The Last Morning
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
The Secrets of Chapel Roads #1
By: Camden Baird
Narrators: Megan Tusing, Amy Hutchins, Andrew Eiden, Kate Rudd, Coleen Marlo, Rosanna Pilcher, Janet Metzger, Wayne Mitchell
Brilliance Audio
ISBN: 9781662530258
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: 10/01/2025
Format: paperback
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
In her pulse-pounding psychological thriller debut, author Camden Baird lays bare the anguish and terror of a mother living out her worst nightmare when her young child goes missing.
Sadie Wilson’s heart stops the moment the phone rings. Deep in her soul, she knows what’s coming, and the voice on the other end only confirms her fears: Emma never made it to school. Her sweet, scared five-year-old climbed onto the bus for her very first day of kindergarten…and then vanished.
Struggling to push aside her grief to focus on getting her daughter back, Sadie finds herself slipping deeper into despair. The growing list of suspects weighs heavily on her mind: the secretive teacher, the registered sex offender, the delusional neighbor, the disgruntled ex-wife, the evasive principal—everyone seems to have a connection to Emma. And a surprising grudge to bear.
Thankfully, Sadie’s got her loving husband, Allen, by her side. But she can’t help feeling he’s hiding something too.
Edgy and full of twists, The Last Morning is an emotional thrill ride, unfolding little by little from each suspect’s point of view.
My Review
From the New York Times bestselling author Camden Baird, known for her impressive portfolio of over forty works of fiction under various pen names, comes the thrilling debut in a captivating new series, The Secrets of Chapel Roads. Titled THE LAST MORNING, this psychological suspense thriller promises to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.
About the Book...
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Chapel Roads, North Carolina, in the popular Research Triangle Park area, we are introduced to the Wilson family. Sadie, a devoted wife to Allen, is navigating the emotional waters of sending their five-year-old daughter, Emma, off to kindergarten.
Complicating matters is Allen's ex-wife, Teresa, with whom he shares custody of their ten-year-old son, Forest. As Sadie, at 38 years old, prepares to send Emma on her first day at Stonefield Elementary, anxiety grips her heart. Despite her husband’s reassurances that Emma will be fine, the thought of letting her little one go is overwhelming. Sadie balances her role as a mother with her career as an actuary for a major insurance company, working from the comfort of her home.
However, her worst fears materialize when, at 8:38 AM, she receives an urgent call from the school informing her that Emma never arrived. Panic sets in—how could this be? Emma was supposed to be on that bus.
An immediate investigation ensues, unveiling a cast of intriguing suspects, including the teacher, a registered sex offender, a neighbor, the principal, and the disgruntled ex-wife. Yet, there are deeper connections lurking in the shadows of someone's past, raising unsettling questions. What motives are at play? What unresolved issues from the past are resurfacing? And why does Allen seem to be concealing something significant?
With time slipping away, the search for little Emma intensifies, revealing a web of complexity that Sadie never anticipated.
My thoughts...
THE LAST MORNING is a riveting exploration of domestic suspense, filled with dark secrets and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Baird masterfully delves into the intricacies of family dynamics and the secrets that lie beneath the surface, delivering a stunning narrative that culminates in a shocking finale.
Edgy, diabolical, and utterly suspenseful, Baird skillfully uncovers the unsettling truths hidden behind the polished exterior of suburbia, exposing the dangerous secrets that loving families often keep from one another. As you turn each page, your anticipation will build, propelling you toward the gripping conclusion. But does Sadie know the deceit...we may have to wait until the next book.
The novel is intricately structured, narrated through alternating perspectives from before, during, and after the kidnapping.
POV...
Readers will gain insights from Sadie (the mother), Allen (the father), Teresa (the ex-wife), Kate (the teacher), O'Reilly (the cop), and, in the final chapters, from Miss Dotti (the grandmother), Meemaw (Nana’s Mama), and Diane (the old girlfriend). Each chapter clearly marks the character perspective, making it easy to follow the unfolding drama and understand the shocking connections between them.
Baird excels at peeling back the layers of domestic dishonesty and betrayal, revealing one character’s secrets at a time. In a seemingly safe neighborhood, the mystery of a missing child unveils a trail of clues, lies, and intrigue, all while a cast of well-developed characters engages in morally questionable actions. Just when you think you have it all figured out, prepare for a twist that will leave you breathless until the final page.
Revenge, it seems, has no expiration date. A gut-wrenching thriller about obsession, buried secrets, revenge, and a voice that won’t let go.
Audiobook...
I am looking forward to listening to the audiobook narrated by an all-star cast: Megan Tusing, Amy Hutchins, Andrew Eiden, Kate Rudd, Coleen Marlo, Rosanna Pilcher, Janet Metzger, and Wayne Mitchell.
The Next Lie #2...
I am eagerly looking forward to the unputdownable sequel with more to uncover, set to release on July 14, 2026, titled The Next Lie: A Thriller. In this continuation, Baird promises yet another harrowing tale of lies and deceit, where the bonds of marriage are tested against the backdrop of jealousy and revenge.
Recs...
THE LAST MORNING is a must-read for fans of twisty domestic suspense and those who appreciated Liv Constantine's SILENT ECHO, as well as readers who enjoy the works of Shari Lapena, Robyn Harding, Victoria Helen Stone, Carter Wilson, and Mary Kubica.
A heartfelt thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBoooks
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Praise
“A compulsive and heart-wrenching thriller that will have you flying through the pages. The final twist will leave you speechless!”
―Stefanie London, USA Today bestselling author
About the Author
Camden Baird writes fast-paced, emotionally gripping stories that keep you up late turning pages. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she’s published more than forty works of fiction under different pen names. The Last Morning is Baird’s debut psychological suspense thriller. The author lives in North Carolina. WEBSITE
