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Georgiana Germaine #7
Little Last Words
Will Penelope's new beginning lead to her end?
After living in a verbally abusive relationship for the past six years, twenty-seven-year-old Penelope Barlow has finally found the courage to leave. In the wee hours of night, she wakes her five-year-old daughter to play a game they've been practicing--getting to the car without waking Daddy.
The game is a success.
One month later, mother and daughter are enjoying their new beginning in Cambria, California, the same town where Penelope was raised. But someone in the tight-knit community isn't happy about her return. And for Penelope, her past is about to catch up to her present.
After living in a verbally abusive relationship for the past six years, twenty-seven-year-old Penelope Barlow has finally found the courage to leave. In the wee hours of night, she wakes her five-year-old daughter to play a game they've been practicing--getting to the car without waking Daddy.
The game is a success.
One month later, mother and daughter are enjoying their new beginning in Cambria, California, the same town where Penelope was raised. But someone in the tight-knit community isn't happy about her return. And for Penelope, her past is about to catch up to her present.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2023
657 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Bradshaw
183 books1,622 followersCheryl Bradshaw is a New York Times and 11-time USA Today bestselling author writing in multiple genres, including mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, supernatural suspense, and poetry. She is a Shamus Award finalist for best private eye novel of the year, an eFestival of Words winner for best thriller, and has published over fifty books since 2011.
Raised in Southern California, she now lives in North Texas. When she's not writing, she loves jet-setting to new countries, exploring the outdoors, and playing with her grandbabies.
For a free eBook, click here: http://cherylbradshaw.com/get-a-free-...
Book series in order by Cheryl Bradshaw:
Georgiana Germaine (Mystery Series)
1. Little Girl Lost - USA Today Bestseller
2. Little Lost Secrets
3. Little Broken Things
4. Little White Lies
5. Little Tangled Webs
6. Little Shattered Dreams
7. Little Last Words
8. Little Buried Secrets
9. Little Stolen Memories
10. Little Empty Promises
11. Little Hidden Fears
Sloane Monroe Mystery/Thriller Series
0. Silent As the Grave (prequel to series)
1. Black Diamond Death
2. Murder in Mind
3. I Have a Secret
4. Stranger in Town - Shamus Award Finalist
5. Bed of Bones - USA Today Bestseller
6. Hush Now Baby - USA Today Bestseller
7. Gone Daddy Gone - USA Today Bestseller
8. Smoke and Mirrors - USA Today Bestseller
Sloane Monroe Stories - Mystery Novella Series
(with characters from the main series)
1. Deadly Sins: Sloth
2. Deadly Sins: Wrath
3. Deadly Sins: Lust
4. Deadly Sins: Greed
5. Deadly Sins: Envy
6. Deadly Sins: Pride
Sloane & Maddie Peril Awaits - Mystery Series
(Spinoff Series with Sloane Monroe & her sidekick Maddie)
1. The Silent Boy
2. The Shadow Children
3. The Broken Soul
4. The Widow Maker
5. The Familiar Stranger
Addison Lockhart Ghost Mystery Series
1. Grayson Manor Haunting
2. Rosecliff Manor Haunting
3. Blackthorn Manor Haunting
4. Belle Manor Haunting
5. Crawley Manor Haunting
Stand Alone Mystery/Thriller Novels
1. Eye for Revenge - USA Today Bestseller
2. The Perfect Lie
3. Hickory Dickory Dead - USA Today Bestseller
4. Roadkill - USA Today Bestseller
Raised in Southern California, she now lives in North Texas. When she's not writing, she loves jet-setting to new countries, exploring the outdoors, and playing with her grandbabies.
For a free eBook, click here: http://cherylbradshaw.com/get-a-free-...
