Last Sign

Emma Last FBI Mystery #13

by Mary Stone

It’s time to pay the exterminator.

After barely surviving the ghosts of her past, Special Agent Emma Last is desperate to move forward. But just as she starts to believe she can leave it all behind, her colleague makes a shocking claim.

She saw Emma in the afterlife. And she wants answers.

Now, Emma’s sanity is at question, and she fears her career may be on the line.

But any questions about what really happened during her last case are put on hold when a mutilated body is found—a tattoo cut from his skin. Emma and her team suspect gang activity. Until they find a dead cockroach stuffed in his pocket, and a sinister email is directed to the police.

“Cockroaches overrun our city…and someone needs to do the cleaning.”

When a second victim appears, it’s clear this isn’t a turf war—it’s a vigilante’s hunt. A predator collecting trophies. And now, Emma is the ultimate prize.

Last Sign is the gripping thirteenth book in the Emma Last series by bestselling author Mary Stone, where the most dangerous infestations don’t crawl in the shadows—they walk among us.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

To download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

***This is a ‘Winter Black’ spin-off series
We … ‘follow Emma Last’s gripping journey as she relocates to Nashville, Tennessee, and embarks on a quest to track down her father’s killer.’
Last Sign is the thirteenth book in the Emma Last FBI Mystery Series by Mary Stone. This is a gripping crime and investigation series with plenty of psychological suspense, and a touch of the supernatural - making it stand out in the crowded FBI thriller genre.
Ms. Stone crafts a compelling FMC in FBI Special Agent Emma Last - a woman whose investigative brilliance is matched only by the personal demons she carries.
The series follows Emma as she navigates high-stakes cases within the FBI’s Violent Crimes Unit, often involving serial killers, complex conspiracies, and chilling psychological games. What sets this series apart is the paranormal twist: Emma can communicate with ghosts, a gift (or curse) that intertwines with her professional life and personal quest to uncover the truth about her father’s murder.
Throughout the series, Ms. Stone also explores themes of justice, trauma, loyalty, and moral ambiguity – which all run deep, all while the supernatural element adds an extra layer of tension, intrigue, and unpredictability.
This is a smart, suspenseful, and emotionally charged ride that I would recommend to fans of both crime thrillers as well as paranormal thriller mysteries. Mary Stone delivers intriguing cases that keep you guessing, and just enough supernatural intrigue to set the series apart from others in the same genre.
If you start at book one, you’ll thank yourself later – Emma last just might be your next obsession.
Happy Reading…

[DianaRaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAST SIGN is the thirteenth Installment in Mary Stone's Emma Last FBI Mystery Series. If you are new to the series, you'll discover each investigation and each bad character is unique and the stories are page turners keeping you on the edge of your seat. Let's not forget the occasional ghost helping or hindering the investigations.

Denae reveals what she remembers as she was dying forcing Emma to reveal her  ability to see ghosts and the 'Other'.  Vance is back after his injuries and sure he's being pranked and not happy about it. The team is tense, but hopefully their new case will bring them together. Someone is killing gang members and dumping them near the law enforcement offices. In a gun fight with the killer, Vance dissapears. Everyone is trying to find the killer and discover what happened to Vance before he becomes a victim. 

This is another well written story with plenty of suspense, twists and turns. I received a copy of this book from the author and the above is my honest review. I also recommend this book and the entire Emma Last FBI series to those that enjoy thrillers. 

[P J Van Benthusen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Last just came off of a very tough case. And now she is being questioned about her abilities to communicate with ghosts! Leo and Mia are on board as they have witnessed the shocking results of their last case. However, convincing the Supervisory Special Agent in charge and their last team member is another story. Just as they are getting into the discussion they are pulled into another brutal murder. Someone is killing gang members at random in a brutal way and cutting their tattoos from their bodies. In a shootout with the perpetrator Vance is kidnapped. Worse there is heavy fire coming from an unknown source. Who is the new shooter. Emma thinks this may be related to the case in Salem, but she can't be sure. There is a clue early on, but you might miss it. Lots of turns in this book. Good characters and good story.

[Jacquetta Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does Vigilantly ever honestly get Justice? Emma Last FBI agent is back home and on another case. FBI agents Leo and Mia both know Emma's secret and Denae FBI agent who is on leave after a shooting, she knows too. After failing her Psych Evaluation to return to work Denae spoke with their boss SSA Jacinda Hollingsworth want to know why and how. To Agent Emma Last her biggest fear has just begun to haunt and scare her, she has to tell SSA Jacinda Hollingsworth about her ability to see ghosts and talk with them. Will she be able to stay an agent or will this be the last straw and will she lose her job that she loves.
Emma Last series by Mary Stone is a great Series and you need to check them out and read them. I did and I love Mary Stones books.

[Becky Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Denae speaks to SSA Jacinda Hollingsworth about Emma appearing to her and calling out to her as she was dying. When Emma is questioned about this, she has to reveal her secret about her ability to see ghosts and speak with them. Jacinda is willing to keep an open mind but Vance totally does not believe this and constantly is ridiculing Emma. Then they receive a new case where someone seems to be murdering members from various gangs, removing their gang tattoo, putting a dead cockroach in a pocket, and leaving the bodies at police/FBI headquarters, then finally one is left at Emma's doorstep, and it becomes personal when she realizes that her supposedly "sister" is involved with these murders. It is a turn pager and leaves you wanting the next book QUICKLY!!

[Bonita Barbick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Emma Last is a very intriguing character. Her ability to communicate with ghosts is an erie and complex gift. This fast paced story has a vigilante killer targeting gang members. What a well written story Mary Stone has created. Along with working at solving this case Emma has to contend with the fallout after SA Vance Jessup hears about her ghostly talent. He laughs and ridicules her continuously. Luckily “the other” inhabitants continue to give Emma clues allowing her to solve the case and rescue a kidnapped Vance. One of the author’s best in the Emma Last series…and wait for the ending!!!

[Sue Sandifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young kid has found a way to make a lot of money, he delivers a packet of coke and gets a big wad of cash. He is expected to go right to the dealer to hand over the proceeds. He decides to make a quick stop at the home he shares with his sister and skim off some cash for them to use. What harm is there in that? Just prior to getting home he meets a stranger and bad things happen. When his body is found, Emma and team are called to investigate. This body has a slice of skin removed, suspected to have been a tattoo. This sets off additional murders and lots of research to find the answers. Fast paced, terrific read.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agent Emma Last overcomes her ghosts in her hometown just to come back to work & find out her boss has been informed of her strange behavior with the ghosts. Dealing with the information, she is thrown into another case involving a murderer that is selecting gang members to eliminate. As the team hunts down the culprit, it seems to point to her past threat about a sister she didn’t know she had. Will the mystery of her past ever be solved. You won’t want to miss this one!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma has to face up with Ja in da and Vance about ghosts. It’s so hard on all of them. In the mean while the new vigilante starts to kill gang members in a gruesome way and finds a stranger helping him. It gets personal and hit with a lot of turns and cliff hanger at the end. This is the best of Ema Last series. I could not go into the details without spoilers. Again Bravo Mary and thank you for keeping us busy with the exciting thriller stories.

[Sue Palmer Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Emma has started to brief Jacienda & Vance about what actually happened in Salem they get the word to assist the local police in a murder. An Unsub has killed a gang member and left him close to a police station with a message about eliminating “cockroaches” since they can’t or won’t do it. It later becomes personal for Emma as it looks like their also after her - to kill her

[Carol Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Sign is the thirteenth book in the Emma Last series by Mary Stone. Emma and her crew are assigned to solve the case of gang members who are being killed and their dead bodies being dumped by law enforcement places.

Once again this is a great book that is filled with mystery and suspense and I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new great book by Mary Stone that had me hooked from the beginning until the end. It was another edge of your seat page turner. This book does not disappoint. Can't wait until the next one in the series.
I am an ARC member and this is my honest review.

[James Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT BOOK THAT IS WELL WRITTEN AND WILL KEEP YOU ENGROSSED TILL THE LAST PAGE. THE STORYLINE IS ORIGINAL WITH PLENTY OF TWISTS AND TURNS TO KEEP YOU TURNING THE PAGES TILL THE END. THE CHARACTERS ARE GREAT AND BECOME YOUR FRIENDS DURING THE BOOK. WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story about Emma and team finding out who is killing people and trying to solve it and with ghosts lurking around and Emma is in danger with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this excellent story.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vigilante Justice?

Another page turner, I couldn’t put it down. Emma and her FBI team are really put to the test this time. A vigilante is out to rid the streets of gang members blaming law enforcement for not keeping them safe. Hold on to your hats this is a stressful one.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the thirteenth book in the Emma Last FBI series. Someone is brutally killing gang members. Emma and her team are on the case. A lot of this book, though, is about Emma’s ability to communicate with ghosts and the problems that issue causes her. Another great addition to the series.

[Patricia Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This series of Emma Last and her ghosts has been interesting. The team learning of her abilities has been crazy and a little of putting to some. I vigilante targeting gang members they have their job cut out for them. Especially when one of there own is taken.

[Emily Siler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another edge of the seat page turner. I'm always so disappointed when I'm done because it means I have to wait for the next one. Vigilante vs. gang members. Emma Last vs. A mystery woman. And a team member questioning everyone's sanity.

[marcia potts · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of action pitting the FBI against vigilantes.

A decent amount of action pitting the MPD and the FBI against vigilantes that are killing drug dealers and cutting off their tatoos.

[Rhonda Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Team together at "Last"

Liked information about Lydia
Liked Vance accepting "ghost talker"
I would recommend book to my ex husband's girlfriend. We obviously have similar interests and I like her.

[Joseph Bernal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last sign

Wow the anger that this man had for the cockroaches, I'm just glad that Emma was focused on doing right.glad she has help by way of the others.her compare with her fellow officers is great

[Michelle Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, the story line was very interesting. The whole vigilante killing gang members. A few twists to keep you guessing. I recommend reading it.

[Eleanor Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, couldn’t put it down. An edge of the seat page turner

[Kathy Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Last Series

I like Mary Stone books but especially all the series ones. Emma Last has become one of my favorites. Good storyline and great characters

[Mary Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of baggage - emotional, criminal, relarionship

This installment is both creepy and sad.

Emma’s secret is out - but not everyone is on board with the disclosure, and one of the team is kidnapped.

It’s become clear that Emma’s a target.

[Tricia Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you go.....

A killer calling himself the Bug man has a new hobby and drops his victims where they can't be missed. And I guess I am waiting for book 14 to be completed!

[Tahnee Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappoints

As always another Emma Last book that's absolutely amazing!! I swear Mary Stone can't write these books face enough!! Can't wait for the next book

[Carol Dickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Sign

Great book. I enjoy this series and love the characters. I highly recommend it. Mary Stone never lets me down. She is a wonderful author.

[mary jo brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

continue of good story

A continuation of a good story, well written, easy read. Look forward to each book to continue on Emma’s story.

[Marilyn Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So intriguing!!

Emma and team chase another wacko and more info on her past. Tensions rise and fall and the beat goes on. Next book plsase...