The Last Word -- Taylor Adams, Hardcover

After posting a negative book review, a woman living in a remote location begins to wonder if the author is a little touchy--or very, very dangerous--in this pulse-pounding novel of psychological suspense and terror from the critically acclaimed author of No Exit and Hairpin Bridge.

Emma Carpenter lives in isolation with her golden retriever Laika, house-sitting an old beachfront home on the rainy Washington coast. Her only human contact is her enigmatic old neighbor, Deek, and (via text) the house's owner, Jules.

One day, she reads a poorly written--but gruesome--horror novel by the author H. G. Kane, and posts a one-star review that drags her into an online argument with none other than the author himself. Soon after, disturbing incidents start to occur at night. To Emma, this can't just be a coincidence. It was strange enough for this author to bicker with her online about a lousy review; could he be stalking her, too?

As Emma digs into Kane's life and work, she learns he has published sixteen other novels, all similarly sadistic tales of stalking and murder. But who is he? How did he find her? And what else is he capable of?

Displaying his trademark command of rapid-fire pacing, unnerving atmosphere, and razor-sharp characterization, Taylor Adams once again delivers a diabolically disturbing--and deadly--game of cat and mouse.

Author: Taylor Adams
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Published: 04/25/2023
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.30w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9780063222892

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal Prepub Alert 11/01/2022 pg. 6
Publishers Weekly 02/27/2023
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2023
Booklist 03/15/2023 pg. 34