What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Word: A Legal Thriller
In the heart of the opioid-ravaged Rust Belt, redemption has a price.
Attorney Jack Hamilton is haunted by the overdose death of his son and the collapse of his marriage, clinging to the scraps of a faltering legal practice, barely holding on—when a name from his past returns to unravel his fragile existence.
Rebecca Monroe. CEO. Socialite. Enigma. And Jack’s former lover.
When Rebecca is charged with the cold-blooded murder of Buffalo’s most powerful and beloved politician, Jack is pulled into a high-stakes crucible of crime, guilt, and retribution. With the city hungry for blood, Jack must defend a woman he once loved but no longer trusts, in a courtroom that’s already decided her guilt.
As the trial unfolds, secrets about Rebecca’s past and what festers at the city’s core surface. The deeper Jack digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes. With his career on the line, Jack must navigate a treacherous maze of betrayal and corruption to uncover a killer—and maybe, save himself.
Gripping, raw, and emotionally charged, The Last Word is a haunting tale of murder and mystery that will keep readers hooked until its dramatic conclusion.
Attorney Jack Hamilton is haunted by the overdose death of his son and the collapse of his marriage, clinging to the scraps of a faltering legal practice, barely holding on—when a name from his past returns to unravel his fragile existence.
Rebecca Monroe. CEO. Socialite. Enigma. And Jack’s former lover.
When Rebecca is charged with the cold-blooded murder of Buffalo’s most powerful and beloved politician, Jack is pulled into a high-stakes crucible of crime, guilt, and retribution. With the city hungry for blood, Jack must defend a woman he once loved but no longer trusts, in a courtroom that’s already decided her guilt.
As the trial unfolds, secrets about Rebecca’s past and what festers at the city’s core surface. The deeper Jack digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes. With his career on the line, Jack must navigate a treacherous maze of betrayal and corruption to uncover a killer—and maybe, save himself.
Gripping, raw, and emotionally charged, The Last Word is a haunting tale of murder and mystery that will keep readers hooked until its dramatic conclusion.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2025
182 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 28, 2025
Bookserins ARC review
This was a wonderful read. I love a good who dunnit book. I loved Jack character. Jack Hamilton is a lawyer with a story he has he own deoms and he takes on Rebecca's case who happens to be an ex girlfriend. I loved how the characters relationships developed in this book. I got quickly invested in Jack and if Rebecca's is innocent!?!? Did she do it or is there something or someone else at play all questions I had while reading this book. Cleverly written, great story. I love a good who dunnit book and this on was a 5 star read for me.
This was a wonderful read. I love a good who dunnit book. I loved Jack character. Jack Hamilton is a lawyer with a story he has he own deoms and he takes on Rebecca's case who happens to be an ex girlfriend. I loved how the characters relationships developed in this book. I got quickly invested in Jack and if Rebecca's is innocent!?!? Did she do it or is there something or someone else at play all questions I had while reading this book. Cleverly written, great story. I love a good who dunnit book and this on was a 5 star read for me.
October 28, 2025
A fast paced, twisty read full of secrets and intrigue.
When tired, disillusioned lawyer Jack Hamilton sees an old flame at a function, little does he realise he'll be defending her when she's accused of murder.
Jack hires young Elijah as his mentee and associate, and the drama begins.
This compelling story is packed full of dramatic tension as the danger to all involved increases, and for me the highlight was the dynamic between Jack and Elijah.
Jack is thankfully highly respected by people from all walks of life and soon relies on them to help unravel the case, adding depth and layers to the narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next instalment.
The conclusion is tied up neatly with no loose ends, just the way I like it.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary review.
When tired, disillusioned lawyer Jack Hamilton sees an old flame at a function, little does he realise he'll be defending her when she's accused of murder.
Jack hires young Elijah as his mentee and associate, and the drama begins.
This compelling story is packed full of dramatic tension as the danger to all involved increases, and for me the highlight was the dynamic between Jack and Elijah.
Jack is thankfully highly respected by people from all walks of life and soon relies on them to help unravel the case, adding depth and layers to the narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next instalment.
The conclusion is tied up neatly with no loose ends, just the way I like it.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary review.
July 15, 2025
D.B. Easton’s The Last Word is a sharp, high-stakes legal thriller that weaves courtroom drama, political intrigue, and personal redemption into a gritty story of justice and consequences. Set in Buffalo, New York, it follows Jack Hamilton, a once-promising prosecutor now scraping by as a private defense attorney, who’s drawn back into a web of powerful enemies when a U.S. senator is murdered. The accused is Jack’s long-lost love, Rebecca Monroe, and defending her forces him to reckon with old betrayals, legal corruption, and his own haunted past. Alongside him is Elijah Ramirez, a fresh law graduate trying to find his place. As the courtroom battles heat up, so do the stakes outside it, revealing secrets, power plays, and a justice system with cracks wide enough to fall through.
What struck me immediately was Easton’s ability to balance realism with drama. The writing is brisk, tight, and at times brutal, just like the legal world it portrays. Dialogue is punchy and often humorous, especially in Jack’s dry, sardonic voice, which I couldn’t help but admire. Easton captures the grind of legal work in an authentic way, showing both the backroom politics and the daily pressures of defending the accused. But beyond the law, the emotional weight of the story runs deep. Jack’s grief over his son’s overdose, his fraught marriage, and his complex history with Rebecca all made him feel heartbreakingly real.
That said, parts of the story left me uneasy in a good way. The cynicism around the justice system felt earned, but also pretty bleak. Everyone’s chasing something, power, revenge, validation, and few come away clean. I found myself constantly questioning people’s motives, including Jack’s. It added suspense, but it also stirred something deeper. I felt angry at the corruption, frustrated by the bureaucracy, and genuinely moved by the quiet moments between Jack and Elijah or Jack and his wife. There’s a bitterness to this book, but also a pulse of humanity that kept me hooked. And while I occasionally wished some of the supporting characters, especially the cops and prosecutors, had a bit more depth, the ones that mattered were sketched with enough grit and soul to stay with me.
If you’re into legal thrillers that don’t hold back, that feel grounded in real-life struggle but still offer plenty of twists and courtroom fireworks, The Last Word is absolutely worth your time. Fans of Scott Turow or early Grisham will feel at home here. Lawyers and law students might nod along (or wince), and readers who like stories about redemption, justice, and how complicated people can be when the stakes are high will get a lot out of this one. I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever Easton writes next.
What struck me immediately was Easton’s ability to balance realism with drama. The writing is brisk, tight, and at times brutal, just like the legal world it portrays. Dialogue is punchy and often humorous, especially in Jack’s dry, sardonic voice, which I couldn’t help but admire. Easton captures the grind of legal work in an authentic way, showing both the backroom politics and the daily pressures of defending the accused. But beyond the law, the emotional weight of the story runs deep. Jack’s grief over his son’s overdose, his fraught marriage, and his complex history with Rebecca all made him feel heartbreakingly real.
That said, parts of the story left me uneasy in a good way. The cynicism around the justice system felt earned, but also pretty bleak. Everyone’s chasing something, power, revenge, validation, and few come away clean. I found myself constantly questioning people’s motives, including Jack’s. It added suspense, but it also stirred something deeper. I felt angry at the corruption, frustrated by the bureaucracy, and genuinely moved by the quiet moments between Jack and Elijah or Jack and his wife. There’s a bitterness to this book, but also a pulse of humanity that kept me hooked. And while I occasionally wished some of the supporting characters, especially the cops and prosecutors, had a bit more depth, the ones that mattered were sketched with enough grit and soul to stay with me.
If you’re into legal thrillers that don’t hold back, that feel grounded in real-life struggle but still offer plenty of twists and courtroom fireworks, The Last Word is absolutely worth your time. Fans of Scott Turow or early Grisham will feel at home here. Lawyers and law students might nod along (or wince), and readers who like stories about redemption, justice, and how complicated people can be when the stakes are high will get a lot out of this one. I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever Easton writes next.
June 10, 2025
I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with Jack attending a fund raiser where he runs into a former girlfriend. Jack winds up getting upset and leaves the affair early. Rebecca, the old girlfriend, life takes a new direction when she gets up the next morning and winds up being arrested for the murder of her current boyfriend, a U.S. Senator. It's the weekend and she tries to raise Jack, but because she has to call collect, Jack denies the call. She finally reaches Jack and explains the situation. Jack agrees to represent her, but only through the arraignment. She is brought before the judge and bail is set. Things change with regard to Jack plan to defend when an old nemesis, the D.A., decides to try the case himself.
Read along as Jack along with a new associate begin investigating what happened that day. Discover who was behind and why the Senator was killed, learn how as a result of Jack's handling, he was able to overcome an issue that he has had for several years.
The story is excellent and gives you a warm feeling with the end result. This is definitely a story worth reading!
This story begins with Jack attending a fund raiser where he runs into a former girlfriend. Jack winds up getting upset and leaves the affair early. Rebecca, the old girlfriend, life takes a new direction when she gets up the next morning and winds up being arrested for the murder of her current boyfriend, a U.S. Senator. It's the weekend and she tries to raise Jack, but because she has to call collect, Jack denies the call. She finally reaches Jack and explains the situation. Jack agrees to represent her, but only through the arraignment. She is brought before the judge and bail is set. Things change with regard to Jack plan to defend when an old nemesis, the D.A., decides to try the case himself.
Read along as Jack along with a new associate begin investigating what happened that day. Discover who was behind and why the Senator was killed, learn how as a result of Jack's handling, he was able to overcome an issue that he has had for several years.
The story is excellent and gives you a warm feeling with the end result. This is definitely a story worth reading!
June 10, 2025
The Last Word by DB Easton is a riveting legal thriller that is a must read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The story is about Jack Hamilton a burned-out lawyer who is having problems dealing with his son's death and failing marriage, who finds himself defending a woman from his past, Rebecca Monroe, that he does not trust. Rebecca is a rich socialite who is accused of killing a US Senator. The story has many twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged and wanting to find out what really happened. The author did a great job detailing the case and the trial, but did not make it too hard to read with a lot of legalese. I liked how the author did a great job developing both the main characters and side characters, it really added more depth to the story. If you are a fan of authors such as David Balducci, John Grisham, and Lisa Scottoline you will enjoy this first novel by DB Easton. I highly recommend it.
June 29, 2025
This is a new author, and when I read the synopsis, I gladly requested the ARC from Hidden Gems. This is the story of Jack Hamilton, an attorney who has been on a downward spiral since the death of his son. His marriage is hanging on by a thread, and he is on the recovery path since he went to an alcohol rehab center. He finds himself defending his ex-girlfriend in the murder of her US Senator boyfriend. Jack also finds himself with a young law school grad to work with as they investigate the murder and figure out who could be setting up their client. There are plenty of twists and turns as they work through the case and try to solve the murder. Would definitely read more by this author.
June 14, 2025
A new author to me and this story is a genre I've been reading a lot of lately, so I've had a good comparison and DB Easton measured up very well with his story telling ability.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish and I kept turning the pages. The ending wasn't a total surprise to me, just confirmed my suspicions.
I'll gladly read more from this author.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish and I kept turning the pages. The ending wasn't a total surprise to me, just confirmed my suspicions.
I'll gladly read more from this author.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
June 21, 2025
I don't usually read legal thrillers but received an ARC through "HiddenGemBooks" so I gave it a try and am honestly glad I did! It kept me interested through the entire book. Most of the story revolves around a trial and would think it would get boring quick but it was the complete opposite. You can tell the author is an attorney by day because the depiction of the trial was spot on without excessive legal jargon. I recommend this book to anyone that likes a good thriller.
September 28, 2025
Seriously, the best novel in many years
I just finished "The Last Word" and it was the BEST novel in many years. I am 83 (and it had to be 100's) I loved every chapter, and your writing was so intelligently written. My father used to tell me (mostly once l was reaching the teen years) " you did good kid!"
Mr Easton, " You did very good" Can't wait until I order your next book, thank you 😊
I just finished "The Last Word" and it was the BEST novel in many years. I am 83 (and it had to be 100's) I loved every chapter, and your writing was so intelligently written. My father used to tell me (mostly once l was reaching the teen years) " you did good kid!"
Mr Easton, " You did very good" Can't wait until I order your next book, thank you 😊
November 6, 2025
Couldn’t put it down
I am a legal thriller passionate fan. Some writers are better than others at weaving the stories and courtroom drama and making characters come alive. DB Easton scored a win with this one. Look forward to future books.
I am a legal thriller passionate fan. Some writers are better than others at weaving the stories and courtroom drama and making characters come alive. DB Easton scored a win with this one. Look forward to future books.
July 16, 2025
Excellent debut!
This was an excellent debut, kept me riveted from the start. I am looking forward to more adventures from Mr. Easton!
This was an excellent debut, kept me riveted from the start. I am looking forward to more adventures from Mr. Easton!
August 6, 2025
The Last Word
A fun read! A story people trusting friends and people not responding in kind. If you believe you’re friends have done nothing wrong, prove it!
A fun read! A story people trusting friends and people not responding in kind. If you believe you’re friends have done nothing wrong, prove it!
September 6, 2025
Great debut novel!
I really enjoyed this book! I hope to see more from DB Easton in the near future, hopefully as a series! Thank you for tying up all the loose ends!
I really enjoyed this book! I hope to see more from DB Easton in the near future, hopefully as a series! Thank you for tying up all the loose ends!
September 27, 2025
Great Who Done It
Good mystery plot and character development. This book would make a great action movie. It kept me turning pages to the very end. Highly recommend.
Good mystery plot and character development. This book would make a great action movie. It kept me turning pages to the very end. Highly recommend.
October 12, 2025
Twisted people
This is good. You don't know who is good or bad. I recommend it to anyone who likes courtroom drama.
This is good. You don't know who is good or bad. I recommend it to anyone who likes courtroom drama.
October 25, 2025
Well written
Held my attention from the first page. And very few grammatical errors which always distract me more the missing word or two.
Held my attention from the first page. And very few grammatical errors which always distract me more the missing word or two.
October 31, 2025
A Terrific Read
This writing held my attention from the beginning to the very end. I highly recommend ‘The Last Word’ to anyone who enjoys legal thrillers.
This writing held my attention from the beginning to the very end. I highly recommend ‘The Last Word’ to anyone who enjoys legal thrillers.
December 10, 2025
great plot and fantastic story!
Stories fast paced and enjoyable to read. The character is very believable and very realistic in the storyline continue to keep me interested.
Stories fast paced and enjoyable to read. The character is very believable and very realistic in the storyline continue to keep me interested.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews