Last Writes

Forensic Handwriting Mystery, Book 4

By: Sheila Lowe

Narrated by: Anna Crowe

Claudia’s friend Kelly learns that she’s an aunt when her estranged half-sister, Erin, shows up at her home in desperate need of help. Erin and her husband have been living quiet lives as members of the Temple of Brighter Light in an isolated compound. But now her husband and young child have disappeared, leaving behind a cryptic note with a terrifying message.

Seizing an opportunity to use her special skills as a forensic handwriting expert, Claudia becomes one of the few outsiders ever to be invited inside the temple’s compound. She has only a few days to uncover the truth about Kelly’s missing niece before the prophecy of a secret ancient parchment can be fulfilled and a child’s life is written off for good....

©2016 Sheila Lowe (P)2022 Sheila Lowe

A Chosen Child

This story kept me on the edge-of-my seat as there was a child in danger. I was put through an emotional wringer as I followed Claudia Rose's investigation seeking a missing child. I was so captured by the story that I had to listen from the beginning to the end in one sitting. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I thought Anna Crowe's narration was fine, but her performance lacked some expressiveness considering the intensity of the plot. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which included my honest opinions regarding this story.

Another fascinating mystery for Claudia to tackle.

Last Writes is the fourth book in the Forensic Handwriting mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone. That said, I highly recommend all the books in the series as well as anything written by Sheila Lowe. Last Writes not only gives readers the fun of spending time with Claudia Rose as she forensically examines handwriting, but it offers an interesting view into the life of a religious cult. After attending a meeting at which a highly charismatic speaker tries to encourage members of the audience to join his religious cult, Claudia is approached by said leader to examine handwriting samples by some of the cult's members. This works perfectly into Claudia's plans because her friend Kelly and she were trying to infiltrate the cult to find Kelly's missing three year old niece. Thus begins a mystery with plenty of foreshadowing and misdirection as well as an intriguing look into the psyches of and daily living for cult members.

As with all of her mysteries, Lowe intermixes fascinating facts about handwriting analysis with twists and turns as Claudia attempts to solve the mystery of the missing child as well as the ambiguous and potentially frightening intentions of the cult leadership. Although Claudia's police detective boyfriend wasn't as present as in some of her stories, Claudia continued to consult with him throughout her stay at the cult compound. Their relationship is one of my favorite parts of this series, and I continue to enjoy what an amazing, supportive and loving couple they make. I have listened to all of the books available in the series on Audible, and I can hardly wait until book two is released. I highly recommend Last Writes to any mystery fan.

Anna Crowe narrates most of the books in this series, and she is an incredibly talented narrator. I thought she handled the delivery of Last Writes especially well. This book was a little spookier than some of the others with the overall creepy feeling of the cult, and Crowe does a great job of enhancing the author's description of these more frightening events. Crowe's performance is flawless, and she differentiates subtly but well between characters.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

difficult material

These were some difficult issues for me,and I had a hard time listening to much of it. I struggled to understand the cult mentality and became frustrated and incensed with their behaviors. I enjoyed seeing Joel and Claudia in action doing their detective thing!! I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job bringing it to life.

Great story!

Great story in this great series! Keeps you guessing until the end and very pertinent to the times we live in! Great read!

I received a free copy and left my honest review

Great read, great series

My fourth read from author Sheila Lowe and the fourth book in the Forensic Handwriting Series. Good, well-written mystery, with every book she writes Lowe continues to sculpt her craft and gets better & better. The characters likable & attention holding. The plot and the sub-plot were both well-developed. I'll definitely be reading more in this series. Narrator Anna Crowe adds to the book's enjoyability with her excellent narration. I was given an Audible copy of this book & I’m voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).