The Last Girl: A Psychological Thriller

by Penelope Evans

Book Overview

Larry Mann, a lonely old lodger in a north London boarding house, is delighted when Amanda moves in downstairs. Desperate for companionship, he brings her gifts, fixes her drinks--makes her want to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312139985
• ISBN13: 9780312139988
• Release Date: December 1995
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

He'd do anything for a friend...

Larry Mann is a lonely old lodger in England. His only neighbors are his grouchy landlord downstairs, Ethel, and her dying, war-vet husband. Ethel has rented the remaining empty rooms to Indian girls for the past decade. Larry hasn't attempted to befriend these girls, as they are culturally different and tend to keep to themselves and never ask of ol' Larry's assistance. Yet, one day Larry is shocked to come home and find a fellow English girl by the name of Amanda. She's extrememly timid and not strikingly attractive, but Larry finds himself drawn to this mysterious young lady. Larry is convinced that the world has been cruel to Mandy, just as it has been to himself. He's certain they must be kindred spirits. Soon, Larry is going all out to accomadate his Mandy. He's buying her snacks, cigarettes, and even buys a bird so that Mandy can play with it when she comes up to visit. Mandy's a busy college student, but Larry manipulates her so as to be worked into her daily routine. Larry will do ANYTHING for a friend. Read this book to see what kind of mind lurks behind the wrinkled forehead of ol' Larry. The chilling prose of this book delves deep into a mind that not only revulses the reader but also encourages sympathy. Penelope Evans' words will chill you as you read this classic thriller! Buy it today!

Intense and chilling to the core!

Ever since 70-year-old Larry Mann set eyes on 23-year-old Amanda, the new tenant at a boarding house in London, he was convinced that she would be his new best friend. He is lonely and convinced that Amanda is his soulmate. Shy and depressed, Amanda has no idea how to turn his desperate attempts at kindness -- buying gifts, making tea parties, becoming her confidant -- down, especially when Francis, her lover, begins to spend weekends with her. Larry's intentions are good -- or are they? Is there something sinister behind his persuasiveness with Amanda? This extremely shocking, chilling, haunting and original thriller will keep you turning the pages until its disturbing conclusion. I marvel at the unique narration; Larry's voice drips with contempt and obsession. Penelope Evans has written an incredible thriller that should be devoured within days. Read it!

A Knock-Out of a Read

This book was a wonderful work of psychological suspense; it showed how a seemingly innocent interest can turn into obsession and from obsession into--well--sheer terror. Evans shows marvelous insight into the character of Larry, man who is both pathetic and monstrous, yet always human, disturbingly so. A brilliant job!

great book with unique narrative

I loved this book!!! I don't think that Larry (the main character) is a psychopath; he's just very misguided and interprets situations very differently than other people. He means well, and is often hurt and disappointed when his 'kindness' isn't reciprocated. I was amazed by his ability to put a spin on things thus making them right again. And apart from the great content of this book I fell in love with the way the story was told. I never read a book quite like this one.

Creepy, page-gripping thriler

Story of an over-friendly old man, Larry, who showered his young female neighbour, Amanda, with gifts and attention, and thought he knew what she was feeling and what was best for her. What he did not know (but what we readers know), is that his attention was unwanted and that he is clearly a psychopath. The story, told by Larry himself, is all the more creepy as we read Larry's abnormal thoughts, but yet he was able to rationalise to himself that all he was doing was normal. A good book to recommend to people who like suspense which builds up from the first page and does not last end the last page.