✼ We may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through links on our site.
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is an interesting mix of thriller and historical fiction that will both terrify you and give you pause. The book has dual timelines and narrators, which work well together to keep the story moving. This is an enjoyable and enlightening novel that will evoke many emotions.
Author: Diane Chamberlain
Also by this author: Big Lies in a Small Town
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genres: Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Publication Date: January 11, 2022
Rating:
From bestselling author Diane Chamberlain comes an irresistible new novel that perfectly interweaves history, mystery, and social justice.
When Kayla Carter's husband dies in an accident while building their dream house, she knows she has to stay strong for their four-year-old daughter. But the trophy home in Shadow Ridge Estates, a new development in sleepy Round Hill, North Carolina, will always hold tragic memories. But when she is confronted by an odd, older woman telling her not to move in, she almost agrees. It's clear this woman has some kind of connection to the area...and a connection to Kayla herself.
Kayla's elderly new neighbor, Ellie Hockley, is more welcoming, but it's clear she, too, has secrets that stretch back almost fifty years. Is Ellie on a quest to right the wrongs of the past? And does the house at the end of the street hold the key? Told in dual time periods, The Last House on the Street is a novel of shocking prejudice and violence, forbidden love, the search for justice, and the tangled vines of two families.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
Set in alternating timelines between 1965 and 2010, we learn the stories of two women and how their lives intersect. Ellie is a white young adult in the ’60s who is an activist helping Black Americans in North Carolina registering to vote. Her story is compelling and scary, as she sees first hand how racism affects those around her. Meanwhile, in 2010, Kayla is building a new house and is discovering that the area has more history and ghosts than she was aware of.
❀ Exciting and Terrifying
While I found the book to be slow paced at first, the dual narrators are both enjoyable to read about, and when the two characters’ lives begin to intertwine, the story really starts to click. I found it hard to set down once things start to unravel. The way the author has set the stage for the story to shock readers is exciting and terrifying.
❀ Historical references
The mix of historical fiction and thriller is what makes this book unique and engaging. There are lots of interesting historical references with themes of racism and social justice. Also, a forbidden romance adds tension and intrigue to the plot that will break your heart.
❀ Does not disappoint
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is a fascinating combination of historical fiction and thriller that will entertain and engage you at the same time. Fans of the author’s previous works will not be disappointed in this latest novel. I highly recommend this book for your next book club.
About Diane Chamberlain
DIANE CHAMBERLAIN is the bestselling author of more than twenty novels published in over eleven languages. Her books include The First Lie, Her Mother's Shadow, The Good Father, and Kiss River. She lives in North Carolina with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her shelties, Keeper and Cole.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.