The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot

 

3 Stars l The Last Sister l Kendra Elliott l Mystery l 2020

This is a mystery set in the winter in a small town along the Oregon coast and Columbia River. The main character, Emily Mills, is a restaurant owner who comes to check on her waitress who didn’t show up for her work shift. She discovers a double murder at her employee's home. The FBI special agent that is on the case quickly finds out that Emily's father was murdered in a similar fashion twenty years ago. Of course, this past mystery also gives the agent even more mystery to solve. Especially since one of Emily's sisters left town and has never been heard from again. 

There are some elements of a cozy mystery in that it is set in a small town and there a several quirky aunts and other town characters in the story. It has more thriller and violent elements than a cozy mystery would have. The FBI agents on the case have been in other mystery series of the author and so you get minimal character development since they not brand new characters. As a new reader to this author, I felt information about the FBI agents rather sparse. 

Overall, this was a fast paced and enjoyable read. I am not compelled to take up this series but this author might be perfect for someone who wants a little less cozy and more mystery in a series of books.