The Last One at the Wedding is a domestic psychological thriller that builds in intensity and depth as the story unfolds. Rekulak is well known for his immensely successful last novel, Hidden Pictures, and it’s important to note that this book is very different in pacing and context, so don’t expect another fast-paced creepy thriller. This story follows Frank, a father whose estranged daughter, Maggie, suddenly calls to invite him to her wedding to a well-known wealthy man. The story has a slow-burn start, with the first half of the book introducing the characters, their backstories, and the wedding backdrop. It’s a book that readers will need to be patient with to fully appreciate, as the second half is full of unpredictable twists and turns and wonderful character growth. The story also features some popular thriller tropes, including a missing person, an isolated setting, so many lies, an unassuming villain, and blackmail.

There are a good number of characters introduced in the book, most of whom are complex, untrustworthy, and unlikeable. The story is told from the first-person perspective of Frank. Frank is very likeable and authentic, always wanting to do the right thing no matter what the circumstances or consequences. Despite how poorly Maggie treats him and her absurdly selfish behaviour, he never faults her and shows her unconditional love throughout the story. There are several instances where readers may be infuriated by Frank’s impulsive actions and poor decision-making, but they only further demonstrate his pure intentions. The side characters aren’t nearly as developed as Frank, and it might have been more interesting to have better-developed Maggie and Aiden’s relationship or to have gotten their perspectives. Frank’s sister Tammy provides some comic relief during some intense scenes and turns out to be much wiser than she’s first portrayed. Abigail is a wonderful addition to the story and provides some unexpected and much-needed joy to Frank’s life during very difficult times.

The wedding is set on a remote New England campsite with lavish cottages, woods, and a lake—all perfect elements for an unpredictable thriller. There are several suspenseful scenes where Frank sneaks out into the woods or to other cottages, determined to learn the truth about the missing woman linked to his daughter’s fiancé. The second half of the story is very unpredictable, as some jaw-dropping twists are presented regarding the wedding and the missing girl, making for a very compelling story.

In summary, this is a very unique domestic thriller that readers will need to see through to the end to fully appreciate. The storyline is highly original, as is the middle-aged father’s first-person POV. Narrator John Pirhalla does a wonderful job capturing the essence of Frank’s character and provides distinct character voices that are perfectly suited to each character, making for an engaging and entertaining listening experience. This is the kind of story that would perfectly lend itself to a film adaptation with its rich character development, intriguing father-daughter storyline, and abundance of suspense and twists. If you enjoy slow-burn mysteries with strong characters, highly unpredictable storylines, and satisfying conclusions, this book should be highly considered!