The Last Monument

By: Michael C. Grumley

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

One small handwritten letter, sent from a dark, remote corner of the planet and lost in the system for 60 years, is about to change the entire human race.

Outside Denver, Colorado, Joe Rickards stands over a small aircraft wreckage, studying burnt remains still smoldering in a field of freshly fallen snow. He's an investigator for the NTSB, working to carefully roll back the last several hours and identify the cause of the accident.

But this time, he can't.

The details behind this tragedy don't add up. Unlike every other investigation of Joe's career, the facts make no sense. Each new piece of information only makes the accident more mysterious, and more baffling.

Why would a person receive an age-old letter and suddenly disappear into the thick of night...paying to be flown out of a closed airport in the worst possible weather conditions by a pilot who hadn't had his hand on the stick in years? With the only surviving relative insisting her grandfather would never have climbed into a small airplane in the first place, even in perfect weather.

A bizarre string of events culminating in a horrible accident unlike anything Rickards has experienced. Leaving his only hope at understanding it in the hands of the victim's sole remaining relative. Beginning with how a mysterious letter could turn up after being lost in the system for 60 years. Sent by someone who should have already been long-dead.

A single letter Joe Rickards is about to discover, with a secret that will change the entire world.

©2020 Michael C. Grumley (P)2020 Michael C. Grumley

Hits the ground running!!!!

This book is so fast paced and fun. If your a fan of Grumley’s other books you’re familiar with the pace and urgency he attains as the story progresses. If you’ve never been a fan, buckle up.
This book isn’t science fiction, at least 95% not sci-fi, it’s more along the lines of Book of National Treasure or DaVinci code minus the religious aspect.
Scott Brick’s narration is impeccable.
This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
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WOW!

Several excellent reviews of THE LAST MONUMENT have already been written. I just want to add my advice to get this audio book and listen to it. I do not have superlatives sufficient to describe it. It is more than the novel itself; it is also the narration by Scott Brick.

Wow! Just Wow!

I think I must be getting old because I found that starting this book after just finishing another genre, I thought, 'hmmm, am I going to like this? I really like the other genre book.' That was about the first 5 pages. By page 10, I was thinking, 'hmmm, this isn't so bad!'. By the time I hit chapter 2, I couldn't put it down. Totally hooked, captivated, involved, and didn't want to stop listening. (In fact, I listened during meal prep and the meals) By the end, I was grieving that it was over. It was absolutely terrific! Thank you, Michael, for another wonderful book. I am a fan for life!

Scott Brick, to me, is the best narrator out there! He makes every book he narrates come alive. This one was no different! Again, I am a fan for life! Outstanding job, Scott!

Bite the bullet and listen to this great book. You won't regret it!

Wanted to like this but it's a stinker.

The writing itself badly needs an editor. I don't hold to English-teacher "banned" words, but Grumley uses "suddenly" like it's a verbal tic. Terribly awkward sentences make this a slog even in audiobook, and hamfisted attempts at cinematic transitions made my eyes roll.

Apart from the sentence-level writing, it's still bad. The characters' motives are driven entirely by what the plot needs them to do, with little other justification. Grumley occasionally hangs a lampshade on this by having someone say "I can't believe I'm doing this, but..." but that doesn't actually address the problem.

I didn't get far enough to learn what the earth-changing mystery was, so I don't know if that's somehow original enough to rescue the book. I just didn't care anymore.

Poor writing with an overwrought performance.

I really wanted to like this but couldn't bear it after a few hours. Story is boring and predictable, the narration is totally over the top dramatic. The writing is just not good.

Not what you think it is, then it is... then it makes you want to reread it.

Mystery, adventure, sci-fi... an unexpected Indiana Jones type story It mixes 3 or 4 genres like sci-fi and action.

ANOTHER GRAND SLAM FOR MR GRUMLEY?

My spouse and I read books together via audible because we enjoy experiencing and discussing them simultaneously.

The Last Monument was inspiring and uplifting... Something we need now. - between COVID-19 and such a heavily embittered, divisive time.

THANK you for a wonderful and engaging story. Can't wait for your next symphony of words.

Start of a new series is usually exciting..but...

This new series, performed by veteran Scott Brick, should have held some promise, as the concept hits all the usual checkmarks.

So why did I rate it as just decent? It seems to meander, and bring in some unrelated story arcs and concepts. Certainly, the introductory book in a series often needs to lay the groundwork for the overall arc, and this one does. I do recommend it, but know that there many unfinished threads and seemingly unrelated ideas that will, inevitably, be resolved, just not in this book.

I can’t get into this book

It’s not a bad premise but I’m bored to death listening to it, I don’t care if both of the main characters die off right now so I’m quitting

Another Masterpiece!

After finishing Michael C. Grumley's amazing 5 volume"Breakthrough" Series I had high expectations for this new book.! And they were met! I could not stop listening! I listened to it straight through! Like in the Breakthrough Series he combines interesting characters and amazing technological content that make you think about the purpose of life! Scott Brick brings the story to life with yet another masterpiece narration! BUY THIS BOOK! It's awesome! If you have not yet read the Breakthrough Series.... Get that 5 book series and you will love it as well!

A well rounded good listen

This was my 1st Michael C. Grumley book which I thoroughly recommend. The story idea is excellent and seemed quite original, a good convergence of science and history intertwined with personal tragedy. I found each character quite interesting and was hooked from the 1st chapter.
scott Brick was excellent once again.