Last Day - Luanne Rice - A Short Summary & Review

 Last Day - Luanne Rice - A Short Summary & Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Murders over "Moonlight".

A short summary:

Last Day unfolds around a series of murders tied to a place called Moonlight, a setting that appears serene on the surface but harbors something deeply wrong beneath. As the investigation progresses, connections emerge between past trauma, hidden relationships, and long-simmering secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Luanne Rice builds the story deliberately, focusing less on shock than on tension. Each revelation tightens the atmosphere, turning memory and place into active forces within the mystery. What appears orderly and peaceful gradually reveals its fractures.

My favorite quote from the book:

"Love is fluid and so is peace, without shape or edges, freshwater flowing 

from the river's mouth into the sea."

- Luanne Rice, Last Day

Questions to ponder while reading:

Does history truly repeat itself?

What would you allow in your marriage?

My review:

An intriguing story with excellent anticipation.

Rice excels at slow-burning suspense, and Last Day leans heavily into mood and emotional buildup. The sense that something terrible is inevitable hangs over the narrative, creating a steady pull that keeps the reader engaged.

At times, the pacing feels a little long-winded, and certain passages linger longer than necessary, but the payoff is worth it. The careful layering of motive and consequence gives the story weight, even when patience is required.

This is a mystery best read for atmosphere rather than speed: thoughtful, unsettling, and quietly absorbing.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

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