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Detective Liz Moorland #[Related]
Last Known Contact
A missing man. No body. No clues. And a daughter determined to find the truth.
Jack Bannerman is missing after failing to meet his son-in-law to go sailing. There's no evidence of foul play and no sign of a body.
Ellie thought her father trusted her with his business empire but the discovery of a dark past challenges everything she believed. Her estranged husband was Jack's last known contact but denies seeing him that day and seizes the opportunity to take over as acting CEO as if nothing untoward has happened.
The detective in charge throws Ellie's feelings of betrayal and loss into further turmoil because a long time ago, they loved each other. Now, she has to work with him to unravel the truth behind her father's disappearance. Jack's trusted advisors are keeping secrets and Ellie's desperate search for answers puts her in the dangerous sights of a killer.
With a body found at sea and a storm closing in, Ellie has to trust someone with what she knows.
But who to trust may mean the difference between life and death.
A gripping page-turner from the author of The Stationmaster's Cottage and the Charlotte Dean Mysteries.
Jack Bannerman is missing after failing to meet his son-in-law to go sailing. There's no evidence of foul play and no sign of a body.
Ellie thought her father trusted her with his business empire but the discovery of a dark past challenges everything she believed. Her estranged husband was Jack's last known contact but denies seeing him that day and seizes the opportunity to take over as acting CEO as if nothing untoward has happened.
The detective in charge throws Ellie's feelings of betrayal and loss into further turmoil because a long time ago, they loved each other. Now, she has to work with him to unravel the truth behind her father's disappearance. Jack's trusted advisors are keeping secrets and Ellie's desperate search for answers puts her in the dangerous sights of a killer.
With a body found at sea and a storm closing in, Ellie has to trust someone with what she knows.
But who to trust may mean the difference between life and death.
A gripping page-turner from the author of The Stationmaster's Cottage and the Charlotte Dean Mysteries.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2020
About the author
Phillipa Nefri Clark
108 books378 followersPhillipa lives just outside a beautiful town in country Victoria, Australia. She also lives in the many worlds of her imagination and stockpiles stories beside her laptop.
She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.
With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.
She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.
With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 31, 2026
Ellie Bannerman returns from working overseas to find her father missing and his business empire crumbling. Her estranged husband is acting as CEO and appears to have his own secret agenda. Ellie begins a desperate search to find her father.
This is a great read. Ellie is all you need in a main character. She is likable, brave and displays common sense in her understandings of other people. Detective Ben Rossi is in charge of the case and, as a boyfriend from her past, he provides the love interest of the story. There are numerous red herrings which made me waiver a few times, but in the end the chief culprit turned out to be who I thought it was.
The author writes well and holds the readers interest from start to finish. This book sets the scene for the Detective Liz Moorland series although Liz only makes a brief appearance. I have already read the next four books and have the fifth ready to read very soon. I am looking forward to that.
This is a great read. Ellie is all you need in a main character. She is likable, brave and displays common sense in her understandings of other people. Detective Ben Rossi is in charge of the case and, as a boyfriend from her past, he provides the love interest of the story. There are numerous red herrings which made me waiver a few times, but in the end the chief culprit turned out to be who I thought it was.
The author writes well and holds the readers interest from start to finish. This book sets the scene for the Detective Liz Moorland series although Liz only makes a brief appearance. I have already read the next four books and have the fifth ready to read very soon. I am looking forward to that.
August 1, 2020
When Ellie Connor arrived back in Melbourne from London, she was exhausted and jet lagged. She certainly didn’t expect the news Campbell Boyd threw at her that her father was missing and had been for the past three days, and no one knew where he was, even if he was dead or alive. It turned out that Dennis, Ellie’s husband, was the last person to see Jack; Dennis had also moved out of their apartment and into the guest house at Jack and his wife’s house. Ellie was stunned at the changes since she’d been away and wasn’t quite sure where to turn for answers.
Detective Ben Rossi was investigating Jack’s disappearance and when Ellie saw him, she was shocked. Ben and Ellie had a history and she really didn’t want anything to do with him but making the best of a bad thing under the circumstances was all she could do. Jack Bannerman’s business had been built from the ground up, and Ellie’s own side business, The Foundation, was also doing well. But with Jack missing and Dennis making himself CEO, plus other staff members acting a little strangely, Ellie had no idea who to trust.
When a body was sighted in the ocean not far from their yacht, the Sea Angel, Ellie suspected the worst. Was it Jack? What was going on? And why did Ellie feel she was being watched? Would she ever see her father again?
Last Known Contact by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark was intense, and I loved it! This author is very versatile with historical fiction, historical mysteries and suspense/mysteries all written equally well. I found Ellie to be a strong-willed character, loyal to a fault, and soft at her core – almost too much so as to be led in the wrong direction. Campbell was another favourite although his role was reasonably minor. Last Known Contact is a novel I am happy to recommend highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Ben Rossi was investigating Jack’s disappearance and when Ellie saw him, she was shocked. Ben and Ellie had a history and she really didn’t want anything to do with him but making the best of a bad thing under the circumstances was all she could do. Jack Bannerman’s business had been built from the ground up, and Ellie’s own side business, The Foundation, was also doing well. But with Jack missing and Dennis making himself CEO, plus other staff members acting a little strangely, Ellie had no idea who to trust.
When a body was sighted in the ocean not far from their yacht, the Sea Angel, Ellie suspected the worst. Was it Jack? What was going on? And why did Ellie feel she was being watched? Would she ever see her father again?
Last Known Contact by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark was intense, and I loved it! This author is very versatile with historical fiction, historical mysteries and suspense/mysteries all written equally well. I found Ellie to be a strong-willed character, loyal to a fault, and soft at her core – almost too much so as to be led in the wrong direction. Campbell was another favourite although his role was reasonably minor. Last Known Contact is a novel I am happy to recommend highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2020
First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Phillipa Nefri Clark for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always up for a strong police procedural, this book by Phillipa Nefri Clark offers a great Aussie flavouring, as a missing persons case brings out a whole bunch of professional and personal skeletons from a closet already full of secrets. When Ellie Connor arrives back in Melbourne from a business trip, she is met with the headline that her father has gone missing. Jack Bannerman, CEO of Bannerman Wealth Group, was last seen headed to his yacht. Since then, his family and colleagues have been trying to find out where he might have gone. Ellie panics and scours the area, finding nothing but a voicemail asking her to go to their ‘secret spot’ where Jack’s left her a letter. There is nothing there, but Ellie’s estranged husband, Dennis, seems ready to dismiss any concerns Jack’s disappearance may bring. When police detective Ben Rossi arrives on scene, Ellie cannot help but remember the connection they once shared, making things a tad more awkward than she might have hoped. At the office, Bannerman Wealth Group’s Head of Security, Paul Dekeles tries to help and console Ellie, while also appearing to inch closer to her in a less than professional manner. When a local fisherman goes missing, everyone begins to wonder if a serial murderer might be on the loose, which is further exacerbated by the fact that a body is seen floating in the harbour. If this were not enough, Ellie soon learns of a major business decision of which she was not aware, something that could change the tenor of the investigation and open new possible leads to an already complicated case. A fast-paced story that keeps the reader guessing until all the pieces fall into place. Recommended for those who love a good mystery where family ties are severed, as well as the reader who enjoys a police procedural with some dramatic flair.
While I have never read Phillipa Nefri Clark, the dust jacket blurb alone made me want to dive right in. The story begins swiftly and never loses its momentum, as much is revealed about Jack Bannerman and the web many of the core characters have spun for themselves. At the centre of it all is Ellie Conner, whose return to Australia seems to have led to a massive investigation about her father’s disappearance. The reader learns much about Ellie’s backstory, including her closeness to a brother who was once quite a role model for her. After fleeing the confines of the family bubble, Ellie returns to make her mark on one part of the Bannerman empire, though some of her rash choices have not worked out as she had hoped. Struggling with some emotions for the man in charge of locating her father, Ellie must remain professional and try to determine where her future will take her. Discovering some less than savoury things that are going on within the family, Ellie tries to process it all without falling apart. Her connection to Jack Bannerman is obvious, but there is surely a strain between them that has yet to heal. Clark utilises a few other core characters who serve various roles, if not suspects in the disappearance. They each bring a little something to the table and provide the reader with the needed backstories to make their guilt quite plausible. Working in tandem, they help create added depth to an already great narrative and keep things on the mark throughout. The story was strong and the plot development had me quite impressed. With a mix of chapter lengths, Clark keeps the reader wondering where the next twist will come and how it plays into the larger theme of the book. Part mystery, part emotional discovery, this is one book that is sure to make waves and earn Phillipa Nefri Clark a slew of new fans, myself included.
Kudos, Madam Clark, for a highly entertaining piece. I cannot wait to see what else you’ve written and see how it compares to this piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Always up for a strong police procedural, this book by Phillipa Nefri Clark offers a great Aussie flavouring, as a missing persons case brings out a whole bunch of professional and personal skeletons from a closet already full of secrets. When Ellie Connor arrives back in Melbourne from a business trip, she is met with the headline that her father has gone missing. Jack Bannerman, CEO of Bannerman Wealth Group, was last seen headed to his yacht. Since then, his family and colleagues have been trying to find out where he might have gone. Ellie panics and scours the area, finding nothing but a voicemail asking her to go to their ‘secret spot’ where Jack’s left her a letter. There is nothing there, but Ellie’s estranged husband, Dennis, seems ready to dismiss any concerns Jack’s disappearance may bring. When police detective Ben Rossi arrives on scene, Ellie cannot help but remember the connection they once shared, making things a tad more awkward than she might have hoped. At the office, Bannerman Wealth Group’s Head of Security, Paul Dekeles tries to help and console Ellie, while also appearing to inch closer to her in a less than professional manner. When a local fisherman goes missing, everyone begins to wonder if a serial murderer might be on the loose, which is further exacerbated by the fact that a body is seen floating in the harbour. If this were not enough, Ellie soon learns of a major business decision of which she was not aware, something that could change the tenor of the investigation and open new possible leads to an already complicated case. A fast-paced story that keeps the reader guessing until all the pieces fall into place. Recommended for those who love a good mystery where family ties are severed, as well as the reader who enjoys a police procedural with some dramatic flair.
While I have never read Phillipa Nefri Clark, the dust jacket blurb alone made me want to dive right in. The story begins swiftly and never loses its momentum, as much is revealed about Jack Bannerman and the web many of the core characters have spun for themselves. At the centre of it all is Ellie Conner, whose return to Australia seems to have led to a massive investigation about her father’s disappearance. The reader learns much about Ellie’s backstory, including her closeness to a brother who was once quite a role model for her. After fleeing the confines of the family bubble, Ellie returns to make her mark on one part of the Bannerman empire, though some of her rash choices have not worked out as she had hoped. Struggling with some emotions for the man in charge of locating her father, Ellie must remain professional and try to determine where her future will take her. Discovering some less than savoury things that are going on within the family, Ellie tries to process it all without falling apart. Her connection to Jack Bannerman is obvious, but there is surely a strain between them that has yet to heal. Clark utilises a few other core characters who serve various roles, if not suspects in the disappearance. They each bring a little something to the table and provide the reader with the needed backstories to make their guilt quite plausible. Working in tandem, they help create added depth to an already great narrative and keep things on the mark throughout. The story was strong and the plot development had me quite impressed. With a mix of chapter lengths, Clark keeps the reader wondering where the next twist will come and how it plays into the larger theme of the book. Part mystery, part emotional discovery, this is one book that is sure to make waves and earn Phillipa Nefri Clark a slew of new fans, myself included.
Kudos, Madam Clark, for a highly entertaining piece. I cannot wait to see what else you’ve written and see how it compares to this piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
September 2, 2020
I am a big fan of MS Clark’s stories and have loved every one of them, this book is a little different to her normal stories, a mystery thriller and it packs a punch there is suspense, twists and turns and characters that bring a lot of emotion out in the reader and a must read.
Ellie arrives home to Melbourne from London to find out that her father is missing, Jack Bannerman is head of the family company and a force to be reckoned in his business dealings, there are no clues whether he is dead or alive and Ellie is beside herself with worry and more so when she finds out that her estranged husband was his last known contact but denies it and jumps in to take over as CEO in the meantime and this causes Ellie more worries.
When detective Ben Rossi is called in to investigate emotions run high with Ellie as her and Ben have a past a past when they were in love and he is the last person she wants to see but he is doing his job very well with a lot of help from Ellie and soon they are uncovering secrets that a lot of company directors and family are keeping.
This is a fast paced story that had me turning the pages I had to get to the finish yet it is such a great story I also didn’t want it to finish, Ellie is so strong and capable even if there is killer on the lose making it dangerous for her and Ben oh he is good at his job and is determined to keep Ellie safe and get to the bottom of the mystery about Jack Bannerman’s disappearance and the longer Ben and Ellie spend together the more they open up about the past and feelings are changing, could they find love again with everything that is going on?
This is a book that I highly recommend, I loved it and everyone should read it.
Ellie arrives home to Melbourne from London to find out that her father is missing, Jack Bannerman is head of the family company and a force to be reckoned in his business dealings, there are no clues whether he is dead or alive and Ellie is beside herself with worry and more so when she finds out that her estranged husband was his last known contact but denies it and jumps in to take over as CEO in the meantime and this causes Ellie more worries.
When detective Ben Rossi is called in to investigate emotions run high with Ellie as her and Ben have a past a past when they were in love and he is the last person she wants to see but he is doing his job very well with a lot of help from Ellie and soon they are uncovering secrets that a lot of company directors and family are keeping.
This is a fast paced story that had me turning the pages I had to get to the finish yet it is such a great story I also didn’t want it to finish, Ellie is so strong and capable even if there is killer on the lose making it dangerous for her and Ben oh he is good at his job and is determined to keep Ellie safe and get to the bottom of the mystery about Jack Bannerman’s disappearance and the longer Ben and Ellie spend together the more they open up about the past and feelings are changing, could they find love again with everything that is going on?
This is a book that I highly recommend, I loved it and everyone should read it.
April 6, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Merging romance with suspense, deception, intrigue and trust, Last Known Contact is the latest contemporary fiction arrangement from Phillipa Nefri Clark. This self-published author strives to provide her audience with a thrilling mystery novel that pulls out all the stops from page one to the gripping close.
Trust is the main theme than encircles Last Known Contact. When the story begins, lead character Ellie Connor is faced with the prospect that estranged her father is missing and possibly dead. To complicate matters further, Ellie’s husband is the last person to have been in direct contact with her father. Additional problems arise in this case via the detective assigned to Ellie’s father’s disappearance. Ellie must confront a former lover, a man she abandoned in the face of a past tragedy. With plenty of suspect dealings surrounding Ellie’s father and his business pursuits, a complicated picture begins to form of the missing man. Ellie is torn and she doesn’t know who to place her trust in the longer her father remains missing. With a number of suspects coming to light as this case progresses, including Ellie’s father’s security specialist, secrets begin to rise to the surface. Ellie’s opinion of her father continues to plummet, but this daughter is determined to find out what happened to her father, even if puts her life at risk.
I have supported the writing of independent author Phillipa Nefri Clark for some time now, making my way through a number of her novels. Last Known Contact is her latest release, which presents the reader with a good dose of mystery, crime, suspense and a touch of romance. I enjoyed my time with the lead character of this novel as she worked to uncover the truth surrounding her father’s disappearance.
As soon as you enter the pages of Last Known Contact the sleuthing process begins. I needed to put on my detective hat instantly with this one, as I was immediately embroiled in a perplexing disappearance and possible murder case. Phillipa Nefri Clark has produced an astute mystery narrative, filled with plenty of possible suspects, leads to follow and plot flips. The novel flows very steadily, so the reader is engaged throughout.
Drawing in themes of business, family tensions, relationships, love, regrets, tragedy, loyalty and trust, Last Known Contact leaves the reader with plenty to contend with. Within her novel, Phillipa Nefri Clark provides a balanced set of both good and bad characters. In the lead Ellie, we have a strong and resolute woman, on a path of self discovery that will change her life forever. Ellie is an everyday woman, who many will be able to relate to. My final word on this novel is the strong theatrical focus to the story. I could see Last Known Contact in the form of a television miniseries, or even a movie.
Take a chance on Last Known Contact. I recommend this one if you enjoy Australian romantic suspense novels.
*With thanks to the author, Phillipa Nefri Clark, for providing me with a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.
Last Known Contact is book #29 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Merging romance with suspense, deception, intrigue and trust, Last Known Contact is the latest contemporary fiction arrangement from Phillipa Nefri Clark. This self-published author strives to provide her audience with a thrilling mystery novel that pulls out all the stops from page one to the gripping close.
Trust is the main theme than encircles Last Known Contact. When the story begins, lead character Ellie Connor is faced with the prospect that estranged her father is missing and possibly dead. To complicate matters further, Ellie’s husband is the last person to have been in direct contact with her father. Additional problems arise in this case via the detective assigned to Ellie’s father’s disappearance. Ellie must confront a former lover, a man she abandoned in the face of a past tragedy. With plenty of suspect dealings surrounding Ellie’s father and his business pursuits, a complicated picture begins to form of the missing man. Ellie is torn and she doesn’t know who to place her trust in the longer her father remains missing. With a number of suspects coming to light as this case progresses, including Ellie’s father’s security specialist, secrets begin to rise to the surface. Ellie’s opinion of her father continues to plummet, but this daughter is determined to find out what happened to her father, even if puts her life at risk.
I have supported the writing of independent author Phillipa Nefri Clark for some time now, making my way through a number of her novels. Last Known Contact is her latest release, which presents the reader with a good dose of mystery, crime, suspense and a touch of romance. I enjoyed my time with the lead character of this novel as she worked to uncover the truth surrounding her father’s disappearance.
As soon as you enter the pages of Last Known Contact the sleuthing process begins. I needed to put on my detective hat instantly with this one, as I was immediately embroiled in a perplexing disappearance and possible murder case. Phillipa Nefri Clark has produced an astute mystery narrative, filled with plenty of possible suspects, leads to follow and plot flips. The novel flows very steadily, so the reader is engaged throughout.
Drawing in themes of business, family tensions, relationships, love, regrets, tragedy, loyalty and trust, Last Known Contact leaves the reader with plenty to contend with. Within her novel, Phillipa Nefri Clark provides a balanced set of both good and bad characters. In the lead Ellie, we have a strong and resolute woman, on a path of self discovery that will change her life forever. Ellie is an everyday woman, who many will be able to relate to. My final word on this novel is the strong theatrical focus to the story. I could see Last Known Contact in the form of a television miniseries, or even a movie.
Take a chance on Last Known Contact. I recommend this one if you enjoy Australian romantic suspense novels.
*With thanks to the author, Phillipa Nefri Clark, for providing me with a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.
Last Known Contact is book #29 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
July 20, 2020
Author Phillipa Nefri Clark does it again. Her new book "Last Known Contact" is filled with lots of suspense. If you enjoy reading Mystery/Suspense novels this is the perfect book. I loved it.
October 5, 2020
This was a really good mystery/crime/suspense with some romance on the side. I found myself fully engaged in the mystery of the disappearance and probable murder of Ellie's father Jack. There were plenty of twists in this novel, red herrings, and some very unlikeable and untrustworthy characters.
I really liked Ellie who was strong but vulnerable and determined to find out what had happened to her father despite any risk to herself. I also really liked Ben, the detective in charge of the investigation who had a relationship with Ellie in the past and still has feelings for her, If I was ever in Ellie's situation, I'd want someone like him on my side. I found Paul, the companies security expert and Ellie's supposed friend to be downright creepy in his attention to her and there was something that just didn't sit right with me. Ellie's husband was a piece of work as was her step-mother and I hoped that somewhere along the way they would both get what they deserved.
This was a great read and I really need to get to this author's other novels which have been sitting on my shelf for far too long.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Phillipa Nefri Clark for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
I really liked Ellie who was strong but vulnerable and determined to find out what had happened to her father despite any risk to herself. I also really liked Ben, the detective in charge of the investigation who had a relationship with Ellie in the past and still has feelings for her, If I was ever in Ellie's situation, I'd want someone like him on my side. I found Paul, the companies security expert and Ellie's supposed friend to be downright creepy in his attention to her and there was something that just didn't sit right with me. Ellie's husband was a piece of work as was her step-mother and I hoped that somewhere along the way they would both get what they deserved.
This was a great read and I really need to get to this author's other novels which have been sitting on my shelf for far too long.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Phillipa Nefri Clark for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
October 16, 2020
This book grabbed hold of me from the first sentence, churned me up, twisted me around so many times I was dizzy and finally let me go at the very end. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book this good!
There are many twists and turns in this book, you think you know who’s behind it all then begin to suspect someone else, revisit your initial suspicion then second guess yourself until you have no idea who it is and just hold on for the ride. Thanks Beauty & Lace Book Club and Phillipa Nefri Clark for a copy of this book in return for an honest review, I can’t wait to read more by this author
There are many twists and turns in this book, you think you know who’s behind it all then begin to suspect someone else, revisit your initial suspicion then second guess yourself until you have no idea who it is and just hold on for the ride. Thanks Beauty & Lace Book Club and Phillipa Nefri Clark for a copy of this book in return for an honest review, I can’t wait to read more by this author
September 6, 2020
Last Known Contact is the latest release from Phillipa Nefri Clark, best-selling, self-published author of the River’s End series, Charlotte Dean’s mysteries and Simple Words for Troubled Times, a non-fiction book of messages of hope written under the alias Ronen Groves.
When Ellie Conner (nee Bannerman) steps of the plane in Australia after a business trip to London she is greeted with the news that her father, Jack Bannerman, founder and CEO of Bannerman Wealth Group (BWG) has disappeared.
Her, soon to be ex, husband Dennis Conner has stepped into the role of CEO although as the last known contact he is high on the list of suspects in Jack’s disappearance.
Jack’s second wife, Meredith, Ellie’s step mum seems remarkably unconcerned about her husband’s disappearance, if you can pry the brandy glass away from her for long enough to get her to speak, but she and Dennis seem to be getting awfully cosy.
