The Last Thing He Told Me

The Last Thing He Told Me is a mystery-thriller novel by Laura Dave, published May 4, 2021 by Simon & Schuster. The book became an instant #1 New York Times Bestseller and spent 65 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list. Plot Hannah is left to navigate the aftermath when her husband Owen disappears during an embezzlement investigation. He leaves a note telling Hannah to protect Bailey, her teenage stepdaughter. Bailey is often difficult towards Hannah, but after finding a duffel bag from Owen with $600,000 in cash, she depends on Hannah for answers. The FBI begins to investigate, and Hannah learns Owen is hiding his true identity. Hannah remembers Owen's defensiveness when she suggested they go to Texas for vacation, and Bailey recalls some early memories from there, leading to their departure from California to Texas. In Austin, his old Professor recalls him and gives them access to old class photos. They discover a picture of a woman, Kate Smith, who looks nearly identical to Bailey. After doing some research, Hannah connects Kate to a bar nearby. She heads over, hiding Bailey in a cafe. Hannah speaks to the bartender, Charlie, gleaning bits of information about the woman—his sister—who has since died. Trying to connect them to Owen, she shows him a picture. Charlie reacts violently, throwing Hannah's phone to the floor. Bailey bursts in and orders him to back away. He freezes in a state of shock, identifying Bailey as Kristin. They return to their hotel to hide and pack for a flight home. Bailey remembers that Charlie is her uncle, and Kristin is her real name. She wants to go back out, but Hannah warns it is not safe. In the bathroom, Hannah researches Bailey's family more. She discovers Bailey's grandfather, Nicolas, is connected to a crime syndicate, and Kate was killed when he failed to follow through for them. Owen's real name was Ethan, and after the death of his wife, he provided evidence to convict Nicolas, before he took Kristin and ran. They were meant to hide through Witness Protection, but after a leak, Owen chose to hide them himself.