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The Last Goodbye
When a down-on-his-luck attorney gets mixed up with a gorgeous singer with a secret past, it results in a volatile tale of love, betrayal and murder in the tradition of Richard North Paterson and other bestselling authors. Jack Hammond is a man haunted by the sins of his past. Once a member of a white-shoe law firm, he lost his once-promising career because of a transgression with a beautiful female client. Now he works out of a seedy office in downtown Atlanta. The only income he can count on is as the court-appointed attorney to the dregs of the court system. When his friend-a former addict and computer whiz who'd turned his life around-is found dead in his apartment with a syringe stuck in his arm, Jack knows there's something very wrong. In his attempt to get to the bottom of Doug's murder, Jack is drawn into the spellbinding world of a gorgeous black opera singer with whom Doug had been secretly in love. As the story deepens, Hammond gets pulled into the worlds of high-tech, biological research, big business, and high society. Arvin pulls all these threads together in riveting fashion. Reed Arvin's new novel introduces an unforgettable hero whose flawed humanity and wry humour will keep readers rooting for him, and a fast-paced story with enough twists and turns to keep readers turning the pages.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 9, 2004
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162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 22, 2008
Reed Arvin, The Last Goodbye (Harper, 2004)
Before you read the rest of this review, do yourself a favor. Go to Amazon (if you're not reading it there) and put this book on pre-order. Then come back and finish.
Done? Okay.
The Last Goodbye is Reed Arvin's second novel, so I can't call it the most stunning debut I've read in the last two years (and I've read a bunch of them). And, to be fair, it does have a few minor faults here and there. But it's still better than most any thriller you've read in the last twelve months.
The story of Jack Hammond is so full of plot twists and turns that even explaining the first twenty pages would cause spoileritis (in other words, don't read any reviews but this one, or you'll lose the effect of the end of chapter one). Suffice to say that Jack Hammond is a lawyer whose buddy ends up dead. He wants to find out why. "Why" involves an internationally famous opera singer, a clinical trial of a new hepatitis-C drug, one of the most powerful lawyers in Atlanta, the main drug runner in Atlanta's biggest section of projects, computer hackers, and a whole cast of various freaks, outcasts, degenerates, and other generally fun human beings.
What kept going through my mind as I was reading this was that this was the return of the hard-boiled detective novel. Let's face it, the hard-boiled detective has gotten kind of, well, cuddly over the last thirty years. And as wonderful as Spenser is, we have to blame him for this. I mean, the guy cooks shrimp scampi in his spare time, when he's not getting beaten by thugs. Jack Hammond is no Spenser. He has more in common with Mike Hammer (and while that may not sound like a compliment, it is). The shysters talk fast, the dames are beautiful, the mugs get beat, the bullets fly, the mystery is solved only to find two more mysteries beneath. But layered over all that is the one thing it's impossible to write a book about Atlanta in the twenty-first century without addressing: race. So in actuality, The Last Goodbye is what might have happened if the new, improved hardboiled detective had taken a left at Robert Parker instead of a right.
The conclusion is obvious. And while two novels into a career is not a time to stand up and proclaim Reed Arvin as the next Robert Parker, or even the next Spillane, he's got the goods, he's got the mindset, he's got the potential. Read this book. ****
Before you read the rest of this review, do yourself a favor. Go to Amazon (if you're not reading it there) and put this book on pre-order. Then come back and finish.
Done? Okay.
The Last Goodbye is Reed Arvin's second novel, so I can't call it the most stunning debut I've read in the last two years (and I've read a bunch of them). And, to be fair, it does have a few minor faults here and there. But it's still better than most any thriller you've read in the last twelve months.
The story of Jack Hammond is so full of plot twists and turns that even explaining the first twenty pages would cause spoileritis (in other words, don't read any reviews but this one, or you'll lose the effect of the end of chapter one). Suffice to say that Jack Hammond is a lawyer whose buddy ends up dead. He wants to find out why. "Why" involves an internationally famous opera singer, a clinical trial of a new hepatitis-C drug, one of the most powerful lawyers in Atlanta, the main drug runner in Atlanta's biggest section of projects, computer hackers, and a whole cast of various freaks, outcasts, degenerates, and other generally fun human beings.
What kept going through my mind as I was reading this was that this was the return of the hard-boiled detective novel. Let's face it, the hard-boiled detective has gotten kind of, well, cuddly over the last thirty years. And as wonderful as Spenser is, we have to blame him for this. I mean, the guy cooks shrimp scampi in his spare time, when he's not getting beaten by thugs. Jack Hammond is no Spenser. He has more in common with Mike Hammer (and while that may not sound like a compliment, it is). The shysters talk fast, the dames are beautiful, the mugs get beat, the bullets fly, the mystery is solved only to find two more mysteries beneath. But layered over all that is the one thing it's impossible to write a book about Atlanta in the twenty-first century without addressing: race. So in actuality, The Last Goodbye is what might have happened if the new, improved hardboiled detective had taken a left at Robert Parker instead of a right.
The conclusion is obvious. And while two novels into a career is not a time to stand up and proclaim Reed Arvin as the next Robert Parker, or even the next Spillane, he's got the goods, he's got the mindset, he's got the potential. Read this book. ****
July 6, 2010
Cross Grisham & Palmer to get this legal/medical thriller !!
A friend recommended we try Nashville musician/producer turned writer, Reed Arvin -- and what great fun was in store! His bestseller, "The Will", wasn't handy so we tried this, his second outing, and now see what the acclaim is all about. A gripping story, with both legal and medical suspense (much of the book reminded us of the fine plots of Michael Palmer), found us turning pages to find out who did what and who will win in the end!
The storyline is a bit complex to summarize, but the gist of it is that struggling young lawyer Jack Hammond, after a brilliant start with a big wealthy law firm, now runs his own one-man shop after woman trouble. He toils as a public defender, groveling for what few cases get sent his way, mostly guilty parties needing plea bargaining or just sense talked into them as they take the stand for drugs, theft, assault, etc. When good friend Doug Townsend is killed ostensibly by an overdose, Jack goes hunting for the real story -- and is soon immersed in the life of Black opera star Michele Sonnier and her millionaire husband who is about to IPO his successful drug company. Apparently not learning from experience, Jack beds Sonnier en route to discovering some ugly intentions of her husband amid the subsidized housing tenements of the "Glen" and its thug overlords. The suspense comes from Jack's juggling the hunt for the real truth with his affair with Michele and his desire to stop her husband's scary plans. A bittersweet ending ties up everything nicely, but not before we're kept up late sweating out all the paths this one might entwine.
Arvin seems to have the formula for winning writing -- characters we tend to care about, a complex plot pitting good vs. evil in a manner that builds intense suspense, and enough cogent social commentary to add a dollop of provocative intellectualism to his mix of entertaining story telling! Wow! Can't wait to find a copy of his other novel!
A friend recommended we try Nashville musician/producer turned writer, Reed Arvin -- and what great fun was in store! His bestseller, "The Will", wasn't handy so we tried this, his second outing, and now see what the acclaim is all about. A gripping story, with both legal and medical suspense (much of the book reminded us of the fine plots of Michael Palmer), found us turning pages to find out who did what and who will win in the end!
The storyline is a bit complex to summarize, but the gist of it is that struggling young lawyer Jack Hammond, after a brilliant start with a big wealthy law firm, now runs his own one-man shop after woman trouble. He toils as a public defender, groveling for what few cases get sent his way, mostly guilty parties needing plea bargaining or just sense talked into them as they take the stand for drugs, theft, assault, etc. When good friend Doug Townsend is killed ostensibly by an overdose, Jack goes hunting for the real story -- and is soon immersed in the life of Black opera star Michele Sonnier and her millionaire husband who is about to IPO his successful drug company. Apparently not learning from experience, Jack beds Sonnier en route to discovering some ugly intentions of her husband amid the subsidized housing tenements of the "Glen" and its thug overlords. The suspense comes from Jack's juggling the hunt for the real truth with his affair with Michele and his desire to stop her husband's scary plans. A bittersweet ending ties up everything nicely, but not before we're kept up late sweating out all the paths this one might entwine.
Arvin seems to have the formula for winning writing -- characters we tend to care about, a complex plot pitting good vs. evil in a manner that builds intense suspense, and enough cogent social commentary to add a dollop of provocative intellectualism to his mix of entertaining story telling! Wow! Can't wait to find a copy of his other novel!
April 27, 2020
“L’AMORE NON PREVALE SEMPRE” (i Capuletti e i Montecchi van Bellini)
Door Corona zijn de bibs natuurlijk gesloten en nu mijn tablet ook de geest gaf, ben ik, aangewezen op een doos met ooit gekregen tweedehands boeken. Ik kende deze schrijver niet, gelukkig bleek het een goeie gok te zijn en ik was dan ook aangenaam verrast.
