Rating: 
Summary: Four stars for the sheer pleasure of compulsive reading...
Review: Blauner's novel has some great touches about modern day life, particularly in the shadow of 9/11 (I finished it the day before the 2 year anniversary so the memories are still heavy) and the characters are often sympathetic (I particularly enjoyed Harold, Paco, and Barry). Blauner creates a geniunely creepy Mike for most of the book. However, I found the ending chapters to be like one of those action picture endings--who lives and dies (I shall not reveal) seems to be driven by drama and not realism. It is a good book, but I don't share the love of it that many readers here seem to have.
Rating: 
Summary: Characters who Really Live and Breathe
Review: By far Peter Brauner's best, the book compares favorably to something like Updike's RABBIT REDUX.
On every page I had to pause to remind myself that I don't actually live in Riverside, the New York suburb where the action is largely set, but far away in California. That's how convincingly he draws you into the story.
Most writers have no idea how to integrate the working lives of their characters into the give and take of a thriller. Here I was totally taken in by Barry Schulman's working world in the high concept life of a biotech company, by Lynn's photography and the way a reader could actually visualize many of her best pictures, by Mike's life as a small town detective with a big city style crime to solve.
There was a lot of class stuff too, which again most American novelists can't handle. And most of all, the suspense which got to be so overpowering I didn't want to do anything but finish the book. The 9/11 material was handled with distinction; I liked Barry falling all over the commuter who, because he wasn't seen on the train for some time, was believed to have perished at the World Trade Center.
Rating:
Summary: If you liked Mystic River.....
Review: I thought this was better, in that it was not quite as dark. Without giving away any of the plot, who wants to have a book that ends on such a downer. There may or may not stil be some down in this one, but it wrapped up as nicely as possible. And it was not so frustrating....the plot was not cliche. You know, like just when someone is on to a discovery, they are killed, or when a bad guy is doing something bad and you say- why can't anyone figure him out, etc. This was intelligently written, light years more that this review.
Rating:
Summary: You Can Go Home Again (But Beware the Consequences)!
Review: Lynn Schulman moves with her family back to her hometown of Riverside, NY and finds herself wrapped up in the murder of a friend. The lead detective turns out to be a former boyfriend and as the case unfolds, Lynn finds herself more involved than she would like. With more depth than the average murder mystery, this book illustrates how past history affects the present.
Rating:
Summary: An intelligent read
Review: Not a standard murder mystery, The Last Good Day quietly shatters the myth of the safe harbor of the suburbs. Peter and Lynn Schulman flee the city in the wake of 9/11 only to encounter a different and more personal catastrophe in Lynn's hometown.Author Peter Blauner takes what could have been a predictable plot by lesser writers and throws in twists that has the reader questioning their expectations. Each character including the secondary players are well drawn. Peter and Lynn, the main characters, are not necessarily as upstanding as they seem at first glance. Michael, the "villian" who harasses the couple, is filled out fully as well. While the reader can't condone his actions they come away with a greater understanding of his motivations. Blauner takes care with all the character and surrounding details to the point that the reader finds themselves in his environment. This book is great for a summer read.
Rating: 
Summary: trendy, forgettable
Review: Peter Blauner has plugged into the trendy words and behavior of northeastern suburban life circa late September 2001 in his less-than-riveting mystery novel, "The Last Good Day." His extremely unsubtle, knock-you-on-the-head references to 9-11 seem to be a carefully calculated attempt to draw readers into his carelessly crafted tale.
The chief characters, 40-somethings all, immersed in status-conscious consumerism and obsessed with appearing successful, at all costs, failed to engage the interest of this reader. Their "secrets", their long history going back together to high school days, are inferred by readers long before they are slowly "revealed" by the events of the book. My conclusion? This novel is not worthy of your time; it fails to be absorbing, timely, or relevant, despite the heavy-handed ploys to make it so.
Rating:
Summary: excellent character development
Review: The cast of characters in this book was outstanding. The story line itself had adequate suspense but it was the character portrayals that made it of interest. It was also a smooth , fast read.
Rating:
Summary: The Uncomfortable Truth
Review: The Last Good Day, a tepid less-than-riveting mystery/thriller, is Blauner's unsuccessful attempt at creating a believable tense backdrop of New York suburban life shortly after September 11, 2001. While some parts of the storyline `hold water', the majority of the novel lays fallow, and unfortunately fails to deliver on almost every level imaginable.
The various not-so-subtle references to 9-11 are not apropos to the plot, and as a result, appear to be a flimsy attempt to draw curious readers possibly scouting for terrorist intrigue. The shallow two-dimensional, and often gutter-mouthed, characters fail to engage the reader, and only highlight the carelessly constructed plot which is neither absorbing or captivating. Give this one a pass. Any redeeming qualities to the novel? The photo on the cover is nice...
Rating:
Summary: Blauner Writes Thrillers for Smart People
Review: This isn't a stupid beach read. It's a suspenseful, entertaining, often funny book that reflects both the comforting and the unsettling parts of suburban life. As Blauner fans know, this author has been quietly carving out a unique niche-- combining serious fiction (deeply drawn characters and detailed social observations) with very readable, highly enjoyable plotting. No warmed-over serial killers here but something more sophisticated and rare--flesh and blood characters whose hidden flaws and deep secrets bring about their downfall. Unlike the exhausted prose of some big name authors, Blauner still works for every line. His beautifully rendered descriptions will make you see ordinary things in your own life in a new way. A gem.
Rating:
Summary: Much More Than A Good Thriller!
Review: Three of Blauner's earlier works--Slow Motion Riot, The Intruder and Man Of The Hour-- were excellent books. Both of which read like thrillers but are really great, adrenaline-pumping fiction. Consistent with these past successes, Blauner's latest, The Last Good Day, is another must-read and may be his best yet. As a matter of fact, referring to this book as a very good -- even an excellent -- thriller does it an injustice. Its strong, well-developed, credible characters, its smart dialogue, its ability to capture the mood and fear in an affluent suburban community shortly following 9/11 and a local murder makes The Last Good Day a book you don't want to put down -- but, at the same time, don't want to see come to an end. Beyond its exciting plot, Blauner has created a work of fiction that places it near the top of a very limited group of books in regards to rich prose and style. Do yourself a favor and put The Last Good Day at the top of your Must Read list. While you're at it, do yourself another favor and pick up copies of Slow Motion Riot, The Intruder and Man Of The Hour as well.
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