How is it only Wednesday? This week is just dragging on – but hey, at least its finally acting like spring here in Minnesota.
Thanks to Dutton Books for the free copies in exchange for our honest reviews.
THE LAST ACT – Brad Parks (out now!)
Check out our thoughts on CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW here!
Chandra’s Thoughts: 5/5 stars
OH Brad Parks, how you slay me. GUYS and GALS – if you haven’t read anything by Brad Parks yet I implore you to remedy that situation IMMEDIATELY! This is my third book by Parks and I am having a hard time deciding if this one or Say Nothing is my favorite. (Also, nice cheeky nod to Say Nothing, haha – I seeee youuuuu).
Do you read author notes? Because if you don’t you really should. His note comes at the beginning and states how although this is a work of fiction, it’s based on real events and I LOVE books like these! Every one of his books has been absolutely binge worthy and has captured my attention from the very first chapter and this one is no different.
I feel like I should’ve seen these little nuances and twists coming but I didn’t. I was actually so enraptured in the story line that I didn’t even try to figure anything out – I just let it all play out and that’s a rarity for me so YAS!
I really loved these characters – Tommy is highly entertaining, superbly smart and watching him go through each moment while being in his head was an absolute delight. But you know which character really touched me for some reason? His cell mate, Frank. I wish I had all the Slim Jims to give to him. The fact that Park can create this tertiary character and make him stand out so much is a testament to his writing.
Seriously, if you like thrillers, please do yourself a favor and pick up a Parks books. And it looks like this may be a series?? If so, HELL TO THE YES!
My Thoughts: 5/5 stars
Over the last couple years I’ve been getting acquainted with Brad Parks and his writing, and I have to say, I haven’t been disappointed yet! CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW and SAY NOTHING were binge-worthy thrillers that kept me on the edge of my seat. I tried not to have too high of expectations going into THE LAST ACT, but man, I should have known this would be just as incredible and action packed.
What would you do if you were offered $150,000 for six months of acting work? Well, what if that was for the FBI and you had to infiltrate a dangerous Mexican drug cartel? The money is enticing enough for Tommy, a struggling actor who is in desperate need of a payday, but he quickly discovers he’s in over his head.
One thing that I loved about Parks’ books is that the characters come to life. You feel the struggles that Tommy is experiencing and his desperation to provide for his pregnant fiancee – as well as his drive to make a successful career in acting. I also love how real this situation feels. As someone that is fascinated with documentary shows on drug lords and how the cartels work, this had me captivated. The level of power and their reach is incredible and terrifying at the same time. The cartel has control over more than Tommy realizes and must play his part to perfection if he wants to stay alive.
I would highly recommend this to those that want a realistic and action-packed thriller. If you’re already a fan of Parks, then this is a no-brainer!
Jessicamap Reviews 