Book series in order by Cheryl Bradshaw:
Georgiana Germaine (Mystery Series)
1. Little Girl Lost - USA Today Bestseller
2. Little Lost Secrets
3. Little Broken Things
4. Little White Lies
5. Little Tangled Webs
6. Little Shattered Dreams
7. Little Last Words
8. Little Buried Secrets
9. Little Stolen Memories
10. Little Empty Promises
11. Little Hidden Fears
Sloane Monroe Mystery/Thriller Series
0. Silent As the Grave (prequel to series)
1. Black Diamond Death
2. Murder in Mind
3. I Have a Secret
4. Stranger in Town - Shamus Award Finalist
5. Bed of Bones - USA Today Bestseller
6. Hush Now Baby - USA Today Bestseller
7. Gone Daddy Gone - USA Today Bestseller
8. Smoke and Mirrors - USA Today Bestseller
Sloane Monroe Stories - Mystery Novella Series
(with characters from the main series)
1. Deadly Sins: Sloth
2. Deadly Sins: Wrath
3. Deadly Sins: Lust
4. Deadly Sins: Greed
5. Deadly Sins: Envy
6. Deadly Sins: Pride
Sloane & Maddie Peril Awaits - Mystery Series
(Spinoff Series with Sloane Monroe & her sidekick Maddie)
1. The Silent Boy
2. The Shadow Children
3. The Broken Soul
4. The Widow Maker
5. The Familiar Stranger
Addison Lockhart Ghost Mystery Series
1. Grayson Manor Haunting
2. Rosecliff Manor Haunting
3. Blackthorn Manor Haunting
4. Belle Manor Haunting
5. Crawley Manor Haunting
Stand Alone Mystery/Thriller Novels
1. Eye for Revenge - USA Today Bestseller
2. The Perfect Lie
3. Hickory Dickory Dead - USA Today Bestseller
4. Roadkill - USA Today Bestseller
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 1, 2025
This was an okay story. Penelope escapes an abusive relationship and returns to her hometown. There she is murdered. Georgina discovers her young daughter sitting on the porch, blood on her nightgown. There is a whole side story where Georgina goes to New York to celebrate her birthday and is gone for a few days....not sure how why this is included if she is so interested in pursuing the mystery and begins to investigate on her own volition. But when she returns, she convinces Penelope's mother to let her officially investigate. Because she has been in an abusive relationship, naturally it is the husband that comes under scrutiny. Suspects are investigated and cleared until the murderer is revealed. I didn't like the "at the lake" incident and how it changed Penelope...I don't think that is enough to send any teenager over the edge. Also it was never clear who had been with Penelope in her bedroom, and the fact she went to Canada for 9 months should have been a tip off to anyone the reason for her departure and change of attitude.....however this was just all smoke. That particularly annoyed me. But all in all it wasn't terrible, but I couldn't tell any of my reader friends that this was one they need to read.
December 20, 2024
Although this is the tragic story of a young woman being murdered, the way the private investigator, Georgina Germaine, goes about her work helps create a somewhat beautiful picture. The reader learns a lot about the friends and family, as well as the community, of the deceased, and is introduced to the life of Georgina. The character development is excellent as Georgina interviews everyone and gets them to eventually tell the truth. And even though she follows up on every lead, many of which don't get her closer to solving the case, she has a fantastic memory and is able to fit together all the pieces of the puzzle.
The story is especially interesting the way so much background information is developed to help Georgina understand the victim, but also sheds light on the lives of everyone who knew her. Family members are not the greatest help, but they do help Georgina understand the motivations and behavior of the young woman, who many people had loved. Every few chapters in the book there was a new angle to pursue, which kept me from ever losing interest, being someone who also loves to solve a mystery. Kudos to the author! Excellent writing!
The story is especially interesting the way so much background information is developed to help Georgina understand the victim, but also sheds light on the lives of everyone who knew her. Family members are not the greatest help, but they do help Georgina understand the motivations and behavior of the young woman, who many people had loved. Every few chapters in the book there was a new angle to pursue, which kept me from ever losing interest, being someone who also loves to solve a mystery. Kudos to the author! Excellent writing!
July 25, 2023
Everything says she's the kindest person they knew, and can't fathom someone disliking her enough to murder her, but can someone be that good? No one's perfect. What's she hiding? What's she running from? These are a few of the things Georgiana has to figure out in her newest case. There are several suspects, and Gigi has to figure out who's telling the truth and who's lying... good thing her gut instinct is pretty spot on. While this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone without any issues. Each book is a new mystery, though the returning characters and their relationships evolve throughout the series. There is no sexual content, so it's a clean read in that sense, but this series is a little more gritty than what your typical 'clean read' would be. There is one scene (the big reveal scene,) that the characters have an altercation which includes some very mild violence. As is the case with each book in the series, it begins with the victims POV, leading to their murder. You may have guesses at who-dun-it, but you'll probably be surprised in the end.
October 17, 2024
Little Last Words by Cheryl Bradshaw is well written, proofread and edited very closely ( I found no grammatical, punctuation or spelling errors in this book) and very cohesively thought out and written. Georgiana Germaine is one of my favorite private detectives or sleuths.
Georgiana is out for her morning walk when she sees 5 year old Sadie sitting outside early on the morning in her nightgown with no adult supervision. Georgiana goes to chat with Sadie and sees what appears to be bleed on the side of Sadie's nightgown. Georgiana enters the house and finds Sadie's mother Penelope in the bathtub, murdered. (Not a spoiler - this is all in the first chapter.)
Foley, Giovanni and Georgiana's mom & stepdad are once again in this book, adding a sense of familiarity and comfort (if you will) to this story.
Lots of nicely written, questionable characters are woven well in this story.
I can hardly wait to read more of Cheryl Bradshaw's books.
Georgiana is out for her morning walk when she sees 5 year old Sadie sitting outside early on the morning in her nightgown with no adult supervision. Georgiana goes to chat with Sadie and sees what appears to be bleed on the side of Sadie's nightgown. Georgiana enters the house and finds Sadie's mother Penelope in the bathtub, murdered. (Not a spoiler - this is all in the first chapter.)
Foley, Giovanni and Georgiana's mom & stepdad are once again in this book, adding a sense of familiarity and comfort (if you will) to this story.
Lots of nicely written, questionable characters are woven well in this story.
I can hardly wait to read more of Cheryl Bradshaw's books.
October 17, 2024
I enjoyed this story about Georgiana, a private detective who investigates a murder that's too close to home.
Georgiana works closely with the police to question a series of suspects until eventually finding out the killer and their motives.
I liked the cross-over with Giovanni who features in the Sloane Monroe series and was surprised to discover he's in a relationship with Georgiana, given his past seedy background.
The story had a lot of mystery, red-herrings and action to keep me turning the pages. I liked most of the characters who were authentic with their distinct personalities, and I wondered who the killer was. I did figure out the identity of the killer, but it wasn't until close to the end.
The author does a great job by keeping readers guessing about the identity of the killer, and that's what makes this story great. It keeps you in the dark until the very end. So well worth the read.
Georgiana works closely with the police to question a series of suspects until eventually finding out the killer and their motives.
I liked the cross-over with Giovanni who features in the Sloane Monroe series and was surprised to discover he's in a relationship with Georgiana, given his past seedy background.
The story had a lot of mystery, red-herrings and action to keep me turning the pages. I liked most of the characters who were authentic with their distinct personalities, and I wondered who the killer was. I did figure out the identity of the killer, but it wasn't until close to the end.
The author does a great job by keeping readers guessing about the identity of the killer, and that's what makes this story great. It keeps you in the dark until the very end. So well worth the read.
September 26, 2023
Little Last Words - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
On her birthday PI Georgiana, ('Gigi' to her close friends and family) Germaine is out jogging in her neighbourhood when she meets new arrival little Sadie Barlow by chance, in heartbreaking circumstances.
Where's Sadie's Mom, Penelope?
What does she tell Georgiana?
Georgiana's priority becomes the care and protection of Sadie, until the family can be notified, but who hated Penelope enough to kill her in such a horrific manner, despite knowing she had a young child in the house?
Could it be the violent, abusive husband, or someone from her past? Can our PI find out?
The truth is revealed in a thrilling denouement that will shock and surprise you, just when you think you've worked it out for yourself.
To find out if you're right, get your copy of Cheryl Bradshaw's Little Last Words today!
On her birthday PI Georgiana, ('Gigi' to her close friends and family) Germaine is out jogging in her neighbourhood when she meets new arrival little Sadie Barlow by chance, in heartbreaking circumstances.
Where's Sadie's Mom, Penelope?
What does she tell Georgiana?
Georgiana's priority becomes the care and protection of Sadie, until the family can be notified, but who hated Penelope enough to kill her in such a horrific manner, despite knowing she had a young child in the house?
Could it be the violent, abusive husband, or someone from her past? Can our PI find out?
The truth is revealed in a thrilling denouement that will shock and surprise you, just when you think you've worked it out for yourself.
To find out if you're right, get your copy of Cheryl Bradshaw's Little Last Words today!
January 30, 2024
I LOVE THIS FREE EBOOK SERIES!!!!!!!!!! this book was SO good
she is pi in cambria, her little daughter had drowned
she is living with her boyfriend (who proposed and she accepted)
she was taking a walk and found a little girl sitting on her porch crying, she went in the house and found the mom murdered. she thought the abusive dad might have done it, but he had a alibi. the grandma didnt know about the alibi and shot him, but he will be ok
the grandma hired her to find out who killed her daughter
she interviewed a lot of people and shared what she learned with the new detective who knew her dad and mom
i never would have guessed it was the old nosy neighbor next door. she was sick and didnt tell anyone and died a week later
the only thing wrong with this book is it said san diego was 2 hrs away, it 7 hrs
she is pi in cambria, her little daughter had drowned
she is living with her boyfriend (who proposed and she accepted)
she was taking a walk and found a little girl sitting on her porch crying, she went in the house and found the mom murdered. she thought the abusive dad might have done it, but he had a alibi. the grandma didnt know about the alibi and shot him, but he will be ok
the grandma hired her to find out who killed her daughter
she interviewed a lot of people and shared what she learned with the new detective who knew her dad and mom
i never would have guessed it was the old nosy neighbor next door. she was sick and didnt tell anyone and died a week later
the only thing wrong with this book is it said san diego was 2 hrs away, it 7 hrs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
Another case for Georgiana and friends. This one is right on her own block. Curiosity strikes when she sees a very young girl sitting by herself outside a house crying. Georgiana hadn't met those neighbors yet- had heard they had moved back after a time away. She comforts the child and tries to find the mother. She knocks and with no answer goes inside and calls out. She eventually finds Penelope Barlow murdered in the bathroom.
Who murdered Penelope? Was it Penelope's estranged husband? An old friend? Georgiana is determined to solve this case.
I really enjoyed Little Last Words, book 7 in this series.
Who murdered Penelope? Was it Penelope's estranged husband? An old friend? Georgiana is determined to solve this case.
I really enjoyed Little Last Words, book 7 in this series.
August 1, 2023
I have been in love with Gigi Germaine since the first book in the series. All of them could also be read as a stand-alone. While out running, Gigi finds a little girl sitting outside with blood on her nightgown. Worrying about the little girl, Gigi is determined to find out what happened to her. She enters the house and finds Penelope dead. Penelope has recently returned to the area after leaving her abusive husband. I found it particularly interesting that it took place in Gigi’s own neighborhood with an interesting cast of neighbors. There were many twists and turns in this story, but the ending truly blew me away!
August 3, 2023
Georgiana Germaine is growing with each new story and its refreshing to watch the main character grow. When she finds a small child sitting on her porch with blood on her nightie, Georgiana knows death can't be far from her reach. A woman is murdered while taking a bath, many suspects are staring the police right in the face. But, only one has a reason to murder, even if the suspect is wrong about the victim. The victim's past and present collide in a small town and its just a matter of time before Georgiana finds her killer.
July 25, 2023
I really like this series. The latest has Penelope leaving her husband with her 5 year old daughter Sadie. She moves back to her home town Cambria, CA in the same neighborhood that Georgiana lives. one morning on her walk, Georgiana sees Sadie sitting on the front porch and is crying. Gigi checks it out and Penelope has been murdered. I liked this mystery and it was fun having Gigi's brother pop in. This is a good read and I was surprised by who the killer was.
November 1, 2024
Who took a young mother's life?
Another read in the series. Our favourite PI is back. This time a young mother is murdered in her home & Georgiana offers to help the family to find the killer. But the pool of suspects is growing and everyone is hiding something. Will she find the killer?
Great strong female lead she always brings her own mix to the read. Good storyline draws you into the murdered woman's life.
Another read in the series. Our favourite PI is back. This time a young mother is murdered in her home & Georgiana offers to help the family to find the killer. But the pool of suspects is growing and everyone is hiding something. Will she find the killer?
Great strong female lead she always brings her own mix to the read. Good storyline draws you into the murdered woman's life.
July 24, 2023
Penelope moves home to start a new life, but winds up murdered. Gigi walks past her house and finds Sadie sitting on the front porch with her mother's blood on her night gown. That's all that is needed to make Gigi's curiosity engage and to need to find out who did it. There are plenty of suspects as well as a cast of characters to go through to solve the mystery.
July 29, 2023
Georgiana never would have thought that on a morning walk in her neighborhood would lead to discovering a neighbor had been murdered! On the road to discovering who killed Penelope, she is reminded that nothing is ever as it seems. I really enjoy reading this series of books! Cheryl Bradshaw never disappoints! Her books always have you coming back for more!!
August 7, 2023
I couldn't put this book down! What a tangle of webs and men Penelope unintentionally got herself into. I was surprised by who the murderer was! What I love about Bradshaw's writing is that it is so captivating, fast-paced, and dramatic in all the best ways! I also love the side romance between Georgiana and Giovanni!
November 16, 2024
This is the first book I have read by Cheryl Bradshaw. I am not sure I like the main character, Georgiana Germaine. For a detective she seems a little brass, and has a sharp tongue. The story is just ok and had fillers like on page 90. "She was at Moonstone Gas Station, pump #3. Not sure why that is necessary?
I receive this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
I receive this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
January 24, 2025
Guess who the murderer is!
Finding a child sitting on a porch at an early hour with blood on her night clothes was not Georgiana’s idea of a pleasant morning. Inside the home the mother was dead and no idea who killed her. The story moves smoothly, keeping you wondering the identity of the killer.
Finding a child sitting on a porch at an early hour with blood on her night clothes was not Georgiana’s idea of a pleasant morning. Inside the home the mother was dead and no idea who killed her. The story moves smoothly, keeping you wondering the identity of the killer.
July 28, 2023
This is absolutely the best book I've read by this author! It's full of suspense. This is the most twisted case Gigi has been involved in. I couldn't put it down. The ending shocked me! I can't wait for the next book.
July 29, 2023
I enjoy the Georgiana Germaine series. This book had lots of interesting characters as well as potential suspects. I didn’t guess the perpetrator until they were revealed. It is always interesting how Georgiana gets involved and interacts with the police. A must read if you enjoy the series.
July 30, 2023
This book was fast and so dang good. I love Georgiana Germaine. From page one your are in the thick of it and it doesn’t let up until the end. I was gobsmacked on who the killer was. I can’t wait until the next.
August 3, 2023
Absolutely love this series!! This one didn’t disappoint. With all the twists and turns you don’t know who done it until the end and then it isn’t even who you thought it was in the beginning. Great book looking forward to the next installment in the series.
August 11, 2023
once again Cheryl Bradshaw was able to surprise us with the ending. I really love this bookin the series because you see Gigi and Giovanni, her boyfriend spend time together. Also in this book she has one of her dreams and we find out more about them which interests me
August 15, 2023
This book was so good started reading and could not put it down. I have enjoyed all of the books in this series and they keep getting better and better. I was completely fooled with who the killer was. Such a Good book! I really cannot wait for the next one!
August 15, 2023
5 stars
5 stars for Little Last Words, Georgiana Germaine Book 7. This series just keeps getting better. Georgiana is a strong lead character and the mysteries keep you on the edge of your seat.
5 stars for Little Last Words, Georgiana Germaine Book 7. This series just keeps getting better. Georgiana is a strong lead character and the mysteries keep you on the edge of your seat.
September 13, 2024
Little last words
The characters are good, PAGE TURNER, sad,tragic when a young mother return to her home town, is found murdered by her young daughter.
Georgians finds another mystery to solve.
The characters are good, PAGE TURNER, sad,tragic when a young mother return to her home town, is found murdered by her young daughter.
Georgians finds another mystery to solve.
October 19, 2024
A quick and easy read with a rather unbelievable ending. I kept waiting for something more creative or surprising in the suspects in this story but it never happened. The book just seemed to have been thrown together. . .but it passed the time.
November 15, 2024
An interesting storyline, with some twists
When I first started to read this book, it was easy to get involved into each character, and as the story unfolds, it was very cleverly composed as to the final twist unfolds.
When I first started to read this book, it was easy to get involved into each character, and as the story unfolds, it was very cleverly composed as to the final twist unfolds.
November 19, 2024
Never expected that!
A great little read. Lots of suspicious characters . A little intrigue, good characters, an interesting take on precious life and how quickly things can change in an instant.
A great little read. Lots of suspicious characters . A little intrigue, good characters, an interesting take on precious life and how quickly things can change in an instant.
December 23, 2024
I Really Enjoyed Reading This Book
I definitely recommend reading this book. Especially if you enjoy people being in it you can relate to, a mystery unfolding, kids, dogs, and a surprise ending!!
I definitely recommend reading this book. Especially if you enjoy people being in it you can relate to, a mystery unfolding, kids, dogs, and a surprise ending!!
January 25, 2025
Interesting
The sentiments at the very end of the book rang true. Notice your neighbors. Acknowledge them, talk to them. This murder happened in GiGi's neighborhood. Another surprise ending...I had no idea who the murderer was.
The sentiments at the very end of the book rang true. Notice your neighbors. Acknowledge them, talk to them. This murder happened in GiGi's neighborhood. Another surprise ending...I had no idea who the murderer was.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews