Review: ‘Kill You Last’ by Todd Strauss

Whodunnit? Well, if you bothered to read the blurb on the back of, Kill You Last, then you would already know one person who did not do it – Shelby’s dad. This book does not waste any time in getting to the main plot and characters – or should I say suspect – are introduced quickly, as are their relationships with the lead, Shelby.

Only one page into reading and we already have a motive: vengeance. With Todd Strauss appearing to be giving away this much so early on, I admit I was skeptical as to how – and if – he could maintain suspense… have you ever read a book that should have been over chapters ago but for some reason keeps going?

The Plot: two wannabe teen models go missing and BF Roman cannot help but be intrigued because she is “obsessed with true crime”.

Despite the seemingly loose connection to her dad, Shelby is initially uninterested in the matter. Then a news story break that the two missing girls are actually three and in a small town like Soundview, people not only talk, they judge.

Much to the disappointment of the skeptic in me, the pace of the story is really good with revelations constantly being made or problems thrown up to keep the story going. A couple of minor clichés like “Hey, you know that guy that we warned you about and said he was dangerous? Well we weren’t saying it for the fun of it” stand out to my 24 year old self, but would probably slide for your average teen. Still, it’s nothing too damaging as there are enough unexpected twists to more than make up for it.

Strauss very cleverly feed his readers information by saying enough, but never too much.

Whatever your own expectations are of this book, all I have to say is read it: let’s see if you are right.

Score: 4/5

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Karen Hermitt, 24