Retool

The Last Picks, Book 12

De: Gregory Ashe

Narrado por: Andrew Gibson

What would you do to get everything you wanted?

Life is good for Dashiell Dawson Dane (just Dash). Things with his boyfriend, Bobby, are better than ever. Teaching at a local college has provided routine and stability. And to his complete surprise, his self-published novel is doing well. Really well. So, when a mystery writers’ conference comes to Hastings Rock, Dash is thrilled to attend.

He’s less thrilled when Vivienne Carver, his former nemesis—the woman who framed him for murder and then tried to kill him—appears at the conference, released from prison and determined to reclaim both fame and fortune. And, as usual, Vivienne has a plan.

But when Vivienne is murdered the first night of the conference, and Dash is—once again—the prime suspect, he’ll have to find the real killer to prove his innocence.

Even worse, Dash might be right back where he started.

©2025 Gregory Ashe (P)2026 Gregory Ashe

Bravo!

Bravo to you, Gregory Ashe! I came to the Last Picks from the Hazardverse, a decidedly grittier and more emotionally fraught world. I’m so glad I trusted your skills … your “cozy noir” series was a complete delight. (The narration is also a joy!) I’m so sad to leave the gang at Hemlock House but am excited to see where you will take us readers next. A gallon of dragon musk (or, dragon must 🤔) and a huge, heartfelt thanks for you and the Last Picks!

Too much fun. Let's do this again.

I think I gave myself a migraine trying to write the perfect review for this book. It’s just… I am struggling to write something that doesn’t sound like incoherent nonsense from a tongue-tied fangirl. So much of this book is relatable. Especially Dash’s insecurity about his writing. The core of this series revolves around solving murder mysteries, but the path Dash takes to solve these mysteries offers useful insights on how to build self-confidence, manage relationships, self-regulate social anxiety attacks, and not give up on writing. Every book in this series left me feeling a little more settled about all of those issues. I might feel a bit more settled, but I still don’t want this series to end. After everything that Dash has dealt with, he deserves a satisfying finale, which is precisely what this book is: an excellent ending to an insightful journey.

Even the narration is an excellent match. Andrew Gibson’s performance is so delightful that I decided to wait for the audiobooks as my first experience with each book. This book, and this entire series, are worth the read and listen. If you enjoy a good mystery with quirky characters, a coastal setting, and excellent narration, you have a fun journey ahead. You might also gain some insights into how to avoid a migraine when you are working on your own writing. I am still learning. Maybe Gregory Ashe should write another twelve-book series so that readers can gain more insights into solving improbable murders and acquiring better writing skills.

A wonderful though bittersweet ending

Dahiell (Dash) Dane has come full circle, and so have we as the readers of this series. Eleven books ago, in Mystery Magnet, Dash arrives in Hastings Rock and has to solve the mysterious death of his would be mentor and host, Vivienne Carver. Seeing as he has to do the same thing in book #12 you can see that things weren't what they seemed back then, but this time it appears that Vivienne is gone for good.

What better place to set this book than a murder/mystery book convention. Even though Dash has turned out to be a successful author in his own right, he attends the conference as a teacher bringing his writing students to interact with other authors and agents. I kind of liked the students, they might have been in their own worlds about this opportunity, but it was neat seeing how they interacted with Dash. Some of them anyway. And then there is the overeager fan and the tv producer interested in Dash's story rights just to throw a little bit more stress into the situation. I'm not going to say that Dash was grieving over Vivienne's murder given that she had tried to frame him and tried to kill him in the past. Having found the body, though, he is once again in need of proving his innocence.

Dash has been known to really throw himself into his amateur sleuthing before, and this case really had him mired. Dash momentarily forgets plans with his Last Picks family, and with his boyfriend Bobby. There are moments of despondency and overthinking, along with repeated threats against Dash's life. Also, another murder. While I had some guesses to who might have been responsible for the murder(s) I was nowhere close. I do appreciate not being able to guess who done it, even as I also delight in feeling smart when I am right.

Dash's involvement in the sleuthing of this case did cause some harm to his relationships, but he was able to make amends. I always comment on Dash's relationship with Bobby in every book, and how they still can't solve their problems, or still can't communicate effectively. I have probably been a bit unfair, because no relationship reaches a zenith and plateaus into perfectoin. A relationship will always need work, and theirs still did in this book. But it is also apparent that these two will put in the work to solve their problems and give each other the respect and love they deserve. 

As the final book in the series, there wasn't a complete sense of closure. After all the murders that have somehow happened in this small town since Dash moved in, it would be as absurd that they would just stop as it was that they all happened in the first place. What I got from the ending, though, was seeing Dash really come into his own. To begin to believe in himself, in the love he has from his friends and Bobby, and knowing where he belongs. It was a little bittersweet because I have come to care for these characters but also I felt a little bit of the peace Dash was feeling.

All of the audios in this series were great, and that is partially in thanks to the narration by Andrew Gibson. I really hope that I hear more from him in the future, maybe even by this author. I also look forward to whatever else Gregory Ashe puts out. He has mastered this genre.

Sweet ending

The last book of the Last Picks wraps things well. And I love that Dash has grown in his relationship with Bobby and how it's wrapped up. I love that Dash has had success with his book career. And Vivian - well, yeah. Full circle? I am not sure I am sold on cozy stories, but this was a sweet ride.

Dang it, Gregory!

I bet the author giggled a bit as he brought us on this little roller coaster ride of emotions. The letter from Vivian was perfect and I’ll say no more. I don’t want this to end!! This narrator is one I’ll be looking forward to hearing more of.