Book Review: The Last Thing He Told Me

I recently saw Jennifer Garner give an interview for a new show she's in on AppleTV (there are way too many streaming services!!!! but I digress).  She talked about how her character's husband disappears and leaves behind his daughter, who doesn't get along with Jennifer's character.  The two try to find her husband and have to rely on one another and form a bond. 

 

 

It's not one of those stories that necessarily grabs you instantly but it was mildly interesting and so I put a hold on the book it was based on at the library.  When it first became available to me I was reading something else and didn't check it out.  You have three days to check it out and the first time - only the first time - they hold your place and put you next in line for the book, although you have to wait at least a week.

 

The second time it came up, I knew if I didn't check it out or delay delivery (something you can do indefinitely, so long as you re-book it within the three days you have to check it out), I'd go to the end of the line and the line had gotten exceedingly long since I'd first added my name to the list.  I still wasn't ready though so I pushed it back one week.

 

The third time it became available, I checked it out.  That was this past Friday.  I had an hour meeting from 2-3 Friday afternoon and I started reading the book around 1:00.  

 

I finished it before I went to bed and I did other things besides the meeting, such as walking the dogs, cooking dinner and cleaning.  Those were all things I had to do but I didn't want to

 because I didn't want to put the book down.  It was so good! 

The story is told from the perspective of the wife, Hannah.  The day starts off as any other day but a 12-year old girl brings Hannah a note from her husband, Owen.  It just says protect her.  She knows he means his daughter, Bailey, but she doesn't understand what is going on.  Particularly when a US Marshall shows up at her door saying things that make no sense to her.  He is followed by two FBI agents and news reports about the company Owen works being in serious legal jeopardy.

Things look bad for Owen but Hannah is determined to find out where he is and what exactly is going on, particularly given the note and "package" Owen left for Bailey.

It's noted to be a fast paced with twists and turns in the plot - all true.

It was a very good book and very well told story.  There was one thing that bothered me but it is the final (or one of the final anyway) plot twists so I can't tell it here.  It bothered me because much was told about Hannah's background and she makes a decision that is counter to that history - not something I felt was in line with what we'd previously been told about the character.  But they did tie up loose ends and had a satisfying conclusion to the story overall.

I highly recommend it.