Fresh off the success of his Edgar® Award-winning, New York Times bestseller Down River, John Hart returns with his most powerful and intricately-plotted novel yet.
Thirteen year-old Johnny Merrimon had the perfect life: happy parents and a twin sister that meant the world to him. But Alyssa went missing a year ago, stolen off the side of a lonely street with only one witness to the crime. His family shattered, his sister presumed dead, Johnny risks everything to explore the dark side of his hometown in a last, desperate search. What he finds is a city with an underbelly far blacker than anyone could've imagined— and somewhere in the depths of it all, with the help of his only friend and a giant of a man with his own strange past, Johnny, at last, finds the terrible truth.
Detective Clyde Hunt has devoted an entire year to Alyssa's case, and it shows: haunted and sleepless, he's lost his wife and put his shield at risk. But he can't put the case behind him—he won't—and when another girl goes missing, the failures of the past year harden into iron determination. Refusing to lose another child, Hunt knows he has to break the rules to make the case; and maybe, just maybe, the missing girl will lead him to Alyssa...
The Last Child is a tale of boundaries: county borders and circles on a map, the hard edge between good and evil, life and death, hopelessness and faith. Perfectly blending character and plot, emotion and action, John Hart again transcends the barrier between thrillers and literature to craft a story as heartrending as it is redemptive.
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"AMAZING book. I just put it down. It kept you guessing till the very end. It had many different story lines going on at once and many different characters but they all come together in the end to make an amazing book. This is the first book I read by John Hart and I'm glad I picked this one. It was a story of loss and great sadness, making an impact on the way you think of the world around you. I would definitely read more by John Hart. If anyone is looking for a great mystery with many twists and turns I highly recommend this book!"
— Marissa (5 out of 5 stars)
The scenes and characters are so powerful on their own that [Scott Sowers's] understated presentation is highly effective. He still manages to give the characters depth and distinction with subtle modifcations of pace, tone, and degree of soft Carolina drawl. This is a difficult story to listen to - but an impossible story to put down.
— AudioFile" Another good mystery by John Hart. A story not just mystery but relationships as well. "
— Renee, 2/16/2014" There is some rough language in it, but I really like the book. Couldn't put it down. "
— Julie, 2/14/2014" What a great book.... there were times when I couldn't stop reading it! Stories like this don't come often.... Definitely a keeper on my bookshelf! "
— Debi, 1/15/2014" Hart is a fine, fine writer "
— Becky, 1/2/2014" i loved it! It was a great read. Towards the end, i never would've seen it coming. "
— Elizabeth, 12/19/2013" I don't give five stars very often but this book was so intriguing, so full of twists and turns, great characters that I just had to give it 5. Just when you thought the mystery was about to be solved, another element is introduced. It's hard to put down. Don't read late at night unless you don't care to sleep. I look forward reading more John Hart novels. "
— John, 12/12/2013" On the whole, it was ok. Very slow start though. I don't think it needed to be anywhere near as long as it was, but it kept me intrigued enough to keep going. The last 60 pages or so were great, it just took SO LONG to get there. "
— Elizabeth, 12/10/2013" In the vein of Grisham and other "thriller" writers. Interesting setting - NC - very familiar culture and setting. "
— Allie, 11/27/2013" Ahh, a new author! Good mystery; engaging characters; came together beautifully. Just downloaded another of his, and can't wait to get at it. "
— Djclare17gmail.com, 11/6/2013" Great read. I enjoyed everything about this otherwise morbid story. Although the result should be sad, that is not the feeling you are left with. Very entertaining. "
— Kevin, 11/1/2013" This was a book club selection that I did not think I would read because of the story content. However, I absolutely enjoyed the book and found the story to be very well written, in spite of the content. A lot of twists that I did not expect. "
— Patricia, 10/29/2013" I liked the writing style. It felt elemental and rich at the same time. Storyline was part mystery, part human character assessment. I was constantly reading fast because of the mystery, then slowing down and rereading sections because I liked the prose. "
