Helen Fields’ “The Last Girl to Die,” is a captivating thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from the moment you open the book till the last page. With its gripping plot, well-developed characters, and an atmosphere of constant tension, this novel is a must-read for fans of the crime and suspense genre.

The story unfolds in the eerie and remote Scottish Isle of Mull, where the past is never truly buried as is true of the real world. The novel depicts the nightmare parents encounter when a child goes missing, their desperation to find their missing Adriana which leads them to hiring a private investigator.

The central mystery revolves around the discovery of a young woman’s body, a victim who appears to be the last in a series of gruesome murders plaguing Mull. The author paints a vivid and chilling picture of this isolated community, where everyone is familiar with each other’s secrets, and outsiders are plagued with suspicion. Fields skillfully weaves a web of secrets and lies, making every character a potential suspect and keeping readers speculating  until the end of the book.

One of the novel’s main highlights is its atmospheric writing. Fields capture the desolation and darkness of Mull, where the constant rain and wind seem to mirror the grim events taking place. Her descriptions are so apt that you can almost feel the wetness seeping through the pages. This attention to detail enhances the overall reading experience, mesmerizing you in the unsettling setting.

“The Last Girl to Die” moves at a breakneck pace, with short, crisp chapters that make it difficult to put down. The plot contains surprising twists and turns, and the tension develops progressively as the inquiry progresses. Fields succeeds at establishing a sense of impending danger, and you’ll find yourself holding your breath as you read.

However, some readers may find the novel to have some flaws. With several storylines and a vast cast of people to keep track of, some readers may find the tale a little confusing at points. Furthermore, the resolution of certain subplots could have been developed more satisfyingly.

Finally, “The Last Girl to Die” is a riveting thriller that demonstrates Helen Fields’ skill for constructing powerful and evocative narratives. It’s the kind of book that will keep you awake late at night, unable to put down. While it has a few small weaknesses, its engaging characters and spine-tingling tension more than compensate for them. If you like crime fiction that keeps you wondering until the very end, this is the book for you.