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The Last Stand #3
Watch Me
“Creepy and absorbing… Plan to stay up very late to finish this one!”—RT BOOK Review Magazine, 4.5 Stars
Teenagers Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt were parked at the lake in Whiterock, Tennessee, when a stranger wearing a ski mask shot them both. Sheridan lived but Jason died—and the stranger was never caught. Even though Sheridan’s family moved away right afterward, she’s never been able to put the crime behind her.
Because of a new development in the case, Sheridan returns to Whiterock. But when she’s attacked a second time, it’s only because of Jason’s stepbrother, Cain Granger, that she survives—and Cain’s the last person she wants to face. If not for their history, if not for her, Jason wouldn’t have been in that parked car.
Cain knows that whoever killed his brother probably isn’t a stranger at all. But figuring out that person’s identity is easier said than done—especially since the killer seems to be taunting them both: watch me.
Teenagers Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt were parked at the lake in Whiterock, Tennessee, when a stranger wearing a ski mask shot them both. Sheridan lived but Jason died—and the stranger was never caught. Even though Sheridan’s family moved away right afterward, she’s never been able to put the crime behind her.
Because of a new development in the case, Sheridan returns to Whiterock. But when she’s attacked a second time, it’s only because of Jason’s stepbrother, Cain Granger, that she survives—and Cain’s the last person she wants to face. If not for their history, if not for her, Jason wouldn’t have been in that parked car.
Cain knows that whoever killed his brother probably isn’t a stranger at all. But figuring out that person’s identity is easier said than done—especially since the killer seems to be taunting them both: watch me.
427 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 29, 2008
209 people are currently reading
1652 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Novak
238 books6,989 followersIt was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
November 13, 2017
4.5
No sé si es porque me estoy acostumbrando al estilo y el esquema de las novelas de esta autora que me está gustando cada vez más.
Me ha enganchado tanto que me la he leído en apenas un par de días.
Sheridan me ha parecido un personaje muy convincente, fuerte en algunas escenas pero también muy vulnerable en otras. Ese punto medio me ha parecido que hacía de ella un personaje bien equilibrado. Tanto, que incluso en un par de frases se muestra la gran educación religiosa que le inculcaron sus padres que podría ser el motivo por el que el hombre con el que perdió la virginidad siga tan presente en su pensamiento.
Cain es un personaje bastante tópico y que tanto nos gusta, ese malote con un carisma arrollador que en realidad tiene un corazón de oro. Su vida no ha sido nada fácil, pero no vive ni anclado en el pasado ni sumergido en su dolor. Ha sabido hacerle frente a la vida y ahora vive en paz.
Su relación me ha gustado mucho, pese a ese pasado en común la autora no se precipita en forjar esta pareja. Al contrario, creo que su relación tiene mayor peso que en las entregas anteriores y me ha gustado mucho ver como evolucionaba su relación. Quizás esperaba una explicación al final de lo que pasó en su pasado y del porqué de la actitud de él. Pero supongo que al final la autora decide no darle mayor importancia.
Sobre el suspense, me ha enganchado y la autora ha jugado conmigo de una forma que me ha gustado mucho. A diferencia de las dos novelas anteriores en las que Brenda Novak parte de un culpable conocido, aquí hay varias posibilidades. Y tanto puede ser uno como otro, en unas partes estás convencida de quién es y en otras te aporta alguna pista que te hace cambiar totalmente.
En resumen, si os gusta el suspense romántico os animo a que os leáis esta serie… yo no tardaré en leerme el cuarto!
No sé si es porque me estoy acostumbrando al estilo y el esquema de las novelas de esta autora que me está gustando cada vez más.
Me ha enganchado tanto que me la he leído en apenas un par de días.
Sheridan me ha parecido un personaje muy convincente, fuerte en algunas escenas pero también muy vulnerable en otras. Ese punto medio me ha parecido que hacía de ella un personaje bien equilibrado. Tanto, que incluso en un par de frases se muestra la gran educación religiosa que le inculcaron sus padres que podría ser el motivo por el que el hombre con el que perdió la virginidad siga tan presente en su pensamiento.
Cain es un personaje bastante tópico y que tanto nos gusta, ese malote con un carisma arrollador que en realidad tiene un corazón de oro. Su vida no ha sido nada fácil, pero no vive ni anclado en el pasado ni sumergido en su dolor. Ha sabido hacerle frente a la vida y ahora vive en paz.
Su relación me ha gustado mucho, pese a ese pasado en común la autora no se precipita en forjar esta pareja. Al contrario, creo que su relación tiene mayor peso que en las entregas anteriores y me ha gustado mucho ver como evolucionaba su relación. Quizás esperaba una explicación al final de lo que pasó en su pasado y del porqué de la actitud de él. Pero supongo que al final la autora decide no darle mayor importancia.
Sobre el suspense, me ha enganchado y la autora ha jugado conmigo de una forma que me ha gustado mucho. A diferencia de las dos novelas anteriores en las que Brenda Novak parte de un culpable conocido, aquí hay varias posibilidades. Y tanto puede ser uno como otro, en unas partes estás convencida de quién es y en otras te aporta alguna pista que te hace cambiar totalmente.
En resumen, si os gusta el suspense romántico os animo a que os leáis esta serie… yo no tardaré en leerme el cuarto!
August 14, 2008
Third book in Novak's The Last Stand series. I think this one is the most well-rounded of the three. The suspense storyline is fairly solid, and it's got the best romance aspect. At least that's how it came across to me.
Watch Me focuses on the last of the 3 founders of The Last Stand, a victims advocacy group. Sheridan Kohl was only sixteen when a masked man opened fire on her and her date as they sat in a parked truck in a secluded spot. Her date was killed and Sheridan critically injured. She's never been able to forget what happened that night, or to stop feeling guilty because the only reason she'd asked Jason out was to make his older step-brother jealous. And Jason died because of it.
Now new evidence has surfaced and Sheridan decides it is time to return to her hometown and finally solve the mystery of who attacked her all those years ago. But on her first night back, she finds herself a victim once again. Severely beaten, the only thing that keeps her from being buried alive is the timely rescue by Cain Granger, the boy, now man, she'd given her innocence to long ago. And the one she was trying to make jealous by asking Jason out that tragic night. After the close call, both realize that whoever killed Jason is still around, and still wants Sheridan dead. Now they must find the truth, and deal with their unforgotten past, if they hope to survive.
Like the last book, Stop Me, this one is another whodunit. But I have to admit I guessed pretty quickly who the bad guy was. It seemed a bit obvious to me. So I was mostly reading to see how it would all play out. I didn't like the storyline as much as the ones in the first two books. The "hick" cops were ridiculously biased and there's not a shred of actual police work. It got on my nerves. But the story was still fairly solid. I wasn't bored or anything.
The romantic angle of the book - the relationship between Sheridan and Cain - was the best of three (though couple wise, I liked Jasmine and Romain best)...but development wise, this one was the most well-rounded. Cain and Sheridan actually spend time together and for once out of the three books, there's an actual closing scene for the H/H. As a reader, you just get a much better sense of the couple than in the other two books.
On the whole, a pretty good book to read. There were things I liked, things that bugged me (like killing off a certain character). But it was worth reading.
For the series overall...I had high expectations for this series. I loved the concept of it. For the most, the books met those expectations. The characters were great, the storylines were interesting. Once I read one book, I wanted to read the next.
