Customer Reviews

Last Seen Alive

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't usually rate books, but after reading the reviews and rebuttal I couldn't help myself.

I purchased this book as an impulse buy from Wal-Mart, and was very pleasantly surprised. I read A LOT, but don't usually read authors that I haven't gotten recommendations on.

Yes, there are some typos, but as I said I read A LOT and many books that I read and love have typos. This does not bother me, as I am smart enough to figure it out and move on quickly without much hesitation and no loss for the content.

Onto my opinion overall... I absolutely could not put this book down for the day and a half it took me to read it. I loved the suspense, and especially loved the supernatural aspects of the book. I'm not really into real life supernatural, but it is a nice addition to a suspense book instead of the regular realistic things that I usually read about in suspense books. I'm not sure that sentence made much sense, but I'm a reader not a writer... And I really enjoyed the choice of names. I guess I was looking for something a little different and found this book very refreshing in that aspect. I, too, am a dog lover, so I also enjoyed that about the book. I do not have children, so I could relate to the young professional with a dog, where so many other women my age have several children and no time for a wonderful pet or two!

I guess that's enough of my opinion, but I thought this book was a great page turner that I couldn't put down and I'm hoping that I can find and enjoy several other books by Carlene Thompson!

Perhaps it is considered bad form to reply to a review, but sometimes I can't help myself. I am sorry PROUD TEXAN did not like LAST SEEN ALIVE, but the Texan's main problem seemed to be with typographical errors and inconsistencies. Because I caught so much flak over this in LAST WHISPER, I thought perhaps the public might be interested in learning one thing about the publishing process.

An author does not set her own type. She receives "proofs," printed pages of what will be the book, and given a week--sometimes less--to catch any errors. Usually, the errors she marks are changed. Sometimes, because she is so rushed, she misses an error. Occasionally, she catches an error but it is not corrected and the book is published, error and all.

The Texan claims that on page 73, someone teases a man about his weight gain. He has not recently gained weight and no one teases him. The Texan complains that on page 120, this character's daughter states that he cannot afford to lose any weight at all. Actually, his daughter worries that after the fairly recent death of her mother, her father lost twenty pounds she didn't think he needed to lose--just as a loving daughter might believe her father looked perfect even if other people thought he was stocky--and she worries that if she leaves him, too, he might sink into a depression and stop eating sensibly altogether. Also, I don't find the substitution of the name "Deirdre" for "Chyna" a big deal, but apparently it was enough to drive the PROUD TEXAN "nuts."

I do not expect everyone to like my books. I do not expect people who usually like my books to love every one of them. However, I think it's terribly petty of a supposed fan to label a book "a total flop and a waste of time and money" because he/she is concentrating on trivialities, not content.

I gave my book a rating only because it is required.

Full of suspense, LAST SEEN ALIVE by Carlene Thompson is an excellent book! I absolutely could not put it down until I was finished! Readers will not deduce who the murderer is, or even why until you find out who!! I definitely recommend this book to all who love murder, intrigue and suspense!

Excellent book, suspenseful, a definite page turner. This is one of Carlene Thompson's many well written books. She has become my favorite author as she satisfies my strong desire for intrigue, along with a bit of romance. She portrays characters who come to life for the reader. Received in perfect condition, and quick and easy transaction.

I always enjoy Carlene's books and I also enjoyed this one. It took me a little longer than usual to get into it, but at a certain point, it picks up speed and then you get to a place where you cannot put this down.
With her books, you never can tell who the killer is, so I always look at each character suspiciously. I scrutinized each and every one of them and they all had motive and yet she still keeps you in the dark. The one thing I didn't totally dig about this one, was the supernatural aspect of it, but having said that, don't let that stop you reading this if you also don't love that type of theme in your books.
As for a 'keep you on the edge of your seat' thriller, then this is fantastic. As for really shedding light on certain people and situations in here, I don't think she did a great job (for example; making so many people look suspicious and then not giving explanations into why they did the things they did or acted certain ways).
Overall, this is a good beach read or a read for a cold wintery day when your indoors and tucked in bed. While to me it's not her best book, I did enjoy it and hope you will too.

As usual this was a great read. I discovered Carlene Thompson years ago and since have waited patiently for every new book. This was no acception, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.
A suspenseful read, couldn't put it down until finished. Enjoy!

I normally don't write reviews but felt that this book deserved one. I thought this book was 4 star material. As stated in other reviews, there are typo's. I only noticed one but that shouldn't be a reason not to read this book. The characters, the plot and the final ending were great. Who i thought was the serial killer turned out to be completely wrong ! The way this book was written, the dialogue and interaction btw. the characters was amazing. I will definitely share this book with others !

Twelve years ago, Chyna Greer's best friend, Zoey, disappeared into the night. She was only the first in a chain of young women to vanish mysteriously in the town of Black Willow. Now, Chyna has come home for her mother's funeral and finds herself receiving messages from beyond and visions of the other young women, including the most recent victim. Ghosts beg her to help them and Chyna wants to, but how? The one bright spot in the madness is she is finally getting a chance with the young man she once had a despearate crush on, but none of that will matter if the killer gets to her first. It's a very small town; he has to be close.

***** Most of the time, I can guess who the killer is, but that is never true with Carlene Thompson. That and her adeptness at drawing you into an eerie world where you don't know who is safe to trust keep her at the top of my favorites list. Surprises come at you around every corner. If you have ever felt like you are reading the same books over and over, just with different titles, then grab this or any of her works. *****

Amanda Killgore

AWESOME book. Literally Couldn't put it down til the end. I won't give anything away, but it was my Fave Carlene Thompson book so far! A MUST READ!

Of all Carlene Thompson's terrific suspense novels (and each one is a stand-alone gem), Last Seen Alive ranks as one of my all-time favorites! A diverse pool of suspects and a well-defined, intriguing setting make this mystery a truly gripping read. With paranormal touches woven magnificently into its theme, this superb thriller has a final revelation that will chill you to the marrow. If ever there was a novel I couldn't tear out of my hands, it was this one. I'm already marking off the calendar days until the release of Carlene's next book. It can't come soon enough...