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Johnny Merrimon #1
The Last Child
Thirteen year-old Johnny Merrimon had the perfect life: a warm home and loving parents; a twin sister, Alyssa, with whom he shared an irreplaceable bond. He knew nothing of loss, until the day Alyssa vanished from the side of a lonely street. Now, a year later, Johnny finds himself isolated and alone, failed by the people he'd been taught since birth to trust. No one else believes that Alyssa is still alive, but Johnny is certain that she is—confident in a way that he can never fully explain.
Determined to find his sister, Johnny risks everything to explore the dark side of his hometown. It is a desperate, terrifying search, but Johnny is not as alone as he might think. Detective Clyde Hunt has never stopped looking for Alyssa either, and he has a soft spot for Johnny. He watches over the boy and tries to keep him safe, but when Johnny uncovers a dangerous lead and vows to follow it, Hunt has no choice but to intervene.
Then a second child goes missing...
Undeterred by Hunt's threats or his mother's pleas, Johnny enlists the help of his last friend, and together they plunge into the wild, to a forgotten place with a history of violence that goes back more than a hundred years. There, they meet a giant of a man, an escaped convict on his own tragic quest. What they learn from him will shatter every notion Johnny had about the fate of his sister; it will lead them to another far place, to a truth that will test both boys to the limit.
Traveling the wilderness between innocence and hard wisdom, between hopelessness and faith, The Last Child leaves all categories behind and establishes John Hart as a writer of unique power.
Determined to find his sister, Johnny risks everything to explore the dark side of his hometown. It is a desperate, terrifying search, but Johnny is not as alone as he might think. Detective Clyde Hunt has never stopped looking for Alyssa either, and he has a soft spot for Johnny. He watches over the boy and tries to keep him safe, but when Johnny uncovers a dangerous lead and vows to follow it, Hunt has no choice but to intervene.
Then a second child goes missing...
Undeterred by Hunt's threats or his mother's pleas, Johnny enlists the help of his last friend, and together they plunge into the wild, to a forgotten place with a history of violence that goes back more than a hundred years. There, they meet a giant of a man, an escaped convict on his own tragic quest. What they learn from him will shatter every notion Johnny had about the fate of his sister; it will lead them to another far place, to a truth that will test both boys to the limit.
Traveling the wilderness between innocence and hard wisdom, between hopelessness and faith, The Last Child leaves all categories behind and establishes John Hart as a writer of unique power.
373 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2009
1,905 people are currently reading
2,835 people want to read
About the author
John Hart
48books3,551followersJOHN HART is the author of six New York Times bestsellers, and of THE UNWILLING, which will be released on February 2, 2021. The only author in history to win the best novel Edgar Award for consecutive novels, Hart 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 language and can be found in over seventy countries. “My only real dream,� John declares, “has been to write well and to be published well.�
He lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters, and four dogs.
There is more than one author by this name on ŷ.
He lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters, and four dogs.
There is more than one author by this name on ŷ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,105 reviews
November 15, 2017
*4.5 stars*
It didn’t take much for to convince me, I was about to embark on an incredible journey—and by not much, I mean a mere chapter or two. Now, I don’t know about you, but in my book, that’s the sign of an impressive writer—one who manages to catch me with only a teeny tiny taste.
Even with the frenzy-inducing suspense, the hefty list of questionable characters and the constant probing of the facts this storyline incites, reads more like literary fiction than anything else. There’s something about ’s voice and style that just speaks to me on an entirely different level. His writing is polished and palatable, but somehow still sort of gritty on the tongue. The moral ambiguity of the characters and the heartbreaking circumstances take on a hearty, but craveable note; making this impossible not to devour.
After my love for , what took so long for me to pick up this novel? I'm not gonna lie, the fact that much of the story is told through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy, scared me off. I’m the first to admit, I’m not much of a YA reader and logically I reasoned Johnny’s story would have that feel or veer off into juvenile territory, only to leave me wanting. Boy, was I wrong; this is so not YA. I’m happily eating my words right now because this was nothing short of phenomenal storytelling. Johnny—our 13-year-old heroine—is enigmatic and wise beyond his years, through no fault of his own.
The disappearance of Johnny’s twin sister, one year earlier, left his family in shambles. And that’s putting it lightly. Every day, he’s forced to confront a harsh reality. No longer are his parents sharing his childhood home or making sure he’s taken care of. Instead, his once present and happy mother is now a drug addled mess that sleeps her days away in the dump they call home and succumbs to manipulation and degradation from an abusive man at night. To make things worse, Johnny’s father—a man overcome with guilt—walked away without a second-glance or a muttered word.
So, what’s a brother to do? Find his sister, no matter what it takes, that’s what. Johnny—with his map and trusty sidekick, Jack in tow—spends his time dodging the lead detective assigned to his sister’s case and compiling his own list of shady suspects. Interviews, stakeouts, car-theft, gun-wielding—there isn’t much he won’t do to get the answers he so desperately needs.
Through much of the story I wanted to shake Johnny’s mother and make her realize she still had one last child left to take care of; one hurting just as much as her, if not more. I wanted to reach into the story and hug Johnny; to convince the broken boy that somehow, someway things would eventually be okay. I wholeheartedly admired his tenacity, strength and the determination that drove his search. The bitter truth—akin to a brutal punch to the gut—was agonizing, gag-inducing and just plain devastating.
“Darkness is a cancer of the human heart.�
At its heart, is a story about the arduous trek the quest for truth sometimes demands, but even more notably, the healing power of forgiveness and friendship. I can’t wait to see where time and space lands Johnny and Jack in .
It didn’t take much for to convince me, I was about to embark on an incredible journey—and by not much, I mean a mere chapter or two. Now, I don’t know about you, but in my book, that’s the sign of an impressive writer—one who manages to catch me with only a teeny tiny taste.
Even with the frenzy-inducing suspense, the hefty list of questionable characters and the constant probing of the facts this storyline incites, reads more like literary fiction than anything else. There’s something about ’s voice and style that just speaks to me on an entirely different level. His writing is polished and palatable, but somehow still sort of gritty on the tongue. The moral ambiguity of the characters and the heartbreaking circumstances take on a hearty, but craveable note; making this impossible not to devour.
After my love for , what took so long for me to pick up this novel? I'm not gonna lie, the fact that much of the story is told through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy, scared me off. I’m the first to admit, I’m not much of a YA reader and logically I reasoned Johnny’s story would have that feel or veer off into juvenile territory, only to leave me wanting. Boy, was I wrong; this is so not YA. I’m happily eating my words right now because this was nothing short of phenomenal storytelling. Johnny—our 13-year-old heroine—is enigmatic and wise beyond his years, through no fault of his own.
The disappearance of Johnny’s twin sister, one year earlier, left his family in shambles. And that’s putting it lightly. Every day, he’s forced to confront a harsh reality. No longer are his parents sharing his childhood home or making sure he’s taken care of. Instead, his once present and happy mother is now a drug addled mess that sleeps her days away in the dump they call home and succumbs to manipulation and degradation from an abusive man at night. To make things worse, Johnny’s father—a man overcome with guilt—walked away without a second-glance or a muttered word.
So, what’s a brother to do? Find his sister, no matter what it takes, that’s what. Johnny—with his map and trusty sidekick, Jack in tow—spends his time dodging the lead detective assigned to his sister’s case and compiling his own list of shady suspects. Interviews, stakeouts, car-theft, gun-wielding—there isn’t much he won’t do to get the answers he so desperately needs.
Through much of the story I wanted to shake Johnny’s mother and make her realize she still had one last child left to take care of; one hurting just as much as her, if not more. I wanted to reach into the story and hug Johnny; to convince the broken boy that somehow, someway things would eventually be okay. I wholeheartedly admired his tenacity, strength and the determination that drove his search. The bitter truth—akin to a brutal punch to the gut—was agonizing, gag-inducing and just plain devastating.
“Darkness is a cancer of the human heart.�
At its heart, is a story about the arduous trek the quest for truth sometimes demands, but even more notably, the healing power of forgiveness and friendship. I can’t wait to see where time and space lands Johnny and Jack in .
December 24, 2017
The Last Child by John Hart is a 2009 Minotaur publication.
John Hart has taken the crime and mystery genre to an entirely new level with this stunning novel.
The perfect family is torn asunder when their daughter disappears, just vanishes into the thin air. The marriage falls apart, the father walks out, the mother falls into drug and alcohol abuse and into a toxic relationship, while the last child- Johnny, a thirteen -year old boy, grieving the loss of his missing twin, is left to fend for himself in a horrifying and cruel world.
Johnny works has hard has he can to find his missing sister, a task he feels alone in, but Detective Clyde Hunt is nearly as obsessed about the missing girl as Johnny. The case grows colder by the day-
But, then another child vanishes�.
This novel shows why John Hart is a multiple Edgar Award winner. This story is written with a lush literary prose that drew me right into Johnny’s lonely and treacherous life. His journey is so painful and heartbreaking, while his courage, fortitude, and a moral code is exemplary.
Every character is drawn with such rich and vivid detail, while the atmosphere is thick with tension and desperation. The suspense hangs heavy in the air as more revelations come to light and Johnny finds himself in an unimaginable situation.
This is a crime novel, but it is also a family drama, a testing of faith, an examination of humanity, the best and the worst, a coming of age tale that reaches into your very soul, stirring a melting pot of emotions.
I’ve read literary thrillers, but none quite like this one. Johnny is a like a modern- day Huck Finn, a child abandoned, who must survive by pure grit, but one who possesses a tenderness that nearly brought me to tears.
For those who are more into the criminal elements of the story, have no fear. This is a dark crime drama with plenty of jaw dropping twists.
Novels like this one are rare. I can only wonder at how far this author's talent can take him!!
I highly recommend this book!! It will definitely leave a lasting impression.
5 stars
John Hart has taken the crime and mystery genre to an entirely new level with this stunning novel.
The perfect family is torn asunder when their daughter disappears, just vanishes into the thin air. The marriage falls apart, the father walks out, the mother falls into drug and alcohol abuse and into a toxic relationship, while the last child- Johnny, a thirteen -year old boy, grieving the loss of his missing twin, is left to fend for himself in a horrifying and cruel world.
Johnny works has hard has he can to find his missing sister, a task he feels alone in, but Detective Clyde Hunt is nearly as obsessed about the missing girl as Johnny. The case grows colder by the day-
But, then another child vanishes�.
This novel shows why John Hart is a multiple Edgar Award winner. This story is written with a lush literary prose that drew me right into Johnny’s lonely and treacherous life. His journey is so painful and heartbreaking, while his courage, fortitude, and a moral code is exemplary.
Every character is drawn with such rich and vivid detail, while the atmosphere is thick with tension and desperation. The suspense hangs heavy in the air as more revelations come to light and Johnny finds himself in an unimaginable situation.
This is a crime novel, but it is also a family drama, a testing of faith, an examination of humanity, the best and the worst, a coming of age tale that reaches into your very soul, stirring a melting pot of emotions.
I’ve read literary thrillers, but none quite like this one. Johnny is a like a modern- day Huck Finn, a child abandoned, who must survive by pure grit, but one who possesses a tenderness that nearly brought me to tears.
For those who are more into the criminal elements of the story, have no fear. This is a dark crime drama with plenty of jaw dropping twists.
Novels like this one are rare. I can only wonder at how far this author's talent can take him!!
I highly recommend this book!! It will definitely leave a lasting impression.
5 stars
February 6, 2017
4.5 stars!
This is a thriller/ mystery about abducted and missing children, but it stands head and shoulders above other treatments of that theme. There are no gruesome details, but there is rich characterization and subtle psychological exploration of the characters. And there is plenty of riveting suspense.
Thirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon has a twin sister, Alyssa, but she disappeared about a year ago. Johnny’s father, Spencer, had been scheduled to pick up Alyssa from the library that night, but was late, so Alyssa had started home on her own. Johnny’s best friend Jack Cross said he saw her get into a van. Johnny’s mother Katherine blamed Spencer for Alyssa’s fate, and he left them two weeks later. Johnny’s mother fell apart.
An old rival of Johnny’s dad, Ken Holloway, who had never gotten over Katherine, moved into their lives, keeping Katherine doped up and beating both her and Johnny. Johnny concentrated on trying to find Alyssa. And he prayed to God for three things: an end to the pills and drugs; for the rest of his family to come home; and for Ken Holloway to die a slow and terrible death.
Another family was torn apart by Alyssa’s disappearance too. Detective Clyde Hunt got so obsessed with the case that his wife left him, and his high school-aged son seemed to be in a permanent state of alienation. At one point Hunt reflected that he knew he had a problem being addicted to his job, but there was more: "In the still and dark of the kitchen, Hunt admitted, for once, that he did not much like his own son. He loved him, of course, but he did not like him. Not his attitudes, his beliefs, or his choices. The boy had changed.�
Hunt’s withdrawal from his own family is mirrored by his increasing involvement with the Merrimons. He sees what is happening with Katherine and Johnny, and tries to help, but they won’t let him; they felt he had let them down by not finding Alyssa.
One year after Alyssa’s disappearance, another girl goes missing: Tiffany Shore. Johnny is convinced that finding Tiffany is the key to finding Alyssa. Hunt is determined not to lose another girl. The tension ratchets up and oozes into your very bones, as the characters race to learn something � anything � before it is too late.
This is a book you can’t stop reading, with characters who seem like real people you care about a great deal. Highly recommended!
This is a thriller/ mystery about abducted and missing children, but it stands head and shoulders above other treatments of that theme. There are no gruesome details, but there is rich characterization and subtle psychological exploration of the characters. And there is plenty of riveting suspense.
Thirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon has a twin sister, Alyssa, but she disappeared about a year ago. Johnny’s father, Spencer, had been scheduled to pick up Alyssa from the library that night, but was late, so Alyssa had started home on her own. Johnny’s best friend Jack Cross said he saw her get into a van. Johnny’s mother Katherine blamed Spencer for Alyssa’s fate, and he left them two weeks later. Johnny’s mother fell apart.
An old rival of Johnny’s dad, Ken Holloway, who had never gotten over Katherine, moved into their lives, keeping Katherine doped up and beating both her and Johnny. Johnny concentrated on trying to find Alyssa. And he prayed to God for three things: an end to the pills and drugs; for the rest of his family to come home; and for Ken Holloway to die a slow and terrible death.
Another family was torn apart by Alyssa’s disappearance too. Detective Clyde Hunt got so obsessed with the case that his wife left him, and his high school-aged son seemed to be in a permanent state of alienation. At one point Hunt reflected that he knew he had a problem being addicted to his job, but there was more: "In the still and dark of the kitchen, Hunt admitted, for once, that he did not much like his own son. He loved him, of course, but he did not like him. Not his attitudes, his beliefs, or his choices. The boy had changed.�
Hunt’s withdrawal from his own family is mirrored by his increasing involvement with the Merrimons. He sees what is happening with Katherine and Johnny, and tries to help, but they won’t let him; they felt he had let them down by not finding Alyssa.
One year after Alyssa’s disappearance, another girl goes missing: Tiffany Shore. Johnny is convinced that finding Tiffany is the key to finding Alyssa. Hunt is determined not to lose another girl. The tension ratchets up and oozes into your very bones, as the characters race to learn something � anything � before it is too late.
This is a book you can’t stop reading, with characters who seem like real people you care about a great deal. Highly recommended!
May 22, 2017
Hart does it again. A heart thumping, holy crap, I need to keep reading, adrenaline rush of a thriller that left me breathless with anticipation.
Johnny Merrimon is a 13'year old boy who is on the run. His twin sister went missing more than a year ago and he's taken it upon himself to find her. His mom a drug addict and his dad abandoned them, he has had to grow up and fend for himself.
As he gets closer to the truth, he witnesses a murder but before the stranger dies, he tells Johnny he's found her.
A southern grit thriller that had me in the shape of a pretzel with all of its twists.
Hart is a master thriller teller.
Thanks to Norma and Brenda for letting me hitch a ride on this exciting travelling sister journey:)
All of our Traveling Sister Reads Reviews can be found on our blog:
Johnny Merrimon is a 13'year old boy who is on the run. His twin sister went missing more than a year ago and he's taken it upon himself to find her. His mom a drug addict and his dad abandoned them, he has had to grow up and fend for himself.
As he gets closer to the truth, he witnesses a murder but before the stranger dies, he tells Johnny he's found her.
A southern grit thriller that had me in the shape of a pretzel with all of its twists.
Hart is a master thriller teller.
Thanks to Norma and Brenda for letting me hitch a ride on this exciting travelling sister journey:)
All of our Traveling Sister Reads Reviews can be found on our blog:
December 2, 2022
Normalmente me suelo fiar de las novelas ganadoras de premios tan prestigiosos como el EDGAR y el CWA Dagger, ya que no me suelen defraudar. En este caso concreto, desconocía a John Hart, y tras la lectura de este libro, mantengo mi primera frase a pies juntillas. No sólo eso, sino que ya me he descargado “Redención� (Redemption road), para leerlo en un próximo futuro.
“No hay cuervos� (The last child) mantiene muy alto el listón de la fluidez narrativa. Está muy bien escrito. Comienza de forma pausada, pero va cogiendo fuerza, logrando definir de una forma convincente a sus personajes principales. Y además tiene uno de los mejores finales que he leído últimamente. No es de esos típicos relatos de suspense en los que el final te hace murmurar: “¡Lo que me imaginaba!�. Aquí el suspense está asegurado hasta las últimas líneas, con una conclusión lejos del “happy ending� acostumbrado. Un final muy realista, sin cabos sueltos.
“No hay cuervos� contiene más de 400 páginas de novela negra de mucha calidad. Por mi parte, recomendable al 100%.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
“No hay cuervos� (The last child) mantiene muy alto el listón de la fluidez narrativa. Está muy bien escrito. Comienza de forma pausada, pero va cogiendo fuerza, logrando definir de una forma convincente a sus personajes principales. Y además tiene uno de los mejores finales que he leído últimamente. No es de esos típicos relatos de suspense en los que el final te hace murmurar: “¡Lo que me imaginaba!�. Aquí el suspense está asegurado hasta las últimas líneas, con una conclusión lejos del “happy ending� acostumbrado. Un final muy realista, sin cabos sueltos.
“No hay cuervos� contiene más de 400 páginas de novela negra de mucha calidad. Por mi parte, recomendable al 100%.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
March 31, 2015
A year after his twin sister disappeared, thirteen year old Johnny Merrimon is still looking for her. His father has ran out on the family out of guilt and his mother is hooked on pills and shacked up with an abusive scumbag. The only other people who seem to care are Johnny's best friend Jack and a burned out cop named Clyde Hunt. Until another girl disappears...
The Last Child is a mystery about a missing girl in a small town but it's also a lot more than that. It's the story of what happens to a family who suffers senseless loss with nowhere to turn. It's the story about a cop so obsessed with a case that his life falls apart. And it's the story of what guilt does to a person over the course of a year.
The story starts simply enough. Johnny is out looking for his sister when he witnesses a man run down by a car. The man's dying words are of finding a missing girl. The story zigs and zags all over the place, taking Johnny and Detective Hunt to places most people would be reluctant to go, both physically and emotionally.
I'd never heard of John Hart before this book but I'll be picking up his back catalog after this. The prose was a notch above most detective novels and the characters were very well realized, not a paper character in sight. The relationships between the characters and their families drove the book forward, Johnny and his mother, Hunt and his son, Jack and his family. Levi Freemantle reminded me a lot of John Coffey from The Green Mile.
Hart kept me guessing right up until the end, dragging me from one false lead to the next. I had no idea who the killer was until it was spelled out for me. That's the hallmark of a great mystery. Hell, of a great book period.
Five stars. If I read a better book than this in 2013, I'll be surprised.
The Last Child is a mystery about a missing girl in a small town but it's also a lot more than that. It's the story of what happens to a family who suffers senseless loss with nowhere to turn. It's the story about a cop so obsessed with a case that his life falls apart. And it's the story of what guilt does to a person over the course of a year.
The story starts simply enough. Johnny is out looking for his sister when he witnesses a man run down by a car. The man's dying words are of finding a missing girl. The story zigs and zags all over the place, taking Johnny and Detective Hunt to places most people would be reluctant to go, both physically and emotionally.
I'd never heard of John Hart before this book but I'll be picking up his back catalog after this. The prose was a notch above most detective novels and the characters were very well realized, not a paper character in sight. The relationships between the characters and their families drove the book forward, Johnny and his mother, Hunt and his son, Jack and his family. Levi Freemantle reminded me a lot of John Coffey from The Green Mile.
Hart kept me guessing right up until the end, dragging me from one false lead to the next. I had no idea who the killer was until it was spelled out for me. That's the hallmark of a great mystery. Hell, of a great book period.
Five stars. If I read a better book than this in 2013, I'll be surprised.
May 7, 2016
Who is this author ?! Late to the party yet again? Damn. Comparisons to Mr Grisham may be very well founded. I don’t normally like to draw comparisons, but this was mentioned on the insert of the back cover. I’m impressed. Not in a courtroom way, but I really did love this book. I also find it hard to use the words ‘favourite� book of the year, but this was awesome! So glad to be a part of the ŷ community yet again � thanks to the friends who steered me to this one. I wouldn't have had this pleasure, otherwise. I love finding treasures.
It was quite the ride. I was explaining just this morning the plot to my 11 year old son, he was captivated. I loved reading about Johnny, a lad vigilante. I enjoy fiction, so I can enjoy the perks, i.e. the little bits and pieces that wouldn't happen in the real world, isn't that what it's all about?! He was the epitome of cool, despite the torrid nature of his circumstance. His twin sister missing for a year, his poor and brittle mum grieving and suffering against the hand of a despicable predator. This book had it all. At the core though, it was all Johnny. “Five times never caught. Hunt shook his head and tried not to smile. He really did like that kid.�
Hunt provided the wounded and strung out D character, committed to the job like no other, and his equally as committed partner Yoakum. Johnny’s mum was also a favourite for me, I liked following her journey.
Loved this parting offering “Jack Cross, My Friend�.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all those readers out there who love a thriller and a mystery � it’s tops! Loved, loved, loved, loved it. Can you tell?!
It was quite the ride. I was explaining just this morning the plot to my 11 year old son, he was captivated. I loved reading about Johnny, a lad vigilante. I enjoy fiction, so I can enjoy the perks, i.e. the little bits and pieces that wouldn't happen in the real world, isn't that what it's all about?! He was the epitome of cool, despite the torrid nature of his circumstance. His twin sister missing for a year, his poor and brittle mum grieving and suffering against the hand of a despicable predator. This book had it all. At the core though, it was all Johnny. “Five times never caught. Hunt shook his head and tried not to smile. He really did like that kid.�
Hunt provided the wounded and strung out D character, committed to the job like no other, and his equally as committed partner Yoakum. Johnny’s mum was also a favourite for me, I liked following her journey.
Loved this parting offering “Jack Cross, My Friend�.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all those readers out there who love a thriller and a mystery � it’s tops! Loved, loved, loved, loved it. Can you tell?!
May 22, 2017
Traveling Sisters Review by NORMA, BRENDA and JEN!!
HART has a knack to keep you totally engaged with jaw-dropping moments that even surprised Norma’s deductive sleuthing skills.
THE LAST CHILD by JOHN HART is an action-packed, tense, fast-paced, and a suspenseful thriller with lots of surprising twists and turns along the way that kept us all reading and guessing right to the very end.
JOHN HART delivers a character driven story here that is brilliantly and cleverly written in such a skillful way that allows us to really get into our main character’s voices and the storyline, Johnny, a young boy’s desperate search for the truth and Hunt’s relentlessness and personal quest in solving the crime which ends up costing him dearly.
Johnny who's mature way beyond his 13 years is on a desperate truth seeking personal mission to find his missing twin sister. He is shrewd, smart, and vulnerable at times. We loved how resourceful and determined teenage Johnny was in fighting to find out the truth in an adult world. With some adults caring, controlling and failing him, making him more determined than ever in finding out the truth.
This is a book that we couldn’t stop reading, with a story that was so filled of heart, and with flawed characters who you couldn’t help but to root for. Highly recommended!
All of our Traveling Sister Reads Reviews can be found on our blog:
HART has a knack to keep you totally engaged with jaw-dropping moments that even surprised Norma’s deductive sleuthing skills.
THE LAST CHILD by JOHN HART is an action-packed, tense, fast-paced, and a suspenseful thriller with lots of surprising twists and turns along the way that kept us all reading and guessing right to the very end.
JOHN HART delivers a character driven story here that is brilliantly and cleverly written in such a skillful way that allows us to really get into our main character’s voices and the storyline, Johnny, a young boy’s desperate search for the truth and Hunt’s relentlessness and personal quest in solving the crime which ends up costing him dearly.
Johnny who's mature way beyond his 13 years is on a desperate truth seeking personal mission to find his missing twin sister. He is shrewd, smart, and vulnerable at times. We loved how resourceful and determined teenage Johnny was in fighting to find out the truth in an adult world. With some adults caring, controlling and failing him, making him more determined than ever in finding out the truth.
This is a book that we couldn’t stop reading, with a story that was so filled of heart, and with flawed characters who you couldn’t help but to root for. Highly recommended!
All of our Traveling Sister Reads Reviews can be found on our blog:
October 15, 2016
This mystery is so rich and full of story, it is difficult to decide what to focus on for this review. A crooked man, busted up and leaking red., a giant of a man with a ruined face and a heavy load, another man named Jar, he with the jittery eyes. Woods that are deep and secret, a reflection of wings, and then one by one, a gathering of crows.
Johnny is a young boy with the heart of a warrior and a predilection for eagle feathers, war paint, and fire. This is Johnny Merrimon, and he continues to search for his missing sister a year after the police fail in their attempts to locate her. Is she a runaway, has she been snatched, is she dead? Johnny can expect no help from his parents, with the father taking off, the mother turning to pills and to an abusive man to distract from the loss. He does have a couple of people in his corner, the detective who continues to be haunted by this case and a best friend named Jack.
This novel has been around for awhile, since 2010, when it won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. My first introduction to John Hart was earlier this year with Redemption Road, which was excellent. I like this one even better.
Johnny is a young boy with the heart of a warrior and a predilection for eagle feathers, war paint, and fire. This is Johnny Merrimon, and he continues to search for his missing sister a year after the police fail in their attempts to locate her. Is she a runaway, has she been snatched, is she dead? Johnny can expect no help from his parents, with the father taking off, the mother turning to pills and to an abusive man to distract from the loss. He does have a couple of people in his corner, the detective who continues to be haunted by this case and a best friend named Jack.
This novel has been around for awhile, since 2010, when it won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. My first introduction to John Hart was earlier this year with Redemption Road, which was excellent. I like this one even better.
November 6, 2017
� 5 "Why did I wait so long to read my first John Hart book?!" stars to The Last Child �
I read this book in anticipation of Hart's latest, The Hush. The very first chapter had my heart twisted in knots. I know it's your stomach that is usually twisted in knots, but this book told a strong hold of my heart and did not let go until the end. How remarkable that a suspense/thriller would grab my heart like it did.
Johnny Merrimon, the main character, was on a mission to find his lost sister, Alyssa, and while on the search he endured many hardships, forcing him to grow up earlier than his time, as well as coming into contact with several sinister and just plain evil characters along the way. I was on the edge of my seat, and the pacing was exceptional throughout. Just what happened to Alyssa? Who will find out the truth?
This book is classified a mystery, but due to the characterization, it was so much more. Another author to love. Another North Carolina author to love. Storytelling at its finest.
I read this book in anticipation of Hart's latest, The Hush. The very first chapter had my heart twisted in knots. I know it's your stomach that is usually twisted in knots, but this book told a strong hold of my heart and did not let go until the end. How remarkable that a suspense/thriller would grab my heart like it did.
Johnny Merrimon, the main character, was on a mission to find his lost sister, Alyssa, and while on the search he endured many hardships, forcing him to grow up earlier than his time, as well as coming into contact with several sinister and just plain evil characters along the way. I was on the edge of my seat, and the pacing was exceptional throughout. Just what happened to Alyssa? Who will find out the truth?
This book is classified a mystery, but due to the characterization, it was so much more. Another author to love. Another North Carolina author to love. Storytelling at its finest.
July 29, 2018
So many of my ŷ friends have read, and loved, this novel. I have finally been able to find out why for myself.
This book drew me in from the very start. There is a large cast of characters in this novel, yet each is woven into the story in perfect timing so it is easy to keep track. Even more, we discover aspects of each character’s personality and psychological makeup that make them real and multi-dimensional. We are quickly drawn into their lives and even their backgrounds in an immediate and intimate way.
This novel is about a child who goes missing, her twin brother who won’t give up looking for her, and the shattering effect it has on his family. This plotline may sound familiar as there are many books whose stories develop this theme. However, this one is different in almost every way due to the depth of the characters we meet along the way, the many threads cast by each person, and the way these threads come together through the course of the novel.
Detective Clyde Hunt does his best to prevent Johnny Morrimon from getting into serious trouble as he searches for his sister. However, he is one person and can’t be in more than one place at a time. Johnny’s mother is often too preoccupied numbing her pain to realize that she has someone else left to care for and look after.
When another child goes missing, the pressure builds to volcanic proportions. Johnny is more determined than ever to find his sister, his mother is caught in the riptide of pain resurrected by this new loss, and a murder plus a giant of a man named Levi complicate things even further. Johnny and his friend Jack soon find themselves involved in situations that young boys of 13 would normally never have to encounter.
The pace of this novel is fast, and the action follows with staccato beats. The characters are interesting and deeply layered � even the ones who I would never tolerate giving time to in my everyday life are intriguing.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a read for me. There is sadness and sorrow in this book; there are also moments where I wanted to jump up and cheer. And just when I thought things had settled down, events took another leap calling for deeper inner resources from key characters that they didn’t realize they had.
I loved this book so much that I am diving immediately into its sequel! ()
I highly recommend this read to everyone who enjoys a hard-charging story with depth and meaning that we get to keep.
This book drew me in from the very start. There is a large cast of characters in this novel, yet each is woven into the story in perfect timing so it is easy to keep track. Even more, we discover aspects of each character’s personality and psychological makeup that make them real and multi-dimensional. We are quickly drawn into their lives and even their backgrounds in an immediate and intimate way.
This novel is about a child who goes missing, her twin brother who won’t give up looking for her, and the shattering effect it has on his family. This plotline may sound familiar as there are many books whose stories develop this theme. However, this one is different in almost every way due to the depth of the characters we meet along the way, the many threads cast by each person, and the way these threads come together through the course of the novel.
Detective Clyde Hunt does his best to prevent Johnny Morrimon from getting into serious trouble as he searches for his sister. However, he is one person and can’t be in more than one place at a time. Johnny’s mother is often too preoccupied numbing her pain to realize that she has someone else left to care for and look after.
When another child goes missing, the pressure builds to volcanic proportions. Johnny is more determined than ever to find his sister, his mother is caught in the riptide of pain resurrected by this new loss, and a murder plus a giant of a man named Levi complicate things even further. Johnny and his friend Jack soon find themselves involved in situations that young boys of 13 would normally never have to encounter.
The pace of this novel is fast, and the action follows with staccato beats. The characters are interesting and deeply layered � even the ones who I would never tolerate giving time to in my everyday life are intriguing.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a read for me. There is sadness and sorrow in this book; there are also moments where I wanted to jump up and cheer. And just when I thought things had settled down, events took another leap calling for deeper inner resources from key characters that they didn’t realize they had.
I loved this book so much that I am diving immediately into its sequel! ()
I highly recommend this read to everyone who enjoys a hard-charging story with depth and meaning that we get to keep.
November 14, 2017
Darkness is a cancer of the human heart.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book ever since I've finished reading it. For months it was sitting on my shelf because I wasn't bothered to pick it up; but my interest piqued when the lovely Jennifer read and reviewed this book. I finally decided to read it because I also found that the author was coming out with a new book which takes place years after this one. The Last Child was a fantastic read. I honestly loved everything about it and it's definitely become one of my favourite books of this year and possibly of all-time.
John Hart has written an intensely suspenseful story that was both atmospheric and gripping. I literally couldn't pull myself away from my book because I was so immersed in the lives of these characters. I just HAD to know what was happening. Hart has created flawed characters that felt so raw and real to me. They were so vividly drawn out that I really felt what they were going through. My heart broke for Johnny over and over again and I truly despised Ken Holloway. God, he was so despicable!
Hart is a wonderful storyteller and I'm definitely going to read more of his work. I couldn't recommend The Last Child enough so give it a read if you haven't already!
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book ever since I've finished reading it. For months it was sitting on my shelf because I wasn't bothered to pick it up; but my interest piqued when the lovely Jennifer read and reviewed this book. I finally decided to read it because I also found that the author was coming out with a new book which takes place years after this one. The Last Child was a fantastic read. I honestly loved everything about it and it's definitely become one of my favourite books of this year and possibly of all-time.
John Hart has written an intensely suspenseful story that was both atmospheric and gripping. I literally couldn't pull myself away from my book because I was so immersed in the lives of these characters. I just HAD to know what was happening. Hart has created flawed characters that felt so raw and real to me. They were so vividly drawn out that I really felt what they were going through. My heart broke for Johnny over and over again and I truly despised Ken Holloway. God, he was so despicable!
Hart is a wonderful storyteller and I'm definitely going to read more of his work. I couldn't recommend The Last Child enough so give it a read if you haven't already!
May 23, 2017
Traveling sister review with Norma and Jen
Loved sharing the twists and surprises from The Last Child with Norma and Jen.
All of our Traveling Sister reviews can be found on our sister blog
Loved sharing the twists and surprises from The Last Child with Norma and Jen.
All of our Traveling Sister reviews can be found on our sister blog
August 3, 2019
Una historia brutal. Unos personajes muy bien construidos, sin mellas, atormentados, pero reales. No he reído nada con esta novela, pero he disfrutado mucho.
Me apunto a John Hart por su profundidad narrativa, tal vez abusando un poco de algunos adjetivos como "negro", pero sin desentonar en nada. La historia está bien conducida des de la primera marcha hasta la quinta, o sexta si se precisa. Sin fisuras. Sin salientes donde poder agarrarse y recriminarselo al autor. Y no ponerle las 5 estrellas.
Imposible. Ni una duda tengo yo.
Congratulations, Mr. Hart.
Me apunto a John Hart por su profundidad narrativa, tal vez abusando un poco de algunos adjetivos como "negro", pero sin desentonar en nada. La historia está bien conducida des de la primera marcha hasta la quinta, o sexta si se precisa. Sin fisuras. Sin salientes donde poder agarrarse y recriminarselo al autor. Y no ponerle las 5 estrellas.
Imposible. Ni una duda tengo yo.
Congratulations, Mr. Hart.
March 25, 2018
I have waited such a long time to read this book. It has been on my TBR shelf for quite some time. Sometimes your anticipation for a novel, breeds a disappointed reader. However, I am happy to say that in this case I was not disappointed.
John Hart has provided this reader with many hours of an emotionally wonderfully written novel. It was so many things a novel should encompass, wonderfully flawed characters, a theme that while was horrible did not have the gruesome details so many thrillers seem to think they need. This was a straight story, one that gave you insight to what it is like to lose a child, a sister, a person you love. The tragedy of the loss not only effects the family but so many who surround that family.
Mr Hart has written a novel that shows compassion and a way forward that people who have faced tragedy often find that is held within themselves. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who are looking for something special in the area of thriller novels.
John Hart has provided this reader with many hours of an emotionally wonderfully written novel. It was so many things a novel should encompass, wonderfully flawed characters, a theme that while was horrible did not have the gruesome details so many thrillers seem to think they need. This was a straight story, one that gave you insight to what it is like to lose a child, a sister, a person you love. The tragedy of the loss not only effects the family but so many who surround that family.
Mr Hart has written a novel that shows compassion and a way forward that people who have faced tragedy often find that is held within themselves. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who are looking for something special in the area of thriller novels.
January 24, 2023
Para comenzar el año acabo de leer uno de los mejores thrillers que he leído en mi vida. Me lo recomendaron y doy las gracias por ello.
No se parece en nada al thriller al uso que estoy acostumbrada a leer. Es una historia tan increíble que casi aplaudo al terminar. Los personajes me cautivaron, su dolor, sus ganas de llegar a la verdad. Muy duro.
Estuve tan intrigada y tan involucrada con el sufrimiento de los personajes que creo poder decir ya que va a ser mi mejor lectura del año. El giro final es completamente inesperado, como un mazazo. Muy recomendado, sin duda.
No se parece en nada al thriller al uso que estoy acostumbrada a leer. Es una historia tan increíble que casi aplaudo al terminar. Los personajes me cautivaron, su dolor, sus ganas de llegar a la verdad. Muy duro.
Estuve tan intrigada y tan involucrada con el sufrimiento de los personajes que creo poder decir ya que va a ser mi mejor lectura del año. El giro final es completamente inesperado, como un mazazo. Muy recomendado, sin duda.
August 27, 2016
loved this book!!!!
July 7, 2017
Wow!! Simply WOW!! I officially love this author!! Everything came to a full circle. The author taps into very strong subjects but he manages to be subtle and refined, without having to be crude or detailed to get the message across. I loved his latest work, Redemption Road, and in my opinion this book superseded that one and it was a five star read as well.
November 16, 2013
WAY better than , love it when giving an author a second chance pans out. They're both thrillers but this one’s improved by a level of suspense, a slow build that about midway picks up then just keeps accelerating right to the end - don’t be surprised if your up half the night. The writing is simplistic (no thesaurus required here folks) more important the dialog is believable.
Intricate plotting with characters to care about, a thoroughly entertaining bit of escapism. For the thriller genre it's a solid 4 stars. Yes, it’s full of stereotypes � nasty rich people, pedophiles & bullies abound. And I know, the obsessed cop who throws his personal live away in the pursuit of a perp has been done to death � for a reason. When an author pulls it off it’s fabulous.
I fell for Johnny, a misfit, alone except for a basket-case of a mother. He figures if the cops can’t find his missing twin then he will. A fiercely loyal kid who "keeps his shoes laced tight and a knife in his pocket" Who sets about systematically checking out all the weirdo’s in town on his own including registered sex offenders…gutsy. And I fell for Hunt, BECAUSE he fell for Johnny - because just like me he wanted to "put an arm around the kid, make him understand, and at the same time, make him stop"
Cons: Bit slow & convoluted at times � persevere. The mother Katherine’s journey of despair definitely overdone, in fact there’s a fair bit of overblown drama. My 2nd Hart, think I’m seeing a trend�
Warning: If child abduction stories bother you� avoid this.
