The Last Flight

Author: Julie Clark
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Synopsis
Claire Cook has a perfect life. Married to the scion of a political dynasty, with a Manhattan townhouse and a staff of ten, her surroundings are elegant, her days flawlessly choreographed, and her future auspicious. But behind closed doors, nothing is quite as it seems. That perfect husband has a temper that burns as bright as his promising political career, and he’s not above using his staff to track Claire’s every move, making sure she’s living up to his impossible standards. But what he doesn’t know is that Claire has worked for months on a plan to vanish.

A chance meeting in an airport bar brings her together with a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision to switch tickets — Claire taking Eva’s flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. They believe the swap will give each of them the head start they need to begin again somewhere far away. But when the flight to Puerto Rico goes down, Claire realizes it’s no longer a head start but a new life. Cut off, out of options, with the news of her death about to explode in the media, Claire will assume Eva’s identity, and along with it, the secrets Eva fought so hard to keep hidden.

The Last Flight is the story of two women — both alone, both scared — and one agonizing decision that will change the trajectory of both of their lives.

My review
The Last Flight by Julie Clark is more than a mystery or thriller. The narrative is an emotional, thought provoking, and moving story that blends suspense with powerful women’s fiction. What really made this one stand out for me was the way Clark brought the characters to life. They are believable and vulnerable and I found myself rooting for both of them. While the story is definitely fast-paced, this isn’t your typical action-driven thriller. Instead, it’s a gripping exploration of two vastly different women’s lives, the choices they’ve made, and the unexpected ways their paths cross. Clark’s imaginative narrative weaves a story of survival and resilience, tackling real-world issues like domestic violence and the dark underworld of the illegal drug trade with unflinching honesty. It’s a thriller with depth, heart, and characters that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

What really makes this novel shine is its fully developed, dynamic characters. I was completely emotionally invested in them. Clark has created two strong female protagonists, both fighting to break free from the consequences of their past choices. The story feels incredibly real, especially in its unflinching portrayal of domestic violence and the dark world of the illegal drug trade. Clark does an outstanding job bringing Claire and Eva to life. They come from completely different backgrounds and live very different lives, yet they share a deep resilience, intelligence, and vulnerability. From the very first page, I was hooked. The tension, the emotion, and the high stakes pulled me in and didn’t let go.

The story unfolds through two POVs. The first is Claire, who is trapped in an abusive marriage with Rory, a powerful political figure. Surrounded by his ever-watchful staff, including her personal manager, Danielle, Claire feels there’s no way out. With the help of a well-connected friend, she devises a perfect escape plan: attend an event as expected, then assume a new identity and disappear. But at the last minute, Rory insists she fly to Puerto Rico instead, throwing everything into chaos. At the airport bar, she meets Eva, a stranger with a ticket to California. In that moment, everything changes.

The second POV follows Eva, who grew up in the foster system but defied the odds with a scholarship to Berkeley. Then she met the wrong guy. When they got caught manufacturing drugs, only Eva faced charges, costing her everything. Desperate and broke, she was lured into what seemed like a “safe” drug-dealing operation, until things turned dangerous. Now, she’s ready to escape and start over.

The Last Flight surprised me in the best way possible. The writing is sharp and edgy; the story raw and tragic; and the characters relentless and determined. The numerous ingenious plot twists kept me turning the pages resulting in a thoroughly addictive and hard-hitting story culminating in a final twist that left me completely stunned.

My recommendation: definitely worth the read!