seneca it’s to ask her to look into the disappearance of a nine year old boy if they ever want to see their friend again.
Naturally, these events are connected. The book focuses on the group establishing the links and working through a quite incredible chain of occurrences.
I spent most of the book quite amazed that anyone would believe these teens could pull off what they do. It’s high-drama, but quite entertaining.
We end the book with it set up for further linked stories (though I don’t think it’s in the plan) and a lot of our questions answered.
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is going to be a short review as I really can't think of much to say about it.
The third (& thankfully) final book in this series sees Seneca, Maddox, & Madison on the trail of Aerin who was kidnapped by Brett at the end of the previous book. Brett sets them the challenge of solving the recent kidnapping of a young boy - if they solve the case in three days then they get Aerin back. Still with me? I'm glad to be at the end* of this terminally boring series. It's annoying how they all act like Brett's some kind of Machiavellian genius on the scale of Moriarty - he wishes. Anyway, done & dusted, over & out.
*Note to self - next time just buy the first book of a series & see if you enjoy that before buying the rest.
The third (& thankfully) final book in this series sees Seneca, Maddox, & Madison on the trail of Aerin who was kidnapped by Brett at the end of the previous book. Brett sets them the challenge of solving the recent kidnapping of a young boy - if they solve the case in three days then they get Aerin back. Still with me? I'm glad to be at the end* of this terminally boring series. It's annoying how they all act like Brett's some kind of Machiavellian genius on the scale of Moriarty - he wishes. Anyway, done & dusted, over & out.
*Note to self - next time just buy the first book of a series & see if you enjoy that before buying the rest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Child abuse
betherly's review against another edition
3.0
Last Seen is the final and closing book of The Amateurs trilogy. I have super mixed opinions about this book. The overall story and conclusion to the trilogy was satisfying, but the final impression I received from the book was that Sara Shepard had her ending in mind from the beginning of the series and rushed the writing of this book to get to the end and the final reveal.
The reveal itself and looking at the book and narrative as a whole was brilliant and unique, and would deserve 5 stars on its own. Unfortunately, however, the details were lacking in structure and consistency that jerked me out of the book and story several times.
The general character development of our main characters did not continue on the encouraging path from the second book, “Follow Me”. Instead, where we started seeing a maturity developing, this final instalment almost went back on itself with Seneca in particular retreating into a far more self centred, bossy, and un likeable character than the one we came to relate to and like in the previous books. Frustrating to say the least. In total contradiction, it feels like the character development energy that went into that of the perpetrator was hugely developed in this book. For the first time we saw a three dimensional side to him as opposed to the more two-dimensional 100% “baddie” that had been our experience of him previously. A fairly stark contrast from the preceding books.
Additionally, I cannot close this review without mentioning in more detail some of the inconsistencies that were noted during the reading of this novel that took me out of the storytelling and frustrated me:
- Perp burned “P” necklace few days earlier: unless I missed something further in “Follow Me” the necklace was bent rather than burnt and found as a sign that the perp had invaded their personal space and been in Seneca’s room.
- Perp gave them until Monday to solve the other case - 3 days, mentioned specifically as the day of the call was Friday, they had 3 days, therefore they should have solved it by Monday. Reiterated by Seneca on the call. 6 pages later they discuss how they were told they have until Wednesday. Then a few pages later again they are back to discussing that they have until Monday.
- When approaching someone who could give insight and review their latest intel, the excuse for not being able to is that “My husbands expecting me home, Sunday is his only day off”. Within a couple of pages she has agreed to go with them with the caveat that “I guess I could have my neighbour look in on my dog” - wait... is her husband not at home with the dog though? Is her dogs name “my husband”?!
Although seemingly minor errors, they absolutely took away from the enjoyment of the novel. It is a shame some of these more blatant errors were not picked up on by the editor.
There were other strange moments throughout which again took the reader out of the scene. For example, during a conversation of the perpetrators dark past where it had the opportunity for developing the character of and empathy towards our main characters, the scene is interrupted by the seemingly random appearance of two squirrels described as follows:
“They were flitting around one another strangely, almost like they were getting ready to have sex”
I mean... bizarre. Perhaps meant in a way that was to extend on the weirdness of the perp’s overall behaviour and personality. But still removed me from the storyline and made me read it several times to be sure I hadn’t misread it.
In a “bad book” I wouldn’t have been so nit pickity about these things. But for a book with so many possibilities, such a brilliant overall story, and great enjoyment factor, having these errors was hugely frustrating when so easily they could have been avoided and with a little more consistency in character development could have been such a brilliant read. As it is I cannot give it below a 3 star review due to the enjoyment I found in the books overall. However it doesn’t take from the disappointment I felt in this being the last part to such an anticipated finale.
The reveal itself and looking at the book and narrative as a whole was brilliant and unique, and would deserve 5 stars on its own. Unfortunately, however, the details were lacking in structure and consistency that jerked me out of the book and story several times.
The general character development of our main characters did not continue on the encouraging path from the second book, “Follow Me”. Instead, where we started seeing a maturity developing, this final instalment almost went back on itself with Seneca in particular retreating into a far more self centred, bossy, and un likeable character than the one we came to relate to and like in the previous books. Frustrating to say the least. In total contradiction, it feels like the character development energy that went into that of the perpetrator was hugely developed in this book. For the first time we saw a three dimensional side to him as opposed to the more two-dimensional 100% “baddie” that had been our experience of him previously. A fairly stark contrast from the preceding books.
Additionally, I cannot close this review without mentioning in more detail some of the inconsistencies that were noted during the reading of this novel that took me out of the storytelling and frustrated me:
- Perp burned “P” necklace few days earlier: unless I missed something further in “Follow Me” the necklace was bent rather than burnt and found as a sign that the perp had invaded their personal space and been in Seneca’s room.
- Perp gave them until Monday to solve the other case - 3 days, mentioned specifically as the day of the call was Friday, they had 3 days, therefore they should have solved it by Monday. Reiterated by Seneca on the call. 6 pages later they discuss how they were told they have until Wednesday. Then a few pages later again they are back to discussing that they have until Monday.
- When approaching someone who could give insight and review their latest intel, the excuse for not being able to is that “My husbands expecting me home, Sunday is his only day off”. Within a couple of pages she has agreed to go with them with the caveat that “I guess I could have my neighbour look in on my dog” - wait... is her husband not at home with the dog though? Is her dogs name “my husband”?!
Although seemingly minor errors, they absolutely took away from the enjoyment of the novel. It is a shame some of these more blatant errors were not picked up on by the editor.
There were other strange moments throughout which again took the reader out of the scene. For example, during a conversation of the perpetrators dark past where it had the opportunity for developing the character of and empathy towards our main characters, the scene is interrupted by the seemingly random appearance of two squirrels described as follows:
“They were flitting around one another strangely, almost like they were getting ready to have sex”
I mean... bizarre. Perhaps meant in a way that was to extend on the weirdness of the perp’s overall behaviour and personality. But still removed me from the storyline and made me read it several times to be sure I hadn’t misread it.
In a “bad book” I wouldn’t have been so nit pickity about these things. But for a book with so many possibilities, such a brilliant overall story, and great enjoyment factor, having these errors was hugely frustrating when so easily they could have been avoided and with a little more consistency in character development could have been such a brilliant read. As it is I cannot give it below a 3 star review due to the enjoyment I found in the books overall. However it doesn’t take from the disappointment I felt in this being the last part to such an anticipated finale.
kendraji's review against another edition
3.0
I’m a huge fan of Sara Shepard and this series. This book was a solid conclusion to the trilogy. But, I think I just lost interest in the characters.
bookmarklit's review against another edition
4.0
That was better and twistier than I expected! A really solid end to this trilogy. There were a lot of connections I didn’t come anywhere near predicting. I still find myself disconnected from the characters for the most part; they weren’t anything to write home about. But, the mystery itself was fascinating and surprising. This series definitely has broken me out of slumps twice before and it certainly did the same here for book three.
pariswynn__'s review against another edition
4.0
This is the third book in the Amateur series by Sara Shepard.
After having read the first two books in a matter of weeks, the release of this third book was definitely well over due.
This book follows the story of Seneca, Maddox, Aerin and Maddison, 4 friends who meet through an online case solving website, back in book 1, when Seneca and Maddox decided to try and solve the murder of Helena Kelly, Aerin's older sister, which had been long since closed, unresolved by the police.
A young boy has gone missing, and the police have given up. However its up to the team to solve the case, if they want to see their best friend alive again. Will they find the boy in time to rescue their friend or is it the end of the road for both of them?
This was an interesting and fast paced read, full of twists and turns. A definite read for any Amateur or Sara Shepard fans! I would recommend reading the other two books first, in order to be completed submerged in the storyline, as well as to build up suspense.
After having read the first two books in a matter of weeks, the release of this third book was definitely well over due.
This book follows the story of Seneca, Maddox, Aerin and Maddison, 4 friends who meet through an online case solving website, back in book 1, when Seneca and Maddox decided to try and solve the murder of Helena Kelly, Aerin's older sister, which had been long since closed, unresolved by the police.
A young boy has gone missing, and the police have given up. However its up to the team to solve the case, if they want to see their best friend alive again. Will they find the boy in time to rescue their friend or is it the end of the road for both of them?
This was an interesting and fast paced read, full of twists and turns. A definite read for any Amateur or Sara Shepard fans! I would recommend reading the other two books first, in order to be completed submerged in the storyline, as well as to build up suspense.
katep11's review
3.75
Despite not having a keen interest in the first two books, this book was definitely the best! I loved it! There were multiple perspectives and plots to follow but the best was discovering the killer’s origin story and to how they became a murderer!
jane_austyn's review against another edition
3.0
The least successful of the trilogy, unfortunately.
ironmil6's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0