What do you think?
The Last Bench
From the bestselling author of The Stolen Child, a brand new gripping and emotional story of loss, family devotion and buried secrets . . .
Journalist Vega Pearse arrives at the home of Anne and John Davis to interview them for a piece she is writing on the local drug crisis.
The devoted couple show Vega around their beautiful blossom tree maze, which sits at the top of their garden. They tell Vega their family's life story and share their devastation at losing a child.
But as they approach the last bench in the maze, Vega starts to suspect there is something they're not telling her.
And secrets, like memories, rarely stay buried for ever . . .
___________________________
Readers love Carmel Harrington!
'OMG! Unputdownable! Shocking! Brilliant! Amazing!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This author's books are always brilliant and I honestly think this is her best one yet . . . Brilliant characters and some OMG moments. I loved it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I love a book with a twist and this one was both unanticipated until the time was right, and believable - a rare combination! Add it to your pile!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I couldn't put this book down. I had so many theories to how the story would end, it kept me guessing . . . it just begs to be read in one sitting' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Carmel Harrington at her best. Plot twists & turns on every page!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Praise for Carmel
'This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease' SUNDAY TIMES
'One of the greatest twists I've ever read' CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD
'An addictive, immersive, incredibly poignant page-turner' ANDREA MARA
'Clever, compelling and compulsive, a read-until-the-early-hours rollercoaster' AMANDA GEARD
'A compelling, extremely tender page-turner' ADELE PARKS
Journalist Vega Pearse arrives at the home of Anne and John Davis to interview them for a piece she is writing on the local drug crisis.
The devoted couple show Vega around their beautiful blossom tree maze, which sits at the top of their garden. They tell Vega their family's life story and share their devastation at losing a child.
But as they approach the last bench in the maze, Vega starts to suspect there is something they're not telling her.
And secrets, like memories, rarely stay buried for ever . . .
___________________________
Readers love Carmel Harrington!
'OMG! Unputdownable! Shocking! Brilliant! Amazing!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This author's books are always brilliant and I honestly think this is her best one yet . . . Brilliant characters and some OMG moments. I loved it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I love a book with a twist and this one was both unanticipated until the time was right, and believable - a rare combination! Add it to your pile!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I couldn't put this book down. I had so many theories to how the story would end, it kept me guessing . . . it just begs to be read in one sitting' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Carmel Harrington at her best. Plot twists & turns on every page!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Praise for Carmel
'This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease' SUNDAY TIMES
'One of the greatest twists I've ever read' CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD
'An addictive, immersive, incredibly poignant page-turner' ANDREA MARA
'Clever, compelling and compulsive, a read-until-the-early-hours rollercoaster' AMANDA GEARD
'A compelling, extremely tender page-turner' ADELE PARKS
- GenresShort Stories
128 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2026
About the author
Carmel Harrington
19 books501 followersCarmel Harrington is an award-winning, No. 1 bestselling thriller writer, including The Nowhere Girls, The Stolen Child and the 2026 Quick Reads novella The Last Bench.
The Stopping Place (January 27’) is her sixteenth novel.
Her work has been included in the Sunday Times Best Thrillers of the Year; she is published internationally and is an Irish Times, USA Today, and Kindle bestseller. Carmel is a Good Housekeeping Good Books Winner; her debut was awarded Romantic eBook of the Year, and her work has been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award multiple times.
A regular on Irish television and radio, Carmel has been a guest speaker at literary events in Ireland, the UK, and the USA, and served as Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.
She lives in rural Wexford with her husband, Roger, children, Amelia and Nate, and their rescue dog, George Bailey.
Connect with Carmel on:
Instagram @happymrsh | Facebook Carmel Harrington Author | TikTok carmelharringtonauhtor | www.carmelharrington.com
The Stopping Place (January 27’) is her sixteenth novel.
Her work has been included in the Sunday Times Best Thrillers of the Year; she is published internationally and is an Irish Times, USA Today, and Kindle bestseller. Carmel is a Good Housekeeping Good Books Winner; her debut was awarded Romantic eBook of the Year, and her work has been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award multiple times.
A regular on Irish television and radio, Carmel has been a guest speaker at literary events in Ireland, the UK, and the USA, and served as Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.
She lives in rural Wexford with her husband, Roger, children, Amelia and Nate, and their rescue dog, George Bailey.
Connect with Carmel on:
Instagram @happymrsh | Facebook Carmel Harrington Author | TikTok carmelharringtonauhtor | www.carmelharrington.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 24, 2026
The things we do for our children. 🩷
April 16, 2026
Rating: 3.0/5
"The Last Bench" is part of the 2026 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. The scheme is primarily intended to attract new readers or to tempt lapsed readers back into the fold, but you don't need to fall into either of those categories. Personally, I am a very much a supporter and always try to read all of the books they publish each year.
That point aside, I also have great admiration for any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is a real skill in constructing a rounded story, with fleshed-out characters in the space of a hundred or so pages. Author, Carmel Harrington, achieves that with this solid example of the short format. This tells the story of Anne & John Davis who are interviewed at their home by Vega Pearse, a journalist working on a piece about the current drugs crisis. Anne & John have their own personal and emotional link to the effects of drug dealing and that provides the foundation for this warm and touching story. A pleasing read that should take about ninety minutes of your time.
"The Last Bench" is part of the 2026 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. The scheme is primarily intended to attract new readers or to tempt lapsed readers back into the fold, but you don't need to fall into either of those categories. Personally, I am a very much a supporter and always try to read all of the books they publish each year.
That point aside, I also have great admiration for any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is a real skill in constructing a rounded story, with fleshed-out characters in the space of a hundred or so pages. Author, Carmel Harrington, achieves that with this solid example of the short format. This tells the story of Anne & John Davis who are interviewed at their home by Vega Pearse, a journalist working on a piece about the current drugs crisis. Anne & John have their own personal and emotional link to the effects of drug dealing and that provides the foundation for this warm and touching story. A pleasing read that should take about ninety minutes of your time.
August 7, 2026
Didn’t know what to expect with this short story but really enjoyed it, a story line that drew you in!
August 19, 2026
A really enjoyable read that kept me curious throughout. Although much of the central mystery was quite predictable and I had worked out the main reveal very early on, there were still a few smaller surprises that kept things interesting.
I really liked the characters and thought the development of John and Anne, particularly the way they supported each other through everything they had been through, was handled well. Vega was another highlight for me. She could easily have been portrayed as a journalist interested only in getting a story, but instead she showed genuine compassion and ultimately chose to do what she felt was right.
I really liked the characters and thought the development of John and Anne, particularly the way they supported each other through everything they had been through, was handled well. Vega was another highlight for me. She could easily have been portrayed as a journalist interested only in getting a story, but instead she showed genuine compassion and ultimately chose to do what she felt was right.
May 4, 2026
Another quick read for World Book Night. The story of a couple whose lives are changed when they lose their daughter. A lovely little book and I may read other novels by this author.
August 16, 2026
Cute little read but I knew what was going to happen by page 30!! Still a wholesome read though :)
August 2, 2026
My mum managed to pick up this 2026 Quick Reads title for free (and who doesn’t love a book freebie?!). I also love a short read, so this one was perfect - I finished it in the space of a chilled Sunday afternoon.
Journalist Vega is determined to uncover the truth behind a local drugs scandal dating back to the 1990s. Her investigation leads her to John and Anne, a couple whose daughter died in 1999 after taking drugs supplied by a local dealer who later disappeared. As they guide Vega through the beautiful blossom tree maze in their garden, they share memories of their daughter and explain the significance of the maze. But it isn’t long before Vega notices inconsistencies in their story and long-buried secrets begin to come to light.
I enjoyed the shifts between timelines, which gradually built the suspense and kept me intrigued. While parts of the plot felt quite predictable, I was still curious to see how everything would come together in the end.
Vega was a likeable central character, although I definitely felt there was more to her story than we were shown. It made perfect sense when I discovered she’s the protagonist in one of Carmel Harrington’s full-length novels. I’d be interested in reading one of those, as it’s difficult to fully judge an author’s writing from such a short story, but this certainly showed enough promise to make me want to read more.
Rating: 2.5 ⭐️
Journalist Vega is determined to uncover the truth behind a local drugs scandal dating back to the 1990s. Her investigation leads her to John and Anne, a couple whose daughter died in 1999 after taking drugs supplied by a local dealer who later disappeared. As they guide Vega through the beautiful blossom tree maze in their garden, they share memories of their daughter and explain the significance of the maze. But it isn’t long before Vega notices inconsistencies in their story and long-buried secrets begin to come to light.
I enjoyed the shifts between timelines, which gradually built the suspense and kept me intrigued. While parts of the plot felt quite predictable, I was still curious to see how everything would come together in the end.
Vega was a likeable central character, although I definitely felt there was more to her story than we were shown. It made perfect sense when I discovered she’s the protagonist in one of Carmel Harrington’s full-length novels. I’d be interested in reading one of those, as it’s difficult to fully judge an author’s writing from such a short story, but this certainly showed enough promise to make me want to read more.
Rating: 2.5 ⭐️
September 7, 2026
I am a sucker for novellas and this was my first book by Carmel Harrington. What a delight it was!
In such a short amount of time, Harrington was able to create a sense of mystery and suspense that kept me intrigued. But what I loved the most was how they were able to capture the level of devastation a parent feels when they lose a child, and how this can make or break a family dynamic. It shows the love between a parent and their child, and just how deep that love goes. For all types of loss, there is no telling what the consequences may be, or how an individual may learn to grieve.
It was written in a light-hearted way whilst capturing those emotions, so I was able to read this in one sitting! I was very pleasantly happy with this novella and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a quick thrilling read.
In such a short amount of time, Harrington was able to create a sense of mystery and suspense that kept me intrigued. But what I loved the most was how they were able to capture the level of devastation a parent feels when they lose a child, and how this can make or break a family dynamic. It shows the love between a parent and their child, and just how deep that love goes. For all types of loss, there is no telling what the consequences may be, or how an individual may learn to grieve.
It was written in a light-hearted way whilst capturing those emotions, so I was able to read this in one sitting! I was very pleasantly happy with this novella and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a quick thrilling read.
June 30, 2026
Vega is a young journalist trying to write an article about the drug situation in her town, but all her leads keep bringing her back to the same person: a drug dealer allegedly involved in the death of a young woman thirty years ago. Unable to find him, she decides to interview the victim’s parents, who have created a blossom maze in her memory. From there, an intriguing story unfolds. This is one of the Quick Reads of 2026, so it is a very short and accessible story. The plot is engaging, and the characters are touching. A nice, easy read.
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July 19, 2026
3.5 / 5, rounded up for GR.
Though I've never read anything by Carmel Harrington before, I've enjoyed a number of the 'quick reads' from previous years, so thought I would give this one a go.
'The Last Bench' was really well written, with an interesting plot spread over dual timelines. Unlike some of the other 'quick reads' I've read, I thought the characters were very well developed and this was, in and of itself, a solid standalone story. I found 'The Last Bench' to be a complete and engaging read. If anything, this has inspired me to read more of Harrington's work, particularly some of her longer form novels.
Though I've never read anything by Carmel Harrington before, I've enjoyed a number of the 'quick reads' from previous years, so thought I would give this one a go.
'The Last Bench' was really well written, with an interesting plot spread over dual timelines. Unlike some of the other 'quick reads' I've read, I thought the characters were very well developed and this was, in and of itself, a solid standalone story. I found 'The Last Bench' to be a complete and engaging read. If anything, this has inspired me to read more of Harrington's work, particularly some of her longer form novels.
April 25, 2026
A gripping quick read and I admire any writer that can have you hooked in such a short piece. But the twist was incredibly obvious, so much so that I’d argue it’s not a twist at all - it was telegraphed very early on. And I’m terrible for guessing the twists and never see them coming! But that didn’t stop it being an engaging short story and an enjoyable way to spend an hour.
May 5, 2026
Well written story, tugs on your emotions as an elderly couple tell their story about loosing their daughter to drugs at a young age, they explain the toll it had taken on their family and how they were full of anger at the justice system as the culprit walked free. They didn’t know a moments peace until they took matters into their own hands.
August 3, 2026
My first “Quick Reads” book from The Reading Agency.
It is quite a skill to capture a story worth telling in just over 100 pages and quite another skill to do it well. This book succeeded in both. A simple but touching story with very likeable characters. The ending was predictable from very early on, but this story is not about unexpected plot twists, it’s about love, loss and hope.
It is quite a skill to capture a story worth telling in just over 100 pages and quite another skill to do it well. This book succeeded in both. A simple but touching story with very likeable characters. The ending was predictable from very early on, but this story is not about unexpected plot twists, it’s about love, loss and hope.
Review of advance copy
This tells the story of Anne & John Davis who are interviewed at their home by Vega Pearse, a journalist working on a piece about the current drugs crisis. Anne & John have their own personal and emotional link to the effects of drug dealing.
May 4, 2026
This was a very enjoyable book. It was titled "Quick Read" and it's very very short so it was an extremely quick read.
I really enjoyed it. I think that Carmel Harrington is a really good writer.
I'll happily read anything else by her
I really enjoyed it. I think that Carmel Harrington is a really good writer.
I'll happily read anything else by her
August 24, 2026
I enjoyed this quick read. A very gripping story and easy to read in under 2 hours.
The empathy I felt for Anne and John was there throughout. A heartbreaking story. I Iove a dual timeline and this didn’t disappoint.
The empathy I felt for Anne and John was there throughout. A heartbreaking story. I Iove a dual timeline and this didn’t disappoint.
September 14, 2026
•Loved how gripping this short story was! I was completely drawn in from the beginning.
•Very nitty-gritty, raw and emotional — definitely a story that doesn’t shy away from the difficult stuff.
•I was really impressed by the character development, especially considering this is only 114 pages!
•I really felt for Anne and Jason, although I did find myself questioning some of the desperate measures they took.
•A book you can absolutely demolish in one sitting — perfect if you’re looking for something short but impactful!
Pick this up if you’re into…
✨ Short but gripping reads
✨ Raw and emotional stories
✨ Complex, flawed characters
✨ Difficult moral choices
✨ Books that pack a punch in under 150 pages
✨ A quick read you can finish in one sitting
•Very nitty-gritty, raw and emotional — definitely a story that doesn’t shy away from the difficult stuff.
•I was really impressed by the character development, especially considering this is only 114 pages!
•I really felt for Anne and Jason, although I did find myself questioning some of the desperate measures they took.
•A book you can absolutely demolish in one sitting — perfect if you’re looking for something short but impactful!
Pick this up if you’re into…
✨ Short but gripping reads
✨ Raw and emotional stories
✨ Complex, flawed characters
✨ Difficult moral choices
✨ Books that pack a punch in under 150 pages
✨ A quick read you can finish in one sitting
Read
April 14, 2026Sweet book
Review of advance copy
4.5 rounded up for Goodreads
April 19, 2026
Enjoyable but not my favourite read.
Well written, so I'll try this author again, I just wasn't so keen on the plot and ending.
Well written, so I'll try this author again, I just wasn't so keen on the plot and ending.
April 21, 2026
Brilliant quick read!
Review of advance copy
It took a while to get going but had an interesting ending, good for a quick read
April 24, 2026
Review to follow
April 26, 2026
A huge amount of skill is required to be able to write a complete story in this format
The twist may be somewhat predictable but I enjoyed the storyline very much
The twist may be somewhat predictable but I enjoyed the storyline very much
May 3, 2026
Not bad
May 4, 2026
A quick, easy read. A lovely story, and very much enjoyed meeting Vega again from The Nowhere Girls who I thought was a memorable and very likeable character.
May 5, 2026
Couldn't put it down. A bitter sweet story but loved the relationship between the parents. Will definitely read one of Carmel's full length books now.
May 10, 2026
Brought back so many hideous memories! We paid for 3 or four benches for family members from Uk and Canada and New Zealand! They all got removed!
Edinburgh city council are grave robbers!
Edinburgh city council are grave robbers!
May 12, 2026
A gripping short story, full of intrigue.
May 18, 2026
A short story but a good one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews