Her Last Tear

Nikki Hunt #7

by Stacy Green

Color explodes in the night sky, every boom and spray of lights getting louder cheers from the happy crowd. But two little girls are hiding in fear. “I want my mommy,” Abby whispers. A tear falls down her cheek as she clutches her sister’s hand and darkness finally falls…

When six-year-old Abby and nine-year-old Thea are snatched from a crowd at a fireworks display, Detective Nikki Hunt is determined to return the sweet sisters, with golden curls and laughing smiles, to their desperate mother Britney . The last person to see them alive witnessed the girls being led towards the docks by someone they seemed to know.

As Nikki begins her interviews, she’s shocked to learn that Britney has a dark secret . Ten years ago she ran away from Thea’s biological father, a man Britney claims was controlling and dangerous. Certain he must have taken the girls, Nikki urges the state troopers in nearby Thief River Falls to search the isolated ranch where he lives. But he is devastated to hear the girls are missing, and had no idea that Thea was even his daughter…

Then a witness comes forward claiming they saw a young boy clutching Thea’s little pink backpack at the fireworks. Nikki knows he’s the key to finding the girls alive, but she has no idea that someone on her team will do anything to keep his identity a secret. Unable to trust those closest to her, can Nikki unravel the truth and save Thea and Abby before their innocent lives are lost?

An absolutely gripping and totally addictive thriller from USA Today bestseller Stacy Green that will keep you racing through the pages all night long. Fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh will devour this thriller in one sitting!

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 25, 2023

About the author

Stacy Green is the author of the Lucy Kendall thriller series and the Delta Crossroads mystery trilogy. ALL GOOD DEEDS (Lucy Kendall #1) won a bronze medal for mystery and thriller at the 2015 IPPY Awards. TIN GOD (Delta Crossroads #1) was runner-up for best mystery/thriller at the 2013 Kindle Book Awards.

Stacy has a love of thrillers and crime fiction, and she is always looking for the next dark and twisted novel to enjoy. She started her career in journalism before becoming a stay at home mother and rediscovering her love of writing. She lives in Iowa with her husband and daughter and their three spoiled fur babies.

She is currently working on a new crime fiction series and is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo, Helin and Fountain Literary Management for literary and dramatic rights.

Website: stacygreenauthor.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/StacyGreenAuthor
Twitter: @StacyGreen26

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Last Tear beings with a bang! Fireworks are beautiful and their display illuminates the sky with sound and wonder! It's a time for fun and celebration but soon turns into a nightmare for one mother. The tension mounts, dread, unease, and fear sink in as the desperate search for the girls becomes a top priority. This riveting and shocking book kept me fully invested, turning the pages, and hoping for a fast resolution. This was a gripping page turner!


As fireworks are going off overhead, a mother's worse fear occurs, her two young daughters are missing. She frantically searches for them, but no one saw them leave. Nikki Hunt was at the firework display with her daughter, Rory, and his family. When she receives the Amber alert she springs into action! It appears the girls have vanished without a trace. Later a witness came forward and reported seeing the girls being led down the docks by someone they appear to know.

As Nikki and her team begin their investigation, it becomes clear that several characters in this book have secrets. Will the secrets hurt the investigation? Do they matter?

This book has many layers and at its core is the mystery of who took the girls and why. There is a sense of urgency flowing throughout the book as Nikki does everything possible to hunt down the kidnapper.

Stacy Green has created an amazing character in Nikki. I admire how she is both tough, sympathetic, and vulnerable at times. She does her best to balance her work and personal life. She is a hard-working FBI agent who doesn't let anything get in her way. In this book she is against the clock trying to solve this case.

Missing children really pulls at the heartstrings of most readers, me included. I can't even imagine how devastating losing a child must be. The not knowing, the fear, and blame. Green did a great job showing how Brittany blamed herself for her children going missing.

With the other books in this series, I found this to be a gripping, page turner that had me feeling all kinds of emotions. I was glad to see Rory and Lacey in this book and hope to see more of them in future books.

Gripping, shocking, well written, and hard to put down!


#HerLastTear #NetGalley #StacyGreen #Bookouture

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fireworks display lit up the night sky, while the crowd watching shrieked with delight. No one saw or heard two small girls disappear, and when their mother arrived back from her short visit to the bathroom and she saw nine year old Thea and six year old Abby were no longer on the picnic rug, Britany was desperate. The local security immediately contacted police and Agent Nikki Hunt happened to notice what was happening as they left the car park - and so a tension filled hunt for the children commenced.

As the combined efforts of the FBI and local law enforcement spread out around the area, Nikki was frustrated. Her partner seemed to be hiding something; the father of the missing girls was also hiding secrets. How could they rescue the girls if she couldn't get all the facts? Was Nikki getting closer? Would the girls still be alive?

Her Last Tear is the 7th in the Nikki Hunt series by Stacy Green and I was glued to the pages! Gripping and intense, I find Nikki an excellent character and while there wasn't a lot of interaction with her partner Rory and daughter Lacey this time, they were still there on the sidelines. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Nikki Hunt goes over and above to locate Abby and Thea, six and nine years of age, with hopes of returning them to their mother. Nikki is under a time crunch as one of the girls is a type one diabetic.

This intense story hit the ground running. My heart was broken time and again. Pure evil is at play and it is up to Nikki and her partner to unravel a tangled web involving a dangerous cult. Young girls are forced to marry and bear children. Nikki and her team know they must find out what happened to the girls.

Tension never lets up in this book, and it is heartbreaking at times. For a story that will place you at the end of your seat and leave you breathless, look no further. Her Last Tear fits the bill.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

HER LAST TEAR is the seventh book in the Nikki Hunt series, a gripping crime thriller set in Stillwater, Minnesota by best-selling author Stacy Green.

The books in the Nikki Hunt Series include:
The Girls in The Snow (Book 1)
One Perfect Grave (Book 2)
Lost Angels (Book 3)
The Girl in The Ground (Book 4)
The Trapped Ones (Book 5)
Her Frozen Heart (Book 6)
Her Last Tear (Book 7)

This is my review of Her Last Tear.

While this book can be read as a standalone, as the author does a great job in supplying background information, I would recommend you read the series in order to get a better appreciation of the growth of the characters. It is such a great series, so sit back and enjoy!

FBI Special Agent and criminal profiler Nikki Hunt heads up the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) that deals with crimes in the jurisdictions of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Tyler, Nikki’s ex-husband had been murdered at the hands of a serial killer Nikki had been chasing. Tyler’s parents, Mark and Ruth had decided to sue for custody of their 6-year-old daughter, Lacey, as Nikki’s job was too dangerous and provided limited time with her daughter. Nikki still owned her house in St Paul, but with her boyfriend Rory at her side, Nikki and her daughter spent most of their time in Stillwater, with Rory’s family.

Britney Walker and her two children, nine-year old Thea and six-year-old Abby were enjoying the fireworks display at the marina, while their father, a doctor was working at the hospital. When their mother, went to use the bathroom…Thea and Abby were snatched from the crowd.

Detective Nikki Hunt is determined to return the sweet sisters, to their desperate mother. And to make the situation more urgent is that Thea is type 1 diabetic. The last person to see them alive witnessed the girls being led towards the docks by someone they seemed to know.

But Nikki soon learns that Britney has a dark secret. Ten years ago, Britney ran away from Thea’s biological controlling father. Now Britney is convinced that he must have taken the girls, and Nikki must follow-up on this information.

Then a witness comes forward with more information.

Nikki and her team must search for the truth in order to save Thea and Abby.

An absolutely gripping and totally addictive thriller that will keep you racing through the pages all night long.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my digital copy.

[Jazz Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review also found on instagram @JazzReadsReviewsRepeats

I'm so glad I'm back reading properly. I forgot how much I loved Stacy Green and the Nikki Hunt series, as this was one of the first series I read when I first became an active reader!
Book 7 didn't let me down! Nikki and the team are on the hunt for 2 missing girls of a famous doctor and his wives daughters. As the investigation proceeds, more and more information becomes apparently, all of which makes the case even harder for the team to solve.
Honestly, I loved this book. It is so well written to begin with. The descriptive writing had me thinking that I was at the fireworks display seeing this poor woman screaming for her kissing children. Throughout the descriptive language, it is written so well that I am able to imah8ne all the different places within the story. It's also great when it comes to feeling the emotions of the characters. Throughout the book, I felt confused like Nikki did around who was lying and who was telling the truth.
Although I guessed the killer (kind of my super power!), it was super random. I had no thought process as to why I believed they were the killer, and the more I read, the more I thought I was wrong. Even though I was right, that did not make the reveal unt less exciting! I was so hooked with this instalment that I couldn't put it down.
I love that our protagonist is a single mum trying to jungle work , boyfriend, and child she is a very relatable character for many. as per usual, she has her own separate sidestory, which is what keeps this book linked to previous instalments and worked as a subtle reminder for the reader as well.
It's was great to read the character dynamics with Nikki being an FBI agent and having to work with the local sherif department. I find the American law enforcement so fascinating idea of people being elected to be in law enforcement it's baffling to my English self. The author makes a point as well to discuss issues such as race and gender within law enforcement.

I love these characters so much and I am excited to read the next two as I've not been reading for a while and I forgot how much I've enjoyed this series it's amazing how quickly you can get back entwined with the life of the characters. I highly recommend this series. If you enjoy D.K Hood, Lisa Regan, or M.M. Chouinard, then you will be hooked with this gripping series, or you can read this as a stand-alone, but I'd recommend starting with book one.
4.5*

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Her Last Tear by Stacy Green is the seventh in the FBI Agent Nikki Hunt series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
Series Background:    (Contains spoilers from previous books)
Nikki Hunt is an FBI Agent whose parents were murdered when she was young.  Their real killer is behind bars, after she helped free Mark Todd (who she originally helped incarcerate). She now lives with his brother Rory, and family dynamics are settling down. She has a young daughter (Lacey), and her ex-husband (Tyler) was murdered by a serial killer (Frost) who is also now behind bars, and is apparently Nikki's half-brother.  Nikki heads the BAU unit based out of St. Paul Minnesota.  Her team consists of Crime Scene Analyst Courtney Hart and Agent Liam Wilson.  They work closely with Sherrif Kent Miller.



My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Six year old Abby and her nine year old sister Thea disappear during a fireworks display, while their mother Britney went to the restroom.   An amber alert is issued before most of the attendees left the area.  But it did no good.  The two girls were gone, and no one saw anything.

As Nikki starts interviewing the family, she is dismayed to learn that Britney escaped from a polygamous religious group years ago, and she is sure that they have kidnapped her daughters.   Britney's husband, a wealthy orthopedic surgeon, concurs.  However Shane has secrets of his own.

So the team is busy.  Between looking into the religious group, the surgeon's many affairs, sex offenders in the area, and dealing with multiple jurisdictions, it is a rough case.  It is not until a witness comes forward with information about a teenager holding one of the children's pink purses, that things start looking up.  But even then, the identity of the witness is heartbreaking for the team.

Before too long, the body of one of the children is found, and the hunt for the remaining little girl escalates.



My Opinions:
Although I liked the cover, the red ribbon had nothing to do with the book, so once more I am confused.  Maybe a pink purse....but the ribbon?

However, this plot was really good, and the perpetrator a surprise.  There were a lot of red herrings that lead to an interesting and compelling story.

It was a fast and entertaining read, and I continue to love Nikki and her team.  It was interesting how it showed the compassion that law enforcement has for the victims, and that their emotions sometimes get the better of them.  This felt so right.

Anyway, it was another great read, and I'm already looking forward to the next one!



For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[ROBIN RUIZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series… I have read the entire series in order, starting with the book one… This one had me guessing up until the very last chapter.
Two girls go missing,Nikki Hunt and her team are called in, which follows is so many twists and turns, secrets, and lies, and a series that just keeps getting better and better!

[Ray Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart Stopping Children Abduction Story

A young woman sneaks out of a massive three-story home. Her small room has been her prison cell for the past few years and is close to his room as she is his latest conquest. The storyline jumps to present time, and Britney has taken her two young daughters to the fireworks show at the town waterfront. She tells her children to stay on the blanket, but the line at the toilets is quite long. When she returns, the girls are gone. She yells for help, but no one pays any attention. She runs to a policeman. From this nightmare, a gripping story proceeds.

The story is about the investigation that consists of several avenues of inquiry. As the waterfront area was locked down quickly with police checking people’s large vehicles leaving, the abduction appears well planned. Besides the father and the breakaway polygamist Mormon sect from whom the mother had run away, much canvasing is required. The chain-of-command does not help the situation. The abduction occurred within the city limits, and a city police sergeant is in charge of the investigation. As the police chief is new, she says she would just run the meetings. Unfortunately, the police chief works for the major who sees a political gain here for a quick solving of this crime. The County Sheriff who is well experienced and respected. He answers to the voters, so his priority is the safe return of the children. FBI agents Nikki Hunt just wants to assist with the resources available to her. A conflict develops with the new police chief, and the Sergeant is having confidence problems. Within the FBI team, SA Hunt’s partner seems distracted. As it was child abductions, the tension was high from the very start that kept the suspense high also. This novel grabbed and held my attention immediately.

This is the seventh novel in this series, so the character of Nikki Hunt is well established. If this is your first read in this series, I read enough background of her character and her important history that this aspect should not be an issue. Her thoughts and interactions with her family, and police colleges in friendly and conferential environments provide a very good look into the Hunt character especially a new aspect that I had not seen before that is mentorship. As a bonus, there is a B-storyline between Hunt’s partner, his girlfriend, and her son. The conflict side of the of this aspect kept my interested through the novel.

For the aspects of a novel that can affect the reading enjoyment of some reader, first there are not any intimate scenes. Vulgar language is rare, and rude is just a little more frequent. Violence generally described in the less edgy after the fact, but some of the scenes and references are to children in captivity. These were not anywhere near being excessive. Overall, most readers should be able to read this novel.

As with the other five novels, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I have purchased five other of her novels that are in my queue to read. For this novel, I did not have any issues that decreased my reading enjoyment. I really enjoyed the complex storyline with many investigative efforts required to make progress. This novel kept me engaged from start to finish. I recommend reading it whether you have read any of the previous novels in this series. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received a free prepublication e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Bookouture. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Stacy Green has delivered another edge of your seat thriller. Number seven in the Nikki Hunt series and it definitely starts out with a literal bang.

Two little girls go missing from a fireworks show on the river in this dynamic keep you guessing thriller. The older one suffers from type one diabetes. She's a smart young girl who looks after her sister always. Having diabetes has made her have to grow up a little fast but she's still a child. What follows in the pages of this book will make you angry. Make you want to tear out someone's heart. Hurt them as much as they are hurting you while you wonder what is happening to these two girls.

Stacy Green has a way of writing that pulls you in and pulls at your heart at the same time. You will be guessing at who did this and wondering why. What makes a person so evil as to take a child. To do horrible things to children has to be the ultimate sin. They don't stand a chance against the grownups of this world. The ones with the mentality to hurt a little child. This one tells a bit about a cult organization also. A supposed religious cult who believe it's ok to have many wives. As a matter of fact the more wives and children you have the better place you'll have in their heaven. They are a bit on the sick side in my opinion. Girls as young as twelve years old are forced into marriages to men old enough to be their fathers or grandfathers. To start making babies early. Again, the more babies the higher you go in heaven. Like does this heaven have a ranking? Good grief...

Told mainly from Nikki's POV this story takes you through what all is done when a child is abducted. When a total stranger gets a child and vanishes. The pain the parents feel. The helplessness that everyone feels. How a community tends to pull together to help. There are many secrets being held by all involved. The dad and the mother. Things they don't want to share but will have to if they want to save these little girls in time. A babysitter/nanny with even more secrets. You won't be able to figure out who did this either.

I liked all of the characters in this book. Each played a vital roll in finding these children. There are some things that come out that make it even more interesting but does not in the least take away from the story. It's a true heartfelt story of love and loss of children. Babies taken before their time. Lives cut short in a way that is unimaginable. I shed a few tears reading this book.

I love the way it was all wrapped up at the end also. I'm happy that Nikki has her family. Her life. Her daughter and Rory by her side. I'm also so glad there will be another books. Look out for the eight book in this series. It will be another good one I'm sure....

Thank you #NetGalley, #StacyGreen, #Bookouture for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

Five huge stars again.

[Melissa Suslowicz Bartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:
OMG!!!!! Wow!!!!! Loved!!!!! I was gripped from the very first chapter. It started off with a bang and also ended in one too. Ok so I just started reading this author and series a few weeks ago. I do have to say once I picked up one book in this series I could not stop after that and had to read them all. They are so addicting. These books can all be read as a stand alone. I actually started in the middle with The Trapped Ones and went forward from there. Now that I am done with this one I am going to go backwards and start from the very beginning. I want to see where the characters all started compared to where they are all at now. I’m sure there is a big difference. Now let’s talk specifically about this fabulous read. Up first is the characters. Well I loved all of them. I’m so emotionally attached to every single one of them and feel like I know them in my real life. They all work so well together and have this special bond with each other. They are what make this book and series great. Let’s talk plot. Who can resist a missing child book, not me. This read had me flipping through the pages so fast so I could find out what happened next. It kept me on my toes the entire time. Last but not least that roller coaster of an ending that I did not see coming. I was speechless and had to read it again just to make sure. I love this author and series and can’t wait for more books to come. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later.

In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Nicola Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a welcome return to the world of Nikki Hunt! The pace was fast and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, waiting to see if Thea & Abby would be found in time! Like all the other books in this series, this case hits a little close to home for Nikki, but this time there’s also drama within her usually well oiled team.

There was a lot of drama in the story, pulling together some pretty wild possibilities for suspects, but they were woven together wonderfully in a way that built the tension just right. There’s a couple of new characters in the law enforcement departments, and it was interesting to see how everyone worked together in this book & in future books. Nikki is a fantastic character and Stacy Green is going from strength to strength with this series - what a wonderful tribute to your father.

Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Charlie Morris (Read, Watch & Drink Coffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fast-paced and addictive crime thriller, Her Last Tear is a brilliant addition to an always-impressive series.

Green's books are usually less than 300 pages which means they get right to the action and waste no time in small details. And just like the rest of the books in this brilliant series, Her Last Tear keeps you hooked from start to finish with a gripping investigation, shocking revelations, and engaging characters.

I loved learning more about the Mormon culture, and there was so much mystery in this instalment that every revelation came as a big surprise. And as always, I absolutely loved the relationships between the characters.

Stacy Green's Nikki Hunt series is definitely one of my favourites. I can always rely on these books for a quick and exciting read, and this is one of my favourites yet!

[janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within every series there is usually a 'stand out' book, one that hits every note and need you have... well book #7 has hit that sweet spot for me! Absolutely outstanding.

FBI Special Agent Nikki Hunt is called in to help lead the case, alongside other agencies, of two missing sisters Thea and Abby. Their mother Britney had taken them to the annual fireworks display at the marina when the girls seemed to vanish into thin air. Britney is adamant they have been abducted but Nikki, her partner FBI Agent Liam have to investigate every angle and each and every way they turn seems to uncover secrets that just don't make sense.

Britney was raised within and 'escaped' a cult, the Fundamentalist Church, whilst pregnant with Thea, with the help of her now husband Shane a successful Orthapeadic Surgeon. Nobody knows where she now lives or about her life but Shane thinks they are involved.

Can Nikki and her colleagues get to the girls before it's too late? Are the secrets they are hiding the reason the girls have vanished?

As always, what makes this series is the characters. They are well crafted and relatable which for me is a massive bonus. Even the narcissistic characters are so well written that you scowl when they are mentioned 🤣

A real page turner that was full of brilliantly written red herrings and the perpetrator was a massive shock!

Now whilst I HIGHLY recommend everybody to read and devour the whole series, Stacy Green has an amazing way of writing each installment so that they could be read as a stand alone. No, you won't get the full character development or backstory but you would find it easy enough to read without questioning what has happened previously.

The biggest thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When two little girls go missing from firework festivities, it’s up to Nikki Hunt and her team to find them. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as they race to find these girls. I couldn’t read fast enough. This series keeps getting better with each book!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[KB Thelen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite one so far, the ending was much more flushed out than the others in the series and the plot development was surprising and intriguing. And it has some cult themes that were interesting and made you speculate more and more about what was going on.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good! Kept me hooked and wanting to read more and more.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite crime series. Nikki is so badass and I love her adorable family. The balance of her personal life and gritty investigation is done perfectly. I also love her team. They work so well together and we get to see more of an insight into Liams life with this book.

I had just finished an excellent fast paced book when I started this one so I found it a bit slow to get into but once it got going I was hooked until the end. As with the rest of this series it finished with a bang. The crime was heartbreaking and I could not stop reading. I highly recommend if you love a crime thriller series with a badass leading woman who fights crime and has a loving family.

I received a copy of the ebook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Tommy Mann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story, but…

A good story, well told, with a nice degree of suspense. but with two stars off for the author’s racist and sexist dialogue.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaboom! Boom! Boom! Fireworks – what a perfect cover for a kidnapping. Is that what happened? When Britney’s six-year-old daughter Abby and nine-year-old, diabetic daughter Thea vanish on July 4th during the fireworks display, the police thing that they may have just wandered off. Their mother is convinced, however, that someone snatched them. After searching the Stillwater, Minnesota, waterfront at the scene of the holiday celebration, checking cars and the surrounding area, the police ask to meet the distraught mother at the station. There she reveals shocking information. Her Last Tear is the seventh book in Stacy Green’s FBI Agent Nikki Green series.

FBI agent Nikki Hunt is involved because she was at the fireworks, and she was asked to aid in the search. She’s surprised to learn that Britney has a haunted past. Ten years earlier, she ran away from a fundamentalist church group in the northwestern part of the state; now she fears that they are responsible for taking her children. As the investigation progresses, suspicion draws closer to home, but will the clues and the facts prove these speculations to be true?

This story is not without frustration, sorrow, and disappointment for the family as well as for the investigators. Stillwater has a new police chief, and her decisions come under fire at times. There are also several personnel – an agent, an investigator, and a journalist – whose methods and motives are questioned. Nikki has been through this herself, and she stays the course, avoiding distraction. She works long hours, barely seeing Rory or her daughter Lacey. Someone else’s daughters need her.

As in previous books in this series, Stacey Green keeps the pace moving. She throws in some red herrings, which paint one character in a bad light. Are they misleading, or are they to be believed? You decide. There are other characters who make bad choices, but things may work out for them in the end. She paints characters who deal with real life issues, and some of them manage to work them out, or are trying to. Are there stereotypes? Mmm – yes, but they don’t necessarily turn out as you’d expect. This is a quick, engaging read which can be read as a standalone; however, it is helpful to know the background of the main characters by reading previous books, as this is not covered much in this story. Enjoy! Boom!

I received a digital copy of Her Last Tear as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author.

4 stars

[Becki Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally pick up the next book in the Nikki Hunt series by Stacy Green, I had this on my Kindle to read while travelling, I find Green's book well written and easy to read, while filled with suspense and a thrilling plot. We follow Nikki Hunt on a hunt for a little girl who along with her sister were kidnapped, what starts out they know who it was, soon events take them down different paths, where will follow along with the case and each new discovery, but we also continue to follow along Nikki's and Liam's lives that have been tear apart countless of times, in previous books, and we join them on the highs and lows that comes with each new book.

Synopsis

Color explodes in the night sky, every boom and spray of lights getting louder cheers from the happy crowd. But two little girls are hiding in fear. “I want my mommy,” Abby whispers. A tear falls down her cheek as she clutches her sister’s hand and darkness finally falls…

When six-year-old Abby and nine-year-old Thea are snatched from a crowd at a fireworks display, Detective Nikki Hunt is determined to return the sweet sisters, with golden curls and laughing smiles, to their desperate mother Britney. The last person to see them alive witnessed the girls being led towards the docks by someone they seemed to know.

As Nikki begins her interviews, she’s shocked to learn that Britney has a dark secret. Ten years ago she ran away from Thea’s biological father, a man Britney claims was controlling and dangerous. Certain he must have taken the girls, Nikki urges the state troopers in nearby Thief River Falls to search the isolated ranch where he lives. But he is devastated to hear the girls are missing, and had no idea that Thea was even his daughter…

Then a witness comes forward claiming they saw a young boy clutching Thea’s little pink backpack at the fireworks. Nikki knows he’s the key to finding the girls alive, but she has no idea that someone on her team will do anything to keep his identity a secret. Unable to trust those closest to her, can Nikki unravel the truth and save Thea and Abby before their innocent lives are lost?

I am looking forward to the next one and all the others in this series, if you like a good crime series with suspense, thrills, heartbreaking and even loving moments and everything else in between then I highly recommend this series.

[Joanne Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the seventh book in the Nikki Hunt series - 'Her Last Tear'. Read this one in one sitting!
Nikki Hunt is back for another intense case, this time the apparent kidnapping of two young girls from the crown at a local fireworks display. Here one minute, and gone the next, while their mother was in the washroom, not far away.
At first, Britney thinks that Thea and Abby have just wandered off, and she is stunned at the lack of empathy from those around her, who should have seen something! But it soon becomes apparent that they are gone, and the mother is frantic to get the police involved while at the same time not really trusting them.
For Britney has a dark secret - her escape from a polygamous cult and her ingrained mistrust of police. As well as the fact that one of the girls is not her husband's child. Is that what this is all about? Have members and or leaders of the cult come and taken away her babies? (How would they even have found her and them?)
Britney's husband, a leading surgeon, has a string of mistresses and girlfriends. Is that what this is all about? Is it a case of kidnapping for ransom? Or one of the girlfriends trying to create a new family? He's also a team doctor, blamed for a season ending injury. Is a crazed fan at the heart of this?
The police and FBI (in the person of Agent Nikki Hunt and her team) may be the only ones the the ability to bring her babies home. It remains to be seen.
With a lot of moving parts - including a philandering husband, the possible involvement of members of the cult and the definite involvement of a young man whom Nikki had rescued from a horrible situation (in a previous book) - this one appears to go off in numerous directions until - thanks to a witness description and an all-points bulletin - all of the red herrings are dispensed with and the final chase is on.
Stacy Green has pulled out all the stops on this one, and has further cemented Agent Nikki Hunt as one of the best series out there. I for one cannot wait to see what's next.
Highly recommended - can be read as a standalone, but reading the entire series will give you a lot of backstory that is only touched upon here.

[Lauren Rall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well here we go again with another Nikki hunt book. Full of new characters, so are great, some are not. We have more turbulence between police departments, more retellings of all the previous books, and a seriously abrupt ending.

This story is about two missing sister who go missing at a large 4th of July-style event. The proximity to the water poses some challenges and they get a bit behind in the investigation due to this. The twists and turns are all there as usual. The initial direction of the investigate totally gets flipped on it's heads and we have some crazy truths uncovered in the process. When I'm reading these books I always am thinking, why aren't these people just telling the truth, it is such a waste of everyone's time when law enforcement is trying to solve the crime and then decipher all the witnesses and families lies. It's frustrating, but I guess that is good storytelling.

One huge peeve I had with this book is the harsh treatment of her partner Liam. I guess I can understand that withholding information is wrong.. but he only found out hours before and he was thrown off the case for what... suspecting that his step-son was a witness to the crime? I don't know, seemed pretty insane given the crap Nikki has pulled in the previous books that was much worse. And then for Sheriff Miller to say he was going to file a case against him... just seemed like something pretty simple blew up very fast and it didn't seem like a big deal.

As always I wanted more personal stories with Nikki and the family. I'm not exactly sure how her relationship with Rory is going because she still hasn't sold her house and there is so little time with them I can't tell if they are actually in love or just together out of convenience at this point, because we know Nikki can't be a mother alone.

Sidenote Nikki has been in so many life and death situations throughout this series and the only one that she seems to have PTSD from is when she almost drown. Not when she had gun pointed at her, when people have blown their heads off in front of her, not when her child was kidnapped... she only has PTSD from the almost drowning.. I think that is odd.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Her Last Tear, the seventh novel to feature FBI Special Agent Nikki Hunt, set in Stillwater, Minnesota.

When Abby and Thea Walker disappear from a fireworks display their mother, Britney Walker is distraught. Nikki was at the same display and steps in to help when it becomes clear that the children have been abducted. There are no clues, but Britney escaped a controlling husband while pregnant with Thea so that needs investigating, along with other small leads.

I thoroughly enjoyed Her Last Tear, which is a fast paced read with plenty of thrills and tension. It is told mostly from Nikki’s point of view with a few excerpts from the girls’ point of view to give the reader an idea of the stakes and what Nikki is up against. I think it heightens the tension. I like the way that the author concentrates on Nikki’s voice as it gives the narrative continuity and offers an immersive read.

It must be overwhelming for the detectives to investigate a stranger abduction as literally everyone is a suspect, but I love the process of gradually narrowing things down to one suspect. In this novel they have almost nothing to go on and cover a wide range of possible motives throughout the novel until things start to fall into place in the final chapters. I found it compelling reading and finished it in one sitting, wanting to know the outcome. There are blind alleys, secrets and a bit of misdirection, not to mention politics and the inevitable interagency disputes, so a heady mixture.

I like Nikki Hunt. She’s not perfect but with a calmer personal life she’s clear sighted and ready to assert her authority in any way required. It’s a pleasure spending time with her.

Her Last Tear is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I always say when I finish one in this series, I love this series. I was captured by Nikki’s back story and how it played into the character and I have yet to be disappointed reading one of these. This one is a little light on Nikki’s family and personal life, other than it is mentioned that her daughter played with the missing girls, but this gives it a chance to be a little more personal for another character. I won’t mention any names since it doesn’t get personal until part way through the book.

The team along with other agencies is searching for missing girls and there is no shortage of suspects or theories. And every one of the suspects seems to hold a secret or two. I’ll admit to following a few red herrings as I just read along for pure enjoyment and wasn’t trying hard to solve the case. Which is not normal for me. At one point I did know who the kidnapper was, but that was because at some point I suspected everyone. LOL

And because this is about missing girls the pace is quick and the stakes are high. I liked the aspect of the different agencies trying to work together finding the girls. And the realness of egos and opinions wreaking a little havoc.

While all of the books can be read as a stand alone, I would be remiss if I didn’t say to pick this one up from the start. The growth of Nikki, both personally and professionally, is part of what I like.

And if you aren’t one to normally read the acknowledgements, I suggest you do this time. It will remind you that the author you read and critique is human and going through their own ups and downs in life. I feel for the author and the year she had while writing this one.

[Samadhee Ismail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agent Nikki Hunt is back with another case--this time the case involved the disappearance of young girls.

Thea and Abby goes missing when their mother Brittney went to the restroom--the family were watching the fireworks. Nikki Hunt was also at the scene when the girls were discovered to be missing. Initially, the main suspect was Britnney's ex-husband who also happened to be Thea's biological father involved in a cult that believes in polygamy. She believes that her ex-husband may have kidnapped her daughters. However soon, Nikki Hunt realizes that the ex-husband may not be involved but Britnney's current husband may have something to do with the disappearance. Thea's body was found and Nikki knew that she must find Abby before it was too late.

This was a fast-paced thriller--abductions of children actually will make you feel like you are on the edge. As I mentioned in the above, there were so many suspects and so it wasn't clear who could be the abductor--which is a good thing as the reader was kept in suspense. There were some twists and turns and the ending was totally unexpected. I always read Nikki Hunt series as this series is one of my favorite series so far and the author did not disappoint me at all with this book--cannot wait for the next case! Worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Last Tear is the seventh installment in the gripping Nikki Hunt series by Stacy Green, and it certainly lives up to the high standards set by its predecessors. As a fan of suspenseful police procedurals, I found this book to be one of the best in the series, delivering a thrilling and emotional journey from start to finish.


The story revolves around the disappearance of two sisters, Abby and Thea. FBI Special Agent Nikki Hunt, along with her partner Liam, is thrust into a race against time to find the girls before it's too late. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.


One of the standout elements of *Her Last Tear* is the depth of its characters. The portrayal of the girls' parents, especially the mother and father, is particularly compelling. Unlike other parents of missing children I was surprised to see the way they react to certain situations. The pacing of the book is well-executed, with the tension mounting as the investigation unfolds. The dynamics between Nikki and Liam add another dimension to the story, balancing the procedural aspects with their own personal connection to the case making it a compelling read


Overall, this book is a standout addition to the Nikki Hunt series. It combines a compelling plot with well-drawn characters, ensuring I was hooked from the first page to the last. 


Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture & Stacy Green for the arc!

[Ainun Zahra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much @netgalley, @authorstacygreen and @bookouture for the ARC!

🪵 Title : Her Last Tear.
🪵 Author : Stacy Green.
🪵 Genre : Mystery/Thriller.
🪵 Pub Date: 25 Jul 2023.
🪵 Personal Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5.


💬 My Thoughts:

I love how much I got to know about history through Britney's past. The starting was a bit slow and sometimes repetitive as they keep going in circles trying to find the murderer but I enjoyed it all the same. Zach's appearance was a big surprise. There was no way I could ever predict that scenario and it was so heartbreaking to see how badly trauma effects the victims. I want to give him and his family a big hug. Miller is undoubtedly one of my favourites. I deeply admire how unproblematic and supportive he is - a rare sight nowadays. It especially shows in this book as they have to work beside other teams to find the kidnapped girls.

At this point, Stacy could write anything and I would gobble it up. Not to mention that Nikki will always be extra special to me. I LOVE her tenacity, her determination to ensure justice, the mother in her and how she doesn't let anything, even her teammates stand in the way. My heart broke for Thea, Abby and Tori and sweet, naive Britney who tried so hard to keep her kids safe. It's always so hard when kids are targeted for no reason. Highly recommended!

[Jordan Charlesworth AKA Book Brilliance Xo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review 📚

Her Last Tear by Stacy Green - 4/5 ⭐

Ok, just hold on to your hat with this one! I was HOOKED from the very first chapter. It was a edge of your seat kind of book, couldn't put it down until I was done. Like, oh my GOD! It starts with a bang but it also ends with a bang. It's a must read as far as I'm concerned. Bare in mind I read this as a standalone and not as part of the series, but I will now be going back and binging all of them.

The characters in the book, just work? I can't explain it but they do. They're in sync, they're bonded, they're just bouncing off each other perfectly. They are Definitely one of the highs in this book. The whole character descriptions just sell them, so that says a lot for the author and her writing.

But the plot. Oh my god, the plot. I just couldn't stop reading, I was up so late making sure I finished this book cause I just couldn't wait to find out what was gonna happen! I thoroughly enjoyed the entirety of the book, there isn't a single thing I would of done better. But, the ending! PREPARE YOURSELVES. I can't unread the ending. My mind is just blown!

All I will say - READ IT NOW.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoture for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A digital copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and Bookouture. The opinions are my own and freely given.

Nikki and Rory are trying to leave a fireworks celebration and see police are searching cars up ahead. Nikki calls Kent, the local sheriff to find out what is going on and discovers that two sisters have disappeared. Nikki helps to search for the girls. When she talks to the mother of the girls, she is very vague and doesn't seem to be sharing everything. Then her husband tells Nikki that she was part of a religious sect and escaped her life and is trying to stay under the radar, so she isn't forced to go back. This leads to Nikki looking into the sect to see if there is any connection to the girls' disappearance. This story turns things around and some cold cases seemed to be solved. Liam may or may not be hiding something as he seems to be distant.

This is a really good series and I have loved it from the beginning. Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Stacy Green.

[Pat Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the series featuring Special Agent Nikki Hunt. This is one of my favourite series of books and this book certainly didn’t disappoint. Nikki is called out to investigate the disappearance, possible abduction, of two young sisters, six year old Abby and four year old Thea. Their mother, Britany, had taken them to a local fireworks display and on returning from the restroom found they had disappeared. The main suspect seems to be her controlling ex husband who she left when she was pregnant with Thea. Nikki discovers that Britany had belonged to a religious sect but had managed to escape. She later married Shane, a well known surgeon, and is convinced that no one knows her whereabouts. Nikki soon realises that everyone is hiding secrets and will she be able to find the person responsible for the abduction before it’s too late. This is a gripping read with so many twists and turns. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book,