Publisher: Head of Zeus (Bloomsbury)
Reviewer: Sherryl Clarke
Most crime readers would say that the setting of a novel plays a big part in what happens and how it feels, and The Last Encore is no exception. The island off the South Australian coast reminded me of Kangaroo Island, although smaller, trying to recover after bushfires have burnt a large area. On this Sparrow Hawk Island, a similar thing has happened, and the resort owners, Florence and Bruce, have arranged this reunion concert to relaunch their business, which includes a gin distillery.
There are a lot of point-of-view characters in this story, and each has their own reason for being there. Old band members reviving sagging careers, Florence with her own murky past, and Monet, the daughter of deceased band frontman and star, Jonny Rake. Most of them aren’t very likeable! But the secrets and lies are revealed, one by one, and then a body is found, with plenty of suspects.
The island becomes inaccessible and it’s everyone for themselves as another person disappears. The setup was reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s novels where just when you think you know who the villain is, they also end up dead. There’s a lot to keep track of in this story, and I did want to feel afraid for at least one of the characters, but mostly it was like a jigsaw puzzle, with pieces gradually coming together towards the finale.
Publisher’s blurb:
A REMOTE ISLAND
It’s been eighteen years since the accidental explosion that killed The Cedrics Band lead singer Jonny Rake, and a special documentary is bringing the rest of the band back to play together for the first time. With Jonny’s daughter, Monet, stepping into her father’s role, and a private island secured as the perfect reunion backdrop, it’s set to be a special occasion.
A REUNION CONCERT
But everyone remembers what happened on that fatal night differently, and as questions are asked about the band’s rise and sudden tragic fall, not everyone likes the answers. Old wounds reopen and tempers flare… Then a body is found.
A KILLER ON STAGE
They’re trapped on the island together until help arrives, but that might be too late. Because Jonny’s death wasn’t an accident, and someone wants revenge.