Her Last Day (Jessie Cole Book 1)

"Sometimes the truth is better off buried." (Back Cover)

Her Last Day by T.R. Ragan is gripping suspense that at times I find quite disturbing. With me, when that's the case, it has more to do with the psychology of pathological killers than the writing itself. There's your typical suspense, and then there's the suspense thriller that not only have you clenching your teeth, but also watching your back.

In Her Last Day, the author interconnected several cases that on the surface doesn't seem to have one thing to do with the other, but one never knows, and that's it. Even by the end, even though answers were given, it felt like it was still hanging. As a whole, I think the author did a good job in keeping this thriller interesting, but many parts throughout, it felt disjointed. Then the matter of the characters. I wasn't particularly invested in any one of them. I did like Olivia, who's quite smart for her age. In all, Her Last Day is gruesomely disturbing in the way thrillers are.

For my clean readers, please note there are profanity and mention of sex in this book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

This is a story about three stranger's lives that intertwined with each other's.

The first is Ben Morrison, who was a well known Crime Reporter for the Sacramento Tribune. Ten years ago he had been in a horrific car crash, which left him trapped in a flaming car that had left the road, hit a tree and tumbled down a steep slope, stopping on thr top close to a large drop off. Ben attempted to rescue the trapped driver Vernon Dohergy, but before he could help the car exploded In a fiery mass. In addition to multiple serious injuries, burns, he also suffered amnesia. One evening he was watching a show on T. V., The Cold Case Files. They were reopenung a file of a missing girl name Sophie Cole, which had disappeared ten years ago. She was last seen with two men leaving a bar in a car. She hadn't bee seen nor heard of sense. The circumstance put him possibly in the middle.

The second person was Jessie Cole, who just happened to be Sophie's Sister and was a Private Investigator. Her specially was locating missing persons, but rent was hard to come by, so she took a client who hired her to find a man that had been stalking her for quiet some time. She convinced Jessie she feared for her life.

The third man was Collin Grayson a Homicide
Detective with the Sacramento Police Department. He was on a case which involved a man deemed The Heartless Serial Killer. Collin and Jessie had been a couple awhile back. They had called it off to allow Collin to rekindle his marriage, but it failed as she learned. He hadn't seen her in years untill he walked into the interrogation room.

Later Jessie and Ben were brought together when he convinced his Editor to let him reopen a story on Sophie. He was sure it would shead new light and increase the Sacramento
Tribune 'ratings. Detective Grayson got involved with helping Jessie find her missing Sister in addition to his own case.

This is is the first book I have read by this Aurthor. It is a well written Suspense/Crime/Drama story which I was glued to the pages waiting eagerly to see what more was in store. I will add her name to my list of Aurthor's for future readings. This story in my opinion is for the nature and defiantly not for children due to the violence and very descriptive actions by the serial killer.

Her Last Day was a fantastic and thrilling read with amazing characters and several storylines that come together in a riveting conclusion.

Ten years ago Jessie Cole’s sister Sophie disappeared without a trace, never to be seen or heard from again. As a result of her obsession over finding Sophie, Jessie became a private investigator who makes her living finding missing persons. Ten years ago Ben Morrison was involved in a horrific car accident that left him physically scarred with no memory from prior to the accident. However when he sees an image of Sophie, Ben knows without a doubt that he recognizes her but with no idea how. While Jessie and Ben begin to reinvestigate the case, a serial murderer lurks in the background drawing closer waiting for the right time to make his move.

Jessie has spent the years since Sophie’s disappearance devoted to researching her sister’s case while raising Sophie’s daughter Olivia. After years of obsession, she realized that she couldn’t keep devoting so much time to Sophie’s case if she was going to give Olivia the attention she needed. As a result she started her private investigator business and became somewhat well known after she found a missing fifteen year old that everyone else had given up on. After a shooting she was involved in a few years prior to the book, Jessie has memorized the laws concerning firing in self defense and she wears a GoPro camera at all times when out on her jobs.

