ARC Review: The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot

The Last Sister
Author: Kendra Elliot
Series: Columbia River (Book 1)
Publication: Montlake (January 14, 2020)

Description: Three sisters’ secrets collide in a shocking novel of suspense by the Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts 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.

My Thoughts: When Emily Mills goes to an employee's home to see why she is late for work, she isn't expecting to find her employee murdered and her black husband also murdered and hanging from a tree in their backyard. This brings backs horrible memories for Emily whose own father was hanged twenty years earlier. When the local sheriff looks like he's going to call it a murder-suicide, Emily decides to call in the FBI.

Zander Wells and his partner Ava McLane come to begin their investigation since it could be a hate crime. Zander and Ava find themselves investigating in a town filled with secrets. Emily has secrets of her own because she has never told anyone what happened when her father died and her older sister disappeared.

Emily has her hands full running the diner that supports her family including the three great-aunts who took Emily and her sister Madison in when her father died and her mother committed suicide. She is also dealing with an ex-husband who just can't seem to accept that their relationship is over. It certainly isn't time to fall for one of the FBI agents who have come to work on the case.

Zander isn't looking for a new relationship either. He is still grieving the loss of his wife and unborn daughter. Falling for a witness, or possibly a suspect, isn't anywhere in the FBI manual.

I enjoyed this story which talks about Oregon's racists past which might not be as far in the past as most people would like.

Favorite Quote:

"I heard the first responder screwed up the scene. Some of those young deputies are as sharp as a  mashed potato sandwich," Thea continued, her blue eyes challenging. "Is that true? People around town are saying it was a drug deal done bad. Really bad?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.