There were two things I thought could have been done better, though. One - better connections between the books. In some ways, they come off very separated from each other. For example, Jasmine (book 2) is pretty much only used in her book - she has a small role in book 1, and a mention in book 3. Once a character had their book, they seem to fall by the wayside. Skye (book 1) has a baby between book 1 and book 2...but you never find out whether it was a boy or a girl. Jasmine is practically ignored in the 3rd book. From a book to book standpoint, I just wasn't feeling any cohesiveness. That was a bit disappointing.
But more so was the lack of romance. Sure each book had an H/H and a happy-ending, but none of the three had romances that particularly sucked me in. The romantic aspects just seemed to get pushed aside for the storyline to a certain degree. I would have liked more solid relationships in the books. For an author who comes from writing category romance, I was really surprised at the overall lack of a romantic vibe in these books.
The endings could have been better too, especially for books 1 & 2...but I've already griped about that.
So...would i recommend this series? I wouldn't consider it a must-read because I can't say I loved any of the books. But if you've got the time and the extra cash, go for it. They're fairly enjoyable as romantic suspense books. If you read Novak's Stillwater trilogy, then you'll probably like these 3.
NOTE: The Last Stand series isn't done! There will be a second trilogy, starting in August 2009 with The Perfect Couple.
Watch Me focuses on the last of the 3 founders of The Last Stand, a victims advocacy group. Sheridan Kohl was only sixteen when a masked man opened fire on her and her date as they sat in a parked truck in a secluded spot. Her date was killed and Sheridan critically injured. She's never been able to forget what happened that night, or to stop feeling guilty because the only reason she'd asked Jason out was to make his older step-brother jealous. And Jason died because of it.
Now new evidence has surfaced and Sheridan decides it is time to return to her hometown and finally solve the mystery of who attacked her all those years ago. But on her first night back, she finds herself a victim once again. Severely beaten, the only thing that keeps her from being buried alive is the timely rescue by Cain Granger, the boy, now man, she'd given her innocence to long ago. And the one she was trying to make jealous by asking Jason out that tragic night. After the close call, both realize that whoever killed Jason is still around, and still wants Sheridan dead. Now they must find the truth, and deal with their unforgotten past, if they hope to survive.
Like the last book, Stop Me, this one is another whodunit. But I have to admit I guessed pretty quickly who the bad guy was. It seemed a bit obvious to me. So I was mostly reading to see how it would all play out. I didn't like the storyline as much as the ones in the first two books. The "hick" cops were ridiculously biased and there's not a shred of actual police work. It got on my nerves. But the story was still fairly solid. I wasn't bored or anything.
The romantic angle of the book - the relationship between Sheridan and Cain - was the best of three (though couple wise, I liked Jasmine and Romain best)...but development wise, this one was the most well-rounded. Cain and Sheridan actually spend time together and for once out of the three books, there's an actual closing scene for the H/H. As a reader, you just get a much better sense of the couple than in the other two books.
On the whole, a pretty good book to read. There were things I liked, things that bugged me (like killing off a certain character). But it was worth reading.
For the series overall...I had high expectations for this series. I loved the concept of it. For the most, the books met those expectations. The characters were great, the storylines were interesting. Once I read one book, I wanted to read the next.
There were two things I thought could have been done better, though. One - better connections between the books. In some ways, they come off very separated from each other. For example, Jasmine (book 2) is pretty much only used in her book - she has a small role in book 1, and a mention in book 3. Once a character had their book, they seem to fall by the wayside. Skye (book 1) has a baby between book 1 and book 2...but you never find out whether it was a boy or a girl. Jasmine is practically ignored in the 3rd book. From a book to book standpoint, I just wasn't feeling any cohesiveness. That was a bit disappointing.
But more so was the lack of romance. Sure each book had an H/H and a happy-ending, but none of the three had romances that particularly sucked me in. The romantic aspects just seemed to get pushed aside for the storyline to a certain degree. I would have liked more solid relationships in the books. For an author who comes from writing category romance, I was really surprised at the overall lack of a romantic vibe in these books.
The endings could have been better too, especially for books 1 & 2...but I've already griped about that.
So...would i recommend this series? I wouldn't consider it a must-read because I can't say I loved any of the books. But if you've got the time and the extra cash, go for it. They're fairly enjoyable as romantic suspense books. If you read Novak's Stillwater trilogy, then you'll probably like these 3.
NOTE: The Last Stand series isn't done! There will be a second trilogy, starting in August 2009 with The Perfect Couple.
January 24, 2019
Well, this is the best of the series so far. There were inconsistencies with conversations repeated back to back. That’s an editing problem. But plot wise, there wasn’t anything glaring.
I’m grateful to say my guess at who done it initially failed. I guess at the killer but settled on someone else, so that’s good. I like to be surprised.
I liked the relationship dynamic, but truthfully on the surface I’ve enjoyed them all so far. This book gives me encouragement for the rest of the series.
The narration was good.
I’m grateful to say my guess at who done it initially failed. I guess at the killer but settled on someone else, so that’s good. I like to be surprised.
I liked the relationship dynamic, but truthfully on the surface I’ve enjoyed them all so far. This book gives me encouragement for the rest of the series.
The narration was good.
March 10, 2016
Con un inicio espectacular, otra vez esta autora ha conseguido mantenerme pegada a las páginas queriendo saber más y más.
En esta tercera novela, a mi parecer, hacia el final va perdiendo un poco de fuerza, pero aún así merece la pena.
Mi puntuación 8/10.
En esta tercera novela, a mi parecer, hacia el final va perdiendo un poco de fuerza, pero aún así merece la pena.
Mi puntuación 8/10.
September 9, 2019
About half way through, I was certain I had this one figured out, but no I really didn’t. This was exciting from the start and continued to keep me on edge to the end.
January 9, 2009
Unputdownable! Watch me won’t let you go!
Sheridan is back in Whiterock, after receiving a phone call telling her about a break in a twelve-year-old case. Twelve years ago, while parked at a lake, a stranger yanked open the truck door, shooting both Jason and Sheridan. Sheridan survived, Jason didn’t. Sheridan has felt the guilt all this time, guilt that’s been eating at her, for if it hadn’t been for her, Jason would still be alive. While at her uncle’s home, getting it ready to put on the market for sale, someone sneaks in, attacks her, and believes her to be dead as he’s digging a hole to put her in.
Cain’s dogs wake him with their barking. He assumes it’s because of a raccoon or perhaps even a bear. But the dogs’ behavior suggests it could be something else, and he follows them, only to find Sheridan. Finding a thready pulse, he gets her to a hospital, and for some inexplicable reason, won’t leave her out of her sight.
And now people in Whiterock are turning up dead; starting first with Cain’s ex-wife, Amy. Amy may no longer be married to Cain, but she’s still obsessed. As much as she wants to punish him, she knows that it wasn’t Cain who killed Jason, or who came after Sheridan a second time. But someone has, and they believe that the current killer is the same person from twelve years ago. Finding out who it is, is even more difficult, as Amy’s twin brother is now the Sherrif, and he believes Cain is behind it all. Everyone in town is talking and speculating. Sheridan knows it wasn’t him. But evidence is being framed against him, and as the terror escalates, Cain wonders how they will catch the killer in time before he strikes at Sheridan again.
** SPOILER ALERT** DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
Incredible! Tense scenes, whether fighting a killer or arguments between characters, this novel packs a punch. Sheridan still believes that Jason’s dead because of her. She’d had a crush on Cain for the longest time, and after making love that one time at a party that hadn’t resulted in anything, she’d purposely flirted with Jason until he asked her out, all with the intention of making Cain jealous. She has no idea that the attack didn’t have anything to do her whatsoever.
That one night had affected Cain, even when he tried to forget it. But something about Sheridan touched him, and he couldn’t get her off his mind. She’d given up her virginity to him that night. Knowing that she was out with Jason crimped his party mood and he went home, only to receive the phone call that Jason had been shot and killed and Sheridan had been shot as well. But when her very religious parents moved away shortly afterward, Cain didn’t think he’d see her again, and went on his merry rebellious way. Since then, he’d been blamed for Jason’s death by just about everyone, but with no evidence, nothing was done.
But twelve years later, when the gun that was used was found by two boys who broke in to Cain’s old cabin, suspicions began to arise again. Ned, now the sherrif, contacted Sheridan, who decided she’d go back to Whiterock to help solve the case. When the killer heard she was coming back, intent on solving the case, he was afraid she may have remembered something important from that night, and attacked her in her uncle’s kitchen, believing he’d finally killed her, and took her out to Cain’s land to bury her. Only, things didn’t go to the killer’s planning. And now, attempted attacks, more killing, more secrets about the past revealed, as the reader, you truly begin to wonder who the killer actually is. Several times I thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong.
Interesting characters, tense scenes, love making at its best, a perfect mystery that results in an awesome climax and ending, I couldn’t have asked for better. Then, with the story finished, I started reading an excerpt at the back of the book. Seems ‘The Last Stand’ stories aren’t over, and I can’t wait until August 2009 for The Perfect Couple, the next novel in ‘The Last Stand’ series. Keep ‘em coming, Ms. Novak! I’m loving them!
Sheridan is back in Whiterock, after receiving a phone call telling her about a break in a twelve-year-old case. Twelve years ago, while parked at a lake, a stranger yanked open the truck door, shooting both Jason and Sheridan. Sheridan survived, Jason didn’t. Sheridan has felt the guilt all this time, guilt that’s been eating at her, for if it hadn’t been for her, Jason would still be alive. While at her uncle’s home, getting it ready to put on the market for sale, someone sneaks in, attacks her, and believes her to be dead as he’s digging a hole to put her in.
Cain’s dogs wake him with their barking. He assumes it’s because of a raccoon or perhaps even a bear. But the dogs’ behavior suggests it could be something else, and he follows them, only to find Sheridan. Finding a thready pulse, he gets her to a hospital, and for some inexplicable reason, won’t leave her out of her sight.
And now people in Whiterock are turning up dead; starting first with Cain’s ex-wife, Amy. Amy may no longer be married to Cain, but she’s still obsessed. As much as she wants to punish him, she knows that it wasn’t Cain who killed Jason, or who came after Sheridan a second time. But someone has, and they believe that the current killer is the same person from twelve years ago. Finding out who it is, is even more difficult, as Amy’s twin brother is now the Sherrif, and he believes Cain is behind it all. Everyone in town is talking and speculating. Sheridan knows it wasn’t him. But evidence is being framed against him, and as the terror escalates, Cain wonders how they will catch the killer in time before he strikes at Sheridan again.
** SPOILER ALERT** DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
Incredible! Tense scenes, whether fighting a killer or arguments between characters, this novel packs a punch. Sheridan still believes that Jason’s dead because of her. She’d had a crush on Cain for the longest time, and after making love that one time at a party that hadn’t resulted in anything, she’d purposely flirted with Jason until he asked her out, all with the intention of making Cain jealous. She has no idea that the attack didn’t have anything to do her whatsoever.
That one night had affected Cain, even when he tried to forget it. But something about Sheridan touched him, and he couldn’t get her off his mind. She’d given up her virginity to him that night. Knowing that she was out with Jason crimped his party mood and he went home, only to receive the phone call that Jason had been shot and killed and Sheridan had been shot as well. But when her very religious parents moved away shortly afterward, Cain didn’t think he’d see her again, and went on his merry rebellious way. Since then, he’d been blamed for Jason’s death by just about everyone, but with no evidence, nothing was done.
But twelve years later, when the gun that was used was found by two boys who broke in to Cain’s old cabin, suspicions began to arise again. Ned, now the sherrif, contacted Sheridan, who decided she’d go back to Whiterock to help solve the case. When the killer heard she was coming back, intent on solving the case, he was afraid she may have remembered something important from that night, and attacked her in her uncle’s kitchen, believing he’d finally killed her, and took her out to Cain’s land to bury her. Only, things didn’t go to the killer’s planning. And now, attempted attacks, more killing, more secrets about the past revealed, as the reader, you truly begin to wonder who the killer actually is. Several times I thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong.
Interesting characters, tense scenes, love making at its best, a perfect mystery that results in an awesome climax and ending, I couldn’t have asked for better. Then, with the story finished, I started reading an excerpt at the back of the book. Seems ‘The Last Stand’ stories aren’t over, and I can’t wait until August 2009 for The Perfect Couple, the next novel in ‘The Last Stand’ series. Keep ‘em coming, Ms. Novak! I’m loving them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2009
This was the third in a series of novels about a group of crime victims who have started up a victim's advocacy group in Sacramento. In this one, Sheridan returns to her hometown to track down the man who shot her and killed the boy she was with when she was only 16. She's hardly in town for a day before he strikes again and nearly manages to kill her before being interrupted by Cain, her high school crush and step-brother to the boy who died. Together, the two of them battle local gossip and the obstacles thrown at them from all sides in order to finally track down the killer and bring him to justice. A great bit of suspense, with a nice twist.
January 22, 2019
The 3rd book in The Last Stand series by Brenda Novak. I liked it a lot. It had all the required elements I look for. Romance, suspense, mystery and a few red herrings to try to throw me off track. Though I have to admit I guessed pretty early in the book and stayed with my guess even through those red herrings.
December 13, 2020
This is a horrible book. It is like hanging out with a bunch of high schoolers, does he like me, I like him, oh may goodness I like him so much. This book stifled my reading for weeks, finally over 150 pages in I thought forget this, I have too many books to keep trying to read this drivel.
February 7, 2018
Sheridan is the main character in this final book in the Last Stand trilogy. Sheridan left home long ago and has now returned to try to solve the mystery of her boyfriend Jason. Jason was shot when they were on a date in high school together, and Sheridan was badly wounded. Now that she is back, someone is targeting her again, and she joins her old beau Cain to discover not only who attacked her but also the killer of Jason almost two decades ago. This is a romantic suspense that will keep you guessing.
August 18, 2018
I liked this odd southern town, messed up as it was!
Sheridan was a good solid female protagonist even with a few silly moments. She was determined and like-able.
I absolutely adored Cain and his dogs. Heck, I wanted more of the dogs.
Every male character had a bit of a nut in them.
The mystery and crimes were well written and crisp.
The romance was good and didn’t overpower the mystery.
Humorous observation: Novak’s female characters are the most fertile women on earth.
Sheridan was a good solid female protagonist even with a few silly moments. She was determined and like-able.
I absolutely adored Cain and his dogs. Heck, I wanted more of the dogs.
Every male character had a bit of a nut in them.
The mystery and crimes were well written and crisp.
The romance was good and didn’t overpower the mystery.
Humorous observation: Novak’s female characters are the most fertile women on earth.
March 28, 2017
This is the third novel in The Last Stand series I am not sure how Brenda Novak is able to make each additional novel better than the last one but she does! You will not be disappointed reading this series. Now on to book four but it can wait until morning I think!
December 20, 2019
Round up to 3.5 stars.
July 21, 2016
Excellent. Loved the storyline, the mystery had me till the end. ?.who dunnit....and the romance was great as well. Good job!
February 18, 2017
Great book getting ready to start book#4 I've read them all so far. Brenda is a great Author if you haven't read her books please read one.
October 23, 2024
3.5 +
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
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Sheridan is back in Whiterock, after receiving a phone call telling her about a break in a twelve-year-old case. Twelve years ago, while parked at a lake, a stranger yanked open the truck door, shooting both Jason and Sheridan. Sheridan survived, Jason didn’t. Sheridan has felt the guilt all this time, guilt that’s been eating at her, for if it hadn’t been for her, Jason would still be alive. While at her uncle’s home, getting it ready to put on the market for sale, someone sneaks in, attacks her, and believes her to be dead as he’s digging a hole to put her in.
Cain’s dogs wake him with their barking. He assumes it’s because of a raccoon or perhaps even a bear. But the dogs’ behavior suggests it could be something else, and he follows them, only to find Sheridan. Finding a thready pulse, he gets her to a hospital, and for some inexplicable reason, won’t leave her out of her sight.
And now people in Whiterock are turning up dead; starting first with Cain’s ex-wife, Amy. Amy may no longer be married to Cain, but she’s still obsessed. As much as she wants to punish him, she knows that it wasn’t Cain who killed Jason, or who came after Sheridan a second time. But someone has, and they believe that the current killer is the same person from twelve years ago. Finding out who it is, is even more difficult, as Amy’s twin brother is now the Sherrif, and he believes Cain is behind it all. Everyone in town is talking and speculating. Sheridan knows it wasn’t him. But evidence is being framed against him, and as the terror escalates, Cain wonders how they will catch the killer in time before he strikes at Sheridan again.
** SPOILER ALERT** DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
###
Sheridan is back in Whiterock, after receiving a phone call telling her about a break in a twelve-year-old case. Twelve years ago, while parked at a lake, a stranger yanked open the truck door, shooting both Jason and Sheridan. Sheridan survived, Jason didn’t. Sheridan has felt the guilt all this time, guilt that’s been eating at her, for if it hadn’t been for her, Jason would still be alive. While at her uncle’s home, getting it ready to put on the market for sale, someone sneaks in, attacks her, and believes her to be dead as he’s digging a hole to put her in.
Cain’s dogs wake him with their barking. He assumes it’s because of a raccoon or perhaps even a bear. But the dogs’ behavior suggests it could be something else, and he follows them, only to find Sheridan. Finding a thready pulse, he gets her to a hospital, and for some inexplicable reason, won’t leave her out of her sight.
And now people in Whiterock are turning up dead; starting first with Cain’s ex-wife, Amy. Amy may no longer be married to Cain, but she’s still obsessed. As much as she wants to punish him, she knows that it wasn’t Cain who killed Jason, or who came after Sheridan a second time. But someone has, and they believe that the current killer is the same person from twelve years ago. Finding out who it is, is even more difficult, as Amy’s twin brother is now the Sherrif, and he believes Cain is behind it all. Everyone in town is talking and speculating. Sheridan knows it wasn’t him. But evidence is being framed against him, and as the terror escalates, Cain wonders how they will catch the killer in time before he strikes at Sheridan again.
** SPOILER ALERT** DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
September 29, 2015
Another day, another book, another Romantic Suspense devoured too quickly. I’m enjoying these Brenda Novak page-turners, and I think this third book is the one I like most so far (if only because the male protagonist isn’t a neanderthal like the first two and so, by default, despite some of his flaws, I like him the most). However, I can’t help but be slightly bothered by the all-too formulaic outline of the romance and the suspense. While the story is a different one, all the plot devices and all the twists and all the secrets are fairly predictable to a ‘T’.
As the story goes:
Twelve years prior to the present storyline, Sheridan Kohl was shot and left for dead at the age of sixteen. The same man shot and killed Jason Wyatt who was with her at the time. Afterwards, she and her family left their hometown and, presently, Sheridan is part of The Last Stand (as we already know). After receiving contact from a police officer in Whiterock about new evidence to the old case, Sheridan is determined to return to her hometown and investigate the case.
But (as the very first chapter begins) the moment she sets foot in Whiterock, she is attacked and almost buried, fortunate to be saved by Cain Granger. Cain is the type who has a good reputation and a bad reputation, though his bad reputation is what people focus on as an aloof, womanizer… despite the fact that he hasn’t slept with a woman in three years. People like him because he’s good with animals, has his life together, and is friendly enough. People gossip about him because of his teenage rebel years of being a trouble-maker and a womanizer. At the present time line, he is the police force’s favorite suspect for the murder of Jason Wyatt (also his stepbrother) twelve years ago just because the rifle found in his old abandoned cabin matched ballistics for the weapon that shot and killed Jason--a rifle that was lost twelve years ago and recently found in an abandoned building.
On top of that, Sheridan’s almost dead form was discovered by him on his property.
Basically, the murderer has a hard-on for framing Cain for every sin ever perpetuated since the dawn of time.
And then the infamous, long-sought murderer from twelve years ago, as well as the man who starts off the very first chapter trying to bury Sheridan, all but tells you that he’s the one. Yeah. That one was pretty obvious.
Aside from a few minor background characters, the brief appearance of Skye, and our resident main couple… I found that I really just didn’t like the rest of the people in this small town of Whiterock. The police are a joke (which I have a feeling they were made out to be on purpose, being unable to handle a homicide or cases as such and being unable to remain partial and professional); I’d hate to be caught in a small town where everyone knows your business and is already biased enough to never give you a fair chance at trial if you’re ever being suspected of something. I mean, the entire case wasn’t so much an investigation as it was a witch-hunt--they were looking for reasons to blame Cain for all the violence and all the troubles rather than trying to sift out the truth and find a real suspect.
RANT INCOMING
On top of that, all of these people involved in the case: police officers, related family from the murder twelve years prior… They all set out to crucify Sheridan as a slut just because she had sex once, when she sixteen years old, and then kept it a secret. Aside from never having mentioned that she’d had sex with Cain, her sex life really had nothing to do with the ongoing investigation. And I wasn’t aware that sleeping with someone was supposed to be publicly broadcast to everyone and their mothers. The last I checked, when you have overly religious parents, you tend to shy away from telling the world about something you know that they would disapprove of; and then she got shot a month later and almost died… so I’m pretty sure the entire “I had sex with a guy who has a bad reputation” thing should have been the last of everyone’s worries.
But what really got me a little irritated with the situation was that she wouldn’t stand up for herself. So what if she had sex, once, when she was sixteen? So what if she’s going to be having sex with him again now that she’s twenty-eight? Why does it give the officers on the police force the right to make her out to be a tramp? I’m sure if she’d been sleeping with someone who wasn’t being forced into a prime suspect for the murder twelve years ago, no one would even be saying such things, but the fact is, being sexually active is no one’s business except for her own. Being sexually active doesn’t give other people the right to make you feel bad about anything.
