J.D. Robb discussion

Our February Book of the Month is The Last Flight by Julie Clark. Open discussion begins Feb. 15. Your invited to join us!

Claire Cook has a perfect life. But behind closed doors, nothing is quite as it seems. That perfect husband has a temper that burns as bright as his promising political career, and he's not above using his staff to track Claire's every move. But what he doesn't know is that Claire has worked for months on a plan to vanish.

A chance meeting in an airport bar brings her together with a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision to switch tickets ― Claire taking Eva's flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. But when the flight to Puerto Rico goes down, Claire realizes it's no longer a head start but a new life. Cut off, out of options, with the news of her death about to explode in the media, Claire will assume Eva's identity, and along with it, the secrets Eva fought so hard to keep hidden.

I’m in!

I read this one earlier this year & quite enjoyed it.

I read the book and I really liked it

Who's reading this one in Feb.?

My library has this one. I'm in!

I will if I can get it from the library.

I can, it's published as here.

I'm going to check to see if it is available. I'm pretty sure I'm in.

I should have placed the hold last month. I'm 2nd in the queue. It will be a week or so before I can get it.

Discussion begins on the 15th. I just received an arc of this author's next book and it looks to be good too.

I already have it on my shelf, so I'm looking forward to getting a chance to read and discuss it.

I’m in! Just found this book in my audible library. Look like I purchased it last July in a $5 sale! My library did not have a audio version so was thinking I would need to pass on this one.

Shortly after the voting started this book was on sale so I got it in case it wins so I'll give it a shot.


Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I will if I can get it from the library.

I can, it's published as here."

It's the same edition we have in Europe so I'll read it as well :-D

I will also try to find it asap!

I just finished and I could not put this down. 5 star read for me.

Laura wrote: "I just finished and I could not put this down. 5 star read for me."

Great I've got it to read this week.

Open discussion begins on the 15th. :)

When I picked this book up at the library earlier today, the librarian said she loved the story. I'll get to it this coming week.

Finished last night. I really enjoyed it and the ending was one that I didn't see coming.

I was wondering which story readers enjoyed more? Eva's story really stuck with me, it was so poignant especially considering the ending.

4.5 stars

I had some issues with the story. I will be happy to discuss.

Lynn wrote: "I had some issues with the story. I will be happy to discuss."

I think we're up to open discussion now Lynn. Interested to hear your issues?

I thought it was well written, and I understand why so many people like it as a suspense story.
One of my issues is that it took an easy way out with regard to spousal abuse. Nothing new is brought to the table and Clare's story seemed like a waste of time because she ends up right back where she started. I kind of thought Eva's story was a cheat. It almost seemed like the author didn't know what to do with her story so she ended it in the easiest way possible.

This is now a Spoiler Zone! Feel free to openly discuss this book.

Share your thoughts...

What surprised you about this story?

What worked for you? What didn't?

Did the ending surprise you or did you see it coming?

I liked the book but i have some questions. Why did Liz's daughter change her name to Danielle? Also would have loved to find out what happened to the husband. Seems like they did not have a lot of evidence to open up the case and charge him with murder.

Susan wrote: "I liked the book but i have some questions. Why did Liz's daughter change her name to Danielle? Also would have loved to find out what happened to the husband. Seems like they did not have a lot of..."

I didn't understand the name change either.

Thanks for your thoughts Lynn and Susan.

About the name changed.. I thought her name was probably always officially Dannielle but her Mum called her Ellie for short. She probably wanted to be known as Dannielle as an adult working in a prestigious job as it sounded more formal perhaps than Ellie and she had a few issues with her Mum also.

I thought the plotting and the denouement was excellent. Especially the final pages. The Eva story was what I was most involved in. Usually I would have no time for drug dealers but in slowly unwinding Eva's story I did feel some compassion and understanding for her situation. I'm sure it's hard being so totally alone and yes other people in that situation don't go down the road that Eva did but iI did feel some empathy so that is the author's job well done.

Also I liked how the author didn't take the easy way and make Eva live happily ever after. She was trying to change her life and was at peace when the plane crashed. The author led us to believe that Eva never got on the plane and I was taken back with what happened. So again, points for the author telling her tale well.

I do agree that the Claire part and situation was the weakest part of the story. But she did leave him and in the end he was brought down so that was a successful end to that part of the story also.

Final thought, if it was adapted to the screen as is with the same ending it would make a great movie.

4.5 stars for me.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Thanks for your thoughts Lynn and Susan.

About the name changed.. I thought her name was probably always officially Dannielle but her Mum called her Ellie for short. She probably wanted to be know..."

because it seemed like she was painted into a corner with

I didn't think the HEA was necessary for Eva either, but it just seemed like the ending of her story was very abrupt because there was nowhere else for it to go.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Thanks for your thoughts Lynn and Susan.

About the name changed.. I thought her name was probably always officially Dannielle but her Mum called her Ellie for short. She probably wanted to be know..."

I agree about the name change, Lisa. I enjoyed the plotting and pace of this story as it unfolded. I liked the way the author twisted the plot and while Claire escaped her abuser, she found herself in a situation just as dangerous. Very different twist I thought. And I applauded the way she was able to bring her husband down.

With Eva, I kept changing my mind about whether she got on that plane or not. The author did an excellent job teasing readers with "did she or didn't she". And even the ending is open to interpretation, I think.

Oh that's interesting Sandra. I hadn't thought about that ending, did she or didn't she get on the plane. The way I read it.. she did. I'll go back and have another read with that in mind.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Oh that's interesting Sandra. I hadn't thought about that ending, did she or didn't she get on the plane. The way I read it.. she did. I'll go back and have another read with that in mind."

Oh, I think she did too Lisa. But I thought the author let things play out in a way that had me wondering for some time.

I felt the opposite and was more riveted by Claire’s story. In fact it took me until almost halfway to get into what Eva was going through. I was convinced until the ending that she did not get on the plane so I was shocked when I was convinced that she actually did. That ending haunted me for a long time.
I also thought that when Claire got into the car to go to the studio, she was in trouble. I was easily manipulated, kudos to the author.

Laura wrote: "I felt the opposite and was more riveted by Claire’s story. In fact it took me until almost halfway to get into what Eva was going through. I was convinced until the ending that she did not get on ..."

Laura - I was left thinking about that ending for some time also. I guess I wanted a double HEA where they both lived and enjoyed a better life.

Sandra wrote: "Laura wrote: "I felt the opposite and was more riveted by Claire’s story. In fact it took me until almost halfway to get into what Eva was going through. I was convinced until the ending that she d..."

Yes! A double HEA is what I thought we were getting then BAM💔

I agree, the ending was a sledge hammer. But for me actually lifted the book into something more unforgettable. The author did a really good job with leading the reader into thinking a certain way and then switched it up right at the end. But the way she wrote made it quite satisfying with such gentle last thoughts from Eva despite it being a catastrophic ending.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I agree, the ending was a sledge hammer. But for me actually lifted the book into something more unforgettable. The author did a really good job with leading the reader into thinking a certain way ..."

I agree - it took it to another level. It made me catch my breath. I think the author did a fantastic job with this one.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I agree, the ending was a sledge hammer. But for me actually lifted the book into something more unforgettable. The author did a really good job with leading the reader into thinking a certain way ..."

And it isn't a romance so an HEA isn't guaranteed.

I read and enjoyed reading this book. I think the pink sweater had me believing that Eva did take another route, yet I was not terribly surprised [ only mildly ;-) ] with the actual ending. I think it was maybe more satisfying not to make it two happy endings.

I was really worried when Claire came upon "Dex" looking through her kitchen window, and then when her driver came.

Maybe her HEA was getting hubby into prison and maybe cashing in on his wealth???

Lynn wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I agree, the ending was a sledge hammer. But for me actually lifted the book into something more unforgettable. The author did a really good job with leading the reader..."

Good point, I read 90 % romance so I’m a little bit programmed Into expecting one.

I had a few setbacks this month and won't be able to read it this month :-(

I'm glad most of you enjoyed this book and hope to stumble about another BOTM/buddy read for this book at a later point.

Here's hoping things come around right for you, sooner rather than later, Agnieszka....

Charlene wrote: "Here's hoping things come around right for you, sooner rather than later, Agnieszka...."

Thank you.