Her Last Words: An addictive psychological thriller that will keep you hooked!

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I love how well Arnold balances the case along with Amanda’s personal life. Her relationship with Zoe is continuing to grow, change, and adjust to everything going on around them. When the series first started, I was not a fan of Amanda’s. She wasn’t handling things very well and the risk she put on others, in addition to her own career and life, were tough to accept. But now, I’m seeing what I believe to be pieces of who Amanda was before losing Kevin and Lindsay. It’s refreshing! Her relationship with Logan is evolving, too, but deep down, I think she aligns with Trent on a deeper level. Thisbe had always wanted to write and with Penny working for a publishing house, she’d hoped Penny would look it over for her. But the manuscript vanished when she was murdered, and for the following seven years, with no resolution to Thisbe’s murder, John and Penny muddled along, still grieving but trying to move forward. When Penny met Irish book shop owner, Rich O’Driscoll, around the corner from John’s house, Rich was instrumental in the reopening of Thisbe’s case.

Her Last Words is a stunning contemporary novel from author Kim Kelly, best known for her works of historical fiction. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this book with me. Carolyn Arnold's books are always a pleasure to read. But the scene is an odd one and it gets odder too. When Amanda and Trent learn Felicity was killed just like a character in her best selling novel 'The Romeo Killer' Detective Steele and her partner Trent are given the case, begrudgingly and start to gather evidence including a playing card left on the body that matches the victim in Felicity's latest book. Felicity has just hit the pinnacle of her career after being offered a movie deal so where has it all gone wrong and who would want her dead? Each installment just gets better and better, Carolyn Arnold is a master at writing this genre and never fails to disappoint. As always I'll be waiting on tenderhooks for #10.

The book opens with Cass and her seven year old son Ted watching her husband Jeff take his morning swim on their local beach. Cass is stunned and horrified when a beautiful young woman appears and jumps into his arms, and even more so when they appear to be struggling, with the young woman left lifeless in the sand. Cass pretends she hasn’t seen anything while she sets out to understand what she witnessed; is her husband really a cold blooded killer?

Thisbe Chisolm wants to write and at long last she has her manuscript complete. Actor boyfriend John Jacobsen doesn't have time to read it though and they part on less than favourable terms with consequences that will be far reaching and alter John's life, attitude and health for years to come. Her Last Words is a more than tempting title, brilliant in execution and ultimately seducing. It represents a wonderful entry for Kim Kelly in the field of Australian contemporary fiction. I was immediately hooked when I started this book, the first chapter is so sharp, and such an intriguing concept for a story. I can always appreciate an unreliable narrator and this trope was thoroughly and successfully explored here! I loved the setting, I always say this but thrillers set in Ireland automatically become more realistic for me as a reader. I highly recommend this series and this author. Her Last Words is a great addition to the Amanda Steele collection. I wish to thank the author, Kim Kelly, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.This book is extremely hard to categorise and in some ways this makes it a more unique and stay-with-you read. Courtney Parker drew inspiration from her own personal experiences and encounters with individuals battling depression. Through her song, she wanted to shed light on the severity of the issue and create an open and compassionate dialogue around mental health. 2. Is “Her Last Words” based on a true story?

Set in Sydney, Aussie author Kim Kelly’s latest release, Her Last Words, is a foray into a different genre for her. With mostly historical fiction to her name – all titles I’ve loved – this is contemporary with a little crime on the side. An excellent story, it’s one about love and grief, about publishers in the current industry, about betrayal and hope. Her Last Words made me laugh, made me sad and made me think. A thoroughly enjoyable read, Her Last Words is one I highly recommend. Oh, and I absolutely love the cover! The blurb for Her Last Words led me to expect a mystery but that was a small part of this book. Yes someone dies and yes we have to wait until the end to find out who caused it, but the real story is the aftermath of the death and the repercussions on those left behind. Kelly writes a very good picture of depression, how it feels to the individual and how that affects those who are trying to help. Unfortunately crime happens every day and sometimes detectives have to leave cases unsolved because they run out of leads and end up in a dead end street. It must be frustrating to know they have to let a culprit get away with what they have done, not being able to bring closure for the family and friends of the victims.Courtney Parker has been open about her own mental health struggles in interviews and through her music. She has used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and to encourage others to seek help when needed. 7. How can “Her Last Words” contribute to ending the stigma around mental health? It's a crisp spring morning when Cass drops her husband, a respected lecturer, to the beach for his medically prescribed swim. While waiting for him, something catches her eye. A young woman runs towards her husband and embraces him - until he holds his hand over her face and she falls down on the stones, dead." This fast-paced novel is full of a sense of urgency. However, the murderer was a little too predictable. The author weaves murder, relationships, family dynamics, grief, bullying, and more into a finely crafted tale.

While the song may not be based on a specific true story, it reflects the experiences and emotions felt by countless individuals who have battled with depression and suicidal thoughts. 3. What message does “Her Last Words” aim to convey? I loved all the focus on the literary world which is integral to the storyline, encompassing Penny’s job as editor in a publishing house, to Irish bookshop owner Rich. This book is also very much about hope and recognising that perhaps clouds do sometimes have silver linings. It’s about good triumphing over evil and how love can work in mysterious ways, especially when you least expect it. I know we all take something different from the reading experience; for me personally I thought the struggles some of these characters face made them feel very real as people, replicating issues that we all may encounter at some point in our lives. Thanks to the author’s writing I felt emotionally connected to these fictional individuals, caring about their futures as I would if they were dear friends. The only exception to this statement is Thisbe’s old flat mate who really does show her true colours!When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the brutal murder scene of successful local author Felicity Kelley, her blood runs cold. Because Amanda not only knew the victim but was the last person Felicity called moments before she was murdered. Plagued with guilt that she never answered, Amanda is left wondering whether she could have prevented the murder and vows to catch the killer in Her Last Words (a Detective Amanda Steele Book 9) by Carolyn Arnold. A gripping debut psychological thriller set on the east coast of Ireland. Atmospheric, twisty, and propulsive, Her Last Words is an edge-of-your-seat read about obsession and dark secrets coming to light. Full disclosure - I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the author or their representative but have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own. And with great pacing, the perfect amount of twists and a killer I wasn't expecting. This was an enjoyable and engaging addition to the series, and I'd happily recommend it to all.