The Last Thing He Told Me

A Novel

By: Laura Dave

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

A 2022 Audie Award Finalist

The instant #1 New York Times bestselling mystery and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick that’s captivated more than a million readers about a woman searching for the truth about her husband’s disappearance…at any cost.

“A fast-moving, heartfelt thriller about the sacrifices we make for the people we love most.” —Real Simple

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they’re also building a new future—one neither of them could have anticipated.

With its breakneck pacing, dizzying plot twists, and evocative family drama, The Last Thing He Told Me is a riveting mystery, certain to shock you with its final, heartbreaking turn.

©2021 Laura Dave. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Rebecca Lowman's methodical performance will hook listeners until the very end of this contemporary mystery. Hannah wakes up one day to find her husband of one year, Owen, has vanished, leaving her a puzzling note: 'Protect her.' Hannah assumes that 'her' refers to Owen's teenage daughter, Bailey, who has despised Hannah from day one. While this is a typical story of two individuals who are at odds being forced to work together, Lowman's portrayals of the characters and the mystery surrounding Owen's secret life will intrigue listeners." (AudioFile Magazine)

Could have been better

The story was good. The narrator killed it fir me. If “Bailey” with emphasis on B was said once, it was said 2000x. It was not as good as it was built up to be.

That stops me…

Felt like this could have been a short story. The bulk is filled with the main character’s internal monologue which constantly repeats sentences. “This terrible impossible thing… the terrible impossible thing that…” over and over like filler. I wanted to care about Hannah, Owen and Bailey, but I didn’t find them believable. Hannah went 40 years looking for the perfect partner and then falls for a guy that lied to her about his life, but she “knows” him after just 2 years so she forgives him for everything, solves a 15 year old mafia problem in 24 hours, and agrees to never see him again to care for his rude daughter??

Just okay!

I liked the narration, but the story was a bit silly. I think it could’ve been a better story, but the details were so random. However, I don’t regret taking the time for this book.

It is okay

This is the first Larua Dave book I have listened to, the narration is great the story is a bit shallow I did not buy into the main character or the story. Many novels have what seem to be implausible plots but if I can buy into the characters. This is not a horrible book by any means but it did not make the top of my list.

Excellent!

This is more than an exciting thriller. Yes, it has all the twists and turns you want in a story like this, but it's also about parents and children and how far you'll go to protect the ones you love. The narrator was really good as well. Highly recommend.

good read

it was definitely worth the read. I loved the plot. I was continually turning the page to read what was going to happen.

very good

story and narration is excellent. would love to see a book 2. worth the read or listen!

Narrator's voice drove me crazy

the story is okay but the narration wasn't the best. She tends to drag out her words and I can't stand that.

to Many unanswered questions

i mean a brief update on Ethan at the end of the story.... or what about Baileys uncle and grandpa what happened? really pisses me off so much was left unanswered

Implausible plot line

The book was just o k and I found the characters to be one dimensional and unrealistic. Don’t know where all these glowing reviews are coming from. Save your credit.