Customer Reviews

The Last to Die

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I didn't realize until I'd finished the book that it was a part of a series. With that in mind, I had real trouble connecting to any of the characters. And I found the violence a little more graphic than I was expecting from a suspenseful romance. The murderer's calling card is to cut off a man's genitalia and stuff it in their mouths. Yuk!

Jazzy Talbot, owner of Cherokee Point, Tennessee's diner and bar, has spent her life longing for ladies man and member of the upper crest, Jamie Upton. Though they were high school sweethearts and he impregnated her at sixteen, he refused to marry her because he would lose his inheritance. But that hasn't kept him from hound-dogging her door even while he's engaged to be married to another woman. Jazzy's reputation as a loose woman and the fact that she'd publicly threatened Jamie's life makes her the prime suspect when Jamie's dead body is found.

Caleb McCord is hiding from his past while living just outside his future. He's the only one aware that he is the lost Upton grandson and Jamie Upton's cousin. He works as a bouncer in Jazzy's club and finds himself drawn to her more and more everyday, but she can't seem to see him past Jamie's larger than life presence. When Jamie is murdered, Caleb is one of the only people who believe Jazzy's innocence. Struggling to keep her safe while fighting his own inner demons and his insecurities about becoming part of the Upton family, Caleb learns what it means to be part of a small town and the sacrifices one must make in the name of love.

With enough characters milling about to keep you guessing just `who done it', Beverly Barton weaves a good mystery. Though most of the characters reach no real resolution by the end of the book, and two serial killers coming to one small town in less than three months is highly unlikely, "The Last to Die" was still an interesting read. I'm definitely going to have to go back and read the first book "The Fifth Victim", and we'll all just have to wait to see what happens next.

In Cherokee Point, Tennessee, heir to a fortune Jamie Upton may be engaged but he still plays the field. One of his ladies is Jazzy Talbot, owner of Jazzy's Joint, a popular restaurant and bar. She knows she should stop seeing the philanderer, but so far has not cut the ties. However, a third party severs the connection when that person brutally kills Jamie.

Most of the townsfolk believe that Jazzy killed her lover in a crime of passion because the evidence points towards someone he knew and trusted. However, Sheriff Butler and psychic Genny Madoc believe otherwise though they feel a woman committed the atrocity. Soon other murders follow and a frightened prime suspect Jazzy turns to her new bouncer, drifter Caleb McCord for protection, but neither expected love to spring up between them.

This sequel is an exciting serial killer romance that gains the attention of readers from the start as everyone will wonder who the red haired killer is. Jazzy and Caleb are a delightful duo; however, the return of Genny from THE FIFTH VICTIM is duel edged as fans will enjoy reading her latest visions but also wonder how many serial killers stalk Cherokee Point (population control?). Still THE LAST TO DIE is a terse thriller that fans will appreciate and wonder who will be AS GOOD AS DEAD when Jazzy's doppelganger arrives in Cherokee Point next November.

Harriet Klausner

Another killer is on the loose in Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee. Town bad boy Jamie Upton is found brutally murdered, and all hands are pointing to his former lover, Jazzy Talbot.

Jazzy and Jamie's lives have been intertwined since they were teens, and their illicit romance resulted in a teen pregnancy. Finding herself dumped, since Jamie would face disinheritance, Jazzy has always been Jamie's fall back gal when he is in town.

With new man Caleb McCord suddenly playing an important role in her life, she works to exonerate herself from accusation. When another murder occurs, Jazzy has an alibi - Caleb - but when she finds out the secret of his past, will she be able to continue the relationship? Further complicating her life is the emergence of a woman bearing a striking resemblance to her - one that wants nothing to do with her.

But there is a host of possible suspects including Jamie's latest fiance, her sister, any one of his other conquests in town, and Jazzy's "twin". Once again, psychic Genny steps in to help the police solve the mystery. What would the sheriff do without her?

The second installment of the Cherokee Pointe trilogy is worth reading. I liked it better than THE FIFTH VICTIM.

This is Jazzy's story. THE LAST TO DIE has a truly frightening killer, and a sexy man, Caleb McCord, who are both after Jazzy. The plot is good and suspenseful.

Someone is brutally murdering people in Cherokee Pointe. Jazzy's high school sweetheart and long-time on-again off-again fling is the first to die. Jazzy comes under suspicion for his murder, and the following deaths. Caleb McCord, a drifter new to town, believes in her innocence and becomes her champion.

The cast of characters, as in THE FIFTH VICTIM, are likable, although a bit stiff at times. However, they are memorable and I enjoyed spending time with them. Some of the character's emotions and thoughts are noted so many times that they become redundant, but THE LAST TO DIE is entertaining.

Shelley Dawn, author of Sweet, Sweet Jessie and Dark Nights.

I think I like this one even better than The Fifth Victim. While Jamie was a complete jerk, he didn't deserve to die like that! Jazzy & Caleb's relationship was great and I enjoyed catching up on Genny & Dallas. I can't wait for the third and final book of the trilogy!

The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the return of Reve. What a shallow, arogant creature she is! She believes she's better than everyone else who wasn't raised in money! Which is ironic considering she wasn't born into privilege but found in a dumpster! She was a complete snob, insulting, bigoted and downright cruel and those were her best qualities! I hate to see her involved with Jacob (the neanderthal savage, as she thinks of him) since he deserves so much better! But regardless I'm still looking forward to seeing more of Jazzy and the rest of the folks in Cherokee Pointe!

This book arrived early - much to my surprise - and was exactly in the condition the bookseller described. Very pleased with the product & the service!

Beverly Barton is very consistent in her writing.
I have enjoyed each and everyone of her books.
Jazzy is very interesting and would be someone you would
enjoy knowing. If you enjoy romantic suspense then this series
is for you.

i'm sorry but like i said in the fist reveiw i haeven't had the time to read tis one but i'm sure i will enjoy it

I could not put this book down. Waiting for more of Beverly
Barton books

For starters I began at the end of this three book serie. I must say that I liked the last one the best but I have become a big fan of B.B. I enjoy reading her books. I probably would have liked this a lot more if I didn't have the knowledge of who the killer couldn't be b/c they were in her final novel. All in all, I have enjoyed reading her books so far.