1965. A young white female student becomes involved in the fight for civil rights in North Carolina, falling in love with one of her fellow activists, a Black man, in a time and place where an interracial relationship must be hidden from family, friends and especially the reemerging Ku Klux Klan. As tensions rise in the town, she realises not everyone is who they appear to be.
2010. A recently widowed architect moves into the home she and her late husband designed, heartbroken that he will never cross the threshold. But when disturbing things begin to happen, it's clear that someone is sending her a warning. Who is trying to frighten her away, and why?
Decades later, past and present are set to collide in the last house on the street...
I'd like to thank Rosie at Headline for my proof copy of The Last House on the Street to review.
Over the years I have read almost all of Diane Chamberlain's novels, including her back catalogue which I have been working my way through since first discovering her books, so knew that I wanted to read her latest book The Last House on the Street. As I've come to expect, this book has a strong and emotive theme that makes for uncomfortable reading but yet compelling at the same time.
When I first starting reading I didn't realise that this was a timeslip novel, set in the 1960's during a time when change is finally happening for racial equality but also a time where not everyone was happy about the situation, and in 2010 when a young widow is about to move into a house that has been shrouded in tragedy. The two central characters, Ellie Hockley and Kayla Carter, are young women who were both strong and resilient in their own ways.
In 1965, Ellie is a young white student who has signed up to go into predominantly black neighbourhoods to help encourage residents to register to vote. It's unusual for anyone to do this in their own state but Ellie was very determined to do her bit for change much to the disapproval of her family and boyfriend. In the present day, well 2010, Kayla is a young woman who has lost so much already after the tragic death of her husband in the house they designed together.
At first I wasn't sure of the connection between the two women but as their stories progress and things become clearer I found myself drawn into both narratives although I found myself drawn to the historical timeline, which is rare for me, moreso than the later timeline although that's not to say I wasn't intrigued about the strange and sinister goings on regarding Kayla's storyline. Ellie was such a strong character who despite witnessing things that many of us wouldn't even be able to comprehend was determined to stand up for the rights of others. Whereas Kayla has already faced the most unimaginable loss but what is supposed to be a new beginning for her and her young daughter, turns into something completely scary and unimaginable.
The Last House on the Street was a deeply disturbing and atmospheric read that deals with sensitive topics such as racism, interracial relationship and grief in such a thought-provoking way.
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