Book Review: The Last Thing He Told Me
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Publisher: S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books
Publication Date: May 4, 2021
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.
As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.
Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they’re also building a new future—one neither of them could have anticipated.
Hannah Hall’s husband, Owen, has disappeared. A girl delivers her a note from him that says, simply, “Protect her.” Hannah knows that he’s referring to his teenage daughter Bailey. But protect her from what? Why are U.S. Marshall’s and FBI agents looking for Owen? Hannah and Bailey decide to go on a mission to find out.
I actually read this book twice. The first time was about a year ago. At the time, I didn’t think it lived up to the hype. I read it again recently because there is a limited TV series starring Jennifer Garner streaming on Apple TV+ based on the book and I wanted to refresh my memory before I watched the show. I liked it even less the second time!
I had a really tough time with the premise. A man goes into hiding and leaves his wife a cryptic note when he easily could have a written a full note explaining to her why he had to go?
I’m not sure this actually is a thriller – maybe thriller light? The twist was little and not exactly jaw dropping. I had a hard time feeling invested in the story and what was going on with Owen because the suspense felt manufactured.
Even though I thought the book was meh, I’m still going to watch at least the first episode of the TV series because I’m curious to see how they’ve adapted the book.
