Title: The Last Celebrity
Author: Madeleine Henry
Publication Date: March 10, 2026
Publisher: Little A
Format Read: Kindle e-ARC
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
I usually shy away from books that have celebrities as main characters. However, The Last Celebrity by Madeleine Henry caught my eye because the main-character celebrity is an author, and one thing I will almost always cave on is an author. I also found the premise of celebrities being targeted as a whole by a vigilante group simply for being famous.
I was tugged into the tale immediately, with Fiona receiving anonymous mail from this vigilante group, the Nomen. And then, like the waves in the oceans her books contain, I was swept along as the riptide carried me through the rest of the book with incredible force. It pulled me through her truly becoming aware of the threat, time spent in hiding, and her friend’s kidnapping. It didn’t let me go for a moment.
One of the characters in the story describes Fiona as incredible and says there’s no one else like her. I agree with this sentiment. She possesses the inner strength of a hero, the kindness of an angel, and the gentleness of a mother. Yet, she didn’t just magically become this way. She’s lived through some very tough times and used them to make herself better instead of bitter. I liked Fiona. I related to her. The other characters in the book are just fine, but Fiona is most definitely the star.
The author chose to use first-person narration from Fiona’s perspective for the most part. This really allows the reader to experience what Fiona is going through. By using a conversational tone with Fiona’s direct thoughts, she’s created an intimate connection with the reader. And that connection, along with vivid imagery, infuses the story with a tension that is palpable and an urgent need to see how Fiona and the others arrive at the conclusion. Her writing has truly managed to heighten both suspense and empathy, which isn’t a task easily done. Kudos to Ms. Henry.
Without giving away any spoilers, I want to mention that there was one element of the story that felt a bit unnecessary. While it didn’t detract from the overall plot and even added some texture, it pushed the boundaries of believability just a tad. I still enjoyed that part, and I think others might too, so I’ll leave it at that.
I was so upset that this past week was a busy one for my family and me because this is the kind of thriller that I could’ve devoured in a day. And instead, I had to drag it out for a week. Insert whine and crying emoji here The premise was new enough to me to grasp my interest, there was a healthy propulsion of tension, and a likable main character. Read this if you enjoy Freida McFadden and/or Alice Feeney or just enjoy a fun thriller.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓—A thrilling read centered around a relatable main character, making it a great pick for fans of suspenseful stories!
Let’s Discuss
What elements do you think make a celebrity-themed story engaging, and how do you feel about the portrayal of vigilante justice in fiction?
Find out more about the book and author here.
I read a digital copy made available by Little A through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.