The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth by Barbara O'NealSynopsis: “Two women overcoming past traumas embark on a healing journey across continents in a novel about friendship, family, and rediscovery by the USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids. Recently and abruptly divorced Veronica Barrington is anxious for a new direction when she answers a listing for a travel companion. It’s from Mariah Ellsworth, a young woman adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career. She’s also grieving her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, and Mariah aims to trace the steps of her mother’s final, unfinished project so she can heal and also honour the woman she misses. Veronica seizes on the opportunity to experience with Mariah the culture, traditions, and intoxicating aromas of Parsi cafés throughout London, Paris, Morocco, and India. Accompanied by a former war photographer who has a wounded history of his own, and with just Rachel’s letters to guide them, the quest is a chance to not only close a chapter in life but also begin a new one. Following the letters one by one—each a clue to an illuminating mystery—Veronica and Mariah must face the painful and beautiful challenges of freeing themselves from the dark shadows of the past. Together, far from home, they can find the light.”

My Review

I really enjoyed this audiobook, by new-to-me author Barbara O’Neal. 

I really liked Veronica, and Henry the photographer, but it took me a while to warm to Mariah, as she was quite a spiky character and her issues were a lot deeper.

I loved following them on their personal and physical journeys, that took them from the USA to London, Paris and India, and I felt like I’d travelled with them along the way. I also enjoyed how they all developed as characters as the story progressed.

There was a mystery surrounding Mariah’s mother’s final letter, and I loved the way the author slowly led me and the characters of the book towards the big reveal.

I loved Andi Arndt’s narration, she brought Veronica, Mariah and Henry to life perfectly.

Highly recommended if you enjoy contemporary fiction with a mystery.