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Last Lullaby
Set in the fictional town of Paddy’s Arm, Newfoundland, Alice Walsh’s debut mystery novel is at once harrowing and homey, equal parts police procedural and diner gossip. When Claire and Bram?s only child dies suddenly, it at first appears to be a case of crib death. But when the real cause of death indicates homicide and Claire is arrested as the number-one suspect, her friend, lawyer Lauren LaVallee, promises she’ll do everything she can to prove Claire’s innocence.
As Lauren combs Paddy’s Arm for suspects, amid department politics and small-town talk, leads abound. Why are professors Frances and Annabelle being so secretive about their adopted daughter? What’s behind a troubled student’s sudden disappearance? And who is the mysterious platinum blonde observed at the scene of the crime? Meanwhile, Lauren’s own secret–a case that almost cost her her career back in Montreal–and sudden the return of an ex-lover who wants back in her life, threaten to overwhelm the investigation altogether.
As Lauren combs Paddy’s Arm for suspects, amid department politics and small-town talk, leads abound. Why are professors Frances and Annabelle being so secretive about their adopted daughter? What’s behind a troubled student’s sudden disappearance? And who is the mysterious platinum blonde observed at the scene of the crime? Meanwhile, Lauren’s own secret–a case that almost cost her her career back in Montreal–and sudden the return of an ex-lover who wants back in her life, threaten to overwhelm the investigation altogether.
230 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 27, 2018
The story in Last Lullaby takes place in a fictional Newfoundland town. And Alice Walsh knows about Newfoundland, having been born and raised there. She is an award-winning author of several children’s books. Last Lullaby is her debut mystery novel.
I am not usually a reader of mystery novels but the image on the cover so captivated me I wanted to learn more. Plus I had met Alice at a local writing group and later at one of her readings. A book always becomes more interesting to me after meeting the author. Also I like to support local authors whenever I can. As an author myself I know and understand what it takes to give birth to a book.
I enjoyed the read and I’m not going to give away any of the twists and turns found in the novel. What I will say is that it kept me guessing to the very end, making me not much of a detective.
So just like the iceberg on the cover of her book it’s not always about what you see, but what’s hidden beneath the surface. And if you are looking for a good mystery book, or looking for a book outside the genre you usually read, I suggest you turn to Alice Walsh’s Last Lullaby.
I am not usually a reader of mystery novels but the image on the cover so captivated me I wanted to learn more. Plus I had met Alice at a local writing group and later at one of her readings. A book always becomes more interesting to me after meeting the author. Also I like to support local authors whenever I can. As an author myself I know and understand what it takes to give birth to a book.
I enjoyed the read and I’m not going to give away any of the twists and turns found in the novel. What I will say is that it kept me guessing to the very end, making me not much of a detective.
So just like the iceberg on the cover of her book it’s not always about what you see, but what’s hidden beneath the surface. And if you are looking for a good mystery book, or looking for a book outside the genre you usually read, I suggest you turn to Alice Walsh’s Last Lullaby.
December 29, 2020
I loved this small town mystery!
April 25, 2018
3.5 stars.
This could be classified as a police procedural story, but much of the investigation is carried out by Lauren, a lawyer and part time teacher at the university. It could also be considered a cosy mystery, as the setting is a small Newfoundland town where everyone knows everyone else. All the characters have secrets kept from the small town gossips.
This twisty enjoyable story revolves around the university and medical centre. Claire has been suffering from postpartum depression. She is on leave from her teaching job, and finding it hard to cope caring for a new baby.. Her child is found dead and diagnosed with sudden infant death syndrome, but soon the cause of death suggests murder. Claire has been heavily medicated and is unable to remember anything surrounding the child’s death. She is arrested. Her husband, a doctor, is cold and distant and seems to blame her.
Her best friend, Lauren, is determined to prove Claire’s innocence, but realizes that it will be a difficult task to defend her in court. Lauren herself has only recently moved to Newfoundland, escaping a mistake she made in a legal matter and fleeing from an impossible love affair with the father of her own small child. She still loves him dearly but could not see any future with him. He has come to Newfoundland in hopes of connecting with her again.
When the death of Claire’s baby becomes news, Claire’s mental condition and Lauren’s blemished legal history become news. Beset by gossip, Lauren pursues leads in the case although discouraged by the police.
Where is the near destitute young female student who has vanished with her baby after threatening to sell the child? Why are the two professional women hiding their newly adopted baby and planning to move to Arizona? What is the source of the sudden wealth of a young man working at the daycare and what is is connection with several women being investigated.? Who is the mysterious platinum blond woman seen near Claire’s house at the time of the baby’s death and who later flees when spotted on the street.? With one of Claire’s doctors planning to move to Alaska and the other wounded by a gunshot to the head, they may not be present to testify at any forthcoming trial.
I read this book non-stop and hope the author writes another book set in the town of Paddy’s Arm, Newfoundland.
This could be classified as a police procedural story, but much of the investigation is carried out by Lauren, a lawyer and part time teacher at the university. It could also be considered a cosy mystery, as the setting is a small Newfoundland town where everyone knows everyone else. All the characters have secrets kept from the small town gossips.
This twisty enjoyable story revolves around the university and medical centre. Claire has been suffering from postpartum depression. She is on leave from her teaching job, and finding it hard to cope caring for a new baby.. Her child is found dead and diagnosed with sudden infant death syndrome, but soon the cause of death suggests murder. Claire has been heavily medicated and is unable to remember anything surrounding the child’s death. She is arrested. Her husband, a doctor, is cold and distant and seems to blame her.
Her best friend, Lauren, is determined to prove Claire’s innocence, but realizes that it will be a difficult task to defend her in court. Lauren herself has only recently moved to Newfoundland, escaping a mistake she made in a legal matter and fleeing from an impossible love affair with the father of her own small child. She still loves him dearly but could not see any future with him. He has come to Newfoundland in hopes of connecting with her again.
When the death of Claire’s baby becomes news, Claire’s mental condition and Lauren’s blemished legal history become news. Beset by gossip, Lauren pursues leads in the case although discouraged by the police.
Where is the near destitute young female student who has vanished with her baby after threatening to sell the child? Why are the two professional women hiding their newly adopted baby and planning to move to Arizona? What is the source of the sudden wealth of a young man working at the daycare and what is is connection with several women being investigated.? Who is the mysterious platinum blond woman seen near Claire’s house at the time of the baby’s death and who later flees when spotted on the street.? With one of Claire’s doctors planning to move to Alaska and the other wounded by a gunshot to the head, they may not be present to testify at any forthcoming trial.
I read this book non-stop and hope the author writes another book set in the town of Paddy’s Arm, Newfoundland.
May 3, 2018
Unlike some of the commentators, I did not receive an advance copy of Last Lullaby. Having lived in Newfoundland I was initially taken in by the setting and as I read, the characters which I found to be realistic, as was the dialogue. I think I would have enjoyed the book a little more if it had been set in a real community rather than the fictional Paddy’s Arm. I did like the authors portrayal of RCMP officers and Canadian law.
I would certainly recommend Last Lullaby to mystery lovers, it has enough twists and turns to keep to keep the reader guessing until almost the end.
I would certainly recommend Last Lullaby to mystery lovers, it has enough twists and turns to keep to keep the reader guessing until almost the end.
September 23, 2017
A heart-rending story of love and loss, placed in Newfoundland. The story begins with professionals that have young children and infants. So many variations on a theme of the difficulty of raising a child, a baby, while working, taking classes or single motherhood. This is an unusual mystery that happens to brings out several difficulties these people often face. Post-partum depression, crib death (SIDS), law, adoption, and suspected homicide. It also brings out what happens when trying to prove innocence when there is little to work with. So many possibilities, but what will be the outcome and how much truth is there in the testimony of witnesses who may or may not have seen something amiss?
