A stolen child. A deadly lie. Ella Perri must uncover the truth before it destroys her family.
The mystery that began in Buried Secrets is far from over. When a mysterious letter leads Ella to the shocking discovery of a hidden relative, the search for the truth quickly becomes a race for survival.
The more Ella digs into her past, the more she realizes the Perri family legacy is not just twisted—it’s deadly. The deep, dark secrets hidden for decades are now unraveling, pulling her into a dangerous web of deception that someone will kill to keep buried.
Ella is trapped in a race against time to uncover the truth and protect her loved ones from a threat that could destroy them all.
With unforgettable twists and a gripping new layer of family mystery, One Last Secret is the continuation of the Ella Perri Mysteries, where the past is never truly buried, and the truth is always more dangerous than it seems.
While part of a connected series, each book in the Ella Perri Mysteries can be enjoyed as a compelling standalone novel.
Read them in order: Book 1—Buried Secrets Book 2—One Last Secret Book 3—Lies That Bind Book 4—Moment of Truth
Krissy Baccaro is the award-winning author of the Ella Perri Mysteries series, which explores dark family secrets and atmospheric suspense across decades. Known for her twisty, compelling thrillers rooted in rich Italian history, Krissy draws inspiration from old Italian stories and family memorabilia. She splits her time between upstate New York and southern Florida, and when she's not writing, you can find her with her toes in the sand and a book in her hand.
Check out her website for writing news and book updates: krissybaccaro.com
Can I tell you how much I love dual time line narration? One Last Secret, was written with such precision and execution that I was immediately consumed and addicted to every turn of the page. Can you tell I loved this book?
In 1939 Gianna gives birth to twin girls. The midwife hands Gianna only one child but she knows there is something wrong and she had definitely given birth to twins. Gianna uncovers her mothers deception and promises to one day find her other daughter. Just a few days later Gianna walks into the woods with Luca Perri and never returns.
Present Day, Ella Perri, knows a secret, a secret that has been in the family for far too long. Ella is convinced someone is watching her, stalking her. Ella must return to Italy to finally figure out what had happened all those years ago.
Luca is worried. He thought the secrets he buried long ago would stay secret but his niece Ella is determined to bring it all to light. Ella has found Gianna, the grandmother she never know. Gianna is alive but for how long?
This is a spooky read and without a doubt, a nail biter.
If you havent already read One Last Secret, I recommend you do so ASAP! 5 stars!
An intriguing story that keeps you reading to find out what secrets are in Ella’s past. Will she be able to discover them on time. I was totally gripped trying to guess what happens next. This is one book not to be missed.
The second in the series, Our Last Secret is written in dual timelines, 1939 and the present. Much of the story occurs in beautiful and culturally rich Tuscany, with which I am familiar so the places really came alive. However, the author writes gorgeously so you needn't know Tuscany to visualize the twisty roads lined with ubiquitous Cypress trees. Speaking of twists, you will be happy to know there are many in this book!
Family secrets hang thick like lush vegetation, everywhere you look. Paired with atmosphere, this book is very immersive and interesting, quite original. Ella Perri travels to her Tuscan roots to grapple with layers of mysteries as she searches for answers. Her uncle Luca does the same thing, though their motivations are different. Ella's closest friend helps with the unraveling as they encounter (mis)adventures and close calls. There are DNA ancestry links and old houses, too.
I really enjoyed how puzzle pieces fit together in fascinating ways. The Tuscan atmosphere and setting are enchanting and the secrets are sinister enough to capture the reader's attention and curiosity.
If you are seeking something different riddled with mysteries and suspense, do read this.
My sincere thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this evocative story. I really enjoyed it!
This book is a continuation of the story that started in Buried Secrets. This is a well written book of intrigue, but I highly recommend reading Buried Secrets first. One Last Secret is a bit hard to follow if it's read first, because the reader must figure out who the characters are and their relationships, which would have been laid out in the first book.
Even so, I enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting and the story has so many twists and turns. The story is told in 3 different time periods, 1939, 2 years prior to "current" time and current time. It's a fascinating story. There are mature themes so I recommend it for mature readers.
I received a copy of the book from the author. This is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this story, a little bit of a slow burner the pace of the book picked up and then had me. There were a few points I felt I was literally holding my breath. It’s been quite a while since I read a mysteries/ suspense and this book has made me want to read some more! There were some twists and turns and I loved how eventually all the pieces came together much like a TV drama..in fact this would make a great one! This is second in the series and I do feel it might have been easier to catch on to characters if I had read the first but my no means did I feel I had to.
This is the second book in the Ella Perri mysteries; however, I don’t think it’s totally necessary to read the first book in the series to get an understanding of what all is going on.
Ella Perri unleashed a dark cloud when she sought out the secret that her family held for years. In 1939 Gianna Russo gave birth to a beautiful daughter; however, what she was unsure of was if she really gave birth to twins as the midwife only hand her one baby. She quickly learns of the deception of the people around her and vows to search for her child, no matter the costs.
In the present day Ella has the creeping sensation that she is being stalked. She believes that 2 years ago when she discovered the family secret in Italy, the dark presence followed her home and is trying to prevent her from looking for more answers. * * I read this book in the span of a day as I just kept turning the pages. This is a wonderful book that is fast paced and action packed. I think the author does a wonderful job at character development and having you understand the history of the characters and why they are making the choices that they have made. This is a book that goes back and forth between the past and the present so you can understand how the events of the past are affecting the events of the present. The author does a good job at making it clear where you are in the story. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful story of family, love, friendship and how people will go to the ends of the earth to support the ones they love. I’ve heard the author is working on a prequel to the series and I cannot wait to read that one as well!
The premise of a box containing a diary, a picture, a manuscript and a gun is a promising way to start a mystery. While all these items were cited, the collection was mentioned near the end of the story.
The Second World War caused the break-up of many Italian families including the Perri family. One grandchild got clues from a DNA search and while an American woman, Emma, wanted more than her mother was willing to talk about. Emma parlayed a trip to an Italian medical school to do family research in Tuscany.
Superstitions and belief in spells play a large part in the characters' lives. The genealogical search uncovered romances, friendships and strained marriages of convenience. Current and past romances were featured as the story slowly resolved of three generations of family history.
The book's best advice is offered about a fifth of the way into the story by a convicted murderer, "To get ahead of a psychopath, start thinking like one." There were haunted villas and several excursions dripping with innuendo along with chase scenes and a gunfight. Action, yes, but too slow for me.
One last secret is a beautiful story about love, friendship, family, lies, and deceit. The plot is well put together - a woman/family looking to discover their ancestry and past - traveling through Italy and visiting the most picturesque places (the description of places, people, and nature are exceptional). There's a lot of mystery as the culprit keeps on doing bad deeds and maiming people. The passage with the architect that built a house for one of the family is also extremely well described, as well as the house, which is a good surprise as it is done in a way that allows the reader to almost see all the special features that were built. It's a very entertaining reading! I downloaded a free copy of this book through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion.
One Last Secret is an entertaining page-turner as Ella seeks to understand and uncover her family's history. Alternating between present day and Gianna's story in WWII Italy made an intriguing, heart pounding story. I love everything Italy and particularly enjoyed the parts of the story that took place there. I think if I had read book one I would have enjoyed it more but the author does a great job creating it as a stand alone. A great story for mystery/suspense readers.
What a great sequel One Last Secret is! This story has so many twists and turns that it keeps the reader guessing and wanting to know more. Krissy Baccaro’s descriptive writing pulls the reader into that particular scene being mentioned. Her characters are believable, ranging from loving to psychotic, keeping the story very interesting. It kept me captivated right to the very end! I loved it!
Krissy Baccaro’s One Last Secret is book two of the Ella Perri mystery series. Twists and turns make this novel a page turner. Her writing talent takes you in one direction only to find out something’s just not right when you get there. She’s hinting at something, but you just have to wait and see what she has up her sleeve. When you find out, you’ll realize there’s more than what meets the eye. I couldn’t put down the book. Her colorful descriptions pull you into the story. You Have No Choice. If you enjoy mysteries and suspense, you’ll love One Last Secret. F. Marie
One Last Secret is the sequel to Krissy Barraco’s first book Buried Secrets. It’s a suspenseful drama with family secrets at its core. The sequel is set two years after the first book. Ella returns to Italy with her mother and sister in tow to track down her biological grandmother who her great uncle tried to kill. The action and danger keep readers on the edge of their seats, with a need to keep turning the pages all the way to the climactic ending.
Krissy Baccaro’s One Last Secret is book two of the Ella Perri mystery series. Twists and turns make this novel a page turner. Her writing talent takes you in one direction only to find out something’s just not right when you get there. She’s hinting at something, but you just have to wait and see what she has up her sleeve. When you find out, you’ll realize there’s more than what meets the eye. I couldn’t put down the book. Her colorful descriptions pull you into the story. You Have No Choice. If you enjoy mysteries and suspense, you’ll love One Last Secret. F. Marie
This book is lovely, well written, memorable and haunting. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it. The story has three timelines, which I love, and is about an Italian family the Perri's. In 1939 twin daughters are born to Gianna Russo. Her mother lies and deceives her and tells Gianna she only had one baby. Later on, Gianna takes a walk in the woods with Luca Perri and Gianna doesn't come back out with him. Her daughter was asleep in her carriage and left alone, and then she comes up missing. Granddaughter Ella Perri goes back and forth from Italy, where she has a boyfriend, family and friends, to America, where she lives, along with her mother and sister. Two years earlier Ella had discovered a secret about her family while she was in Italy. She is now in America and believes she is being stalked. She receives a mysterious package and starts having break-ins in her home. Back in Italy, Luca thinks he's got his past secrets hidden forever. Ella realizes she has got to go back to Italy to uncover her family's secrets and find out who is behind the break-ins in her home and why she is being stalked. Ella, her mother and sister go to Italy where Luca is panicked. He cannot allow his great niece Ella coming back around snooping into his business. There is an incredible twist to the story. Someone has a DNA test innocently as a project in school and Ella's mother ends up contacting this person and starts a friendship. Ella gets advice from a convicted murderer. A friend leads Ella to the discovery of Luca's stately and deserted mansion where Ella and her sister break into in hopes of finding a missing diary and something to lead them to finding out the family secrets. They are spooked and leave. Her friend is attacked and nearly killed; Ella sees her boyfriend Nico with a mysterious woman; Ella goes to the home of the architect who designed the mansion and finds out Luca has more than one mansion all intricately built with complex and elaborate detail and design. Ella and her sister go back to the first mansion, are caught, and one of them is seriously injured. This book is packed full of action. It is eerie and creepy and has you hanging on tightly all the way to the end. Hard to put down and I loved it.
One Last Secret, #2 - The story picks up two years after Buried Secrets ends. The telling of 1939 Gianna, present day Ella and flashbacks of two years previous for Luca, made in intriguing, mesmerizing and not putting it down till finished story. I loved one character overall for her bravery and the emotional ending. 5*
Buried Secrets - I was surprised by how interesting and immersing story this turned out. I think I read The Rearview Mirror and disliked that set of stories.
While at the beginning of her decision to go to Italy, I thought she was mental and wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. Glad I did since the story lines became very interesting. A bad guy was obvious and another was being exposed by careful bits of information, similar to misdirection.
Well written with interesting settings and characters. There are two more books to go with this story, which I will be reading. 4*
Lies That Bind, #3 - I did not know this was the prequel to Buried Secrets and One Last Secret. It is told by Luca's mother about her very disturbed family. I am unsure if it is necessary to read this first. I like not knowing about Luca's history; he's an unknown person so no expectations on his possible behavior. With the prequel read first, his actions would be expected and therefore, no surprises.
It was disappointing that modern terms were used for that period (intervention and tough love). In Italy, Witness Protection started around the 70s with police protection; official in early 90s. Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky targeted the U.S. market at that time. Schizophrenia and Bipolar comments hit me wrong, facts issue. 4*
My first 5 star review of 2022!! This book was so powerful!!! Gripping storytelling, vivid descriptions, mystery and heartache… this book has it all. The story of a families search for the answers of their ancestors buried secrets has you gripped from the very first sentence to the last. The plot cleverly weaves the past seamlessly with the present, whilst piecing together the parts of the mystery as the story unfolds. I loved the protagonist, Ella, and her determination to unearth the truth once and for all. She is not afraid to put herself in danger to find out what lurks in her families past in an effort to bring peace for the family at last. The narrative is from three perspectives and different time periods, something which I love if it is done well… this author has mastered it. The different narrative perspectives give us an in depth connection with each of the characters and their inner thoughts, making the story more real. Although it does mean that you need to ensure that you are paying attention, as sometimes the story jumps around- I found that this added to the tension that was built throughout the story. This is the first book that I have read in a while that had me on the edge of my seat one minute and reaching for the tissues the next! Definitely one to add to your reading list!!
One Last Secret is an intriguing story penned by the author Krissy Baccaro. It is the second installment in the Ella Perri Mysteries book series. Ella Perri's mother got the ancestry report. Ella has recently uncovered her Uncle Luca's secret.
Gianna gave birth to a twin and Ella's mother was one of them. Luca had buried Gianna in a shallow grave in Italy. When Luca married Lena, Marco's aunt, he took Marco into the family. Marco thought Luca loves and cares for him really but for Luca, Marco was just a way to fulfil what he wanted. When Ella moved to Italy, Luca asked Marco to follow her because Luca didn't want Ella to dig deep about the family secrets.
Luca and Ella both are in action to find Gianna in Tuscany. Who would succeed? The story pace is fast and I enjoyed every bit of it. Language used is lucid and I was able to follow the story easily. It's a gripping story that kept me on the edge the whole time. The characters are written well. You would be able to follow the link between them easily. If you enjoy reading stories involving mystery then go ahead with this one.
Sometimes our closest family ties are with the ones that are the farthest out there
One Last Secret is a highly original tale by Krissy Baccaro of deception, missing family members, betrayal, kidnapping and murder that spans decades and continents.
It’s a fascinating psychological study as Ella, the main character determined to solve the family mystery wonders whether criminal genes are passed within a family. To get ahead of her psychopath uncle she posits, she has to start thinking like a psychopath.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Ella, a surgeon, probes for clues to her uncle’s unsavory behavior by questioning one of her patients - a killer himself. “Sometimes we don’t know who we are or what we’re capable of until we break. Then it’s too late to go back. The person you were before that moment can no longer exist with who you are now.”
Once you start reading One Last Secret, there’s no going back. I loved this book!
One Last Secret is a gripping mystery with emotional depth and a strong, determined heroine at its core. As secrets from the past begin to surface, the story pulls you into a web of family lies, personal pain, and unexpected twists.
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Pros: • Engaging mystery – The suspense keeps you guessing and wanting more. • Relatable main character – You connect with her struggles and determination. • Emotional layers – It’s not just about the mystery; there’s heart, too. • Smooth writing – Baccaro’s style is clear, emotional, and easy to follow.
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Cons: • Some predictable moments – A few twists are easy to see coming. • Slow in parts – The pacing dips occasionally, especially in the middle.
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Final Thoughts: This is a well-written, emotionally charged mystery that balances heart and suspense. If you enjoy stories about hidden pasts, personal growth, and unraveling secrets, One Last Secret is a great choice.
❤️shaye.readss
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As I started this I was completely gripped but I realised I missed a lot by not reading the first in the series. By the time I could finally put the book down to think I was 30% in and decided I couldn't wait to finish this one so I would make do with not knowing the full story of the first one. It is standalone enough that you don't need to have read the first book but there is certainly a lot which must happen in book one that is referenced throughout this one. The first 50% or so really had me hooked and I really liked the flick between Ella, Luca and Gianna in the past. I thought this was a really interesting way of showing the story. Unfortunately the second half felt a bit rushed to me, the timeline sped up massively and everything happened so fast. I'd have preferred more depth and better pacing to explore and unpack more. A good read thats not my usual type.
I must admit I was a bit underwhelmed by this one. I was really intrigued from the blurb, but there were a lot of characters to follow - this may have been easier if I'd read the first book.
I liked the writing style and it's quite a short book (though it does try and fit a lot in). I feel there would be benefit from reading the first book, but this can be read as a standalone.
I struggled to keep up with all the characters and their relationships - I also felt there were some unresolved parts, maybe it's just leading to another book.
Overall, I couldn't fully immerse myself but not sure exactly why I wasn't gripped. I would recommend people start with the first book as that may help.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from LoveBooksTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is the second book in the Ella Perri series and I really enjoyed it. I loved how it was told from three points of view and how it all pieced together but I really wish I’d read the first one first. I got confused with who was who and how they were related and it took me a while to work out the back story and what had happened before, which I found slightly frustrating. I would definitely recommend reading them in order. This book is full of action and suspense. I like the jump in time to go back and find out what really happened to Gianna. This feels like a real family saga and you get a strong sense of family with Ella, her sister and mum all in it together.
when Ella's house is broken into she is sure that her Uncle has returned to New York. But when she has a threatening note appear she is beginning to wonder just who she can trust. When she returns to Italy she will find herself having to decide whether finding out the last secret is worth putting her family in danger. This is a great ending to this story that continued from the first book. And I love the bravery of the women in this family. I look forward to reading more from this author. I received this book free for a fair and honest review.
I get so caught up. In stories such as this one. Secrets, danger and mysteries to keep you fueled. Some will do anything to keep secrets hidden. Ella has undone a tremendous secret which will also trap her for a time. Also danger is lurking in the shadows. Luca thought the secret was taken care of,not now due to Ella. Luca and Ella must save her grandmother newly discovered. Turn the pages to see what path this all runs.
One Last Secret is the story of what happens when your DNA test reveals something about the past that has been a secret for a long time. Written in dual timelines you will find out the reason behind the secrets and what Ella tries to do about it in the present day. Tuscany is the setting for a lot of the book and with the author's descriptions you feel like you are there experiencing it for yourself! This is the second book in a series so check out Buried Secrets too!
One Last Secret (Ella Perri Mysteries Book 2), my second read from author Krissy Baccaro and the second book in her Ella Perri Mysteries. An entertaining and enjoyable 264-page read continuing the story seamlessly from the first book. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll definitely be reading more from this author and in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).