Review: The Last House on the Street

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In two voices, Ellie from the 60s and Kayla from current times.

Kayla has lost her husband to an accident that happened while

he was working on their new-build house which they both designed.

Kayla father helps look after their little girl Raine but has

decided that its time for them to move to the house. It is a huge

house and far too big for them, but she does move in.

Meanwhile we are hearing about Ellie's involvement in the civil

rights movement, going to the houses of the poor in the south and

helping them know how to sign up for the vote. They are all waiting

for LBJ to sign the bill putting this voting rights into law.

Current time; Kayla has moved in and has visited her neighbour, Ellie.

She is back from where she has lived for the last 30 years to care for

her brother, Buddy, and her mother. Buddy has congestive heart failure.

Originally Ellie seemed friendly and invited Kayla to practice yoga, but

she has all of a sudden done a turn about and has told Kayla that she 

doesn't have time because of caring for her brother and mother. Kayla was

perplexed by this, but said that she understands.

The next time Kayla drives past their house she notices smoke coming from

the back, then flames. She got out of her car and went running to try to

see what was happening. She was able to get help and they were able to put

the fire out.

The story is told by two voices, Kayla and Ellie. Ellie from back in the

1960's and Kayla 2010. As it goes we learn all about Ellie as a young person.

She joined the civil rights movement and worked hard one summer. But we learn

a lot about what it was like back then and a lot about the KKK. Ellie had

been going out with Kayla's father back then until she met the love of her

life during her time working for civil rights.

An excellent read, couldn't put it down.