The Last Stand

Billy Jo McCabe Mystery, Book 8

By: Lorhainne Eckhart

Narrated by: Leo Jones

Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

The law is the law until someone comes after your family.

From New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Lorhainne Eckhart comes a new Billy Jo McCabe mystery set on a small island town in the Pacific Northwest. 

On the eve of Police Chief Mark Friessen’s wedding, a fierce snowstorm blankets the island, knocking out power, and the body of a woman is discovered in the church. The only clue is the note in her hand, a list of names - all members of Mark’s family.

Mark Friessen has been counting down the days to his wedding to Billy Jo McCabe. Yet only days from Christmas, after their families arrive, a freak blizzard comes out of nowhere and knocks out power on the entire island.

With the island in an emergency and the ferry shut down, no help is arriving anytime soon from the mainland. Mark receives a call to stop into the church where he and Billy Jo are planning on being married the next day, but there he stumbles upon the body of a woman. The only evidence is a note she’s clutching. At the top, in all bold, is the word KILL, and listed below are the names of everyone he loves, including Billy Jo, his parents, his brothers, their wives, and his two nieces.

With access to the outside world cut off, Mark finds himself up against an invisible enemy who he believes is coming after his unsuspecting family. But Mark has no idea who it is. Where is the killer hiding on the island, why isn’t Mark’s name on the list, and who is the dead woman? Mark is determined to find the killer and protect his family, whatever it takes...even if it’s his last stand.

©2021 Lorhainne Ekelund (P)2022 Lorhainne Ekelund

Mark and Billy Jo

There is a lot going on in Roche Harbor and things continue to be uncovered. Mark and Billy Jo are ready to say “I do” but things are quickly takin a turn in every direction imaginable. The weather is getting pretty bad and they may have to change things up but little to their imagination, things are going to get worse before it gets better.

Mark is a determined police chief and takes his job seriously. He had been hit with so many things in past jobs and this jobs but finding a woman deceased on the day of his wedding was not what he was wishing for. Finding names that are close to him on a list puts him in action and things start to come out.

Billy Jo is dealing with things happening with social workers and things happening to children in her town. She has sorting through children who may or may not need assistance, dead bodies, first responders and coworkers who seem a little suspicious.

This story is very mysterious with a lot of twists and turns. Can Mark and Billy Jo get to the bottom of the many things going on? Are there more people involved that we couldn’t put a finger on?

Gripping read!

This is a first time read for me by this author and I was totally floored. I actually got this as an audiobook, and the narrator really did an excellent job bringing the characters and story to life, as did the author with the great storytelling. The was a tough one to get through, because of the subject matter. But the enthralling mystery had me glued and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. A gripping page-turner that I couldn't stop listening to. I enjoyed the story and hope to read more by this author soon. I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Great Read

The Last Stand (Billy Jo McCabe Mystery Book 8) was a great read by Lorhainne Eckhart. Mark and Billy Jo are founding down the days until their wedding. When their families arrive, a freak blizzard comes out of no where and knocks out the power on the entire island. Mark received a call to stop into the church and he stumbles upon the body of a woman. She is holding a note with the words kill and the names of everyone he loves. Mark is up against an invisible enemy that is coming after his family. But Mark doesn’t know who it is. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

HIS LAST STAND

A WONDEFUL STORY THOUGH A BIT DARKER. THE NARRATION FOR THE STORY WAS GREAT! I CANNOT WAIT TO LISTEN TO MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR.

Fast paced and great story!!

The Last Stand is well written and fast paced. A bit darker, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. There were a few twists that kept me on my toes as well. Great audio narration. Looking forward to more!!

good read

I liked the story, the mystery and the chemistry between the family members was sweet and interesting.
This is not the first book in the series, and I didn't have a chance to read the previous ones (would love to). This fact did not take anything from my enjoyment of the book.
The narrator did a good job.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Another Great Addition to the Series

This eighth installment of the Billy Jo McCabe Mystery series kept my attention with the well written and entertaining story line and character work. Leo Jones did a fantastic job of breathing life into this story and making this as enjoyable to listen to as it was to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A hydra has many heads

False news leads to danger evil and corruption can be anywhere
If family is threatened you can be prone to corruption revenge can come from anywhere

A new beginning?

I certainly did not see where this was going to go when I started reading this next episode in Billy Jo and Mark’s story. When Mark is confronted by a murder the day before his wedding, you might expect this to be centered on a murder mystery. But when he uncovers more than he ever wanted or expected, it becomes a story that is hard to believe and difficult to read (from an emotional standpoint) but needs to be told. I won’t go into more detail because I don’t want to give anything away. You need to read this one and pay attention because it is happening.

THE LAST STAND is an impactful read that is sure to often surprise you, sometimes horrify you, and keep you turning each page until the end. It’s an emotional tale that no one wants to believe but, unfortunately, is too believable. The twists in this story will keep you glued to your seat while you absorb the enormity of not only their situation but the entire problem being exposed. Even though it’s a heartbreaking one for Mark and Billy Jo to deal with, we get to see the depth of their love for each other and the strength they give to one another. This helps to soften the harsh elements of this story and makes for the ending (or is it a new beginning) we’ve been hoping for.