A fast-paced, emotionally charged thriller.
Her Last Few Days by Laurel Martin is a gripping suspense novel set in Masonville, Minnesota, where the quiet life of the town is rattled by the largest plastics manufacturer in the state, North American Plastics Enterprises Ltd. Local bank manager Claire Chapman stumbles upon suspicious financial activity linked to NAPEL, the company wielding immense local power—but before she can act, she dies in what authorities call an accident. Her daughter, Lizzy, refuses to accept that explanation and, driven by grief and determination, begins unraveling her mother’s secret investigation through encrypted notes, files, and other troubling information. Alongside her are a loyal and secretive colleague of her mother and a scuba diver whose chance recovery of a USB draws him into the web of intrigue. As Lizzy, Nat, and Ian forge ahead with the investigation Claire started, they confront threats, intimidation, and escalating danger while uncovering the deep layers of corruption within NAPEL. Martin blends the intimacy of small-town life with the tension of corporate conspiracy, crafting a fast-paced, emotionally charged thriller where loyalty, perseverance, and the pursuit of truth collide—and every revelation heightens the stakes for those daring to expose what some would kill to protect.
With a flair for dramatic timing and brilliant clue-dropping, Laurel Martin really knows how to hold an audience in suspense. Rich description is key in painting the detailed picture of Martin’s world, and the sweet, small-town atmosphere is increasingly laced with big secrets and treacherous corruption. Not only is this a thriller that grabs readers from page one and never lets go, but it stands as a timely reflection on the risks of power imbalances and community vulnerability. The pacing is equally precise so that twists are revealed at just the right time to keep readers hooked, yet everything in the storytelling is relaxed and easy to read thanks to the author’s smooth confidence. Characters sit naturally in their space as if they are real people waiting to be brought into focus, and Claire’s legacy drives the mystery with poignancy and urgency. Grieving daughter Lizzy makes for a deeply relatable heroine who is vulnerable yet every bit as tenacious as she needs to be. Readers are sure to love Ian’s search-and-recovery-diving subplot, which is unexpectedly educational and adds intrigue. And there’s a soft spot left for Nat, who provides a grounded, loyal presence amid the plentiful and exciting danger. A novel that explores grief and resilience alongside some well-crafted surprises, Her Last Few Days is a riveting mystery that balances emotional depth with heart-pounding suspense.
