The Last Sister (Columbia River Book 1)

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 53,013 ratings

Price: 5.99

Last update: 02-16-2025


About this item

An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestseller.

Three sisters’ secrets collide in a shocking novel of suspense by the bestselling author of the Mercy Kilpatrick series.

Twenty years ago Emily Mills’s father was murdered, and she found his body hanging in the backyard. Her younger sister, Madison, claims she was asleep in her room. Her older sister, Tara, claims she was out with friends. The tragedy drove their mother to suicide and Tara to leave town forever. The killer was caught. The case closed.

Ever since, Emily and Madison have tried to forget what happened that night—until an eerily similar murder brings it all back. It also brings FBI special agent Zander Wells to the Oregon logging town. As eager as he is to solve the brutal double slaying, he is just as intrigued with the mystery of Emily’s and her sisters’ past.

When more blood is shed, Zander suspects there’s a secret buried in this town no one wants unearthed. Is it something Emily and Madison don’t know? Or aren’t telling? And Tara? Maybe Emily can’t bear to find her. Because when Tara disappeared, she took a secret of her own with her.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Susan N
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read, not too complex
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    I really enjoyed this book. I’m not a fast reader but was able to finish it in 3.5 days. I like the characters and the chemistry between them.
    There is some good suspense but not too stressful. Would recommend.
  • lynguy1
    4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Crime Thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2020
    THE LAST SISTER by Kendra Elliot brings mystery and suspense to a police procedural and romantic suspense novel set in Bartonville, Oregon. This is the first book in the Columbia River series but brings in characters from other series as well. It’s the first book that I have read by this author.

    Emily Mills’ father was murdered twenty years ago and she found his body hanging from a tree in the backyard. Since then, she has tried to forget everything about that night. However, when a similar murder occurs in contemporary times, and Emily finds another body, her life is about to change. Questions abound. Are the deaths related? If so, how and why?

    Our protagonists, FBI Special Agent Zander Wells and Emily Mills, bring an interesting dynamic to this novel. Despite Emily being a witness, there is an attraction between them. How will it affect the case? Emily is resilient, but she wants to protect her family, and she has secrets to keep too. Zander is a dedicated FBI agent and has a heartbreaking backstory. Great characters tend to develop from the ups and downs of life, and Zander and Emily emerge as believable characters with some shortcomings, just like real people. The secondary characters had a range of depths, but all enhanced the story without overwhelming it.

    The plot was suspenseful and very complex. There were a multitude of conflicts that kept me engaged in the story line. The author did a great job of letting this reader see Emily’s inner conflicts, motivations and personality. There were plenty of plot twists and turns, and a few surprises along the way. A consistent pace from scene to scene - until the action-packed ending, where the subplots tied together - had me quickly turning the pages. The romantic part of this novel took a backseat and did not detract from the story line. This is not an instant-love type of romantic suspense, but a slow building of respect and attraction. The author did a great job of world-building. The descriptions were vivid and gave a clear sense of place. It felt like I was on the Oregon coast experiencing the vagaries of the weather and small town attitudes.

    Overall, this was a compelling crime thriller that tackled some very serious themes ranging from murder, secrets and family relationships to racism, drugs and much more. This is the first book I have read by Kendra Elliott, but I am happy to say that I own five others and can’t wait to read them. If you enjoy crime novels and police procedurals set in a small town with a small amount of romance, then I recommend that you check out this series.

    I purchased a digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was January 14, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
  • Carol Dickens
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Sister
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2025
    Wonderful book, it captivated me from beginning to end. I didn't want to put it down. The characters are interesting, the plot is gripping. I am already looking forward to the next book.
  • A lover of books
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024
    This was a good read. The characters were interesting and the storyline made it a good read. Though the ending was a little to beromantic for me .
  • Dede Dingus
    4.0 out of 5 stars great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024
    I started this new series and I really enjoyed this first one. The story kept moving and evolving with great characters. I’ve read other series with this author and enjoy her work. I’m excited to start book two!
  • Sandra, Jackson California, Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
    The problem with a Kendra Elliot book is you can't put it down. Wow this book grabs you from the first page to the last, you get so involved with the characters and the storyline that you lose tract of the time. Wonderful book, looking forward to book two.
  • kellys kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great suspense book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2024
    This book was well written and kept me engaged all thru out it. Would definitely recommend it. I will definitely read the next one(s).
  • Janna K Brimer
    4.0 out of 5 stars worthy of the time
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
    A small town always has secrets that most everyone knows but they have their personal reasons to keep them from discussing secrets. Maybe they have a little guilt or shame that might be reasonable to a child but isn’t based in logic or reality. So keeping quiet is the solution to the trouble that’s feared. So many potential suspects in this mystery. I recommend it.

    • Best Sellers in

     
     

    The Riviera House Swap: The uplifting, sun-drenched getaway romance from BESTSELLING AUTHOR Gillian Harvey

    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 3,306
    0.99
     
     

    How To Fake It With A Fae: An Enemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Seven Suitors For Seven Witches Book 1)

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 5,009
    4.99
     
     

    Perfect Strangers

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 26,904
    5.99
     
     

    Frost: A fae romance (Frost and Nectar Book 1)

    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 17,988
    3.99
     
     

    Saving Noah

    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 34,598
    4.99
     
     

    Torment: Part One (The Bleeding Hearts Series Book 1)

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 5,939
    2.99
     
     

    One Midnight With You: BRAND NEW from Shari Low, the most heartfelt and unforgettable New Year story

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,240
    4.99
     
     

    It Should Have Been Us: A Small Town, Second Chance Sports Romance (Bluebonnet Creek Book 1)

    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 2,526
    5.99