Brenda H. (booksinvt) - , reviewed on 5/6/2015 + 459 more book reviews

The Last Word is the 3rd installment in the Books by the Bay series. Olivia is busy getting her new restaurant The Bayside Crab House ready for the grand opening, adjusting to her newfound half brother Hudson and his family, and critiquing the latest chapters of her fellow Bayside Book Writers members. Oh, and did I mention she is desperately trying to evaluate her feelings for Chief Rawlings?

When the buzz hits town that well known author Nick Plumley is looking to purchase a house in Oyster Bay the Book Writer members are overjoyed. Nick has written a best selling book about the German prison camp that was located in the nearby town of New Bern and is planning on writing a sequel. His book detailed the lives of the prisoners and their relationships with the prison guards and the locals. It seems that Nick wants to purchase the house that Olivia's friend Harris has had his eye on, unwillingly to let her friend be let down, Olivia uses her pull to ensure the sale to Harris goes through. But, that doesn't stop Nick from showing a strange interest in the house and from dropping by to snoop around.

Olivia sets up an appointment to stop by Nick's rental house to show him the valuable watercolor that was painted by one of the German prisoners that was found hidden under the stairs in Harris' new home. Is this perhaps why the profound interest in the house and its previous tenants?Unfortunately, Olivia and her faithful poodle, Captain Haviland find Nick strangled to death.

I thought this book was the best in the series to date. There were so many raw emotions in this story running the gamut from laughter, tears and apprehension to true love. The author has done an amazing job developing Olivia's character - from the Ice Princess in the first to now a true, honest, loving friend and sister.

All of the original cast is back and we learn so much more about all of them. Laurel is doing well with her new job as reporter for the local newspaper but continues to try to balance her marital problems with work. Millay is struggling to admit to her true feelings for Harris while trying valiantly to ignore his new girlfriend Estelle. Harris is busy settling into his new role as homeowner. Chief Rawlings is running himself ragged trying to solve the latest murder to hit Oyster Bay. We learn more about Olivia's new family; brother Hudson and his wife Kim, their daughter Caitlyn and have a scare with the birth of new baby, Anders.

I was sorry to see this one end and can't wait to read the next in the series to see what develops next.

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