Author : Claire Douglas
Title : Last Seen Alive
Pages : 400
Publisher : Penguin
Publication date : July 13, 2017
The Hero
Libby Hall never really wanted to be noticed. But after she saves the children in her care from a fire, she finds herself headline news. And horrified by the attention. It all reminds her of what happened nine years ago. The last time she saw her best friend alive.
The Swap
Which is why the house swap is such a godsend. Libby and her husband Jamie exchange their flat in Bath for a beautiful, secluded house in Cornwall. It’s a chance to heal their marriage – to stop its secrets tearing them apart.
The Hideaway
But this stylish Cornish home isn’t the getaway they’d hoped for. They make odd, even disturbing, discoveries in the house. It’s so isolated, yet Libby doesn’t feel entirely alone. As if she’s being watched.
Is Libby being paranoid? What is her husband hiding? As the secrets and lies come tumbling out, is the past about to catch up with them?
Libby and her husband Jamie have had a rough couple of months. So when a leaflet drops into their letter box offering a house swap, they jump at the chance to swap their flat in Bath for a house by the sea in Cornwall. But things don’t quite turn out as expected and even upon their return home, it’s obvious there’s something sinister going on.
First, let me say I’m incredibly wary of the whole house swapping thing that’s been going on the past few years and I would never even consider the thought of having a bunch of strangers loose in my home. And most definitely not based on a flyer in my letter box! You’d think Libby and Jamie would consider that just a liiiiitle bit suspicious. But no, they’re all for it.
Libby has some issues and I really enjoyed trying to figure out if she was a reliable narrator or not. Is she imagining things and terribly paranoid? Or not? Her husband Jamie got on my nerves like whoa and I became increasingly suspicious about his behaviour. With lies and secrets seemingly around every corner, this will keep you guessing all the way. As often happens in this genre, things aren’t what they seem and this brilliantly crafted and gripping plot has some fantastic twists. If you think those will leave you spinning, just wait until you get to the end which is positively fabulous!
This is the third novel I’ve read by Claire Douglas and I think this is her best one yet! I may even go as far as to say I’m adding her to my list of go-to authors.
Many thanks to Sarah Harwood and Penguin UK for my copy, which I chose to review honestly!
Last Seen Alive is available now!
Love your review. The idea of a house swap would scare the heck out of me. I don’t having strangers in my house even when I’m there!
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Oh, I’m the same. I always try to make appointments for days when the hubby is home. 😄
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Got this on my TBR list, so excited to read it – seen lots about it. Great review!
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If you’ve read and enjoyed her previous ones, I’m sure you’ll love this one too!
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Fantastic review! I loved Local Girl Missing and can’t wait to read this one as well!
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Really loved that one too!
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Fab review. I am yet to read any books by Douglas but I like the sound of this one especially since you mention that its your favourite one yet. House swapping sounds really weird and creepy in real life but I guess it added to the intrigue/mystery of the book 🙂
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Oh, you should definitely give her books a go! They’re so good!
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I couldn’t wait any longer and I’m reading this right now. I love how twisty it is 🙂
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Yay! Still thrilled to bits you got a copy! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
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Fab review. I’m really looking forward to this one.
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Hope you like it! Look forward to hearing your thoughts!
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This absolutely needs to be on my wishlist! I am just like you, I don’t get the swapping houses thing! I’d never let a stranger touch, or worse, live in my place!
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Right? I remember when we moved house, hubby considered renting our old one out and I couldn’t even deal with that idea! 😄
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Great review! Already on my TBR. It sounds really good, I really need to make some time for it. This is a new author for me.
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An annoying husband? Gosh this book sounds too real! lolol 😀
A great ending is always a bonus- glad you enjoy this book!
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The house swap thing baffles me too…no way would I let someone stay in mine! Fab review!
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