• The Last Kiss Goodbye

  • A Novel
  • By: Karen Robards
  • Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee
  • Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (340 ratings)

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The Last Kiss Goodbye  By  cover art

The Last Kiss Goodbye

By: Karen Robards
Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee
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Publisher's summary

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY RT BOOK REVIEWS

When New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards brought her irresistible brand of hot passion and chilling suspense to the paranormal romance scene with The Last Victim, it was just the beginning. Now her series cranks up the deadly danger and intense desire to the next level, as sexy serial killer hunter Charlotte Stone returns to action in her thrilling second adventure.

THE LAST KISS GOODBYE

Dr. Charlotte “Charlie” Stone has dedicated her career as a psychiatrist to exploring the darkest territory of all: the hearts and minds of serial killers. It’s a job she’s uniquely suited for, thanks to the secret talent that gives her an uncanny edge—Charlie can see dead people, whose tormented spirits cry out to her for the justice only she can provide. This blessing—or curse—gives Charlie the power to hunt down and catch madmen and murderers. It’s also turned her love life upside down by drawing her into a hopelessly passionate relationship with the lingering ghost of charismatic bad boy Michael Garland.

But there’s little time for romance with her supernatural suitor when murder comes pounding at Charlie’s door in the form of a terrified young woman fleeing a homicidal maniac. Saving her life places Charlie squarely in the cross-hairs of a sadistic predator nicknamed “the Gingerbread Man,” notorious for manipulating his victims like pawns in a deadly chess game. And now the queen this psychopath’s bent on capturing is Charlie. Refusal to play will only put more innocent lives in danger. Matching wits with this cunningly twisted opponent will require all of Charlie’s training and expert skills. But even with her devilish “guardian angel”—not to mention her favorite flesh-and-blood Fed, Tony Bartoli—watching her beautiful back, the Gingerbread Man’s horrifying grin might be the last thing Charlie ever sees.

Praise for The Last Kiss Goodbye

"Top-notch . . . Suspense mixed with heart-pounding sensual tension."—Kirkus Reviews “Filled with gritty thrills and featuring a psychopathic madman, this suspense tale will truly have you on the edge of your seat!”—RT Book Reviews

Praise for Karen Robards

“One of the most popular voices in women’s fiction.”—Newsweek

“Draw a line between two extremely popular genres, mysteries and romance novels, and in the middle you will find the bestselling Robards. She merges the two worlds like no one else, deftly interlacing plot and passion.”—Albany Times Union

Praise for The Last Victim

“[An] exceptional storyteller . . . Leave it to Robards to deliver the start of a series that is distinctive and unforgettable!”—RT Book Reviews

“Excellent . . . This story is going to haunt you.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Thrilling . . . a fun and sexy read.”—Booklist

©2013 Karen Robards (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"One of the most popular voices in women’s fiction." (Newsweek)

"Top-notch . . . Suspense mixed with heart-pounding sensual tension." (Kirkus Reviews)

“Filled with gritty thrills and featuring a psychopathic madman, this suspense tale will truly have you on the edge of your seat!” (RT Book Reviews)

What listeners say about The Last Kiss Goodbye

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Noooooooo!

What disappointed you about The Last Kiss Goodbye?

Totally ridiculous story, very tedious with unnecessary repetitive detail. Shallow character development. Really? How many hot, hung prisoners on death row have you heard of? Ridiculous!

What could Karen Robards have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I don't enjoy this style of writing. Stephen King writes with this much detail but it is not tedious or repetitive. The erotic parts are painfully drawn out unnecessarily. I've read better written bodice-rippers.

How could the performance have been better?

She enunciates so much it crackles in you ears. I hate that.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I have always been fascinated by supernatural writings and I was drawn to that part of it.

Any additional comments?

Waste of a credit.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Worst narrator ever.

What disappointed you about The Last Kiss Goodbye?

This narrator is the worst one I've ever listened to. The southern accents make me want to poke out my own eardrums. I thought the book would be so good, but I just could NOT tolerate the narrator. Especially horrendous was the voice she used for a teenage girl...she sounded exactly like the teenage girl from the cartoon King of the Hill. And when she is trying to sound like the southern man, it is worse than fingernails down a chalkboard. Mostly it made me laugh, but I'm pretty sure this is not the reaction expected from the author. UGH.

Would you be willing to try another book from Karen Robards? Why or why not?

I would, but a different performer would be a must.

How could the performance have been better?

Less ridiculous emotion, and the southern accents have to GO

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Unhappy

How did the narrator detract from the book?

This narrator needs to read children's books. Not every sentence requires an exclamation point. Not sure how I got through it, even on turtle speed her performance made me crazy!!!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Really -- all zeroes

I could not get very far into this book. The narrator, who I've enjoyed in other works, was awful! The story was weird and disjointed. I had to double check to see that I wasn't in part 2 instead of part 1. This was the second book in the series and it sounded good. But I don't have the patience to see if it's going to get even marginally better. I sent it back!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not Impressed

What disappointed you about The Last Kiss Goodbye?

The story about a serial killer ghost.

What was most disappointing about Karen Robards’s story?

The whole story line.

Would you be willing to try another one of Ann Marie Lee’s performances?

Not sure.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not really

Any additional comments?

I am not even sure that I will read another of her books. This was way too much in the fantasy to enjoy.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

read the last victim first

What about Ann Marie Lee’s performance did you like?

She does a great narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did.

Any additional comments?

This is a sequel to the last victim. You will want to read that first. You have to have an open mind to reading about ghosts & people being wrongfully convicted of a crime in order to enjoy both books. SPOILER: The 1st book got a lot of bad reviews because the love interest was the ghost of a convicted serial killer who claimed innocence. This book showed some proof of Michael's innocence... hopefully the next book will exonerate him.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the Charlie Stone Series

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

It's definitely in the top ten.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Kiss Goodbye?

The ending!

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where she and Michael were arguing.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next one:)

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heart pounding, jaw dropping adventure!!!

Wow! What a heart pounding, jaw dropping adventure this latest installment was! I love Dr. Charlotte (Charlie) Stone and Michael, well I am still trying to figure him out! I do know that he is hot...Hot..HOT!!!

I cannot say too much about this book as I do not want to give anything away but it was epic!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Again criminal minds meets and solves with the ghosts

Love and myster and now to the next great mystery number 3. Keep reading to go to the next terrific book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best

Love love love this series...good story... Perfect narration. Two thumbs way up. One of my all time favorites

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