These “police officers” are acting like immature children rather than professional law enforcement. It’s true that human beings will have their opinions, but how are we to trust our local protectors if they purposely discomfit you for no reason rather than because of a personal vendetta? The “adults” in this book don’t seem to be able to deal with Sheridan’s “Big Secret Scandal” without resorting to name-calling and unmerited sneering. What’s up with all of that “She deserves to be humiliated”, or “She asked to be attacked”, or the “She should have just died out there” bullcrap?
Victimizing the victim? Slut-shaming? These people!
Of course, I’m glad that the tone of which this subject matter is written in a way that shows that the author, herself, perceives this kind of behavior to be crass and terrible and uncalled for. So it’s really the characters that were riling me up and not so much the author.
Kudos to you, Ms. Novak.
I’m happy that Cain stood up for Sheridan, and I was also exuberant that Skye had no problem being brutally honest in Sheridan’s defense: ”Getting dumped and getting dumped on are two different things.” Skye looked directly at him. “She liked someone else, so she broke up with you. She had the right. Get over it.” [...] “In my line of work, I’ve seen some real suffering.” Might I also point out that Sheridan was only sixteen at the time, so I don’t know why her ex-boyfriend thought it was okay for him to join in the slut-shaming just because his ego was bruised now that they’re adults.
Dude, you were getting engaged; you were in love with another woman now; move the fuck on!
But why did Sheridan just stand there and take all the insult like she really was to blame for all the problems. She didn’t ask to get shot; she didn’t ask to watch someone else get murdered; and her sex life is nobody’s business but her own. But she kept letting people walk all over her and kept apologizing for something that wasn’t her fault.
As a victims’ advocate, she really needs to get in there and coach herself.
END RANT
Heck of a place, no?
And while we’re on the subject of characters: Cain’s ex-wife, Amy is one hell of a scary, creepy stalker chick and needed to get herself some help. To think that she’s part of the police force, spends her free time stalking Cain almost every night, and investigates a case with personal biases rather than professionalism… Yeesh!
Anyway…
In spite of all the issues I’ve addressed above, I still managed to enjoy this book. It’s strange how that happens. Sheridan was a nice character, but I needed her to grow more of a backbone--it kind of irked me when she kept pushing Skye to leave. Aside from some TSTL tendencies, Skye is actually pretty damn good at defending herself and she’s not a bad investigator either and probably would have managed to help Sheridan crack the case. Her appearance in the storyline seemed only to be there to satisfy a “previous characters I remember” quota, which was a little disappointing.
I liked Cain almost as soon as he presented in the book. He owns three dogs that he commands with ease, takes care of small injured creatures and nurses them back to health, works with wildlife, and owns a vet clinic. Just that little description makes him kind of swoon-worthy. He’s like the ultimate tough-guy with a soft-heart type. And as I stated earlier, he’s not the neanderthal with caveman ideals that the previous two books presented us with. He was sweet with Sheridan and took care of her really well, but didn’t treat her as if she was a defenseless little woman.
The romance was formulaic, but also a little disjointed and strange… but I’ll take it. It wasn’t too bad.
Overall: This was another fast-paced page-turner from Brenda Novak, as expected. Maybe I like this book more than the previous two if only because I liked Cain a lot.
As far as this series goes, Jasmine is my favorite Last Stand gal; I have a soft spot for profilers just because I think the profession is intriguing.
As the story goes:
Twelve years prior to the present storyline, Sheridan Kohl was shot and left for dead at the age of sixteen. The same man shot and killed Jason Wyatt who was with her at the time. Afterwards, she and her family left their hometown and, presently, Sheridan is part of The Last Stand (as we already know). After receiving contact from a police officer in Whiterock about new evidence to the old case, Sheridan is determined to return to her hometown and investigate the case.
But (as the very first chapter begins) the moment she sets foot in Whiterock, she is attacked and almost buried, fortunate to be saved by Cain Granger. Cain is the type who has a good reputation and a bad reputation, though his bad reputation is what people focus on as an aloof, womanizer… despite the fact that he hasn’t slept with a woman in three years. People like him because he’s good with animals, has his life together, and is friendly enough. People gossip about him because of his teenage rebel years of being a trouble-maker and a womanizer. At the present time line, he is the police force’s favorite suspect for the murder of Jason Wyatt (also his stepbrother) twelve years ago just because the rifle found in his old abandoned cabin matched ballistics for the weapon that shot and killed Jason--a rifle that was lost twelve years ago and recently found in an abandoned building.
On top of that, Sheridan’s almost dead form was discovered by him on his property.
Basically, the murderer has a hard-on for framing Cain for every sin ever perpetuated since the dawn of time.
And then the infamous, long-sought murderer from twelve years ago, as well as the man who starts off the very first chapter trying to bury Sheridan, all but tells you that he’s the one. Yeah. That one was pretty obvious.
Aside from a few minor background characters, the brief appearance of Skye, and our resident main couple… I found that I really just didn’t like the rest of the people in this small town of Whiterock. The police are a joke (which I have a feeling they were made out to be on purpose, being unable to handle a homicide or cases as such and being unable to remain partial and professional); I’d hate to be caught in a small town where everyone knows your business and is already biased enough to never give you a fair chance at trial if you’re ever being suspected of something. I mean, the entire case wasn’t so much an investigation as it was a witch-hunt--they were looking for reasons to blame Cain for all the violence and all the troubles rather than trying to sift out the truth and find a real suspect.
RANT INCOMING
On top of that, all of these people involved in the case: police officers, related family from the murder twelve years prior… They all set out to crucify Sheridan as a slut just because she had sex once, when she sixteen years old, and then kept it a secret. Aside from never having mentioned that she’d had sex with Cain, her sex life really had nothing to do with the ongoing investigation. And I wasn’t aware that sleeping with someone was supposed to be publicly broadcast to everyone and their mothers. The last I checked, when you have overly religious parents, you tend to shy away from telling the world about something you know that they would disapprove of; and then she got shot a month later and almost died… so I’m pretty sure the entire “I had sex with a guy who has a bad reputation” thing should have been the last of everyone’s worries.
But what really got me a little irritated with the situation was that she wouldn’t stand up for herself. So what if she had sex, once, when she was sixteen? So what if she’s going to be having sex with him again now that she’s twenty-eight? Why does it give the officers on the police force the right to make her out to be a tramp? I’m sure if she’d been sleeping with someone who wasn’t being forced into a prime suspect for the murder twelve years ago, no one would even be saying such things, but the fact is, being sexually active is no one’s business except for her own. Being sexually active doesn’t give other people the right to make you feel bad about anything.
These “police officers” are acting like immature children rather than professional law enforcement. It’s true that human beings will have their opinions, but how are we to trust our local protectors if they purposely discomfit you for no reason rather than because of a personal vendetta? The “adults” in this book don’t seem to be able to deal with Sheridan’s “Big Secret Scandal” without resorting to name-calling and unmerited sneering. What’s up with all of that “She deserves to be humiliated”, or “She asked to be attacked”, or the “She should have just died out there” bullcrap?
Victimizing the victim? Slut-shaming? These people!
Of course, I’m glad that the tone of which this subject matter is written in a way that shows that the author, herself, perceives this kind of behavior to be crass and terrible and uncalled for. So it’s really the characters that were riling me up and not so much the author.
Kudos to you, Ms. Novak.
I’m happy that Cain stood up for Sheridan, and I was also exuberant that Skye had no problem being brutally honest in Sheridan’s defense: ”Getting dumped and getting dumped on are two different things.” Skye looked directly at him. “She liked someone else, so she broke up with you. She had the right. Get over it.” [...] “In my line of work, I’ve seen some real suffering.” Might I also point out that Sheridan was only sixteen at the time, so I don’t know why her ex-boyfriend thought it was okay for him to join in the slut-shaming just because his ego was bruised now that they’re adults.
Dude, you were getting engaged; you were in love with another woman now; move the fuck on!
But why did Sheridan just stand there and take all the insult like she really was to blame for all the problems. She didn’t ask to get shot; she didn’t ask to watch someone else get murdered; and her sex life is nobody’s business but her own. But she kept letting people walk all over her and kept apologizing for something that wasn’t her fault.
As a victims’ advocate, she really needs to get in there and coach herself.
END RANT
Heck of a place, no?
And while we’re on the subject of characters: Cain’s ex-wife, Amy is one hell of a scary, creepy stalker chick and needed to get herself some help. To think that she’s part of the police force, spends her free time stalking Cain almost every night, and investigates a case with personal biases rather than professionalism… Yeesh!
Anyway…
In spite of all the issues I’ve addressed above, I still managed to enjoy this book. It’s strange how that happens. Sheridan was a nice character, but I needed her to grow more of a backbone--it kind of irked me when she kept pushing Skye to leave. Aside from some TSTL tendencies, Skye is actually pretty damn good at defending herself and she’s not a bad investigator either and probably would have managed to help Sheridan crack the case. Her appearance in the storyline seemed only to be there to satisfy a “previous characters I remember” quota, which was a little disappointing.
I liked Cain almost as soon as he presented in the book. He owns three dogs that he commands with ease, takes care of small injured creatures and nurses them back to health, works with wildlife, and owns a vet clinic. Just that little description makes him kind of swoon-worthy. He’s like the ultimate tough-guy with a soft-heart type. And as I stated earlier, he’s not the neanderthal with caveman ideals that the previous two books presented us with. He was sweet with Sheridan and took care of her really well, but didn’t treat her as if she was a defenseless little woman.
The romance was formulaic, but also a little disjointed and strange… but I’ll take it. It wasn’t too bad.
Overall: This was another fast-paced page-turner from Brenda Novak, as expected. Maybe I like this book more than the previous two if only because I liked Cain a lot.
As far as this series goes, Jasmine is my favorite Last Stand gal; I have a soft spot for profilers just because I think the profession is intriguing.
April 29, 2021
2 Star for Watch Me
Someone tried to kill her twelve years ago.
Teenagers Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt were parked at the lake in Whiterock, Tennessee, when a stranger wearing a ski mask shot them both. Sheridan lived but Jason died -- and the stranger was never caught. Even though Sheridan's family moved away right afterward, she's never been able to put the crime behind her.
And now that someone doesn't want her to come home.
Because of a new development in the case, Sheridan returns to Whiterock. But when she's attacked a second time, it's only because of Jason's stepbrother, Cain Granger, that she survives -- and Cain's the last person she wants to face. If not for their history, if not for her, Jason wouldn't have been in that parked car.
Cain knows that whoever killed his brother probably isn't a stranger at all. But figuring out that person's identity is easier said than done -- especially since the killer seems to be taunting them both: watch me.
Now beginnings my raving rant. Major Spoiler Alert Starts HERE!!!!
What It's Really About (My Synopsis)
Sheridan returns to Whiterock after 12 years of being absent. She returns because the gun found to murder Jason Wyatt and shoot her is found in an old cabin. Sheridan feels guilty because the only reason Jason was at the lake, was because she invited him there with her to make his stepbrother (Cain) jealous. As a result, he was shot and killed and she was nearly killed herself and then hauled away from the town by her super religious parents.
She's in town for less than a day when she is attacker strikes again, nearly killing her. Fortunately for Sheridan, Cain arrives in the nick of time and manages to get her to the hospital. Not only does he save her life, but he offers to keep care of her until she recovers enough to be on her own. Give the options available, she agrees and hopes that the past doesn't catch up to them both.
Secrets are being revealed and Cain and Sheridan have their own to keep. They know that whoever is out to kill her probably is someone they know...and perhaps it's someone who knows their secret.
Main Characters
Sheridan Khol, 28 years old, long black hair, smokin' hot, even when covered in bruises. Sheridan is a co-founder of a organization devoted to helping victims of crime (mainly spousal abuse, rape, attempted murder, etc). She returns to Whiterock to see that this time the killer of her friend is caught. She knows Cain is innocent even though she can't prove it. Rough, resourceful, with an iron will, Sher refuses to let anyone stop her.
Cain Granger, 29-30 years old and a lover of animals and nature. Though it is never actually said (I think) he seems to be a park ranger in charge of the forest, the trails and the campground located near his homestead. Cain was a real playboy in his younger years, a form of rebellion against a stepdad who refused to treat him fairly. Unfortunately the untimely death of his mother left him stuck with this man until he could make it on his own. Despite his bad boy years, Cain is now a responsible man with a good job.
The Other Characters
Amy, ex-wife of Cain. She has been obsessed with Cain since high school and finally netted him by getting pregnant with his kid. Unfortunately she had a miscarriage and Cain divorced her, having only married her to ''do the right thing.' Now she's all stalker on his ass. Oh, and she's one of 3 or 4 police officers so she can do what she wants.
Ned, police chief and brother to Amy. Useless, fat, unfaithful and irrationally hateful. Also a bit of a retard.
Owen, stepbrother to Cain, more or less decent to him too. Doctor with a wife and a couple of kids, he pops up periodically throughout the book.
Robert, stepbrother to Cain, big, fat, slightly stupid, mean, and one hell of a slob. Robert lives in a trailer at the back of his father's property and never cleans it. the one thing he has going for him is that he is pretty good with technology, particularly computers.
John, father to Robert, Owen, and Jason (the dead kid) and stepfather to Cain. Working on getting his third wife after the first two died from health problems. He thought Jason was his golden boy and none of his other children have ever compared. In fact, everything that could possibly go wrong is completely Cain's fault.
Karen, English teacher at the local high school. Left Whiterock awhile after the shootings, returned roughly 6 months before Sheridan to continue teaching. She's John's girlfriend even she is at least a decade younger then him. Her and Cain have a secret. She seems to be the only one in town that actually believes Cain other than Sheridan.
And everyone else in the hicktown, are all a-holes.
What I didn't Like
I'm just going to skip all the normal stuff I normally do and hop straight down to the dislikes. The BIGGEST thing I didn't like is how every SINGLE PERSON in Whiterock blames Cain for Jason's death even though there is no evidence, no real driving motive, and practically no proof. Being from a small town, people give other people to benefit of the doubt, even if they were a little troubled in their youth.
So after 12 years the gun magically appears with no prints in Cain's old cabin wwaaaaayyyy the heck in the back of his property to be conveniently discovered by some kids. That means everyone in the place automatically hops on the "I hate Cain" bandwagon? Not realistic. Not at all. And how they behave....I have two year old nieces that behave better than these ADULTS do towards someone they don't like. It's ridiculous!!! I nearly DNFed the book for this. Not freakin' way. \
And another thing, if Cain has been treated like a piece of sh*t for the past 12 years with everyone shying away from him and not talking to him unless it's to be mean, wouldn't he move??? I'd move!!! Screw that town, let's move!
Conclusion
The ONLY reason I stuck with this book is because I wanted to see if I pegged the right person as the killer. The author did a pretty good job trying to throw you off the killers scent as often as she could, so I stuck it out to see if I was right (though I may have skimmed several pages) , That's it! 2.5 stars came from the author's ability to make me want to know if I picked right.
Someone tried to kill her twelve years ago.
Teenagers Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt were parked at the lake in Whiterock, Tennessee, when a stranger wearing a ski mask shot them both. Sheridan lived but Jason died -- and the stranger was never caught. Even though Sheridan's family moved away right afterward, she's never been able to put the crime behind her.
And now that someone doesn't want her to come home.
Because of a new development in the case, Sheridan returns to Whiterock. But when she's attacked a second time, it's only because of Jason's stepbrother, Cain Granger, that she survives -- and Cain's the last person she wants to face. If not for their history, if not for her, Jason wouldn't have been in that parked car.
Cain knows that whoever killed his brother probably isn't a stranger at all. But figuring out that person's identity is easier said than done -- especially since the killer seems to be taunting them both: watch me.
Now beginnings my raving rant. Major Spoiler Alert Starts HERE!!!!
What It's Really About (My Synopsis)
Sheridan returns to Whiterock after 12 years of being absent. She returns because the gun found to murder Jason Wyatt and shoot her is found in an old cabin. Sheridan feels guilty because the only reason Jason was at the lake, was because she invited him there with her to make his stepbrother (Cain) jealous. As a result, he was shot and killed and she was nearly killed herself and then hauled away from the town by her super religious parents.
She's in town for less than a day when she is attacker strikes again, nearly killing her. Fortunately for Sheridan, Cain arrives in the nick of time and manages to get her to the hospital. Not only does he save her life, but he offers to keep care of her until she recovers enough to be on her own. Give the options available, she agrees and hopes that the past doesn't catch up to them both.
Secrets are being revealed and Cain and Sheridan have their own to keep. They know that whoever is out to kill her probably is someone they know...and perhaps it's someone who knows their secret.
Main Characters
Sheridan Khol, 28 years old, long black hair, smokin' hot, even when covered in bruises. Sheridan is a co-founder of a organization devoted to helping victims of crime (mainly spousal abuse, rape, attempted murder, etc). She returns to Whiterock to see that this time the killer of her friend is caught. She knows Cain is innocent even though she can't prove it. Rough, resourceful, with an iron will, Sher refuses to let anyone stop her.
Cain Granger, 29-30 years old and a lover of animals and nature. Though it is never actually said (I think) he seems to be a park ranger in charge of the forest, the trails and the campground located near his homestead. Cain was a real playboy in his younger years, a form of rebellion against a stepdad who refused to treat him fairly. Unfortunately the untimely death of his mother left him stuck with this man until he could make it on his own. Despite his bad boy years, Cain is now a responsible man with a good job.
The Other Characters
Amy, ex-wife of Cain. She has been obsessed with Cain since high school and finally netted him by getting pregnant with his kid. Unfortunately she had a miscarriage and Cain divorced her, having only married her to ''do the right thing.' Now she's all stalker on his ass. Oh, and she's one of 3 or 4 police officers so she can do what she wants.
Ned, police chief and brother to Amy. Useless, fat, unfaithful and irrationally hateful. Also a bit of a retard.
Owen, stepbrother to Cain, more or less decent to him too. Doctor with a wife and a couple of kids, he pops up periodically throughout the book.
Robert, stepbrother to Cain, big, fat, slightly stupid, mean, and one hell of a slob. Robert lives in a trailer at the back of his father's property and never cleans it. the one thing he has going for him is that he is pretty good with technology, particularly computers.
John, father to Robert, Owen, and Jason (the dead kid) and stepfather to Cain. Working on getting his third wife after the first two died from health problems. He thought Jason was his golden boy and none of his other children have ever compared. In fact, everything that could possibly go wrong is completely Cain's fault.
Karen, English teacher at the local high school. Left Whiterock awhile after the shootings, returned roughly 6 months before Sheridan to continue teaching. She's John's girlfriend even she is at least a decade younger then him. Her and Cain have a secret. She seems to be the only one in town that actually believes Cain other than Sheridan.
And everyone else in the hicktown, are all a-holes.
What I didn't Like
I'm just going to skip all the normal stuff I normally do and hop straight down to the dislikes. The BIGGEST thing I didn't like is how every SINGLE PERSON in Whiterock blames Cain for Jason's death even though there is no evidence, no real driving motive, and practically no proof. Being from a small town, people give other people to benefit of the doubt, even if they were a little troubled in their youth.
So after 12 years the gun magically appears with no prints in Cain's old cabin wwaaaaayyyy the heck in the back of his property to be conveniently discovered by some kids. That means everyone in the place automatically hops on the "I hate Cain" bandwagon? Not realistic. Not at all. And how they behave....I have two year old nieces that behave better than these ADULTS do towards someone they don't like. It's ridiculous!!! I nearly DNFed the book for this. Not freakin' way. \
And another thing, if Cain has been treated like a piece of sh*t for the past 12 years with everyone shying away from him and not talking to him unless it's to be mean, wouldn't he move??? I'd move!!! Screw that town, let's move!
Conclusion
The ONLY reason I stuck with this book is because I wanted to see if I pegged the right person as the killer. The author did a pretty good job trying to throw you off the killers scent as often as she could, so I stuck it out to see if I was right (though I may have skimmed several pages) , That's it! 2.5 stars came from the author's ability to make me want to know if I picked right.
September 6, 2021
I would actually rate this book a 2.5 because it was between okay and I liked it. This book started out good and strong and then at the half way mark it went down hill. I was close to not finishing the book however I pushed on and it got better.
There was so much dialogue that was more high school than adults I thought I was reading a young adult book. Then Amy, Ned and Kent are working together to set up Cain for all the criminal activities pertaining to Jason and Sheridan. These people were the police department for this town. Can you imagine being from Tennessee and being represented like this? Amy was pathetic and where did Kent go?
There is someone trying to kill Sheridan and I couldn't believe how many times she was left alone and places that would be easy to get her. He friend Skye insists on staying with her until they catch the killer and then abruptly decides she needs to leave and go back with her family.
It was pretty obvious to me who the killer was so that was no surprise however there was a lot of violence in this story.
Overall it was a good story however you have to get through the bad parts to get the good.
There was so much dialogue that was more high school than adults I thought I was reading a young adult book. Then Amy, Ned and Kent are working together to set up Cain for all the criminal activities pertaining to Jason and Sheridan. These people were the police department for this town. Can you imagine being from Tennessee and being represented like this? Amy was pathetic and where did Kent go?
There is someone trying to kill Sheridan and I couldn't believe how many times she was left alone and places that would be easy to get her. He friend Skye insists on staying with her until they catch the killer and then abruptly decides she needs to leave and go back with her family.
It was pretty obvious to me who the killer was so that was no surprise however there was a lot of violence in this story.
Overall it was a good story however you have to get through the bad parts to get the good.
October 20, 2017
Omg........ wow that was soooo intense. What Sheridan endured was unbelievable..... Thank goodness for Cain. If he ignored his dogs, she’d be singing a different tune.(actually she wouldn’t be singing at all). Cain, Cain, Cain.......very complex character. I understood his pain and anger. All the years of being the enemy and all because everyone needed a scapegoat. I had absolutely no sympathy for Amy or what happened to her. That broad and everyone around her were a few cans short of a six pack!!! No real sympathy for John either! All in all this was a fantastic read....can’t wait to read the next book. (Oh and on a side note, I understand what happened to Skye in the past BUT she needed to be a little more of a friend to Sheridan and more understanding to said friend😡!) again, exceptional read.
August 10, 2022
Wow what a nail biting storyline this is, there are so many suspected suspects woven into the storyline it would have you down to the last few chapters to who the killer is.
Sheridan has returned to WhiteRock after 12 years. She and her family had moved away when she witnessed her friend Jason was murdered next to her. Now working with the last stand she has come back to try and solve the case. No sooner she returns she is kidnapped left for dead only to be found by the one man she tried so hard to forget Cain. So begins this whodunit and meeting a variety of characters who all seems capable of murder. A small town where everyone seems to learn each other secrets. I love the steady growth of Cain and Sheridan... I always enjoy second chance romance this one is served up with a touch of murders.
Sheridan has returned to WhiteRock after 12 years. She and her family had moved away when she witnessed her friend Jason was murdered next to her. Now working with the last stand she has come back to try and solve the case. No sooner she returns she is kidnapped left for dead only to be found by the one man she tried so hard to forget Cain. So begins this whodunit and meeting a variety of characters who all seems capable of murder. A small town where everyone seems to learn each other secrets. I love the steady growth of Cain and Sheridan... I always enjoy second chance romance this one is served up with a touch of murders.
February 20, 2020
Watch Me (The Last Stand #3) was a great read by Brenda Novak. Sheridan was a teenager when a stranger wearing a ski mask changed her life forever. She was in a parked car with Jason when the masked man shot them both. Unfortuantely Jason died even though Sheridan survived. Sheridan and her family moved away but even the distance wasnt enough for Sheridan to put it behind herself. Sheridan only returned to her hometown because of a new development in finding the killer. She was attacked but survived because of Jason's step brother Cain. Seeing Cain reminds her that she was only with Jason to get to Cain. I enjoyed reading Cain and Sheridan trying to find the killer as they taunt them both. I can't wait to read more by Brenda Novak.
February 9, 2022
*4.5 stars*
DO NOT MISS this one.For me, this is the best book in the series. I actually read it a couple of months ago, and I am not exaggerating when I say this, but just remembering the story gives me chills. It has got an amazing storyline , great characters, and superb romance.
I couldn't guess who the antagonist was until the very end. It made me sad when the book ended because now I don't know when I will come across a novel that will leave similar effect on me ;(I couldn't wait for the moment when Sheridan and Cain get together. I am not going to divulge more into details because I want the readers to experience the story. After-all its hard to come across a book that will stay with you for awhile.
DO NOT MISS this one.For me, this is the best book in the series. I actually read it a couple of months ago, and I am not exaggerating when I say this, but just remembering the story gives me chills. It has got an amazing storyline , great characters, and superb romance.
I couldn't guess who the antagonist was until the very end. It made me sad when the book ended because now I don't know when I will come across a novel that will leave similar effect on me ;(I couldn't wait for the moment when Sheridan and Cain get together. I am not going to divulge more into details because I want the readers to experience the story. After-all its hard to come across a book that will stay with you for awhile.
February 12, 2018
Although the first two books were pretty incredible this book is my favorite in the series so far. Brenda has a magical way of crafting stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, causing you to get a little jumpy and yet also enjoying the heart warming aspects of the story. It’s a love story and a thriller in one as most of her novels are and they are so addicting and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters are so realistic and believable and their stories inspiring. In this book Sheridan has experienced some truly horrific things but is still strong and making her way forward in life despite them. I can’t wait to begin the next book.
November 2, 2019
This was probably the best of the three that I've read so far, but 4 stars was too generous.
I liked how this story went. It gave many possible people as the bad guy and it took a while to figure out who that was. My only complaint in this series is that except for the first book, where the main character showed some real grit, the women were not as their business indicates, smart and tough and as the name of their charity implies, The Last Stand! To me it says; stand up and fight! In the second and this one the women were taken, beaten, almost killed and, to me, depended on the men too much. But I liked the first and this one quiet a bit.
I liked how this story went. It gave many possible people as the bad guy and it took a while to figure out who that was. My only complaint in this series is that except for the first book, where the main character showed some real grit, the women were not as their business indicates, smart and tough and as the name of their charity implies, The Last Stand! To me it says; stand up and fight! In the second and this one the women were taken, beaten, almost killed and, to me, depended on the men too much. But I liked the first and this one quiet a bit.
July 24, 2020
Sheridan Kohl goes back to the small town where she grew up so she can put her past to rest. She's never really come to terms with the crime that was committed then. This book has a compelling (though not original story line) and two compelling characters Sheridan and Cain. Both outsiders in the small community, the interactions and changes between these two characters kept me intrigued in the story. Although this is a third book in a series, I have not read the other two books, but will now because I liked the characters. It made a great stand alone book for people who just happen to pick it up like I did.
February 12, 2021
this book is mediocre in every sense of the word. it’s like the whole thing was a filler just for the beginning and end of the book; white noise sandwiched by an introduction and a resolution. the romance aspect of this book is quite confusing as it is at a stalemate for most of the book, but then suddenly ramps up to “come in me i’m gonna bear your children”, when cain had reservations about children since the beginning. it’s really an i-make-impulsive-and-rash-decisions-with-you-and-only-you-because-i-love-you type cliche and i find it dull and unrealistic. i was actually wanting the main character to die at the end so there could be something interesting to mention about this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2020
As teens Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt was shot by someone wearing a ski mask. Sheridan survived, but Jason died. Sheridan's family moved her away, but she has always been haunted by what happened. After a new development in the case Sheridan returns home, but is attacked a second time and only survived because of Cain Granger (Jason's stepbrother). Cain is the only suspect in the polices eyes, but Sheridan knows he didn't do it. Sheridan and Cain work together to find justice for Jason. Can they find the killer, or did they put a bigger target on themselves?
July 21, 2022
Liked this one better than the last- except could there be a more incompetent police force? And the teacher- really?? Sheridan returns to her hometown when the murder weapon that killed Jason and almost killed her 12 years ago is found. She swears she’ll get to the bottom of it but is almost killed by the. Murdere when she first arrives. Thrown back with Cain her teen love we go through the suspects until the crime is solved, but not without a few more murders. Pretty unlikeable town of people!
January 13, 2018
On my god! Every time I read a Brenda Novak book i don't think it can be better than the last one I read but they always are. Brenda can write a story like no other. Sheridan Kohl was shot and her friend was killed when she was sixteen. She has come back to her hometown to finally get justice. With every new page you turn in this book you can not believe all this girl goes through to finally get to the bottom of what happened. This is a definite must read.
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