Author: Laura Dave
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Domestic Fiction
Published: May 4, 2021
Number of Pages: 320
If you enjoy mystery, intrigue, and investigation, this might be the book for you. I first came across The Last Thing He Told Me when I saw the poster for its movie adaptation. Since the film received such widespread attention, I decided to read the book before watching it. The adaptation stays very true to the original—nothing significant is added or removed. I would recommend this book to those who are especially fond of contemporary, easygoing reads.
Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)
A successful programmer, Owen Michaels, disappears from the city after his company faces a legal crisis. It turns out that Owen’s company artificially inflated its auction values and completed several illegal deals.
On the same day Owen disappears, his wife, Hannah, receives a handwritten note from him that says: “Protect her.” The “her” in question is Bailey, Owen’s 16-year-old daughter from his previous marriage.
Bailey, who lost her mother as a child, has a strained relationship with Hannah, her stepmother. Despite the tension, Hannah is determined to protect Bailey while uncovering the truth about Owen’s disappearance. She is convinced that Owen’s note and sudden vanishing are connected to something far more significant than the company’s fraud—especially after discovering that Owen left $600,000 in cash in Bailey’s school locker.
Hannah remembers that Owen had always resisted the idea of visiting Austin, Texas. Following this lead, she and Bailey fly to Austin to search for answers. While the FBI hunts for Owen, the duo discovers that he has been concealing his true identity all along.
Content warning: themes of deception, identity concealment, and family separation.
My Review
I personally rate this book 6 out of 10 stars. As a huge fan of Agatha Christie’s mysteries, I found the story a bit uneven. The reasoning behind Owen’s disappearance begins with one narrative but later shifts to a different explanation, which disrupts the overall flow and weakens the sense of continuity.
The book ends on a somewhat hopeful note, suggesting the possibility of a sequel. After all, it would be too cruel for someone to remain separated from their family and forced to live in hiding indefinitely.
While the writing is clear and accessible, the story didn’t fully captivate me. I think it works better as a movie you can watch once and enjoy, but as a novel, it left wishing for a little bit more.
Who I Recommend This Book To
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary mystery novels that are easy to read It’s a good choice for those who like family-centered stories with a touch of suspense, or for readers who want a fast, accessible read without too many twists.
Who should skip this book
Readers who love complex, logic-driven mysteries or classic detective novels may want to skip this one. If you’re expecting intricate twists, deep psychological tension, or a Christie-style puzzle where every detail matters, this book might feel too simple. It’s also not the best pick for those who dislike contemporary storytelling or prefer novels that challenge the reader intellectually.
The Last Thing He Told Me — Ending Explained (Spoilers)
If you’re just here to find out how the story ends, keep reading.
At the end of the book, Hannah learns that her husband’s real name is Ethan Young. He was previously married to his college sweetheart, Catherine, whose father, Nicholas Bell, was a lawyer with a dangerous clientele. Nicholas was known for protecting high-profile criminals and helping them evade justice.
When Catherine dies in a suspicious car accident, Owen suspects that one of Nicholas’s criminal clients was responsible. To avenge her death, Owen gathers incriminating data from a system he built for Nicholas and sends it to the FBI. This evidence leads to Nicholas’s arrest, along with the conviction of several of his clients.
Fast forward seven years: Nicholas and his criminal associates are released from prison and seek revenge on Owen. This is why Owen disappears, leaving Hannah and Bailey behind for their safety.
In the end, Nicholas promises that Hannah and Bailey are not in danger, but Owen cannot return to them, as his presence would attract the attention of those seeking revenge. The book concludes with a brief and emotional moment where Owen secretly visits Hannah at her exhibition before disappearing once again.
Main Characters
- Hannah Hall – Owen’s wife who is determined to protect Bailey and uncover the truth behind her husband’s disappearance.
- Owen Michaels – A successful programmer who suddenly disappears, leaving behind a cryptic note.
- Bailey Michaels – Owen’s 16-year-old daughter from his first marriage. Grieving her mother and distrustful of Hannah.
- Nicholas Bell – Bailey’s maternal grandfather, a powerful lawyer with dangerous connections.
- Catherine Bell – Owen’s first wife and Bailey’s mother, whose death is surrounded by suspicion and unresolved questions.
Where to Get the Book
