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The Last Time I Saw Her Alive
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jul 26*PRE-ORDER NOW! THE ATMOSPHERIC, SUSPENSEFUL NEW THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE LIARS, PERFECT FOR FANS OF LUCY FOLEY'S THE MIDNIGHT FEAST*
‘Sinister and sun-soaked. This is a perfectly crafted mystery that I flew through in days’ Caz Frear
'Delicious drip feed suspense, and a well imagined sultry setting. Engaging and compelling, atmospheric and stylish' 5***** reader review
It’s been years since Rain last went home.
To many, growing up onthe Tanglewood estate, nestled in a beautiful corner of the Cotswolds countryside, seemed like a dream.
But for Rain, memories of her childhood there are forever tainted by what she saw that summer. The wild party. The body…
Now estranged from her mother, and all ties to Tanglewood, Rain thought she’d moved on.
Yet when another dead body is found in the Tanglewood grounds, she knows she must face up to her past.
Rain has long held suspicions that what happened that summer wasn’t an accident. It was murder.
And now's her chance to prove it.
Why readers LOVE Kate Riordan
'A fabulously written, gripping story' 5***** reader review
'The author creates an incredible sense of place...an excellent read that will stay with me for a while' 5***** reader review
'So emotional, and twists right until the end!' 5***** reader review
'The perfect vacation thriller' 5***** reader review
Praise for Kate Riordan
'Compelling and utterly transportive' Lucy Clarke
'Taut, tense, stylish and incredibly atmospheric, with a thrilling twist. The perfect book for summer!' Daisy Buchanan
‘Completely addictive and wonderfully compelling. A sun-dappled summer escape with a jagged dark heart. You won't be able to put it down’ B P Walter
‘Sinister and sun-soaked. This is a perfectly crafted mystery that I flew through in days’ Caz Frear
'Delicious drip feed suspense, and a well imagined sultry setting. Engaging and compelling, atmospheric and stylish' 5***** reader review
It’s been years since Rain last went home.
To many, growing up onthe Tanglewood estate, nestled in a beautiful corner of the Cotswolds countryside, seemed like a dream.
But for Rain, memories of her childhood there are forever tainted by what she saw that summer. The wild party. The body…
Now estranged from her mother, and all ties to Tanglewood, Rain thought she’d moved on.
Yet when another dead body is found in the Tanglewood grounds, she knows she must face up to her past.
Rain has long held suspicions that what happened that summer wasn’t an accident. It was murder.
And now's her chance to prove it.
Why readers LOVE Kate Riordan
'A fabulously written, gripping story' 5***** reader review
'The author creates an incredible sense of place...an excellent read that will stay with me for a while' 5***** reader review
'So emotional, and twists right until the end!' 5***** reader review
'The perfect vacation thriller' 5***** reader review
Praise for Kate Riordan
'Compelling and utterly transportive' Lucy Clarke
'Taut, tense, stylish and incredibly atmospheric, with a thrilling twist. The perfect book for summer!' Daisy Buchanan
‘Completely addictive and wonderfully compelling. A sun-dappled summer escape with a jagged dark heart. You won't be able to put it down’ B P Walter
- GenresThriller
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 30, 2026
About the author
Kate Riordan
10 books577 followersKate Riordan is a writer and journalist from England. Her first job was as an editorial assistant at the Guardian newspaper, followed by a stint as deputy editor for the lifestyle section of London bible, Time Out magazine.
After becoming a freelancer, she left London behind and moved to the beautiful Cotswolds in order to write her first novel, 'Birdcage Walk'. Her second novel, a haunting dual narrative story set in the 1930s and 1890s will be published by Penguin in January 2015 as 'The Girl in the Photograph'. In February, HarperCollins will publish the same book as 'Fiercombe Manor' in the US and Canada. She is now at work on her third novel, another dual narrative story full of intrigue and secrets, but this time set in the 1870s and 1920s, and about the lives of two very different governesses.
After becoming a freelancer, she left London behind and moved to the beautiful Cotswolds in order to write her first novel, 'Birdcage Walk'. Her second novel, a haunting dual narrative story set in the 1930s and 1890s will be published by Penguin in January 2015 as 'The Girl in the Photograph'. In February, HarperCollins will publish the same book as 'Fiercombe Manor' in the US and Canada. She is now at work on her third novel, another dual narrative story full of intrigue and secrets, but this time set in the 1870s and 1920s, and about the lives of two very different governesses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 3, 2026
This is the kind of book that you feel pulled into, the setting, the atmosphere, the characters and the story. I had a hard time putting this down once it got going.
Tanglewood is a Manor House estate in the Cotswolds that held an infamous festival gathering in the summer of 1970, now in 2000 another festival is being organised ‘Y2K gathering”.
Rain grew up in Tanglewood and is returning back for work to gather information on the planned festival, but already there are two striking similarities, the body found in 1970 and now another body found in 2000, with both corpses adorning a crown of flowers. As Rain battles with people from her past and as her memories of her childhood return she finds herself not knowing where to turn.
This was an unsettling mystery, written with the reader in mind, transporting us to the hippie lifestyle and the summer of love that was England 1970. This book will be a big hit for 2026 and I look forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my arc.
Tanglewood is a Manor House estate in the Cotswolds that held an infamous festival gathering in the summer of 1970, now in 2000 another festival is being organised ‘Y2K gathering”.
Rain grew up in Tanglewood and is returning back for work to gather information on the planned festival, but already there are two striking similarities, the body found in 1970 and now another body found in 2000, with both corpses adorning a crown of flowers. As Rain battles with people from her past and as her memories of her childhood return she finds herself not knowing where to turn.
This was an unsettling mystery, written with the reader in mind, transporting us to the hippie lifestyle and the summer of love that was England 1970. This book will be a big hit for 2026 and I look forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up
Tanglewood is a beautiful manor house estate in the Cotswolds and is home to Ottoline and Karl Mortimer-Lund.
Tanglewood, 1970. An infamous music festival takes place, when Karl Lund’s best selling album ‘Lady of the Valley’ is launched, and where legendary Gatherings take place which have gone down into folklore.
Tanglewood, 2000. A. Gathering Y2K celebration is in the works.
