The Last Word By Taylor Adams
3.5 Stars
The Book At A Glance
Emma Carpenter is house-sitting a lonely beachfront home on the stormy Washington coast with only her dog, Laika, for company. After posting a scathing one-star review of a gruesome horror novel, she’s shocked when the furious author himself picks a fight with her online—and even more unsettled when eerie events start unfolding outside her door. Is he just a bitter writer, or something far more dangerous?
Bookish Thoughts
I love a good thriller packed with twists, and I’d been hearing great things about Taylor Adams’s writing—so I couldn’t wait to dive in. The premise of this book instantly hooked me: a single one-star review spirals into a chilling game of cat and mouse. For fans of tense beach-house thrillers with a loyal dog, stalker chills, and shifting POVs that twist the story at every turn
Book Review
Emma Carpenter is house-sitting a remote beachfront home on the stormy Washington coast with her golden retriever, Laika, as her only companion. Bored one night, she posts a scathing one-star review of a violent horror novel—and ends up in an online spat with the author himself. Soon after, strange and terrifying things begin to happen around the house. Could this furious writer be stalking her? As the tension builds, Emma finds herself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, with no one to trust.
Taylor Adams is well known for writing fast-paced, tension-filled thrillers, and The Last Word certainly delivers on atmosphere and suspense. My favorite character by far was Laika, the golden retriever. Her loyalty and companionship made her the emotional heart of the book, and when she was hurt, I was completely shaken. The premise itself is both fascinating and chilling—a single one-star review escalating into something that could cost someone their life. It definitely made me think twice about how personal reviews can feel to an author, though I can safely say I would never want to be in Emma’s situation.
Deek, the mysterious next-door neighbor, kept me guessing the whole time. I was suspicious of him more than once, but at the same time, he felt like Emma’s strongest supporter. That back-and-forth really added to the tension.
The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Emma and the stalker had me on the edge of my seat more than once. However, I did find certain sections to be a little slow in comparison, which disrupted the otherwise steady momentum. To balance that, I listened to parts of the story on audiobook and found the narration highly engaging—it added another layer of suspense that elevated the reading experience.
As for my rating—I landed on 3.5 stars. I did enjoy the ride, but I managed to figure out the ending. And for me, if I can piece together the mystery in a thriller before the reveal, it takes away some of the shock value I crave. I want to be completely blindsided! Still, The Last Word is a clever and atmospheric thriller with a unique premise, memorable characters, and enough tension to keep readers turning pages late into the night.
“Amazon has the audacity to ask her to rate the book. Out of five stars? One.”
Taylor Adams
Shelf To Table
The perfect food pairing for this novel is The Last Word Cocktail. This drink is a Prohibition-era gin classic—and the perfect drink to pair with Taylor Adams’s The Last Word. Not only does it share the same name, but its sharp, herbal flavor fits the novel’s dark and twisty cat-and-mouse vibe. The mix of gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice creates a bold, slightly mysterious drink that lingers—much like the suspense in the story. Sip it slowly while you read, and let the tart, layered flavors keep you just as on edge as Emma in her fight for survival.
Last Word Cocktail
A classic Prohibition-era cocktail known for its perfect balance of sweet, tart, and herbal flavors. Made with equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
Book Club Bite
Taffy would make a fun and playful snack for a book club discussion. Its sweet, chewy texture is perfect for munching while delving into the suspense of the thriller, offering a simple treat that keeps everyone engaged and satisfied as the story unfolds.
“HG Kane: You don’t scare me. I’m keeping my 1-star review up.”
Taylor Adams