The Last Monument

By: Michael C. Grumley

Narrated by: Scott Brick

One small handwritten letter, sent from a dark, remote corner of the planet and lost in the system for 60 years, is about to change the entire human race.

Outside Denver, Colorado, Joe Rickards stands over a small aircraft wreckage, studying burnt remains still smoldering in a field of freshly fallen snow. He's an investigator for the NTSB, working to carefully roll back the last several hours and identify the cause of the accident.

But this time, he can't.

The details behind this tragedy don't add up. Unlike every other investigation of Joe's career, the facts make no sense. Each new piece of information only makes the accident more mysterious, and more baffling.

Why would a person receive an age-old letter and suddenly disappear into the thick of night...paying to be flown out of a closed airport in the worst possible weather conditions by a pilot who hadn't had his hand on the stick in years? With the only surviving relative insisting her grandfather would never have climbed into a small airplane in the first place, even in perfect weather.

A bizarre string of events culminating in a horrible accident unlike anything Rickards has experienced. Leaving his only hope at understanding it in the hands of the victim's sole remaining relative. Beginning with how a mysterious letter could turn up after being lost in the system for 60 years. Sent by someone who should have already been long-dead.

A single letter Joe Rickards is about to discover, with a secret that will change the entire world.

©2020 Michael C. Grumley (P)2020 Michael C. Grumley

ANOTHER GRAND SLAM FOR MR GRUMLEY?

My spouse and I read books together via audible because we enjoy experiencing and discussing them simultaneously.

The Last Monument was inspiring and uplifting... Something we need now. - between COVID-19 and such a heavily embittered, divisive time.

THANK you for a wonderful and engaging story. Can't wait for your next symphony of words.

I liked it!

I enjoyed listening to it. I definitely thought there was 1 scene that was too much...you'll know it when you get to it. :)

This was an altogether unsatisfying book.

The initial premise was somewhat intriguing but the story and action events so implausible as to be laughable. I grudgingly finished it but it is a stupid book and not worth the read time.

Outstanding listen

Both the writing and narration were excellent. As soon as I finish this review, I’m going to look for more of Grumley’s books!

Better than expected

I took a chance on this sale book because I like Scott Brick's narration. As it turned out, I thought the narration was the weakest component of this book. Little things such as different voices for chapter announcements. And bigger things like difficulty in discerning which character was speaking. The narration wasn't weak, just not up to Brick's usually higher standards. The story itself was an excellent blend of mystery/thriller and science fiction. Reminded me a little of a Stephen King novel. And the last couple of chapters moved the book from four star into five star territory. Perhaps a little contrived but definitely a feel-good book. I learned from author comments at the end that this was apparently a self-published book. I can't believe this was because he couldn't find a publisher for it, because it was too good for that. Bought this book expecting it to earn three stars and hoping it would earn four. Suprised and please to give it five. Have a listen.