One Last Dance

by Eileen Goudge

New York Times–bestselling author:Three sisters come home for their parents’ anniversary to find their father dead—and their mother accused of murder . . .  Each of Lydia Seagrave’s daughters is unhappy in her own way. Although a successful novelist, Daphne is professionally stunted and bored with her doctor husband. Her sister Kitty, the owner of a small California tea room, feels empty without a child. And Alex, the youngest, is a recent divorcée who is having trouble just paying her rent. When the three girls return home for their parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary, they hardly expect to be confronted with murder. Their father is dead, and Lydia was found with the smoking gun. As she goes on trial the three sisters struggle to solve the mystery of why their mother, a seemingly devoted wife, would murder their father in cold blood, uncovering family secrets that threaten to tear them all apart and confronting their own unhappiness along the way. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Eileen Goudge including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Adult, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Novels

454 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

I began writing at the age of eight and wrote my way through the lean years before I found success as New York Times' bestselling author with my first novel GARDEN OF LIES. To date I have published 19 novels and a cookbook. Every life experience I've weathered has found its way into my novels in one form or another: bad exes, births, deaths, divorces, romances, and even true crime. My heroines are like me: tough cookies who don't crumble.

My latest novel, Book One of my Gold Creek series, ALL THEY NEED TO KNOW, is the story of a woman fleeing her abusive ex who finds refuge in a small California mountain town, where she's befriended by a group of women who call themselves The Tattooed Ladies and reinvents herself as a police sketch artist. Kyra "draws lines to stop crimes," as they say in the biz, never imagining she'll one day be forced to confront the biggest criminal of all: her ex.

I'm married to former entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon and the mother of two grown children. We live in Sacramento, California, where we remodeled a 1940's house for which I was the on-site project manager. Fortunately, multi-tasking is my superpower, so I was able to write a book and supervise a home remodel at the same time. The latter is sure to find its way into a future book. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see pics of my home remodel and other adventures.

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok read! interesting storyline that had predictability written all over the plot twists right from the start (paperback!)

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I begin my review I have to admit that I have a book hangover.

For those who may be wondering what that is, let me give you the simple definition for a book hangover…the inability to start a new book because you are still living in the last book’s world (this may just be temporary because I just finished this book last night); and, the inability to function anywhere because you were up all night binge-reading. This last part is probably what is most relevant to me. Yes, I couldn’t put this book down. I have been reading this book for a couple of nights, but finally, I was getting close to the end, okay, maybe I had a 150 pages to go, close, and I just wanted to keep going, and then, well, sleep could wait. Not like me at all! And well here I am this morning with a book hangover.

So you are probably wondering, did I like the book? Does the 5 stars above give it away?

I will be honest some of the reviewers were not kind.

For those who are not attracted to typical “chick-lit romance” you might turn away from this one. (And, I am one that usually is not - attracted to chick-lit.)

But for some reason, to me this book had substance.

This is the story of three sisters and their interpretation of their childhood.

Tragedy strikes their family when they are adults so they are forced to accept and adapt to their new reality.

Each sister has her personal issues to deal with as well as the family secrets that must be addressed. While they struggle with these secrets, they begin to realize they need to get past childhood memories and roles to find happiness and acceptance.

Better yet, let me add the other element that kept me going…

One Last Dance is the story of a family facing an unimaginable situation -- one parent murdering the other (the tragedy I alluded to earlier!) And I really wasn't giving away any spoilers - that was all discussed in the marketing of the book.

The family's three daughters, who are each dealing with their own issues, have to come together to figure out what happened and why.

Their journey of understanding brings all of them closer and helps them put their own houses in order.

A touching read! So there you have it!

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book manages to cram in every single horrible cliche of "chick lit": adult women who still lust after their first-love/teen-aged "bad boy" boyfriend who has grown up to become a respectable, totally hot guy (who is conveniently either still single or divorced and still pining after his old girlfriend); women who make a mess of their lives and are grateful for a man to "scoop" (literally) them off their feet and save them from their problems; men with "smoky eyes and broad shoulders"; name-dropping references to designer clothes and shoes; unrealistic dialogue; plot lines with holes so large that you can drive a truck through (seriously? You can only get pregnant when you are in TRUE LOVE with the guy you are sleeping with?); characters who have been complete assholes their entire lives but who suddenly have an epiphany and discover their inner decent human being; characters who are one-dimensional and written in such a way that you are obviously supposed to either love them or hate them (there are no shades of grey); and a tidy, predictable ending that you can see coming from 150 pages away. If this is the kind of writing that appeals to you, you will love this book. For me, I've come to the conclusion that I'm too old for this kind of crap.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I wasn't sure if this was going to be a book for me. I purchased this years ago & had forgotten about it. The beginning was entirely too slow for my taste....I did, however, decide to stick it out & was delightfully glad I that did. A down home novel about life, secrets, love found, and love lost. Secrets....they can destroy a life, destroy trust, rip a family apart. Hope....it can bring you joy, or it can bring you much pain. This book has a bit of it all-secrets, hope, joy, pain, heartache, sadness & despair.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

One Last Dance was about three sisters whose mother murdered their father and wouldn’t say why. Sandra Burr’s storytelling skills couldn’t make this book the book it could have been. One Last Dance could have been a three or four star book had it been better edited. I was overwhelmed with far too much background. I do not recommend reading this book in its audio format as it is nearly fifteen hours long.

[Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐
Cada vez que terminó un libro me queda la mente en blanco 💀
Me gustó mucho, fue muy atrapante desde el primer momento y el estilo de escritura de la autora me agradó.
La historia fue un poco predecible, hubiera sido mejor que no den pistas desde el principio sobre quien era la amante del padre, eso si, no me esperaba que él hijo que ella tenía fuera de él. Me parece que si ella las ayudaba a resolver todo y luego se enteraban de la verdad sería más impactante, además, no se resolvió nada con respecto a ésto al final, dolo la madre murió pero ya.
Fue entretenido leer sobre la vida personal de las hermanas, sus problemas y como se resolvió todo. Me molesto de sobremanera que nombre de su padre quedara limpio, después de todo lo que hizo, espero que Daphne haya escrito en su libro sobre eso.

[Donna George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this author

Her books are like potato chips. I can’t stop. She is one of best and I want a new one

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seagraves are among the most enviable couples living in Miramonte, California. On the eve of their fortieth wedding anniversary, and just as much in love with each other today as they were on the day they married - until the night Lydia Seagrave picks up a gun and shoots her husband. Novelist Daphne - the couple's oldest daughter - returns home and is forced to contend not only with her father's murder but also with her undeniable feelings for the only man she has ever loved - the District Attorney who is prosecuting her mother.

The Seagraves' youngest daughter Alex's loyalty lies with her father, and she is determined to vindicate him no matter what the cost to her relationships with her sisters and her mother. Alex is convinced that her mother is a murderess, and that Lydia deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Kitty - the middle daughter - sets out to vindicate her mother and enters headlong into a passionate love affair with a younger man.

As the devastated sisters come together to unravel the truth about their family, they must also confront the lies and betrayals they have unwittingly taken part in. They must rebuild from their shattered illusions a life that is honest...even at the risk of being painful for them all.

I actually have two copies of Blessing in Disguise by Eileen Goudge on my bookshelf already, although One Last Dance is the first book that I've read by this author. I really enjoyed this book because I do enjoy reading books with family relationships - generally dysfunctional families - at the heart of the story. I give this book an A! and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Eileen Goudge in the future.

[JudiAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eileen Goudge has written some good novels in the past, however, about 100 pages into this one I started skimming pages. Characters and plot that were annoying causing me to care nothing about either. The author tried to create a lot of melodrama with endless descriptions in every scene. One word...boring!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A complex family drama - told from multiple perspectives.

Dr. Seagrave and his wife Lydia have been happily married for 40 years and will soon be celebrating their anniversary with a large party, organized by their 3 adult children. Alex, the oldest; a successful real estate sales woman, divorced with twin teen -age daughters, Daphne - a successful married author with 2 small children who lives in a gorgeous penthouse in New York with her husband the doctor, and Kiity - the baby of the family, a single business woman desperate for a child.

Each member of the family has secrets, some that should have never been exposed. Approximately one week before the anniversary party they get the call - their father, a well respected local doctor has been murdered - a suspect is in custody - but shockingly its the doctor's wife.

Going back and forth in time the individual secrets of every family member come out as the 3 adult children of Dr. Seagrave try desperately to save their frail, elderly mother from a life in prison for murder. A murder that none of them saw coming, but if they had all shared their secrets - maybe they would have, and something could have been done to prevent.

All in all - not a bad beach read.

Some subject matter that could be offensive and/or triggering to some readers - but when the book was published (1999?) - trigger warnings weren't part of the normal protocol when publishing books.

[Richda Mcnutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how thoroughly this book drew me into its world. While having several elements of "chick lit," I found it to be weightier and much more engrossing. At its heart is the mystery of marriage. Just before the lavish celebration of their forty-year anniversary, Lydia Seagraves fatally shoots her husband. And her three adult daughters have no idea what led to this act, but are determined to find out why - and so are we. Through these characters we explore some of the different constructs that are included in specific marriages: denial, suppression, compromise, the lack of talent for effective conflict, the form of loyalty that leads to resentment, and an overwhelming love that can prove to be destructive - even fatal. Goudge has fashioned an engrossing novel, and one that may lead you to examine your own marriage - do so at your own risk.

[Celeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ties of Sisterhood

This is the story of three sisters and their interpretation of their childhood. Tragedy strikes their family when they are adults so they are forced to accept and adapt to their new reality. Each sister has her personal issues to deal with as well as the family secrets that must be addressed. While they struggle with these secrets, they begin to realize they need to get past childhood memories and roles to find happiness and acceptance. I enjoyed this book, characters and storyline,and would recommend it. A perfect summer read!