When a fisherman disappears, and a gun is found under a mattress on Jack’s boat Sea Angel the mystery deepens. Then when Jack’s closest friend is found unconscious at the base of the stairs in the office stairwell Ellie really starts to panic about what has happened to her dad.
Through it all the only person who seems to want to support her is the head of Security Paul Dekkles who has worked with her dad forever.
As Ellie tries to get to the bottom of what has happened to her dad she will find herself and her brother Michael under threat; and find herself wondering what and who she can trust, as her world seems to be unravelling around her.
And if that isn’t enough, the detective assigned to the case is Ben Rossi, an ex-boyfriend, previous best friend of her brother’s and the man she blames for the condition her brother is now in.
This is a fantastic suspense novel leading you through the search for Jack with clues and red herrings a plenty, and just when you think you have worked it out, there’s another twist. A book that will captivate you right to the very end.
I received this book in return for an honest review from the author and also provided a review to Beauty and Lace Bookclub (http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...).
When Ellie Conner (nee Bannerman) steps of the plane in Australia after a business trip to London she is greeted with the news that her father, Jack Bannerman, founder and CEO of Bannerman Wealth Group (BWG) has disappeared.
Her, soon to be ex, husband Dennis Conner has stepped into the role of CEO although as the last known contact he is high on the list of suspects in Jack’s disappearance.
Jack’s second wife, Meredith, Ellie’s step mum seems remarkably unconcerned about her husband’s disappearance, if you can pry the brandy glass away from her for long enough to get her to speak, but she and Dennis seem to be getting awfully cosy.
When a fisherman disappears, and a gun is found under a mattress on Jack’s boat Sea Angel the mystery deepens. Then when Jack’s closest friend is found unconscious at the base of the stairs in the office stairwell Ellie really starts to panic about what has happened to her dad.
Through it all the only person who seems to want to support her is the head of Security Paul Dekkles who has worked with her dad forever.
As Ellie tries to get to the bottom of what has happened to her dad she will find herself and her brother Michael under threat; and find herself wondering what and who she can trust, as her world seems to be unravelling around her.
And if that isn’t enough, the detective assigned to the case is Ben Rossi, an ex-boyfriend, previous best friend of her brother’s and the man she blames for the condition her brother is now in.
This is a fantastic suspense novel leading you through the search for Jack with clues and red herrings a plenty, and just when you think you have worked it out, there’s another twist. A book that will captivate you right to the very end.
I received this book in return for an honest review from the author and also provided a review to Beauty and Lace Bookclub (http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...).
September 11, 2020
Ellie Connor arrives back in Melbourne from London, she has jet lag and is shocked by the news that her father is missing. Campbell Boyd tells her that her father has been missing for 3 days and know one has heard from him, or where he’s at. Don’t know if he’s dead or alive. Ellie’s husband Dennis is the last one to see her father. Dennis moves out of their apartment and is staying at Ellie’s dad, Jack’s guest house. She doesn’t know where to turn for answers. Detective Ben Rossi is investigating Jack’s disappearance. Ellie and Ben gave a past. Will they find out what happened to Jack? Dennis is the CEO now and everyone is acting weird. Who can Ellie trust? Fast pace story. Keeps you guessing until the end. If you love mystery stories, this is for you. Phillipa Nefri Clark is an amazing mystery writer.
September 9, 2020
Thanks for the opportunity to read ‘Last Known Contact’ by Phillipa Nefri Clark. Thanks also to Phillipa for the personalised note with my copy!
What a great story and a ripping read – it is absolutely un-put-downable! The characters are well fleshed out and totally believable, even when that aren’t that likeable. The main character, Ellie Connor shows herself to a strong-willed and loyal person character facing an unthinkable situation. The interactions of the characters, the secrets revealed and the gripping action make for a book that I HAD to read in two days! I would have read it in one day if I could have!
If you are looking for a fast paced thriller that is going to have you guessing all the way thru I highly recommend ‘Last Known Contact’.
Thanks again!
What a great story and a ripping read – it is absolutely un-put-downable! The characters are well fleshed out and totally believable, even when that aren’t that likeable. The main character, Ellie Connor shows herself to a strong-willed and loyal person character facing an unthinkable situation. The interactions of the characters, the secrets revealed and the gripping action make for a book that I HAD to read in two days! I would have read it in one day if I could have!
If you are looking for a fast paced thriller that is going to have you guessing all the way thru I highly recommend ‘Last Known Contact’.
Thanks again!
October 3, 2020
Last known Contact is a real page turner! What a great book and I would love to read more from Phillipa Nefri Clark in the future. I love a fast paced story with well developed characters and this one proved itself quickly. I read it over a few days.
The story centres around Ellie Connor who arrives back in Melbourne to find out that her father has disappeared. Ellie’s father Jack is a successful Melbourne entrepreneur and his sudden disappearance is unusual. As Ellie tries to find her father she begins to question everyone’s loyalty and is unsure who to trust. Dennis, her husband is the last known contact.
This is a must read book that will keep you drawn in. Thank you to Phillipa Nefri Clark and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to review Last Known Contact.
The story centres around Ellie Connor who arrives back in Melbourne to find out that her father has disappeared. Ellie’s father Jack is a successful Melbourne entrepreneur and his sudden disappearance is unusual. As Ellie tries to find her father she begins to question everyone’s loyalty and is unsure who to trust. Dennis, her husband is the last known contact.
This is a must read book that will keep you drawn in. Thank you to Phillipa Nefri Clark and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to review Last Known Contact.
August 31, 2020
A wonderful thriller that was thoroughly enjoyable and mysterious enough to keep the pages turning.
I highly recommend it because the characters were enjoyable, the mystery around Ellie's missing father is well developed and the exchanges are delightful and enhance the read. The pivotal moments get the heart going and the character development is brilliant.
I really enjoy following Phillipa Nefri Clark's evolvement because I feel as she evolves as a writer so does her books.
Highly recommended.
I highly recommend it because the characters were enjoyable, the mystery around Ellie's missing father is well developed and the exchanges are delightful and enhance the read. The pivotal moments get the heart going and the character development is brilliant.
I really enjoy following Phillipa Nefri Clark's evolvement because I feel as she evolves as a writer so does her books.
Highly recommended.
September 3, 2020
LOVED IT!. This is the first book I have read from Phillipa Nefri Clark, and won't be my last. It has everything that make a great page turner.
Romance, intrigue, murder, deception and greed, all rolled into one thrilling story.
If my tablet hadn't gone flat, I would have read it in one night!
Great characters, some easy to love, others to be so cautious of, and kept you wondering.
A thrilling ending that I didn't see coming, made for a fabulous read.
I can't wait to read more of Phillipa's work.
Romance, intrigue, murder, deception and greed, all rolled into one thrilling story.
If my tablet hadn't gone flat, I would have read it in one night!
Great characters, some easy to love, others to be so cautious of, and kept you wondering.
A thrilling ending that I didn't see coming, made for a fabulous read.
I can't wait to read more of Phillipa's work.
August 15, 2020
Last Known Contact by Phillipa Nefri Clark is a fast-paced thriller with a variety of twists and turns. When Ellie Connor returns from a business trip to find out her father has disappeared, it sets off a series of events that will have you turning the pages.
The characters are extremely well developed and the reader is left guessing to the end as to whether Ellie’s father is dead or alive and the reasons behind his disappearance.
This book has all the ingredients of a good thriller and you won’t be disappointed if you pick it up. Highly recommended.
The characters are extremely well developed and the reader is left guessing to the end as to whether Ellie’s father is dead or alive and the reasons behind his disappearance.
This book has all the ingredients of a good thriller and you won’t be disappointed if you pick it up. Highly recommended.
September 3, 2020
Last Known Contact by Phillipa Nefri Clark. Another great mystery. Ellie’s father goes missing in mysterious circumstances. He leaves her clues but these have gone missing. Ellie and her ex-boyfriend Ben Rossi try and uncover the mystery of what has happened to her father and is he dead or alive. Hard to put down.
December 8, 2023
Reading when I should be writing. Couldn't put this one down and absolutely raced through the last twenty percent, I had to know what happened! Nail-biting Australian crime/mystery with characters to love (and hate) and quite a few twists and turns. Five stars.
October 15, 2020
If you like crime you should definitely read this. Had me trying to figure out who done it from the very beginning.
July 9, 2025
Good book
This book was interesting and had a decent story line. Not as much suspense or mystery that I like and I could have done without the romance.
This book was interesting and had a decent story line. Not as much suspense or mystery that I like and I could have done without the romance.
February 23, 2022
Yet another great non stop reading book
I’m never disappointed with Phillipa Nefri Clark. Her books always keep you guessing who the bad person is. So many twists to keep you guessing. I have now read all Phillipa’s books and can’t wait for her next one to come. Highly recommend reading Last Known Contact. You won’t put it down once you start reading. ❤️❤️❤️
I’m never disappointed with Phillipa Nefri Clark. Her books always keep you guessing who the bad person is. So many twists to keep you guessing. I have now read all Phillipa’s books and can’t wait for her next one to come. Highly recommend reading Last Known Contact. You won’t put it down once you start reading. ❤️❤️❤️
February 17, 2021
This is my first book by Phillipa Clark and it was a beauty! Jack Bannerman goes missing and his daughter Ellie has just returned from overseas. Nobody knows where he is and a body has not been found. Ellie's marriage has just disintegrated and her husband is staying in the guest cottage of her father's house presumably having an affair with his wife!
Ellie does not believe that her father is dead - he wouldn't do that to her, but as part of the corporation Ellie soon discovers secrets and lies and the people she once trusted now don't seem so trustworthy.
Add this to a creepy neighbour and re-uniting with a former boyfriend who is now in charge of the missing persons case it all adds up to a great story. This was a page turning book where twists and turns kept appearing and you really didn't know who to trust and who was telling the truth.
Highly recommended for readers of thrillers and mysteries. An added bonus was it was set in Melbourne so I could relate to the locations within.
Ellie does not believe that her father is dead - he wouldn't do that to her, but as part of the corporation Ellie soon discovers secrets and lies and the people she once trusted now don't seem so trustworthy.
Add this to a creepy neighbour and re-uniting with a former boyfriend who is now in charge of the missing persons case it all adds up to a great story. This was a page turning book where twists and turns kept appearing and you really didn't know who to trust and who was telling the truth.
Highly recommended for readers of thrillers and mysteries. An added bonus was it was set in Melbourne so I could relate to the locations within.
October 30, 2020
Thanks to Goodreads for this book! I thoroughly enjoyed this “who done it” from cover to cover and it had me guessing right till the end. The writing style was crisp and fast paced. The Australian references made me imagine I was “down under”. A great, great read. Highly recommended. Gonna go put some shrimp on the bah bee......now where did I put my boomerang?
February 18, 2021
Enthralling Story
I enjoyed reading this book because it had it all, mystery, murder, treachery, thrills and love. The characters were vibrant and believable. They were skilfully crafted to make each one have a complex relationship with each other.
I enjoyed reading this book because it had it all, mystery, murder, treachery, thrills and love. The characters were vibrant and believable. They were skilfully crafted to make each one have a complex relationship with each other.
October 23, 2020
Last Known Contact by Phillipa Nefri Clarke has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
www.chillwithabook.com
May 16, 2021
Ellie ❤️ Ben
Such a good story! Intrigue, mystery, hold your breath thrilling…can I say more? This one was hard to figure out until the reveal of the perpetrator. Ellie is a strong, in charge woman. Her husband, Dennis the jerk has taken up with another woman. You won’t believe who! Ben, the police officer is there to help Ellie and protect her. Time to spill a little adrenaline!
Such a good story! Intrigue, mystery, hold your breath thrilling…can I say more? This one was hard to figure out until the reveal of the perpetrator. Ellie is a strong, in charge woman. Her husband, Dennis the jerk has taken up with another woman. You won’t believe who! Ben, the police officer is there to help Ellie and protect her. Time to spill a little adrenaline!
July 8, 2021
You can read the synopsis, so I won't repeat the storyline here. But this book grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go. The story is set in Australia, so some of the terminology is different, but I love reading about the area in the author's books. I have read almost all of her books, and I hope she writes more in this genre.
December 14, 2021
Lies and betrayal
A gripping standalone thriller/mystery with a touch of romance from Phillipa Nefri Clark. What is reality? Who can be trusted? This book will keep you reading into the wee hours and is more compelling than Clark's three series which I have also thoroughly enjoyed.
A gripping standalone thriller/mystery with a touch of romance from Phillipa Nefri Clark. What is reality? Who can be trusted? This book will keep you reading into the wee hours and is more compelling than Clark's three series which I have also thoroughly enjoyed.
June 21, 2021
Loved it!
As I do all of Phillipa’s books! This one is different from Stationmaster’s Cottage series, which I also adored, as well as the Charlotte Dean series! Very excited to read anything else she has coming!
As I do all of Phillipa’s books! This one is different from Stationmaster’s Cottage series, which I also adored, as well as the Charlotte Dean series! Very excited to read anything else she has coming!
July 9, 2021
Last Known Contact
I very much enjoyed this story and characters,kept me wanting to know who the killer could be,very interesting,was looking forward to another story by this Author.
I very much enjoyed this story and characters,kept me wanting to know who the killer could be,very interesting,was looking forward to another story by this Author.
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