The Last Word

Olivia Limoges and the Bayside Book Writers are excited about Oyster Bay's newest resident: bestselling novelist Nick Plumley, who's come to work on his next book. But when Olivia stops by Plumley's rental she finds that he's been strangled to death. Her instincts tell her that something from the past came back to haunt him, but she never expects that the investigation could spell doom for one of her dearest friends...

There is something so unique about the Ellery Adams Books by the Bay mysteries, primarily because of the depth of the character of Olivia Limoges. Slow to form attachments, in The Last Word we see her finally admit her feelings for Rawlings, continue to develop deep friendships with her writing group, and now she even has a family, growing with the birth of a nephew. Olivia's scenes in the hospital with baby Anders were breathtaking-she couldn't help but lose her heart to the tiny newborn.

The mystery itself is as much an historical mystery as a modern day one. I never knew there were prison camps in the US-and the World War 2 love story, and how it all ended for the tragic Evelyn-blew me away.

When the killer was revealed, my first thought was where did that come from? But the more I thought about it (and I've given this story a lot of thought), I realized it was absolutely perfect-completely believable and in tone with the rest of the story.

The Last Word isn't your everyday cozy mystery. It's a masterfully created novel with a complex mystery and a cast of characters you'll want to return to again and again. This one will tug at your heartstrings.