Book Pipeline 2017 Grand Prize Winner Winner of the Audiofile Magazine 2018 Earphones Award for FictionFor fans of Lauren Oliver and Kazuo Ishiguro, The Last to See Me is a spellbinding American ghost story deftly weaving past and present into an unforgettable narrative about a young woman’s fight for a life of her own—long after her life is over. Over one hundred years ago, Emma Rose Finnis was … over.
Over one hundred years ago, Emma Rose Finnis was born and died in the remote northern California town she now haunts. When she was alive, she was a lowly chambermaid and worse, a Finnis. Now, no one remembers her hardworking life and her grand dreams—because there are none left to remember. In a world where phantoms are considered “unclean,” the spirits of her town have already been swept away. All except Emma Rose.
But when a determined hunter arrives with instructions to extinguish her once and for all, Emma Rose refuses to be hounded from her haunt, the stately Lambry Mansion. She’s earned her place and she’ll keep it—even if it means waging a war on the living. After all, she’s got nothing left to lose. The same might not be said for those who still enjoy the luxury of a breath . . .
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This poem of a novel, exquisitely written, introduced me to the inner life of a ghost and held me spellbound throughout. . . . I heard whisperings from the attic, from under the bed. M Dressler has written an extraordinary book, poignant and tragic.
A fascinating and evocative ghost story, beautifully written by M. Dressler. I haven’t stayed up until 2 a.m. reading a book since I was a kid…until The Last to See Me.
This heartbreaking tale is told from the point of view of a young woman. She only wanted to do the best she could and live a life worth having a hundred years ago, when options and opportunities were practically nil for washer girls such as Emma Rose Finnis.
Current day property representative Ellen DeWight brings ghost hunter Philip Pratt to the Lambry estate to clean it in time to sell to an interested party. But new and old spirits alike revolt. As Philip and Ellen work to clean the premises we learn about a ghost and her heartbreaking story, which includes a sweet romance with Quinn Lambry. Recluse and artist, Alice Lambry’s, recent death in the house raises questions about who the haunting ghost might be. This amazing story was filled with twists and adventure and some of the most beautiful prose I’ve ever read.
I highly recommend this wonderfully woven tale that almost made me believe in ghosts.
A ghost story unlike others, haunting and lingering. A ghost, a ghost hunter, a realtor. A seaside mansion and the family that once resided there. A lighthouse with a light keeper and his family. Love that was never meant to be… Lots of elements fascinatingly spun into this complex tale with its very ghostly aura that reaches back 100 years. Magically clever and original!
Readers will be ensnared and entranced by this story.
Hauntingly original, provocative, and dashed with wit–this literary ghost story changed the way I see the world.
In order for me to thoroughly enjoy a book I need the characters to be well developed. Even if I don’t like a particular character, I need to be able to get inside his or her head and understand the intentions and motivations behind his or her actions. Unfortunately in this book, I wasn’t able to do so.
The plot of the book was unique and certainly enticing. A wealthy couple is considering buying a house when they are attacked by a presence within it. The husband is determined to destroy the ghost and hires a ghost hunter to “clean” the home.
The story is narrated by the ghost and alternates between the current ongoing hunt to destroy her and the lead up to how she died in the first place. I really enjoyed this format and thought it worked quite well for this particular book. Through Emma (the ghost), the reader gets a better understanding how the actions of the dead can be misconstrued by the living. The author also provides some interesting ideas concerning the various types of spirits that walk among the living, including dream-crawlers (creatures trapped between spirit and body) and almost human ghosts that take human form but are unable to eat and sleep and don’t recognize that they have passed.
The historical details of this book are also quite interesting. Reflecting on class and gender disparities, as well as the cultural norms of the early 20th century in a remote California town adds depth and an additional layer of interest to the main story.
My problem was with the ending. There is a gradual build up as to how the hunt will end, how Emma died, and why she chose the Lambry Mansion to haunt. Then boom. Everything comes to a quick conclusion that left me feeling confused and with unanswered questions. I wanted more. I didn’t necessarily need everything to be spelled out to me concretely but I needed an ending that wasn’t quite so vague. Others may have taken more from it or felt that they completely understood the authors meaning, but I failed to do so. Therefore, the 3 star rating.
I obtained this book via Book Bub from my daily offerings list. I ended up buying the second in the series because I enjoyed the wiring style, characters, plot and twists and turns in the story. With the perspective from a ghost, the story is very unique and the surprising plot twists made both books so far very enjoyable reading. I highly recommend this new series.
A little bit scary but satisfying
I could not get interested in it.
While I was left with questions at the end, this book was still an absolute delight to read. I could relate well to the characters (living and dead) and the pacing and word play was just so intriguing.
A ghost story with a unique perspective and engaging characters. Thoroughly entertaining.
Thoroughly engaging and well crafted.
Lovely rendered imaginary afterlife of characters I came to care about. Regardless of one’s own beliefs about “the spirit world” the reader should have no trouble suspending disbelief in the service of a compelling story.
I commented to a bookseller that while I love ghost stories, it’s hard to find one that’s good and original, and she pressed THE LAST TO SEE ME in my hands. I’m glad she did! It’s told largely from the point of a view of the ghost, which might seem gimmicky or trite in a less accomplisher author’s hands, but M. Dressler succeeds convincingly. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a ghost, you’ll get the chance reading THE LAST TO SEE ME .
Beautiful writing and much better than your average ghost story. I was a little disappointed with the ending, though – some questions left unanswered.
I’ve always wondered if there really are ghosts. The closest I have come to seeing a ghost is seeing my cat who had died running up and down the stairs just like she’d done while living, out of the corner of my eye. Thought I was just seeing things until my husband told me without being prompted that he’d seen her too. I feel sad for anyone who passes from this life but doesn’t make it completely to the other side, whether they wish to or not. Fascinating read.
Wow. A beautifully written ghost story like no other ghost story I’ve read. The descriptions are incredibly vibrant and full, I wanted to stop sometimes just to write them down, so I wouldn’t forget them.
It’s a paranormal suspense, I guess, but that’s not really the point of this book. It’s all about life and what it means to be alive, rather than the supernatural. It’s heartwrenching at times, and you’ll be ready to go out and grab life by the balls after you read this one.
I loved this book. The narrator was the ghost and followed her impact on others but moved into how others impacted her life, both before she died and afterward. Sad story but worth reading.
Original and highly entertaining!!
Unexpected ending, loved it! Not your typical “ghost story”. It was an entertaining book.