Customer Reviews

Last to Die

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before picking up LAST TO DIE, I had never heard of James Grippando, and I was pleasantly surprised by this smoothly written legal thriller. Jack Swyteck, a Miami defense lawyer, is approached by his best friend Theo to represent his brother Tatum, a one-time contract killer who believes he is going to be implicated in the murder of Sally Fenning. Sally's tragic past has strange implications in what unfolds next: she has left 46 million dollars to six potential beneficiaries, but only the last alive will receive the money. Who is the mysterious sixth beneficiary? Why did Sally leave her money to these six, all of whom appear to be enemies? What connects them? What did Sally hope to achieve? And most pressing of all, who is murdering them one by one?

Jack is a likeable protagonist. He is earnest, intelligent, professional, with a soft spot for kids. He is one of the few legal heroes of the genre who looks at his career as a job and not the driving force of his life. What spurs him onward is his own curiosity. I did object to Jack's treatment of one character (and I can't specify without ruining the plot), a reaction that seemed excessively harsh and unforgiving given the circumstances and Jack's emotional attachment to the character.

Grippando's writing is unobtrusive - not noteworthy but smooth enough to propel the story forward. For a thriller, the suspense does not reach adrenalin-pumping levels, although Grippando kept me interested throughout by his judicious meting out of details. I did lose some interest as Grippando took me to Africa, a portion of the book that reads more like a travelogue than a thriller. However, my main complaint with this novel is the weak ending. It lacks the oomph of a first-rate thriller, although the rest comes close.

This book's undemanding yet exciting premise is perfect for beach or airplane reading, and for anyone desiring pure entertainment. Those who love legal thrillers should definitely add Grippando to their reading lists. I'm looking forward to Grippando's next book.

I was first introduced to the concept of "last to die" by a runaway bestseller titled THE TONTINE which was written by Thomas Costain published as a two volume set in 1955. I read that book at the age of thirteen, and it was a riveting introduction to the magnificent possibilities presented by historical fiction written by a first rate author. The tontine was a type of insurance policy written during the middle ages, and that book not only chronicled with amazing historical sweep the events of that period but convincing demonstrated the concept of "moral hazard" and the perverse incentives involved in such a scheme. (Of course, present day insurers attempt to minimize the moral hazard occasioned in their business, and I believe that tontines are in fact universally illegal.) Meanwhile, the concept has been widely used by mystery writers who slowly kill off their characters and challenge their readers to guess who will be LAST TO DIE.

The scope and goals of the author of this book are much more modest than Costain's but the central premise of the book is the same. If a large enough financial reward is payable to the last surviving member of a group, unexplained and perhaps violent deaths of the group's members will begin to occur within a relatively short period of time. The following brief summary of the plot reveals less of the story than the book jacket, since my advance knowledge of a few of the details mentioned there actually detracted from my enjoyment of watching the plot unfold. In this novel, Sally Fenning, a gorgeous divorcee is shot in her Mercedes on the streets of Miami, and her multimillion dollar estate (the book jacket says $48M, the text says $46M) is left to the last survivor among six apparent strangers with unclear connections to her. One of the potential beneficiaries is Tatum Knight, the brother of the best friend of Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swytek and now Jack's newest client. Jack not only has to prepare for the legal maneuvering that is sure to ensue, but also try to maintain the secrecy of many details of Tatum's past life from the glare of the media publicity that is sure to evolve.

This is a well written legal/mystery/action story with some surprising plot twists and interesting characters. Jack Swytek and his sidekick Theo Knight have an appealing relationship, but since this is the first book that I have read by this author I cannot comment on how his characters have developed over time. It is a very easy and fast read; I basically finished it on a long weekend without it monopolizing my time. I also enjoyed the occasional philosophical forays and asides and as well as the clever phraseology, e.g the chain link fence that had "razor wire running across the top like a man-eating Slinky".

