One of Summer’s Most Anticipated Reads, according to Goodreads, SheReads, and Bookish“I think Beatriz Williams is writing the best historical fiction out there. It’s lush with period detail but feels immediate.”—Elin HilderbrandThe beloved author returns with a remarkable novel of both raw suspense and lyric beauty— the story of a lost pilot and a wartime photographer that will leave its mark on … beauty— the story of a lost pilot and a wartime photographer that will leave its mark on your soul.
In 1947, photographer and war correspondent Janey Everett arrives at a remote surfing village on the Hawaiian island of Kauai to research a planned biography of forgotten aviation pioneer Sam Mallory, who joined the loyalist forces in the Spanish Civil War and never returned. Obsessed with Sam’s fate, Janey has tracked down Irene Lindquist, the owner of a local island-hopping airline, whom she believes might actually be the legendary Irene Foster, Mallory’s onetime student and flying partner. Foster’s disappearance during a round-the-world flight in 1937 remains one of the world’s greatest unsolved mysteries.
At first, the flinty Mrs. Lindquist denies any connection to Foster. But Janey informs her that the wreck of Sam Mallory’s airplane has recently been discovered in a Spanish desert, and piece by piece, the details of Foster’s extraordinary life emerge: from the beginnings of her flying career in Southern California, to her complicated, passionate relationship with Mallory, to the collapse of her marriage to her aggressive career manager, the publishing scion George Morrow.
As Irene spins her tale to its searing conclusion, Janey’s past gathers its own power. The duel between the two women takes a heartstopping turn. To whom does Mallory rightfully belong? Can we ever come to terms with the loss of those we love, and the lives we might have lived?
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Her Last Flight is a well researched, well written novel about the early days of female pilots. There are echoes of Amelia Earhart whose story has always intrigued me but this is a novel about fictional female pilots. The book is told in two timelines – 1928 is told by Irene Lindquist, the owner of a local island-hopping airline in Hawaii and the timeline from 1947 is told by photographer and war correspondent Janey Everett. Janey is writing a book about Sam Mallory, a famous pilot who disappeared during the Spanish Civil War. From her research, Janey believes that Irene Lindquist is really legendary Irene Foster, Mallory’s onetime student and flying partner. Foster’s disappearance during a round-the-world flight in 1937 remains one of the world’s greatest unsolved mysteries. At first Irene is unwilling to talk to Janey but once Janey tells her that she’s found Sam’ airplane in the desert, Irene begins to tell the story of her past.
This novel goes seamlessly back and forth between time periods and both stories are extremely interesting. Both Irene and Janey are strong and determined woman who have worked very hard to fulfill their dreams. I loved both characters and thought that they were both well written. The author describes both their strengths and flaws and that makes them even more real. Because of the way the story is told we learn not only about both women in their present day but also their childhoods, their families and what they had to endure to become strong women in their time periods. There are also a few surprises that are part of both stories that make the novel even more interesting.
Most of the novels that I’ve read by Beatriz have been in compilation with other authors and after reading this excellent book, I’ll be watching for more books written by her.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
My first Beatriz Williams and definitely not my last! The narrative voice in this book was pitch perfect and I loved Williams’s vulnerable, imperfect and slightly messy characters. Throw in female pilots, a beautiful love story, a compelling dual narrative and you have a book that was hard to put down and one of my fave reads so far this year.
A wonderful story of women in flight and how one’s life can take an unexpected turn. Witty and smart, like all of Williams’ books, Her Last Flight is one I highly recommend.
Wonderful read. I couldn’t put it down.
I just finished. With lots of tears for the last 50 pages. I’m really speechless. It was simply magnificent. Soulful, riveting, surprising – what a feat this book is. Don’t miss it.
It’s 1947 and photojournalist Janey Everett is investigating what happened to Sam Mallory back in 1937. He was an airplane pilot and disappeared during the Spanish Civil War. Janey’s sleuthing leads her to Irene Lindquist in Hawaii. Janey thinks Irene is really Irene Foster who was Sam’s student in flying and also his partner. Irene Foster disappeared in 1937 on a flight around the world. As Janey interviews Irene, all her secrets emerge. This is a story of 2 strong women who go after what they want at all costs. I am a Beatriz Williams fan for life. Her books absolutely come alive with the amazing characters and vivid descriptions and Her Last Flight is no exception. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
An intriguing mystery involving a woman pilot who is a lot like Amelia Earhart, her disappearance and what might have happened. A great exercise in “what if.”
I have loved every one of Ms. Williams’ novels and am looking forward to reading the rest. Fantastic historical fiction.
Boring and slow
I love Beatriz Williams, but I did not like this book! None of the characters were particularly likeable, and the plot was predictable. I read about 1/3 of it, then just skimmed to the end. I do not recommend this book!
Initially, I wasn’t looking forward to this book. The subject, the cover, all left me shrugging. Just didn’t seem like it was for me. But then I bought it. Because I love Beatriz Williams, and I decided she has done enough to warrant my trust. Wow – has she ever. This is sensational – one of the top literary historical you’ll read, I guarantee it. With memorable characters, incredible prose that packs a punch and never goes out of character, and a few really good twists to keep you turning the pages, HER LAST FLIGHT is going to go down as one of my top books of 2021.
The lesson? Trust the author!
I picked this gem up when it was on sale for no other reason than the beautiful cover and the adventurous spirit conveyed in the description. And I’m so very glad I did. Her Last Flight is epic adventure twined with an epic love story.
Full review: https://skryder.com/2021/02/07/review-her-last-flight/
Great characters that make this read like a true story; it isn’t although it is based on some real people. It has some twists and turns that keep you interested from the first chapter to the last.
5 for various elements of this historical page-turner. Pluses for me: One of the main characters, Janey Everett, broke my heart! Great historical feel & details. Immersive storytelling. Healing, hopeful ending. The part of this story that touched me the most was a young woman’s search for family, human connections, purpose & assurance that her life has value.
(Caution: crude descriptions of intimacy & possible trigger warning—abuse, predatory behavior towards young women)
The book features the stories of two women where the younger one is researching the life of a famous male pilot that the older woman knew well. The younger woman is self centered and sleeps her way to obtaining information. Her background is depressing. She’s not a likeable character, so her chapters caused the story to drag. This reader would have preferred a straight telling of the older woman’s and the pilot’s adventures/life. About 75% in, the story seemed to come together and move along nicely. Each woman has a “great reveal” and the younger one seems to soften and become more aware of others around her towards the end. The historical setting of the early days of aviation and women pilots was well done.
Even though there was a predictibility to the plot I couldn’t put it down.
Great Reading!!!!
The book was confusing as the chapters jumped around in time.
Very interesting book about the advent of women in aviation.
A real page turner and not at all predictable. Love the way she writes about women and the challenges of competing in a man’s world.