PLOT: 4.5/5 CHARACTERS: 4/5 ENTERTAINMENT: 4/5 OVERALL: 4/5
“He never understood that I wasn’t scared of someone leaving me, I was scared that the wrong person would stay.”
– Laura Dave, The Last Thing He Told Me
Have you ever experienced that strong desire to read a particular mystery and thriller book that seems to be everywhere? That desire becomes even more intense when the book gets chosen as the book of the month by a celebrity book club, generating a lot of buzz.
However, despite the hype, you never actually get around to reading it. But now, after two years since its release, when a streaming platform creates an adaptation of the book, your interest is reignited.
The book in question is none other than The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, which has been successfully adapted into a captivating series starring Jennifer Garner and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Personally, I always prefer books over most adaptations, so I had to read this one first. And let me tell you, I absolutely loved it!
The plot of The Last Thing He Told Me
Hannah resides in Sausalito alongside her husband, Owen Michaels, whom she has been married to for a year. Owen’s teenage daughter, Bailey, also lives with them. One day, Hannah receives a note from Owen with the urgent message “PROTECT HER.”
This note leaves no doubt in Hannah’s mind that Owen is referring to his daughter, Bailey, who suffered the devastating loss of her mother during her childhood. Complicating matters further, Bailey holds a deep resentment towards Hannah, her new stepmother, and desires no connection with her.
Despite Hannah’s desperate attempts, Owen remains unresponsive to her calls. It is during this period of uncertainty that she learns about the arrest of Owen’s boss, who has been implicated in money laundering and fraud. Adding to the intrigue, Bailey stumbles upon a bag filled with cash left behind by her father. The arrival of FBI agents and a US Marshal at their doorstep, inquiring about Owen, deepens Hannah’s suspicion that there is more to her husband’s disappearance.
Gradually, a startling realization dawns upon Hannah – her husband may not be the person he claimed to be. The mounting evidence suggests a hidden identity and motives that are yet to be uncovered.
The responsibility now falls on Hannah to unravel Owen’s true identity. In this quest, both Hannah and Bailey must unite and collaborate to unearth the long-kept secrets of their past. The secrets they uncover carry the weight to alter their destinies irrevocably.
My thoughts
I’m sure many of us have experienced a book like this—once you start, you just can’t put it down. That’s exactly what happened to me. I started reading before going to bed, and before I knew it, I had devoured 150 pages in almost an hour. I couldn’t stop reading and ended up finishing the whole book within 24 hours.
The writing, especially at the beginning, was incredibly captivating. The story skillfully weaves between different timelines, showcasing numerous flashbacks and memories involving Hannah and Owen.
In The Last Thing He Told Me, this clever combination of past events with the present situations creates a compelling narrative. There are no present-day interactions between Hannah and Owen; we only get to know Owen as a character through past experiences.
For me, the essence of the story lies in the relationship between Hannah and Bailey, rather than just the pursuit of truth. Initially, they respected each other’s boundaries, especially Hannah, who didn’t attempt to unnecessarily mother Bailey. However, when Owen entrusts Hannah with the responsibility of protecting Bailey, she wholeheartedly embraces this role.
Together, they embark on a journey to uncover Owen’s past, which ultimately brings them closer. For Bailey, this journey becomes a realization that Hannah is the only constant presence in her life now. She begins to trust Hannah wholeheartedly, understanding that Hannah is the one who will truly protect and support her unconditionally.
The mystery that unfolds throughout three-quarters of the book is truly captivating. While some of the clues may seem a bit far-fetched, they play a crucial role in uncovering the truth about Owen—who he truly is, what secrets he is hiding, why he is on the run, and the significance behind the phrase “Protect her.”
I was especially intrigued to learn how Bailey, the teenage daughter, was connected to the unfolding events. The exploration of her involvement in the mystery was satisfying and kept me engaged in the story.
The only drawback I had with this book was its ending. The suspense built up throughout the story was engrossing, but the conclusion felt rather abrupt and lacking in depth. I wished for more resolution, particularly when it came to Hannah and Bailey’s acceptance of the truth and how it would impact their lives and the relationships they had formed.
The ending wrapped up too swiftly for my liking, preventing me from giving it a 5-star rating. However, I haven’t seen the adaptation yet, so perhaps it provides a better resolution in this aspect. If you’re seeking a fast-paced and captivating suspenseful drama, I still recommend giving this book a read.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of The Last Thing He Told Me using the link below.
