*The Last Thing He Told Me* by Laura Dave is a gripping mystery novel that delves into the complexities of trust, love, and the secrets that can tear lives apart. The story follows Hannah Hall, a woodturner living a seemingly peaceful life with her husband, Owen Michaels, and her stepdaughter, Bailey, in Sausalito, California.

The plot takes a sharp turn when Owen suddenly disappears, leaving behind a cryptic note for Hannah that simply says, "Protect her." Soon after, Hannah discovers that Owen's tech company is under federal investigation for fraud, and he may not be the man she thought she knew. With no one to turn to and the authorities closing in, Hannah and Bailey embark on a desperate quest to uncover the truth about Owen's past.

As they dig deeper, Hannah and Bailey discover that Owen has been living under a false identity, hiding from a dangerous past connected to a crime syndicate and a former life he never revealed. Their search takes them to Austin, Texas, where Bailey begins to piece together long-buried memories of her early childhood, leading them to an influential and powerful family that could hold the key to Owen's disappearance.

The novel explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. Hannah's relationship with Bailey, initially strained, evolves as they rely on each other to navigate the uncertainty and danger they face. The tension builds as Hannah grapples with whether to keep searching for Owen or move on, eventually making a heart-wrenching decision for Bailey's safety.

In the end, *The Last Thing He Told Me* is a compelling story about resilience, the search for truth, and the realization that sometimes the most important answers lie in letting go. 🤍✨