The Last Hamilton

by Jenn Bregman

After the last heir of Alexander Hamilton’s line is murdered, her heartbroken husband and best friend team up in this twisty thriller where a mysterious death uncovers not just an ancient secret society, but the treasures it holds-perfect for fans of Dan Brown and Sarah Penner.The more they know, the more danger they’re in. When Elizabeth Walker, the last heir of the Alexander Hamilton line, is tragically killed by a subway train in New York, foul play is immediately suspected. Elizabeth had been terrified, frantic, and manic during her last days, running mysterious errands, searching for a strange antique key, and sending cryptic messages to her best friend, Sarah Brockman.  The morning after Elizabeth’s death, a box of tattered documents lands on Sarah’s doorstep, confirming her suspicions about Elizabeth’s strange behavior and shocking death. She brings the box to Elizabeth’s grieving husband Ralph. Working together, they are stunned to discover that Elizabeth was part of a secret society established by Hamilton himself to keep the United States just and free, its influence woven into every  corner of the country’s history. As Sarah and Ralph race through the streets of New York to uncover the truth behind Elizabeth’s death, they must stop an ingenious and sinister plot before someone else catches up to them–and the secrets of Hamilton’s society are lost forever. With fascinating details from the shadows of American history, The Last Hamilton is a sweeping and fast paced thriller reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Adult Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2025

About the author

Jenn Bregman is a UCLA Law graduate and former Big Law litigator who practiced both in Los Angeles and on Wall Street in New York City. Published in the UCLA Law Review, and a member of Mensa, she is a closet adventurer who loves to ski, travel, and hike giant mountains. She lives in Colorado with her family and sweet Havanese dog Babalu.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published February 11, 2025.

If you want to enjoy this at all, you better be prepared to not just suspend disbelief, but possibly misplace your entire brain because to say this begs credulity is…kind.

So, Elizabeth Walker is the last heir of Alexander Hamilton. Din Lin-Manuel Miranda have to pay her royalties? Probably not. Even worse for her she jumps in front of a subway train almost as soon as she’s introduced.

During the last few days of her life she was searching for a mysterious key, sending odd messages to her BFF Sarah Brockman and, I assume, hanging out with Nicolas Cage, the way this thing is shaping up. No? Well, it certainly sounds like the plot of “National Treasure” to me, is all I’m saying…

The morning after Elizabeth’s death Sarah receives a box of documents that she takes to Elizabeth’s husband Ralph. The two of them join forces to determine what secrets Elizabeth had, how they related to her famous forebearer and what role they play in saving America (I am TELLING you this is “National Treasure”!).

Did I make clear there were a few problems with this book? The dialogue was stilted, the language repetitive and the plot laughable. MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD…..Am I supposed to believe that when computers cover the tiniest blip in every conceivable market out there no one but Elizabeth noticed someone buying up all the gold in the world? No one???

And the dialogue! At one point one of the big bads says, “For us to achieve world domination and control…”. I’m sorry, are Natasha and Boris having a discussion? Is Bullwinkle in the room? Does the author think that world powers might actually talk this way? It’s so bad it’s almost great!

On the up side, it was blessedly short, so there’s that. This might sound promising to you. Like The DaVinci Code. It is not like The DaVinci Code. It is not promising. I read it so you don’t have to.

["Avonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

THE LAST HAMILTON by Jenn Bregman is an intriguing adventure thriller that combines a murder mystery, treasure hunt, secret society, and American history all wrapped up in fast-paced escapism. This is a standalone story set in present-day New York City interspersed with historical facts about Alexander Hamilton’s life and family.

Sarah Brockman’s best friend, Elizabeth Walker was the last living heir in Alexander Hamilton’s direct family line until she is killed in the middle of the night. Sarah and Elizabeth’s husband, Ralph are both devastated and then puzzled by items left for them by Elizabeth upon her death. Neither knew of the secrets she was keeping and now they are not only working together to solve her murder, but they are following the clues she left to uncover a plot to destabilize the U.S. Treasury’s gold standard.

This story has a mix of interesting historical facts, intriguing locations all over New York, a murder mystery, and a thriller plot that is more easy-to-read escapism than realism. The characters do their jobs of moving the reader through the story, but I was more motivated to continue the read for the mystery and history. There is a surprise plot twist at the end, which I had already guessed, but was a nice addition to understanding that character.

Overall, a good beach read, escapism thriller.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (Rounded up)

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining, murder mystery novel which contains many interesting historical facts. It has a likable female protagonist, vividly and accurately described NYC settings, an engaging quest, intrigue, suspense, a unique premise, and a satisfying conclusion. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Ms. Leanne Woodward, does an excellent job voicing the characters.

[Gisella · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book reads like it was written by a ChatGPT obsessed with National Treasure.

[Jennifer Wolfberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was a fun ride and a riveting page turner - notwithstanding (or because of) the scary times we live in where, yet again as a nation, we are fighting for freedom and democracy. Jenn Bregman expertly weaves historical facts and landmarks through a suspenseful modern tale that made it hard for me to put down. So adeptly described, from scents and sights and sounds, her love of NYC leapt off the page and I felt like I was with her characters as they moved around the city. And the ending? ... I often can't help but see things coming, yet this book had a nice twist at the end. Chef's kiss.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!

[Krista crone · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars on Goodreads.

I’m in love with this unique thriller that kept me turning the pages. The historic aspects really enhance the mystery and was a thrilling ride.

You won’t want to miss this thriller that has a historical twist!

****Many thanks to Jenn Bregman for my gifted copy in turn for an honest review.

[Katarina Agata Marković · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Hamilton by Jenn Bregman is what you’d get if The Da Vinci Code took a detour through a discount marketplace. If you’re looking for a high-octane thriller, you might want to adjust your expectations a bit. This one leans more into “adventure” territory—think less suspense, more National Treasure on a budget.

The plot itself is intriguing, with a murder mystery, secrets and hidden treasures all wrapped up in American history. But let’s just say the characters aren’t exactly giving Sherlock and Watson a run for their money. The dialogue is about as smooth as a rusty subway track. I found myself cringing more than once, but hey, if you can power down your inner critic and just go along for the ride, it’s a fun little journey.

In the end, The Last Hamilton is the kind of book you read when you want to escape into a world of mystery and intrigue without overworking your brain. It’s not a bad story by any means—just don’t expect it to knock your powdered wig off.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

[Willam from NYC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrill Ride with a great ending! Like a sweet onion, one layer leading to another tasty layer (just like New York itself! - which is a vivid and joyful central character), the story unfolded with suspense, a great plot and marvelous characters. The "bad guys" were sick - one truly twisted, one relatable and quite human, and the heroine was inspiring even with (or especially because of) her flaws and doubts. Snappy dialogue added authenticity, numerous laugh-out-loud moments, and snappy pacing. Thank you to Crooked Lane for the ARC - hitting the mark yet again!

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was instantly captivated by the premise of this book; Elizabeth Hamilton-Walker, the last living descendant of Alexander Hamilton, jumps in front of a train, to her death. Her best friend, Sarah, is certain that foul play is involved and vows to find out who would have wanted Elizabeth dead and what they planned to gain.

A fast paced and twisty ride that leads us across NYC, as Sarah peels back the layers of the secrets Elizabeth was holding, with some fascinating historical information and a brilliant ending!

