A review by lifeofchrstnlvly
The Last Word by Taylor Adams

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I recently finished reading a rather unique book that really challenged my expectations. The story was both predictable and unpredictable at the same time, which was quite fascinating. On one hand, the book was a little annoying because it seemed to drag on, but on the other hand, as the plot unfolded, I found myself growing sympathetic towards the characters. The outlandish nature of the story was both a positive and a negative for me, as it added an intriguing element to the narrative but also made it a bit hard to relate to at times.

Despite these contradictions, I have to admit that I ultimately found the book to be quite good. The author's ability to draw me in and make me genuinely think and feel showed skillful storytelling. Instead of being frustratingly clueless which is a cliche in most mystery/thriller books, the main character, Emma, was portrayed as a thoughtful and intelligent protagonist, even when her actions seemed questionable at times.

There were even moments that I couldn't help but find a bit humorous, particularly when the different points of view clashed in a somewhat comical way. For instance, there was a part where
Emma claimed the killer had screamed, only for the next paragraph to reveal the killer’s perspective, denying the scream. This unexpected humor provided a welcome break from the intense and adrenaline-filled plot.


Overall, I think I would recommend this book. Its outlandish nature is what gives it its charm, and while you might have a sense of who the killer is, the real mystery lies in how events will unfold.
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