This is a very good story with a lot of insight and emotion with an almost confusing number of mothers and infants. It also has many truths that often aren't talked about, but should be. A student gone missing along with her baby, a young woman with little to live on; a professor who is a suspect in the death of her baby; a new mother found murdered; so many crimes but there are many surprises, possibilities and probabilities as well. This may appear to be a strange story to some, but it is in fact a police procedural investigation, with assistance, though not particularly requested, provided by some concerned citizens...professors, psychologists, actors, relatives, friends, with the usual interference and lack of compassion by the press. Who is the blonde woman that shows up around the crime scenes? What is the secret behind the two professors who are keeping a low profile? The outcome of this story was completely unpredictable and shocking. I thought it was well-written and suspenseful, even with a confusing number of babies, and did not put it down until I finished.
This is a very good story with a lot of insight and emotion with an almost confusing number of mothers and infants. It also has many truths that often aren't talked about, but should be. A student gone missing along with her baby, a young woman with little to live on; a professor who is a suspect in the death of her baby; a new mother found murdered; so many crimes but there are many surprises, possibilities and probabilities as well. This may appear to be a strange story to some, but it is in fact a police procedural investigation, with assistance, though not particularly requested, provided by some concerned citizens...professors, psychologists, actors, relatives, friends, with the usual interference and lack of compassion by the press. Who is the blonde woman that shows up around the crime scenes? What is the secret behind the two professors who are keeping a low profile? The outcome of this story was completely unpredictable and shocking. I thought it was well-written and suspenseful, even with a confusing number of babies, and did not put it down until I finished.
August 10, 2018
The plot was exceptionally good. Takes place in a fictional college town in Newfoundland - hard to imagine the existence of such a place, but if it did exist it might be as described. Characters were good and reasonably well-developed. Dialog was ok. Newfoundland speech genuine sounding in parts, forced in others. The story-line was perhaps a little too condensed. Decisions are made quickly, with no reflection on the part of characters. Things happened a little too fast, which made for a quick read.
September 23, 2023
It is such a tragic thing when a baby dies, but when the death seems to be surrounded by possibility of foul play? This novel kept me guessing the whole time. Right from the beginning I had a feeling I knew the basics of what happened, but who would do that? and how did they pull it off? In the end I still managed to miss the subtle clues the author wove throughout the novel, that told the reader exactly who did it.
This was a wonderfully quick and easy read, with a bunch of twists and turns along the way.
This was a wonderfully quick and easy read, with a bunch of twists and turns along the way.
October 31, 2017
This was a nice, little crime drama/police procedural that featured interesting, complex characters and a sinister plot. There were some good elements of suspense, but a few parts lagged a little, for me. Overall. I thought it was a solid showing, though. I would definitely read something by Alice Walsh, again.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this story through NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this story through NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
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November 23, 2017A heartrending and intriguing mystery about the deaths/disappearances of two infants, their distraught parents and many friends and colleagues in a small university town where everyone knows everyone else. There are many characters with their own interesting stories and many of them become suspicious. Small town university life is vivid. Characters are have depth and Walsh manages to make you care for many of them. Skilfully drawn, I couldn't guess the answer until the end.
November 16, 2017
A digital ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book it was full of emotions . There were times where I thought how it was going to end, but boy was I wrong it went very differently. I would really recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book it was full of emotions . There were times where I thought how it was going to end, but boy was I wrong it went very differently. I would really recommend this book.
February 18, 2018
Å very good book, keeps you guessing right to the end. Seems I am hooked on Newfoundland as this book also takes place there. I had a hard time putting it down, had to read just one more chapter and then just one more. Highly recommend it.
February 15, 2022
I certainly appreciate Canadian literature, especially when set in Canada. I found the story captivating enough and the characters likeable.
The pacing seemed odd to me, and there were some muddled red herring plots, but overall it was a fine read.
The pacing seemed odd to me, and there were some muddled red herring plots, but overall it was a fine read.
February 12, 2018
Compelling original mystery. Very unexpected ending. Leaves reader somewhat hanging at end.
November 10, 2019
I like the setting and some of the characters but the love interest was ridiculous and sidelined the main story.
December 31, 2021
I enjoyed the Newfoundland flavour of this mystery. There were several suspects, and I was guessing until the end.
January 21, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. This was an interesting mystery about the disappearance of two babies. The characters are interesting, and I kept going back and forth guessing the ending. I was wrong, and happily so. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews