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The Last Noel
It's Christmas Eve, and all is neither calm nor bright
With a storm paralyzing New England, the O'Boyle household becomes prey to a pair of brutal escaped killers desperate to find refuge.
Skyler O'Boyle is convinced the only way they can live through the night is by playing a daring psychological game to throw the convicts off their guard. Threatened by a pair of Smith & Wessons, she has to pray that the rest of her family will play along, buying them time. Her one hope for rescue is that the men are unaware that her daughter, Kat, has escaped into the blizzard. But as the wind and snow continue to rage with all the vehemence of a maddened banshee, her prayers that Kat can somehow find help seem fragile indeed.
When Kat stumbles on a third felon, half-frozen and delirious, her shock deepens, because she recognizes Craig Devon immediately. What is the onetime love of her life doing back in town―and in such company? With the threat of death hanging over the O'Boyles, Craig is desperate to unload a vital secret that could change their destiny. But can he trust Kat with the truth? Because one false move and everything he's sacrificed will shatter―and this could be everyone's final Christmas alive.
With a storm paralyzing New England, the O'Boyle household becomes prey to a pair of brutal escaped killers desperate to find refuge.
Skyler O'Boyle is convinced the only way they can live through the night is by playing a daring psychological game to throw the convicts off their guard. Threatened by a pair of Smith & Wessons, she has to pray that the rest of her family will play along, buying them time. Her one hope for rescue is that the men are unaware that her daughter, Kat, has escaped into the blizzard. But as the wind and snow continue to rage with all the vehemence of a maddened banshee, her prayers that Kat can somehow find help seem fragile indeed.
When Kat stumbles on a third felon, half-frozen and delirious, her shock deepens, because she recognizes Craig Devon immediately. What is the onetime love of her life doing back in town―and in such company? With the threat of death hanging over the O'Boyles, Craig is desperate to unload a vital secret that could change their destiny. But can he trust Kat with the truth? Because one false move and everything he's sacrificed will shatter―and this could be everyone's final Christmas alive.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
94 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
583 books6,907 followersAlso published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
December 22, 2025
Escaped murderers show up on Christmas Eve and the family’s response is… dinner. And more dinner. And breakfast. And presents. Because obviously the best survival strategy is hosting killers like it’s a Hallmark special. Ridiculous plot, zero logic, and blah.
November 22, 2014
The Last Noel by Heather Graham was not exactly what I expected from a holiday book. Easy read. Love the cabin locale. 3 stars
December 17, 2025
Pretty middle of the road with this one. It’s a locked room suspense story with a Christmas theme. The criminals were sort of the clichéd mustache twirly types. I enjoyed listening to it because it was entertaining. (I have a hard time rating Christmas stuff because I’m too critical 🤭)
December 24, 2011
Really good book! I read one of Heather Graham's last year and was not let down, and this one was yet another winner as well. Just a real easy read and she is just so good with description that I feel like I am right there the whole time, envisioning everything that she writes about. This is not something that every author can do, and she does it well. I was wondering how a book involving murderers taking over a family at Christmas would ever be able to manage to fulfill my 'Happy Christmas Book Reading Month' but it most certainly did and I must say as of today, the next to last day of my Christmas book reading bonanza, this is shaping up to be the best one of em all that I have read this year. Just one of those unputdownable books that is very light and easy to read, yet packed full of fun and suspense. Highly recommend!
December 5, 2025
“Locked room” thrillers have to be done well or they stall. Heather did a good job with this one. The Christmas vibes elevated it for me even more.
I really enjoyed this plot and kept chuckling at the bad guys and their little moments of Christmas cheer, I’m looking at you Scooter.
The beginning is a little bit of a slower start but once you are in the house you don’t want to leave until you know what happens.
A fun Christmas thriller!
I really enjoyed this plot and kept chuckling at the bad guys and their little moments of Christmas cheer, I’m looking at you Scooter.
The beginning is a little bit of a slower start but once you are in the house you don’t want to leave until you know what happens.
A fun Christmas thriller!
December 13, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ entertaining Christmas read
December 26, 2025
Well, at least it was a short book. Every character in this book was annoying and dumb. I was annoyed at the criminals, the family, and the cops. Barely a brain cell between them all.
January 11, 2019
This book is too slow starting for me. For those who don't like slow starting books don't bother with this one.
December 5, 2016
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. It's basically a Christmas time family hijacking. Perhaps I was looking for a change of heart, compassion towards those who choose badly, or a better ending but this book really was a disappointment.
Craig Devon has made some bad choices over the last few years. He has combined forces with a man named, Scooter. Together they rob empty stores, like "family establishments" and justify their actions by telling themselves the insurance companies with take care of the costs. Just recently, the two have joined together with another guy, Quintin. Quintin seems shady to Craig but he goes along with the group anyway.
"But there was a first time for everything. Here, in a little hick town in Massachusetts, they had found the place where someone was still around."
The night of Christmas Eve, the three rob a jewlery store. This time there is an employee still there and they have guns. Craig tries to stop a murder but is unsuccessful when Quintin pistol whips him and he is unconscious. The group heads out into a nore'easter and their car gets stuck in the snow.
Across town, there is a log cabin, tucked in the woods, off the road, with Skyer O'Boyle and her family enjoying their time away and together for the Holiday. Unbeknownst to them, the criminals are at their door step. Things become chaos when the three uninvited guests show up. Shortly after, Craig realizes that this is the same family of an old girlfriend.
Kat O'Boyle is upstairs when the criminals enter her home. She hides from them and leaves the house to try and get help for her family.
Two local officers go out in the storm to patrol the local area to see if people are stranded or otherwise, hurt or suffering. The two offices, happen up on the O'Boyle house and things take off from there.
There is no romance in this book. There is mention of Kat and Craig's history, like their ugly break up and their feelings after parting, but there is no dying devotion expressed between the two. Both sides are surprised to see each other. Craig's secrets are revealed and that's it folks. Nothing else there.
The title of this book sucks. I'm not sure why Graham thought to use Christmas as the backdrop to the story. It didn't work for me. I also hated the way the book switched between different character perspectives. I didn't enjoy the story, nor the way it was told.
I also didn't buy Craig's story. So bad things happened to him? Yeah, that's terrible but he continued to make bad choices and should have been put in jail to pay his time to society and paid restitution.
Overall, Graham is a great writer. I have read and liked several of her books, but this one was very different. I cannot recommend this story. I did not like this book. The story was terrible, writing is decent. I found the story awful but also boring and I skimmed to the end. All the different perspectives were annoying. Skip it.
Content: strong language, violence
Craig Devon has made some bad choices over the last few years. He has combined forces with a man named, Scooter. Together they rob empty stores, like "family establishments" and justify their actions by telling themselves the insurance companies with take care of the costs. Just recently, the two have joined together with another guy, Quintin. Quintin seems shady to Craig but he goes along with the group anyway.
"But there was a first time for everything. Here, in a little hick town in Massachusetts, they had found the place where someone was still around."
The night of Christmas Eve, the three rob a jewlery store. This time there is an employee still there and they have guns. Craig tries to stop a murder but is unsuccessful when Quintin pistol whips him and he is unconscious. The group heads out into a nore'easter and their car gets stuck in the snow.
Across town, there is a log cabin, tucked in the woods, off the road, with Skyer O'Boyle and her family enjoying their time away and together for the Holiday. Unbeknownst to them, the criminals are at their door step. Things become chaos when the three uninvited guests show up. Shortly after, Craig realizes that this is the same family of an old girlfriend.
Kat O'Boyle is upstairs when the criminals enter her home. She hides from them and leaves the house to try and get help for her family.
Two local officers go out in the storm to patrol the local area to see if people are stranded or otherwise, hurt or suffering. The two offices, happen up on the O'Boyle house and things take off from there.
There is no romance in this book. There is mention of Kat and Craig's history, like their ugly break up and their feelings after parting, but there is no dying devotion expressed between the two. Both sides are surprised to see each other. Craig's secrets are revealed and that's it folks. Nothing else there.
The title of this book sucks. I'm not sure why Graham thought to use Christmas as the backdrop to the story. It didn't work for me. I also hated the way the book switched between different character perspectives. I didn't enjoy the story, nor the way it was told.
I also didn't buy Craig's story. So bad things happened to him? Yeah, that's terrible but he continued to make bad choices and should have been put in jail to pay his time to society and paid restitution.
Overall, Graham is a great writer. I have read and liked several of her books, but this one was very different. I cannot recommend this story. I did not like this book. The story was terrible, writing is decent. I found the story awful but also boring and I skimmed to the end. All the different perspectives were annoying. Skip it.
Content: strong language, violence
October 8, 2009
The Last Noel was a fairly quick read and I had something about a particular character figured out fairly early (it wasn't revealed in the book till the very end of the book. I would probably catalog this book as a suspense novel. It was good but not fantabulous (yes I made that word up). I would recommend it as a quick read if you want to take a break from some heavy hitter books.
December 15, 2021
I nice quick read with some suspense against all the areas of a family holiday. There were moments of “…really?” But it was pleasant to have a mystery, murder, secrets and more along with a family’s Christmas traditions.
December 25, 2021
The Last Noel was a very good, quick read. The 'stream of conscience' writing was a little frustrating, but it was appropriate for the plot. I knew what was going to happen after reading the summary; it was still a fun read though.
December 6, 2017
Quick easy read!
August 4, 2020
I loved this book!! Great story!! 1st book I have read by this author will read more of her books!!
Read
April 8, 2014This is one of those super-fast reads that I consumed in a day, less than a day, while getting up earlier than my boyfriend and killing some time before preparing to go out to a birthday party later. It's *that* fast a read. Seriously.
Now, the premise of this novel is pretty typical in that you've seen it before: home/family intruders, galvanizing the family, who's the hero?, criminal twist, etc. even if you haven't read it before, even if it's been a little tweaked from scripting to scripting. It's not what you'd call a shocking read. It's not terribly predictable either though, let's be real, it's pretty standard home invasion suspense fare that anyone who reads Graham enough knows won't be gory or overly terroristic.
There are elements of family that are nice to read. I feel like I read these themes in much of Graham's other mysteries with the stereotypical/genretypical romantic subplot throughout. This is why I can only give it 3 stars. Though, for my part, I have to say that it's exactly the kind of book that, if you know what you're getting yourself into, it can be exactly the kind of read that you need. It's like a Lifetime movie that you were in the mood to watch and then you got to the end of it and you were satisfied, went on with your life, and didn't give it a second thought.
It helps that I picked up this book for free at a local used bookseller and I feel that I ended up making a good decision on my free book. Kind of wish I'd read it during Christmas season though. It is very Noel-y.
Now, the premise of this novel is pretty typical in that you've seen it before: home/family intruders, galvanizing the family, who's the hero?, criminal twist, etc. even if you haven't read it before, even if it's been a little tweaked from scripting to scripting. It's not what you'd call a shocking read. It's not terribly predictable either though, let's be real, it's pretty standard home invasion suspense fare that anyone who reads Graham enough knows won't be gory or overly terroristic.
There are elements of family that are nice to read. I feel like I read these themes in much of Graham's other mysteries with the stereotypical/genretypical romantic subplot throughout. This is why I can only give it 3 stars. Though, for my part, I have to say that it's exactly the kind of book that, if you know what you're getting yourself into, it can be exactly the kind of read that you need. It's like a Lifetime movie that you were in the mood to watch and then you got to the end of it and you were satisfied, went on with your life, and didn't give it a second thought.
It helps that I picked up this book for free at a local used bookseller and I feel that I ended up making a good decision on my free book. Kind of wish I'd read it during Christmas season though. It is very Noel-y.
December 5, 2011
This was the first Heather Graham book I have read. I can't say it was disappointing as I really did not have an expectation going in. This book was just "Ok". I do agree with the other reviews here that state it was a fast read. I was able to finish this in one day.
It really didn't have an amazing climax. The whole story took place in 2 days which isn't necessarily a spoiler to it being a bad book from the get go, but I do think that that reason alone should have made the author more motivated to write a better climax and maybe more colorful characters. The characters in this book seemed kind of boring at times. The only character that I truly liked because I thought he was funny was Uncle Paddy. He was an old drunkie who didn't really pay attention to his family but had good stories.
As weird as this may sound I was annoyed by one of the main characters names. I thought the name Skyler for the mom was not a good choice. At the beginning of the book I kept getting confused going back and forth with the character's names and kept confusing her for one of the guys. The bad guys in the book really weren't intimidating and scary. Quintin and Scooter and Craig. Blah not a lot of vivid details on them. It was interesting to read how they got involved in crimes and became criminals. That was about the only read on them that was interesting.
I will read more of Heather Graham's books. I hope the other books she has series on are more exciting!
It really didn't have an amazing climax. The whole story took place in 2 days which isn't necessarily a spoiler to it being a bad book from the get go, but I do think that that reason alone should have made the author more motivated to write a better climax and maybe more colorful characters. The characters in this book seemed kind of boring at times. The only character that I truly liked because I thought he was funny was Uncle Paddy. He was an old drunkie who didn't really pay attention to his family but had good stories.
As weird as this may sound I was annoyed by one of the main characters names. I thought the name Skyler for the mom was not a good choice. At the beginning of the book I kept getting confused going back and forth with the character's names and kept confusing her for one of the guys. The bad guys in the book really weren't intimidating and scary. Quintin and Scooter and Craig. Blah not a lot of vivid details on them. It was interesting to read how they got involved in crimes and became criminals. That was about the only read on them that was interesting.
I will read more of Heather Graham's books. I hope the other books she has series on are more exciting!
January 17, 2009
It's the old people in a remote location are terrorized by criminals story here. But it is well done, and not terribly predictable save for the obligatory romance sprinkled in. Luckily the romance part takes a back seat to the story.
An eldery man was murdered after a robbery of his jewelry store, but the gang of culprits are forced to stop at a nearby home for shelter due to a blizzard coming in. It's Christmas and the family is reunited at their winter home in Massachusetts (and yes, the author does point out how that is a strange choice for a winter home) to celebrate when they are interrupted. The daughter happens to be out of the room when they arrive, and the family tries to keep this fact hidden so that maybe she can get out and get them all rescued. When she does leave the home, she happens across their car with a third man inside - a man she had once dated and it ended badly. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? Did her emergency text message reach the police before they completely lost all phone service? Will the thieves kill her family now, or allow them to live long enough to celebrate Christmas? Will she freeze to death before finding help? To find out, read the book!
NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Page 325 should read "every immigrant KNEW that" not "new that". You're welcome, but next time I'm charging you! :)
An eldery man was murdered after a robbery of his jewelry store, but the gang of culprits are forced to stop at a nearby home for shelter due to a blizzard coming in. It's Christmas and the family is reunited at their winter home in Massachusetts (and yes, the author does point out how that is a strange choice for a winter home) to celebrate when they are interrupted. The daughter happens to be out of the room when they arrive, and the family tries to keep this fact hidden so that maybe she can get out and get them all rescued. When she does leave the home, she happens across their car with a third man inside - a man she had once dated and it ended badly. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? Did her emergency text message reach the police before they completely lost all phone service? Will the thieves kill her family now, or allow them to live long enough to celebrate Christmas? Will she freeze to death before finding help? To find out, read the book!
NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Page 325 should read "every immigrant KNEW that" not "new that". You're welcome, but next time I'm charging you! :)
October 8, 2014
Really liked this book considering the last Heather Graham book I tired to read, I couldn't even finish. Anyway, this was an easy read. Loved the family dynamics of the O'Boyle family, probably what most families are like. My favorite character would definitely be Uncle Paddy, he was a hoot. I even found myself reading silently in an Irish accent hahaha. Even though Scooter was a bad guy I couldn't help but like him and his childlike attitude when it came to Christmas. I liked the way the author kept the mystery of why Craig was with Scooter & Quintin until the end of the book.
December 17, 2016
Another great read from Heather Graham! This book kept you on the edge of your seat the whole time! The O'Boyles family Christmas gets interrupted by 3 jewel thieves who just killed someone for the very first time. The O'Boyles are held against their will and struggle to survive these intruders. The story was full of suspense, suprises and good family tradition's that bring the family to learn to appreciate the small things in life.
December 11, 2008
The book started out very well.. it was suspenseful and interesting. There seemed to be a lot confusion in it though, the way some of it was worded made it this way. It's almost as if the author got confused as to who was who?
The ending? Has got to be one of the STUPIDEST most UNBELIEVABLE endings I have EVER read! The super lame ending is why my rating shot down to 1 star.
The ending? Has got to be one of the STUPIDEST most UNBELIEVABLE endings I have EVER read! The super lame ending is why my rating shot down to 1 star.
December 26, 2011
A sort of silly murder/mystery story taking place during the Christmas holiday season. It is how a family pulls together when some thugs take over their house. It turns out the daughter knows one of them. THe author neglects to tell you some important info until the last page or two, because you are wondering how could such a nice guy be so bad?
June 24, 2020
I liked the book, but I sometimes have a hard tome getting into a book when it is troublesome storyline for me. This is my first book by this author. I always associate Christmas with happiness and this one not, except in the end.
January 16, 2018
I always enjoy Graham's mysteries.
April 5, 2008
Pretty good. I'll look for more by this author.
November 15, 2014
Not quite the Currier & Ives Christmas this family had planned when criminals show up at their door on Christmas Eve. Of course it is in an isolated cabin in the woods during a blizzard as well.
November 22, 2012
Quick read...like a Lifetime movie!
December 19, 2012
Not your typical Christmas book, but had a Christmas theme. Pretty good audio.
February 10, 2016
Great book. Favorite new author.
June 8, 2016
This would make a great Lifetime Movie!! Seriously, I would watch it!
June 18, 2008
Hard to get into and slow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews