Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
A SPY IS BORN…
But a secret emerges.
The plot implodes.
Can Jack put a stop to the unthinkable?

From Lyon to Cairo and back again, Jack exposes a conspiracy that could topple a government and ignite a new war in the Middle East. But for what purpose? And how will it impact Jack's mission...to keep his daughter out of harm's way, and to stay in the good graces of Simon?

In a shantytown outside of Cairo, Jack believes he's slayed the beast. But what he hears makes his skin crawl, and he knows that he's almost powerless to stop a terrorist plot that will kill hundreds.

As an international track athlete, Jack had never been defined by almost. And it wouldn't define him now, not with so much on the line.

Using every tool at his disposal—including a few he creates along the way—Jack tries to take down a band of Neo-Nazis hell-bent on making a statement in Lyon.

Will Jack have the final word?

If you’re a fan of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Brad Thor's Scot Havath, or Mark Greaney's Gray Man, then Jack Whitfield is the perfect thriller series for you.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2016

1527 people are currently reading
631 people want to read

About the author

John W. Mefford

77 books402 followers
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

Learn more about John at www.JohnWMefford.com

Let's connect! Follow John on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JohnWMeffordAuthor

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
483 (46%)
4 stars
348 (33%)
3 stars
167 (15%)
2 stars
32 (3%)
1 star
15 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Toni Osborne.
1,602 reviews53 followers
April 4, 2019
Book #6, In Alex Trout and Redemption Thriller series

To enjoy this story I needed to put all sense of reality aside and let the action take hold and go for the ride, after all this is a thriller one of my favourite genre. Mr. Mefford has done it again and in my books “At Last” is the best one in this series by a long shot, so far….

Memories do more than haunt. They kill. Thirty years after losing a parent to a hit and run, Alex finally confronts the killer. The hunt takes her deep into the foothills of West Virginia… With Archie on board, Alex must out-think and out-smart a fanatical religious cult to get to the truth.

This scenario will bring memories of Waco and those under the spell of fanatic leaders who brainwashed them. Known is that the followers suffered psychological abuse, sexual abuse, incest, torture…etc. all the while the Elders were stashing money away for a clean get away….Following Alex in her quest reminded me of the evils lurking in this world. It is so easy to be wrapped up in something when you are not happy. This story smoothly recreates the lives of those caught up in this terrible web and a daughter who will go to all means to get her mother back home. This story is an emotional journey hard to put aside…..

This 6th book gives us more information of how Alex grew up and why she is so determined to find her mother who may be alive and a member of a cult.

The book starts fairly quickly and leads immediately into action and suspense, no doubts it is a grabber and a page-turner. Quite an intense scenario that is played out by a cast of great characters….Love this series and how it is slowly developing.

Although this could be read as a standalone I highly suggest reading this series in sequence in order to follow Alex’s personal life.

Great series
Profile Image for Tulay.
1,202 reviews2 followers
January 2, 2017
Very good ending to excellent series.

Alex Troutt series was excellent, pulls on your strings. Alex after burying her father finds the truth about her mother. For 32 years she though she was killed in car accident by drunk driver. All this time she wanted to find the driver that took her mother from her. Mother was always absent from her family, under the spell of religious fantastic. Religious Cult, named Camp Israel in Texas. FBI after Waco and accidents are very careful to approach this camp. Psychological abuse, sexual abuse, brainwashing, incest, beatings, money transfer are going on in this camp of torture. Always Alex does what is right, not what is easy.
Profile Image for Toni Osborne.
1,602 reviews53 followers
October 7, 2022
Jack Whitfield Thrillers Book # 2

The mission is clear:

From Lyon to Cairo and back again, Jack Whitfield exposes a conspiracy that could topple a government and ignite a new war in the Mideast.

My thoughts:

This latest did not disappoint this long-time fan, “Never Say Die” provides all the elements needed to make an exciting read hard to put aside. Filled with action, suspense and a mystery so tense, quite a nail biting experience we are into from start to finish. I like Jack Whitfield, he is a well penned character hard to not root for. He is a man coerced to do missions he really doesn’t want to do and is at the mercy of Simon who dictates what mission he needs to accomplish in order to get his daughter back. Simon sends him on wild adventures, in book #2 his second he must accomplish to achieve his goal...will he succeed?....But behind all this... the action of the enigmatic organization Jack works for could very well end his life at any time.....Yes, lots of mayhem to entertain us. What a dazzling ride of espionage and international intrigue filled with breakneck twists we are in for.

Mr. Mefford alludes quite a bit to what had transpired in book #1“Never Go Back”, nevertheless I highly suggest reading it first. It is as exciting as book#2.

Another winner John what a great adventure you gave us.
7 reviews7 followers
January 12, 2018
Love Alex!

Love that Alex is a strong woman taking care of her job, her family and herself! Ready to read more.
114 reviews2 followers
December 5, 2016
Alex is a dedicated agent who puts her all in the job. Throughout this series, Alex has been put through the wringer, beginning with her amnesia and loss of her husband. The rest of Alex's tale is no different; AT Last begins with another tragic event in Alex's personal life that will cross with her professional life.

In pursuing the suspect of a new case, Alex unearths a new key to unlocking a piece of the Alex puzzle, something that changes the entire script of her life. Alex is now on the hunt for a secret cult that may or may not exist and have someone she loves captive. The conclusion of this series wraps up the unknowns of Alex's past and fill in the gaps that were missing prior to and following her amnesia event.

Mefford always manages that tie together suspense, mystery, family drama, and a little bit of romance, neatly in a novel that always leaves you wanting just a little bit more. I'm definitely looking forward to the new series Mefford has in store for us

*I received an advance copy of this book for review purposes*
Profile Image for Cecelia Kelsey.
133 reviews4 followers
November 5, 2016
Alex Troutt is back in Texas to bury her father. The night before the funeral she dreams about her mother who has been dead for 30 years. After the funeral, she returns to Boston where the first order of business is to catch a murderer. Her and Nick, her partner at the FBI, catch the man and are interviewing him. Suddenly, he is telling a story that makes Alex wonder if her mother could still be alive.

Alex has struggled since the first book to find her balance in the world. I have loved watching her grow in her personal life with her kids and relationships. She is growing in her job also. She needed the final piece in the puzzle to help her continue her growth. The interaction between professional and personal life is a constant struggle but so realistic for many women today. These books have shown the growth for Alex and her family and coworkers. Once I pick up one this series, I cannot put it bad down until the very end! They never disappoint!
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,516 reviews219 followers
December 4, 2016

When I was first introduced to John W. Mefford’s work I did not have high expectations. However, after reading his Booker series he has joined my list of must read authors for mysteries/thrillers. Now that I am at the end of the Alex Troutt series my expectations have increased exponentially.

For me of all the books in the series, this one had the capacity to rip my heart out. It was an emotional journey for me. I can’t begin to imagine how Alex must have felt to discover that her mother who she believed had died 32 years ago was alive and living in a cultish community. To discover that she had been lied to all these years by the one person she thought she could trust.

The atrocities depicted in this story could literally bring a grown man to his knees. It was a stark reminder of the evils lurking in this world. As usual, the story was fast-paced and suspenseful. From the moment Alex discovered that there was a possibility that her mom is alive I was kept on the edge of my seat to the very end. In this installment, I got an in-depth view of Alex’s relationship with Brad. I liked that she finally came to terms with the age differences.

What I enjoyed about this series is that the focus is not solely on solving crimes and capturing the perpetrators. It also explores the emotional aspects. In doing this the author made it easy for me to connect with Alex on all levels throughout the duration of the series. Alex did not have things easy, but in the end, she triumphed.

I enjoyed this story, however, there was an aspect of it that I was not thrilled with. I can’t say much for fear of giving the plot away. However, what I can say is that I was disappointed with how Alex’s reunion with her mom went. For me that moment was heartbreaking. I was hoping that in the end, it would bring joy for both parties, but this was not the case. I guess we can’t always get what we wish for. Even as I sit here thinking about that scene I can’t stop the tears from flowing. I can’t imagine how they both must have felt at that precise moment.

Verdict: A Great story. A fitting end to what I consider to be a great series. I am going to miss Alex and her friends, especially Archie. Can’t wait to see what next Mr. Mefford has in store for his fans.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,271 reviews98 followers
November 4, 2016
In book 6 of Alex Troutt, it gives us more information of how Alex grew up and let's us get a closer look at her. Alex's father has passed away and Alex thought that would put an end to her "painful years" of growing up. She then gets a note that her father left her, and it has opened up another wound. Her mother, who really didn't act like she loved Alex and was so into religion that she really didn't have time for her young daughter, was gone when Alex was very young. Alex was told it was a car accident and that her mother died. When Alex and her other fellow FBI agents are capturing a man wanted for killing his wife and her boyfriend....another fellow law officer, this man confesses to the car accident on Alex's mother! This gets Alex thinking and she looks into finding her death certificate, but there isn't one. She goes back to where she grew up and the hospital told her that her mother left with someone. Alex keeps getting small "flashbacks" of when she was growing up, and now she is determined to find out if her mother is alive after all this time. Alex is in for a few more surprises along the way. What might you ask? Read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Leila.
581 reviews9 followers
November 25, 2016
I love Alex and AT Last really gives a look into Alex and her life growing up. (I actually found Alex and I have a lot in common!)

Poor lady’s world gets turned on its axle (in a not good way) and she is left questioning so much.

AT Last is book 6 in a series of great books. I feel the books can be read as a stand alone – they give a great background to the story if you don’t read the first ones, but you will thoroughly enjoy the twists and turns of every book in the series.

The entire Alex Troutt series has great mystery and suspense and AT Last did not disappoint. I know at some point the Alex Troutt series has to end, but I love reading about this strong female heroine.

I think this was one of my favorite books of the series for a few reasons…

The book starts fairly quickly. Alex is laying her dad to rest, but of course, she gets called into a case that leads immediately into action which leads quickly into the start of the mystery.

As I mentioned before, we get a look into Alex’s past and realize that she really has some stories.

I am a huge John Mefford fan and highly recommend any work from John!
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,374 reviews7 followers
April 24, 2020
A blast from the past

This entire series the premise has been that’s Alex’s mother is dead, but now it is her dad is dead and perhaps her mom is alive. The book follows Alex’s journey to find out what actually happened 30 years ago and it takes some crazy back wood cult twists along the way. Alex and Brad are officially a couple, but Alex is still working through some details. The kids are doing well and their new family dynamic is working well. Nick was present with his sassy self and I love their friendship and work dynamic.

While searching for moms truth, Alex falls into a bigger story and problem. Low and behold we see Archie and he is still up to his perverse ways and yet still caring as well. The ending has a lot of violence but ties the story lines together well. The outcome of the case was not ideal and left me with a few questions, but this is one of my favorite books thus far in the series!
3,970 reviews14 followers
November 4, 2016
"The business of catching a killer."
The last, and arguably the best, of this excellent series.
Having followed the ups and downs of her life since she first awoke from a coma without any memoriy (in book one, At Bay), I will miss Alex, her FBI colleagues and family. Each book is a stand alone and this one is exceptionally good in giving a great introduction which effortlessly informs the reader of her past and current personal problems as well as launching into the latest crime to be solved - all in a couple of chapters. And, at last, it looks as if Alex will find peace from the crime which has haunted her for years.
John Mefford has written another thrilling book, filled with fully developed personalities caught up in a terrible drama of murder and misapprehensions. As I said earlier, I will miss Alex. Highly recommended
18 reviews
February 23, 2020
Alexandra was raised by an psychotic Mother until she was killed in a car wreck.

This book was one I couldn't put down. I found myself reading till 2:00 am in the night then picking it up again at 6:00 am. It is about Alex who works for us FBI. In one of her cases she is brought back when her Mother died. Maybe! Alex learns her Mother may be alive taken by Malacia a religious phanatic. She goes looking for Mother with the help of her FBI team. In at search she meet a girl that got away from the cult and they are out to kill her. Another FBI agent who is learning to get more information on Camp Israel How she finally learns her Mother is there and she must go get her..
308 reviews13 followers
November 4, 2016
Can you imagine confronting the person who killed your parent in a hit-and-run? The same person who murdered the police chief? Alex Troutt learns more about herself and her family. I can't believe this is the last book for the series, but what a great way to end it. This is just another marvelous book by an outstanding author. John Mefford has done it again, writing a story that thrills you and makes you question and satisfies you down to your toes. A really good book that is well-written and enjoyable. I'm going to miss Alex, but I'm looking forward to what John Mefford does next.
99 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2016
This was a great end to an awesome series. In this last book we get to know Alex even more by learning about her past. Thinking her father had died Alex thought her bad years were behind her only to find out he really just left her. Her mom was too into other things to even care about Alex or be there for her. Alex gets a case that opens up old wounds and she gets some surprises on her investigation. I won't give them away. John Mefford has written an awesome series here and I have enjoyed it a lot!
71 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2025
Not bad but not gripping.

I feel like I'm saying this more and more often - it wasn't a bad story but it wasn't a page turner that I had to walk around reading every hour until it was finished. There were some things the characters did that felt very immature for their age - is this a sign of the times we love in or a writing flaw... Not sure, but it is definitely one of the things that really irks me nowadays. The reading masses seem to be settling for lower and lower quality writing.
39 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2016
I am really loving the Alex Troutt thrillers! First, I love that she is an FBI agent, second, the author includes a little more information about her backstory in each book. In this installment, Alex reaches back into her past to confront the man who supposedly hit and killed her mother in a car accident. But all is not what it seems and Alex must find out what really happened. A great read and the last book in the series. Read them all, you won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Sharon Scott.
190 reviews4 followers
February 23, 2018
Alex Trout has become one of my favorite characters and I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. John Meffords writing keeps you enthralled throughout this entire series. Thank you, John for sharing your gift with us! This was another one of Meffords books I was unable to put down. Full of suspense and intrigue and totally fast paced. I cannot believe that At Last is the last! I received this book as an advanced reader copy.
142 reviews5 followers
January 31, 2018
The best up till 4am novel I've read about the FBI

Great stuff a compilation literary excellence with something for everyone.
This fast paced murder mystery has it all together, you don't want to miss this opportunity to be glued to your seat by this author's story telling skills.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
June 13, 2018
'AT Last' was another great add to a fantastic series. The story line was full of intense scenarios, thrilling suspense and interesting characters. Alex keeps taking hits where her loved ones are concerned. I look forward to reading more to see what direction the author goes. Archie is such a goof. He really does try, but man is he a wreck. A great add to your tbr list.
174 reviews
July 7, 2018
At Last

I am totally overwhelmed by this novel. The emotional roller coaster grips the heart and doesn't let go. The story will keep you reading until the very last word no matter how late it gets or what plans are scheduled for the next day. All I can say is pick up this book and read it. Great job John M.
Profile Image for Karina.
600 reviews19 followers
September 30, 2018
John W Mefford has done it again! At Large is even better than the previous book. It grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go. This is an exciting, intense romantic thriller that is full of twists and turns, with characters that come to life. A real page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down until I'd read the last sentence.
591 reviews6 followers
December 8, 2018
Action packed

This book is full of action. With lots of emotional scenes, it digs deeply into the psyche of a tough lady who faces the demons that shaped her past and molded her into the person she is. Full of true friendships, this book shares the joy of camaraderie and the comfort of love.
104 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2019
Definitely like this author & this series

Well written characters & plot about FBI agent tracking down her own mother who she thought was dead for many years. Then she finds out her mother survived the crash in a rather bizarre way. Enjoyed this very much. Look forward to reading his other novels.
836 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2020
Too much flip in this book. It was entertaining but the flirting and certain FBI behaviour of some of the characters, was a bit too much. The whole story was quite gripping however : camp Israel with all its crooked leaders claiming to be the gods on earth with all the power to do anything they wanted. It is hard to believe that people can be so taken by these prophets, it it happened before.
69 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2020
Pulse racing suspense

Trials, deception, heartbreak then tension, and racing pulse. The frame of Alex and her mother making a connection was riveting suspense as they reached for each other on a runway. Both lives at stake..Will they save each other? A must read. My heart is still racing.
1,146 reviews7 followers
October 13, 2022
A Mother's Love

The mystery of FBI agent Alex's mother comes to the forefront. With the help of her team and frenemy PI and former CIA operative Archie, she hunts down the leaders of a vicious cult.

This book was okay. The Archie bit was not believable and a bit over the top. Alex is maturing and her relationship with Brad grows. Not the best of the series but pretty good.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,374 reviews33 followers
February 6, 2023
A must read series

This was an intense, complex, and intriguing story with many unexpected twists and turns. Alex's life gets completely turned upside down in a matter of days, which leads her and her team on an investigation that no one saw coming. It's not a story that you'll want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
226 reviews
April 7, 2025
hard to get through

This story could be a science fiction. Arresting a man that hit your Mom’s car 30 years before is a far reach. It could have had a happy ending to help the story but that did not happen. Also, when someone is cremated, the ashes are not put in a casket and lowered in the ground. I am done with this author.
Profile Image for Terri Calvert.
99 reviews
August 17, 2017
A new fav

I've discovered a new author to add to my list of favorites. Started reading, went from book to book, no breaks. Enthralled. Great research. Great stories. Well written. Joining my top crime writers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.