She is then asked to attend one last function at a stunning chateau in the South of France, simply to be there as staged arm candy, no intimacy required, only pretence where necessary. While the French chateau location sounds heavenly at first glance, the secrets that are unveiled there reveal the sinister side to the lives of this wealthy cast of characters. Known for her poise, beauty, sophistication and caution, Dora is ready to finally hang up her heels for good when she is requested to accompany a loyal client on one last venture. Dora is reluctant to take his advice, which she’s heard many times before, until Evan, who has long been in love with Dora, proposes. Smart, stunning and discreet, Dora is used to being whatever men want her to be and this trip will be all about putting on a front for one last time.

The way they are woven into the narrative adds to Dora’s character and I felt like I had a better understanding of her as a result. The pacing is all off in this book and the first reveal isn’t even a reveal because we have no idea who this person is or why we should care.This is told mostly from the first person account of Dora/Teodora, who is a high end escort/sex worker. The domestic noir genre is very lucky to have Adele Parks, she is a magnificent author, which is down to books such as One Last Secret. So exact locations might not be real but the sense of the South of France, a paradisethat you just know is going to go down hill fast, is evident. King uses the phrase keeping it on the down-low in a way that suggests he probably doesn’t understand how this phrase is currently used—and has been used for quite a while.

One Last Secret is told through the eyes of an escort named Dora, and her testimony was utterly compelling.

Once they arrive at the chateau in the south of France, things start to happen and Dora realizes that she needs to leave as soon as she can. Told in the first person, primarily from Dora’s perspective, the story is engaging and evocative throughout.