Review: The Last House on the Street

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again Diane Chamberlain has created a captivating story that is told through dual timelines that are gradually woven together. The setting is a small town in North Carolina, where the current timeline tells a story of a mother who has recently lost her husband and fellow architect as they are building the home of their creation. Kayla is trying to return to work and move into their home where her husband tragically died accidentally. Mysterious things occur related to her move and to the property her home has been built on.
The previous timeline is set in the same town in 1965 North Carolina, where the civil rights movement is in full swing and a group, called SCOPE, is bringing in Northern students and local Blacks to canvass and protest in the teaching of Martin Luther King, Jr. A local, white college girl, Ellie, really wants to be involved. The pastor at the AME church who is directing the local group is hesitant to trust her commitment. He is also worried about her safety from other whites who don’t want change that increased voting right will bring. Ellie is uncertain if she is making the right decision but becomes more and more committed as she lives with local poor Black families and really sees what a life of privilege she has led.
Both timelines were equally compelling and start to interweave with each other in fascinating ways.
I am glad to have completed this book on MLK Day, as this adds an extra significance to the story.
Highly recommend! If you are looking for a thriller/mystery with an historical fiction setting, this book is for you!
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