[M.K. Theodoratus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The three daughters of a loving, "perfect" family" must cope with the aftermath of their mother shooting their father just before their fortieth anniversary.

Love Goudge's "never-never" California where emotional pain hides under a facade of wealth.

Recently re-read the book after reading fantasy from Susan Mass, Lindsay Buroker, and the Childs. I'm always impressed by her ability to reveal raw, deep emotion while making her well-developed characters seem like normal people.Oh, she's also a master of writerly techniques.

[Cindy Clennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eileen Goudge has been one of my favorite authors since I read 'Garden of Lies' many years ago. One Last Dance is the story of a family facing an unimaginable situation -- one parent murdering the other. The family's three daughters, who are each dealing with their own issues, have to come together to figure out what happened and why. Their journey of understanding brings all of them closer and helps them put their own houses in order. A touching and enjoyable read!

[Barbara G. Graybill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

An intricately woven tale of the individuals of a family, interwoven with false perceptions. An exploration of human frailty and strength with personality, self-awareness and and socially imposed responsibilities all intertwined. The characters grab you and don’t let you go. Each time you turn the page, your perception changes. What an awesome book. Incredibly good read.

[Regina Lively · Rating 4 out of 5]

GOOD READ!

I enjoyed this novel. The secret sins & lies of one family are exposed by the end of this novel.
I especially liked the ending. Although the 3 sisters lost both their mother & father, they opened their hearts to eachother & to the true meaning of family. Sounds simplistic, but this wasn’t a simplistic novel. This was a book rich with feelings & the complex motivations that drive us all.

[Bea Mantel]

Drie dochters, elk met hun eigen leven. De oudste twee trekken naar elkaar toe, de jongste staat er een beetje buiten. Welk een parallel met mijn eigen leven. Ma schiet pa dood, een uitvaart. Het eerste gedeelte van het boek roept heftige emoties bij mij op nav een privé-situatie. Na de helft gaat het boek over in de Libelle-roman-vorm. Spoiler-alert: Snel doorbladeren dus en de gewenste dromen van de hoofdpersonen komen uit. Ma verdwijnt op Eskimo-wijze maar dan zwemmend.

[Judith Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mesmerized by the storyline and did not want to put this book down even to sleep. I just loved the story and it kept me interested from the start Loved the family interaction and the secrets that families keep from each other not realizing the hurt that they can cause, I also liked the ending and will be reading many more books by Eileen Goudge. She is the best!!!!!!

[Margaret Shumaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this

I Loved the premise: a woman in her 60's, married for 40 years, shoots and kills her husband. This infringements story of that family, of the husband and wife and their three daughters. I loved learning the secrets of this family and how the murder made them all open their eyes to some hard truths.

[Alison Bradley-carver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unexpected

While this book had a good premise, the main event was completely unbelievable. Also, the book requires a much stronger editor; it should have had much extraneous wording deleted. Also, it randomly changed characters in the middle of a chapter which was very confusing.

[Judith Bozeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good family drama

Very good family drama. Three sisters planning their parent's 40th wedding anniversary, instead find themselves having to arrange their father's funeral while trying to help their mother who has been arrested for killing him.
It is a story of how you can love someone even as you have to forgive them.

[Janet Adkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I predicted the story arc for each of the sisters and the mother very early in this book. This book was quite long for not much happening in it.

I liked how the author developed the characters of the three sisters and showed their change through the lens of the family tragedy. However I was bothered that all of the male characters in the book were not developed and were stereotypes.

[Marilyn Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eileen Goudge never disappoints. I couldn't put the book down, and I read every book she writes.

I've read every book she wrote and love every one of them. Her characters are so real and enjoyable. Love her.

[Charlene Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were richly crafted as were the storylines. They flowed to conclusions that were not left dangling. I agree that it was hard to get into for the first chapter but then it grabbed me and became hard to put down.

[gail lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The word for this book is “comfortable”. There were no real surprises, and it was relaxing and enjoyable watching this family unfold and refold. The characters were real and likable, and I strongly identified with two of the sisters.

[Debbie Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family ties

A book that has murder, love, and family memories! A lovely book that shows the different ways of how a family can love one another. Eileen Goudge never disappoints us with her books! This is a must read!

[Terri Athey · Rating 1 out of 5]

A soap opera

If you like soap operas ,especially kind of ridiculous ones, you will like this book. I skimmed through this and it was one melodramatic thing after another. I didn't find any of the characters likable. Definitely not my cup of tea!

[Gloria Shone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the seven books I have read so far this summer, this one stands out. It is a fast read,Mainly because the action pulls you forward, but it has a good deal of substance and mostly likable But flawed lead characters.

[Diane Schwarz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend gave me this book and said it was good. I thought it was lame and only give it two stars. Not exciting at all. Glad to have it finished and moved on.