The Last House on the Street

A Novel

By: Diane Chamberlain

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

"[A] twisty, riveting ride." (People magazine, People Pick)

"Chamberlain's evocative writing and Bennett's skilled character portrayals may cause visceral reactions in listeners, particularly during violent moments. Through the far-reaching impacts of the characters' actions, Chamberlain addresses racism, injustice, love, family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma. Bennett's style in this layered and powerful listening experience is both realistic and haunting." (AudioFile)

A community’s past sins rise to the surface in New York Times best-selling author Diane Chamberlain’s The Last House on the Street when two women, a generation apart, find themselves bound by tragedy and an unsolved, decades-old mystery.

1965

Growing up in the well-to-do town of Round Hill, North Carolina, Ellie Hockley was raised to be a certain type of proper Southern lady. Enrolled in college and all but engaged to a bank manager, Ellie isn’t as committed to her expected future as her family believes. She’s chosen to spend her summer break as a volunteer helping to register Black voters. But as Ellie follows her ideals fighting for the civil rights of the marginalized, her scandalized parents scorn her efforts, and her neighbors reveal their prejudices. And when she loses her heart to a fellow volunteer, Ellie discovers the frightening true nature of the people living in Round Hill.

2010

Architect Kayla Carter and her husband designed a beautiful house for themselves in Round Hill’s new development, Shadow Ridge Estates. It was supposed to be a home where they could raise their three-year-old daughter and grow old together. Instead, it’s the place where Kayla’s husband died in an accident - a fact known to a mysterious woman who warns Kayla against moving in. The woods and lake behind the property are reputed to be haunted, and the new home has been targeted by vandals leaving threatening notes. And Kayla’s neighbor Ellie Hockley is harboring long-buried secrets about the dark history of the land where her house was built.

Two women. Two stories. Both on a collision course with the truth - no matter what that truth may bring to light - in Diane Chamberlain's riveting, powerful novel about the search for justice.

©2022 Diane Chamberlain (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Great book kept me listening and thinking about the story

I the book was certainly not boring. Even when I was not listening to it, I was thinking about the story. I grew up at that time but in a small town in the north.

I kept thinking Americans were not like that but with all the mass shooting recently I guess I was wrong.

I highly recommend the book. It not only tells a riveting story but makes you think about how we treat our fellow citizens

Wow! Covers an important part of US history—Civil rights

Kudos to Diane Chamberlain for authentically portraying life in the South in the 60s. Of the dual timelines, that was my favorite part—but she also ties the mystery part of the two timelines seamlessly with strong emotional impactful. Couldn’t stop listening to the very competent performer. Highly recommend.

Wow

Captivating from the first word. The narrator is PHENOMENAL. Coming from the south she hit every nail on the head. She made you feel as if you were there. I couldn’t stop listening! It had me in tears, with full chills at the end. What a tragically, important story to hear.

Couldn’t stop listening.

I didn’t see the end coming. Love going back and forth in the decades even though it was hard to think of how things were in the 60’s.

Very interesting.

Full of interesting historical facts with just the right amount of mystery. Surprise at the end was well done.

My New Favorite

I love all of Diane’s books and this one was no exception. Loved the story, the characters, and the narrator. It was hard to hear how much ignorance and hate were around in 1965 but it is a must read.

Loved it!

Great story with twists and turns that keeps the story moving along. Would definitely recommend!

Not as good as others by the author.

I felt it was quite slow for the first half. I enjoyed the last few hours but it was hard to get into.

Spectacular

Beautifully story, beautifully written, beautifully narrated. I didn’t see it as a political statement at all.

Interesting Story, but So-So Narration

The narrator's voice for Rainey, the young daughter in the 2010 storyline was beyond annoying. For that reason, I'd recommend this book as a read, rather than a listen.