The Last Laugh, by Kate Galley, promised me everything: a setting in the British Isles, characters proving that reaching seventies is time for fun and adventure, and a title that was somewhat mysterious. Nonetheless, this book did not deliver for me. I could not connect with the characters or the plot. I had to force myself to finish and it took forever. I couldn't read in bed because I fell asleep too quickly. Maybe it was just my mood; some books just need to be read at the right time. There are many positive reviews and I urge readers to read many of them. Galley is a popular author, and I certainly will give her another try. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read a digital ARC.

A gentle, almost old fashioned feel to this book. With delightful characters who were all ex work colleagues of Norman, with whom he charged with the task of scattering his ashes in Scotland. A little mystery as well as the three pensioners are aware of being followed by a motorbike. They weren't friends to start with and each had issues relating back to their work lives. Wonderful descriptions of the wildness of the Shetlands in winter plus some history along the way. Delightfully charming against a background of knitting.

The pensioner friends of Norman have one last request from him a trip of a lifetime and a chance for them all to lay down the ghosts of their pasts.
Bridget is getting forgetful and is worrying as her dad had Alzheimer’s is she going the same way?
Gloria is the glamorous one but her upbeat persona is only skin deep she’s lonely and alone.
Derek is the man of the group but inside he’s still the shy little boy of his past.
The hilarious and heartfelt journey they are embarking on shows it’s never too late to start a fresh new life.

A heartwarming story of three estranged friends on an adventure to scatter Norman’s ashes in the Shetland Islands. The 3 friends, Gloria, Bridget and Derek, were co-workers where they all worked at one time. None of them stayed in touch with each other and they all received a letter asking them to scatter his ashes. Norman had become a knitter and had a big following on his Youtube and Instagram channels. As the trio embarks on their journey, they post pictures of their adventure and missteps along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy to read.

A group of former co-workers are asked to grant their colleagues last wish and discover that the wish was more for them than it was for him.

A light hearted entertaining read full of mishaps,friendships, exploring and second chances!
Knitter Norman sadly passed away, however in his will he requested that three of his former work mates fulfilled a certain duty ! Once they had worn the garish sweaters he had knitted for them to his funeral they were tasked with taking his urn of ashes to the Shetland Isles to be scattered.
The chosen three Bridget,Gloria and Derek had all worked with Norman prior to accident at work that had rendered him wheelchair bound but were no longer in touch with each other but agreed to complete the task as requested.
What follows is a fascinating road trip where friendships are solidified, surprises unearthed, family traced, and several unexpected happenings which make for an enlightening read with a real feel good factor, proving that your never you old to have fun, love and laughs even if it is from beyond the grave/ urn in this case!
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

Three very different characters are set off on a mission by a mutual acquaintance Norman , after his death, they have a joint history and secrets and embark on a cathartic journey to scatter Norman’s ashes in Shetland
Well portrayed characters in an enjoyable tale

When Norman George died, he left behind an enormous legacy. A passionate knitter, brought about by his years in a wheelchair, he had a huge following of fans on YouTube who kept up with his posts religiously. At his funeral, letters to his three best friends, Derek, Bridget and Gloria, asked them to make a journey for him, one he'd have loved to do himself. Norman wanted his three friends to scatter his ashes at the northern most point of Scotland - the Shetland Islands. Completely bemused by the request, and wondering how they would stand each others' company for the few days it would require, the three set off, leaving Bridget's husband Graham at home.

With the violent rocking of the ferry across to Lerwick, the rain and storms that hit, the freezing conditions - they wondered what they were doing. But stubbornly, they continued, taking selfies with Norman in his urn, keeping them company along the way. There was much to do, much to discover, and some friendships to find. Would they manage to fulfil Norman's final wishes?

The Last Laugh Club is my second read by author Kate Galley and it was lots of fun. The three adventurers, all in their seventies, were a courageous bunch. Gloria had an acerbic tongue, Bridget didn't think before she spoke, and Derek tried to keep the peace. Then there was Norman in his urn!! Such an entertaining read, one which I have no hesitation in recommending.

With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

This was a cute and adventurous read with very sweet friends. It was quick and lighthearted, and had me laughing the whole way through!

Following the death of a good friend, 3 former colleagues must reunite to carry out the deceased, norman, last wishes to where he wants his ashes to be scattered.
All three feel that they were responsible for the accident that changed Norman's life.
Travelling to the outer Hebrides and visiting the sites as wished for by Norman.
Unearthing unknown family ties as well as Norman's fame as a knitter.
It's never to late to make amends and go forward.

Bridget, Gloria and Derek are ex employees and friends of Norman who has just died.

Norman has asked for his ashes to be scattered in the Shetland Islands with the help of Bridget, Gloria and Derek, which as they are not friends, is a big ask. They decide to forget about the past, long enough to grant Norman's last wish.

Will this adventure brings them all together one last time, or will they give up?

Another wonderful, witty and fun read by Kate Galley.

Kate Galley’s “The Last Laugh Club” is a heartwarming and poignant tale that weaves together themes of friendship, forgiveness, and unexpected adventures. As my second foray into Galley’s work, this novel solidified my commitment to read everything she writes. Her ability to craft authentic, relatable characters and stories that resonate with women “of a certain age” is remarkable, delivering a narrative that feels both grounded and uplifting without ever patronizing the reader.

The story follows Bridget, a reluctant adventurer, who finds herself honoring her late friend Norman’s final wish: to scatter his ashes in the Shetland Islands. Clad in the vibrant, woolly jumper Norman knitted for her, Bridget is joined by two former colleagues, glamorous Gloria and reserved Derek, each sporting their own knitted gifts. The trio, estranged for years, are thrown together in a battered minivan, armed with too much yarn and not enough patience, embarking on a journey that’s as much about reconciling their past as it is about fulfilling Norman’s request.

Galley excels at creating complex, flawed, and deeply human characters. Bridget’s cautious pragmatism clashes deliciously with Gloria’s bold flair and Derek’s easygoing nature, creating a dynamic that crackles with tension and history. Norman, though absent, looms large as the mischievous mastermind who uses his final act to mend old wounds among his friends. The slow unraveling of their shared past reveals the power of miscommunication and the importance of seizing life’s fleeting moments—a message that hits home without feeling heavy-handed.

The Shetland Islands setting is a character in itself, vividly brought to life through Galley’s evocative descriptions. As a fan of the “Shetland” TV series, I found it effortless to visualize the windswept landscapes, stormy ferry rides, and cozy knitwear moments, which added a delightful layer of immersion. The backdrop amplifies the story’s emotional weight, with storm clouds mirroring the trio’s initial discord and the island’s rugged beauty reflecting their eventual growth.

This is a beautifully crafted story that celebrates the messy, enduring power of connection, coupled with the ups and downs of aging. Galley’s storytelling is both tender and unflinching, capturing life’s realities with grace. I eagerly await Galley’s next work and wholeheartedly recommend this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kate Galley, and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Norman, who’s been in a wheelchair since an accident at work has one last request at his funeral. He asks three former colleagues to scatter his ashes at the northernmost point of the Shetland Islands. Although the three know each other they aren’t close and none of them like the idea of a joint road trip but they all fell that they owe it to Norman to honor his wishes. As the three are forced into close quarters and things don’t go exactly as planned they each begin to question what they want out of life. Was Norman having a last laugh at their expense or did he have ulterior motives?

It took me a while to get into this book. At first I didn’t really care that much for the characters, but as the book went on they grew on me and I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.

Norman's knits sound fun and he does seem an interesting character who holds his friends dear to his heart.

Bridget, Gloria and Derek are all very different and there seems to be a lot of tension between them. Derek seems pretty laid back and happy to go with the flow whereas the ladies are a little more direct. The dynamics between the three is quite interesting and there's history there that Norman clearly knew about and saw a way to resolve. It's just a shame it took them all so long to reach a place of friendship. I think it shows the importance of communicating properly and that life is really short so we should make the effort to enjoy it.

I did like the sound of their adventure despite the reason why it's needed. Seemed a noble cause and an opportunity to do something to bring them together.

My second book by Kate Galley and another enjoyable read.

Norman literally has the last laugh after sending his 3 old friends Bridget, Derek and Gloria on a journey to scatter his ashes where they need to learn to. get along and work together.

The characters were all likeable and I enjoyed seeing their flaws along with their strengths, and how they interacted together.

The story was sad in parts but also uplifting and showed the power of friendship and also love. An enjoyable read which i would recommend. .

Thanks to NetGalley, Kate Galley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

✨3.5 stars✨

When Norman passes away, he tasks his three friends with scattering his ashes in the Shetland Islands. However, this is not as straightforward as it may first appear, as Gloria, Derek and Bridget despise of each other. Therefore, we follow their hijinks as they travel up to the Shetland Islands.

I enjoyed seeing the character development of each of the characters and honestly the tone was set from the first few pages when we get Norman’s letter describing his final wish of having his ashes scattered.

I would recommend this for a quick and easy read this summer time.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This book has a very original plot with lots of unexpected twists and turns. It was great to see the character development in all the main protagonists. We also got a lot of information about Shetland. Also, by the end of the book you'd like to start knitting. Or at least learn how to knit. I spent some very enjoyable hours with the story.

At the request of Norman who seems to be quite a lively character even though he has passed away. Bridget, Gloria and Derek are tasked with scattering their close friend Norman's ashes. The thing is even though the trio loved Norman they detest each other for a reason that takes awhile to be revealed on why they are so divided. I was eager to find out what had happened. Whilst having a bawl travelling with the trio I also felt that deep down the relationship between them was just waiting to be reignited. It's a lively story that has friendship, love, death and proves that you can never be too old.

“The Last Laugh Club” is by Kate Galley. This book follows three former co-workers - Gloria, Derek, and Bridget - as they honor the last wishes of their former co-worker/friend Norman. Norman had a request that his ashes be scattered in the Shetland Isles, a place he never visited but felt called to. The three decide to team up to do Norman’s last wishes - and this book follows their adventures. This was a sweet story, with some interesting factoids about the Shetland Isles and knitting thrown in for interest. If you like Ms. Galley’s previous books, you may find this one a great addition to your library. I found the journey in the Isles interesting, even with the personality clashes. This wasn’t my favorite book by Ms. Galley, but it deals with friendship, honoring requests of friends, and a nice clash of personalities that, in the end, worked together well. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

3.5* An intriguing pot.

Nicely written with believable characters.

Norman George left a request that after his death his three best friends should travel to Shetland and scatter his ashes at the northernmost tip of the islands. During Norman's lifetime he always wanted to visit the islands, only after death would he achieve his wish. His oldest friends, Bridget, Derek and Gloria, now in their seventies and barely tolerating each other, agree and set off in early December. A stormy ferry crossing to Shetland, followed by howling winds and driving rain on the islands rekindles their long lost friendship.

Taking prime of place in the book was the wild Shetland Islands with its welcoming inhabitants.