The Last Thing I Ever Wanted


Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
355 Pages
Reviewed on 02/08/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

In The Last Thing I Ever Wanted by K.D. Burrows, Delia Quartermain was a famous true crime writer, but her life was brought to a sudden end when she was murdered. Her sister, Mairead, is struggling, and when she takes up her brother-in-law on his offer for her to finish Delia’s latest book, she thinks it’s her chance to get her life back on track. Until she discovers that the subject of the book, a serial killer supposedly killed by the police, may be alive and she could be his next target. But who is he? The police are looking at Mairead’s husband, while Delia’s husband is clearly hiding something. He wants Mairead to take over more than just her sister’s book, but does he want to kill her? Can Mairead discover the true identity of The Mailman before she becomes his next victim? Is it one of the men in her life?

The Last Thing I Ever Wanted by K.D. Burrows is a gripping psychological thriller that will have you glued to every page. This is a unique story, written in part from the serial killer’s perspective, allowing you to get deep into his mind and understand how and why he operates the way he does. This story is full of action, and, with so many twists and turns, it will leave you breathless. The characters are wonderfully well developed to the extent that you feel like you know them intimately, especially Mairead. You’ll enjoy her progression from a broken woman to the heroine every woman secretly wants to be. Trust me when I say that you will never guess the ending, not in a million years, and this taut, well-paced thriller will leave you thinking about it for days after you’ve finished it. If you love psychological thrillers, I guarantee you will love this one.

Carol Thompson

The Last Thing I Ever Wanted by K.D. Burrows is a gripping story that intertwines psychological depth with thrilling suspense. The story begins with a chilling scene of self-reflection and metamorphosis, presenting a protagonist who revels in the transformative power of shedding his mundane identity for something more exhilarating and dark. The novel follows the enigmatic and meticulously planned life of a protagonist who revels in his perceived superiority and control over others. He embodies the traits of both a protagonist and a chilling antagonist. As the narrative unfolds, the tension escalates with the introduction of Keiko Kimura, an elderly woman who becomes an unwitting observer of the protagonist’s other life. Her involvement adds suspense and foreboding, emphasizing the vulnerability of ordinary people to the hidden dangers in their midst.

K.D. Burrows creates a haunting atmosphere, transforming the familiar suburban environment into tension and slowly building fear. The protagonist’s interactions and inner thoughts explore his complex mind, revealing a troubled but eerily relatable character in his pursuit of power and approval. Burrows’ writing style is detailed, atmospheric, and a bit complex, capturing the mundane details of suburban life while infusing them with impending doom. The psychological depth of the characters is particularly noteworthy; the protagonist is a character study in the banality of evil. Literal and metaphorical darkness effectively symbolizes the protagonist’s dual life and the unavoidable clash between his public persona and private desires. The novel examines themes of identity, the facade versus reality, and the lengths one will go to preserve a constructed self-image. The Last Thing I Ever Wanted is a psychologically rich thriller that offers a disturbing look at the duality of human nature and the thin veneer that separates normalcy from chaos. It’s a riveting exploration of the darkness that can hide behind a well-curated façade, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Alma Boucher

In K.D. Burrows' The Last Thing I Ever Wanted, Delia was writing a follow-up book about a serial killer known as The Mailman. The body of a woman who had been raped and killed was found, and suspicions arose that there was a copycat killer. When Delia was found dead, her sister Mairead was asked to complete the book since she had been assisting with the research and writing. As Mairead delves into her sister's death, she begins to believe that the authorities apprehended the wrong suspect and that the original killer has returned. Mairead suspects that the murderer was linked to Delia's death and was a threat to Mairead and her family. All signs indicate that the killer is close to Mairead, so she must identify who it is before she becomes the next victim.

The Last Thing I Ever Wanted by K.D. Burrows is an engaging psychological thriller that kept me captivated from the very beginning, making it impossible to put down until I had reached the end. The events were vividly detailed, allowing me to immerse myself in Mairead's investigation. I initially believed I had identified the killer, but the numerous twists led me to reassess my assumptions. The characters felt genuine and relatable, with Mairead being my favorite. She began as an insecure woman burdened by her past trauma but eventually transformed into a powerful woman who believed in herself. The plot was excellently developed and executed. The conclusion was shocking and caught me completely off guard. I found this remarkable thriller highly enjoyable and continue to reflect on it.

Richard Prause

Mairead Travieso's life is neck-deep in turmoil. Her sister, Delia, is found dead. Even though Delia's death has been ruled an accident, Mairead begins to suspect that this might be far from the truth. To make matters worse, her marriage seems to be falling apart. She moves into her sister's home to help her brother-in-law, Tyler Quartermain, care for Abby, her niece. Mairead seizes the opportunity, as suggested by Tyler, to complete Delia's true-crime book about a deceased serial killer named The Mailman. Meanwhile, the sudden appearance of a copycat killer makes everyone wonder if The Mailman is actually dead or still very much alive. The police turn their suspicions toward Mairead's husband. In the interim, the situation in the Quartermain household becomes tense. Tyler has some secrets of his own. Will they affect Mairead in any way? Most importantly, can she unearth what happened to Delia and live to tell the tale? Read K.D. Burrows' The Last Thing I Ever Wanted to find out.

This novel is a riveting psychological thriller that takes readers on a journey of unexpected twists, secrets, and suspense. From the very first page, K.D. Burrows creates a sense of uneasiness, skillfully layering the narrative with hints and startling revelations. The characters are intriguing and enigmatic. Some of them are refreshingly relatable, making their encounters feel authentic. Burrows’ writing style is astute and concise, making this novel a fast-paced and enjoyable read. When you think you have figured out the bigger picture or the real mastermind behind the scenes, another plot twist will quickly overturn your theory. It reminds me of The Housemaid series. Burrows’ vivid descriptions and realistic dialogue bring every scene to life, immersing readers deeper into the storyline. You will find yourself racing through each chapter, longing to discover the truth. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, The Last Thing I Ever Wanted is a must-read that you'll certainly enjoy.

Nino Lobiladze

A true crime writer, Delia Quartermain, dies under suspicious circumstances. Her sister, Mairead Travieso, moves to her house to look after Delia's thirteen-year-old daughter, Abby. Mairead's brother-in-law, Tyler, asks her to finish Delia's book about a serial killer nicknamed the Mailman. While Mairead's husband, Mateo, is unhappy about her new job, she is glad to become an author. But Mairead starts getting threatening texts, Abby performs Hoodoo rituals for protection, and Mateo may be the killer copying the Mailman's crimes. The Last Thing I Ever Wanted by K. D. Burrows will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, suspense, drama, and intrigue.

In The Last Thing I Ever Wanted, K. D. Burrows thoroughly explores every aspect of the human psyche. This terrifying novel gets under the skin, making us question everything we have considered safe and familiar. The character development is compelling and intriguing. We follow the narrative mainly from Mairead's viewpoint, and there is something almost irritating about her as we cannot quite comprehend her motives from the beginning. Yet, Mairead offers many surprises for us and her adversaries. I like the captivating touch of Hoodoo mysticism and its modern interpretation by one of the investigators, Eli Robinson. Eli is another perplexing character, and we wonder if he is a friend or a foe to Mairead and Abby. The suspense intensifies with every page as Burrows keeps us guessing regarding the killer's identity until the final revelation. This riveting novel inspires women to always be strong and resilient.