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Chesapeake Valley Mystery #7
The Last Stand
On a cool autumn evening, eight-year-old Wyatt Lawson left home.
He never returned.
Former NSA agent Eve Wicker has faced many hardships and tragedies in life.
After the murder of her mother, she vowed never to return to the small town she once loved.
But running away isn’t always so simple.
When her ailing father calls her home, Eve takes a position as her hometown sheriff.
A role she never imagined would reopen so many wounds from her past.
Since her move, she has met a formidable match in Roman Pike, the town’s mountain recluse and Marine.
All is seemingly well for them for the first time in Chesapeake Valley, until a distraught mother shows up at the police station.
Her son has gone missing, and the only clue they have is an odd symbol on his homework.
A symbol that Eve quickly recognizes.
In the hills of the Rocky Mountains, they hunt down matching symbols in a cave.
One that could potentially be linked to a strange cult.
As Eve begins to unravel the case of the missing boy, her father is taken from his bakery.
The hunt for the two leads to climactic twists, and the dangerous truth will send shockwaves throughout the small town.
He never returned.
Former NSA agent Eve Wicker has faced many hardships and tragedies in life.
After the murder of her mother, she vowed never to return to the small town she once loved.
But running away isn’t always so simple.
When her ailing father calls her home, Eve takes a position as her hometown sheriff.
A role she never imagined would reopen so many wounds from her past.
Since her move, she has met a formidable match in Roman Pike, the town’s mountain recluse and Marine.
All is seemingly well for them for the first time in Chesapeake Valley, until a distraught mother shows up at the police station.
Her son has gone missing, and the only clue they have is an odd symbol on his homework.
A symbol that Eve quickly recognizes.
In the hills of the Rocky Mountains, they hunt down matching symbols in a cave.
One that could potentially be linked to a strange cult.
As Eve begins to unravel the case of the missing boy, her father is taken from his bakery.
The hunt for the two leads to climactic twists, and the dangerous truth will send shockwaves throughout the small town.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Elle Gray
148 books737 followersElle Gray lives in a small town with her 2 cats, and her handsome husky.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.
Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.
Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 8, 2026
Disappointed
I wouldn't normally write a review but this book has disappointed me. This has been my least favorite Elle Gray series but I do love most of her work so I read this one. I have to comment on the fact that it's unacceptable for the sheriff to be making out in the station bathroom with her boyfriend when they are so close to rescuing a little boy. And then again in an open lot while supposed to be rescuing her father from a known killer. So unprofessional. The character of Roman is almost unbearable.
I wouldn't normally write a review but this book has disappointed me. This has been my least favorite Elle Gray series but I do love most of her work so I read this one. I have to comment on the fact that it's unacceptable for the sheriff to be making out in the station bathroom with her boyfriend when they are so close to rescuing a little boy. And then again in an open lot while supposed to be rescuing her father from a known killer. So unprofessional. The character of Roman is almost unbearable.
June 14, 2026
Why the last stand!
Reading this book was making me wonder why it was called the last stand. As you get into the story and reasons behind the title, you understand why. It was a long road to travel to understand the meaning of the title but waiting for the high light of the story to come out the mystery behind the title was well worth the wait. I should of started with book one of the series but somehow I downloaded book seven, now I need to start at the beginning to really understand everything about this book and why it took so long for the Sheriff Eve to take the last stand to come to the point of self awareness!
Reading this book was making me wonder why it was called the last stand. As you get into the story and reasons behind the title, you understand why. It was a long road to travel to understand the meaning of the title but waiting for the high light of the story to come out the mystery behind the title was well worth the wait. I should of started with book one of the series but somehow I downloaded book seven, now I need to start at the beginning to really understand everything about this book and why it took so long for the Sheriff Eve to take the last stand to come to the point of self awareness!
May 27, 2026
Another great Chesapeake Valley Mystery!
Elle Gray does not disappoint. The sheriff Eve Wicker has her hands full when a young 9 year old boy disappears. She also has to find out who is killing off Roman’s cows and draining their blood. This brings her a battle with group of people who are using the animal’s blood for rituals. It is one thing after another for Eve. You won’t want to put this book down.
Elle Gray does not disappoint. The sheriff Eve Wicker has her hands full when a young 9 year old boy disappears. She also has to find out who is killing off Roman’s cows and draining their blood. This brings her a battle with group of people who are using the animal’s blood for rituals. It is one thing after another for Eve. You won’t want to put this book down.
May 20, 2026
Mystery solved?
This was a bit heavier than her other books in this series. A boy goes missing and animals are being killed. How it all goes together is a complex trail of weirdness. It was a well written story with good character development. I just found the cult group difficult to understand especially if it had been there for so many years.
This was a bit heavier than her other books in this series. A boy goes missing and animals are being killed. How it all goes together is a complex trail of weirdness. It was a well written story with good character development. I just found the cult group difficult to understand especially if it had been there for so many years.
May 24, 2026
Another Page Turner!
Book 7 was a convergence of obsessive behaviors. With 9-year old Wyatt’s disappearance, an urgency gripped Eve Wicker’s law enforcement team, his family, and the townspeople. The discovery of generational cult followers that permeated the town deepened the mystery.
After this satisfying read I’m looking forward to Dark Waters when it is released.
Book 7 was a convergence of obsessive behaviors. With 9-year old Wyatt’s disappearance, an urgency gripped Eve Wicker’s law enforcement team, his family, and the townspeople. The discovery of generational cult followers that permeated the town deepened the mystery.
After this satisfying read I’m looking forward to Dark Waters when it is released.
May 24, 2026
so good!
I have to say that this was one of the best books yet! So many twists and turns during this read. The surprise ending really got me and had me holding my breath to the very end! I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes reading books by this author or in this series.
I have to say that this was one of the best books yet! So many twists and turns during this read. The surprise ending really got me and had me holding my breath to the very end! I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes reading books by this author or in this series.
May 28, 2026
the last stand
Right before I started this book, I started a book with no character development. I didn’t finish it. I have always wanted to be a part of every book I read. Elle Gray helps me do that. Or more. Her characters are alive. Even though I can’t get anything else done when I reading them, I plan to keep on.
Right before I started this book, I started a book with no character development. I didn’t finish it. I have always wanted to be a part of every book I read. Elle Gray helps me do that. Or more. Her characters are alive. Even though I can’t get anything else done when I reading them, I plan to keep on.
May 1, 2026
This was a superb story about Eve looking into a missing boy and a cult in town and finding answers to both things that is going on and solving it with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this awesome story.
May 5, 2026
Fantastic read, brought back some memories from the past on Eve. I had to dig out couple old books to remind myself of what the last thing was on Eve and everything.
So glad someone happy home comings.
So glad someone happy home comings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2026
Great series
Oh my gosh, this series was a total page-turner! The last book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I totally didn't see that ending coming. What a wild ride!ndings into 1 final ending.
Oh my gosh, this series was a total page-turner! The last book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I totally didn't see that ending coming. What a wild ride!ndings into 1 final ending.
June 9, 2026
wonderful
Elle Gray has out done herself with The Last Stand. So much happens in this story that ties up so many loose ends. This is an absolute must read. You will love every surprise along the way.
Elle Gray has out done herself with The Last Stand. So much happens in this story that ties up so many loose ends. This is an absolute must read. You will love every surprise along the way.
May 5, 2026
Terrific Read
Lots of twists and turns to this book! The characters were very interesting throughout the book as was the storyline!
Lots of twists and turns to this book! The characters were very interesting throughout the book as was the storyline!
May 13, 2026
Great book as well as series’s.
You will not want to put this book down. It was fantastic from start to finish. Looking forward for the next book and this series.
You will not want to put this book down. It was fantastic from start to finish. Looking forward for the next book and this series.
May 14, 2026
awesome read
Can’t wait for the next one
twisty ending never saw it coming I love this series im so involved with the characters
Can’t wait for the next one
twisty ending never saw it coming I love this series im so involved with the characters
May 24, 2026
Love this series
If you are looking for a very thrilling read this series is awesome. This is the last book in this set and it kept me reading all day. Read it, you will love it.
If you are looking for a very thrilling read this series is awesome. This is the last book in this set and it kept me reading all day. Read it, you will love it.
May 31, 2026
Great read
I love reading the series and can't wait for new books to come out. The ending definitely kept me on my toes and I was quite surprised
I love reading the series and can't wait for new books to come out. The ending definitely kept me on my toes and I was quite surprised
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews