Last to Die

A Rizzoli and Isles Novel, Book 10

By: Tess Gerritsen

Narrated by: Tanya Eby

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

For the second time in his short life, Teddy Clock has survived a massacre. Two years ago, he barely escaped when his entire family was slaughtered. Now, at 14, in a hideous echo of the past, Teddy is the lone survivor of his foster family’s mass murder. Orphaned once more, the traumatized teenager has nowhere to turn - until the Boston PD puts Detective Jane Rizzoli on the case. Determined to protect this young man, Jane discovers that what seemed like a coincidence is instead just one horrifying part of a relentless killer’s merciless mission.

Jane spirits Teddy to the exclusive Evensong boarding school, a sanctuary where young victims of violent crime learn the secrets and skills of survival in a dangerous world. But even behind locked gates, and surrounded by acres of sheltering Maine wilderness, Jane fears that Evensong’s mysterious benefactors aren’t the only ones watching. When strange blood-splattered dolls are found dangling from a tree, Jane knows that her instincts are dead on. And when she learns of Will Yablonski and Claire Ward, students whose tragic pasts bear a shocking resemblance to Teddy’s, it becomes chillingly clear that a circling predator has more than one victim in mind.

Joining forces with her trusted partner, medical examiner Maura Isles, Jane is determined to keep these orphans safe from harm. But an unspeakable secret dooms the children’s fate - unless Jane and Maura can finally put an end to an obsessed killer’s twisted quest.

©2012 Tess Gerritsen (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

She does it again!

Tess never fails to entertain. Her dynamic duo of Rizzoli and Isles bring the crime to light and keep us enthralled with their family dynamics.

A True Murder Mystery!

What did you love best about Last to Die?

The narrator was the best I ever heard thus far with differentiating voices...wonderful job!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't think I really had a favorite character, maybe Mora...

Which scene was your favorite?

I also don't necessarily have a favorite scene...maybe the segue into the climax.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, I did not have an extreme reaction to "Last to Die."

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the plot and narrator differentiation. Ms. Gerritsen made sure that if something was implied, she'd make it very clear shortly after. I personally didn't think it was necessary to do so. The readers are intelligent enough to make inferences that they feel comfortable with without further explanation(s). On another note, this is definitely a real mystery. I had no clue who the killer was or why the killing was transpiring until the near end.

A Bit too far out there.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I have only watched the TV show. This book was well done, but got just too unrealistic as it went along . . . so I won't read another one . . . .

Engaging

This was my first book in this series and my first by this author, however I watch the series on TV and like it very much. I thought the storyline was pretty good and moved at a good pace but the beginning of the book was much better than the end. Towards the end it became a little predictable, it had two twists which I only suspected one of. I liked the characters but the narrators male voices were not for me. All in all a good read.

First to be Duped-Rizolli or Isles?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I think readers of the series might spend their time better by skipping this one. The heroines have become incredibly naive and gullible. The story is a mass of intricate and ultimately unbelievable contrivances.

ANOTHER FANTASTIC RIZZOLI/ISLES THRILLER

Where does Last to Die rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's up at the top.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, it did. This was a great who done it thriller and would not have guessed the killer.

Any additional comments?

Did a great job of making the characters personal. I could not stop listening!

Always a Good Listen

Another good listen from Tess Gerritsen. Familiar characters from the series that do not disappoint.

Loved the story, but narrator was not good.

The story is a good Rizzoli and Isles mystery. But the narrator sounded the same for everyone and would occasionally slip in a Boston accent. It was like "Oh yes Jane is from Boston I need to talk with an accent".

Rizzolie and Isles can't miss!

Loved the performance! Tanya Eby manages the voices so well that there's never a question of who's speaking - very nicely done! Enjoyed the story though maybe not quite as much as the others. The international espionage bit was a little too 'terrorist' 'homeland security for me' for me to choke down. On the other hand, the setting of EvenSong sounds like such a great place for troubled kids. I love Rizzoli and Isles - their stories have always kept me waiting for the next. Great job, Ms Gerritsen!

Formulaic and Predictable

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book was okay. The reader did a great job. I just wasn't impressed with the book.

Has Last to Die turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

Have you listened to any of Tanya Eby’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first.

Could you see Last to Die being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

If it was a movie, I wouldn't watch it. There were too many stretches to make the plot work. There were too many coincidences. Also, this was so formulaic that there were almost no surprises. The author gave so many obvious clues that it took away any mystery. This book was very dumbed down from some of her past work.