Customer Reviews

The Last Word: A Novel (Sophie Trace Trilogy)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Police Chief Brill Jessup can't wait for her daughter, Vanessa to come home from college. Brill hasn't seen Vanessa for a while. When Vanessa comes home, Brill realizes that a lot has changed like...Vanessa is pregnant. Unfortunately for Brill, the family reunion will have to wait. A killer is on the loose and he is knocking off all of Brill's officers one by one. Can't Brill stop the killer before it is too late and can she forgive her daughter for getting pregnant?

The Last Word is book two in the Sophie Trace trilogy. I have not read book one but this fact didn't take away from me enjoying this book. Though, I do plan to check out book one as well as book three. Police Chief Brill Jessup is strong but she shows in this book that even the strong need a little help every one in a while. From the first moment I started reading this book, I had a hard time putting it down. The story line and characters are both interesting in a good way. This book picks up speed as you move along. I recommend reading this book when you have lots of time on your hands as you are going to want to finish this book in one sitting and that is The Last Word. I can tell you that I never would have predicted the ending. Can't wait to see what happens next.

I'll readily admit that I haven't read the first book of the Sophie Trace Trilogy, so perhaps some of my characterization concerns were addressed in book one. Overall, the experience of reading this book was a big, fat ok. It's certainly easy to read. The font of the ARC I got was nicely spaced out and the chapters were pretty short, both of which facilitate swift reading. However, that said, these are my nits (caveat: I can be persnickety, so take these points for what they're worth but make your own decision.) ...

1) Lack of Voice - Most of the characters either sound the same or don't sound their age, which I deem a problem in a book like this because it is very much dialogue-driven.

2) Stiffness - Everybody sounds like a robot. In fact, I think some robots sound more human than these people.

3) Lack of Sense (period)- I honestly hope people don't think many Christians act like this. {SPOILER ALERT: Oh, poor me, I feel smothered; I think I'll sneak out of my house and wander a park, maybe talk to a stranger or two. The madman running around sticking knives in people won't come after me, I'm just the main target's daughter.)

4) Highly Predictable - maybe I read too much, but every "twist" and turn but one I saw coming from about 100 pages away. The foreshadowing is about as subtle as a monkey lost in a fine-dining china shop.

5) Too "perfect"/ idyllic - The major conflicts are spelled out on the back cover: Vanessa Jessup is pregnant and didn't bother telling her parents until summer vacation. Her Mom, Police Chief Brill Jessup, is battling worry for her job as negative publicity mounts because some madman is hunting her and cops on her force. A little ways in the bad guy is spelled out, literally, and there's no question who they're trying to catch. (SPOILER ALERT: Note these are not actual lines of dialogue just the essence of what transpired. Husband Kurt - My wonderful wife told me you two kissed. [reference to previous book] FBI guy Dave - Gee, sorry about that; I was vulnerable. Husband Kurt - Hey, we all make mistakes; we're all good now, buddy. Just brought it up to clear the air.)

6) "Really can't complain, but I always do." - I can honestly say that the most "heart-pounding" caused came from this sentence and about 6 variants thereof. I get that it was supposed to be a lunchtime tradition at Nick's Grill. I'm just not convinced those conversations needed to happen at all. They smacked of the author info-dumping on us poor readers.

All that said, remember I still gave this book 3 stars. It's still an okay book.

This is the first book I have read by this author, Kathy Herman, and reading the second book in the series, I wondered if I would be able to understand and enjoy the plot. It begins with a stunned mother opening her door to find her college aged daughter at home, pregnant, and soon to learn she had an affair with a college professor who abandoned her. Though thankful she did not abort the baby, the parents are heartbroken over her leaving her Christian values and morals.

The book is not only about the dilemma of decisions that have to be made regarding to put the baby up for adoption or not it is also a suspense story. The mother, Brill, is a police chief and one of her detectives have been killed, and the attacker has threatened to kill her next. The plot continues when a second detective is wounded and Brill is criticized for the way she is handling her job. So Brill not only has to be a mom, calming her two daughter's fears at home, and going through major healing in her marriage after her husband had an affair, but also a police chief with her job on the line.

For not reading fiction books too often, I did find this book quite good, fast-paced, and not necessarily predictable. There were a few times when the story-line seemed to drag on. I did appreciate that faith, forgiveness and the need of God are interwoven throughout the book. When I have time, I do wish to read the first book in this series, The Real Enemy (Sophie Trace Trilogy, Book 1).

"In accordance with the FTC regulations, I inform you that I received a copy of The Last Word directly from B & B Media Group, Inc. for review purposes. I review only books I have read, and only state my honest opinion of the book."

I believe a book should be judged by its design. The Last Word by Kathy Herman is designed for Christians who are proud of their faith and also enjoy well written thrillers.
I highly recommend The Last Word to two audiences: Christians who believe in the Bible and accept Christ as Savior; and people who love suspense novels.

Kathy Herman's latest novel is a Christian Thriller with multiple sub-plots. The Last Word details the struggle of Brill Jessup, Chief of Police of Sophie Trace, Tennessee to control a murder spree and threat to her own life. The author shares with us the strategy of both the manhunt and the scheme to protect potential victims.

I count three main plots: Chief Jessup's efforts to catch a vengeful ex convict before he slays any more public officials; Vanessa Jessup's struggle to regain the faith she had abandoned at college; and the attempts of Ty Nicholson and Merrick Fountain to establish their purpose in life.

In The Last Word, characters wonder about people who have been victimized by crime, and ask if they given themselves to the Lord? Did they have that chance? The characters ponder what makes some people evil, and what turns them toward a life of crime and violence?
In the story, characters consider what God calls them to do in violent situations. Should they forgive the violent criminals? How do you comfort the families of victims? What do you say when they ask why God allowed their loved one to suffer or die?

Kathy Herman's novel is full of well drawn characters, a fascinating mystery, and a plethora of teachings about Christianity. This is an excellent book for any Christian.

Police Chief Brill Jessup and her family are anxiously waiting for her daughter, Vanessa, to return home from college. When she arrives the excitement quickly turns into shock when they see her bulging belly. Brill and husband, Kurt, are not only devastated that Vanessa would just throw away the Christian morals and values they instilled in her, but also that she didn't tell them about her pregnancy for the past seven months. Her friend from college, Ethan Langely, joined her on her trip back home to help break the news to her parents. She reluctantly told them about the baby's father, her college professor, abandoning her and their unborn baby. Now with only two months left in her pregnancy, she needs to make the tough decision to either keep the baby or give him up for adoption.

As if Brill didn't have enough on her mind, she gets a call and finds out that a criminal she helped put behind bars was just released from prison. He's already stabbed and wounded her old partner, Zach, and is now threatening to get revenge on everyone who took part in sending him to jail. When he kills one of her detectives, Sean O'Toole, she clearly sees that he will not stop until he gets to her. Knowing that she's his next victim and he could possibly target her family, she makes sure they are protected round the clock. Will Brill catch the murderer before he can get to her or her family? Will she be able to get past her anger and disappointment toward Vanessa and help her make one of the most important decisions of her life?

The first thing I want to say is that although it is not necessary to read Book 1, I would recommend that you do. The references made of The Real Enemy are explained, but I think it would just add to your enjoyment if you read them in order. After reading the previous book, I had very high expectations for The Last Word. Even though it didn't quit live up to them, I still liked it and thought it was good. Here are the two main reasons why I didn't enjoy it as much. 1: You know who the killer is practically the entire time, so there is really no mystery(I probably shouldn't have expected too much mystery, especially because the book is listed under Suspense.) 2: During the middle parts of the book, I felt like it wasn't going anywhere and it dragged on and on. I became a little impatient while in the middle of it and I was tempted to skim through to the ending. But I didn't!

The suspense, action and drama was mostly in the beginning and end and there were few twists to the story and unpredictable moments. Those moments are what kept me reading and turning the pages. I also liked the new characters introduced and enjoyed getting to know them all a little more. The message I got out of the book is that God can restore lives and bring us closer to Him, no matter where you are in life. This book was still very much worth my time and I do recommend it.

