What do readers think of The Last Girl by Jane Casey? Write your own review.

I would not recommend this book. My title reflects my feelings.......too much. Too much bickering, too many disjointed happenings. When all is resolved, one wonders if the loose ends were even addressed much less resolved. The book is described as unpredictable and it is, but not in a positive way. For much of the book I was confused and wondering if that really was the intent. I just felt it could all have been much better.

The fascinating prologue to the story drew me in totally but the rest of the story did not live up to my expectations. I normally like police procedure novels but I found the sub-plots confusing. Told in first person from Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan's point of view, Maeve is a likeable character as she constantly questions her judgment and abilities. She is a character who grows in professional confidence by the end of the case. This book seems to be more about Maeve than the crime as she struggles with her personal relationship with boyfriend Rob, a fellow policeman. She also has issues with her cynical partner DI Derwent. Their constant battering and dialogue however is one of the best features of the book. The other characters, both victims and suspects, seem a little exaggerated and the ending of the book felt somewhat contrived.

The first book I read by Jane Casey was The Reckoning and I was impressed with the book and really looking forward to her next one. In fact, had her name written on my to watch for list. Well, I guess an author can't be brilliant all the time, I was disappointed , I found the plotlines weak, much irrelevant context, and a very contrived ending. Someone who has not read this author, should start with The Burning or The Reckoning. I will watch for the next book Jane Casey writes. and hope its as brilliant as the past books