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About The Book

“Immediate, intense, gripping, taut, terrifying, moving, and brilliant.” —Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Invisible Girl

“Brilliantly written...terrifying.”—Ruth Ware, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One by One

A woman being held captive is willing to risk everything to save herself, her unborn child, and her captor’s latest victim in this “intense, dark, and utterly chilling” (Jennifer Hillier, author of ​Jar of Hearts) thriller in the tradition of Misery and Room.

He is her husband. She is his captive.

Her husband calls her Jane. That is not her name.

She lives in a small farm cottage, surrounded by vast, open fields. Everywhere she looks, there is space. But she is trapped. No one knows she is there. Visitors rarely come to the farm; if they do, she is never seen.

Her husband records her every movement during the day. If he doesn’t like what he sees, she is punished.

For a long time, escape seemed impossible. But now, something has changed. She has a reason to live and a reason to fight. Now, she is watching him, and waiting…

About The Author

Photograph by Will Dean

Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands of the United Kingdom. After studying law at the London School of Economics and working in London, he settled in rural Sweden where he built a wooden house in a vast forest, and it’s from this base that he compulsively reads and writes. His debut novel, Dark Pines, was selected for Zoe Ball’s book club on ITV, shortlisted for the National Book Award (UK), The Guardian’s Not the Booker prize, and was named a Telegraph book of the year. He is also the author of The Last One, First Born, The Last Thing to Burn, which was shortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and The Chamber.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books (April 20, 2021)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781982156480

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Raves and Reviews

"I could not stop reading this! Brilliantly done . . . I’m awestruck!"

– Denise Mina, internationally bestselling author of THE LESS DEAD (via Twitter)

"This outstanding thriller by Will Dean might be the best book you read this year. THE LAST THING TO BURN is intense, dark, and utterly chilling — I felt this one in my bones."

– Jennifer Hillier, award-winning author of JAR OF HEARTS and LITTLE SECRETS

“I couldn't put it down. A visceral nightmare of a book with one of the most evil villains I've come across in a long time. Powerful writing.”

– Steve Cavanagh, award-winning author of THE DEFENSE

“Ratchets up the tension to the point where I had to check my pulse.”

– Liz Nugent, critically-acclaimed author of LITTLE CRUELTIES

“A heart-racing exploration about human survival. An addictive and insightful thriller.”

– Maxine Mei-Fung Chung, critically-acclaimed author of THE EIGHTH GIRL

“Brilliant.”

– Elly Griffiths, internationally bestselling author of THE LANTERN MEN

"Compelling. A well-written domestic thriller."

– Mystery & Suspense Magazine

"A story of pain and survival that I almost guarantee will stay with you long after you close the book."

– Men Reading Books

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