What do you think?
Rate this book
Emma Last FBI Mystery #5
Last Heist
Love’s darkest gift carries a deadly price.
There’s nothing like an old-fashioned bank robbery to get the D.C. FBI office moving, even as half the team are sidelined with the flu. But this isn’t a normal heist, and Special Agent Emma Last is no typical FBI operative, something her partner, Leo Ambrose, is quickly realizing.
And he doesn’t know the half of it.
As Emma struggles with her secret, a masked assailant stages a morning robbery, making off with forty thousand dollars and leaving a trail of chaos in his wake. Beyond the money, he forces the bank manager, a guard, and the only two customers—a mother and her young daughter—into the vault.
The loot? A safety deposit box containing nothing more than notebooks. The devastation? He murders the mother after cutting and collecting a lock of her hair. As a gift or a trophy?
Upon their arrival, Emma and Leo are thrust into a relentless chase, hot on the robber’s trail. But just like the ghosts that haunt Emma, he vanishes into thin air.
As the team tracks down one dead end after another, they discover this wasn’t the perp’s first heist. Or his first act of murder. Driven by a desperate need for money, Emma knows he’s on the edge of disappearing forever or striking again. The race is on.
Last Heist is the fifth book in the fast-paced new FBI series by bestselling author Mary Stone where you’ll discover the menacing depths of a mind backed into a corner with nothing left to lose.
There’s nothing like an old-fashioned bank robbery to get the D.C. FBI office moving, even as half the team are sidelined with the flu. But this isn’t a normal heist, and Special Agent Emma Last is no typical FBI operative, something her partner, Leo Ambrose, is quickly realizing.
And he doesn’t know the half of it.
As Emma struggles with her secret, a masked assailant stages a morning robbery, making off with forty thousand dollars and leaving a trail of chaos in his wake. Beyond the money, he forces the bank manager, a guard, and the only two customers—a mother and her young daughter—into the vault.
The loot? A safety deposit box containing nothing more than notebooks. The devastation? He murders the mother after cutting and collecting a lock of her hair. As a gift or a trophy?
Upon their arrival, Emma and Leo are thrust into a relentless chase, hot on the robber’s trail. But just like the ghosts that haunt Emma, he vanishes into thin air.
As the team tracks down one dead end after another, they discover this wasn’t the perp’s first heist. Or his first act of murder. Driven by a desperate need for money, Emma knows he’s on the edge of disappearing forever or striking again. The race is on.
Last Heist is the fifth book in the fast-paced new FBI series by bestselling author Mary Stone where you’ll discover the menacing depths of a mind backed into a corner with nothing left to lose.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2023
1104 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Mary Stone
225 books2,152 followersTo download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...
Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.
Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.
Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.
Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 8, 2024
Another great read in this series. This one told a sad love story of two criminals. Can’t wait to see how Emma handles a tough conversation with Leo.
June 6, 2024
These new criminals are something else!
Banks being robbed. Criminals that are older and wiser. The old mixed with the new! All of that entangled with love. Amazing!
Banks being robbed. Criminals that are older and wiser. The old mixed with the new! All of that entangled with love. Amazing!
November 16, 2023
Last Heist
Last Heist is an action packed book. Mary Stone really knows how to spin a good tale. It was a grace to catch the bank robber and murderer before he could kill another person. Of course the ghosts actually helped in the end. Emma had a race with the killer and it was truly exciting and terrifying. Great story.
Last Heist is an action packed book. Mary Stone really knows how to spin a good tale. It was a grace to catch the bank robber and murderer before he could kill another person. Of course the ghosts actually helped in the end. Emma had a race with the killer and it was truly exciting and terrifying. Great story.
October 21, 2023
LAST HEIST is the fifth installment in Mary Stone's the Emma Last FBI Mystery Series. If you are new to the series, each investigation and each character is unique and the stories are page turners that keep you on the edge of your seat. WARNING: If you don't like stories with ghosts or the supernatural, don't read this series. Do try any of the other thrillers by Mary Stone.
SA Emma Last has been seeing ghosts, even talking to some of them for the last ten years. She doesn't understand why she sees them or what they want, as some try to help and others hinder her1 murder cases.
Half of Emnas crew are down with the flu and a murdering bank robber on the loose. SSA Jacinda has called in Emma’s former partner to temporarily help take over some of the case load.
For some reason, the bank robber is cutting off the long hair of women then killing them before leaving the bank. This last robbery had Emma taking it personally, he killed a woman in front of her terrorized pre-teen daughter. Emma is determined to stop this killer before he can take another mother from her child.
I guarantee before the end, you will probably have feelings of hate and love for the villains in this story. Thanks for that twist. Mary.
We even find out a little more about Emma and her yoga teacher. Is he becoming her boyfriend, or will her work load unravel their relationship?
On the other hand. Leo is getting suspicious of her strange actions and spacing out. Will she ever tell him about her ghosts and the night he saved her from jumping off a balcony?
I recommend this book and the entire Emma Last FBI series to those that enjoy thrillers. I did received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series.
SA Emma Last has been seeing ghosts, even talking to some of them for the last ten years. She doesn't understand why she sees them or what they want, as some try to help and others hinder her1 murder cases.
Half of Emnas crew are down with the flu and a murdering bank robber on the loose. SSA Jacinda has called in Emma’s former partner to temporarily help take over some of the case load.
For some reason, the bank robber is cutting off the long hair of women then killing them before leaving the bank. This last robbery had Emma taking it personally, he killed a woman in front of her terrorized pre-teen daughter. Emma is determined to stop this killer before he can take another mother from her child.
I guarantee before the end, you will probably have feelings of hate and love for the villains in this story. Thanks for that twist. Mary.
We even find out a little more about Emma and her yoga teacher. Is he becoming her boyfriend, or will her work load unravel their relationship?
On the other hand. Leo is getting suspicious of her strange actions and spacing out. Will she ever tell him about her ghosts and the night he saved her from jumping off a balcony?
I recommend this book and the entire Emma Last FBI series to those that enjoy thrillers. I did received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series.
October 10, 2023
Love’s Deadly Gift
Special Agent Emma Last is still dodging Leo’s questions about what is going on with her. She is still trying to figure out her mother’s warning and the Other. What is her mother warning her about? Does Leo discover the truth about Emma?
Emma, Leo, Mia and the other agents not out with the flu are called in to help with a bank robbery case. A bank robbery has occurred at the People’s Bank of Columbia on the outskirts of D.C. and the police are in active pursuit. Even with Emma driving they lost sight of the F-250. The agents have their work cut out for them. Along with robbing the bank of cash, a safety deposit box was broken into and a woman was killed after her hair was cut off. What was in the safety deposit box? Why was the woman hair cut off? How many more robberies will occur? Will anyone else be killed?
Emma, Leo and the rest of the team start researching the bank robberies. What will they find? Are the bank robberies related to bank robberies of the past? Will Emma get any help from the ghosts of the victims?
Last Heist is well written with plenty of action, suspense, drama, twists and turns. The book will keep you interested and wanting to know who is robbing the banks and why the hair is being cut from some of the victims. There is even a little romance in this book.
Special Agent Emma Last is still dodging Leo’s questions about what is going on with her. She is still trying to figure out her mother’s warning and the Other. What is her mother warning her about? Does Leo discover the truth about Emma?
Emma, Leo, Mia and the other agents not out with the flu are called in to help with a bank robbery case. A bank robbery has occurred at the People’s Bank of Columbia on the outskirts of D.C. and the police are in active pursuit. Even with Emma driving they lost sight of the F-250. The agents have their work cut out for them. Along with robbing the bank of cash, a safety deposit box was broken into and a woman was killed after her hair was cut off. What was in the safety deposit box? Why was the woman hair cut off? How many more robberies will occur? Will anyone else be killed?
Emma, Leo and the rest of the team start researching the bank robberies. What will they find? Are the bank robberies related to bank robberies of the past? Will Emma get any help from the ghosts of the victims?
Last Heist is well written with plenty of action, suspense, drama, twists and turns. The book will keep you interested and wanting to know who is robbing the banks and why the hair is being cut from some of the victims. There is even a little romance in this book.
October 11, 2023
Emma is on a new trail! the murderer is doing his robberies then stealing someones hair before killing them.
Emma was beside herself. Half the crew were down with the flue the rest are up to their armpits trying to find a weird bank robber. The guy is killing people after the robbery is done. The he steals a women’s hair before killing her like its something different than the robbery. Leo is getting suspicious of her talking to the ghosts. What is she going to tell him and when. Then they pull her old partner in to help and she can’t get comfortable with him like she thought she would. Then thing start to break open. But leaves the team in more of a quandary than they had. The suspects fit a team that was in jail for life. Or were they? If it was them they were older and cold blooded. But how had they gotten out of prison? Where were they hiding as nothing Was coming out of the leads. They had to stop the guy before she has more ghosts chasing her to help. They just get in the way.
Emma was beside herself. Half the crew were down with the flue the rest are up to their armpits trying to find a weird bank robber. The guy is killing people after the robbery is done. The he steals a women’s hair before killing her like its something different than the robbery. Leo is getting suspicious of her talking to the ghosts. What is she going to tell him and when. Then they pull her old partner in to help and she can’t get comfortable with him like she thought she would. Then thing start to break open. But leaves the team in more of a quandary than they had. The suspects fit a team that was in jail for life. Or were they? If it was them they were older and cold blooded. But how had they gotten out of prison? Where were they hiding as nothing Was coming out of the leads. They had to stop the guy before she has more ghosts chasing her to help. They just get in the way.
October 3, 2023
SSA Emma Last and her crew are looking into a Heist from several places, a dealership, a bank, where next? This tall slim man wearing a Green Screen Mask, but driving a distinctive older model, souped up pickup truck. What is he really after, is it all just for money?
Partnering up with her old partner SSA Keaton is keeping Leo from pursuing the twists and turns he is getting from Emma when he questions the odd behavior he has seen. SSA Mia is not willing to answer what she feels Emma should about her brother and his death.
Will this crime be solved without involving the ghosts that Emma can see?
I'm loving SSA Emma Last and her trials she is going through while solving cases and working for her friends and wanting to be able to communicate with her mother.
I think you would enjoy this series and if this is the first in the series you have read, you will enjoy the rest of the books also.
Partnering up with her old partner SSA Keaton is keeping Leo from pursuing the twists and turns he is getting from Emma when he questions the odd behavior he has seen. SSA Mia is not willing to answer what she feels Emma should about her brother and his death.
Will this crime be solved without involving the ghosts that Emma can see?
I'm loving SSA Emma Last and her trials she is going through while solving cases and working for her friends and wanting to be able to communicate with her mother.
I think you would enjoy this series and if this is the first in the series you have read, you will enjoy the rest of the books also.
January 16, 2024
I enjoyed learning more about Emma and finding it spooky ghosts are speaking in more complete sentences and even new to death know that the ominous “she” is watching! I hate that she won’t confide in Leo us seems so irrational since he explained about knowing about the wolves and saved her life. But I can see she is working up towards it. I can tell she will need as many friends who know her secrets once we find out the true terror of the other. I also found it hard to not feel bad for the lovers because their love was so strong but obviously deluded and dangerous. Overall I found the plot very fast paced and believable and well and the continued character development. We got to learn a bit more about Mia and her deceased brother Ned. I also liked how some charcuterie were sick so there was more time to develop the main characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
Is it love, commitment, or just plain crazy? What a couple! Emma has her hands full chasing down a murderous couple shortly after they had both served time in jail. And, not a little time, 45 years! They seem to be deeply in love, but they murder without the slightest bit of concern. Emma is bound and determined to catch them. The identity of these killers is a bit hard to find and you can read about Emma's determination. It's a bit of the thrill ride as her determination takes her into a dangerous chase in a cemetery. Of course, she has the help of a few ghosts along the way. It's a good read and well worth the time.
October 23, 2023
Old ghosts, new ghost and a very special ghost with an extremely important message for Emma! Is she understanding what they are trying to say? Are they helpful? Emma and part of the FBI team are on the case of a pair of bank robbers who seem to be back at their game. The problem is, people are also dying. Are the same time, Emma is coming a little unraveled by the constant ghost popping up here and there. Can Emma keep it together & hidden from her partner Leo who seems to be noticing all is not as it seems more and more? Will they stop the bank robbers before there's another death? A fun cat and mouse story.
October 3, 2023
Wow Miss Emma is one busy FBI agent in this one. Starts with a small town bank robbery. A customer is shot and killed in front of her young daughter. This bring up a whole load of memories for Emma on how she lost her mom years ago. This bank robber has carefully planned out his heist…making tracking him difficult. Emma does get some assistance from her “ghosts”. She is temporarily teamed with her former partner Keaton, making things between them a little weird. This is a book you won’t want to put down.
October 4, 2023
I loveit. And I love Emma. What a character! I was thinking how boring it will be to read about robberies . Well how wrong I was. I was turning pages like crazy just to get to find out who this smirking killer is and why he is taking the fetishes. I was shocked by my strong feelings of hate and love for villains . The story crept too close to me.
Love stories and crime?! That was long time ago yeh? Well Mary’ s cocktail mixture of crime love friendship paranormal and family catapulted me into her world, that I did not want to leave. I cannot wait for the next hit. Thank you. Lida
Love stories and crime?! That was long time ago yeh? Well Mary’ s cocktail mixture of crime love friendship paranormal and family catapulted me into her world, that I did not want to leave. I cannot wait for the next hit. Thank you. Lida
February 29, 2024
I found this story sad. It had an interesting case in a morbid way through the love connection and purpose. The ghost angle was more developed and the team dynamic in full force though it is weird how often Vance is sick. Leo and Emma almost had a few heart to hearts involving ghosts, but not quite. The Ned mystery is being looked into and the Other danger is more of a factor. Emma and Oren make some strides and Mia seems more at peace after the last books moment with Sloan. It was a solid read, but I found the criminals, purpose and ghosts overall quite sad.
September 2, 2025
Gripping stories
This is the fifth book in the series. Each book gets better than the last. Good characters, well written. Emma is an agent with the FBI. Bank robberies, kidnappers, murders ! Keeps her busy. Also, she seems to be visited by ghosts, from the "Other" as they are referred to. Victims' ghosts usually give hints, advice . Even tho she is becoming more accepting of the visitors, they can be a little unnerving at times! I am enjoying this series very much. Now on to the Sixth installment !
This is the fifth book in the series. Each book gets better than the last. Good characters, well written. Emma is an agent with the FBI. Bank robberies, kidnappers, murders ! Keeps her busy. Also, she seems to be visited by ghosts, from the "Other" as they are referred to. Victims' ghosts usually give hints, advice . Even tho she is becoming more accepting of the visitors, they can be a little unnerving at times! I am enjoying this series very much. Now on to the Sixth installment !
October 3, 2023
Mary Stone has written an ingenious story that grabbed me from the get go! Emma Last is an excellent FBI agent that sees and communicates with ghosts. With her paranormal help she seeks to solve a case of bank robberies and killings. The writing allows for one to feel the passion Emma has for her job and why she throws caution to the wind all too often! The characters are wonderful and I cannot wait for the next in this series!
October 4, 2023
Emma Last, FBI agent takes on another case. While a lot of her team is out with the flu, she is reunited with her old partner who comes to town to help with onslaught of bank robberies & murders. Emma is still seeing her ghosts, who seem to push her in the direction to solve her cases. Mia knows her secret, but can she tell anyone else? This book is a roller coaster ride that is a real page turner. Ghosts, murders, a little romance…who could want more! You will not be disappointed
October 5, 2023
A masked man robs a bank but leaves in an unusual way and leaves chaos behind. Emma and the team, small as they are due to the flu taking half of them down, are struggling to find clues to catch this man before another bank is robbed and/or more people are hurt. Emma's old partner comes to help the team, causing Emma to reevaluate her feelings about him. Leo is suspicious because Emma is acting strange.
It's all put together in an exciting, suspenseful, easy to read book.
It's all put together in an exciting, suspenseful, easy to read book.
January 2, 2025
Last Heist. Book 5 4.6 stars
Of course I enjoyed this book too, but not as much as some of the others. The friendships between the agents was nice to see, but everyone fighting flu at the same time was a little too close to reality. I felt terrible for little girl watching her mother being killed in front of her after the bank robber cut off her mom's hair. Prominent theme in this story. Emma enjoy that lead foot!
Of course I enjoyed this book too, but not as much as some of the others. The friendships between the agents was nice to see, but everyone fighting flu at the same time was a little too close to reality. I felt terrible for little girl watching her mother being killed in front of her after the bank robber cut off her mom's hair. Prominent theme in this story. Emma enjoy that lead foot!
October 4, 2023
Bank robberies are happening and women who have beautiful hair are being scalped during the heists. Who would do such a horrific thing to them? Why? It's up to Emma to investigate and discover the culprits and stop them on their murderous rampage. Busy with dealing with ghosts and concerned about the Other Emma has her agenda full.
October 8, 2023
heart wrenching and some positive overarching plot movement
A bank robbery with shots fired, and an odd twist tie up the FBI into ducking down blind dead ends.
A souped up vintage getaway vehicle, a practiced bank robber, ghosts, and a growing team to uncover the truth behind the death of Mia’s brother, Ned, all come together in this book.
A bank robbery with shots fired, and an odd twist tie up the FBI into ducking down blind dead ends.
A souped up vintage getaway vehicle, a practiced bank robber, ghosts, and a growing team to uncover the truth behind the death of Mia’s brother, Ned, all come together in this book.
October 27, 2023
Reading without Interruption
I love ALL the stories by Mary Stone. She is fabulous. Having said that I have one hangup that makes me cringe...The Ghosts. I am not a fan of Science Fiction or Fantasy. I find it like a speed bump in the dialog. You are really getting into the meat of the story and bam a ghost! I will always continue to read her books but please let the dead lie.
I love ALL the stories by Mary Stone. She is fabulous. Having said that I have one hangup that makes me cringe...The Ghosts. I am not a fan of Science Fiction or Fantasy. I find it like a speed bump in the dialog. You are really getting into the meat of the story and bam a ghost! I will always continue to read her books but please let the dead lie.
December 6, 2023
Female agent that gets angry and goes rogue. She sees ghosts of victims too. Same old same old. Previous angst continues through the story. Seems a very popular theme with not quite arrived authors. My own fault for following these types of candy.v they pass the time. What does that say about me?
December 11, 2023
Last Bank Heist for Robbers
A good FBI novel about Emma Last chasing a bank robber,who had been released early along with his wife, who was also a robber. The wife had cancer and lost her hair and her husband was collecting hair for his wife from women at banks he robbed, so she could make wigs.
A good FBI novel about Emma Last chasing a bank robber,who had been released early along with his wife, who was also a robber. The wife had cancer and lost her hair and her husband was collecting hair for his wife from women at banks he robbed, so she could make wigs.
March 14, 2024
Bank Robbery
The DC FBI was working a with bank robbery and killing short handed. It was interesting as to how they solved that problem by borrowing from other FBI offices and within their bureau. With little to go on they solved the bank robbery and Ellen saw more ghosts. Interesting story.
The DC FBI was working a with bank robbery and killing short handed. It was interesting as to how they solved that problem by borrowing from other FBI offices and within their bureau. With little to go on they solved the bank robbery and Ellen saw more ghosts. Interesting story.
October 2, 2023
Received ARC
The ghosts are coming faster & talking more. Can Emma keep it together & hidden from her partner? And then there’s their new case, lovelorn bank robbers on a last hurrah. How’s it going to end?
Must read!
The ghosts are coming faster & talking more. Can Emma keep it together & hidden from her partner? And then there’s their new case, lovelorn bank robbers on a last hurrah. How’s it going to end?
Must read!
October 3, 2023
Someone is robbing small town banks around DC, cutting off the hair of women and then killing them. Enter Emma & her team, such as it is thanks to the flu. Will they be able to catch the culprit before he strikes again? And what’s with the hair?
October 9, 2023
Another good book from Mary Stone. Can the team catch a bank robber? Plus, Emma keeps seeing ghosts and is still trying to figure out the warning from her mother. Action from beginning to end. Waiting for the next book in the series.
I'm an ARC member and this is my honest review.
I'm an ARC member and this is my honest review.
October 12, 2023
Special Agent Emma Last and her crew are assigned to solve a series of bank robberies. All of the robberies has one thing in common. A female is killed and her hair is cut off..
It is a great book, full of suspense and mystery, and I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.
It is a great book, full of suspense and mystery, and I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.
October 13, 2023
Last Heist (Emma Last FBI Mystery Series Book 5) By : Mary Stone. Emma Last, Mia, Leo all are after a bank robber. It’s a story with uninterrupted action. We finally understand the cause of Ned Death. Emma finally starts a relationship with… Loved it…
November 19, 2023
Another Emma Last's page-turner.
I recently discovered Mary Stone and her Emma Last's series. Read first 5 book in 4 days. Well developed story line (s) woven into Emma's ghosts. Bravo!
I recently discovered Mary Stone and her Emma Last's series. Read first 5 book in 4 days. Well developed story line (s) woven into Emma's ghosts. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews