The Last House on the Street: A Novel
Written by Diane Chamberlain
Narrated by Susan Bennett
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
"[A] twisty, riveting ride." —People Magazine, People Pick
"Chamberlain's evocative writing and Bennett's skilled character portrayals may cause visceral reactions in listeners, particularly during violent moments. Through the far-reaching impacts of the characters' actions, Chamberlain addresses racism, injustice, love, family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma. Bennett's style in this layered and powerful listening experience is both realistic and haunting." --AudioFile
A community’s past sins rise to the surface in New York Times bestselling author Diane Chamberlain’s The Last House on the Street when two women, a generation apart, find themselves bound by tragedy and an unsolved, decades-old mystery.
1965
Growing up in the well-to-do town of Round Hill, North Carolina, Ellie Hockley was raised to be a certain type of proper Southern lady. Enrolled in college and all but engaged to a bank manager, Ellie isn’t as committed to her expected future as her family believes. She’s chosen to spend her summer break as a volunteer helping to register black voters. But as Ellie follows her ideals fighting for the civil rights of the marginalized, her scandalized parents scorn her efforts, and her neighbors reveal their prejudices. And when she loses her heart to a fellow volunteer, Ellie discovers the frightening true nature of the people living in Round Hill.
2010
Architect Kayla Carter and her husband designed a beautiful house for themselves in Round Hill’s new development, Shadow Ridge Estates. It was supposed to be a home where they could raise their three-year-old daughter and grow old together. Instead, it’s the place where Kayla’s husband died in an accident—a fact known to a mysterious woman who warns Kayla against moving in. The woods and lake behind the property are reputed to be haunted, and the new home has been targeted by vandals leaving threatening notes. And Kayla’s neighbor Ellie Hockley is harboring long buried secrets about the dark history of the land where her house was built.
Two women. Two stories. Both on a collision course with the truth--no matter what that truth may bring to light—in Diane Chamberlain's riveting, powerful novel about the search for justice.
Diane Chamberlain
Diane Chamberlain is the bestselling author of twenty novels, including The Midwife's Confession and The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. Diane lives in North Carolina and is currently at work on her next novel. Visit her Web site at www.dianechamberlain.com and her blog at www.dianechamberlain.com/blog and her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Diane.Chamberlain.Readers.Page.
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Reviews for The Last House on the Street
228 ratings8 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Diane Chamberlain is a wonderful storyteller, and this book is no exception. Told via dual timelines (1965 and 2010) and viewpoints, young women named Ellie (1965) and Kayla (2010) it takes the reader through a gauntlet of emotions - it's intriguing and mysterious and heartbreaking and infuriating. While reading it, you know something bad must be coming, because the opening chapter or two is full of foreshadowing. But you become invested in the characters and have to keep reading (with more than a bit of trepidation) to find out where their paths will lead them. I was 14 in 1965, and grew up in Georgia (with deep family roots in North Carolina) so I recognized much of what I was reading, both in the descriptions of the locales and the heat of a southern summer, and - for better or worse - in the characters. When the mysteries are revealed, there are definitely some surprises. It isn't always an easy read, but it's an excellent one that I highly recommend.
I listened to the audio version, and the narration by Susan Bennett was excellent, she brought the characters to life with their accents.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved the twists and turns of the story. It painted an accurate account of the summer of 65.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved it!! The Narrator did a Great job of bringing the Story to Life!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5About a 1/4 of the way in I was feeling like there was too much backstory, too much exposition. I wasn’t sure Susan B was the best narrator for this one (though I love her!) and I felt like I wanted the story to focus on Ellie and her experience in the 60’s. By the last 3/4, it all came together and made heartbreaking sense. Definitely a good read
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sad, depiction of race in America. Very absorbing. Some hope.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Another Diane Chamberlain gem. This story will stay with me for a while.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the best books I’ve listened to in quite a while. Highly recommend!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I fell in love with the characters. The tragedy ripped me up and I’m so glad all the questions were answered.