The Last Stand

Lorhainne Eckhart

Dec 2021 · Billy Jo McCabe Mystery Book 8 · Lorhainne Eckhart, INC.

About this eBook

The law is the law until someone comes after your family.

From New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Lorhainne Eckhart comes a new Billy Jo McCabe mystery set on a small island town in the Pacific Northwest. On the eve of Police Chief Mark Friessen’s wedding, a fierce snowstorm blankets the island, knocking out power, and the body of a woman is discovered in the church. The only clue is the note in her hand, a list of names—all members of Mark’s family.

Mark Friessen has been counting down the days to his wedding to Billy Jo McCabe. Yet only days from Christmas, after their families arrive, a freak blizzard comes out of nowhere and knocks out power on the entire island.

With the island in an emergency and the ferry shut down, no help is arriving anytime soon from the mainland. Mark receives a call to stop into the church where he and Billy Jo are planning on being married the next day, but there he stumbles upon the body of a woman. The only evidence is a note she’s clutching. At the top, in all bold, is the word KILL, and listed below are the names of everyone he loves, including Billy Jo, his parents, his brothers, their wives, and his two nieces.

With access to the outside world cut off, Mark finds himself up against an invisible enemy who he believes is coming after his unsuspecting family. But Mark has no idea who it is. Where is the killer hiding on the island, why isn’t Mark’s name on the list, and who is the dead woman? Mark is determined to find the killer and protect his family, whatever it takes…even if it’s his Last Stand.

Ratings and reviews

WOW just WOW!! Talk about riveting, suspenseful, interesting, captivating, twist n turns and so much more!! I love the characters and the story. I’ve only read one other book by Lorhainne and let me tell you she has become one of my favorite authors. I wish I had found n read all this series before. Great book!! LOVED IT!! (Now I didn’t like the realism this story brings forth because it’s very sad and unfortunately very true) I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Once again, this talented author delivers a thought provoking story . About a subject that sadly is very real, child trafficking. In this latest addition to the series, detective Mark Friessen and Billy Jo McCabe are finally getting married with both their families in town to witness this memorable occasion. But a call to the police department reveals not only two bodies but also a “Kill” list in which BIlly Jo and Mark’s family is listed. Add a snowstorm that shuts down the ferry, leaves most of the island in the dark, and the discovery of a little boy in a dark basement and you know that an unknown evil is surrounding them. But who on the island is involved? How long has this been happening? Are others on the mainland involved? Who can you trust? At times heartbreaking, you know that this dynamic duo will do everything they can to find justice. Kudos to the author for bringing to our attention the reality that human trafficking, in this case that of children, is very real. More needs to be done to find and prosecute those committing these crimes. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

The Last Stand is an incredible story on an extremely difficult issue - child trafficking - and because of this crime, it was a difficult story to read. I found it very interesting the way the author put the plot together as everything starts with a woman murdered in the church that Mark and Billy Jo will be getting married and a snowstorm is starting. The murders keep on piling up till they find the child, and then the action gets even more fast-paced as the plot starts to get solved. In the background, it's always interesting to read how Mark's and Billy Jo's families interact and support the couple, and how family is important in this life, even if just to listen to you. Another great book in the series! I downloaded a free copy of this book through Booksprout and this is my honest opinion.

About the author

New York Times & USA Today bestseller Lorhainne Eckhart is best known for writing Raw Relatable Real Romance where “Morals and family are running themes.” As one fan calls her, she is the “Queen of the family saga.” (aherman) writing “the ups and downs of what goes on within a family but also with some suspense, angst and of course a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.” Follow Lorhainne on Bookbub to receive alerts on New Releases and Sales and join her mailing list at LorhainneEckhart.com for her Monday Blog, all book news, giveaways and FREE reads. With over 120 books, audiobooks, and multiple series published and available at all, retailers now translated into six languages. She is a multiple recipient of the Readers’ Favorite Award for Suspense and Romance, and lives in the Pacific Northwest on an island, is the mother of three, her oldest has autism and she is an advocate for never giving up on your dreams.