After his accident ten years ago, Ben was left with third degree burns on over half of his body in addition to his amnesia. He ended up falling in love with and marrying his trauma nurse and the two have two children ages eight and nine. Ben works as an investigative reporter covering crime which is a job he held prior to his accident. After seeing an image of Sophie on a rerun of a cold case TV show, he instantly recognizes her and gets in touch with Jessie.

There are a few major side characters outside of people at the center of the cases Jessie is working. Olivia, now a very intelligent fourteen year old, enjoys helping her aunt with her cases and wants to follow in her footsteps and become a private investigator. At the beginning of the book, Olivia rescues a dog that was hit by a car and names him Higgins. Higgins was an incredibly sweet dog who becomes very protective of his new family and I enjoyed watching him get his happy ending. Colin is a homicide detective working the Heartless Killer serial murderer case and is Jessie’s former boyfriend. Colin and Jessie’s relationship was a surprisingly healthy one and I enjoyed the possibility of more for them at the end of the book.

There are four major storylines throughout the book; a stalker, Sophie’s disappearance, a missing woman, and the Heartless Killer case. The stalker case is the one most on the back burner as the events unfold at the beginning/end of the book while Jessie is not distracted by the other cases. Then there is Ben and Jessie’s investigation into Sophie’s disappearance which went in a few surprising directions. Next Jessie is hired by a man to find his missing daughter who has schizophrenia. Finally, there is the Heartless Killer case that Colin is investigating which follows a killer who has been terrorizing the area for six years. The author did an amazing job tying together some of the cases and I enjoyed how everything unfolded.

Her Last Day ended up being an amazing read and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I definitely recommend the book for anyone looking for a good crime thriller.

**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher which I voluntarily and honestly reviewed.**

Jessie Cole didn't plan to become a private investigator, but when her sister disappeared, her passion to find her shaped her career. T.R. Ragan introduces Jessie in Her Last Day. She's a private investigator with a penchant for getting into trouble and a knack for tracking down missing persons. When a local eccentric man hires Jessie to find his missing daughter, she never expected that her search would bring her into contact with the Heartless Killer, an elusive serial killer who has been terrorizing Sacramento for years.

She teams up with Ben Morrison, a local crime reporter who suffers from amnesia due to an accident ten years ago. . . . about the same time Jessie's sister disappeared. . . . Hmmm. . . . As they pursue their investigations, it becomes clear to both of them that the stories are more involved than they realized.

I enjoyed Ragan's characters, who have high degree of complexity in their backgrounds but aren't over-the-top caricatures. The one over-the-top character, the Heartless Killer, was inexplicably malevolent, to a disturbing degree. As she developed him and his twisted ways, I thought, "If he's the villain throughout this trilogy, I might be done after this one." But, unlike her Faith McMann trilogy's cliffhangers, Ragan wraps this one up nicely. She leaves some questions about the characters unanswered but brings the case to a conclusion. Her Last Day is a promising start to the series.

Could not put this down!

Gruesomely good thriller about a missing girl, a private investigator, a serial killer, and a reporter with amnesia. All of their stories become intrinsically linked as “The Heartless Killer” targets his next victims.

PI Jessie Cole’s sister Sophie disappeared 10 years ago. While Jessie has never given up of finding her sister, she has chosen to move on with her life and find other missing girls. For her latest case she has been hired to find Zee, a schizophrenic woman who has gone missing without a trace.

Jessie’s personal life is a mess, she is struggling to balance raising her sister’s 14 year old daughter, while dealing with the fallout of a case gone wrong. Her ex, a police detective who is investigating “The Heartless Killer” has recently come back into her life and her niece has taken in a stray dog named Higgins, causing further havoc.

Ben Morrison, a reporter who lost his memory 10 years ago, also plays a central role. When he sees a TV show about Sophie’s case, his memory sparks leading him to Jessie. Ben starts his own investigation into Sophie's disappearance, hoping what he uncovers will help him regain his memory.

The story is told through multiple POV’s, including Jessie’s, Ben’s, Zee’s, and “The Heartless Killer’s.” Although multiple POV’s can be confusing, they really worked this book, especially since each character has such a distinct voice. I loved getting inside the sick and twisted head of “The Heartless Killer,” even though there were several moments that made me cringe.

This is a fast-past paced, quick read that I would have read in one sitting if I didn’t have to deal with stupid distractions, like work! The mystery is straightforward without any gimmicky twists, which I appreciated. There are some extremely brutal graphic torture scenes that can be hard to read. Overall, I truly enjoyed Her Last Day and would recommend to those who like a good thriller!

I was lucky enough to have won this book from a Goodreads giveaway!

Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Her Last Day. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Jessie Cole is a private investigator with a tendency to get a little too involved in her cases, hence her need to video record when she is on a case. After a shootout in the park, Jessie finds herself in legal trouble. When she is hired to find a missing young woman, will Jessie determine that there is more to the disappearance than anyone knew? Will help in the form of her boyfriend, a reporter with ties to her past, and her niece assure that Jessie will be able to put together the missing pieces in time?

I had some issues with Her Last Day, so I do not feel that I would be able to recommend it to other readers. The backstory of the characters is too up front, not giving readers enough time to know them in the present before going to past actions. The book feels like it is missing a couple of chapters in the beginning, as the story feels like it is starting in the middle. The book also suffers from too many ideas and too many plot lines, which ruins the continuity of the story. Jessie Cole is a strong and determined woman, but Her Last Day does not show off her skills and abilities as well as it should. I might be willing to give the character one last chance, as I feel that her story is yet to be told.

Jessie Cole, a private investor in Sacramento, CA with a sad past. Driven by her missing sister, she seeks justice for the families in and around Sacramento.

Meanwhile, Sacramento is haunted by a serial killer named the “Heartless Killer” and his MO has everyone at risk. The heartless killer doesn't have a “type” he goes for and the police are at a loss as to when or where he will strike.

During an investigation of a missing teenager, Jessie is plagued by her sisters past once more from the likes of an amnesic newspaper reporter, is fighting a murder rap, and unbeknownst to her, stumbles on the case of a lifetime. Stick around to find out what this mystery thriller is all about!

Jessie Cole grew up with a loving family, mom, dad, and sister. Until her sister disappeared some ten years ago, then her world fell apart. Leaving behind a baby, Jessie is forced to grow up fast due to her mother's passing and her father's alcoholism. Her mission was clear, and ten years later it never wavered. The Sacramento setting in the story hit close to home for this reader, being as I grew up there. I found myself playing the story in my head like a movie, which in turn brought the story to life for me. My connection with Jessie was quick, and I fell hard for her story. It seemed like every turn she took, it only lead to disappointment and heartbreak. Which brings me to Colin. Colin is a detective and Jessie's ex-boyfriend. The love never died between them, but Jessie is having a hard time with her trust issues. The possibility of them getting back together gave me hope that Jessie could find happiness in the near future.

The heartless killer was outstandingly played by the author. He truly scared the poop out of me! He did not discriminate when it came to his victims. He would take men, woman, both young and old. But he clearly had an agenda, and as a reader had me both feeling sorry for him, and loathing him. What doesn't break you, makes you...right? That is what happened here, and the thrill of the hunt, the horrific torture of the victims, and the strength of one Jessie Cole is what kept me glued to this book. And when Ben Morrison, a newspaper reporter, entered the picture, well that just screwed me all up! Ben had his own story to tell, so how could you have a story within a story? This character Ben set me on a path I have never experienced before. I mean really, his story entwined with Jessie's but yet his own made for a whole other book! The way the two danced together but separately was flawless. I was cheering for Ben all the way baby! In the end I was still left with some questions. No doubt they will be answered in books to come, and man I can't wait! Her Last Day was a thrill a minute, an emotional journey to which I will be sure to follow.

I grabbed this book from the library solely based on its unique cover and it was everything I’d hoped it’d be. When you say page-turner, this is what book comes to mind. The layers of this book are endless.

T.R. Ragan is a new-to-me author that quickly made her way to my favorite author’s list. The way Ragan tells a story is incredible. She gives you just enough from each character to hold you over until their next appearance and then rips the ground from underneath your feet when you’re convinced you’ve got it all figured out.

I have a paper filled with my thoughts while reading this book. Sure, characters names and book facts are scribbled everywhere, but I also tried to make a few predictions as well. Most of them are crossed out and a few have tiny little question marks next to them since they haven’t been answered.

Luckily, this is just the first book in the series. I’m sure I’ll have a few of my questions answered in book two, Deadly Recall.

Like, is Ben a cold-blooded murderer or is that what Ragan wants me to think?

A keep-you-up-all-night thriller that’ll have you begging for the next book!

Consider me hooked! I loved this book! I have read many of T. R. Ragan's other books including the Faith McCann series and some of the Lizzy Gardner which are all great! She is fantastic with character development, I instantly liked Jessie, Olivia, Zee, Ben, etc in this book. There are 3 different subjects going on during the course of this book, each just as interesting as the others so I was constantly entertained. You have Jessie who was asked to investigate the disappearance of Zee, a mentally unstable teen girl. I loved Zee! Next you have Ben. Ben, a crime reporter who is covering the Heartless Killer. Starts off with a scene in which he is in a horrible accident and survives but with amnesia and doesn't remember his past, how intriguing! Then you have Erin who has been abducted by the Heartless Killer, she was strong and feisty and I loved it. This book also centers on Jessie's sister Sophie who disappeared 10 years earlier, what happened to her? Will Jessie ever find out?. This book had me from the beginning scene until the end. I didn't want to finish reading. I hope there are many more to come with these characters. Very well written, suspenseful, fantastic character development. 5+ stars! Cannot wait for the next one. A big thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for allowing me an early copy of this book, so very appreciated

Cliche after cliche after cliche. I could not bear it, and gave up after a couple of chapters--a rarity for me.

"She did her best to hold herself together, but the truth was, she was a wreck."

"It had all happened so fast."

"She and Colin had a past--a sordid past that began with long nights of conversation followed by steamy sex..."

"She never thought he'd stoop this low."

"As fate would have it..."

My own cliche to wind up this review: "Give me a break!"

First there was Lizzie, then there was Faith and now Jessie. What an introduction! She is a PI raising her sister Sophie’s daughter because 10 years ago Sophie went missing. Their mother abandoned them and their father checked out of the family and into a bottle. Complicated, yes but let’s throw a serial killer into the mix. This serial killer delights in torturing his victims which is described in detail, be prepared for some serious darkness.
This was a well written book, with likable characters and a satisfying ending. I look forward to reading more about the adventures of

The book got me hooked from the beginning. The prologue was amazing. I liked Jessie's character. And the book has multiple POV's in third person which gave insight into different perspective which made it even more interesting. I finished it in one sitting, kept me guessing and the writing was amazing. This book is first book I read from author T. R. Ragan and I'm excited to read more of this series and her other books. Definitely check out this amazing thriller which now have gotten me in the mood to read more thrillers.

Finding a new series -especially one that shows promise - to me is akin to finding gold pellets in a stream. First comes the excitement of discovery, followed by the hope of more to come. Such is the case here, with the introduction of Sacramento, California, private investigator Jessie Cole. I won't say it was love at first word, but she's interesting enough that I look forward to future adventures.

As is the usual case with series heroines, Jessie brings "issues" to the table - most notably, the disappearance of her younger sister Sophie 10 years earlier. Since then, Jessie has become almost obsessed with finding her - or at least what happened to her - especially important since Sophie's daughter, Olivia, lives with Jessie and is for all intents and purposes now her daughter. When she's not focused on Sophie's disappearance, Jessie spends most of her time finding missing persons on behalf of her clients.

At the outset, one of those clients puts Jessie in a real bind. Hired to document a stalker, she ends up on the other side of the crime and facing prosecution (and possible jail time). Her one-time love interest, detective Colin Grayson, is still around, but for the moment, at least, their future as a couple doesn't seem to be in the cards. He's been hard at work trying to find the so-called Heartless Killer, who's kidnapped, tortured and killed numerous victims.

Almost out of the blue, Jessie is contacted by journalist Ben Morrison, who has a backstory of his own. A decade ago, he was seriously injured in an auto crash that left the driver dead and Ben with no memories of the accident or, for the most part, his past (except, I guess, his ability to write - apparently he's continued his newspaper career with only time out for recuperation). But now, triggered by bothersome but unexplainable flashbacks that include a woman who resembles Sophie, Ben wants to rehash her now-cold case, and it's important that he has Jessie's support.

He gets it, albeit reluctantly since Jessie questions his motives. And, she's got cases of her own to work on, including the possible kidnapping of a mentally disturbed young woman whose off-the-wall father is desperate to find. As all this plays out, chapters switch to what's going on with the very active serial killer; the only thing that's clear is that he will keep doing his thing until he's caught.

The action is almost nonstop, so I was happy to be able to finish the book in two days of spare-time reading (for the record, I'd have been even happier if I could have done it in a single day). Jessie is off to a great start -and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pretty good book. Some very disturbing scenes with the psychopathic madman and his torture techniques though.
The characters developed slowly. Jessie is likable as the PI whose 10 year search for her missing sister seems to cloudy her emotions.
The ending was ok. Leading up to it was a bit off since no one seemed to be focusing on the real killer even though several good clues led to him.

Thx to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and T.R. Ragan for this Arc.. I have been a fan of this author since reading. her book” Furious” Jesse Cole is a great new character in this series. She’s a private investigator, raising her niece and getting tangled in so many twists and turns of so many series killer storylines. I loved this book. I think this series can continue for as many books as this author wishes.

If you like crime thrillers and not being able to sleep for two days because you have an overpowering need to finish this book. Then you must read this book! I have just recently stumbled across T.R. Ragan and I have been reading through all her stuff at a rapid rate. Her writing is not only suspenseful and intoxicating in the best way. It is also well written and thought out. I recommend any of her books but so far the Jessie Cole series is my favorite! I just hope I can manage until the third book is released in October.

I devoured this book. I would have finished it in one sitting if pesky life things like work and other people hadn't gotten in the way. We follow several different people and a few different storylines, but they were all so unique and the characters had their own distinct voice, so I never got confused. It just flowed and kept my attention the whole time. I may have had to put it down, but I couldn't wait to get back. I really enjoyed T.R. Regan's Lizzy Gardner series, so I should have known I was in for a treat.

Jessie is a private investigator who has been left to raise her sister's child. Her sister Sophie has been missing without a trace for years. In the past, she's been obsessed with finding her. Did she die, or did her wild side carry her away from her daughter, leaving Jessie with the responsibility of raising the girl? When she gets in trouble for shooting a man in self defense, she wants to focus on clearing her name and raising Olivia, who is now a teenager. Then another case gets thrown in, a desperate father searching for his daughter Zee, who has schizophrenia.

She has a lot on her plate, and more is coming... Ben, a crime reporter, wants to look into the missing Sophie and write a story on her. He is drawn to it after watching a cold case report on TV. He's a great reporter and a family man with a loving wife and two children... but he was in a tragic accident years ago that left his body scarred and his mind damaged. Though he's clearly managed to carve out a new life for himself, he has no memory of the man he was before the accident. So why is he so drawn to Sophie and therefore Jessie?

As if that isn't enough to make an exciting story, we have Jessie's ex Colin who is chasing a depraved murderer nicknamed "The Heartless Killer". He strikes randomly, with no discrimination towards sex or age. Everyone has to be wary... including the characters we're getting to know and love. Chapter with this mysterious killer are disturbing. We're left desperate to figure out who he is and how to stop him.

Well developed characters, not one but two crazy mysteries, and a stray dog. The characters are incredible. You're rooting for them the whole time and really get involved in their stories. Jessie is insanely likeable, and I hope to see even more of Olivia in future stories. She wants to follow in her aunt's footsteps, and with her big heart and keen mind, I think she'll be incredible at it.

P.s. Hooray for Higgins!

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

I liked this crime thriller, though the serial killer's story was rather gruesome. But I felt shorted at the end by not learning the "rest of the story". What part did Ben play in the 10 year old story of Sophie's disappearance?
I will go right to 2nd book, I guess, and hopefully find the answers. If not, you've left your readers with an incomplete tale.