Jack Hammond, een advocaat uit Atlanta die aan lager wal raakte door een beoordelingsfout, krijgt te horen dat zijn beste vriend stierf aan een geïnjecteerde overdosis fentanyl. Hij kan dat absoluut niet begrijpen want Doug was al een hele tijd clean, had een hekel aan spuiten en was ooit verslaafd aan speed maar zeker niet aan opiaten. Er klopt iets niet volgens hem, maar voor de politie is het een uitgemaakte, gesloten zaak. Als Jack Doug’ s spullen ophaalt, ontdekt hij dat die een ware obsessie had met operadiva Michelle (de echtgenote van een zeer rijke, bekende, filantropische zakenman in de medische branche). Daarenboven was Doug ook nog eens een zeer vooraanstaande hacker. Dan blijkt ook nog dat Doug en Michelle elkaar wel degelijk kenden, ook Jack ontkomt niet aan haar charme. Als ze hem haar levensverhaal vertelt, kan hij niet anders dan haar te helpen met het zoeken naar haar dochter.
Jack, het hoofdpersonage is een fatsoenlijke vent die ooit een verkeerde keuze maakte. Hij is gedesillusioneerd in zijn werk als advocaat die meestal een schikking maakt voor z’n cliënten uit het getto.
De auteur heeft het vaak over de stad Atlanta en de poëtische ouderwetse ziel van het Zuiden. Niet echt relevant voor mijzelf, maar het biedt wel een achtergrond voor het verhaal dat de grote verschillen tussen de rijke elite en degenen die in de achterbuurten moeten leven, stevig in de verf te zet. Er is ook een liefdesverhaal in verwerkt, maar die lopen niet altijd even goed af. Sommige zaken zijn een beetje onrealistisch, namelijk dat de slechten het uiteindelijk toch niet winnen. Maar de machinaties van machtige farma bedrijven zullen de werkelijkheid geen geweld aan doen.
Al bij al is het een spannend, meeslepend verhaal.
January 18, 2023
Ik had nog nooit van de schrijver gehoord en vreesde dat het een langdradig boek ging worden omdat het geschreven is vanuit 1 perspectief: dat van de advocaat Jack Hammond. Maar niets is minder waar. Ik hield, naast het spannende verhaal met toch een ietwat verrassend einde, vooral van de zinsconstructies en de manier wordt de menselijke twisten weergeven werden. Op een vreemde manier kon ik meegaan in zijn kronkels.
September 5, 2017
very good but sad at the end book, a few mistakes by Reed but was overlooked by his style of writing, the way the description was made fit in perfectly, its readable.
December 12, 2017
Good main character, good supporting cast, but too many twists and stuff left untied.
January 7, 2018
I really enjoyed this. The "hero" of the book was very likable, but human, and the mystery kept me reading.
April 2, 2018
Although a good story, the pace was a bit slow in unnecessary character development. The last 50 pages helped to secure another “3-Star” rating.
January 6, 2022
Way too predictable and typical of a lawyer turned writer.
July 9, 2023
❤️❤️ Amazing book! Kept me on my toes! And I loved the unexpected twists 😁
August 19, 2024
Good read with interesting, flawed characters!
October 11, 2025
I liked this book. Reed Arvin is an excellent writer. The ending became a little contorted, but had several levels of resolution. I will look for more of his books.
May 29, 2016
Well, I did reread this book again in March of this year and it is truly fantastic. Mr. Arvin is so eloquent in his writing style that you can almost feel as though you are there in the story as an invisible witness. No surprise that he's a musician.
That said, this story is like Film Noir, sad and with a tragic ending. The only criticism I have is: why must this Anglo (white) man make all of his femme fatals ethnic? First casualty is Hispanic with a husband who beats her to death, then the second is African American who gets killed by her past acquaintances.
I know that it's unfortunate that there is so much racism in the United States. Frankly, that is just the way it is and it has gotten worse in the last 15 or 20 years. Being Mexican American myself, I wonder why they must make so many villains of my culture? I have read many books recently that make us seem like we are unfit as human beings. So, one more just sucks.
I hope that one day they make this into a movie because Film Noir is one of my favorite genres. But perhaps we could change the color of the femme fatals.
That said, this story is like Film Noir, sad and with a tragic ending. The only criticism I have is: why must this Anglo (white) man make all of his femme fatals ethnic? First casualty is Hispanic with a husband who beats her to death, then the second is African American who gets killed by her past acquaintances.
I know that it's unfortunate that there is so much racism in the United States. Frankly, that is just the way it is and it has gotten worse in the last 15 or 20 years. Being Mexican American myself, I wonder why they must make so many villains of my culture? I have read many books recently that make us seem like we are unfit as human beings. So, one more just sucks.
I hope that one day they make this into a movie because Film Noir is one of my favorite genres. But perhaps we could change the color of the femme fatals.
December 22, 2014
I was one of 20 people chosen to preview The Last Goodbye for Bookreporter.com. I was thrilled with the opportunity, even though I was unsure this would be a book I would have chosen for myself. I like mysteries, suspense, and thrillers, but would I enjoy this particular one? I hesitate to use the word slow to describe this book because the word has a negative connotation to it. Sometimes slowness in a book is appropriate and it is tied into the style of writing used. That was the case in this book. Reed Arvin has a magical way with words. His style reminded me of the old black and white movies; although I am not sure I can put my finger on why that is exactly. Mr. Arvin’s story was complex in many respects; not only was this a book about a defense attorney investigating the murder of an old friend, this is also a story about love, ethics, and race and class divisions. The characters seemed human and real.
September 5, 2008
I'm a sucker for a detective novel set in my home town of Atlanta, GA. The story was enjoyable enough; an easy read. It made me think of the old detective stories of years ago. It was somewhat "gritty" as advertised. The characters however, were fairly one dimensional and could have easily been written into any Janet Evanovich novel. The story could have been set in any city, so the city itself really didn't matter. I was irritated that the author misnamed several well known metro Atlanta locations. The most glaring error to my mind was calling "Sandy Springs" "Sandy Spring." I understand that it is just an "s," but please!
March 11, 2012
Investigating the mystery of a friend's death, a a down-on-his-luck attorney gets mixed up with a gorgeous opera singer with a secret past--a dangerous involvement that pulls him into the worlds of high-tech biological research, big business, and high society. I recently reread this as I couldn't remember what it was about. It is not worth it. The lawyer is trying to solve the reason why his college roommate ended up dead even though he had a history of drug abuse. At the end the opera singer has to die trying to protect her daughter from a drug dealer but the lawyer is charged with her future care on her death bed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2009
Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Odd characters, unusual situations, characters you like and are not cookie cutter perfect. Would defintely read more by this author. I love the review of this book by Margaret Maron. It sums it up perfectly: "...a heartbreaking love song to modern Atlanta-its tragedies, its promises, its failures, its dreams. 'The Last Goodbye' is magnolias and humidity, yet it's also crime and redemption. I've never met Reed Arvin, but I'd be proud to claim him as kin."
June 8, 2015
Loved this book! Jack Hammond is a talented lawyer who has fallen from grace. In the course of helping a client he stumbles into another world of opera, deadly intrigue & romance. Kept me on the edge of my seat. A thoroughly satisfying read.....
June 15, 2019
Great book.!
This author kept adding depth as the story developed. I was interested in all the characters. None were two - dimensional. Unexpected twists kept me turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the book
This author kept adding depth as the story developed. I was interested in all the characters. None were two - dimensional. Unexpected twists kept me turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the book
January 7, 2009
Fast paced story line with lots of twists and turns that keep you reading.
March 14, 2009
Clever noir tale, easy to digest
July 16, 2009
Decent book, nothing to write home about though
July 22, 2012
Ending was bittersweet.
August 20, 2012
Started out strong, great sense of place, but slipped off the rails about two-thirds the way in. Maybe too many characters, maybe a loss of focus.
February 15, 2013
Many twists and turns, murder and mystery
May 3, 2013
Interesting... With a neat little section on how antibiotics work.
May 26, 2015
an aria in a mystery
December 2, 2015
The book is quite interesting.
There is a mystery, something happens, there is murder - even more than one - the story and fate of characters arouse curiosity.
There is a mystery, something happens, there is murder - even more than one - the story and fate of characters arouse curiosity.
March 2, 2016
Really good book. Couldn't put it down.
March 29, 2016
Terrible book - skimmed about a quarter of it. Even though I read it to the end (I did want to know the ending), this is the type of book I will forget in a few months. Implausible plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews