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Last Seen Alive
Chyna Greer was sixteen when her best friend, Zoey, disappeared. Though very different in looks and temperament, the two girls shared a bond that was stronger than blood. But even Chyna's urgent warnings couldn't prevent a love-struck Zoey from sneaking out to the lake to meet her secret crush--and being swallowed up into the warm summer night forever….
Now Chyna has come back to her West Virginia hometown of Black Willow to lay her mother to rest. But memories of Zoey are everywhere…and then, out of nowhere, Chyna hears a voice--Zoey's voice--begging for her help. As Chyna delves into Black Willow's past, she learns that two other teenagers also went missing. Soon Chyna's search for answers becomes a desperate race to uncover a chilling secret that strikes at the heart of everything she holds dear--and reveal the remorseless evil that has been hiding in plain sight….
Cover Artist: Tom Hallman
Now Chyna has come back to her West Virginia hometown of Black Willow to lay her mother to rest. But memories of Zoey are everywhere…and then, out of nowhere, Chyna hears a voice--Zoey's voice--begging for her help. As Chyna delves into Black Willow's past, she learns that two other teenagers also went missing. Soon Chyna's search for answers becomes a desperate race to uncover a chilling secret that strikes at the heart of everything she holds dear--and reveal the remorseless evil that has been hiding in plain sight….
Cover Artist: Tom Hallman
342 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2007
24 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
Carlene Thompson
22 books254 followersCarlene Thompson is an author of suspense thriller novels.
Her first book, Black for Remembrance, was published in 1990 by Little, Brown and was well received. Her books are suspense novels, often with romantic elements and many take place in Thompson's home state of West Virginia. Her books often feature animals, which she bases on animals she knows in real life.
Her first book, Black for Remembrance, was published in 1990 by Little, Brown and was well received. Her books are suspense novels, often with romantic elements and many take place in Thompson's home state of West Virginia. Her books often feature animals, which she bases on animals she knows in real life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 17, 2012
This was the first book I have read from this author and I will most definately be reading more of her books now. This was a very fast paced thriller with a lot of twists and turns.
The characters in the story were very likeable and everytime I thought I found out who the killer was I would get thrown around. The ending was great and the killer was not who I thought it was!I liked the little spooks I would get from reaidng this at 1am when I was home alone with my dog! lol What a great mystery/ thriller!!
*On a little side note, I just loved the names of Zoey & Chyna*
The characters in the story were very likeable and everytime I thought I found out who the killer was I would get thrown around. The ending was great and the killer was not who I thought it was!I liked the little spooks I would get from reaidng this at 1am when I was home alone with my dog! lol What a great mystery/ thriller!!
*On a little side note, I just loved the names of Zoey & Chyna*
August 27, 2017
Probably 3.5-4.
It's kind of funny I read this at the same time as I See You. They aren't really the same but... . Anyway, I liked the side characters and it was a good mystery. The dialog was a little stiff at times and I'm not sure why the dog was named Michelle and the main character was Chyna, but whatever. I enjoyed this!
It's kind of funny I read this at the same time as I See You. They aren't really the same but... . Anyway, I liked the side characters and it was a good mystery. The dialog was a little stiff at times and I'm not sure why the dog was named Michelle and the main character was Chyna, but whatever. I enjoyed this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2010
Last Seen Alive has all the ingredients of a romp of a Halloween read. There is a serial killer, a woman with second sight, expected to solve the murders; ghostly voices and a little romance thrown in for fun.
Thompson's are interesting, clever and people you would like to meet.
Thompson's are interesting, clever and people you would like to meet.
October 28, 2009
The best book I have read in a while if you get the chance to read it and love mysteries this is a really great book.
October 25, 2010
This started off good. The opening was interesting. Then Chyna went back "home". One absurd thing after another was happening. People's reactions didn't seem real or even to make sense. I finished it, hoping the ending would make reading the book worthwhile, unfortunately for me it really didn't. It felt like I was reading a really bad Lifetime movie. Not one of the better ones...but one where you couldn't believe that people were paid money for it.
August 14, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. I've read a few of Carlene Thompson's books, and i've enjoyed them all. Good story flow, characters are interesting. Good story lines. I did have an idea it was who it ended up being but then I questioned myself a bit in the story.
April 29, 2008
Thompson did a very good job twisting and turning the reader, throwing a shadow of doubt on various characters right up until the end when you find out the entire truth.
May 6, 2011
This book was very good.
September 21, 2013
Pretty good suspense. Had me guessing till the end.
July 30, 2011
I like picking up Ms Thompson’s books as she’s a local author and I like mystery and suspense. In this one Chyna Greer returns to Black Willow West Virginia from where she’s doing her medical residency in Albuquerque to return for her mother’s funeral. Chyna is shocked on many levels. She didn’t know her mother was ill and more bizarrely, her mother doesn’t want buried next to Chyna’s father. She wants cremated and to return to New Mexico with her daughter, an odd choice seeing as Chyna’s brother, Ned and his wife and kids still live in town.
Chyna has multiple mixed feelings about being back but most notably the disappearance and presumed death of her friend, Zoey, when they were young teens. Several other girls had gone missing since then, each time when Chyna is around. Accompanying that is Chyna’s sixth sense and the fact the whole town see her as odd, knowing about the ESP. Chyna quickly meets up with Scott, her old crush. Several years older than her, closer to her brother’s age, Scott is a pilot recovering from mental and physical injuries after a crash that killed several children. Also among the notables in the cast of characters are Bev, Ned’s wife, Gage Ridgeway a person of interest in a couple of the girls’ disappearances, Irma Vogel, man hunter who hates Chyna, Rex, Chyna’s uncle, Rusty, the son of the local funeral director and young Deidre who looks up to Chyna as a scholarly success story.
As Chyna deals with her mother’s death, almost immediately she starts hearing Zoey begging her for help. Zoey’s mother starts calling asking if her daughter’s there from the grave. Chyna wants to run but thinks that this is nature’s way of forcing her to try to help. While she’s working on that, she slowly becomes closer to Scott. A little more than halfway through the book, Deidre becomes the next girl to go missing. Chyna’s psychic senses get turned on full bore creating a link between the two women. She has to find Deidre before the killer finds her.
If you don’t like your mystery with a side order of psychic ability then you’ll want to pass on this one. There were some really repetitive spots with Chyna thinking about the oddness of her mother’s choice or her not knowing mom was sick or how odd the town thinks she is. Probably could have lost 20 pages if we trimmed that fat off. Over all, I thought the mystery was well handled. It could have been just about anyone up until the end. That said, some of the end felt a little contrived to keep us thinking that it was anyone, a little too purposefully misleading, if you know what I mean. Over all though, I liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2019
Chyna Greer was sixteen when her best friend mysteriously disappeared. Nearly 15 years later (?), she returns to the small town of Black Willow to attend her mother's funeral and discovers that 2 others girls all had gone missing--all during times when Chyna herself had been in town to visit.
As a child, she had what appeared to be a "second sight" or ESP, but as she grew up, she denied it, playing it off as a childhood phase, but the true was, it had never left her. And returning to Black Willow brought this second sight roaring into life, especially when she discovered that two other girls had gone missing in the short amount of time since she had been home and she discovered that she was "experiencing" some of the terrifying images of the poor girls, but not enough to save them in time. Some people in the small bucolic town began to suspect her because of the timing of the disappearances and Chyna's infrequent visits--rumors spread by a vile and jealous woman, altho the "ringleader" had more than enough listeners to make Chyna uncomfortable and even scared. But one thing after another slowly led her to discover something that made her much more frightened than anything else--the identity of the true kidnapper and murderer of the young girls, who had now set his sight on Chyna herself. She had not been able to save the other girls--would she be able to save herself?
An interesting tale--kind of creepy--(and I suggest you don't read it if you just had a parent die since it hit me pretty hard, even if it was just a subtext for Chyna to return to town)--and although the author tossed in clues, trying to give motive to a handful of citizens, I was able to determine who was behind it rather quickly. Still, a well-written tale.
As a child, she had what appeared to be a "second sight" or ESP, but as she grew up, she denied it, playing it off as a childhood phase, but the true was, it had never left her. And returning to Black Willow brought this second sight roaring into life, especially when she discovered that two other girls had gone missing in the short amount of time since she had been home and she discovered that she was "experiencing" some of the terrifying images of the poor girls, but not enough to save them in time. Some people in the small bucolic town began to suspect her because of the timing of the disappearances and Chyna's infrequent visits--rumors spread by a vile and jealous woman, altho the "ringleader" had more than enough listeners to make Chyna uncomfortable and even scared. But one thing after another slowly led her to discover something that made her much more frightened than anything else--the identity of the true kidnapper and murderer of the young girls, who had now set his sight on Chyna herself. She had not been able to save the other girls--would she be able to save herself?
An interesting tale--kind of creepy--(and I suggest you don't read it if you just had a parent die since it hit me pretty hard, even if it was just a subtext for Chyna to return to town)--and although the author tossed in clues, trying to give motive to a handful of citizens, I was able to determine who was behind it rather quickly. Still, a well-written tale.
March 14, 2015
This book I read today while at work. Yes, sometimes it is quite nice to have a job that pays me to do whatever I want as long as I stay in my booth. I was hoping I'd be busy enough at work to not get the whole book read today - I don't know what I will do for 7 hours tomorrow now but suppose I will pick another book.
This one has been on my list for quite a while and it finally came up on top when I sorted my books on my Nook. I was afraid the book would be too easy to figure out and that I'd be disappointed in it. OK, I was a little disappointed because the killer was, to me, obvious from the get go. However, the book is interesting with action that keeps moving along at a decent clip.
Someone said in a review about the parents were young (52) but yet seemed ancient and I would have to agree with that. I was surprised how young they were in age - I will be 52 on Sunday - yet in the story I pictured them more my grandmother's age at her death - 85.
The author does try to throw in some red herrings to confuse the reader on who the killer might be so I could see how it left some people guessing - I've read so many like this and just finished one last month with the same sort of plot so this one didn't surprise me. I was hoping it wasn't going to be like the other but oh well, the story was still entertaining and I do recommend the author. I am sure I will be reading more of hers - I don't remember why I bought this one, it was so long ago - but I'm not disappointed in the purchase.
I give the book an A. :-)
This one has been on my list for quite a while and it finally came up on top when I sorted my books on my Nook. I was afraid the book would be too easy to figure out and that I'd be disappointed in it. OK, I was a little disappointed because the killer was, to me, obvious from the get go. However, the book is interesting with action that keeps moving along at a decent clip.
Someone said in a review about the parents were young (52) but yet seemed ancient and I would have to agree with that. I was surprised how young they were in age - I will be 52 on Sunday - yet in the story I pictured them more my grandmother's age at her death - 85.
The author does try to throw in some red herrings to confuse the reader on who the killer might be so I could see how it left some people guessing - I've read so many like this and just finished one last month with the same sort of plot so this one didn't surprise me. I was hoping it wasn't going to be like the other but oh well, the story was still entertaining and I do recommend the author. I am sure I will be reading more of hers - I don't remember why I bought this one, it was so long ago - but I'm not disappointed in the purchase.
I give the book an A. :-)
February 12, 2015
4 STARS
"Chyna Greer was sixteen when her best friend, Zoey, disappeared. Though very different in looks and temperament, the two girls shared a bond that was stronger than blood. But even Chyna's urgent warnings couldn't prevent a love-struck Zoey from sneaking out to the lake to meet her secret crush--and being swallowed up into the warm summer night forever….
Now Chyna has come back to her West Virginia hometown of Black Willow to lay her mother to rest. But memories of Zoey are everywhere…and then, out of nowhere, Chyna hears a voice--Zoey's voice--begging for her help. As Chyna delves into Black Willow's past, she learns that two other teenagers also went missing. Soon Chyna's search for answers becomes a desperate race to uncover a chilling secret that strikes at the heart of everything she holds dear--and reveal the remorseless evil that has been hiding in plain sight…" (From Amazon)
This novel makes me want to read more of Thompson's novels. I really enjoyed this one.
"Chyna Greer was sixteen when her best friend, Zoey, disappeared. Though very different in looks and temperament, the two girls shared a bond that was stronger than blood. But even Chyna's urgent warnings couldn't prevent a love-struck Zoey from sneaking out to the lake to meet her secret crush--and being swallowed up into the warm summer night forever….
Now Chyna has come back to her West Virginia hometown of Black Willow to lay her mother to rest. But memories of Zoey are everywhere…and then, out of nowhere, Chyna hears a voice--Zoey's voice--begging for her help. As Chyna delves into Black Willow's past, she learns that two other teenagers also went missing. Soon Chyna's search for answers becomes a desperate race to uncover a chilling secret that strikes at the heart of everything she holds dear--and reveal the remorseless evil that has been hiding in plain sight…" (From Amazon)
This novel makes me want to read more of Thompson's novels. I really enjoyed this one.
April 20, 2014
In Last Seen Alive, Carlene Thompson's stellar romantic suspense debut, she wrote us a rocky and twisted story in a small town. Twelve years ago, Chyna Greer's best friend Zoey Simms disappeared and later presumed dead. Now she returned back to Black Willow, when her mother died. After a boating accident, she began having ESP with a stellar gift. While she mourns the loss of her mom, she discovered the sterling connection of other missing girls. Right under her nose, another girl goes missing, while she's to blame by the town gossip. With her former crush Scott Kendrick by her side, she gets closer to the truth and later learned a shocking family secret that rocked her world and her boat, placing her in imminent harm and in peril to the final end.
November 5, 2021
Tout le long du livre on prend les informations petit à petit comme elles viennent, on les assemble et on développe un malin plaisir à se faire notre propre opinion sur ce qu'il s'est passé, qui est le kidnappeur/tueur, pourquoi c'est lui/elle (ou eux?) et pas un autre. L'histoire est bien développé de manière fluide et facile à lire mais la fin... la fin? Déception. Ce livre m'a fait l'impression d'un soufflé.
Quand je repense à la façon dont il a été écrit/séquencé, la révélation de l'identité du tueur tombe, en quelques sortes, sous le sens, mais je reste déçu de cette fin.
Ça reste néanmoins un livre que je recommande de bon cœur, plusieurs mois plus tard j'en garde un très bon souvenir
Quand je repense à la façon dont il a été écrit/séquencé, la révélation de l'identité du tueur tombe, en quelques sortes, sous le sens, mais je reste déçu de cette fin.
Ça reste néanmoins un livre que je recommande de bon cœur, plusieurs mois plus tard j'en garde un très bon souvenir
May 18, 2021
Family Secrets
This book tells the story of Chyna and the people she loves. Chyna lost Zoey, her best friend, when she was in high school. Zoey disappeared and no one knew what happened to her. China grieved the loss of her best friend. Chyna is now in medical school. She is called home, because her mother died. She finds out that teenage girls have been disappearing since Zoey disappeared. She desperately wants to know who is kidnapping the young girls. While she is home on bereavement leave, she rekindles her crush on a handsome pilot who is several years her senior. This book was definitely a pageturner. I read it in 3 days!
This book tells the story of Chyna and the people she loves. Chyna lost Zoey, her best friend, when she was in high school. Zoey disappeared and no one knew what happened to her. China grieved the loss of her best friend. Chyna is now in medical school. She is called home, because her mother died. She finds out that teenage girls have been disappearing since Zoey disappeared. She desperately wants to know who is kidnapping the young girls. While she is home on bereavement leave, she rekindles her crush on a handsome pilot who is several years her senior. This book was definitely a pageturner. I read it in 3 days!
August 15, 2015
His walk her walk
Did you ever feel while looking into a chasm that you are being sucked in? That is how you feel when she is. By the lake hearing Zoey's whispering. This book was a delight. I always like Charlene's stories. And when I write to her she writes back. She is a great person. I also like the names she picks for her characters.
Did you ever feel while looking into a chasm that you are being sucked in? That is how you feel when she is. By the lake hearing Zoey's whispering. This book was a delight. I always like Charlene's stories. And when I write to her she writes back. She is a great person. I also like the names she picks for her characters.
February 7, 2016
I love Carlene Thompson's books. They're easy to read, suspenseful and well-written. This one was no exception. I read it a long time ago and couldn't remember the ending, so it was nice to "relive" it.
The romance at the end was a little corny but, overall, the story was great. Highly recommend!
The romance at the end was a little corny but, overall, the story was great. Highly recommend!
February 3, 2024
This book has been my favorite for a long time. I first read it in middle school, and I still re-read it to this day. It perfectly balances the supernatural element with the mystery. The plot twist at the end had me audibly gasping, and I wish I could read it for the first time again. I wish more people knew about this amazing book!
August 11, 2011
wie in praktisch allen ihren Büchern greift Carlene Thompson bei der Story auf Geschehnisse, die die Protagonisten in der Vergangenheit erlebt haben, zurück. Aber dennoch sind die Geschichten unterschiedlich. Die Story ist mit überraschenden Wendungen und spannend erzählt. Zu empfehlen.
May 14, 2013
Una lettura d’intrattenimento che fa il suo lavoro per bene e per il piacere del lettore
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March 23, 2015
Fair book that kept me guessing as to who the killer was. Enjoyed the slight supernatural element to the story. It's not an Earth-shattering break the mold story but it did a good job keeping me interested and was easy enough to follow and get back into when I didn't have the time to read.
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October 17, 2017Very good story. Kept you guessing until the very end. I started reading this Author about a month ago and have finished 8 books she has written so far. Not one of them has been boring or repetitive. Love her
July 22, 2021
Wow. I'm so impressed
This book was the third or forth book of Ms Thompson's I still stayed up too late and did not figure out who the villain was. can't wait. To start the next one. Now I need to buy the hardcover books. Thanks
This book was the third or forth book of Ms Thompson's I still stayed up too late and did not figure out who the villain was. can't wait. To start the next one. Now I need to buy the hardcover books. Thanks
May 23, 2022
This was a great book. A book you can read for hours and not figure out who the killer till the very end. I wish I could wipe this book from my memory just for a chance to read it with fresh eyes again!
September 8, 2025
i was wrong. I thought i had it figured out & knew who the killer was. Nope very off on that one. The story was good. i even second guessed myself a couple of times about who i thought the killer was but i was even wrong then. this author always has good books and this one did not disappoint.
May 8, 2008
I like her books, have read them all.
May 28, 2008
Easy read, that will keep you guessing.
June 10, 2008
A fast read: has ESP, mystery, love, family, and a great dog named Michelle.
February 19, 2009
Pretty good so far.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews