Customer Reviews

Last Breath

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At twenty, Steve King planned to become a priest. Then one night leaving the church, someone murdered him. Father Brendan Quinlan finds him crucified on Holy Saturday. Church members feel outraged by events, but none more than Chloe Ryder, especially when Father Brendan falls under suspicion. With a background as cop before becoming an attorney, Chloe knows how the system works once someone falls under suspicion.

Detective Matthew Diel immediately recognizes Chloe when he arrives to investigate the murder. Their shared personal history results in an odd mix of attraction and distance, lending their interactions a biting edge. Chloe's Ice Queen persona does not discourage Matthew from agreeing to work with her to find answers. Soon Chloe and Matthew realize that Steve's death was not the target; rather, Father Brendan faces a deadly plan. The case proceeds slowly, with the careful orchestration of a well-concealed conspiracy.

Author Rachel Lee introduces a powerful cast of characters in LAST BREATH. Chloe's painful past gives her a cold exterior that only rarely reveals her vulnerabilities. Matthew's role in her past is unexpected and believable. Father Brendan, however, absolutely dazzles with his devotion to his God and determination to perform his duty to his parishioners. While rich characterizations make LAST BREATH a rewarding reading experience, however, mystery lovers may be unsatisfied with the nebulous conclusion that leaves some questions unanswered. Readers who enjoy LAST BREATH certainly will be hoping for a sequel.

Chloe Ryder left the Tampa police force under a cloud of suspicion, and became a lawyer. There is not much in her life that she has passion for, other than her church and pastor, Father Brendon Quinlan.

When a fellow parishioner is found murdered and crucified on Saint Simeon's altar just before the Easter vigil, and it is revealed that the victim was gay, all eyes suddenly are thrust on Father Brendon. His only real ally is Chloe, who stands by him, while his local diocese tries to find evidence to have him removed.

Detective Matt Diel is Chloe's former partner. He still has feelings for her, despite her icy persona, but has never managed to break through her chilly facade. He agrees with Chloe that the murder appears to be a set up, and asks that they work together on it. As they unravel the clues, and discover Father Brendon's implication in a suicide of a young gay soldier while he was in the Navy, it appears that Brendon is the target of a sinister and far-reaching plot.

While the suspense of the story was good, I was really disappointed with the lack of romance, as well as the incomplete conclusion. I felt like something was missing - was there a book prior... one later that follows up with the characters? I just felt a bit cheated since it is touted as romantic suspense.

I had a hard time reading this book, I was just so bored I had to skip pages just to finish. There was no romance and to many lose ends, nothing worst than finishing a book and still have no idea what happen.

In the St. Simeon Parish in Tampa, Florida, the congregation prepares for a big event when a little girl points out that the statue of Jesus is bleeding. Father Brendan Quinlan prays that this is a miracle, but when he looks carefully he knows more mundane matters of murder have occurred. He relocates the participants to another part of the church and calls the police.

Detective Matthew Diel leads the investigation into the murder of twenty-two year old member Steve King. When Diel learns that the victim was gay, he wonders if the priest had an illicit affair with Steve. Former colleague and ex lover, but now an attorney Chloe Ryder warns Matthew to keep his mind open before they agree to share what they learn. As the duo digs deeper into the homicide, the evidence seems to point towards the parish priest as the culprit unless Chloe, a believer in the goodness of Brendan, can prove otherwise.

This is an exciting police procedural that builds tension by what happens to Brendan who seems like a good Christian, but may prove to be a wolf in sheep clothing. Chloe and Matthew, who were once an entry, provide romantic tension, as they remain combustible. The story line moves forward rather quickly though an extra conspiratorial twist seems unnecessary. Still fans will hold their breath to see who is the killer and why.

Harriet Klausner

Lee has plunged to a new low with her latest "mystery" Last Breath. The mystery is poorly developed, along with the plot, the love interest and most of the characters who appear in the book. While I don't mind suspending belief and accommodating an author who slowly develops the story line, I don't like leaving the story prematurely before all ends are tied up and the mysteries solved. This text lacks fire and excitement. The last gasp heard will be the reader expiring from boredom.

I'm not sure what was missing from this story. I've read many Rachel Lee books that I have truly enjoyed but I just could never get involved in this book. I never felt any connection between Chloe or Matt and there was no feeling of romance between them at all. I found the story hard to get into and found myself skipping pages just so I could finish it.

I really enjoyed the mystery. The opening sucked me in right away and I stayed up all night to finish it. Kudos Ms. Lee.