This is where Rain grows up but it’s years since she’s been back, her memories of the place tainted by the events of 1970 – the wildness of those days and the body. Now there’s another body, startlingly similar to the 1970 death, deemed an accident. It’s now imperative that Rain faces up to her past and lays her deepening suspicions to rest, once and for all.
This is one of those really good slow burners that creeps up on you, which fully absorbs, becoming hard to put down. It’s beautifully written, with high-quality writing with some fabulous descriptions which creates a very atmospheric read. The surroundings of Tanglewood are so easy to picture, it’s mystical, magical, mysterious with some creepiness and injections of chills and fear. I really enjoy how the storytelling goes from 1970 to 2000, allowing the truth to emerge organically. It’s full of suspenseful moments and so tense that on occasion I can scarcely breathe.
Rain as a central character is fascinating, she’s very damaged by Tanglewood which is at the very core of her. Her memories, initially intangible and hard to grasp, begin to emerge and form a pattern she needs to interpret. At times she’s very unsettled and off-balance and it risks the equilibrium she’s fought so hard to achieve. There are too many coincidences both in the past and the present day.
All the characters are interesting, Angie, Rain’s mother really grows on me although she’s always interesting and colourful. Ten year old Lennie is old before her years, indeed, she describes herself as an old soul and I find her adorable. As for the rest of the characters you’ll have to read it to find out! The dynamics between all concerned are very good, they seem to constantly fluctuate and so it’s a good puzzle.
Overall, this is a really good elusive, atmospheric mystery and although I guess part of the end as signs point the way, the overall end is fabulous. This is a terrific novel in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Tanglewood is a beautiful manor house estate in the Cotswolds and is home to Ottoline and Karl Mortimer-Lund.
Tanglewood, 1970. An infamous music festival takes place, when Karl Lund’s best selling album ‘Lady of the Valley’ is launched, and where legendary Gatherings take place which have gone down into folklore.
Tanglewood, 2000. A. Gathering Y2K celebration is in the works.
This is where Rain grows up but it’s years since she’s been back, her memories of the place tainted by the events of 1970 – the wildness of those days and the body. Now there’s another body, startlingly similar to the 1970 death, deemed an accident. It’s now imperative that Rain faces up to her past and lays her deepening suspicions to rest, once and for all.
This is one of those really good slow burners that creeps up on you, which fully absorbs, becoming hard to put down. It’s beautifully written, with high-quality writing with some fabulous descriptions which creates a very atmospheric read. The surroundings of Tanglewood are so easy to picture, it’s mystical, magical, mysterious with some creepiness and injections of chills and fear. I really enjoy how the storytelling goes from 1970 to 2000, allowing the truth to emerge organically. It’s full of suspenseful moments and so tense that on occasion I can scarcely breathe.
Rain as a central character is fascinating, she’s very damaged by Tanglewood which is at the very core of her. Her memories, initially intangible and hard to grasp, begin to emerge and form a pattern she needs to interpret. At times she’s very unsettled and off-balance and it risks the equilibrium she’s fought so hard to achieve. There are too many coincidences both in the past and the present day.
All the characters are interesting, Angie, Rain’s mother really grows on me although she’s always interesting and colourful. Ten year old Lennie is old before her years, indeed, she describes herself as an old soul and I find her adorable. As for the rest of the characters you’ll have to read it to find out! The dynamics between all concerned are very good, they seem to constantly fluctuate and so it’s a good puzzle.
Overall, this is a really good elusive, atmospheric mystery and although I guess part of the end as signs point the way, the overall end is fabulous. This is a terrific novel in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She looked scared that day, like she wanted to nothing more than run as she stood up there in the stage, him to the side of her, watching her like a hawk. That was the last time I saw her alive …
It’s been years since Rain went back home to Tanglewood. To many, growing up on the estate described as the British ‘Woodstock’, nestled in the beautiful Cotswolds, seems like a dream. Owned by famous musician Karl Lund, she lived alongside her mum in a grace and favour cottage on the land. But for Rain, memories of her childhood are forever tainted by what happened in the summer of 1970 at ‘The Gathering’. The guests. The wild album party. The body …
Now estranged from her mother, Angie, and attempting to avoid all ties to Tanglewood, Rain thought she had moved on. It is now 2000 and Karl is planning another festival - ‘The Gathering Y2K’ - when another body is found on the estate. The victim is a young woman named Willow whose death is suspicious and harbours a lot of the same hallmarks of the death in 1970. Rain knows she needs to return and face her past. She has long been unable to remember before she was 9 years old and as she investigates further, she begins to recollect details of her life before.
She has long held suspicions that what happened in the 70’s wasn’t misadventure as it was originally reported. It was murder. And now is her chance to prove it …
A book of growing up around a drugs, sex and rock’n’roll culture, this story discusses childhood trauma, secret love children, complex obsession and infidelity.
Unfortunately, I found this rather predictable and guessed early on the way the story would go. Quite a few areas in the story could be trimmed to make it flow a little better and think Rain could have been developed a little more! I did enjoy the aspect of the 1970 vs 2000 investigative documentary’s and how this begins the chains of events.
A mixture of music, countryside and mystery, this would be an easy summer read.
Thank you to NetGallery, Michael Joseph’s for Random Penguin House and Kate Riordan for the ARC of this book.
It’s been years since Rain went back home to Tanglewood. To many, growing up on the estate described as the British ‘Woodstock’, nestled in the beautiful Cotswolds, seems like a dream. Owned by famous musician Karl Lund, she lived alongside her mum in a grace and favour cottage on the land. But for Rain, memories of her childhood are forever tainted by what happened in the summer of 1970 at ‘The Gathering’. The guests. The wild album party. The body …
Now estranged from her mother, Angie, and attempting to avoid all ties to Tanglewood, Rain thought she had moved on. It is now 2000 and Karl is planning another festival - ‘The Gathering Y2K’ - when another body is found on the estate. The victim is a young woman named Willow whose death is suspicious and harbours a lot of the same hallmarks of the death in 1970. Rain knows she needs to return and face her past. She has long been unable to remember before she was 9 years old and as she investigates further, she begins to recollect details of her life before.