Leanne Woodward did a fabulous job with the narration, skilfully portraying the tension, grief and the humorous bits.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jenn Bregman and Dreamscape for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect summer beach read for those that love a good thriller/historical fiction combo. Highly recommend!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Gripping and scary plot that could actually be happening right now. I have seen articles about this in the paper. The fast-paced action keeps you on the edge of your seat and the interesting and informative historical details not just about Hamilton, but the city of New York were a huge add. The surprise ending was incredibly satisfying. Really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Hamilton by Jen Bregman and narrated by Leanne Woodward. The book is about the mystery of Elizabeth Hamilton Walker, who sends her best friend Sarah a message saying call Ralph he knows and then jumps in front of a train or did she? The mystery starts off with a bang but sadly when it gets into the stuff about the bank towards the end of the book my eyes were really glazing over and although I thought it was a good mystery very deathly plotted I just think the ending was quite abrupt and after that great beginning felt like a letdown. leanne Woodward has narrated some of my favorite books and I love her soft melodic tone and have always enjoyed her performance in my writing really has nothing to do with her I think this is a mystery for the thinking reader and or those who can use both sides of their brains at the same time. i’m not going to say I didn’t like it because I am a big fan of our founding father and found all the history of him his cello and the other members of the Hamilton family very interesting but when I got to the secret society in the financial happenings many times I got lost and didn’t know what they were talking about. having said that it would always come back to something that got me back into the story, I just don’t think this is a mystery for those who are fans of cozy mysteries I just really hate to say anything bad about a book but sadly I wasn’t the biggest fan of this one.#NetGalley,#DreamscapeMedia, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #JenBregman, #TheLastHamilton, #LorraineWoodward,

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about The Last Hamilton. It was an Alexander Hamilton version of National Treasure. I couldn’t it down and didn’t want it to end. I’m tempted to start it all over again. Highly recommend.

What a fantastic book by Jenn Bregman. Leanne Woodward excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape MediaHarlequin Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[C. Jerez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and edge of your seat read! I enjoyed this story from start to finish! A great combination of history and detail on the ins and outs of trading combined with the action/adventure of Da Vinci Code! Really enjoyed the idea and concept and read this whole thing in 2 sittings! Great mix of history and a modern chase!

[mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book was flavourless and unenjoyable. The dialogues were stiff, the language repetitive. The narrator made it a bit nicer, but couldn't conceal the fact it was unrealistic and didn't provoke any emotion within me

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, the publisher and the narrator for this audiobook

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at page 95. I am freeing myself and living my truth. It felt equivalent to watching paint dry

[Suzanne Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a banker, compliance lawyer, gold trader, or New Yorker, but Jenn Bregman's romp of a thriller that somehow combines all of the above and, for good measure, tosses in a secret society composed of Alexander Hamilton descendants was a fun, fast-paced read.

When lawyer Sarah Brockman's best friend Elizabeth, the last Hamilton of the title, dies in an apparent subway accident, leaving behind a mysterious antique key, Sarah joins up with Elizabeth's widower to track down what it might open. Not surprisingly, a host of nefarious characters are looking as well.

The action spans the length and breadth of New York City; you'll get an education in the city's layout and lingo (lots of CPW, UWS, and subway geography.) You can also learn a lot about gold-backed currency and international finance, if that's your thing. If not, just go along for the ride!

[Amanda Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like someone who loves National Treasure, is obsessed with the musical Hamilton, but is really lazy and uses ChatGPT to write a book. Not terrible, and highly highly highly predictable. I expected Nicholas Cage to jump out at many points of the book…. If Goodreads gave half stars this would be 2 1/2 stars.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, it’s pretty boring.
Where there should’ve been action there was research and when something should’ve happened there was…more research. I don’t mind research but, seriously, enough is enough. It does eventually pick up and get really exciting: there’s actual action and suspense…IN THE FINAL CHAPTER!!

The plot is…eh…okay: the last descendant of Alexander Hamilton dies and leaves behind an ornate key. She also leaves behind clues about a secret society made up of ONLY Hamilton descendants (I find that hard to believe) whose job is to provide financial backup in case the United States financially plunges. Their job is to defend the United States and preserve and protect it from tyranny. Basically, Alexander Hamilton left behind a secret cache of gold bars: but, no one knows where it’s located.

The structure of the writing is strange: there’s not really any breaks to show a difference in whose turn it was (point of view). An example is when it’s Sarah’s POV then it’s Pierce’s POV…in the same paragraph.

Moreover, the characters are just so STUPID.
I only liked Elizabeth Hamilton Walker, the last descendant of Alexander Hamilton, and unfortunately she’s only in the prologue and in flashback scenes. Go figure: the one person who’s interesting is killed in the beginning.

1.) Sarah Brockman (Elizabeth’s best friend) receives a VERY important box containing clues and doesn’t contact the police?!? Uh, does she WANT to solve her friend’s death or not?!
Then later on a man who is trailing/stalking her leaves a horrible “present” at her home. What does Sarah do? Right away she becomes sick (vomits) and proceeds to get rid of the “present”. Uh, ever heard of something called EVIDENCE?!?! Call the police.

2.) Ralph Walker (Elizabeth’s husband) doesn’t want the police involved yet because he doesn’t trust them because they (Sarah and him) might lose control over what they have. After all, it’s just theories not evidence. Dude, YOU HAVE THE CLUES RIGHT THERE IN THAT BOX!! It was hard to determine if Ralph wanted to solve his wife’s death or not. I mean grief does affect people differently, but still: if he can’t handle it himself then turn everything over to someone who can.

3.) Not to mention poor Detective Schwartz: it took her longer than necessary to realize that Elizabeth jumped in front of a train and wasn’t pushed. If she was, then she wouldn’t have had the key on her body when she was found (the bad guys would’ve taken it, duh). Later on the Detective sees Ralph make a copy of the key…AND DOESN’T STOP HIM?!? No offense, but that’s tampering with evidence.
Really, the three of them (Schwartz, Ralph, and Sarah) could’ve made an interesting team. Instead, Schwartz should just quit her job in law enforcement.

4.) Pierce is…well…I won’t say much about him. Just an annoying weevil.

There is one good thing about this novel: I enjoyed the ending.

*MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!*

The cache of gold is at Weehawken, the dueling grounds where both Philip and Alexander Hamilton each died. Then it’s revealed that Pierce is a Burr (yes, THAT Aaron Burr). That was a twist I didn’t see coming.

In the end so much could be better: any volunteers for writing an improved version?

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A hidden history mystery/thriller

My Review: The Last Hamilton by Jenn Bergman is a 2025 historical fiction novel.

About the Book: "After the last heir of Alexander Hamilton’s line is murdered, her heartbroken husband and best friend team up in this twisty thriller where a mysterious death uncovers not just an ancient secret society, but the treasures it holds..."

In My Own Words: Someone is watching in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to flip everything that is known on its tail. Someone has to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect the masses. Someone is playing to win on a masterful con like no other. Someone is left bereft and confused about tragic events that keep unfolding. Someone has to put the clues together, so that this nightmare can finally end.

About the Characters: What an incredible group of characters! Each one was needed for the story to come alive. The husband, the best friend, the detective, the players, the sociopath, the neighbor, etc. - every role added color, texture, and movement to the story. Because there were so many present, I was guessing all the way through as to how they would be used.

About the Narration: This novel was narrated by Leanne Woodward. She pulled me right into the story with her delivery. I was entirely captivated. (Speed: 1.75)

My Final Say: This is the kind of novel that I really enjoy. It ties in history with fiction. It presented much like a hybrid between Hamilton and National Treasure. Clues hidden in plain sight was the order of the day. I loved the twist at the end. It was rather unexpected. The author made a good go of it.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Action-packed
Entertaining
Haunting
Tragic
Twisted
Unpredictable
Tense
Sad
Mysterious

Other: Readers who gravitate toward Dan Brown's books might appreciate this novel. Even more so, readers who enjoy National Treasure type storylines should like this one. There is a difference, I think, with the level of darkness injected in this book. This was on the lighter side versus Brown's books, which have darker tones.

Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I thoroughly enjoyed the listening experience. It was a pleasure to review this work. I am grateful for the opportunity.

[Tierney Linton · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Alexander Hamilton’s last descendant meets an unfortunate end, Sarah Brockman must solve a puzzle to save the country in The Last Hamilton by Jenn Bregman.

Elizabeth Walker is the last descendant of the famed Alexander Hamilton. But when news arrives that Elizabeth is dead, her best friend Sarah and her husband Ralph are surprised to find a box of clues Elizabeth left them. Digging through it, they find that the Hamilton line has had one driving purpose—to protect the United States. And now, the danger is closer than they realize. With foreign interference in the international gold market, Sarah and Ralph must solve the clues before it is too late.

I have always had a love of history and solving mysteries. I was very excited to start this book as I felt it would be right up my alley. I loved that this book started off very strong in the prologue, but after that, the pacing became very slow. I was looking forward to more clues and linking those to history. However, 99% of the book was spent solving one thing that we, as the audience, already knew more than the other characters.

I also struggled with the changing perspectives within the chapters. I don’t mind reading a story from multiple characters’ perspectives as it can add depth to a story. However, the perspectives would change from one perspective to another in the next paragraph without any indication that the perspective had changed. I would get lost sometimes, trying to figure out whose brain I was in, which made the story a little muddled.

My biggest pain point of this story was the lack of mystery. I love reading stories where you have to follow clues. One clue leads to the next and then to the next. But this felt like the story started on the last clue. I wanted more from this story. I also felt that the antagonist wasn’t as strong as it could be. There wasn’t that life-or-death impetus or urgency that should be there.

The Last Hamilton provides a fantastic framework for a successful historical heist. It just needs a little additional refinement to achieve success.

*Review for NovelsAlive.com*

[virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

What should I say about The Last Hamilton? That is the question. I read it in less than a day, making it a good beach read, but the plot, dialogue, and characters were astonishing. The story idea was a significant drift from the usual tales about real-life characters, but the plot development was not believable. I felt like I was reading a dime store novel with a sprinkle of historical details, namely a few minor details about a key made in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the purpose of root cellars in New York before the 1830s, and a continuous rain shower of street names, museums, subway routes and buildings in New York City, laced with more Wall Street and Treasury Department details than I ever cared to know. The dialogue was just as unrealistic as the plot, peppered with much info-dumping.

The setting was more a character than the characters. The book was a cross between too many needless financial details, too little historical fiction in a contemporary modern-day mystery, and a superhero named Sarah who saves the United States from economic collapse, doing her job better than the cops, the IRS, the Treasury Department, the CIA and the FBI combined.

It would be difficult to say I liked it, but to say I did not isn’t accurate, either. The book kept me riveted to the page until I finished it, helped by caffeine and curiosity.

If you are looking for an adventure on your easy, breezy beach day, this book is for you. It is overloaded with meaningless details and unbelievable dialogue between characters I couldn’t get very attached to, no matter how hard I tried.

But there is a reason we call it fiction. Something kept me reading, and that gives it its 3-star rating. If you have 6 hours of free time, or you are vegging on a beach, sitting quietly by a lake with a glass of wine or a cup of your favorite coffee, or down with a summer cold, give this baby a read and see what you think.

Thanks to Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for the free advanced copy. This review is voluntary and is mine alone.

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is completely new to me in the sense of locations and the history of Alexander Hamilton. Normally, I do extra reading after reading the books I review, this time they were undertaken side by side.
Elizabeth is the last of the Hamilton line. She is in the family home of Alexander Hamilton, looking for a secret hiding place, that contains an item that promises to give clues about a bequest left specifically to help preserve and protect the states of America and save her liberty.
She finds an item and leaves to catch the train home. Aware of two men standing too close to her, and fearing they might be after the same item, she takes up her phone, enters a text message, then makes the ultimate sacrifice protect what she has found.
Her grieving husband Ralph, later phones Sarah, a good friend to them both, what was Elizabeth looking for?
A box of documents is delivered to Sarah, she and Ralph must use these to save America, by finding the bequest left for that very purpose. Elizabeth believes that the answer lies in unspecified plans regarding the Gold reserves held in various institutions.
This is a very interesting treasure hunt that involves the financial areas of New York, the Historical Society and the Museum of the City of New York.
It is fast paced, frantic, full of energy and deductions, with the threat of spies and underhand financial dealings. I thought it was great fun, slightly scary, and I really enjoyed my education about Alexander Hamilton. I liked seeing all the pieces of this jigsaw fall into place.
I thought the conclusion let the book down though, it was almost like it ran out of speed and things to say, it seemed too hurried and came to a rather abrupt ending. For that reason I gave 4 stars.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Crooked Lane books for my ARC, freely given in return for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

[Teresa Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say I can’t believe it took me so long to get to this. It was a fun fast paced read and my dad listened to the audio version on Hoopla which makes it that much more fun to have someone to talk to about the book! The amount of time and research that it took to make book so vivid and so full of history regarding Alexander Hamilton and his contributions to the United States financial history literally blows my mind. The details run anywhere from the ways and reasons root cellars where made, the Hamilton family lineage, The Grange National Memorial , a secret society and then on to real locations all over New York making you wonder what secrets are still hidden within our nations history and what secret plots are being concocted in order to bring the US down in one way or another.
This book will grab your attention from the beginning when Elizabeth Hamilton Walker, the last living Hamilton descendant, knows she is being followed, and she knows that she has the key to unravel a plethora of secrets. Right before she jumps in front of a train, she sends her best friend. Sarah, a cryptic message to contact her husband, Ralph. They are the only two people she can trust with information a secret society established by Hamilton himself to keep the United States just and free.
There are a lot of players in this game and when money and power are involved, the stakes are high. How far must Sarah and Ralph go to discover the truth? The Last Hamilton is a mix of legal drama, historical mystery, and female-driven narratives. If you liked the movie National Treasure or the book The DaVinci Code, this is one that should be up next in queue.

[Thrillerswineandchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

🗝️ P U B D A Y T H R I L L E R review 🗝️ featuring “The Last Hamilton” by Jenn Bregman!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Elizabeth Walker is the last heir of the Alexander Hamilton line. Lately her behaviours have changed and she seems on edge, nervous, sketchy and unreliable. Both her husband Ralph and bestfriend Sarah have noticed the changes but didn’t clue in to what they could actually MEAN.

So when Elizabeth sends Sarah a text at 3 o’clock one morning and then tragically gets killed by a train minutes later, boy do suspicions ever begin to arise! The next day Sarah receives a letter and box of ancient documents from Elizabeth and she clues in that Elizabeth was in grave danger. A 200 year old key is found inside Elizabeth’s pocket and clearly someone was after it and what the key opened.

Instead of going to the police, Sarah brings the box to Ralph to help her investigate. When they discover that Elizabeth was part of a secret society that dates back to its founding father, all bets are off! They have no idea what they are up against!

“It was a substantial key, made to last a long time- even centuries. It was meant to be secret, hidden from all eyes except a knowing few, all of whom had taken the secret with them when they passed into history”.

🕰️ What a whirlwind mystery that is embedded with history and a race against time! Take your time reading so that you can decipher all the intricate little details and pick up on clues throughout! I feel like I became quickly immersed in all of the history and liked how it was blended into modern day times.

Thank you kindly to @jennbregman @crookedlanebooks for my #gifted advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases TODAY and is totally worth checking out!

[Carla Hostetter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this book, that the last of Hamilton's family guarded our country from harm [I wish},but despite an exciting beginning in which this young woman sacrifices her own life to keep the key to the treasure from the enemy, it just turns into two of our favorite conspiracy theories-that there is no gold in Fort Knox but there is or was a special group of patriots hiding a treasure that will save the nation (think National Treasure movie)-into a rather slow mash up of a story. Sarah, Elizabeth Hamilton's best friend, is left a box of old and enigmatic documents and a directive to contact her bookish husband, setting them up to find a treasure. They p0ld through historical societies and museum libraries looking for plans to the original Hamilton home, not seeming to realize that it had been moved three times. Meanwhile, a work colleague of Sarah who is a banker is draining gold reserves around the world and feeding them into foreign bank accounts. He thinks he is saving the nation and restoring family's good name which only a doofus would not figure out before the end. Of course, he is being conned by Russia and China. Even the arch villains seem inept and the contents of a scary box is never explained.
Interactions with the police are wooden. Points view head hop from Sarah to the cop or among the other plotters often confusing and the treasure is found only by accident. I did learn some interesting Hamilton facts such as his eldest daughter going insane after her brother died in a duel just a Hamilton later would. Enough said. Don't bother with this one.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written in the tradition of Dan Brown where the story and the history unfold together. We know so much about Alexander Hamilton, but this novel imagines that Hamilton was so committed to the newly formed nation that he had the foresight to take extraordinary steps to protect it well into the future. Fast forward to the future and we take up the story with his descendant who is equally committed to preserving and protecting this nation.

As the first US Treasury Secretary, Hamilton created the institution that manages our money supply, and yet none of us really understands how fragile the system is. The book suggests that Hamilton did understand the risks. While he couldn't have known about modern technology, modern financial systems, or what the world would look like today, he understood at least one thing: that his descendants would share his commitment to protect the United States.

This book takes us on a modern adventure that will capture everyone's imagination and rekindle interest in Hamilton just when you thought it wasn't possible to be any more interested in this founding father.

This is a first-rate thriller, rich with detail that will keep any reader turning the pages at a rapid rate. Bregman tells a rich story with relatable characters and imagines an all too realistic set of circumstances before answering the question: Can Hamilton protect us even today?

[TheLisaD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenn Bregman’s The Last Hamilton is a captivating murder mystery that masterfully intertwines history with suspense. The novel follows a gripping investigation into the murder of the last known descendant of the Hamilton bloodline, blending historical intrigue with a fast-paced, compelling narrative.

Bregman’s ability to weave historical elements into the plot is one of the book’s strongest assets. She strikes a perfect balance, providing just enough historical context to enrich the story without overwhelming readers who may not be history buffs. This seamless integration allows the novel to appeal to a broad audience, from mystery lovers to those with a casual interest in history.

The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own motivations and complexities to the unfolding mystery. As they navigate a labyrinth of clues, secrets, and potential suspects, the tension builds steadily, keeping readers engaged until the final revelation. Bregman’s writing is crisp and immersive, with a narrative style that keeps the pages turning.

Overall, The Last Hamilton is an exciting and well-crafted mystery that successfully blends history with suspense. Jenn Bregman delivers a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making this a must-read for fans of historical mysteries and murder investigations alike.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Last Hamilton
Author: Jenn Bergman
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Leanne Woodward
Publisher: Dreamscape Media- Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 11,, 2025
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 288

Alexander Hamilton, was the first US Treasury Secretary, he created the institution that manages the money supply for the United States. He was smart and knew steps had to be taken to protect now as well as into the future.

Elizabeth Walker is he last heir of the Alexander Hamilton line. She was killed by a subway train in New York and foul play was suspected.
Strange things had been happening to Elizabeth during her last days- she went going on mysterious errands searching for an antique key.

After her death, her best friend, Sarah Brockman gets a box of old documents
Sarah and Elizabeth’s husband Ralph discover Elizabeth had been a member of a secret society established by her uncle Hamilton to keep the US the land of the free.

Needless to say I was drawn to this as Hamilton was a very interesting person plus this story has the makings of the mystery and intrigue of “The Da Vinci Code”.

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and Crooked Lane Books for this audiobook.
Audiobook Publishing Release Date is today Tuesday, February 11, 2025

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this and other book reviews, subscribe to my blog, www.bargain-sleuth.com

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the digital copy of this audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you like Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and the National Treasure movies, then The Last Hamilton is a book you’ll be sure to want to pick up. I highly recommend the audio version narrated by Leanne Woodward, who does an excellent job with this fast-paced, clue ridden novel.

There are no extraneous characters in this book–everyone introduced serves a purpose. There’s the best friend, Sarah, and grieving husband, Ralph, the detective, the neighbor, the killer, and more! They all added to the story which added to the overall pacing and movement of the story. Because there were so many characters, and each one was important for some reason, the reader/listener is really kept on their toes!

One of the reasons I loved this story so much is the tie-in with actual historical events, blended with the fictional story. It gives me Noah Wyle’s The Librarian movies vibes. Is the book perfect? No. But it was engaging enough, and this American history buff appreciated the effort put forth. This would be a great beach read or something you could knock out in a day. Oh, and you’ll love the twist at the end!