The Last Thing He Told Me

A Novel

By: Laura Dave

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

A 2022 Audie Award Finalist

A Goodreads Top 20 Book of the Last 5 Years
Don’t miss the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick that’s sold over 5 million copies—now streaming on Apple TV+ starring Jennifer Garner!

The “page-turning, exhilarating” (PopSugar) and “heartfelt thriller” (Real Simple) about a woman who thinks she’s found the love of her life—until he disappears.

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they’re also building a new future—one neither of them could have anticipated.

With its breakneck pacing, dizzying plot twists, and evocative family drama, The Last Thing He Told Me is a “page-turning, exhilarating, and unforgettable” (PopSugar) suspense novel.

Critic reviews

"Rebecca Lowman's methodical performance will hook listeners until the very end of this contemporary mystery. Hannah wakes up one day to find her husband of one year, Owen, has vanished, leaving her a puzzling note: "Protect her." Hannah assumes that "her" refers to Owen's teenage daughter, Bailey, who has despised Hannah from day one. While this is a typical story of two individuals who are at odds being forced to work together, Lowman's portrayals of the characters and the mystery surrounding Owen's secret life will intrigue listeners."

She Wasn’t Wrong...

No spoilers:
“She wasn’t wrong” is certainly the favorite line for the first 2 chapters. Sister loves using using repetition. “She called me a hypocrite. She called me a hypocrite, and she wasn’t wrong.” “A chair, a deep leather chair.” “I am alone. So very alone.” “I put my drink down. Very gently, I put my drink down.” So much repetition throughout. So much repetition. So so much.

I am honestly surprised the reviews aren’t more mixed. It’s not that I didn’t like it. This book is pretty good, interesting, unique, mildly entertaining, but I’ve heard better. I really enjoyed the last few chapters, but I’m not sure if that makes it worth it for me.

I’m thinking Lowman tells a mean bedtime story, because I liked this most right before bed. She just makes me feel so relaxed and sleepy, which isn’t what I’m going for while doing chores and listening to entertainment. I would suggest speeding up to 1.1. The book probably would have been about 2 hours shorter if it weren’t for the looooong sleepy passion-free narration and all the repetition.

I’m also confused about why books like this keep showing up in the psychological thriller section. My reviews would probably be better if the expectations were appropriate.

Repetitive and whiny

If I hear the name ‘Bailey’ one more time...Or the words “Protect her” in a slow whiny voice... I can’t explain how repetitive in every way this book is. Also the narrator sounded whiny and longing throughout the entire reading. I wanted it over 1/2 through...and if you think this will be a thriller, you will be as disappointed as I was.

Not a fan

I thought this would be great based on the reviews. It was just so so. Moderately entertaining. But I just don’t see how or why people are raving about it. The writing was not very good. The plot implausible. I say skip it. Lots of other better ones out there.

The ending 🙄

The book was fantastic all the way through up until the ending. The ending just seemed extremely rushed. I would’ve rather had a second book with more information then had a rush ending.

Not a credible story

Too many preachy repetitions of the meaning of the actions when any reader would already know what she is saying. Narrator overly dramatic. Unrealistic to think that the stepmother's devotion to her stepdaughter is so strong