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The Last Thing I Saw
Your husband or your son... whose life do you save?
Emma's life seems perfect. Living in a quiet town with her hard-working husband, Darren, and her loving teenage son, Frank, everything is going to plan. That is until a killer holds her family at gunpoint and makes her choose: Darren or Frank?
Only one of the two people she loves most in the world can live. If she doesn't sacrifice one, the psycho in the mask will kill them both.
After 'the event,' as Emma's therapist calls it, her mind protects itself by omitting the decision she made. Now locked away in a psychiatric hospital, she must deal with the choice she made that day or face a life of uncertainty.
As Emma's mind travels from before and after 'the event,' she comes to realize that her life wasn't so perfect. Secrets and a troubled past will emerge from the dark, forcing her to remember who she chose.
Will she be able to face reality, or will the truth destroy her mind forever?
266 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2017
1368 people are currently reading
1395 people want to read
About the author
Alex Sinclair
8 books110 followersAlex Sinclair is a psychological thriller author from a quiet town near Melbourne, Australia. When he’s not spending time with his wife and two kids, Alex can be found writing fast-paced, twist-filled stories that keep readers hooked and on edge. A fan of domestic and psychological thrillers, he’s passionate about creating gripping tales that leave readers questioning what’s real until the very last page
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
April 23, 2018
EXCERPT: The signs had all been there. The warnings had been clear. His past threats floated into the forefront of my mind on a loop, preventing me from thinking of an alternative.
'I have to,' I whispered, eyes closed. My words were weak and crippled, but they could all hear me.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The perfect family. A moment that will change everything.
Emma thought she had the perfect life: a beautiful home, a loving husband and a gorgeous son.
She was wrong.
She wakes up in hospital, with no idea how she got there or why her husband and son won’t come to see her. What happened to Emma’s family?
As Emma tries to piece her memories back together, she remembers that her husband was hiding something from her, and that someone was watching their house.
She remembers that she was afraid.
Emma is desperate to find out what happened – and that her loved ones are safe – but remembering the truth could be the most dangerous thing of all…
MY THOUGHTS: Firstly, on a positive note, I loved the cover. And it was relevant to the storyline. Now. . . Oh, how do I count the ways in which this book failed for me?
I failed to feel any involvement with either the characters or the plot from the beginning. From the 30% mark I found myself skimming, and seriously considered abandoning the read. I stuck with it, hoping that it would improve, and it did marginally in the second half, but not enough for me to become invested in any way. I didn't feel any suspense, and in all honesty would never classify this as a psychological thriller.
I know that I am in the minority with my feelings, but I found the writing often labored and the dialogue stilted. Emma Taylor constantly complains about the 'wailing and moaning' in her ward. I doubt the author has bothered to visit the type of ward he describes and has very little understanding of how a psychiatric hospital operates. I felt disgruntled when I finished. A very grudging 2 stars.
Just because I found this to be an unsatisfying read doesn't mean that you won't love it. This is my personal opinion, my reaction to the book. Most reviews for this book are positive, so if you enjoyed the excerpt and like the summary of the plot, please go ahead and read The Last Thing I Saw by Alex Sinclair. You may be one of the many who enjoy this book.
Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Last Thing I Saw by Alex Sinclair for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'I have to,' I whispered, eyes closed. My words were weak and crippled, but they could all hear me.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The perfect family. A moment that will change everything.
Emma thought she had the perfect life: a beautiful home, a loving husband and a gorgeous son.
She was wrong.
She wakes up in hospital, with no idea how she got there or why her husband and son won’t come to see her. What happened to Emma’s family?
As Emma tries to piece her memories back together, she remembers that her husband was hiding something from her, and that someone was watching their house.
She remembers that she was afraid.
Emma is desperate to find out what happened – and that her loved ones are safe – but remembering the truth could be the most dangerous thing of all…
MY THOUGHTS: Firstly, on a positive note, I loved the cover. And it was relevant to the storyline. Now. . . Oh, how do I count the ways in which this book failed for me?
I failed to feel any involvement with either the characters or the plot from the beginning. From the 30% mark I found myself skimming, and seriously considered abandoning the read. I stuck with it, hoping that it would improve, and it did marginally in the second half, but not enough for me to become invested in any way. I didn't feel any suspense, and in all honesty would never classify this as a psychological thriller.
I know that I am in the minority with my feelings, but I found the writing often labored and the dialogue stilted. Emma Taylor constantly complains about the 'wailing and moaning' in her ward. I doubt the author has bothered to visit the type of ward he describes and has very little understanding of how a psychiatric hospital operates. I felt disgruntled when I finished. A very grudging 2 stars.
Just because I found this to be an unsatisfying read doesn't mean that you won't love it. This is my personal opinion, my reaction to the book. Most reviews for this book are positive, so if you enjoyed the excerpt and like the summary of the plot, please go ahead and read The Last Thing I Saw by Alex Sinclair. You may be one of the many who enjoy this book.
Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Last Thing I Saw by Alex Sinclair for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 12, 2018
The Last Thing I Saw by Alex Sinclair is a psychological thriller that is told in the before and after format. It begins with Emma in the hospital of no memory of what brought her there so as you follow her in the present it flashes back to what had happened.
Things were going well for Emma, her husband and their son until one day Emma gets a threatening mail and that is when things start falling apart for the family. Emma’s husband admits his company has been having problems and he thinks the threats are due to an accident with a long time employee.
Emma does what anyone would think she should and calls in the police but with no concrete evidence the police aren’t much help with only filing a report and writing the events off. Things continue to escalate for the family until it all finally spirals out of control.
Now with this psychological thriller I am clearly in the minority with my rating and I should say upfront that it has nothing to do with the author’s style or writing. I would actually still pick up another book by Alex Sinclair since his writing flowed well with this format and my issues were my own personal tastes with the story.
To start the first thing I found was the setting is not a hospital as the synopsis suggested really but a mental facility which is not a favorite setting of mine. I actually thought this one was going to go better than most reads with this setting but in walked the character Tom and it spiraled for me. And this section really had nothing to do with the story and didn’t need to be included which didn’t help at all.
Also, I was not really a fan of how this story ended. The writing had been solid, I’d made it through a setting I hadn’t enjoyed a lot and I was hoping for one bang up ending but didn’t find it. While the final twist did seem a bit obvious to me that wasn’t really what put me off but just that I didn’t find how it was revealed to be believable at all and more the cause of some eye rolling for me. So while I didn’t end up a fan of this one it was definitely a case of not my cup of tea so give it a shot if it does sound like one for you.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Things were going well for Emma, her husband and their son until one day Emma gets a threatening mail and that is when things start falling apart for the family. Emma’s husband admits his company has been having problems and he thinks the threats are due to an accident with a long time employee.
Emma does what anyone would think she should and calls in the police but with no concrete evidence the police aren’t much help with only filing a report and writing the events off. Things continue to escalate for the family until it all finally spirals out of control.
Now with this psychological thriller I am clearly in the minority with my rating and I should say upfront that it has nothing to do with the author’s style or writing. I would actually still pick up another book by Alex Sinclair since his writing flowed well with this format and my issues were my own personal tastes with the story.
To start the first thing I found was the setting is not a hospital as the synopsis suggested really but a mental facility which is not a favorite setting of mine. I actually thought this one was going to go better than most reads with this setting but in walked the character Tom and it spiraled for me. And this section really had nothing to do with the story and didn’t need to be included which didn’t help at all.
Also, I was not really a fan of how this story ended. The writing had been solid, I’d made it through a setting I hadn’t enjoyed a lot and I was hoping for one bang up ending but didn’t find it. While the final twist did seem a bit obvious to me that wasn’t really what put me off but just that I didn’t find how it was revealed to be believable at all and more the cause of some eye rolling for me. So while I didn’t end up a fan of this one it was definitely a case of not my cup of tea so give it a shot if it does sound like one for you.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
August 22, 2018
THE LAST THING I SAW is the debut psychological thriller by author Alex Sinclair. This novel was previously published as Don’t Let Me Die.
“Emma aimed the pistol at her husband, Darren who was begging for his life. How had life got so miserable, that it came down to this? But there was no other way…”
Emma had the perfect life: a beautiful home, a loving husband, Darren and her fourteen- year- old son, Jayden and Bessie their chocolate-brown Lab. Darren worked in construction, but recently lost his job, so now the family struggled for the next four years. Emma worked full-time in an administrative position at the University of Chicago, while still running the household.
When Emma’s father died, and left her an inheritance, Darren wanted to start his own business in construction.
Emma thought she had the perfect life…but she was wrong.
The story then switches to Emma waking up in a psychiatric hospital, with no idea how she got there…and where is her husband and son? They haven’t come to see her.
Emma tries to remember the last thing she saw…
We learn from the doctors that Emma is under strict watch after suffering a mental breakdown.
Emma tries to remember, but only has glimpses of being afraid and someone watching their house.
The chapters switch back and forth between, “Before”, the period leading up to the event and After, receiving treatment, which makes for easy reading.
Can’t say more without giving the story away, but this character driven novel was a pleasure to read, the writing style flowed smoothly with just the right amount of tension and pace with a surprise reveal at the end. You will just have to read it to find out!
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
“Emma aimed the pistol at her husband, Darren who was begging for his life. How had life got so miserable, that it came down to this? But there was no other way…”
Emma had the perfect life: a beautiful home, a loving husband, Darren and her fourteen- year- old son, Jayden and Bessie their chocolate-brown Lab. Darren worked in construction, but recently lost his job, so now the family struggled for the next four years. Emma worked full-time in an administrative position at the University of Chicago, while still running the household.
When Emma’s father died, and left her an inheritance, Darren wanted to start his own business in construction.
Emma thought she had the perfect life…but she was wrong.
The story then switches to Emma waking up in a psychiatric hospital, with no idea how she got there…and where is her husband and son? They haven’t come to see her.
Emma tries to remember the last thing she saw…
We learn from the doctors that Emma is under strict watch after suffering a mental breakdown.
Emma tries to remember, but only has glimpses of being afraid and someone watching their house.
The chapters switch back and forth between, “Before”, the period leading up to the event and After, receiving treatment, which makes for easy reading.
Can’t say more without giving the story away, but this character driven novel was a pleasure to read, the writing style flowed smoothly with just the right amount of tension and pace with a surprise reveal at the end. You will just have to read it to find out!
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
April 16, 2018
Previously published as Don’t Let Me Die.
Emma Turner, wife, mom, wakes up in a hospital psychiatric ward with no memory of why she's there, how she got there. All she knows is that she did something really, really, bad. Her husband and son are not there with her. Why aren't they visiting her?
Well written, this book takes the reader on a trek through Emma's life as she explains the last things she remembers leading up to the one night that is lost in the depth of her mind.
I found the characters well defined, the story premise is a good one. Highly suspenseful, I found it very hard to put the book down for any amount of time. The huge twist at the end is a real nail-biter.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this psychological thriller.
Emma Turner, wife, mom, wakes up in a hospital psychiatric ward with no memory of why she's there, how she got there. All she knows is that she did something really, really, bad. Her husband and son are not there with her. Why aren't they visiting her?
Well written, this book takes the reader on a trek through Emma's life as she explains the last things she remembers leading up to the one night that is lost in the depth of her mind.
I found the characters well defined, the story premise is a good one. Highly suspenseful, I found it very hard to put the book down for any amount of time. The huge twist at the end is a real nail-biter.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this psychological thriller.
April 22, 2018
I enjoyed this book. I went with the flow of the story without thinking too much about the plot line. I just wanted to get to the finish line to know the real truth of what happened that night at the park which landed Emma in a mental facility.
Alex Sinclair has done a good job in maintaining the fast pace of the plot line, with easy to read chapters without focusing too much on the politics of the mental facility. A state funded facility has its own problems of unscrupulous staff, and Alex has touched upon it without making the story too gruesome. And I thank him for that.
The whole story focuses on Emma and her family, slowly going into the past with the help of the psychiatrist Dr. Shaw (the only kind and genuine person). The entire story is about helping Emma to remember that nightmarish night where everything was lost.
The only niggle for me was the characters could have been fleshed out a bit, especially the husband Darren.
Every cloud has a silver lining and whether Emma reaches that or wants to reach that forms the crux of the story.
A good book to read on a Sunday morning and I enjoyed it thoroughly!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Alex Sinclair has done a good job in maintaining the fast pace of the plot line, with easy to read chapters without focusing too much on the politics of the mental facility. A state funded facility has its own problems of unscrupulous staff, and Alex has touched upon it without making the story too gruesome. And I thank him for that.
The whole story focuses on Emma and her family, slowly going into the past with the help of the psychiatrist Dr. Shaw (the only kind and genuine person). The entire story is about helping Emma to remember that nightmarish night where everything was lost.
The only niggle for me was the characters could have been fleshed out a bit, especially the husband Darren.
Every cloud has a silver lining and whether Emma reaches that or wants to reach that forms the crux of the story.
A good book to read on a Sunday morning and I enjoyed it thoroughly!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 18, 2018
The Last Thing I Saw sounded really intriguing from the blurb and I went in optimistic that it would be quite the entertaining read.
It grabbed my attention with its gripping introduction, where, from the very first page, we learn that Emma had been put into a position she didn't foresee coming, pointing a gun with her finger wrapped around the trigger, aimed at her husband. There was no turning back once her decision had been made. How intriguing, right?!
The next thing we discover, is that Emma is now in a psychiatric facility, due to an event which Emma has no recollection of. The story then alternates between present time and the past, as Emma's therapist works on getting Emma to remember the event which caused her such trauma that her brain has chosen to protect her by blocking it out. The event must have been profound and unforgivable...why else would Emma's husband and son not have been to visit her yet?
As I mentioned earlier, the introduction had me gripped, piquing my interest to discover how it was that Emma had got herself into such a dire situation. However, the rest of the book changed down several gears to a much slower pace, really taking its time to get the rest of the story going. When the pace did progress, there were issues that I had with the plausibility of certain events, having me question the believability of the plot one too many times.
All in all, an easy to read, character driven book that certainly had its good qualities but unfortunately didn't provide the credibility, edginess and anticipation I was expecting from a book of this genre.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
It grabbed my attention with its gripping introduction, where, from the very first page, we learn that Emma had been put into a position she didn't foresee coming, pointing a gun with her finger wrapped around the trigger, aimed at her husband. There was no turning back once her decision had been made. How intriguing, right?!
The next thing we discover, is that Emma is now in a psychiatric facility, due to an event which Emma has no recollection of. The story then alternates between present time and the past, as Emma's therapist works on getting Emma to remember the event which caused her such trauma that her brain has chosen to protect her by blocking it out. The event must have been profound and unforgivable...why else would Emma's husband and son not have been to visit her yet?
As I mentioned earlier, the introduction had me gripped, piquing my interest to discover how it was that Emma had got herself into such a dire situation. However, the rest of the book changed down several gears to a much slower pace, really taking its time to get the rest of the story going. When the pace did progress, there were issues that I had with the plausibility of certain events, having me question the believability of the plot one too many times.
All in all, an easy to read, character driven book that certainly had its good qualities but unfortunately didn't provide the credibility, edginess and anticipation I was expecting from a book of this genre.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
March 18, 2018
A fantastic, page turner! I got so caught up in thIs story I just had to keep reading.
The book begin s with Alex waking up to find herself i a mental health facility and the last 24 hours of her memory missing. What happened to her and where are her family? While she searches for answers through her therapy sessions we learn about Emma's last few days with her husband Darren and teenage son Jayden. Will she ever remember, and will she see them again?
I really enjoyed this book, love a book that sucks you in at the start and doesn't, let you go til the very end. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
The book begin s with Alex waking up to find herself i a mental health facility and the last 24 hours of her memory missing. What happened to her and where are her family? While she searches for answers through her therapy sessions we learn about Emma's last few days with her husband Darren and teenage son Jayden. Will she ever remember, and will she see them again?
I really enjoyed this book, love a book that sucks you in at the start and doesn't, let you go til the very end. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
April 25, 2018
This book kept me guessing the whole way. I couldn't put it down. It drew you in from the start because you wanted to know why she is in a psychiatric hospital. She herself does not know. It had me at the edge of my seat the entire way thinking, finally now we will find out what happened! I never thought it would end the way it did. There were so many possibilities. It was a really good read! Kept my interest the whole way!
#TheLastThingISaw#NetGalley
#TheLastThingISaw#NetGalley
March 12, 2018
I wish I hadn’t read the reviews for The Last Thing I Saw Before I started reading it because a few of them give away a quite major plot twist in the story that ruined my enjoyment of this book. Perhaps the previous title before Bookouture bought and changed it had a blurb that gave more of the story away, but still, to give away major plot twists in a review is infuriating. That said, I did mostly enjoy the book but given that the aforementioned twist didn’t get revealed until after the 90% mark, it meant that I spent 90% of the book waiting for something I knew was coming. I am rating the book on the basis of what I would have rated it had the ending had the shock value it will for those than don’t get spoiled and so this is a high 4 star rating for me.
The Last Thing I Saw tells the story of Emma Turner who awakens in a mental hospital with no idea of how she got there and she also can’t understand why her husband and son refuse to visit her. The story is told in the present and we also have chapters taking us back in time before the catastrophic event that changed Emma’s life forever. I loved this style of storytelling and found that it kept my interest up, and the mystery and intrigue was strong throughout. The reader is piecing together Emma’s memories at the same time as she is and it was an atmospheric read at times particularly inside the hospital which was more like a prison. We see Emma go from having a loving family life with her husband and teenage son, to something happening at her husband’s business that sets in motion the downfall of this happy couple’s life as they knew it up until this point. She’s an easy character to root for, and I wanted to see her find answers and closure in the face of the adversities she faced inside the hospital.
I liked the pacing of this book. It is a little bit of a slow-burner and isn’t an action-packed read in the sense that every other page will leave you breathless, but it’s very character-driven as we start to see what happened that led to Emma finding herself in a mental hospital. There’s one final twist in the tale that I did work out before it came but that I still very much enjoyed because I felt it was believable. This story is a good exploration of families and what makes them tick, and the jealousies that can often be found lurking within them. I very much enjoyed The Last Thing I Saw however I would have enjoyed it more without reading those spoiler-filled reviews beforehand and so I recommend reading this book without looking at reviews beforehand (apart from of course this one if you’re reading this now!) It is an enjoyable read from an author with great potential and I will certainly be reading whatever Alex Sinclair writes for us next.
The Last Thing I Saw tells the story of Emma Turner who awakens in a mental hospital with no idea of how she got there and she also can’t understand why her husband and son refuse to visit her. The story is told in the present and we also have chapters taking us back in time before the catastrophic event that changed Emma’s life forever. I loved this style of storytelling and found that it kept my interest up, and the mystery and intrigue was strong throughout. The reader is piecing together Emma’s memories at the same time as she is and it was an atmospheric read at times particularly inside the hospital which was more like a prison. We see Emma go from having a loving family life with her husband and teenage son, to something happening at her husband’s business that sets in motion the downfall of this happy couple’s life as they knew it up until this point. She’s an easy character to root for, and I wanted to see her find answers and closure in the face of the adversities she faced inside the hospital.
I liked the pacing of this book. It is a little bit of a slow-burner and isn’t an action-packed read in the sense that every other page will leave you breathless, but it’s very character-driven as we start to see what happened that led to Emma finding herself in a mental hospital. There’s one final twist in the tale that I did work out before it came but that I still very much enjoyed because I felt it was believable. This story is a good exploration of families and what makes them tick, and the jealousies that can often be found lurking within them. I very much enjoyed The Last Thing I Saw however I would have enjoyed it more without reading those spoiler-filled reviews beforehand and so I recommend reading this book without looking at reviews beforehand (apart from of course this one if you’re reading this now!) It is an enjoyable read from an author with great potential and I will certainly be reading whatever Alex Sinclair writes for us next.
March 25, 2018
Absolutely amazing! A thrilling, heart-pounding, brilliant tale, deftly told by a master of the art. Had to believe that this is a debut as the author is skilful at surely and completely grabbing the reader's attention as this brilliant story masterfully unfolds, racing towards a stunning climax. An unputdownable and fabulous debut by an exceptionally talented author to watch.
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July 17, 2020What would a mother do to protect her family? "You understand more than anyone how people are when it comes to family. It brings out the best and worst in all of us."
Emma Turner is in a psychiatric hospital after an event that has shattered her. She and her husband, Darren, and 14-year-old son, Jayden, lived in a lovely home in Clearwater Hills, Illinois. Darren owned a construction company and, when an employee accident happens that threatens their financial livelihood, they try to make things right. Threats against their safety and wellbeing drive them to desperate acts -- but it's money that's wanted.
From her vantage point as an in-patient, during therapy, and through interactions with others, Emma is trying to force herself to remember exactly what happened on the night that preciptiated her breakdown. But will total recall restore her to the life and family she loved more than anything else?
Tense psychological drama told in "before" and "after" first person narrative. A savvy reader of this genre may be able to figure out what is going on before the big reveal, but NO SPOILERS here. The pace is smooth and, even as the narrative highlights some of the horrors of being in a psych hospital, it keeps the reader engaged and involved in getting to the truth of the matter at hand. I enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.
Emma Turner is in a psychiatric hospital after an event that has shattered her. She and her husband, Darren, and 14-year-old son, Jayden, lived in a lovely home in Clearwater Hills, Illinois. Darren owned a construction company and, when an employee accident happens that threatens their financial livelihood, they try to make things right. Threats against their safety and wellbeing drive them to desperate acts -- but it's money that's wanted.
From her vantage point as an in-patient, during therapy, and through interactions with others, Emma is trying to force herself to remember exactly what happened on the night that preciptiated her breakdown. But will total recall restore her to the life and family she loved more than anything else?
Tense psychological drama told in "before" and "after" first person narrative. A savvy reader of this genre may be able to figure out what is going on before the big reveal, but NO SPOILERS here. The pace is smooth and, even as the narrative highlights some of the horrors of being in a psych hospital, it keeps the reader engaged and involved in getting to the truth of the matter at hand. I enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.
March 18, 2018
Goodness, I really don't like to leave poor reviews for books, but I do feel I have to be honest with my appraisals and sadly I just didn't enjoy this book at all.
