The Last Place

by Laura Lippman

Book Overview

When New York Times bestselling author Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan investigates five cold case murders, she doesn't expect the investigation to become personal ... Tess Monaghan agrees to look into a series of unsolved homicides that date back over the past six years despite the fact that the assignment originates from a troubling source: wealthy Baltimore benefactor Luisa O'Neal, who was both instrumental in launching Tess's present career and...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380810247
• ISBN13: 9780380810246
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Keeps getting better!

Laura knows her stuff. I'm not talking about reporting or the ins and outs of a being a working PI but writing novels. Not just novels but damn good novels. Here, Laura knows her stuff. Very, very well. The Last Place is excellent. If you've never read her before, you are going to be surprised. Actually, if you've never read her before I would say go back to the beginning with Baltimore Blues because you need to read the progression of her character. Tess doesn't start off this tough as nails, sharp as a tack PI but as a reporter looking for work. Not only will you see the progression of the character but also the writer. Laura keeps getting better. With every book she takes what she learned from the last one and builds upon it. Her narration gets stronger, her descriptions more detailed, her plot tighter, and her books keep getting better. Laura knocks me side the head with each new novel and The Last Place is no exception. Actually, it's better than that. I put this book down with a sense that I had just read something amazing and strong and the tip of an iceberg. I put this book down very pleased and for that I quite indebted to her. Thank you Ms. Lipman.

Best of Tess Yet

I've read all but one of the Tess series and think this is the best yet. The story is engrossing; a real page turner. Lippman does an excellent job of weaving together several seemingly unrelated deaths. You have to know more about the killer which leaves you unable to put the book down

Tess Monaghan's a Winner

A friend who is a reviewer thought I might like this series, and I started with the most recent. Go figure. I mistakenly thought this would be like all the other series books out there that feature young, single women who in some way or another are investigators. Lippman has a humorous style that makes the read all the more fun. I loved the Carl DeWitt character and his interactions with Tess. Laughed at the discussions Tess has with her court-ordered psychiatrist. Was a little disappointed with the boyfriend, Crow, though. But maybe he's better in the earlier books. All in all, I'm hooked!

This one grabs you faster than any of her previous books.

Lippman is obviously becoming more skilled at grabbing the reader and holding him or her in suspense. I loved the early Tess novels for their lacksidasical pace. (No one died for the first 100 pages!) Those days are over. Lippman is growing more professional and better at holding us in suspense. This mystery actually had me a bit creeped out and scared-- something she's never managed to do before.

The Last Place is a Winning Place to Be

This is wonderful PI story, that I couldn't put down. As I started to read it, I recognized many references to Baltimore Blues,the first in the Tess Monaghan series. I immediately went and reread Baltimore Blues, and was glad I did. The Last Place answers many of the questions remaining from the first book.As a mystery on its own, it is powerful and extremely well written. I do hope Laura Lippman doesn't wait too long for another installment.