This book was provided for review by David C. Cook. I was not required to write a positive review.

I received my item very quickly and it was in great condition. No problems at all!

This is my first introduction to Kathy Herman, but it won't be my last! She delves deeply into the lives and hearts of her characters, revealing their personal thoughts and deep feelings throughout all the turmoil: Vanessa showing up at home pregnant and unmarried; Brill's disappointment in her daughter's lack of morals; her daughter's indecisive decision-making about her future with or without her baby; her youngest daughter's PTSD from a previous trauma (book one: The Real Enemy); her own marriage to her husband and his issues and concerns, finding the deadbeat father of Vanessa's baby; and the safety of her family, her officers, and herself while the murderer is still at large.

Kathy's fast-paced rhythm of suspense throughout the book keeps you gripping the pages of this novel till the end. Her use of personal prayers and Scripture makes the book special to me-faith in action. Many of her characters are well-grounded in Scripture and are living it out. For those who aren't, there is always God's grace. This is the type of Christian fiction that endears books to me.

I highly recommend you read this book, but encourage you to start with the first in the series, The Real Enemy. If The Last Word is any indication of her other writings, I'll be reading more!

This book was provided free from Audra at The B & B Media Group, Inc., for my review and blog. I enjoy reading, and blog on books I can feel confident in highly suggesting. Thanks to Audra and B & B Media Group.

I was so excited to get a review copy of this book, which is the sequel to The Real Enemy. Kathy Herman puts her characters in a new police drama at work and at home.

Police Chief Brill and her husband, Kurt, welcome their daughter, Vanessa, everyone's looking for a fun, peaceful summer. But, news from Vanessa squashes all that! They meet Ethan, Vanessa's friend from college, who came home with her to lessen the blow she was to tell her parents.

At work, Brill is being stalked by an inmate just release from prison. This man is on a mission and will stop at nothing until justice is done in his own mind. He's out to get the people that put him behind bars. Brill is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her and her family safe, but she can't be with all of her family 24/7. This man is good and has already taken out a few cops--he means business.

Kathy talks about topics that are uncomfortable but real. Christians have problems like everyone else. God says, in this world you will have trouble. This story is nail biting suspenseful, action packed and has a strong spiritual thread. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the last installment of this series called, The Right Call.

Nora St.Laurent
ACFW Book Club Coordinator

I snapped this book up as soon as it was available. It was every bit as good as the first one. I love how Kathy Herman weaves spiritual truths into the story without being preachy. The angst experienced by Police Chief Brill Jessup and her husband when their 20-year-old daughter, Vanessa, came home from college pregnant was skillfully portrayed - their disappointment in her actions and concerns for her future tugged against their love for her and their anticipation of holding their first grandchild. The fact that their impressionable 11-year-old Emily was observing all that transpired added another level to their dilemma. Of course, it would be far too simple if this situation were all they had to deal with - the fact that one of Brill's detectives is murdered, a second officer is wounded, and the killer is targeting her to be the next victim send the suspense and stress soaring. Who will have the last word. . .Brill or the murderer? This book was another page-turner that held my interest until the very end.

The Last Word by Kathy Herman is book #2 in her Sophie Trace Trilogy. Kathy Herman never disappoints and this is another fine example of her work. I hadn't read the first book in this series yet (The Real Enemy) but was able to follow the storyline without any confusion.

Police Chief Brill Jessup is being threatened by someone she helped put in prison several years ago, he's murdered several police officers and she's next on his list. Brill evades him while dealing with her pregnant-with-my-professor's-baby college age daughter who is home for the summer. Will Vanessa keep the baby or give him up for adoption? The professor has vanished from her life and from the school. Brill looks into his past and finds dead ends. Is he a threat to her family or is it something else?

When the bad guy finally catches up with Brill the story explodes with an unexpected twist that you've got to read to believe!

Fabulous winter reading. Kathy Herman does it again and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.