Last Seen is a gripping psychological thriller that explores so many elements—childhood trauma, blocked memory, marital issues, family secrets, cult culture, and more! Its storyline is very different from JT Ellison’s previous books, but it still has the author’s trademark intricate, multilayered storytelling and multiple twists.

The story follows Halley James, a forensics expert whose life is unraveling—her marriage is ending due to irreconcilable differences, and she’s been fired from her job for an unjust technicality. Returning to Marchburg, Virginia, to care for her ailing father, she unearths a shocking lie: her mother didn’t die in a car crash—she was murdered by her estranged sister, Cat, and her father kept it from her for decades. Halley’s search for her sister leads her to Brockville, Tennessee—a charming writers’ retreat town where Cat was last seen—but soon discovers the town is hiding a sinister underbelly.

The story is told from multiple POVs—it’s mostly told from Halley’s POV in the present day but also switches to Cat’s POV in Brockville 15 years earlier and eerie chapters where the killer in the story directly addresses the reader—greatly amplifying the psychological dread! The atmospheric town of Brockville, where most of the story takes place, has a menacing feel to it from the moment Halley arrives. Halley’s gut instincts are screaming for her to leave, but her desperate need for answers ignores them and the many red flags thrown her way—readers will have to suspend their disbelief at the degree to which she knowingly puts herself into danger while still having the chance to escape.

Halley James is an emotional and impulsive protagonist. Her analytical nature is both an asset and a vulnerability as she faces emotional upheaval and threats to her life. Her relationship with her estranged husband, Theo, is a compelling subplot to the story—they clearly love each other, but their different views on having children have become a roadblock in their marriage they cannot overcome. Their relationship resolution at the end may be satisfying but doesn’t quite add up. Catriona (Cat), Halley’s half-sister, may be the most intriguing character—she’s initially shrouded in mystery but quickly transitions into a tragic, morally complex figure, shifting from perceived monstrosity to emotional depth. The townspeople in Brockville, along with the Brockton brothers Noah and Cameron and their father Miles, are all pleasant on the surface but simultaneously shrouded in suspicion—they demonstrate how the facade of a perfect community can mask a sinister underbelly! A brief romantic subplot develops between Halley and Noah that doesn’t add much to the story other than giving readers a temporary respite from all the psychological tension.

The tight pacing and unrelenting tension are the biggest strengths of this book. Readers will feel like they are going down a rabbit hole that has consumed Halley—some of her reckless decisions will make the reading experience feel claustrophobic and extremely unsettling! There are also some things that don’t work in the story. Most of the murders happen off page and seem more like quick plot devices than anything else—and Halley’s reactions to them are underwhelming and unauthentic, especially when her close friend is murdered. Some of the plot twists are telegraphed too early, making Halley’s long journey feel less rewarding. The book also tries to tackle so many things at the same time, and once the cult elements come into play, the story gets a little bit lost and loses credibility. After Halley spends the entire book searching for the truth about her sister, the ending feels rushed and unsatisfying. The final chapter does leave the story with a cliffhanger that could garner a sequel—but with all the secrets seemingly unraveled, it doesn’t seem there’s more story to tell.

Overall, Last Seen is a gripping psychological thriller that will appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced mysteries, intricate family dynamics, and psychological suspense. It may not be JT Ellison’s strongest book to date, but it’s still worth a read for those who have enjoyed her previous books or fans of psychological thrillers that blur the line between memory and reality!