Intricate plotting with characters to care about, a thoroughly entertaining bit of escapism. For the thriller genre it's a solid 4 stars. Yes, it’s full of stereotypes � nasty rich people, pedophiles & bullies abound. And I know, the obsessed cop who throws his personal live away in the pursuit of a perp has been done to death � for a reason. When an author pulls it off it’s fabulous.
I fell for Johnny, a misfit, alone except for a basket-case of a mother. He figures if the cops can’t find his missing twin then he will. A fiercely loyal kid who "keeps his shoes laced tight and a knife in his pocket" Who sets about systematically checking out all the weirdo’s in town on his own including registered sex offenders…gutsy. And I fell for Hunt, BECAUSE he fell for Johnny - because just like me he wanted to "put an arm around the kid, make him understand, and at the same time, make him stop"
Cons: Bit slow & convoluted at times � persevere. The mother Katherine’s journey of despair definitely overdone, in fact there’s a fair bit of overblown drama. My 2nd Hart, think I’m seeing a trend�
Warning: If child abduction stories bother you� avoid this.
December 4, 2017
Redemption Road by John Hart was my first encounter with this author's work. It became one of my all-time favorite reads. All the elements of a harsh, gritty reality was present, with a compassionate touch of goodness thrown in to ensure the reader's emotional survival. John Hart wrote a thriller like I wanted it to be. Perfectly so. Perhaps it can be called a literary thriller, since there was just so much more on offer than the usual.
For this reason I jumped at the opportunity to read The Last Child about Johnny Merriman and his best friend Jack who encountered the dark side of life when the tide turned against them at the age of thirteen. Johnny's sister and then his his dad disappeared. He took it upon himself to find them and save his mother from a fate worst than death.
This is such an endearing, suspenseful, gripping, atmospheric tale. I often had to gulp down my heart that was clogging up my throat. I read large parts of the book twice to catch up on the action, but also to enjoy the clues more that was so deftly woven into the plot.
But most of all, the book was not just skillfully written, it also introduced the reader to a young man who had to grow up fast. His mind still wanted to linger on the magic of being a thirteen year old boy on the brink of big discoveries. His heart made him a lion, while his body reminded him that there was still a lot more growing up ahead before he could take on the violent world out there. He encountered the entire specturm of manhood on his journey to find the truth. How to be a real man was a tough lesson to learn.
The results of this tale is a southern grit lit experience par excellence.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
For this reason I jumped at the opportunity to read The Last Child about Johnny Merriman and his best friend Jack who encountered the dark side of life when the tide turned against them at the age of thirteen. Johnny's sister and then his his dad disappeared. He took it upon himself to find them and save his mother from a fate worst than death.
This is such an endearing, suspenseful, gripping, atmospheric tale. I often had to gulp down my heart that was clogging up my throat. I read large parts of the book twice to catch up on the action, but also to enjoy the clues more that was so deftly woven into the plot.
But most of all, the book was not just skillfully written, it also introduced the reader to a young man who had to grow up fast. His mind still wanted to linger on the magic of being a thirteen year old boy on the brink of big discoveries. His heart made him a lion, while his body reminded him that there was still a lot more growing up ahead before he could take on the violent world out there. He encountered the entire specturm of manhood on his journey to find the truth. How to be a real man was a tough lesson to learn.
The results of this tale is a southern grit lit experience par excellence.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
April 4, 2017
I have a tendency to pick up books at library used book sales only to gather dust on my shelves. To date there are over 80 tomes beckoning because I continue to go for the next ‘it� book that everyone on ŷ is touting. So I’ve made a commitment to dust off the occasional book in between the new releases and boy did I hit the jackpot on this one.
This goes beyond the traditional mystery due to its emotional breadth and depth. The author delves into his characters� lives with such understanding, yet without slipping into sappiness or cliché. There is a breathless pace to the plot twists and revelations as we dig into the disturbing circumstances of a family set adrift by the abduction at the center of the story. This is a tale whose unraveling is sheer brilliance and a main character whose age belies the toll his psyche has endured.
What a wonderfully structured, written and realized mystery. John Hart where have you been all my reading life? And how lucky for me that you’re the author of numerous stories of suspense not the least of which, Redemption Road, has been on my must get to list for months. It’s going to take some discipline not to plow through your entire body of work one after another. The library Spring sales are coming up and I see myself digging for more Hart…I better make more shelf room.
Highly recommend for fans of mysteries and well written stories, a 4.5 rounded up to 5 for the ability to both engage and surprise me.
This goes beyond the traditional mystery due to its emotional breadth and depth. The author delves into his characters� lives with such understanding, yet without slipping into sappiness or cliché. There is a breathless pace to the plot twists and revelations as we dig into the disturbing circumstances of a family set adrift by the abduction at the center of the story. This is a tale whose unraveling is sheer brilliance and a main character whose age belies the toll his psyche has endured.
What a wonderfully structured, written and realized mystery. John Hart where have you been all my reading life? And how lucky for me that you’re the author of numerous stories of suspense not the least of which, Redemption Road, has been on my must get to list for months. It’s going to take some discipline not to plow through your entire body of work one after another. The library Spring sales are coming up and I see myself digging for more Hart…I better make more shelf room.
Highly recommend for fans of mysteries and well written stories, a 4.5 rounded up to 5 for the ability to both engage and surprise me.
January 20, 2023
No hay cuervos
«—¿Crees en los misterios, detective? No el tipo de misterios a los que te enfrentas cada día. En los grandes misterios, detective.
Misterios de verdad.
Misterios enormes.
—No estoy seguro de entender lo que quieres decir.»
Johnny es un chico de trece años que hace un año perdió a su hermana melliza, alguien vio cómo se la llevaban en un coche. Desde entonces nadie sabe nada, la policía se ve incapaz, piensan que no hay nada que hacer después de tanto tiempo.
A las dos semanas de desaparecer su hermana, su padre se fue de casa atormentado por la culpa que le echaba encima su mujer, le culpaba de lo ocurrido.
El detective Hunt, buen amigo de la familia, trata de explicar a Johnny que es casi imposible que su hermana esté con vida, pero el chico es un crío, y los críos ven cosas que los adultos no les dan importancia, esos detalles…esos sitios escondidos�
Me ha parecido una novela extraordinaria, una novela con personajes con los que empatizar, con los que ponerte de su lado, ese chico con esa obsesión, esa madre en plena autodestrucción, ese policía intentando hacer su trabajo. Y personajes malvados, ese maltratador abusón, esos seres oscuros casi ocultos...
«La maldad es el cáncer del alma».
Puede parecer que no es creíble lo que hace el chico, pero la verdad es que nunca deja de comportarse como un chico con una obsesión, que es encontrar a su hermana y que su padre vuelva.
«—El Señor perdona los pecados leves. »
Y ese misterio e intriga policial permanece durante toda la historia, siempre pensando en lo peor, pero sin perder la esperanza gracias a Johnny.
Esta historia tiene ese punto de más que encuentro en los libros de John Connolly en su serie de Charlie Parker que hace que sus novelas negras sean diferentes. Hay un aura sobrenatural que no lo ves porque sale del entendimiento, pero que sabes que cuando llegue el momento aparecerá.
“—¿Crees en los misterios, detective? No el tipo de misterios a los que te enfrentas cada día. En los grandes misterios, detective.
Misterios de verdad.
Misterios enormes.
Donde no hay cuervos.�
«—¿Crees en los misterios, detective? No el tipo de misterios a los que te enfrentas cada día. En los grandes misterios, detective.
Misterios de verdad.
Misterios enormes.
—No estoy seguro de entender lo que quieres decir.»
Johnny es un chico de trece años que hace un año perdió a su hermana melliza, alguien vio cómo se la llevaban en un coche. Desde entonces nadie sabe nada, la policía se ve incapaz, piensan que no hay nada que hacer después de tanto tiempo.
A las dos semanas de desaparecer su hermana, su padre se fue de casa atormentado por la culpa que le echaba encima su mujer, le culpaba de lo ocurrido.
El detective Hunt, buen amigo de la familia, trata de explicar a Johnny que es casi imposible que su hermana esté con vida, pero el chico es un crío, y los críos ven cosas que los adultos no les dan importancia, esos detalles…esos sitios escondidos�
Me ha parecido una novela extraordinaria, una novela con personajes con los que empatizar, con los que ponerte de su lado, ese chico con esa obsesión, esa madre en plena autodestrucción, ese policía intentando hacer su trabajo. Y personajes malvados, ese maltratador abusón, esos seres oscuros casi ocultos...
«La maldad es el cáncer del alma».
Puede parecer que no es creíble lo que hace el chico, pero la verdad es que nunca deja de comportarse como un chico con una obsesión, que es encontrar a su hermana y que su padre vuelva.
«—El Señor perdona los pecados leves. »
Y ese misterio e intriga policial permanece durante toda la historia, siempre pensando en lo peor, pero sin perder la esperanza gracias a Johnny.
Esta historia tiene ese punto de más que encuentro en los libros de John Connolly en su serie de Charlie Parker que hace que sus novelas negras sean diferentes. Hay un aura sobrenatural que no lo ves porque sale del entendimiento, pero que sabes que cuando llegue el momento aparecerá.
“—¿Crees en los misterios, detective? No el tipo de misterios a los que te enfrentas cada día. En los grandes misterios, detective.
Misterios de verdad.
Misterios enormes.
Donde no hay cuervos.�
June 1, 2018
This was a fast-paced engaging tale that kept me reading far into the night. Hart writes sequentially without an outline, a style that makes for very well developed and engaging characters. There are a couple holes in plot but they are mostly fairly minor and didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.
I recently had the opportunity to meet John Hart and he revealed some interesting tidbits about the story. For one thing, Johnny Merrimon, the young man at the heart of this story, appeared in an earlier book of Hart’s. He was the unnamed boy on a bicycle who appeared briefly at the beginning of . Hart liked that minor player so much that he made him the subject of a book of his own. Also, one of the murder victims, David Wilson, is named after Hart’s brother-in-law. ★★★★½
I recently had the opportunity to meet John Hart and he revealed some interesting tidbits about the story. For one thing, Johnny Merrimon, the young man at the heart of this story, appeared in an earlier book of Hart’s. He was the unnamed boy on a bicycle who appeared briefly at the beginning of . Hart liked that minor player so much that he made him the subject of a book of his own. Also, one of the murder victims, David Wilson, is named after Hart’s brother-in-law. ★★★★½
December 31, 2021
Pedazo libro para terminar el año.
Vayan sacando los bolis que este libro lo tiene todo: una buena ambientación, personajes complejos y buen definidos, una investigación que te atrapa, un final cerrado y la sensación de haber disfrutado con su lectura.
El autor no escatima en detalles, puede dar la sensación de que empieza con un ritmo lento y pausado, que pudiera faltar algo más de acción, pero a mí me ha gustado el ritmo marcado, impregnandome de esa ambientación que me ha trasladado a esa zona de Carolina del Norte; de la personalidad de cada personaje, sus sentimientos, miedos, motivaciones e inquietudes -muy bien trabajado en los personajes principales-, te metes en la cabeza de ellos o ellos se meten en la tuya, con sus disyuntivas y su evolución. Una investigación como trama principal con su tensión, sus tropiezos, sus giros, descubrimientos no esperados que destapan otros horrores y al final, una resolución del "misterio" que no esperabas y que a nuestros protagonistas les deja abierta la puerta a la esperanza, una nueva vida que te deja con buen sabor de boca tras tanta tensión y padecimiento.
El autor no se recrea con escenas macabras, es un thriller para todos los públicos, que te atrapa y no puedes dejar de leer, a su ritmo, el que marca el autor. Olvídate de esa clase de thrillers que se llevan ahora viscerales y de ritmo frenético siguiendo un guion.
Los matices que va incorporando le permiten incorporar otros temas más allá de la investigación, como la amistad, la lealtad, el acoso y maltrato, el sentimiento de culpa, la familia, la pérdida de un ser querido.
Creo que investigaré el resto de libros de este autor. Vale la pena.
Alguien me recomendó este libro hace tiempo. Gracias!
Valoración: 10/10
Lectura: diciembre 2021
Vayan sacando los bolis que este libro lo tiene todo: una buena ambientación, personajes complejos y buen definidos, una investigación que te atrapa, un final cerrado y la sensación de haber disfrutado con su lectura.
El autor no escatima en detalles, puede dar la sensación de que empieza con un ritmo lento y pausado, que pudiera faltar algo más de acción, pero a mí me ha gustado el ritmo marcado, impregnandome de esa ambientación que me ha trasladado a esa zona de Carolina del Norte; de la personalidad de cada personaje, sus sentimientos, miedos, motivaciones e inquietudes -muy bien trabajado en los personajes principales-, te metes en la cabeza de ellos o ellos se meten en la tuya, con sus disyuntivas y su evolución. Una investigación como trama principal con su tensión, sus tropiezos, sus giros, descubrimientos no esperados que destapan otros horrores y al final, una resolución del "misterio" que no esperabas y que a nuestros protagonistas les deja abierta la puerta a la esperanza, una nueva vida que te deja con buen sabor de boca tras tanta tensión y padecimiento.
El autor no se recrea con escenas macabras, es un thriller para todos los públicos, que te atrapa y no puedes dejar de leer, a su ritmo, el que marca el autor. Olvídate de esa clase de thrillers que se llevan ahora viscerales y de ritmo frenético siguiendo un guion.
Los matices que va incorporando le permiten incorporar otros temas más allá de la investigación, como la amistad, la lealtad, el acoso y maltrato, el sentimiento de culpa, la familia, la pérdida de un ser querido.
Creo que investigaré el resto de libros de este autor. Vale la pena.
Alguien me recomendó este libro hace tiempo. Gracias!
Valoración: 10/10
Lectura: diciembre 2021
November 15, 2017
Read THE CHILD so long ago when it was first published and STILL remember a good portion of it.
Loved it and John Hart's storytelling expertise!
October 9, 2022
Intense Character-Driven Southern Fiction.
Thirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon is a lost boy with a heart of gold. The day his twin sister Alyssa went missing changed everything. Shortly thereafter, his father ran out and since then, his mother has become a junkie and he’s been desperately trying to find his sister, and fix everything.
Johnny Merrimon is a whiz, cool, endearing, and street smart. He’s a boy who faces danger and isn’t afraid of anything. After all, what else does he have to lose?
Detective Clyde Hunt is the lead detective on the Alyssa Merriman disappearance though the case has gone cold, he cares about it more than he should. When another girl goes missing he knows there’s a link. So does Johnny.
The path to finding the truth here isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, dirty, and downright ugly, which is something I’ve learned John Hart does extremely well. This is brilliantly written Character-Driven, Southern Fiction/Suspense. The Last Child was my second read by John Hart. Immediately after this, I started and just finished Iron House. While my favorite remains Down River, I think it’s safe to say I am now a huge fan and plan on reading every book he has ever written.
3.85 Stars
Thanks to Hoopla for loaning me the audio.
Thirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon is a lost boy with a heart of gold. The day his twin sister Alyssa went missing changed everything. Shortly thereafter, his father ran out and since then, his mother has become a junkie and he’s been desperately trying to find his sister, and fix everything.
Johnny Merrimon is a whiz, cool, endearing, and street smart. He’s a boy who faces danger and isn’t afraid of anything. After all, what else does he have to lose?
Detective Clyde Hunt is the lead detective on the Alyssa Merriman disappearance though the case has gone cold, he cares about it more than he should. When another girl goes missing he knows there’s a link. So does Johnny.
The path to finding the truth here isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, dirty, and downright ugly, which is something I’ve learned John Hart does extremely well. This is brilliantly written Character-Driven, Southern Fiction/Suspense. The Last Child was my second read by John Hart. Immediately after this, I started and just finished Iron House. While my favorite remains Down River, I think it’s safe to say I am now a huge fan and plan on reading every book he has ever written.
3.85 Stars
Thanks to Hoopla for loaning me the audio.
March 26, 2016
This book is John Hart's third, and the third that I've read. There is a common theme in his books. Take an ordinary happy person and turn their dreams into nightmares.
In this book, Johnny's sister was abducted a year ago and never found, which resulted in his father leaving, his mother turning to drugs and alcohol, the loss of his home, and his obsession with finding her.
In this book, a well-respected detective has lost his wife, is losing his son, and is also obsessed with finding Johnny's sister, which he has failed to do.
What a rich, meaty story! The setting is sometimes depressing, with such realistic descriptions that I felt I was there. The characters sometimes do things that are frustrating. But, omg, the circumstances that are revealed in the end are heartbreaking. And uplifting. And hopeful. And show how events are related and affected by other events.
I loved this book! I hated to put it down, but there were times I had to just to think about what was happening. I highly recommend this book!
In this book, Johnny's sister was abducted a year ago and never found, which resulted in his father leaving, his mother turning to drugs and alcohol, the loss of his home, and his obsession with finding her.
In this book, a well-respected detective has lost his wife, is losing his son, and is also obsessed with finding Johnny's sister, which he has failed to do.
What a rich, meaty story! The setting is sometimes depressing, with such realistic descriptions that I felt I was there. The characters sometimes do things that are frustrating. But, omg, the circumstances that are revealed in the end are heartbreaking. And uplifting. And hopeful. And show how events are related and affected by other events.
I loved this book! I hated to put it down, but there were times I had to just to think about what was happening. I highly recommend this book!
February 1, 2018
*4.5 stars rounded up. John Hart can create some incredible characters that can tear your heart out if you're not careful. In the first few pages, I thought Oh this book is going to be just too depressing for me! But I'm glad I hung in there for a terrific, unputdownable read.
One year ago, Johnny Merrimon's twin sister, Alyssa, was abducted, seen being pulled into a vehicle while walking home after her father failed to pick her up.
The Merrimon family's life has been falling apart ever since. First the father walked away, leaving his beautiful wife and son to fend for themselves. Then his former boss, Ken Holloway, took pity on Katherine and her boy and moved them into one of his dilapidated rental homes, where he keeps the woman supplied with drugs and liquor...and takes his evilness out on both of them.
At the young age of thirteen, Johnny deals with these problems and his emotions in the only way he can--by taking petty revenge on Ken, doing his best to take care of his mother and spending his free time pursuing clues about the whereabouts of his sister. This last is dangerous territory and he is warned off time and time again by Detective Clyde Hunt, who is also obsessed with the case...and the beautiful, sorrowful mother. Hunt cannot help but admire the boy's loyalty, fierceness and determination but these same attributes could put him in extreme danger.
Then another young girl is abducted and all hell breaks loose in that town. Can they find both these girls before it's too late? Is the perp one man, two men, three?
This turned out to be such a terrific page-turner of a thriller. I love the way Hart brings in seemingly incidental characters who end up being lynch pins in the story. Great writing! Johnny and his best friend Jack are characters I won't soon forget. I'm looking forward to reading more about their adventures in the next book , coming out in February!
My second 5-star rating for 2018 and both books set in North Carolina. Hmmm, I've got a love-affair going on with that beautiful state, it appears!
One year ago, Johnny Merrimon's twin sister, Alyssa, was abducted, seen being pulled into a vehicle while walking home after her father failed to pick her up.
The Merrimon family's life has been falling apart ever since. First the father walked away, leaving his beautiful wife and son to fend for themselves. Then his former boss, Ken Holloway, took pity on Katherine and her boy and moved them into one of his dilapidated rental homes, where he keeps the woman supplied with drugs and liquor...and takes his evilness out on both of them.
At the young age of thirteen, Johnny deals with these problems and his emotions in the only way he can--by taking petty revenge on Ken, doing his best to take care of his mother and spending his free time pursuing clues about the whereabouts of his sister. This last is dangerous territory and he is warned off time and time again by Detective Clyde Hunt, who is also obsessed with the case...and the beautiful, sorrowful mother. Hunt cannot help but admire the boy's loyalty, fierceness and determination but these same attributes could put him in extreme danger.
Then another young girl is abducted and all hell breaks loose in that town. Can they find both these girls before it's too late? Is the perp one man, two men, three?
This turned out to be such a terrific page-turner of a thriller. I love the way Hart brings in seemingly incidental characters who end up being lynch pins in the story. Great writing! Johnny and his best friend Jack are characters I won't soon forget. I'm looking forward to reading more about their adventures in the next book , coming out in February!
My second 5-star rating for 2018 and both books set in North Carolina. Hmmm, I've got a love-affair going on with that beautiful state, it appears!
August 22, 2015
3.75�
This was my suspend reality read for the month. You know when the words mystery and thriller are used in the same sentence to describe a book, there is going to be too much coincidence and unbelievable thriller stuff happening to characters. But that is why books like this are written and read. Not to be taken too seriously. But not as intelligent as I was hoping it would be. Reality aside, factual details should still count. Example: Johnny's mother could not be coming off drug addiction so quickly and easily, then function the way she did. No. Way. So I have to deduct points for that. There are more. That noted, it was a page turner, block out the real world 2 day ride. Even though I had the who did it figured out by the halfway point, it was far more complicated and twisty and surprising at the end than I could imagine and I did start to doubt my choice at one point. Add points back. And an extra quarter of a point added back because this was written by a man and instead of a book where the main female protagonist does stupid girl stuff, our male detective is defective with his maleness. I don't know why that rubs me the right way; it could be the one glass of wine consumed in writing this review. Enjoy!
This was my suspend reality read for the month. You know when the words mystery and thriller are used in the same sentence to describe a book, there is going to be too much coincidence and unbelievable thriller stuff happening to characters. But that is why books like this are written and read. Not to be taken too seriously. But not as intelligent as I was hoping it would be. Reality aside, factual details should still count. Example: Johnny's mother could not be coming off drug addiction so quickly and easily, then function the way she did. No. Way. So I have to deduct points for that. There are more. That noted, it was a page turner, block out the real world 2 day ride. Even though I had the who did it figured out by the halfway point, it was far more complicated and twisty and surprising at the end than I could imagine and I did start to doubt my choice at one point. Add points back. And an extra quarter of a point added back because this was written by a man and instead of a book where the main female protagonist does stupid girl stuff, our male detective is defective with his maleness. I don't know why that rubs me the right way; it could be the one glass of wine consumed in writing this review. Enjoy!
February 19, 2022
An excerpt: “Darkness is a cancer of the human heart…�
What a bleak world the author has created here.
Innocence is destroyed at early stages.
This was a compelling read, gripping from the very beginning.
The storyline is very well developed and skillfully structured.
The writing is superb!
I think that I’m going to crown John Hart as my author of the year.
I was so eager to finish this book and at the same time I was afraid of its conclusion.
There is so much pain and grieving.
It’s absolutely touching. And I did not want to stop reading.
The last 20% were pure adrenaline.
I’m so looking forward to reading the rest of this series, as well as the other standalone books.
This was my third book by this author, who I discovered only last month with Redemption Road and The King of Lies. Both received my first 5 stars of 2022.
Brilliant author.
What a bleak world the author has created here.
Innocence is destroyed at early stages.
This was a compelling read, gripping from the very beginning.
The storyline is very well developed and skillfully structured.
The writing is superb!
I think that I’m going to crown John Hart as my author of the year.
I was so eager to finish this book and at the same time I was afraid of its conclusion.
There is so much pain and grieving.
It’s absolutely touching. And I did not want to stop reading.
The last 20% were pure adrenaline.
I’m so looking forward to reading the rest of this series, as well as the other standalone books.
This was my third book by this author, who I discovered only last month with Redemption Road and The King of Lies. Both received my first 5 stars of 2022.
Brilliant author.
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