Despite my enjoyment, there are three reasons why I did not give it a five star rating. The first is minor, there are a few editing and proofreading oversights of the sort that I do not expect in a book from a major publisher. More significantly, after the first murder (or certainly the first two occurred), it seemed highly improbable that such intelligent people as the remaining beneficiaries appeared to be would not taken greater precautions to avoid the obvious danger in which they had been placed. Last, I found the ending rather abrupt and contrived and not up to the quality of the remainder of the book. It seemed as if the author decided that the script has achieved its desired length and the storyline had been plumbed sufficiently so that it was just time to tie up all the loose ends and go home. Unfortunately, it left me with a slight feeling of anti-climax. But I do want to emphasize that my rating reflects the fact that I enjoyed the book and recommend it enthusiastically. I just felt that the promise of the plot was not completely fulfilled.

Tucker Andersen

"Be careful what you wish for."

The above quote could well be the theme statement for James Grippando's newest thriller, LAST TO DIE. Miami criminal attorney Jack Swyteck is asked to represent his best friend's older brother, Tatum Knight, a former hit man. Swyteck was successful in getting Theo Knight released from death row, serving time for a murder he did not commit.

A beautiful woman named Sally Fenning, who is worth millions of dollars, has tried to hire Tatum to kill her. He refuses her offer, but she soon turns up dead. Tatum is called to the dead woman's attorney's office for a meeting but wants to have his own attorney present. Swyteck accompanies him to a reading of Sally's will. The reading of this document is a life-altering event for those involved.

One of six persons named in the will is going to inherit $46 million. The catch is that the recipient will be the last one of them still living. The unlikely beneficiaries include a former husband, divorce lawyer, female crime reporter, assistant district attorney, Tatum, and a mysterious no-show at the reading named Alan Sirap. Throughout, Grippando develops the cast with believable motives and personalities. Each has a history with the deceased woman that indicates more reason for her hatred than the benefit of her generosity.

Swyteck's involvement takes him from Miami to Africa, where he meets Sally's sister Rene, a medical doctor as beautiful as her dead sibling. His near-romantic entanglements become complicated when he dates a law assistant and mother of his "little brother" Nate. The friendship is threatened when Kelsey divulges information from Swyteck's investigation to determine the guilt or innocence of his client in Sally's death.

One by one, the possible beneficiaries are murdered. Violence, bloodshed and death haunt the remaining ones enough to form alliances to protect themselves and their claims to the inheritance. When clues hint that Tatum is not whitewashed from blame, Swyteck is determined to find the remaining Alan Sirap.

LAST TO DIE is a clever rendering of motives, crimes both past and present, and a shocking resolution to the question of who will receive the millions. Courtroom drama is alive with wit and humor in the scenes when bumbling Gerry Colletti seeks a restraining order against Tatum. Grippando depicts Theo with humor as well and involves his audience with his characters as they wheel and deal their paths to conclusion. Swyteck is as real as the odd assortment he cohabits with on the page.

LAST TO DIE will have a place with most memorable thrillers. I highly recommend it for one who enjoys a great mystery.

--- Reviewed by Judy Gigstad

Money could not buy happiness while for Sally Fenning while she lived, so she dangles $46 million in front of six people and promises them the last one standing inherits it all.

The common thread is each of the six is connected to the death of her daughter five years earlier. Her death is suspicious; each heir she despised. There is Fenning's ex-husband, his divorce attorney, the prosecutor who failed to bring charges against any suspect, the newspaper reporter who wrote about the case and a mystery man who can't be immediately located. Tatum Knight is the only one not connected to the little girl's murder. His connection to the deceased is unusual -- Fenning tried to hire him to kill her, but he denies taking the job.

You will only regret the sleep you lose while reading this legal thriller. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down until you reach the surprising climax.

In James Grippando's Last To Die, Miami defense attorney Jack Swyteck is an ethical, competent, and good-looking lawyer who finds himself smack dab in the middle of one of the best murder-mystery plots to come along in years.

Sally Fenning, a twice-married ex-Hooters waitress, has been murdered. Her rich second husband forked up an eighteen million dollar divorce settlement beforehand, which has grown to a nifty forty-six million at the time of her death. And she has left an interesting will. There are six beneficiaries, all presumably her enemies, but they don't split the money. Only the last surviving beneficiary collects the full amount. Thus ensues a fast and furry contest between those vying for the big prize, including Sally's first husband and his lawyer, a prosecutor, a reporter, a small-time thug, and a shadowy figure known only as Alan Sirap.

Strangely, Jack Swyteck is retained for probate and other legal advice by the thug, Tatum Knight. Tatum is the brother of Theo, a wrongly accused black man Jack had rescued from death row years earlier. Seems that Tatum, an ex-hitman who now only beats up people for money, was hired by Sally to kill ... Sally. She turns up dead. He's named in the will. He proclaims innocence--but needs Jack's help to prove it.

A few more plot twists spice things up even more. Sally had narrowly survived a knife attack years earlier. Her five-year-old daughter was not so lucky. A mysterious stalker is the prime suspect, but he's never caught or identified. Sally's second husband dies of AIDS. Oddly, Sally has a beautiful sister living in Africa to whom she fails to leave a penny. Did Sally know her stalker? Why on earth would she set up her own death? Why are the beneficiaries her enemies? Is Tatum good at heart like his brother Theo? For Theo, is blood thicker than water? Which of the two babes in the story will Jack end up with? And who the heck is Alan Sirap?

Last To Die has one of the best story setups I've ever read. The Grisham-like writing--with a bit more wit--immediately draws you in and flows right along. It has no fluff or boring, weak spots. The 384 pages zip by like a 200-page thriller. I don't know that the payoff in the end is as strong as the build-up promises, but it's still an excellent and well-written story. Highly recommended. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of BIG ICE

LAST TO DIE by James Grippando

A wealthy woman leaves her estate to six people she had reasons to hate, in LAST TO DIE, a legal thriller by author James Grippando.

Flashbacks tell the tale of Sally Fenning, a woman who was attacked and whose daughter was viciously murdered by possibly someone they both knew. Sally's story does not end there, as she rises above the tragedy that was her life, to become a very wealthy woman, worth millions. When Sally is murdered on a public street, a murder that could have been planned by Sally herself, the rumors start flying. Sally had supposedly hired someone to kill her, but the question now was, " Who really killed Sally Fenning?"

Enter Jack Swyteck, criminal defense lawyer and all around good guy. His best friend is Theo Knight, a man that was once his client and was accused falsely of murder when he was a young man. His near-death experience on death row bonded Theo and Jack for life, and Jack would do anything for Theo. When Theo asks Jack to represent his brother Tatum when Tatum is named one of the six heirs to Sally Fenning's estate, a man that used to be a contract killer but has turned over a new leaf, Jack hesitates but agrees. What are friends for? When Jack learns that Tatum had been hired by Sally to kill her, but turned the job down, it is up to Jack to find out who really did kill Sally Fenning.

At the reading of the will, all but one of the six heirs shows up. What the other five heirs find out is that they were probably on Sally's most-hated list of people in this world, and her stipulation of this will dictates that only one will inherit it all. The one that is left alive wins. And with that announcement, the fun begins. One by one, each of the six heirs are murdered. As the surviving members realize what is happening to their competition, Jack and Theo race to find out who is behind these murders. Is it Theo? Is it Tatum? Or is it someone else? No one is safe until the murderer is caught.

This reader found LAST TO DIE an enjoyable, fast-paced book, and will return to read more by James Grippando. Finding out who was the murderer was not obvious and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep this reader interested. The side trip to Africa felt a little out of place, although the entire section was valid to introduce a secondary character important to the case. Otherwise, LAST TO DIE is recommended reading for those who enjoy a good who-dunnit!

When his best friend and ex-client Theo asks him to represent his brother Tatum, lawyer Jack Swyteck doesn't really have a choice. Tatum is a former contract killer who swears that he's moved on to leg-breaking. But when Tatum is named as an heir in a strange will left by a murdered beauty, he knows he needs a lawyer.

The will leaves 48 million dollars to one of six people--whichever one remains alive last. Under some circumstances, that could mean that the money will be a long time coming. But 48 million dollars is enough to tempt someone to take shortcuts. That someone might just be Jack's client--but Jack trusts Theo and Theo is willing to alibi his brother.

Finding the truth takes Jack from his home in Miami to Africa and back but boils down to the simple question--why did murdered Sally Flemming leave all of her money to the people she hated--and why did she name exactly these six? If Jack wants to survive, he'll need to know the answer.

Author James Grippando pursues an intriguing story line. Ordinary people will do strange things for mega-millions. And some of the people inheriting (including client Tatum) are anything but ordinary. I would have liked to see more of the reactions from the innocent but greedy victims, but Grippando delivers an exciting story. Grippando's strong writing keeps the reader engrossed. LAST TO DIE isn't a masterpiece, but it is a solid and well written adventure.

I found the book worth reading and will now read more from this author and publisher who showed the good judgment in publishing James Grippando.

The book starts slow out of the necessity to setup the many twists and turns needed for an exciting and thrilling ending. I really enjoyed the easy way he writes about legal complexities, world geopolitical influences, and inner personal relationships that provides an outstanding premise to plot to climax into a very satisfying ending.

The book has an eerie reversal grand premise, why not leave $46 million to one of six people who have hurt you deeply in your life. And tell them the last one standing gets it all? This makes them plot, scheme and create sinister dealings that pass suspicion on anyone with the compulsive obsession to plot against everyone to boot for the booty.

After understanding the various characters and players in this book, it is worth your time to finish it. You then move on in trying to figure out the motives and actions of each one as you read towards a very unexpected and volatile ending.

I disagree with the professional reviewers about the African Coast details too. I believe they added to the book substance and content in another way often misunderstood by reviewers. The African Coast is the source of the wealth, but you must learn how that wealth was acquired. I found that such details did provide a parallel example of what the exploitation of wealth can do to anyone and anything in life. It is not the solutions we pretend them to be!

I recommend this book become a movie and could be made into a Mini-TV series since it is based on the same premise as many Reality TV Shows. But at much higher stakes and with more legal intricacy combined with a legacy of colonialism rotten residue in Africa, if you are familiar with its history too.

I thank this author and publishers for giving me a great joy as I traveled to my nephews' wedding on the Navy Pier in Chicago. It is an outstanding way to pass the time as you travel and want to read something of substance and intrigue at the same time.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to the authors' next book too!

Miami defense lawyer Jack Swyteck has faced challenging clients before, but none like former contract killer Tatum Knight.

Tatum seems to be in a real situation, he was approached by millionaire Sally Fenning with a job proposition...kill her for a very high price. Tatum refused, but Sally ended up dead anyway, and to make matters worse Sally left all her money to six of her enemies, Tatum being one of the beneficiaries, with one condition...the money is to go to the last person alive.

The lawyers gear up for a tough legal battle, but before you know it the beneficiaries start dropping like flies, and all fingers point to Tatum. Jack teams up with his buddy Theo, who also happens to be Tatum's brother, to track down Tatum to see if he's behind all the killing.

`Last To Die' is another winner from best-selling author John Grippando. From the first page we are drawn into the plot with a murder, and for 350 more pages we are kept on the edge of our seat with plot twists, non-stop action, and shocking surprises all leading to a great climax. James Grippando delivers the goods with this thriller; his smooth writing style, and original storylines, once again, have combined to make an extremely entertaining read. Don't miss this!

Nick Gonnella

Maybe it was and I just missed it. The plot reads like a perfect movie mystery thriller. A wealthy women is murdered leaving behind very unusual will. Six disparate individuals are named as potential beneficiaries to her $46 million estate. The catch is only one will inherit that whole enchilada - the last surviving member.

So why were these six individuals named in the will? None are related to the murdered woman (save for the ex-husband). One is totally unknown to the other five including the executor of the will. This is the mystery that lawyer Jack Swyteck and his alter-ego sidekick Theo Knight are entrusted to unravel.

Author James Grippando does a masterful job spinning this fast-action storyline interspersed with his wry humor and gruesome detail. I enjoyed it and would highly recommend "Last to Die" as a 5-star experience.