The Last House on the Street: A Novel

Diane Chamberlain

Jan 2022 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

The Last House on the Street Is a Dual Time Mystery Novel by Diane Chamberlain set in 1965 and 2010. It is an emotional story of love, loss, and a portrayal of how actions can change lives for generations. This is a well written story with interesting characters but there were some parts of the story that were unrealistic. For example it was odd that 1965 Ellie thought people were poor and did not have indoor toilets or electricity because they did not vote or involve themselves in politics. Was Ellie so naive at 20 that she did not know that there were many people both black and white still using outhouses in the 1960’s and 1970’s? Ellie’s historical storyline seemed to be more focused on solving poverty rather than the infringement of rights. However the story does address many of the evil practices of the KKK and the lack of punishment for their crimes. I really enjoyed the suspense, mystery surrounding the characters, the house, and the suspicious relationships. The time periods and storylines were woven together well. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is a dual-timeline novel. We meet Ellie a twenty-year old woman who signs up for the SCOPE project. Kayla in 2010 is a recent widow with a young daughter. Her husband died before their dream home was completed. It is the only house in a new development and Kayla is warned away. Just outside the development is a home that has been there for three generations and the dying owner refuses to sell. After Kayla moves into her new home, she meets Ellie Hockley who grew up in the old home and they become friends. Kayla can tell, though, that Ellie has secrets. Something happened in this area almost fifty years ago. Is it time for the secret to come to light? The Last House on the Street contains good writing, but I thought the pacing was slow. As I kept reading, I was wondering if the book would ever get moving. I enjoyed Ellie’s story more than Kayla’s. Ellie’s story tells of the bigotry, violence, and hatred that was prevalent in the south during this time. There was a great deal of unrest in the south. It was interesting learning about the SCOPE project. Ellie’s character was significantly more developed than Kayla’s. For most of the book, Kayla is unnecessary. Her character lacked emotion and depth. As I read, I could soon see how everything tied together and how the story would play out. I wish the storyline had not been so obvious. I had trouble getting through the first two thirds of the book because of the slow pacing and there was little action up to this point. The ending nicely wrapped up the story. This was not my favorite Diane Chamberlain story. It was not the same caliber as her last novel. The Last House on the Street is an emotional and dramatic story that will take you back to 1965 in North Carolina.

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain. I've enjoyed past books by this author. This book is enjoyable but not a favorite of mine. It kept me intrigued a story of forbidden love, violence and civil rights movement done in dual timelines. The dual timelines is usually not a favorite of mine but I know it has to be done for the storylines.

About the author

DIANE CHAMBERLAIN is the international bestselling author of more than twenty novels including The First Lie, Her Mother's Shadow, The Good Father, and Kiss River. She lives in North Carolina with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her sheltie.