Review and Giveaway: The Last Word

The Last Word (Books by the Bay Mystery - Book 3) by Ellery Adams

Publication Date: December 6, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 312pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425245002

ISBN: 0425245004

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)


Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Ellery Adams on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter


Books in the series: A Killer Plot (2010), A Deadly Cliche (2011), The Last Word (2011)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series!

Synopsis:


Olivia Limoges and the Bayside Book Writers are excited about Oyster Bay's newest resident: bestselling novelist Nick Plumley, who's come to work on his next book, but finds himself caught in a deadly ending...

The arrival of Nick Plumley has sent shivers of excitement throughout Oyster Bay. Especially since rumor has it that the Booker Prize winner is thinking about putting down roots here. No one is more thrilled than Olivia and her fellow members when Plumley drops by the first writer's group meeting at Harris's new house. But why is Plumley more interested in poking around the lovely bungalow than in discussing the craft of fiction?


Not long after, Oliva stops by Plumley's rental - and finds that he's been strangled to death. her instincts tell her that something from the past came back to haunt him, but she never expects that the investigation could spell doom for one of her dearest friends...

Thoughts: 

The Last Word is the third book in the "Books by the Bay Mystery" series written by Ellery Adams. Readers who are familiar with the series will find this book hard to put down, since it is clearly the best one so far! Adams shows her depth as a writer and growth in her craft with this complex, historically based mystery that will tug at the heart strings of the reader, as well as, their intellect. 

This is a series that has always captivated me. Ellery Adams has a way with words, literally. Her descriptions of the sleepy seaside town on of Oyster Bay are vivid and compelling. I love the way she describes the sea itself, making it seem almost like a living entity. Her characters are well thought out and three dimensional. They are very involved in the mystery of what is going on in each book, yet they have lives of their own and situations that are much more personal going on as well. I think one of Adams' strengths is in building relationships that go beyond just one book. 


The main character in, The Last Word and the series, Olivia has shown a lot of growth throughout the series as well and I felt as if she really came into her own in this book. Not only is she a good at her day job, but her skills as an amateur sleuth have improved as well. She seems more at ease with herself as she searches for a present day killer that in a mystery that is steeped in local history.


I loved the fact that Adams uses little known historical details to bring out in her stories. These are facts that probably only the locals know about. It's obvious that she does her homework and has a great respect for the area and it's people. With Nick Plumley's story, Adams is able to meld mystery and history together creating the perfect balance. The mystery aspect of the book is incredibly interesting and I thought it was original and that readers were not likely to find something like this elsewhere. The motive behind the mystery was very well thought out and executed. I was on the edge of my seat, especially in the last few chapters.


One thing you don't often find is a mystery that might make you draw a tear, but this one may be it. The emotions that course through, The Last Word are gripping and I found myself grabbing a tissue, which rarely ever happens when reading a mystery of all things. Adams was able to bring out the some disturbing situations from the past that led in a way to the latest murder. I certainly wasn't expecting to be moved in that kind of way and it was really refreshing in this genre. Cozy tend to be lighter than main stream mysteries or thrillers and that's part of the draw, but this one carries a different kind of emotional punch. You'll understand when  you read it!


This is an amazing book, easily the best in the series. I'm looking forward to see what Ellery Adams comes up with next and where that will take her audience. I recommend this to cozy fans as well as readers who are looking for a mystery series that is engaging and very intelligent. I love Adams' style and her way of relating to the reader. She doesn't think we're a few fries short of a happy-meal and it shows... LOL!

The Last Word is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Ellery Adams grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sounds. Having spent her adult life in a series of landlocked towns, she cherishes her memories of open water, violent storms, and the smell of the sea. Ms. Adams has held many jobs, including caterer, retail clerk, car salesperson, teacher, tutor, and tech writer, all the while penning poems, children's books, and novels. she now writes full time form her home in Virginia.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Last Word by Ellery Adams.


~ You must be GFC follower or e-mail subscriber.
~ US addresses only (Publisher Request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST January 10th.

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