An exceptional story with twists, turns, suspense, terror, and mystery! I couldn't put it down. Jessie is a PI who has found herself in a mess because she shot a man who shot at her first, has a sister who has been missing for ten years, and finds herself in more than one dangerous situation after the next. I loved it!

A nicely written mystery!!!!! I thought the characters were interesting and believable. There was enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. I kind of guessed the ending about Jessie's sister, but the author delivered it just right.

Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

A brand new series by the author of the Lizzy Gardner series, as well as the Faith McMann Trilogy. As I have read all of her books, I can honestly say I've never been disappointed. Her books are well-written with terrific characters, even if they are riddled with issues and scars ...inside and out.

What you get with HER LAST DAY :

PI Jessie Cole, who's raising her niece, after her sister disappeared 10 years ago

Ben Morrison, Crime Reporter, who was in a car crash 10 years earlier, and has no memory of anything before that time.

A psychopathic killer, dubbed the Heartless Killer, who was cruelly abused as a child

A girl in a box

A man named Dog

A house of torture

A schizophrenic captive

A knife

Blood .. lots of blood

The suspense starts on the very first page and doesn't let up until the very last. There are multiple players in this thriller, making it hard to guess how it all ends. I really look forward to the next book in this series.

Young girls go missing from Sacramento, CA. Who is the real serial killer/kidnapper/Torturer? Arlo "Creepy" Harley or Forrest "Scar" Bloom?! This is one of many cases that PI Jessie, Detective Colin, and the journalist Ben Morrison work to solve.

Jessie is a private eye that’s been looking for her missing sister for ten years, raising her niece, and trying to stay out of trouble. Several mysteries and lots of drama are on the menu. Amazing read! Enjoy!!!

This book has three completely separate and distinct plot lines, as well as several secondary stories. Bouncing around among them left my mind reeling! I was also disappointed that too many questions were raised but left unanswered.

Truly becoming a master in the genre of crime/psych suspense. Her new Protagonist Jessie Coles shares a major characteristics of both her previous heroines but they are definitely well rounded women who have turned personal traumas into personal causes helping others..

This is a very great suspense thriller. I’ve read almost all of T.R. Ragan books including the Lizzie Gardner series and the Faith McMann series and just like the books in those series this book did not disappoint. Her Last Day is the first book in the exciting new Jessie Cole series and it seems like the start of another great series. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Not so much the serial killers. These books are deeply disturbing in the demented things the bad guys do. If you like that stuff, you will love this author. I need to see if Kate Rudd narrates anything nice!

Her Last Day is an interesting story with multiple smaller stories running through it. Jessie Cole the protagonist has a lot of depth. I look forward to reading more books in the series just to see what she gets up to next

Loved this book. It had a complete story, beginning and ending in one book. Many of T.R.Ragans books take several books to complete a story. This was refreshing. I truly enjoyed it. Will start the second book soon. I have it too.

Once again this is a truly great book and storyline. From page one I was glued to this book. Lots of action and suspense. The main Characters in this Storyline were just great. I highly recommend your books to all your readers.

A story of atrocities that are chil!ing to read. What dreadful abuse can do to a human. Is the abuser even considered a human they use power to destroy the minds of their victim. A well written story by a top selling author.

So I needed something to read, I started reviewing the books and read what laid behind the story. Nothing grabbed at me until I came to Her Last Days. The fact that it was about 2 sisters pulled me in. I am 1 of 3 girls in my family and what I wouldn’t do for them is no different the Jessie for Sophie. Great story.

"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"
This is a gripping and engaging thriller, with a steady pace, great characters and intelligently written. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down, I was hooked from the beginning with that very powerful and fabulous opening scene.
I loved the complex well-developed characters. PI Jessie Cole and reporter Ben Morrison aren’t a romantic couple but they relate and work together just fine.
Ben is a fascinating wounded hero who wears his scars with serenity and despite that and his mysterious amnesia is a apparently well adapted family man.
I’m looking forward to the second book in the series so that we’ll get to know more about Ben, Jessie and the other characters.

Very adolescent writing, heroine is silliness personified, her niece is more grown up than she is. She’s supposedly haunted by her sisters disappearance but in the end doesn’t really like her very much, the whole tone changes, weird, no continuity. Just a silly book.