Last Seen

 

Last Seen by Lucy Clarke
5/19/26; 448 pages
Grove/Atlantic 

Last Seen by Lucy Clarke is a recommended domestic drama. This edition is a re-release of the novel which was originally published in 2017 by HarperCollins.

Seven years ago Jacob and Marley went swimming in the sea – and only Jacob was brought back to shore.  The two were best friends living next to each other in The Sandbank, a beach huts community, where their mothers, Sarah and Isla were also best friends. The story opens seven years later when now 17-year-old Jacob attends a beach party and disappears on his birthday, which is also the anniversary of the accident. Sarah is out, asking his friends if they've seen him but he has seemingly disappeared.

This well-written novel starts at a slow pace. As the narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Sarah and Isla, it also jumps back in time to tell the backstory of the characters. This is certainly more of a domestic drama rather than a thriller as it focuses on and explores relationships as it builds up tension over Jacob's disappearance. There are plenty of unanswered questions, along with lies, secrets and rumors from all of the characters. It is also a bit too long for the story it is telling as many readers are going to guess some of the big reveals early on, as I did. The pace and the twists do pick up at the end.

Both Sarah and Isla are fully realized characters with strengths and weaknesses. However, all the characters are deeply flawed and, however realistically they are portrayed, they not particularly likable. Sometimes it's fun to read a novel full of disagreeable, flawed, and unreliable characters and sometimes it becomes tiresome. In the final evaluation, I'm not sure why this novel is being re-released in 2026.

Last Seen is recommended for those looking for a domestic drama with a beach setting. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.