For a story billed as a thriller, it definitely lacked any tension or excitement and I got just before halfway and really, nothing remotely exciting had happened; I began to skim read from then on to reach the conclusion I'd already guessed at. There weren't really any red herrings to throw you off the scent so the outcome was a little transparent, or maybe my Columbo skills are just enhanced from all the thrillers I've read this year! There was a lot of unnecessary detail throughout that made it quite a drawn out read (hence the skimming) and I never felt connected to the main characters. Just not one for me I suppose.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For a story billed as a thriller, it definitely lacked any tension or excitement and I got just before halfway and really, nothing remotely exciting had happened; I began to skim read from then on to reach the conclusion I'd already guessed at. There weren't really any red herrings to throw you off the scent so the outcome was a little transparent, or maybe my Columbo skills are just enhanced from all the thrillers I've read this year! There was a lot of unnecessary detail throughout that made it quite a drawn out read (hence the skimming) and I never felt connected to the main characters. Just not one for me I suppose.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2018
This is a gripping read and a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, desparate to know what happened.
The story is told ‘Before’ and ‘After’ the event that changed Emma’s life and I really liked the alternating chapters.
Emma is in a psychiatric hospital and has no idea why but with the help of Dr Shaw she starts to remember what happened leading up to that fateful night.
It’s hard to say too much more about the story as I really don’t want to spoil it for you but take it from me, the ending is worth waiting for.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
The story is told ‘Before’ and ‘After’ the event that changed Emma’s life and I really liked the alternating chapters.
Emma is in a psychiatric hospital and has no idea why but with the help of Dr Shaw she starts to remember what happened leading up to that fateful night.
It’s hard to say too much more about the story as I really don’t want to spoil it for you but take it from me, the ending is worth waiting for.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
April 16, 2018
Gosh! What a Book The Last Thing I Saw by Alex Sinclair was. I found this book Gripping, and will keep you glued to the book till the end. Emma thought she had the perfect family and everything was rosey. She had a beautiful home, a loving husband and a gorgeous son.
What could ever go wrong?
This book was broken in "Before and after the events" of Emma's family life. One minute she had everything. The next Emma woke up in a Psychiatric Hospital and had no idea how she got there. Or what has happened to her in the last 24 hours? her memory is missing.
Emma doesn't know why her husband and son refuses to visit her in the Psychiatric Hospital.
I do not want to say anymore as I will give it away.......But if you love page-turning psychological thriller's.
Plus, you like the author K.L. Slater, and B.A. Paris This is a book for you!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
What could ever go wrong?
This book was broken in "Before and after the events" of Emma's family life. One minute she had everything. The next Emma woke up in a Psychiatric Hospital and had no idea how she got there. Or what has happened to her in the last 24 hours? her memory is missing.
Emma doesn't know why her husband and son refuses to visit her in the Psychiatric Hospital.
I do not want to say anymore as I will give it away.......But if you love page-turning psychological thriller's.
Plus, you like the author K.L. Slater, and B.A. Paris This is a book for you!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
April 18, 2018
This is the first book that I have read by Alex Sinclair, but judging by how much I enjoyed this book it certainly won’t be the last. I really enjoyed it but more about that in a bit.
I had conflicting feelings about Emma, who is the main character in ‘The Last Thing I Saw’. On the one hand I really did feel for her. She is married to a workaholic husband, who is less than honest and thinks nothing of putting work first and his family second. Emma seemed to have the word ‘doormat’ across her forehead. Emma has to do most of the parenting of her only child because her husband is always working. I got the impression that there is some underlying tension between father and son. I also felt for her when she is taken into a mental health facility because the treatment she endured and the way she was viewed by some of the staff was unacceptable. Emma also has a lapse in memory because during the prologue she is holding a gun to her husband’s head and the next thing she remembers is waking up in the mental health facility. She has a lost 24 hours of her life. On the other hand, Emma did annoy me at times with some of what she said and some of what she thought and some of what she did but the irritation was only minor. Will Emma be able to piece together what really happened leading up to the moment where she aimed the gun at her husband’s head? What did happen between the moment she aimed the gun at her husband’s head and the moment she was taken to the mental health facility? Who can Emma trust and who betrays her? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have read the book for yourselves to find out
I have to be honest and say that for me, the book took a little while to get going. The prologue introduces the story with a bang but I found the first couple of chapters to be a bit slow. After those first couple of chapters though the pace of the story seemed to accelerate, I got into the story more and I became addicted to reading ‘The Last Thing I Saw’. In fact I found that I couldn’t put the book down because I just needed to know the truth about what really did happen to Emma and her family. I was so into the book that I didn’t realise how quickly the time was passing until I looked at the clock. ‘The Last Thing I Saw’ is well written and I found the book really easy to read. The story is told using chapters detailing what happened in the hours leading up to the events as described in the prologue and chapters detailing Emma’s treatment in the psychiatric facility and her attempts to piece together what happened to her. The chapters interlink really well and the story flows well. Reading this book was very much like riding on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride with lots of twists, turns, stomach churning moments and moments where you don’t realise what is going to happen until you are right on top of it so to speak. I felt stunned by the twist to the story as I so was not expecting it.
In short, I did enjoy reading ‘The Last Thing I Saw’ and I would particularly recommend it to readers who prefer psychological thrillers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is 4* out of 5*.
I had conflicting feelings about Emma, who is the main character in ‘The Last Thing I Saw’. On the one hand I really did feel for her. She is married to a workaholic husband, who is less than honest and thinks nothing of putting work first and his family second. Emma seemed to have the word ‘doormat’ across her forehead. Emma has to do most of the parenting of her only child because her husband is always working. I got the impression that there is some underlying tension between father and son. I also felt for her when she is taken into a mental health facility because the treatment she endured and the way she was viewed by some of the staff was unacceptable. Emma also has a lapse in memory because during the prologue she is holding a gun to her husband’s head and the next thing she remembers is waking up in the mental health facility. She has a lost 24 hours of her life. On the other hand, Emma did annoy me at times with some of what she said and some of what she thought and some of what she did but the irritation was only minor. Will Emma be able to piece together what really happened leading up to the moment where she aimed the gun at her husband’s head? What did happen between the moment she aimed the gun at her husband’s head and the moment she was taken to the mental health facility? Who can Emma trust and who betrays her? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have read the book for yourselves to find out
I have to be honest and say that for me, the book took a little while to get going. The prologue introduces the story with a bang but I found the first couple of chapters to be a bit slow. After those first couple of chapters though the pace of the story seemed to accelerate, I got into the story more and I became addicted to reading ‘The Last Thing I Saw’. In fact I found that I couldn’t put the book down because I just needed to know the truth about what really did happen to Emma and her family. I was so into the book that I didn’t realise how quickly the time was passing until I looked at the clock. ‘The Last Thing I Saw’ is well written and I found the book really easy to read. The story is told using chapters detailing what happened in the hours leading up to the events as described in the prologue and chapters detailing Emma’s treatment in the psychiatric facility and her attempts to piece together what happened to her. The chapters interlink really well and the story flows well. Reading this book was very much like riding on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride with lots of twists, turns, stomach churning moments and moments where you don’t realise what is going to happen until you are right on top of it so to speak. I felt stunned by the twist to the story as I so was not expecting it.
In short, I did enjoy reading ‘The Last Thing I Saw’ and I would particularly recommend it to readers who prefer psychological thrillers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is 4* out of 5*.
April 18, 2018
This story is told through two main timelines. In the present timeline, Emma is admitted in a mental hospital. She is struggling with her demons and endless nightmares haunt her. However, her mind has absolutely blocked the events that led to her admission. The second timeline is set in the past few weeks leading up to the event. The two timelines run concurrently each adding to the tension and suspense of the story until they later converge towards the end with a twist.
I enjoyed reading this book though there chapters that went a bit slower. However, there were a lot of questions that kept me turning pages in search for answers. I was particularly curious about the event that led to Emma’s admission and amnesia. I kept trying to guess what it could have been. The reveal was something that I wasn’t expecting. The past timeline was also quite suspenseful. I don’t want to reveal much but let me say that the events that were happening around the Turner family were enough to make me jumpy.
The ending was satisfactory although there is one part of the mystery that seems to have been left unanswered. It is not a major issue though so it didn’t affect my experience reading this book. With the captivating, unpredictable plot, I think fans of psychological thrillers will enjoy this book.
I enjoyed reading this book though there chapters that went a bit slower. However, there were a lot of questions that kept me turning pages in search for answers. I was particularly curious about the event that led to Emma’s admission and amnesia. I kept trying to guess what it could have been. The reveal was something that I wasn’t expecting. The past timeline was also quite suspenseful. I don’t want to reveal much but let me say that the events that were happening around the Turner family were enough to make me jumpy.
The ending was satisfactory although there is one part of the mystery that seems to have been left unanswered. It is not a major issue though so it didn’t affect my experience reading this book. With the captivating, unpredictable plot, I think fans of psychological thrillers will enjoy this book.
April 20, 2018
‘The Last Thing I Saw’ a flash, a memory, hidden deep within, a monumental opening which will irreparably haunt your memory.
The Last Thing I Saw written by Alex Sinclair, is an explosive tangle of greed, jealously and family ties all akin to a serendipitous encounter which has been locked away in the dark recesses of a fragile mind.
Emma a seemingly normal mother and wife awakens in a psychiatric hospital with no memory of how she arrived there. No family visit, no son, no husband what has she done, why is no-one telling her. The path that Emma follows with the guidance of a Doctor Shaw, unlocks the boxes, delving deeper into the darkness in which Emma has tried to bury. Can Dr.Shaw restore Emma’s memory without destroying her in the process.
With every page turn, the tug at my intuition for recalling what Alex had in store, ebbed and flowed with the tide of false paths that I travelled down, to be met with a new reason to be wrong. Alex manage to drive the plot with ease, dropping in falsified facts which I invariably fell for time and time again.
The Last Thing I Saw invariably is a book which will open your eyes and drive you round the bend looking for answers which are littered throughout the book, but piecing them together is ultimately the hardest part.
Thank you to Bookouture, Alex Sinclair and Noelle Holten for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of The Last Thing I Saw in exchange for an honest review.
The Last Thing I Saw written by Alex Sinclair, is an explosive tangle of greed, jealously and family ties all akin to a serendipitous encounter which has been locked away in the dark recesses of a fragile mind.
Emma a seemingly normal mother and wife awakens in a psychiatric hospital with no memory of how she arrived there. No family visit, no son, no husband what has she done, why is no-one telling her. The path that Emma follows with the guidance of a Doctor Shaw, unlocks the boxes, delving deeper into the darkness in which Emma has tried to bury. Can Dr.Shaw restore Emma’s memory without destroying her in the process.
With every page turn, the tug at my intuition for recalling what Alex had in store, ebbed and flowed with the tide of false paths that I travelled down, to be met with a new reason to be wrong. Alex manage to drive the plot with ease, dropping in falsified facts which I invariably fell for time and time again.
The Last Thing I Saw invariably is a book which will open your eyes and drive you round the bend looking for answers which are littered throughout the book, but piecing them together is ultimately the hardest part.
Thank you to Bookouture, Alex Sinclair and Noelle Holten for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of The Last Thing I Saw in exchange for an honest review.
Read
April 9, 2018The synopsis of The Last Thing I Saw drew me in like a moth to a flame. Billed as a psychological thriller where you will be checking your door is locked and looking over your shoulder lured me in and I was expecting great things.
Whilst this book was good, I read it in a few days and did enjoy it. I did feel that it didn’t quite live up to its prediction.
I would give this book 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
Whilst this book was good, I read it in a few days and did enjoy it. I did feel that it didn’t quite live up to its prediction.
I would give this book 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
March 13, 2018
This is a hard book to review as in saying anything about the books plot and story would be to give the whole storyline away.....the whole book is based on what happened when Emma was with her husband Tom and son Jayden and what was the ‘last thing she saw’....
Safe to say it is a psychological thriller that had me guessing the whole book and cleverly kept you wondering right up to the final chapters, I thought I had guessed a few times the outcome but was in fact totally wrong and the authors obvious intent of keeping a taut exciting story worked!!
What I can say is that because of what Emma ‘did see’ she ends up in a ruthless psychiatric hospital and the book swops between before and after ‘what she saw’ and the after based in the hospital is chilling and dark and very ‘atmospheric’
Going from A TO B and Before and After in a book can be confusing and chaotic but in this case it works perfectly
A really good read that engaged my brain to think as well as just enjoy and was scary, tense, exciting and generous in its twists and turns
10/10 5 stars
March 16, 2018
Excellent book. My first by this Author. Emma wakes up in a mental hospital but can't remember the last days of her life or why she is there. Her brother eventually visits but not her husband or son. What happened that she can't recall? The story flips from before to after. I did not anticipate the ending although it made perfect sense. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookoutre and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.
May 8, 2020
The story was told in alternating chapters of before and after "the event".
I enjoyed the before chapters, but the after chapters were repetitive and dragged down the basic storyline. I thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong, and I admit that I was racing through the last 50 pages to find out what was really going on. My pet peeve: everyone "huffed" their remarks, which really started to annoy me!
I enjoyed the before chapters, but the after chapters were repetitive and dragged down the basic storyline. I thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong, and I admit that I was racing through the last 50 pages to find out what was really going on. My pet peeve: everyone "huffed" their remarks, which really started to annoy me!
April 18, 2018
I really enjoyed The Last Thing I Saw by Alex Sinclair. The writing was excellent, the pace and flow of the book were great, and I never guessed that ending.
The book begins with the main character Emma holding a gun to her husbands head. The next thing we know, she's in a mental institution and she can't remember why. She knows something terrible happened and she has nightmares about black eyes staring at her. Her mind has blocked her memories and this begins the reader's journey.
The book moves back and forth between the present and the past as Emma attends therapy sessions with Dr. Shaw. Her sessions take us back to before the incident and we get to see that Emma's perfect life has been a struggle. Her husband's construction company isn't doing so well. One of his longtime employees had an accident on site and is now suing them. Add to this that the employee's cousin begins to threaten and stalk Emma and her family and we get the lead up to what really happened.
This book is well written and the characters are great. We get inside Emma's head as she struggles to remember all the time fearing what she will find out. She desperately wants to see her husband and son again and as a reader, I was left guessing whether or not her husband had really been killed and why.
I read this book over the space of two days. I was anxious to see what really happened. I really wasn't expecting the ending or the twist and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. To be honest, it didn't really make sense to me as there was no lead up to it and no suspicion. That's my reason for four instead of five stars. Everything else about the book, I loved.
The book begins with the main character Emma holding a gun to her husbands head. The next thing we know, she's in a mental institution and she can't remember why. She knows something terrible happened and she has nightmares about black eyes staring at her. Her mind has blocked her memories and this begins the reader's journey.
The book moves back and forth between the present and the past as Emma attends therapy sessions with Dr. Shaw. Her sessions take us back to before the incident and we get to see that Emma's perfect life has been a struggle. Her husband's construction company isn't doing so well. One of his longtime employees had an accident on site and is now suing them. Add to this that the employee's cousin begins to threaten and stalk Emma and her family and we get the lead up to what really happened.
This book is well written and the characters are great. We get inside Emma's head as she struggles to remember all the time fearing what she will find out. She desperately wants to see her husband and son again and as a reader, I was left guessing whether or not her husband had really been killed and why.
I read this book over the space of two days. I was anxious to see what really happened. I really wasn't expecting the ending or the twist and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. To be honest, it didn't really make sense to me as there was no lead up to it and no suspicion. That's my reason for four instead of five stars. Everything else about the book, I loved.
February 1, 2019
Emma wakes up in a mental health facility. She has no idea how she got there, she can remember nothing from the last 24 hours. She tries to remember but only the feeling of being afraid comes back to her.
Everything was perfect, everything was going so well so how did she end up here?
The book jumps between before and after and as you read on slowly the story starts to come together. This was a fantastic plot, the characters were really well fleshed out (no pun intended!!) this is a brilliant debut and can’t wait for the next book
Everything was perfect, everything was going so well so how did she end up here?
The book jumps between before and after and as you read on slowly the story starts to come together. This was a fantastic plot, the characters were really well fleshed out (no pun intended!!) this is a brilliant debut and can’t wait for the next book
April 15, 2018
The last thing I saw was a book I enjoyed and have only knocked a star off because I had worked out what had happened about halfway through.
I am not going to go into this book too much as I think if you et any inkling into who has done what it's really going to spoil this for you. Basically this is a good thriller based around Emma and her family, they are doing well in life, own business, big house, no mortgage then everything spirals out of control. The book is split into chapters of before and after, you don't know what has happened until about the 90% mark in the book when everything becomes clear. All you know is the thing that has happened has put Emma into a psychiatric hospital and she has blanked out what happened.
Although I guessed who the person was this was still an enjoyable read and I flew through it as the tension mounted.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
I am not going to go into this book too much as I think if you et any inkling into who has done what it's really going to spoil this for you. Basically this is a good thriller based around Emma and her family, they are doing well in life, own business, big house, no mortgage then everything spirals out of control. The book is split into chapters of before and after, you don't know what has happened until about the 90% mark in the book when everything becomes clear. All you know is the thing that has happened has put Emma into a psychiatric hospital and she has blanked out what happened.
Although I guessed who the person was this was still an enjoyable read and I flew through it as the tension mounted.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2018
OMFG I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about this book and not forgetting I have found a new author to read. The Last Thing I Saw is absolutely mind blowing and will leave you breathless. And to think this is the author's debut novel honestly I am totally blown away.
Hooked from the very first page with an OMG prologue This book grabs you round the throat and doesn't let you go until the very last page. Seriously I am not joking this story is flawless. The author takes you one hell of a pulse racing read which I devoured in one day, I simply couldn't put it down.
Imagine waking up in hospital with no memory of the 24 hours well this is what happens to Emma we then follow an emotional roller coaster story telling her doctor what she can remember. So the whole time I was dying to know why? The author has done a brilliant job of building the story up where we piece together a puzzle of a story told in alternating chapters of now and before.
This is one very clever and well crafted story which left me mesmerized. Not only did I want to know what had happened but I could feel the emotion and anxiety that Emma was feeling. I actually felt sorry and frustrated for her and just wanted to reach out hug her.
The Last Thing I Saw is jam packed with tension and suspense. I was literally dying to know the outcome. Then just when you think you have it all worked out the author throws in a killer twist! Boom now that's my kind of story.
I am a massive fan of psychological thrillers and this one has to be the best one I have read this year. If you are a fan of S.J.Watson you will love this. It has left me with a total book hangover! Which I cannot recommend enough giving it all the stars.
Thank you to Noelle Holten for inviting me to take part this is fab tour.....This book is a winner.
Hooked from the very first page with an OMG prologue This book grabs you round the throat and doesn't let you go until the very last page. Seriously I am not joking this story is flawless. The author takes you one hell of a pulse racing read which I devoured in one day, I simply couldn't put it down.
Imagine waking up in hospital with no memory of the 24 hours well this is what happens to Emma we then follow an emotional roller coaster story telling her doctor what she can remember. So the whole time I was dying to know why? The author has done a brilliant job of building the story up where we piece together a puzzle of a story told in alternating chapters of now and before.
This is one very clever and well crafted story which left me mesmerized. Not only did I want to know what had happened but I could feel the emotion and anxiety that Emma was feeling. I actually felt sorry and frustrated for her and just wanted to reach out hug her.
The Last Thing I Saw is jam packed with tension and suspense. I was literally dying to know the outcome. Then just when you think you have it all worked out the author throws in a killer twist! Boom now that's my kind of story.
I am a massive fan of psychological thrillers and this one has to be the best one I have read this year. If you are a fan of S.J.Watson you will love this. It has left me with a total book hangover! Which I cannot recommend enough giving it all the stars.
Thank you to Noelle Holten for inviting me to take part this is fab tour.....This book is a winner.
April 10, 2018
I really had trouble getting into this novel. I couldn't remember the characters and just didn't see a lot that kept my attention.
While saying that I see promise with this book and author. I can see a strong ability to build a story and a character that is believable
While saying that I see promise with this book and author. I can see a strong ability to build a story and a character that is believable
March 19, 2018
For the past three days I have been drawn into the turners story sitting on the edge of my seat itching to find out what awaits, the opening chapters had me drawn in immediately and I found it almost impossible to put down this fabulous psychological read, the story is told from Emma turner who is in a psychiatric hospital for reasons she can't fathom after suffering a break down, the story is told between the present and before when she lived with her husband Darren and son Jayden, they were being blackmailed and harassed after one of Darren's employees injured himself on Darren's building site, things turn ugly for the turners and it's a game of cat and mouse, the story builds up until that terrible night that lands Emma in hospital, usually I don't enjoy stories that jump from past to present but I was pleasantly surprised I enjoyed the build up and wanting desperately to find out what went down and landed Emma in hospital where her husband and son refused to see her, the twist is not what I expected and definitely shocked me, a fantastic read. I'd like to thank netgalley for my copy in return for my honest review.
April 11, 2018
Wowee, what a reveal right near the end! Phew, that was an OMG moment for sure!
Emma is in a mental hospital, but she doesn't know why. She did something so terrible that she's blocked it from her mind and throughout the story, as she talks to her doctor, the truth starts to be revealed. I had guessed part of the truth, but not all of it. No, the real truth was truly chilling.
It's hard to say much without giving the story away, but this is such a good book, the writing style so easy to read and the pace just right. The sense of fear and panic grows throughout the book as Emma's family are terrorised until we come to the final showdown. Which I have to say, is a cracker. Loved it!
4.5* rounded up to 5.
Thanks to Net galley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Emma is in a mental hospital, but she doesn't know why. She did something so terrible that she's blocked it from her mind and throughout the story, as she talks to her doctor, the truth starts to be revealed. I had guessed part of the truth, but not all of it. No, the real truth was truly chilling.
It's hard to say much without giving the story away, but this is such a good book, the writing style so easy to read and the pace just right. The sense of fear and panic grows throughout the book as Emma's family are terrorised until we come to the final showdown. Which I have to say, is a cracker. Loved it!
4.5* rounded up to 5.
Thanks to Net galley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC in return for an honest review.
December 8, 2017
I just didn't enjoy this story.
This story is written in a way that just made me want to doze off, and the characters were bland. The plot was thick with unimportant information throughout, and if you read thrillers as much as I do, then knowing the killer was easy. The fact that the details were drawn out so long in the way manner they were presented was just tiring.
This story is written in a way that just made me want to doze off, and the characters were bland. The plot was thick with unimportant information throughout, and if you read thrillers as much as I do, then knowing the killer was easy. The fact that the details were drawn out so long in the way manner they were presented was just tiring.
November 27, 2017
I could not put this book down! I like the way the author goes back and forth between “before the incident” and “after the incident”. This is a definite must read for those that enjoy psychological thrillers.
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