She has long held suspicions that what happened in the 70’s wasn’t misadventure as it was originally reported. It was murder. And now is her chance to prove it …
A book of growing up around a drugs, sex and rock’n’roll culture, this story discusses childhood trauma, secret love children, complex obsession and infidelity.
Unfortunately, I found this rather predictable and guessed early on the way the story would go. Quite a few areas in the story could be trimmed to make it flow a little better and think Rain could have been developed a little more! I did enjoy the aspect of the 1970 vs 2000 investigative documentary’s and how this begins the chains of events.
A mixture of music, countryside and mystery, this would be an easy summer read.
Thank you to NetGallery, Michael Joseph’s for Random Penguin House and Kate Riordan for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Last Time I Saw Her Alive is a beautifully atmospheric thriller that blends nostalgia, unease, and long‑buried secrets into a story that feels both intimate and quietly gripping. Rain’s return to Tanglewood has a lovely emotional weight to it—she’s someone who has spent years trying to outrun her past, only to be pulled back the moment another body is found on the estate she once called home.
The contrast between the idyllic Cotswolds setting and the darkness of what happened that summer gives the novel a gentle but persistent tension. The estate is described with such warmth and familiarity, yet every memory Rain revisits carries a shadow. Her estrangement from her mother adds another layer, making her homecoming feel tender, raw, and full of unfinished conversations.
The mystery unfolds in a way that feels natural and absorbing. As Rain begins to question the “accident” she witnessed as a teenager, the story moves between past and present with an elegant ease. Each chapter reveals just enough to keep you leaning forward, and the slow resurfacing of the truth is handled with a quiet confidence that suits the tone perfectly.
What makes the book especially engaging is Rain herself—thoughtful, wary, and determined to finally understand what really happened. Her voice brings warmth to even the most unsettling moments, and her journey toward clarity feels as important as the mystery she’s trying to solve.
A gentle, atmospheric thriller with emotional depth and a beautifully drawn sense of place. It’s the kind of story that lingers, not because of shock twists, but because it understands how the past can shape us long after we’ve tried to leave it behind.
With thanks to Kate Riordan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The contrast between the idyllic Cotswolds setting and the darkness of what happened that summer gives the novel a gentle but persistent tension. The estate is described with such warmth and familiarity, yet every memory Rain revisits carries a shadow. Her estrangement from her mother adds another layer, making her homecoming feel tender, raw, and full of unfinished conversations.
The mystery unfolds in a way that feels natural and absorbing. As Rain begins to question the “accident” she witnessed as a teenager, the story moves between past and present with an elegant ease. Each chapter reveals just enough to keep you leaning forward, and the slow resurfacing of the truth is handled with a quiet confidence that suits the tone perfectly.
What makes the book especially engaging is Rain herself—thoughtful, wary, and determined to finally understand what really happened. Her voice brings warmth to even the most unsettling moments, and her journey toward clarity feels as important as the mystery she’s trying to solve.
A gentle, atmospheric thriller with emotional depth and a beautifully drawn sense of place. It’s the kind of story that lingers, not because of shock twists, but because it understands how the past can shape us long after we’ve tried to leave it behind.
With thanks to Kate Riordan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a sucker for a "back to the manor" thriller, and The Last Time I Saw Her Alive hits those Gothic, atmospheric notes perfectly. I’m giving this a solid 4 stars because while it leans into some familiar tropes, the execution is genuinely haunting.
What Worked for Me
• The Atmosphere: Tanglewood is basically its own character. Riordan does a killer job making the Cotswolds feel claustrophobic rather than cozy. You can practically feel the damp grass and the weight of the secrets buried in the estate.
• The Dual Timeline: I loved how the "wild party" from the past was handled. Sometimes these flashbacks feel like filler, but here, the contrast between the childhood "dream" and the grim reality of the bodies being found kept the tension high.
• The Pacing: It’s a slow-burn mystery that actually pays off. It’s less about high-speed car chases and more about that nagging, unsettling feeling that everyone is lying to you.
My Gripes
• The Mother-Daughter Drama: While the estrangement adds layers to Rain’s character, there were moments where the family bickering felt a bit repetitive. I wanted to get back to the "murder" part of the murder mystery a little faster in the middle chapters.
• Predictability: If you read a lot of thrillers, you might spot a few of the "twists" coming before Rain does. It didn't ruin the experience, but it took away a bit of the shock factor toward the end.
Final Verdict
If you like your thrillers moody, messy, and steeped in "old money" secrets, this is a great weekend read. It’s a classic cold case setup with a fresh, modern edge. It’s not a reinvent-the-genre masterpiece, but it’s a deeply satisfying mystery that I couldn't put down.
What Worked for Me
• The Atmosphere: Tanglewood is basically its own character. Riordan does a killer job making the Cotswolds feel claustrophobic rather than cozy. You can practically feel the damp grass and the weight of the secrets buried in the estate.
• The Dual Timeline: I loved how the "wild party" from the past was handled. Sometimes these flashbacks feel like filler, but here, the contrast between the childhood "dream" and the grim reality of the bodies being found kept the tension high.
• The Pacing: It’s a slow-burn mystery that actually pays off. It’s less about high-speed car chases and more about that nagging, unsettling feeling that everyone is lying to you.
My Gripes
• The Mother-Daughter Drama: While the estrangement adds layers to Rain’s character, there were moments where the family bickering felt a bit repetitive. I wanted to get back to the "murder" part of the murder mystery a little faster in the middle chapters.
• Predictability: If you read a lot of thrillers, you might spot a few of the "twists" coming before Rain does. It didn't ruin the experience, but it took away a bit of the shock factor toward the end.
Final Verdict
If you like your thrillers moody, messy, and steeped in "old money" secrets, this is a great weekend read. It’s a classic cold case setup with a fresh, modern edge. It’s not a reinvent-the-genre masterpiece, but it’s a deeply satisfying mystery that I couldn't put down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved every page of this. It is a long time since I felt so immersed in a story or a setting. Within a page or two you realize you are being invited into an enthralling love letter to to Cotswolds. The choice of location just could not have been more perfect. Beautiful, rustic, overgrown and blousy, yet also rather dangerous.
Having said that this, I felt what really made this whole thing grab me by the lapels was the characters. They are so perfectly drawn, with heads full of astute and knowing detail that the whole thing ends up reading like Maggie O'Farrell wrote a psychological suspense.. I love the title and was happily reading along to find out who would say it. Then I was reading to find out what this big clue meant. Finally, I reached an Aha! moment and realized I'd finally worked it out. Three sentence later the author spelled it out in terms, I felt very satisfied not to have 'got it' until it was spoon fed to me.
I feel one of the highest compliments one can give a novel is to unwittingly memorized phrases wholesale. I'd like to tell you what these were in my case, but then I can't because....no spoilers! I want you to come across them in context. Secondly, there is the joy of feeling the characters are so real they are still with you, like you're waiting for them to ring up or text. I miss Rain and...I don't want to say any other names and spoil things. But they are on my mind.
I think this is going to be a BIG book. With the flipping between now and a Woodstock vibe, it would be a great Netflix.
Having said that this, I felt what really made this whole thing grab me by the lapels was the characters. They are so perfectly drawn, with heads full of astute and knowing detail that the whole thing ends up reading like Maggie O'Farrell wrote a psychological suspense.. I love the title and was happily reading along to find out who would say it. Then I was reading to find out what this big clue meant. Finally, I reached an Aha! moment and realized I'd finally worked it out. Three sentence later the author spelled it out in terms, I felt very satisfied not to have 'got it' until it was spoon fed to me.
I feel one of the highest compliments one can give a novel is to unwittingly memorized phrases wholesale. I'd like to tell you what these were in my case, but then I can't because....no spoilers! I want you to come across them in context. Secondly, there is the joy of feeling the characters are so real they are still with you, like you're waiting for them to ring up or text. I miss Rain and...I don't want to say any other names and spoil things. But they are on my mind.
I think this is going to be a BIG book. With the flipping between now and a Woodstock vibe, it would be a great Netflix.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into The Last Time I Saw Her Alive with high hopes after really enjoying Summer Fever, but unfortunately this one didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The concept of Tanglewood initially intrigued me, and it felt like it had so much potential for atmosphere and tension. However, in reality, it ended up feeling quite flat and, at times, even a bit boring.
I also struggled to connect with the main character, Rain. She came across as quite dull, and I found myself wishing for more depth - especially when it came to her career as a documentary filmmaker. Aside from a few brief phone conversations with her boss, this aspect of her life felt largely unexplored. Overall, she just wasn’t fleshed out enough to carry the story.
The supporting cast didn’t add much either. None of the other characters were particularly memorable, and I was left questioning the purpose of Caleb altogether.
Pacing was another issue for me. The book felt very slow, but not in a satisfying “slow burn” way. Instead, it seemed like a cycle of Rain moving between the manor and the cottage, having the occasional conversation, driving somewhere, and then returning to Tanglewood. Not a lot really happened, which made it hard to stay engaged.
The ending was also underwhelming, with twists that felt quite obvious and lacking in impact.
Overall, this one just didn’t work for me, which is disappointing given how much I enjoyed the author’s previous book.
The concept of Tanglewood initially intrigued me, and it felt like it had so much potential for atmosphere and tension. However, in reality, it ended up feeling quite flat and, at times, even a bit boring.
I also struggled to connect with the main character, Rain. She came across as quite dull, and I found myself wishing for more depth - especially when it came to her career as a documentary filmmaker. Aside from a few brief phone conversations with her boss, this aspect of her life felt largely unexplored. Overall, she just wasn’t fleshed out enough to carry the story.
The supporting cast didn’t add much either. None of the other characters were particularly memorable, and I was left questioning the purpose of Caleb altogether.
Pacing was another issue for me. The book felt very slow, but not in a satisfying “slow burn” way. Instead, it seemed like a cycle of Rain moving between the manor and the cottage, having the occasional conversation, driving somewhere, and then returning to Tanglewood. Not a lot really happened, which made it hard to stay engaged.
The ending was also underwhelming, with twists that felt quite obvious and lacking in impact.
Overall, this one just didn’t work for me, which is disappointing given how much I enjoyed the author’s previous book.
May 4, 2026
It’s June 2001 and Rain has been assigned to do research for a crime story at the Tanglewood Estate in the English countryside.
Famed for being owned by an ageing rock star, Rain knows this place better than she admits or really wants to remember.
She was brought up by her mother in a cottage on the estate but not only are they estranged but there are memories of that hedonistic place when a body was found, that she has kept buried deep.
Now that a second body has been discovered at Tanglewood, Rain knows she must return and will have to confront her difficult past.
This was a delicious slow burn, psychological drama where the fine balance between reveal and restraint was expertly delivered.
Rain has huge holes in her childhood memories but when she returns to Tanglewood she begins to have vivid flashbacks and I thought this was such a clever way of unpicking what was real and what she imagined.
Told as a first person narrative, I was enthralled by Rain. She was such a likeable character who had made something of her life and managed to escape the clutches of Tanglewood and its inhabitants.
The pace of the story really ramped up towards the end and the last few chapters had me completely riveted and the huge revelation was as surprising as it was shocking.
I’m not going to say too much more as I’m being very mindful of spoilers but if you enjoy an unsettling, twisty but intricately plotted story with a cast of interesting, unreliable and eccentric characters, then read this book.
A really enjoyable read.
Thank you so much to Ellie at @michaeljbooks for sending me this advanced copy for my honest review.
Famed for being owned by an ageing rock star, Rain knows this place better than she admits or really wants to remember.
She was brought up by her mother in a cottage on the estate but not only are they estranged but there are memories of that hedonistic place when a body was found, that she has kept buried deep.
Now that a second body has been discovered at Tanglewood, Rain knows she must return and will have to confront her difficult past.
This was a delicious slow burn, psychological drama where the fine balance between reveal and restraint was expertly delivered.
Rain has huge holes in her childhood memories but when she returns to Tanglewood she begins to have vivid flashbacks and I thought this was such a clever way of unpicking what was real and what she imagined.
Told as a first person narrative, I was enthralled by Rain. She was such a likeable character who had made something of her life and managed to escape the clutches of Tanglewood and its inhabitants.
The pace of the story really ramped up towards the end and the last few chapters had me completely riveted and the huge revelation was as surprising as it was shocking.
I’m not going to say too much more as I’m being very mindful of spoilers but if you enjoy an unsettling, twisty but intricately plotted story with a cast of interesting, unreliable and eccentric characters, then read this book.
A really enjoyable read.
Thank you so much to Ellie at @michaeljbooks for sending me this advanced copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The estate of Tanglewood is ethereal, earthy, hippy and still living in the past and a place where secrets are hidden. Story however is a dark, atmospheric and twisty thriller. Rain left the place many years ago but when she is sent back by her producer and sometime boyfriend to try and find a story as aging hippy Karl Lund recreates the 'Gathering', the festival where he first released his one and only album into the world, she is dragged back into the atmosphere of the place and memories she's pushed into the darkest recesses of her mind begin to resurface.
I very much enjoyed the characters in the story. Rain is determined and gritty, alternating between wanting to find out what happened and wanting to run away from the memories. Her mother, Angie, is an aged hippy, a very unconventional mother and a rather disconnected adult. Lennie is an 'old soul' child, and Karl, although now elderly, behaves like a child.
The place, Tanglewood is well described, especially the way the light falls in the valley, reflecting the mood of the place and the people. The place embraces Rain, even after she tried to leave, and as she tries to solve the mysteries, she is drawn in by it again.
And enjoyable read.
With thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.
I very much enjoyed the characters in the story. Rain is determined and gritty, alternating between wanting to find out what happened and wanting to run away from the memories. Her mother, Angie, is an aged hippy, a very unconventional mother and a rather disconnected adult. Lennie is an 'old soul' child, and Karl, although now elderly, behaves like a child.
The place, Tanglewood is well described, especially the way the light falls in the valley, reflecting the mood of the place and the people. The place embraces Rain, even after she tried to leave, and as she tries to solve the mysteries, she is drawn in by it again.
And enjoyable read.
With thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very atmospheric thriller set in the Tanglewood Estate in the Cotswolds where a famous music festival in 1970 is being celebrated by another in the year 2000. Rain was very young when she lived in the grounds of the estate in 1970 and returns in 2000 to cover the event for her employers. She has blanks in her memory for much of the original time and when a young women is murdered with similarities to something that seems to have happened in 1970 she is determined to find out the truth of what happened. She had a complicated upbringing and permanently fought with her mother Angie who is one of the rock star Karl’s many mistresses and has never been sure who her father was. So her fight to discover the truth about the murders coincides with finding out the truth about her past also.
The truth about her past was not much of a shock but the question of the identity of the killer is left unanswered till close to the end of the book. So the book is more about slowly unravelling all the layers of lies that surround the main characters in the book and the way in which Rain is shown slowly standing up for herself in the company of many very strong characters is very realistically portrayed.
I felt totally immersed in the estate dominated by the charismatic Karl and all the characters felt very real. An enjoyable nostalgic read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
The truth about her past was not much of a shock but the question of the identity of the killer is left unanswered till close to the end of the book. So the book is more about slowly unravelling all the layers of lies that surround the main characters in the book and the way in which Rain is shown slowly standing up for herself in the company of many very strong characters is very realistically portrayed.
I felt totally immersed in the estate dominated by the charismatic Karl and all the characters felt very real. An enjoyable nostalgic read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
March 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Last Time I Saw Her Alive by Kate Riordan.
This is an atmospheric, slow burn mystery that leans heavily into setting and mood, drawing you into a story shaped by memory, secrets and long-buried truths. When a woman returns to her childhood home, the narrative gradually unravels what really happened all those years ago and whether the past has been laid to rest. The discovery of a dead body raises the stakes and stirs up age old mysteries.
The strength of this novel lies in its evocative writing. The author creates a vivid sense of place, with an undercurrent of unease running throughout. The shifting timelines are handled well, revealing just enough at each stage to keep the tension quietly building.
It’s more reflective than fast-paced, focusing family dynamics and the unreliability of memory rather than constant twists. While this means the pacing can feel measured at times, it allows for a deeper emotional connection to the characters and their motivations.
Overall, a compelling and immersive read. Not a high-octane thriller, but a thoughtful, haunting mystery that lingers after the final page.
This is an atmospheric, slow burn mystery that leans heavily into setting and mood, drawing you into a story shaped by memory, secrets and long-buried truths. When a woman returns to her childhood home, the narrative gradually unravels what really happened all those years ago and whether the past has been laid to rest. The discovery of a dead body raises the stakes and stirs up age old mysteries.
The strength of this novel lies in its evocative writing. The author creates a vivid sense of place, with an undercurrent of unease running throughout. The shifting timelines are handled well, revealing just enough at each stage to keep the tension quietly building.
It’s more reflective than fast-paced, focusing family dynamics and the unreliability of memory rather than constant twists. While this means the pacing can feel measured at times, it allows for a deeper emotional connection to the characters and their motivations.
Overall, a compelling and immersive read. Not a high-octane thriller, but a thoughtful, haunting mystery that lingers after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Damn…my mind is BLOWN!! What a fantastic read this was! Once I started I just couldn’t stop until I had all the answers I needed.
From the very first page I felt the pull of this book, the questioning, the wondering and the need to know what was going on was so strong.
After another body is found 30 years after the first in an identical way there’s suspicions flying everywhere. It feels like every single person is hiding something, they all have their secrets and every single one is suspicious. You don’t know who’s telling the truth and who’s lying and it’s all very exciting.
The author wrote this book brilliantly. The characters, the storyline they were all so perfect for the setting of this book.
When I say I was shocked I mean I was SHOCKED…that plot twist completely threw me and had my jaw on the floor because WTF???
It has been an absolute joy immersing myself in everything Tanglewood. I was hooked and completely enthralled. What an introduction to this authors books.
The Last Time I Saw Her Alive is a captivating thriller with an emotional depth to it. It’ll take over your thoughts and plans until you’ve powered through until the end, utterly addictive.
From the very first page I felt the pull of this book, the questioning, the wondering and the need to know what was going on was so strong.
After another body is found 30 years after the first in an identical way there’s suspicions flying everywhere. It feels like every single person is hiding something, they all have their secrets and every single one is suspicious. You don’t know who’s telling the truth and who’s lying and it’s all very exciting.
The author wrote this book brilliantly. The characters, the storyline they were all so perfect for the setting of this book.
When I say I was shocked I mean I was SHOCKED…that plot twist completely threw me and had my jaw on the floor because WTF???
It has been an absolute joy immersing myself in everything Tanglewood. I was hooked and completely enthralled. What an introduction to this authors books.
The Last Time I Saw Her Alive is a captivating thriller with an emotional depth to it. It’ll take over your thoughts and plans until you’ve powered through until the end, utterly addictive.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fabulous book! I loved it and was engrossed right from the beginning. This unsettling novel starts in the present day, after a death, but then transports us back to 1970, when some of the main characters were living the hippy dream. The setting of Tanglewood is so atmospheric - you can picture it, smell it and taste it, almost. The ageing rock star could have been a caricature, but Karl is drawn to perfection, as is Ottoline, his neglected muse. The other characters are fleshed out and believable - both those in the present day and the others from 1970. Rain's complicated relationships with Angie, Karl And Ottoline are teased out, leaving you guessing where things are going. The addition of Lennie gives the novel an extra dimension, and we see Tanglewood and its personalities through the eyes of a child.
The use of two timelines was handled well, with both having equal weight and interest. The author writes beautifully, conjuring up a quintessentially English country idyll where bad things may or may not have happened. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The use of two timelines was handled well, with both having equal weight and interest. The author writes beautifully, conjuring up a quintessentially English country idyll where bad things may or may not have happened. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read The Last Time I Saw Her Alive by Kate Riordan in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this with high hopes, especially as it’s set in Stroud and the Cotswolds — an area I know well — and the setting really is beautifully described. It had all the ingredients for an atmospheric, slow-burn mystery.
However, for me, it didn’t quite deliver. The pacing was very slow and the book felt quite long, without enough happening to fully hold my attention. While I did like the overall premise, I found myself guessing the main twist fairly early on, which took away some of the suspense.
I also struggled to fully connect with the characters, particularly Rain, who I felt could have been developed more. The story had a lot of potential, but overall it felt like it was missing something to really make it stand out.
That said, it’s still a solid read, especially if you enjoy a slower-paced, atmospheric story.
A solid 3⭐ from me.
I went into this with high hopes, especially as it’s set in Stroud and the Cotswolds — an area I know well — and the setting really is beautifully described. It had all the ingredients for an atmospheric, slow-burn mystery.
However, for me, it didn’t quite deliver. The pacing was very slow and the book felt quite long, without enough happening to fully hold my attention. While I did like the overall premise, I found myself guessing the main twist fairly early on, which took away some of the suspense.
I also struggled to fully connect with the characters, particularly Rain, who I felt could have been developed more. The story had a lot of potential, but overall it felt like it was missing something to really make it stand out.
That said, it’s still a solid read, especially if you enjoy a slower-paced, atmospheric story.
A solid 3⭐ from me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book
This is totally the kind of book I love. The dual timelines, the compelling characters, the unsolved mystery in the past that reaches out and upends lives in the present... The Last Time I Saw Her Alive delivered all this and for the most part I enjoyed it a lot. Rain is not always likeable, but she grew on me, and the dynamics of her relationships, particularly with Angie and Ottoline, were complicated and even twisted in the most wonderful way. Unfortunately, the story was very predictable from start to finish, and that affected me more than I would have liked to, because I really wanted to be heartbroken or at least moved by the big reveal, and instead I was like "ok, that's done". The other thing that kind of put me off the story was the romance. There was a lot of pontetial there, but in the end I think it was not developed enough to have any real impact on me. Still a very recommendable book anyway.
Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book
This is totally the kind of book I love. The dual timelines, the compelling characters, the unsolved mystery in the past that reaches out and upends lives in the present... The Last Time I Saw Her Alive delivered all this and for the most part I enjoyed it a lot. Rain is not always likeable, but she grew on me, and the dynamics of her relationships, particularly with Angie and Ottoline, were complicated and even twisted in the most wonderful way. Unfortunately, the story was very predictable from start to finish, and that affected me more than I would have liked to, because I really wanted to be heartbroken or at least moved by the big reveal, and instead I was like "ok, that's done". The other thing that kind of put me off the story was the romance. There was a lot of pontetial there, but in the end I think it was not developed enough to have any real impact on me. Still a very recommendable book anyway.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A secluded music commune.
A death that echoes the past.
And a community with secrets buried deep.
Set in Tanglewood which is a once free-spirited 1970s music community, this story follows Rain, a documentary filmmaker who returns to the place she grew up to investigate a suspicious death.
What unfolds is a slow-burn mystery where past and present intertwine and long-held secrets begin to surface.
The author paints such vivid scenes that both the setting and characters feel incredibly real, and Tanglewood itself becomes an atmospheric backdrop for the story.
For me, this read leaned more towards mystery than thriller, with a slower pace and fewer twists than I expected. However, the rich descriptions and character exploration made it an engaging story overall.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries about hidden pasts and complicated communities, this one may be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House for the ARC
A death that echoes the past.
And a community with secrets buried deep.
Set in Tanglewood which is a once free-spirited 1970s music community, this story follows Rain, a documentary filmmaker who returns to the place she grew up to investigate a suspicious death.
What unfolds is a slow-burn mystery where past and present intertwine and long-held secrets begin to surface.
The author paints such vivid scenes that both the setting and characters feel incredibly real, and Tanglewood itself becomes an atmospheric backdrop for the story.
For me, this read leaned more towards mystery than thriller, with a slower pace and fewer twists than I expected. However, the rich descriptions and character exploration made it an engaging story overall.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries about hidden pasts and complicated communities, this one may be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this. As a few reviewers have said, I suppose it is a slow burn of a thriller but I never found the build up to be anything other than compelling. Rain has come back to the home where she grew up and to her mother who she doesn’t have the best relationship with. She was reluctant to return but her boss back in the US wanted her to be there to try to persuade Karl, a rock star from the 70’s to be part of a documentary they were making, not realising just how close Rain’s ties with Tanglewood and the now ageing rock star were.
Rain relents, if only to come back and see her mother, it’s a while since she’s seen her. She knows she’ll only be able to stick a couple of days there but she’ll see her mum, persuade Karl to the idea of being a part of her boss’s documentary and then make a quick exit. However, not long after she arrives the body of a woman turns up on the Tanglewood estate prompting far more questions than answers and bringing old, fuzzy memories back to the surface. Rain ends up staying longer than she anticipated.
It’s a very atmospheric story with fascinating characters. I’ve read one other of Kate Riordan’s novels The Heatwave and this one, though very different in most aspects, has the same brooding undercurrent that something isn’t quite right, with the setting giving off its own eerie vibes. Tanglewood is a bit like a commune, with people drifting in and out over the years. Most of the characters are a little eccentric to say the least, which only adds to the mystery and sense of disquiet in the plot.
There’s a lot going on to keep the reader interested, with various threads running through. The relationship Rain has with her mother develops well throughout the narrative with some quite poignant reveals later on in the book, so a quiet thriller that builds the tension slowly.
Rain relents, if only to come back and see her mother, it’s a while since she’s seen her. She knows she’ll only be able to stick a couple of days there but she’ll see her mum, persuade Karl to the idea of being a part of her boss’s documentary and then make a quick exit. However, not long after she arrives the body of a woman turns up on the Tanglewood estate prompting far more questions than answers and bringing old, fuzzy memories back to the surface. Rain ends up staying longer than she anticipated.
It’s a very atmospheric story with fascinating characters. I’ve read one other of Kate Riordan’s novels The Heatwave and this one, though very different in most aspects, has the same brooding undercurrent that something isn’t quite right, with the setting giving off its own eerie vibes. Tanglewood is a bit like a commune, with people drifting in and out over the years. Most of the characters are a little eccentric to say the least, which only adds to the mystery and sense of disquiet in the plot.
There’s a lot going on to keep the reader interested, with various threads running through. The relationship Rain has with her mother develops well throughout the narrative with some quite poignant reveals later on in the book, so a quiet thriller that builds the tension slowly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rains childhood was different, she grew up at Tanglewood, an estate in the Cotswolds, home to folk rock musician Karl Lund who lives in the manor house with his wife Ottoline. There were others, they came and they went, an easy existence with no boundaries but Rains mother Angie stayed, she lived in a cottage on the estate and his wife Ottoline pretended she wasn't there.
Its a long time since Rain's been back and when her boss, documentary maker Daniel suggests she cover the upcoming festival in the grounds to celebrate 30 years since Lund's hit album was released she has reservations
I loved this novel, picture perfect scene setting and a narrative that drew me in, slowly revealing the secrets of the past. A mystery rather than a thriller, its dual timeline seamlessly blending past with present and holding me captive until I'd read the final pages.
My thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.
Its a long time since Rain's been back and when her boss, documentary maker Daniel suggests she cover the upcoming festival in the grounds to celebrate 30 years since Lund's hit album was released she has reservations
I loved this novel, picture perfect scene setting and a narrative that drew me in, slowly revealing the secrets of the past. A mystery rather than a thriller, its dual timeline seamlessly blending past with present and holding me captive until I'd read the final pages.
My thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest opinion.
This was an absolutely fabulous book, full of mystery and intrigue. A story of joy and immense sadness. But overwhelmingly a story of complex relationships, of the sense of history repeating itself, of two deaths 30 years apart and of two young children left behind and struggling for answers.
The rambling estate, the aging rock star and the hippy / cultish vibe drew me in as I watched Rain search for answers. Why did she have no memories before the age of 9; what happened during that summer of 1970? What had happened most recently that sent her dashing to support the mum that she was pretty much estranged from?
A great story from an amazing author. One that has once again previously passed me by.
This was an absolutely fabulous book, full of mystery and intrigue. A story of joy and immense sadness. But overwhelmingly a story of complex relationships, of the sense of history repeating itself, of two deaths 30 years apart and of two young children left behind and struggling for answers.
The rambling estate, the aging rock star and the hippy / cultish vibe drew me in as I watched Rain search for answers. Why did she have no memories before the age of 9; what happened during that summer of 1970? What had happened most recently that sent her dashing to support the mum that she was pretty much estranged from?
A great story from an amazing author. One that has once again previously passed me by.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two murders, 30 years apart, both dressed in white with a crown made of flowers. What happened to these women on the Tanglewood Estate?
Rain hasn't been back to Tanglewood in a very long time, but when a woman ends up dead, her boss sends her home to see if she can investigate more of the secrets surrounding the estate for a new documentary. What she uncovers changes everything she's been told about her childhood.
I found this a little slow paced, but everything came together very quickly in the last part of the book. A good story. I really enjoyed reading this one, even though it was quite predictable in places. I liked that it was more of a mystery and had a touch of a romantic quality to it as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Micheal Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rain hasn't been back to Tanglewood in a very long time, but when a woman ends up dead, her boss sends her home to see if she can investigate more of the secrets surrounding the estate for a new documentary. What she uncovers changes everything she's been told about her childhood.
I found this a little slow paced, but everything came together very quickly in the last part of the book. A good story. I really enjoyed reading this one, even though it was quite predictable in places. I liked that it was more of a mystery and had a touch of a romantic quality to it as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Micheal Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was intrigued by the blurb of ‘The last time I saw her alive’ by Kate Riordan and I thought this was great crime mystery, but when I read it was completely different to what I was expecting.
Don’t get me wrong it was beautifully written, atmospheric read and the location of Tanglewood sounded beautiful. But, for me personally thought when Rain went to discover what happen when someone was found dead, that side of the story was pushed aside. I thought this was more a story about family dynamics and what went on in Rains childhood;
I found this to be a very slow read and I usually read a faster paced novel. So, I am afraid this story didn’t gel with me. I was waiting for something to happen to change pace of the storyline, but it didn’t happen and I started losing interest. 3 stars.
Don’t get me wrong it was beautifully written, atmospheric read and the location of Tanglewood sounded beautiful. But, for me personally thought when Rain went to discover what happen when someone was found dead, that side of the story was pushed aside. I thought this was more a story about family dynamics and what went on in Rains childhood;
I found this to be a very slow read and I usually read a faster paced novel. So, I am afraid this story didn’t gel with me. I was waiting for something to happen to change pace of the storyline, but it didn’t happen and I started losing interest. 3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For me The Last Time I Saw Her Alive by Kate Riordan was a completely absorbing read and a fantastic first introduction to this author’s work. The novel quickly established a beautifully written, atmospheric tone, layered with quiet tension and a lingering sense of unease throughout.
The storytelling was immersive and elegantly paced, with nuanced characters that added emotional depth to an already compelling narrative leaving me completly hooked. Riordan’s writing has a richly evocative quality that made the setting and mood feel vivid throughout.
This book I devoured and will be one not to miss for 2026. Positive yes from me.
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, suspense driven fiction similar to The Silent Companions will likely find this especially appealing.
The storytelling was immersive and elegantly paced, with nuanced characters that added emotional depth to an already compelling narrative leaving me completly hooked. Riordan’s writing has a richly evocative quality that made the setting and mood feel vivid throughout.
This book I devoured and will be one not to miss for 2026. Positive yes from me.
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, suspense driven fiction similar to The Silent Companions will likely find this especially appealing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an atmospheric and quietly haunting read. I was immediately drawn in by the slightly eerie, commune setting surrounding Rain’s childhood and the mystery of her missing memories before the age of nine.
As Rain searches for answers about what really happened during the summer of 1970, the story slowly reveals long-buried secrets. I really enjoyed the gradual unfolding of the mystery and the uneasy feeling that runs through the whole book.
It’s more of a slow-burn, character-driven story than a fast thriller, but I found it really absorbing. A thoughtful and intriguing read about memory, family, and the way the past can shape the present.
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
As Rain searches for answers about what really happened during the summer of 1970, the story slowly reveals long-buried secrets. I really enjoyed the gradual unfolding of the mystery and the uneasy feeling that runs through the whole book.
It’s more of a slow-burn, character-driven story than a fast thriller, but I found it really absorbing. A thoughtful and intriguing read about memory, family, and the way the past can shape the present.
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
May 10, 2026
I gave The Last Time I Saw Her around 2.5 stars. The premise had potential and the writing was easy enough to read, but overall it lacked the suspense and anticipation I was hoping for. It felt more like a slow atmospheric mystery than a gripping psychological thriller.
There weren’t really any major twists or shocking moments, and a lot of the story felt predictable. I kept waiting for the tension to build or for something unexpected to happen, but it never fully got there for me. While the setting and mood were well written, the pacing felt quite flat and didn’t keep me hooked.
Not a terrible read, but unfortunately one I’ll probably forget quite quickly. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with strong twists and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this may not fully satisfy.
There weren’t really any major twists or shocking moments, and a lot of the story felt predictable. I kept waiting for the tension to build or for something unexpected to happen, but it never fully got there for me. While the setting and mood were well written, the pacing felt quite flat and didn’t keep me hooked.
Not a terrible read, but unfortunately one I’ll probably forget quite quickly. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with strong twists and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this may not fully satisfy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved this book. The setting in the Cotswolds was beautifully described and genuinely made me want to pack a bag and head there. The mix of music, countryside charm, a touch of magic, and LOTS of intrigue, mystery and putting the puzzle together created an addictive atmosphere throughout the story.
It was one of those books that’s incredibly hard to put down. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter”… which very quickly turned into ten more before I knew it. If you enjoy a story with a bit of escapism, a magical feel, and twists that keep you curious, this is a perfect read. Highly recommended.
It was one of those books that’s incredibly hard to put down. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter”… which very quickly turned into ten more before I knew it. If you enjoy a story with a bit of escapism, a magical feel, and twists that keep you curious, this is a perfect read. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really enjoyable book.
The story gives off cult like vibes, which is always a winner for me.
Two similar deaths, thirty odd years apart.... Somebody is hiding something.
It's full to the brim with atmosphere, and memorable characters.
I had my suspicions on the who and the what and the why fairly early on, and was pleased to find I was right.
Equally pleased to find I was wrong for a few of them.
This is what I'd call a great beach read.
Pick it up, and plough through, and holidays might be the one time you can dedicate chunks of time to doing that.
The story gives off cult like vibes, which is always a winner for me.
Two similar deaths, thirty odd years apart.... Somebody is hiding something.
It's full to the brim with atmosphere, and memorable characters.
I had my suspicions on the who and the what and the why fairly early on, and was pleased to find I was right.
Equally pleased to find I was wrong for a few of them.
This is what I'd call a great beach read.
Pick it up, and plough through, and holidays might be the one time you can dedicate chunks of time to doing that.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tanglewood is ethereal and hippy and still living in the past, where secrets are hidden.
But far from being flowery and hippy, the story leads us to something darker hidden.in the past.
We learn about this in two time frames and the story is well written with lots of atmosphere and description, but the pace is slow at times, and I really couldn't identify or empathise with any of the characters, so felt that I lost interest as I ploughed through.. Not for me I'm afraid.
Thanks to Kate Riordan, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
But far from being flowery and hippy, the story leads us to something darker hidden.in the past.
We learn about this in two time frames and the story is well written with lots of atmosphere and description, but the pace is slow at times, and I really couldn't identify or empathise with any of the characters, so felt that I lost interest as I ploughed through.. Not for me I'm afraid.
Thanks to Kate Riordan, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2026
I enjoyed this but it does have a very slow pace. Pretty much the first 3/4 of the book it feels like backstory and the last part is what you’ve been waiting to find out about.
If you’re looking for excitement and a fast paced story, this is not the one.
This is more atmospheric and sit down with a coffee and take your time reading.
Overall, I’d say it’s a good book if you can cope with how slow it feels right up to the end.
If you’re looking for excitement and a fast paced story, this is not the one.
This is more atmospheric and sit down with a coffee and take your time reading.
Overall, I’d say it’s a good book if you can cope with how slow it feels right up to the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Last time I saw her Alive is a haunting atmospheric slow burn thriller set in the Cotswolds blending family secrets ,childhood trauma and a duel timeline murder mystery. Rain returns home to her Mum to confront a decades old death and a new body is discovered on the Tanglewood Manor Estate where she was brought up .A gripping story with some great characters with a breath taking conclusion .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An intriguing mystery in an atmospheric setting, this follows a young woman's reluctant journey to the past and her discovery that what was considered accidental may instead have been a deliberate act of murder.
Engaging and entertaining throughout, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Engaging and entertaining throughout, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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