The Last Thing To Burn may be Will Dean’s American debut, but it certainly won’t be his last novel to enthrall thriller fans in the US. This book is dark, haunting, and unbelievably disturbing. But it’s also captivating, deeply intense, and impossible to put down with clear Misery by Stephen King vibes. Naturally, I loved it!
The story is told from Jane’s point of view. Jane is a victim of human trafficking and has been held prisoner living on a secluded farm with her “husband” Lenn for seven years. She’s expected to cook, clean and satisfy Lenn, meeting his specific standards for every task every single time. And if she doesn’t, or if she even contemplates escaping for a millisecond, Lenn will take punitive spirit-breaking action.
All the while, you’re living this anguishing existence with Jane and imploring her to find a way to escape. Or for someone to notice what’s going on and call the police. Or for her to rise up and kill her captor. But as the book progresses, the situation gets more complicated and it’s clear no one will show up to save her. Jane is a prisoner of body and mind, but she quietly and relentlessly resists with her entire soul. Searching for a way to end this nightmare. Seeking the courage and opportunity to take matters into her own hands. Because if she can’t, she’ll be condemned to this living hell until her dying breath.
While rooting like mad for Jane’s salvation, the reader pleads for a big truckload of karma to plow into Lenn and send him to the bowels of Hades. Lenn is an unassuming but sick bastard with the biggest, most disturbing oedipal complex known to the literary world. He’s condescending, completely devoid of human decency, and delusional into thinking this is a good life for he and his “wife.” No fate is too horrible for this guy and you’ll wish you could reach through the pages and strangle Lenn yourself while screaming at Jane to run for her life. But will he get his comeuppance?
The Last Thing To Burn may not be a typical mass market big action thriller, but it carves out its own space as a strong, slow burning psychological thriller with several gut-wrenching twists. The story builds and builds, gripping you early and gradually tightening it’s hold like a boa constrictor until you’re about to explode from the pressure. But you can’t stop reading. As if Jane’s destiny is connected to your ability to continue turning the pages. And you cannot, will not let her down.
I highly recommend The Last Thing To Burn. It’s demented, suspenseful and will stick with you long after you finish the book. It has all the hallmarks of a good psychological thriller. I believe it’ll be a hit with fans of the genre and Will Dean will be an author to be reckoned with going forward.
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Purchase The Last Thing To Burn
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