Ten days ago, straight-A student Jessica Stanley ran away from home. Now her lifeless body lies pale and still in an empty parking lot, her unblinking brown eyes staring up to the night sky…
FBI agent Nikki Cassidy’s heart pounds as she takes in the short, dark hair and delicate features of fourteen-year-old schoolgirl Jessica Stanley. It’s another unsolved murder in Groveton, Ohio, just like her sister, Caitlin, fifteen years before. Her family beg her to keep her distance, but Nikki knows she can’t walk away.
What if her sister’s killer is back?
Talking to Jessica’s heartbroken family, Nikki learns that she wasn’t happy at home. Just days ago, she packed a few belongings into her school backpack and left, never to be seen alive again.
Determined to give Jessica’s family the answers she never found for herself, Nikki works around the clock, trawling hours of CCTV footage from the scene. And just when she thinks she’s close to uncovering the truth, a chilling email arrives that confirms her deepest fear. There are more victims, Nikki. Can you ever stop me?
This killer is playing a dangerous game, and he has Nikki in his sights now—one wrong move and she could be his next victim. She’s determined to unmask the monster who has tortured her hometown for decades. But what if the killer is someone close to her? What if it’s someone she loves?
Fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni and Kendra Elliot will absolutely love this gripping new series from Dana Perry. Prepare to stay up all night!
Detective Nikki Cassidy is back this gripping, fast paced crime procedural. The drama and intensity picks up where the first book left off and goes full throttle through this entire plot! This book was even better than the first one! I was unable to put this one down, as I had to know who the killer was. The author did a great job making this one even more fast paced than the first book. There are also nods to the first book and some of the unresolved/questionable storylines present in the initial book. This is book two in the series. This can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading book one first.
This was a very fast one to get through. I found myself questioning everyone and everything. I played Detective right along with Nikki. I am obsessed with Nikki. She is a very likeable character that has her flaws like we all do. She is a great detective, and she is relatable and personable. I love a strong female main character that is a boss at what she does! There were unpredictable twists and turns with a major twist towards the end. If you like thrillers and crime procedurals, I definitely recommend this book and the entire series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Jag fick en så tydlig känsla av småstadsomgivningen i bok nummer ett vilket gjorde att jag gillade den. Men i bok nummer två tar det urusla styltiga språket över. Det är dessutom exakt samma plotline som i bok nummer ett, bara sämre (någon dödar 12-13 åriga tjejer)(absurt nog i samma småstad).
Det är inte heller så himla påhittigt att FBI-agenten (huvudkaraktären) i båda böckerna försöker ligga med sin polismotpart i småstaden (den första dog oturligt nog, så nu försöker hon istället ligga med hans efterträdare).
Utöver det så blev jag konstant irriterad eftersom författaren plötsligt fick behovet av att överförklara ALLT. Det finns inget behov av att skriva samma sak fem gånger på samma sida för att läsaren skall förstå.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
FBI agent Nikki Cassidy is called into investigate the murder of a young girl. She’s also investigating an old and similar case when the convicted killer withdraws his confession. All signs point to the two case, many years apart, being related.
The second book in the series was just as good as the first. Nikki is a fantastic character. Passionate about her job, but with flaws too (Chief Nolan!). The story was fairly straightforward, but nothing was as it seemed. Massive twist at the end, and that wasn’t the final or more final shocker! Really love this series. The stories are very ‘samey’, but I anticipate that all being related to Nikki’s sisters murder-I’ll need to read on and see if I am correct. This was an enjoyable and easy read and I would highly recommend.
Two days ago I finished the first book in this series and I was hooked. It was hard to put it away and I was so happy knowing I had the next two books already waiting for me.
Last night I picked up book 2 and read about 25 pages. Today I continued and finished it.
The author really had me there. I was shocked by the revelation of the killers name, but at that moment I did not know I soon would be in for an even bigger shock.
I loved the first book and I thought it would be hard to make the second one better, but I was so wrong. The author stepped up the pace and how.
I recommend these books. It's not always necessary with series to read them in order, but now I would strongly advise it.
5 stars for this second part andI am off to read book 3 now. :)
"Last One to Die" by Dana Perry delivers another riveting 5-star read, featuring the tenacious Nikki Cassidy of the FBI's Crimes Against Children Squad. Following her newfound fame for thwarting an online group of predators targeting young girls, Nikki is approached by a grieving mother seeking answers about her daughter. Returning to her hometown, Nikki dives into yet another harrowing investigation, determined to uncover the truth.
I thought this book was even better than the first in the series. Nikki is a great example of what the FBI should be doing, by putting her life on the line in the search for truth and justice. I was not expecting the twist when the true villain was revealed. If you are a fan of crime novels you need to read about Nikki Cassidy. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
Thanks to Bookouture, Dana Perry, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
A really really good second book in the series, had me guessing all the way and was shocked by the ending, just about to read the third one and I cannot wait, a very good new author though
I really love FBI Agent Detective Nikki Cassidy. This is book 2 in her series. This book opens with another missing girl and another body. How is this girl connected to Caitlin, Nikki’s murdered sister? Nikki thought her sister’s death had been avenged, but someone is making her think that her sister is still out there, or at the very least, her sister’s killer. Whoever did kill Jessica is trying to get under Nikki’s skin. We follow Nikki’s journey to find Jessica’s true murderer.
I always fly through Dana’s books and this one was no exception. I could read a new Nikki book every week.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC of this book.
To start with i liked how there was a summary on the first book however as the book went on i found that half the book was pretty much a summary of the first book with a very similar storyline. I feel the author should have kept this summary brief to also entice the reader to go back and read the first book rather than retell the first book in this book. I found i skipped a lot of it as i had already read it before. The book is part of a series so the author should encourage readers to read the whole series in the order they want them to be read in- the author seemed to try hard to make the book both a standalone read as well as part of a series which result in a lot of regurgitated narrative from the previous book.
I found Nikki annoying again- i don't know if her character is meant to come off as arrogant and conceited or not but that is how i feel she comes off as. She seems to like any kind of male attention as well but her potential love interests are always based on how they look and not on whether they actually gel together well or not.
I also found her accusing a few people of being sexist over the most minor of things which was slightly annoying. It turned out the chief was sexist but i don't feel he deserved the label she was shouting her mouth of labelling him as before that moment in his office.
I found it was a very easy read, i found myself wanting to read it and i didn't have the urge to DNF so that is a positive thing but i am not 100% on how i feel about the book. I like it but i don't think i love it.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.
The main character can be a bit of a mixed bag, perhaps it's the pesky guilty feelings that make her so unlikeable at times. In this sense the character development is on point. Nikki struggles with the way others perceive her part in Caitlin's death, and indeed keeping the emotional turmoil under wraps can be a bit of a task. It probably explains her lack of impulse control when it comes to thoughts and actions sometimes.
Without giving too much away I think tracking patterns of access, vulnerability and groupings of potential victims, is quite important in this book. Perpetrators often look for specific similarities that make a possible victim more susceptible to falling prey to a predator. The patterns that make non-predators want to help, protect and safeguard. Too many victims fall through the cracks.
On a side-note - I just don't get her fascination with Weller. The man was such a red flag, slightly too obsessed with what should have been. I understand the guilt, but perhaps her being in the middle of another tragedy is another way of validating her own negative self-image. Nikki seems to be attracted to men who aren't always fully available - safety valve or self-preservation?
In this second book of the Nikki Cassidy series the past is still the main motivator, and I think there were too many similarities to certain key elements of the first book. Unless there is a plot purpose it just looks a bit repetitive.
Let's hope Nikki can move beyond the depths of betrayal and the depravity of predators, and even find the perfect partner going forward.
LAST ONE TO DIE As FBI agent Nikki Cassidy stands in an empty parking lot, looking down on the lifeless body of 14 year old Jessica, a lovely, straight-A student, who had her whole life ahead of her, Nikki is reminded of the murder of her sister, Caitlin, still unsolved after fifteen years. She has never been able to give up the search for her sister’s killer. Nikki learns from Jessica’s family that she was unhappy at home and a few days before her death she had packed up some of her belongings and left. Knowing what the family was going through after never finding the truth about the death of her own sister, Nikki wants to be able to give Jessica’s family the closure she so desperately needs herself. After working tirelessly around the clock looking at film footage from the murder scene and interviewing Jessica’s friends, classmates, and teachers she receives an email from the killer: There are more victims, Nikki. Can you stop me? Suddenly finds herself in a dangerous situation. Could this be from her sister’s killer who is close by and watching her every move? Could she be the next victim? This book had me from the first page. It is not only fast paced but it is full of twists and unimaginable turns until the very last page. Not only will it keep you on the edge of your seat but you will be unable to put it down until you finish it. And when you finally do, the ending will blow you away.
This book (and series) shows a lot of promise. Unfortunately, there are a few things where it falls short on that promise. It is a page-turner and I wanted to know what was going to happen, it's also a fairly quick read and I didn't feel that it dragged. However, there is a lot of repetition and without that it would become an unputdownable fly-through and breakneck speed book. The storyline this time is very similar to the first book. There are reasons for that, but I think more difference could have been made. I also wasn't convinced by some of the things that Nikki did. Surely the FBI has plenty of cyber experts who would look at websites, rather than some agent just guessing the password on a whim. I'm also not at all convinced about the websites in the first place. After the first book, surely they'd assume that there were far more criminals out there connected to it, not be surprised that it doesn't seem to be over? My other gripe was the 'relationship' that Nikki gets into, it seems to come from nowhere with very little chemistry. I just didn't buy it or see any need for it. This is quite a harsh review. There was a lot I didn't like about this book, but there was a lot I still enjoyed, which is why, despite all of this, I'm still giving it 3 stars. I just wish that it could have been a little more. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Last One to Die by Dana Perry (Book 2) had a good storyline, but again, the story got repetitive by focusing on already-mentioned details that the reader doesn’t need to be reminded of during the story.
Ten days ago, straight-A student Jessica Stanley ran away from home. Now, her lifeless body lies pale and still in an empty parking lot, her unblinking brown eyes staring up to the night sky. It’s another unsolved murder in Groveton, Ohio, just like her sister, Caitlin, fifteen years before.
Nikki is haunted by the loss of her sister, and she specializes in cases of abducted or murdered teenage girls. It’s her passion, but it sometimes gets in her way as she goes against protocol at times, and she comes across as always thinking she is right. She doesn’t listen at times because she is quite headstrong.
There were a few inconsistencies in the book; for example, her sister was taken from the fair while Nikki was on a ride, but in book 2, it states that Nikki let her run off at the fairground. Caitlin didn’t run off from the fair.
The story had good false clues and red herrings to keep me on my toes. The ending was okay. I will check out book 3, and I would recommend this book and this author. I would rate this a 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4).
Detective Nikki Cassidy returns for a second heart-throbbing crime thriller as she goes up against a devious opponent determined to outsmart the skilled FBI agent.
Author Dana Perry makes it easy for readers to jump into the series with Last One to Die. Weaving key details from The Nowhere Girls, the author sets the groundwork for a new case involving a teen murder victim.
The challenge lies in it being a cold case of about two decades. As Nikki and her team head to Pennsylvania to dig up evidence, readers are reminded of the previous case that had a personal twist for Nikki.
She tries to move forward, knowing there are still unanswered questions related to her sister’s murder. Her determination and laser focus set her apart from others, but her career has left her without a steady relationship.
When a new murder occurs in Nikki’s Ohio hometown, this time with a familiar bouquet of roses, Nikki finds the investigative tables turned, making her the target.
Add in some romance with a police chief and chilling messages from the killer to boost the psychological impact. Nikki and her team think they have the murderer in their sights. Or do they?
Last One to Die is one of those books that will suck you in, keeping you captivated until the end, especially with the added twist. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
Like the first book in this series, I was quickly turning pages. It didn’t drag, and it was a standalone that weaved the earlier happenings nicely into this story.
Nikki’s sister, Caitlin, became an unsolved mystery fifteen years ago. Now another girl is dead. The circumstances have the same feel as her sister’s murder. Nikki can’t walk away. She has to solve this mystery for the newest victim and her sister Caitlin. Has her sister’s killer returned?
As I mentioned, this story like the first moved right along. It wasn’t hard to quickly become involved in. Some twists and turns kept me guessing, and though I didn’t always care for the MC, it left room for growth and character development.
My Concerns Like my concerns regarding the first book, these are small.
First, it began to feel repetitive. At this point, it was small, but I was noticing it.
And this concern is a little larger: I didn’t feel Nikki’s relationship was meaningful. I would like to have seen it have more depth and not appear out of nowhere.
Final Thoughts Without a doubt, this is a series that I liked and felt invested in. I was excited to reach for the third and final book in the series. I didn't feel like this book was a cliffhanger, but there were some questions still to be answered.
My thanks to #NetGalley #Partners In Crime Tours and #Bookouture for an advanced eBook.
Title: "Last One To Die" by Dana Perry - A Gripping Thriller of Unresolved Mysteries
In "Last One To Die" by Dana Perry, FBI agent Nikki Cassidy returns to the haunting streets of Groveton, Ohio, where another unsolved murder echoes the tragedy of her past. When straight-A student Jessica Stanley's lifeless body is discovered, Nikki's relentless pursuit of justice leads her down a dark and dangerous path.
Perry masterfully intertwines Nikki's personal demons with the chilling mystery of Jessica's death, creating a gripping narrative that keeps readers on edge. As Nikki delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of secrets and a killer who plays a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
The tension is palpable as Nikki races against time, facing the possibility that the killer may be closer than she ever imagined. Perry's writing is sharp and evocative, drawing readers into a world of suspense and intrigue that will leave them guessing until the final twist.
"Last One To Die" is a must-read for fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni, and Kendra Elliot, delivering a thrilling experience that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
Thanks to Ms Perry, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
FBI agent Nikki Cassidy is back in another gripping, shocking, and hard to put down book. In Last One to Die, Nikki is investigating the murder of fourteen-year-old schoolgirl Jessica Stanley. Nikki can't help but be reminded of her sister's murder. She is determined and will stop at nothing to find the killer! But what if the killer finds here? The killer is crafty and taunts her with an email hinting at more victims.
I had a hard time putting this book down as I had to know whodunit. I was not prepared for the shocking, jaw dropping reveal! I did not see that one coming at all!
This book proved to be a fast read which kept me on my toes and doing my own detective work along with Nikki. This is book two in a new series but can be read as a stand-alone but as this is only the second book, I recommend reading the first book as well.
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.
This is the Author's second book in the FBI Agent Nikki Cassidy series and whilst it can be read as a standalone , reading the previous book might give the reader a better understanding of the characters and their motivations
A missing teenager has been found murdered left in a parking lot . Her media profile is becoming a hinderance in enlisting the help of the local Police forces - can she work with them or will she have to work around them ? When Nikki sees the body she finds odd similarities between this death and that of her sister - is the same murderer back ? When she receives an email indicating that there are other victims out there - she realises that the killer is taunting her . Will she also become his latest target as gets closer to the truth ? This second book takes Nikki further back into the past than she is comfortable with , doubting people who she has considered allies just who can she trust ? I look forward to the next book in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutre for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Last One to Die by Dana Perry due to be published April 2, 2024. Nikki Cassidy is back as an FBI agent with her two partners – this time to solve the murder of Jessica Stanley who ran away from home. Jessica’s murder is eerily like her sister’s one who was killed fifteen years ago. Just when Nikki gets close to solving the case, she receives a message that says, “There are more victims, Nikki. Can you ever stop me?” I enjoyed the first Nikki Cassidy book so couldn’t wait to get into this one. I really like the way the author gave sporadic backstories so I could remember all the characters. Last One to Die was as good, if not better, than the first book in the series. As Nikki searched for one (or two) killers in two different towns and tried to figure out how they were connected, I couldn’t read fast enough. The ending was a complete shock that I didn’t see coming. I’m excited to read the third book in this series – I highly recommend these! #NetGalley #DanaPerry #Bookoutre #LastOneToDie
In the second installment of this series, FBI agent Nikki Cassidy is back in the limelight. Her high profile has drawn the attention of a mother looking for closer on a 20yr old case of her daughter's murder. Another small town, another small police department to work with, another new romance and then a staggering link to her childhood hometown, has Nikki and her team working connections between cases from 20 years ago and now.
3.5 stars on this one. There is a good mystery, twists and turns, some served up at the end as recaps. For me, there are attributes of the main character, Nikki that frustrate me, which in turn impact my overall rating when you don't love the main character. Some of the writing is also a little repetitive in places which slows the story in sections. While these factors dropped the overall rating down for me, it is still an easy read with nice twists and surprises.
The first book in this series was good, I was eager to start the second. The second book was fast paced and it was a standalone that explained any repeat characters nicely.
Some twists and turns kept me guessing, I thought I knew who it was multiple times and was wrong. I didn’t always care for the MC in both books, but it left room for growth and character development.
Dislikes: It began to feel repetitive. I know most police/FBI series will feel this way but the mention of her sister over and over didn't make sense until the end.
MC Nikki’s relationships with the men in both books have no depth. The relationship building could have been written better and not have appeared out of nowhere.
Final Thoughts This is a series that I did enjoy and am invested in. I did feel like the final cliffhanger has me off to read book three now, lol. I need to know!!
My thanks to #NetGalley #Partners In Crime Tours and #Bookouture for an advanced eBook.
Freaking fantastic! Loved it right from the beginning. I absolutely love Nikki as a main character. I think she’s amazing. She is very believable and relatable.
The storyline in this one was great. There was not a slow page in this book. There were twists and turns all throughout, kept me guessing seriously all the way through. Thought I had it figured out… Wrong. Thought I had it figured out yet again… Yup you guessed it, wrong again! Guess I’m not very good at this figuring out things.
I loved the first book… But I think I may have liked this one even better! And now I can't wait to read book three.
The Author did an excellent job of catching you up if you didn't happen to read the first book. But, seriously... read the first book... just read all the books! You won't regret it!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
Nikki Cassidy is investigating the death of Jessica Stanley.
She receives an email from the killer claiming that there are more victims, and that Nikki will be his final victim.
I enjoyed the second book of this series. Nikki and her partner Alex work with the Police units in various towns to try and get final answers to the brutal murders of young girls. They are led astray, with false clues, but eventually get their man - who either faked his death or escaped. I correctly predicted this killer before the end.
I am looking forward to the third book in the series, as I enjoy a strong female lead.
I would have devoured the book in a night if I didn't have guests staying.
I do recommend. Now to read the final book!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
I have to start by saying I enjoyed reading this book, and if I hadn't already read the first one, I would have given it a higher rating. However, I found that a lot of this book was a rinse and repeat of the previous one. The storyline and structure were so similar to the first, and a lot of the dialogue seemed to have been reused.
That being said, I loved the ending and the plot twist that came with it. I didn't see it coming until the final few chapters! The way the culprit had been flying under the radar was intriguing to read.
I liked the side characters of this book and thought they were very well written. But, as I felt with the first book, the main character left a lot to be desired. She was self-righteous and attention seeking in both books, and I was really hoping for her to grow, but I was left disappointed.
The second book in a series, this book picks up from where The Nowhere Girls left off. When another girl's body is found, Cassidy finds herself again contemplating the facts surrounding her sister's death years ago and questioning whether it could be the same killer. The pace is somewhat slow at first, in large part due to rehashing of the back story from the previous book (this probably would have been less bothersome if I hadn't read them in rapid succession.) However, the pace definitely picks up as the story unfolds – with plenty of twists and a totally unexpected resolution. Overall, an enjoyable read with a closing hook to keep you reaching for the next book in the series.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This has not affected the content of my review.
This book was a real page-turner! The plot unfolded at a breakneck pace, throwing twists and turns my way that kept me guessing the culprit until the very last chapter. I found myself particularly drawn to Nikki Cassidy. Her unwavering determination to uncover the truth behind the murders resonated deeply with me. While I agree there was room for further development of her character, Nikki's drive and compassion made her both dynamic and incredibly personable.
This Nikki Cassidy novel was utterly engrossing! I found myself completely captivated by the story, unable to tear myself away from the pages. It was a total sleep-depriver – I devoured it in just a few nights. The suspense was masterfully built, keeping me guessing at every turn. Now, I'm impatiently waiting to dive into the next installment of the series and see where Nikki's journey takes her next!
2.5/5⭐️The last one to die is book two in the Nikki Cassidy books. This story starts within weeks where the previous story left off. The first 50% of the book was written almost painfully slow and repetitive and basically just summarized and told us the same story of the first one. There were multiple inconsistencies and the story lacked the depth that the first one had. I kept wondering when things would get interesting and if things would continue to be the exact same way as the first. Even the twists were left feeling like I was just reading the same one again and the ending left me wondering if it’s worth reading the next one. I’m disappointed because I wanted to like this one but it just felt flat.
Book 2 in the Detective Nikki Cassidy series! This one follows the same type of story as the first. There is a missing and murdered teen that leaves Nikki wondering if a killer is back. She jumps into investigating security cameras and ends up finding some interesting info from those. She isn't closer to solving the case, but her and her colleagues are starting to identify what type of person is behind this crime.
There are some references from the previous book in this one and it almost seems like the same things will happen in this book as the last but a few twists gives us a different kind of ending than what we would expect.
You could read this one as a standalone but if you want to read the whole series, read them in order :)
Detective Nikki Cassidy is at it again when 2 new bodies of teenage girls pop up: one in Huntsdale (again) and one in a city hundreds of miles away. But are these cases connected?
This was a great, thrilling story just like book 1. It makes you wonder how many serial killers we pass unknowingly on a daily basis. The only downside to this story is 1. How Detective cassidy can't seem to leave men alone. And 2. How the author feels the need to reiterate information the reader already knows every chapter. Despite these things, I don't regret reading this book and plan to dive into book 3.
Btw, I deff didn't see that twist at the end coming. 😭
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. 🫶🏾
Last One To Die is the second in the Nikki Cassidy series. There are a lot of similarities to the first novel, and at times it feels a little repetitive. Cassidy and her team again chase the killer of several young girls, this time across multiple locations. Many of the characters from the first novel reappear, and some new ones add a different element, including a new love interest for Cassidy.
The story arc feels a little slow in places, as the killer taunts Nikki, while the team are a long way from solving the case. The ending though is fast paced and dramatic, full of twists. Overall this is a good read, although somehow feels just a little less satisfying than the previous novel.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Detective Nikki just solved the mystery of who killed her sister which hit National News. A mother whose daughter was killed 20 years ago recently learned that the man believed to have killed her lied. She asks for Nikki’s help but then another teenager is murdered with a note written for the Detective. This book takes us on a goose chase never knowing who the killer might be. Even though this is book 2, Dana Perry does a great job of giving enough information that the reader isn’t lost. It works great as a single story. I really enjoyed this book and finished it in 2 days. I am looking forward to book 3.