🚀 Book Review: The Last Second by Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison
A high-stakes, sci-fi-tinged thriller that blends space technology, ancient legend, and global catastrophe—delivering nonstop action with a pulse-pounding countdown.
Book 6 in the A Brit in the FBI series, The Last Second takes the action to cosmic heights, pitting agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela “Mike” Caine against a rogue scientist with a terrifying plan to reset civilization. With a solid Goodreads rating of 4.14/5 from over 5,500 readers, this installment is praised for its cinematic pacing, imaginative plot, and globe-trotting suspense.
🧠 Plot Overview
The story centers on Dr. Nevaeh Patel, a brilliant ex-astronaut who believes she was saved by aliens—known as the Numen—during a spacewalk. Now second-in-command at Galactus, a private French space agency, Patel has secretly launched a satellite carrying a nuclear-triggered EMP (electromagnetic pulse) device. Her goal? Detonate the EMP and wipe out global electronics, plunging the world into chaos so she can reunite with the Numen and achieve immortality.
Meanwhile, treasure hunter Jean-Pierre Broussard, founder of Galactus, has just recovered the Holy Grail—a relic Patel believes is key to her cosmic destiny. When Broussard is betrayed and nearly killed, Drummond and Caine leap into action, racing across Europe to stop Patel before the satellite reaches its final position.
💬 Why Readers Love It
- Sci-Fi Meets Thriller: The EMP threat and alien mythology add a fresh twist to the FBI procedural format.
- Breakneck Pacing: The story unfolds with cinematic urgency, jumping from Paris to space labs to deep-sea treasure hunts.
- Strong Female Antagonists: Patel and her ruthless bodyguard Kiera Byrne are formidable, complex villains.
- Series Continuity: Familiar faces like Kitsune and Grant Thornton return, adding depth for longtime fans.
⚠️ Critiques
- The alien subplot may stretch believability for readers expecting grounded espionage.
- Some felt the Holy Grail element veered into Dan Brown territory, mixing myth with modern tech.
- The climax, while thrilling, relies on last-second saves that may feel formulaic to seasoned thriller fans.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Last Second is a bold, genre-blending thriller that pushes the boundaries of the FBI universe. If you enjoy stories with global stakes, tech-driven suspense, and a dash of the fantastical, this one delivers a wild ride to the very edge of disaster.