— Kristin, 10/26/2013" Excellent book with lots of twists to the story line that kept me wondering. I will probably read more books written by John Hart. "
— Maryjo, 9/9/2013" A total page turner and if you think you know who done it, think again. The "good" characters are very human, sympathetically drawn and flawed. "
— Jody, 7/13/2013" I bought this book from iBooks, on sale, and really didn't expect much. Man, was I surprised! It is very intense, and so well written it's impossible not to feel this little boy's pain. It is not a fun book, and not a light read. It really makes you think and feel, but it is a wonderful read. "
— Mary, 6/23/2013" One of my all-time favorites. One of the reviews said "Lord of the Flies meets Huckleberry Finn" and I thought that was a great description. "
— Stephanie, 5/28/2013" This one kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through! I have a small gripe about one aspect of the closing chapters, but it's not enough to keep me from giving it high rating. I'll definitely look for more of Hart's books. "
— Pamela, 5/21/2013" Could not put this book down until I read the last page. "
— Laurene, 3/4/2013" This is the first book I read by John Hart. Excellent writer - excellent book. The young boy was very precocious, keeping you glued to every move he made. "
— Bill, 2/23/2013" Excellent read - starts out slow. Very good distractions from the subtle twists and turns of the mystery. "
— Dawn, 5/17/2012" Great book about a boy who just wont give up "
— Marion, 5/5/2012" Fabulous, can't wait to read more from him. "
— Tess, 3/16/2012" Loved it...never saw the ending coming! Lots of twists...one that I could not put down. "
— Joanne, 8/18/2011" Read it! You won't be sorry. "
— Janet, 8/16/2011" Another great book by john hart! I originally wanted to read this book following Down River as that book was one of my favorites. I dont think this book is comparable but it is very good in its own way. The book was a quick read for me taking maybe 2 days to finish. "
— Kerrie, 7/21/2011" A year after the abduction & disappearance of a 12 year old girl, her twin brother and the detective assigned to the case are still looking for her. Then another girl disappears. <br/><br/>Great read. ? "
— Victoria, 5/22/2011" Good mystery, lots of surprises. It took a little while to get moving, but I wasn't surprised, since that was mentioned in a review that I read. Once it got rolling, though, it was a compelling read. I enjoyed it. "
— Barbara, 5/19/2011" This was a great suspense/mystery. I couldn't put it down and have to admit that I was surprised by the ending. "
— Kristy, 5/18/2011" Ahh, a new author! Good mystery; engaging characters; came together beautifully. Just downloaded another of his, and can't wait to get at it. "
— Djclare17gmail.com, 5/17/2011" This one kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through! I have a small gripe about one aspect of the closing chapters, but it's not enough to keep me from giving it high rating. I'll definitely look for more of Hart's books. "
— Pamela, 5/13/2011" gripping, a bit creepy, great characters, slightly unsatisfying ending, but good read. "
— Jennifer, 5/12/2011" Excellent story. Just when I thought I had figured out who the villian was the story took a turn and my original deduction was way off. Highly recommend this book. <br/> "
— Suzanne, 5/11/2011" A crime/thriller, which is a genre I LOVE. This one had lots of fun twists and turns, creepy characters, and not too much gore. A good one for ANYONE who likes this genre. Looking forward to reading his other books. "
— Lisa, 5/11/2011" Great pick Kiersten! I loved it. "
— Tiffany, 5/10/2011" Fantastic mystery, keeps you guessing until the conclusion. Also is a fast-paced page turner! "
— Kim, 5/10/2011" Thought this was a great book and finished it in a weekend. Loved the ending especially. "
— Lacey, 5/9/2011" If anybody wants a great summer read that captures you from page one....this is it! "
— Chrsity, 5/7/2011" Overall a good book. This was my first time reading this Author. Good mystery that keep me guessing until the end. Complex friendships, loss and forgiveness are all themes in this novel. "
— Lac, 5/7/2011John Hart is the author of several New York Times bestsellers. He is the only author in history to win the Edgar Award for Best Novel in consecutive years, and he has also won the Barry Award, the Southern Independent Bookseller’s Award for Fiction, the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award, and the North Carolina Award for Literature. His novels have been translated into thirty languages and can be found in more than seventy countries.
Scott Sowers is an actor and audiobook narrator. AudioFile magazine named him the 2008 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense. He is the winner of seven Earphones Awards.