Last Seen Leaving

By: Caleb Roehrig

Narrated by: Josh Hurley

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Flynn's girlfriend, January, is missing. The cops are asking question he can't answer, and her friends are telling stories that don't add up. All eyes are on Flynn―as January's boyfriend, he must know something.

But Flynn has a secret of his own. And as he struggles to uncover the truth about January's disappearance, he must also face the truth about himself.

©2016 Caleb Roehrig (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Josh Hurley flawlessly depicts the appealing characters in this YA novel, a combination of mystery, romance, and coming-of-age elements. When sophomore Flynn comes home from school to find the police waiting to question him about his girlfriend, January, he's shocked to learn that she's missing. Hurley's Flynn sounds just like a teen telling the listener his story. His sincerity is fully believable as he reveals that his sweetly innocent relationship with January mainly involves trying to help her with her unhappy family life. (All her mother and stepfather care about is winning a political election.) Equally moving is hearing Flynn slowly accept that he's gay. Hurley's narration is spot-on, moving from light and funny to suspenseful and chilling as Flynn learns what happened to January, whom he truly loves." ( AudioFile Magazine)

would have liked to have know the main guy is gay

just saying I was not ready for the main character to be gay. otherwise good story line and a great proformance by the narrator.

Was a pretty good book!

I'll admit, there was a few times throughout the first half of this book that I thought about turning it off, I'm really glad I didn't though! It turned out to be a enjoyable book that I'm glad I read. So good that for the first time ever I'd like to that the author!

A good mystery and solid performance

This is a solid mystery with a few problems. On the positive side, this book is a well written, age-appropriate, story that captures the coming out process and reaction accurately. The resolution is just awful and illogical. All I could think about what about the fingerprints. However there is so much good in this book that I give it a positive review. This writer needs to work harder on getting resolution without cheating so much at the end.

Amazing

I couldn't stop listening, I really appreciated the growth of the characters and everything I had to stop listening I kept thinking of this book, I wanted to know what was going to happen and what happened to January.
I also appreciated the plot twists, I didn't expect that ending.

enjoyable, if a bit perplexing

it was overall a good story, the characters were likable, and the resolution of all the miscommunications was handled in a very real way that i appreciated a lot. i’m not one to finish a book if i don’t like it, and i finished this one and that says something. however, there were a few things that bothered me. there were quite a few times where Flynn would make a discovery and go on about how important it was without telling the audience what he found, which was frankly just annoying. in this book in particular Roehrig uses a lot of figurative language and big words, which isn’t always a bad thing but it was often unnecessary, not to mention the story is told from the perspective of a fifteen year old. and that’s the biggest problem i had. Flynn and January are FIFTEEN and described as doing things that just felt insane for someone that young. fifteen year olds are children and the amount of casual underage drinking in this book bordered on ridiculous. yes, obviously it happens in real life, but in the book it’s portrayed as a totally normal cool thing which just feels irresponsible. the last thing i want to point out is (MINOR SPOILER) that the youngest Kaz could possibly be is 18, Flynn is 15, and sure that’s technically only a 3 year age difference but that’s A Lot at that age. I was at one point 18 and I’ve been a freshman in college and I never once even considered dating a SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL. because once again, 15 year olds are Still Children. (END SPOILER) despite all that the story was still enjoyable. it’s clear that Roehrig’s writing has improved since this book though as I’ve read White Rabbit and The Fell of Dark, both of which are quite good.

Best Book of 2016/Top 10 Contemporary Novels

What made the experience of listening to Last Seen Leaving the most enjoyable?

Josh Hurley is exceptional. I've never listened to anything of his before, but his voice was perfect as a teenager. Honestly, when I think of Flynn, I hear Hurley's voice. It fit perfectly. As far as the audio versus physical, I think that either way, it would've been my favorite of the year, but Hurley did make it so enjoyable.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Oh yeah. This was one of those books that stressed me out. There are those occasional books that I literally have to put away and read something light. This was definitely one of them, but, in the back of my mind, I was always thinking, "What's going on with Flynn, January, and everyone else?" Absolutely one fantastic ride.

Have you listened to any of Josh Hurley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I did say this before, but I haven't. I'm glad that I listened to it, however, because Mr. Hurley was amazing. There are narrators that I will search for by name and find out what they've worked on. Often times, I will purchase a book based on the narrator and if I like it. I can definitely see me doing this with John Hurley.

If you could rename Last Seen Leaving, what would you call it?

Wow, this is the hardest question I've ever been asked on these reviews. On the spot, I guess you could call it "Near the Barn," "The Search for Us," or you could just call it "January." I don't like those titles at all, so I would just stick with 'Last seen Leaving' for sure!

Any additional comments?

I don't think this is a spoiler, because it is pretty early on that you find out Flynn is gay. I just want to say that this book has a much more important attribute than an amazing story, great characters, and suspense that keeps you guessing. Many of the gay-themed books now I would consider to be erotica. Because Mr. Roehrig made this a Teen or YA book, he was able to give something to teenagers to read that won't introduce them to mature elements. I just think that 'Last Seen Leaving' is a book that EVERY gay teen should read (and straight teens as well for that matter). There are lessons, struggles and angst, but personal revelation, acceptance, and everything else. It's a book I would put next to some of the best contemporary literature of our day without a moments hesitation. --This book is definitely something that all will enjoy and you will have trouble putting it down.

YA coming out gay sex novel

Clearly the author couldn't decide whether his main character's vocabulary should be that of a teenager or of 45 year old. He consistently used terms that no 15 year old would ever use. The storyline itself was okay, however I had absolutely no interest in reading about 15 year old gay sex. The poor choice of vocabulary was very distracting to completing this novel.

amazing

I loved it it was so hard to put down!! would definitely reccomend. awsome

A New Hardy Boy...

An excellent story! The story of January and Flynn, with every twist, turn, and prevarication that is uncovered, keeps you riveted to discover what is next. This is a story of Flynn and his self-discovery and his girlfriend and the journey in which each chooses to take to find the peace each need. The little sleuth that is Flynn was an integral part of the journey and though their is murder and mayhem, there is a happily ever after, which I adore. Caleb Roehrig provides an excellent story to get lost and entangled in and Josh Hurley's narration gives life to the characters within the story. A definite must read!!!

Wonderful Story of Growing Up

Caleb Roehrig deserves a massive amount of credit for this read. Josh Hurley did an amazing job of showing vulnerability and earnest emotions. This book kept me guessing on who the bad guy was up until the very end. I look forward to seeing what else Caleb Roehrig has in store for these characters. I need a sequel.