The Last One at the Wedding: A Novel Hardcover – October 8, 2024

‘24 - 4 STARSDESCRIPTION :*** THIS BOOK IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT GENRE THAN HIDDEN PICTURES WHICH WAS A HORROR/THRILLER; THIS BOOK IS A FAMILY DRAMA/MURDER ***Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic, and determined to finally make things right. He arrives to find that the wedding is at a private estate—very secluded, very luxurious, very much out of his league. It seems that Maggie failed to mention that she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire. Feeling desperately out of place, Frank focuses on reconnecting with Maggie and getting to know her new family. But it’s difficult: Aidan is withdrawn and evasive; Maggie doesn’t seem to have time for him; and he finds that the locals are disturbingly hostile to the Gardners. Frank needs to know more about this family his daughter is marrying into, but if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever. A pulse-pounding exploration of family ties, secret agendas, and the possibility of redemption—a thrill-ride like no other.REVIEW :First book by this author was Hidden Pictures (‘22 - 5 Stars - Horror).Earned Triple Kindle Reward Points with this purchase.This book is a totally different genre than Hidden Pictures. This one is definitely an interesting family drama with a twisty murder mixed-in. Very enjoyable but two totally different genres. Same great writing that really moved the plot along and keeps you reading and guessing where it was going. Once i got over the fact that this book was not a horror/thriller, I settled-in and was totally entertained. My 4-star review was almost 5 stars, but I felt that ending was a little rushed and the very last paragraphs made me re-read the last few pages to make sure I didn’t’ miss anything.

This was one of the most engaging books I’ve ever read, the plot is full of twists and the characters are compelling - I can’t stop watching thinking about the little clues I missed and am about to pick it up and read through again now that I know how it ends. I’ve ordered two more for Christmas presents already!

While it’s not a bad book, it’s not a top flight thriller. It starts slowly, picks up pace but wraps up too easily and conveniently. The main character is fairly annoying. Numerous incidents are a bit silly/un realistic.

This is giving some serious THE PERFECT COUPLE vibes in a dark and sinister way that you won’t be able to put it down and the next wedding invitation you receive, you might want to do a background check on the bride and groom’s families before you RSVP.Widower and soon-to-be-retired UPS driver, Frank is a good dad, leading a relatively quiet existence, estranged from his daughter Maggie for several years but when she calls him out of the blue to invite him to her wedding to Aidan, an artist and the son of a major tech billionaire, also her employer, he isn’t going to ask too many questions, he’s just thrilled that she reached out. In the days leading up to the festivities and just before, he’s eager to get to know his future son-in-law and his parents but something isn’t right. These people might be out of his league, which isn’t the issue, he’s not impressed by money or their massive lakefront lodge where the wedding will take place, the more he learns about a missing girl that Aidan might be responsible for, the more concerned he is for his daughter marrying him.The Gardner family members are terrifying. Misogynist men abound, sure she’s sauced in her bedroom but it’ll take some time before we know why the mother of the groom has yet to grace her guests with an appearance, beefed up armed security guards are stationed around the property give the chills, as in you’re not going anyplace after you signed an NDA and don’t even think about posting a pic on social if you want to live past the nuptials. Frank thought a spider-infested guest cottage was scary, what’s in store is far worse. If I had an invitation to this wedding, I’d hide in a catering truck and get the hell out before anyone says, “I do.”If you like your psychological thrillers full of suspense, major family drama, a couple of good guys up against despicable characters, and dangerous turns in dark woods set amongst a lavish wedding weekend, here you go.

Frank Szatowski gets an unexpected phone call that changes everything. He hasn’t heard from his daughter, Maggie, in thee years. She’s getting married and wants her dad to walk her down the aisle.Frank is completely thrilled with this opportunity to reconstruct their relationship. When he arrives at the extravagant venue, red flags start popping up everywhere. As he tries to unravel the truth about the man his daughter wants to spend her life with, Frank gets frustrated. He feels left out of everything in the midst of luxury and organized chaos.This was a riveting thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. The kick of one twist after another kept the pages turning! I was so engrossed at one point, I found myself yelling at the characters to act, it was awesome! This story has everything, family ties, marriage, love, and murder. Frank rocks this story! Jason Rekulak is a phenomenal storyteller! 5/5⭐️#thelastoneatthewedding #JasonRekulak #thriller #goodreads #gigisbookcorner #fiction

I enjoyed the author’s previous book “Hidden Pictures” and so I was eager to read this one when it came out. The premise looked good and the book started off promising but it pretty much soured in the second half. The conclusion felt rushed and I wasn’t satisfied with it.

A mystery and family drama/thriller compared to the supernatural horror/mystery of Hidden Pictures, but Jason Rekulak’s gripping hallmarks of writing are still found throughout this addictive read of a book: things are not as they seem, adults lie a lot, evil people do evil things and will justify everything they do (I.e., they are no bad deeds, just deeds), and the human, nurturing urge to protect the innocence and wellbeing of children.

Zuerst muss ich ganz deutlich sagen, dass diese Geschichte ein komplett anderes Genre ist als Hidden Pictures. Hierbei geht es um ein Familiendrama und Mord, also was ganz anderes, worauf ich dennoch sehr gespannt gewesen bin und ich auch hohe Erwartungen hatte.Jason Rekulak hat wie immer einen richtigen tollen Schreibstil und ich bin auch diesmal durch die Seiten geflogen, vor allem weil es auch nicht ellenlange Kapitel gibt. Das mag ich wirklich sehr gerne und ich finde, dass der Autor richtig gut schreiben kann. Es gab kaum Längen, trotz der kleinen Vorgeschichte am Anfang und man wollte wissen, was zwischen Frank und seiner Tochter passiert ist und wieso sie so überstürzt heiratet (einen reichen jungen Mann), denn Frank hegen in der Geschichte eigene Zweifel und hat durchgehend ein ungutes Gefühl, zumal es eine Verbindung zwischen seinem zukünftigen Schwiegersohn und einem unerklärten Verschwinden einer Frau gibt.Ich fand es recht spannend und auch interessant und ich habe die Geschichte gerne verfolgt und bin dementsprechend gespannt gewesen wie sich die Geschichte auflösen würde. Zudem konnte man hier gute Theorien aufstellen, sodass ich mich mit @syl_buecherwurm gut austauschen konnte.❤️Schön und gut. Wo bleibt deine Kritik?Tatsächlich gibt es hier Kritik, denn das Ende fand ich etwas ernüchternd, ist sehr abrupt gewesen und fand ich leider nicht sehr gelungen. Es löst sich zwar alles logisch auf, aber irgendwie habe ich da einen großen Knall erwartet, der leider ausgeblieben ist, was aber auch an meiner Erwartungshaltung gelegen haben könnte.Dennoch insgesamt eine gute und spannende Geschichte, die ich gerne gelesen habe und euch auch weiterempfehlen kann. Derzeit habe ich noch keinen deutschen Release gesehen.

Not the best mystery book I’ve ever read but it’s not terrible. It’s very slow paced and kind of a weird plot line.

I preordered it 8 months ago for it to come in dirty with damaged corners. So frustrating