Twenty years ago Emily Mills’s father was murdered, and she found his body hanging in the backyard. Her younger sister, Madison, claims she was asleep in her room. Her older sister, Tara, claims she was out with friends. The tragedy drove their mother to suicide and Tara to leave town forever. The killer was caught. The case closed.

Ever since, Emily and Madison have tried to forget what happened that night—until an eerily similar murder brings it all back. It also brings FBI special agent Zander Wells to the Oregon logging town. As eager as he is to solve the brutal double slaying, he is just as intrigued with the mystery of Emily’s and her sisters’ past.

This is quite obviously going to be a new series by the author which I'm pleased about as I did enjoy this. There were a couple of characters who I have since discovered have also popped up in other books by the author, but I don't feel that I have suffered from not knowing who they were so I am confident in saying that if this is your first book by this author, it will not matter and certainly will not hinder your enjoyment. 

I was riveted by the suspense and the way that the past can still have the power to send shockwaves through small, tightly knit communities in the present day.  
There are twists a plenty and a nice little romance which thankfully does not take centre stage. 

It took a while to get into but it was definitely worth persevering with.

Really enjoyed this book. First time I  have read a book by Kendra Elliott and I will definitely be reading the other books in this series.  Kept me guessing all the way through. Could not put this book down. A great read!

When Emily Mills finds a man lynched in his home with his wife viciously stabbed in her bed she realises it has eerie echoes of a another murder she discovered 20 years before. Her father’s. Emily’s family has not been the same since. Her mother committed suicide not long after, and her eldest sister took off and hasn’t been seen since. Now the new murder is bringing ghosts back from her past and things she would rather forget. But with a killer on the loose Emily may have to face some of the secrets she’s been hiding from. The murder has also brought FBI Special Agent Zander Wells to the small town, determined to solve the case. He never expected the mutual attraction to Emily Wells. But, as he delves deeper in to the secrets of the small town, he realises that Emily has some secrets of her own.

If I want to read a thriller/mystery/suspense novel there are a few authors I know I can rely on: Melinda Leigh, JD Robb and Kendra Elliot. So, when I saw she was starting a new series, it may see odd that I had a mixed panic/excitement reaction. The panic was because Elliot has a great backlist of interconnected series. They all standalone as series, but side characters in these series tend to get one of their own. And, as someone who hates reading anything out of order, including a series of series, I wanted to know where Zander Wells came from before I dived in.

Did I find out what series he came from before I dived in? No. Did it stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book? Also no. But, did I find out what series he originally hales from after I have finished The Last Sister? Hell, yes. He is a side character in the Callahan & McLane series – which I HIGHLY recommend and will be reviewing soon.

The Last Sister focussed on two things, the romance between Zander and Emily and solving the murders. Firstly, the murders. I loved the thriller element to this book, it had some great twists in it and it kept you guessing about the culprit until the end. It also moved along at a fairly fast pace as it entwines the growing connection between Zander and Emily, the investigation and the slow reveal of Emily’s past and the secrets she’s hiding.

As for the romance, although I like the natural way it developed. Both Zander and Emily were very likable characters and in hindsight, now that I have read some of the Callahan and McLane series and have a more detailed backstory, it makes me like it even more. If you won’t something smoking hot, this isn’t your book, but I liked the growing respect and attraction that develops as the book progressed.

Another great read by Kendra Elliot and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Exciting, well written and lots.of twists and turns.  What more can you ask? I love Kendra Elliot and this book does not disappoint. Thoroughly recommend.
Thank you Kendra, Montlake Romance and Netgalley for the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

Kendra Elliott, has done it again!  This book brings back some of the characters you love. This book was real written. The characters mesh, you feel what they feel. It takes you to the coast of Oregon, you feel the cold rain, the weak sunshine, the smell of the ocean! You are taken to a place of hope, love, and demention. Like all of MS. Elliott books, you love the characters, and want to read every book she has. One of my favorite things about this book, the revisiting of the characters from other books and series.

A great crime thriller that keeps the reader gripped from the beginning until the unexpected end.  This is a very gripping read, and I can't wait to read some more of this very talented author.

This is the first book in the Columbia River series, first off Zander Wells, he was the reason I chose this book to read, as my son’s name is Zander and it is an unusual spelling. 
At the very beginning, I was reeled in and I could not put the book down. 
A murder case from twenty years ago where someone was charged was done and dusted, until now when it happens again, the same kind of MO, does lightning strike twice? 
Apart from the murders and the investigation, there was more to the book, there was romance and a lot of other stuff including diversity in a small town.
Now this book left me guessing and kept me wanting to read more. It was written well and I liked both Zander and Ava’s characters.
I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

Elliottt is a master! Love her stories. Mich like my other favorite authors Mark Edwards, Teresa driscoll, Kiersten Modglin, and Kimberly belle. She is great! Can’t recommend her amazing stories enough!

Emily Mills found her father's body, with multiple stab wounds, hanging in their backyard 20 years ago. The tragedy drove her mother to suicide and her elder sister, Tara, to leave town forever. The killer was caught and the case closed.

Emily and her younger sister, Madison, have tried to forget what happened that night and move on until a similar murder brings it all back. FBI special agent, Zander Wells, arrives at the Oregon logging town. And as he starts the inquiries into the present case, he is drawn to the mystery of Emily and her sisters’ past.

The Last Sister is the first book in Kendra Elliot's Columbia River series. 
This was such a compelling crime thriller, with great characters and shocking twists. I'll definitely be reading the next book in this series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Montlake Romance, for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this murder-mystery/thriller. It was nicely written with lots of twists and turns along the way. It's also listed as a romance, which it isn't to any extent, as this book is all about the police investigation. I'm not sure I believed in Emily and Zander's attraction quite yet, (she's a witness and he's FBI) and nothing was resolved re their relationship, so I assume it will continue in the next book, which I will read asap.

The murders and police/FBI investigation were the feature and as I've read many other books by this author I was expecting this. Everything re the murders was wrapped up in a neat bow at the end and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, as it's excellent light entertainment. There's plenty of action, with a few grizzly murder scenes and autopsy scenes and I give it 4 stars. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher Montlake Romance for the e-ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Oooo I love a good twist and this has one that will knock you off your feet! A double murder brings a small town to their knees as  they are left guessing about another incident 20 years earlier. Scary. Tense. Compelling. 
4/5.

A great crime thriller! It was suspenseful, unexpected, and left me wanting more! Looking forward to reading more by this author.

I'm a first time Kendra Elliott reader. Pretty quickly I left like, while this is a stand alone, I was missing out on something. There is obviously a history/ background I've missed.
That being said.... It didn't alter my review. 
I was sucked in from the very being. Very suspenseful. It was a great story that left me anxious for the next installment.

This was such a compelling crime thriller. This is the first book in Kendra Elliot’s new Columbia River series. I really enjoyed the story.

Lots of plot twists and turns throughout the book to keep you gripped. More of a mystery novel as opposed to romance. Loved it nonetheless!

As with all of Kendra's books this one just keeps you guessing. It is a true page turner and I for one can't wait for the next book. Thanks for another great hot Kendra!

Twenty years ago Emily Mills’s father was murdered, and she found his body hanging in the backyard. Her younger sister, Madison, claims she was asleep in her room. 
Her older sister, Tara, claims she was out with friends. 
The tragedy drove their mother to suicide and Tara to leave town forever. 
The killer was caught. The case closed - or was it?

Ever since, Emily and Madison have tried to forget what happened that night—until an eerily similar murder brings it all back. It also brings FBI special agent Zander Wells to the Oregon logging town. 

When Tara disappeared, she took a secret of her own with her.
Now Emily is trapped inside a nightmare that won't go away.

Stunning new thriller from Kendra Elliot.

Such a compelling read, this book was much more mystery than romance. 

I loved playing detective and trying to piece this all together.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked all the characters, they all got together do well. I didn’t suspect the ending at all, which is always  great whilst reading.  
Thank you for letting me read this great book, can’t wait to read more!

An easy to read storyline with interesting characters. It had lots of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting