The Last Chapter

by Eleanor Collins

The century old mystery of the disappearance of Thomas Stanwell begins to unfold when a World War 1 mass grave is found at Fromelles. Thomas' great grandson is determined to find out what happened and travels from Australia to Europe in the quest to find answers. The rich tapestry of this family saga is woven with descendants from Australia, England, Scotland and Germany and covers the entire 20th Century. The mystery begins to unravel with an unexpected meeting in Glasgow.

254 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2014

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Chapter was a heart warming story about two soldiers who fought against each other in WWI, one Australian and one German, and how their battle and the outcome affected their families through three generations. Told in a dual timeline, the story opens with the discovery of a mass grave in France believed to be the final resting place for thousands of Australian soldiers who lost their lives in France in 1916. We meet the family of one one soldier Thomas, including his 90 year old son who never gave up hope his father would return and his great-grandson who has made it his life’s work to find out what happened. We also meet a German soldier Karl, who was in the trenches and survived and we get to see how life as a survivor but from a defeated Germany was after the war. We watch Hitler come to power and Germany defeated again as Karl watched his children follow the same path he did.

This was a powerful book because it weaves its story in the residuals of war. Not the glory of the victors, but in the shame of the defeated and the doubt and never-ending guilt and questions of the survivors.

The one thing that I thought was a bit contrived and the reason for only four stars was the romance. I know the author had to weave the stories back together somehow, but it was a bit too much for me.

I received an ARC as part of a Goodreads giveaway. The opinions are my own.

[Stephen Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent historical fiction, romance and family drama. An Australian soldier named Thomas Stanwell was enlisted to fight in the Great War particularly in the Battle of Fromelles, and never returned home. The family spent their whole lives thinking about what happened to him. His grandson Tom set out on a journey and finally unraveled the long mystery.

I enjoyed it a lot! A bit predictable but also remarkably entertaining.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very easy read, and a nice enough story about two families, one German, one British/Australian, who are united by their soldiers who met on the battlefield in World War I. They learn of their connection nearly a century later, when a mass grave is discovered in France.

The story is a little too neatly tied together, but it does address important issues, such as the effects of war on those doomed to fight, and the remorse that comes, often too late, from cutting ties with family.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, started out a little slow for me but intriguing enough to keep going. I really enjoyed the journey through the wars and seeing how the impacts of war last for generations. The romance was a bit I didn't really expect but was a nice addition to the storyline.

I won a copy from Goodreads Giveaway.

[Denise]

I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways. Once I have read it I will give a complete review.