Review: The Last September by Nina de Gramont (audio)

Title: The Last September

Author: Nina de Gramont

Narrator: Rebecca Mitchell

Published: September 2015, Recorded Books

Length: 10 hours 19 minutes

Source: Personal copy via Audible

Set against the desolate autumn beauty of Cape Cod, The Last September is a riveting emotional puzzle that takes readers inside the psyche of a woman facing the meaning of love and loyalty.

Brett has been in love with Charlie ever since he took her skiing on a
lovely Colorado night fourteen years ago. And now, living in a seaside
cottage on Cape Cod with their young daughter, it looks as if they have
settled into the life they desired. However, Brett and Charlie’s
marriage has been tenuous for quite some time. When Charlie’s unstable
younger brother plans to move in with them, the tension simmering under
the surface of their marriage boils over.

But what happened to
Charlie next was unfathomable. Charlie was the golden boy so charismatic
that he charmed everyone who crossed his path; who never shied away
from a challenge; who saw life as one big adventure; who could always
rescue his troubled brother, no matter how unpredictable the situation.

So who is to blame for the tragic turn of events? And why does Brett feel responsible?

My thoughts: This is one of the She Reads picks for the “Books of Fall” selection and what a fabulous choice it was!!! I don’t know how those gals manage to do it, but they sure end up picking some great books and if you like an engaging psychological suspense story with a murder mystery thrown in, this is the book to read, or listen to, as I did.

I loved how this book was told, starting in the middle and then moving both to the beginning and then end. Such a clever way to tell a story and to keep us readers hooked! The flashbacks provided such a rich history into the characters and the present day story line propelled the story forward, all combining to make this a complex, yet unique tale. 

I think having one narrator, though, really made a difference. I don’t think it would have been quite so effective had there been multiple narrators. Climbing into Brett’s mind, we really get to know her and understand her, and yet, there are times when it feels as though she just might be holding things back. This only adds another layer to an already complicated, complex plot.

This is the type of book that is full of characters that are so flawed you aren’t sure you like them or not. It was so hard to know who was trustworthy and who wasn’t and as the story is slowly revealed, piece by piece, I found myself constantly questioning everyone.  Every time I thought I had figured it out, something would come to light to prove me wrong, but that’s what kept me hooked…I had to know how it was going to turn out.

  

This is such a thought-provoking and memorable book. The characters and the issues – it’s certainly not a story I will be forgetting anytime soon. It’s the first book I’ve read by Nina de Gramont but it definitely won’t be my last!


Audio thoughts: This is the first book I’ve listened to narrated by Rebecca Mitchell and I enjoyed listening to her. I thought she did a great job telling this story, using just the right inflection and tone to help build the suspense as needed. I will definitely be checking out what else she narrates.

The Last September by Nina de Gramont is one of the She Reads “Books of Fall” reading selection picks.

 

Head over to the She Reads website to read reviews and related posts of this book, as well as
posts related to the other “Books of Fall” selections.